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02
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MILITARY DIDN'T ORDER ELUAY’S MURDER IN IRIAN JAYA: COMMANDER SIMBOLON

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/02/2002 - 00:00

REPEATS

JAKARTA, Indonesia (December 29, 2001 – Jakarta Post/Joyo Indonesian News/TAPOL)---The Trikora Military commander overseeing Irian Jaya province, Maj. Gen. Mahidin Simbolon, reiterated here on Saturday that the military had not ordered the assassination of pro-independence Papua Presidium Council chairman Theys Hiyo Eluay.

"All army units posted in the Trikora military command are loyal to me as their commander," Simbolon said, as quoted by Antara on the sidelines of a commemoration of national hero Hari Juang Bakti Kartika 2001 at Parkir Timur Senayan in South Jakarta.

The police, he said, were questioning seven army personnel in connection with the murder and the military had allowed the police to quiz any personnel considered key witnesses in the case.

"As of now, seven military personnel have been questioned as witnesses. We regularly receive reports from Irian Jaya Police on witnesses, legal facts and other findings, so that any confusion or...

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Wed
02
Jan
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PACIFIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REFORM URGED

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/02/2002 - 00:00

PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM SECRETARIAT Suva, Fiji Islands

 

PRESS STATEMENT December 31, 2001

Forum Island Countries have been urged to modernize their laws dealing with intellectual property rights, so as to have more control over their intellectual property.

"Intellectual property rights are increasingly important, because of growing demand for the potential trade and investment opportunities in this sector," said the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Mr. Noel Levi, CBE.

"Pacific Islanders should take a greater leadership role in the development of their intellectual property systems. By doing so, Pacific Islanders will enjoy more of the benefits, rather than leaving it for others to decide how these valuable resources are used."

In December, representatives from Forum Island Countries met in Fiji to share their experiences in the reform of IP laws, many of which were outdated or non-existent. The FICs will intensify...

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Wed
02
Jan
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NIUE ESCAPES MAJOR BATTERING FROM CYCLONE WAKA

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/02/2002 - 00:00

ALOFI, Niue (January 1, 2002 – Niue Economic Review)---Niue escaped a major battering from Cyclone Waka as it passed about 200 miles southeast of the island yesterday.

No severe damage has been reported although six meter (about 20 foot) seas bashed the 90 meter (297 foot) cliffs around the island and 80 kph (48 mph) winds felled trees.

There were no injuries reported.

All public functions planned for New Year's Eve were postponed, but will be staged tonight.

Waka sideswiped Niue from between noon and 4:00 p.m.

The island was on full alert the previous night and many shops and tourist properties covered windows and doors with shutters.

Meanwhile the New Zealand Herald reports Cyclone Waka tore through Tonga yesterday, sinking yachts and destroying homes and crops, but the island kingdom escaped the loss of life it was feared the hurricane-force winds would bring.

The cyclone was expected to be out of the region today, leaving Tonga's...

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Wed
02
Jan
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BIDS RECEIVED FOR GUAM AIRPORT RUNWAY PROJECT LOWER THAN EXPECTED

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/02/2002 - 00:00

By Brenda Sommer

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (January 2, 2002 – Pacific Daily News)---Bids for the first phase of a runway project at Guam's international airport have come in much lower than expected.

Airport Executive Manager Jerry Yingling said the government estimated the first phase of a runway extension and renovation project would cost about $7.75 million, but the "best-looking" bid for that work is $4.9 million.

"I am extremely pleased -- the bids are looking delightful," he said.

The first phase of the federally funded, multiphase project covers earthwork and grading, and the entire project is expected to take two years and cost $20 million, Yingling said.

The airport has two runways, and uses one as a taxiway for planes. The project that is about to begin will extend the length of both runways by 2,000 feet each, revamp the World War II-era main runway, and add a separate taxiway for planes.

The taxiway is a safety measure, so that planes don...

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Wed
02
Jan
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MAJOR PNG ROAD PROJECT BEGINS

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/02/2002 - 00:00

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (January 2, 2001 - Post-Courier/PINA Nius Online)---A massive K 74.5 million (US$ 19.7 million) road and bridge project for Papua New Guinea's Sandaun province, bordering Indonesia’s West Papua, was officially launched by acting Prime Minister Michael Ogio.

The launch kick starts the sealing of roads in Aitape, construction and sealing of roads from Lumi to Nuku, construction of bridges in Nuku, and Wuntung, and the sealing of the Vanimo-Wutung highway.

Mr. Ogio said Global Construction and the Indonesian construction company Hutama Karya Nuigini were awarded contracts for these major projects.

Mr. Ogio said the current government was not afraid of making big decisions and huge financial commitments because it believed in delivering goods and services to all the people of Papua New Guinea.

For additional reports from The Post-Courier, go to PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT News/Information Links: Newspapers/The Post-Courier (Papua...

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Wed
02
Jan
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FORUM TRADE REPRESENTATIVE LEAVING FOR BEIJING:

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/02/2002 - 00:00

PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM SECRETARIAT Suva, Fiji Islands

 

PRESS STATEMENT January 1, 2002

COOK ISLANDER ROHAN ELLIS

The newly appointed head of the Pacific Islands Forum Trade Office in the People’s Republic of Chine will leave for Beijing at the end of this week to take up his posting.

Trade Representative Mr. Rohan Ellis, a Cook Islander, will meet with Chinese officials and lay the groundwork for the official opening of the Beijing trade office in the first quarter of 2002.

Funding for the Trade Office is covered by the People’s Republic of China.

Mr. Ellis will be promoting trade and investment opportunities between China and the 14 Forum island Countries (Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu).

The Director of the Trade and Investment Division at the Forum Secretariat, Mr. Jaindra...

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Wed
02
Jan
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STORM WATCH IN SOLOMONS

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/02/2002 - 00:00

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (January 1, 2001 - Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation/PINA Nius Online)---The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service has issued a tropical disturbance watch advice, and warned of increasing winds.

The advice is in force for exposed parts of Malaita, Guadalcanal, Makira and Temotu provinces.

It came as a low pressure system continued to slowly intensify near the southern Solomon Islands.

The Meteorological Service said the system was developing monsoon southwest to northwest winds to the north and west of the center.

Winds could reach 35 knots with maximum gusts to 50 knots, it said.

For additional reports from the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, go to PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT News/Information Links: Radio/TV News/Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation.

Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Website: http://www.pinanius.org 

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Wed
02
Jan
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PNG CRIME ON THE DECLINE, SAYS POLICE COMMISSIONER

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/02/2002 - 00:00

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (December 31, 2001 - The National/PINA Nius Online)---The crime rate in Papua New Guinea has declined from 6,171 cases in 2000 to 5,940 in 2001, according to Police Commissioner Joseph Kupo.

Mr. Kupo told reporters yesterday that he is pleased to report that the crime rate has been on the decline since 1998.

He attributed this to the Government's support of the police force and the commitment and dedication of policemen and policewomen.

Police crime statistics showed that drug offences topped the year with 1,364 arrests followed by 905 cases of robbery.

The National Capital District had the highest crime rate, with 2,106 cases, while the North Solomons province had the lowest rate with 39 arrests.

For additional reports from The National, go to PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT News/Information Links: Newspapers/The National (Papua New Guinea).

Pacific Islands News...

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Wed
02
Jan
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OBSERVER NEWSPAPER SAYS CHINESE MAFIA LIKELY IN SAMOA TOO

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/02/2002 - 00:00

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (January 2, 2002 - Samoa News/PINA Nius Online)---There are "signs of a Chinese Mafia in Apia," an editorial in the Samoa Observer newspaper states.

The editorial comments came following news reports that the Chinese Mafia, known as The Triad, is doing brisk business in Fiji.

An investigative series in Fiji's Sun newspaper alleged "increasing Chinese Triad criminal activities," such as gambling, prostitution, loan sharking, insurance scams and drug trafficking.

The Samoa Observer said: "Circulating reports tell of a prostitution ring running a lively operation in Apia. It reportedly provides girls to yachts and other visiting boats for a fee."

The Samoa Observer said most of the Chinese girls seen around Apia work for a garment factory. "Or is that just 'a cover' as it is in Fiji?" the newspaper asked.

The Apia operation is said to be run by a couple who frequent bars recruiting girls for the so-called 'oldest profession...

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Wed
02
Jan
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VIRAL INFECTION HITS AMERICAN SAMOA

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/02/2002 - 00:00

By La Poasa

PAGO PAGO (January 2, 2002 - Samoa News/PINA Nius Online)---A viral infection with flu-like symptoms has sent many American Samoan residents, especially children, to the LBJ Tropical Medical Center’s emergency room in recent weeks.

According to Public Health Officer Dr. George Lee, the viral infection is similar to dengue fever with symptoms of high fever, body aches and headaches.

Dr. Lee recalled that during an eight-hour period one evening about 60 people, mostly children, visited the emergency room with the viral infection.

According to Public Health, children who come down with such symptoms must be taken to the hospital immediately. If the fever goes on for 2-3 weeks, it could get worse and could turn into pneumonia.

For elderly people, the viral infection could become bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

It is unclear how the viral infection came about but Dr. Lee said that the change in weather may have...

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