The WTO says it wants to accelerate Samoa's integration into the world economy and offer a more transparent environment for trade and foreign investment.

Samoa has five years to make sure all cars are safe to drive.

He says the government should set up a commission of inquiry after it accused the Council of bribing opposition MPs to oppose the country joining the World Trade Organisation.

The country's MPs are currently debating ratification of membership of the world trade body, but there has been widespread opposition led by the church council.

Church leaders in Vanuatu are considering what to do next after the ratification of the country's accession to the World Trade Organisation. The general secretary for the Vanuatu Christian Council says they have been very clear from the beginning they do not support the ratification.

Pastor Shem Tema says there needs to be much wider consultation with the people throughout Vanuatu. He says the churches don't have any clear direction on their next move just yet but the people are wary about what may happen. He says they don't really understand what the WTO is and what the consequences of signing the deal will mean.

Source

• Radio New Zealand International Bribery
• Radio New Zealand International More consultation needed
• Image: WTO

His comments were made on Thursday during the final reading of the bill ratifying Vanuatu's membership of the WTO. On Wednesday the bill passed its first reading by a vote of 26 to 21. However the Minister of Justice crossed the floor to vote with the opposition.

The Prime Minister, Mr Sato Kilman, said it would be interesting to learn where the Vanuatu Council of Churches got the money to pay the allowances. Other ministers were also critical of the Churches' opposition. The minister of internal affairs who is responsible for churches, swore about the church leaders and NGOs but later withdrew the comment. The minister of public utilities said the role of the churches is to prepare the souls of the people for the next world, not to preach against the WTO.

Earlier International and Pacific organisations called on the Vanuatu government to respect the free speech of its citizens after it banned protests against joining the WTO.

The Churches are concerned that indigenous people risk loosing their rights and their culture.

The Council of Church's chairman, Bishop James Ligo, says large numbers of people of Vanuatu don't know about the WTO and the advantages and disadvantages in joining it.

He says the council is planning to meet the prime minister Sato Kilman to raise its concerns.

If the government fails to listen to the churches, they'll organise a demonstration opposing the country's accession to the international trade agency.

A minister of the short lived Easter Government of Serge Vohor managed to slip Vanuatu into the fast track for ratification of World Trade Organisation membership just a few months ago. And there are even fewer months to go. Vanuatu is supposed to ratify in November.

Source

Radio Australia Pacific Beat
Vanuatu Daily Post
Radio New Zealand International