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PACIFIC BRIEFS
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Posted on Jan 22 2001
Pro-independence leader hospitalized
JAKARTA, Indonesia (PIR) — A jailed pro-independence leader in the Indonesian province of West Papua was taken from his cell and rushed to the hospital to undergo surgery for heart and prostate problems.
The official Antara news agency said Chief Theys Eluay will be evacuated to the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, if his condition deteriorates.
Eluay and four other leaders of the pro-independence Papua Praesidium have been under police custody since December.
Police are preparing charges of subversion against them for advocating a split from Indonesia.
Black pearl disease in Cooks
RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (PIR) — A disease outbreak in Manihiki lagoon is threatening the production of black pearls, the Cook Islands’ second largest export.
Pearl farmers lost about 13 percent of their seeded oyster stock and about 30 percent of their pre-seeded stock to the bacteria outbreak.
Biologists say the disease occurred as a result of dry weather conditions and sloppy farming practices.
It will take two years for the pearl farmers to recover, industry officials said.
Starkist Samoa reduces workweek
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (PIR) — StarKist Samoa, the territory’s largest private employer, reduced the company’s workweek for more than 2,100 employees on the production line.
StarKist Samoa’s General Manager Phil Thirkell said the change from five days a week to only four days is necessary to balance out the cannery’s production and sales levels.
The shorter workweek is expected to last until later next month.
Vegetable shortage from Cooks flood
RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (PIR) — A food shortage from floods last week have left residents paying higher prices for some vegetables.
Agriculture Undersecretary Robert Wigmore said a chronic shortage of locally grown vegetables will continue over the next three months, depending on the weather.
The government has offered local growers an assistance package to help rebuild their farms.
