PACIFIC BRIEFS

Pacific hit hard by climate change

NAIROBI, Kenya (PIR) — Low-lying states such as the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia in the Pacific could lose 10 percent of their national wealth by 2050 due to climate changes, a United Nations Environment Program report released here said.

Losses worldwide could cost more than $300 billion a year unless efforts are made to curb carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases causing a warming of the earth and, due to melting of the polar ice caps, a rise in sea level.

The report said the Pacific will be in danger of floods as well as more frequent tropical cyclones and damage to fish, agriculture and fresh water supplies.

About 100 government ministers are meeting here this week to discuss solutions to environmental problems.

Pacific nations stay in East Timor extended

SUVA, Fiji (PIR) — The United Nations Security Council has agreed to keep peacekeeping soldiers and police officers from Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu in East Timor for at least another year.

In a resolution adopted unanimously, the council decided to retain the current 11,000-member force in the former Indonesian province until January 31, 2002.

Last year, East Timor voted for independence. Its current transitional government is assisted by UN administrator Sergio Vieira de Mello.

Guam wants to pay retirement debt

HAGATNA, Guam (PIR) — Gov. Carl Gutierrez wants to borrow $400 million in bond money to pay part of the government’s $750 million debt to the territory’s retirement fund.

Gutierrez also submitted a $481 million budget request to the legislature for fiscal 2002, which begins October 1.

The proposals came during Gutierrez’s annual State of Our Island address.

Marshalls ship registry grows

MAJURO, Marshall Islands (PIR) — The nation’s “flag of convenience” ship registry is now the ninth biggest in the world in terms of gross tonnage, according to officials.

Many of the 350 ships flying the country’s flag are supertankers, the Marshall Islands Journal reports. The Marshalls has 11 million gross tons registered.

An international review of the top 10 largest registries showed that the Marshall Islands registry was 2000’s best performer with regard to safety and pollution standards.

Other countries with major ship registries are Liberia and Panama.