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FUEL SHORTAGE IN PNG THREATENS GRIDLOCK

Submitted by admin on Fri, 11/30/2007 - 00:00

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, Nov. 29) – [The Papua New Guinea government] assured that it had "sufficient" fuel supplies for the "whole country", including the aviation industry.

The assurance appeared to contradict claims that fuel stocks would run out next week and that the aviation industry may be adversely affected.

But Air Niugini’s airports at Madang and Kavieng were supplied with fuel late yesterday after nearly a day without supplies. Manus was still without fuel.

Air Nuigini and InterOil yesterday fast-tracked a meeting, where the national airline was assured there would not be any fuel shortages, despite concerns from its distributors they were facing "supply limits" that could hinder the airline’s operations in the coming weeks.

Air Niugini chief executive Wasantha Kumarasiri said yesterday contingency plans had been drawn up but its domestic flight operations were at stake if supplies run short.

"Some of our...

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Fri
30
Nov
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AMERICAN SAMOA GOVERNMENT TAPS RETIREMENT FUND

Submitted by admin on Fri, 11/30/2007 - 00:00

By Fili Sagapolutele

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (Samoa News, Nov. 29) - The Executive Branch and the ASG [American Samoa Government] Employees Retirement Fund finalized last Friday the $20 million loan for ASG to fund what Governor Togiola had described as critical infrastructure for the territory.

While the loan bill was passed by the Fono and signed into law by the governor several months ago, there were concerns over the loan agreement causing the delay in finalizing the loan.

Samoa News understands that one concern raised by the Retirement Fund was that ASG's collateral for the loan was not clearly stated in the loan agreement. Reportedly collateral to be used includes the EOB and the Tafuna Industrial Park.

A government source says the paperwork, including the loan agreement was finally signed last Friday and the $20 million check from the Retirement Fund was transmitted to the governor's office on Monday.

Details of the loan agreement have...

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Fri
30
Nov
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STRAY DOGS RAISE CONCERN ON PALAU’S BABELDAOB

Submitted by admin on Fri, 11/30/2007 - 00:00

By Philip Haruo

KOROR Palau (Palau Horizon, Nov. 30) — Stray dogs have become a little of a nuisance to many residents of Babeldaob. Dogs have been seen rummaging through trash containers at residences and carrying trash out of state dumpsites onto the roads and surrounding environments – in particular, the wooded areas close to the dumpsites.

The dogs, according to some residents, are contributing to the pollution of our environment by actively scattering trash. Some speculate that the dogs may also harbor disease and are more likely to be a factor in the spread of diseases to humans.

Currently, only Koror State has a program designed to address issues of stray dogs. In 2003, Koror State Government enacted K7 114: The Dog Control Act of 2003. The act mandates all dog owners who reside in Koror State to register their dogs; and that such dogs wear identification collars.

All dogs within Koror State that are not registered and/or collared are actively...

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Fri
30
Nov
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FIJI ‘ACCORD’ ENDS TELECOM MONOPOLY

Submitted by admin on Fri, 11/30/2007 - 00:00

FIJI ‘ACCORD’ ENDS TELECOM MONOPOLY

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, Nov. 29) - Fiji’s Cabinet has endorsed the ‘Radisson Telecom Award’ signed between Government and the three telecom operators, Vodafone Fiji Limited, Telecom Fiji Limited and FINTEL.

The accord was signed on 20 November, 2007, following negotiations between all parties concerned on outstanding issues emanating from the liberalization of markets in the telecommunications and ICT sector.

Cabinet based its decision on a submission by Commerce minister Taito Waradi, at its meeting this week.

Waradi said the accord mapped out in detail the new landscape in which all current operators and new entrants will operate.

"We waited 10 long years for a liberalized market to happen and the long journey is finally coming to an end."

Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, hailed the accord as the biggest achievement of the interim Government that would impact the lives of everyone in...

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Fri
30
Nov
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FIJI COURT DENIES BAIL TO ‘PLOT’ SUSPECTS

Submitted by admin on Fri, 11/30/2007 - 00:00

SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Times, Nov. 30) – Eight of the 11 suspects in the alleged plot to assassinate key interim ministers and senior military officers were this morning denied bail by the Suva High Court.

Judge Daniel Gounder denied the bail in the interest of the public.

The eight include Ratu Inoke Takivekata, Peceli Rinakama, Barbados Mills, Isireli Cakau, Eparama Waqatakirewa, Kaminieli Vosavere, Feoko Gadeibau and Pauliasi Namulo.

[PIR editor’s note: Fiji police earlier this month arrested 16 people in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate interim prime minister Vorque Banimarama and other government officials. ]

All 11 suspects will appear in the Magistrate Court this afternoon where the bail application by Jone Baledrokadroka, Metuisela Mua and Sivaniolo Waqa will be decided.

The 11 are suspected of planning to assassinate interim Prime Minister, Commander Voreqe Bainimarama, interim Finance...

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Fri
30
Nov

DEALING WITH SEA LEVEL RISE ON PNG’S MANUS ISLAND

Submitted by piradmin on Fri, 11/30/2007 - 00:00

Feature

By Freddy Gigmai

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (The National, Nov. 29) - One does not have to be an environmental scientist to understand the adverse affect of global warming on our planet.

As a Highlander, the issue of rising sea levels and its effects did not bother me much. My ignorance and indifference was jolted when I accompanied National Planning & District Development Minister Paul Tiensten to a beautiful coastal village called Lawes in Manus province recently. I saw the shocking reality of the destructive effects of global warming on the local community.

Lawes village is situated in the south-coast of Manus Island. With its scenic vegetation and pristine coastline, the village can be rightfully described as one of the pearls of the Pacific Ocean.

It takes approximately 15 minutes by boat at the Loniu bridge (the bridge that connects Los Negros Island with Manus Provincial capital Lorengau) transit point to reach the village...

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Fri
30
Nov

TONGA’S STYMIED DEMOCRACY STUCK IN TIME

Submitted by piradmin on Fri, 11/30/2007 - 00:00

Editorial

TONGA’S STYMIED DEMOCRACY STUCK IN TIME

Matangi Tonga

NUKU´ALOFA, Tonga (November 29) - The status of Tonga's political reform remains exactly where it was stuck when the members of parliament voted on it before the closure of parliament at the end of October.

So where are we with our political reform? What has happened to the effort to restructure our system of government? Are the public going to see any thoughtful process leading up to this most important decision?

At the moment Tonga's political reform is not a question of when, but rather, a question of what?

This year the Tonga Legislative Assembly voted and passed a proposal by government for a proposed 30-member parliament - as an idea that still has to go through a process to be finalized. The 30 members it was proposed should be made up of 17 People's Representatives to be elected by the people, nine Nobles' Representatives to be elected by the nobles, and four to be...

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Fri
30
Nov

PALAU EDUCATION: LEARNING TO FORGET CULTURE

Submitted by piradmin on Fri, 11/30/2007 - 00:00

Commentary

By Philip N. Haruo

KOROR Palau (Palau Horizon) — We live in a society that actively endorses institutionalized education. We have passed laws to ensure that all children in Palau are in school. We have, I strongly believe, been very successful with the achievements of our schools as compared to other schools in the region. Our schools, despite lack of funding and all other shortages, and the occasional disparagements by national leaders down to misinformed ordinary citizens, are functional and produce literate students at the end of each year; and I think it is fair to say that the schools will continue to improve and so will the success of our children – even if we remain on a continuing resolution for the next decade.

We have failed, however, to provide for the protection and preservation of our heritage; and have altruistically given precedence to the successful educated individual over that which without a written curriculum had been passed from...

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