April
11, 2003
Greenland
MPs support higher wages
SIKU CIRCUMPOLAR NEWS
SERVICE
Members of Greenland's workforce have to show responsibility and moderation
over next four years - that was the message delivered by Greenland's minister
for economic affairs, Augusta Salling, when she presented a political-economic
report to her fellow MLAs.
But last week, only one week after the report was tabled, a proposal to increase
salaries for MPs and executive members received its first reading in the legislative
assembly. If passed, it would give MPs a 40 per cent salary increase and executive
members a 21 per cent increase.
The three largest political parties in Greenland, Siumut, Atassut and Inuit
Ataqatigiit, supported the proposal.
That represents an 180-degree about-face for Inuit Ataqatigiit.
In 2001, the left-wing Inuit Ataqatigiit party railed against wage hikes, causing
a coalition between the Siumut and Inuit Ataqatigiit parties to break down toward
the end of the year.
The proposal will receive its second reading during the fall of 2003.
April
11, 2003
Canada-Norway firm
mines gold in Greenland
SIKU CIRCUMPOLAR NEWS
SERVICE
The company operating the Nalunaq gold mine in southern Greenland has received
a 30-year exclusive license for the location. A Norwegian-Canadian company called
Crew is the major shareholder in Nalunaq.
The mine isn't expected to turn a profit for several years, but will generate
100 jobs in one of Greenland's least-developed regions.
Since Nuna Oil found gold on the plateau 40 kilometers northeast of Nanortalik
in southern Greenland, the company has mined 38,000 tons of gold ore, shipped
to Canada for processing.
April
11, 2003
Iceland's whaling
plans provoke internal dispute
SIKU CIRCUMPOLAR NEWS
SERVICE
Icelandic fleets want to hunt 250 whales next year: 100 minke whales, 100 rorquals
and 50 Sei whales.
Iceland plans to ask the scientific committee of the International Whaling
Commission (IWC) to grant the go-ahead for the hunt when the group meets later
this year.
Iceland's membership in the IWC gives it the right to hunt whales for scientific
purposes despite IWC objections, but it must first present a hunting and research
plan.
The Icelandic Tourist Industry Association is already protesting this plan.
"Whale-watching has become one of the most popular tourist activities
in Iceland, providing considerable income for the economy, as well as creating
a very positive image for Iceland," a statement from the tourism group
said.
TOP
| 
Nunavut 99
