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Pacific Briefs
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Posted on Mar 16 2001
Pro-independence party wins in Tahiti
PAPE’ETE, French Polynesia (PIR) — Pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru was re-elected by an overwhelming majority as mayor of Faa’a in municipal elections Sunday.
Observers say the result is a warm up for territorial-wide elections in May.
Temaru’s win is a big step forward for the independence movement, said Thea Hershon, the Tavini Huiraatira party’s deputy president.
Samoa opposition claims voting irregularities
APIA, Samoa (PIR) — The opposition Samoa National Development Party is seeking a recount of several closely contested seats in this month’s national election.
There is still no clear winner, although both the SNDP and ruling Human Rights Protection Party claim to have enough support to form the next government when parliament meets later this week.
The SNDP claims there were irregularities in the ballot counting procedures and has asked all losing candidates to ask for recounts.
Mir may not have smooth landing
MOSCOW, Russia (PIR) — Russian space officials have announced the landing of the 130-ton Mir space station in the South Pacific may not be as smooth as planned.
Most of the station will burn up as it enters the atmosphere but about 20 tons are expected to make contact with the earth’s surface.
The chief of mission control acknowledged that low batteries and failure of the central computer system could hinder the landing process.
Mir is expected to be brought down in a fiery but controlled plunge into the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and Chile sometime during the next week.
Nauru seeks reinstatement of RP air route
TARAWA, Nauru (PIR) — The government is seeking the reinstatement of Air Nauru’s Manila route.
Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) grounded Air Nauru following concerns about management of the airline and poor airport facilities in Nauru.
The ban has now been lifted, allowing flights to resume to Kiribati, Palau, Pohnpei and Nadi in the Pacific, but flights to the Philippines remain prohibited.
Nauru’s Economic Services Minister Kinza Clodumar said Air Nauru is on its way to meeting the conditions imposed.
“We hope to get back to full strength soon,” he said.
