Pacific Region News

First woman to head Pacific Community

PAPEETE, French Polynesia—The 27-member Pacific Community has elected Lourdes Pangelinan of Guam as the first woman to head the 50-year old regional organization, previously known as the South Pacific Commission.

After two and a half hours of closed door debate, Pacific presidents, prime ministers and other delegates attending the group’s annual meeting announced Pangelinan was their choice to replace retiring director general Dr. Robert Dun of Australia.

Before becoming Pacific Community deputy director in 1994, Pangelinan was chief of staff for former Guam governor Joseph Ada.

Samoa’s sports czar quits

APIA, Samoa—Seiuli Paul Wallwork has resigned as President of Samoa’s Sports Federation and National Olympic Committee.

The resignation comes a year after his expulsion from the International Olympic Committee.

Wallwork was expelled after an IOC investigation found that his wife had borrowed $30,000 from a member of the Salt Lake City Bid Committee.

Radio Australia reports that the pressure on Wallwork to resign came from within the Federation itself.

American Samoa churches oppose casino

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa—The dominant Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa has expressed strong objection to a proposal to introduce casino gambling in the territory.

In a letter to the American Samoa Fono (legislature) church leaders said they are against the pending gambling legislation.

At the same time, American Samoan Catholic Bishop Quinn Weitzel called gambling “a new cancer” which would disrupt family life and funnel limited family income into the pockets of casino owners.

Bishop Quinn said he also has written to the National Council of Churches urging members to “Say No” to the plan.

PNG seeks more trade with Indonesia

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta has recommended an increase in business and trade with Indonesia.

During a Joint Border Committee meeting in the capital, he said that despite the fact that bilateral relations have existed between the two countries for more than 25 years business activities have not grown.

He said officials should consider entering into joint venture investments to take advantage of the geographic closeness of the two countries.