Pacific Region News

American Samoa’s population growth hits 2.7 percent

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa—Overpopulation is the most serious environmental concern facing the U.S. South Pacific territory, according to a study conducted by local scientist Peter Craig.

The territory’s limited land resources cannot sustain an annual population growth rate of 2.7 percent, he said.

The current estimated population is 65,000, up almost 1,800 since last year.

Craig identified over fishing as another pressing environmental concern.

Irian Jaya police apologizes for shootings

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya, Indonesia—Irian Jaya police chief Brigadier-General S. Y. Wenas has sent a team to Timika to investigate Thursday’s shooting of protesters trying to stop the lowering of a separatist Morning Star flag.

Initial reports indicated there were 28 injuries. A tribal activist in the remote far eastern town said at least five people had been shot.

Brigadier Wenas said the shootings should not have happened, apologized and pledged to bring before a military court officers found to have opened fire.

Hundreds of protesters demanding independence for Irian Jaya have staged another rally at a Catholic church in Timika.

Human rights activists says 56 people were injured Thursday when police opened fire to disperse about 2,000 demonstrators who were preventing them from lowering a rebel Morning Star flag flying in the church courtyard.

Police have acknowledged they fired shots into the air but said nobody was hit. Dozens of people were trampled upon when the crowd panicked and fled from the compound.

Pedophile jailed

MATA’UTU, Wallis and Futuna—A 21-year-old man has been found guilty of raping six children living in his neighborhood.

A 10-person jury heard that he had sexual intercourse “several times a week” with the children over an extended period.

Psychiatrists told the court the children had been traumatized and suffered behavioral problems.

The young man, whose name was not revealed, was sentenced to 15 years in a New Caledonia prison. Wallis and Futuna does not have jail facilities for serious offenders.

Amend laws on rape

APIA, Samoa—Assistant Attorney General Suzanne Tiapula wants a local law changed to permit wives raped by their husbands to be able to file charges against them.

She said that under current law rape is committed only if a person has sexual intercourse with another person “to whom he is not married.”

Tiapula, who spent three years as a prosecutor of child abuse and domestic violence cases in the Honolulu District Attorney’s office, said the law is archaic and needs to be changed.

Palau signs aviation agreement with Taiwan

KOROR, Palau—Taiwan and Palau have signed a new aviation agreement designed to facilitate trade and tourism development between the two western Pacific countries.

Palau President Kuniwo Nakamura said the accord allows four scheduled roundtrips a week on the Koror-Taipei route.

Taiwan’s Far East Air Transport Co. has provided charter service to Koror since April 1997.

Maori group warns diplomat in New Zealand

WELLINGTON, New Zealand—Police are investigating letters sent by a Maori sovereignty group alerting foreign diplomats to a possible uprising.

The Confederation of Chiefs of the United Tribes of Aotearoa notified 67 embassies and consulates that it could not assure security for the diplomats, when demonstrations take place.

Aotearoa (Land of the Long White Cloud) is a Maori word for New Zealand.

Balanced budget for Solomons

HONIARA, Solomon Islands—Finance Minister Alpha Kimata has presented Parliament with a year 2000 balanced government budget.

Kimata said $78.9 million is designated for operations and $5.97 million for capital and development projects.

The World Bank and Asian Development Bank will provide some funding next year, but for investment purposes only, he said. (Pacific Islands Report)