Pressed Dismay at the Senate's Unprece- Dented

POLITICAL REVIEW • POLYNESIA pressed dismay at the Senate's unprece Paramount ChiefMauga's ardent dented failure to approve a traditional opposition to popular election ofthe high chief for this job, but ill feeling Senate, even though his own confirma between Mauga and Senate members tion hearings had spurred Coleman to had predisposed a majority to vote advocate reform. against him. Mauga had made dis The controversial visit of US Vice paraging remarks during his confirma President Dan Quayle in April 1989 tion hearings, apparently perturbed illustrated the divergent views oflead over the Senate's violation ofthe cus ers in American Samoa. Congressman tomary process whereby county coun Hunkin was critical ofQuayle's visit, cils select senators. He had contested calling it "a slap in the face" to other the Senate's selection of one ofits own countries in the region, because it members for a disputed Ma'uputasi failed to focus attention on "the unique County seat and supported another economic structures and other prob candidate for the position. lems facing such nations" (SN, 5 May The rejection issue exacerbated 1989). The governor called Hunkin existing tensions between the governor "out of order and out ofplace ... an and thefono, and Coleman sought embarrassment to our people and our "official notification" from the fono of selves" for acknowledging Soviet their reasons for rejecting his nominees "efforts to be friends with other island (SN, 23 May 1989). For its part, the countries in the region" (SN, 5 May fono soughtthe removalofthree direc~ 1989). tors, on the grounds that it was illegal Conflict over budget priorities fur for nominees rejected by thefono to ther widened the breach between the continue to serve, even in an acting congressional representative, the exec capacity (SN, 23 May 1989). utive, and the legislature. The gover The political impasse raised the nor was upset by financial difficulties issue of whether senators should be inherited from the previous administra elected by popular vote, rather than tion, but attracted criticism for his through Samoan custom. In an address "adversarial" attitude toward the legis in early May 1989, Coleman stated lature. The legislature was admonished "senators should be responsible and for its handling of confirmation hear responsive to the voters." Alluding to ings, and for stonewalling executive the excise tax measure having "died in initiatives. It was an inauspicious the senate," the governor "indicated beginning for the new administra- that voters are unable to influence sen tion. ators because they are not accountable BILL LEGALLEY to the voters" (SN, 5 May 1989). A bill introduced in thefono calling for a ref COOK ISLANDS erendum on senate election methods could have a dramatic impact on the The year was dominated by the parlia existing balance betweenfa'a Samoa mentary elections ofJanuary 1989. The and Western political institutions. An important issues were not policy mat interesting sidelight ofthe issue was ters, on which there was little differ- THE CONTEMPORARY PACIFIC· SPRING 1990 ence between the parties, but rather paper over the Christmas period kept personalities and practices. the formal campaign brief. The two The ruling coalition delayed the major parties published manifestos a elections until the very end ofthe five few days before the election, but it is years between elections permitted by doubtful whether they had much the constitution. There was so much impact. On the smaller islands the dissension within the coalition that issues were even more personal and each faction had its own candidates localized than on Rarotonga, the site of standing in opposition to its coalition the capital, where over half the popula "partners" in several electorates. tion live. The reelection ofDr Robati The main parties contesting the 1989 (of Rakahanga) and Mr George (of election were the Cook Islands Party Atiu) was considered a foregone con and the Democratic Party. The Cook clusion, as they had arranged govern Islands Party, set up in 1965 by Mr ment "employment" for at least one Albert Henry, held power until 1978 voter from each family on their islands when a corruption scandal led to the before the election. Government wages conviction ofHenry together with Fin were paid, but whether real work was bar Kenny, a US stamp dealer who had done is debatable. financed some ofthe illegal activity. Travel allowances were a major Since then Mr Geoffrey Henry, a political issue. The Democratic Party cousin ofthe founder, has led the main coalition leaders had been traveling wing of the party. TEe Democratic .very extensively andataWiIfg allow- Party was founded by Sir Tom Davis, ances far in excess ofcosts. Some min who headed the government from 1978 isters reportedly made more money until 1987, when he was ousted by the from their travel allowances than from members ofhis own cabinet ostensibly their salaries. When the issue became because he was restrictive with finance, public two months before the election, swore at them, and did not consult and seemed likely to cost votes, greatly them enough. Sir Tom claims that he reduced allowances were announced. was attempting to restrain his senior A trip which would have entitled a cabinet colleagues from action that he minister to NZ$I2,942 (in addition to believed to be corrupt and unethical. the cost of accommodation) under the He was replaced by Dr Pupuke Robati, old system, netted him NZ$3,762 at butthe leader of one faction ofthe the new rates (Petitioner, 10 Jan 1989). party, Mr Norman George, sought the When Foreign Minister Norman leadership right up to the election. George, who had just built a home for Two parties formed late in 1988 NZ$250,OOO, was asked whether he the Cook Islands People's Party, led by put such travel allowance surpluses in S. M. ("Cookie") Sadaraka, and the his pocket, he replied "Where else?" Labour Party, led by Rena Ariki Jon Crime was a matter of concern at nassen-also contested the election but many levels. Theft has increased con won no seats. siderably on Rarotonga, but interna A government ban on "political" tional crime was a much bigger issue. material on the radio and in the news- Was the Italian hotel project for the POLITICAL REVIEW • POLYNESIA benefit of the nation, as the govern Zealand as in the Cook Islands. New ment claimed, or a Mafia-linked Zealanders, on the other hand, need investment involving payoffs to key fig permission to visit the Cook Islands. ures associated with the Democratic The Cook Islands can sever the rela Party, as its critics claimed? The new tionship at any time, whereas New government commissioned an inquiry Zealand cannot. The last five New into the matter. Meanwhile, allega Zealand prime ministers have indicated tions oflinks between the leadership of privately to the Cook Islands govern the Cook Islands Party and Australian ment that they would be happy to see organized crime surfaced again when a the Cook Islands adopt a status of convicted Sydney criminal visited party complete constitutional indepen leaders several times during the cam dence. paign. The connection between drugs Certain areas of ambiguity in the and politics was also a matter ofmuch relationship are sometimes awkward speculation on Rarotonga. A ship reg for both sides. For example, although istered in the Cook Islands was seized the Cook Islands has progressively by the US Coast Guard shortly before taken over responsibility for its own the election, and its crew was convicted foreign affairs since achieving self-gov in Honolulu oftransporting drugs ernment in 1965, the two countries are from Asia to the United States. still supposed to consult on defense There was also much debate about issues. But when New Zealand Prime . the increased size of the police force, Minister DavidLange baniiea nuclear and about whether the Cook Islands ships from New Zealand ports, Cook needed, or could afford to run, an Aus Islands Prime Minister Sir Tom Davis tralian-donated patrol boat. declared that nuclear ships were wel In the election, the Cook Islands come in the Cooks. Cook Islanders in Party won 13 ofthe 24 seats and, with the Cook Islands, unhappy with gov the support ofthe two-man Demo ernment action they believed to be Tumu faction ofthe Democratic Party, corrupt or unconstitutional, have was able to form a government. The appealed as New Zealand citizens to former Democratic-Cook Islands the New Zealand government to inter Party coalition under Dr Robati won vene, which it has been reluctant to do. 10 seats. The election for the seat The prospect of complete constitu representing Cook Islanders temporar tional independence was raised by Mr ily resident overseas was declared void Makiuti Tongia during the 1989 elec as the result of a court case, and a by tion, but none of the parties has ever election was called. publicly advocated this step. This re Constitutional issues have been flects a general preference for the pres raised, but not acted on, in recent ent relationship, which gives access to years. The associated-state relationship higher salaries, old age pensions, child that the Cook Islands has with New allowances, sickness benefits, and a Zealand is not reciprocal. Cook Island level of services in New Zealand not ers have dual citizenship, and twice as available at home. Nevertheless, New many Cook Islanders live in New Zealand has increased the pressure to 166 THE CONTEMPORARY PACIFIC· SPRING 1990 sever the constitutional tie by reducing FRENCH POLYNESIA the level of aid. Shortly after the election a distin Following the social unrest in Papeete guished Cook Island civil servant, Mr in October 1987, and the subsequent Tamarii Pierre, published an article in defeat of Gaston Flosse's Tahoera'a the Cook Island News noting the pro Party, the new coalition government, gressive decline in New Zealand aid led by President Alexandre Leontieff, and advocating a carefully thought managed to survive internal ideological out, ten-year program leading to con divisions as well as challenges by oppo stitutional independence.

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