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Posted on Nov 26 1999
Fiji OKs troops to East Timor
SUVA, Fiji Islands — The government has approved the deployment of 190 soldiers to East Timor as part of an international peacekeeping force established after the Indonesian province voted overwhelmingly for independence last August.
The Fiji deployment, made possible with Australian funding, will cost about $5 million.
The international force in East Timor now numbers 9,400. The participants come from 19 different countries.
Nauru leader in Taiwan
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Nauru President Rene Harris has been welcomed in Taiwan with full military honors, including a 21-gun salute.
Taiwan President Lee Teng-Hui said the two leaders will discuss international relations and other matters of mutual concern during Harris’ week-long official visit.
The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1980.
China lends $3M for 2003 SPG games
SUVA, Fiji Islands — China has agreed to provide the Fiji government with a $3 million no-interest loan to construct a multi-purpose stadium for the 2003 South Pacific Games.
Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and People’s Republic of China ambassador Chen Zing Hua signed the agreement Tuesday.
Chaudhry said the stadium will not only be used for the 2003 games and other sporting events, but also for trade exhibitions and university functions.
Fiji garment’s earnings to surpass sugar
SUVA, Fiji Islands — Garment export earnings are expected to surpass those of sugar this year, with projected earnings of a record $138.5 million.
Commerce Minister Anup Kumar said this would be the first time any product had displaced sugar as Fiji’s most important export.
Kumar also said the garment industry’s achievement will propel 1999 economic growth by 7.8 percent.
A weakening of the Euro dollar by more than 10 percent and an oversupply of sugar on the world market have adversely affected Fiji sugar earnings. (Pacific Islands Report)
