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Platforms built in case of coral cliff collapse, French authorities say

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Feb. 3, 2013) – The French military has confirmed that platforms have been built on Moruroa atoll, should a coral cliff collapse trigger a huge wave and force the 35 military personnel deployed there to seek safety.

Addressing the media in Tahiti after touring the area, Commodore Anne Cullerre says, however, radiation from the former nuclear weapons test site poses no risks.

The atoll in French Polynesia was used until 1996 for more than 130 underground blasts and remains a closely monitored military exclusion zone.

The French High Commissioner Jean-Pierre Laflaquiere has dispelled concerns about a possible atoll collapse that could trigger a 20-meter high wave.

He says such an event would not be sudden and allow for Moruroa to be evacuated and the residents of nearby Tureia to be warned.

[PIR editor’s note:...

600 personnel, including father and daughter, to be deployed

By Haidee V. Eugenio

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, Feb. 4, 2013) – Sixteen Northern Marianas soldiers, including a father-and-daughter tandem, a new father, and a newly married one, are among the more than 600 members of the Guam National Guard bound for Camp Shelby in Mississippi and then to Afghanistan in the coming weeks. Together, they will be part of history as the largest group of reserve component troops to be mobilized and deployed from the Marianas.

They will be deploying with the 1-294th Infantry Regiment and F Company, 29th Brigade Support Battalion of the Guam Army National Guard.

"The 16 soldiers that you see here today are among the finest that exist in the United States Army. They are your sons, they are your daughters, they are your community members," said U.S. Army Maj. Joseph I. Cruz, executive officer of 1-294th Infantry Regiment, during a sendoff ceremony for the 16...

PNG’s O’Neill Confident Grace Period Extension Will Pass Opposition says amendment ‘totally’ breaches constitution

By Jeffrey Elapa

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (The National, Feb. 4, 2013) – Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is confident that Papua New Guinea's parliament will pass the constitutional amendment to extend the grace period from 18 to 30 months.

The opposition yesterday indicated it would seek a Supreme Court order to stop parliament from approving the extension to the government’s grace period in office.

The second and third reading of the constitutional amendment would take precedence over other government business when parliament begins its first sitting of the year at 2pm tomorrow.

Other key legislations that would go before the house over the next three weeks include the Judicial Conduct Bill 2012, an amendment to the Criminal Code relating to human trafficking and an amendment to the Education Act relating to community colleges...

Prices for coconut products reportedly fluctuating around nation

By Jane Joshua

PORT VILA, Vanuatu (Vanuatu Daily Post, Feb. 4, 2013) – Daily Post has been informed the Vanuatu Government, yesterday released Vt34 million [US$375,483] that will be used as copra subsidy.

The Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Industry and Tourism advises all copra buyers, exporters, shippers and copra vessels to raise the price of copra in line with a subsidy rate of Vt8,000 [US$88] per ton coming into effect today, December 20, 2012 and ensure it reaches the people in the islands.

This development will be welcome by all traders in the copra industry after feeling the brunt of the delayed copra subsidy for two months-reportedly the longest and lowest low since 2004.

Starting November calls were made to the government to address the fluctuating situation in the copra industry after copra traders and shippers were reduced to buying copra at Vt13,000 [US$143] per ton in the...