430 the contemporary pacific • 18:2 (2006) the space for Solomon Islanders to set In national politics, the year began their own agenda and plot the course with Ham Lini as prime minister of a to the future. This will ensure that the newly formed government. Ham Lini good work that has been done so far is a relative newcomer to national is sustained and will avoid continuing politics, only assuming a leadership dependence on neighbors. Those role in National United Party (nup) wanting to help must be aware that following the death of his brother Solomon Islanders could easily say, in 1999. He gained the position of “Sapos yu laik duim, olsem yu duim, prime minister in December 2004, mi lukluk” (If you want to do it, then after a no-confidence vote in the you do it and I’ll watch). short-lived government that had tarcisius tara kabutaulaka been formed following the July 2004 elections, led by Serge Vohor (Union of Moderate Parties, or ump). References While there was some talk that this sibc News. Solomon Islands Broadcasting was “Vanuatu’s Lini legacy revived” Corporation. (PVPO, 14 Dec 2004), Ham Lini is operating in an environment more Solomon Star. Honiara. Daily. political than the one that existed for his brother, Father Walter Hadye Lini, in the years following inde- pendence. Vanuatu Father Lini, who was prime min- Vanuatu celebrated its twenty-fifth ister from 1980 to 1991, operated year of independence in 2005. How- under what was basically a two-party ever, it has largely been “business as system. He led a Vanua‘aku Party usual” on the political front, with the (vp) government. The primary oppo- normal morass of personal or person- sition was the ump, which had its ality-based politicking, leavened by a roots in a collection of several small number of scandals. There was some francophone parties. Following the instability in the national government 1987 election, only three parties— and some political parties, and a vp, ump, and the Fren Melanesian number of management issues arose Party (which had one seat)—were in various state institutions, but 2005 represented in Parliament. However, was not as turbulent as some recent 1987 marked the beginning of the years have been. It has, however, been change to a political system in which a year of complexity. Maneuverings many small parties vie for power, within and between parties have and coalition government is now the affected both local (municipal) and rule rather than the exception. After national politics, and local politics Father Lini suffered a stroke in 1987, has affected national politics as well. others began to challenge his leader- Various state-owned enterprises have ship. In 1988 Barak Sope broke from also had their composition affected the vp to form the Melanesian Pro- as the political fortunes of various gressive Party (mpp), and in 1991 parties have changed. Donald Kalpokas replaced Lini as political reviews • melanesia 431 the prime minister and vp leader. out one of the main coalition part- This prompted Father Lini to split ners, nup. The gc/ump/vp agree- from vp and form the nup. Since ment was later trumped by a second then, the number of parties has pro- agreement between nup, vp, the Van- liferated and the number represented uatu Republican Party (vrp) and the in Parliament has gradually grown, National Community Association from six parties following the 1991 (nca), which gave the position of election to ten parties (plus nine mayor to vp (VDP, 11 Nov 2005). independent candidates) following The ousting of gc from the govern- the 2004 election. ment created a potentially powerful Ham Lini’s coalition at the begin- gc/ump opposition. Despite the ning of 2005 represented eleven par- various reshuffles, the Ham Lini–led ties. Essentially a line was drawn government managed to survive two between ump in opposition, and proposed no-confidence motions in everyone else in a coalition govern- 2004. It continues to govern into ment. Lini gained the position of 2006, although rumors of further prime minister on 11 December 2004, no-confidence votes and reshuffles but his position was far from stable, continue. and by 31 December there were The shifting sands that have char- already media reports of planned acterized the nature of the coalition reshuffles to try to accommodate all have also been reflected within the the coalition partners. Throughout larger political parties, particularly the year there were a number of nup and vp, where a superficial changes in the cabinet and alterations glance may suggest that a cohesive to the coalition. The most significant party exists, but closer examination of these occurred in November, reveals rifts and many shifts of when then Finance Minister Moana allegiance. Carcasses Kalosil was removed from From the beginning of 2005 it cabinet and the Greens Confederation was apparent that a power struggle (gc) removed from the coalition between Ham Lini and Willy Jimmy (VDP, 15 Nov 2005). This split was was occurring, when Jimmy was not brought about in part because gc present at Lini’s swearing in as prime was gaining increasing power and minister (Independent, 9 Jan 2005). demanding additional seats in cabinet In January Jimmy claimed that a (Independent, 28 Aug 2005; VDP, reshuffle putting nup, ump, and the 26 Sept 2005). A second factor in this Greens Confederacy (gc) into govern- split was related to political maneu- ment had been promised, and that if vering for the position of lord mayor it did not take place he and a block of Port Vila. gc had signed an agree- of five or six other nup members of ment with vp and the opposition ump Parliament would move to Vanuatu that was to give the position of mayor National Party (vnp), which had been to ump and the position of deputy formed by Dinh Van Than after dis- mayor to gc, to be rotated after two agreements with Lini (Independent, years. This effectively placed gc in 11 Jan 2005). While Jimmy did not alliance with the opposition and shut split from nup, tensions again sur- 432 the contemporary pacific • 18:2 (2006) faced at the nup national congress prime minister. At the Lingarak con- at Motalava in October. Two lists of gress a motion to oust the old execu- people were eligible to vote for execu- tive was passed, but vp Honorary tive. Because of this, nup Chairman President Kalpokas then declared Meto Chilia said he “decided to sus- the vote invalid due to irregularities. pend the congress for a few hours to The friction within vp led Natapei to allow the former executive to meet dissolve Parliament in 2004 in order and have a compromise decision to avoid a vote of no confidence that before proceeding to the election of would have been supported by a the new executive” (PVPO, 25 Oct number of vp members of Parliament. 2005). However, Lini used his power Numerous legal challenges arose con- as president to let the elections go cerning the vp leadership and who ahead. Willie Jimmy and his support- would be permitted to use the vp ers walked out and Lini was reelected name during the national election. president (PVPO, 18 Oct 2005). There While the court ruled that both was some talk that the decision at the parties would be permitted to use Motalava congress would be chal- the vp name, ultimately most of the lenged in court, and that Lini would Kalpokas faction stood under the use this incident as an excuse to drop Vanua K Group banner. Jimmy from the cabinet. Despite It was hoped that the 2005 Con- these rumors, Lini did not shuffle gress would see a reunification of vp. Jimmy out of cabinet, which would However, factions were still running have created a deep rift within nup, to court immediately prior to the elec- and instead he publicly confirmed tion in order to “set up ways to con- Jimmy’s place as a minister, stating trol registration of sub-committees to the media, “I still need him in my having the right to attend the party’s government” (PVPO, 25 Oct 2005). congress as required by the internal Jimmy subsequently benefited from regulations of the party” (PVPO, 23 gc’s removal from the governing Aug 2005). Despite fears that pre- coalition, assuming the position of Congress court maneuverings might minister of finance after Carcasses be an ill omen for chances of recon- was shuffled out in November (VDP, ciliation, the Congress did achieve at 12 Nov 2005). least some degree of finality in who Similar irregularities in voting and leads vp, when Natapei was elected power plays between senior members president (VDP, 1 Sept 2005). How- of vp were largely responsible for ever, the executive does not contain causing the rift that is still continuing. any representatives from the “old These problems became apparent at guard” (VDP, 2 Sept 2005), so long- the vp congress held at Lingarak in term harmony within vp is still in October 2003. Voting on the vp exec- some doubt. utive split the party between the “old There was also more than a hint guard,” which includes Kalpokas, of vote buying by the Natapei camp. Sela Molisa, Joe Natuman, and Jack- Harry Iauko, “the architect of the leen Reuben Titek, and the supporters re-election of Natapei” (VDP, 25 Sept of Edward Natapei, who was then 2005), was appointed vp secretary- political reviews • melanesia 433 general. It appears he had made a and Iauko, politicking on the munici- number of promises to various people pal level has affected national politics. in return for votes. One was that The operation of the pvmc has in Daniel Bule be appointed Chair and itself also been a major political story others be appointed to the board of in 2005. The position of lord mayor the Vanuatu Maritime Authority is determined by voting by the pvmc. (vma). These appointments were In December 2004, Joseph Aron of referred to the Supreme Court by the vp replaced Patrick Crowby Mana- vma. The court halted the appoint- rewo of nup, who had held the may- ments, as correct procedure had not oral position for a number of years. been followed and the new appointees While this vote was initially chal- did not have the statutorily required lenged on the grounds of procedural experience within the shipping indus- irregularities (PVPO, 20 Dec 2004), try (VDP, 21 Sept 2005). Aron’s election was later confirmed as Hostilities between Iauko and Min- having taken place properly (PVPO, 23 ister for Internal Affairs George Wells Dec 2004). Crowby was subsequently also broke out after Wells terminated appointed government spokesman, in twenty-one employees of the Port Vila consolation for losing his position as Municipal Council (pvmc) as part of mayor (PVPO, 6 Jan 2006). Although a redundancy exercise (VDP, 19 Sept the vp-led overthrow of Crowby did 2005). The redundancies came after a create some tension between vp and number of inquiries into mismanage- nup (Independent, 27 Feb 2005), this ment within the council. Reports of did not have any serious effect on the mismanagement resulted in the coalition government. suspension of the council and the Aron soon suspended Town Clerk appointment of former Ombudsman Madeleine Tom and Deputy Town Hannington Alatoa as commissioner. Clerk Fatané Sope, replacing them Alatoa had the unenviable job of with vp supporters (PVPO, 5 Jan trying to bring order to the council. 2005), although the appointment of Some of those terminated under the the new town clerk was subsequently redundancy package were “key Nata- canceled because correct procedure pei supporters” (VDP, 26 Sept 2005), had not been followed (PVPO, 18 July and Iauko demanded their reinstate- 2005). By the end of January the ment. Wells refused and threatened to 14-member council was reduced to leave vp and join nup if the termi- 9 members, with 4 members being nated workers were reinstated (VDP, suspended for failing to attend three 25 Sept 2005). Ultimately Iauko did consecutive meetings (PVPO, 25 Jan not get his way, and Wells remained 2005; 11 Feb 2005), and Crowby with vp, although it remains to be resigning (PVPO, 25 Jan 2005). seen whether Iauko can retain his It soon became apparent that the influence within vp, having failed to suspension of Tom and Fatané Sope deliver on various promises. was not solely politically motivated As we have seen, from both the and that there had been significant ousting of gc from the coalition gov- mismanagement within the pvmc. ernment and friction between Wells Sope’s status was resolved early when 434 the contemporary pacific • 18:2 (2006) he was terminated for misconduct, and gc gaining three seats apiece. having continued to access and The remaining two seats were taken remove pvmc papers despite his by vrp and the nca (PVPO, 3 Nov suspension (PVPO, 25 Jan 2005). In a 2005). As discussed earlier, because report into allegations of embezzle- there was no clear leader among the ment within the pvmc, it became political parties, a period of negotia- apparent that there were at least tion and coalition building ensued. sufficient grounds for a reasonable During this process ump and gc suspicion of wrongdoing by Tom aligned, eventually resulting in gc (PVPO, 29 March 2005). Crowby being ousted from the governing was also implicated in this report. coalition. Ultimately a coalition of The report also alleged that Tom had nup, vp, vrp, and nca was formed, been recruited illegally, had improp- and vp’s Paul Avock elected mayor erly employed her son in the pvmc, (VDP, 12 Nov 2005). However, a and had used the pvmc to purchase number of elected councilors may building materials for her private not remain in place for very long. use (PVPO, 4 April 2005). While Tom Wells stated that councilors with refuted these claims, Aron requested money owing to the pvmc had until that the minister for internal affairs 30 November to settle their debts or terminate her (PVPO, 25 April 2005). their seats would be vacated. Whether Tom was not terminated, but as or not this occurs appears to depend various allegations of wrongdoing on whether there is sufficient money within the pvmc came to light, Wells to hold a by-election (VDP, 8 Nov took the step of suspending the pvmc 2005). and appointing former Ombudsman The Port Vila Municipal Council Hannington Alatoa as commissioner. was not alone in undergoing difficul- While Alatoa was commissioner, ties, however. The Luganville Muni- further reports detailing misappropri- cipal Council (lmc) town clerk was ation of funds and mismanagement terminated for misconduct in January came to light. Not only was there after loaning money to someone out- misappropriation under Crowby’s side of the lmc in contravention of regime, and unpaid property taxes direct orders from the director of of more than 280 million vatu (PVPO, internal affairs (PVPO, 27 Jan 2005). 20 Sept 2005), but under Aron’s lead- The lmc itself was suspended in ership more than 6 million vatu in March (PVPO, 22 March 2005), and illegal allowances had been paid to Paul Hakwa was appointed as com- councilors in the first eight months of missioner for a period of twelve 2005 (Independent, 15 Oct 2005). months. The lmc was reported to The elections for the new pvmc be in debt by almost 30 million vatu, saw a record 177 candidates stand. including 4.5 million in cash advances However, voter turnout was only 51 that had not been repaid. It was esti- percent. Crowby was reelected and mated that 9 million vatu was owed Aron lost his position. Seats were to creditors, and that outstanding fairly evenly divided among the main debtors owed the lmc approximately political parties, with ump, nup, vp, 10 million vatu (Independent, 24 political reviews • melanesia 435
April 2005). The minister for internal While Bong was reinstated in April affairs stated that it was his intention 2005 (Independent, 17 April 2005), to first get the affairs of the lmc in Diniro was not, and was formally order, then tackle those of the pvmc, removed as commissioner by the before turning to the Sanma Provin- president on 16 June (Independent, cial Council, which is facing similar 1 July 05). There was dissatisfaction allegations of gross financial misman- among the police with Caulton’s lead- agement (Independent, 20 March ership, along with stories of intended 2005). mass resignations, brought about by A number of state-owned enter- a combination of low pay, no incen- prises and state institutions found tives, and lack of confidence in the themselves in the news again in 2005. leadership of the force (Independent, Foremost among these were the 1 May 2005). There were also calls police, the Vanuatu Maritime from within the force for Caulton to Authority, and Air Vanuatu. resign and be replaced by Aru Mara- The year 2005 again saw the Vanu- lau (PVPO, 24 May 2005). Despite atu Police Force struggling with issues this, Caulton continued in his acting of leadership. In 2004 Robert Diniro position, although he suffered a had been suspended as commissioner hiccup in November when the Police of police, and Joshua Bong had been Services Commission removed him suspended as commander of the from his post and appointed Vanuatu Vanuatu Mobile Force following an Military Forces Major Kalshem attempted arrest of then Prime Minis- Bongram in his place (VDP, 26 Nov ter Serge Vohor (VDP, 14 Sept 2004). 2005). Caulton filed for judicial As a side note, the Commission of review in court, on the grounds that Enquiry that was appointed to look only the president could terminate into potential improper motives him (VDP, 1 Dec 2005), and the presi- behind this attempted arrest finally dent later confirmed that Caulton made its report to the government at would remain as acting police com- the end of May 2005 (Independent, missioner until terminated by the 29 May 2005). The inquiry cost more head of state (VDP, 6 Dec 2005). than 1.2 million vatu (us$10,500), While the position of acting com- excluding court costs (Independent, 23 missioner has not been without con- Jan 2005), and the report has never troversy, the government has been been made public. In December the slow to appoint a new commissioner, Public Prosecutor’s Office was in part due to difficulties within the ordered to pay Serge Vohor over 2 Police Services Commission, and in million vatu in court costs arising part due to debate about whether the from the criminal charges that had new commissioner should be a for- been filed against him, precipitating eigner. The government appeared to the attempted arrest (VDP, 3 Dec be committed to appointing a foreign 2005). police commissioner, in order to bring Arthur Caulton was appointed stability to the police (Independent, acting commissioner of the police in 12 June 2005), although the idea of a 2004 following these suspensions. foreigner in a top public service posi- 436 the contemporary pacific • 18:2 (2006) tion was not without controversy, and money through their own mismanage- was opposed by a number of people. ment should bear the costs of their No progress in appointing anyone errors. Willie Jimmy was particularly permanently to the position had been well reported on this issue, stating in made by the end of the year. By early the media “that the vma is a classic 2006 applications for a local police example of the people holding high commissioner had been sought, on the positions at statutory bodies who grounds that the Constitution states draft their contracts themselves to that only citizens of Vanuatu should suit themselves. Those people should be appointed to Vanuatu. Because of have to face the consequences and this, “This senior police force position pay compensation claims instead of should only be given to an expatriate giving the burden to those institutions if no one among the applicants is a they penalise” (PVPO, 25 Oct 2005). suitable candidate” (PVPO, 1 Feb This position was turned around in 2006). October, when the Ministry of Public The Vanuatu Maritime Authority Utilities reached an out-of-court set- was not only in the news due to polit- tlement of 35 million vatu with the ical interference in appointments to owner of the Southern Star. The the board, as discussed earlier. As has matter arose after the Southern Star become normal for this institution, it had an insurance claim with qbe was also embroiled in a number of Insurance declined, in part because other controversies. In 2005 the vma of wrongful information provided by was the subject of an ombudsman’s Timbaci (who at the time was acting report, which recommended that vma commissioner) that the captain vma Chair Christopher Emelee be and chief engineer were not properly prosecuted for recruiting a foreigner qualified. Current vma Commissioner without acquiring the correct work Less John Napuati was not slow to permits (PVPO, 18 Oct 2005). This, point out that it was unfortunate that however, was the least of the vma’s an individual’s professional negligence worries. As detailed in previous Vanu- was costing the country money (VDP, atu political reviews, there have been 19 Nov 2005). issues with staffing and membership In May, Napuati, along with of the vma board for a number of Emelee, former vma advisor Guy years. Over the last two years, costs Bernard, former vma board member from illegal terminations have cost John Simbolo, and former Minister the vma around 20 million vatu, for Fisheries Stephen Kalsakau, must with Marie Noelle Ferrieux Patterson have breathed a sigh of relief when being awarded just over 10 million the case against them for conspiring vatu in 2004 and Bani Timbaci being to defeat the course of justice was awarded almost 10 million vatu in struck down by the Supreme Court September 2005, although the pay- because of prosecution delays. This ment to Timbaci was later reduced to case, which has been detailed in previ- about 5 million vatu on appeal. This ous Vanuatu political reviews, arose created the interesting response that after the crews of two fishing vessels people who cost the government were arrested for fishing in Vanuatu political reviews • melanesia 437 waters without a license, but subse- ment source” (PVPO, 18 July 2005). quently apparently backdated licenses Iauko was soon reinstated. were produced. However, in June the More disruptive has been the pro- Court of Appeal overturned the gressive strike actions by Air Vanuatu Supreme Court decision, and by the staff who are members of the Vanuatu close of 2005 the trial was still pro- National Workers Union (vnwu). ceeding (Public Prosecutor v Emelee). The initial grievances that sparked a The embattled vma has struck back long and drawn-out industrial action by suing the police and the Fisheries are unclear. A brief timeline is as Department for 12 million vatu in follows: On August 12 the minister wharfage fees that arose when a Chi- for internal affairs made an order that nese vessel was seized by officials and no industrial actions take place for a kept in custody for over 300 days period of two months, while concilia- pending trial (VDP, 27 Oct 2005). tion took place (VDP, 9 Dec 2005). Air Vanuatu is another institution Despite this, some Air Vanuatu staff that is no stranger to controversy. did go out on strike. In early Septem- The latest round began when the Air ber, 26 Air Vanuatu staff were termi- Vanuatu and Vanair boards again nated. All these were union members; remerged at the beginning of 2005 however the termination is legal (pir, 10 Jan 2005). A large board, because proper termination allow- which eventually numbered close to ances were paid out (VDP, 6 Sept thirty, was appointed to manage the 2005). Air Vanuatu ceo Terry Kerr airline. In January 2005, Chief Execu- later said that the terminations were tive Jean-Paul Virelala and Marketing part of ongoing restructuring, and Manager Joseph Laloyer were both that this would save Air Vanuatu 30 terminated, apparently to make way million vatu per year (VDP, 24 Sept for political appointees. As a result of 2005). In October another 4 staff these terminations, Air Vanuatu was from the finance department were sued by Virelala for 74 million vatu terminated, again as part of restruc- and by Laloyer for 50 million vatu turing (VDP, 22 Oct 2005). By the end (PVPO, 22 Feb 2005). In an odd twist, of November, staff of Air Vanuatu Laloyer was subsequently reinstated and Vanuatu Abattoirs Ltd, which in order to avoid unbudgeted termina- has also been rocked by strike actions tion costs. This apparently resulted in throughout the year, gathered to the termination of Henry Iauko as picket (VDP, 29 Nov 2005). The chair of the Board of Management picket action was discontinued for Air Vanuatu, by Utilities Minister following (untrue) rumors that police Maxime Carlot. It was reported in the had been given permission to carry media that “the decision of Minister arms (VDP, 30 Nov 2005). In early Carlot was purely personal. ‘Minister December, another 16 staff members Carlot had promised to put out were terminated (Independent, 3 Dec Laloyer if ever he got back into 2005). Picketing again resumed, power because he had refused to resulting in 48 people being arrested include Carlot on a particular Port and charged with unlawful assembly Vila–Nouméa flight,’ said [a] govern- (VDP, 10 Dec 2005). 438 the contemporary pacific • 18:2 (2006)
This issue continues unresolved vide us$66 million, primarily to be into 2006. It is of grave concern to used for the construction of roads. the tourism industry, as flights have The agreement is to be signed in early been adversely affected. vnwu’s 2006 (VDP, 19 Nov 2005). Vanuatu growing power (and, some might has also been ruled eligible to apply say, its irresponsible exercise of that for further funding in the 2006 mcc power) is also of concern to all busi- funding round. nesses in Vanuatu. At least one long- anita jowitt standing business that provided staff with benefits in excess of the statutory minimums has closed down in 2005 References due to pressure placed on it by the Independent. Weekly. Port Vila. vnwu. There are a number of potentially pir, Pacific Islands Report. volatile issues that continue to fester