PACIFIC BRIEFS

Rebel Fijian soldier beaten to death

SUVA, Fiji Islands – Medical authorities have reportedly confirmed that a rebel soldier involved in a mutiny a week ago was beaten to death.

Members of the Counter Revolutionary Warfare unit attacked the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in an attempt to free coup leader George Speight.

Eight people died, including five CRW members, and dozens of soldiers and civilians were injured.

A pathologist’s report on one of those killed, CRW Corporal Selesitino Kalounivale, stated that his cause of death was due to “multiple blunt force injuries, including head injury,” the Fiji Times reported.

Polynesian Airlines resumes U.S. route

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa – After an eight-year suspension, Polynesian Airlines will resume flights between Samoa and the United States.

The airlines’ new Boeing 737-800 aircraft is due to arrive in Apia’s Faleolo International Airport from Seattle’s Boeing facility next week Saturday.

The aircraft, named “Island of Upolu,” will operate two weekly flights between Apia and Honolulu on Wednesdays and Saturdays and also operate direct flights between Apia and Sydney.

The airlines suspended service between Apia and the United States eight years ago due to financial problems.

Airline pilots back to work

MAJURO, Marshall Islands-Striking Air Marshall Islands pilots and maintenance workers went back to work following intervention by the Attorney General’s office.

A late night meeting between Assistant Attorney General Moses Gago and the striking workers ended in agreement to end the strike.

Air Marshall Islands’ General Manager Randy Hanna said the strike cost the airline more than $100,000 in lost revenue and passenger disruption charges.

The AG’s office promised to investigate concerns raised by the striking employees if they agreed to return to work.

Toxic waste caused fish deaths

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea – Pollutants discharged by industries connected to Port Moresby’s main drainage system may have caused the death of thousands of fish last week, the Office of Environment and Conservation (OEC) said.

The OEC warned that further indiscriminate discharging of chemicals and oil into the sewage system can cause more widespread environmental damage in the Waigani Swamp.

OEC Director Dr. Wari Iamo urged industries and households connected to the main Boroko Drain to manage their discharge of waste that is entering the drain. (Pacific Islands Report)