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PACIFIC BRIEFS
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Posted on Aug 19 1999
Chemical warfare agent found in Guam
HONOLULU, Hawaii (Hulsen)—Contaminated canisters of World War Two mustard gas agent unearthed on Guam last month may be shipped to Johnston Atoll for destruction.
The atoll’s main island, located near Hawaii, houses JACADS, the U.S. Army’s Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System.
Army Corps of Engineers Project Manger Helen Takemoto said approval to transport the high-risk canisters from Andersen Air Force Base on Guam to Johnston awaits final okay from Guam Gov. Carl Gutierrez, Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayatano and the U.S. Congress.
She said shipping the canisters to Johnson Atoll could take place as early as next month.
Meantime, officials are continuing to negotiate with the owner of the private property where the chemical warfare canisters were found for full access to the Maite area site. Military personnel expect further investigation may unearth more chemical agent canisters and weaponry.
Palau president signs three laws
HONOLULU, Hawaii (Hulsen)—Palau President Kuniwo Nakamura has signed into law three bills recently passed by the Palau legislature, the Olbiil Era Kelulau.
The new laws pertain to ethics in government, the control of hazardous waste and the establishment of a cancer registry.
Nakamura said the ethics law, which establishes a code of conduct for legislators, is meant to reassure the citizens of Palau of the “integrity of their electoral system” and the “honesty of their government.”
The hazardous product liability law provides for the control of dangerous waste materials while the cancer registry is designed to help control the disease in Palau and improve medical services for those suffering from it.
