Pacific Briefs

Ethnic tensions affect Pacific security

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Internal ethnic tensions regarded as too sensitive to discuss in public are the biggest security threat facing Pacific nations, according to a report written for leaders attending the Pacific Islands Forum summit in Kiribati.

Without naming names, the report, a leaked copy of which was obtained by the Agence France-Presse news agency, also warned that Pacific leaders using their office for personal gain is an important source of insecurity.

“Unless political leaders set a good example, and are dealt with like any other citizen crime and insecurity” will escalate, the report said.

The report was distributed to the 16 presidents and prime ministers of the Pacific Islands Forum, who met in Kiribati over the weekend.

Ms. American Samoa crowned Ms. South Pacific

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa — Miss American Samoa, Helen Afatasi Burke, 19, was crowned the new Miss South Pacific 2000/2001 last Thursday night.

Ms. Burke, a student at the University of Portland last year, took a year off from her off-island studies to fulfill her duties as Miss American Samoa and will now also serve as Miss South Pacific.

First Runner Up is Miss Samoa, Petra May Suhren, 22. She is a professional auditor and graduated from La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia.

Second Runner Up, Miss Hawaii Samoa, Ms. Vaneta April Moea’i, 24, is a student at Brigham Young University-Hawaii.

Conference aims to save Micronesian birds

HAGATNA, Guam — Bird conservation experts will meet this week in an effort to end the threat against several Micronesian birds facing extinction.

Seven species, including the endemic Micronesian kingfisher and the Mariana Crow, are extinct in the wild.

Their numbers continue to dwindle as a result of attacks from brown tree snakes, other predators and habitat modification.

At least half a dozen other Micronesian species are endangered, or under threat, according to a Threatened Birds of the World report.

Marshalls owes Social Security millions

MAJURO, Marshall Islands — Businesses and government agencies owe the Social Security Administration an estimated $7 million in unpaid tax contributions, administrator Saane K. Aho told the Marshall Islands Journal.

About 330 separate entities in Majuro and Ebeye are currently delinquent, he said.

An aggressive collection scheme involving the use of four short-term payment plans with varying rates of interest and time frames has been implemented,” Aho said, and already has resulted in payments of over $200,000.”

Further delinquencies, he said will result in legal action to recover the taxes.

Fiji president retains authority overseas

SUVA, Fiji Islands—Fiji’s vice president will not become acting president when President Ratu Josefa Iloilo leaves for 17 days of medical treatment in Australia this week.

The media earlier reported that senior army officers were not comfortable with Vice President Ratu Jope Seniloli becoming the acting head of state due to his alleged role in the May 19 coup.

A government decree, which was adopted following the abrogation of the country’s 1997 constitution, does not provide for the vice president or any other person to act in the absence of the president. (Pacific Islands Report)