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MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, Nov. 30) - China has cut diplomatic relations with the South Pacific island nation of Kiribati for formally recognizing Taiwan.

Kiribati agreed to officially recognize Taiwan as a country three weeks ago. It had planned to host both China and Taiwan embassies, becoming the first country to fly both flags.

But Beijing has no diplomatic relations with the 27 countries which recognize the government of Taiwan.

According to Chinese news agency Xinhua, the government cut ties on Saturday saying Kiribati violated an earlier agreement to honor its "one China" policy. China considers Taiwan a renegade colony, not in independent country.

China said all agreements with Kiribati are no longer valid.

China had a space tracking station on Kiribati with which it first formed ties in 1980. The station was reportedly dismantled last week.

December 1, 2003

Radio Australia:...

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (RNZI, Dec. 1) - The Asian Development Bank has approved an assistance package of more than US$8 million to improve drainage and sewage disposal in Samoa’s capital, Apia.

The money, most of which is a low-interest loan, will help finance the construction of a wastewater collection and treatment system for the central business area, improvements to individual sanitation systems, and the rehabilitation of floodways and drains around low-lying areas of the capital.

Nearshore marine water and urban stream water quality in Apia is polluted..

Most wastewater is presently treated in individual systems such as cesspools or septic tanks before being discharged into drainage channels, soil and groundwater.

The inadequate drainage system leads to frequent flooding with the foul water posing a serious health risk.

Businesses also suffer significant financial losses from the frequent flooding

The ADB says the total cost to...

By Gene Park

HAGATNA, Guam (Pacific Daily News, Dec. 1) - It took more than two days for 77-year-old Edward Aguon to fill out a two-page questionnaire that lets him tell how he was tortured and forced to work under the Japanese occupation of Guam under World War II.

The Pago Bay resident said he became emotional and had flashbacks as he wrote down his experiences, which will be reviewed by the Guam War Claims Review Commission.

"When I sat down to think about this, it felt really bad," said Aguon, explaining how difficult it was for him to write down horrible memories he would rather forget.

Tomorrow is the last day for survivors and their relatives to turn in the questionnaires to the commission in order to testify at the public hearings scheduled for next week.

Former speaker and commission member Tony Unpingco said about 7,000 questionnaires have been distributed.

As of yesterday, about 1,600 forms have been completed and returned,...

By Gemma Q. Casas

SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, Dec.1) – Saipan University President Jesus Taisague says he is suspending the arrival of some 300 students from China until the "problem" with the students who are already here is resolved.

The university is also retaining the services of former Attorney General Robert T. Torres as its lawyer and spokesman in light of the planned government investigation of the the students’ complaints.

Former Northern Marianas College President Agnes M. McPhetres, for her part, was hired as consultant to the university’s interim board of trustees.

"We welcome the investigation," said Taisague. "I like to resolve these things. If there’s any mistake, then let’s fix it. We are indefinitely suspending the arrival of more students until agreements are in place," he added.

Dozens of Chinese students said they were cheated by the university which, they claimed, promised them jobs if they would study in the CNMI.

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