Previous Story
PACIFIC NOTES
|
Posted on May 14 1999
Coast Guard searches for missing fisherman
A Coast Guard C-130 airplane from Air Station Barbers Point departed yesterday for the Republic of Marshall Islands to begin a search for a fishermen missing since 11 p.m. yesterday.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Center here received notification at about 4 a.m. that a 33-year-old man was believed to have fallen overboard the fishing boat Shinpukumaru No. 8.
Four other fishing vessels are searching in an area, 257 miles northeast of Kwajalein, where the man was last seen.
The Republic of Marshall Islands is located approximately 1,870 miles southwest of the Hawaiian Islands.
Chinese leader in Kiribati
HONOLULU, Hawaii (May 12, 1999/Hulsen)—Kiribati’s Vice President and Minister of Home Affairs and Rural Development Tewareka Tentoa met with Chinese President Jiang Zemin in Beijing Tuesday to further strengthen the 19-year diplomatic ties.
Jiang said Kiribati is rich in fishing resources and Chinese products are popular among the Kiribati people, demonstrating that the two economies are complementary.
The state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that the Chinese leader hosted a reception for Tentoa at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
Jiang noted that the Chinese government had assisted Kiribati in developing several projects during the past two decades. He said it was evident that the projects had produced good economic benefits.
Niue creates advisor to cabinet post
HONOLULU, Hawaii (May 12, 1999/Hulsen)—The Government of Niue is establishing the position of adviser to the Cabinet whose task is to draw up policy analysis for Premier Sani Lakatani and his ministers.
In making the official announcement, Lakatani said the adviser’s responsibilities also will include informing all sectors of the Niuean community about the government’s activities in order to ensure transparency and full accountability of the government to the people.
The role of the adviser to the Cabinet is crucial in providing alternative views on policy proposals and recommend initiatives to be taken by ministers and their departments.
TalaNet News reports that former Secretary to Government Terry Chapman, who held that position between 1974 and 1993, is expected to assume the new post.
