Archive _{- April 1998}

HONIARA, Solomon islands (April 26, 1998 - PACNEWS)---Moves by a Malaysian company to develop the largest oil palm plantation in the Solomon Islands --on Vangunu Island in Western Province-- has made little progress during the past two years.

The Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Dr. Steve Aumanu, said while the Alliance for Change government supports the project initiated by the Mamaloni government two years ago, no agreement has yet been reached with the developer, Kumpulan Emas Berhad of Malaysia.

Dr. Aumanu said the two parties have yet to come to closure on such matters as land rates, duty and taxation concessions and environmental impact issues, but, he adds, negotiations are continuing.

The Vangunu oil palm project is expected to cover 10,000 hectares of government land.

The only other palm oil project in the Solomon Islands, the Commonwealth Development Corporation plantation on the Guadalcanal plains, covers 7,000 hectares of land.

Palm...

MAJURO, Marshall islands (April 27, 1998 - Radio Australia)---The leaders of Bikini say they are confident the United States supports their plan to re-settle the Marshall Islands atoll.

Bikini was used by the U.S. as a nuclear test site, 1946-1958, and was left heavily contaminated by radiation.

A delegation of Bikini leaders has returned to the Marshalls from meetings last week with U.S. officials in Washington, during which the U.S. declared its commitment to support a clean-up of the atoll and eventual resettlement.

However, the Bikini delegation failed to secure assurances that current scientific data, which says Bikini can be made safe for rehabilitation, is accurate.

The Bikini leaders say they will continue working to get the U.S. Department of Energy to recommend a clean-up plan, which they want endorsed by U.S. President Bill Clinton.

SAIPAN, Northern Marianas (March 24, 1998-Saipan Tribune/Benhur Saladores/ Ioane)---The Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas has become an attractive destination for foreigners seeking a better life for themselves and their families, reports the Saipan Tribune.

The newspaper says people from the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China have come to the Northern Marianas to work in construction, tourism, garment and security industries. Most of these people left their families behind and send them money on a regular basis.

One such worker, Ric Santos of the Philippines, works with a construction company.

Santos, 38, describes his life on Saipan –the Marianas’ capital-- as comfortable. He says although he misses his family back in the Philippines, he needs work so that he can assure them a good future.

Ahmed, a security guard from Bangladesh, expressed similar sentiments.

"We just want to support our families in Bangladesh. The money we earn...

SUVA, Fiji (April 26, 1998 - PACNEWS)---Government officials, together with business leaders, are implementing a strategic plan to ensure the longtime survival of Fiji’s textile, clothing and footwear industry.

A task force has been appointed by the two parties to proceed with the plan, Island Networks Corporation reports.

President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara outlined details of the strategic plan when he opened the new United Apparel garment factory in Nadawa, outside Suva, last week.

The plan outlines four broad strategies aimed at ensuring the survival of the industry and assuring its future expansion. They are improving the business environment in which the textile, clothing and footwear industry operates, and improving its efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.

The plan also calls for improving worker skills and marketing activities.