Teilweise neu: 2001-10-10 Contents of this issue:
1. Hard Aground 2. Fish Freight Worry 3. Scholarship Review 4. Going Broke? 5. Tribunal For Bad Leaders 6. Rights Reminder 7. Island Ready 8. ======================================================================== Old contents were: 1. Rights Reminder 2. Island Ready 3. October 10th, 2001 1. Hard Aground: The MV Tokelau is still stuck hard on the reef at Nukunono atoll in Tokelau, almost three weeks after it ran aground. The vessel provides a regular service for freight and passengers between Samoa and Tokelau. Previous attempts to refloat the vessel have been unsuccessful, according to reports from the Office of Tokelau Affairs in Apia. A Fijian salavage team and a New Zealand marine specialist are expected to arrive at Nukunono Friday to undertake a second attempt to pull the MV Tokelau off the reef. There have been no reports on damage sustained by the vessel. 2. Fish Freight Worry: Samoas Finance Minister Misa Telefoni has called for a meeting with Air New Zealand executives next week to consider announced freight charge increases that, he said, could severely damage the Samoan fisheries industry. The Samoa Fish Exporters Association said Samoa will lose about $ST3 million a year if the price rises are implemented. Misa Telefoni called the plans for 55 per cent increases "unfair," adding that the exporters have been given very short notice. The Minister said the increase should be no more than 10 percent, with a six-month gap before any further increase is considered. Air New Zealand's Samoa manager said freight charges for shipments from Samoa have to go up, and to fall into line with those charged other countries, such as Fiji and Tonga. 3. Scholarship Review: NZODA is carrying out a review of its training and scholarship programs offered to Niue. New Zealand provides around $460,000 a year for seventh form scholarships, in service training for public and private sector employees, short term attachments and private sector training grants. The last review was undertaken in 1996. Niue looks after its own scholarship and training grants through a Training and Development Council. The current review being headed by Anne Brunt of Wellington is investigating how the scholarship and training funding has been allocated and what sort of studies Niueans are undertaking. Questionnaires have been issued to scholarship students in New Zealand and discussions are underway with those who have completed training and education courses and have returned to Niue to work. Discussions have also been held with the Niue Chamber of Commerce, education and training officials on Niue. Next year the scholarship programs are likely to be altered due to the changeover of School Certificate and 6th form certificates to a National Certificate of Achievement. Other reviews soon to commence include the Niue Tourism Office and a study into maintaining the island as a viable community. 4. Going Broke? Tonga's opposition is worried the Kingdom may be running out of money. Latest figures from the Reserve Bank of Tonga show the country's foreign reserves at only around $TP24 million which is only enough to met 3 months worth of imports. Peoples Representative in the Tongan Parliament Fred Sevele, says that's nowhere near enough, and import restrictions will probably be needed soon. (Radio Australia). 5. Tribunal For Bad Leaders: A respected New Zealand academic has suggested it's time Australia and New Zealand investigated the establishment of a regional criminal tribunal where Pacific leaders who plunder the State or abuse the human rights of their citizens could be put on trial. Dr Rod Alley of Victoria University of Wellington put forward the proposal- which he dubbed "Nowhere To Hide" - shortly after he outlined it to a public seminar in Auckland on the subject of Tensions and Conflict in the Pacific. ( Radio Australia). 6. Rights Reminder: The United States has been cautioned that anti-money laundering measures be carefully targeted to ensure they did not over-ride th sovereign right of nations to determine their tax regimes. Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Noel Levi, has welcomed the recent announcement by the United States to introduce stronger measures against money laundering, as part of international efforts to combat the financing of terrorism. "Money laundering is a very serious criminal activity that we must all seek t stamp out," Mr Levi said. "We understand that the latest US measures are part of efforts to also cut off financial sources to those who sponsor or benefit from the evils of terrorism. "Indeed, Forum Leaders have for the past decade promoted law enforcement cooperation programmes aimed at countering money laundering. These include model legislation that individual countries may modify, as well as legal drafting assistance to prepare relevant legislation. Other efforts to establish Financial Intelligence Units will help to address the issues of transparency and information sharing." said Mr Levi. Niue still remains on the black list of the OECD but is receiving assistance from New Zealand to set up a Financial Monitoring Unit for its offshore centre. 7. Island Ready: Niue is dressed 8. in its Sunday best waiting to welcome 400 visitors to a double-banger celebration which starts next week. Along with celebrating 27 years of self government in free association with New Zealand the sparsely populated island is also recognising 100 years of political association with New Zealand. Guest of honour is the Governor General of New Zealand and Niue Dame Silvia Cartwright who will be joined by the Maori Queen Dame Atairangikaahu and a group of New Zealand MP's. Other dignitaries representing neighbouring Pacific Islands will also be attending a special flag raising ceremony outside the Fale Fono, Legislative Assembly. The main centre of Alofi has been given a coat of paint - old stone fences are sparkling white and residents of the 14 villages have made a special effort to have their gardens in full bloom. This week judging took part to find the best kept garden on the island. And as a lead up to the celebrations the island has been fundraising to support Niue's beauty queen Rossylyn Pulehetoa (21) of Liku who is packing her bags to head for the Miss South Pacific pageant in Apia later this month. Most of the island's workforce will be taking a break during the week long party to assist with preparing food and cultural entertainment for the many guests. The Niue Hotel has opened its doors and the new owners -a group of local shareholders - are preparing the property for an influx of customers. The owners will have 15 of the 32 rooms open along with bar facilities.All other properties on the island are fully booked during the festivities. Niue residents of Maori descent will provide a traditional welcome for the Maori Queen and her entourage.Tongans Samoans and Cook Islanders living on the island are also looking forward to welcoming and entertaining representatives from thei countries. Niue youth have been busy constructing three man canoes in what will be the biggest display of the craft ever. One village has built 21 canoes. Many of them will be raced in a special event at Sir Robert's wharf during the celebrations. But some folk are choosing to head off island during the break.A special charter flight from the Cooks will be taking some people back to Rarotonga for a week while a $750 return fare to New Zealand on a direct charter from Auckland has tempted many to an early Christmas shopping expedition. Sporting groups have planned a number of events including a major four day golf tournament which has a $50 entry fee. And to top off the celebrations there will be one of the biggest fireworks display ever seen on Niue. __END__
