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Pacific Region News
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Posted on Nov 11 1999
Huge gas deposits found off New Caledonia
NOUMEA, New Caledonia— French researchers have found what they believe to be the world’s largest deposit of natural gas.
Located 145 miles off the western coast of New Caledonia, the gas deposit covers 32,000 square miles at an ocean depth of approximately 2,000 feet.
The scientists, aboard a research vessel, currently are testing the ocean floor for additional mineral deposits.
Marshall Islands to acquire new planes
MAJURO, Marshall Islands—Government-owned Air Marshall Islands will take delivery of a new 36-seat Dornier aircraft from Germany before the end of the year, with a second acquisition planned for 2000.
In preparation for the fleet modernization project, the government will pave most of the country’s 23 outer island airstrips.
Funding for the project is being provided by Taiwan.
Tonga worried over drop in squash pumpkin prices
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga—Both farmers and government officials are concerned about the falling price of squash pumpkin, which is among the kingdom’s larger revenue earners.
Exporters have informed local growers that they will be paying less for the produce compared to prices announced at the beginning of the growing season.
There also is concern that with no quota limit, the primary Japanese market will be flooded, forcing a further price decrease.
Villagers throw AIDS victims into Wahgi River
KEROWAGI, Papua New Guinea—Three AIDS victims thrown into the Wahgi River in Chimbu province last week are believed to have died. One death has been confirmed.
A local Catholic church representative said the victims, two men and a woman, were thrown alive into the rapidly running river by relatives following a village meeting that resolved to carry out the killings.
“We can’t do much because the villagers are not cooperating with us,” a senior police officer said.
He said several youths allegedly took the three terminally sick people from their homes on stretchers on the pretext of transferring them to another village and dumped them in the river.
