Pacific Region News

Japanese whalers attack Greenpeace activists

MELBOURNE, Australia — Japanese whalers in the far South Pacific have fired high-pressure hoses on activists in small inflatable boats in an effort to drive them away.

The incident occurred Sunday night when protesters from the international environmental organization attempted to interrupt whaling activities
southwest of Perth.

The Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise has been following the Japanese fleet for two weeks in an attempt to stop the whaling, which it says is illegal.

Two Samoas want joint law enforcement

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa –- A recently signed agreement between the territory and neighboring independent Samoa calls for the development of cooperative procedures in a wide range of law enforcement areas.

Included in the proposal, signed by Governor Tauese Sunia and Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, are recommendations for “joint investigations” and “joint operations.”

The agreement includes plans to share customs enforcement information in an effort to reduce trade in illegal drugs, weapons and pornography.

PNG tourism threatened

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea –Tour operator Peter Barter wants the government adopt stricter guidelines to combat crime threatening the country’s visitor industry.

Barter’s demand comes in wake of attacks on tourists along the popular Kokoda Trail, used by allied soldiers to defeat Japanese forces during World War II.

Barter said that some parts of PNG should be declared off limits to tourists
and maps and brochures should contain warnings.

It is necessary, he said, “if we want to put a halt to the decline in tourists visiting PNG.”

Opposition says gov’t discriminates ethnic Fujians

SUVA, Fiji Islands — Opposition leader Ratu Inoke Kubuabola has accused the Indo-Fijian-led government of being racist toward ethnic Fijians.

He claimed that $750,000 approved for small business development loans was not being awarded to indigenous entrepreneurs, and the matter now may have to be addressed by the Great Council of Chiefs.

Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has rejected the claims, saying Kubuabola “as usual, opens his mouth without knowing the facts, as he has consistently done since assuming the position of leader of the opposition.”

PNG soldiers demand salary hike

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea — Defense Force soldiers have given the government until next month to respond to demands for better living
conditions and a 100 percent pay raise.

Soldiers at several military bases caught the defense hierarchy by surprise Friday when they told their superiors that “enough was enough” and they wanted improvements.

They said they are underpaid and don’t have proper uniforms, living accommodations or food services. The soldiers said their last pay review was in 1988.

Military and government officials have promised to investigate the matter.