PNG tests water for cyanide contamination

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—Officials are attempting to determine if water in Central Province has been contaminated, after two boxes of cyanide pellets fell from a helicopter Tuesday.

Residents have been told not to use river areas or drink local water.

The cyanide was being transported to an Australian-operated gold mine at Tolukuma, about 50 miles north of the capital. Searchers found some but not all of the pellets.

WHO says TB threatens W. Pacific

SUVA, Fiji Islands—The World Health Organization has warned that tuberculosis threatens economic growth in the Western Pacific region.

WHO’s regional director, Dr. Shigeru Omi, said nearly 1,000 people die of the disease each day in the Western Pacific, including Southeast Asia, where about one-third of all TB cases in the world occur.

Doctor Omi says the disease should have been controlled long ago and the situation now is unacceptable.

U.S. firms plans new nickel smelter in N. Caledonia

NOUMEA, New Caledonia—The world’s second largest copper producer, U.S.-based Phelps Dodge, has announced plans to build a nickel smelter in the south of the territory in partnership with a local company, Ballade.

The planned facility is projected to produce 35,000 tons of nickel and 4,000 tons of cobalt a year.

New Caledonia is responsible for six percent of the world’s total nickel output.

Japan assists FSM fisheries

PALIKIR, Federated States of Micronesia—The Japanese government’s has provided development assistance worth $2.8 million for a three-year project to train fishermen and sailors.

Training will begin August 1 at the FSM Fisheries and Maritime Institute in the state of Yap, under the auspices of the College of Micronesia-FSM.

Japan will provide the equipment required to implement the project.

Progress in Bougainville talks

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—Minister for Bougainville Affairs Sir Michael Somare has announced what he called “significant progress” in the latest round of talks over the future of the island.

Bougainville rebels fought a ten-year secessionist war before agreeing to a cease-fire in 1998.

Somare said both sides have reached some common understandings over political autonomy and a referendum on independence, which he said would be made public shortly.

The third round of meetings between the national government and Bougainville rebels this year is continuing at the secluded Loloata Island resort near the capital. (Pacific Islands Report)