Articles Search

PORT MORESBY (July 1, 1997 - PACNEWS) ---Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan was toppled from his 29-year-long political base late Monday night, as voters recorded objection to the PM's role in engaging African mercenaries earlier this year to resolve the nine-year old civil uprising on Bougainville.

Sir Julius, 57, was beaten in his bid for re-election to Parliament from the Namatanai region, bordering Bougainville, by his cousin. Sir Julius was defeated by just 110 votes.

Former University of Papua New Guinea lecturer and Director of the New Guinea Islands Regional Secretariat Ephraim Apelis recorded victory with 7,969 votes. Sir Julius received 7,859 votes.

Prime Minster Chan says he has accepted defeat, but admitted it was a painful loss.

Meantime, East Sepik Governor Sir Michael Somare, has paid tribute to Sir Julius, a long time friend and colleague.

There is intense speculation in Papua New Guinea, with the defeat of Sir...

CENTER EXPERT

HONOLULU (July 1, 1997 - PIDP/CPIS) ---A telecommunications expert at Hawaii's East-West Center has dismissed Cook Islands charges that US long-distance telephone company call-back systems involve "predatory pricing" and "circumvent international telephone tariff systems."

Dr. Meheroo Jusawalla says this conclusion, by Cook Islands Minister of Telecommunications, Vaine Tairea, is totally incorrect. She pointed out that not just the US, but many nations worldwide, use legitimate call-back systems. In the Cook Islands case, she says, their telecom system simply is overcharging its own long-distance customers, way above actual cost. "It's no wonder," she added," their customers are pleased with the lower US rates."

Jusawalla suggests that the Cook Islands should reduce its current long distance rates, which she believes will result in a larger customer base. Increased revenues earned then can be used to permit development of more efficient and...

HEMPSTEAD (July 6, 1997 - PIDP/CPIS)---A major international symposium on the future of the Marshall Islands will take place just outside New York City next October, at Hofstra University.

Symposium Director Patrick Mahoney says the title of the October 3 meeting is "From Dependency to Freedom: Charting the Future of the Marshall Islands."

The symposium will bring together a diverse group of experts from government, business, and academia, reports Mahoney, to consider such matters as business development and protection of the environment. Speakers will include officials from both Washington and Majuro.

The government of the Marshall Islands interest in establishing international nuclear waste storage and disposal sites on one or more of the Micronesian country's atolls is expected to receive major attention at the meeting.

Hofstra University, site of the October 3 symposium, is located in Hempstead, Long Island, near New York's Kennedy International...

PORT MORESBY (July 9, 1997 - PACNEWS)---There are about two weeks to go before the formation of Papua New Guinea's new government takes place, and many political parties are now lobbying with each other to form the sixth national government.

A number of contenders who have already shown interest in the top post of Prime Minister include former Prime Minister and Governor of East Sepik Sir Michael Somare, Deputy Prime Minister and Gulf Governor Chris Haiveta, Rabaul Open Member Sir John Kaputin, and National Capital District Governor and Peoples National Congress Party leader Bill Skate.

But, to succeed, these leaders will need the support of Independent MP's, who make up almost a third of the 109-member Parliament.

The Peoples Progress Party of former Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan, who lost his bid for re-election to Parliament, is on top with 13 members. The Peoples Democratic Movement Party is second with ten.. Pangu Party, the Somare-led National Alliance,...