IMODE News

An editor of a new book about the ethnic tensions in Solomon Islands says it details people’s personal struggles and triumphs.

The book, detailing how the Church of Melanesia responded to the people of Solomon Islands during the tensions, was launched last week. The civil unrest began in late 1998 when Guadalcanal militants began forcing Malaitan settlers off the island.

Titled Mission in the Midst of Conflict: Stories from the Solomon Islands, the book was co-edited by Father Charles Brown Beu, and is a collection of more than 20 people’s experiences.

“It’s basically about how the church organisation was able to contribute in helping the victims by supplying food and transporting them to Malaita, the people of Malaita,” Father Charles said

“And the other interesting thing that is reflected in the book is that while the men were fighting, the women from Guadalcanal and Malaita were helping each other secretly. And to me that was very important.”

He said a cross-section of people from Guadalcanal and Malaita, including church workers contributed to the book.

A tsunami warning has been issued in the Pacific after a powerful earthquake struck 35km below sea level between Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

The epicentre of the seven point eight magnitude quake was 295 kilometres from Luganville in Vanuatu, and 260 kilometres south of the Santa Cruz islands in Solomon Islands.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says a tsunami warning is in effect for Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Kiribati, Kosrae, Wallis-Futuna, and Howland Baker island.
A tsunami watch is in effect for Marshall Islands, Tokelau, New Zealand, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Australia, Niue, Cook Islands, Chuuk, Kermadec Island, Pohnpei, Indonesia, Wake Island, Jarvis Island, Palmyra Island, Guam, Northern Marianas, Johnston Island, Yap, Marcus Island, and Palau. ( rnz 7/10)

Philippines Quake
A powerful earthquake has hit in the Celebes Sea area between the southern Philippines and Indonesia, but no tsunami warning has been issued.

The US Geological Survey says the six point seven magnitude quake occurred at a depth of almost 600 kilometres, more than 280 kilometres south of the Sulu archipelago.

Honiara, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, October 6, 2009) – Solomon Islands might loose the right to host the 2012 Festival of Pacific Arts if no preparation is in place by next year.
And Papua New Guinea and Fiji are alternative venues if the country does not satisfy the Pacific Arts Council next year.

Solomon Islands won the bid to host the Arts Festival in Honiara after bidding to host the event last year in Pago Pago, American Samoa.

However, Solomon Islands is said to be racing against time to prepare itself for the 2012 due to government’s lack of fund and commitment, it was revealed. Last year, the government had initially allocated SB$2.2 million [US$294, 000] on paper when Solomon Islands won the bid to host the event. But the actual funding is not available and the task force yet to be appointed.

Permanent Secretary of Culture and Tourism Luke Eta last week confirmed that even a task force committee is yet to be appointed with only two solid years left before the actual hosting of the event.

“Money has been the problem which failed to materialise preparatory work,” he said. He said later this month the ministry will submit a paper to the Cabinet seeking approval before a committee is formed.
Source:  Pacific Islands Report for Tuesday, October 6, 2009