Pacific Islands Report

Fijian march for rights

SUVA, Fiji Islands—About 3,000 members of the indigenous Taukei Movement, some dressed as Fijian warriors carrying war clubs, marched in protest from the capital’s Flea Market to the Suva Civic Auditorium grounds Saturday.

The group sought support for the preservation of indigenous Fijian rights and the ouster of the Indo-Fijian led government of Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.

About 150 police officers were deployed along the streets to keep peace between the group and bystanders.

Safty guaranteed for Olympic torch

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—Government officials are guaranteeing the safety of runners carrying the Olympic Torch along the Kokoda Trail on May 27.

The Kokoda Trail, made famous during World War II battles between Japanese and allied soldiers, has recently been the site of muggings on tourists, particularly from New Zealand and Australia.

However, Central province Governor Opa Taureka has assured Olympic organizers that police have developed a security plan to assure the safety of the runners and spectators.

Kokoda landowners recently demanded that Olympic Games 2000 organizers pay $1.2 million for use of the trail.

Cricket players protest beer ad

NOUMEA, New Caledonia—About 250 members of the New Caledonian Traditional Cricket League protested at a local brewery against a commercial associating beer with women’s traditional cricket.

Ads for the beer, which bears the woman’s name of Adèle, show a Kanak woman playing traditional cricket.

Protesters from 20 local cricket clubs dressed in their team outfits organized a march to express their anger over the advertising’s association of alcohol and cricket.

Despite the beer company’s promise to remove the picture from all beer packaging, cricket league members say they intend to take the matter to court.

Guam toxic waste probed

HAGATNA, Guam—The Guam Environmental Protection Agency is continuing to investigate the discovery of drums containing possible hazardous materials on Chamorro Land Trust Commission property in Dededo.

According to GEPA, the drums sit over Guam’s sole source aquifer, which is less than half a mile from water producing wells.

GEPA officials visited the site and assessed the scope of work to be done by environmental contractors.

The agency said any clean up costs would be the responsibility of the violator.

A spokeswoman said solid waste carries a fine of up to $1,000 per day per violation and hazardous waste up to $10,000 per violation. (Pacific Islands Report)