Neu: 2002-03-11 Contents of this issue:
1. Inquiry Sits 2. Dialogue Continues ======================================================================== March 11th, 2002 1. Inquiry Sits: Niue's High Court is the venue for the first public sitting of the Commission of Inquiry into the island's e mail and internet services that commences today. The Commission is New Zealand district court judge David Ongley. The government of Niue is represented by Auckland barrister Stephen Langton, the internet users society by Auckland barrister Graham Kohler. The Internet Users Society was delegated the dot nu top level country code domain name in 1997 and set up a free email service for government departments and residents on Niue. Later all users had use of the internet. The commission was set up by the government of Niue to investigate the ownership and management of the Niue country code, the development of services and the future policy of government in relation to the supervision of the services. The commission is also investigating the negotiation, status and effect of a memorandum of understanding between the government and the internet users society signed on January 21 1999. The commission is likely to sit later in the year in New Zealand. Any findings by the commission are not binding on either party. 2. Dialogue Continues: The Niue government's Minister of Private Sector Development Matua Rex says he is happy to maintain a dialogue with the investors in the Hotel Niue over financial support for refurbishing the kitchen and bar. Investors who have a lease on the property claim the government should meet the costs of upgrading kitchen and bar facilities. Mr Rex told Radio NZ International he has doubts about the investors claims but says they should apply to the economic, planning and investment committee for concessions in the business deal they have with the government. About $40,000 of the $1000,000 share float have been sold to local and overseas investors for the 32 room hotel which now hopes to start marketing for the upcoming tourist season. __END__
