Archive _{- April 2000}

SUVA, Fiji Islands (April 27, 2000 – Fiji’s Daily Post/Pacific Media Watch/Pasifik Nius/Niuswire)---The Daily Post is not the Fiji government's mouthpiece or its propaganda machine, says general manager Ranjit Singh.

Singh's comments came after Opposition Leader Inoke Kubuabola, in a Radio Fiji news item, said that the Daily Post newspaper was used by government for its propaganda.

"While government has shares in the Daily Post, it does not and has not tried to interfere with our editorial content.

"We are an independent, responsible and a conscientious news organization which does not carry anybody's agenda or further any shareholder interests," Singh said.

He went on to say that what Daily Post does is present balanced reporting and "since government policies and actions have so much impact on the people, we give it the appropriate opportunity to present its point of view for those they are intended for."

Singh said that the Daily Post is...

By Fili Sagapolutele Special to the Pacific Islands Report

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (April 26, 2000)---A native of Guam, Capt. Peter Cumataotoa, has been bestowed the Samoan honorary chief title of "Leali‘iva‘a" by American Samoa Senate President Lutu Tenari Fuimaono, who is also a ranking high chief from the village of Fagatogo.

Cumataotao is the commander of the U.S. Navy destroyer, USS Decatur, which took part in the Centennial Celebration last week.

He said the chiefly title was the culmination of an extraordinary experience, one that will remain with him for the rest of his life.

Public tours were allowed while the vessel was in port for several days.

As the USS Decatur was preparing to leave Pago Pago Harbor, the gangway got stuck and wouldn't pull up. This caused a one-hour delay in the ship’s departure.

When the vessel finally left, Samoan music was playing on the loud speaker and the voice of Captain Cumataotao could be heard...

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (April 26, 2000 - Fiji's Daily Post/PINA Nius Online)---Ten training and business development grants to support private sector development in six Pacific Island countries have been announced by New Zealand Associate Minister for Foreign Affairs Matt Robson.

The grants, which total NZ $388,873 (US$ 188,837), come under the Pacific Islands Investment and Development Scheme (PIIDS), part of New Zealand's Official Development Assistance (NZODA Program).

PIIDS is a development program that relies on private sector initiatives. It provides an opportunity for the New Zealand private sector to be involved in assisting South Pacific countries to meet their development needs.

A statement from the New Zealand government said grants were allocated according to each proposal's development merit, commercial viability, and the likely long-term economic and employment benefits for the recipient country. Among the countries that will benefit from this...

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (April 25, 2000 – Post-Courier)---Many Papua New Guineans are ignorant about issues concerning the environment, a three-day meeting organized by the South Pacific Regional Environmental Program has concluded.

According to Environment and Conservation officers, public awareness and educational seminars on the importance of preserving and sustaining the environment is a priority that must be carried out.

Apart from a lack of public knowledge, the meeting also concluded that the country's existing laws and regulations do not fully address environment and conservation issues in the country.

"What the country lacks is technical expertise" to effectively carry out its mandate, said Narua Lovai, deputy director of the Office of Environment and Conservation.

According to Mr. Lovai, there were activities in the areas of environment and conservation that the office had been given but could not do much as they lacked technical...