Edisi 19 Maret 2010 | International Bali Post

16 Pages Number 53 2st Year

British boy reunited wtih father after Pakistan kidnap PAGE 6

Price: Rp 3.000,-

I

N

T

E

R

N

A

T

I

O

N

A

L

e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id online: http://www.internationalbalipost.com. http://epaper.internationalbalipost.com.

Friday, March 19, 2010

People et cetera Exhibition: Picture of irony in the eyes of Adi Bachmann PAGE 8

IBP/edi

After Nyepi Day, several ogoh-ogoh are placed in the side of the road to be sold. The picture shows the ogoh-ogoh on Ngurah Rai road.

Lido’s leggy ‘Bluebell Girls’ fete leggiest of all PAGE 12

Obama says no crisis in US-Israeli relations Agence France Presse

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama denied a crisis was rocking US-Israeli relations as his top diplomatic aide arrived Thursday in Moscow for a meeting of the Middle East quartet.

WEATHER FORECAST CITY

TEMPERATURE OC

DENPASAR

24 - 34

JAKARTA

25 - 32

BANDUNG

19 - 28

YOGYAKARTA

23 - 34

SURABAYA

26 - 34

SUNNY

BRIGHT/CLOUDY

Obama’s first public comments on the showdown came Wednesday as his administration awaited a response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Washington’s sharp complaints

over the announcement of new settlements.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Moscow early Thursday for a meeting of the international quartet on Middle East

RAIN

HOTLINE

For placing advertisment, please contact: Eka Wahyuni

0361-225764

AFP

President Barack Obama

peace talks — involving partners Russia, the United Nations and the European Union — without holding her expected telephone call with Netanyahu.

“We’re still looking forward to a response. It hasn’t happened yet,” Mark Toner, a State Department spokesman, told reporters in Washington after Clinton’s departure.

Obama was conciliatory when asked in an interview with Fox News if there was a “crisis” in US-Israeli relations after the announcement on 1,600 new settler homes in annexed east Jerusalem, which embarrassed Vice President Joe Biden during a visit last week to the Jewish state.

Israel formulating reponse “No,” Obama answered. “We and the Israeli people have a special bond that’s not going to go away.

“But friends are going to disagree sometimes... there is a disagreement in terms of how we can move this peace process forward.”

Obama noted that the announcement on new settler homes was the work of the Interior Ministry in Israel and that Netanyahu had apologized. He called on both Israelis and Palestinians to “take steps to make sure that we can rebuild trust.”

Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, insisted meanwhile in an article for The New York Times that relations between Washington and Jewish state “can sustain occasional disagreements, and remain unassailably solid.”

The allies “must never allow such differences to obscure the purpose we share or to raise doubts about the unbreakable bonds between us,” he wrote.

The White House was also considering proposing a US plan to form the basis of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, the Times reported, as US officials questioned the commitment of Netanyahu’s government to peace talks.

Should Obama present his own proposal, complete with territorial maps, it would likely not take place until his special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, had engaged in several months of US-brokered indirect “proximity” talks between the two sides, the Times said.

Netanyahu spoke overnight with Vice President Biden, the prime minister’s office in Jerusalem said.

A White House aide would only say that the call was part of “ongoing negotiations.”

2

International

Friday, March 19, 2010

Bali News From Ogoh-ogoh Competition to Maprani Denpasar (Bali Post)-

The zonal division of the ogoh-ogoh competition on the Pangerupukan Night, last Monday (Mar 15) in Denpasar into four zones could prevent the congestion downtown Denpasar. If previously the parade was centralized, now they were dispersed in four regions according to zonal area. For Kesiman Customary Village, the competition was centralized on the intersection of Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai, Tohpati.

At that time, hundreds of units of ogoh-ogoh were paraded. Interestingly, the members of customary youth club were mingled with the members of customary hamlet competing to perform the best bleganjur gamelan orchestra accompanied by the presentation of dance fragments pursuant to the theme of ogoh-ogoh. The competition was officially opened by the Head of Kesiman Customary Village, Jro I Made Karim.

Attractions were begun by the presentation of ogoh-ogoh in the figure of Celuluk from Saraswati Hamlet, followed by Dimbha Antaka from Kusambi Village, Kalikamaya from Kehen, Kala Bregenjeng from Kedaton, and Kali Dunggulan from Kusuma Jati. Furthermore, it was resumed with the death of Niwatakwaca from Abianangka Kaja, Cikra Bala from Abiantubuh, Kali Yuga from Bukit Buwung, Kala Kalika from Abianangka Kelod up to the Kala Tiga

from Kuningan.

Head of the Committee, AA Gde Agung Rimbya Temaja, admitted to feel satisfied with the competition of that time. Other than to express the creativity of young people, the making of ogoh-ogoh was also to strengthen a social relationship of Kesiman Customary Village. Therefore, champion did not become the main objective in the event but maintained brotherhood that had been running well at Kesiman.

Rimbya Temaja who is also the headmaster of secondary school of SMPN 1 Denpasar judged the tradition should be preserved as a medium of learning for young people and did not spend the Nyepi holiday meaninglessly.

Therefore, the teacher of sustainable Bali thanked God that Hindu devotees at Kesiman should be grateful because Kesiman villagers could perform the Brata Penyepian or abstinences including the high tolerance of other devotees during the Nyepi celebration.

Before the competition of ogohogoh, in the morning at Kesiman the Hindus held maprani worship at each hamlet. According to Rimbya Temaja, it was an expression of gratitude tradition materially and spiritually in order devotees could run the Catur Berata Penyepian well. Pepranian was an offering to all beings (sarwa prani = all life) both for the visible and invisible in nature. This showed the harmony of human relationship to the Creator (God) and nature along with its contents. So, he said the Hindus were very familiar with the nature along with its contents.

Jro Mangku Penyarikan Dalem Kesiman Made Murdha added that maprani procession was full of social values. So, on the maprani worship the head of household mutually exchanged the content of such prani offerings. This meant they mutually apologized as a foundation of devotees to carry out the Catur Brata Penyepian. (025)

Captured at Boarding House of Cafe Girl on Nyepi A Youth Fined by Cash and Pacaruan Semarapura (Bali Post)-

A young man who has address on Jalan Imam Bonjol, Klungkung, Nengah Supon, had to bear the shame.

The man of 29 years old from Tebola Village, Sidemen, Karangasem was herded to the hall of Takmung Hamlet, Banjarangkan, Klungkung because of being caught red handedly at the boarding house of a cafe girls on Nyepi celebration, last Tuesday (Mar 16) night. Not only that, he was also subject to sanctions in the form of a fine worth IDR 250,000 and pecaruan or exorcism rite sanction.

Information collected from location, last Wednesday (Mar 17) mentioned, on observing the Brata Penyepian or abstinences, Pecalang security taskforce of Takmung Hamlet held a raid at the boarding house belonging to Ketut Diasta. Such con-

trol was a routine to determine the amount of dwellers of boarding house because some of them had no identity card and self-reported document.

Initially, the control at boarding house of Diasta was done during the day. However, the owner of boarding houses holding the cafe girls said there were no additional occupants. However, pecalang officers were doubtful with the explanation of the owner who is also a teacher of primary school.

Due to such doubt, pecalang officers decided to raid again in the evening by involving the hamlet apparatus.

Finally, the officers found Nengah Supon making coffee with a cafe girl.

When asked for his identity card, Supon was unable to show it. Additionally, Supon did not report his existence to hamlet head staying at Takmung Village more than 24 hours.

Therefore, pecalang brought Supon to local hall. “At hamlet hall, pecalang handed over the concerned person (Supon-ed) to hamlet,� admitted the head of Takmung Hamlet, Wayan Mastra.

Based on decision of pecalang and hamlet apparatus, Supon eventually was fined IDR 250,000 and sanctions in the form of pecaruan or exorcism rite at the boarding house because he was considered to have made the Takmung Hamlet impure. ?Regarding to sanctions, it must be carried out within a week after the decision,? asserted Mastra while adding it was the second incident at his hamlet. Few years ago, the local pecalang captured a couple having a love affair and consequently was subject to fines and sanctions of exorcism rite. (kmb20)

IBP/eka

Cleaning officers were taking the garbage after Nyepi celebration, on Thursday, March 18th 2010. The garbage is increasing especially after Hindus day so the proper garbage management is needed to handle the problem.

Yesterday, Panglemek Tawur Tabuh Gentuh Rite at Besakih Amlapura (Bali Post)?

Panglemek of Tawur Tabuh Gentuh (TTG) exorcism rite was held last Thursday (Mar 18) at the main courtyard of Besakih, Karangasem where TTG rite was held previously. According to the Head of TTG and Ida Betara Turun Kabeh (IBTK), I Wayan Gunatra, last Wednesday (Mar 17) at Besakih, the warning sign the TTG was held three days in advance, last Monday (Mar 15).

Panglemek of TTG, said Gunatra who is also the Head of Besakih Customary Village, was the continuation of the three days after the Tawur and bhuta kala was neutralized. Meanwhile, devotees invoked immortal balance between macrocosm and microcosm.

When the TTG was offered, it was

based on pebangkit oblation.

Gunatra said on the implementation of TTG last Monday, hundreds of devotees both from around Besakih Village and from a number of regions in Bali attended directly to pray for TTG as the center of Tawur in Bali. Because of many devotees, they were until worshipping outside the compound wall of location of the Tawur located at the main courtyard.

Meanwhile, after evening prayers following the TTG at Besakih, dozens of devotees from Bali and outside Bali like from Lombok kept awake all night at Besakih temple complex. They established the Catur Brata Penyepian at Besakih, in the hope they could carry out the Brata Penyepian more fervently in the universal temple. (013)

Head of Customary Village Dies When Carrying Ogoh-ogoh Negara (DenPost)-

Misfortune was undergone by the Head of Waru Mekar Customary Hamlet, Dauhwaru, Jembrana, Dewa Nyoman Berata, 60. He died while carrying and parading ogoh-ogoh at local hamlet, last Monday (Mar 15) afternoon.

Based on information, the incident originated from the local residents carried ogoh-ogoh together. It was unknown when the ogoh-ogoh paraded Dewa Berata suddenly collapsed. Instantly, the group parading the ogohogoh was extremely surprised. With-

out wasting time, Dewa Berata was directly taken to hospital. Unfortunately, his life could not be saved. He breathed his last in the hospital.

One of the local hamlet apparatuses, Nyoman Birawan, last Wednesday (Mar 17) said, allegedly the victim died because he was too tired after a whole day performed physical preparations to welcome the Nyepi, one of them was carrying the ogoh-ogoh. Birawan added Dewa Berata collapsed among the bearers of ogoh-ogoh. At that time, the ogohogoh parade just arrived near the intersection of Jembrana Market. (021)

z Founder : K.Nadha, z Chief Editor: ABG Satria Naradha z Managing Editor: Wirata,Palgunadi z Editors: Alit Purnata, Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Darmasunu, Daniel Fajry, Diah Dewi, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Sutiawan, Wirya, Yudi Winanto zDenpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subagiadnya, Subrata, Suentra, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Pujawan, Buleleng: Adnyana, Gianyar: Agung Dharmada, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Bali Putra Ariawan, Tabanan: Surpi. Jakarta: Nikson, Suharto Olii, Indu P. Adi, Ahmadi Supriyanto, Achmad Nasrudin, Hardianto, Darmawan S. Sumardjo, Heru B Arifin, Asep Djamaluddin, Ade Irawan, Ipik Tanoyo. NTB: Agus Talino, Syamsudin Karim, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani, Nur Haedin, Suyadnya. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto. z Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi. z Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publiser: PT Bali Post

Bali News

International

Firecrackers Almost Burned Down Temples Gianyar (Bali Post) —

During the implementation of Nyepi holyday Caka Year 1932, starting from the day of pengerupukan up to ngembak geni, three cases of fire happened. On the pengerupukan day, two cases of fire occurred. A Merejan Temple in the Medahan Village, and a house in Banjar Tegal, Village Pering, Blahbatuh - Gianyar were burned. While in Ngembak Geni, on Wednesday (17 / 3), the Widya Suwara school building in Sukawati was also burned.

Implementation of the entire series of Hindu New Year ceremony in Gianyar regency had generally run safely and smoothly. A number of critical points, previously feared to potentially promote friction, turned out to be safe. However, the fire events were incidental.

In the village of Medahan, fire devour upon two Mrajan Temple statues, west of Banjar Anggarkasih. At around 10:25, Meru and Gedong statues experienced a fire originated from sparks of fireworks.

This incident had shocked people who were preparing the Tawur Kesanga grand ceremony at a nearby

intersection in local villages. Following the end of the day, at 17:55 fire occurred in a house in Banjar Tegal, Pering Village. The North Bale building measuring 9 x 7 meters owned by I Ketut Sadia (40) was sold out into the fire coming from the short current of electricity. When Sadia left home to participate in carrying the ogoh-ogoh, the victim forgot to turn off the fan inside his house. The electrical shortage is a possible cause of fire.

Meanwhile, the third fire occurred on Wednesday (17 / 3), exactly on the day of ngembak geni. At around 12:00 p.m., a school building of Suwara

Widya Junior High in Sukawati village also suffered a fire.

Sukawati?s Chief of Village, Nyoman Gamia, said based on the current investigation; the fire was possibly coming from former plants combustion site east of the school building. The fire then demolished the school cafeteria and three class rooms.

Luckily, the fire was able to be extinguished by residents and firefighters.

Chief of Firefighter Unit Gianyar, Wayan Gede Eka Putra said, in all the fire that happened, a maximum effort have been showed by firefighters. No casualties occurred in the incident. (kmb16)

Passing Street during Nyepi Bali Safari’s Car Intercepted by Pecalang Gianyar (Bali Post) —

Kesian Village’s Pecalang (traditional security officers) in Gianyar intercepted a car belonging to a recreation company in Gianyar, Bali Safari while passing the street during the implementation of Brata Penyepian.

The deed done by unscrupulous Safari Park staff was nearly marred the implementation of Brata Penyepian in the Gianyar regency, last Tuesday (16 / 3).

The information collected on Tuesday said, the interception was done because the Pecalang from Kesian Village were infuriated seeing the behavior of Bali Safari staff who did not appreciate the implementation of Nyepi in the village. The Bali Safari staff was driving a car that supposed to be used in the field for Golf to take rice in the

village of Seronggo, not to carry out emergencies such as to take the sick.

Pecalang Chairman in Kesian Pekraman Village, Ketut Susila disclosed the event of the passing Bali Safari employees in the village area at around 11:00 a.m. When intercepted, the Bali Safari staff only showed letters relating to an emergency. When asked what the emergency was, he answered that he needs to find the rice.

“Of course we were angry by his answer,” he explained.

Ironically, the letter indicated by the Bali Safari employee contained the signature of Village Secretary of Lebih.

As traditional and religious activities are a task of the Pecalang, they directly gave a warning not to pass for a second time with emergency to find rice for the Bali Safari?s employee.

Kesian Village Chief, Ketut Maruta, SE., said the offense committed by the Bali Safari during the Nyepi celebrations will be discussed with the Kesian Pekraman Village officials first.

Nyepi is already known to the world, even those who live in Gianyar, so this incident was definitely an offense. If it was about hospital or natural emergency, it would still be tolerated. However, this was about rice, which is far in advance can be prepared by Bali Safari itself, considering that Bali Safari has a restaurant inside its area.

“We really regret the attitude of the company that did not care about the activities of surrounding communities, especially in implementation of Brata Penyepian,” he explained. (kmb16)

Nyepi in Kuta Littered by the Deed of Fisherman Mangupura (Bali Post)?

Solemnity of Nyepi, last Tuesday (Mar 16) night in Kuta, stained.

Because, a number of fishermen from outside Kuta were caught fishing in waters five miles from Kuta Beach in the evening. Unfortunately, due to the distance was too far, the behavior of such fishermen was difficult to stop by the local pecalang security officer. Such an event was the first time happened in Kuta Beach.

An officer of Kuta Beach Taskforce, Oka Adnyana, said the action of such desperate fishermen was known by pecalang on the night patrol. Dozens of pecalang of Kuta Customary Village was shocked by floodlights in the middle of the sea coming from a

number of fishing vessels. This had made the pecalang growled. These fishing activities had been regarded as harassment and violation against the implementation of Catur Berata Penyepian. ?They indeed did not respect the Nyepi holiday at all,? he said.

Nevertheless, the Task Force and Pecalang officers were unable to do anything to those fishermen because they were at far distance. Oka also claimed to have not been able to identify the fishermen intended.

However, based on monitoring by the Task Force of Kuta Beach, those fishing boats had been doing activities every night for a week.

Head of Kuta Customary Village, I Gusti Ketut Sudira and Head of Kuta Subdistrict Weda Darmaja

once conducted a review to Kuta Beach. In line with Oka, both agreed if that deed was not allowed because it would have bad impact on the society of Kuta. “If the persons of fishermen were let do it, instead we are supposed to do so,” he said.

Meanwhile, in addition to violations in the waters, implementation of Nyepi actually lasted quite conducive and orderly. Deputy Head of Kuta Village Made Darsana said management of hotels in Kuta averagely had understood and carried out the appeal related to the implementation of Nyepi. In fact, the hotel management also closed the swimming pool area with a tarp so that the guest activities were not too flashy. (ded)

Friday, March 19, 2010

3

Solemn, Nyepi Festivity in Karangasem Amlapura (Bali Post)-

Catur Brata Penyepian of the Caka Year 1932 in Karangasem ran solemnly, last Tuesday (Mar 16) to Ngembak Geni, Wednesday (Mar 17) morning. A number of residents met after the Ngembak Geni confessed to be grateful because the Nyepi holiday of this year was very solemn.

Other than Karangasem, particularly in the Amlapura city, the interfaith relationship among the people of different religions is good and mutually respectful. This condition occurred up to villages such as Bebandem, Sindu, Sidemen, Buitan and Manggis where Hindus and Muslims lived side by side peacefully. In the midst of the Hindus establishing Brata Penyepian, the adzan prayers of Moslem in a number of mosques did not use loudspeakers.

One of them Amlapura?s residents, Made Arti, also claimed to be grateful, because all electronic media such as national and local radio and TV stations did not air this year in Bali. Meanwhile, Ngurah Rai International Airport was closed for a day, as well as a number of harbors, including Padangbai, Karangasem, so that no aircrafts roared through the air during the Nyepi as in the previous years. “When I started Catur Brata Penyepian, last Tuesday (Mar 16) morning it rained in Karangasem. The interfaith relationship among the religions ran harmoniously. Hopefully, this situation is the natural sign of the better future,” said Arti.

Supreme Consciousness

Before Penyepian, all customary villages in Karangasem undertook the

Tawur Kesanga held in catus pata (road intersection) in the center of the village.

As shown at this village, the customary villagers of Temega and Datah, Karangasem; as well as Telun Wayan, Tri Eka Buana, Sidemen, the Head of Datah Customary Village, Made Jaya Kusuma expressed his gratitude because large enough number of his villagers attended the Tawur Kesanga and said prayers. He hoped that in next year his villagers could undertake the Tawur Kesanga and Brata Penyepian more solemn.

“Villagers should carry out their own duties and responsibilities properly. On the holidays, especially the Tawur Kesanga and Brata Penyepian, and when working, please do so well so Ida Betara (Almighty God) permits our prayers, especially the better health and quality of life. We have to perform all duties and obligations with the highest awareness,” said Jaya Kusuma in his sermon before hundreds of customary villagers of 13 hamlets at Datah.

In the meantime, from Sidemen, the Head of Tri Eka Buana Village, Nyoman Masta accompanied by Village Head of Telun Wayah Ketut Nata said when performed the regular Tawur Kesanga villagers should guard. The blood of bull with perfect physical condition (without defect) was scattered from in front of Pura Puseh to graveyard along some 1 km. Once slaughtered, the skin of sacrificial cow was skinned along four legs, tail and head to be used for the ingredients of ritual in the oblation of Tawur or Pacaruan in the afternoon. Tawur was continued with Pangrupukan, while the beef was distributed to the local residents. (013)

During Nyepi Celebration

Three Boys Mysteriously Disappeared Denpasar (Bali Post)

Nyepi celebrations in residential area around Buana Ayu, Jalan Buana Raya, Denpasar, had been colored with panic. One of the local residents, Bayu (35), began to be anxious from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday morning. It was unimaginable that his beloved son, Daniel Marcelino (12), suddenly disappeared mysteriously. Not only Daniel, two friends of his, Markus (12) and Evan (12) have also disappeared.

However, after a search conducted with police officers, the boys were eventually found. They seem to stay at Markus’s house located not far from Daniel?s house. They confessed to have just been playing at Markus’s house. They also admitted their fault for not letting their parents know and disabling their cell phones.

The disappearance of the boys was making Bayu covered in panic. In fact, he went to Denpasar Police Station (Poltabes) with a motorbike despite the Nyepi holyday. “I would like to report sir. My child had been missing since Tuesday afternoon. Until now (Wednesday morning-red), he has not come home,” said Bayu to the officer at Poltabes Denpasar.

According to Bayu, before known

to be missing, his son said goodbye and told him that he was going to his grandmother’s house in Seminyak. The distance between his and his grandmother’s house is about 7 kilometers. “My son and his two friends (Markus and Evan), said they were going to Seminyak. They wanted to see Daniel’s grandmother. But until now he has not come back,” said Bayu with a tone of confusion.

Bayu attempted to search on his own by calling a number of families. However, Bayu?s efforts were useless and his family members who were called claimed that Daniel was not in their homes. Since it is the Nyepi holiday, the only way out is for Bayu to report it to Poltabes Denpasar. “I had called his cell phone, but it was always inactive,” he said.

Police at the time could not do much.

It is not possible to conduct direct search, because Denpasar residents were still following the nyepi (silent day) rituals. Therefore, the police asked to conduct a search starting on Wednesday morning. “After we were looking for him, it turned out that Daniel and his friends were staying at Markus’s house. We’ve found them,” Bayu said, while informing her son’s discovery via SMS to a reporter yesterday. (kmb21)

4

News

Friday, March 19, 2010

International

Thailand: Red Shirt protesters vow “class war” AP

BANGKOK – Thousands of demonstrators remained encamped in the historic heart of the Thai capital Thursday, vowing to stir up a “class war” until the government is ousted.

A 2,000-vehicle protest rally through the streets of Bangkok was planned for Saturday, but Thursday appeared to be a rest day after four days of mass demonstrations and shock tactics like the pouring of human blood at the home of the prime minister and the seat of government.

Leaders of the “Red Shirt” protesters, who want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to call new elections, said Wednesday they would scale back the size of their demonstrations in order to conserve energy and resources.

The decision to stay encamped in Bangkok is meant to keep up the pressure on Abhisit, who already has rejected several of the protesters’ deadlines to dissolve Parliament.

“It will be the beginning of a class war,” said Natthawut Saikua, among the protest leaders who have increasingly portrayed the demonstrations as a struggle between Thailand’s impoverished, mainly rural masses and a Bangkok-based elite impervious to their plight.

AP

Thai riot police officers stand in front of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s residence

The protesters also consist of supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a 2006 military coup for alleged corruption, and pro-democracy activists who opposed the army takeover. They believe Abhisit came to power illegitimately with the connivance of the military and other parts of the traditional ruling class and that only new elections can restore integrity to Thai democracy.

“I’m asking you to be patient for one more week. We will achieve true democracy and better lives for Thais all over the country. I understand that you must be tired, hot and hungry. Be patient for another seven days for our children’s future,” Thaksin told his supporters via a video link Wednesday night.

Newspaper reports said Thaksin would be returning to his base in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, after a trip to Europe.

On Wednesday, red-shirted protesters hurled plastic bags filled with their own blood into Abhisit’s residential compound, following similar protests the day before at his office and the headquarters of his Democrat Party.

Several thousand later gathered in front of the U.S. Embassy, saying they wanted to tell the international community that their government is illegitimate.

The blood-spilling tactic — said to show the willingness of the common people to sacrifice themselves for their cause and their nation — grabbed attention, but put the Red Shirt movement no closer to its goal of forcing new elections.

More than 100,000 demonstrators converged on the capital Sunday, and organizers boasted that they would topple the government within days. But the crowd shrank Wednesday to around 40,000, according to Maj. Gen. Vichai Sangparpai, a metropolitan police commander.

After a strategy meeting, the Red Shirt leaders said they would keep up their presence in an old part of Bangkok that is a traditional venue for political demonstrations.

AP

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton waves upon arrival in Moscow’s Vnukovo airport

Clinton in Moscow for Mideast, nuclear arms talks AP

MOSCOW – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Thursday opened two days of talks with Russian leaders on nuclear arms control and other security issues, and separately with top international diplomats on the outlook for bringing Israel and the Palestinians back to peace talks.

Clinton arrived in the Russian capital after an overnight flight from Washington and was to be joined by the Obama administration’s special envoy for Mideast peace, George Mitchell, to participate in talks with diplomats from Russia, the European Union and the United Nations. They were discussing the crisis in U.S.-Israeli relations and stalled efforts to restart Mideast peace negotiations.

Clinton was meeting one-on-one with Russian Foreign Minister

Sergey Lavrov, and the two were then dining with their U.N. and E.U. colleagues. Together they form the so-called Quartet of Mideast peacemakers; they are scheduled to hold formal talks on Friday.

The Quartet meeting was intended to lend support for the start this week of indirect talks between the Israelis and Palestinians. But those talks fell apart before they began — a casualty of Israel’s provocative approval of new housing in east Jerusalem.

The diplomatic crisis erupted last

Tuesday, when Israel announced during a visit by Vice President Joe Biden that it would build 1,600 apartments for Jews in disputed east Jerusalem, the sector of the holy city that the Palestinians claim for a future capital.

Clinton called the announcement an insult and “a deeply negative signal” for the peace process; she even questioned Israel’s commitment to its relationship with the U.S. Clinton’s spokesman, P.J. Crowley, said she was awaiting a phone call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for clarification on how the Israeli government intends to respond to a U.S. call for rescinding the east Jerusalem housing decision and to make a gesture of renewed commitment to engaging seriously with the Palestinians in peace talks.

Junta frees Myanmar-American to deport him AP

YANGON, Myanmar – A U.S. citizen accused of subversion was released from prison in his native Myanmar and deported Thursday after serving part of a three-year prison sentence. The aunt of Kyaw Zaw Lwin, also known as Nyi Nyi Aung, said he was released after 6 1/2 months in prison and taken to Yangon’s international airport to catch a flight to Thailand.

Khin Khin Swe said her nephew was accompanied to the airport by a U.S. consular official. “ We can confirm that Kyaw

Zaw Lwin has been released from prison and has left the country,” the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.

“We welcome that development.”

The 40-year-old Kyaw Zaw Lwin was arrested Sept. 3 on arrival at the same airport. He was initially accused of plotting to stir up political unrest, which he denied.

He was sentenced in October for forging a national identity card, for possession of undeclared foreign currency, and for violating Myanmar’s so-called Resident Registration Act — under which he was accused of failing to renounce his Myanmar citizenship when becoming an American

citizen and failure to inform authorities of his new address.

“He looks well and happy, though much thinner than before,” said Khin Khin Swe. “I am very happy for him but I want families of other prisoners of conscience to be happy and hope that all will be released,” said Khin Khin Swe, who said five of her relatives are in prison, including her son-in-law.

Myanmar’s military government holds more than 2,000 political prisoners, according to the U.N. and independent human rights organizations. The most prominent is opposition party leader Aung San Suu

Kyi. The 1991 Nobel peace laureate has been detained for about 14 of the last 20 years, and is currently under house arrest, from which she is due to be released in November.

Kyaw Zaw Lwin’s mother is serving a five-year prison term for political activities, and his sister was sentenced to 65 years in prison for involvement in 2007’s pro-democracy protests, which government forces brutally suppressed, activist groups and family members say.

Kyaw Zaw Lwin, who was held at a prison about 180 miles (299 kilometers) north of Yangon was brought to Yangon’s notorious Insein prison

Wednesday and handed over U.S. consular officials Thursday afternoon, said his aunt. As a teenager in Myanmar, previously known as Burma, he helped organize students during Myanmar’s 1988 pro-democracy uprising and later fled to the United States. According to dissident groups, he is a resident of Maryland.

His reason for returning to Myanmar was not clear, but there has been speculation he hoped to see his jailed relatives. He staged a 12day hunger strike in December to protest conditions of political prisoners in Myanmar, according to human rights groups.

International IMIGRATION Australian Consulate General Jalan Tantular 32 Renon Denpasar Phone: +62 361 241118 Fax: +62 361 221195 (General) +62 361 241120 (Immigration)

General Info

Friday, March 19, 2010

HOSPITAL Denpasar There are 4 major hospitals usually used by foreigners Denpasar General Hospital (RSUP Sanglah), Kasih Ibu Hospital, Rumah Sakit Wongaya and Rumah Sakit Dharma Husada.

HOSPITAL Bangli Bangli General Hospital Jl. Kesumayuda 27, Bangli Phone : +62 366 91521 Gianyar

Royal Danish & Norwegian Mimpi Resort Jimbaran, Bali Phone +62.361.701 070 The Czech Republic Jalan Pengembak No. 17 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.286 465 France Consulate Agency Jalan Merta Sari Gang II No. 8 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.285 485 The Federal Republic of Germany Jalan Pantai Karang No 17 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.288 535 The Republic of Hungary Jalan By Pass No 219 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.287 701 Italian Consulate Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai Jimbaran, Bali Phone +62.361.701 005 Honorary Consulate of Mexico Jalan Mohamad Yamin 1 A, Renon, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.223 266 Honorary Consulate of The Netherlands Jalan Raya Kuta 127, Bali Phone +62.361.761 506 Honorary Consulate of Spain Komplek Istana Kuta Galleria Blok Vallet 2 No 11. Jalan Patih Jelantik Kuta, Bali Phone +62.361.769 286 USA Consulate Agency Jalan Hayam Wuruk No. 188 Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.222 426 Consulate General of Japan Jalan Raya Puputan No. 170 Renon, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.227 628 Honorary Consulate of British Jalan Tirta Nadi No. 20 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.270 601 Swiss and Austria Consulate Jalan Patih Jelantik, Komplek Pertokoan Istana Galleria Phone +62.361.751 735 Honorary Consulate of Brazil Jalan Legian No. 186, Bali Phone +62.361.757 775 Honorary Consulate of Thailand Jalan Raya Puputan Renon 81, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.263 310 Embassy of India Jalan Raya Puputan Renon 42-44, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.241 978 Honorary Consulate of Sweden anf Finland Segara Village Hotel, Jalan Segara Ayu, Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.282 223 Honorary Consulate of Malaysia Alam Kulkul Boutique Resort, Jalan Pantai Kuta, Bali Phone +62.361.752 520

RSUP Sanglah is the main provincial public hospital. Its facilities have improved since the emergency ward had been built in 1991. Difficult/critical cases would not become a problem anymore since it has complete equipments. It is located on Jl. Kesehatan Selatan 1 Sanglah Denpasar with : Phone : 227 911 – 15 Fax : 226 363 Kasih Ibu Hospital is a private hospital which caters for less serious cases such as diarrhea, intestinal disorders, anemia, asthma and minor accidents. Kasih Ibu is also equipped to care for pregnant women. This hospital is located on Jl. Teuku Umar 120 Denpasar.

Phone : 223 036 Fax : 268 690.

Rumah Sakit Wongaya (Public Hospital; Psychiatric Unit) Jl. Kartini, Denpasar.

Phone : 222 142.

Rumah Sakit Dharma Husada , (Private) Jl. Sudirman No 50, Denpasar Phone : 227 560, 234 824 In relating with health, Bali also has insurance and medical evacuation company, that is: AEA International - SOS Assistance Bali.

PT Abhaya Eka Astiti, Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai No. 24X, Kuta 80361.

Phone : 755 768 Fax : 755 768 One thing that should be noted by tourists here is that the Blood Bank in Bali normally carries no stock of Rhesus (Rh) Negative blood.

Badung Bali Medical Clinics There are some medical clinics that are well known by foreigners in Bali. Some of them are western owned and operated : Bali International Medical Center (BIMC) Bali International Medical Centre (BIMC) provides excellent Primary Health Care & Emeregency Medical Services for tourists, traveler, and expatriate living in Bali.

Emeregency Room, Ambulance, Clinic Services, Insurance & Medical Evacuations also available. Open 24 hours Phone : 761 2631. Located Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai No.100X, Kuta, Bali 80361 - Indonesia. http://www.bimcbali.com International SOS Clinic Bali Opened in 1999, offers International SOS members and visitors to Bali comprehensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency medical service.

Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai 505X, Kuta 80361, Bali - Indonesia Phone : 720 100 Fax : 721 919 E-mail : info@sos-bali.com ttp ://www.sos-bali.com Bali Nusa Dua Emergency Clinic Jl Pratama No. 81 Phone : 771 324 Kuta Clinic Jl. Raya Kuta Phone : 753 268 Dental Clinic Dr Indra Guizot, Jl. Patimura 19, Denpasar Phone : 222 445, 234 375 DDS. Ritjie Rihartinah, Jl Pratama No. 81 Nusa Dua Phone : 771 324 Retno W. Agung, Jln. Bypass Ngurah Rai No.4A Br. Tamansari – Sanur Phone : 288 501

Clinic Mas Jl. Raya Mas, Ubud Phone : +62 361 974573 Toyo Clinic Jl. Pengosekan, Ubud Phone : +62 361 978078 Permata Bunda Clinic Jl. Patih Jelantik 50 X, Gianyar Phone : +62 361 942082 Ubud Clinic Jl Raya Ubud No.36 Campuhan, Ubud Phone : +62 361 974911 Gianyar General Hospital Jl. Ciung Wanara 2, Gianyar Phone : +62 361 943049 Karangasem Karangasem General Hospital Jl. Ngurah Rai, Karangasem Phone : +62 363 21001 Klungkung Klungkung General Hospital Jl. Flamboyan 40-4, Klungkung Phone : +62 366 21371 Negara Negara General Hospital Jl. Gelar, Negara Phone : +62 365 41006 Tabanan Laboratorium Clinic Jl. Gunung semeru No. 8, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 819260 Mengwi Clinic Jl. I Gusti Ngurah Rai 46, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 880550 Darma Kerti Hospital Jl. Teratai 16, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 812359 Tabanan General Hospital Jl. Pahlawan 14, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 811027 Singaraja Prodia Clinic Jl. RA Kartini 12, Singaraja Bali 0362 - 24-516 Singaraja Hospital Jl. Ngurah Rai 30, Singaraja Bali 0362 - 22-573 Pet Clinics Kayumas: (0361) 226934 Sayang Binatang: (0361) 483121 Satwa Kertha Husada: (0361) 263018 Pantai Sindhu: (0361) 287518 Sidakarya: (0361) 724492 Pedungan: (0361) 720026

TAXIS Praja Taxi : (0361) 289090 Bali Taxi : (0361) 701111 Ngurah Rai Taxi : (0361) 724724 Pan Wirthi Taxi : (0361) 723366 Komotra Taxi : (0361) 758855

5

6

Friday, March 19, 2010

News

British boy reunited wtih father after Pakistan kidnap AFP

ISLAMABAD (AFP) – A five-year-old British boy was reunited with his father in Pakistan on Thursday, a British high commission official said following a kidnapping ordeal that saw a ransom paid in Paris.

AFP/HO/File –

A handout picture of five-yearold British boy Sahil Saeed.

Sahil Saeed was recovered by Pakistani police on Tuesday after being dropped near the town where he was kidnapped at gunpoint from his grandmother’s house as he and his father prepared to fly home to Britain after a family holiday.

His father Raja Naqqash Saeed flew into Pakistan on Thursday and was reunited with his son at the British high commission in Islamabad, an official at the diplomatic mission told AFP.

Spanish police announced Wednesday that a Pakistani man and a Romanian woman travelled to Paris to collect a ransom of 110,000 pounds for Sahil and were then arrested in the northeastern Spanish town of Constanti.

Another Pakistani man was also arrested in Constanti while French police detained two family members of the man who went to Paris, accusing them of being accomplices.

Jihad Jane’ due in federal court in Philadelphia AP

PHILADELPHIA – Whether she was seeking love or vengeance, or just an escape from her dreary, small-town existence, Colleen LaRose searched the Internet and found Muslim extremists eager to engage the unhappy American.

LaRose, 46, spent long days chained to her Pennsburg, Pa., apartment caring for an elderly parent. Now, “Jihad Jane” may now spend her life in prison — unless she persuades a U.S. judge she is not a security threat.

On Thursday, LaRose makes her first court appearance since a stunning indictment last week that charged that she plotted with terror suspects abroad to kill a Swedish artist who had offended Muslims.

LaRose’s appearance may offer clues to her mental state after six months in a Philadelphia prison.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations has questioned the religious devotion of alleged converts like LaRose, given her live-in boyfriend and apparent failure to ever pledge her faith at a mosque.

“Maybe it’s not the Islamic faith that is making them do this; maybe it’s just their personal demons,” said Ibrahim Hooper, national communications director for CAIR. LaRose spent most of her life in Texas, where she dropped out of high school, married at 16 and again at 24, and racked up a few minor arrests.

After a second divorce, she followed a boyfriend to Pennsylvania in about 2004 and began caring for his father while he worked long hours, sometimes on the road. In 2005, she swallowed a handful of pills in a failed suicide attempt, telling police she was upset over the death of her father —

but did not want to die.

As she moved through her 40s without a job or any outside hobbies, her boyfriend said, she started spending more time online.

Though her boyfriend, Kurt Gorman, did not consider her religious, and she apparently never joined a mosque, LaRose had by 2008 declared herself “desperate” to help suffering Muslims in a video she posted on YouTube.

“In my view, she sort of slipped sideways into Islam. ... There may have been some seduction into it, by one or more people,” said Temple University psychologist Frank Farley.

LaRose and Gorman shared an apartment with his father in Pennsburg, a quaint if isolated town an hour northwest of Philadelphia. Just days after the father died last August, she stole Gorman’s passport and fled to Europe without telling him, making good on her online pledge to try to kill in the name of Allah, according to the indictment. From June 2008 through her Aug. 23, 2009, departure, the woman who also called herself “Fatima Rose” went online to recruit male fighters for the cause, recruit women with western passports to marry them, and raise money for the holy war, the indictment charged.

She had also agreed to marry one of her overseas contacts, a man from South Asia who said he could deal bombs and explosives, according to emails recovered by authorities.

He also told her in a March 2009 email to go to Sweden to find the artist, Lars Vilks.

“I will make this my goal till i achieve it or die trying,” she wrote back, adding that her blonde American looks would help her blend in.

Vilks questioned the sophistication

AP –

This undated file image provided by the SITE Intelligence Group shows Colleen LaRose, an American woman from Pennsylvania indicted and accused of using the Internet to recruit jihadist fighters and help terrorists overseas of the plotters, seven of whom were rounded up in Ireland last week, just before LaRose’s indictment was unsealed. Still, he said he was glad LaRose never got to him. Although she had written the Swedish embassy in March 2009 to ask how to obtain residency, and joined his online artists group in September, there is no evidence from court documents that she ever made it to Sweden. Instead, she was arrested returning to Philadelphia on Oct. 15.

Some terrorism experts wonder if LaRose posed any serious threat to Vilks or the United States — or was simply a lost soul.

“People in distress blame the government, and now blaming the government means taking the side of these Muslim terrorists,” said Ian Lustick, a University of Pennsylvania political science professor. “They’re about as jihadist as you and me, but they’re a lot less happy.”

AP –

Twin sisters Nacoza, center, and Penny, partially obscured behind at right, sit with their mother in a truck after being reunited at an orphanage run by SOS Children’s Villages International on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Haiti parents take back kids given to missionaries AP

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Joyful parents on Wednesday recovered the children that they gave to American missionaries about six weeks ago.

The 33 children had been living at the SOS Orphanage on Port-auPrince’s outskirts since police stopped a group of 10 U.S. Baptist missionaries from taking them across the Dominican border Jan. 29 following Haiti’s devastating earthquake.

Orphanage officials said all but one of the children were given back to 22 families. A remaining child, whose age and gender were not given, is awaiting further verification of her parents’ identities.

The lengthly verification process, led by Haitian social services authorities, is why the reunifications took so long, orphanage spokeswoman Line Wolf Nielsen said. The Associated Press determined informally that all 33 had at least one living parent in February.

The children had been underfed and some were incontinent from stress, the orphanage said. On Wednesday they were dressed in their Sunday best to return home with parents who had given them away to foreigners a month and a half before.

Many will go back to living under bed sheets or in tin shacks because their parents homes were destroyed by the quake. Some children and orphanage workers cried as they left. The parents, who have had some contact with the children in recent weeks, wore broad smiles.

Each family was given about $260 along with food and blankets.

The orphanage has also been providing counseling to the children, who they fear will feel rejected, and to parents about the dangers of child trafficking, Nielsen said.

Regilus Chesnel said he had to negotiate with Haitian, U.N. and orphanage officials before he was allowed to reunite with his children — ages 12, 7, 3, and 1 — and a 10-yearold nephew.

“I am thrilled. I feel like God has come back to me,” the 39-year-old stone mason said.

Chesnel said previously he had given his children to Haitian pastor Jean Sainvil, who was working with the U.S. missionaries, because Sainvil told him that dead bodies buried under rubble in his El Citron neighborhood would breed disease.

Nine of the 10 Baptist missionaries involved in the case have been released from jail and left Haiti.

Group leader Laura Silsby remains in custody at the police station that is being used as Haiti’s temporary government headquarters.

Judge Bernard Saint-Vil said all could still be called to trial, and last week levied a new charge against Silsby based on allegations she had tried to take a different group of children to the border days earlier.

He heard new testimony Wednesday from the police commissioner who arrested the group at the border crossing.

The orphanage has received more than 400 unaccompanied and orphaned children since the earthquake, of which 65 have been reunited with their families, Nielsen said. The rest are being registered in a national database.

Florence Avrilier, 32, recovered an 8-year-old boy she had given away. She said she kept her 12-yearold daughter because the missionaries told her they only wanted children younger than 10.

“I’m very happy. I had no hope I would ever get my son back again.

This has been a very heartbreaking time for me,” she said, putting her arm around the boy.

International

Indonesia Today

AFP PHOTO/ADEK BERRY

Indonesian children from the State Elementary School Menteng One, formerly attended by US President Barack Obama, participate in a performance rehearsal at the school in Jakarta on March 18, 2010, ahead of Obama’s planned visit. Obama is generally very popular in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country as he spent several years of his childhood in Jakarta in the late 1960s and is due to return for a visit next week.

President regrets rallies opposing Obama’s visit Antara

JAKARTA - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has expressed regret about recent rallies opposing the planned visit of US President Barack Obama. The head of state also considered the rallies as an exaggerated way to express opinion, according to Azyumardi Azra, chairman of the Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals’ Association (ICMI) Presidium, after meeting with Yudhoyono at the presidential office here Thursday.

The head of state urged the Indonesian people not to treat President Obama like former US President George W Bush, Azra said.

“Because President Obama very much loves Indonesia, respects Indonesia. Therefore, the President regrets about the rallies against Obama’s planned visit,” he said.

In the one-hour meeting with the ICMI executives, Yudhoyono also em-

phasized that Obama’s upcoming visit should not be seen as a sign that Indonesia was under some form of pressure from the United States, Azra said.

The president said Indonesia is not at all under any kind of pressure from the United States, economically or militarily. “Therefore, Obama’s visit does not mean that Indonesia will be dependent on the United States,” he added.

President Obama wanted to strengthen cooperation between Indonesia and the United States in various fields.

He explained that Obama had canceled his plan to bring along his wife and two daughters because he was still waiting for health reform process in the Congress and did not want to give the impression that he was on a holiday with his family in Indonesia.

Azra said ICMI was of the view that Obama should be welcomed as in accordance with Islamic teaching; every guest must be respected and

welcomed with a clear mind and without prejudice.

President Yudhoyono received Azra and other ICMI executives such as ICMI Advisory Board Chairman Jimly Asshhiddiqie (concurrently a member of the Presidential Advisory Council), ICMI Expert Board Chairman Ginandjar Kartasasmita (former chairman of the Regional Representatives Council - DPD), Vice Chairman of ICMI Expert Board Irman Gusman (concurrently chairman of DPD), Sugiharto (former state enterprises minister), Marwah Daud Ibrahim, Hatta Radjasa (coordinating minister for economic affairs), and ICMI Secretary General Agus Salim Dasuki.

Meanwhile, in the run up to Obama’s visit on March 23, 2010, a welcoming ceremony rehearsal was carried out at Merdeka Palace in the presence of US security personnel.

The press was not allowed to approach the rehearsal area.

RI should persuade Obama to repatriate Hambali: Scholar Antara

JAKARTA - US President Barack Obama’s planned visit to Indonesia can be used by human rights activists to submit a petition for returning terror suspect Hambali, a scholar said.

“The petition needs to be made so that Hambali can be tried in Indonesia. Through an open trial here the roots of terrorism in Indonesia can be retraced,” Sapto Waluyo said.

Sapto Waluyo, executive director of the Center for Indonesia Reform, said here Wednesday, if Hambali was repatriated the Indonesian authorities would greatly helped in revealing the roots of terrorism.

Meanwhile, another scholar, Rizal Sukma of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said Obama should be further reminded about his campaign pledges to reconcile with the Islamic

World.

When US Vice President Joe Biden visited Jerusalem, the Israeli government announced its plan to build 1,600 new houses for Jews on Palestinian territory.

“How is Obama’s stance on this matter?” Rizal said.

In his speech at Cairo University on June 4, 2009, President Barack Obama promised a new beginning in the United States’ relations with the Islamic World.

“I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition.”

“Instead, they overlap, and share common principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity

of all human beings. I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight,” Obama said in his historic speech. Obama is scheduled to pay a state visit to Indonesia next week. His planned visit has triggered pros and cons in Indonesian society.

The Indonesian people at large, including moderate Muslims of the country’s two largest Islamic organizations — Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, warmly welcome his visit. But such conservative Islamic organizations as Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) rejects Obama’s visit, claiming it is aimed only at boosting America’s economic interests in Indonesia.

Obama once lived in Jakarta along with his mother and Indonesian stepfather. During his stay in Indonesian capital for a couple of years, he attended local elementary schools.

Friday, March 19, 2010

7

Nestle drops Indonesian company after Greenpeace demos Agence France-Presse

JAKARTA - Indonesian palm oil giant Sinar Mas rejected claims of environmental vandalism Thursday after Nestle, the world’s biggest food company, dropped it as a supplier.

It was the second embarrassing blow to Sinar Mas in three months after Anglo-Dutch company Unilever in December severed ties with it in response to Greenpeace claims it is destroying rainforests.

Greenpeace activists held protests Wednesday at Nestle’s headquarters and factories in Britain, Germany and the Netherlands, linking the company’s signature Kit Kat confectionary to the destruction of orangutan habitats.

“Considering its size and influence, it should be setting an example for the industry and ensuring its palm oil is destruction free,” Greenpeace said in a statement.

“Instead, Nestle continues to buy from companies, like Sinar Mas, that are destroying Indonesia’s rainforests and peatlands.”

Rampant deforestation in Indonesia makes it one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world and threatens habitats of endangered species like orangutans, tigers and rhinos.

Nestle responded immediately to the protests, saying it had dropped Sinar Mas as a supplier and repeat-

ing its commitment to using only Certified Sustainable Palm Oil by 2015, “when sufficient quantities should be available”.

“Nestle has replaced the Indonesian company Sinar Mas as a supplier of palm oil with another supplier for further shipments,” it said.

“We confirm that Nestle has only bought from Sinar Mas for manufacturing in Indonesia, and no palm oil bought from Sinar Mas has been used by Nestle for manufacturing in any other country.”

Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology (SMART) president director Daud Dharsono denied that its palm oil plantations were damaging the environment.

“We are committed to applying responsible land clearing and best practices in our plantations. We’ve been implementing best practices since the early 1980s,” he told AFP. “We’re ready to have a dialogue with Greenpeace to clarify their report. However, we haven’t received any official notification from Nestle that it has dropped us as their supplier of palm oil,” he added.

Yudhoyono, Obama to exchange views over world issues Antara

JAKARTA - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he would exchange views with his US counterpart Barack Obama on various international developments. “(President) Obama will be visiting Indonesia next week and there must be time for us to exchange views on the world developments,” the President said when he opened an international seminar themed: “Indonesia Towards 2025” at the State Palace here on Wednesday.

President Yudhoyono said that in post-cold war era after the terrorist attacks on New York targets and after the global economic crisis, the

world was now looking for a new order with all of its patterns.

He said that the new world map would give birth to new patters of relations, shifts in world powers and non traditional threats.

Therefore, common efforts are needed to overcome the global challenges. New awareness is also needed along with command of technology, effective global partnership and cooperation as well as peaceful solutions to problems.

Besides the plan to exchange views with Obama, Yudhoyono is also expected to exchange views with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jianbao who is scheduled to visit Indonesia in April 2010.

8

Internationa

Friday, March 19, 2010

Bali Today ”Ngembak Geni” of Nyepi

The Spirit of Caka New Year 1932 AFTER celebrating Nyepi or Day of Silence with a truly quiet atmosphere, Hindu devotees performed the closure of Catur Brata Penyepian or abstinences, known as Ngembak Geni, last Wednesday (Mar 17). Furthermore, in the Caka New Year 1932 devotees were expected to have the new spirit and a new passion in running their respective svadharma or self-duties.

A lecturer at State Institute of Hindu Dharma (IHDN Denpasar), Gde Rudia Adiputra, said that ideally during Nyepi people observed Brata Penyepian—tapa, brata, yoga and samadhi in a moment of silence.

On that lonely day, devotees turned off the entire turmoil of senses. At that time, their thought was focused on God, while internally they performed self-evaluation and introspection. When people did the Catur Brata Penyepian without fire, activities, fun and travel, on the next day they terminated it through Ngembak Geni. With the new spirit of the Caka New Year 1932, people were expected to rekindle to perform their respective svadharma. “We come to normal activities, do our own svadharma optimally based on new spirit after introspection,” he said.

Rudia said, after conducting a series of Nyepi ritual procession, people were expected to have a clear mind and clean heart. By doing so, they could face life’s challenges on the present and future accordingly.

“After cleansing the spiritual macrocosmic impurities and obtaining the Tirtha Amertha or holy water of life in the midst of ocean when performing Melasti procession, they undertook the neutralization of butha procession in order to harmonize the macrocosm and microcosm on Tawur Kesanga or exorcism rite, and then implemented Catur Brata Penyepian on Nyepi day. As consequence, we must have confidence that we are clean and neutral, so that our behavior is clean and free from negative and destructive actions,” he said.

With a clean and pure mind, we welcome the Ida Batara Turun Kabeh (IBTK) ceremony at Pura Penataran Besakih on the upcoming Monday (Mar 29). Through IBTK ceremony on Purnama Kedasa we invoke the Almighty God in order Bali along with its devotees would be endowed with eternal bliss.

With clear mind and heart, we expect the implementation of the pretext of democracy or simultaneous regional head election in five regencies across Bali in early May 2010 could run smoothly without friction.

In such democracy festivity, we should be able to implement the concept of vasudaiva kutumbhakam— the world is my family.

Thus, familial or community relationship will not turn disharmonious because of different aspirations. We should be able to realize a peaceful life together. If we can carry out the election orderly and peacefully that is our common victory.

Conversely, it will become a collective defeat if the election takes place chaotically. “Through introspection process during the Nyepi, we do hope our wisdom increases, our conduct is getting clearer and clearer as well as freer from of negative nuance,” he said.

Similar judgment was delivered by a lecturer from Hindu University of Indonesia (UNHI) Denpasar, Wayan Suka Yasa. Having performed introspection during the Nyepi, then we are ready to do creative work in order to live a better life with passion and a new spirit. After observing introspection, we know what needs improving in the future. Let’s improve our drawbacks and perfect the imperfect ones. ‘”So, after terminating the Catur Berata Penyepian, we are ready to run our own svadharma with new passion and spirit to achieve a more prosperous life. We are ready to face everything with a clear mind and heart.

Agree with Rudia, Suka Yasa said through the upcoming regional leader election we would welcome a good leader bringing people to a more prosperous condition. With a clean conscience, hopefully we could elect a leader who had capability of protecting the people and making the people prosperous. (08)

IBP/iah

One of the arrangements of Adi Bachmann’s sculptures that consist of many strange figures entitled ‘’The Artist’s Nightmare’’ will be exhibit at ARMA Cultural Center.

People et cetera Exhibition:

Picture of irony in the eyes of Adi Bachmann IBP DENPASAR – The art of sculptures to many Balinese and Indonesian always identical with something in the artistic shape and wooden material. But the sculptures that produce by Adi Bachmann are different.

This multi-talented German artist is trying to make sculptures that represent the way Adi enjoying life.

Adi has exhibited his art at several places around the world, including in his hometown and Crete. Lastly he’ll exhibit his work at ARMA Cultural Center that located in Ubud on July 17, 2010.

During his preparation at ARMA, he explained to the press that ‘’People et cetera represent a lot about his dreams, fears, personal experiences, and himself. ‘’I projected these personal patterns on a larger level:

from the ‘’I” to ‘’us”, so to speak, and from the ‘’me” to ‘’people” or ‘’humans”,” he explained.

In this picturesque venue, Adi Bachmann and Agung Rai placed over 40 from finally 65 of Adi’s modern sculptures. The sculptures are highly differentiated in ideas and shapes. The sculptures mainly made from cement and concretes, and most of them are painted by bright and intense colors.

Agung Rai, the founder and owner of ARMA Cultural Center stated that the sculptures of Adi are so unique. Inside each sculptures express an irony and some sense of humor that will make people that seen it smile and laugh about it. He also said that this new kind of art sculptures should be learned by local artists. In fact, during Adi’s creation on the sculptures he was help by some local artists.

Rai also explained that this

kind of exhibition that will be held in the open air is the first time in Bali and Indonesia.

Adi’s unique sculpture arrangements and single sculptures are well placed in the garden of ARMA’s. The arrangement that quite interesting is the one that being put near the entrance of the ARMA Cultural Center. The Global Warming Conference 2020, Ubud, Bali is an arrangements that put together 13 sculptures of figures that represent different times and geographical areas who being lead by Buddha instead of Jesus Christ –because this arrangement is inspired by Christian Last Supper. This irony arrangement is trying to make people thinking about the need to take part in global warming issue because this is very important issue and should address by not only governments but people of the world. (iah)

Yoga and dance collaboration astound the audiences Antara

DENPASAR – The collaboration between Balinese dance and yoga movements which was created by the youth from Shanti Sena AGP (Ashram Gandhi Puri) astounded the audiences.

The performance was held to commemorate the “Aarti” ceremony in India. BR Indra Udayana, the officer in Ashram Gandhi Puri Sevagram Klungkung, said “collaboration arts need to be developed in order to increase the cooperation between Bali and India.”

He said that the members of Shanti Sena performed Kebyar Duduk danca and Stitha Pradnya at the same

time with “Maha Kumbha Mela” in Gangga River in India. The collaboration dance was performed by AA Gede Agung Rahma Putra or known as Gung De Rama, a student of Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) Denpasar.

The first performance was done in Paramartha Ashram, Rishikesh before the sunset where the people was waiting to hold “Aarti” ceremony. The audiences amazed by the dance.

Gus Indra, one of he audience, said, “it is like we are taken to heaven.

The condition is added by the pray done by all the people, it is we are given new energy.”

The second performance was done in Omkarananda Ashram and it

was only for the Yogi and Yogini. They were also very amazed with the dance.

“Especially because in the end of the dance, Gung De Rama break a jar filled with Gangga River water. The fire is also creating a magical condition,” Gus Indra added.

The dance was brought to India at the same time with “Maha Kumbha Mela” ritual where the Hindus clean themselves in Gangga River. Gus Indra hope that the performances can led to more cooperation with India through Indian Councils for Cultural Relations. ‘’We hope that there will be more things can be done in order to tighten the cooperation between India and Bali,” he added.

al

Friday, March 19, 2010

Balinese Culture

To Ensure the Joy of Holiday on the Beach A delightful paradise of white and black sandy beach always draws the attention of visitors to soothe their mind. Conversely, challenging waves can encourage the adrenaline of surfers liking to ride the waves. To Balinese community, beaches are not only used for taking pleasure and life activities, but also for spiritual destination.

Comfort and pleasure indeed become a desire of every single visitor. Above these, security is also important. So, alert for any inconveniences should be given a space among the pleasure enjoyed. By doing so, hopefully your holiday would be truly impressive with the beloved ones.

For your convenience of luxuriating in the waves or lazing on the beach, visitors must pay attention to safety and security. Lately, as the local media carried few beach incidents afflicted to visitors or the locals who were swimming or performing purificatory rites. In most cases, they did not conduct their activities at safe zone.

Beaches of Bali have different characteristics that mostly depend on

the topography of the region. However, most favorite beaches like Sanur, Kuta, Nusa Dua and its surroundings have been provided with warning signs like red flag indicating prohibited zone for swimming or other activities. The safe zone for doing beach activities is between two red-yellow flags. Moreover, these beaches have been secured by lifeguards. So, any further information can be obtained from the attendants at the scene.

Probably, other beautiful beaches beyond those destinations may not have lifeguards or flag signs. So, how to know about the safe zones? Simply ask to local residents nearby or fishermen who happen to be encountered. They are usually very familiar with daily tidal condition and the beach.

If there is no sign of safety, never attempt to swim on the curved beaches because the streams at the area are usually hazardous as it becomes the encounter of two or more streams. As consequence, its hauling power is very strong. Local people call this stream as sawangan. Similar stream may happen due to encounter of stream with cape or long rock walls. Local people

ordinarily suggested children not to swim around the area.

Another thing needs paying attention is when having sightseeing near steep rock. Such location is good to take picture because the background is ocean or beautiful waves.

Often, without being realized it is the time when the disaster comes, moreover it is the high tide. Sometimes, before taking picture or spreading oblation for melukat or purificatory rite, suddenly high waves surge. On that account, please always attempt to estimate the safest location to do so. Then, try not to turn your back to the waves as any time they may sweep.

Hopefully, the light tips above could make your holiday on the island really comfortable and secure. Anything can happen anytime and anywhere, not only on the beach. On that account, these are only reminders to anticipate any inconveniences. Some are based on empirical experience of the writer as often played on the beach and captured fish at lower course. Let’s make the holiday on the beach always enjoyable! (BTN/punia)

Biu Batu:

Fruit Delicacy in Coconut Milk To Balinese people, biu batu or seedy banana is no more bizarre fruit.

Actually, it is a versatile plant where ranging from its corm, false stem, leaf, blossom and fruit are often used. Though sweet, its ripe fruit is less delicious because of many seeds. However, it may be enjoyed by making it into a drink mixed with palm sugar and tamarind paste. Meanwhile, its young fruit is used for the mixture of tum (steamed chopped meat with complete spices) and lawar (chopped meat mixed with boiled vegetables served with complete spices). Here, the young seedy banana is enjoyed as vegetable in coconut milk.

Ingredients: 6 pcs young seedy banana and 2 cup of coconut milk Spices: 4 cloves shallot, 2 cloves garlic, 2 small chilies, 1 red large chili, 1 slice turmeric, 1 slice kencur, ½ tsp coriander, 1tbsp cooking oil and ½ tsp salt, while MSG is optional.

Others: 1 pc salam leaf, 1 tbsp of sliced large chili Method: · Slice thinly the seedy banana, cleanse and drain. Then, boil until cooked and take out. Again, cleanse to remove its sap and drain. Ultimately, press as good as possible so it nearly contain no water. · Grind all spices and stir-fry on the frying pan until fragrant. Put the coconut milk, ingredient, sliced large chili and salam leaf. Stir for a while and let them boil. Take out and it is now ready to serve. (BTN/punia)

Sayur Pakis

(Fern Tips In Garlic Dressing)

OVERVIEW: Fern tips also know as fiddleheads, have delightful, spinach like flavor.

INGREDIENTS: 400 gr (12 ½ oz) young fern tips 3 cloves garlic 4 cm (1 ½ in) kencur root, peeled and chopped 4 - 7 bird’s eye chilies 2 tbsp oil ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp black peppercorns, crushed PREPARATION: 1. Blanch fern tips in boiling water and cool under running water. Drain and dry thoroughly.

2. Place all remaining ingredients in a food processor and blend coarsely, or grind in a stone mortar.

3. Combine this mixture with the vegetables and mix well. Serve at room temperature. (www.baliguide.com/ balifood)

9

10

Friday, March 19, 2010

Destinations

International

Subak Museum

http://1.bp.blogspot.com

SUBAK Museum is a museum colleting the Balinese traditional agriculture tools and old documentation to remind all young generation about Subak Organization which has famous in the world. It is located in Sanggulan countryside, Kediri sub district and Tabanan regency precisely 20 Km west part of Denpasar town. This museum is opened for public and to be one of tourist destinations in Tabanan regency, west part of Bali.

It is strategically located in Tabanan town and close with other tourist destinations in this regency.

Tabanan regency is one of the regencies in Bali own the widest rice field, so that frequently this regency is called by the Rice Barn of Bali Island. Sanggulan countryside has been choose as a place of Subak Museum because considering that Subak Rijasa in this regency that in year 1979 have reached the National Champion in Intensification Program that lifting Bali’s name in the national level. Beside of that Tabanan regency owns more Subak Organization if it is compared with other regencies. The development of Subak Museum is inspirited by intention of all Balinese culture lovers. This museum is expected to preserve Subak as a local cultural asset which have meritorious in de-

International Bali Post Classifieds

... gets maximum benefits with minimum charge Denpasar : +62 361 22-5764 Jakarta : +62 21 535-6271

Contact us

ARCHITECTURE Design & Build - Architecture villareasonable price 08123955714 M.01

BALI CENTRAL CANOPY

Mengerjakan : Atap Canopy Polycarbonat & Jual Bahan Spesial merk atap: Solarlate dan Crystal-late

g

www.solo-cctv.com

Rekam 24 jam Non Stop - Internet on line Apapun kebutuhan CCTV Anda, ada di sini!

Garansi Barang & Jasa... PASTI ! !

Dengan tenaga berpengalaman, instalasi dijamin rapi Hubungi:

Harga Termurah Kwalitas Terjamin Jln. Buana Raya 88X, Padangsambian - Denpasar

Telp./Fax : (0361) 8600043, 7429952, 485041 C.513069-bkl

C.492607-rpa

veloping and improving agricultural rice field production, especially rice and traditional irrigation system. This system is very famous in foreign countries because own the similar irrigating system like Fai in Thailand and Zangera in Philippine with the chasm and its specification do not like Subak which is existing in Bali.

Subak is wet farm farmer organization to get the water irrigation from the sources.

Subak Museum is consisted of the closed and opened building. The closed building is consisted of the exhibition stand where we can meet the demonstration of the object related to farmer work, visual audio building narrating the Subak activities in its bearing with the water irrigation management, library and office. Open building is the visualization of Subak demonstration in mini form which is consisted of a pool as relocation place of irrigation, a tunnel to flow the water from pool to the water relocation. The objects and farmer equipments are displayed in the exhibition building is the equipments and object are arranged in a such manner from the equipment for the opening of agriculture farm, making the irrigation items, farm processing, crop conservation, harvesting, making rice and kitchen equipments. (www.balistarisland.com)

Jln. Buluh Indah No. 23 Denpasar Telp. (0361) 2764411-088802911054 C.492248-elk

Jl. Kepundung 67 A, e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id Jl. Palmerah Barat 21 F

Friday, March 19, 2010

11

BUSINESS US eyes Indonesia trade surge but presses reform Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON - The United States sees vast potential to expand trade with Indonesia but Jakarta needs to undertake economic reforms, a top official said ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit next week.

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said Wednesday the administration saw major opportunities in the energy sector as Indonesia seeks to meet a sharp rise in demand while curbing carbon emissions blamed for global warming.

“Indonesia is going to be a vast, steady market for green technologies. Ensuring that American companies play a lead role in this energy transformation is a priority for President Obama and his entire administration,” Locke said.

Warning that China and other nations were also eyeing the market, Locke said he would lead a delegation of 10 to 15 US green technology firms to Indonesia in May to follow up on Obama’s trip.

But Locke urged Indonesia to reform its economy, noting that smaller nations in Southeast Asia, such as Singapore, traded more with the United States.

“Economic nationalism, regulatory uncertainty, unresolved investment disputes and lack of transparency give pause to American companies seeking to do business in Indonesia,” Locke said at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

“If Indonesia is looking for a partner to address these issues, the United States is eager to lend assistance.”

Locke, without giving details, said Obama would sign a “comprehensive partnership” with Indonesia on expanding cooperation on trade, education and other areas. Obama will also visit Australia and Guam.

Despite being the fourth most populous nation, Indonesia is the 30th largest trading partner with the United States, according to the US Trade Representative’s office.

The nations conducted 21.4 billion dollars in trade in 2008. Top US exports to Indonesia were soybeans, cotton, wheat and civilian airplanes, while Indonesian exports included rubber, apparel and machinery.

But Indonesia anticipates a

56 percent rise in energy investment in only four years, Locke said.

Indonesia has taken some of the developing world’s most aggressive measures to fight global warming. The archipelago is the third largest carbon emitter after China and the United States, due largely to destruction of its forests.

Obama, who spent part of his childhood in Indonesia, is hoping to use his personal connection to forge a new partnership with the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.

The Obama administration has made Indonesia one of its top diplomatic priorities, pointing to its moderate brand of Islam and rapid democratization since the 1990s.

“There are certain forces in the world that would seek to drive a wedge between the United States and Indonesia, but the bonds of commerce and of people-to-people exchange can be even stronger,” Locke said.

But some analysts doubted how much the two nations could bring to the table on economic issues.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is embroiled in a major clash with lawmakers over a controversial 724-milliondollar bailout of a bank in 2008.

Obama’s fellow Democrats in the Senate have held up ratification of free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea on market access and labor rights concerns.

Yudhoyono “has become very cautious and his economic reformers are not able to mobilize the government to get agreements with the US to open up investment,” said Michael Green, who was former president George W. Bush’s top Asia adviser and is now a scholar at CSIS and Georgetown University.

“We’re also, frankly, on the US side, not terribly interesting right now in terms of trade strategy.”

AFP PHOTO / GEORGES GOBET

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou (L) and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (R) give a joint press conference after their working session on March 17, 2010 at the EU headquarters in Brussels.

Europe shames its major powers over debts Agence France-Presse

BRUSSELS - The European Union Wednesday accused its major powers of running away from bulging government deficits, as Greece said it could still seek IMF help if European backing did not ease its debt crisis.

Germany meanwhile warned that repeat eurozone offenders deserved expulsion from the bloc.

EU budgetary watchdogs attacked overly “optimistic” growth assumptions masking bloated national budgets, with Britain firmly in the firing line over “uncertainty” in its spending plans.

Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain were among the nations likely to fall short of reduction targets, as were most of the 14 EU nations whose fiscal health was under scrutiny, the European Commission said.

Its charges against Britain stirred tempers in London, amid frenzied if unofficial general election campaigning.

Germany, accused of having a budget strategy that was “not sufficient to bring the debt ratio back on a downward path,” had earlier raised tensions among the 16 nations in the eurozone.

Daggers are already drawn over the need to craft immediate contingency bailout rules because of financial chaos in Athens and fears for others including Portugal.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that Europe needs “a treaty framework in which it would even be possible as a last resort to exclude a country from the euro if it again and again breaks the conditions over the long-term.”

A firm EU line towards Greece appeared to be working, with the interest Athens has to pay to borrow falling to close to 6.0 percent, about a whole point lower than two weeks ago.

But Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said he could not rule out an appeal to the IMF, if European backing was insufficient to help it out of its financial woes.

“If we realise that we indeed will be borrowing at extremely high rates... there are other options,” Papandreou told reporters in Brussels.

“Nothing is excluded,” Papandreou said having been asked whether seeking recourse to the International Monetary Fund remained a live threat.

Britain’s deficit level, at 12.7 percent of Gross Domestic Product or national output, is as high as that of Greece.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s government has pushed back spending curbs in the run-up to an election expected in early May. Finance Minister Alistair Darling on Tuesday described recommendations under the assessment, which had been leaked to British media, as “absolute madness.”

Darling told reporters in Brussels that the commission’s suggestion of faster debt repayments would be like taking “just over 25 billion pounds (28 billion euros or 38 billion dollars) out of the economy.”

Having stayed out of the eurozone, he said London would “note with interest what they say” but “make our own judgments.”

Britain’s state borrowing is expected to balloon to a record 178

billion pounds in the 2009/10 financial year, hit by multi-billion-pound banking bailouts and weak taxation revenues.

EU finance ministers will study the commission’s recommendations when they meet next month in Madrid.

Speaking in the European parliament just after they were revealed, the IMF’s managing director, France’s Dominique Strauss-Kahn, said that countries should act now.

“Our own advice is that the solution for the rather big public debt that most countries in Europe have to face now, is to try to solve it swiftly,” he said.

In a detailed assessment of commitments made to bring down postrecession excessive deficits, Brussels stressed that a majority of “growth assumptions” given by EU member states were “rather optimistic” and that broader economic conditions may be “distinctly less favourable” over the coming years than believed.

Only Bulgaria and Estonia were on schedule to meet the EU’s threepercent-of-GDP public deficit target within the allocated national timeframes, it said.

France had a strategy that “does not leave any safety margin if economic developments turn out worse than projected,” it warned.

Spain and Italy were also thought likely to pull up short.

Sweden emerged as an example of probity, with the commission praising the fact that “large surpluses in good times allowed fiscal policy to play an active role in the downturn.”

The others assessed were Austria, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovakia.

12

Friday, March 19, 2010

Entertainment

International

Lido’s leggy ‘Bluebell Girls’ fete leggiest of all Agence France Presse

PARIS – They called her “Bluebell” or “Miss Bluebell” because of the colour of her eyes. From this week on, the Paris Lido remembers the Irish-born founder of the leggy troupe — Margaret Kelly, born 100 years ago.

“She rehearsed the girls into the 1980s, she was amazing, always immaculate, she always looked gorgeous,” Australian former Bluebell girl Annette Hirsch told AFP. “The first time I saw her she was in her late 50s but didn’t look it.

She’d kick her leg up high and tell the girls to do the same.”

From next weekend, spectators at the cabaret will be given a glimpse of Kelly training the dancers in a short film tribute to the woman who created the legendary troupe and trained most of the 10,000 “Bluebell Girls” in feathers who have since kicked high.

Born in Dublin on June 24, 1910, Kelly turned up at the celebrated Champs Elysees cabaret with her girls after the war, accompanied by US choreographer Donn Arden.

Hirsch remembers her as “a survivor”, an orphan girl who left Ireland in the 1930s and ended up in France after a stint dancing in Nazi Germany.

The Lido, which opened in 1946, spotted her at the Folies Bergere, where she created a troupe, and talked her into moving over two years later.

“You had to be at least 1 metre 78

(five feet eight) tall at the time,” said Hirsch. Today’s standard for the girls’ height is slightly less, at 1 metre 75 (five feet seven).

“They were all very tall girls and well-proportioned, and each girl gave out a unique aura. Bluebell liked girls with personality on and off stage, people who were a bit feisty,” like herself.

She was tough but respected her girls, said Hirsh. “She fought her whole life. She could be adorable or an iron woman.”

Miss Bluebell died in 2004 aged 94 after a 40-year reign over the Lido’s exaggeratedly leggy women, more glamorous, more sensual, though with less bounce than the shorter can-can kicking dancers of Paris’ equally renowned Moulin Rouge.

“Miss Bluebell made an impact on the history of music-hall and the Lido,” said the cabaret’s current choreographer Pierre Rambert. “She invented the idea of the untouchable ‘showgirl’, who was an accomplished female artist with a rigorous spirit of discipline.”

“We still hire long-legged danc-

AFP/File/Olivier Laban-Mattei

Dancers are seen performing during a show at the Lido in Paris. From next weekend, spectators at the cabaret will be given a glimpse of the Irish-born Margaret Kelly training the dancers in a short film tribute to the woman who created the legendary troupe and trained most of the 10,000 “Bluebell Girls” in feathers who have since kicked high.

ers with well-proportioned bodies and with personality,” he told AFP. “If you look for personality, the show

Trump is reviving ‘Apprentice’ with regular folks

AP Photo/Peter Kramer, file

FILE - In this Aug. 19, 2009 file photo, Donald Trump attends the screening of ‘The September Issue ‘ at The Museum of Modern Art, in New York.

is a success.”

Rambert auditions wannabe showgirls several times a year in

Paris, New York, London and Las Vegas, and gets 50-odd spontaneous applications a week.

Sigourney Weaver bares her teeth in vampire comedy

Associated Press Writer

Agence France Presse

NEW YORK – Donald Trump isn’t firing “The Celebrity Apprentice,” but he’s bringing back the regular edition of the show with 14 ordinary jobhunters plagued by the economic crisis.

NBC and Trump said Wednesday they want to put America back to work with the show, which is expected to air this fall.

The original civilian version of “The Apprentice” premiered in 2004, then two years ago was replaced by the “Celebrity Apprentice” format.

“But since the economy went down the tubes, people have been saying, ‘Would it be possible to bring back the original?” Trump said. “In a way, it’s more important now than when we first did it.”

Trump’s revived “Apprentice” will recruit candidates who have lost their jobs, are stuck with jobs they don’t like just to get by or have finished college with no offers in sight.

The only common denominator: “Everybody has to be smart,” Trump said. “They all have to have brain power.” Taping begins this summer.

The winner will land a position with one of Trump’s companies, as in the original. But there will be an added twist each week for every candidate who hears Trump’s dreaded words “You’re fired” in the board room.

“Instead of just sending them off in a cab, I’m going to sit and talk to them about their future — give them a little advice,” Trump said.

The current season of “The Celebrity Apprentice” premiered Sunday and is expected back for another run in spring 2011.

LOS ANGELES – American actress Sigourney Weaver is going to play the queen of the vampires in the horror comedy “Vamps,” trade magazine The Hollywood Reporter said Wednesday.

Written and directed by Amy Heckerling (“Look Who’s Talking,” “Clueless”), this comedy follows two vampirettes (Alicia Silverstone and Krysten Ritter) through the New York club scene where they fall in love with human boys, putting at risk their immortality.

Weaver, 60, will play the part of Ciccerus, the blood thirsty queen of the vampires, who is responsible for the young heroines’ transformation into creatures of the night. Filming is supposed to begin in April.

Recently seen in “Avatar”, James Cameron’s film phenomenon, Weaver won fame in the role of Ellen Ripley in the chilling “Alien” series.

She received an Oscar nomination in 1986 for the second film in the series, which was directed by Cameron.

In 1988, she was nominated for two Oscars, for best actress in “Gorillas in the Mist” and for best supporting actress for “Working Girl.”

AFP/Getty Images/File/Alberto E. Rodriguez

American actress Sigourney Weaver, pictured on March 7, is going to play the queen of the vampires in the horror comedy “Vamps,” trade magazine The Hollywood Reporter said Wednesday.

Life Style

International

Friday, March 19, 2010

13

Smithsonian opens $21M human evolution hall Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – Hundreds of early human fossils, artifacts and forensically recreated faces of our prehistoric relatives went on display Wednesday, exploring 6 million years of evolution at the National Museum of Natural History.

The nearly $21 million Hall of Human Origins marks the 100th anniversary of the Smithsonian Institution museum and represents the most comprehensive look at human evolution since its opening.

The massive hall includes rare specimens, including the only original fossil of a Neanderthal skeleton in the United States. Two skulls discovered more than a century ago of a Neanderthal and a Cro-Magnon are on loan from the Musee de l’Homme in Paris.

Curator Rick Potts, who directs the museum’s human origins re-

search, said the permanent exhibit represents major changes in scientists’ understanding of evolution over recent decades.

“What we’ve learned is the old icon of the march from the early humans from a primate like creature to an ape like creature to us today is not correct — that our species is part of a diverse family tree of perhaps as many as 20 species or more,” he said. “What we also see is we are the only one left.”

That makes the story of evolution a survival story, Potts said. The exhibit is the first to examine how cli-

AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

Part of the exhibit comparing the brain size of early humans is seen inside the David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, on Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

mate change motivated adaptations and changes in human ancestors.

Rather than focus on a single spectacular fossil or discovery like many evolution halls, the Smithsonian exhibit is built around the major milestones of evolution — such as when humans began walking upright, grew larger brains and began using tools and symbols.

“All of these things are part of what it means to be human from the sense of our species,” Potts said.

Life-size bronze sculptures of various early humans line the gallery to illustrate milestones, such as the eating of meat and the control of fire. One statue caught the eye of 6year-old Surya Jain of Toronto, whose family extended their vacation in Washington by a day to see the new hall.

“I think it’s really cool,” he said of the statue slightly taller than himself. “My favorite part is the Homo erectus carrying this wildebeest, I think.”

His mother, Sonali Verma, said the many hands-on elements are sure to engage children as well as adults.

They were among dozens of visitors who lined up outside the gallery before its unveiling.

“We’re trying to get visitors to connect with their ancestors in a very direct way,” said exhibits director Michael Atwood Mason, noting several new approaches in the hall.

A “morphing station” allows visitors to have their photos transformed into how they might have looked as early humans and e-mail a copy to themselves. Former Sen. Bill Frist, who is on the museum’s board, was among the first to try it out.

Casts and fossil scans also allow visitors to see key discoveries from recent decades. Lucy, the world’s most famous fossil, has a corner. She is a 3.2 million-year-old early human who walked upright and climbed trees.

Replicas of early human footprints nearby in the floor allow visitors to walk in prehistoric steps

REUTERS/Frank Polich

Kraft Food products sit on a shelf at a Walgreens store in Willowbrook, Illinois January 19, 2010.

Kraft to cut salt in its North American foods Associated Press Writer

PORTLAND, Ore. – Kraft Foods Inc. said Wednesday that it will cut the salt in its products that are sold in North America by an average of 10 percent over the next two years to appeal to health-conscious consumers.

The changes at Kraft, the largest U.S. food maker, will affect more than 1,000 products and eliminate more than 10 million pounds of salt over the two-year period, the company said. Kraft and other food makers have cut their use of sodium in recent years.

Among other cuts, the company said this latest move will cut the salt in Oscar Mayer Bologna by 17 percent, Easy Mac Cups by 20 percent and Velveeta by 10 percent.

“We are reducing sodium because it’s good for consumers and, if done properly, it’s good for business,” Rhonda Jordan, president of health & wellness at Kraft Foods, said in a statement. “A growing number of consumers are concerned about their sodium intake, and we want to help them translate their intentions into actions.”

Health experts generally agree Americans eat too much salt and the vast majority of it comes from processed food. The excess is dangerous because salt contributes to high blood pressure, which can lead to stroke, kidney disease, heart disease or heart failure.

Many health leaders have urged food makers to reformulate their prod-

ucts to reduce salt.

Dietary guidelines generally limit healthy adults to about a teaspoon, or 2,300 milligrams of sodium, a day.

People who are most sensitive to salt — African Americans, people with high blood pressure and others — should limit their daily intake to 1500 milligrams, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Kraft, which is based in Northfield, Ill., offers more than 100 products with no sodium or what it calls low or reduced levels. But a 2.05-ounce, single-serving Easy Mac Cup, for example, has 700 milligrams of sodium — about 30 percent of the recommended average daily intake.

Kraft said it also is reformulating some items for international markets, including cheese products in the UK. But the bulk of the company’s business is in North America.

Among other companies aiming to cut sodium is ConAgra Foods Inc., the maker of Chef Boyardee and Hebrew National. ConAgra announced in October that it would will cut sodium 20 percent in the next five years.

Campbell Soup Co. has cut the sodium in more than 100 of its products — including V8 juices, Prego sauces, Pepperidge Farm breads and some of its namesake soups — by 25 percent to 50 percent over the past four years. Campbell announced in December that it would cut the sodium in its SpaghettiOs canned pasta by up to 35 percent.

Email scam targets Facebook users: Web security firm Agence France Presse

WASHINGTON – Computer hackers are targeting Facebook users with an email scam that attempts to steal their passwords, Web security firm McAfee said.

McAfee said on Wednesday some users of the world’s most popular social networking site were receiving emails that appeared to be from Facebook informing them their Facebook password had been reset and to click on an attachment to retrieve it.

The security firm said the attachment is actually a “password stealer” that is installed when a user clicks on it and can potentially access any username and password combination on that computer, not Facebookrelated information.

“This threat is potentially very dangerous considering that there are over 350 million Facebook users who could fall for this scam,” McAfee said in a statement.

The subject line of the scam email reads: “Facebook Password Reset

Confirmation! Customer Support.”

McAfee advised anyone receiving the password-reset message to delete it and to not open the attachment.

Because of its huge membership, Facebook is a frequent target of computer hackers seeking to steal passwords. In its 2010 Threat Predictions report released in December, McAfee said email “was increasing in popularity as the preferred method for targeting attacks against individual users, corporations and government institutions.”

AFP/File/Loic Venance

Computer hackers are targeting Facebook users with an email scam that attempts to steal their passwords, Web security firm McAfee warns.

14

Sport

Friday, March 19, 2010

International

Djokovic ousted, Nadal advances in Indian Wells Agence France Presse

INDIAN WELLS, California – Croatian veteran Ivan Ljubicic ousted a weary world number two Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-3 as defending champion Rafael Nadal booked his quarter-final berth at the BNP Paribas Open.

While third-seeded Nadal advanced on Wednesday with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 triumph over big-serving American John Isner, Djokovic couldn’t keep pace with the blistering serves and clean groundstrokes of Ljubicic, a former world number three now ranked 26th in the world.

World number four Andy Murray secured his quarter-final slot with ease as Spain’s Nicolas Almagro retired while trailing with an apparent left ankle injury.

Murray led 6-2, 1-0 when Almagro called it quits after receiving treatment on court at the end of the first set. Ljubicic said he was delighted to end a fivematch skid against Djokovic, calling some of those defeats “brutal”.

“I’m really happy to be able to beat him finally,” said Ljubicic, whose only prior win against Djokovic was their first meeting in Zagreb in 2006.

His most recent defeats to the Serb had come in the first round of last year’s US Open, and in the quarter-finals at Dubai last month.

“My serve helped me, especially in difficult moments,” said

Ljubicic, who gave himself both of his match points in the final game with two of his 13 aces.

Djokovic saved the first, but on the second Ljubicic came up with another big serve that the Serbian could only sail back across the baseline.

“But also two weeks ago in Dubai I was serving unbelievably,” Ljubicic said. “You can’t beat Novak only with a serve, but it does help you a lot if you can get a lot of free points off that shot.” Djokovic said he knew what to expect.

“I don’t think any match we play is different,” he said. “It’s more or less based on the service and returns.

As much as I get in the rallies, I think I have more chances to win the point.

It wasn’t the case today.

“My execution was very bad and he played well when he needed to and he served well when he needed to,” said Djokovic, who won his second straight Dubai Open title in February then won both of his matches to help Serbia beat the United States in the first round of the Davis Cup in Belgrade.

Djokovic had looked far from sharp since arriving in the California desert, having to save three

match points to subdue Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round.

“This is a tournament where I definitely didn’t feel comfortable on the court,” said Djokovic, the 2008 champion. “It’s just because I had a very tiring couple of weeks coming from Davis Cup, which was emotionally very exhausting for me.”

The tournament has now lost its top two men’s seeds, after world number one Roger Federer was stunned by Marcos Baghdatis in the third round on Tuesday.

That left Spain’s Nadal as the highest-ranked player to make it into the quarters as he withstood a barrage of 22 aces from the 24-year-old American Isner. Nadal closed it out with a forehand winner into an open court.

“I am feeling really well, and I am feeling good on court,” said Nadal, who is playing his first tournament since retiring injured from the Australian Open.

“I felt like I played pretty well,” Isner said of his first outing against Nadal. “I might have run out of gas in the third set, but that’s what he does. He makes you work so hard for every point.”

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after defeating John Isner in their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, March 17, 2010, in Indian Wells, Calif.

James shines as Cavaliers clinch NBA division Armstrong, Contador Agence France Presse

AP Photo/Mark Duncan

Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James slips inside Indiana Pacers’ Solomon Jones (44) for a shot in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 17, 2010, in Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland Cavaliers captured their second consecutive Central Division title Wednesday by beating Indiana 99-94.

LeBron James had 32 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for Cleveland who became the first team to clinch their division this National Basketball Association season.

It was the third division title in franchise history for Cleveland who have 54 wins and just 15 losses.

“Any time you can put a banner up for this franchise, it’s great,” James said. “It’s a great tribute to the fans, this organization, the players and the coaching staff and everyone around it. It’s big.”

James had six points, two blocks, two steals and an assist in the final four minutes of the game.

James is also three points short of 15,000 for his career. He just missed out on his second tripledouble in two nights.

Troy Murphy had 19 points and 15 rebounds, and Roy Hibbert had 20 points for the Pacers, who were missing top scorer Danny Granger.

Granger suffered a cheek injury after being elbowed in a game on Tuesday. Indiana trailed by 16 points heading to the final quarter before mounting a comeback.

to race in Criterium MADRID – Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador will compete in the Criterium International, their first race together since the Tour de France last year.

Contador announced Tuesday that he had changed his plans and will compete in the March 27-28 race in Corsica instead of events in Catalonia and the Basque Country.

The defending Tour de France champion won the Paris-Nice event on Sunday.

Contador and Armstrong were uneasy teammates at Astana last season. Armstrong finished third in the Tour de France, his first since winning seven straight from 1999 to 2005. He left the Astana team and races for Team RadioShack.

Alberto Contador

Sport

International

Friday, March 19, 2010

15

Messi-inspired Barcelona reach Champions League quarters Agence France Presse

MADRID – Barcelona will rely on the magical skills of Lionel Messi to lead them to the Champions League final in Madrid and become the first team to defend the title since the competition’s inception in 1993.

With Real Madrid and Sevilla both eliminated at the last 16 stage, Barcelona were left to fly the Spanish flag in Europe and they showed their class with a 4-0 destruction of Stuttgart on Wednesday.

It gave them a 5-1 win on aggregate and booked their place in Friday’s quarter-final draw.

Messi, who scored in the Champions League final win last season, followed up his hat-trick against Valencia on Sunday by scoring twice to make it eight goals in his last four games and 29 for the season in all competitions.

“He (Messi) is in excellent form.

We?ve got the best player in the world,” said Brazilian teammate Dani Alves.

“He pulls the team forward, takes charge and we are the keys that help the commander work.”

Messi and Barcelona will certainly be a tough draw in the last eight but coach Pep Guardiola insists his side will not get overconfident whoever they get in the next round.

“We can lose games but we never underestimate our rivals,” said

Guardiola. “We can’t be thinking too far ahead because the Bernabeu (the home of bitter rivals Real Madrid where the final will be held) is a long way away.”

Reaching the Bernabeu final on May 22 and retaining the trophy may be a dream for Barca players but it is a nightmare for Real Madrid who are hoping someone eliminates their arch rivals.

“It is always difficult talking about a competition we are not in,” said Real defender Marcelo. “It is better if Barcelona are not in the final.”

Previous winners Manchester United, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich provide stiff competition along with Arsenal who Barcelona defeated in the 2006 final and president Joan Laporta admits there is still a lot of hurdles still to overcome.

“We have complicated rivals to come and we shouldn’t think about the final,” said Laporta.

“We will see who we get Friday.

The French sides have shown their quality, Bayern are on form, Inter eliminated Chelsea and Arsenal always play good football.”

Barcelona are potent going forward with the creative talents of Messi, Andres Iniesta, Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic but they are also solid in defence and goalkeeper Victor Valdes saluted another clean sheet against Stuttgart.

“This is another sweet night for us to savour and the fans give us a lot of confidence,” said Valdes.

“One of our biggest weapons is our defence and it functioned well again tonight to ensure they didn’t cause us problems.”

Barcelona have one of the meanest defences in this season’s Champions League conceding four goals in eight games so far.

FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi of Argentina, right, reacts after scoring near his coach Pep Guardiola, left, against VfB Stuttgart during a Champions League soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

(AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Terry injures Chelsea official in car accident Benzema set for Real return Agence France Presse

LONDON – Chelsea captain John Terry accidentally struck a club security official with his car after the Champions League defeat to Inter Milan, the Premier League side revealed on Wednesday.

The staff member sustained a leg injury in the incident, which happened as Terry was leaving his side’s Stamford Bridge stadium after Tuesday’s match.

The 29-year-old centre-back was reportedly not aware of what had happened at the time but later spoke to police about it and also made contact

with the member of staff involved.

“We can confirm there was an unfortunate accident as John Terry left Stamford Bridge last night,” said a Chelsea spokesman on Wednesday.

“When driving out of the stadium at approximately one to two miles-perhour in a queue of traffic exiting the ground, his car was surrounded by photographers and fans.

“In the melee that ensued a member of Chelsea’s security staff was knocked to the ground, making contact with the car. He suffered a badly bruised leg.

“John was aware at the time that there was a lot of contact with his car

AFP PHOTO/IAN KINGTON

Chelsea’s Captain John Terry (L) gestures to the referee Wolfgang Stark (L) at the final whistle against Inter Milan during their UEFA Champions League Second Round, Second Leg football match at Stamford Bridge in London, England on March 16, 2010.

during the incident, but not that anyone was injured as a result.

“Upon hearing of the injury, John spoke to the police. He has also been in contact with the staff member to check on his welfare.”

The Metropolitan police confirmed reports about the incident but said the victim had suffered a broken leg.

“Police were called at 2313 on Tuesday, March 16 to Stamford Bridge to reports of a collision between a car and a pedestrian,” said a police spokesperson.

“A 35-year-old man suffering a broken leg was taken by ambulance to a west London hospital where he is in a stable condition. “The 4x4 car did not stop at the scene. Enquiries into the incident continue.”

Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Inter spelled the end of their Champions League campaign and the London club’s elimination capped a turbulent series of events in Terry’s life.

He was recently sacked as captain of England by coach Fabio Capello after media allegations that he had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of former England and Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge.

A spell of poor form from Terry coincided with Chelsea losing to Everton and Manchester City, allowing title rivals Manchester United to replace them at the top of the Premier League.

Agence France Presse

MADRID – Real Madrid are set to welcome back French striker Karim Benzema to their squad for Saturday’s league match away to Sporting Gijon following a monthlong injury absence.

Benzema last played for the Spanish league giants in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Lyon on February 16 and was subsequently sidelined with adductor and groin problems.

After that 1-0 defeat in Lyon, Real were sent crashing out of the Champions League after a second leg 1-1

draw at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium last week.

Real said on their website they were happy that Benzema completed a full training session early Wednesday morning.

Press reports now suggest the 22year-old French international, who is currently battling Argentine star Gonzalo Higuain for the number one striker’s spot, will come off the bench to play on Saturday.

Real sit top of the Spanish Primera Liga with arch rivals Barcelona in second, also on 65 points from 26 games. Gijon are 12th on 32.

(AFP/File/Pierre-Philippe Marcou)

Real Madrid are set to welcome back French striker Karim Benzema, seen here in February 2010, to their squad for Saturday’s league match away to Sporting Gijon following a month-long injury absence.

16

Friday, March 19, 2010

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Sport

Mallya not ruling out podiums in 2010

FORCE India boss Vijay Mallya is not ruling out podium finishes this year after a promising performance in the opening race in Bahrain. Both Adrian Sutil and Tonio Liuzzi showed strong form during the Sakhir weekend, with the Italian scoring two points from ninth position.

AP Photo/Ben Curtis

Force India driver Adrian Sutil of Germany goes off the track after the start of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, March 14, 2010.

Bridgestone: No U-turn on F1 exit FORMULA 1 tyre supplier Bridgestone has played down talk that it is reconsidering its decision to quit the sport at the end of the year. The Japanese company announced at the end of last year that it was to withdraw from F1 at the end of 2010, when its contract to supply tyres to the championship comes to an end.

Although there have been rumours in recent weeks that Bridgestone is being pushed to rethink its decision, and could agree a fresh contract under more favourable terms, the company has made it clear that its original stance stands.

Bridgestone’s director of motorsport Hiroshi Yasukawa told AUTOSPORT: “Unfortunately our company has made the decision, and nothing has changed.”

That decision means that the FIA will now likely have to open a tender process for the supply of tyres in the championship if it is to find a supplier for 2010.

Yasukawa said that Bridgestone would examine the tender process when it is opened, just in case there was anything on offer that may be attractive for the Japanese company.

“We are waiting for the result of the tender because without tender process we cannot do anything,” he said.

When asked if there was a possibility of Bridgestone selling its tyre technology, Yasukawa explained: “Unfortunately at this stage

I don’t know.

“Our company has said that the FIA has to do a tender first, so we have to wait. But unfortunately our decision is that we are not extending our F1 contract.”

Korean tyre manufacturers Hankook and Kumho have been strongly linked with replacing Bridgestone as F1’s tyre supplier, although the FIA has not yet opened the tender process.

Sutil, who had qualified in the top ten, finished in 12th after spinning on the opening lap and dropping to 21st.

Mallya reckons the team has been meeting its targets since he took over, and the Force India boss believes the start of the season proved that the Silverstone-based squad could aim for the odd top three finish.

“The way we are today I think we’re very competitive, and everything is going to plan,” said Mallya.

“In 2009 I said we should score some points occasionally, and we scored 13, which was respectable. This year I said we should score points regularly.

“We have opened our account in the first race and I think the opportunity is wide open for us to now score points regularly.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we could target the odd podium or two.

And next year we should hopefully

strongly target podium finishes.”

Mallya admitted he was happy with how the season started, and heaped praise of Liuzzi for his drive.

“I’m obviously very pleased, despite what happened to Adrian at the start,” he said. “For this team, given our history and background, to score points in the first race is quite a remarkable effort. But I think even more so two things have made a very significant impression on me.

“First is our race pace. I think that’s a huge statement for a relatively small team like us.

“The second is there’s been so much spoken about Tonio. He’s not just proved himself, but I think he drove beautifully. He preserved his tyres well, he was quick, and he brought the car home in the points.

So all credit goes to Tonio.”