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PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (PINA, Jan. 13) - Gov. Tauese Sunia has ordered Fiji removed from the list of countries whose citizens need special approval from the attorney general to enter American Samoa, an official said.

Tause has given instructions to Attorney General Fiti Sunia, the official confirmed.

Fiji’s inclusion on the "security" list of 25 countries caused anger in Fiji and some embarrassment among American Samoans who have visited Fiji or have Fiji friends.

Countries on the list were mainly from the Middle East and Asia. The American Samoan government is believed to have included Fiji because it has a Muslim community.

In Suva, Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase this week raised the issue with the new United States ambassador, David Lyon.

Delivering the keynote address at a local Muslim organization’s convention Friday, Qarase said Lyon assured him that the U.S. government was discussing the issue with the American Samoans.

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MAJURO, Marshall Islands, (Marianas Variety, Jan. 13) - The inability of United States negotiators to reach agreement with Marshall Islanders on rental increases for a prized central Pacific missile testing range is threatening to derail a $1 billion, 20-year aid package.

Formal negotiations are scheduled for later this week in Honolulu focusing on the Kwajalein missile testing range and unresolved Compact of Free Association issues relating to funding and access to U.S. federal programs for a new 20-year funding cycle.

Foreign Minister Gerald Zackios said that Kwajalein is a "make or break" issue for the Marshall Islands because it is central to the entire agreement with the U.S.

Kwajalein, a unique multi-billion dollar test range, is central to U.S. missile defense testing programs. Its boomerang shaped necklace of coral islands are dotted with radar and other sophisticated missile tracking equipment that have produced data that underpins the Bush...

MAJURO, Marshall Islands (Marianas Variety, Jan. 13) - Between 600 and 1,000 young people are coming into the job market in the Marshall Islands every year, but employment has been static at about 10,000 for the past 10 years, according to a labor market and national training report released Thursday.

Produced by the government’s National Training Council, the report says that "this lack of labor market growth in employment during a period when huge sums were spent on stimulating economic growth indicates that it will be difficult to find the new jobs or small business opportunities necessary to employ those people entering the labor force."

The report says that "increasing education and training levels is essential to improving the employability of Marshallese citizens."

The number of non-Marshallese workers in the Marshall Islands has nearly tripled since 1995, going from 297 to 812 in 2001, the report said. While some of this may be due to improved record...

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand, Jan. 13) - International flights into and out of Solomon Islands have resumed after the country’s High Court has issued an interim injunction ordering striking airport staff to return to work.

Meanwhile, a substantive case against the strike action is to be heard.

Solomon Islands Chief Justice, Sir John Muria, said the court would hear the substantive case on Tuesday.

Sir John also ordered the Solomon Islands Public Employees Union or its agents or officers not to instigate, incite or encourage officers of Civil Aviation, Immigration and Meteorology to go on strike without giving the necessary notice required under the Essential Services Act.

January 13, 2003

Radio New Zealand: www.rnzi.com