Edisi 23 Juli 2010 | International Bali Post

YK

16 Pages Number 139 2st Year

Indian micro lender to begin IPO next week

Price: Rp 3.000,-

PAGE 6 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, July 23, 2010

US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates (L) and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (R) during a meeting in Jakarta on July 22, 2010. The United States said it would resume ties with Indonesian special forces after a 12year hiatus, as part of efforts by Washington to reach out to the world’s largest Muslim nation.

100 participants take part in TLAF 2010 PAGE 8

Where Gibson tapes circulate online, jokes follow PAGE 12

AFP PHOTO/POOL/MARK WILSON

US to resume ties with Indonesia’s Special Forces Associated Press Writer

JAKARTA, Indonesia – The United States announced Thursday it will resume cooperation with Indonesia’s special forces after ties were severed more than a decade ago over alleged human rights abuses by the commando unit.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates made the announcement after meeting with Indonesia’s

WEATHER FORECAST TEMPERATURE OC

DENPASAR

25 - 31

JAKARTA

25 - 31

Agence France Presse

BANDUNG

20 - 29

YOGYAKARTA

23 - 33

SURABAYA

25 - 33

BEIJING - Chinese security forces brutally beat and even shot dead some protesters during unrest in Tibet in 2008, and tortured many in the subsequent crackdown, Human Rights Watch said in a report Thursday.

The New York-based organisation said it had based its findings on interviews with more than 200 Tibetan refugees and other witnesses between March 2008 and April 2010, as well as official information.

“Dozens of eyewitness testimo-

BRIGHT/CLOUDY

RAIN

HOTLINE

For placing advertisment, please contact: Eka Wahyuni

0361-225764

province of East Timor, which has since become independent. The U.S. cut ties with the special forces under a 1997 law that banned U.S. training for foreign military units accused of human rights violations.

The ban can be lifted if there have been substantial measures to bring culprits to justice.

Continued on page 6

Rights group accuses China of abuses in Tibet

CITY

SUNNY

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday in the capital of Jakarta. Indonesia had

said it wanted the United States to reconsider resuming joint training.

The decision will be seen as a victory for the Indonesian military, which has said it made great strides in improving its human rights record.

Indonesia’s special forces were accused of major abuses through the 1990s in the provinces of Papua and Aceh and the former Indonesian

nies and the government’s own sources show clearly the official willingness to use lethal force against unarmed protesters,” said Sophie Richardson, the group’s Asia advocacy director. “This report decisively refutes the Chinese government’s claim that it handled the protests in line with international standards and domestic laws,” she said.

China’s foreign ministry denied the accusations in a faxed response to an AFP request for comment, accusing HRW of constant “bias” towards China.

Continued on page 6

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP

Members of the International Tibet Independence Movement hold flags and signs while demonstrating against the occupation of Tibet outside the Chinese embassy July 13, 2010 in Washington, DC. About a dozen members of the movement completed a march from Philadelphia to the embassy in Washington to draw attention to their cause and independence for Tibet.

2

International

Friday, July 23, 2010

Bali News Base rate of electricity rises, tourism workers worry Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Government policy to raise the base tariff of electricity (TDL), as of last July 1 did not only trouble the circle of businesspeople running their business in handicraft sector, home industries and other sectors. Tourism workers, particularly in the field of hotel industry, are also concerned with the decision.

“Frankly, we are worried by government policy to increase the base tariff of electricity because this policy will affect the employees’ salary increase. Company will inevitably more focus on tackling the increase of costs incurred for the operations,” said Chairman of the Badung Tourism Labor Union, Putu Satyawira Marhaendra, in Denpasar, last Wednesday (Jul 21).

According to him, the increase in TDL would greatly affect the hospitality sector, namely hotels that currently closely related to tourist arrivals to Bali. The impact of this increase would be truly perceived by hotel workers during low-season namely

by Christmas holidays and after the celebration of New Year.

“It can be imagined, if salaries do not increase, service reduces because hotel faces low season, while the prices of basic commodities and the cost of other necessities have com-

peted up,” he said.

In the meantime, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) of Bali Chapter, I Gde Sumarjaya Linggih, also admitted it not long ago. The increase of TDL became a heavy burden to industries primarily those engaged in the tourism sector because the increase of TDL itself had a great impact on the operational costs and other components.

“If hotels revise or raise their room rates, possibly many guests will turn away and look for the cheaper markets. Moreover, to cover the increasing operational costs due to the increase of TDL they may reduce the level of comfort of foreign tourists. As consequence, tourists will probably change destination and not be interested to come back to Indonesia, especially Bali,” he said.

He considered the moment of TDL increase set by the govern-

ment was not quite appropriate.

The tariff increase should have been decided a year earlier because at the moment the contract agreement of a hotel with overseas travel agents usually had been signed, so it would be difficult to amend them by new rates.

Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Bali Chapter, Ferry Mark, confessed to worry if his party raised the room rates as it could make the number of foreign tourists visiting Bali decline. At least, their length of stay and spending in Bali would reduce. In fact, the length of stay of tourists in Bali had fallen into a decline within the past one year.

“As a matter of fact, we also worry if the room rates of hotel are increased.

Tourists who have set Bali as their destination would be divert theirs to other destinations because they will spend less costs,” he said. (par)

For three years, export values of Gianyar remain unstable Gianyar (Bali Post)—

Condition of export value of Gianyar Regency within the past three years stays unstable. This occurs amid the predicate of Gianyar Regency as the world’s showcase of handicraft sector and the world’s longest art shop ownership. Entrepreneurs getting involved in manufacturers and exporters remain to be entangled by a number of issues in the effort to create conducive climate and increase the value of exporters and producers in Gianyar Regency.

It was revealed in the workshop of the Cooperation of Commodity Exporter Association held at the Royal Convention House, Hotel Royal Pitamaha Ubud, last Wednesday (Jul 21). Based on the existing data, the export realization of Gianyar Regency within the past three years, including the year 2007, reached USD 33,942,668.86 or grew by 41.20 percent from the previous year. In 2008, it reached USD 30,763,932.57 or

dropped by 9.40 percent and in 2009 reached USD 33,586,542.92 or grew by 9.17 percent.

If seen in terms of export potential, Gianyar Regency poses the basis of small-medium enterprises (SMEs) supporting the tourism sector. Among them, there are 145 units of industrial centers with 9,445 business units. The absorption of labor force reached 30,998 people, the value of investment worth IDR 135,579,699 million and total production amounted to IDR 438,400,340 million. Such amount of potential consists of a wide range of potential products, including various types of sculpture, jewelry, weaving products, batik products, traditional and modern paintings as well as spa products. With such enormous potential, it is required a debriefing of knowledge about export-import business to increase the value of exports.

“The current debriefing activities are only given to provincial government, whereas with special consideration over

the potential of craft owned by Gianyar is considered it necessary to have a regular debriefing regarding to the export knowledge for businessmen,” said the Division Head of Export Product Development Agency, Ministry of Trade, Republic of Indonesia, Hidayat Shah, on the sidelines of the workshop.

Meanwhile, Gianyar Regent in his speech read by technical implementer, Assistant II, I Gede Widarma Suharta, mentioned that in providing facility for handicraft exports, Gianyar Regency had been granted an authority by the Ministry of Trade to issue Certificate of Export Origin (SKA). Formerly, the certificate was issued by Provincial Government to facilitate the current growing number of exporters in Gianyar Regency in running their business.

“SKA of handicraft products that will be exported is now issued by Gianyar Regency Government to make it easier for entrepreneurs in enhancing the value of exports in years to come,” he explained. (kmb16)

Necessity to target the accomplishment of Bali clean and green Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Declaration of Bali as a green province is very ideal in order to make the nature of Bali sustainable and healthy.

However, it should be described the appearance or physical characteristics of such green province. Then, it should be intensively socialized to society, so that all parties have a clear picture to achieve a green and clean Bali together.

It was revealed by a professor of Faculty of Agriculture, Udayana University, Prof. Dr. Dewa Ngurah Suprapta, last Wednesday (Jul 21), when asked for his comment on the declaration of Bali as a green province.

In addition, Dewa Suprapta continued it was necessary to make a target within how many years Bali should achieve the green province, for instance, whether in next 10 or 15 years.

Before reaching it, there should be some stages of target. Within the first two years, for example, Bali had to be released from waste, both organic and inorganic. In that context, government should create a policy in dealing with waste. In the endeavor to make the nature of Bali free from pollution, waste had to be managed properly.

Trashes had to be disposed into trash can provided. Meanwhile, plastic waste should be recycled and the organic waste made into compost.

In the meantime, today we still find trashes everywhere. Even, many of them are burned. Garbage, especially plastic waste, when burned it will adversely affect the quality of air—the air is contaminated by toxic substances. As a result, it will have an impact on human health. Meanwhile, organic waste must be processed into compost to fertilize plants. “In the endeavor to free Bali from trash, it requires a good regulation from government through regional regulation (Perda). Its enforcement must be strict and followed by clear sanctions to be imposed to any violators,” he said. By doing so, public awareness of the importance of sanitation would be more stable. Garbage, particularly plastic waste would not contaminate the nature of Bali.

Subsequently, in the next two years should be continued by other programs related to water. Sanitation and water availability had to get serious attention if we had agreed to make Bali a green province. On that account, industrial wastes should be well supervised so as not to pollute the environment. Similarly, rainwater should be stored in biopores as reserve in the dry season to avoid water crisis. Green open space

ideally amounting to 30 percent of the total area should also become a concern.

In addition, the tree planting is also being conducted to reach such extent of area. The no less important is the agricultural activity being very strategic to make Bali green. Hence, agricultural sector needed more attention.

In addition to the physical characteristics of the green province, it is also needed to describe the social characteristics of the community of green province in terms of their welfare and health.

Healing Island

Prof. Dewa Suprapta continued, from green province he hoped Bali could become a healing island. In other words, Bali along with the green nature, clean air, clean water, and organic food (no preservatives or free from chemical substances) could function as an island having capability of making the community healthy, both the residents and tourists visiting Bali.

“Bali as a bijou island has a great opportunity to be a healthy green island,” said Dewa Suprapta who is also the President of the International Society for Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences (ISSAAS). Thus, Bali would become a dream island all the times, not only because of its cultural superiority, but also of its healthy and harmonious nature.

Meanwhile, a lecturer of Hindu University of Indonesia (Unhi) Denpasar, Wayan Budiutama, said that to achieve a clean and green Bali, government and communities had to initiate through movement of tree planting, especially on critical lands and vacant lands that were not cultivated by their owners. Similarly, government should appeal local community in order they were willing to plant at the open space in front of their house compound to make Bali a cool, beautiful and comfortable island.

In the celebration of Tumpek Bubuh, for instance, should be socialized the meaning of such ritual as the medium to preserve the nature (plants). Thus, ecological awareness would grow to make Bali clean and green. Additionally, it needed to grow awareness that sanitation did not merely become the responsibility of government agencies, but also the entire community. Ultimately, Budiutama added again that community should be equipped with the knowledge about waste management. Other than making Bali free from trash, people would also obtain economic value from the waste management. (08)

z Founder : K.Nadha, z General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti z Editors: Gugiek Savindra,Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, 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. Publisher: PT Bali Post

C M Y K

International

Bali News

Friday, July 23, 2010

3

Balinese Wedding The pawiwahan (marriage, weddings of a Hindu couple) is a very important part of Balinese social life. The ritual generally takes place in the home of the groom, a further confirmation of the typical patriarchal inclinations of Balinese culture, and is per- formed by a priest. The newlyweds to be, dressed in very colorful and refined garments, worn only for the day of the wed- ding, will withdraw in prayer in the family temple. This is followed by the presentation of offerings in the pelinggih and by a series of ritual gestures. A very typical moment in the ceremony occurs when the bride offers the groom several different beverages: a conventional way to reiterate that the woman. as a wife, commits herself to obeying her husband and to lovingly care for him for the rest of their lives.

Many Balinese marriages are still prearranged or negotiated, though young men may also “kidnap” their wives, and mixedcaste marriages are increasingly common. Marriage customs differ from caste to caste and village to village, but all Balinese marriage practices share fundamental similarities. There are basically two ways to get married on Bali, ‘ngerorod’ and ‘mapadik’.

Ngerorod

This is marriage by elopement, in which the prearranged honeymoon precedes the wedding ceremony. Since it’s otherwise quite expensive to marry on Bali, ‘ngerorod’ is becoming more and more popular. It has particular appeal to the Balinese sense of theater. Balinese love a spectacular kidnapping in which friends of the suitor capture a woman in the fields, on the road, or down by the river. Theatrics are paramount: she is expected to bite and kick her abductors in mock self-defense.

These days it’s more stylish and fashionable for the woman to be whisked away in a hired sedan, and more often than not she goes willingly. The couple then repairs to a friend’s house stocked with provisions, offerings, and the bride’s wardrobe.

The woman’s infuriated father sounds the alarm demanding to know what has become of his daughter. A search party is organized which eventually returns unsuccessful and exhausted.

Meanwhile, the couple is consummating the marriage before special offerings (sesayut tabuh rah) have the time to wilt. These offerings alone make the marriage binding by customary law.

Emissaries of the groom visit the bride’s father to argue the advantages of the union. Begrudgingly, the girl’s father gives in, after a suitable bride price has been agreed upon. The groom’s father must finance and conduct the

marriage ceremony, welcoming the bride as a new daughter into the family. The actual public wedding, within 42 days of the staged kidnapping, is only an official confirmation of their union. They are already married in the eyes of the gods.

Mepadik

This is marriage by consent, in which an upper-class couple conducts a formal courtship. Since daughters were once regarded as property useful for attaining a family’s social and political goals, high-caste families tried to wed a son to the daughter of a friend or relative so a blood bond would unite the resources of both families.

Under no circumstances may a woman “marry down,” i.e., take a commoner. The preferred marriage is through a parallel patricousin, the father’s brother’s daughter. It has been noted that Triwangsa couples often get along so well because they are all first cousins. Traditionally, the man or his father journeys three times to the bride’s house with food and ‘sirih’. When the bride’s family visits, the groom’s father is obliged to give them food, ‘sirih’ is chewed (an ancient, ritualistic means of coming to agreement), and presents are exchanged. The groom then regularly visits the home of his prospective bride, presenting gifts and performing services for his future father-in-law.

The groom’s family arranges and pays for the wedding; the date set well in advance on a propitious day. Wedding guests are often entertained by professional storytellers and musicians. Enormously detailed rules govern dining and seating arrangements.

Sometimes the bride’s family is not even invited.

The actual ceremony varies. It could be very simple and short, presided over by a common temple ‘pemangku’, or it may be elaborate, expensive, and go on all day. Both the bride and groom dress in bright ‘songket’, with brocades of gold thread, and the woman’s hair is decorated with glittering gold flowers.

Usually the bride and groom offer food to one another, then simulate such domestic duties such as washing, cooking rice, and cutting bamboo. Prayers are intoned, and then the couple eats together in public, feeding each other. This is an important symbolic act, as in former times only married men and women were allowed to eat food together in public. The priest then performs a ritual purification and blesses the couple. Neither rice nor flowers are thrown. Today there could very well be a Western-style buffet reception held afterward where speeches are offered by members of the two families.[Balibagus.com]

AFP PHOTO / ADEK BERRY

Indonesian activists from the Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP) dressed as orangutans and holding national flags hold a protest against deforestation in Jakarta on July 15, 2010.

Needed, Local Protection for Orangutans Denpasar (Bali Post) –

A survey done by the Indonesian Primates Association (PERHAPPI) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) collaborating with 18 local NGOs in Borneo showed a quite shocking result as from 6872 respondents from 725 villages at East, West, and Central Borneo, 50 percent of it thinks Orangutan is not a species to be protected. Meanwhile 25 percent of them actually do not know that Orangutan is a law protected species.

“Looking at the survey, it is clear that it needs a new approach to change the social culture aspect for the people and translating national policies to local policies,” Head of TNC, Damayanti Buchori, explained last Tuesday (21/7) at Symposium Orangutan event at Sanur Beach Hotel. It is then continued in translating national policies to local

policies so that the people would understand and support the effort to protect the Orangutans.

The survey results also revealed the decreasing Orangutan population in Borneo was caused by being killed by the local people. Respondents from Central Borneo said they killed it for their own consuming, or unsure why.

Few said for medicine, hunting and for

selling. There’s also caught in a boar trap or hit by trees being cut at the time.

This event is part of The 2010 International Meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation. It is hoped Governments involvement can find new ways to protect and save the Orangutan by making policies and watch over the environment. (kmb24)

Cikungunya and Dengue Attacks Karangasem Fogging Did Not Work Amlapura (Bali Post) –

Dengue and Cikungunya cases have attacked Karangasem the past two months. Dengue attacked almost the whole of Karangasem and most was at Amlapura city. Head of Karangasem Health Agency, dr. IGM Tirtayana, last Wednesday (21/7) mentioned Manggis Community Health Centre is redoing fogging (spreading mosquito pesticide by smoking it) at Ngis.

It was said hundreds of the illness sufferers had the same symptoms yet it was still unclear and mysterious then.

Now it’s known that people was suffering cikungunya. This was seen based on blood tests samples seen lately. With this, Health Agency and Manggis Community Health Centre are doing the fogging again to avoid spreading mosquitoes and its living place.

Yet there are still reports on cikungunya sufferers. He said that this is going to be further investigated, “If the mosquito’s population is still also then it is needed to be fogged again.

Fogging might not can decrease the mosquito’s population so we have to examine it again after a few days.”

It was said hundreds of sufferers in Ngis has the same symptoms which are fever, shivering, vomiting feeling, headache, and body aching. These are actually cikungunya symptoms and the blood tests did say so, “To avoid this, it has to be done same way as to avoid dengue, by killing the spreading mosquito.”

According Tirtayana, a mosquito spread the disease. But cikungunya sufferers are easier to be treated rather than dengue. But if

cinkungunya became fatal, it could make the sufferer can’t walk, “The treatment is quicker than dengue. Although those who got these illnesses have to be treated straight away, do not ignore it.”

As told before, the cikunguya illness been happening since 2 months ago and attacked hundreds of residents in two areas Ngis Kajanan and Ngis Kelodan, Manggis, Karangasem.

Meanwhile dengue has been all this year. Meanwhile, according to the Head of Karangasem General Hospital, dr. I Gede Parwata Yasa, Sp. O.G., the number of sufferers treated at the hospital fluctuated, with July (until Monday 19/7) reached 53 people, in March with 88 people, April and June each reached 65 people and on May 48 people. (013)

4

News

Friday, July 23, 2010

Ex-Australian PM Rudd in talks over UN role Agence France Presse

SYDNEY – Ousted Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd Thursday confirmed he was in talks over a possible United Nations role but said he did not plan to quit the national parliament. Rudd, who was replaced by Julia Gillard last month in a party coup, said he had discussed a “development” role with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, after reports linked him with a new climate-change position.

“Among other matters, (Ban) raised the possibility of Mr. Rudd being appointed to a United Nations panel which might look at a number of issues related to development,” Rudd’s spokesman said in a statement.

He added that the role would not require Rudd to move to New York or abandon his parliamentary seat. Rudd proved a distraction to Gillard’s campaign for August 21 elections when he was mobbed by media on Wednesday.

“It would be similar to other United Nations panels like that on climate change finance ... (which) meets three times a year,” the spokesman said.

He said that since the panel would involve limited meetings

and did not require residency abroad, it should not interfere with parliamentary work. “Should Mr Rudd be appointed to such a panel it would not cause any impediment to him discharging his responsibilities as a local member of parliament or as a minister in a future Labor government,” he added.

Gillard has promised Rudd a cabinet position if centre-left Labor is re-elected, after his spectacular knifing by party colleagues on June 24. Rudd was enormously popular after winning 2007 elections against conservative John Howard, who was prime minister for 11 years, but finally slipped in opinion polls after shelving emissions-trading laws and rowing with the mining industry over a new tax.

The Daily Telegraph, quoting a diplomatic source, said UN chief Ban was considering creating a toplevel climate-change advisory position for Rudd, who took a lead role in last year’s Copenhagen environmental talks.

“He was the prime minister who saw Australia sign up for the Kyoto Protocol many years after we should have,” said Foreign Minister Stephen Smith of Rudd’s credentials for such a role. “His standing in these matters, internationally, is very high, as it should be.”

AFP/File/Jewel Samad

Deposed Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd, pictured at a climate change summit in Bali, may join the United Nations as a toplevel climate change adviser, a report said on Thursday.

International

North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun, center, surrounded by Vietnamese security staff, gets in a limousine to leave the main venue of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Hanoi, Vietnam Thursday, July 22, 2010.

AP Photo/Hoang Dinh Nam, Pool

NKorea warns US exercises threaten region Associated Press Writer

HANOI, Vietnam – North Korea warned the United States and South Korea on Thursday to call off military exercises scheduled for this weekend and to back off any new sanctions against the communist country or risk placing the entire region in danger.

The warning issued on the sidelines of a meeting of Southeast Asian nations in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, came as tensions on the peninsula simmer over the sinking of a South Korean warship that killed 46 sailors. The North was blamed for the attack, but has denied any responsibility.

“Amid growing concerns by the international community, South Korea and the United States have announced they would hold joint naval exercises,” said Ri Tong Il, a North Korean spokesman, according to Yonhap news agency. “Such a move presents a grave threat to the peace and security not only to the Korean peninsula, but to the region.”

On Wednesday, Washington announced it would impose new sanc-

tions aimed at stifling the North’s nuclear activities. Ri said any new sanctions would be in violation of a U.N. Security Council statement approved earlier this month that condemned the sinking but stopped short of directly assigning blame.

“If the U.S. is really interested in the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, it should halt the military exercises and sanctions that destroy the mood for dialogue,” Ri told reporters. Sanctions mean “escalation of the (US) hostile policy toward North Korea,” he added.

He later said the North is willing to meet the U.S. and Japan on the sidelines of Friday’s security meeting if they request it, but no such proposals have come, Yonhap reported. Seoul has said there will be no one-on-one meetings with the North until an apol-

ogy is issued for the sinking of the navy ship Cheonan, and though U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and representatives of the other countries involved in stalled nuclear talks will be in Vietnam, diplomats have said a meeting among the sides are unlikely.

In a sign of how tense relations are — and how difficult such meetings would be — U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates struck back Thursday at North Korea’s criticism of the military drills. “My response to that is that I condemn their sinking of the Cheonan,” Gates said to reporters in Jakarta, Indonesia. Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said he wasn’t surprised the North was upset about the drills, but that South Korea and the U.S. have the right to conduct the military exercises.

“They can be angry on many things,” he told reporters, speaking in English. “If you Google North Korea every day, you find all kinds of angry words, and I’ll be in trouble if I follow my policy based on their state of emotion.”

Two British soldiers shot dead in Afghanistan Agence France Presse

LONDON – Two British servicemen were shot dead in southern Afghanistan as they went to the aid of a wounded comrade, the Ministry of Defence has announced. The soldiers were killed on Wednesday by small arms fire as they formed a cordon to evacuate a casualty in a “courageous and selfless act,” said a military spokesman in a statement.

The servicemen — one from the The Royal Dragoon Guards, the other from 1st Battalion Scots Guards — were part of a combined force in Lashkar Gar, Helmand prov-

ince. Their next of kin have been informed.

“In the courageous and selfless act of attempting to evacuate an injured colleague, they themselves were shot and fatally wounded,” said military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel James Carr-Smith.

Their deaths bring the number of British servicemen killed in Afghanistan to 324 since the start of the military campaign there in 2001. The bodies of four other British soldiers killed in separate incidents in Afghanistan will be repatriated today.

Staff Sergeant Brett Linley, 29, of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal

Regiment, and Sergeant David Monkhouse, 35, of the Royal Dragoon Guards both died on Saturday.

Their deaths followed those of Senior Aircraftman Kinikki Griffiths, 20, of 1 Squadron RAF Regiment, and Marine Jonathan Crookes, 26, of 40 Commando Royal Marines who died the previous day.

The bodies of all four men will be flown back to to RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire, where a private ceremony for family is to take place.

Like many of those who have lost their lives in the conflict, their coffins will then pass through the nearby town of Wootton Bassett.

AFP/File/John D McHugh

British soldiers on patrol in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, in 2006.

Two British servicemen were shot dead in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday as they went to the aid of a wounded comrade, the Ministry of Defence in London said.

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, July 23, 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, July 23, 2010

News US...

From page 1 “I was pleased to be able to tell the president that as a result of Indonesian military reform over the past decade ... and recent actions taken by the Ministry of Defense to address human rights issues, the United States will begin measured and gradual programs of security cooperation activities with the Indonesian Army Special Forces,” Gates said at a news conference.

“This initial step will take place within the limit of U.S. law and does not signal any lessening of the importance we place on human rights and accountability,” he added.

Yudhoyono guaranteed that there would be no more rights abuses by the Indonesian military.

“I’ll guard the Indonesian military reform and ensure that what happened 10 or 20 years ago will not happen again,” the president was quoted as saying by Defense Minis-

(AFP/File/Penny Macrae)

In this picture taken in April 2010, an Indian villager is seen with his cattle in Zarua, some 60kms from Lucknow. India’s biggest lender to the poor, SKS Microfinance, said Thursday it would go public next week by selling a 22 percent stake expected to raise around 300 million dollars.

Indian micro lender to begin IPO next week Agence France Presse

NEW DELHI – India’s biggest lender to the poor, SKS Microfinance, said Thursday it would go public next week by selling a 22 percent stake expected to raise around 300 million dollars. The initial public offering (IPO) will catapult the firm into a select group of microfinance institutions around the world which have sought a share market listing.

SKS will be the first Indian microfinance company to float its shares. “We are bringing the poor to capital markets and capital markets to the poor,” SKS chief executive Suresh Gurumani told reporters in New Delhi.

The lender, backed by private equity companies Sandstone Capital and Sequoia Capital, makes very small loans to poor borrowers who would not otherwise have access to the formal banking system. It has

seven million borrowers and operates in 19 Indian states.

Founded in 2003 and based in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, SKS said its share issue will open July 28 and close on July 30 for institutional borrowers and August 2 for retail investors. The IPO will be used to help the microlender borrow money and “fund our activities,” said Gurumani.

“We need lots more capital to fund demand (for loans),” he said. Some 60 percent of the issue, being man-

aged by Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, Citigroup and Credit Suisse, is earmarked for institutional buyers. Pricing of the shares will be announced next Monday.

Just a handful of microlenders globally have gone public. In 2007, Mexican microlender Banco Compartamos listed on the stock market, making large sums for its founders and stirring a huge public debate about the ethics of making profits from the poor.

IMF cancels $268 million Haiti debt Associated Press Writer

PARIS – The IMF says it has canceled Haiti’s $268 million debt and will lend the earthquake-devastated country another $60 million to help it with reconstruction plans.

The International Monetary Fund said Wednesday the decision is part of a plan for long-term reconstruction after the Jan. 12 magnitude-7 quake, which killed as many as 300,000 people.

The three-year loan carries a zero interest rate until 2011 which then rises to no more than 0.5 percent. The Washington-based fund

says its moves should encourage aid contributions to the impoverished country. “Donors must start delivering on their promises to Haiti quickly, so reconstruction can be accelerated, living standards quickly improved and social tensions soothed,” IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn said in a statement.

In Haiti more than six months after the quake, rubble and collapsed buildings still dominate the landscape. The number of people in relief camps has nearly doubled to 1.6 million, while the amount of transitional housing built is minuscule.

Crime is more prevalent since the quake, with attacks in camps ter-

rorizing thousands, especially women and girls.

Most of the $3.1 billion pledged for humanitarian aid has paid for field hospitals, plastic tarps, bandages, and food, plus salaries, transportation and upkeep of relief workers.

At a March conference, donors pledged a total of $9.9 billion — money that is separate from the humanitarian aid — to help Haiti recover.

But less than 2 percent of it has been delivered. The rest is mired in bureaucracy and politics of the more than 60 countries and organizations that pledged to help.

ter Purnomo Yusgiantoro, who also attended the meeting with Gates.

Washington severed all ties with the Indonesian military in 1999 after troops rampaged through East Timor when it voted to secede from Indonesia. The U.S. lifted that overall ban in 2005, but kept its restrictions against the special forces — known as Kopassus.

“Our ability to expand after this initial step will depend on continued implementation of reforms with Kopassus and (the Indonesian military) as a whole,” Gates said.

International rights groups have said members of Kopassus were linked to the disappearance of student activists in 1997 and 1998 and were never held accountable. But Gates said that he and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were both convinced that rapprochement was “the right thing to do at this time.”

Rights...

From page 1 “In the handling of the incident, relevant departments adhered to the law from beginning to end... the defendants’ legal rights were fully guaranteed, and ethnic customs and human dignity were respected.

That is a fact,” it said.

The unrest began on March 10, 2008 with a string of peaceful protests marking the anniversary of a failed 1959 uprising against Chinese rule that forced the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual leader, to flee into exile.

The demonstrations in Tibet’s capital Lhasa later descended into violence and spread to neighbouring areas with significant Tibetan populations. China — which insists it adhered to international practices when dealing with the protests — says 21 people were killed by rioters during the turmoil.

Exiled groups, for their part, say more than 200 Tibetans died — most of them at the hands of Chinese security forces.

“I can tell you as a responsible official that guns were absolutely not fired,” Qiangba Puncog, Tibet’s governor at the time, said three days after the Lhasa violence.

But according to the HRW report, witnesses say lethal force was used to disperse demonstrators on March 14 on several occasions, although restraint was used at other times.

“When the soldiers showed up, they threw tear gas... Then there was indiscriminate shooting and we saw two people shot dead in front of us,” one Tibetan protester told HRW. “One died in the doorway of the Mentsikhang (outpatient department of the Tibetan hospital)...

That day the hospitals had been ordered not to help anyone.” Other witnesses told stories of fatal shootings — including at least one innocent bystander who was killed — in Lhasa and in surrounding Tibetan areas.

The state-run Xinhua news

agency acknowledged two shooting incidents — one where it said police shot four people in “self-defence”, and another in which security forces had to fire warning shots. The HRW report also said some peaceful protests that started on March 10 were broken up with force, with one witness describing police hitting monks and laypeople with electric batons.

According to the report, the government has acknowledged detaining at least 3,300 people over the unrest in Tibetan areas. Witnesses told HRW of regular beatings and the use of torture to extract confessions.

In one example, Nechung, a 38year-old mother of four, was detained for eight days in March 2008 for allegedly tearing down the signboard of the police station in Aba, a Tibetan area in Sichuan province, the report said.

When she was freed, “she was unable to speak or eat without vomiting, had bruises on her body and difficulty breathing”. Nechung died 22 days later, it added.

According to the relative of one Tibetan man who was held in three different facilities, detainees at one place near Lhasa had their hands tied behind their backs and were made to kneel with their heads on their knees. “When they leaned or fell over they were beaten and forced to resume their position.

This went on for several days,” the relative said.

HRW called on the Chinese government to investigate the protests and their aftermath, and open the region to media and international monitors.

“The need for an international investigation into the situation in Tibet is as great as ever,” Richardson said. “Abuses by security forces are unlikely to quell, and may even aggravate, the longstanding grievances that prompted the protests in the first place.”

International

Indonesia Today

Friday, July 23, 2010

7

Timika jolted by 5.0 earth quake Antara

AFP PHOTO/SONNY TUMBELAKA

A wild civet in a cage is fed ripe Arabika coffee fruits at a coffee plantation producing the expensive Luwak coffee in Bangli district on Bali island on July 21, 2010. Luwak coffeee beans come from the ripest fruit eaten by the cat-like creature, digested and excreted in droppings. It is then washed, dried and ground. The mammal’s digestion process gives the famed flavor of Luwak, the world’s rarest and most expensive coffee. Indonesia’s highest Islamic body on July 20, 2010 abandoned a proposal to ban Muslims from drinking Kopi Luwak. It had considered issuing a fatwa against the pricey brew, on the grounds it was unclean. A cup of Kopi Luwak go for 80,000 rupiah (8.83 USD) in plush Jakarta coffee shops while the beans cost up to 500 dollars per kilogramme.

Education ministry to observe national children‘s day Antara

Jakarta - The Education Ministry will observe the National Children‘s Day themed “Indonesian Children Study for The Future” in a function to be attended by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, on Friday (July 23).

The peak event would also be highlighted with mass paintings by 6,600 childrens on Green Indonesia which is expected to break a MURI record, Iwang Sutisna of the event‘s organizing committee, said here Thursday.

The National Children‘s Day has actually been celebrated since July 19 until July 23, by involving students, disabled kids and street children, he said.

On July 20, the education ministry took some 66 children to the news rooms of TV One and staterun television station TVRI to see the reporting process. A Children Sympathy Day was organized at Hotel Indonesian Circle where children distributed flowers to drivers/ riders.

In the peak event on Friday (July 23), President Yudhoyono is expected to launch an Indonesian

Movement To Love Children, according to Iwang Sutisna.

A national survey on child workers conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) in Indonesia in association with the ILO in August 2009, found that some 4 million children aged 5 to 17 years old are economically active, and 1.7 of the children were classified as child workers.

The government of Indonesia had initiated a process to take around 3000 children from workplaces across the country and send them back to school. Since 2008, the government had sent a total of 4,853 child workers in seven provinces back to school.

WTO forms panel to settle RI-US cigarette dispute Antara

JAKARTA - The Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) fulfilled Indonesia’s request to form a panel that would deal with its dispute with the US over the ban of its ‘kretek’ (clove-flavored) cigarette exports.

“Last July 2, Indonesia for the second time tabled its concerns at the DSB session over the US Tobacco Act 2009 which bans the im-

portation of aromatic cigarettes, including clove cigarettes, apart from menthol in the United States,” Director General of International Trade Cooperation Gusmardi Bustami said here on Wednesday.

He said that at the second session of the DSB, the Indonesian request for the establishment of the panel was fulfilled. The session also accepted the requests of Brazil, Guatemala, Turkey, European Union and Norway to serve as the

third parties in the dispute settlement.

“The United States could not reject it but accept the DSB decision,” he said. He explained that the DSB secretariat would issue an activity frame work and the names of panel members for acceptance of parties in the not too distance time.

The United States has imposed the ban since September 2009 based on its law that prohibits the entry into the country of aromatic tobacco, yet both nations are still negotiating the matter.

JAYAPURA - An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale jolted Timikia in Papua at 12.24 Eastern Indonesia Standard Time (WIT) on Thursday.

Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said the epicenter of the earthquake was located 3.56 degrees southern latitude and 138.64 degrees eastern longitude at a depth of 60 km under the sea level, or 222 km northeast of Timika.

But there is no immediate report so far on causality and material damage. Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where the meeting of continental plates causes high volcanic and seismic activity.

Also on Thursday at 5.53 local time in the morning an earthquake measuring 5,2 on the Richter scale jolted Bengkulu, Sumatra.

BMKG said the epicenter of the earthquake was located 205 kilometers southwest of Bengkulu at a depth of 10 kilometers under the sea level.

The epicenter was also located 5.13 degrees southern latitude and

100.98 degrees eastern longitude, 213 kilometers southwest of Lais in Bengkulu, 214 kilometers southwest of Padangbetuah in Bengkulu, 242 kilometers southwest of Kephinang, and 660 kilometers northwest of Jakarta.

Earlier on Wednesday a magnitude-6.3 earthquake rocked North Maluku province but there was no immediate report of casualties or material damage.

The epicenter of the quake which struck at 04.16 western Indonesian time was in the sea 254 km northeast of the provincial capital Ternate at a depth of 105 km, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Board (BMKG) said.

The temblor was also felt by people living in Manado, Melonguane, Tahuna and Bitung, North Sulawesi.

“But the quake did not have the potential to trigger a tsunami because it was 105 km beneath the sea level.

So it was not strongly felt by people in Manado,” Head of the North Sulawesi Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Office Slamet Raharjo said.

Some 345 houses inundated in Sidrap, S Sulawesi Antara

Sidrap, South Sulawesi - At least 345 houses were inundated at Wette‘e village, Panca Lautang sub district, Sidenreng Rappang (Sidrap) District, South Sulawesi.

The flood was the worst in the past several years as the floodwaters reached a height of up to four meters, Wette‘e Village Head M. Ridwan said here Thursday.

“Based on data we have collected, at least 125 houses are seriously damaged due the flood which has submerged the area over the past one week. Some 119 houses are moderately damaged, and 101 slightly damaged,” he said. Hectares of rice fields were also submerged under the flood waters, causing local farmers to suffer material losses.

“We estimate that the material losses inflicted by the flood reach

more than Rp375 million,” he said.Some 100 families have been forced to evacuate to safer areas.

Meanwhile, floods were also reported in several other provinces such as Central Sulawesi and Central Kalimantan.

At Tolole village, Ampibabo sub district, Parigi Moutong District, Central Sulawesi, a bridge collapsed after being hit by a flood on Wednesday (July 21).

Local residents and public works personnel were forced to make an emergency bridge made of coconut wood, Deputy District Head of Parigi Moutong Zamsurizal Tombolotutu said here Thursday. The flood also inundated tens of houses at the village following heavy rains for almost the whole day. In Kotawaringin Timur District, Central Kalimantan Province, more than 900 houses at 13 villages were inundated.

Domestic motorcycle sales reaches 3.5 million in first half 2010 Antara

JAKARTA - Domestic motorcycle sales in the first half of 2010 reached 3,599,322 units accounting for 61.5 percent of the 2009 national motorcycle sales.

Data from the Indonesian Association of Motorcycle Producers (AISI) issued on Wednesday

show motorcycle sales in 2010 is projected to exceed 2009’s.

The data also show Honda led the national motorcycle market with Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki trailing behind. Viewed from monthly sales in the first half of 2010 the sales of Honda and Yamaha motorcycles overtook one another.

8

C M Y K

Friday, July 23, 2010

Internationa

Bali Today ASEAN tourists visiting Bali increase Antara

Denpasar – The number of foreign tourists from ASEAN (south east Asia) visited Bali increased 11% during January through May 2010. The total number of tourists from ASEAN during that period was 101,828 tourists.

Dewa Made Putrawan, a tourism observer, said that the increasing number of tourists from ASEAN show that Bali is safe enough to be visited by tourists.

The number was increasing every months, in January 2010, the number was 12,304 tourists, in February was 14,323 tourists, in March was 26,527 tourists, April was 23,324 tourists and in May become 26,350 tourists.

Last year, the number of tourists from ASEAN was decreasing because of the Pendet dance case with Malaysia and the terrorism act. This year, the number of tour-

ists from Malaysia is increasing.

While the number of tourists from Asia such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan decreased, the tourists from the neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Singapore are increasing.

Dewa Made said that in addition to send tourists to Bali, Singapore has the potential to attract tourists from Bali so if the two countries can cooperate in tourism, both can gain many benefit from tourism.

The beautiful nature of Bali still attracts many tourists to visit the island and the number is keep increasing from time to time.

Government to reduce carbon emission by 26 percent Antara

DENPASAR - The government has a commitment to reducing carbon dioxide emission by 26 percent in 2020, Vice President Boediono said here on Wednesday.

“Various efforts have been made in environmental and forest conservation to realize the commitment,” the vice president said at function to open the international conference of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC) 2010 in Sanur resort.

On the occasion the vice president also said the government policy was also focused on food and energy resilience in a bid to face climate change.

Therefore he added that environmental sustainability, including conservation and exploitation should be maintained.

“We have made environmental cooperation agreement with Norway in terms of forest conservation and its habitat,” the vice president said at the meeting.

The annual meeting which would end on Friday brought together 900 participants from 60 countries, Dr Adi Basukriadi, chief of the event’s steer-

ing committee, said on Wednesday.

A great number of global scientists, activists and observers particularly those dealing with biodiversity conservation are among participants of the three-day meeting.

ATBC is the world’s largest and oldest professional organization dealing with tropical biology and conservation.

Themed “Tropical Biodiversity: Surviving the Food, Energy, and Climate Crisis”, the conference will feature a number of noted speakers, including Charlie Veron, former chief scientist of the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences.

Veron is the author of 100 scientific articles, including 14 books and monographs, on subjects ranging from climate change, molecular biology, paleontology, coral identification, bio-geography, coral reefs, conservation, marine science policy, marine science history, cell biology, reptilian physiology and biography.

The other speakers are Michael Donoghue, a professor of ecology and evolution biology at Yale University in the United States and Kathy MacKinnon, former lead biodiversity specialist in the Environment Department of the World Bank.

FOTO ANTARA/lucky.r

Children playing kites in the field. Tanah Lot authority will held kites festival on July 30 until August 1, 2010.

100 participants take part in TLAF 2010 Antara

TABANAN – Approximately 100 participants will take part in the kite competition during the Tanah Lot Festival (TLAF) 2010. I Made Sujana, the head of the committee, said “the maximum number of participants are 200 participants with 500 kites.”

The competition will be held for three days started on July 30 th through August 1st 2010 with the total price of 89 million rupiah. The

limitation on the number of participants is to avoid long traffic jam like the previous event.

There are four kinds of kites compete in the event, they are creation, pecukan, bebean, and janggan. The participants will come throughout Bali and Indonesia.

“The participants are competing as well as become tourists in Tanah Lot,” Sujana said.

He added that this year kite competition is to respond the demand by the people because in 2009 there was

no competition. The kite competition has been carried out since 2006 and previously, foreign participants can take part in the event but this year only local people are allowed.

Sujana said that the police department is ready to assist in maintaining the security during the competition. “We are very grateful that the police willing to help in the event. We also demand the participants to bring their kites at night to avoid traffic jam during the day,” Sujana said.

Calonarang: The King, the Witch and the Priest At the beginning of 7th century, a Balinese prince becomes the king of Java, the great Erlangga. His mother, Mahendradatta, was a Javanese princess who ruled Bali with her Balinese husband, Dharmodayana, until the husband, suspecting her of practising evil magic, exiled her to the forest.

When Erlangga’s father died, leaving Mahendradatta as a rangda or a widow, she conspired to use her band of pupils trained in the black arts to destroy Erlangga’s kingdom. Her chief grudge against Erlangga because of fancied insults to her beautiful daughter, Ratna Menggali – the noblemen of Daha had refused her in marriage for fear of her mother’s evil reputation.

Calonarang (Erlangga’s mother who practising evil magic) went with her pupils to the cemetery and they prayed and danced in honour of Begawati, the deity of black magic, to help them destroy Daha.

The goddes appeared and danced with them, granting her permission, warning the witch, however, to preserve the center of the kingdom untouched.

The witches danced at the crossroads and soon people fell in great numbers.

Discovering the cause of the epidemic, Erlangga ordered his soldiers to go and kill the witch. They stole into her house while she slept and stabbed her in the heart , but Calonarang awoke unhurt and consumed the daring soldiers with her own fire. The witch went once more into the cemetery and danced with her pupils, dug out corpses, cutting them into pieces, eating the members, drinking the blood, and wearing the entrails as necklaces. Begawati appeared again and joined in the bloody banquet, but warned Calonarang to be careful. The witches danced once more at the crossroads and the dreadful epidemic ravaged the land, the vassals of Erlangga died before they could even bury the corpses they bore to the cemeteries.

The desperate king sent for Mpu Bharada, the holy man from Lemah Tulis, the only living being who could vanquish the witch. Mpu Bharada planned his campaign carefully. He sent Bahula, his young assistant, to ask for

the witch daughter’s in marriage.

Highly flattered, the mother gave her consent and after a happy and passionate honeymoon, Bahula learned from his wife the secret of Calonarang’s power. The possession of a little magic book which he stole and turned over to his master. The holy man copied it and had it returned before the disappearance could be noticed. The book was a manual of righteousness and had to be read backwards. The holy man was then able to restore life to those victims whose bodies had not yet decayed.

Armed with the new knowledge, he accused the witch of her crimes, but she challenged him by setting an enormous Banyan tree on fire by a single look of her fiery eyes. Bharada foiled the enraged witch by restoring the tree, and she turned her fire against the holy man. Unmoved, he killed her with one of her own mantras, but she died in her monstrous form and Bharada, to absolve her of her crimes and enable her to atone for them, revived her, gave her human appearance, and then killed her again. (BTN/Doc)

al

Friday, July 23, 2010

Balinese Culture Bulan Pejeng: Prehistoric bronze drum “Bulan Pejeng” in fact is a large bronze drum (nekara) of prehistoric from Bronze Age that were developed around 2000 years ago or in the beginning of century. This cultural heritage is one of the sacred article, kept in Penataran Sasih Temple in Pejeng Village, Gianyar and is located in the main street of Tampaksiring-Kintamani so no difficulty to visit it. According to popular folktale in society, “Bulan Pejeng” is the “moon” which fell down in Pejeng Village long time ago, making the village was always bright on day and night so the thieves could not do their jobs. Therefore, the “moon” was urinated so did not shine anymore until these days.

The name of Penataran Sasih Temple means “the place of the moon” Temple (moon=sasih) and might relate to the story of the “moon” fell from the sky previously. Another story told of this Pejeng nekara as the ear-plug of Kebo Iwa, a powerful legendary figure who was able to carve Goa Gajah, steep bank temple of Gunung Kawi, etc.

The Pejeng nekara has been introduced internationally by G.E. Rumphius, an expert in Biology through his book Amboinsche Rariteitkamer, published in 1705.

Although he never been to Bali, but he had succeeded for using the information from Hendrik Leydekereker ’s. In fact, this nekara is a giant nekara with large size in every detail as in height of

186.5 m and a diameter of 1.60 m for its hit zone. Around the archeological experts, this nekara is also called as nekara with head, because it has four pairs of mask decoration with bulged-out eyes, long-coned nose, and the ears wearing earrings made from coins.

The decoration of the mask is not only functioned as esthetic-decorative, but more for magical symbolism for the ancestors’ symbol of magic power which bring prosperity and protect the family or the society from any danger. Another decoration which has the magical symbolism is the decoration of octagonal star on the hit zone, border design, feather, and so on.

“Bulan Pejeng” is a masterpiece work of technology and metallurgy that reached its peak on Bronze Age. This cultural heritage is a significant mixture between modern and complicated metal technology and art creativity which full magical symbolism values as can be seen from its shape and patterns. All of it is the proof of a local Balinese wisdom in its spectacular work about 2000 years ago, far before India reached Bali.

The dynamism of Balinese wisdom at that time also was proved by finding five stone moulds in Manuaba Village, Gianyar for making smaller nekara from Pejeng nekara. This fact has proved enough that Balinese people had succeeded in developing local metal industry. Clay mould for making arrow head also has been found in West Java. In ad-

dition, Balinese people had produced a stone nekara which is kept in a temple in Carangsari Village (Badung), is now another success of Balinese wisdom. The other bronze nekara in Pacung, Ularan (Buleleng), Ban (Karangasem), Manikliyu (Bangli), Peguyangan (Badung) is a proof that local metal industry in Bali reached its top.

According to the results of archeological research can be known that at Bronze Age, megalithic tradition was also developed around the world. The archeological experts have a notion that Bali was inhabited by megalithic society who lived by farming, stayed in organized village, and ruled by a well-respected figure. The society had mastered the technology and metallurgy art and the life which was more advance required the capability and mastery in specific parts in the society. In the next progression, social-functional groups emerged and developed such as leader group, carpentry and blacksmith group who have special ability, spiritual group who organize and perform any ritual, and the society who has no special ability who work for other groups. At that time, in the society was grown the belief to the ancestors or the leaders who live at the top of a mountain or a hill and they had magical power that could protect the people from any danger. This belief really influenced daily life and to this very day still appears in the life of Indonesian. (BTN)

A Little Technique, A Dash Of Passion And Drop Of Taste Antara

DENPASAR - When it comes to a world where technique plays a big part in one’s career, you can only expect to have the best from someone with more than 20 years experience.

But it is not always about the technique for Christopher John Patzold, it is so much more.

Chris attended the Box Hill College back in his homeland, Australia where he sort of fell into the world of cooking.

“I cannot really remember how I started, my mom and I just sort of fell into the hospitality”, he said.

He tried brick laying at first but then decided to start a dishwashing job before an apprenticeship was offered to him and took him to where he is today.

Arriving in Bali 10 years ago, Chris had the honor of being the opening team of the now famous dining venue in Bali, Kudeta.

“It was magnificent, I’ve never seen so many rice fields before” he said when asked of his first impression of the island, “Now Bali has grown so much and it never cease to amaze me”.

After Kudeta, Chris went to Jakarta to take charge of a Pan Asian fine dining restaurant before coming back to Bali and join the well-known Canggu Club for 2 years. He then worked at Sentosa Private Villas and Spa for nearly 3 years.

There, he took charge of Blossom, a modern Australian (global) restaurant with Asian/Thai twist, the villas’ in room dining, conference facilities and the catering.

Over the years he spent in Indonesia, especially in Bali, he is

always inspired to help others achieve their dreams, “I’ve seen one or two of the people I worked with now gracing the cover of a magazine with a medal and a big smile on their face. They have really kicked on in the hospitality industry”.

Having gone through so many unique experiences on the island, he finds it difficult to leave.

“Whenever the chance comes to leave, something always holds me back and another opportunity arises.”

For Chris, Bali is not just a work place; the island has now become a part of him, as he proudly says “Bali is my life” Chris Patzold is now the Executive Chef of Nikko Bali Resort and Spa. He will be overseeing 4 restaurants and other outlets, including the resort’s signature restaurant, The Shore.

Bebek Betutu

(Roast Duck In Banana Leaf)

OVERVIEW: The rich flavor of duck is greatly enhanced by a host of pungent roots, herbs and seasonings in this dish, which is invariably a great favorite with visitors to Bali.

The Balinese have great admiration for the duck and consider it to be a particularly strong animal as it is, like the turtle, the only one able to survive on land as water.

INGREDIENTS: 1 whole duck, weigh about 2 kg (4 ½ lb) 18 shallots, peeled, cut in half, and sliced 6 cloves garlic, peeled, cut in half, & sliced 3 stalks lemon grass, finely sliced 5 fragrant lime leaves, finely sliced 6 candlenuts, chopped 5 cm (2 in), ginger, peeled and chopped 8 cm (3in) fresh turmeric, peeled, chopped 8 cm (3in) kencur root, peeled, chopped 1 tsp black peppercorns, crushed 5 bird’s-eye chilies, slices 1 tsp coriander seeds, crushed 2 tsp dried shrimp paste, roasted and coarsely crushed 1½ tbsp salt 3 tbsp oil Banana leaves, greaseproof paper or aluminum foil for wrapping PREPARATION: Wipe the duck dry and set aside. Combine all ingredients except banana leafs in a bowl and mix well.

Rub the duck outside with this mixture and fill the center of the duck with the remainder.

Close open duck with satay skewer. Wrap in several layers of banana leaves, greaseproof paper or foil and steam for 50 minutes. Transfer duck to a moderate oven and bake at 180o C (350o F) for 30 minutes.

Remove banana leaves, cut duck meat up in small pieces and serve with stuffing. When cooked, the meat should be so tender that it falls off the bones. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)

9

10

Destinations

Friday, July 23, 2010

International

Gunung Kawi 1049 - 1077 M. Temple complex is consisted of 2 Gunung Kawi is a Hindu Temple com- consecutions. The consecution in eastside plex with old omission from the stone era Pekerisan River is consisted of 5 units and located in Gianyar regency. Based on the the consecution at west side of river is 5 units, inscription of Tengkulak A on 945 saka (Ba- in the north is 4 units and 1 unit is located far linese calendar) which is released by in south side separate from the others. On the Marakata King, the ancient omission com- above of the temple consecution in particuplex is located at the Pekerisan River then it lar to the Eastside River, there is an article of is called Katyangan Amarawati. Pekerisan Kediri word type sounding ‘Haji Lumahing River is also named by Jalu which is accord- Jalu’. Haji means a king, the Lumah means a ing to the inscription chiseled on the above temple or Sidha Dewata means to return to of the biggest temple door sound ‘Haji the nature of deity and Ing Jalu means in Lumahing Jalu’. The name of Gunung Kawi Pekerisan. The Jalu mean the Keris literal. is the name given on the omission which is The entire words mean that king is made in related to the complex of temples because temple form at Pekerisan.

From this article is assumed that this temple the temple on this area is like the symbol from the mount. There are 3 temples which is dedicated to Udayana King which is also so called the name as Gunung Kawi in Bali called Marakata and Anak Wungsu. The temple those are Gunung Kawi in Sebatu country- which is located in the west side of river related side, Gunung Kawi Temple in Keliki coun- to all king concubines. The temples are located tryside and Gunung Kawi Temple in Babitra far in the south side is attributed to prime mincountryside. The ancient omission complex ister because in these temple areas existing an of Gunung Kawi is founded on 10 century. article Rakyan which is namely perform for It is founded in the era of Udayana about high functionary of empire.

DariM. kiri.....,gugiek,agus kapten masihBuddhist kecil,mang Templealit Complex is used as a resi989 At the period of Marakata governance on 1023, the omission which is called dence and as place for meditation. It is con(tengah),gustra kutu) and con- sisted of some nooks and it is located in the Katyagan Amarawati(cari is developed tinued by the governance of Anak Wungsu cross east of Pakerisan River. Other nooks are which is guess lead between the years of located spread out and near the temple bunch.

IBP

http://image24.webshots.com

International Bali Post Classifieds Contact us

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

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

per Su ve Sa

Hub:

SICA SECURITY Rimo Trade Center Jl. Diponogoro Lt. II No. C5 Telp. 8047438 233259 ext. 209

G.1044-ibp

G.1036-ibp

G.1039-ibp

G.2055-ibp

THE CCTV SYSTEM TOTAL SOLUTION

Specialis in :

CAMERA CCTV DIGITAL SYSTEM, SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM, ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM Ruko Graha Mahkota No. B-9, Jl Teuku Umar Denpasar

Telp. 254-908 ; 254-909 Fax. 254-961 G.1042-ibp

G.1043-ibp

G.2090-ibp

C M Y K

Friday, July 23, 2010

11

BUSINESS EU trade chief says China business concern rising Agence France-Presse

SHANGHAI - European Union Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said Thursday European companies were increasingly worried about doing business in China, citing intellectual property protection as a major concern.

De Gucht said procurement policies in particular must become more open and transparent, and that Beijing’s “indigenous innovation” policy must not freeze European firms out of the information technology and clean energy sectors.

“European companies are increasingly worried,” De Gucht told reporters at a trade event at the European Union pavilion at Shanghai’s World Expo.

“Most of it has to do with the protection of intellectual property because the core of our economy is of course intellectual property,” he said.

The indigenous innovation policy forces European companies to register as Chinese companies to participate in the public procurement market and to bring their intellectual property “into the open”, De Gucht said.

The EU is in talks with Beijing to improve conditions for European businesses, but De Gucht also said the bloc was working on measures to demand reciprocity in procurement markets.

AFP PHOTO / LIU Jin

A worker sleeps along a streetside in the Central Business District in Beijing on July 21, 2010. European Union Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said Thursday European companies were increasingly worried about doing business in China, citing intellectual property protection as a major concern.

“The idea is we could respond to a closing of procurement markets, which are very important, not only in China, but all over. We are facing more and more problems with respect to this and that’s why we are working on tools to defend ourselves,” he said.

Foreign business leaders are becoming increasingly vocal about what they see as unfair conditions set by Beijing.

German business leaders expressed their concerns about restric-

tions directly to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at a meeting last week during a visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, De Gucht confirmed.

The European Union was also looking at China’s “Great Firewall” system of Internet censorship and its impact on European services in China, he said, adding it would be on the agenda at an economic summit expected in November.

“We are actively pursuing this with the Chinese authorities,” he said.

World Bank to lend 800 million dollars to Mexico Agence France-Presse

MEXICO CITY - The World Bank will lend 800 million dollars to Mexico to help transform public transport to reduce emissions, and other programs, the bank’s President Robert Zoellick said here Wednesday.

The loans include 450 million dollars for social, water and infrastructure programs, said Mexican Treasury Secretary Ernesto Cordero during a joint news conference in Mexico City.

Another 350 dollars, including 200 million from the Clean Technology Fund, a climate investment fund, would support the modernization of public transport across

Mexico to reduce emissions and expand services, Cordero said.

Zoellick pointed to Mexico City’s widely-lauded Metrobus system of rapid buses on dedicated lanes as an example of efforts already being made toward improving the environment here.

“I think that climate change is too important to wait for one formal accord,” Zoellick said, ahead of the December UN climate summit in Cancun, which follows last year’s Copenhagen meeting seen by many as a failure.

“I prefer to look at this (climate change) as an area where we need to try to make progress where we can, when we can.”

Zoellick, who earlier this

week took part in a Central American summit in El Salvador, also praised economic recovery in Mexico, where growth is predicted to rebound to 4.5 percent this year, after the economy shrunk 6.6 percent in 2009.

He repeated his message from Central America about the importance of involving the private sector in efforts to boost growth.

“If you reduce the costs of doing business, if you make it easier to start a business, if you make it easier for people to get credit, you can also create the basis for growth,” Zoellick said.

The World Bank chief was due to meet with university students in Mexico City on Thursday.

Bernanke warns of ‘uncertain’ economic outlook Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke warned the outlook for the US economy was “unusually uncertain” Wednesday, saying the central bank could step in if the recovery fails.

Bernanke told US lawmakers the world’s largest economy would see “moderate growth, a gradual decline in the unemployment rate and subdued inflation over the next several years,” compounding fears of a painful exit from recession.

Underlining the severity of the crisis, Bernanke warned that private sector hirAFP PHOTO/Karen BLEIER ing was still growing at “a pace insufficient to reduce the US Federal Reserve Board Chairman employment rate materially.” Ben Bernanke testifies on July 21, His comments kicked 2010 before the Senate Banking off a two-day hearing in Con- Committee on Capitol Hill in Washgress, which is deeply divided ington, DC. over how to deal with high unemployment and a stuttering recovery.

With the unemployment rate running at 9.5 percent and amid fears of a looming double-dip recession, Bernanke came under pressure from senators to further stimulate the economy.

Bernanke said the Fed was “prepared to take further policy actions as needed,” but stopped well short of saying action was imminent.

“If the recovery seems to be faltering, then we will at least need to review our options,” he added.

His comments marked a rapid turnaround for the central bank, which had been focused on winding down crisis measures that left the Fed holding more than a trillion dollars in assets.

But amid growing clamors for a re-entry rather than an exit strategy, doubts have also grown about whether the Fed has any arrows left in its quiver.

The bank’s two main routes to stimulate the economy — lowering interest rates and buying up securities to provide market liquidity — appear blocked.

Interest rates are already at historic lows and concerns about the soaring US deficit would make buying up more assets deeply unpopular.

But Bernanke insisted the Fed could act if necessary.

“We do still have options,” he said, outlining four measures that could help stimulate growth, including buying new assets and lowering selected interest rates.

According to Geoffrey Yu of UBS, by lowering the interest rate for deposits held at the Fed, the central bank could help stimulate lending, which has been tight since the current crisis began.

“The... hope is that banks would be incentivized to lend more into the wider economy rather than dump funds with the Fed,” Yu said.

But Bernanke indicated any action was unlikely until it becomes clear the economic recovery is neither sustainable nor self-propelling.

“We are going to continue to monitor the economy closely and continue to evaluate the alternatives that we have,” Bernanke said.

“If the recovery is continuing at a moderate pace, the incentive would be less.”

His comments appeared to offer little succor to investors worried about a double-dip recession.

“Although the outlook has become more uncertain, the Fed has not changed its policy stance in favor of further accommodation,” said Michael Gapen of Barclays Capital. “We do not take a policy signal from this.”

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down over 100 points, or one percent, after Bernanke made his remarks.

“Bernanke disappointed by not providing hope for a near-term change in monetary policy,” Charles Schwab & Co. analysts said.

12

Friday, July 23, 2010

Entertainment

International

Where Gibson tapes circulate online, jokes follow Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK – Since the celebrity website RadarOnline.com gradually released recordings purportedly of Mel Gibson, the tapes have been used for comedy fodder across the Internet, inspiring remixes, mash-ups and an endless stream of tweets.

AP Photo/Gus Ruelas, file

FILE - In this Oct. 29, 2007 file photo, actor Mel Gibson arrives at the premiere of American Gangster in Los Angeles.

The recordings reveal grim, ugly arguments between a man who sounds distinctly like Gibson and a woman identified by the site as his ex-girlfriend and mother of his child, Oksana Grigorieva. The anger and ethnic slurs make the tapes difficult to listen to.

Parody, though, has come easier.

“It’s the gift that keeps on giving,” says Justin Stangel, who, with his brother Eric, is co-head writer and executive producer of “Late Show With David Letterman.”

“His tapes are so crazy, there’s new areas to deal with everyday. It’s fantastic. They really should have saved it for sweeps,” Stangel said, referring to the period when ad time is priced for TV programming.

Late night shows have put the subject in heavy rotation, none perhaps as much at CBS’ “Late Show.” Letterman has joked that the biggest problem of Apple’s iPhone 4 is that it “only ac-

Haunting or haunted?

‘Dark Night’ finally released Associated Press Writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It’s hard not to think of the long-awaited “Dark Night of the Soul” as a tragic album. First delayed by legal wrangling, then indelibly marked by the suicides of co-creator Mark Linkous and contributor Vic Chesnutt, the album carried some heavy baggage when it finally came out last week.

Yet Brian Burton says he can separate the experience of listening to the album from the emotions he’s left with since Linkous’ death earlier this year.

So when he hears his favorite cut, “Revenge,” and the way Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne lays down a heartbreaking vocal, the producer who works as Danger Mouse flashes to one of his happiest moments with his close friend.

“It’s just a great song,” Burton said in a phone interview last week.

“There’s just something about it. And it makes me think of Mark a lot in a heavy kind of way, but I don’t get sad about it. I just remember the two of us, when we first heard what Wayne did with it, us celebrating and everything.

It was really great.”

With it’s dark themes and haunting beauty, the album already cast a melancholy spell. Years in the making, it was highly anticipated and marked some of the best work in the very different careers of the men created it.

Yet viewed through the prism of

real-life events, the album takes on deeper meaning. Linkous, who recorded and performed as Sparklehorse, and Chesnutt were critically acclaimed singer-songwriters who were destined to get their widest exposure yet upon the release of “Dark Night.”

Chesnutt, who forged a heralded and unlikely career following a car crash that left him mostly paralyzed, killed him-

AP Photo/Peter Kramer, file

FILE - In this April 14, 2008 file photo, musician Brian Burton also known as Danger Mouse of the music group Gnarls Barkley, makes at appearance at MTV’s Times Square Studio’s for a taping of MTV’s ‘Total Request Live’ show in New York.

self on Christmas after years of depression that included other suicide attempts. Linkous also dealt with depression and shot himself in March.

Burton said Linkous and Chesnutt examined the depths of their depression in their music, adding the kind of layers and complexity not often expected in pop music.

Many of the songs on “Dark Night” are sugarcoated meditations on life’s blacker moments featuring singers Julian Casablancas, Black Francis, Suzanne Vega, Nina Persson, Gruff Rhys, filmmaker David Lynch and others. Chesnutt’s contribution, “Grim Augury,” is a particularly harrowing hallucinatory vision of despair.

“When people are singing, there’s something behind what they’re saying,” Burton said of the album’s 13 songs.

“They’re not just writing a tune and trying to get 99 cents on iTunes or something. There’s real things being talked about and said and really the artists have a lot going on with them as people.”

Linkous and Burton met six years ago when the producer mentioned his appreciation for Sparklehorse to a group of people that coincidentally included Linkous’ manager, who sent the musician a copy of Danger Mouse’s breakthrough, “The Grey Album.”

The two struck up a friendship over the phone and Burton decided to help Linkous finish 2006’s “Dreamt For Light Years In The Belly Of A Mountain.”

cepts calls from Mel Gibson.” He has claimed the number one excuse for Gibson is that he “wanted to show the Jews I’m an equal-opportunity offender.” And on Tuesday, the show suggested a more positive version of the recordings, where vulgarities were substituted with pleasantries and compliments.

“We always try to focus on: This is A-list celebrity Mel Gibson losing his mind,” says Justin Stangel. “It’s such a big story that you have to make jokes about it, but you’re not going to make jokes about some of the grim things that may or may not have been going on.” Added Eric Stangel: “The tapes themselves are so bizarre that you don’t have to do much more than play the tapes and listen to the guy out of breath.”

On NBC’s “Tonight Show,” Tracy Morgan said the often misogynist rants that demeaned women were “nothing

but hip-hop. He stole that concept from Lil’ Wayne.”

Gibson has routinely been one of the most popular subjects on Twitter over the past 10 days. Reaction has gone from shock to outrage and finally to belittling. Comedian Dane Cook has said he’s going as Gibson for Halloween this year. Michael Ian Black (“The State,” “Stella”) had a one-word suggestion for the actor: “Podcasts.” Bill Maher mused that watching “What Women Want,” the 2000 film Gibson starred in, “just feels different now.”

One of the most common subjects to lump in with Gibson has been the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. “BP has successfully placed a containment cap on Mel Gibson although there have been reports of some n-word seepage,” tweeted comedian Kevin Nealon.

Joy Behar, co-host of “The View,” added: “BP says the well is contained and no more oil is spewing out. Now, if only that same technology could be used on Mel Gibson’s mouth.” Several mock Gibson Twitter feeds have been started. The obviously fake “Real Mel Gibson” has some 14,000 followers.

Others have taken the tapes into their own hands.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie settle privacy claim Associated Press Writer

LONDON – Actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have accepted undisclosed damages in London’s High Court to settle a privacy claim against a British tabloid that had reported they were planning to split.

The celebrity couple began legal action against the News of the World after it reported in January that they had agreed to separate.

The pair argued the newspaper had made false and intrusive allegations in saying that they had planned to divide assets worth 205 million pounds ($320 million) and had made arrangements regarding the custody of their six children.

The newspaper confirmed Thursday that a settlement had been reached, but declined AP Photo/Matt Sayles to comment further. Cast member Angelina Jolie, right and The couple did not at- Brad Pitt arrive at the premiere of ‘Salt’ in tend the hearing.

Los Angeles, on Monday, July 19, 2010.

Life Style

International

‘Al the Alien’ casts a menacing glare Thursday, July 1, 2010 as the Galactic Market at the Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau in Roswell, New Mexico opened for visitors during the 2010 Roswell UFO Festival.

AP Photo/Roswell Daily Record, Mark Wilson

Want to Call Aliens?

Keep it Short and Simple, Scientists Say If extraterrestrials ever phoned us, they would be more likely to send narrowly directed bursts than constantly blaring signals — more textmessaging than novel-writing, some scientists now suggest.

Such a strategy also would be more practical for anyone on Earth to reach out to aliens — if one had at least a billion dollars to spend. How cheap is talk?

For 50 years, people have watched the skies with radio telescopes, hoping to detect signals of intelligent alien life. So far, however, the efforts of SETI (the search for extraterrestrial intelligence) have proved fruitless.

Now some scientists suggest the kind of signals SETI has hoped to find for decades might not be what aliens would broadcast. In a way, the form of communication might come down to cost.

“Our grandfather used to say, ‘Talk is cheap, but whiskey costs

money,’” said researcher Gregory Benford, an astrophysicist at the University of California, Irvine, and an award-winning science fiction novelist. “Whatever the life form, evolution selects for economy of resources. Broadcasting is expensive, and transmitting signals across light-years would require considerable resources.”

Assuming that aliens would strive to optimize costs, limit waste and make their signaling technology more efficient, Benford and his twin, James — a fellow physicist who specializes in high-powered microwave technology — suggest the signals would not be steadily blasted out in all directions.

Extraterrestrials would be more likely to send narrow “searchlight” beams delivered in pulses.

“This approach is more like Twitter and less like ‘War and Peace,’” said James Benford, founder and president of Microwave Sciences Inc., in Lafayette, Calif. The Benford twins, along with James’ son Dominic, a NASA scientist, detailed their findings in two studies appearing in the June issue of the journal Astrobiology.

The Benfords suggest a continuous signal blared at thousands of stars would simply cost too much energy. They say aliens might use short bursts — say, anywhere from a second to an hour long — and point these signals in narrow beams at one star and then another in a cycle involving up to thousands of stars that repeats over days or years.

Friday, July 23, 2010

13

Fans swarm San Diego as Comic-Con gets under way Associated Press Writer

SAN DIEGO – Movie buffs, comic-book collectors, sci-fi fans and nerds and geeks of all stripes have taken over San Diego for Comic-Con, the city’s annual pop culture convention.

Now in its 41st year, ComicCon draws more than 120,000 fans to the San Diego Convention Center for a four-day event showcasing upcoming movies, TV shows and video games, along with toys, collectibles, costumes and comic books. The fan-focused festival promises loads of freebies, exclusive looks at yet-to-be-released fare and colorful costumes galore.

Donna Moore, of San Diego, came prepared with different costumes for each day of the convention. She dressed as Jack Sparrow for opening night and has Klingon and punk-rock costumes ready for later in the week.

A veteran of 12 Comic-Cons, she loves dressing up, but she’s most interested in learning about forthcoming films. “It’s always a kick to see what’s coming up,” said the 54-year-old. “I love the Con.” John Lord, 27, likes to check

out the movie previews, but his real love is video games. “I like to see new games and listen to the developers talk about how they did it,” said the San Diego resident, adding that he’s especially excited to experience “Force Unleashed 2.”

A lineup of fans waiting to claim their Comic-Con passes stretched around the convention center hours before the festival began. Weekend pass holders got a sneak peek at the convention floor Wednesday night.

Within minutes of its opening, thousands of fans crowded the giant space, collecting freebies and checking out larger-than-life displays from movie studios, comicbook publishers, video game companies and toy manufacturers.

Lena Chhor, 19, drank in the colorful atmosphere as she waited in a line to collect a free “Tron” figurine.

“I’m more interested in costumes,” she said, confessing that she was unlikely to don one herself. “I’m also excited to see the big Pikachu.”

Oversized movie, video game and comic-book characters dotted the convention floor, including a lifesized Na’vi figure from “Avatar” and Woody and Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story” interpreted in Legos.

AP Photo/Denis Poroy

Comic-Con attendees wait in line next to a motorcycle promoting the movie ‘Tron’ at the preview night for Comic-Con International Wednesday, July 21, 2010 in San Diego.

Suicide tied to air pollution and asthma Reuters

REUTERS/Bobby Yip

A girl rests on the waterfront facing Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour March 22, 2010.

NEW YORK – Air pollution and asthma symptoms may increase suicide risk, two new studies from Asia suggest. According to Taiwanese researchers, as many as 1 in 14 suicides among Taiwanese youth may have been caused by asthma, a condition that affects about 10 percent of children.

“It points out another negative part of air pollution,” said Dr. Wayne Katon, a psychiatrist at the University of Washington in Seattle.

“In a way, suicide is a proxy for a bad effect on the whole society,” added Katon, who was not involved in the new research. Asthma has been linked to suicide before, but researchers say this is the first time

the role of air quality has been tested.

Particle pollution - such as smoke, dust and heavy metals — is known to irritate the airways and worsen asthma, and several studies have linked it to heart disease. Why it would make people more likely to kill themselves, however, is unclear.

One possibility is that worsening physical health might push vulnerable people over the edge, especially if they already have chronic disease, said Katon.

He said both studies, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, highlight the need to treat body and mind as a whole, noting that psychological problems often go hand in hand with bad physical

health. “All patients with chronic illness should be screened for depressive symptoms,” he told Reuters Health.

In one study, researchers examined more than 4,000 suicides in seven major cities in South Korea.

They found that spikes in particle pollution upped suicide risk by as much as 10 percent.

Overall, Dr. Changsoo Kim from the Yonsei University College of Medicine and colleagues write, about 23 in 100,000 South Koreans commit suicide.

Breaking down the data, those people who had been treated for heart disease in the year before they killed themselves seemed to be more influenced by pollution, with a 19 percent increase in suicide risk.

14

Sport

Friday, July 23, 2010

International

ManU shuts out Union 1-0 Agence France Presse

PHILADELPHIA - Gabriel Obertan scored in the 76th minute as English Premier League giant Manchester United defeated Philadelphia Union 1-0 in an exibition match at Lincoln Financial Field on Wednesday. Obertan received the pass from Danny Welbeck and sailed a shot past netminder Brian Perk for the only goal of the game in front of a crowd of 44,213.

Manchester United was missing several of its stars on Wednesday against the North American Major League Soccer side. They played without Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick during the second leg of its North American tour.

The Red Devils opened their four-match trip with a 3-1 win against Scottish Premier League club Celtic FC Friday in Toronto.

Manchester United will play the Kansas City Wizards on Sunday before concluding its trip July 28 against an MLS all-star squad.

English Premiership giant Manchester United is the most valuable franchise in sports, ac-

cording to a study compiled by Forbes Magazine. Forbes released its list of the world’s most valuable teams Wednesday, with Manchester on top at 1.84 billion dollars.

The second highest and top North American franchise is the National Football League’s Dallas Cowboys at 1.65 billion dollars. The New York Yankees, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots, Real Madrid, New York Giants, Arsenal, New York Jets and Houston Texans round out the top 10.

Amid protests from fans, Manchester United’s owning Glazer family has said it would not entertain offers to buy the club, which has around one billion dollars of debt.

Drew Hallowell/Getty Images/AFP

Sebastien Le Toux #9 of the Philadelphia Union takes a shot on goal past John O’Shea #22 of Manchester United, which is saved by Tomasz Kusczak #29 at Lincoln Financial Field on July 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

New young coach but same old Milan Agence France Presse

ROME - New coach Massimiliano Allegri will give Milan’s old guard another chance to return the club to former glories, despite pressure from fans to invest in youth after a season of under-achievement. Rookie coach Leonardo led Milan to a third-place finish in Serie A last term, but they finished 12 points behind city rivals and champions Inter

AFP PHOTO/ STR

AC Milan’s newlly appointed team coach Massimiliano Allegri follows the first training day of the season, at the Milanello training center in Carnago, near Milan on July 20, 2010.

Milan and were knocked out in the Champions League last 16 by Manchester United.

The average age of the squad has become a source of consternation for supporters and pundits in recent years.

On Wednesday, 34-year-old full-back Massimo Oddo signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until past his 36th birthday, while Milan will have five defenders in the 33-35 age bracket by the end of the season.

Filippo Inzaghi, already one of the oldest strikers still plying his trade in Europe’s top leagues, will be 37 and former European Footballer of the Year Ronaldinho will be 31.

Milanistas had hoped that Allegri, 42, would oversee a revamp of the squad, but he made his intentions clear in his first press conference since his arrival from Cagliari. “This team still has a lot to offer, there are players in their 30s but there are also many young players,” he said.

“We have all the characteristics and the qualities necessary to do well and achieve important objectives: top three in the league and going as far as possible in the Champions League.

“The squad is more or less the same as last season but no two years are alike.” Additions to the squad have to date been low-key, with the acquisition this week of young Greek international centre-back Sokratis Papastatholopoulos from Genoa the most eye-catching arrival.

The signing of 34-year-old Colombian centre-back Mario Yepes, meanwhile, will not help to bring down the squad’s average age and the club’s fans are unlikely to be inspired by the stated ambition of another top-three finish.

Alexandre Pato, one of the side’s only young stars, is a great talent but the 20-year-old Brazilian forward was bedevilled by injuries last season. With Pato out of the picture towards the end of the campaign, 23-year-old full-back Ignazio Abate and 26-year-old Brazilian centre-back Thiago Silva were the only players under 30 in the Milan first XI. The seven-time European champions’ celebrated Milan Lab is renowned for helping players play well into their thirties. The majority of the current side have heaving trophy cabinets, as most were already at the club when they won the Champions League in 2007 and their last Serie A title in 2004.

His hands may be tied in terms of Milan’s spending power, but Allegri will likely need all his nous and powers of motivation to summon one last triumph from his players’ creaking legs.

Henry still finding form as Red Bulls debut looms Agence France Presse

MONTCLAIR - Thierry Henry says he’s still working his way back into form as he prepares for his debut for Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls in a friendly against Tottenham on Thursday. The match will be his first since he played sparingly in France’s disappointing World Cup campaign.

“I’m trying to get back into shape. I didn’t do a lot for the past two, three weeks,” said Henry, who has been putting in some extra time on fitness training and shooting drills at the Red Bulls training facility. “I’m not 100 percent, as you can imagine.”

In Tottenham Henry will be facing a familiar foe thanks to his days with rival English Premier League club Arsenal. The Red Bulls introduced their new European import with some fanfare on July 15.

His arrival in the States follows his release from Spanish club Barcelona and coincided with Henry’s confirma-

tion that he has retired from international football after making 123 appearances and scoring a record 51 goals for France.

Red Bulls coach Hans Backe said Thursday’s friendly, part of an exhibition tournament dubbed the New York Challenge, would give him a chance to make some changes. Roy Miller is set to replace Danleigh Borman at left back and Seth Stammler will take over Sinisa Ubiparipovic’s spot on the wing. Carl Robinson is slotted into the defensive midfield role.

Macoumba Kandji, a substitute in New York’s 2-0 MLS defeat at Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, will partner with Henry up top. Henry won’t get a chance to play with Red Bulls leading scorer Juan Pablo Angel, who sprained his ankle on Saturday.

In other matches in the friendly competition, Manchester City play Sporting Lisbon on Friday, while on Sunday Man City plays Red Bulls and Spurs face Sporting.

Chris Trotman/Getty Images for New York Red Bulls/AFP

Thierry Henry #14 of the New York Red Bulls practices with the team for the first time at Montclair State University on July 16, 2010 in Montclair, New Jersey.

Sport

International

Friday, July 23, 2010

15

‘Marathon man’ Isner outlasts Muller at ATP Atlanta Agence France Presse

ATLANTA, Georgia – John Isner needed 33 aces and two and a half hours, outlasting Gilles Muller at the Atlanta Tennis Championships as the American registered his first win since making history at Wimbledon. Marathon man Isner beat an inspired Muller 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (9/7) Wednesday, lifting his career record in final-set tiebreakers to 16-5.

“I didn’t want to let the fans down,” Isner said. “I didn’t want to lose my first match here. I had a lot of friends and family here, so I didn’t want to go out early,” said Isner.

“I felt I was shedding the rust off in the second and third sets. I will only keep getting better. This was one of the biggest wins of the year.

I wanted to get matches under my belt before Washington and the two Masters 1000s.”

Muller, ranked 206, turned in a miracle performance for a player who missed the last half of 2009 with injury and was playing in only his second event at the ATP level after Queen’s club last month. The outsider fired 29 aces, just four less than Isner.

The 27-year-old Muller from Luxembourg had two match points annulled and forced Isner to serve

his way out of danger, going through on his own second winning chance.

“Every break point or match point I had, he was serving. There was nothing I could do about it. He was serving well, that was it. You had to try to return and hope for the best.”

Isner, who is seeded second here, won the longest match in tennis history last month at Wimbledon, 7068 in the fifth set over Frenchman Nicolas Mahut, who has forever lost his label of anonymity after the 11hour epic over three days.

But Isner doesn’t want to live in the past after discussing his huge victory for weeks now. He went out in the Wimbledon second round to Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker.

“I’m ranked in the Top 20, I think I can still improve and keep climbing,” said the number 19. “My goal is to reach the top 10 and contend at

the really big events.” American Taylor Dent reached his first quarter-final in half a decade, staging a comeback to upset fourth seed Horacio Zeballos 4-6, 6-2, 6-0.

Dent last got this far on the ATP in 2005 in Tokyo, when he lost to Finn Jarkko Nieminen. “This is a big deal, I’ve strung two really good wins together,” said the winner. “But I don’t want to celebrate.

“My sights are set pretty high. I don’t know if my goals are attainable. I’m happy with this result but I want to move forward, keep improving and advancing.” Dent, 29, who is 94th-ranked in the world, is slowly rebuilding his career after back surgery several seasons ago.

His progress so far is his best since coming back to tennis in late 2008. He advanced past a second round for the first time this season.

Leaders square off on biggest Tour de France stage Associated Press Writer

PAU — For Andy Schleck, it’s make or break time at the Tour de France. The 25-yearold Luxembourg rider says he knows he’ll be on the spot in Thursday’s “queen stage” of the race, needing to overcome his eight-second deficit to defending champion Alberto Contador during the final day in the Pyrenees.

The 17th stage features three tough climbs along a 108.1-mile ride from Pau to an uphill finish on the Tourmalet pass — one of the most wrenching ascents in pro cycling.

Schleck knows three other stages loom before Sunday’s finish in Paris. But for a climber of his pedigree, and with the Spaniard one the world’s top riders in time-trials — one of which awaits Saturday — he has to make a move now if he wants to take home the yellow jersey.

“There’s only one way and that is the climb of the Tourmalet,” Schleck said at a Saxo Bank team news conference on Wednesday’s rest day.

This year’s Tour marks the centennial of the race’s first run in the Pyrenees, so race organizers gave it a particularly tricky challenge: two runs over the Tourmalet — over both sides.

“It’s definitely the highlight of this Tour,” said Schleck. “I always said the guy who has yellow tomorrow will have the yellow in Paris ... Tomorrow is definitely the queen stage.”

Riders will also scale two category-1 climbs — the Col du Soulor and the Col de MarieBlanque — the final two miles of which are at a leg-straining gradient of more than 11 percent.

The ride starts at an altitude of 541 feet in Pau; by the finish, the racers will have scaled three successive peaks of about 3,280 feet, 4,920 feet and finally 6,890 feet.

(AFP/Getty Images/Kevin C. Cox)

John Isner celebrates after defeating Gilles Muller of Luxembourg in the third set tiebreaker on Day 3 of the Atlanta Tennis Championships in Atlanta, Georgia. Isner won 4-6, 7-6 (8/ 6), 7-6 (9/7).

Eduardo reveals sadness at quitting Arsenal Agence France Presse

AFP PHOTO / LIONEL BONAVENTURE

White jersey of Best Young, Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck rides ahead of Yellow jersey of Overall leader, Spain’s Alberto Contador during the 199,5 km and 16th stage of the 2010 Tour de France cycling race run between Bagneres-de-Luchon and Pau, Southwestern France, on July 20, 2010.

LONDON - Former Arsenal forward Eduardo admits quitting the club who nursed him back to fitness after his horrific leg injury was the most difficult decision of his career.

Eduardo completed his transfer to Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday after three injury-ravaged years at Arsenal.

The 27-year-old’s career at the Emirates Stadium was marred by the broken leg and dislocated ankle he suffered in a challenge with Birmingham defender Martin Taylor in February 2008.

Eduardo was sidelined for almost a year because of his injury and the psychological scars from the tackle seemed to have an impact on the Brazil-born star, who was never able to reach his peak form after returning to action.

Even so, he still found it hard to walk away from Gunners’after they did so much to get him back on the pitch. “The past few days have been very emotional for me,” Eduardo told Arsenal’s website.

“Although I am excited about the challenge ahead with my new club Shakhtar Donetsk, I am so sad to be leaving my home for the past three years - Arsenal Football Club.

“Arsenal is a very special football club and I will miss so many people - my team-mates, all the staff and, of course, the wonderful Arsenal supporters. “When I first came to England, I could not speak the language and knew nobody, but as soon as I arrived I was made to feel at home and part of this big family.

“I had some very difficult times with my injury, but Arsenal was always there for me the medical staff, the management, the play-

ers and the supporters. Thank you everybody.

“Although I have now left the club, Arsenal will always be in my heart. I will always look for the Arsenal results and of course, I wish Arsene Wenger and the great players at the club well for next season and the future.”

IBP/ist

Eduardo da Silva

CMY

16

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

Friday, July 23, 2010

Sport

Monaco responds to Ecclestone Monaco Grand Prix organisers have said they are unmoved by comments from Bernie Ecclestone suggesting Formula 1 could do ‘without’ the blue riband event, after confirming that talks are ongoing about a new deal.

IBP/ist

The picture show one of the part in Monaco Circuit

Unhappy Massa expects to improve FELIPE Massa says he is far from happy with his season so far, but believes that recent improvements to the Ferrari will help him move up the grid. The Brazilian began the year brightly with podium finishes in Bahrain and Australia and briefly held the championship lead.

However since then he has finished in the top six only twice and has slipped to eighth in the world championship - over 30 points behind his team-mate Fernando Alonso.

“For sure I’m not happy,” said Massa. “The beginning of the season was not like I expected. The

first two races were okay, we did two podiums, and then we didn’t have good races, especially in the last three.

“When you have three races in a row where something happens in the race and you cannot score points, and you go from being in a good position to suddenly last because something has happened, these things are not nice.

“It was the case in Canada because of the accident at the first corner, and in Valencia because of the safety car, and at Silverstone because I had a tyre issue and went from fifth to completely last.”

Massa believes that recent exhaust

upgrades to the Ferrari have already helped the team close in on the pace setting Red Bulls and McLarens. “I would say in the last two races, we brought some new parts on the car which I think was a good improvement,” he added.

“Compared to the previous races I think we made a step forward and we had a competitive car. I think it is important to keep your motivation that the car is growing [in pace], and hope that for the next race we have an even better car.

“I think it gives even more motivation to keep pushing and looking for a good result in the next race.”

IBP/ist

Felipe Massa

Ecclestone’s comments last week that F1 could survive without Monaco because the event did not ‘pay enough’ drew widespread media coverage - even though such throwaway remarks are a standard tactic used by the sport’s commercial boss to raise the stakes during contract talks. The story where the comments were made also made it clear that Ecclestone did not expect the event to the dropped.

The Automobile Club de Monaco has responded to the media storm with a statement stating it has no need to get dragged into a war of words – and will await the completion of its contractual discussions before making any announcement about future plans.

“The Automobile Club de Monaco does not wish to comment on the statement given by Mr. Ecclestone relating to the future of the Monaco Formula 1 grand prix,” said a statement on the ACM’s official website.

“Assuming that this information is verified by Mr. Ecclestone and the media where it was reported, one must still understand the context under which such sentiments were made.

“The reality is much simpler: a negotiation is ongoing between the Automobile Club de Monaco and Formula One Management. “In time, the Automobile Club will not fail to communicate the signing of an agreement.”