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Illegal logging suspected

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, July 6, 2011) – In Papua New Guinea (PNG), customs has impounded a vessel in Popondetta which belongs to a Malaysian logging company.

Acting Customs Commissioner John Pomoso confirmed the apprehension of the Kifmet 16/17, a pontoon barge belonging to Unirise Limited of Malaysia.

Speaking from Vanimo last night, Mr. Pomoso said the National Forests Authority (NFA) confirmed the identity of the logging vessel, which is now at Oro Bay wharf.

"Investigations into the matter has already started which will involve the last port of entry; where the vessel came from and if there are those citizens involved in the landing the equipment before we go on to prosecute the company.

"We also would want to establish whether the vessel was cleared by customs following all processes and regulations accompanying whatever the project are in the area," Mr. Pomoso said.

The acting...

Bank South Pacific has acquisitions in four countries

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, July 6, 2011) - Bank of South Pacific (BSP) has made a conditional offer to the shareholders of The National Bank of Samoa Limited to buy out their shares.

BSP chairman Kostas Constantinou said this yesterday in a statement, adding the offer comes with conditions that will benefit shareholders.

He said the offer comes with a number of conditions attached including, a minimum acceptance level of 75percent; due diligence which will be undertaken in the coming weeks; and the approval of both regulators, the Central Bank of Samoa and the Bank of Papua New Guinea.

He said when and if these conditions are fulfilled, it is expected that the transaction will be completed towards the end of September.

"BSP’s major market is PNG. It initiated its expansion when it purchased Westpac’s Niue’s operation in 2004," Mr. Constantinou said in the statement. He...

Plans to increase civilian access to base, encourage interaction

By Brett Kelman HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Pacific Daily News, July 5, 2011) - After a year in Guam, Capt. Richard Wood said he hopes to build bonds beyond the walls of the Navy base he commands.

He hopes to convince sailors to venture deeper into the island community outside the base, and expand civilian public access to the military properties inside.

During a presentation to the Rotary Club of Tumon Bay yesterday, Wood, commander of U.S. Naval Base Guam, said there are two priorities that could create stronger ties between Guam's civilian and military communities.

First, Wood said he wanted to make the Navy base a "highly desirable assignment" for sailors, and encourage those who are lucky enough to be assigned here to embrace the island.

Second, Wood said he hoped to increase opportunities for the public to access Naval Base and other military properties, which should be open to any "...

Measure has failed repeatedly before U.S. lawmakers

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Pacific Daily News, July 6, 2011) - After years of failed efforts to get reparations for Guam's World War II victims, the issue will get another hearing before Congress this month.

Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo announced yesterday that the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs will hold a hearing on H.R. 44, the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act on July 14.

"This hearing will continue to build on the legislative record for Guam War Claims," Bordallo said in a press release yesterday. "Our community will have another opportunity to make the case for war claims for those who endured the occupation of Guam."

The attainment of war reparations has long eluded Guam's war survivors, many of whom have died since the end of World War II. Bordallo has brought the issue to Congress five times, most recently last year as part of the...