Neu: 2001-09-04 Contents of this issue: 1. Top Picks 2. Airline Loan? ======================================================================== September 4th, 2001 1. Top Picks: The Fiji Labour Party -which led the government deposed in last year's coup - could win 27 seats in the general elections, according to preliminary predictions from a new survey. The polling station survey by University of the South Pacific (USP) researchers involved 45 research assistants and teachers in over 300 polling stations interviewing people as they exited the polls. The next major winners will be the indigenous Fijian Conservative Alliance/Matanitu Vanua and Caretaker Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase's Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua, the survey suggests. They are tipped to win nine to 10 seats each. The survey was led by USP's Dr Esther Williams, who said: "While the final findings of this survey have yet to be tabulated and the data analysed in detail, we can make some preliminary predictions." Her team interviewed close to 3900 voters throughout Fiji between August 25 to September 1, face to face and after they had voted. 2. Airline Loan? Niue is seeking assistance from the People's Republic of China to set up a local airline to boost the nation's tourism industry. Premier Sani Lakatani told Radio Australia he will press ahead with a request for a loan of almost AU$ 2 million (US$ 1,057,055) when China's envoy to New Zealand, who is also accredited to Niue, arrives for a visit next month. The premier, who also wants to see full diplomatic relations established between Niue and China, says he first discussed the airline proposal during a visit to Beijing last year. "What I suggested to the PRC is that we establish an airline to service Niue, to bring tourists to Niue. "I've already expressed to them my wish, and I've spoken to our government about requesting a soft loan from them to meet the cost of setting up an airline for Niue," Premier Lakatani said. __END__
