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CONGRESSMAN ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD Delegate from Guam U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C.

NEWS RELEASE April 1, 2002

CONGRESSMAN UNDERWOOD READIES FOR FY 2003 U.S. BUDGET BATTLE OVER PROPOSED GUAM CUTS

Congressman Robert A. Underwood said he is disappointed that the Bush Administration's Fiscal Year 2003 budget proposal seeks to slash $10 million in federal funds for Guam. The net effect of President Bush's proposal eliminates some programs and cuts back funding for other domestic programs nationwide.

But the Congressman is confident that he can secure increases as the proposal is taken up in Congressional Committees, adding that it is customary for members to seek increases during the appropriations process, and Guam has traditionally fared well in this manner in recent years.

"In light of our dire financial troubles, the cuts to the funding for Guam are not good news," the Congressman said. "We fought the battle with last...

JAKARTA, Indonesia (March 27, 2002 – Joyo Indonesian News/Kyodo/Kabar-Irian)---The Indonesian military has detained at least three soldiers for questioning over their suspected involvement in the murder of Papuan pro-independence leader Theys Hiyo Eluay late last year, a local newspaper reported.

Koran Tempo daily quoted Indonesian Defense Force (TNI) spokesman Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin as saying there is a ''strong indication'' of the involvement of the soldiers in Eluay's death.

No special status, however, has been placed on the detained military members, as they are still being questioned, Sjafrie said.

The report said Brig. Gen. Hendardji, deputy commander of the Military Police Center, reported the results of an investigation conducted by his unit to TNI Commander Adm. Widodo Adisutjipto.

Both, however, refused to disclose the results of the investigation, the paper said.

Military sources said at least three members of the army's Special...

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (April 1, 2002 - SIBC/PINA Nius Online)---Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza, facing heavy political pressure over the devaluation of the Solomon Islands dollar, has sacked his Finance Minister, Michael Maina.

Mr. Maina had announced the 25% devaluation during his budget address last week and said it was essential to save the country's remaining external reserves.

He won praise from the Central Bank for taking tough measures that the bank considered long overdue. But there was anger in Sir Allan's coalition government. Many members are believed to have first heard of the devaluation when Mr. Maina announced it.

Opposition groups in Parliament have moved a vote of no confidence in the government as a result.

Sir Allan said the sacking resulted from the lack of consultation by Mr. Maina on the devaluation.

To avoid a constitutional crisis and political instability he decided to sack Mr. Maina effective immediately, Sir Allan...

By Susan Kiran Ministry of National Reconciliation, Information and Media Relations

SUVA, Fiji Islands (April 2, 2002 – Daily Post/FijiLive)---Fiji has been, and continues to go through, a tumultuous period of race relations in its less than 32 years of independence.

It would be fair to say that the situation Fiji finds herself in today is the product of 96 years of colonialism and segregation of the Taukei from the Girmityas by the British -- divide and rule to benefit the crown.

Sadly, many have used the race card to benefit themselves and their "causes."

In a space of 13 years (l987 - 2002) the country suffered two military and one civilian coup.

With each came a deepening tear in the fragile relations between the two major ethnic groups.

These tensions are linked with the associated issue of positive discrimination in favor of the indigenous community by successive governments since independence to the point where other communities...