FLASHBACK June 17, 2002-2004

[B]June 17, 2002

FDM’s importance in war against terror stressed[/B]

Nine days after the resumption of bombing exercises on the Farallon de Mendinilla, the U.S. Navy briefed Commonwealth leaders anew on the strategic importance of the island and the role it plays in the U.S. Armed Forces’ current war against terrorism. Gov. Juan N. Babauta said that Force Judge Advocate Edward Lynch, who acts as the attorney for the U.S. Navy, briefed him and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente last Friday on the current status of the bombing exercises and the steps being taken to ensure the continued use of the island for military exercises.

[B]CPA revisits cleanup of jet fuel leak[/B]

The Commonwealth Ports Authority disclosed Friday that remediation processes at the Saipan International Airport were halted due to continued refusal of Mobil Oil Marianas to shoulder half of the expenses incurred during the cleanup process. However, CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said the ports authority is still studying measures to be taken in light of the recent inquiry made by the Division of Environmental Quality.

[B]’Tighten law on sale of butane to minors'[/B]

The Department of Public Safety is proposing the absolute prohibition of the sale of butane gas canisters to minors, in a bid to address the widespread abuse of the lethal inhalant among the Commonwealth’s youths. Police Commissioner Edward C. Camacho aired his concerns over the accessibility of butane gas products in the CNMI, which children can apparently obtain at retail stores for a cheap price of at least 55 cents per can.

[B]June 17, 2003

Never say die for Rota[/B]

Island revives casino plan, this time through popular initiative. Community leaders on Rota are currently pushing for a popular initiative to allow casino establishments on the island, outgoing Sen. Ricardo S. Atalig said. The move is aimed at improving Rota’s revenue collection. So far, Tinian has the lone casino in the Northern Marianas after its residents voted in favor to establish a gambling facility years back.

[B]Brown nominated as AG[/B]

Pam Brown Gov. Juan N. Babauta has formally nominated his legal counsel, Pam Brown, to the post of Attorney General. Babauta announced Brown’s nomination during a news briefing yesterday afternoon, and transmitted her appointment to the Senate at the same time.

[B]MVA: Revival of China market in the works[/B]

Hopes are high that the Northern Marianas would soon revive the China market, with the government allotting half-a-million dollars for a marketing campaign and the possibility that China Southern Airlines could soon resume direct flights to Tinian by mid-July. Marianas Visitors Authority chair Dave Sablan yesterday said he recently asked the Babauta administration to review the situation in several parts of China, particularly Shanghai and Guangzhou, saying these areas have managed to control the spread of the dreaded severe acute respiratory syndrome.

[B]June 17, 2004

AGO looks into water price hikes[/B]

The Attorney General’s Office yesterday said it would look into the possibility that local water companies might have connived to raise their product’s prices. CNMI consumer counsel Brian Caldwell said an investigation is proper to establish whether or not anti-trust and consumer laws have been violated.

[B]Continental, Cape Air to launch Guam-Rota flights[/B]

Continental Airlines announced yesterday the launching of its three-times daily flight between Guam and Rota beginning July 1 to better serve the region through its Continental Connection program. Continental Micronesia vice president for sales and marketing Walter Dias said that Continental Connection, operated by Cape Air, will offer convenient non-stop three times daily flight between Guam and Rota. “As a Continental Connection partner, Cape Air will operate the new service with 9-passenger Cessna 402 aircraft during the month of July. The airline intends to expand its service within the CNMI using larger ATR aircraft, as soon as completing necessary regulatory requirements,” said Dias.