Spaceport project

Papua New Guinea

Spaceport project a possibility

The Papua New Guinea cabinet has approved in principle the establishment of a commercial spaceport in the country. Space Transportation Systems Limited of Australia has been granted the right to conduct feasibility studies to determine a suitable site for the spaceport.

National radio NBC says a number of sites have been identified in northern PNG near the equator and STS will conduct feasibility studies to determine the right location consistent with scientific requirements. The study will also determine the impact on the local population, environmental considerations and socio-economic effects.

The project is estimated to cost about US$l billion and once established will be the first in the Asia-Pacific region. STS was involved in a similar venture in the Cape York Peninsula in Australia that has now been abandoned. If the PNG project goes ahead, it is likely to be in operation before the turn of the century.

PNG offers Fiji support

Papua New Guinea has offered to support Fiji’s re-entry into the Commonwealth. The offer was made by PNG Prime Minister Paias Wingti to Fiji’s deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Filipe Bole, in talks in Port Moresby.

Both men discussed regional, bilateral and international issues. Earlier, PNG Foreign Affairs Minister, John Kaputin and Bole signed a technical cooperation agreement. This memorandum of understanding will form the basis for closer ties between the two Melanesian neighbours.

Bougainville minister reported dead

\ minister in the outlawed self-styled Bouganville government las died while in the custody of Papua New Guinea troops. \ccording to the Solomon Star newspaper a report by Radio Australia’s Sean Dorney says Ken Savia, the health minister in he Bougainville government, was arrested by PNG soldiers in

February,

Amnesty International has been pressing the PNG govern nent to clarify the fate of Ken Savia, saying it had received eports he had been tortured and killed while in detention. The 3 NG government admitted in February that Savia had been letained at the Arawa Hospital soon after its security forces mtered the provincial capital in central Bougainville.

While in Buka Island for a meeting of village chiefs and eaders from most parts of the province, Dorney said he was ible to confirm from eye-witnesses that Savia was separated fom the others detained at the hospital and his family has now earnt he was killed.

There’s still official silence from the PNG government on the natter.