Archive _{- April 2002}

APIA, Samoa (April 26, 2002 - Samoa Observer/PINA Nius Online)---The Central Bank of Samoa reports that it has "stopped all foreign exchange dealings" by two money exchange companies operating in Samoa.

Bank governor Papali‘i Tommy Scanlan said: "I took these steps because of breaches of their foreign exchange licenses after they had accepted foreign currency far in excess of the WST$ 10,000 (US$ 2,885) limit per person per day, without the approval of the Central Bank."

He said they were alerted to the matter when ANZ Bank wanted to find out how much they were legally allowed to cash into Samoan tala for a customer. The Central Bank of Samoa was told that the told amount to be cashed was US$ 500,000.

Money exchanges have become an increasingly popular way for Samoans overseas to send money home to relatives.

For additional reports from the Samoa Observer, go to PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT News/Information Links: Newspapers/Samoa Observer.

Pacific...

By Dr. Tarcisius K. Tara

SUVA, Fiji Islands (April 29, 2002)---In September 2001 I was in Honiara for the review of the implementation of the Townsville Peace Agreement (TPA). Two things that occurred during that trip convinced me of the need to reassess the Solomon Islands peace processes.

The first was the assault, on September 19, 2001, of a Civil Society leader by a senior officer of the Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP). The incident occurred during lunch break and was witnessed by about a hundred people, including the then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for National Unity, Peace and Reconciliation; other senior police officers; senior government officials; representatives of provincial governments; members of Civil Society; and other prominent citizens. The police officer was in uniform and cheered on by other officers (who were yelling, waving their fists in the air, acting invincible, and maybe imagining themselves to be Rambos).

The second...

PAPE‘ETE, French Polynesia (April 25, 2002 - Oceania Flash)---French Polynesia's government has resolved to boost funding for its international flag carrier Air Tahiti Nui (ATN) by an additional one billion French Pacific Francs (close to US$ 8 million), its Cabinet announced on Thursday.

The financial assistance was earmarked some months ago as part of an increase in ATN's stock, but was not expected to be implemented until later this year.

The aid also consists of a cash flow advance (442.6 million CFP), which the government said would be "necessary to finance ATN's public service operation."

The final part of the territorial support is to "guarantee ATN against financial risks" it could incur as a result of the recently-opened bi-weekly Pape'ete-Los Angeles-Paris route, especially with regard to the need to increase its flights frequency during the high season in France (June-October).

ATN plans, during the peak period, to add two flights a week...

SUVA, Fiji Islands (April 26, 2002 - PINA Nius Online)---Two senior Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) members will participate in an international conference on Terrorism and Media as part of UNESCO's World Press Freedom Day celebrations.

Terrorism and Media is the theme of this year's World Press Freedom Day, marked around the world each year on May 3.

To attend the UNESCO conference in Manila, Philippines, are:

Themes to be debated at the Manila conference, the main international celebration of World Press Freedom Day, include:

Journalists from around the world whose daily work exposes them to the dangers of terrorism and violence will take part.

So will representatives of leading international professional organizations and non-governmental civil rights bodies.

Participants are expected to adopt recommendations concerning press freedom and the safety of journalists working in violent environments.

Philippines President...