PACIFC BRIEFS

THOUSANDS RALLY AGAINST INDEPENDENCE

NEW CALEDONIA – Thousands of people in New Caledonia have taken part in a march against independence from France – exactly six months before the territory’s referendum on the issue. According to the police, 4000 people joined the rally in Noumea, but the organisers said more than 10,000 took part. The march was called to coincide with the visit of the French president Emmanuel Macron who arrived this week. At the time of the march, the president was visiting the northern province. The march to the High Commission was called by the Caledonian Republicans but not supported by the Caledonia Together Party and the local chapter of Macron’s party.

ISLANDERS wants to take OVER LEASES

NORTHERN MARIANAS – An indigenous group in the Northern Marianas says it opposes any extension to public land leases to existing hotels and it wants to take over businesses established on the lands after the leases expire. Northern Marianas Descent Corporation said the indigenous people of the CNMI did not reap the benefits of the current public lands lease agreements and the group wants to negotiate new terms with current or interested leases that include direct benefits to people of Northern Marianas descent. The NMDC is proposing direct stock ownership of established businesses in exchange for the use of the public lands or an allocation of a percentage of profits every year. At least six major resorts in the CNMI are facing lease expiration in the near future.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS workers strike

WALLIS AND FUTUNA – Some staff at the publicly-owned OPT post and telecommunications company in Wallis and Futuna have gone on strike. Among the claims, unions want to know details about the revenue sharing between the company and the mobile phone company Orange. The issues were raised in a strike notice a month ago but the unions launched an unlimited strike today after failing to get a satisfactory answer. The public broadcaster said both the French prefect and the president of the Territorial Assembly are off island as they flew to New Caledonia for the visit of the French President Emmanuel Macron.

KIRIBATI TO GET OWN TV BROADASTER

KIRIBATI – Kiribati is set to get its first television station with Wave TV expected to kick off services within a few months. The station plans to provide at least 20 pay and free view channels to 1000 homes on the main island of Tarawa to begin with and then reassess the feasibility of rolling out across the country. Wave TV will be assisted by Papua New Guinea-based Click Pacific who have experience operating in both PNG and Fiji. Click Pacific’s Richard Broadbridge said the station will allow i-Kiribati to see themselves on TV but he says it will also connect them with communities from abroad.

THOUSANDS RALLY AGAINST INDEPENDENCE

NEW CALEDONIA – Thousands of people in New Caledonia have taken part in a march against independence from France – exactly six months before the territory’s referendum on the issue. According to the police, 4000 people joined the rally in Noumea, but the organisers said more than 10,000 took part. The march was called to coincide with the visit of the French president Emmanuel Macron who arrived this week. At the time of the march, the president was visiting the northern province. The march to the High Commission was called by the Caledonian Republicans but not supported by the Caledonia Together Party and the local chapter of Macron’s party.

ISLANDERS wants to take OVER LEASES

NORTHERN MARIANAS – An indigenous group in the Northern Marianas says it opposes any extension to public land leases to existing hotels and it wants to take over businesses established on the lands after the leases expire. Northern Marianas Descent Corporation said the indigenous people of the CNMI did not reap the benefits of the current public lands lease agreements and the group wants to negotiate new terms with current or interested leases that include direct benefits to people of Northern Marianas descent. The NMDC is proposing direct stock ownership of established businesses in exchange for the use of the public lands or an allocation of a percentage of profits every year. At least six major resorts in the CNMI are facing lease expiration in the near future.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS workers strike

WALLIS AND FUTUNA – Some staff at the publicly-owned OPT post and telecommunications company in Wallis and Futuna have gone on strike. Among the claims, unions want to know details about the revenue sharing between the company and the mobile phone company Orange. The issues were raised in a strike notice a month ago but the unions launched an unlimited strike today after failing to get a satisfactory answer. The public broadcaster said both the French prefect and the president of the Territorial Assembly are off island as they flew to New Caledonia for the visit of the French President Emmanuel Macron.

KIRIBATI TO GET OWN TV BROADASTER

KIRIBATI – Kiribati is set to get its first television station with Wave TV expected to kick off services within a few months. The station plans to provide at least 20 pay and free view channels to 1000 homes on the main island of Tarawa to begin with and then reassess the feasibility of rolling out across the country. Wave TV will be assisted by Papua New Guinea-based Click Pacific who have experience operating in both PNG and Fiji. Click Pacific’s Richard Broadbridge said the station will allow i-Kiribati to see themselves on TV but he says it will also connect them with communities from abroad.