Forum seeks unclear ban

Press, 16 July 1980, Page 3

Forum seeks unclear ban

NZPA Suva President leremia Tabai, of Kiribati has successfully called on the South Pacific Forum to voice strong reaction against Japanese and United States proposals to dump nuclear waste in the Pacific. Speaking at the forum meeting in Tarawa, Mr Tabai said the plan was of special concern as one of the dumping areas proposed was close to Kiribati. The forum, urged the United States, to defer implementation of a proposal to dump nuclear waste in the Pacific until there is further detailed technical examination and a report, The leaders, adopted a Cook Islands sponsored resolution condemning “any action which represents further exploitation of the Pacific for nuclear purposes in ways which disadvantage the peoples of the Pacific.” But there was no specific

reference to French nuclear testing in .the resolution. In other moves, the forum: — Decided to send the Cook Islands Premier, Dr Tom Davis, and Mr Tabai on a mission to O.P.E.C. countries to discuss the energy needs of South Pacific countries. \ . — Put off action on a report suggesting the merger of the South Pacific Commission and South Pacific Bureau for Economic Cooperation secretariats. — Admitted' the federated states of Micronesia to associate membership. — Asked Fiji to consider being host to the next Commonwealth regional heads of Government meeting. The forum, numbering 13 members since the admission of the New Hebrides, has come out with a firm call for Britain and France to ensure that independence is achieved in the New Hebrides on July 30.

Next year’s forum meeting will be held in Vila, the New Hebrides capital. .- A Royal New Zealand Navy ship, the Monowai, has arrived at Kiribati and is moored in Tarawa La-

goon. It is being used by the forum as headquarters and accommodation for officials and delegates, a huge relief to the Kiribati Government, which was having difficulty accommodating visitors.