Edisi 24 Desember 2009 | International Bali Post

Tritunggal Church held three holy mass

16 Pages Number 531 1st Year

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Thursday, December 24, 2009

China negotiator: Taiwan trade pact “long process” PAGE 11

Terrorist attack feared after Jackson arrest PAGE 12 BP/doc

The Iranian who was trying to smuggle illegal drugs to Bali was arrested by Bali Police Department officer

Not Published We, the international Bali Post will not be published on Friday, December 25th 2009 due to Christmas Merry Christmas

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Again, an Iranian Captured at Ngurah Rai Airport Smuggles 200 Gram of Methamphetamine Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Having captured seven Iranians attempting to smuggle methamphetamine of 4.5 kilogram, recently the officer of Custom and Excise of Ngurah Rai Airport captured again another suspect who is also from Iran. The suspect is Shahbazi Saeid, 34. He was captured by Custom and Excise officer at Ngurah Rai Airport, last Monday (Dec 21) at 08:00 pm Local Time.

Capture to the suspect was carried out due to suspicion that the suspect would like to smuggle illegal drugs belonging to methamphetamine category. Even, he did it with the same modus as other seven Iranian suspects that have been captured previously. The sus-

pect Shahbazi also swallowed the methamphetamine into his intestine that has been formed into capsule.

However, Custom and Excise officer who did the examination carefully could foil the endeavor of such illegal goods smuggling.

Commemoration of Mother’s Day in Tabanan

Tabanan (Bali Post)—

On that occasion, Indriati revealed that this year became an important milestone to women of Indonesia because many of them could have filled in important position, both in the circle of judicative, executive and legislative.

She said, the gender equality began to arise in the national development since the first Indonesian women congress on December 22-25, 1928.

Head of District Attorney Reminds the Justice for Women

Commemoration of Mother’s Day, last Tuesday (Dec 22), in Tabanan took place vibrantly. The Head of Tabanan District Attorney, Putu Indriati, served as inspector of the commemoration ceremony in such 81st Mother’s Day. Present on the event were Tabanan Regent N Adi Wiryatama and Head of Tabanan House and Higher Officials of Tabanan.

Continued on page 6

Continued on page 6

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International

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Bali News Organizing Yearend Festivity

Denpasar Government Closes Jalan Gajah Mada Denpasar (Bali Post)— By this yearend, a number of activities to jazz up the year change are ensured to be held by various institutions, both of government and private sector. Without exception for Denpasar City Government that since the past few years always organized some events by yearend. The current one in combination with Denpasar Festival, the year change 2009 will grace the heart of culture-based city.

However, the unavoidable impact of this activity is crowded traffic at a number of road routes around the center of city.

Because, Denpasar City Government has made sure to close totally the streets such as Jalan Gajah Mada, Jalan Kartini up to Jalan Veteran. “Closing of those roads will start from the crossroad of Jalan Gajah Mada and Jalan Kartini until in front of Inna Bali Hotel,” said Division Head of Operation Control, Transportation Services of Denpasar, Ketut Sriawan, last Tuesday (Dec 22). The closing of roads becoming the main routes to eastern part of Denpasar City such as Sumerta, Sanur and other areas in the east of Denpasar was ensured to result in the crowdedness at other locations. Moreover, a number of other routes becoming alternatives were not so wide. “To minimize this worries, we have socialized this matter far before the event,” said Sriawan last Tuesday.

Sriawan said that a number of routes used as the alternatives for channeling the traffic streams, namely Jalan Kartini from Jalan Gajah Mada, remained normal. Meanwhile, the traffic from Jalan Sulawesi that usually became the route to Badung Market and Kumbasari Market from Jalan Hassanudin would also be totally closed. Then, the traffic from south like Jalan Udayana to Jalan Veteran would also be closed and traffic would be taken to Jalan Kaliasem. “For the route of Jalan Udayana right in front of Headquarter of Udayana Military Commander remains open as usual,” said Sriawan.

Grandmother Killed in Accident Tabanan (Bali Post)— A grandmother, Ni Nyoman Swasri, 60, a resident of Tibudalem Hamlet, Pujungan Village, Pupuan subdistrict, died after crashed by a motorbike last Tuesday (Dec 22). A youngster riding the motorbike at high speed crashed her.

The victim was crashed by motorbike Honda Supra DK 4446 GR on the Tabanan-Pupuan route at Mekarsari Hamlet, Pujungan, Pupuan, last Tuesday (Dec 22) around 07:30 am Local time. Such grandmother was crossing the road from west to east side then. At the same time, a motorbike came ridden by I Komang Ruly Wirawan, 19, from Tabanan direction. The suspect having no driving license, motorbike’s document did not use helmet and rode at high speed. He crashed her right away.

That old victim was darted off because she was crashed at high speed and caused her exude fresh blood from her right ear. Immediately, she was then taken to Santhi Graha Hospital in Singaraja. Few hours later, the unconscious victim breathed her last. Spokesperson in charge of Tabanan Resort Police, I Wayan Lungsur, accompanied by Chief of Traffic Accident Unit, I Nyoman Rauh, said the accident occurred because the rider of motorbike DK 4446 GR did not give priority to pedestrian.

Moreover, he rode his motorbike without having driving license, motorbike’s document and did not use helmet. (kmb14)

BP/doc

Officers are inspecting the parcel sold in a store.

Parcels Inspection

Prevention the Distribution of Expired Goods

Denpasar (Bali Post)—

By the Christmas and New Year festivity, the sale of various food and parcels began to show an increase. Even, a number of shops selling food started to offer numerous kinds of parcel to candidate of their customers. However, it was worried that a number of items inside have expired.

To ensure the condition of parcel existing in Denpasar, the Denpasar Industry and Trade Services (Disperindag), last Tuesday (Dec 22), performed a raid to a number of shops. Not only shops, the team led

by Division Head of Protection and Cooperation, Ratnaningrat also targeted traditional market. Three shops visited last Tuesday consisted of Moena Fresh, Toko Mindra at Kerta Wijaya Shopping Complex on Jalan Diponegoro and Tiara Dewata Supermarket.

The Head of Disperindag Denpasar, I Wayan Gatra, in the midst of his raid revealed that the activity has become a regular agenda

of Disperindag. His party regularly committed the raid to parcels package by holidays. Similarly, Disperindag would like to ensure in order the parcels sold were safe, especially did not contain expired goods or its pack was not damaged.

It was said that on the current raid, his team did not encounter any expired goods. Condition of all parcels was once opened by the team and all were in good condition. Likewise, they did not found any expired goods.

However, the team once found difficulty when carrying out an examination by opening one of the existing parcel samples. As in the ex-

amination of parcel at Tiara Dewata Supermarket, the member of team looked confused on examining the parcels. Except for there were many parcels, around 300 pieces, the existing parcels have been ordered. Its customers have ordered almost 60 percent of parcels on display. It was indicated by the sticker of customer’s name put on the parcels.

“In essence, all parcels we opened were not suspicious. All are in good condition and quality. Since they have been ordered, so we find difficulty which one to open for examination,” said Gatra accompanied by Ratnaningrat.

In the meantime, Sales Division of Tiara Dewata, I Wayan Sumardita, said that all parcels sold

by Christmas and New Year were inshop production of Tiara Dewata. On that account, hygiene of all food in the parcels has been probed thoroughly. (kmb12)

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

Bali News

International

Thursday, December 24, 2009

3

Instruction of Chief Sutisna

Mischievous Polices Imposed with Sanction Denpasar (Bali Post)—

BP/doc

The suspect of the newly wed couple escorted by the police to the jail

One of the Victim’s Employees to be Captured ALLEGATION of police related to the murder of the couple—Sugianto Halim, 30, and Fenny Maria Suliyanti, 27, amounted to seven perpetrators. This information was obtained from the capture of one of the suspects denoting the victim’s employee with initial name AGS, last Tuesday (Dec 22) noon. AGS was alleged to get involved in such brutal murder case.

According to a resource person in Bali Police told that the capture of AGS was based on the investigation to the suspect Fachrudin alias Fahrus. Fachrudin admitted that he did not kill the couple alone. However, he did so with two other friends (AGS and SU). However, up to now SU remained to be pursued by police officers.

The capture of AGS, said that resource person, took place in

Denpasar last Tuesday noon. He is now being probed at the room of investigator. “AGS is the employee of the victim. Well, whether AGS will be proven to murder both victims stays to be investigated by police,” he said while asking not to mention his name on the newspaper.

Out of these three perpetrators identified by police, it was strongly alleged that SU became the master-

mind of perpetrators. SU knew the victim intimately. Business competition was estimated to become the motive of such murder. “SU is being pursued by police,” he added.

Based on information, the murder of both victims was committed by perpetrators on last December 10, 2009 at 7:00 pm Local Time. Perpetrators brought vehicle Kijang Innova and was parked in front of the shop. (jay)

Remembrance of Mother’s Day and Social Solidarity Day To Grow Concern and Improve Solidarity BADUNG Regency Government organized the commemoration of the 81st Mother’s Day and National Solidarity Day, last Tuesday (Dec 22) located at the Civic Center Square of Badung Regency. As inspector of the ceremony, Deputy Regent of Badung I Ketut Sudikerta and attended by the Head of Badung House I Made Sumer together with his apparatus, and Badung higher officials of Badung Regency. Other officials were also the Head of Motivator Team of PKK of Badung Regency Mrs. Ratna Gde Agung along its members, civil servant of Badung

Regency as well as students of secondary schools.

The ceremony led by Ni Made Lestari from Badung Resort Police was intended to recall and refresh the memory on how importance the role of women as an inseparable part from the national awakening of Indonesia in struggling for the Indonesian Independence. On that occasion, it was read the brief history on the formation of Mother’s Day of Indonesia by AA Sri Dewi from Social and Labor Force Services of Badung Regency.

Deputy Regent of Badung I Ketut Sudikerta on reading the ad-

dress said that the moment denoted a strategic milestone for women group of Indonesia to re-observe to what extent the women have participated in filling in the development starting from the first Indonesian movement on December 22-25, 1928 that later on was celebrated as Mother’s Day on December 22.

Sudikerta invited all components of community to grow the empathic sense toward the fellow humans by attempting to lend a hand through social activities. It posed a manifestation of our solidarity to social environment of the community.

The image of police streaked by some persons of mischievous police seemed to become serious attention to Chief of Bali Police, Sutisna. Recently, a number of police personnel were known to act beyond the legal procedures. On that account, this number-one man in Bali Police instructed the related parties (Profession and Security Division) to take firm action and impose sanction to mischievous police officers procedurally.

The case involving a member of police once occurred few times ago, namely the capture of a person of police officer that was proven to distribute illegal drugs.

Such person of police had initial name LL. He has arrested in the detention cell of Denpasar Metro Police and his case remained to be investigated. Even, this person was ensured to be discharged.

More than that, there were police officers who were found having fun at nightclub and being with a girl.

They had initial name LP and BW known to enjoy nightlife at Dee Jay Music Club few days ago. However, it was unclear whether both officers

would be imposed with sanction or not. “If they (mischievous police—ed) were indeed proven to act beyond the legal procedures, they should be taken action,” asserted Chief Sutisna.

Besides, there was mischievous police or asking for bribe that highlighted in the discussion among the members of Bali House. On asking about that matter, this former expert staff of National Police (Polri) stated that the statement of members of Bali House was fair. However, he asked to prove who the person was. “It is fair, but please prove the perpetrator. If so, I will process procedurally,” he said while asking the entire community to inform such matter to the private number of Chief of Bali Police at 74 Polri.

Chief Sutisna admitted to have given warning to his members acting beyond the procedures. However, since the member of Bali Police amounted to 12,000 personnel, of course, there are few of them acting beyond the procedures. Nevertheless, should there be any personnel acting illegally, they must be given sanction.

“If their act belongs to criminal act, we will propose them to general crime,” he explained. (kmb21)

Amniocentesis

Baby in Disorder Can Be Detected at Early Stage Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Siamese-twins baby, baby with spilled out intestine or without skull denotes disorder case on baby due to imperfection on the organ formation during the fetus was in the womb of its mother. The causing factor is very complicated, starting from malnutrition, genetic disorder, factor of its mother and the fetus itself. However, the disorders on baby are usually known late. Even, after performing regular USG examination, sometimes there were some disorders undetected. At Sanglah Hospital, the baby born in disorder reaches 6 percent to 8 percent of the life born. At Sanglah Hospital, the number of life born amounts to 2000 per year.

“At this moment, to examine the condition of fetus in the womb is used laboratory test and USG, either of 2D, 3D or 4D. Such disorder can be identified when organ of the baby has been formed,” said Director of Medical and Nursing Services of Sanglah Hospital, AAN Jaya Kusuma, last Monday (Dec 21).

Jaya Kusuma added that nowadays there has been a technology used to identify the disorder of baby at very early stage and even before it was formed. It was called integrated prenatal diagnosis examination where the examination is known as Amniocentesis or examination of fetal membrane to know the chromo-

somal disorder on the fetus. The examination could be performed when the pregnancy has reached 12-14 weeks old. At this stage, the organ of baby was not formed yet. “In the examination of fetal membrane, the mothers could know earlier whether their fetus undergoes any disorder or not,” said Jaya Kusuma.

According to Jaya Kusuma, the Amniocentesis examination was based on some backgrounds such as the mother had a record of giving birth to a disabled baby or pregnancy of the mothers over 35 years old that once gave birth to a baby with abnormal growth of fetus. “If a mother has such indication, she will be suggested to undergo Amniocentesis examination,” he observed.

Should there be any disorder, added Jaya Kusuma, of course it could be taken any action earlier. For instance, if it was found any chromosomal disorder causing the fetus to undergo the leakage of heart’s valve. “If this disorder occurred to baby’s heart has been known and it will be promptly born, it would be prepared a team to handle it,” he observed. He admitted, the chromosomal disorder indeed could not be improved. However, any disorder that might arise could be minimized if it has been known in advance. Amniocentesis technology itself has been implemented by Sanglah Hospital. (kmb24)

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Thursday, December 24, 2009

News

International

Car of Iran opposition’s Mousavi attacked Reuters

AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI

Mirhossein Mousavi

TEHRAN - The car of Iranian opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi was attacked by “plainclothes men” on motorbikes on Monday and one member of his entourage was injured, the reformist Kaleme website reported.

Kaleme said the incident happened when Mousavi was on his way back to Tehran after attending the funeral of leading dissident cleric Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri in Qom. It said the car’s back window was smashed in the attack.

Kaleme said the group on motorbikes insulted Mousavi and those accompanying him and several times stopped his motorcade and prevented

it from resuming its journey.

“On the way back from Qom to Tehran before noon ... a group of plainclothes men riding motorcycles attacked the car carrying Mousavi, as a consequence of which one member of Mousavi’s entourage was injured,” Kaleme said.

“One of the assailants shattered the back window of the car carrying Mousavi,” Kaleme said, adding that one of the attackers was also injured in the incident. (Editing by Tim Pearce)

Colombia says rebels murder kidnapped governor Reuters

BOGOTA - Colombia said on Tuesday FARC guerrillas slit a state governor’s throat hours after they kidnapped him during a brazen raid in one of worst rebel strikes during President Alvaro Uribe’s government.

The kidnapping of Luis Cuellar, the Caqueta state governor, underscored how Latin America’s oldest insurgency remains capable of high-profile attacks despite being battered to its weakest level in decades by Uribe’s U.S.-backed offensive.

Armed rebels, dressed in military uniforms, blasted through the door of Cuellar’s house in a southern Colombian city late on Monday, killed a police guard and dragged the governor away from his wife and into a waiting jeep.

Cuellar’s body was found on Tuesday as troops scoured the remote jungle in hopes of rescuing him. The kidnapping was a reminder of the darker days of Colombia’s conflict when lawmakers were easy prey for rebel squads.

“He had his throat cut, they slaughtered him miserably,” Uribe said in a national broadcast after Cuellar’s body was discovered near the vehicle abandoned by rebels as they fled into jungle near Florencia city.

“As the armed forces were in pursuit, the terrorists cut the governor’s throat to avoid firing any shots,” he said.

The FARC, or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, had yet to issue an statement on the kidnapping.

The rebel group once controlled large parts of the country. But urban bombings and kidnappings have eased as Uribe sent troops to take back areas from armed groups who fund their war with cocaine trafficking.

Foreign investment has soared in Colombia, Latin America’s No. 4 oil producer, as cities became safer, kidnappings dropped and soldiers took back rural areas once off limits to petroleum and mining companies because of security risks.

HOSTAGES IN JUNGLE CAMPS

Uribe, one of Washington’s staunchest allies in Latin America, is popular at home for the success of his security policies. His allies are pushing for a constitutional change to allow the conservative to run for a third consecutive term.

His popularity remains high despite scandals over corruption, military involvement in civilian murders and paramilitary links to some of his lawmaker allies.

With around 9,000 fighters, the FARC is still a force in rural areas where state control is weak. But the rebels have increasingly turned to ambushes and the use of landmines as they are driven back deep into the mountains and jungles.

“The campaign against the FARC is still incomplete and requires more work and time,” said Rafael Nieto, a former Colombian deputy justice minister and now a consultant. “The FARC can show they are still capable of these operations.”

The FARC is holding 24 police and soldiers hostage — some kidnapped more than a decade ago — in jungle camps.

AFP PHOTO/SAID KHATIB

RAFAH - Palestinians observe heavy machinery at work on the Egyptian side of Rafah, on the border with the southern Gaza Strip on December 21, 2009, while a few hundred Hamas supporters hold a rally in Rafah to protest Egypt’s construction of an underground wall to stem smuggling to the besieged Gaza Strip territory, on December 21, 2009. Egypt has only implicitly confirmed the construction of the underground wall, which was first reported by Israeli media, saying it is aimed at protecting its territory from security threats.

Egypt says no steel Gaza wall despite Hamas fears Reuters

CAIRO - Egypt confirmed on Tuesday it is engaged in construction along its border with Gaza but said it is not building what some reports have said is a steel wall to block cross-border smuggling.

Hamas and other militant groups have called on Egypt to stop building such a wall along the Gaza border and Egyptian security officials have confirmed a steel barrier is being built.

Tunnel builders say around 150 tunnels along the border between Egypt and Gaza provide a vital supply link for the enclave whose imports are blocked by Israel.

Until now the foreign ministry had refused to comment, but at a news conference ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki said: “The procedures that Egypt is undertaking inside its lands, whether building or construction work along the border with the Gaza Strip, is an Egyptian concern that is related to Egypt and Egyptian national security.”

“We refuse to call the construction a steel wall and wonder where such a name came from,” he added.

Zaki said the border work had nothing to do with Egyptian mediation between the Palestinian Authority and its Gaza-based rival Hamas and that it would continue even if Hamas were to sign an Egyptianbrokered agreement.

At least 500 Hamas supporters rallied along the border on Monday to condemn the building of the wall, prompting Egyptian soldiers on the other side of the frontier to take up positions behind sandbags.

Philippines declares holiday truce with Maoist rebels Reuters

MANILA - Philippine security forces will unilaterally suspend army offensives against Maoist-led rebels for 60-hours over Christmas, but will maintain defenses, a senior government official said on Wednesday.

Manila will also observe a 24 hour ceasefire New Year, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told reporters.

“We’re calling on them (rebels) not to take advantage of the situation and spoil the Filipinos’ Christmas holidays,” Ermita told a press briefing at the presidential palace.

The truce will cover only the 4,000-

member communist New People’s Army (NPA), which has been waging a protracted guerrilla war since the late 1960s. The conflict has killed about 40,000 people and stunted growth in rural economies.

Maoist guerrillas are expected to reciprocate the government gesture and impose a similar truce, but attacks to mark the 41st anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines, the rebels’ political arm, on December 26 are still possible.

The Philippines is also battling Muslim rebels in the south, and while a bilateral ceasefire with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front

(MILF) has been in place and the two sides resumed formal peace talks on December 8, some skirmishes still occur.

Soldiers will continue to pursue an armed group suspected to be behind the massacre of 57 people in the south and the Abu Sayyaf, a small Islamic militant group engaged in kidnapping in the southern Philippines, military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Romeo Brawner said.

Since 1986, the government has observed a holiday ceasefire with communist rebels as the mainly Roman Catholic state celebrates one of the world’s longest Christmas seasons.

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

Thursday, December 24, 2009

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

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Thursday, December 24, 2009

News

PHILIPPINES, Manila : Roasted pigs are in display at a store in the Manila suburbs on December 20, 2009 ahead of Christmas Day. “Lechon”, or roasted pig, has always been a regular fare at Philippine festivities, especially during Christmas and New Year celebrations.

AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS

Argentine judge asks China Again arrests over Falun Gong

From page 1

Reuters

BUENOS AIRES - An Argentine judge has ordered the arrest of China’s former President Jiang Zemin and another top official for “crimes against humanity” in the alleged persecution of the Falun Gong spiritual movement.

Falun Gong hailed it as a historic human rights ruling on Tuesday, although a lawyer for the group acknowledged it is largely symbolic.

Federal Judge Octavio de Lamadrid on December 17 asked Interpol to issue an arrest warrant against Jiang and former security chief Luo Gan after four years of investigating charges of torture and genocide against the Falun Gong group.

The judge ordered the arrest of the two “over crimes against humanity committed in China” including genocide and torture, according to a copy of the ruling.

Jiang was president from 1993 to 2003.

De Lamadrid made the ruling based on sections of Argentina’s

1994 constitution that allow Argentine courts to address human rights issues in other countries.

In his ruling, the judge said “if universal jurisdiction is not admitted we would find ourselves allowing impunity, which is what the international community wants to avoid.”

Alejandro Cowes, an Argentine lawyer representing Falun Gong, said: “It’s a historic ruling because for the first time we’re opening a universal jurisdiction to investigate crimes committed abroad.”

However, a second lawyer for the group acknowledged that the ruling was mostly symbolic since it is unlikely that the arrests would be carried out. Falun Gong has pushed for such rulings without re-

sults in France, Spain and elsewhere.

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez is scheduled to travel to China in January to discuss bilateral trade and business. Fernandez has pushed for human rights trials in Argentina against former military officers accused of abuses during the 1976-1983 “dirty war” against leftists.

A decade-long government crackdown drove Falun Gong underground in China but it has flourished abroad, where it has moved from a spiritual movement into a vehicle against Chinese Communist Party rule.

Thousands have been jailed since China declared Falun Gong a cult in 1999. The Falun Dafa Information Center, which documents suspected abuses against practitioners in China, says 104 Falun Gong adherents died of abuse or neglect in custody last year, bringing to 3,242 the number of deaths documented over 10 years.

French ruling party plans bill on broad burqa ban Reuters

PARIS - France’s ruling UMP party plans to present a bill to parliament in January on banning full Islamic veils in all public places and not just in certain buildings, a senior party official said on Tuesday.

The bill would be accompanied by a resolution related to respect for women, Jean-Francois Cope, the parliamentary party leader of Presi-

dent Nicolas Sarkozy’s UMP, told a news conference.

Both propositions would be handed to parliament during the first two weeks of January, before the conclusions of a French parliamentary inquiry into the all-covering niqab and burqa are published.

France has been moving toward outlawing full Islamic veils in certain public buildings and had ap-

peared to stop short of a broader ban that could violate religious freedom and deepen a rift in the government.

Most politicians are waiting for the results of the parliamentary inquiry before deciding on the need for a law A complete ban could meet with legal obstacles. Switzerland’s ban on minarets, for example, has been challenged before the European Court of Human Rights.

The suspect should dwell detention cell while waiting for further process.

From the hand of suspect, the officers could secure 22 capsules containing methamphetamine with gross weight of 200 gram.

The Head of Directorate General of Custom and Excise for Bali, NTB and NTT Regional Office, Faried Syibli Barcia, last Tuesday (Dec 22), explained about the capture. It originated in when the suspect got out of from the Qatar Airways. From the carrier with flight number QR 0624 of DohaDenpasar route and transited in Kuala Lumpur, the suspect went out and came up with an examination right away.

Since the suspect indicated suspicious behavior, the local officers examined him more profoundly. The suspect was then taken into examination room.

“When getting in touch with local officers, the suspect looked so strained.

Even, the suspect was also nervous as if he would not like to interact any longer,” explained Faried accompanied

by Directorate of Narcotics, Bali Police, Kokot Indarto, last Tuesday.

That suspicion was getting stronger when the suspect kept on holding his stomach. The officers felt that the stomach of suspect was slightly hard. Allegedly, there was something suspicious. “Therefore, we suspected there were illegal goods within his intestine.

Moreover, we have also captured other seven Iranians previously. Well, based on such experience, the suspect was

Commemoration From page 1 She also reminded the values of justice emancipation of women to men denoting a foundation of character building.

Celebration of national days, said

then taken to Bali International Medical Clinic (BIMC) around 07:30 pm Local Time,” he revealed.

Based on the result of examination by means of X-ray and CTscan, medical officer could detect strange item of round shape. Having been taken out, in fact there were capsules containing white powder and alleged as methamphetamine. “There were 22 capsules taken out. Having checked its content, in fact, they were positive to methamphetamine. In terms of its commercial value, it cost up to IDR 400 million,” he explained.

Did he belong to the same syndicate as the suspects captured previously? Kokot Indarto said that his party could not make sure yet whether they were in the same syndicate or not. However, in terms of its modus, they possibly belonged to the same syndicate. Besides, it was also based on the confession of the suspect saying that he just transited for two hours in Bali.

In addition, he would fly directly to Jakarta and someone would pick him up. More than that, actually there were nine Iranian passengers at the same flight.

However, only the suspect was declared positive to bring and attempt to smuggle methamphetamine. “We also confiscate other evidences in the form of 16 pieces of dollar banknote totally valued 516 and 30,000 Iranian rials,” he added. (kmb21)

Indriati, had significant meaning to encourage the spirit of struggle. She expected, through the celebration of Mother’s Day of this year, the role of women would progressively increase, both in the development and in improving the quality of family life. (kmb14)

International

Indonesia Today

Thursday, December 24, 2009

7

President to present saplings as Christmas gift Antara

AFP PHOTO / ADEK BERRY

A security guard removes debris of a collapsed building in Jakarta on December 23, 2009. Two people were killed and 12 were injured after a building collapsed in central Jakarta on December 23, police said.

Four men in critical condition on collapsed building accident Antara

JAKARTA - Some four men are reported to be in critical condition after an under-construction part of a shopping center building at Tanah Abang was collapsed here on Wednesday.

The four victims identified as employee on the construction were then brought to the hospital while other 10 men were still buried under the collapsed building.

Building Manager from Tanah Abang shopping center, Setyarto Haryono, said the 3x20 meters wide construction was collapsed at 10.00

west Indonesia time (WIB). The collapsed construction, he explained, was an extension part of the core building in the shopping center specially made for visitor’s toilet in the third and fourth floor.

“We have carried out the construction for the past four months with only 30 percent percentage of

completion so far. This building is planned to be finished around July 2010,” said Setyarto.

Central Jakarta’s District Police Chief, Senior Commissioner Hamidin, said the four men on critical condition had been evacuated. The victims’ names were yet to be identified when they were brought to the hospital.

“We are still investigating the cause of the collapsed building,” Hamidin said adding that evacuation in the accident scene was conducted carefully since the building made from heavy material such as steel.

JAKARTA - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will give saplings as his Christmas present to the Christian community on the occasion of a Christmas celebration on December 27, the event’s chief organizer said.

“President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will symbolically present a coconut tree sapling to a child at the Christmas celebration at the Jakarta Convention Hall on December 27,” the chief organizer of the celebration, EE Mangindaan, told newsmen here on Tuesday.

Mangindaan who is state minister for administrative reform said Indonesia is now facing various problems from economic and financial problems to education and social welfare. The national committee however would only focus on ef-

forts to appeal to people to participate in environmental preservation efforts to reduce pollution, he said.

“Therefore, the decorations later will be dominated by green color to make it a ‘Green Christmas’ and not a ‘White Christmas”, he said jokingly.

He said the event would also be attended by First Lady Mrs Ani Yudhoyono, Vice President Boediono and Mrs Herawati Boediono, cabinet ministers and other high-ranking officials.

Around six thousand people from various cities such as Merauke in Papua, Maumere in East Nusa Tenggara and Toraja, South Sulawesi would attend the celebration.

He was optimistic the event would run well, especially because the organizing committee’s vice chairman was Major General Darpito who is the commander of the Jakarta Military Command.

Police: Terrorist ideology has potential to develop in 2010 Antara

JAKARTA - Terrorist ideology which allows violence to achieve one’s goals has the potential to develop in 2010 although a number of top terrorists have been arrested or killed, police said.

Chief of the National Police Headquarters’ Detachment-88 Anti-Terror Unit, Senior Commissioner Tito Karnavian, said on Tuesday the ideology would continue to develop in 2010.

He said the threat of terrorist at-

tacks had admittedly been reduced since the killing of Noordin M Top and his lieutenants but it did not mean that the threat of terrorism receded. This is because their ideology still exists among the people.

This ideology could gain further support and strength both at home and abroad. Local conflicts with religious nuances such an in Poso and Ambon could serve as a factor from inside the country. “If a goup of Muslims felt it was oppressed, it would create an impetus to the revival of this ideology,” Tito Karnavian said.

Boediono defends decision to bail out Bank Century Antara

JAKARTA - Former central bank governor Boediono said here on Tuesday the government’s decision to inject Rp6.7 trillion into Bank Century to save it was correct.

Boediono who is now vice president made the statement in reply to a question from Ahmad Muzani, a member of the House Bank Century Inquiry Committee from the Gerindra Party.

“The decision was made by the Committee for Financial Sector Stability (KSSK) and I believed then that it was a right and good decision,” he said.

He said the decision to extend the

bailout funds was correct in view of the conditions at the time when a monetary crisis similar to that of 1997/98 was happening.

In view of that he said if the Century Bank which had been declared as a failed bank at the time was not bailed out the effect would spread to other banks.

“The case was declared systemic following discussions on it in a meeting of central bank governors.

The basis is information from those authorized to study it,” he said.

Boediono said among the indications that showed similarity with the 1997/98 crisis was a quick flight of capital abroad followed by stagnation in domestic banking liquidity

and various rumors.

“The collapse of a bank may spread to other banks like what we have seen before,” he said.

He said if Bank Century was closed, the situation would be explosive and therefore the KSSK decided to immediately save it to prevent the recurrence of the 1997/98 crisis. If that crisis recurred the cost to be paid by the state would be very extreme and therefore a quick response had to be taken to avoid it, he said.

The Bank Century has now been taken over the Deposit Insurance Institute (LPS) and been renamed Bank Mutiara which is now already profitable.

AFP PHOTO / ADEK BERRY

A believer prays outside of a Christian church in Jakarta on December 23, 2009. Christians in this Muslim majority country are gearing up for Christmas, an important event in the Christian calendar.

8

Internationa

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Bali Today Tritunggal Church held three holy mass Antara

DENPASAR - Paroki Tritunggal Mahakudus Banjar Tuka Church, in Dalung village, Kuta, will hold three holy mass in the celebration of Christmas 2009. Ketut Jack Mudastra, the head of the church, said “the mass is done more than once because the church is not big enough to accommodate all of the people who wanted to pray.”

BTN/Doc

Tourists watching the performance to celebrate Christmas at one of the hotel in Bali. Paroki Tritunggal Mahakudus Banjar Tuka Church, in Dalung village, Kuta, will hold three holy mass in the celebration of Christmas 2009. Ketut Jack Mudastra, the head of the church, said “the mass is done more than once because the church is not big enough to accommodate all of the people who wanted to pray.”

There are approximately 4,500 people in the village and the capacity of the church is only 1,200 people. For hat reason, the mass will be done three times and the Christian can join one of them.

Jack explained that the first mass will be done on Christmas Eve followed by two mass in Christmas day. “The preparation for the event has been started since few days ago,” he added.

The church is also decorated with various Balinese traditional accessories and one of them is ‘penjor’. ‘Penjor’ is a bamboo decorated with coconut leaves and other accessories. The Hindus in Bali usually place it in front of the house in Galungan day.

“It is exactly the same with the Hindus. It is a tradition passed on from generation to generation by our ancestors,” Jack said. Tuka is the first village in Bali the inhabited by Christian in Bali in 1935.

Beautiful nature of Bali attract Russian tourist Antara

DENPASAR – Tourists from Russia generally fond of the beautiful nature of Bali.

Wayan Dunia, a tour guide for Russian tourists, said “Russian tourists often chose the hotel which has beautiful garden or near the beach or rivers.”

The tourists like quiet condition and country side so the fond of villas in the middle of the rice filed. “They usually don’t complaint about the price as long as they found the certain place that they want,” Dunia added.

Ngurah Oka, another tourist guide, said that Russian tourists also attracted with spiritual activities so Bali is the right place for

them. Bali has many unique cultures and it can not be found in other places throughout the world.

“The Russian who come to Bali said that they found peace in the Island. No wonder the number of tourists from Russia increase highly,” he added.

Based on the data from Bali Tourism Department, the average of Russian tourists visited Bali each month was very stable which was 4,091 tourists per month were. The total number of tourists from Russia during January through October 2009 was 46,919 tourists.

The number is 2.5% from the total number of foreign tourists visited Bali which was 1.8 million tourists.

Bali fishery exports produce $114 million Antara

DENPASAR – Bali exported marine and fishery product worth $114 million during January through November 2009 period. Gusti Putu Nuriartha, the head of Bali Marine and Fishery Department, said “the profit gained from the export increase 22% compared to the same period last year.”

The profit gained from the export of 32,128 tons of products. The exported com-

modities consist of 47 marine and fishery products which have good quality. The exports reach approximately 18 countries throughout the world such as Japan, US, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, Netherlands, Malaysia, Italy, Taiwan, and China.

The most products being exported was fresh tuna, frozen tuna, and canned fish. Other export commodities that gained high profit were sea weed, squid, and lobsters.

Bali Post/Eka

Around 1,008 Balinese dancers performed Pendet Dance during the opening of McDonald’s outlet at Kebo Iwa Street. This performance also a MURI record breaking that held by PT. Rekso Nasional Food as the developmental licensee of McDonald’s Indonesia on Wednesday, December 23, 2009.

al

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Balinese Culture

Bali’s candles gained $316,000 from exports Antara

DENPASAR – Candles produce by small industry in Bali are mainly being exported abroad. The demand for Balinese candles is mostly coming from Italy. The profit gained form the candles export from January through October 2009 period was $316,000.

Ni Wayan Kusumawathi, the head of Foreign Trade Division in Bali Industrial Department, said “the export increased 6% compared to the same period last year which was only $297,000.”

Balinese candles can create certain scent that can give relax and calm sensation to the users. The unique scents are attracting many customers throughout the world.

Made Supri, candles and incense producer, said that the scent produce by the Balinese businessmen are lav-

Udang Pantung Kuning (Lobster in Yellow Sauce) http://wb3.itrademarket.com

Candles produce by small industry in Bali are mainly being exported abroad. The demand for Balinese candles is mostly coming from Italy. The profit gained form the candles export from January through October 2009 period was $316,000. ender, frangipani, jasmine, green tea, sandalwood, lemon, peppermint, sakura, wild strawberry, night queen, clove, inspiration, illusion, and refresh Tourists who visited Bali also often used it for spiritual purposes.

“Candles and incense are new export commodities which attracted the interest of customers throughout the world,” Supri said.

Currently, there are 9 small company that produce candles for exporting materials.

Overview: A real gourmet treat from Bali, this could also be made with huge prawns. In Bali, coconut chunks are roasted directly on charcoal, then the charred skin scrapped off and the flesh grated for making the coconut milk.

Ingredients: 4 sml lobsters, weighing about 500 gr each or 1 kg large prawns 5 cups water 2 lemongrass, bruised 2 fragrant lime leaves 4 cups coconut milk few drops white vinegar fried shallots to garnish Spice paste: 5 red chilies, seeded and chopped 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped 7 shallots, peeled and chopped 5 cm fresh turmeric, peeled and chopped 5 cm ginger, peeled and chopped 4 candlenuts 1 ½ tsp coriander ½ tsp dried shrimp paste toasted 1 sml tomato, peeled and seeded 2 tbsp oil 1 ½ tbsp tamarind pulp 1 salam leaf 1 lemon grass, bruised Preparation Prepare spice paste by grinding or blending all ingredients except oil, tamarind, salam leaf and lemongrass. Heat oil, add spice paste and all other ingredients. Cook over moderate heat for about 5 minutes, then cool.

Wash lobsters and leave whole. Bring water to the boil, add lobsters and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove lobsters, plunge in iced water for 1 minutes, then drain and remove meat. Return shells to the pot of water, keeping lobster meat aside.

Add spice paste, lemongrass, lime leaves and vinegar to the water with the shells and simmer until 4 cups of stock remain. Add coconut milk and simmer for 10 minutes.

Strain stock and return to pan. Add lobster and simmer for 1 minute. Serve garnished with fried shallots and accompanied by white rice.

Helpful hints: if using prawns instead of lobster, peel the raw prawns and put prawns shells 4 cups of water. Simmer for 5 minutes, then combine this stock with coconut milk, prawns and all other ingredients, simmering until cooked. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)

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10

Destinations

Thursday, December 24, 2009

International

Tamblingan Lake

http://ilovena.files.wordpress.com

Tamblingan Lake is a lake located in the plateau area with green hill surrounded. It is situated adjunction to Buyan Lake with cool weather surrounds it. It owns the fascination where the nature authenticity is felt and the inexistence of boat use motorize here. These beautiful lakes can be seen from the top hill right from Asah Gobleg Countryside, Sukasada District and Singaraja regency, north part of Bali. This lake is encircled by hill and covered by fresh cold atmosphere will fascinate all visitors who pay a visit to this place. This lake is ideal for Jungle Trekking Adventure because it was very amazing with the rain forest including flora and fauna observation. Beside of that, many local visitors are doing camping program or outdoor team building while enjoy the beautiful nature.

Here we also can see the local residents use the small traditional boat which is called Perahu to cross it or doing fishing.

The existence of monkey which is not far from these two lakes are precisely located in road side of the main road from Denpasar to Singaraja. In progressively, the amounts are more and more dwelling this area and it was one of fascination for tourist who visit it. It is located in Sukasada sub district, 21 Km south

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side of Singaraja town. It is situated in the high enough about 1000 meters above sea level so that the atmosphere is rather cold and chilled at night time.

In order to reach Buyan or Tamblingan Lake, it can pass through Munduk countryside, Gobleg countryside and penetrate in Lovina area. Along the way to this lake, we will enjoy the magnificent view of Tamblingan Lake in particular from the top side. From Munduk countryside, this lake can be reached through the road which is made by local society. Tamblingan Lake is strategically located in the tourist destinations area like Bedugul and Beratan Lake.

The broadness of Tamblingan lake is 1.9 Km with the maximum deepness is 90 m and its volume 0,027 km3. The public facilities available in this area are the parking area, boat rental for fishing or simply visited and lodging. The hotels are spreading around the village which are the most own the magnificent view to the lake. Despitefully in some places alongside of the lake there are places for seating for simply drinking coffee, eat the cake or look into the beautiful view of lake. Every day these lakes are many visited by the tourist from local and foreign countries. (www.balistarisland.com)

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11

BUSINESS China negotiator: Taiwan trade pact “long process” Associated Press Writer

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (AP) - China’s top Taiwan negotiator said Wednesday a proposed free-trade pact that has engendered fierce condemnation from Taiwan’s pro-independence opposition will be a “long process” that can benefit both sides.

The comments from Chen Yunlin appeared to be aimed at assuaging opposition concerns that the pact could undermine Taiwanese sovereignty and lead to significant job losses on the island of 23 million people.

Chen was speaking in the central Taiwanese city of Taichung on the third day of his scheduled five-day visit.

The pact - formally known as the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement or ECFA - is the centerpiece of President Ma Ying-jeou’s signature effort to link Taiwan’s economy ever closer to China’s lucrative markets. He says he hopes it will be signed in the spring of 2010.

Since taking office in May 2008, the Harvard-educated Ma has eased tensions across the 100-mile-wide (160-kilometerwide) Taiwan Strait to their lowest level in 60 years, turning his back on predecessor Chen Shui-Bian’s pro-independence policies. The sides split amid civil war in 1949, and Beijing has made political unification with the island - achieved by force if necessary – the core of its Taiwan policy ever since. Speaking to a business group in Taichung, Chen emphasized the positive aspects of the proposed ECFA deal.

Little is known about the deal except that it would reduce restrictions on trade between the two sides, save for some Chinese agricultural and labor exports. If signed, it is expected to be implemented gradually, with textiles, machinery and petrochemicals likely to be early beneficiaries of bilateral tariff reductions.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, Chairwoman Tsai Ingwen of the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party blasted Ma over the deal, charging he was negotiating with China in a way that flouts “democratic rules.”

Tsai says that ECFA will cost Taiwanese jobs and undermine Taiwan’s de facto independence - charges Ma denies.

In his first 18 months in office, Ma has pushed a raft of business-boosting initiatives with China, including the resumption of regular air and sea links after a hiatus of 60 years and the ending of acrossthe-board restrictions on Chinese investment in Taiwan.

Ma argues that a trade deal with China is necessary to prevent Taiwan’s economic marginalization amid growing commercial ties between Beijing and neighboring Asian countries.

Singapore consumer prices fall for eighth month Associated Press Writer

SINGAPORE - Singapore’s consumer prices fell in November for an eighth month from a year earlier as the cost of electricity and gas slumped.

The consumer price index fell 0.2 percent in the 12 months through November after a 0.8 percent drop in the 12 months to October, the statistics department said Wednesday. Compared to October, November’s CPI rose 0.4 percent.

Prices will likely rise in December and jump about 3 percent next year as the government boosts its calculation of public housing values, Alvin Liew, an economist with Standard Chartered in Singapore, said in a report.

November new home sales seen rising 2.3 percent

“Domestic price pressures will otherwise remain manageable as there remains significant slack in the economy even when external demand improves next year,” Liew said. Prices fell for most of this year amid recession. The government expects the economy to contract up to 2.5 percent this year and grow as much as 5 percent next year. Housing costs - which include gas and electricity - dropped 4.6 percent from a year earlier, transport and communication rose 2.4 percent and food jumped 0.7 percent. Inflation has eased from a 26-year high in June 2008 of 7.5 percent.

The central bank expects inflation to quicken from zero percent this year to between 2.5 percent and 3.5 percent next year.

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Sales of new homes are expected to have increased in November for the third month in a row, a sign that the housing market is finally on solid ground.

The Commerce Department’s report on November’s new home sales is forecast to show a 2.3 percent increase to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 440,000, from 430,000 in October, according to economists polled

by Thomson Reuters.

The report will be released Wednesday at 10 a.m. EST (1500 GMT). It counts signed contracts to buy homes, rather than completed

REUTERS/Nicky Loh

Protesters shout slogans on a vehicle outside the venue of the upcoming Taiwan and China cross strait meetings in Taichung December 21, 2009. China’s top Taiwan negotiator said Wednesday a proposed free-trade pact that has engendered fierce condemnation from Taiwan’s pro-independence opposition will be a “long process” that can benefit both sides. sales, so it will capture consumer reaction to Congress’ decision last month to extend and expand a homebuyer tax credit.

First-time buyers will still be able to save up to $8,000, and now homeowners who have lived in their current properties for at least five years can claim a tax credit of up to $6,500 if they relocate. To qualify, buyers must ink a deal by the end of April. Still, some analysts don’t think the new deadline will have an immediate impact on sales, because many buyers won’t act until the 11th hour approaches.

“Buyer traffic is likely to be flat until spring,” said Mark Vitner, senior economist with Wells

Fargo Securities.

And builders aren’t brimming with enthusiasm this winter. The National Association of Home Builders said last week its index of industry confidence fell to the lowest level since June, reflecting concern that job losses and a slow economic recovery will continue to stifle demand. The real estate recovery is not only dependent on taxpayer dollars but also on the economy, which grew at a slower pace in the third quarter than originally thought. The economy grew at a 2.2 percent rate in the July-September period, down from an initial reading of 2.8 percent, the government said Tuesday.

12

Entertainment

Thursday, December 24, 2009

James Cameron: China should let more movies in Associated Press Writer

BEIJING – Hollywood director James Cameron urged China to open its doors to more foreign films, arguing it would boost the local cinema industry after the WTO ruled Beijing was illegally restricting movie and other media imports.

In Beijing to promote his latest sci-fi extravaganza, “Avatar,” Cameron said Wednesday that China’s breakneck economic growth meant it no longer needed measures to protect its film industry.

“China’s economy is expanding very, very rapidly. And I think the feeling right now is that perhaps it doesn’t need to be protecting itself quite as much,” Cameron, the director of blockbusters that include “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” and “Titanic,” told reporters. “Chinese filmmakers are very strong ... they’re highly respected.”

The Chinese government protects local films by limiting the number of film imports on a revenue-sharing basis to 20 a year, a quota that effectively limits Hollywood blockbusters to 20 slots annually.

These and other restrictions have been a key complaint by Western countries, who say that China’s rapid rise as a trade power has been in part

aided by unfair policies that boost sales of Chinese goods abroad while limiting imports into its market.

“I think that by opening the doors in China to other filmmakers, it will raise the entire film industry in China,” Cameron said. “It will get people more excited, there will be more seats, more cinemas, more excitement about the cinema-going experience, which will also raise the Chinese filmmakers’ ability to play their films.”

On Monday, a World Trade Organization panel upheld a ruling in a case brought by the U.S. government that China was obstructing trade by forcing foreign suppliers to distribute movies, music and books through state-owned companies.

China expressed disappointment at the decision but gave no immediate sign whether it could keep trying to defend the controls.

The WTO case focused on complaints by groups representing music labels such as EMI and Sony Music Entertainment, publishers including McGraw Hill and Simon & Schuster and Hollywood studios Warner Bros., Disney, Paramount, Universal and 20th Century Fox. The groups say the Chinese rules cost them tens of millions of dollars each year in lost business opportunities.

AP Photo/Andy Wong

Film Director James Cameron, center, speaks while film producer Jon Landau, right, and Jim Gianopulos, chief executive of Fox Filmed Entertainment, left, look on during a press conference of their new 3D movie ‘Avatar’ in Beijing, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009.

International

File-In this Feb.,2005 file photo showing Michael Jackson arriving for the first day of his child molestation trial at the Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria, Calif.

AP Photo/Michael A. Mariant,File

Terrorist attack feared after Jackson arrest Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK – Police concerns that media-hungry terrorists would attack Michael Jackson’s trial as a “soft target” led to a request for federal help, according to FBI files kept on the late pop star. The documents also show that the FBI helped facilitate interviews in the Philippines by California authorities investigating Jackson over allegations that he had sexually abused boys.

The FBI monitored Jackson for more than a decade, but the files contain no major revelations about his private life and the bureau apparently never developed any solid evidence against him.

In 2004, the Santa Maria Police Department in California asked for FBI “involvement” after Jackson was arrested for child molestation.

Police, according to the FBI, said they believed the court case would be a “soft target” for terrorism because of the “worldwide media coverage” the trial would attract.

The FBI concluded there were no threats, but did note the presence in an early court appearance of “The Nation of Islam, represented by its security unit Fruits of Islam,” and of a New Black Pan-

ther Party member whose name was left blank in the files. Jackson used Nation of Islam bodyguards during the legal proceedings.

Back in September 1993, an investigator from the Los Angeles Police Department and another from the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office arrived in Manila to speak to two former employees of Jackson’s Neverland ranch who claimed they saw the singer fondle young boys.

Their trip came after the LAPD had asked the FBI if it wanted to work a possible case against Jackson for transporting a minor across state lines for immoral purposes. The FBI checked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which declined.

The files say an FBI agent accompanied the California officials to the

first interview to make sure there were no problems.

The documents, dating from 1992 to 2005, were made public Tuesday through a Freedom of Information Act request from The Associated Press and other media after Jackson’s death June 25, at age 50. The FBI initially said it had about 600 pages in its files but released 333 pages, citing privacy rules and the desire to protect investigative techniques.

In March 2004, the Santa Barbara County district attorney’s office reached out to the FBI, seeking help in developing a strategy to prosecute Jackson for molesting a 13-year-old cancer survivor in the singer’s home.

Jackson was acquitted of all 14 counts against him in what was one of the most widely followed cases in history.

Vatican paper says ‘The Simpsons’ are okely dokely Associated Press Writer

VATICAN CITY – To put it as the devout Ned Flanders would, the Vatican’s newspaper thinks “The Simpsons” are an okely dokely bunch.

L’Osservatore Romano on Tuesday congratulated the show on its 20th anniversary, praising its philosophical leanings as well as its stinging and often irreverent take on religion.

Without Homer Simpson and the other yellow-skinned characters “many today wouldn’t know how to laugh,” said the article titled “Aristotle’s Virtues and Homer’s Doughnut.”

The paper credited “The Simpsons” — the longest-running American animated program — with opening up cartoons to an adult audience.

The show is based on “realistic and intelligent writing,” it said, though it added there was some reason to criticize its “excessively crude language, the violence of certain episodes or some extreme choices by the scriptwriters.”

Religion, from the snore-evoking sermons of the Rev. Lovejoy to Homer’s face-to-face talks with God, appears so frequently on the show that it could be possible to come up with a “Simpsonian theology,” it said.

Homer’s religious confusion and ignorance are “a mirror of the indifference and the need that modern man feels toward faith,” the paper said.

It commented on several religionthemed episodes, including one in which Homer calls for divine intervention by crying: “I’m not normally a religious man, but if you’re up there, save me, Superman!”

“Homer finds in God his last refuge, even though he sometimes gets His name sensationally wrong,” L’Osservatore said. “But these are just minor mistakes, after all, the two know each other well.”

BP/ist

The Simpson family

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International

Reverend Jack Karam, left, stands near Israel’s Antiquities Authority workers at the excavation site of the remains of the first dwelling in Nazareth, Israel that can be dated back to the time of Jesus, Monday, Dec. 21, 2009.

Archaeologist Yardena Alexandre, unseen, of the Israel Antiquities Authority says remains of a wall, a hideout and a cistern were found after builders dug up an old convent courtyard in the northern Israeli city.

AP Photos/Dan Balilty

First Jesus-era house discovered in Nazareth Associated Press Writer

NAZARETH, Israel – Just in time for Christmas, archaeologists on Monday unveiled what may have been the home of one of Jesus’ childhood neighbors. The humble dwelling is the first dating to the era of Jesus to be discovered in Nazareth, then a hamlet of around 50 impoverished Jewish families where Jesus spent his boyhood.

Archaeologists and present-day residents of Nazareth imagined Jesus as a youngster, playing with other children in the isolated village, not far from the spot where the Archangel Gabriel revealed to Mary that she would give birth to the boy.

Today the ornate Basilica of the Annunciation marks that spot, and Nazareth is the largest Arab city in northern Israel, with about 65,000 residents. Muslims now outnumber Christians two to one in the noisy, crowded city.

The archaeological find shows how different it was 2000 years ago: There were no Christians or Muslims, the Jewish Temple stood in Jerusalem and tiny Nazareth stood near a battleground be-

tween Roman rulers and Jewish guerrillas. The Jews of Nazareth dug camouflaged grottos to hide from Roman invaders, said archaeologist Yardena Alexandre, excavations director at the Israel Antiquities Authority. But the hamlet was so far off the beaten path that the caves were apparently not needed, she said.

Based on clay and chalk shards found at the site, the dwelling appeared to house a “simple Jewish family,” Alexandre added, as workers carefully chipped away at mud with small pickaxes to reveal stone walls.

“This may well have been a place that Jesus and his contemporaries were familiar with,” Alexandre said. A young Jesus may have played around the

house with his cousins and friends. “It’s a logical suggestion.”

The discovery so close to Christmas pleased local Christians.

“They say if the people do not speak, the stones will speak,” said the Rev. Jack Karam of the nearby basilica.

Archaeologist Stephen Pfann, president of the University of The Holy Land, noted: “It’s the only witness that we have from that area that shows us what the walls and floors were like inside Nazareth in the first century.” Pfann was not involved in the dig.

Alexandre said workers uncovered the first signs of the dwelling last summer, but it became clear only this month that it was a structure from the days of Jesus.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

13

New study sharpens focus on problems of obesity Agence France Presse

mortality among more than a million pairs of Swedes, comprising mother-and-son pairs and fatherand-son pairs, over 50 years.

They found strong patterns of mortality and BMI. The link was especially noticeable in cardiovascular disease — for which prevailing estimates may be “substantially underestimated” — as well as diabetes and kidney cancer.

But there was no evidence of an association between low BMI and an increased risk of respiratory disease and lung cancer mortality.

The findings are important, because they imply that obesity programmes could yield major health benefits, says the study.

“Suggestions to the contrary are probably misguided,” it adds.

PARIS – Cardiovascular disease linked to obesity may be worse than thought while health problems associated with being underweight may have been overstated, according to a study published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) on Wednesday.

The paper, written by doctors in Britain and Sweden, seeks to finetune a well-known tool — the body mass index (BMI) — which is used to measure obesity and illhealth.

BMI entails taking one’s weight in kilos and dividing it by the square of one’s height, in metres. A BMI of 25-30 is generally considered overweight. while a figure of above 30 indicates obesity.

Previous studies have already found a big link between BMI and higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers.

In contrast, a low BMI — in other words, people who are very skinny — is associated with increased mortality from respiratory disease and lung cancer.

But many experts have questioned the findings about low BMI, arguing that the figures could be skewed by something called reverse causality.For instance, diseases such as lung cancer, which cause weight loss, are being factored in as low BMI, they argue. And smoking and poor socioeconomic circumstances may also cause bias.

Seeking to find out AFP/File more, specialists from An overweight woman. Cardiovascular Britain’s University of disease linked to obesity may be worse Bristol and the Karolinska than thought while health problems asInstitute in Sweden set out sociated with being underweight may to get a wider view of the have been overstated, according to a BMI benchmark. study published by the British Medical They measured BMI and Journal (BMJ) on Wednesday.

The nation’s weather THE weather was forecast to become more wintry across the Central U.S. as a low pressure system continued to strengthen Wednesday. Flow around this large system was expected to pull abundant moisture into the Plains from the Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters expected the low pressure system, cool air from the north and moist air mass to trigger sloppy winter weather.

The Central and Northern Plains were to brace for 2 to 4 inches of snow

AP PHOTO/WEATHER UNDERGROUND

during the day, with an additional 3 inches in the evening. The Upper Midwest was forecast to see increasingly snowy conditions by evening with snow totals near 3 inches.

A sloppy combination of freezing rain and snow was expected to make road conditions and any travel dangerous in southern Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas, where temperatures were forecast just above freezing.

A winter weather storm watch was issued for most of the Central U.S.

This NOAA satellite image taken Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009 at 12:45 a.m.

EST shows a developing storm system in the Southern Plains, which is generating a mix of snow and freezing rain over eastern Colorado and Kansas. Moreover, widely scattered showers and thunderstorms are noted across the Southern Plains and Mississippi Valley.

Further south, the system was forecast to produce periods of heavy rain showers over Missouri, while a flash flood watch was issued over most of the state. A low pressure system was expected to push eastward from the Great Basin and over the Central Rockies, strengthening as it traversed the mountains and dropping another 3 to 7 inches of snow.

Otherwise the West Coast was forecast to remain cool and dry as high pressure hovered over the region. Meanwhile, the Northeast and New England was to see a few light and scattered snow showers with snowfall totals less than a half of an inch and highs in the 20s. Partly cloudy skies were forecast in the Southeast, with highs near 60.

14

Sport

Thursday, Desember 24, 2009

International

Maradona Must Put Groundhog Day Behind Him Argentine - Diego Maradona has given football fans of Argentina yet another moment that will live long in their collective memory. The trouble is that the gifts ‘El Diego’ is bestowing these days are the type that nobody wants.

Watching his team’s hapless display in the Camp Nou as they fell to a 4-2 defeat against Johan Cruyff’s Catalonia side reminded me of the words of yet another retired great.

Australian cricketing legend Shane Warne made an assessment of England’s spin bowler Monty Panesar that rings true of Maradona’s management career. Warne said that despite the Panesar establishing himself in the England team he still looked like a man who had played his debut match 50 times.

After a year in the job, Maradona’s Argentina are still a long way off from having a definite system or a set selection of starting personnel.

During his time in charge, Maradona has capped over 70 players and experimented with back fives, midfield sixes and four pronged attacks. This uncertainty over their style of play had Argentina running into each other on the pitch at times.

On the other hand it was obvious that barely over a month into taking his post as manager of Catalonia, Cruyff had his players all doing specific jobs in their natural positions.

Okay, so he had the cream of Barcelona to choose from and Catalonia were never going to roll over for Argentina but let’s get real, the result but more importantly the performance of Maradona’s team was completely unacceptable.

Argentina had many players unavailable but who is going to come in bulk up the sieve like defense which was fielded in Barcelona. Can another World Cup really be squeezed out of the aging legs of Gabriel Heinze, Javier Zanetti and Walter Samuel?

Mario Bolatti and Fernando Gago have both had tough ends to 2009 but surely this game was the perfect opportunity for them to end their year on a high. The central midfield duo were woeful and com-

Terry like Baresi and Maldini, says Ancelotti Agence France Presse

LONDON – Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has likened John Terry to Italian greats Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini in his latest show of support for his beleaguered captain.

The England skipper has been having to defend himself from accusations of money-grabbing after the News of the World tabloid on Sunday alleged he’d accepted a financial payment to provide a tour of Chelsea’s training ground.

The paper claimed Terry, who captained the Premier League leaders in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at West Ham, arranged the visit to Chelsea’s Cobham training complex for three undercover reporters posing as businessmen without permission from Ancelotti.

It is claimed that Terry took a 10,000 pounds payment, 8,000 pounds of which he wanted to go to the ‘Make A Wish’ charity for children with the other 2,000 pounds going to a middleman.

Ancelotti dismissed the report and the former AC Milan coach went further by telling Tuesday’s London Evening Standard that centre-back Terry reminded him of Rossoneri defensive greats Baresi and Maldini, whom he played alongside at the San Siro.

“Terry is like Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini in personality, character and leadership,” Ancelotti said.

“I am very lucky to have this player as my captain,” the Italian added.

Ancelotti also drew a comparison between Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and the Russian billionaire’s Milan counterpart Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister. “Abramovich is like Berlusconi,” Ancelotti said. “He has a passion for his club, he likes to speak about football, as does Berlusconi. Both of them like to watch football on television.

After a game he comes to the dressing room.

“I never think that if I don’t win games Roman will remove me. My aim is to do the best for this club, as I have done for other clubs.”

AFP/File/Ian Kington

John Terry.

fortable over run by Xavi on his own.

Wingers Javier Pastore and Angel Di María may have both got a goal each but they wasted possession far more times than they used it wisely.

Up front Ezequiel Lavezzi provided some bright sparks but his partner Gonzalo Higuain put on an exhibition of poor finishing. Martin Palermo who replaced Higuain failed to connect with the ball once during his 25 minutes on the pitch.

One bright point for Argentina was right-back Cristian Alvarez but even he was found wanting as Catalonia got their first just before half-time. As Bojan’s pass traveled across the pitch, Joan Verdu had time to salute the pass before bringing it down. He then lofted in a center which headed home under no pressure.

It is very rare that a goal is scored in football without some kind of mistake being made but the errors of the Argentine defense were far too elementary for international football.

The lack of a challenge on Bojan as he waltzed through for Catalonia’s second, Nicolas Pareja’s foul for the penalty and the free near post header for the fourth were all avoidable.

AFP PHOTO / DANIEL GARCIA

(FILES) Argentina’s coach Diego Maradona greets forward Lionel Messi as he lefts the field during their FIFA World Cup South Africa-2010 qualifier football match against Uruguay at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay on October 14, 2009.

Torres: Sacking Benitez Will Not Solve Liverpool’s Problems LONDON - Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has We have to just recover the mentality and the confibacked his teammates and manager Rafael Benitez dence in ourselves and everything will be different.” to overcome the problems that have so The Euro 2008 winner went on to admit his far blighted this season’s campaign. belief that the Anfield club lack the necessary Torres, who has recently been funds to attract players of sufficient quality in named in FIFA’s world XI the January transfer window. “Obviously we team, offered his support to need players,” Torres conceded.

Benitez, claiming it is down “If we can bring quality players it to the players to perform on a should be really positive for us, but I consistent basis. think the situation is really diffi“I think sacking the mancult because I think we don’t ager is not a solution,” he said, have money to bring in the as quoted by Press Association best players.”

Sport.

Club captain Steven “The manager is not playing so Gerrard, who features we have to be positive with him, try alongside Torres in to work with him. We are the main the world XI, rereason, the players are the people that fused to criticise inhave to find a solution to the situadividual perfortion. The manager is not playing, so mances and echoed we have to play much better.”

Torres’ sentiments The Spanish international admitthat a team effort is ted that Liverpool are going required in order to through a very difficult period turnaround both on and off the pitch, but reLiverpool’s formained confident the tunes. “I don’t think Merseysiders have the personnel it’s right to pick out capable of regaining the form disindividual players,” played last term. “It’s a difficult he said. situation but every top team in the “We’re a team, world goes sometimes through a bad we’re a group and we situation like Liverpool now,” he added. are responsible for “Like every top team in the world, where we’re lying in the Liverpool will get over the situation. league at the moment. All “I have confidence in myself and my team. of us have got to stick toI know we are good enough. We were playgether and try and pull AFP PHOTO/Glyn Kirk Fernando Torres ing really well last season with the same team. through and turn it around.”

Sport

International

Thursday, December 24, 2009

15

Pacquiao-Mayweather fight in jeopardy Associated Press Writer

LAS VEGAS – The proposed megafight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. was thrown into jeopardy Tuesday with a demand by Mayweather’s camp that both fighters be subjected to Olympic-type drug testing in the weeks leading up to the bout.

Mayweather’s manager said the fight would not go on if Pacquiao didn’t agree to blood testing under standards followed by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

“There is no fight without Olympic-style random drug testing,” Leonard Ellerbe said.

Mayweather’s camp claims it was told Pacquiao would not agree to have his blood tested within 30 days of the fight because of personal superstitions. But Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said he could live with some testing, as long as it wasn’t too close to the fight and wasn’t overly intrusive.

“I will not let my fighter take a blood test the day before a fight,” Roach said. “If they give me a fiveday window or something like that I have no problem with it.”

Roach said he hoped the issue wasn’t brought up as a way to get Mayweather out of the fight. “He’s looking for a back door out,” Roach said. “We’re eager to fight.”

The fight, which promises to be

the richest ever, had widely been expected to be formalized this week, with an official announcement Jan. 6. It was expected to be held at the MGM Grand hotel, with the biggest live gate ever.

But neither fighter has signed formal contracts and there have been disputes between representatives of the two fighters ever since Mayweather’s promoter pulled out at the last minute of a trip to Texas, where Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was to make a proposal to host the bout.

But Mayweather’s promoter, Richard Schaefer, said all other issues have been agreed upon.

“The good news is we have agreed on all the other points,” Schaefer said.

“Depending on what Manny Pacquiao decides to do we either have a fight or we don’t have a fight.”

Schaefer said he is still hopeful of the fight happening, based on the fact Pacquiao himself has not publicly said he would not accept blood testing.

AP Photos/Alastair Grant and Rick Bowmer, File

“I am still hopeful because I really believe this decision didn’t come from Manny Pacquiao, it came from somebody else,” Schaefer said.

“It’s up to Manny Pacquiao to prove me right or wrong.” Pacquiao has never failed a post-fight urine test in Nevada, including his last fight

when he stopped Miguel Cotto.

Mayweather also has passed urine tests in the state after his fights.

Fighters, though, are not routinely tested before bouts for performance-enhancing drugs, and there are no blood tests done for those drugs.

Lakers hold off Thunder for 5th straight win Agence France Presse

LOS ANGELES – Kobe Bryant scored 40 points for the sixth time this season, and the NBA-leading Los Angeles Lakers shook off a rough first half before hanging on for their 16th victory in 17 games, 111-108 over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.

Pau Gasol had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the road-weary Lakers, who needed two last-minute free throws apiece from Bryant and

Derek Fisher to win their first game back from a five-game road trip.

After trailing by 12 in the first half, Los Angeles blew most of an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Baskets by Russell Westbrook and James Harden twice cut the Lakers’ lead to one in the final 25 seconds, but Bryant and Fisher sealed Los Angeles’ 12th straight win over Oklahoma City.

Kevin Durant scored 30 points before fouling out with 1:31 to play,

AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, center, goes up for a basket against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Thabo Sefolosha (2) and Nenad Krstic during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009.

and former UCLA star Westbrook had 21 points and 13 assists for the Thunder, who dropped back below .500 with their fifth loss in six games. Despite a strong start and finish at Staples Center, the Thunder haven’t beaten the Lakers since they were the Seattle SuperSonics.

Thabo Sefolosha scored 16 points for the Thunder, but just three after halftime — and the guard missed an open 3-point attempt to tie it in the final two minutes.

Fisher’s season high-tying 15 points included two free throws with 14.9 seconds left, followed by a missed 3-point attempt by Westbrook.

Playing at home for the first time since breaking his right index finger in a game against Minnesota, Bryant had another injury scare when he landed awkwardly on his left knee while putting up a backward layup with 5:08 to play. Bryant stayed down on the court for several moments, but shot his own free throws after a timeout — only to take an elbow to the jaw from Westbrook with 3:55 left. Bryant persevered, drawing Durant’s sixth foul before hitting two free throws with 19.5 seconds left in the 102nd 40-point game of his career.

The Lakers returned home after winning the last four games of their first big road trip in a season that began with 17 of their first 21 games at Staples Center. Los Angeles has five more home games in the next two weeks, including a Christmas meeting with Cleveland and a New Year’s Day visit from Sacramento.

FILE - In this combination of file photos, U.S. boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., left, prepares to spar at a gym in east London on May 22, 2009, and Manny Pacquiao, right, of the Philippines, weighs in for the junior welterweight boxing match against British boxer Ricky Hatton, May 1, 2009, in Las Vegas.

Indian Wells ATP-WTA event sold to Oracle boss Agence France Presse

INDIAN WELLS – Larry Ellison, founder and chief executive of computer firm Oracle, has bought the ATP and WTA hardcourt event played at Indian Wells every March, officials said on Monday.

The deal includes the stadium and grounds upon which the BNP Paribas Open is played, properties valued at 50 to 100 million dollars according to Sports Business Journal.

“I am very excited,” Ellison said. “Anyone who knows me knows that I love the game of tennis. I play it regularly, watch it frequently, and now look forward to being in Indian Wells every March to host the greatest players in the world.”

The tournament, to be played next March 8-21, was previously owned by a group that included tennis legends Pete Sampras, Billie Jean King and Chris Evert, the US Tennis Association, officials of Tennis magazine and tournament manager Charlie Pasarell.

“The previous owners and I are thrilled to have Larry Ellison as the new owner,” Pasarell said. “He is as passionate as we are and desires to continue with the vision and the goals we have established.” The event first came to Indian Wells in 1976 and has been owned by the group headed by Pasarell and Ray Moore since 1981.

Their PM Sports Management will continue to manage the event for Ellison.

Larry Ellison, seen here in October 2009 and who is the founder and chief executive of computer firm Oracle, has bought the ATP and WTA hardcourt event played at Indian Wells every March, officials said on Monday.

AFP/Getty Images/File/Justin Sullivan

16

Sport

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Schumacher makes F1 return Germany Michael Schumacher will return to Formula 1 in 2010, after Mercedes GP confirmed on Wednesday that the seven-time world champion is joining its team next year.

BP/afp

Michael Schumacher

The German, who will turn 41 in January, has been linked with the outfit ever since Mercedes-Benz took over Brawn GP. He finally concluded a three-year deal to make a sensational F1 return on Tuesday evening.

“The motivation I think is pretty straightforward,” Schumacher said.

“The call I got from Ross at the end of November concerning the chance to go racing, Mercedes being involved, I felt great.

“I never left the race track. I was tired of F1 by the end of 2006, but in three years of absence I got back all the energy that I am feeling right now.

I played around with motorbikes and I feel ready for some serious stuff now.”

Schumacher originally retired from F1 at the end of 2006, and he had appeared fully content to be away from the pressures and strains of racing in motor sport’s top category.

He maintained links with F1

Aoyama ‘learning fast’ - and getting faster Japan -

250cc world champion Hiroshi Aoyama impressed the newly formed Interwetten Honda MotoGP team with his pace on day two of the Sepang rookie test - also attended by fellow RCV newcomer Marco Simoncelli and the Honda test team.

After setting a 2min 4.38sec without the aid of electronics - on day one, Aoyama made a significant step forward with a 2min 3.25sec on day two. That compares with a 2min 3.70 for Simoncelli, while the official race lap record stands at 2min 2.180sec from 2008 (the 2009 race was wet).

“We’re still using the ex-Gabor Talmacsi bike,” Aoyama’s team manager Daniel Epp told Crash.net. “We did 60 laps yester-

day and just over 40 laps today, because of the rain shower in the afternoon.

“The lap time was quite nice, just over one second from the lap record,” he continued. “Hiro is learning fast. Today we worked with traction control and engine braking, which is the big difference between MotoGP and all other classes.”

As at his first test in Valencia, Aoyama’s use of electronics is being carefully moderated by crew chief Tom Jojic to avoid creating a false impression of the RCV’s character.

Nevertheless, with proper use of electronics vital for MotoGP success, Aoyama knows he must learn to exploit what presently seems like a ‘strange’ sensation.

“Yesterday we didn’t put any

electronic controls. Today they started to introduce some controls,” confirmed Aoyama, speaking to Crash.net inside the pit garage.

“It felt strange because I like to control the bike myself but the machine does it. And you can choose where and which part it controls, which angle etc. It’s quite complicated for me to use all the package of this bike. I need to go step-bystep, study and then go faster.

“I’ve ridden many types of bikes, but this is something special,” he continued, pointing to the RCV nearby. “It is like a nice new toy for me! There are so many options to change and it is easy to get confused if you don’t know how to use it. At this moment I don’t know exactly what to change and in what way.”

through an ambassadorial role with Ferrari, and his on-track activities revolved around outings in a kart and a move to motorcycle racing.

However, last season Schumacher agreed to a comeback as a temporary stand-in for the injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari. Despite training hard for the return, however, Schumacher’s plans had to be called off due to a neck injury that he had sustained in a motorcycle crash earlier this year.

“It is obviously a topic that I understand is questioned, and I want to understand,” Schumacher said when asked about his neck. “Before I gave a final okay I made sure that I was sure myself, and I can say 100 per cent

the neck is no further issue.

“Unfortunately it was too close to the accident in the summer when I tried for Ferrari, but the time now is enough to have healed completely. I can do everything I used to do, and no problem.”

The events of the summer appeared to have rekindled his enthusiasm for F1 and when Brawn GP failed to conclude a deal with world champion Jenson Button for 2010, Schumacher was instantly installed as the favourite to replace him.

The deal could not be concluded until Schumacher’s neck was given the all-clear by doctors but once that happened, talks advanced quickly to seal the deal.

Schumacher’s move to Mercedes GP marks a reunion between himself and the German car maker that helped push him into F1.