Government Briefs
Government Briefs
Tonga
Tonga still wants to host the proposed Pacific Tuna Commission headquarters, even though Forum Fisheries Agency member countries met in Hawaii earlier this year and gave the nod to Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. More than half of the FFA member countries put in a bid for the new HQ that is expected to become a major regional organization. The FSM won by two votes over Papua New Guinea. But Tonga’s Secretary for Fisheries, ‘Akau’ola, said in April that he hopes Tonga will still receive support when all the countries involved in the new conservation treaty meet later this year to make a final decision.
Pacific
Australia bullied Nauru and Papua New Guinea into violating the human rights of asylum seekers, the Catholic Commission for Justice, Development and Peace has charged. Commission executive officer Marc Purcell said the constitutions of PNG and Nauru both require detainees be brought before a court before placing them in detention. “The Australian Government has ridden roughshod over the constitutions of Nauru and PNG and this is an arrogant form of colonialist behavior,” he said. The criticism came as Australian Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock said he had received positive indications from other countries about accepting asylum seekers found to
be refugees.
- ADVERTISEMENT -
Samoa
The Samoa government-owned Polynesian Airlines has halted scheduled service from the main island of Upolu to Asau airport on the island
of Savaii due to a lack of passengers. Government leaders told Parliament that the airline cannot have scheduled flights to Asau because there are
not enough passengers to support
the service.
The Samoa government-owned Samoa Shipping Corporation (SSC), which provides much of the freight service between the two Samoas and Tokelau, has announced 2001 was the best financial year in its 26-year history. SSC made a SA$1.89 million (approx. US$630,000) profit last year, only the second time it has earned a profit.
American Samoa
The Territorial Legislature’s Senate rejected a House bill to ban smoking on school campuses. The Senate rejected the call to revisit the bill. House members say they are disappointed and plan to reintroduce a
similar measure next year. The
House measure was sponsored by Rep. Otomalesau John Ah Sue based on a request from Fagaitua High School students who want to curb
student smoking.
