Political Briefs

Bush to sign compact details

The Compact of Free Association between the United States and two of its former Pacific territories, the Marshall Islands and Federated States of Micronesia, expires October 1.

During the compact's 15-year term, extended by two years, the two countries each received about US$1000 million in American funds in return for continuing United States military and foreign policy control of their affairs. A second compact, for 20 years, has yet to be approved by the United States Congress, and will need President Bush's (pictured) signature and ratification by the Marshalls and Federated States of Micronesia's legislatures. It initially would give the Marshalls US$30.5 million a year and Federated States of Micronesia US$76 million.

This would dwindle progressively with money paid into trust funds. In theory, after 20 years the funds would produce revenue to make the two Micronesian countries financially self-sufficient.

Skeptics doubt that will happen and predict that a third compact will be needed since the United States will keep control of its main interest in the region, the Kwajalein weapon testing range, until 2086. Kwajalein landowners have rejected a United States offer of US$15 million plus US$5.1 million a year for the extension of the United States lease after the present one expires in 2016.

They want a US$19-million annual rent and say the Marshall Islands Government it cannot legally extend the lease without the landowners' consent.

Govt to launch media campaign

Tonga's government is reported by the Matangi Tonga magazine to have begun campaigning against widespread opposition to the planned press control legislation. The magazine said the government's position was that it was just telling the public what it intended to do. Commoner- elected parliamentarians said they plan to organise a public demonstration against the legislation and present King Taufa'ahau Tupou with a petition against it early October. The legislature's next meeting was set to open October 8.

No case to answer

A Tongan jury of four men and three women in September found that there was no case to answer by the editor of the Taimi o Tonga, Mateni Tapueluelu. He's been accused by the Crown (government) of defaming police minister Clive Edwards. The High Court then dismissed the case. In a 2000- published article, Tapueluelu alleged that Edwards had been behind a break-in at the house of a former justice minister, Tevita Tupou, and had unfairly secured the sacking of Tapueluelu and his father from the public service before Tapueluelu joined the newspaper.

Cooks MPs approve amendments

Cook Islands parliamentarians have approved a constitutional amendment to abolish a parliamentary seat for overseas Cook Islanders and allow for a referendum on reducing the life of the government from five to four years. Reformist Elizabeth Ponga said the measures were intended to stabilise politics, although some other measures were needed to discourage "party hopping". The country has had five coalition governments in the last four years.

Solomons backs US

The Solomon Islands has become another of the small countries pushed by the United States into signing an agreement under which it accepts that United States citizens should be immune from prosecution for war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court. Most major powers accept the court but United States claims its citizens would be subject to discrimination against them if brought before it.

Henry voted out of office

The Marshall Islands' Nitijela (parliament) was reported to have voted Chief Justice Charles Henry out of office on September 24 after his failure to appear in court on August 4 on charges of alleged cheating, misuse of government funds and libel, due to health problems. Henry, a United States lawyer, was allowed to go to California after the charges were brought against him. In the United States, he claimed he was being victimised for blocking a racket for the adoption of Marshallese children.

Meeting US security standards

Three Micronesian governments, those of the Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia, are complaining that security standards they are being ordered to meet by the United States Homeland Security departments are too costly and elaborate. They want more "appropriate" rules. All three are former United States territories that have continued to accept some military and foreign policy restrictions as a condition of United States aid received by them.

Internet services cut

A dispute between the Niue government and the Internet Users Society has seen Niue Telecom cut connections. The head of Niue Telecom and Telecommunications Minister Toke Talagi claimed the society breached the law by running a wireless system in Alofi without a licence.

However, the Users Society says the wireless service is exempt from licensing under the local Communications Act. The severing of connections closed an Internet cafe and free Internet services to the local community. The service was given 48 hours to apply for a licence.

Asylum seekers on trial

The Australian government has been accused of failing to ensure proper legal representation for 21 asylum seekers on trial in Nauru. The asylum seekers face up to 10 years in jail over a riot at the detention centre on Christmas eve.

The case is being heard by a Nauruan court, although the detention centre is operated on behalf of the Australian government.