FLASHBACK

MAY 24, 2006

MVA SCRAMBLES TO KEEP JAL

The Marianas Visitors Authority is determined to pull a few strings to keep Japan Airlines flying to Saipan. In an emergency meeting yesterday, the MVA board of directors urged the Governor’s Office to lead a delegation of CNMI government officials and tourism industry leaders to Tokyo to plead the Commonwealth’s case to JAL officials and, if possible, the Japanese government. The board also asked the governor to enlist the help of the U.S. Embassy, particularly the United States’ commercial attaché in Japan.

ADVANCE TEAM ON ISLAND FOR IMPERIAL VISIT

A 23-member advance team from the Japanese government and a separate team from the U.S. State Department arrived yesterday to conduct an onsite inspection of the island for the upcoming visit of Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. The Japanese team was headed by Yutaka Kawashima, imperial couple agency grandmaster of ceremonies, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs chief of protocol Minoru Shibuya. Other members are from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and National Police Agency.

MAY 24, 2004

‘WAGE BILL MAY LEAD TO TAKEOVER TRY’

Any attempt to increase the CNMI minimum wage level-may it be local or federal-would spell economic disaster to the already eroding economy of the Northern Marianas. In fact, to tamper with the existing minimum wage law is an attempt to tinker with the U.S.-CNMI Covenant and could open the floodgates for another attempt by the federal government to take over control of immigration in the Commonwealth. House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial stressed this yesterday, saying that S. 2370 as introduced by U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy and H.R. 4256 as introduced by U.S. Rep. George Miller would have a damaging impact on the CNMI economy, just when the apparel industry is on the verge of collapse.

CNMI’S HOMELAND SECURITY PLAN OK’D

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security approved on May 7 the CNMI’s Homeland Security Plan, paving the way for the release of $5.8 million that would be used to strengthen the Northern Marianas’ security measures. Emergency Management Office director Rudy Pua disclosed Sunday that the approval letter from the Office of Domestic Preparedness informing the CNMI government of its approval was received Friday. Pua said the decision came out on May 7 but official notification was received only last week.

MAY 24, 2003

CLOUD OF ASH COVERS ISLANDS

The erupting volcano on Anatahan continued to emit thick plume of ashes that reached as far as Guam, prompting airline companies to cancel several flights to and from the Saipan and Guam international airports. Continental Airlines cancelled six of its scheduled flights yesterday, according to the air carrier’s Saipan manager, Ivan Quichocho. These include flights 979, 974, 943, 945, 967 and 909. Quichocho said three of these flights serve the Guam-Saipan route, while another three were headed to Guam from the Saipan International Airport. One of the outbound flights was supposed to leave for Japan.

MPLA: BILL DELAYS LAND COMPENSATION

The payment of landowners would be further delayed pending the passage of legislation that affects the law authorizing a $40-million debt for land compensation purposes. The proposed measure, House Bill 13-278, which aims to fully fund the Commonwealth Prison Project by appropriating from interest income from bond issuance worth $5.9, seeks to authorize the use of any available funds to provide an alternative interim funding sources, including the Land Compensation Law or Public Law 13-17 as amended.

MAY 24, 2002

FERRY OPERATIONS SUSPENDED

Tinian Shipping and Transportation, Inc. suspended ferry operations between Saipan and Tinian yesterday, following an order issued by the United States District Court. The decision, handed down by District Court Judge Alex R. Munson on May 22, ordered Tinian Shipping to resolve the outstanding balance of $653,836 as demanded by the complainant, Hong Kong-based World Fame Shipping. The complainant was represented by Arriola, Cowan, and Arriola Law Firm of Guam.