American Samoa’s population growth hits 2.7 percent<\/p>\n
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa—Overpopulation is the most serious environmental concern facing the U.S. South Pacific territory, according to a study conducted by local scientist Peter Craig.<\/p>\n
The territory’s limited land resources cannot sustain an annual population growth rate of 2.7 percent, he said.<\/p>\n
The current estimated population is 65,000, up almost 1,800 since last year.<\/p>\n
Craig identified over fishing as another pressing environmental concern.<\/p>\n
Irian Jaya police apologizes for shootings<\/p>\n
JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya, Indonesia—Irian Jaya police chief Brigadier-General S. Y. Wenas has sent a team to Timika to investigate Thursday’s shooting of protesters trying to stop the lowering of a separatist Morning Star flag.<\/p>\n
Initial reports indicated there were 28 injuries. A tribal activist in the remote far eastern town said at least five people had been shot.<\/p>\n
Brigadier Wenas said the shootings should not have happened, apologized and pledged to bring before a military court officers found to have opened fire.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of protesters demanding independence for Irian Jaya have staged another rally at a Catholic church in Timika.<\/p>\n
Human rights activists says 56 people were injured Thursday when police opened fire to disperse about 2,000 demonstrators who were preventing them from lowering a rebel Morning Star flag flying in the church courtyard.<\/p>\n
Police have acknowledged they fired shots into the air but said nobody was hit. Dozens of people were trampled upon when the crowd panicked and fled from the compound.<\/p>\n
Pedophile jailed<\/p>\n
MATA’UTU, Wallis and Futuna—A 21-year-old man has been found guilty of raping six children living in his neighborhood.<\/p>\n
A 10-person jury heard that he had sexual intercourse “several times a week” with the children over an extended period.<\/p>\n
Psychiatrists told the court the children had been traumatized and suffered behavioral problems.<\/p>\n
The young man, whose name was not revealed, was sentenced to 15 years in a New Caledonia prison. Wallis and Futuna does not have jail facilities for serious offenders.<\/p>\n
Amend laws on rape<\/p>\n
APIA, Samoa—Assistant Attorney General Suzanne Tiapula wants a local law changed to permit wives raped by their husbands to be able to file charges against them.<\/p>\n
She said that under current law rape is committed only if a person has sexual intercourse with another person “to whom he is not married.”<\/p>\n
Tiapula, who spent three years as a prosecutor of child abuse and domestic violence cases in the Honolulu District Attorney’s office, said the law is archaic and needs to be changed.<\/p>\n
Palau signs aviation agreement with Taiwan<\/p>\n
KOROR, Palau—Taiwan and Palau have signed a new aviation agreement designed to facilitate trade and tourism development between the two western Pacific countries.<\/p>\n
Palau President Kuniwo Nakamura said the accord allows four scheduled roundtrips a week on the Koror-Taipei route.<\/p>\n
Taiwan’s Far East Air Transport Co. has provided charter service to Koror since April 1997.<\/p>\n
Maori group warns diplomat in New Zealand<\/p>\n
WELLINGTON, New Zealand—Police are investigating letters sent by a Maori sovereignty group alerting foreign diplomats to a possible uprising.<\/p>\n
The Confederation of Chiefs of the United Tribes of Aotearoa notified 67 embassies and consulates that it could not assure security for the diplomats, when demonstrations take place.<\/p>\n
Aotearoa (Land of the Long White Cloud) is a Maori word for New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Balanced budget for Solomons<\/p>\n
HONIARA, Solomon Islands—Finance Minister Alpha Kimata has presented Parliament with a year 2000 balanced government budget.<\/p>\n
Kimata said $78.9 million is designated for operations and $5.97 million for capital and development projects.<\/p>\n
The World Bank and Asian Development Bank will provide some funding next year, but for investment purposes only, he said. (Pacific Islands Report)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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