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Pacific Islands Briefs
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Posted on Apr 06 2000
Pacific-Japan summit still on
SUVA, Fiji Islands—The planned meeting of Pacific Islands leaders in southern Japan later this month is still expected to take place despite the poor health of Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, who suffered a massive stroke Monday.
Noel Levi, Secretary General of the South Pacific Forum Secretariat, said he is confident the summit of 14 Pacific Islands heads of government and top Japanese officials
will not be postponed.
The April 22-24 Miyazaki meeting will consider such matters as sustainable development, Pacific Ocean fishing and trade.
IMF okays $115-M loan for PNG
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—The International Monetary Fund has approved a $115 million loan to the Papua New Guinea government.
Making the announcement in Parliament, an ecstatic Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta said the funds will go to the Bank of PNG for balance of payments support.
The loan is expected to boost the recovery of the local currency, the kina, against the U.S. and Australian dollars.
AIDS causes fall in Port Moresby blood donations
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—Blood donations have fallen sharply at the Port Moresby Blood Bank over fears associated with HIV/AIDS.
“People are not willingly to come forward these days to give blood,” said blood bank spokesperson Mary Rose Munaga. Up to 300 donors a day was normal in the past, but the total now has dropped to about 100.
A shortage of blood has resulted in preventable deaths, especially of women during childbirth, Munaga said.
A campaign now is under way to educate the public about donating blood safely.
Cook Islands visitor arrivals increase
AVARUA, Cook Islands—Visitor arrivals grew 25.2% in February compared to last year’s figures for the same month.
Of the 5,078 February visitors, primarily to the islands of Rarotonga and Aitutaki, 41% came from Europe, 16.9% from Canada and 13.8% from New Zealand.
