PACIFIC BRIEFS

Marshalls wants Peace Corps back

MAJURO, Marshall Islands (PIR) — A “very serious” effort is being made to bring the United States Peace Corps back to the Marshall Islands, according to new US Ambassador Michael Senko.

After being in the Marshalls for more than 25 years starting in the late 1960s, the program was terminated in the mid-1990s. At the time, officials said it was cut back because of budget constraints. However, the Peace Corps continues to provide volunteers to neighboring Kiribati, the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau.

“I know the Marshall Islands government would like the program back,” Senko said.

Samoa opposition party claims majority

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (PIR) — The opposition Samoa National Development Party and the United Independents have join forces and say they have enough members to form the next government of Samoa, following the March 2 general election.

SNDP leader Tuiatua Tupu Tamasese Efi told reporters Saturday, that the coalition now has 27 seats in the 49-seat parliament.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, however, has disputed the claim, saying that his party, with independents, already has a majority of 28 members and will form the next government,

The Samoa election office now is recounting all ballots. Some of the results are expected to be contested in the Samoa Supreme Court.

New elections possible in Fiji

SUVA, Fiji Islands (PIR) — Fiji could face a new national election within five months.

The election would be held under provisions of the reinstated 1997 constitution if acting President Ratu Josefa Iloilo agrees to an option put to the Great Council of Chiefs by the interim government.

Under the proposal the interim government, declared illegal by the Fiji Court of Appeal at the beginning of the month, would carry on running the country until the election takes place.

New Honolulu-Pago Pago flight

HONOLULU, Hawaii (PIR) — Hawaiian Airlines will add a third weekly Honolulu-Pago Pago roundtrip flight for the busy summer travel season.

Spokesperson Keoni Wagner said the new service will operate on Thursdays, beginning June 7. It will end September 6.

Last year summer traffic between Hawai’i and American Samoa was so heavy that it resulted in a mail backlog and passengers waiting for seats both in Honolulu and Pago Pago.