Navy Aircraft Hit Overhead Cable

Preliminary investigations into the US military aircraft accident which killed seven people and destroyed part of a hotel in American Samoa in April indicate the low-flying aircraft snagged its tail fin on the overhead tram cable which spans the harbour at Pago Pago. Six of the dead were the crew of the Lockheed Orion and the seventh was a Japanese tourist in the Rainmaker Hotel which the aircraft hit. Another Japanese tourist was badly burned. The Orion, an anti-submarine aircraft operated by the US Navy, had been taking part in Flag Day celebrations at Pago Pago and dropped off six parachutists from the Tropic Lightning Parachute Club of Hawaii. It then made two low flying passes over the harbour but while attempting a third it flew just under the overhead cable which tore off the fin and rudder. The Orion fell out of control, hit the ground beside the Rainmaker Hotel and burnt. An entire 78-room wing of the hotel was de stroyed.

China Conducts Missile Test

China last month announced early plans to launch its first unar med intercontinental ballistic missile into the South Pacific on a course and range which would put the splashdown between Kiribati and Tuvalu. China informed Australia and New Zealand of its intentions but Pacific Island countries said they had not been informed. The announcement brought a sharp reaction from most Pacific countries, although in Australia the acting Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr MacKellar, said merely that China’s intention showed the importance of making real progress towards nuclear disarmament. However Tuvalu said it was ‘out raged’, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Mr Kenilorea, said his country was ‘disappointed and concerned’ and the Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Sir Julius Chan said his country was ‘offended and concerned’. Tuvalu and PNG both sent notes of protest to Chinese diplomatic officials. When the launch occurred on May 18, the missile splashed down about 1300 Km north-west of Fiji.

Judge Withdraws Resignation

Mr Justice Andrew Wilson, one of five Australian and British judges in Papua New Guinea who resigned last year following a clash with the government, has withdrawn his resignation. The judges, including the then Chief Justice Sir William Prentice, claimed they could no longer serve with honour in a country which appeared contemptuous of its courts. The confrontation arose when the then Prime Minister, Mr Somare, released his Justice Minister, Mrs Rooney, who had been gaoled for contempt of court.

Rebel Surrenders, Says Indonesia

Martin Tabu, leader of one of the Free Papua groups opposing Indonesian sovereignty in Irian Jaya, has surrendered according to statements by Indonesian officials. Indonesia reported that

Tabu had been found at Waris, a village in the area of the Irian Jaya border with Papua New Guinea. Indonesia said it was taking no action against Tabu as a result of a ‘milder’ attitude towards rebel activity and in view of Tabu’s decision to give him self up.

Car Imports Restricted

The Western Samoa government has placed restrictions on the import of motor vehicles, new or second hand. The restrictions cover gifts of cars financed from overseas. Applicants are now required to obtain approval from the country’s Monetary Board before any vehicle is imported. Meanwhile the government is considering a possible ban on weekend petrol sales in a move to conserve fuel.

Military Academy For Png

The Joint Services College which Papua New Guinea maintains in Lae to train officers for its police, military services and gaol services is to close down this month. However the institute will continue to operate as a defence academy specialising in the training of military officers. The Minister for Defence Mr Gerega Pepena said it was no longer considered appropriate to train officers of all three services in a single college, but co-operation between the services would continue at a high level.

Fiji Plans National Lottery

Fiji has announced plans to establish a national lottery, and legislation for the proposal is being prepared for Parliament. The Governor-General, Ratu Sir George Cakobau, who announced plans for the lottery at the ceremonial opening of Parliament, said the proceeds would be used for welfare work.

New Zealand Grants To W. Samoa

The New Zealand government recently made cash grants td Western Samoa under its bilateral aid programme. The largest single grant was SWSISO 000 to the Western Samoa Develop ment Bank. Other grants were given for the construction of a: water supply system at the Tanumalala banana plantation and for fruit juice extraction equipment at the Alafua food processing laboratory. A further grant was made to enable the Police Department to purchase two tractors with trailers and cultivators for the prison farms at Vaiaata and Tafaigata.

Kiribati Builds Exports

Kiribati’s marine products unit expects to export fish and lobster worth $350 000 from its Christmas Island fish farms this year.

Each week it air freights 1 1 /2 tonnes of milkfish to Nauru anc a tonne of fish and half a tonne of lobsters to Honolulu. The unit started last year and its manager, Mr Patrick Lawrence, saic if it was equipped with deep freezing plant it would be able tc sell anywhere in the world.

A Flag Day fly-past at 500 feet over Pago Harbour

With fin torn off, disaster strikes. Burl Sloan pictures.