Pacific Islands Report

Pacific forum helps toward restoration

APIA, Samoa –– Foreign ministers from countries of the Pacific Islands Forum concluded a meeting in the capital Apia by welcoming the cease-fire agreement in the Solomon Islands and Fiji’s progress towards restoration of law and order.

In a statement released after the meeting, the ministers commended Australia and New Zealand for facilitating negotiations in the Solomons.

They also urged Fiji’s interim government to move rapidly to restore democracy and to hold elections as soon as possible.

The foreign ministers also expressed concern about the widespread availability of firearms throughout the region.

Korean Air’s return boosts Fiji tourism

SUVA, Fiji Islands –– Korean Air resumed flights to Fiji, a move that is being hailed by officials as a positive step for the rehabilitation of the country’s tourism industry badly hit by the continuing political and social crisis.

Korean Air began new twice-weekly, round-trip flights with the first arrival of 200 passengers.

The airline discontinued services in March 1998 as a direct result of Korea’s economic crisis.

Korean Air’s Fiji-based regional manager, Chang Nam Yang, said the resumption of service will enhance Fiji’s economy and improve the commercial relationship between the two countries.

Samoan woman arrested
in fake birth certificate scandal

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa –– A woman wanted by local authorities in connection with the use of fake birth certificates involving six Samoans was arrested in San Francisco.

Oferia Tunai was charged with 18 counts of forgery and could face up to seven years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Tunai was the secretary of the Talalelei Youth Group, which traveled to Hawai’i and the U.S. mainland last year.

She allegedly obtained fake certificates for six of the group’s members, all natives of Samoa, so they could enter the United States.

U.S. coral reef task force seeks input

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa –– About 100 people gathered at the Convention Center in the capital city Pago Pago for a public hearing aimed at protecting coral reefs in the United States and its Pacific territories.

It was the fifth meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, which was ordered by President Clinton to create and implement a National Action Plan for coral reef protection.

Previous public hearings were held in Hawai’i.
Gov. Tauese Sunia said the government is working with villages in the territory to identify areas that need future reef protection.