PACIFIC BRIEFS

Three killed in PNG tribal violence

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea -Three people have been killed and three others injured in tribal violence in the Papua New Guinea highlands.

Police investigating the crimes, who also came under attack, said tribesmen near Gumini in Chimbu province used bush knives, axes, guns and bows and arrows to attack people they suspected of practicing witchcraft.

Deputy Police Commissioner Sam Inguba said senseless violence appears to becoming the norm in Papua New Guinea.

Majuro hospital hopes to cut Hawaii referrals

MAJURO, Marshall Islands – Majuro Hospital officials have begun implementing a plan to purchase upgraded laboratory equipment in an effort to reduce the need for medical referrals to Hawai’i.

Health statistics indicate that the off-island medical referral bill has risen to an average of about $300,000 each month, or about $3.6 million for the year. Most of the expenditures go to Hawai’i hospitals, the Marshall Islands Journal reported.

Hospital administrator Sandy Alfred said, “We’re taking serious steps to improve services here. We are hoping for adequate funding in our fiscal year 2001 budget to support needed equipment purchases.”

Solomon’s prosecutors concerned about safety

HONIARA, Solomon Islands – Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Ronald Talasasa has told reporters that government prosecutors cannot carry out their jobs effectively because of fears over their personal safety.

He said he has been assaulted in the street and that the director of the department has taken indefinite leave from his post after being threatened in his office.

Talasasa said it will not be possible to enforce the law in the Solomon Islands until there is an end to the conflict between rival militia from Guadalcanal and Malaita islands.

Turtles to shed light on Pacific migration

SAN DIEGO, California – Three sea turtles outfitted with transmitters have been released into the ocean from Sea World marine park to research their migration throughout the Pacific.

The Pacific loggerheads, expected to head west to nesting grounds in Japan, have lived at the park for more than twenty years.

Each turtle, weighing 250 pounds and believed to be 35 to 42 years old, carries a small tracking device on its shell. It will give continuous information about the turtle’s location and the temperature of the water.

Fiji is pressured by Australia

SUVA, Fiji Islands – The interim government has given in to pressure from Australia to reduce its two-year election timetable to return to democratic government following the May 19 coup.

With Fiji’s multi-million dollar garment industry close to collapse, the administration is reviewing the reform timetable and may reduce it to 18 months, according to a Cabinet spokesperson.

If the two-year timetable is not reduced, Canberra has threatened to eliminate preferential access for Fiji-made garment exports to Australia.