Page 7 - IB June 2017

advocates across the Pacific – has seen t
the Cooks climb on board the Deep Sea
Mining train. Tonga’s troubles
The deal with Ocean Minerals Limited IT appears there is still no love lost Front Page Limited
means that the Cook islands government between Tongan PM, Akilisi Pohiva, and 117 Amy Street
will reserve access to certain areas of the his predecessor, Lord Fred Sevele. PO Box 12718, Suva, Fiji Islands.
seabed to companies willing to put up The men have been at it hammer and Tel: +679 330 3108. Fax: +679 330 1423.
the money. tongs for the past three years or so with Email: advertising@islandsbusiness.com
Tonga and Kiribati also want access the nation suffering as a result. Circulation & Distribution
to portions of the ocean and given this In the current saga which will likely play Sara Vafoou
precedent set by the Cook Islands, it’s for some time yet there is an argument svafoou@islandsbusiness.com
very likely that regional governments will over whether the kingdom should host subs@islandsbusiness.com
board the same train. the next Pacific Games. Accounts
Pohiva says no and has made a public accounts@islandsbusiness.com
t statement to that effect but Sevele, who Regional magazine sales agents
heads the Games Committee which is
Reply all independent of government believes the Pacific Supplies – Rarotonga, Cook Islands
How many red-faces have been averted event can go ahead. Yap Cooperative Association – Colonia, YAP,
Federated States of Micronesia
by the ‘recall’ button of electronic mail At the centre of the entire dispute is WCTC – Koror, Palau
technology when the ‘reply all’ has been control.
pressed inadvertently? This unfortunately Pohiva, once a champion of democracy, Paper Power Bookshop – Town Council Bldg,
was no comfort for a senior executive of has turned into a dictator. He has even Main Street, Nadi, Fiji
a huge international organisation based removed journalists who are not sympa- Health First Pharmacy – Nadi Town
in the islands when a private email that thetic to his cause. Suva Bookshop – Downtown Boulevard, Suva, Fiji
was meant for only one employee was sent Several attempts are being made on the Fatiaki Enterprises Limited – Vakabalea St,
out to all employees. There would beno sidelines to ensure the games go ahead in Lautoka, Fiji
red faces if only one or two more staff Tonga, headed mostly by Tongans living Total Lautoka –Lautoka City
members became recipients but when you abroad. Sanatan Bookshop - Nasinu, Tebara Shopping
have hundred employees in your payroll, Complex
Nausori Airport Bookshop – Nausori
the reply all blunder becomes the mother t Ba Book Centre – Ba (opposite Ba Bus Station, Fiji
of all recalls! Lami Pharmacy – Main Street, Lami
Vanuatu trials Total Lami – Lami Town
t WILL former Vanuatu MPs recently Kays Kona Shop – Dolphin Plaza, Suva, Fiji
released from prison face another day USP Bookcentre – USP, Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji
Year of the Pacific in court? Samabula Drugstore – Samabula, Suva, Fiji
Don’t blame observers of the world That’s the question swirling around Port Kundan Singh Supermarket – Tamavua, Suva, Fiji
body if they are beginning to think that Vila at the moment. MH Superfresh – Tamavua, Suva, Fiji
this could be the year of the Pacific in the A number of the 14 former MPs were Methodist Bookstore – Stewart Street, Suva, Fiji
United Nations. Even before New Zea- in 2016 given new sentences in addition Textbook Wholesalers – BSP Centre Suva, Fiji
land’s Helen Clark stood down as head of to the jail terms they were already serving Amy Street Pharmacy –Amy St, Toorak, Suva.
the UNDP, Fiji’s envoy to the UN in New for the bribery charges. MHCC – Suva, Fiji
York was elected President of its 71st ses- But last month the Court of Appeal TOTAL Hibiscus – Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji
sion. Fiji followed it up with the appoint- quashed the conspiracy convictions be- Tappoo outlets – Fijiwide
ment of its Prime Minister as co-chair of cause the eleven had been tried as a group Kundan Singh Supermarket – Arts Village,
the UN conference on oceans and again as rather than as individuals. Pacific Harbour, Fiji
the incoming COP 23 chair. Appointments Now the attention turns to Public Pros- Gulabdas & Sons – Beach Road, Levuka, Fiji
to highly acclaimed positions did not end ecutor Josaia Naigulevu who has said Hachette Pacifique – Papeete, French Polynesia
there with the announcement last month publicly that the nature of the conspiracy One Stop Stores – Bairiki, Kiribati
that another Pacific Islander is now the UN offence remains the same and the former Robert Reimers Enterprises – Majuro, Marshall Islands
High Representative for the Least Devel- MPs are charged again. Pacific & Occidental – Yaren, Nauru
oped Countries, Landlocked Developing A guilty verdict could see MPs who South Seas Traders – Alofi, Niue
Countries and Small Island Developing are charged return to jail for some time, Nouvelle Messageries Caledoniennes de Presse
States. Ambassador Fekita ‘Utoikamanu perhaps several years. – Noumea, New Caledonia
was until recently Deputy Director General Most of the MPs convicted on the Boroko Foodworld – Boroko, PNG
UPNG Bookshop – Waigani, PNG
of the Pacific Community who had also original bribery charges have served half Panatina Chemist Ltd – Honiara, Solomon Islands
served as Tonga’s Permanent Representa- their 36-month sentences, making them Officeworks Ltd – Honiara, Solomon Islands
tive to the UN in New York. eligible for parole. National Stationery Supplies – Honiara,
Solomon Islands
Friendly Islands Bookshop – Nuku’alofa, Tonga
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Islands Business, May 2017 7