Oceania: Neocolonialism, Nukes & Bones

by André Vltchek

neocolonialism, nukes and bones is a critical appraisal of the destructive consequences of colonialism and later neocolonialism and how they have reshaped and undermined the very essence of Pacific humanity. It provides a rather uncomfortable but justifiably powerful moral message that the perils of Oceania need drawing attention to for the future survival of Pacific peoples and cultures who, isolated from the main centres of global power, are often relegated to the margins of development and progress. André Vltchek spent five years living and traveling throughout Oceania. During his journey he interviewed politicians, social-workers, journalists, teachers, doctors and the local inhabitants. He became friends with the great Pacific writer Epeli Hau'ofa who declared him an 'honorary citizen of Oceania,' and he intricately documented the appalling effects Western government policies, corporate strategies and military operations were having on the islands and the peoples of the Pacific.

Genres: History

234 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2013

About the author

André Vltchek (Russian: Андре Влчек, [ɐnˈdrɛ ˈvɫ̩t͡ɕɛk], December 29, 1963 – September 22, 2020) was a Soviet-born American political analyst, journalist, and a filmmaker. Vltchek was born in Leningrad but later became a naturalized U.S. citizen after being granted asylum there in his 20s. He lived in the United States, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Vietnam, Samoa, and Indonesia.

Vltchek covered armed conflicts in Peru, Kashmir, Mexico, Bosnia, Sri Lanka, Congo, India, South Africa, East Timor, Indonesia, Turkey, and the Middle East. He traveled to more than 140 countries, and wrote articles for Der Spiegel, Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun, The Guardian, ABC News and the Czech Republic daily Lidové noviny. From 2004, Vltchek served as a senior fellow at the Oakland Institute.

Commenting on Vltchek's book Oceania, published in 2010, American linguist Noam Chomsky said that it evoked "the reality of the contemporary world" and that "He has also not failed to trace the painful — and particularly for the West, shameful realities to their historical roots".

Reviews

[Luís Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A shocking testimony of the multi-faced genocide, cultural genocide and plunder committed by the barbaric Anglosaxonic Empire (USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand) in Oceania.

Concentration camps, mass relocation of locals, nuclear tests on humans, colonialism, garbage-dumping, US military bases occupying desperately needed land, Australia-News-Zealand-USA travel blockade on Oceania's people, slavery, destruction of local life-style, plunder, impoverishment as a mean to push locals to fight Imperial wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, Sinophobic propaganda, mass sex abuse of children, wild logging, canned food as main diet, brains drain, etc.
The list of Anglosaxonic or Anglosaxonic-sponsored extreme barbarism is endless and leads any conscious human to vomit!

All this done by the global Anglosaxonic Empire that hides all its horrendous crimes, while accusing China for crimes China does not commit!
Many in the West swallow lies about Chinese alleged crimes against Uighurs because they are racist and wishfully ignorant.
Many in the West ignore all about Western multi-faced genocide in Oceania because their are supremacist and wishfully ignorant.

[Kosta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deeply researched and passionate history and summary of modern Oceania.

Vltchek looks at the major issues facing Pacific nations in the modern era, including climate change, brain drain, environmental disaster, and political instability, and the roles of foreign powers in creating and perpetuating these. Covering from Papua to Micronesia, Samoa and Tonga to Rapa nui, Andre tells the story of modern Oceania with a fondness that comes from 6 years he spent in this part of the world. While criticising European meddling and racism, Vltchek often times succumbs to the same romanticism that he criticises (though having been there I'll say I understand the temptation to do so). My main peeve was the weird naivete he shows when looking at RAMSI in the Solomon Islands - he indicates that he wasn't able to get much information on it, but the way he breezes by an Australian takeover of a country is a surprise in a book by a guy friendly with Noam Chomsky and Michael Parenti.
That's a minor quibble though, if you're looking for a summary on the region, this is great and very readable

[Apronk · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times a bit repetitive and some quotes from unnamed sources seem a little fanciful, but the author clearly had a passion for the region that shines through. An informative and investigative book on an area of the world the mainstream press rarely covers.