Previous Story
PACIFIC BRIEFS
|
Posted on Mar 05 2001
Fiji Great Council Of Chiefs to meet next week
SUVA, Fiji (PIR) — The Great Council of Chiefs will meet Thursday to discuss last week’s Fiji Court of Appeal ruling that declared the interim government illegal.
Fijian Affairs Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and Great Council of Chiefs chairman Major General Sitiveni Rabuka will decide on the agenda.
The council will possibly look at officially appointing acting President Ratu Josefa as the nation’s president.
The court dismissed an appeal by the interim government, which contends the 1997 Constitution was abrogated following last year’s coup attempt.
Pohnpei seeks to lift food ban
KOROR, Pohnpei (PIR) — Health officials are pushing to have the island’s ban on exporting food lifted now that Pohnpei has been declared cholera free.
Pohnpei, an island in the Federated States of Micronesia, has battled an outbreak of cholera since April.
About 3,800 people were diagnosed with the disease and 20 people died.
Officials are reviewing the request and a decision is expected to be made soon.
Disease outbreak cost Manihiki Pearl Farms millions
AVARUA, Cook Islands (PIR) — Last year’s disease outbreak that caused the deaths of young oysters at the Manihiki pearl farms in the outer Cook Islands is expected to cost the industry $ 34 million dollars in loss revenue.
Ben Ponia, an aquaculture specialist in Nouméa, said it will take five years before the industry recovers to normal production levels.
Ponia proposed a grid system last year for Manihiki lagoon to allow better regulation and monitoring of pearl farms.
Under this system, growers would be able to farm as many as four million pearls, which is far more than the current level.
