Budget 2000 – Korean Détente – Solomon Islands – Fiji Coup, Hostages – Ethiopia – GE Cholera – Bob Harvey – Auckland
City Complaints – German Seatbelt Shooting
BUDGET 2000: Finance Minister Michael Cullen says the first budget of his government will show a change in the hand’s
off approach in economic and social areas shown in recent National budgets.
KOREAN DÉTENTE: The US has given a cautious welcome to the North and South Korean summit. Washington will announce a
plan to reduce sanctions against the north shortly.
SOLOMON ISLANDS: Reports from the Solomon Islands say the economic situation is deteriorating. While the debate on
whether and when a new PM should be appointed the economy has shut down.
FIJI COUP: A group of Commonwealth Ministers is due to arrive in Fiji tonight on a fact finding mission. Tomorrow’s
meetings will include the GCC, Indian community leaders and the Military Commander Frank Bainimarama. Talks between the
military and Speight are now back on track.
FIJI COUP - HOSTAGES: The red-cross visitor says that the hostages in Fiji feel resigned to their fate and occasionally
upset.
ETHIOPIA/ERITREA: The Organisation of African Uunity is proposing a 25km buffer zone on the Eritrean and Ethiopian
border to be monitored by the UN.
GE CHOLERA: The distributors of a Cholera Vaccine which has been withdrawn from use says it did not know about the need
for approval from ERMA. The Greens remain unconvinced that the vaccine is safe.
BOB HARVEY: Labour President Bob Harvey’s decision to stand down from the job has led to disappointment among some in
the party says the General Secretary.
AUCKLAND CITY COMPLAINTS: Auckland City Council has received six complaints against a council officer. The investigation
has been stopped however now the officer has resigned. The complainants are not happy.
GERMAN SHOOTING: A German man has shot four police officers before shooting himself after being stopped for not wearing
a seat belt.