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By Fili Sagapolutele

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (Samoa News, Oct. 3) - Five local industries, including the government, had their minimum wage rates increased in American Samoa today.

For the government, including semi-autonomous agencies, the former minimum wage rate of US$2.77 per hour increased to US$2.84 per hour today and will go up to US$2.91 on Oct. 1, 2006.

The Hotel industry, which covers all activities in connection with the operation of hotels - whether privately or government owned in whole or in part - increases from US$2.86 per hour to US$2.93 effective today. The rate is to increase to US$3, effective Oct. 1, 2006.

The increases were based on recommendations by the federal Special Industry Committee No. 26, who held wage hearings in June. The Special Industry committee recommended that the American Samoa government, Ship Maintenance, Hotel, Tour and Travel, and the "miscellaneous activities" industries all implement 5 percent minimum wage...

FIJI PROMOTES ‘INTEGRATED’ RESORT DEVELOPMENT

SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Times, Oct. 3) – The concept of "Integrated Resort Development" is soon to be introduced in Fiji to allow several investors to share resources to build large tourism facilities in an area for their collective benefit.

It is hoped by the Tourism Ministry that the lower costs that would be incurred by each investor in such a group would attract more investors into the hotel industry.

According to the Ministry of Tourism's most recent Tri-Annual Bulletin, the concept represents what is most current in the global efforts by suppliers of tourism and travel products and services.

"It is the result of a continuous effort to best understand customers needs, plan and manage products and services developments so that maximum benefits to the customers are obtained," the bulletin said. "It allows for large tourism facilities and infrastructure in a special area. Different owners share costs and are able...

By Gerardo R. Partido

SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, Oct. 4) – Members of the Guam National Guard were part of a U.S. contingent that trained in guerrilla warfare and counter-terrorism techniques in the dense jungles of Mizoram, India.

The Guam National Guard members, based at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, participated with members of the U.S. 25th infantry division training in the Indian Army’s Counter-Insurgency Jungle Warfare School at Vairengte, Mizoram.

[PIR editor’s note: Mizoram is located in the northeast part of India – it is just south of Bangladesh and west of Myanmar.]

The school is reputedly one of the premier institutions imparting training in jungle warfare techniques and several countries have sought access to the school to train their soldiers.

The Guam Guard members trained in standard drills like jungle survival and execution of various counter-insurgency operations.

They also learned survival techniques under extreme conditions...

By B. Chen-Fruean

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (Samoa News, Oct. 3) – American Samoa Congressman Faleomavaega Eni and his colleagues on the House International Relations Committee met with National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley last Thursday in a meeting where only the Chairs and Ranking Members of the International Relations Committee were invited.

Hadley is the top advisor to the President for National Security Affairs, including the war in Iraq.

"This is the first time in five years that the National Security Advisor has made an appearance before Members of the International Relations Committee, and I commend President Bush for his outreach," Faleomavaega said in a statement.

Faleomavaega said that Hadley briefed them about the war in Iraq and other security matters facing our nation.

In turn, Faleomavaega said he "drew Mr. Hadley's attention to the fact that as a percentage of the islands' population, American Samoa has the highest casualty...