Cook Is. wants more independence<\/p>\n
AVARUA, Rarotonga, Cook Islands—Acting Prime Minister Norman George has announced that the government wants the country to become a fully independent nation, but not if it means loss of dual New Zealand
\ncitizenship.<\/p>\n
George said the Cook Islands should be seen internationally as a fully sovereign and independent state, with membership in the United Nations. The country now is self-governing in association with New Zealand.<\/p>\n
The Cooks last week formalized bilateral diplomatic relations with France.<\/p>\n
No confidence motion planned in Solomons<\/p>\n
HONIARA, Solomon Islands—Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa’alu has told reporters that moves are afoot to introduce a motion of no confidence in his leadership at the next meeting of Parliament in April.<\/p>\n
Ulufa’alu would not elaborate, but indicated that the opposition was
\nlobbying hard for the motion.<\/p>\n
The basis of the move is what the opposition calls the government’s poor handling of the worsening ethnic crisis between Guadalcanal and Malaita islanders over land rights and jobs.<\/p>\n
New US coral bill introduced<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON, D.C.—American Samoa’s congressional delegate, Eni Faleomavaega, has introduced bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives to establish a permanent national coral reef conservation program.<\/p>\n
It calls for $60 million to be authorized over four years to “assess the size and health of the coral reefs in United States waters, and to formulate a plan to preserve these reefs,” Faleomavaega said.<\/p>\n
Of the total funding, the legislation calls for $40 million to be made be available for coral reef conservation grants.”<\/p>\n
Shark attacks fisherman in N. Caledonia<\/p>\n
NOUMEA, New Caledonia—A 35-year old spear fisherman has been killed by a tiger shark near Poum, north of the capital.<\/p>\n
The shark severed one of Gilbert Bui Van Minh’s arms and part of his abdomen. He died almost instantly.<\/p>\n
Residents said it was the first shark death in New Caledonia in many years. (Pacific Islands Report)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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