Neu: 2001-10-24 Contents of this issue:
1. Island Hopper? 2. Clear The Net ======================================================================== October 24th, 2001 1. Island Hopper? Kiribati plans to launch an international island-hopping service air service linking it with its Pacific neighbours, the news agency AFP reports. AFP said Air Kiribati plans to use a leased ATR72 aircraft from France to fly regularly between Kiribati, Nauru, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu. Kiribati is spending more than $US1.5 million on the deal, which could be up and running by Christmas, AFP reported. Kiribati is dependent on Air Nauru for its international services south and Air Marshalls for flights to Majuro. But Air Nauru has twice been grounded this year, and Air Marshalls only uses a small commuter plane. AFP quoted Kiribati's President Teburoro Tito as saying Kiribati need the cooperation and support of its immediate neighbours, adding: "We want to create island hopping tourism in the Pacific." Reports from Niue say the President who has been on the island for its commemorative celebrations has discussed the link with Premier Sani Lakatani. 2. Clear The Net: The Chief Accountant of the Pacific nation of Kiribati has warned of possible overspending within government ministries if they do not control the use of Internet services. All ministries have been instructed to use only one line connecting them to the Internet, in an effort to cut down on the exorbitant expenses incurred. Telecom Services Kiribati Limited has over 400 Internet users in the country, mainly government ministries, corporations and private institutions. TSKL recorded an increased demand for Internet services after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. Niue has about 125 government employees and a similar number of private users who have access to the internet. But the managers of dot nu the Internet Users Society - Niue provides free access to everyone on Niue. Users only pay for a local telephone call to link up with the society's servers. __END__
