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Pacific Region News
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Posted on Mar 01 2000
Nauru, U.S. talk about money laundering
SUVA, Fiji Islands—A U.S. government official is to meet with Nauru President Rene Harris to discuss the republic’s money laundering concerns, Fiji Islands Business reports.
The U.S. official is also expected to offer technical help so Nauru can avoid criminal exploitation of its offshore banking center.
Nauru, along with Vanuatu and Palau, was blacklisted by some international banks as places with which they won’t conduct American dollar denominated payments.
Nauru has been accused of laundering Russian Mafia and South American drug cartel money.
Taiwan, PNG renew fishery pact
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—Taiwan and Papua New Guinea have renewed a fishery agreement that would allow a resumption of Taiwanese commercial fishing of skipjack tuna and other fish in PNG’s fishing grounds.
After a two-year break, the agreement was formally signed by Papua New Guinea’s Fishery and Resources Minister Ron Ganarafo and Wu Chuan-hu, a board member of the Taiwan Deep Sea Tuna Boat Owners and Exporters
Association.
Under the renewed pact, PNG allows Taiwanese fishing boats access to its fishing grounds with no operational restrictions or quota limits for a cost of about $120,000 per vessel per year.
Taiwan considers PNG one of the most important fishing grounds in the region.
Senator threatens to sue Samoa gov’t
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa—Senator Tuilefano Vaelaa said he is considering filing a class action lawsuit against the government for the non-payment of tax returns and various payroll deductions.
Senator Vaelaa said he has received calls from concerned citizens saying they have lost credit ratings with their banks and have lost a lot of money because the government is behind in making tax return payments.
Lt. Gov. Togiola Tulafono said he regrets any financial problems to taxpayers and have assured them that the government is working to address the problems in order to avoid a lawsuit. (Pacific Islands Report)
