PACIFIC BRIEFS: PACIFIC-WIDE SEXUAL HEALTH INITIATIVE

THE PACIFIC – Twenty-two Pacific countries and territories have agreed to work together on a region-wide sexual health initiative, which is to be more inclusive of minority groups.

A spokesperson for the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Dennie Iniakwala, who helped design the strategy, says the aim is to expand the reach of sexual health services in the region. Dr Iniakwala says some of the most pressing issues facing the Pacific include the prevalence of STIs, HIV, teenage pregnancy and sexual assault. He says the new health agenda aims to reach vulnerable groups including transgender people.

AMERICAN SAMOA PLANS OWN AIRLINE

AMERICAN SAMOA – American Samoa is exploring the possibility of establishing a local airline to fly between Pago Pago, Hawai’i and the US mainland. In his state of the territory address, the governor says the present relationship with Hawaiian Airlines is not helping efforts to develop and expand the tourism industry. Thus, steps are being taken to explore the establishment of a second airline that is more sensitive to the development needs of American Samoa. The governor, Lolo Moliga, points out that this issue has been raised continuously because the territory’s air transportation options are confined to one airline which is more concerned with the bottom line instead of becoming a true community partner.

TONGA PARLIAMENT READY FOR BUSINESS

TONGA – The Legislative Assembly in Tonga held a ceremonial opening yesterday morning. An opening address from the King was presented by Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala and nobles Lord Vaha’i and Lord Fakafanua. After the ceremony the first sitting of the House since last November’s elections was scheduled for Monday morning. In the first meeting the Prime Minister and all other members of the Legislative Assembly will take their oath. They will then proceed to the first item of the agenda which is to consider a reply to the address from the King. The Assembly will then continue to other matters such as the appointment of the Chairman of the Whole House Committee and appointment of members and chairs of parliamentary standing Committees.

SOME FLIGHTS MAKING IT TO TONGA

TONGA – Some flights into the Tongan capital Nuku’alofa have resumed despite a plume of smoke reaching 6000 metres in the air billowing out of Hunga Ha‘apai. An Air New Zealand flight scheduled to land in Nuku‘alofa yesterday morning had to return to Auckland because of the volcanic activity, but a Virgin Australia flight was able to land in the afternoon. Domestic flights to Vava’u and Ha’apai from Nuku’alofa have been cancelled. The chief executive officer of Tonga Airports, Viliami Ma’ake, says provided the volcanic activity remains stable, an Air New Zealand flight scheduled to arrive tonight should be able to land.

TEST VETERANS TO GET COMPENSATION

FRENCH POLYNESIA – The administrative appeal court in the French city of Bordeaux has given nine former nuclear test veterans the right to be compensated by the state for damage to their health. Their case had first been heard last year when their lawyers challenged the terms of the 2010 compensation law, which has been widely criticised as being too restrictive. The claimants had served in Algeria and French Polynesia between 1960 and 1996 where France tested its atomic weapons. So far only a handful of claims out of more than 800 have been accepted since the law came into effect, but the lawyer says the decision reached in Bordeaux could set a precedent and prompt unsuccessful claimants to resubmit their cases.