Pacific Islands Leaders Forum News Briefs

Breakfast at Trader Jacks
Security was tight on Friday morning for the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s breakfast with the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders and invited guests at Trader Jacks on Avarua’s waterfront this morning.
An area was cordoned off to the public in and around the area, and police lined the roads in and around Trader Jacks. Journalists had their bags and tripods checked by a sniffer dog and all accreditation had to be screened before they were allowed through the security cordon. Clinton’s motorcade totaled 8 which also included her own security team who was based in front and at the back of her vehicle.

God bless America

Four Catholic Nun’s were given a rare opportunity to meet one of the most powerful women in the world, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Outside Trader Jacks, the four were able to sneak through the tight security to where Clinton was and yell “God Bless America,” and caught the attention of such a powerful woman. It was from here where the Nun’s briefly exchanged kind words. The four, Sister Patty Huffman, Sister Lueia Lam Ngyen, Sister Kathleen Appler and Sister Marjorie Anna Baez, were delighted and honored to have met such a person. The nuns - from the Daughters of Charity St Vincent de Paul - said it was astonishing to meet Clinton. The sisters told local Radio Cook Islands, the visit is an important one for the Cook Islands and hope Clinton will be able to change the relationship between the US and the Cook Islands and it’s more wonderful because she’s a ‘woman.’

PM Puna and Clinton to hold talks

The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Hon Henry Puna will discuss with the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton the possibility of the US assisting the Cook Islands in clamping down on illegal fishing. At a press conference on Thursday at the Leader’s retreat on Motu Tapueitai in Aitutaki, the Prime Minister said, because illegal fishing is a concern to the country, he was going to raise the issue over breakfast with Clinton on Friday morning. It’s understood, the Cook Islands lose millions of dollars each year from unlicensed and unauthorized fishing companies who are illegally fishing in our waters.

Press Conference at Ngatipa

The Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and NZ Prime Minister hosted a press conference today at the NZ High Commissioner’s residence and have agreed to expand its US partnerships in assisting with the surveillance of our pacific waters. The Cook Islands is understood to have embraced the assistance as it was highlighted in yesterday’s press conference on One Foot Island in Aitutaki yesterday. Clinton also says, the US is in full support of enabling the US to support Women in the Pacific, and will today (Friday) be meeting with local pearl vendors.

Clinton to go to Aitutaki?

The people of Aitutaki are now preparing for a possible visit by the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who was to head to the island tomorrow for some well deserved R&R. Officials are tight-lipped over the trip and no confirmation of whether the trip will happen was made. It’s also understood that a reduced Chinese delegation will head to Aitutaki tomorrow after the bilateral talks with Government. It is understood, the Chinese Vice Minister was to accompany the much bigger delegation tomorrow however, the size of the delegation has been reduced due to the Chinese Vice Minister returning today.

Leaders Aitutaki Retreat
Pacific Forum Leaders received an enthusiastic welcome from the people of Aitutaki when they arrived on Thursday for their retreat. They were welcomed by Minister Teina Bishop and Mayor John Baxter along with a turou, dances and a Tivaevae o’ora from local mamas. The photos were supplied courtesy of Lisa Williams - Lahari.

The Pacific Island Forum Leaders yesterday planted a tamanu (mahogany) trees on One Foot Island and was the second on the leaders agenda on arriving to the motu. Radio CI understands, the planting ceremony was of significance as it is the first time Aitutaki hosted the Leaders Retreat.

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