Previous Story
Pacific Islands Report
|
Posted on Apr 24 2000
Samoa Cabinet withdraws support for games
APIA, Samoa—A special cabinet meeting has recommended that the government withdraw its support for the Samoa games.
The event, designed to bring together the country’s top athletes and regional competitors, was planned for May 10 in the capital Apia.
In a unanimous decision, the Samoan cabinet distanced itself from the event and expressed concern about a feud between Samoan sports administrators.
Three Olympic qualifying events in weightlifting, boxing and wrestling that were to have been part of the competition will now be moved to alternate venues.
Scientists to study bird colony
WELLINGTON, New Zealand—Environmentalists are hoping the work of a New Zealand scientist will lead to better protection of bird colonies on the isolated island of Suwarrow, a nesting grown for one million sooty terns and frigate birds.
The island is recognized as being the most important seabird breeding site in the central South Pacific.
Ethnobiologist Rhys Jones will visit Suwarrow later this year to collect data on seabird populations, including the rare bristle thigh curlew, which flies from Alaska once a year during the summer.
Solomons peacekeepers receive assistance
HONIARA, Solomon Islands—Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific Island nations will be asked to contribute police officers to the international police team in Solomon Islands.
The 12-member, mainly Fijian team has been in the Solomons for six months and will now stay for another three months.
But the national government wants a larger team from a wider variety of countries and with a stronger mandate.
Prime Minister Ulufa’alu is known to have suggested approaching Cuba, but talks with diplomats appear to have convinced him otherwise.
