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KOROR, Palau (July 31, 2002 - Palau Horizon/Marianas Variety)---The annual market value of betel nut and its associated ingredients consumed each year in Palau is approximately $9.2 million, according to "A Survey of Betel Nut Chewing In Palau," the most complete study of betel nut use in Palau to date.

The annual market value of betel nut and the chewing ingredients, including lime, pepper leaf and tobacco, could range from a low of $5 million per year to close to $14 million per year.

Translating this amount into the cost per individual chewer, a person who chews betel nut for 25 years—an average 16 chews per day at an average 15 cents per chew—will spend nearly $22,000 on betel nut chewing.

A 1997 study of household expenditures in Palau also found that tobacco products alone account for 11 percent of all average household expenditures.

The real cost of betel nut chewing, however, is not confined to dollar values. In addition to costing Palauans their...

PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM SECRETARIAT Suva, Fiji Islands

PRESS STATEMENT July 31, 2002

Fiji has formalized a Combined Law Agency Group (CLAG) to combat crime, following the signing today in the capital, Suva, of a Memorandum of Understanding between more than 20 ministries, departments and agencies.

In his keynote address, Fiji's Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Hon Joketani Cokanasiga, said that organized transnational criminal activity posed a real threat to the people and communities of Fiji and the Pacific region, and was also a global issue.

It was imperative, the Minister said, to fight all forms of criminal activities on a coordinated front.

Similar CLAGs exist in the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. However, Fiji is the first to formalize the CLAGs through an MOU and has also developed a Guidelines Manual for the operation of the group.

The 16-member Pacific Islands Forum, at their...

ARRESTED: MILITARY

By Lely T. Djuhari Associated Press Writer

JAKARTA, Indonesia (July 30, 2002 – AP/Kabar-Irian)---The head of Indonesia's armed forces said Tuesday the military has arrested the soldier thought to be directly responsible for the death of independence leader Theys Hiyo Eluay in Indonesia's Papua province.

He died last November after meeting with Indonesian military officials for dinner. Three officers have already been detained in the capital of Jakarta since April for their role in the alleged murder, which has increased tensions in the province.

"We just found out recently who did this," Gen. Endriartono Sutarto told reporters, referring to the arrest of a soldier who was allegedly in an automobile with Eluay when he died under mysterious circumstances. "We have a commitment to bring them to court."

Sutarto offered no further details about the new arrest. Neither the soldier's name nor rank has been released.

The soldier...

SUVA, Fiji Islands (July 31, 2002 – Radio New Zealand International)---Fiji’s outgoing Chief Justice Sir Timoci Tuivaga has told Radio FM-96 in Suva that some parts of the constitution are highly idealistic and do not suit Fiji.

He said it is the perception of many people that it was imposed on the country too quickly and now Fiji is paying the consequences.

He said this is shown by the large number of constitutional cases brought before the courts by people who are not satisfied with what is going on in the political arena.

Radio New Zealand International’s Fiji correspondent said Sir Timoci has been publicly attacking the constitution right from the time it was unanimously passed by both houses of Parliament and the Great Council of Chiefs.

Sir Timoci retires as chief justice today after 22 years in office.

He will be succeeded tomorrow by 46-year-old justice Daniel Fatiaki, who will be entitled to stay in office for 24 years until the age of...