Government Briefs

Palau

Palau was shaken in August when one of its two highest ranking traditional leaders, paramount chief Ibedul Yutaka M. Gibbons, was found guilty of assault on attorney Matthew Johnson in January 2003 (Pacific Magazine, March 2003) and sentenced to one year in prison with two years probation by Chief Justice Arthur Ngiraklsong. Pres. Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr., acknowledging both the "difficulty" of the decision and the profound public support for Ibedul Gibbons-separate petitions for clemency from both houses of Palau's Congress, the Governor's Association, State Legislatures, the Council of Chiefs, and signature appeals from community leaders and members of the community-commuted the sentence to probation with community service. In a statement aired on radio and television Ibedul Gibbons accepted responsibility and expressed remorse. He asked Palauans to "help me protect the expatriate with whom I had an unfortunate altercation so that he and his family may reside here on Koror in peace."

-NC

Fiji

Fiji's growth is on track, albeit slow. The Reserve Bank of Fiji believes Fiji's economy is poised for continuous growth. If the international trend continues, Fiji's anticipated 5.1 percent growth may be achieved. Major exports including sugar are expected to make a turn-around, tourism, however, isn't likely to replicate its 2002 performance. The Bank reports the labor market looks favorable and indications on the investment front suggest a steady rise with various private sector initiatives and those still in the pipeline. As of May, import payments for investment-type goods rose by 33 percent compared to the same period last year. As of June end, foreign reserves was around FJD$697million, sufficient for 2.9 months of both good and services imports.

-FijiVillage.com

The Fiji military has indicated that it will fight the court of appeal order to the army to open up its regimental funds for audit by the auditor general. Its spokesperson, Warrant Officer Neumi Leweni, says the military is not satisfied with the court ruling and it is seeking legal advice on the matter.

The dispute about the audit goes back to 1997 when the former military commander, Ratu Epeli Ganilau, refused to allow the then auditor general access to the regimental funds. The matter was taken to the high court which ruled in favor of the auditor general. Warrant officer Leweni says the army is currently looking for legal representation outside the military. "Legal counsels for the commander have reviewed the judgment and it has sought legal advice from outside the military here and will appeal."

-PINA Nius

Suspended agriculture permanent secretary, Peniasi Kunatuba was terminated after being found guilty of charges relating to the $16 million Farming Assistance Program scam. Public Service Commission secretary, Ratu Tui Cavuilati said the committee had made the decision after careful deliberation.

The scam was believed to have amounted to about $16 million of the taxpayer's money which was given away in the form of farming implements and other gifts, with strong evidence prices as high as three times retails had been paid for the goods. At the time, in 2001, there was suspicion the extensive give-away program was links to an upcoming federal election. The offices of the company from which the merchandise was purchased later burned down, destroying records. Kunatuba's legal challenge against the state in which he claims the post-coup administration used the scam money to buy votes in the 2001 general election.

Kunatuba was found guilty of 51 out of the 61 charges. His lawyer, Tevita Fa is expected to appeal the decision.

-FijiVillage.com

West Papua

West Papuan independence leaders say they were very disappointed by the stance taken by the recent Pacific Islands Forum over West Papua's relationship with Indonesia. The 16 Forum leaders reiterated their support for special autonomy for Papua, saying it represented "realistic prospects" for peace. However, Papuan leaders have described special autonomy as simply a means to stifle calls for independence. They say that human rights abuses and the repressive Indonesian military presence in Papua will not be solved that way. Free Papua spokesman Dr. John Ondawame was with the Vanuatu delegation at the Forum, and said that the wording of the Forum's communiqué clearly indicated that Forum member states supported the political status quo in Indonesia. The communiqué expressed concern about the violence in West Papua and urged an end to the serious crimes being perpetrated there.

-ND

FSM

Legislators started their second regular session by confirming the final positions of Governor Rensley Sigrah's Cabinet level appointments. Danny Clearman, after some months, finally had the "acting" taken away from his title, and was confirmed unanimously as Attorney General. Norinston Joe, on a vote of 13-0, was also confirmed. He will become the Director of Community Affairs. The Health and Cultural Affairs Committee noted Joe's "knowledge and managerial skills" gained through his years working as Continental Micronesia's Kosrae Branch Manager. The new Kosrae State Chief of Police will be Robinhood Noda, a prosecutor whose 10-3 confirmation was based on his "knowledge and experience of the law," according to Legislative Resolution 8-22.

-OW

The Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization recently held its annual general membership meeting and considered ways to expand the fledgling environmental NGO. Andy George, the Executive Director, made a recent trip to Pohnpei seeking the assistance of the foreign governments of Japan, China and Australia. The U.S. Government, said George, "was very, very attentive to our program." The European Union has also been under consideration as a likely supporter of environmental projects, as its member states have increased their presence in the region in recent years.

-OW

The initial meeting between officials of the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia Interim Joint Economic Management Committees concluded on Aug. 27 2003 with the following Joint Press Statement: "Officials of the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia met in Pohnpei on Aug. 26-27 as an Anticipatory Task Force to consider proposed FSM budget allocations for year one sector grant funding under the Amended Compact of Free Association. The Amended Compact has been signed by both governments and awaits ratification by both nations' legislatures.

The health and education sectors receiving the highest priority. Infrastructure, public sector capacity building, private sector development and environment are also designated as important sectors.

The United States representatives on the ATF included Deputy Assistant Secretary David Cohen from the Department of the Interior, Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew P. Daley from the Department of State, and Special Assistant to the Secretary William Steiger from the Department of Health and Human Services. Representatives for the Federated States of Micronesia included Sebastian Anefal and John Ehsa from the National Government, Evelyn Paul from Chuuk State government, Lt. Governor Gerson Jackson from Kosrae, Semensin James from Pohnpei, and Maria Laaw from Yap.

-PINA Nius

The Region

The leaders of Palau, Guam, the Northern Marianas and Yap met in Saipan at the end of September. Pres. Tommy Remengesau, Jr. said that during the chief executives summit held in March, he, CNMI Gov. Juan N. Babauta, Guam Gov. Felix P. Camacho and Yap Gov. Robert Ruecho agreed to meet again to discuss what steps have been taken toward the commitments they made during their first meeting. Remengesau said the summit is one way of pooling the resources of the Micronesia and coming up with solutions to regional problems.

He said initiatives affecting the region would require a significant amount of funding and resources.

"We cannot possibly do it on our own," Remengesau said. In the last summit, Palau agreed to formulate recommendations for a regional solid waste management program and conduct research on alternative renewable energy sources.

The CNMI will focus on the creation of a regional airline to further expand tourism markets through lowered air fares. Guam will draft a regional tourism plan and study the potentials of a regional medical referral system. Further, Guam will look into the expansion of regional shipping capacity and the possibility of reducing shipping costs through regional cooperation and negotiation. Yap, for its part, will consider ways to lower fuel costs and find telecommunication opportunities in the region.

-Marianas Variety

Papua New Guinea

Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has admitted that 80 percent of the contracts delivered under the K600 million annual aid to PNG are contracts with Australian companies.

"About 80 percent of the contracts to deliver the aid program in Papua New Guinea are contracts with Australian companies, and that is because those companies have the capacity to deliver those services. But to suggest that the beneficiaries, therefore, of those contracts are only Australian companies is, you know, not to put too fine a point on it, obviously, utterly absurd because what the companies are doing is delivering improved services and, in some cases, improved goods as well into Papua New Guinea.

"An Australian company may get a contract to upgrade a road in Papua New Guinea. That doesn't mean that the road doesn't get upgraded and the company runs off with the money," Downer said in an interview with Radio Australia.

"And all we are saying is that our aid programs helped in all of those areas, but we want to get even more effective outcomes than we are currently getting," Downer said.

-ABC/Post Courier/PINA Nius

Samoa

At the opening of the new U.S. Chancery in Apia, Ambassador Charles Swindell was asked by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele to do something to mitigate the hardship imposed on Samoans who now must fly to New Zealand in person to apply for U.S. visas. The new procedure, which took effect Aug. 1, requires an in-person interview and was in reaction to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. The PM said the procedure is very costly for Samoan citizens.

-PINA Nius

The Asian Development Bank plans to extend up to US$18 million in loans for four projects in Samoa over the next three years. The loans directly support the government's development strategy by helping to improve the environment for private sector growth and job creation, enhance access to and delivery of basic social services and will help to provide improved equity and access to quality education for all Samoans. Three loans are programmed to develop education, renewable energy and sanitation and drainage.

-SW

Corruption in police ranks is one of the biggest problems facing the force, new Commissioner of Police Papalii Lorenese Neru told Televise Samoa.

Papalii made his comment while expressing support for Australia's proposal to train police from Pacific Island states in order to fight corruption.

"And not only in Samoa. We look at the Solomon Islands, we look at Fiji," Papalii said, "And I have to say that although Samoa is not really into the stage, I would say we are at a dangerous point on the way to corruption. I think at this stage that I will work together with my team of officers to try to create ways and programs to make it easier for us to eradicate corruption."

-FS

American Samoa

The only hospital in the territory, owned by the government, is facing a financial crisis owing more than $6 million in unpaid debts including unpaid taxes to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service while Medicare reduced payments to the hospital. Officials of the LBJ Medical Center presented a financial report to territorial Senators saying that the semi-autonomous agency of the government has unpaid debts of $6.9 million which includes $1.7 million in taxes owed to the IRS and $695,000 to the American Samoa Government Treasury Department.

The largest item in the payables is $2.3 million owed to an off-island medical supplier named, SRW. Hospital officials had forecast revenues from Medicare for fiscal year 2003 of $7.2 million.

-FS

Former director of the Department of Education, Dr. Sili Sataua, was given the chance to voluntarily step down and he accepted it, according to Gov. Togiola Tulafono.

Sataua handed Togiola his letter of resignation on the afternoon of Aug. 28th, 24 hours after a closed door meeting with the governor.

There had been no official word when Sataua resigned except an Aug. 29th general memorandum to government agencies and the media announcing the appointment of Dr. Lui Tuitele as DOE director.

-FS

Guam

Guam Memorial Hospital narrowly escaped a payless payday on Aug. 15. At the request of hospital Administrator Bill McMillan, the island's four major health insurance companies made their semimonthly payments a day early so the hospital could meet its US$350,000 payroll. Prior to the payment, Guam's only civilian hospital had $62,000 in its coffers. The cash-strapped government of Guam owes the autonomous, public facility more than $16 million for the care of those who are covered in its Medically Indigent Program.

-FW

The government of Guam's efforts to borrow as much as US$418 million have stalled as it awaits a decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on whether the court will hear the case. The Guam Legislature authorized Gov. Felix Camacho to borrow the money on the bond market. But Attorney General Douglas Moylan refused to approve the move on the grounds that the bond would exceed Guam's limit on public debt. On Jul. 23, the Guam Supreme Court ruled in the governor's favor, but Moylan appealed to the Federal Court.

-FW

The Guam War Claims Review Commission, authorized last year by legislation sponsored by former Congressman

Robert Underwood, will be funded by the Department of the Interior with a commitment of $300,000, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior David B. Cohen announced. "Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo has been a very eloquent and passionate spokeswoman for this cause," said Cohen.

The Commission will review the facts and circumstances surrounding the implementation and administration of the Guam Meritorious Claims Act to determine whether that measure fairly and effectively addressed the war claims of American nationals residing on Guam between Dec. 8, 1941, and July 21, 1944.

"This was truly a bipartisan effort that was also supported by the late Guam Delegate Antonio B. Won Pat and his successor General Ben Blaz," said Cohen. "When the bill was finally passed, it was one of the crowning achievements of Congressman Underwood's career on Capitol Hill. One of his last requests to me in office was to try to make this day happen. Congresswoman Bordallo picked up right where he left off, and has been a very persistent advocate for this."

-SW

Contributors: Nancy Chism, Norman Douglas, Scott Whitney, Fili Sagapolutele and Frank Whitman.