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PACIFIC BRIEFS
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Posted on Nov 21 2000
Fiji judge threatened over constitution ruling
SUVA, Fiji Islands – Justice Anthony Gates, who drafted last week’s landmark judgment ruling that Fiji’s military installed interim government is illegal and that the 1997 constitution is still the supreme law of the land has been threatened.
Acting Police Commissioner Moses Driver said police now are providing full-time security for the judge.
Driver gave no further details about the threats to Gates’ life.
Judge Gates ruled that Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara is still the lawful president of the nation, not the military appointed Ratu Josefa Iloilo, who was appointed after the May 15 coup lead by businessman George Speight.
Malaria big killer in PNG
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea – Malaria remains the nation’s major killer, according to Health Minister Ludger Mond.
He told Parliament that the mosquito-borne illness has accounted for the highest number of deaths from any disease so far this year.
Although research continues at the Medical Research Institute at Goroka to find ways to counter the illness, he said nothing concrete has been discovered.
Court rejects appeal on corruption
PAPE’ETE, French Polynesia – A local court has rejected another appeal by former French Polynesian President Alexandre Léontieff, who was found guilty two years ago of accepting kickbacks from a Japanese architect planning to establish a golfing resort on the island of Moorea.
In 1998, Léontieff was judged guilty of corruption. He was sentenced to three years in jail and fined $130,000.
He challenged the ruling but it was upheld by another court in Paris.
PNG tourism leader urges ban on plastics
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea – The environment and public health will continue to be threatened until the use of plastic bags and bottles is reduced or banned completely, a tourism industry leader said.
Madang Resort Hotel owner Peter Barter said consumers should boycott retail stores that use plastic bags and bottles.
Barter’s comments came during a volunteer coastal clean-up campaign that netted thousands of bottles and cans by his hotel’s staff and students from Divine Word University. (Pacific Islands Report)
