Pacific Region News

Marshall Islands bank violated US Compact

MAJURO, Marshall Islands—The Marshall Islands Development Bank violated the Compact of Free Association with the United States, the laws of both countries and its own bank policies in the use of $17.5 million in Washington assistance, according to a just-released audit by the U.S. Interior Department’s Inspector General’s office.

Political influence and directives from the government cabinet in the late 1980s through the mid-1990s caused the bank to issue loans that could not be collected, the audit said.

For 17 of 21 loans checked in the audit, the Marshall Islands Journal reported, “11 loans were issued based on direct or indirect direction from government officials, three loans were issued to businesses owned by relatives of senior-level government officials, and three loans were issued to businesses owned by elected officials.”

Fiji ports close on New Year

SUVA, Fiji Islands—The Ports Authority of Fiji will cease operations for 24 hours beginning midday Friday, December 31 to avoid problems that may arise from possible Y2K computer failures.

Foreign vessels will be restricted from entering or departing any Fiji harbor until midday Saturday, January 1, 2000.

Ships already in port will be permitted to continue cargo loading and unloading operations until 6:00 p.m. Friday.

Preserve Samoan language

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa—American Samoa Community College President Dr. Salu Hunkin has urged native speakers to join together in an effort to preserve the Samoan language.

She told a meeting of educators that the college had received $30,000 in federal assistance to help assure that Samoan remains a living language.

The initial funding will be used to survey actual indigenous language usage in the territory.

A 12-member Samoan Language Task Force has been appointed to seek additional funding and plan future project activities.

PNG women want role in privatization

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—National Council of Women executives have called on the government to spell out how its privatization program will involve women in national economic development.

Council president Susan Setae said the project offers no clear directions, resulting in both the marginalization and discrimination of women.

She said women’s groups should be considered for government properties being sold off under the privatization program.

PM seeks lifting of OT work ban

SUVA, Fiji Islands—Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has asked nurses to reconsider their ban on working overtime.

The request follows Chaudhry’s meeting with officials of the Fiji Nursing Association Sunday, during which the Prime Minister said he promised to speed up government efforts to address the nurses’ workplace grievances.

The Ministry for Health, he said, will be urged to revise upward the current mandatory retirement age of 55 to help reduce the shortage of nurses in hospitals and health centers.

FIJI premier says China tour a success

SUVA, Fiji Islands—Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry told reporters Friday that his just completed tour of China and meeting with President Jiang Zemin resulted in an agreement to expanded economic and technical cooperation.

He said both countries are determined to strengthen ties in such areas as trade, military affairs and tourism development.

While in Beijing last week, Chaudhry said he also reaffirmed Fiji’s one-China policy, rejecting any diplomatic support for Taiwan.

PNG soldiers on standby

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—Defense Force soldiers have been placed on alert to help police counter any Y2K computer problems that may result at the start of the new millennium.

City police chief Raphael Huafolo also confirmed that a planned yearend police and military parade had been canceled because of “reliable intelligence from police informers” indicating that criminals planned to conduct armed robberies at different Port Moresby financial institutions and businesses around the city.

As a result, police have been put on full alert.

Agenda set for two Samoas summit

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa—Governor Tauese Sunia has announced that four cabinet members will join him in a summit meeting with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Samoa government officials in Apia on Monday.

A working group, meeting in Pago Pago, developed an agenda for the summit last week.

Key items for discussion between the two Samoas include drug and weapons smuggling, health services cooperation, immigration procedures and tourism development.