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JAYAPURA, Papua, Indonesia (September 3, 2002 – Radio New Zealand International)---A spokesman for the separatist movement in the Indonesian province of Papua says independence fighters were not involved in an ambush that killed three people and injured 10.

Unknown gunmen with automatic weapons sprayed bullets at the convoy near the world’s biggest gold and copper mine, Freeport Indonesia, on Saturday, killing two American schoolteachers and an Indonesian.

Eight of the wounded were flown to Townsville Hospital in Queensland, Australia for treatment.

Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry says local police sources believe there are indications the attack was carried out by elements of the Free Papua Movement (OPM).

OPM leader John Ondawame said the area commander for the movement had confirmed that his men were not involved in the attack.

Mr. Ondawame has accused the Indonesian military of orchestrating the shooting.

Yesterday, troops killed a Papuan...

PORT VILA, Vanuatu (August 30, 2002 – Radio Australia)---Vanuatu's public prosecutor has called off the arrests of 20 police officers wanted for mutiny.

Five police and naval officers appeared in court yesterday on charges of mutiny but 20 failed to turn up.

The officers were charged with mutiny after they arrested Vanuatu's former police commissioner, Maile Apisai, on August 4, whose appointment they disputed.

National broadcaster VBTC has reported that public prosecutor Heather Lini-Leo wants the arrests called off until all parties involved in the impasse resolve their differences.

Ms. Lini-Leo has written to the paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force asking them not to execute the court order until the VMF and police come to the negotiating table.

The officers who did appear in court were released on bail and are due to appear again in court on September 6.

The Council of Ministers met yesterday to discuss the escalating tension between the...

NUKU‘ALOFA, Tonga (August 30, 2002 - PINA Nius Online)---Japan’s new ambassador to Tonga, Kenro Iino, has presented his credentials to King Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV -- and renewed old friendships in Nuku‘alofa.

The ambassador, who is based in Fiji, was one of the first Japanese officials assigned to Tonga, as a second secretary in 1979 when Japan's embassy was established in Suva.

He played a major role in the kingdom's relations with Japan until his departure in 1981.

Mr. Iino began his diplomatic career when he joined Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1969. Since then, he has served in a number of countries, including Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Australia.

Ambassador Iino said he has special feelings towards the Pacific Islands region because many of his posts in the ministry were closely related to the region.

As well as his postings in Fiji and Papua New Guinea, he has also worked in the Oceania Division in the European and Oceania Affairs...

MAJURO, Marshall Islands (August 31, 2002 – Radio New Zealand International)---The College of Marshall Islands has engaged auditors to straighten out its books and solve money accounting problems.

The college’s former business manager, Louiston Louis, allegedly stole over (US) $600,000 during his three-year term at the college and is awaiting trial on 98 counts of embezzlement.

The school also faces a deficit of $860,000 dollars for the coming school year, allegedly due to management problems in its business school.

The auditors have just completed auditing 1999 accounts, and now are working on 2000 and 2001 fiscal reports.

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