Articles Search

Falls to second highest recipient, after Indonesia

By Yehiura Hriehwazi PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (The National, May 13, 2010) – The Australian government is committed to reviewing effectiveness of its aid to Papua New Guinea (PNG) to get "value for money" following its complaints that a lot of the money was wasted on consultants.

[PIR editor’s note: Papua New Guinea was Australia’s former dependent territory until it gained independence in 1975. Like Australia, Papua New Guinea is a commonwealth realm, though it receives continuous aid for economic development from Australia.]

A post-budget statement released by Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith on Tuesday night gave details of its aid commitments to Indonesia, Africa and the Caribbean nations.

However, it made no mention of aid support to PNG except in reference to its continuing commitment in helping reducing deforestation and carbon emission.

Smith said Australia was committed to...

Aircraft said to have been at no ‘risk whatsoever’

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, June 8, 2010) - Authorities in Fiji continue to deny local media reports of a near-miss mid-air collision between two overseas carriers, with the Minister for Civil Aviation Ratu Inoke Kubuabola issuing a statement saying there was never any such risk.

Kubuabola said the preliminary report available to his ministry suggests that the two aircraft - a Virgin Australia Boeing 777 and an Air New Zealand B767 - were at all times under the radar of Fiji’s Air Traffic Control and were not in any risk whatsoever of a collision.

"Both aircraft were in constant contact with Nadi’s Air Traffic Control during their movements into and out of Fiji’s controlled airspace. The incident was subjected to standard ICAO investigation requirements by Fiji’s aeronautical authority," he said.

Kubuabola said the incident was reported to the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji under its Mandatory Occurrence...

Heavy use threatens marine environment

By Dionesis Tamondong • HAGATNA, Guam (Pacific Daily News, June 14, 2010) – There could be new restrictions on canoe paddling, windsurfing, snorkeling and other recreational and commercial activities in Tumon Bay in an effort to control adverse impacts to that marine preserve.

Any new restrictions will ultimately be up to the Department of Agriculture, with final approval from the Legislature, said Agriculture Director Joseph Torres.

But if additional limitations are to be put in place, Agriculture officials must first prove that the activities they want restricted are actually harming the fragile ecosystem of the marine preserves, said Edwin Cruz, president of Isa Sports Club. His company rents snorkels, kayaks and other recreational equipment near the northern end of Tumon Bay.

"I have yet to see data on exactly how these activities are harming the coral and the sea life," he said at his rental stand recently. "...

Says allies free to deal with rival People’s Republic

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, June 8, 2010) – The President of Taiwan, Ma Ying-jeou, says the country’s diplomatic allies are free to develop informal relations with China.

President Ma made the comment during a visit to Taiwan by the Kiribati President Anote Tong.

Kiribati is one of six Pacific nations that recognises Taiwan.

President Ma’s statement confirmed his policies of viable diplomacy and diplomatic truce with China, meaning the two countries should not try to take away each other’s allies.

President Ma says Taiwan will strengthen its relations with Kiribati, but won’t oppose Kiribati developing unofficial relations with China.

Chinese fisheries concerns are understood to be keen on a co-operation project with Kiribati, while Taiwan is building a new airport there.

President Ma also says he hopes more young I-Kiribati will go to Taiwan to study...