PACIFIC BRIEFS

Posted on Jan 24 2001

Kidnappings threaten investment

JAKARTA, Indonesia (PIR) — The kidnapping of workers from a Korean-owned timber company in West Papua will affect the business climate in the mineral-rich region, said Governor J.P. Salossa.

He said the incident creates an image among foreign investors that the province is insecure.

The workers were taken hostage by a group of armed members of the pro-independence Free Papua Organization.

The kidnappers are demanding $1 million in compensation for environmental damage, the withdrawal of the Indonesian police force and a total ban on logging in the area, which borders Papua New Guinea.

Medical flights between Hawaii, Pacific isles

MAJURO, Marshall Islands (PIR) — Hawaii Air Ambulance, which currently serves 10 Hawaii airports, is concluding arrangements to provide weekly medical air services for the Marshall Islands, American Samoa and Guam.

HAA has five Cessna 414A aircraft equipped as flying ambulances. It currently provides between 10 and 13 flights a day.

Non-resident Workers and the Future

For possession of fake dollar bills Illegal recruitment victims arrested

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