PACIFIC BRIEFS: CALL FOR POLICE TO BE DRUG TESTED

AMERICAN SAMOA – Senators in American Samoa have called for police officers to undergo mandatory drug tests.

They say recent police shootings are related to drugs . The call was made at a Senate hearing amid concerns that no arrests have been made for two shootings targeting police officers. The Senate President, Gaoteote Palaie, says the public doesn’t trust police officers because they think some cops are dishonest. He says there is suspicion that police are the ones who warn offenders because they themselves are involved. Senator Mauga Tasi Asuega said the public is rightfully concerned about the shootings and authorities need to send a clear message that this type of crime will not be tolerated.

UNION TO STEP IN OVER DEADLOCK

NEW CALEDONIA – New Caledonia’s pro-independence Caledonian Union says it will present a proposal to end the political deadlock within two weeks. The territory has been without a president for more than five weeks after the administration of Cynthia Ligeard collapsed amid disagreement within the anti-independence coalition. Two attempts to elect a new president have failed, leaving the government in caretaker mode, with none of the three anti-independence parties prepared to alter their position. A Caledonian Union leader has told the local newspaper that a plan to end the crisis is being discussed and will be aired at party congresses this and next weekend. A leading anti-independence politician, Philippe Gomes, says if the impasse continues, a fresh general election needs to be called.

COMMITTED TO ERADICATING 'ILLICIT DRUG'

FIJI – Seven people who were in police custody following a raid by Operation Sasamaki in Kadavu have now appeared in a special sitting at the Suva Magistrates court. Twenty-two people have been arrested so far for their alleged involvement in drug cultivation as part of Operation Sasamaki which aimed at uncovering illegal marijuana plantations throughout Fiji. Police Chief Operations Officer, ACP Rusiate Tudravu says his officers trekked for almost seven hours to get to one farm where the plants believed to be marijuana were being cultivated and this shows their commitment to “eradicate the cultivation of this illicit drug”.

CALL TO REVIVE SAMOA’S OWN AIRLINE

SAMOA – A Samoan MP of the ruling HRPP party, Tu’uu Anasi’i Leota, has called on the government to consider reviving its own airline. Tu’uu says this follows concerns raised by many of the travelling public over delay of international flights, alleging this was the result of pilots working far too many hours. He has told parliament Virgin Samoa and Air New Zealand have been seen as more friendly to each other rather than competing. The Prime Minister, Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, says the joint venture deal between Polynesian Airlines and Virgin Australia will be reviewed this year. He says the government has a long-term vision for the development of tourism with a plan to upgrade Faleolo International Airport. This, he says, will open up to more competition with other big airlines.

TWO POLICEMEN INJURED IN GUN ATTACK

NEW CALEDONIA – The French High Commission in New Caledonia has condemned the shooting of two policemen near Canala. The two officers were in an armoured vehicle when they were hit by buckshot. One was hit in the head and the other in the neck. Both police officers were flown to the hospital in Noumea and reports say their lives are not at risk. The shooting occurred when they called reinforcements after they had stopped two stolen cars. The mayor of Canala, Gilbert Tyuienon, has expressed his support to the policemen. The High Commissioner Vincent Bouvier says the perpetrators will be found and charged with attempted murder.