Kiribati Independent publisher and editor Taberannang Korauaba (far left) with staff of Maria Printers. Photo: Kiribati Independent/PMC

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Pacific Media Watch in Auckland

Kiribati’s Communications Ministry has ordered the New Zealand-based Kiribati Independent newspaper to stop publishing and “respect our laws” while a Pacific media blog has challenged the move as a political gag.

Replying to a question by publisher and editor Taberannang Korauaba whether registration of the newspaper was being delayed for “hidden and political reasons”, ministry spokesperson Ruata Titaake said it was the intention of the ministry to make all citizens obey the Newspaper Registration Act.

The fortnightly newspaper with a circulation of about 400 has been ordered to cease publication for the second time in five months.

President Anote Tong ... denied allegations. Photo: Kiribati Independent/PMC

Kiribati Independent, which also has an Auckland website, began publishing its print edition last December and applied to be registered and filed affidavits with the ministry in early April.

The blog Café Pacific, published by journalist and convenor of Pacific Media Watch media freedom monitoring project David Robie, challenged the delay in registration and questioned whether this was because of recent political exposes by the newspaper.

“Why is the Communications Ministry in Tarawa dragging its feet over registration for the Kiribati Independent newspaper? Five months waiting for registration and lots of confused messages in the process,” wrote Dr Robie on Café Pacific.
“Perhaps the answer is simple. Café Pacific understands the new newspaper with its Auckland-based online edition is a bit of a political embarrassment for President Anote Tong’s government.

“Twice the new newspaper has been ordered to stop publication since December while officials dither over the formalities under the Newspaper Registration Act.”

‘Different interpretations’
Korauaba told Pacific Media Watch the registration confusion was due to “different legal interpretations”.

He said legal advice had been that the newspaper was able to publish while the registration application was being processed.

“When I published Tematairiki [another publication], I just deposited affidavits and went ahead with the newspaper – there was no delay,” he said.

However, in the latest email to the newspaper today, Titaake said the application was still being processed.

“We found that your application for KI’s registration is still processing but yet your newsletters [have] kept publishing which means that you are disrespecting our Kiribati laws,” he said.

“Our part in this ministry as a civil officer is to ensure everything [is] in order and in line with the existing Act and that is why we keep reminding and advising you to follow the provisions in the Act for your registration.

“You may or may not intend to publish for political reasons but our intention is to encourage all our local publishers to obey and respect our own laws that govern all citizens of Kiribati.”

Business woman  featured
According to the blog Café Pacific, the Kiribati Independent had “published stories featuring the reputed ‘richest woman in Kiribati’, New Zealander Joyce Lieven and her alleged relationship with the government. Businesswoman Joyce Lieven is daughter of the late NZ businessman Norman Lieven and reportedly a ‘close friend’ of the ruling party and President Tong.”

Another story made allegations about an AUD$80,000 a copra shelter contract on Teraina Island in the Line and Phoenix group.

President Tong reportedly threatened to sue the newspaper over allegations about a AUD$1 million  junior secondary schools transport contract involving Joyce Lieven, claims denied by the national leader.

Earlier Pacific Media Watch report

The Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, is to visit Timor-Leste to mark the 10th anniversary of Southeast Asian nation’s independence.
16 May 2012

Media Release – Government House

Governor-General To Visit Timor-Leste For Independence Celebrations

The Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, is to visit Timor-Leste to mark the 10th anniversary of Southeast Asian nation’s independence.

Sir Jerry Mateparae will be greeted in Dili on May 19 with a State Welcome at the Presidential Palace and a meeting with outgoing President, HE Dr José Ramos-Horta.

He will then meet New Zealanders living in Dili at a gathering at the New Zealand Embassy before attending the swearing in ceremony of newly elected President, Taur Matan Ruak that evening.

The following day Sir Jerry Mateparae will attend the Timor-Leste Independence Day celebrations and flag raising ceremony at the Presidential Palace and hold bilateral discussions with the new President, HE Taur Matan Ruak, Prime Minister, HE Xanana Gusmão and the President of Parliament, HE Fernando La Sama de Araújo. He will also witness the signing of an agreement on community policing between Timor-Leste and New Zealand.

Sir Jerry said the visit reflected the warm and friendly relationship between New Zealand and Timor-Leste.

“New Zealand has been by Timor-Leste’s side since soon after the 1999 referendum on independence, providing troops to the Australian-led INTERFET force that halted the violence that followed, while providing essential humanitarian relief before independence was formalised on 20 May 2002.

“Since that time, thousands of New Zealanders from the military, police and many other government and non-government organisations, have served there, helping the Timorese people build their young nation. New Zealand is committed to continuing to support Timor-Leste as the focus of assistance moves from security to education and business and trade development.”

Sir Jerry has strong ties to Timor-Leste. He was Joint Commander for New Zealand forces (1999-2001) in Timor-Leste at the time of its independence and later, as Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force, he visited in November 2008 and September 2010.

While the Governor-General is overseas from 19-21 May, the Chief Justice, Rt Hon Dame Sian Elias, will serve as Administrator of the Government.

ENDS

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Epilepsy New Zealand, the country’s largest epilepsy service provider, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Susan Ravelich, as national Pacific Health Manager. Epilepsy NZ Appoints National Pacific Health Manager

Epilepsy New Zealand, the country’s largest epilepsy service provider, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Susan Ravelich, as national Pacific Health Manager.

Dr Ravelich joins Epilepsy New Zealand in this role with the support of the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE), the world governing body for epilepsy. The IBE has recently provided Epilepsy New Zealand with funding for the project that Dr Ravelich will be undertaking. This project will involve research to be conducted in the Pacific Island region to ascertain the services available to people with epilepsy in the Islands and the treatment, if any, they are currently receiving.

Dr Ravelich comes from an extensive background in research and development. Most recently Dr Ravelich has been involved in using cutting-edge technology to enable early detection of prostate cancer, the most common cancer amongst men in Western societies.

“I am really excited about this position. The organisation is going through some exciting changes and being part of that will benefit the Pacific Island community. I look forward to working with people with epilepsy and developing and understanding how we can best provide services for Pacific people”, said Dr Ravelich.

Nationally, the long term goal of this project is to allow Epilepsy New Zealand to work closely with the Pacific Island communities here in New Zealand, encouraging them to utilise, and benefit from, Epilepsy New Zealand’s already established services nationwide. Internationally, Epilepsy New Zealand’s long term goal includes the establishment of epilepsy specific services in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands.

ENDS

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Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has released a discussion document on New Zealand’s International Air Transport Policy, proposing changes to benefit the New Zealand economy.Hon Gerry Brownlee

Minister of Transport
 
21 May 2012 Media Statement
 
 Air Transport Policy Review Underway
 
Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has released a discussion document on New Zealand’s International Air Transport Policy, proposing changes to benefit the New Zealand economy.
 
“New Zealand’s international air transport policy sets out the overall framework for how we negotiate and implement air services agreements with other countries and is a vital part of enabling economic growth,” Mr Brownlee said.
 
“Although good progress has been made in removing barriers to New Zealand’s international air services, it is 14 years since the policy was last reviewed and much has changed in this dynamic sector during this time.”
 
Under the proposed policy, international airlines would continue to be given opportunities to provide their customers with better access to New Zealand’s key passenger and goods markets, and to global supply chains.
 
New Zealand would continue to pursue reciprocal open skies agreements, except where it is not in its best interests  It would recognise the benefit to the country of new or additional services by foreign airlines, while ensuring New Zealand airlines have a fair and equal opportunity to compete.
 
“This will help develop the economy and increase business and travel opportunities for New Zealanders.”
 
Mr Brownlee said the policy review also proposes continuing to seek inter-government agreements with liberalised investment criteria, provided certain criteria are met.
 
The review proposes removing limits on foreign ownership of New Zealand airlines (currently set at 25 per cent ownership by any one foreign airline, or 35 per cent by foreign airlines in total), with the exception of Air New Zealand.
 
“It is important to note that changes to the ownership of Air New Zealand are not being considered as part of this review,” Mr Brownlee said.
 
“The government remains committed to holding a majority share in the company and the Kiwi-share controls in Air New Zealand’s constitution will continue to take precedence over any changes to general policy.”
 
Immediate priorities for negotiating new air services agreements will focus on East Asia and South America.  Successful negotiations have already been completed this year with Japan and China, and are currently underway with Brazil and French Polynesia.
 
“A broad range of aviation linkages are essential to New Zealand’s economic and social well-being,” Mr Brownlee said.
 
“Over time, as new airlines enter the New Zealand market, this is likely to lead to more services and cheaper airfares.
 
“This is a timely review and I encourage all interested parties to make a submission so their views can be heard.”
 
Submissions on the policy review discussion document, available on the Ministry of Transport’s website, www.transport.govt.nz, are due by Monday 18 June.

ENDS

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Four exceptional motorsport personalities were rewarded for their achievements on Saturday night at the annual Motorsport Awards held in Auckland . MotorSport New Zealand (MSNZ) also presented several other honours for distinguished service, merit, …

Media Release Saturday 19 May 2012

Motorsport’s Premier Awards Announced

Four exceptional motorsport personalities were rewarded for their achievements on Saturday night at the annual Motorsport Awards held in Auckland . MotorSport New Zealand (MSNZ) also presented several other honours for distinguished service, merit, volunteering and media excellence.

“We have witnessed another outstanding year of racing, with our drivers, officials and volunteers stepping it up yet another gear,” said MotorSport New Zealand president Shayne Harris .

“The domestic competitions have been fierce and fantastic to watch, and our top race and rally drivers have, once again, proven themselves internationally.”

“These awards congratulate drivers who have displayed both competition brilliance and sportsmanship towards competitors and race officials.”

Richie Stanaway, 2011 German Formula 3 Champion, has won MotorSport New Zealand ’s prestigious Jim Clark Trophy.

The Jim Clark Trophy recognises the driver who has demonstrated excellent performance and sportsmanship. Stanaway (Tauranga) – a graduate of the MSNZ Elite Motorsport Academy – has made huge strides in a very short time, claiming the Formula Ford Championship in 2008 with a staggering 14 wins at the age of 16.

Hayden Paddon, from Geraldine, has dominated the domestic rally scene in recent years, winning junior and national titles from an early age. Subsequently, he has made a huge splash internationally, winning the Production World Rally Championship in 2011 and currently sitting second in the Super 2000 World Rally Championship. He was awarded the Rally Founders Trophy for the fifth successive year.

The Steel Trophy , which recognises the outstanding junior (under 21) driver, was presented to Nick Cassidy. This year, 17-year-old Cassidy ( Auckland ) claimed both the Toyota Racing Series and the NZ Grand Prix trophy, and is now pursuing his racing career abroad in the Formula Renault Eurocup Series.

The Lupp Trophy , which is awarded to a competitor in the Historic and Classic field, who has displayed exceptional levels of sportsmanship and made a significant contribution to the class, was presented to Brian Dixon ( Christchurch ).

Dixon has been president of the Classic Motor Racing Club for nearly a decade, and served for the past seven years as Race Chairman on the CMRC “ENZED Classic” committee (annual race event at Timaru). Dixon also raced a Lotus 7 for many years before moving to a classic Van Dieman Formula Ford.

Other awards presented on the night include:

The Ron Frost Memorial Award presented to Aucklanders Barrie and Louise Thomlinson. The husband and wife team are category managers of the Toyota Racing Series, who work tirelessly to ensure that the premier ‘wings and slicks’ category operates smoothly and efficiently.

Volunteer of the Year was presented to Debbie Day ( Auckland ). Debbie has been involved in motorsport since the age of 12, spending countless hours volunteering, and played a major role in setting up and running ‘The Motorsport Club’ for the combined Auckland Race Clubs, which serves to guide new volunteers in the sport.

Awards of Merit were presented to long-serving steward Ian Snellgrove (Carterton) and Jim Scott (Whangamata). Snellgrove has been a volunteer for approximately 50 years, as well as a former race competitor and NZ MotorSport administrator. Snellgrove’s name is synonymous with New Zealand motorsport.

Scott has also been a volunteer and competitor for around 40 years, having co-driven for many top drivers and then gone on to act as a competitor relations officer for national rally events in NZ, Australia and New Caledonia

A Special Award was made to Toyota NZ, which has supported NZ motorsport unwaveringly over the years. This manufacturer created a new race category back in 2005, naming it the Toyota Racing Series, which has gone from strength to strength with the 2012 season being a real standout success story for the class .

Distinguished Service Awards were presented to: long-serving volunteer to Rally New Zealand John Holland (Putaruru); steward and life member of the Pukekohe, Car Club Stuart Holmes; Hawke’s Bay Car Club legend and custodian, Dougal Agnew; longstanding rally supporter and administrator, Steve Foster ( Hastings ).

Journalism Media Award , Rob Scott (Auckland); Journalism Media Award – Highly Commended, Eric Thompson (Auckland); TV Media Award, Dave Hedge (Auckland); Photographer of the Year (Portfolio), Geoff Ridder (Hamilton); President’s Award (single shot) Geoff Ridder (Hamilton); Media Personality of the Year, Emma Gilmour (Dunedin) .
ends

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Members of Fiji Club New Zealand (FCNZ) attended the North Shore Historical Society’s meeting at the Senior Citizens Hall, Takapuna during the weekend.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Mystique Eden Park

Members of Fiji Club New Zealand (FCNZ) attended the North Shore Historical Society’s meeting at the Senior Citizens Hall, Takapuna during the weekend.

Mr. Graham Walton the chief guest was interlocuting on ’100 years of Eden Park’, the spiritual home of New Zealand rugby with visual aid and period photos.

Eden Park in Auckland was created out of the swamp in the early 1900s and eventually through Auckland Cricket Board and Auckland Rugby Board it has become in 2011 a mammoth internationally renowned stadium.

Major rugby tournaments were held at mystique Eden Park, for instance, the British Empire games in 1950 which also coincided with the opening ceremony of the Eden Park Stadium.

“During those pioneering days up to 60,000 people would attend major rugby matches like the Panthers and the Springbok, and Eden Park would be swarming with people, with hardly a space to spare, “said Graham Walton.

Thousands of fans would stand on rooftops of private homes that had vintage view of Eden Park and watch the matches for free.

An enterprising Irish lady build a stand on her private property at 1 Cricket Ave, adjacent to the Eden Park and christened it O’Sullivan Stand. She did a thriving business with the rugby aficionados by selling them tickets to her cricket stand.

Flour bombs were dropped on the rugby players during the controversial 1981 Springbok tour at the mystique Eden Park, in protest against apartheid in South Africa, by a conscientious objector from a small airplane.

He made 58 daredevil flyovers over the Eden Park and the whole nation froze and held their breath.

Soccer, hockey, cricket, running and in 1943 our American brothers played their football at the Eden Park to the sports crazy New Zealanders.

Our mighty All Blacks won World Rugby Cup in 1987 and 2011 at the holy grail of rugby the Eden Park.

“After the presentation by the guest speaker Mr. Walton we had tea break and engaged with the good people of Takapuna,” said President Alton Shameem JP, the New Zealander – Fijian of Fiji Club New Zealand (FCNZ) and Fiji Council New Zealand (FCoNZ).

Ends

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Three cafes in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington had customers spilling onto the streets today, as nearly a thousand people mobbed the businesses in support of their Fairtrade coffee. For every $1 that was spent by customers the cafes donated 45-70 …Fairtrade Flashmob Finances a Solar-Power System

Three cafes in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington had customers spilling onto the streets today, as nearly a thousand people mobbed the businesses in support of their Fairtrade coffee. For every $1 that was spent by customers the cafes donated 45-70 cents to fund a solar-power system for a Pacific Island coffee farm.

“The events were a great success”, said Ben Gleisner, the National Director of Conscious Consumers (the social enterprise that organised the Carrotmobs). “Over $2200 was raised, which is more than enough to set up a solar power system for the coffee farmers”, he said. Speaking from the Auckland event, Angus Coull, Marketing and Communications Officer of Fairtrade Association of NZ, said “I know that the Neknasi coffee farmers in Papua New Guinea will be delighted with the effort from the kiwi Conscious Consumers to help provide them with a sustainable energy source”.

Auckland’s Carrotmob was the first ever in that city. Owner of Cosset Café in Mt Albert, Kellie Gray, was totally blown away by the interest in the event. “It was awesome to see such massive support from conscious consumers and loyal Cosset customers, but also from lots of generous strangers who donated cakes and books”, she said. Anna Lowe, who organised the event in Auckland, was “really stoked” by the turn-out of nearly 500 people, and wanted to say thanks to everyone that came. “It was great to see so many people getting together for such an awesome cause”, she said.

In Wellington, the event attracted nearly 200 people to Celcius Café in Petone. Stephanie Fry, owner of the café, commented that “it was an absolutely fantastic day. I am totally blown away with the number of mobbers. Everyone was having such a great time – it was infectious! We are thrilled to have raised more than enough for the farmers”. The organiser of the event in the capital city, Melissa Keys, speaking from the sun-soaked café said “the second Carrotmob in Wellington was even better than the first! It was an amazing day, with lots of generous people enjoying great coffee in the sun”. Matt Morrison, who brought a wheelbarrow full of Fairtrade bananas from his company All Good Bananas, was having a great time in a gorilla suit. “There is a growing movement of people that want to support Fairtrade practices, and the turn-out today demonstrates that” he said.

Hamilton’s Just Food Café had a really festive atmosphere with live music from two local bands. Kirsty Proctor, the Waikato Coordinator of Conscious Consumers, was impressed with the numbers of people that attended. “It was such an amazing event, and everyone had so much fun” she said. “It is totally cool to get people together for such a worthy cause” she said. Manager of Just Food, Robert Moore, was “run off his feet”. “We are totally excited about the opportunity to be on-board with this” he said.

Conscious Consumers plans to organise more Carrotmobs in the future to support businesses that are members of their ethical accreditation programme.

Links:
www.consciousconsumers.org.nz
www.carrotmob.org
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpH8VKwZcYk

ENDS

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Indonesian police in West Papua. Photo: Ravespot

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Nethy Dharma Somba in Jakarta

The Indonesian government should swiftly punish the security personnel involved in fatal shootings in the West Papua region, a human rights activist says.

The House of Representatives has also been urged to summon the national security and intelligence agency heads over the violence.

Imparsial Jakarta director Poengky Indarti said the government needed to evaluate the performance of security personnel in Papua due to the string of shootings that has led to the loss of lives and caused public anxiety.

“We urge the government to immediately prosecute and dismiss the security personnel who were involved in the shootings,” Poengky said in a text message to The Jakarta Post.

Motorcycle-taxi driver Arkilaus Refwutu, 48, was shot dead on Thursday by an unidentified group at Yalinggua sub-district, in Puncak Jaya regency.

In an unrelated incident, Melianus Kegepe was shot dead by a member of the police’s Mobile Brigade (Brimob) in Paniai following a commotion at a billiard hall.

The National Police have sent a team to investigate the case, but Poengky said the police chief should apologise to the Papuan people.

The shooting was like killing mosquitoes with a cannon, he said.

“To deal with security at the gold panning site in Paniai, the presence of members from the district police was sufficient. There is no need to deploy Brimob troops because they are not designed to deal with communal clashes, but are paramilitary troops designed to fight against foreign invaders and in armed conflicts,” he said.

Source: Jakarta Post

The 6th meeting of the Forum Ministerial Standing Committee on the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands has concluded in Honiara noting progress of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and the improved security situation in Solomon Islands6th Meeting of FMSC on RAMSI Notes Progress in Solomon Islands Police Force

6th MEETING OF THE FORUM MINISTERIAL STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE REGIONAL ASSISTANCE MISSION TO SOLOMON ISLANDS

PRESS RELEASE(56/12

18 May 2012

The 6th meeting of the Forum Ministerial Standing Committee (FMSC) on the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has concluded in Honiara noting significant progress of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and the improved security situation in Solomon Islands with further discussions on the planned withdrawal of RAMSI’s military component in the second half of 2013.

In opening the Ministerial Meeting the Hon. Walter Folotau Acting Prime Minister & Minister for Communications and Civil Aviation remarked that as the meeting reflected on the many achievements that RAMSI has made over the last nine years, under successive Solomon Islands Governments (SIG) that it was fitting that we remind ourselves of what our Forum Leaders entrusted this forum to do. The wisdom behind the existence of this FMSC must be respected and Solomon Island respects that.

Mr Folotalu further emphasised that : “It is the wish of this country that you note their concerns, acknowledge their challenges and establish an agreed way forward. All of us will be judged not by how RAMSI began but how it was completed. We want to leave behind a Solomon Islands that is stronger, more resilient and more capable to handle its internal and external issues. We want to be able to tell the rest of the world that we are able to address our regional issues in a meaningful and sustainable manner.”

The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Mr Tuiloma Neroni Slade acknowledged the work undertaken by RAMSI over the past nine years has seen significant successes, particularly in the rebuilding of the economic infrastructure, policing and correctional services, and endeavours to ensure long-term sustainability of the country in line with the SIG-RAMSI Partnership Framework.

“At the same time, challenges remain and will continue to be in existence in the course of advancing the work of RAMSI, including during the transition period. The solution to addressing the challenges faced by the Solomon Islands can only be found through genuine negotiations between parties, and a clear identification of the priorities of the government,” said Mr Slade.

The Hon Clay Forau Soalaoi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Solomon Islands; the Hon. Richard Marles MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs of Australia; Hon. Teinakore Bishop, Minister of Education, Marine Resources and Tourism of the Cook Islands; Hon. Alfred Carlot, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vanuatu attended the one day meeting.

The meeting was also attended by the Triumvirate comprising the RAMSI Special Coordinator, Mr Nicholas Coppel; Solomon Islands Permanent Secretary for RAMSI, Mr Jeffrey Scott-Kauha; and the Pacific Islands Forum Representative to Solomon Islands, Mr Sakiusa Rabuka. As the representative of the Forum Chair, the meeting was chaired by Ms Ruth Nuttall.

The 6th FMSC discussed the implementation of the Solomon Islands Government-RAMSI Partnership Agreement, the RAMSI 2011 Annual Performance Report, as well as matters relating to RAMSI’s Transition phase and its drawdown.

ENDS

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In the Outcomes Statement released at the end of their meeting, the Forum Ministerial Standing Committee noted the implementation of the SIG-RAMSI Partnership Framework reflected an expression of the working relationship between the 2 parties.Forum Ministers Welcome Improvements in RAMSI

6th MEETING OF THE FORUM MINISTERIAL STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE REGIONAL ASSISTANCE MISSION TO SOLOMON ISLANDS

PRESS RELEASE (58/12)

18 May 2012

In the Outcomes Statement released at the end of their meeting, the Forum Ministerial Standing Committee noted the implementation of the SIG-RAMSI Partnership Framework to date reflected a clear expression of the collaborative working relationship between the two parties. The Joint Performance Oversight Group (JPOG), co-chaired by the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands and the Special Coordinator of RAMSI, continued to provide transparency and close collaboration between the SIG and RAMSI.

Ministers welcomed improvements across the country since the arrival of RAMSI in 2003. The Solomon Islands Foreign Minister noted that discussions around the issue of transition offered an opportunity for the Solomon Islands to review, re-assess and re-evaluate its own level of commitment to the Partnership Framework and to identify its priorities and responsibilities to ensure a seamless transition.

Ministers noted the 2011 Annual Performance Report prepared by the Independent Experts Team which reported on SIG-RAMSI achievements under the Partnership Framework, including strong economic performance.

Ministers noted that discussions were underway on the transition of assistance under RAMSI’s three development pillars to bilateral and other donors by 1 July 2013. Australia and New Zealand expressed their willingness to take up RAMSI development activities under bilateral programmes.

Ministers further noted the importance of deeper engagement with other donors, and for SIG to take the lead through existing consultation and coordination mechanisms to map out development transition priorities and responsibilities.

The Ministers underscored the importance, as the process continued towards mid-2013, of further careful consultation amongst government contributing countries, and above all within Solomon Islands. Ministers further noted that additional work was required on the part of relevant SIG ministries to identify their priorities as soon as possible.

Finally the Ministers highlighted the continuing importance of consultative mechanisms and the role of the Forum in the oversight of RAMSI. They noted that it would be appropriate to consider and make recommendations on the future of the Partnership Framework, the Enhanced Consultative Mechanism (ECM) and the FMSC, and the ongoing role of the Forum Regional Security Committee Meeting.

The Ministers also expressed appreciation to the Government of Solomon Islands for the excellent arrangements in hosting the meeting, and the warm hospitality extended to all participating delegations.

ENDS.

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