Call for urgent talks on the future of Bougainville<\/p>\n
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea-Ombudsman Simon Pentanu has called on Bougainvillean leaders and the national government to immediately begin talks on the political future of Bougainville.<\/p>\n
Pentanu, who chaired a weekend meeting on Nissan Island of leaders from the main Bougainville factions, recommended that dates be set to seriously consider the issue of an independence referendum.<\/p>\n
Bougainville rebels fought a decade-long war before agreeing to a cease-fire at the end of 1997. Independence for the copper-rich island remains their goal.<\/p>\n
Bank says reforms in Pacific too complex<\/p>\n
MANILA, Philippine Islands-The Asian Development Bank has determined that fiscal reform programs it has been funding in several Pacific Island nations are too complex and ambitious for governments to implement on time.<\/p>\n
Government downsizing and privatization projects approved for the Cook Islands, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are beyond the current governments’ capacities ADB noted in a just-released report titled “Lessons Learned.”<\/p>\n
The bank agreed that it must be more sensitive and understanding of the economic realities in the Pacific before pushing for commercial business-type reforms.<\/p>\n
State corporations in PNG identified for privatization<\/p>\n
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea-Several state run corporations have been identified for sale early in the new year under the government’s expanded privatization program.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta said Air Niugini, the Electricity Commission and the National Broadcasting Corporation are among the government enterprises likely to be sold.<\/p>\n
He said proceeds from the sales will be used to repay loans owed international financiers.<\/p>\n
Operation to collect weapons on Guadalcanal<\/p>\n
HONIARA, Solomon Islands-An international effort to restore peace on Guadalcanal began Monday, with Fiji and Vanuatu police joining Solomon Islands counterparts.<\/p>\n
The international force’s first mission will be to set up weapons collection points, where Isatambu Freedom Fighters have agreed to turn in their arms.<\/p>\n
The militants have caused months of ethnic unrest, forcing thousands of immigrants from neighboring Malaita to return to their home islands.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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