FLASHBACK January 21, 1999-2002

CNMI upbeat on talks[/B] Meetings between the Northern Marianas and the United States continued yesterday with discussions focusing on reforms put in place by the Commonwealth to improve its immigration, labor and customs policies. Negotiators from both governments spent the whole morning of the second day of informal talks exchanging views while Labor and Immigration Secretary Mark D. Zachares briefed Washington officials about the efforts being undertaken by the local government to curb entry of guest workers and address labor problems The continued dependence of the island economy on guest workers is troubling the US, the commonwealth’s main economic provider, because of a host of problems spawned by employing non-residents.
[B] Japan travels may edge slightly up[/B] The largest travel wholesaler in Japan has projected a 0.1 percent increase in overseas Japanese travel for this year compared to 1998 brought about by the expected strong demand from family and middle age group travelers who were apparently less affected by the recession. Japan Travel Bureau Inc., estimates domestic travel to increase by 0.5 percent or a total of 320,320,000 over the previous year. JTB has two affiliate agencies operating in the Northern Marianas—Pacific Micronesia Inc. and Tasi Tours. This year, Tasi Tours projects a 10 percent drop in tourist haul from Japan this year compared to 1998 as consumers remain gloomy because of the ongoing recession.
[B] JANUARY 21, 2000

Superior Court orders Kara to step down[/B] The Superior Court yesterday ordered Acting Attorney General Maya B. Kara to give up her post because her continued stay in office is a violation of the CNMI Constitution. In a 25-page decision, Judge Pro Tem Joaquin V. E. Manibusan Jr. asked Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to immediately appoint an AGO with the advice and consent of the Senate. The court emphasized that the governor has no authority to appoint an Acting Attorney General. However, Tenorio may appoint a nominee to the position of the Attorney General who shall either be confirmed or rejected by the Senate within the allotted time period.
[B] Fitial to press for tax cuts, repeal of anti-business laws[/B] In a bid to promote an attractive business atmosphere on the island, House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial yesterday vowed to pursue a package of economic reforms, including tax cuts and repeal of laws deemed impediment to enticing both local and foreign investors. He called for support of the business community and the public to carry out these reforms which he said are necessary to ensure economic growth for the Northern Marianas amid threats of federal takeover. Speaking before a meeting of the CNMI Bar Association, Mr. Fitial said the House of Representatives will conduct public hearings and consult with government officials, business leaders and other experts in laying down the plan.
[B] JANUARY 21, 2002

Babauta sets sight on 1M tourists[/B] Gov. Juan N. Babauta has set for himself the tough task of bringing tourist arrivals in the Commonwealth back up to 700,000 yearly within four years through aggressive marketing.

The new Governor made this vow during a speech he delivered at the Installation Dinner of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce Friday night. Playing on the acronym of the Marianas Visitors Authority, Babauta said that, by marketing very aggressively, the end of his four-year term will see visitor arrival numbers back up to 700,000 “and on their way to one million.” Recent data obtained from the MVA estimates that around 400,000 tourists visited the CNMI last year.
[B] It’s a cloud, it’s a mist. No, it’s dust in Tanapag[/B] Huge clouds of dust that appeared like grey smoke billowing from the machine being used to treat the PCB-laced soil in Tanapag continue to plague residents in the area, despite an earlier promise by the machine’s operator to resolve the problem. This came even as the proof of performance test that was supposed to be conducted on the treated soil was postponed anew due to maintenance problems. Project engineer Allen Beaudin said they decided to postpone the scheduled proof of performance test for the indirect thermal desorption treated soil due to a broken hose on the machine.