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PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM SECRETARIAT Suva, Fiji Islands

PRESS STATEMENT February 5, 2002

UNDERWAY IN FIJI

Pacific Island countries have been told that economic growth will reduce poverty only if firmer steps are taken to include social issues in economic planning.

"Poverty issues, social and environmental concerns should be part of economic planning," said Mr. Iosefa Maiava, the Acting Secretary General of the Suva-based Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

Delegates from the Pacific Islands region are attending a workshop at the Secretariat this week on the Pacific's approach to global social development. The workshop will discuss key social issues in the region and suggest measures to push for a stronger social development agenda.

"This will require more skills and capacity in the Pacific Islands to help integrate social and economic policy," Mr. Maiava said.

In the Pacific, several regional agreements relate to social...

JAKARTA, Indonesia (January 31, 2002 - Laksamana.Net/Kabar-Irian)---Army head General Endriartono Sutarto has conceded that there are indications of military involvement in the slaying of Papua Presidium Council (PDP) chairman Dortheys 'Theys' Hiyo Eluay.

Sutarto previously maintained the public shouldn't be too hasty in laying the blame for the murder at the door of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus).

On Thursday, he conceded there was evidence to point to the involvement of military personnel.

"From the witness accounts, there is indeed the indication. But that doesn't mean it's definite yet," he said at Army headquarters in Jakarta.

He said a team of Military Police would be sent to Papua province to investigate the allegations of Kopassus involvement.

"The team will be sent by the military commander, only I'm not yet sure of the date. The point is that we have a strong commitment to helping resolve this case. If there are military personnel...

By Edith G. Alejandro

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands (February 4, 2002 – Saipan Tribune)---Federated States of Micronesia-Joint Committee on Compact Economic Negotiation officials have started soliciting comments from FSM nationals residing in the CNMI, in preparation for the next round of talks pertaining to the Compact of Free Association treaty with the United States.

FSM-JCCN Executive Director Asterio Takesy briefed FSM citizens on Saipan regarding the current status of the Compact renewal negotiations with the United States government during a meeting Saturday night at the Multi-Purpose Center.

Takesy solicited the Micronesians’ comments, who took the opportunity to inquire about the immigration and travel policies that may be discussed during the next round of talks.

They also inquired about retirement benefits and financial grants from the federal government.

CNMI Complex Manager for Mobil Oil William Iriarte said the briefing with FSM...

By Steve Limtiaco

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (February 4, 2002 – Pacific Daily News)---Voters will decide in November if Guam's drinking age should be increased from 18 to 21, and the local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is preparing a campaign to convince voters change is needed.

Statistics show a higher drinking age saves lives, according to the advocacy group.

"When we were doing our petitions to qualify for the ballot, to me it was overwhelming supported. We got over 10,000 signatures, and we could have kept going," said Amber Sanchez, coordinator for the local MADD chapter.

"MADD is not a temperance organization. We're not saying don't drink. We're saying don't drink and drive."

The drinking age initiative, or "Proposition A," is the only voter initiative currently on the ballot, but the Guam Dental Society is trying to gather enough signatures to place the "Guam Dental Patient Bill of Rights" on the ballot as well, according to the Guam...