Flashback September 17, 1999

[B]September 17, 1999

Visitor arrivals slightly up in August[/B]

Visitor arrivals for the month of August totaled 44,157, or a 2.4 percent increase compared to the month of August 1998, according to the Marianas Visitors Authority. Overall, there was a marginal decline in arrivals from CNMI’s major markets as Japan recorded a 1 percent drop in August 1999 despite the chartered flights delivered by Japan Airlines. This slight drop was attributed to the summer holiday season celebrated during the months of July and August.

[B]MVA pushes TV ad campaign[/B]

In a move to reach a wider market, the Marianas Visitors Authority will still push through with a television advertisement of the CNMI in selected cities in Japan. Due to limited budget, the tourism office has chosen the cities of Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka for the showing of a television commercial, according to MVA Managing Director Perry Tenorio.

[B]CPA mulls lifting of reduced manhours[/B]

With little signs of improvement in its financial condition, the Commonwealth Ports Authority is studying the possibility of reinstating the 80-hour pay period, according to its executive director. In a memorandum to employees, Carlos H. Salas commended the CPA staff for continuously striving to achieve excellence in carrying out their jobs despite the reduction in manhours. “While the implementation of a 72-hour pay period has not been easy, I am happy to report that thanks to your dedication and commitment, service and safety have not suffered in the slightest degree,” said Salas.

[B]September 17, 2001

US troops told to prepare for war[/B]

President Bush ordered U.S. troops to get ready for war and braced Americans for a long, difficult assault against terrorists to avenge the deadliest attack on the nation. “Those who make war against the United States have chosen their own destruction,’’ he declared Saturday. “We will smoke them out of their holes,’’ Bush said. “We’ll get them running and we’ll bring them to justice.’’

[B]Torres, Retirement Fund may reach settlement agreement[/B]

The camp of former Retirement Fund Administrator Juan S. Torres is confident that a settlement may be reached with the Board once it convenes on Wednesday to iron out differences. Torres, through his counsel Michael W. Dotts, said the Board is open to possible settlement after the former administrator questioned his removal from office in court. “The Board is open to work this out.”

[B]Stranded travelers swarm Saipan airport[/B]

A huge crowd of stranded travelers trooped to the Saipan International Airport over the weekend as Continental Airlines dispatched the first flights out of Saipan Friday afternoon. Continental flew passengers from Saipan to Guam Friday, hours after the US Department of Transportation ordered the opening of the national air space at 1am Friday (local time).

[B]September 17, 2002

Keeping govt funds safe Bill eyes to increase safeguards
[/B] Learning from the bitter lessons brought about by the Bank of Saipan debacle, a Saipan lawmaker has drafted an amendment that proposes to establish safeguards for public funds deposited in private banks, amid fears of the government losing $16 million resulting from the BoS financial ruin. Rep. William S. Torres, the measure’s proponent, believes that pledging a bank’s assets at 120 percent of the government’s deposits is the way to protect public monies against unwarranted risks.

[B]Initial meeting for 702 talks set[/B]

With the fiscal year drawing to a close this month, initial meetings for the upcoming Covenant 702 negotiations between the federal and Commonwealth governments will kick off on September 30, with both governments evaluating the need to hammer out a new agreement. Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente said he would fly to Los Angeles to meet with Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary David Cohen so they could agree that there will be Covenant 702 negotiations next month.