Briefs
Government
Guam
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges told University of Guam officials on June 21 that it was reaffirming UOG’s accreditation and removing the university from probationary status. WASC placed UOG on probation in July 2000. In response to WASC’s concerns the university increased library funding, created a faculty senate, hired a new president, affirmed institutional and individual independence, reduced spending, stabilized finances, instituted new planning processes and made open dialogue routine. During a March 2002 visit, a WASC team reported “a culture of communication and trust.”
— FW
The government of Guam returned 275,000 square meters of land to six families more than 50 years after it was taken by the U.S. and local governments in the wake of World War II. Gov. Carl Gutierrez signed the deeds on June 21. The property was turned over to the local government since late 2000, after it was declared excess by the U.S. military. The action marks the first land return since the creation of the Guam Ancestral Lands Commission, in October 1999, to distribute the land to the original landowners or their heirs. Nearly 400 parcels are yet to be returned.
— FW
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Palau
During the International Whaling Commission ’s meetings in June, Palau used its recently obtained seat on the IWC to side with Japan and help scuttle a proposed South Pacific Whale Sanctuary. Palau’s Minister of State Temmy Shmull says that Palau’s vote was driven by its desire to strike a balance between reasonable conservation measures and the need to utilize natural resources on a sustainable basis.
—RS
Tonga
Tonga is to receive a US$10 million low interest loan from the Asian Development Bank toward the kingdom’s program for economic and public sector reform. The program is designed to achieve a sustainable fiscal balance and improve the delivery of public services. The repayment period will be 24 years, including a grace period of eight years.
— ND
American Samoa
Governor Tauese Sunia’s cabinet members have been warned that they will be responsible, under the the anti-deficiency law, for any overrun in their annual budgets. The message was delivered during a closed-door cabinet meeting where several issues were discussed. A freeze on hiring, elimination of short term contracts and minimizing travel were some of the suggestions made by Gov. Sunia. The freeze went in place April 10.
— FS
— Fili Sagapolutele, Frank Whitman, Norman Douglas, Rebecca Stanfel
