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Indonesian President Lauded For Stance On West Papua Issues

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/03/2012 - 00:00

President ‘welcomes’ dialogue, except on independence referendum

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, July 2, 2012) – Papuan leaders have applauded Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s open-handed stance for dialogue over Papuan issues and have urged him to put the statement into action.

The Jakarta Post reports Taha Al Hamid, the secretary-general of the Papuan Council Presidium, calling for the establishment of a team to facilitate a dialogue between the central government and Papua administrations.

Neles Tebay, the chairman of the Papua Peace Network, says it would need to involve figures with international credibility who have the trust of the Papuan people.

The team is expected to draw up the format, aims and mechanisms of the dialogue.

During his visit to the Indonesian Military Command Institute in Bandung on Friday, President Yudhoyono said he would welcome any initiative for a dialogue except those that...

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Tue
03
Jul
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PNG Electoral Commission: No Extensions For Polling Period

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/03/2012 - 00:00

Evidence of fraud allegedly discovered at agency headquarters

By Gorethy Kenneth

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, July 2, 2012) – There will not be an extension to Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) polling dates from July 6, as the operation is on target, chief Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen announced over the weekend.

And the Electoral Commission will undertake a post-election assessment of all aspects of the Electoral Roll to review and assess how to compile a better quality Roll for use in elections in PNG in the future and ensuring to improve the electoral system.

Trawen also announced last Friday that the Commission was investigating allegations of what might have gone wrong with the Electoral Roll.

He announced in his media briefing on Friday that there was evidence of the Roll being tampered with at the Headquarters, and the Commission was investigating; once complete, all those involved will face the full force of the law....

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Tue
03
Jul
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Fireworks Display Opens 2012 Pacific Arts Festival In Solomons

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/03/2012 - 00:00

Visitors witnessed ‘biggest ever’ display in nation’s history

By Douglas Marau

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, July 3, 2012) – The spectacular fireworks that lit up Lawson Tama stadium yesterday has been described as one that will go down as the biggest ever in the Solomon Islands.

Some commented it should also be remembered as one of the best compared to past Pacific Arts Festival events.

A record crowd which packed the stadium as early as 11am yesterday morning could not believe their eyes as the skies lit up with an extravagant display of fireworks to officially mark the opening of the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts.

Solomon Islands had never experienced such startling display in its history.

"It is just amazing," and "I will never forget this moment," this paper overheard a group of teenagers exclaim.

The fireworks display took about 10-15 minutes leaving a legacy that will always be remembered.

Even foreign...

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Tue
03
Jul
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Beneficial Bacterial Product Discovered In Easter Island Soil

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/03/2012 - 00:00

Found to preserve thinking skills, prevent transplant rejection

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, July 2, 2012) – Scientists have discovered that a bacterial product first isolated from soil on Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, could help prevent diminishing cognitive skills, including memory retention.

Rapamycin is an antifungal agent that has been administered to transplant patients to prevent organ rejection.

However researchers at the School of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio have found that older mice fed rapamycin displayed improved learning and memory skills.

According to the researchers, the drug also lowered anxiety and depressive-like behavior in the mice, factors that impair cognitive performance in humans.

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Tue
03
Jul
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Palau Rock Island Lagoon Chosen As UNESCO World Heritage Site

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/03/2012 - 00:00

Inscription as heritage site allows for technical funding opportunities

By Aurea Gerundio-Dizon

KOROR, Palau (Island Times, July 2, 2012) – Palau made history Friday when it became the first Small Island Developing State to have a property inscribed to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List.

The UNESCO World Heritage List is an international group of 911 natural, cultural and mixed (natural and cultural) sites that are important to the world and worthy of preservation due to their outstanding universal value.

Palau nominated the 100,200 hectares marine site to the World Heritage list due to its cultural and natural importance.

Bureau of Arts and Culture Dir. Dwight Alexander shared to Island Times yesterday that the Rock Island Southern Lagoon was initially requested by the Koror State Traditional Leaders to be inscribed to the World Heritage list back in 2006.

"The process has been...

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Tue
03
Jul
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CNMI Medicaid Reportedly Owes Providers Over $15 Million

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/03/2012 - 00:00

Administrators say local funds unable to match federal allotments

By Moneth Deposa

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, July 3, 2012) – The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Medicaid Office owes private medical providers both on- and off-island more than $15 million in outstanding reimbursement obligations, according to program officials yesterday.

Medicaid administrator Helen Sablan and the governor's special adviser for Medicaid program Esther Muña acknowledged the program's huge debt to vendors but could not say when the government will pay these arrears.

Medicaid is a health subsidy program for indigent individuals and families. The federal and state governments share Medicaid costs.

In a visit to their offices yesterday, Muña and Sablan pointed out that the CNMI Medicaid has limited funds. Its annual budget is only $2.4 million and allotments from its local share amount to only $200,000 each month. Along with the federal share, the...

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Tue
03
Jul
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Auckland Business Delegation Conducts Pacific Trade Tour

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/03/2012 - 00:00

Mayor looking to increase trade relations with Pacific nations

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, July 2, 2012) – Auckland’s mayor Len Brown says a New Zealand trade delegation he’s leading to the Pacific will generate millions of dollars of new business for city.

The 20-strong group from Auckland’s food and beverage, infrastructure, and education sectors will leave today for Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands.

Auckland contributes about half of the 240 million U.S. dollars worth of New Zealand exports there each year.

Mr. Brown says the 10-day trip will give that a significant boost.

"If the trade mission delivers back something like 10 to 20 million New Zealand dollars [US$8 million to US$16 million] per annum, then it’s a very worthy investment and it builds great relationships with potential trading partners for our business and Auckland."

Len Brown says they also want to open Auckland’s doors to more of the...

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Tue
03
Jul
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Vanuatu Faces Complex Traditional Land Rights Issues

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/03/2012 - 00:00

Identification of owners separated from administration of lands

PORT VILA, Vanuatu (Vanuatu Daily Post, July 2, 2012) – When it comes to land issues in Vanuatu one of the biggest challenges which remains is it is not clear who owns a piece of land and where his boundary starts and ends.

"It is also unclear who is the right authority to make a decision over that land. If the resolutions are implemented, we will identify custom boundaries and custom authorities and put them back where they belong," said Deputy Director of Land Equity International and former Lands DG Russell Nari.

He was referring to the 19 endorsed resolutions of the National Customary Land Workshop (5-7 September 2011) where the National Council of Chiefs mandated Malvatumauri Vanuatu Cultural Centre and Lands Tribunal to implement the with support from Mama Graon – Vanuatu Land Program.

"Resolutions one to three target identifying customary land boundaries and custom authorities, and...

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Tue
03
Jul
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Tongan PM Given 14 Days For Response To No Confidence Motion

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/03/2012 - 00:00

Some representatives object to consultation with public over motion

By Pesi Fonua

NUKUALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, July 2, 2012) – Parliament has allowed Tonga's Prime Minister 14 days to respond to a Motion for a Vote of No Confidence in him signed by 10 People's Representatives.

This afternoon the House passed a motion in favor of breaking for two weeks to allow members to go on their annual National Tour, and to give the Prime Minister 14 days to respond to the motion.

The signatories to the motion filed with the Speaker on June 18 were: Samuela 'Akilisi Pohiva, Semisi Sika, Sitiveni Halapua, 'Aisake Eke, Siosifa Tu'utafaiva, Sione Saulala, Sione Taione, Falisi Tupou, Semisi Tapueluelu and Mo'ale Finau.

After debating all day today July 2 on a motion by 'Akilisi Pohiva for the PM to respond within four days, and another motion by the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Samiu Vaipulu, for the PM to be given 14 days, and also for MPs to consult the...

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Tue
03
Jul
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Guam Lawmakers Push For Local Marine Resource Management

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/03/2012 - 00:00

‘Virtually untapped resources’ could benefit whole of Micronesia

By Louella Losinio

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Marianas Variety Guam, July 3, 2012) – In Guam’s Senate, Resolution 405-31 catalyzed regional support for resources management and proper attribution of the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, resulting in the drafting of similar legislation by the governments of neighboring islands such as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Chuuk, and Pohnpei.

Introduced by Sens. Rory Respicio and Aline Yamashita last April, the resolution also focused on tapping into the economic benefits from marine and terrestrial exploration activities in the Mariana Trench.

Last March, Hollywood Director James Cameron descended into Challenger Deep. In 1960, Swiss oceanographer and engineer Jacques Piccard and U.S. Navy Capt. Don Walsh became the first two people to plunge nearly 7 miles into the Mariana Trench while aboard the Bathyscape Trieste.

"...

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