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Pacific Briefs
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Posted on Nov 12 1999
PNG hails $300M int’l aid
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta has hailed the government’s new $300 million international financial aid package as “a vote of confidence” in his government and its reform programs.
The funding announced Tuesday is being provided by the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and several donor nations termed “The Friends of PNG,” including the United States.
Morauta said the funding “tells the people of PNG that there is at last some hope of an end to the terrible times they have gone through because of the corruption, economic mismanagement and incompetence of previous administrations.”
Fiji to limit sale of fireworks
SUVA, Fiji Islands–Commerce Minister Anup Kumar said the government is considering imposing limits on the sale of fireworks, following the decapitation of a 14-year-old student.
Jainesh Bhika died instantly when he lighted a firecracker as big as a soccer ball and it exploded in his face during the Hindu Diwali Festival last weekend.
“I will seriously look into some kind on control on the sale and use of fireworks,” Mr. Kumar warned. “There has to be some limit put on the types of fireworks, where they can be used and age limits.”
Change in gov’t averted
RAROTONGA, Cook Islands—An effort to provide a smooth transition from the government of Prime Minister Dr. Joe Williams to opposition leader Dr. Terepai Moate next week has ended in failure.
Williams has led a minority government for the past several weeks, following his dismissal of two Cabinet ministers. As a result, he was expected to lose a planned motion of no confidence when Parliament resumes sessions November 17.
Now, however, he has filled the positions, apparently in an attempt to gain additional support and remain in office.
First Tahitian opera opens
PAPEETE, French Caledonia—The first opera in the Reo Maohi (Tahitian) language has opened at the Cultural Center of Papeete.
The opera, about preserving the Polynesian culture, was written by Tahitian librettist Gaby Gavallo, with music composed by French composer Benoît Dantin. (Pacific Islands Report)
