Ministers out of SOEs? Whispers has heard from Nuku’alofa that it looks like the government will progress the removal of ministers from the boards of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). This initiative to be undertaken by the Tongan Government, Whispers understands draws on some of the lessons learnt from a new ADB study. It’s an SOE comparative study on how poor governance can have a negative impact on financial performance. This move by Tonga may act as a further catalyst to encourage other Pacific countries to review their governance arrangements.
ANZAC influence: With Samoan Tuiloma Neroni Slade replacing the late Greg Urwin, of Australia, as Forum Secretary-General, the Aussies and Kiwis are now working to reclaim a traditional right. That’s to hold one of the two posts of deputy secretary-general, which at the moment are currently being filled by Pacific Islanders. Don’t be surprised this issue will resurface when Kevin Rudd hosts the Forum leaders in Australia sometime in October somewhere in Queensland, Whispers has been told. This issue was first put on the table in Niue by Rudd last August. If this decision gets a thumbs up, don’t be surprised if the ANZAC appointee ends up with a strong hand on managing the Forum Secretariat’s troubled finances.
Forum farewell? The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (ForumSec) could soon be farewelling one of its longest serving officers—Andie Fong-Toy, Director of Politics and Security. Andie has been with the Forum for more than a decade, in fact 14 years, and has probably decided it is time to move on. Andie first joined the ForumSec as a legal officer before being appointed director of politics and security. Four people have been shortlisted for her job. One of those shortlisted is a former Solicitor-General of Fiji.
SOPAC it is: Cristelle Pratt has finally made up her mind. She is remaining with SOPAC and will not be moving to SPREP. Pratt was given an ultimatum by the SOPAC Council following a meeting in Tuvalu in October to make up her mind whether she was remaining with SOPAC or taking up the director’s job with SPREP. Interestingly, Whispers was told that when the Aussie High Com sent her an invitation as SPREP boss in December, they got a phone call gently reminding them that she was sticking with SOPAC. Now SPREP will have to look for another new head. Those shortlisted for the job included Enele Sopoanga, Tuvalu’s foreign secretary. Sopoanga had served a stint as Tuvalu’s ambassador to the United Nations in New York.
Effects of crisis: The world financial crisis hits countries and companies in various ways. One that takes the cake is a leading Samoan company that issued a public appeal to keep its website operational. “As we watch prices climb with no sight of them levelling out, life has become so unpredictable that we are no longer sure what to expect up ahead,” stated the nationwide appeal. “I am therefore asking for your support to upkeep it (website) by making a donation of any amount you can afford. This would be a big help,” the appeal added.
The most expensive letter: No-one really can accuse the Solomon Islands Government for lacking initiatives when it comes to representation at international events. When their big man minister opted out at the eleventh hour at the world talks on climate change in Europe last month, the directive was given that its most senior public servant ought to be the country’s head of delegation. Organisers, however, wouldn’t recognise the last minute change, even rejecting a faxed or emailed letter to confirm the change. The world body demanded to sight the original, giving Honiara no other choice but to send a courier from its capital right through to Poznan in Poland. That must be one of the most expensive letters to be delivered in the island country’s modern history!
Who messed up? Someone really messed up but the whisper is that it is hard to determine who really was the culprit. Several Pacific islands delegations to the UN negotiations on climate change in Poland met with some obstacles because they were issued the wrong Shenegan visa, the type offered to EU member nations. The entire Kiribati delegation was held up in Warsaw when an alert border official picked up the exceptional clause in their visa issued by the French Embassy in Fiji. Little did the group know that the PL in the visa was in reference to Poland, that they could travel to any EU member nation but not PL—Poland, the host of the UN conference!
And he was there no more: While the whisper is on the UN conference, Papua New Guinea showed why it has the voice in world meetings with a delegation of over 30 people. In fact, the group came with their own cabinet minister and he was listed in the participant registry as head of delegation. However, the ministerial had not even begun when the delegation head made an about turn all so suddenly and disappeared. It was later whispered that his attendance was needed at home urgently, to officiate at a graduation ceremony of a local institution.
Games race: With, after much local controversy, the Cook Islands now racing to be ready to host the Mini Pacific Games in September, attention turns to another race. Who will win the bid to host the 2015 Pacific Games when this is decided at a games council meeting during the events in Rarotonga? Solomon Islands starts favourite. But the word from Honiara is that there’s little sign of the concrete plans for facilities needed to convince council voters. Honiara hopes apparently are on Taiwan building a national stadium to rival facilities the Chinese provided for the Samoans for the 2007 Games.
Problems cooking: The Cook Islands, long one of the safest tourism spots in the South Pacific, has been hit by a worrying trend. Increasing burglaries in areas of Rarotonga led to community leaders meeting to look for ways of ending this. Victims include tourists staying in the many and varied tourism accommodation dotted along the round-Raro road.
Man to watch: Ex-Solomon Airlines boss Michael Maina is back in the aviation business. And it’s taking off despite Maina not having a plane of his own. Maina’s Coral Sea Express runs a weekly Boeing 727 freighter service into the Solomons in association with an Australian company. His staff members provide ground handling at Honiara International Airport for Australian airline SkyAirWorld’s Brisbane-Honiara-Brisbane flights. He also bids for—and often wins—passenger charter flights to and from Honiara using aircraft he gets through Australian connections. Now, the former politician aims to restore flights between the Solomons and close neighbour Bougainville, aka as the North Solomons. Maina’s New Year plans include using a Convair 580 turboprop from Australian airline Pioneer to reopen the route from Honiara to Bougainville. Then he plans to fly on to other Papua New Guinea airports.
Media watch (1): The Interim Fiji Government’s moves to get a more favourable news media could soon come from within. The regime has gained control of interests set up to promote indigenous Fijian participation in business. This enables it to appoint directors to boards of local media companies invested in by said interests.
Media watch (2): IB’s spotlight on media repression in Tonga attracted criticism from those close to the kingdom’s government. But now reports from Nuku’alofa reveal pro-democracy TV broadcaster OBN was not only occupied by soldiers and kept off air after the 2006 pro-democracy riots. It is alleged the soldiers, who have finally left, also did enough damage to its equipment to make sure it would be hard to quickly get OBN back on air. Station operator Sangster Saulala was earlier cleared of a sedition charge by the kingdom’s admirably independent judiciary.
Media watch (3): Whispers has been reliably told that a publisher of one of Fiji’s daily newspapers could be calling it a day. It will be interesting to see who will be replacing this publisher. Word is that this person has been interviewed and he is one with a wealth of experience. The post was not only advertised locally, but also regionally.
VIP diplomacy: Australian travel bans on Fiji coup leader Voreqe “Frank” Bainimarama are being turned into an opportunity by the commodore. One of the routes he uses to get around the travel bans is Air Niugini’s connections to and from Asia and beyond via its twice-weekly Port Moresby-Honiara-Nadi return flights. This provides opportunities for friendly meetings in airport VIP lounges in Port Moresby and Honiara with the two most influential Melanesian leaders. Bainimarama seeks support for his way from PNG PM Sir Michael Somare and Solomons PM Dr Derek Sikua. Both Somare and Sikua have long-time personal ties with Fiji.
Shining Moon: The Moonies might be controversial. But they can still draw a crowd through their well-funded media campaigns and influential friends wooed in high places. Latest success for the Reverend Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church came in the Solomon Islands. The controversial Korean’s followers packed them in at Honiara’s Lawson Tama soccer stadium for what was called a peace festival. They did so despite criticisms from local Christian groups and the government distancing itself from the event.
Survivor Solomons? Australian airline SkyAirWorld might be helping land the Solomon Islands more than tourists. Whispers drifting in the Honiara wind say it has been talking with the producers of the big-audience American TV series Survivor. A Survivor-type is believed to have been in the Solomons last month. SkyAirWorld is keen to promote the Solomons not just because of its flights there from Brisbane. But also because of its planned resort development in the Hapi Isles.
Expat woes: More news of problems with local workers when expats in the Solomons try to boost efficiency and productivity. Solomon Airlines chief executive Ron Sumsum has been confronted with demands for his removal. Sumsum, a ni-Vanuatu jet captain, is trying to shape up the Solair workforce as the airline prepares for increasing competition both domestically and internationally.
Signs of tough times…Air New Zealand after threatening to pull out its services from a number of Pacific countries to keep it afloat in light of the current global financial crisis, is now devising new ways to make money. One of them being empty seats. Passengers on partly full Air New Zealand flights to the United States can guarantee an empty seat next to them—if they’re prepared to pay $75.
The airline’s novel way of making money out of empty seats during the long-haul travel slump has proved popular during a month-long trial. Like other carriers, Air New Zealand has been hit with a steep fall in passenger numbers as a result of the financial crisis. The airline has been forced to lay off up to 200 staff?
“Necessity is the mother of invention. While we’ve got some empty seats, we’d rather be making something out of that seat than nothing at all,” Air New Zealand says.
