PACIFIC BRIEFS

Indonesia resumes talks with kidnappers

JAKARTA, Indonesia (PIR) — Indonesian police say contact with separatist rebels holding three hostages, including two South Koreans, has been reestablished in West Papua and negotiations will resume Tuesday.

Irian Jaya chief detective Tukarno said contact was lost last week after the rebels released 14 of 17 timber workers from a Korean company they captured three weeks ago.

The kidnappers have refused to hand over the last three hostages – two Koreans and an Indonesian – until President Abdurrahman Wahid agrees to a meeting.

The rebels have demanded a $1 million ransom, a halt to logging and the removal of Indonesian police from the timber cutting area.

Report: PNG defense force over managed

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PIR) – A report recommending changes in the Papua New Guinea Defense Force’s management and training style has been sent to Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta.

The government called for a review after a recent series of incidents involving the soldiers, including a riot in Port Moresby.

One of the report’s authors said problems in the force include over management, over centralization, and lack of consistent training of officers.

The report will be released publicly following review by the government cabinet.

New scholarship in Kiribati

TARAWA, Kiribati (PIR) — The government has announced new scholarship opportunities for under-privileged youths whose fathers have died, are disabled or are currently serving jail terms of more than 12 months.

The scholarships, to be administered by the Ministry of Social Development and Environment, were developed to assist families unable to afford the payment of school fees.

Pacific bats in danger of extinction

SUVA, Fiji (PIR) — A University of the South Pacific survey of bats in the Pacific has revealed several species facing extinction.

Of particular concern is the near-extinction of the Fiji Monkey-Faced Bat, which exists only on Taveuni Island.

Project researcher Dr. Jorge Palmeirim, from Portugal’s University of Lisbon, said “Bats are essential to the future survival of Pacific rainforests and other terrestrial ecosystems, so these findings are of grave conservational concern.”

He said bats are declining in numbers as a result of deforestation and the increased presence of feral cats.