Pacific Islands Report
Pacific leaders discuss global warming
TOKYO, Japan—Pacific Island leaders met with electric power company officials and consultants in efforts to find viable solutions to the problem of global warming and its effect on sea levels in the Pacific.
Kiribati, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands are among the Pacific nations most vulnerable to rising sea levels due to carbon dioxide emissions from the use of fossil fuel in industrialized countries.
Dr. Yoichi Kaya, Director General of the Research Institute of Innovative Technologies for the Earth, said current research indicates sea levels will rise six to 38 inches by 2100.
He urged industrialized countries to dramatically reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and develop solar, wind and biomass energy.
Pacific organization to dissolve
HONOLULU, Hawaii—The Pacific Basin Development Council, a Honolulu-based organization that promotes economic development in the Pacific Islands, will be dissolved September 30.
According to a statement by Guam Gov. Carl Gutierrez, the organization’s board members will draft a new charter and by-laws for a new reconstituted Pacific regional organization.
Although it’s unclear how the new organization will be different from PBDC, it will likely continue the same mandate in promoting Pacific Island
development.
The non-profit PBDC was established in 1980 to promote the economies of Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands, but has suffered financial problems in the past few years.
PNG police support electric chair
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—Police Minister Mathias Karani is echoing calls by several government and community leaders to introduce the electric chair as a method of capital punishment for serious crimes.
The proposal to introduce the electric chair comes in wake of the murder of Boroko Bank Manager Rober Yamang, who was shot outside the bank last week while his car was being stolen.
“Murderers and rapists should face the full force of the law and pay for their crimes,” Karani said. “If our laws are too liberal then much tougher laws such as the death penalty for hardened criminals should be introduced.”
Chiefs discuss Fijian unity
SUVA, Fiji Islands—The Great Council of Chiefs, concerned with the divisions that currently exist within the indigenous community, has organized meetings this week to discuss issues regarding Fijian unity.
The GCC will analyze and determine the underlying causes of the fragmentation among Fijians and discuss ways at how Fijians can be reunited.
They will also deliberate on whether Fiji should remain a republic, or whether to request that England’s Queen Elizabeth II be reinstated as Head of State.
Solomons changes view on whaling
HONIARA, Solomon Islands—Abandoning its pro-whaling position, the government said it now supports Australia and New Zealand in their efforts to have the South Pacific declared a whale sanctuary.
Foreign Minister Patteson Oti said Solomon Islands was prepared to reconsider its position because of its obligation to the South Pacific Forum.
Australia and New Zealand are working closely in the lead up to the next meeting of the International Whaling Commission in Adelaide in June to promote the establishment of a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary. (Pacific Islands Report)
