Articles Search

JAKARTA, Indonesia (May 1-7, 2001 – Tempo Magazine)---A concrete proposal for "special autonomy" has been carefully formulated by a group of Papuan intellectuals. Many roads lead to Rome.

There are 20 wise people from West Papua. They are part of a team formed by the governor and led by the Rector of Cenderawasih University, and they have the task of formulating a proposal that reflects the wishes of the West Papuan people.

They are wise because their language is comprehensible, their ideas are clear, their blood does not boil, and there hearts are in the right place. They want to find a way to redress the suffering of the people on this island without resorting to force.

Various proposals they have formulated for a system of "special autonomy" in the area is indicative of such good intentions.

A number of the proposals put forward by the team, such as a special flag for Papua and a special police force for local areas, might appear extreme. But they...

MAJURO, Marshall Islands (April 13, 2001 – Marshall Islands Journal)---The collapse of the world coconut oil market -- which has caused copra prices to plunge in the RMI -- is spurring the government to move quickly in an effort to develop other coconut products to generate exports and locally saleable products.

The world market price for coconut oil has dropped more than 60 percent in the past 15 months and there is little optimism of any improvement in world prices in the foreseeable future, said Resource and Development Minister John Silk.

Key coconut developments that the government is setting into motion, according to Silk, include:

All of these, except for the coconut oil fuel project, are being funded by the Republic of China (Taiwan).

The Marshall Islands Journal, Box 14, Majuro, Marshall Islands 96960 E-mail: journal@ntamar.com  Subscriptions (weekly): 1 year US $87.00; international $213...

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (May 3, 2001 – Radio Australia)---The Solomon Islands government may be about to abandon its plan to extend the life of the current Parliament by another year.

Radio Australia correspondent Sean Dorney reports that there has been heavy criticism both in the Solomons and internationally of a bill now before the Parliament in Honiara to defer for twelve months the elections that should be held before the end of this year.

"Great Britain, the former colonial power in the Solomon Islands, this week added its voice to the chorus of concern about postponing the democratic elections which are due between August and December.

"Australia's Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, expressed Australia's opposition some weeks ago, while the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Don McKinnon, said if logistics and funding were problems the Commonwealth might be able to help.

"The Sogavare Government's Special Advisor, Edward Huniehu, told the...

APIA, Samoa (May 1, 2001 – Radio Australia)---Samoa is not ready to support a South Pacific whale sanctuary says Environment Minister Tuala Sale Tagaloa. He told a Samoa newspaper that the country's priority is its fisheries industry and dealing with climate change.

He said more research is needed before Samoa makes a commitment to the proposed sanctuary.

Mr. Tuala denied that Samoa's position has been influenced by aid donor Japan.

Of the 14 nations that discussed the whale sanctuary proposal in Apia last week, only Samoa and Kiribati have chosen not to support the sanctuary.

For additional reports from Radio Australia, go to PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT News/Information Links: Radio/TV News/Radio Australia.