Pacific Briefs
Kiribati President stranded
SUVA, Fiji (PIR) — Kiribati President Teburoro Tito is stranded in Nadi following mechanical problems with Air Nauru’s only plane.
Tito and his delegation are in a local hotel, awaiting the arrival of parts to repair the Boeing 737.
Air Nauru’s Fiji manager Ishaq Ali said the plane should be ready to fly to Tarawa, the Kiribati capital, on Thursday.
Tito, who is also current president of the Pacific Islands Forum, was in Fiji to meet with Interim Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase about Fiji’s ongoing political crisis.
Food stamp fraud group jailed
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (PIR) — Five government workers convicted of food stamp fraud have begun serving prison sentences of at least 60 days each.
They also are required to repay the value of all food vouchers they used for their own benefit, which totals more than $500,000.
Prosecutors proved before the High Court that the five defrauded the U.S. government.
PM wants nuclear waste compensation
RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (PIR) — Prime Minister Dr. Terepai Maoate has called for the regional Pacific Islands Forum to establish compensation standards in the event of a nuclear waste spillage in Pacific waters.
Moate said continued waste shipments between Europe and Japan pose a threat to the livelihood of Pacific islanders and “every effort” must be made to reach an agreed solution on liability.
Two freighters transporting nuclear waste now are on the high seas between France and Japan.
Condoms required for extra-marital sex
JAKARTA, Indonesia (PIR) — Officials in Irian Jaya plan to make the use of condoms compulsory for extra-marital sex.
Governor J.P. Solossa said the obligatory use of condoms is aimed at curbing the spread of AIDS.
He gave no details on how the regulation would be policed, but said violators would be punished.
Health Ministry estimates put the prevalence of AIDS in Irian Jaya at 4.86 per 100,000 people, or 25 times the national average of 0.2 per 100,000 people.
Pacific leaders to attend Japan seminar
TOKYO, Japan (PIR) — Asia-Pacific region leaders will participate in a seminar next month that will focus on creating sustainable development in Pacific Island countries.
The participants also will consider such matters as how to promote solidarity between Pacific Island countries and Japan and recent regional political instabilities.
Among the speakers will be former Palau President Kuniwo Nakamura, former Papua New Guinea President Sir Michael Somare and Dr. Sitiveni Halapua, Director of the East-West Center’s Pacific Islands Development Program.
The seminar will take place February 9 at the Hotel New Otani in Tokyo.
