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NZ pulls PIANGO funding: It’s now official! As WHISPERS has been highlighting, the New Zealand’s aid organisation NZAID has ended its funding to the Fiji-based Pacific Islands Association of NGOs (PIANGO). NZAID was providing just over US$700,000 a year to the regional network, which is working for 21 Pacific countries. NZAID’s Mark Ramsden told Radio New Zealand International, that after concerns over PIANGO’s financial management, NZAID commissioned an independent audit review, which confirmed significant concerns. “At this point, we are working with them to recover some funds the audit report identified have been mis-spent. There are some significant changes PIANGO would need to make to be able to be considered for funding support by any donor in the future. But I think the ball’s really in PIANGO’s court,” Ramsden said. WHISPERS has been reliably told that the NZAID review found that last year alone DSA (Daily Subsistence Allowance or per diem) for PIANGO totalled $600,000. Included in that is the DSA for staff who attended the CSO (Civil Society Organisations) Forum in Auckland and the PIANGO council meeting. Both meetings lasted four days but staff who attended those meetings received DSA for 18 days.
Accommodation stir: Niue motel owners were upset with the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) delegates for moving and changing motels. Apparently, some delegates who were put up at motels that were so far away from the meeting venue, wanted to move somewhere closer to the meeting venue. The Niue Premier went on TV warning delegates that if they moved, they had to pay the full week’s lodgings. Apparently, some of those delegates who wanted to move closer to the meeting venue had been staying at his hotel. But the delegates made up for changing accommodation with beer purchases. Local publicans said beer sales went up during the FFA, even more than when the Forum was held in Niue. You probably can’t beat fishers!
Sabbath controversy: The Forum Fisheries Committee meeting in Niue which started on a Sunday created some controversy especially when the meeting was held at the Millenium Hall which belongs to the church. Locals complained about the meeting. But it was explained that the Minister for Religious Affairs had given his consent for the meeting to go ahead on Sunday. The PNA Ministers meeting also held on a Sunday took place at the main Government Office, thus avoiding the wrath of the locals.
Fiji trip uproar: New Zealand’s foreign affairs heads are fuming at a government coalition partner’s intention to travel to Fiji and meet Bainimarama’s regime. The co-leaders of the Maori Party, a minor party in Prime Minister John Key’s multi-party government, told reporters that Bainimarama had been “misunderstood”.
The party proposed a high-ranking Maori delegation, to include Maori royalty, to meet the interim government face to face. Key initially said he’d okayed the trip if the Maori Party co-leaders travelled in a personal capacity. But the co-leaders are also Ministers. Key’s stance hardened as he realised the trip would inevitably compromise his government’s official stance, and he eventually canned the trip.
New Zealand foreign affairs staff say Key should’ve anticipated the delegation would pose a problem at the outset, and say the prime minister’s failure here is evidence of a broader inexperience of foreign affairs. Unfortunately for the foreign ministry, the problem doesn’t end there. The Maori Party, fearful of appearing weak in the face of the Prime Minister’s instructions, has revived some MPs' appetite for the Fiji trip. And now another MP, from the opposition Green Party, has said he’d also like to take a look first-hand. Foreign affairs staff are desperately attempting to shut down the issue and ensure that the government speaks with one voice. The staff claim the task will take some considerable diplomatic skill. They are adamant Prime Minister Key will not be involved.
Darcy power? If you are seeking an appointment with the Solomon Islands Foreign Minister, William Haomae, it pays to know how to approach him. It is well known within the business and other circles in Honiara that Haomae is merely a front for the ministry. The guy who pulls the string is Environment Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo. Recently, Darcy over-ruled Deputy Prime Minister Fred Fono, in making sure Prime Minister Derek Sikua travelled to Indonesia to attend the Coral Triangle Initiative Leaders’ Summit on May 15, 2009. Fono’s name was put forward to represent the Solomon Islands. Lilo, however, had his way and Sikua attended instead. In the latest event as to who pulls the strings, Haomae was to take a paper to cabinet to formalise the appointment of a Filipino whose government has nominated him to be his country’s Honorary Consul in Solomon Islands. His name was approved by the local foreign ministry and subsequently the Philippines Embassy was informed through a Dip Note accordingly. In stepped Lilo. He forced the department to withdraw the appointment and used cabinet to rubber stamp the decision. Haomae was to take a paper to cabinet in May to rescind the decision. But as is widely known in Honiara, Haomae would prefer to have Darcy in town before the matter is dealt with. When this edition went to press, Lilo, was away attending the Coral Triangle Initiative Conference in Indonesia. It is a joke in Honiara unless Minister Lilo is in town, don’t bother trying to see Minister Haomae. In all probability, he would refer you to his trusted colleague, Gordon Darcy Lilo. One wonders how many other ministries Lilo is running?
Pacific's own cartel? You have heard of OPEC—the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries—a cartel of 12 countries. What about OTPC? Organisation of Tuna Producing Countries—your very own in the Pacific. These are the tuna producing countries of FFA and the PNAs¬—Parties to the Nauru Agreement—are part of this group. PNA member countries, WHISPERS has been told, are being considered a threat by countries who think the Pacific is their backyard. PNA has been the most proactive grouping of countries providing high level strategic policy advice and initiatives which has significantly influenced the configuration of fisheries management and conservation in the Western and Central Pacific. And this could include evolution of a cartel that would control supply of tuna from their waters. PNA member countries are Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu, and they control waters from which a major proportion of the world's raw tuna supplies is sourced.
Sow how many trips, sir? Someone in Papua New Guinea ought to tally the number of overseas trips taken by Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare and how it compares to other previous Prime Ministers. WHISPERS swears that in the last two years, the grand old man of PNG politics would have beaten all other Prime Ministers’ travel records for two to three years. We wonder how much of that was the reason for a near doubling of the 2008 Budget Allocation for the Department of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council.
Vanuatu, here we come: It seems all compasses for journalists in the Pacific are pointing to Vanuatu for the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Conference where we might see some form and faces of scribes behind the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF)–for those who did not get the opportunity in Apia last month. The four-day conference now to be known as the Pacific Media Summit will kick off in Port Vila on July 25 which will coincide with Vanuatu’s independence celebrations. The theme of the conference is Breaking Barriers—Access to Information. Vanuatu organisers are ensuring this is a PINA conference to be remembered—with its proceedings to be streamed live on the internet and a special daily newspaper published throughout the conference and also made available online. About 200 media people are expected to attend. Still on the media, reports from Apia said the PFF meeting was a PINA bashing session.
Undiplomatic clash: There was a verbal exchange between a senior diplomat and a Fiji government official during the opening of the Natadola Intercontinental Resort. The foreign diplomat is understood to have passed an undiplomatic remark at the Fiji official who did not take it too well, resulting in a spar of words. Both were under the influence of alcohol. Later on in the evening or shall we say early morning, the foreign official having had way too much got “too close” to another business executive who was not at all impressed. The Natadola hotel project cost Fiji workers $240 million with funding from the Fiji National Provident Fund.
Lucrative or explosive? This column highlighted previously that mines can either be lucrative or explosive. We’ll have to add oil and gas too and we are watching carefully to see how sky high PNG’s Petroleum and Energy Minister William Duma and his founding United Resources Party (URP) president and Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru end up—if they don’t muzzle and rein in negotiations at the Benefits Sharing Agreement forum. We wish them and URP all the best.
Romantic innovation: Tahiti Tourisme has devised a new tourism promotional campaign—an online video contest titled Invest in Your Love which will see six winning couples or families flying to the legendary and exotic islands of Tahiti (French Polynesia). What do you have to do? Couples and families can submit creative, entertaining and interesting videos showcasing why they need (and deserve) an escape to the famed islands of Tahiti. Videos that receive the highest number of public votes move on as finalists and an expert panel will select the winners. There are six contest periods for a chance to win. See investinyourlove.com for full rules, regulations and a “how-to submit” video explanation. “We want to see everything from romantic and heartwarming—to fun and offbeat,” says Al Keahi, managing director, Tahiti Tourisme North America. “Show us why you deserve a vacation to the islands of Tahiti. If you have been to Tahiti before, share your favourite experiences and memories. Be original, be creative and most of all, have fun with the videos.”
Lamb flap ban: It seems New Zealand and Australia—champions of health and healthy eating—may have to look elsewhere to export their mutton—particularly the lamb flap portions. A favourite of low income earners in PNG, their Parliament, on a motion by Angalimp-South Waghi MP, Jamie Maxtone-Graham, want it banned for creating havoc on the peoples' health and causing alot of lifestyle diseases.
Currency compensation: Majority of people in Fiji are now feeling the brunt of the 20% currency devaluation. Costs of basic food items are skyrocketing and majority are finding it difficult to meet their basic needs. Even some are now faced with having to reduce the number of meals they take a day. But those who work for regional organisations are somehow better off. They are being compensated for the 20% currency devaluation, so they won’t be feeling the pinch.
Paranoia at the top: The global economic crisis is not helping. It is putting a lot of pressure on companies' top management, so much so that paranoia has crept in. Reports coming WHISPERS' way have revealed that in one of these companies, the top brass has installed cameras at strategic places in its office to monitor staff and guests. The number one man seems to believe everyone is out to get him.
Graduating minister: We hear a certain cabinet minister from Papua New Guinea stole significant rays from the limelight at the recent Southern Cross University graduation ceremony outside Brisbane. Good to hear of political leaders continuing their learning. In any case, congratulations to Honourable Don Pombe Polye, Minister for Works, Transport and Civil Aviation and Member for Kandep, and all other Pacific Islanders who graduated with him.
* If you have any Whispers, please contact the Editor-in-chief on editor@ibi.com.fj
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