Articles Search

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, Oct. 1) - Digicel chairman Denis O’Brien has told the Papua New Guinea government that the government risks ruining its international reputation if the company’s mobile license is taken away.

The [Jamaica-based] communications company chief flew into Port Moresby at the weekend to speak with Acting Prime Minister Dr. Puka Temu and Treasury and Finance Minister Patrick Pruaitch before leaving on his private jet yesterday.

In an exclusive interview, he said he had been assured by the two government leaders that Digicel’s spectrum license, which cost US$17 million, would not be removed.

Digicel has been locked in dispute with the Government’s agencies since late last year, with an appeal by the Government still before the courts.

Telikom, Pangtel and the Independent Public Business Corporation (the umbrella company which holds the government’s public companies - Telikom, PNG Power and Air Niugini, among...

By Fili Sagapolutele

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (The Samoa News, Oct. 1) – American Samoa Governor Togiola Tulafono says he was informed by the Federal Aviation Administration that air traffic advisory service is not essential to the safety of Pago Pago International Airport.

The governor made this statement on his weekend radio program and in a letter to Congressman Faleomavaega Eni during an exchange between the two leaders while trying to resolve the air traffic control tower issue.

Washington D.C. based Crown Consultant Inc., has been providing advisory service for the past two years, but the contract expired yesterday and American Samoa Government is unable to take over the service due to lack of funds.

The advisory service provides weather, wind and general information for aircraft pilots preparing to land and take off at the airport. Aircraft "approach control service" for Pago Pago is currently handled by Faleolo International Airport in Samoa....

By Giff Johnson

MAJURO, Marshall Islands (Marianas Variety, Oct. 2) – An American attorney with nearly 30 years of legal experience in the Marshall Islands has been named to replace a departing Australian judge.

The Marshall Islands Nitijela, or national parliament, approved the appointment of James Plasman, the chairman of the Nuclear Claims Tribunal in Majuro, just prior to adjourning at the end of last week for an upcoming national election.

Plasman has been head of the Nuclear Claims Tribunal for about five years.

The Tribunal has overseen adjudication of more than US$1 billion in compensation awards to the nuclear test-affected atolls of Enewetak, Bikini and Rongelap.

[PIR editor’s note: According to PIR news files, as of 2004, more than US$80 million for personal injury claims of about 1,800 Marshall Islanders, and more than $1 billion for loss of use, suffering and nuclear clean-up requirements for Bikini and Enewetak atolls — and its...

By Gerardo R. Partido

HAGATNA, Guam (Marianas Variety, Oct. 2) – Guam's military buildup has hit a snag as the head of the Joint Guam Program Office said Congress may curtail the multi-billion dollar spending for the relocation of 8,000 Marines to Guam.

Marine Major General David Bice, the director of the Joint Guam Program Office, has been quoted by the mainland-based Marine Times as saying that plans for the Marine relocation are falling behind due to uncertainties with funding.

[PIR editor’s note: According to PIR news files, Major General Bice had stated back in January that some US$4 billion of the estimated costs for the Marine relocation will be spent on Guam for housing and related facilities, including infrastructure that will complement the island’s existing utilities. The Japanese government has already agreed to finance roughly half of the relocation costs and this has been incorporated into the Japanese government’s budget.]

Earlier, the...