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PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (December 29, 1999 – Radio Australia)---Papua New Guinea's Ombudsman Commission reports that it has begun investigating leaders' investments in "get-rich-quick" money schemes.

Ombudsman Ila Geno said the Commission is checking to determine whether any government leader has invested public funds in the money schemes.

Mr. Geno said the move is in response to public calls for the Commission to take action against fast money schemes.

But, he said the Commission does not have the power to act on the complaints against private companies, and it will not do anything if the leaders have invested their own money.

However, he said the Commission will act if public money has been used, including Parliamentarians' discretionary funds.

RADIO AUSTRALIA

RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (December 29, 1999)---Rarotonga is preparing to host a major regional climate change conference in April 2000.

The "Pacific Islands Climate Change Conference" is being organized by the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in partnership with the National Tidal Facility of South Australia's Flinders University.

It will be supported by the governments of Australia, the Cook Islands, Denmark, France, Japan and New Zealand.

The theme of the weeklong conference, which begins on April 3rd, is "Improving the Understanding of and Responding to Climate Change and Sea Level Rise."

Among the objectives at the conference will be addressing the impact of climate change and sea level rise, and how to develop response options.

Radio Australia

NIUE’S CORAL AIR PREPARING FOR NADI FLIGHTS

SUVA, Fiji Islands (December 29, 1999 – Fiji Broadcasting Corporation)---Coral Air International, which has been designated as Niue's national carrier, will begin service to the Pacific region starting in January.

The airline is finalizing its air service agreement with the government to fly between Niue and Nadi International Airport.

The Civil Aviation Ministry's initial agreement with Coral Air International calls for service only on the Niue-Nadi direct route.

However, the airline is reportedly asking to fly into Nadi via Tonga as well.

This may delay the formulation of the air service agreement with the government and push back its January target date.

FIJI BROADCASTING CORPORATION

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands (Dec. 29, 1999 – Saipan Tribune)---As New Year's Eve rapidly approaches, and the corresponding festivities increase, a local optometrist is warning residents about the dangers associated with something many parents routinely overlook -- fireworks.

"We've already seen one child with a severe eye injury this holiday season," said Dr. David G. Hardt of the Seventh Day Adventist Clinic. "It's heartbreaking because it is so unnecessary."

There are statistics to back this claim. In 1996, during the weeks surrounding the Fourth of July, Dr. Hardt says more than 7,600 people in the U.S. were injured using fireworks; 44 percent of those injured by fireworks each year are children ages 19 and under.

"I'm concerned because we're hearing more fireworks each night here on Saipan," said Dr. Hardt. "A common sparkler can reach 1,800° F - hot enough to melt gold -- and cause third degree burns. Parents should never let their children play with...