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HONIARA, Solomon Islands (January 3, 2002 - Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation/PINA Nius Online)---The Solomon Islands Government is preparing for discussions with the foreign ministers of Australia (Alexander Downer) and New Zealand (Phil Goff), who will visit Honiara next week.

Sir George Lepping, head of the Evaluation, Policy and Monitoring Division in the Prime Minister's Office, said the matters to be considered with include the peace process, law and order, economic reform and finance, education and health services.

Both the Australian and New Zealand governments have welcomed the election of the new Solomon Islands government of Sir Allen Kemakeza, who became prime minister last month.

They said they are prepared to assist if the government policies are transparent and reflect good governance.

Solomon Islands government leaders are looking to Australia and New Zealand for major help in rebuilding the nation after two years of ethnic...

QARASE

SUVA, Fiji Islands (January 4, 2002 – Sun)---Four men were placed in custody yesterday for allegedly conspiring to assassinate Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.

Anare Papu Waqavonovono, Josaia Waqabaca, Koroi Vesikula and Varinava Tiko appeared before Magistrate Aminiasi Katonivualiku with charges of conspiracy to commit a felony.

Tiko was arrested in 2000 for his role in holding police officers and soldiers hostage in Korovou Town during the hostilities after May 19, while Waqavonovono attempted to reach his son’s killer, Henry Ali, who was held in police custody at Nabua Police Station.

Ali was sentenced by a military court martial to jail for shooting Waqavonovono Junior in Lebanon after they had an argument.

Waqavonovono Senior and two others were armed when they tried to storm the police station.

All men pleaded guilty to the charge and were refused bail.

The court heard that between December 28 last year and January 1, the...

PORT VILA, Vanuatu (January 3, 2002 - New Zealand Herald/Reuters)---A powerful undersea earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale caused widespread damage to the tiny Pacific nation of Vanuatu, police said today.

There were no reports of deaths but the main bridge at Teoma, linking North Éfaté to Port Vila, was destroyed and the wharf cut was off by landslides. Other bridges had badly buckled.

Earlier reports said there had been only minor damage.

The Denver based U.S. Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center said the preliminary magnitude of the quake was 7.3 on the Richter scale.

It said the quake was about 50 km (30 miles) west of the capital Port Vila, and about 33 km (20 miles) below ground level.

The quake was felt strongly in Port Vila but there were no immediate reports of injuries.

Agence France Presse said the Vanuatu government was expected to ask Australia for aid.

The news agency reported a police...

New Sheen Spreads As Officials Discuss Cleanup Costs

By Scott Radway

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (January 4, 2002 – Pacific Daily News)---Yap State officials are again asking the United States to drain oil from a sunken World War II ship, after it recently created another large oil sheen off Ulithi Atoll.

"Clearly, we have no means to respond," said Jesse Raglmar-Subolmar, Yap State's disaster coordinator. "We are in big trouble in terms of financing."

According to reports from Ulithi, the newest sheen was noticed Dec. 23 as it spread about four miles out from that island chain, Raglmar-Subolmar said yesterday. Luckily, this time, the oil is headed away from areas fished by the majority of the atoll's 700 residents, he said.

"But I don't think our environment can sustain further oil leaks," he added. The Ulithi lagoon is the main food source for people who live on Ulithi.

The first leak occurred when the USS Mississinewa -- a 553-foot Navy fuel ship...