Archive _{- April 2000}

EDITORIAL

Post-Courier Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

April 25, 2000

Papua New Guinea's efforts to improve its overseas image and attract more tourists continues to be undermined each time there is hope of improvement.

The rape of an American tourist on an island off Vanimo is the latest example of the type of serious blow that crime has dealt to the country's tourism industry.

When will all these terrible things stop?

Throughout PNG, there are thousands of genuine people who want to welcome visitors to their villages to see and enjoy the beauty of their surroundings and the warm hospitality of the people.

Unfortunately, there is also a lawless element, which stands ready to destroy every good initiative and, as a consequence, ruin the country's image.

Vanimo is known as a quiet and peaceful town where people enjoy a laid back lifestyle, the sort that is missing in many urban centers such as Port Moresby.

It is also the...

NOUMEA, New Caledonia (April 25, 2000 – Oceania Flash/SPC)---The 11th convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) held last week in Nairobi, Kenya has approved to further protect two parrot species endemic to New Caledonia, Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes reports.

The two species, which are now protected from international trade, are found on Ouvéa Island (Loyalty group, north-east of the mainland) and in New Caledonia's mountainous center chain.

They are known to scientists respectively as Eunymphicus Cornutus Uveaensis and Eunymphicus Cornutus Cornutus.

"This is an immense victory for New Caledonia," said New Caledonia's Wildlife Protection Association President Jean-Louis d'Auzon.

The CITES conference decision follows a request from the French territory's Agriculture and Forestry department.

The two species were formerly classified under CITES schedule 2 as a potentially endangered species, which requires a permit prior to...

By Craig DeSilva

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i (April 25, 2000 – PIDP/CPIS)---The Pacific Basin Development Council, a Honolulu-based organization that promotes economic development in the Pacific Islands, will be dissolved September 30.

The decision was made by PBDC’s board members - Guam Gov. Carl Gutierrez, CNMI Gov. Pedro Tenorio, and American Samoa Gov. Tauese Sunia - during a meeting in Pago Pago.

The three governors will draft a charter and new by-laws for a reconstituted Pacific regional organization, according to a statement by Gutierrez.

However, it’s unclear how the new organization will be different from PBDC. It is likely that the new organization, which will remain based in Hawai‘i, will continue to carry out the same mandate in promoting Pacific Island development.

"A revitalized PBDC will bring more economic development and political leverage to the territories and commonwealth in the Pacific," Gutierrez said.

Also during the meeting,...

PNG’S MORAUTA SAID PACIFIC NEEDS FOREIGN INVESTMENT

TOKYO, Japan (April 25, 2000 – Post Courier)---Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta urged Japanese businesses to invest in South Pacific countries.

Addressing a luncheon in honor of visiting South Pacific Forum leaders in Tokyo last week, Sir Mekere urged Japanese businesses to help South Pacific countries through new investments that would harness the region's natural resources.

"The South Pacific must engage fully in global economy. We know that we need the rest of the world more than the rest of the world needs us, so it is up to us to demonstrate that we can be useful partners," Sir Mekere told the luncheon.

The event was hosted by five economic organizations: The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Japan Employers Federation Association, the Japan Association of Corporate Executives and the Japan Foreign Trade Council, which secured some of the century's top businessmen to attend.

"South...