Radio NZ International's Johnny Blades, however, reports that Fiji is a priority issue. “Priority issues include trade negotiations, updates from the Ministerial action Group on Fiji, and cessation of a regional assistance package for Nauru. The leaders are also expected to take a close look at growing regional security threats as outlined in the 2010 Pacific Transnational Crimes Assessment Report. And the Forum’s Secretary General, Tuiloma Neroni Slade, says that leaders will look at how vulnerable island states can access more climate change-related funds. He has indicated that heading into the UN Climate summit later this year, the Forum will try and forge a more unified approach on carbon emission targets than it had last year at Copenhagen when the Forum chair Australia was at odds with island countries in its approach.
NZ PANEL DISCUSSES FIJI. The link to last night's Radio NZ discussion involving Nik Naidu, Richard Pamatatau, Peni Moore and myself.
ABC's PHILIPPA MACDONALD interviews "family man" Bainimarama.
BULLY CRIES FOUL. Veteran Australian Asia (and Pacific) journalist Graeme Dobell thinks Bainimarama, and others (Robin Nair and Graham Davis) who disagree with Australian policies on Fiji) are bullying Australia. If you want to read a superficial account by a journalist who knows little on Fiji, you must read this! The links to Nair and Davis are worthwile.
TOURISM GOOD NEWS. Australian tourism to Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu has declined as the Fiji Islands regained its previous market share. Overall, departures from Australia to the Pacific were up by about 27 per cent from January to May compared with the same months in 2009. The Fiji Islands recorded the sharpest rise at 49 per cent.-- SMH.
GAU QUICK RESPONSE. Josese Rogo, the Turaga ni Koro (village head) of Malawai village in Gau Island said they were surprised to see the assistance for schools arrive soon after the Prime Minister’s visit. Mr. Rogo welcomed Government’s initiative in moving the country forward in all aspects of development, and said this is being felt in the rural areas. Government also assisted the people of Tikina Vanuaso through the rural housing scheme and the construction of copra dryers to assist in their income generating programme. Assistance is not limited to physical infrastructure although this is being given special attention in the Roadmap; the People's Charter (Pillar 9) ensures it also focuses on quality and early childhood education, especially in the rural areas and outer islands.
GOVERNMENT's EDUCATION PLANS. Korovou is a small town on King's Road in northern Tailevu. Social Welfare Minister, Dr Jiko Luveni, who was there yesterday to launch the PEMAC and Vocational Departmental Week, said she was impressed at Tailevu College's ability to offer vocational training in carpentry, catering, agriculture, automotive engineering and secretarial studies.
"Government’s plans for the education system, " she said, "is to create access to education for all the children in the country and as such, students are benefiting through the free bus fare scheme, free text books for classes one to eight, and increase in the number of universities from one to three. Educational institutions and schools will be upgraded in the rural areas so that parents can get their children educated in rural areas rather than sending them to towns and cities for further education.” -- Based on 2010 No:1161/ MOI)
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