Pacific....No More

Pacific on Fire
Foreigners set foot on the Pacific islands many years ago. They found on some of the islands people were not too friendly. History is full of battles between the visitors and locals. The so-called unfriendliness may have been due to being alien beings and misunderstanding between the two groups.

But as the colonists imposed their rule on the islands through Christianity, political and economic affluence there was a period of tranquility and peace. But it was not to last. The region once referred to as Pacific was no more.

Here are some of the events which dispel the Pacific image over the years.

Vanuatu
Jimmy Stevens was a Ni-Vanuatu nationalist and politician. As leader of the conservative Nagriamel movement, declared the independence of Espiritu Santo island as the "State of Vemeran" in June 1980 and referred to himself as "prime minister".

After the Republic of Vanuatu was granted independence in July, Prime Minister Walter Lini deployed Papua New Guinean troops and the revolt was crushed in August. Stevens who was born either in the 1910s or 1920s died on 28 February 1994, Espiritu Santo.

New Caledonia
The move by the Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak Socialiste (FLNKS) for independence began in 1985. The FLNKS (led by the late Jean-Marie Tjibaaou, assassinated in 1989) advocated the creation of an independent state of 'Kanaky'.

The troubles culminated in 1988 with a bloody hostage taking in Ouvea. The unrest led to agreement on increased autonomy in the Matignon Accords of 1988 and the Noumea Accord of 1998. This Accord describes the devolution of power towards a referendum on independence from the French Republic sometime after 2014.

Bougainville- Papua New Guinea
The effect of the Pangunu mines on the environmental, financial benefits, and social change led to a secessionist movement that had been dormant since the 1970s. It developed into a civil conflict that lasted nearly a decade and claimed up to 20,000 lives.

The conflict ended in 1997, after negotiations brokered by New Zealand. A Peace Agreement finalised in 2000 provided for the establishment of an Autonomous Bougainville Government, and a referendum in the future on whether the island should become politically independent.

Elections for the first Autonomous Government were held in May and June of 2005. On June 15, 2005, Joseph Kabui was elected President.

Papua New Guinea is the biggest and most complex society within the islands states. It will need a new breed of leaders to keep it from breaking up.

Fiji Coups
Tensions between the indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians ethnic groups have been afoot for many years. The population ratio was about 46% and 49% of the 1987 population, in favour of the Indo-Fijians resulted in social and political unrest.

Parliamentary elections in April of 1987 resulted in the removal of the government of Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. The government a multi-ethnic coalition was supported mostly by the Indo-Fijian majority. Sitiveni Rabuka claimed ethnic Fijian concerns of racial discrimination as his excuse for seizing power.

The coup of May 14, 1987 was the signs of things to come. With masked and armed soldiers Rabuka ordered Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra and Members of Parliament to leave the building. It was a bloodless coup.

Fearing that the gains of the first coup were about to be lost following consultations and an agreement between various groups, Rabuka staged a second coup on Septembers 25.

Solomon Islands
Disagreement over the fair distribution of resources began to surface since independence in 1978. The then Western Province which included Choiseul Island boycotted the independence celebrations.

The Guadalcanal Province raised their demands in 1988 but was overlooked by successive government. Guadalcanal people's concerning over the growing intrusion of people from other provinces, particularly those from Malaita on the land had reached a flash-point. What had been simmering over more 20 years erupted in the 1997 ethnic violence.

In June 2003 an Australian-led multinational force, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic military groups.

The rebuilding of the nation has just began and continues with the help of development partners.

Tonga
The pro-democracy movement in Tonga, which emphasises reforms including better representation in the Parliament for the majority commoners, and better accountability in matters of state had been active over the years.

The tension has been building and today witnessed what many had feared would happen. Today rampaging drunken youths who allegedly support the Tongan pro-democracy movement destroyed the business district of the country’s capital.

If only Captain Cook could see today's events, he would be turning in his grave for calling Tonga the "Friendly Islands".

Tahiti Next??
Only time will tell. But the writing is on the wall.

The current President of French Polynesia, Oscar Temaru, is advocating full independence from France.

Fill in on what I may have missed.

Food for thought
Pacific islanders -- leaders and the common people need deep soul searching. Where do we go from here, as individuals, that make up the community? Is there another form of Governance that brings about Heaven and Peace to dwells within YOU and I?

Dream on.