Former Kiribati president fined over radio plan

TARAWA, Kiribati – Former President Ieremia Tabai has been fined $25 for importing radio equipment and running a radio station without a license.

He pleaded guilty Monday to acquiring the necessary equipment and conducting on-air tests of what he planned to be the country’s first privately run station, without government approval.

Tabai, who also is a former secretary general of the 16-nation South Pacific Forum, described the government’s shutdown of the station as “censorship.”

Kiribati’s only radio station and newspaper are both government owned.

Cook Islands warned vs money laundering

RAROTONGA, Cook Islands – The Cook Islands has been warned to improve its anti-money laundering laws to protect its offshore finance industry from being exploited by drug cartels.

The U.S. Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has released a report describing the Cook Islands as “of concern.”

Earlier this month, the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development raised concerns over Nauru and Niue money laundering. The two Pacific nations were identified as serious threats to the world banking system.

Niue premier expected to remain until August 2000

ALOFI, Niue – Premier Sani Lakatani now is expected to remain in power until at least August of next year, after surviving a no confidence vote in parliament last Friday.

The 10 – 10 vote resulted from opposition to Lakatani’s plan to fund a new international airline, Coral Air. Parliamentarians have decided that the Lakatani should continue as premier until the year 2001 budget session scheduled for August 2000, to promote government stability.

U.S. company to provide satellite services in PNG

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea – U.S.-based Teledesic Corporation has been granted a license by the Papua New Guinea Telecommunication Authority to provide domestic and international fixed satellite services starting in 2004.

Officials said the system will include services increasingly necessary for economic development, including Internet access, videoconferencing and high-speed digital data transmissions.

Air Niugini cancels New Year’s flights

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea – Air Niugini will not operate flights on January 1 because people have not booked tickets in fear of Y2K-related problems, leaving the national flag carrier with no choice but to ground its fleet.

Although Air Niugini officials said their aircraft and computer systems are fully Y2K compliant, the airline is understood to be concerned about the compliance of organizations having a direct bearing on its operations.

These include Telikom PNG, the Office of Civil Aviation and the PNG Electricity Commission. (PIR)