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PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, June 6) – Papua New Guinea yesterday sent four senior forensic police officers to Solomon Islands to help with investigations into the April 18 unrest, where buildings were burnt down. Also this year the Bomana Police College outside Port Moresby will start recruiting and training Solomon Islands police.

Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Bernard Bata’anisia yesterday told the Post-Courier the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister Patterson Oti met with Papua New Guinea Police Commissioner Sam Inguba to iron out the details of the training and the assistance from the Papua New Guinea Government. The Papua New Guinea officers to Solomon Islands include Chief Sergeant Gaspar Logoson, a finger print expert who is also the team leader, Senior Constable Felix Rayabrum, document examiner, First Constable Ronald Yaneku, expert in arson cases and crime scene examiner and Constable Samuel Koi, the forensic photographer...

SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, June 7) – An Indonesian vessel and its 10-men crew were apprehended within Palau’s territorial waters, southeast of Helen Reef on May 22.

Lt. Allen Maldengsang of the Marine Law Enforcement Division said the vessel was spotted at around 8:30 p.m. while its crewmembers were fishing.

Maldengsang, executive officer of the government patrol boat PSS Remeliik, said they found tuna on the boat and asked the crew to return to the sea the sharks still attached to fishing gear.

The vessel, Balinusa, is now berthed near the Marine Law Enforcement Division’s dock and its crewmembers have been detained by the Ministry of Justice.

Maldengsang said charges of illegal fishing and illegal entry have already been filed against the owner of the vessel.

He said initial investigation showed that the vessel does not have a license to fish in Palau.

June 7, 2006

Marianas Variety:...

SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, June 7) – Palau’s Bureau of Agriculture and the Taiwan Technical Mission in this Pacific island nation have launched a new partnership that will combine their resources and expertise in the development of agriculture programs here.

The partnership is in line with the government’s 2020 National Master Development Plan that aims to increase agricultural activities in Palau.

The ceremony to announce the partnership was attended by Minister of Resources and Development Fritz Koshiba and Ambassador Clark Chen of the Taiwan.

The partnership involves the collection of important data regarding imported and locally produced agricultural commodities, long-term agriculture survey for animal husbandry, forestry and horticulture.

It also includes state nursery and improvement projects, extension programs in invasive weed control project as well as crop management.

The following training sessions have been scheduled: Taro...

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, June 6) – Solomon Islands will soon issue new computerized electronic passports in conformity to international standards and requirements.

Minister for Immigration Francis Billy Hilly said the new passport is developed in conformity with international standards as most international airports now use electronic scanner.

Speaking during the opening of the division’s new office on Friday, Mr Hilly said the new batch of electronic passports have arrived from United Kingdom and soon to be released to new passport holders as soon as the stock runs out.

The electronic passport is one of the many changes that will take place within the department in response to changes and evolution in transnational crimes, drug smuggling and refugee issues.

Besides going electronic with passports, the government is also contemplating improving the entry and exit points at the Honiara International Airport by computerising the system as...