Articles Search

ISSUE"

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (May 2, 2001 - Samoa News/PINA Nius Online)---The outcome of the court case against an adult male who discharged a firearm inside the Leone High School gym during a dance should serve as a wake-up call to lawmakers to push for stricter local gun control laws, said Rep. Aina Sao Nua.

He said the incident at Leone High School is "scary and serious enough evidence" for his colleagues in the Fono to push for passage of a bill now pending in the House.

Under the proposed law, "it is unlawful for any person to have in possession any kind of arms or prohibited weapons at anytime in school or on school campus grounds."

He said the news of shootings in schools across the U.S. mainland should be a wake-up call for American Samoa to make sure that students and teachers are protected from this type of violence.

There are three known incidents in which students brought guns to campus during the last five years.

Items...

FIJI’S MARA MUST TALK: POLITICIANS WANT EX-PRESIDENT QUESTIONED OVER COUP

By Ruci Mafi

SUVA, Fiji Islands (May 1, 2001 – Fiji Times)---Former President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara must be questioned over his claims about the political unrest last year, politicians say.

Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei spokeswoman Ema Druavesi said police should investigate Ratu Sir Kamisese's claim that Police Commissioner Isikia Savua and former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka had a hand in the coup.

"They were trying to get hold of Lieutenant Colonel Viliame Seruvakula for making the same sort of remarks on the same TV program, so now they should get hold of Ratu Sir Kamisese for information he may have that will ensure that the instigators of the coup are arrested,'' she said.

In an interview on television on Sunday, Ratu Sir Kamisese accused the men of having a hand in the events of May 19.

Mr. Savua and Mr. Rabuka have denied the allegations.

General...

SUVA, Fiji Islands (May 1, 2001 – Fiji’s Daily Post)---The exodus of Indo-Fijians that gained impetus after the two military coups of 1987 gathered a new momentum after the 19 May civilian takeover last year.

Research hints that the decline in the country's Indian population that was registered by the 1996 census will continue.

It is very likely that the rate will increase. According to the Bureau of Statistics, a total of 4,116 Indo-Fijians have migrated overseas from May 2000 to February this year. And the trend suggests that this rate will increase.

This time around there are new factors, such as more Indians have marketable skills for which there is a growing demand overseas. Unlike in 1987, this time around many Indians also have established families overseas; there is a network that can help those Indians who migrate find jobs and enable them to adjust to a new social environment. The figures indicate that Fiji will continue, therefore, to lose large...

REGARDING SAIPAN’S GARMENT SECTOR, U.S. CONGRESS SEES TRUE PICTURE SAY INDUSTRY OFFICIALS

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands (May 1, 2001 – Saipan Tribune)---Local garment industry officials are pleased that members of the U.S. Congress are now aware of the real conditions inside Saipan garment factories despite continuous attempts by the CNMI’s critics to malign the industry.

Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association Executive Director Richard A. Pierce lauded a recent "Dear Colleague" letter from U.S. Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-California) recognizing the "overwhelmingly positive" improvements made in Saipan’s garment companies over the last few years.

Mr. Pierce, at the same time, took issue with criticism aired last month by Rep. George Miller (R-California) alleging "ongoing wage and labor rights violations in factories operating in some of our American territories."

According to Mr. Pierce, Mr. Miller, in a statement to the House, conveniently grouped...