PACIFIC BRIEFS

Interpol alerts Fiji to arms shipment

SUVA, Fiji Islands (PIR) — Security forces are on high alert in anticipation of the arrival of a container ship suspected of carrying illegal arms.

While officials have withheld details, the army is taking the illegal arms shipment warning seriously by boosting the number of soldiers at all ports of entry.

Interpol alerted Fiji authorities that the container, allegedly carrying oil exploration equipment, left Australia more than a week ago.

Samoa election heats up

APIA, Samoa (PIR) — The country’s March 2 election is shaping up as a hotly contested race between the government’s Human Rights Protection Party and the opposition Samoa National Development Party.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said the government’s solid economic performance gives foreign aid donors the confidence to continue giving aid to Samoa.

The opposition party said the administration is corrupt and blames the government for the 1999 assassination of Public Works Minister Luagalau Levaula Kamu.

The new and smaller Samoa National Party is also running in the election.

Tonga wants new pacific tuna commission

NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga (PIR) — The kingdom is pushing ahead with its bid to provide a headquarters site for the newly established Pacific tuna commission.

Tonga has been ranked first by an international panel of experts to host the organization, officially named the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific.

The Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa governments also have expressed interest in hosting the commission, which has responsibilities for policing regional fishing regulations.

Kiribati president to Japan

TOKYO, Japan (PIR) — Kiribati President Teburoro Tito will make a six-day trip to Japan beginning February 17 to promote cooperation between Japan and the Pacific island countries, the Foreign Ministry announced.

The 47-year-old president will be visiting in his capacity as chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum

Tito will meet with Emperor Akihito and hold talks with Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, Foreign Minister Yohei Kono and other government officials.

Giant insect rediscovered near Lord Howe Island

MELBOURNE, Australia (PIR) — A giant stick insect thought to be extinct has been found on an isolated Lord Howe Island volcanic peak, off Australia’s east coast.

Dr. David Priddel, a member of the discovery team, said the creatures were considered extinct shortly after the introduction of rats on Lord Howe in 1918:

The Lord Howe Island phasmid is nocturnal and has a six-inch body.