In This Issue

IRIAN JAYA-PAPUA NEW GUINEA Papua New -I A Guinean journalist Alfred Sasako talked for hours with James Nyaro, leader of the Operasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) which is fighting to free Irian Jaya from Indonesian control. His interview, a profile of James Nyaro, an account of the murder of Irianese intellectual Arnold Ap, and PIM editorial comment begin on page WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO JOHN MEIER? 25 Canadian journalist Alan Merridew reports exclusively for PIM from Vancouver on the latest vicissitudes to befall American John Meier, who six years ago was making headlines throughout the Pacific with his ill-starred, Nuku’alofa-based Bank of the South Pacific.

SOLAR POWER AND THE PACIFIC Experts argue the increasingly urgent case for the application of alternative energy sources in the Island countries and especially the most abundant of all, energy derived from the sun. An Alternative Energy feature begins on page VANUATU Julie-Ann Ellis in Port-Villa reports on a go government drive to ensure safer inter-island shipping a vital matter in this archipelagic country.

SUICIDE IN WESTERN SAMOA Dennis Oliver of 59 the YMCA reports on the remarkable success of a campaign against youth suicide in Western Samoa, and on his view of the reasons for its success.