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By Edith G. Alejandro

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands (January 2, 2002 - Saipan Tribune/PINA Nius Online)---The Marianas Visitors Authority is wary that that recession in Japan will not be over in the next few years, and is working to immediately develop new markets for the local tourism industry.

Board chair Dave Sablan said there are ongoing discussions between tourism industry players and the incoming administration of Governor-elect Juan Babauta and Lieutenant-Governor-elect Diego Benavente.

These include more extensive marketing strategies that would promote the Northern Marianas as a preferred destination not only to Japanese travelers but also in such places as China, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.

Industry leaders hope to launch a series of discussions with the incoming Babauta administration for possible amendments to existing rules concerning the entry of Chinese tourists.

Initially, the Marianas Visitors Authority is hoping to tap...

SUVA, Fiji Islands (January 2, 2001 – Sun)---Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has assured the nation that his Government will be guided by whatever the courts decide on its legality.

In his New Year message, Mr. Qarase said in the past 12 months, Fiji had successfully dealt with formidable challenges.

"When other less resilient nations might have faltered, we came through, we got stronger and now we can enter 2002 with greater confidence about the future.

"Survey the state of the world today and we can surely conclude that Fiji has much to be thankful for," he said.

Mr. Qarase said the August General Election "had brought out the differences between us and the racial struggle for power."

This, he said, was a time of trial and increased tension while Fiji was subjected to the close scrutiny of the international community.

He said the judgment of those who observed the election was that it was free and fair and reflected the wishes of the...

MAJURO, Marshall Islands (December 14, 2001 – Marshall Islands Journal)---The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 2586, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002.

An early version of the Act included a section which outlined the significance and importance of Kwajalein Atoll: "The requirements of United States missile defense and space surveillance programs, combined with the uniqueness of Kwajalein's location, and infrastructure investment, make renewal of the Compact in the best interest of the Department of Defense."

However, on September 20, Congressman Tom Lantos, from California, objected to the wording in the resolution.

He said: "This provision links the importance of the test site to ongoing negotiations over U.S. assistance provisions under the Compact of Free association, which would be very detrimental to these negotiations."

Lantos then requested an amendment, which would strike the section relating to a...

SUVA, Fiji Islands (January 2, 2002 - The Fiji Times/PINA Nius Online)---Fiji sugarcane farmers have turned to growing marijuana as a source of income as problems in the country's crucial sugar industry escalate.

Senior Superintendent of Police Romanu Tikotikoca confirmed the marijuana growing yesterday as police raided a cane farm, arrested a farmer and his son and confiscated 160 marijuana plants.

National Farmers Union executive Sanjeev Maharaj blamed poor mill management, uncertainty over the renewal of land leases and the high costs involved in cane farming.

"Farmers are desperate. They need money to support their families," he said.

For additional reports from the Fiji Times, go to PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT News/Information Links: Newspapers/Fiji Times.

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