PACIFIC BRIEFS
Motion of no
confidence in Fiji PM
SUVA, Fiji Islands—A motion of no confidence in Mahendra Chaudhry, who has been prime minister since May, has been filed in Parliament by deputy opposition leader David Pickering.
It focuses on objections to government efforts to amend the Land Transport Act and legalize the operation of mini-buses in the country.
A daylong strike last Monday by workers opposed to the move paralyzed public transportation throughout the main island of Viti Levu.
The no confidence motion against Chaudhry is expected to be formally introduced inthe Parliament next Wednesday.
Upgrade of military
in Pacific pushed
HAGATNA, Guam—During a visit to Guam and Saipan this week, Senator Thomas Harkin (D-Iowa) suggested that the U.S. consider boosting its military presence in the western Pacific in an effort to stem the flow of illegal immigrants from China.
Harkin also recommended that illegal aliens who arrive in Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands be repatriated immediately to discourage the arrival of additional boat people.
More than 500 illegal aliens have turned up in the area since last April, including 151 on Tinian island last Monday.
Pilot fatigue likely
cause Air Fiji crash
SUVA, Fiji Islands—Pilot fatigue is suspected as the likely cause of last month’s air crash on Viti Levu that killed all 17 persons aboard, according to a government report.
The inquiry, conducted by the Australian Bureau of Air Safety, found that the plane hit a tree while cruising at an unacceptably low altitude.
The report includes evidence that the captain did not receive adequate rest before reporting for duty for the early morning flight from Suva to Nadi.
Primary schools open
in Wallis and Futuna
MATA’UTU, Wallis—Primary schools in the French territory of Wallis and Futuna have reopened after a seven-week strike by teachers over pay scale.
During the strike, students continued to go to school, with parents and recent graduates replacing professional teachers.
The King of Wallis, Lavelua Tomasi Kulimoetoke, and traditional chiefs successfully mediated the conflict.
