Previous Story
Pacific Briefs
|
Posted on Oct 24 2000
Earthquake shakes irian Jaya
JAKARTA, Indonesia — A magnitude 4.8 earthquake shook Irian Jaya province on the western half of New Guinea Island Sunday, the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency announced.
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from the temblor centered about 28 miles west of the provincial capital, Jayapura.
New Guinea Island is prone to seismic upheavals because of its location on the so-called Pacific “Ring of Fire.”
Trace VX chemicals found on Johnston island
JOHNSTON ISLAND — Several individuals at the Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JCADS) were sent for precautionary testing Friday aftertrace amounts of nerve agent VX were found in the facility’s deactivation furnace system.
Initial analysis indicated a very low level of VX in the particulate, but precautionary testing of personnel was conducted nonetheless. Blood analysis of the individuals involved showed no exposure to VX.
There was no release of contamination above airborne exposure limits.
Processing will not resume until a thorough engineering review of JCADS is completed, officials said.
New Caledonia’s TV and radio silenced
NOUMÉA, New Caledonia — All radio and television broadcasts ceased Saturday, after union picketers barred access to the premises before planned intensive, special coverage of the 8th Pacific Festival of the Arts.
Banners and painted signs on nearby walls said “No To Injustices.”
Director of the stations, Alain le Garrec, said the conflict results from union demands that some of its members be promoted, a position management has rejected.
The stations had planned to provide extensive coverage of the 8th Festival of Pacific Arts, due to open Monday and last eleven days. (Pacific Islands Report)
