The Black Islands -- Spirit and War in Melanesia

Beautiful. Never heavy-handed, this says short pieces speaks volumes about dignity. Freedom fighters, soldiers, mercenaries, civilians, elders, children...all are respectfully depicted.

Election of Gordon Darcy Lilo as Solomon Islands PM (Articles Relating to the Election, That Is)

Check out these Canberra times articles of November 15th and November 16th for what you need to know about the election of Gordon Darcy Lilo as Prime Minster of the Solomon Islands.

Here are my takeaways:

1. "Australian officials have warned travellers to the Solomon Islands of possible unrest and disruptions after the Pacific island nation elected Gordon Darcy Lilo as Prime Minister."

2. "The Solomons has previously erupted in violence for political reasons, with parts of Honiara hit by arson and rioting following a 2006 election."

3. "The country is the third Pacific nation to experience political upheaval this week."

Nauru's got it's third leader in a week, due to corruption claims and a vote of no-confidence. In Papua New Guinea, orders came down for the arrest of the deputy prime minister and attorney-general on contempt charges, following their attempted ouster of the chief justice on charges of financial misconduct.

Oh, and here is an article from November 11th describing the run-up to the election.

Papuan Declaration and Violence: Two More Articles from Jakarta Globe

Two more articles on the violence following the Papuan declaration of independence from Indonesia.

Read:

Dozens Injured and 'Chaos' as Shots Ring Out.

Shots Fired in Response to Papuan Declaration of Independence?

Check out the headline from today's Jakarta Globe:  Indonesian Military Opens Fire Near Papuan Congress.

Want a nutshell? Basically:

"The report states that 'credible sources on the ground' have confirmed that at 3:30 p.m., soldiers opened fire on the gathering, held at a  field in Padang Bulan Abepura.

There are unconfirmed reports that at least one person has been killed and others injured.

The warning shots were fired in response to an alleged announcement by the Papuan Peoples’ Assembly (MRP) declaring the province’s independence from Indonesia...."

Typhoon Nesat (Pedring) Hits Manila

Typhoon Nesat (locally called "Pedring") is hitting Manila...right...now! Yup, at this very second.

Having been through hurricanes, IMHO this clip gives the real sense-experience much more than the typical "reporter on the jetty" videos. Sorry, btw, for the brief Slinky (???) commercial. 

Bainimarama and the UN's Figuring on Fiji

When Ban Ki Moon addressed the Pacific Islands Forum this week in New Zealand,  he became the first Secretary General of the UN to do so. Highlights include a spirited discussion of Fiji's place in the family of Pacific nations. (Hint: Fiji's getting a time-out.)

Also discussed -- The use of Fiji's troops in UN peacekeeping actions such as in Iraq. They were banned in 2009 due to "military strongman Frank Bainimarama" and his glacial movements toward democratic elections in that country. Since then, however...hmmm. Something's changed. Ban Ki Moon says Fiji's time-out may be close to an end.

Why was Fiji blackballed in the first place, when it's the government the UN has argument with?  Here's another hint, this time from The Age:

"When Britain granted Fiji independence in 1970, the Fiji army had only about 200 active troops.

Since then, more than 20,000 Fijians have been deployed in UN peacekeeping operations, building a robust military culture in the nation of fewer than 950,000 people.

Fiji has been under military rule since Bainimarama, the country's armed forces chief, seized power in a 2006 coup, its fourth since 1987.

His government had promised elections earlier this year, but Bainimarama said in Saturday's speech that they will not be held until 2014."

So the equation has been (up to now) figured this way: >troops used by UN = >troops in Fiji = >Bainimarama.

Apparently the equation is faulty.

Mining in Bougainville: The Taste of Mud

Here's a little taste of what's to come on this blog re: mining in Bougainville. Hint: It involves guns, helicopters, blockades, civil uprisings and well, lots of mud.