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By Steve Limtiaco and Theresa Merto

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (June 1, 2001 - Pacific Daily News)---The 2002 elections became more focused yesterday; with two Democrats announcing they will run for congressional delegate.

Lt. Gov. Madeleine Bordallo made her announcement during a birthday fund-raising event at the Guam Marriott Resort, noting her candidacy was one of the "worst-kept secrets" on island.

"Tonight, I ask for your help again, as I declare my candidacy for the office of delegate to Congress," Bordallo said.

Earlier yesterday, Sen. Judith Won Pat, D-Inarajan, told the Pacific Daily News after the legislative session that she plans to run for delegate.

"I’ve always thought about running for this position," Won Pat said. "It has been, of course, a goal of mine I’ve set for some time."

Bordallo also announced that Democratic Delegate Robert Underwood will not seek another term as congressman and that she believes he will instead run for...

TALANOA III:

STATEMENT ON NATIONAL UNITY AND STABILITY

  19 May 2001 The Warwick Fiji Korolevu, Sigatoka, Fiji Islands

We, a group of citizens of Fiji, representing broad segments of our society, but expressing ourselves as individuals, met on 18-19 May 2001 in a third talanoa to promote national unity and stability through conciliatory dialogue and action.  The talanoa process continues to provide the opportunity to come together in the spirit of multi-ethnic cooperation to constructively address vital challenges to the country's well-being. 

Our talanoa is based on the principles of reconciliation, inclusion, sincerity, honesty, respect for each other as individuals, respect for the rich indigenous and other cultural traditions domiciled in Fiji, and respect for our national assets and institutions including spirituality, human values, aspirations for economic and social justice, and basic constitutional principles.

While meaningful...

TO LAND MOBILIZATION TO EXPROPRIATION:
IS MELANESIA THE WORLD BANK/IMF'S LATEST VICTIM?

By A World Bank Watcher

INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS AT STAKE?

Land tenure is at the very heart of the struggles for power and independence in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Control over the land gives Melanesians economic independence from the international companies as well as from the economic superpowers (the U.S., Europe, Japan, China, and their client states like Malaysia, Singapore, etc.) and the international banks (such as the World Bank) that represent the interests of these companies in Melanesia and other ‘developing’ countries.

As a wage worker, if a Papua New Guinean, a Solomon Islander, or a ni Vanuatu finds the pay too low or working conditions unacceptable, she or he can always go back to the village, where most basic needs can be satisfied with little or no need for money. In order to force Melanesians to accept the...

SHORTAGE

NOUMÉA, New Caledonia (May 29, 2001 - Oceania Flash/SPC)---New Caledonia's local education officials are currently working on a reform measure designed to remedy a current shortage of an estimated 200 primary school teachers, the daily newspaper Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes reports.

On January 1, 2000, primary schools become the first government sector to be handed over to local authorities from metropolitan France, as part of the implementation the Nouméa Accord.

There are approximately 26,000 primary school pupils and 1,300 teachers in the public primary education sector.

Under the transfer of powers, France is providing financial assistance for implementation of the reform.

Although the transfer that started last year is considered to be progressing smoothly, the main concern is the number of teachers available.

"Until then, we had three different training schemes. This had to stop. Teachers need to feel valuable and to identify...