Pacific News In Brief For 20 May
A round-up of news from around the region, including Solomon Islands' prime minister warning government workers off Taiwan.
An army officer overseeing plans for a 360-degree missile system for Guam says it will cost approximately US$8 billion.
Lieutenant General Robert Rasch, the executive director of the Guam Defense System Joint Program Office, spoke to a US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing last week.
Lieutenant General Rasch told members of the Senate committee that the price tag is 'really the cost of the systems that the services were building already that will now be located at Guam, approximately $8 billion across all the service'.
He said the effort on Guam was to 'get as much capability as soon as possible'.
One senator asked how long until the system will be operational.
Lieutenant General Rasch said they will be improving this capability forever, and defense never rests.
Tonga – dengue
Dengue cases in Tonga have now reached 756.
In an update released on Monday night, Tonga's Ministry of Health reported there were six people in hospital with the disease.
It said 381 cases are from Tongatapu, 309 from Vava'u, 62 from 'Eua, and four from Ha'apai.
The health ministry said case investigations and vector control are ongoing.
Solomon Islands – One-China Policy
The Solomon Islands' prime minister has warned government workers against engaging with 'Taiwan'.
In a statement, Jeremiah Manele reaffirmed his government's commitment to the One-China Policy.
Earlier this month Manele survived a motion of no confidence, the second such challenge he's had to face during his first year in government.
It's given rise to talks of new legislation aimed at curbing political instability in the country.
Last week, the ABC reported a newly appointed government minister was pressured by China to quit an international group critical of its policies.
Beijing's Embassy in Honiara said the allegations are baseless.
It said China will never interfere in Solomon Islands internal affairs and also firmly oppose any other countries' interference in Solomon Islands' internal affairs.
Fiji – methamphetamine
Three men, including an officer of the Counter Narcotics Bureau, have been charged in Fiji in relation to importing methamphetamine.
The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service said the intercept took place last week after Customs Officers identified irregularities during screening of an airfreight consignment from a Southeast African nation.
The Fiji Times reported the three men each face a charge of unlawful importation of illicit drugs, while two of them also face a charge of possession of properties suspected of being proceeds of crime.
Police prosecutor, Inspector Pramesh Chand, told the court a fourth suspect had also been arrested.
Australia – visit
Australia's foreign minister Penny Wong is travelling to the Pacific with a delegation this week.
In a joint statement the ministers said they will travel to Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu.
They will meet with each nation's prime ministers, including discussing the strengthening of the Vuvale Partnership with Sitiveni Rabuka in Fiji.
The ministers said this early visit to the region, soon after the Australian election, demonstrates how deeply they value being part of the Pacific family.
Niue – fisheries
The 138th Annual Officials Meeting of the Forum Fisheries Committee has wrapped up in Alofi.
The Forum Fisheries Agency said officials from across the Pacific focused on advancing the sustainable management of the region's tuna fisheries.
It said officials addressed a wide range of strategic priorities including climate resilience and strengthened international engagement.
The outcomes from this meeting will be presented to ministers at the Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting in July.
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