Archive _{- April 2001}

SUVA, Fiji Islands (April 21, 2001 - PINA Nius Online)---Collecting data on the biodiversity and status of coral reefs will be the focus of a scientific expedition in Fiji waters beginning today, the environment organization WWF said.

The expedition is a collaboration between WWF and Nai‘a Cruises Fiji. It has been made possible through the generosity of the Packard and MacArthur Foundations and their commitment to conservation efforts in the Western Pacific, WWF said.

Sangeeta Mangubhai, WWF¹s regional marine coordinator, said: "This is an exciting opportunity to collect good scientific data on the biodiversity and state of our coral reefs in Fiji. The information will be invaluable for the government in its efforts to protect our country’s biodiversity, scientists studying reefs in the Pacific, to conservation groups and in particular the communities who own these invaluable resources.

"This trip will also be a good example of how collaboration can be forged...

By Nanette Woonton

AVARUA, Rarotonga, Cook Islands (April 21, 2001 - Cook Islands Herald/PINA Nius Online)---Drug dealers preying on young schoolchildren on school grounds was once little more than a movie plot. But it now appears to be happening right here in our own Cook Islands backyard.

The police have reported that secondary school students have been discovered in possession of cannabis while on school grounds.

Police Commissioner Pira Wichman also confirmed that there have been allegations made that students as young as Form One and Two have been in possession of cannabis while at school.

"They are young people and we find it very disturbing that young children are suspected of bringing drugs to school," said Wichman.

"Some of the information we have received has come from school friends, parents and neighbors. We are grateful that these people are finally coming forward so we can do something about it."

Wichman said that experiences...

MAJURO, Marshall Islands (April 19, 2001 – Marshall Islands Journal)---The current session of the Nitijela is one of the most unproductive sessions in the legislature’s history.

After meeting for nearly half of its 50 annual sitting days, not one of the 13 bills introduced this session has passed third reading. The only bill to be passed into law this session is legislation introduced during the August 200 Session – the maritime law (bill 34).

In fact, though the Nitijela kicked off its session the day after New Year’s, a motion of no confidence in its second week halted activity for five days, and after the motion was defeated the Nitijela recessed until February.

The first piece of legislation wasn’t introduced until mid February.

The majority of the bills this session have been introduced since March 15.

Similarly, of the 14 resolutions introduced, none have been adopted. Eleven of the 14 were introduced starting a week ago Monday.

The...

By Firmin Nanol

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (April 22, 2001 – NAU-FM/Post-Courier/PINA Nius Online)---Papua New Guinea Border Liaison Officers and police are questioning 26 West Papuan border crossers who came into Vanimo over the Easter weekend.

NAU-FM was told that police believe that the West Papuans could not have come by themselves. They believe that some Papua New Guinea citizens may have been involved in organizing boats for them to cross the border.

Police said in the past West Papuans crossed the border and said Indonesian soldiers were after their lives, but in actual fact they had committed crimes in West Papua and wanted to escape.

Earlier, the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier reported authorities are investigating whether the new border crossers, who joined an earlier 420 at a camp near Vanimo, carried any weapons across.

"It is a concern that this new group came over without anyone knowing. We were only alerted of their arrival when...