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PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, April 30) – Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has announced PGK50 million [US$17 million] funding for Lae City roads.

[PIR editor’s note: Lae is the second largest city in Papua New Guinea following the national capital of Port Moresby. It is located on the north central coast of the mainland peninsula and is the provincial capital of Morobe province.]

The announcement during the launching of the Government’s National Agriculture Development Plan at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium last Friday, came as a pleasant surprise for Morobe Governor Luther Wenge.

It was also an off-hand thing aimed to sway voters the National Alliance way, as Sir Michael rose from his chair, grabbed the microphone and told more than 2,000 people gathered that PGK50 million [US$17 million] will be given to the Morobe Provincial Government to fix the city roads, some of which are in a state of near collapse.

"I will...

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, April 24) - Eight men were shot dead and several others received bullet wounds in separate incidents in the Baiyer and Lumusa districts of Papua New Guinea’s Western Highlands Province.

[PIR editor’s note: Western Highlands province is located in the central part of Papua New Guinea’s mainland peninsula.]

This was after warlords from rival tribes in the two districts used guerilla tactics and high-powered weapons in ambushes.

Western Highlands provincial police commander Chief Inspector Kaiglo Ambane, who confirmed the killings, said, however, that the situation was cooling down with the presence of the policemen.

"Due to communication problems, I have not received any reports from my policemen but word is that the situation has calmed down," Ambane said.

The Baptist Union of Papua New Guinea has provided funds to post six policemen from Mt Hagen who flew into Lumusa and are monitoring the...

By Gemma Q. Cassas

SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, May 1) – Members of an indigenous people’s group say they are frustrated with, and worried about, the islands’ economic situation and want the federal government to extend its minimum wage and immigration laws to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Gregorio S. Cruz Jr., president of Taotaotano CNMI, said the Fitial administration should embrace the federalization option rather than experimenting with different policies.

Cruz said the administration is already way out of line and he fears that it will implement more drastic actions.

The father of seven, Cruz said he is also disappointed that there was no mention of the public education system in the governor’s State of the Commonwealth Address on Friday.

"I believe the government is way out of line," he said. "It has completely forgotten its own people. I am very frustrated and worried as to what’s going to happen next. (Fitial...

Editorial

Fiji Times

SUVA, Fiji (April 30) - That the interim Fiji Government is determined to fulfill its commitments to the European Union as to be expected.

It does not have a choice. In fact, it will only be shooting itself in the foot if it reneges on these commitments because it, and in particular the sugar industry, needs the European Union's financial assistance to survive.

The interim administration knows full well it has to honor those commitments to secure the funding the European Union is prepared to give.

If it does not fulfill the commitments it won't receive the assistance.

It should not be misleading the people by assuming the funding has already been secured. It is not. The funding will only be released if the European Union is satisfied all the commitments have been met.

That's the truth of the matter.

The message coming out of the Government Buildings seems to suggest the European Union has agreed to release...