Neu: 2001-12-06 Contents of this issue:
1. Sanction Threat 2. Healthy Gift 3. Flying Talks 4. Samoa Too Good ======================================================================== December 6th, 2001 1. Sanction Threat: Nauru has moved urgently to avoid being hit by sanctions from an international body fighting money laundering. Niue is also on the list but has another six months to comply with international requirements. New Zealand is reported to be assisting with the establishment on a Financial Monitoring Unit. Nauru Chief Secretary Mathew Batsiua said amendments to offshore banking laws being rushed through parliament comply with the latest requirements of the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF). "I expect the amendments will put to rest any concerns that Nauru did not have the tightest possible legislation against money laundering," he said. Earlier, The Australian newspaper reported Patrick Moulette, of the Financial Action Task Force, said action will begin as soon as the group has double checked that Nauru has not met its conditions. He said: "As soon as we are certain, today or at the beginning of next week, we will send a circular to member-countries informing them that the counter-measures envisaged have to be applied." (PINA) 2. Healthy Gift: The European Union will give F$14.42 million for a new Fiji School of Medicine campus next year, Health Minister Pita Nacuva said.The groundbreaking ceremony should take place in March, he said. Meanwhile, 223 students graduated from the Fiji School of Medicine yesterday. Niue has several students studying at the medical school. - (PINA Nius Online). 3. Flying Talks: Air services to Niue will be top on the agenda of a Joint Consultative Group meeting between New Zealand and Niue officials in Wellington NZ December 10 and 11 says a NZ government foreign affiars official.. The island's airline consultant, hired by New Zealand, Mr Norman McFarlane will outline present options and advances on discussions which have reportedly been held with Air New Zealand. Premier Sani Lakatani recently stated he was hoping to get the national arline calling into Niue on its Auckland/ Tonga route. Niue's representatives at the meeting will be the secretary to government Mrs Sisilia Talagi, Crown Legal officer Ms Peleni Talagi and the high commissioner to NZ Mr Hima Takelesi said the NZ official.. Other matters to be discussed are the consultancy for a full scale report on Niue as a living community and the future of constitutional review proposals.(Copyright to NER) 4. Samoa Too Good: Niue failed to make any impression on Samoa in the latest round of netball in the sixth South Pacific mini games on Norfolk Island. Niue lost 65- 11 after struggling to keep up with a much fitter, and well cordinated side.The Papua New Guinea Pepes' hopes took a nosedive when they were humbled by Fiji 66-45 in their opening match. The Fijians were taller, fast and were not hesitant about implementing the skills imparted to them by a top-level coach from New Zealand. The PNG Pepes, pooled in the same group as American Samoa and hosts Norfolk Island, are seeded second behind Fiji in the pool. Cook Islands head Samoa, Solomon Islands, Niue and Vanuatu in Pool B. In other pool matches:, Fiji thrashed American Samoa 129-3; Norfolk Island defeated American Samoa 81-15; Samoa beat Niue 65-11; Cook Islands beat Vanuatu 78-35 and Solomon Islands beat Samoa 58-28. - The National/PINA Nius Online. __END__
