Pacific Notes
Pacific Notes
Micronesia - Micronesian Presidents’ “Deep Concern” On U.S. Immigration
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Presidents from three United States-affiliated Pacific Islands expressed "deep concern" about unilateral changes that the U.S. is making to already agreed-to Compacts of Free Association with their countries. During their third annual summit meeting in August in Majuro, Presidents Tommy Remengesau, Jr. of Palau, Joseph Urusemal of the Federated States of Micronesia and Kessai Note of the Marshall Islands also expressed concern about security standards that are being "imposed" on these three nations by the U.S. Homeland Security Department.
The Marshall Islands and Federated States of Micronesia have already signed new, amended Compacts of Free Association with the U.S. that allow for some limitations to be placed on the current visa-free access that their citizens have to the U.S. - ADVERTISEMENT - Palau's Compact does not expire until 2009. Remengesau told Pacific Magazine that Palau has given up on its effort to join a U.S. telecommunications program-known as NECA, the National Exchange Carriers Association-that would have resulted in drastically reduced long-distance telephone rates. He says the Bush Administration had begun dangling NECA access as the carrot for agreeing to limits on its citizens' immigration access to America. "While NECA is important to us, we have to consider the integrity of the Compact," Remengesau says. The annual meeting focused on numerous issues ranging from cooperation among these U.S.-affiliated states to action on climate change and preparation for the Pacific Islands Forum. In a communiqué, the presidents said that they agreed to work together on extradition and security issues. But the presidents objected to U.S. Homeland Security efforts aimed at the three U.S.-affiliated nations. "The three presidents agreed that standards currently being imposed by the U.S. through Homeland Security need to be reviewed in order to determine their appropriateness for the freely associated states," the communiqué said. Among the other regional issues addressed by the leaders were: o A submarine fiber optic cable that would connect the Marshall Islands and Micronesia with Australia, Guam and the U.S. remains in doubt because of the high cost-estimated at about $60 million-and Note and Urusemal said efforts to locate funding are continuing. o Remengesau proposed an initiative that would mandate a study and implementation of sub-regional and regional solid waste and recycling shipping pilot projects. Note and Urusemal agreed to review the proposal. o The presidents directed their ministers of justice to work with each other to develop proposals for establishment of a joint police training academy. o Remengesau said his government has committed $1 million to a new Micronesian regional air service, Palau Micronesian Air that is being launched by Palau businessman Alan Seid. The airline aims to start service throughout Micronesia in late 2003. He encouraged both the Marshall Islands and FSM to provide financial support to the airline. o On climate change, the leaders of these small islands stated "their strong concern that the industrialized nations of the world begin to take meaningful steps to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in order that adaptation measures undertaken by small island developing states are meaningful." -Giff Johnson Palau Chief Accepts Plea In Baseball Bat Case In a landmark criminal proceeding, the country's most powerful traditional leader accepted a plea bargain for striking an American attorney with a baseball bat. (See feature story in Pacific Magazine's March 2003 issue.) That was the quiet, unexpected ending to months of volatile debate over whether the paramount chief of Koror should be tried for an action arguably sanctioned by tradition. According to his spokesman, businessman Alan Seid, Yutaka Gibbons, whose chiefly title is the Ibedul, decided it was better to end the debate and avoid prolonged unrest in a young republic struggling to balance preservation of its traditions with westernization. The Ibedul faced up to five years in prison. "There is a realization that supporting an atmosphere of peace and harmony in the community outweighs all other options. It is part of his traditional role to prevent further conflict," says Seid. "The Ibedul is also recognizing that common law is equally important in the public eye and in the general welfare of the public." The Ibedul was charged on Jan. 14 after he struck Matthew Johnson several times for refusing to leave a Koror State Public Lands Authority meeting. Johnson was attending as the attorney for the Palau Public Lands Authority, an oversight body. The Ibedul never denied the assault. The issue, for him and his supporters, was whether the Ibedul could be prosecuted by the constitutional government for an act permissible under custom. Johnson has argued the Ibedul was acting as the chairman of the commission and as a public official in a public building, and not as a traditional chief in a traditional meeting house. Some prominent Palauans had called for the Ibedul's prosecution. But Ibedul supporters say even if western laws applied, traditions are older, mean more and cannot be brushed aside in any setting. They say the Ibedul is as much a part of being Palauan as their language. Some also were upset by the disrespect they believed was shown the Ibedul by Johnson. Like many Pacific Islands, westernization has come fast to this young country and abrupt social change has created palpable social tension. Johnson was disappointed with the outcome. "There is no question that I came within inches of being killed," Johnson wrote in a prepared statement. "He should have been charged with attempted murder. ... He has been allowed to plead guilty to the lesser felony." As part of his plea agreement, Gibbons will pay a $1,000 fine, pay for Johnson's medical bills and perform 100 hours of community service, preferably working with juveniles. By that agreement, the more severe charge of aggravated assault was dropped. The court must still determine his sentence for the charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Gibbons was scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 18. -Scott Radway Nauru Short-Time President Scotty Voted Out, Harris In In Nauru, Rene Harris has been re-instated as president, after Ludwig Scotty was ousted in a vote of no-confidence. A public relations consultant for the government says the vote came after a change of allegiance by three members of Parliament, Godfrey Toma, Derog Gioura and Remy Namaduk. Scotty had been elected president in late May with a three-vote majority in Cabinet, which ended the previous three-week political deadlock, during which time there was no Nauru president. The presidential slot has been up for grabs many times in the last year. -PINA Nius and Pacific Magazine Guam GovGuam's Money Woes The government of Guam's financial crisis continues to play out in several venues. The Guam Power Authority's bond rating was downgraded by Standard & Poor's from BBB to BB+ with a "negative watch." A critical factor in the downgrade is the $30 million owed by the government to the power provider. The government's retirement fund indicated that it may not survive more than about 10 years under current conditions. In addition to the poor investment environment worldwide and generous benefits, the legislature appropriated 18 percent of total payroll for the government contribution for fiscal year 2003 rather than the 32 percent recommended by the fund's actuary to ensure long term solvency. The government has fallen about $37 million behind in its contributions at the legislatively mandated rate. The fund has asked the Legislature to increase its contribution rate to 20 percent. One essential part of Governor Felix Camacho's economic plan is the sale of a $246 million bond issue for "bridge financing." The bond money is to be used to, among other things, bring the government current in its debts to both the power authority and the retirement fund, pay overdue tax refunds for the past three years and pay vendors. The bond sale was delayed when Attorney General Douglas Moylan refused to approve the bill. He contended that the issuance of the bond would violate the provision of the Organic Act of Guam (the federal law which provides the framework for the government of Guam). The act limits public debt to "10 percent of aggregate tax valuation of the property on Guam." The governor brought the issue before the Guam Supreme Court to be clarified. The court heard arguments on July 9 and on July 23 and ruled that the bond sales could not exceed the debt limit. Moylan announced that, in response to the ruling, he would give his approval so the sale could proceed, but he would also appeal the decision to U.S. Circuit Court. Another element of the governor's plan, the recent hike in the island's gross receipts tax from 4 percent to 6 percent, is also under attack. Utilizing procedures provided under Guam's Voter Introduction Program, members of The Committee to Get Guam Working, a coalition of business organizations, submitted more than 4,000 signatures to the Guam Election Commission with proposed legislation to roll back the tax increase. Meanwhile, the Department of Public Health and Social Services announced that a shortage of medical supplies was threatening its ability to administer some tests including those for tuberculosis and HIV. The shortage was the result of a debt of more than $150,000 to pharmaceutical companies. The Guam International Airport Authority announced that it was proceeding with plans to lay off dozens of employees in order to trim $3.5 million from its budget. In the private sector, bankruptcies may be poised to set another record. In 2002, 376 bankruptcies were filed, a 32 percent increase over the previous year, which had been a new high for the island. By beginning of July, more than 190 bankruptcies had already been filed. -Frank Whitman Solomon Islands Keke surrenders Despite criticism of the Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon Islands for holding two meetings with Weathercoast rebel Harlod Keke, the effort seems to have paid off. On Aug. 14, Keke surrendered to special mission troops and was flown to Honiara. There he was arraigned on a 1998 burglary charge while investigators gather evidence on his Weathercoast rampages, where he may have killed up to 50 people. Werner did not say anything about the second visit or answer any questions on Keke. Asked about the right of Solomon Islanders to know about the discussions with Keke, Warner said RAMSI is in the Solomons to facilitate a lasting peace and that some things have to be left out of the public glare. During the first meeting between RAMSI and Keke in August, the rebel leader promised to surrender his weapons, but no definite dates were set. He also admitted killing six members of the Melanesian Brotherhood. (For more on the Solomons, see our story on page 22 of this issue.) -SIBC/The Australian Region 7th Pacific Arts Symposium in Christchurch, NZ From the U.S., Europe, S.E. Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific Islands, art historians, artists, anthropologists, museum and gallery people, art dealers and others, all with an interest in the diverse cultures of Oceania, gathered in Christchurch, New Zealand for the Pacific Arts Association symposium on "Repositioning Pacific Arts: Artists, Objects and Histories." During most of the four days, presentations ran three abreast and ranged in subject from Maori art, traditional academic analysis of art works and their cultural meaning, to programs incorporating "Pasifika hip hop" poetry. Issues of cultural copyright, the role of museums and galleries, maintaining traditional cultural practices in transplanted urban communities and directions of contemporary Pacific artists were among the featured topics. Keynote speaker Brenda Croft, of the National Gallery of Australia, spoke on the conflicts of being both an artist and a curator. Adrienne Kaeppler, of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. spoke on "Recycling Traditions," explaining how rituals became incorporated into popular forms such as dance. The Association presented its highest honor, the Frigate Bird Award, to Adrienne Kappler, Curator of Oceanic Ethnology at the Sm -Caroline Yancoe
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