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02
Nov
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FLOATING RUBBISH DUMP GROWING IN PACIFIC

Submitted by admin on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 00:00

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Nov. 1) – A vast rubbish dump, which covers an area bigger than Australia, is floating in the Pacific Ocean and research shows it is growing bigger.

The rubbish collects in one area because of a clockwise trade wind that circulates around the Pacific Rim.

[PIR editor’s note: According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the mass is floating somewhere between San Francisco and Hawaii.]

The United States-based Algalita Marine Research Foundation says the rubbish collection includes toothbrushes, plastic bags, soap bottles and even umbrella handles.

It says all the countries bordering the Pacific contribute rubbish to the patch.

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Fri
02
Nov
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CONVICTED FIJI MILITARY COMMANDER STILL ON PAYROLL

Submitted by admin on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 00:00

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, Nov. 1) - Fiji's Citizens Constitutional Forum has slammed the military saying there is no justification to keep convicted navy commander Francis Kean on their payroll.

Kean pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter two weeks ago and has been convicted.

CCF chief executive Reverend Akuila Yabaki said the fact that Kean has been convicted is enough for his complete termination from any senior position in the army.

"Any attempt by the military to retain him in any senior or influential position within the army or navy, will be seen as a sign that the military does not respect the law of the country."

"The military is showing double standards and favoritism to Kean. They are also engaging in misuse of funds and in bad administration practices by giving full pay to a person who has pleaded guilty to manslaughter," Yabaki said.

This he added will send the wrong message to younger soldiers.

"Giving Kean full pay is also an...

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Fri
02
Nov
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TONGAN TROOPS ASSAULT ROCK THROWERS IN SOLOMONS

Submitted by admin on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 00:00

By Robert L. Iroga

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, Nov. 1) – Tongan soldiers serving under RAMSI [Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands] in north Malaita allegedly attacked and injured at least eight men in the Malu'u area last week.

Reports say the soldiers reacted after unknown individuals threw stones at their camp at Manakwai village.

Government Special Envoy to RAMSI, Michael Maina, last night confirmed receiving reports of the incident and says he's investigating it.

"I am travelling across to Malu'u tomorrow (today) to further investigate and ascertain the incident," Mr Maina told the Solomon Star last night.

He said the reported incident was "very serious" so he must go to the scene to find out the truth.

Mr Maina said two police officers will be travelling with him.

Head of RAMSI military Lt-Col Ian Upjohn said: "We take any allegation of misconduct very seriously and we are now investigating the events in Malu...

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Fri
02
Nov
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FIJI CENSUS SHOWS DROP IN INDIANS, RISE IN FIJIANS

Submitted by admin on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 00:00

By Amelia Vunileba

SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Times, Nov. 1) - Fiji's population has grown by about 52,823 since the 1996 count, according to the provisional 2007 Population and Housing Census figures released yesterday.

The provisional data released by Census Commissioner Timoci Bainimarama reflects dramatic demographic shifts.

For instance, the data shows that the Indian population decreased by 27,227 while the indigenous Fijian populace rose by 80,408. The total Indian population is tallied at 311,591 while there are 473,983 total Fijians. Other races make up 42,326.

The census, which began on September 16 and was conducted over 10 days, counted a total population of 827,900.

A little over half the population (421,086) lived in the urban areas. This was an increase of 61,591 residents when compared to the 1996 census.

Mr. Bainimarma said the Fijian population in the urban areas increased by as much as 49,427 and the Indian population in the rural...

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Fri
02
Nov
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COOK ISLANDS ASBESTOS DUMPING AT SEA POSTPONED

Submitted by admin on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 00:00

By Helen Greig

RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (Cook Islands News, Oct. 31) – The burial of vessel Miss Mataroa at sea in the Cook Islands was postponed yesterday for two reasons beyond anyone's control.

A strong wind warning was issued and the police patrol boat Te Kukupa was called away to a medical evacuation.

Harbormaster John Fallon had been preparing to sail the ship out of the Avatiu harbor one final time at around midday before news of Te Kukupa's trip to Palmerston.

Fallon said without an escort boat and a possible run in with bad weather at sea, the sinking of Miss Mataroa was called off.

Environmental protesters had planned to be at the harbor to show their objection to the ship being sunk at sea loaded with asbestos waste.

The Taporoporo'anga Ipukarea Society has been making enquiries in New Zealand about the possibility of an intervention. Just 24 hours before the ship was due to be disposed of, their president, Ian Karika, said the...

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Fri
02
Nov

MOTI AFFAIR: TWO SETS OF LAWS IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Submitted by piradmin on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 00:00

Editorial

PNG Post-Courier

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (Nov. 1) - Defence Minister Bob Dadae made a statement that was expected to come from him since his appointment to this important portfolio.

No one outside of the National Alliance-led Government expected Mr. Dadae to act in any way contrary to the wishes of the Government to stop the Moti Inquiry report ever being released to the public.

The public had always known that Dadae would do exactly as he is told to do and that is to suppress the report. He has done exactly that.

It is a confirmation of the public view that there are two sets of laws in Papua New Guinea. One set of laws is for the ordinary Papua New Guineans who get bashed up daily by police for all kinds of crime and thrown into police cells with bruised bodies and then taken to court and finally to jail.

The other set of laws...

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Fri
02
Nov

FIJI GOVERNMENT COST-CUTTING IS RIGHT MOVE

Submitted by piradmin on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 00:00

Editorial

Fiji Times

SUVA, Fiji (Nov. 2) - The Public Service Commission has done the right thing by insisting that all government departments and ministries reduce their costs by 10 percent immediately.

There are wastages in the civil service.

There is duplication of work, overspending in some ministries, high fuel costs in others and just general laxity in accounting for funds spent and resources used.

Every year, the Auditor Generals reports are always full of misuse of funds, overpayment of salaries for civil servants, unexplained high usage of fuel and unnecessary runs and not accounting for the spending of government funds.

The PSC directive, if carried out well, will not only cut down on costs, but will also eliminate a lot of the abuses that are reported by the Auditor General every year.

On the surface, the directive appears to be tidying up loose ends, trimming wastage and fat and turning the civil service into a lean...

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Fri
02
Nov

MARIANAS NEEDS MORE RESPONSIBLE LEADERS

Submitted by piradmin on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 00:00

Editorial

Marianas Variety

SAIPAN, CNMI (Nov. 2) – There will be a new leadership, at least in the House, when the 16th Legislature convenes in January. The House will no longer be aligned with the administration. But, as in the past, the Senate, controlled by Rota and Tinian, will "triangulate," and try to get the best deal from this scenario.

After tomorrow’s election, everything on Capital Hill will be about the 2009 gubernatorial poll, which means that not a lot will get done. But considering what has so far been done up there, that could be a good thing for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Now although a lot of voters are hoping to elect new lawmakers that could make a difference in the next two years, they also know, based on their experience, that they are likely to be disappointed. And they are right.

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ problems are fundamental and systemic. They are rooted in the welfare...

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Fri
02
Nov

HOW FAR WILL GUAM GO TO PROTECT GOVERNMENT WORKERS?

Submitted by piradmin on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 00:00

Editorial

Pacific Daily News

HAGATNA, Guam (Nov. 2) – The Solid Waste Law Review Commission continues to lumber along in its mission to review Guam laws preventing the closure of the Ordot dump and recommending changes to those laws, as they continue to tweak the proposed Guam Recycling and Solid Waste Authority Act.

But during the commission's Wednesday meeting, it did manage to ensure Department of Public Works employees in the Solid Waste Division – both classified and those on contract – would maintain employment and current benefits when the division becomes the Guam Recycling and Solid Waste Authority, which will be an autonomous agency.

And, if the new agency is privatized, those employees will remain on the Government of Guam payroll and be given hiring priority for open positions elsewhere in the government.

It's understandable that government officials don't want Government of Guam employees to lose jobs, but how far is the government...

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Mon
05
Nov
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FIJI EGGPLANT EXPORTS UP 3 PERCENT IN 2006

Submitted by admin on Mon, 11/05/2007 - 00:00

SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Daily Post, Nov. 3) – There has been increasing export demand for eggplants, according to Nature’s Way Cooperative Limited, the largest exporter of the product.

Figures provided by the company showed that last year 436.5 tonnes of eggplants were exported, an increase of 3 per cent from the 423.7 tonnes exported in 2005.

And the Ministry of Agriculture is urging vegetable farmers not to miss this opportunity by planting more for exports.

Company managing director, Sant Kumar said the current supply of eggplant was quite good when compared to the last few months.

"Currently we are exporting 12 to 15 tonnes of eggplant a week to New Zealand," Kumar said.

"In July we exported 26,369 kilogrammes, and in August exports increased to 45,891 kg and in the last month it increased further to 52,322kg," he added.

Kumar said farmers should supply quality export varieties of eggplants.

"Long purple, Chahat, and round eggplants are...

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