Flashback December 13, 1999-2002

Clinton seeks new takeover[/B]

Due to failure by the island government to commit to much-needed reforms, the Clinton administration will propose next month to the U.S. Congress a fresh bid to seek federal takeover of local immigration, minimum wage and custom standards.

Edward B. Cohen, President Clinton’s special representative to the 902 talks, said he had “reluctantly” recommended the move in view of the Tenorio administration’s inability to stick with a package of reforms it has promised to undertake.

With its huge stake in the utilities corporation, the Commonwealth Development Authority is pushing for the issuance of a new request for proposal for the 80-megawatt power plant to simplify its procurement criteria.

CDA Board Chair John S. Tenorio said the new RFP to be issued by CUC should only be limited to the type of fuel that will be used to run the power plant and the new utility rates when the project is finished.

AGO twits ACOE for ‘sloppy job'[/B]

The CNMI government has slammed claims by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in Tanapag amid efforts by the federal agency to appeal a recent administrative order from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Noting reports made by the Army Corps, the Attorney General’s Office is questioning whether it is doing its job to clean up areas in the village believed to be contaminated with the highly-toxic chemical, according to Assistant Attorney General Murphy Peterson.

Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Joaquin Tenorio disclosed yesterday that DLNR is scheduled to complete within a few weeks a feasibility study on the costs and impact of setting up a fisheries complex in an area across the Kristo Rai Church in Garapan.

The DLNR project is envisioned to make way for a permanent downtown central market where fishermen and farmers can sell their fish and agricultural produce.

Mr. Tenorio revealed the project’s status before members of the Saipan Rotary Club yesterday, where he also briefed business leaders on ongoing DLNR efforts being administered by seven of the divisions that make up the whole department.

Korean Air to return in January 2002[/B]

Korean Air executives have started negotiations with the Commonwealth Ports Authority for the reinstatement of its Seoul-Saipan flights beginning January 2002.

This, after the Federal Aviation Administration upgraded the safety rating of the Korean Civil Aviation Authority to Category 1, thus giving the Korean government the ability to reinstate services to all American airports and provide additional flights to existing routes.

CPA Board Chair Roman S. Palacios said this should come as a welcome news for the Commonwealth’s ailing tourism industry, pointing out that this would mean additional flights—and possibly additional tourists—for the Northern Marianas.

Some 33 Department of Public Safety officers have signified interest to advance to a higher rank, even though it means the promotion will only translate to added responsibility without the corresponding monetary compensation.

Police Commissioner Charles W. Ingram Jr. transmitted yesterday to the DPS Internal Affairs and Records Section the eligibility list of police officers aiming for a promotion.

Of the 33 applicants, 22 have set their sights on the PO2 position while 11 are keeping their fingers crossed for the PO3 position. Only a few of them will land the title, based on the standing vacancies waiting to be filled.