First-ever High-level Meeting Results in Several Outcomes
By Republic of Fiji
Published: Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012 - 4:11 am
NADI, Fiji, Feb. 1, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- "The Pacific region is today the priority of foreign policy for the Russian Federation," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a press conference following a half-day of talks with Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and Fijian Foreign Minster Ratu Inoke Kubuabola. "The key players are located here," he said.
The meeting in Fiji, the first high-level visit from a Russian official to the country, afforded the Russian Federation the opportunity to strengthen ties with Fiji, as well as meet with numerous other foreign ministers from the Pacific Island Countries. As Minister Kubuabola said during the press conference, "Fiji is the hub of the Pacific, but we are a part of the global community. We must expand our horizons to new friends and opportunities."
Conversations during the day covered a number of topics, from security to climate change. In response to a question about the new United States policy focus on the Asia-Pacific region, Minister Lavrov said: "The region is becoming the powerhouse of the world economy, and with economic influence comes political influence. And certainly the interests which we witness in this region create some risks to security"—referencing nuclearisation on the Korean peninsula among other issues. Minister Lavrov added: "We should all approach security in the region in an open way, on the basis of respect of each other" to ensure against "creating problems."
The economy was the central issue of discussions. "We've got the common understanding that the priority of the day are the programs and projects that will drive real growth and make the economies of the [Pacific] region even more independent," said Minister Lavrov.
Minister Kubuabola concurred: "By diversifying our relations with such countries as Russia, we are creating greater stability for ourselves. We hope to establish new lines of trade that help diversify the types of job opportunities there are for Fijians."
The meeting resulted in a number of outcomes between Fiji and Russia, including an outline of areas of economic cooperation in which "concrete" next-step proposals would be created, an accord to establish visa-free travel to promote tourism between the countries, and a look at how Russia can support Fiji's contributions to peacekeeping missions around the world.
The Russian Minister concluded by saying, "We seek to find partners in the region, and we would really like to cooperate in a mutually beneficial manner in order to promote our ties and improve visitation in the region. And let me say that we are not making friends against anybody."
Russia has accepted an invitation from Fiji to again meet on the ministerial level next September during the United Nations General Assembly.
SOURCE Republic of Fiji
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February 02, 2012
February 01, 2012
Papua New Guinea Mine Watch: Fiji landholders not impressed by Newcrest spills
Crrrrikey! No wonder landowners in Namosi have been up in arms over mining operations on their land.
The PNG Mine Watch blog has posted some evidence of the devastation to the natural surroundings that the Australian Company tried to cover up and is now trying to muzzle with the help of a broke illegal and treasonous military regime.
Someone's got to answer and pay for this disgrace and it sure as hell should not be the people of Namosi.
The PNG Mine Watch blog has posted some evidence of the devastation to the natural surroundings that the Australian Company tried to cover up and is now trying to muzzle with the help of a broke illegal and treasonous military regime.
Someone's got to answer and pay for this disgrace and it sure as hell should not be the people of Namosi.
Fiji landholders not impressed by Newcrest spills
Namosi Joint Venture were warned by TNLC Monitoring team about these spills. NJV than decided to bury it. the first image shows what actually happened when they buried it.
Anyway the meeting with PM at 3pm today will focus on these photos. TNLC will focus on the breaches of SPL #1420. They will not want money. All they saying now is “NO MINING”….Fullstop.
RNZI: Fiji constitution-makers urged to address role of military
Posted at 21:25 on 31 January, 2012 UTC
One of the architects of Fiji’s 1997 constitution, Bril Lal, says Fiji’s new constitution-makers must address the role of the country’s military in civilian life.
The Fiji interim government has promised that consultations for a new constitution will start in February in time for elections scheduled for 2014.
Mr Lal says the military is very much out in the community in Fiji and officers are serving in important civilian positions.
“And the question that has to be asked is what should be the role of a military force in a constitutional democracy? Should they be the servant of the state? Should they have a seat at the table of national decision-making? Should they have representation in Parliament?”
Brij Lal says unless Fiji people can speak freely during consultations, the issue will remain difficult to resolve.
Asked about the military’s role in the new constitution, Fiji’s Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has told Radio New Zealand International it is essential to get Fiji people’s views.
One of the architects of Fiji’s 1997 constitution, Bril Lal, says Fiji’s new constitution-makers must address the role of the country’s military in civilian life.
The Fiji interim government has promised that consultations for a new constitution will start in February in time for elections scheduled for 2014.
Mr Lal says the military is very much out in the community in Fiji and officers are serving in important civilian positions.
“And the question that has to be asked is what should be the role of a military force in a constitutional democracy? Should they be the servant of the state? Should they have a seat at the table of national decision-making? Should they have representation in Parliament?”
Brij Lal says unless Fiji people can speak freely during consultations, the issue will remain difficult to resolve.
Asked about the military’s role in the new constitution, Fiji’s Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has told Radio New Zealand International it is essential to get Fiji people’s views.
TVNZ: Fiji braces for new storm as death toll rises
Published: 1:09PM Wednesday February 01, 2012 Source: ONE News
A second tropical depression is approaching Fiji and could form into a tropical cyclone within the next 12 to 24 hours.
This comes as the death toll in the nation's floods rises to seven.
ONE News Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver tweeted: "Poor old Fiji - more rain has meant more flooding, evacuation centres are re-opening and another person has died taking death toll to 7."
FijiLive reports a Senior Meteorologist at the Nadi Weather Office said this morning the tropical depression was located 600km west of Nadi.
Amit Singh said if the depression turns into a tropical cyclone, the possibility of it affecting Fiji would be very low.
"It has no direct threat to Fiji but the indirect effect will bring heavy rain at times together with strong and gusty winds," he said.
Singh said Vanua Levu, Yasawa, Mamanuca, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands would face the full brunt of the adverse weather conditions.
He said as the tropical depression developed, the whole of Fiji group would experience heavy rain.
A flood warning was also in place for the Fiji group.
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) was requesting people to evacuate to higher ground following reports of flooding of low lying areas in the Western Division, FijiLive reported.
Parts of Rakiraki and Tavua were flooded and closed to traffic following downpours.
The damage caused by last week's deadly floods is estimated at about $20 million after villages, settlements and suburbs in the western district were inundated.
Health officials on Monday said they had lost more than $151,000 in property, and needed about $103,000 for the clean-up campaign and to contain any disease outbreak.
The officials warned of a possible outbreak of water-borne diseases. In an attempt to tackle the problem, they had removed more than 15 tonnes of food items from more than 200 shops.
Divisional health inspector, western, Dip Chand, said their main task was to disinfect all evacuation centres, especially schools, to ensure they are free from health risks.
They were also focusing on a mass clean-up of mosquito breeding sources to tackle an increase in the insects, he said.
New Zealand made an initial $350,000 available to help provide immediate aid.
A second tropical depression is approaching Fiji and could form into a tropical cyclone within the next 12 to 24 hours.
This comes as the death toll in the nation's floods rises to seven.
ONE News Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver tweeted: "Poor old Fiji - more rain has meant more flooding, evacuation centres are re-opening and another person has died taking death toll to 7."
FijiLive reports a Senior Meteorologist at the Nadi Weather Office said this morning the tropical depression was located 600km west of Nadi.
Amit Singh said if the depression turns into a tropical cyclone, the possibility of it affecting Fiji would be very low.
"It has no direct threat to Fiji but the indirect effect will bring heavy rain at times together with strong and gusty winds," he said.
Singh said Vanua Levu, Yasawa, Mamanuca, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands would face the full brunt of the adverse weather conditions.
He said as the tropical depression developed, the whole of Fiji group would experience heavy rain.
A flood warning was also in place for the Fiji group.
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) was requesting people to evacuate to higher ground following reports of flooding of low lying areas in the Western Division, FijiLive reported.
Parts of Rakiraki and Tavua were flooded and closed to traffic following downpours.
The damage caused by last week's deadly floods is estimated at about $20 million after villages, settlements and suburbs in the western district were inundated.
Health officials on Monday said they had lost more than $151,000 in property, and needed about $103,000 for the clean-up campaign and to contain any disease outbreak.
The officials warned of a possible outbreak of water-borne diseases. In an attempt to tackle the problem, they had removed more than 15 tonnes of food items from more than 200 shops.
Divisional health inspector, western, Dip Chand, said their main task was to disinfect all evacuation centres, especially schools, to ensure they are free from health risks.
They were also focusing on a mass clean-up of mosquito breeding sources to tackle an increase in the insects, he said.
New Zealand made an initial $350,000 available to help provide immediate aid.
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