Author Archives: Andrew Moutu

Vanuatu find confirms Taiwanese links

Posted on August 25, 2008 by Andrew Moutu

VANUATU’s  DAILY POST carries an interesting article about an archaeological find that gives further credibility to the view that some people’s of the Pacific have a Taiwanese origin. The find was discovered by accident when a bulldozer unearthed a piece of … Continue reading →

Posted in History | 1 Comment

Graon toktok na kastom

Posted on August 20, 2008 by Andrew Moutu

ISSUES RELATING TO LAND USE AND MANAGEMENT WILL never cease to employ the preoccupations of policy makers and legislators, academics and the numerous batallion of landowners scattered in and around the many countries of the Pacific where primodial links to … Continue reading →

Posted in Land and land reform | Leave a comment

Democracy and the theft of conscience

Posted on August 15, 2008 by Andrew Moutu

THE CONTINENT OF AFRICA IS GEOGRAPHICALLY DISTANT AND DISCONTINUOUS FROM THE PACIFIC but the situation of some African economies and their dynamics of development have often inspired comparisons with Pacific Island countries irrespective of the elegance and relevance of those comparative projects. The countries of the two regions share a Western … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 5 Comments

Papua New Guinea: a failed state?

Posted on August 11, 2008 by Andrew Moutu

THE NOTIONAL DIAGNOSIS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA AS A FAILED STATE has been in the air for almost a decade now. Each time the alarm bells of this prognosis is enunciated by an eminent analyst or an institution of some … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 3 Comments

Why should white people have culture?

Posted on August 5, 2008 by Andrew Moutu

“IF THESE WHITE PEOPLE HAVE A CULTURE, THEY WILL UNDERSTAND OURS”. These are the words of a strong willed and deeply courageous Motuan girl called Gabi who hails (most likely) from Poreporena village which was once located at the base … Continue reading →

Posted in Melanesian Philosophy | 8 Comments

The lawyer’s briefcase and the robber’s gun: a tale of justice

Posted on August 4, 2008 by Andrew Moutu

TWO SYSTEMS OF LAW is a phrase that carries a familiar ring of echoes. This catch phrase points to the perception of a particular kind of negative discrimination that privileges some people over others when matters of law, justice and … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Leave a comment

Indonesian incursions: accident or design?

Posted on August 3, 2008 by Andrew Moutu

INDONESIAN MILITARY PERSONNEL have been giving themselves an undeserved freedom and authority to walk through the border between PNG and West Papua over the last several months.  Papua New Guinea villagers who live in the border areas have reported that there have been frequent … Continue reading →

Posted in West Papua | 1 Comment

Still Seeking Shelter and Freedom!

Posted on July 14, 2008 by Andrew Moutu

IT IS NOW MORE THAN 20 YEARS since the Papua New Guinea Government aceded to the UN Convention relating to the status of refugees. Since then it has yet to enact a domestic legislation that would provide the framework to enforce and … Continue reading →

Posted in West Papua | Leave a comment

West Papuan refugees appealing for resettlement

Posted on July 2, 2008 by Andrew Moutu

WEST PAPUA REFUGEES APPEAL FOR RESETTLEMENT IN THIRD COUNTRY On this day the 1st day of July 2008, the representatives of the West Papua Refugees camped at Apex Park – Boroko, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – wish to raise … Continue reading →

Posted in West Papua | 3 Comments

Frieda River Mine

Posted on June 27, 2008 by Andrew Moutu

The Frieda River Mine is expected to come into full operation in 2012 and it shall have a lifespan of 23 years. The mine is located near the headwaters of the Sepik River in the border between East and West … Continue reading →

Posted in Frieda mine, Mining | Tagged | 8 Comments