Niue History

Washington -- As America recovers from the largest terrorist attack in history on U.S. soil, allies and friends in the Asia-Pacific region -- large and small -- are offering help and sympathy to the U.S. government and the American people. ... [Read More]

New Zealand (09/04)
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Hague Convention on Legalization of Foreign Public Documents

4. Negotiation History - U.S. Department of State, Office of the Legal Adviser, Private International Law. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Text: U.N. Agency Forecasts 2002 Will Be Second Warmest Year on Record

In Canada, drought particularly affected central and northern areas of the Prairie Provinces, somewhat north of the region most impacted in 2001. In the United States, drought conditions worsened in the west, but some improvement was seen in the east. Persistent dry conditions in the western United States contributed to the second worst wildfire season in history ...

The seasonal rainfall during the summer June-September monsoon in India as a whole was 19 percent below normal, qualifying 2002 as the first all-India drought year since 1987. In the western United States, persistent dry conditions contributed to the second worst wildfire season in history. ... [Read More]

Background Notes Archive - East Asia and the Pacific

Background Notes: New Zealand, October 1998Released by the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific AffairsU.S. Department of StateOFFICIAL NAME: New ZealandPROFILEGeographyArea: 270,534 sq. km. (104,440 sq. mi.); about the size of Colorado. Cities: (1997) Capital--Wellington (345,000). Other cities--Auckland (1,057,000), Christchurch (337,000), Hamilton (164,000). Terrain: Highly varied, from snow-capped mountains to lowland plains. Climate: Temperate to subtropical. PeopleNationality: Noun--New Zealander(s). Adjective--New Zealand. Population (1997): est. 3.7 million. Annual growth rate: (1997) 1.1%. Ethnic groups: European 75%, Maori 14.5%, other Polynesian 5.6%. Religions: Anglican 22%, Presbyterian 16%, Roman Catholic 15%. Languages: English, Maori. Education: Years compulsory--ages 6-16. Attendance--100%. Literacy--99%. Health: (1996) Infant mortality rate--7.3/1,000. Life expectancy (1996)--males 73 yrs., females 79 yrs. Work force (1996) 1.6 million: Services and governm ... [Read More]

Country Reports: N-Z

Namibia Namibia is not a regional financial center. In addition to its Central Bank, Namibia has four commercial banks. Of particular concern in Namibia is the smuggling of precious minerals and gems, the proceeds of which Namibian authorities think may be laundered through Namibian financial institutions. In November of 2004, Namibia criminalized money laundering with passage of the Prevention of Organized Crime Bill. The new law requires both bank and non-bank financial institutions to report suspicious transactions to the Central Bank and provide relevant documents and other information to government authorities for use in criminal investigations. Non-bank financial institutions, such as private pension funds, the stock exchange, and investment companies, were previously ... [Read More]

Background Notes Archive - East Asia and the Pacific

U.S. Department of StateBackground Notes: Western Samoa, June 1996Bureau of East Asian and Pacific AffairsPrepared and released by the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs,Office of Pacific Island AffairsJune 1996Official Name: Independent State of Western SamoaPROFILEGeographyArea: 2,934 sq. km. (1,133 sq. mi.), about the size of Rhode Island.Cities: Capital--Apia (pop. 35,000).Terrain: MountainousClimate: Tropical.PeopleNationality: Noun and adjective--Western Samoan(s).Population (19991: 161,000.Annual growth rate (1986-91): 0.5%.Ethnic groups: Samoan, European-Samoan, Chinese-Samoan.Religion: Christian.Languages: Samoan, English.Education: Years compulsory--ages 5-14. Elementary school attendance--85%. Literacy--70%.Health: Infant mortality rate--19/1,000 live births. Life expectancy--64 yrs.Work force: Agriculture--90%.GovernmentType: Parliamentary democracy.Independence: January 1,1962.Constitution: January 1, 1962.Branches: Executive--head of state. Legislative ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Text: U.S. Committed to Helping Developing Pacific Island Nations

The South Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) has existed for nearly fifteen years to protect and improve the South Pacific environment and to ensure sustainable development in that area. The U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, are located within the SPREP area. The State of Hawaii is also closely linked to the Pacific basin by geography, history, economics and politics. SPREP provides for increased cooperation among the United States, Australia, New Zealand, France and twenty-two island States and territories of the South Pacific area in addressing issues affecting environment and development in the region. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Text: U.S. Seeks to Promote Stability, Growth in Pacific Islands

As a Pacific nation itself, the U.S. has a long history of involvement in the Pacific islands, initially through our trading vessels and the activities of American missionaries. At the turn of the century, the U.S. acquired territory in the Pacific, including Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa. Later, our troops in World War II came to rely on the residents of some of these island nations for vital support. The Solomons, New Guinea, Peleliu, Truk, Yap, and other island locations have strong associations for U.S. servicemen who fought there during the Second World War. After the war, the U.S. took responsibility for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands under the United Nations. ... [Read More]

Country Reports: N-Z

Zimbabwe’s Anti-Money Laundering Act criminalizes narcotics-related money laundering. In December 2003, the Government of Zimbabwe submitted the Anti-Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Bill to Parliament. The bill is expected to pass in 2004. The bill would apply to all forms of money laundering and would require banks to maintain records sufficient to reconstruct individual transactions for at least six years. The bill would also mandate a prison sentence of up to five years for a money laundering conviction. The pending legislation would also address terrorist financing and the tracking and seizing of assets. In the context of the Government’s history of using the legal system selectively and aggressively to target political opponents, the legislation as drafted could raise significant human rights concerns. ... [Read More]