The Vanuatu Issue Nº 459
Independent
L’IND EP EN DA N T
December 1 - 7, 2012
Foundation Committee Inc.
DU
news@independent.vu
VANUATU
250XPF (Noumea)
t 50 V 1 Y ONL
MP vows to fight corruption
by Hilaire Bule THE newly elected Banks and Torres MP and Vanuatu National Party president Christophe Emelee said it is time to address the issue of allegations of misappropriation of public funds. Mr Emelee said that allegations of improper use and corrupt dealings with public monies by leaders are public knowledge and need to be dealt with publicly. He said that as a new leader he is going to ask the government to set up a commission of inquiry into several claims of misuse and corruption in the public sector. Mr Emelee, who was Vanuatu’s consul in New Zealand and is now a government back bencher, said that he will use all means possible as an MP to tackle issues such as the spending of VT 80 million from MPIF by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), the issue of Kakula Island in the north of Efate and other matters. He told The Independent that the first issue that must be dealt with is the spending of MPIF funds and he is in the process of requesting the government to appoint a commission of inquiry. Mr Emelee said that when he was the chairman of the Vanuatu Maritime Authority before the repealing of its act in 2007, and then as chairman of TAC, they had managed to put aside the total of VT 80 million when he left the government institution in 2010. He said that he was shocked to learn that there was now only about VT two million in the MPIF account. He said that regulation on the use of the fund is clearly set by a law that was approved by the Parliament of Vanuatu. Mr Emelee said that under Vanuatu regulations, the MPIF only covers marine investigation, international participation and nautical training. He said that any use of MPIF money outside the TAC’s regulation is illegal and could be considered as fraudulent practice. Mr Emelee referred to the spending of VT five million on the salvation of MV Rua Kaha and VT 28 million on an attempt to salvage MV Persishean on Tanna. Continued Page 2
INSIDE
Rotary... your’e all heart OUR hearts go out to young Victor Mete, who at just five-years-old deals daily with a health challenge that could easily prove fatal. The plucky youngster was born with a hole in his heart, a condition that severely restricts his life. But thanks to Rotary Vanuatu, Victor will shortly undergo lifesaving surgery in New Zealand. Story Page 2
Pascal Lamy en Masing mo Arnambat Océanie cette semaine long helt
ComPol saga still unresolved
uu 4
uu 11
THE PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTION AGENT OF THE INDEPENDENT ON OUTER ISLANDS IS VANUATU POST. COPIES RECEIVED BY OUTER ISLAND HIGH SCHOOLS ARE COURTESY OF WESTPAC VANUATU.
uu 27
News
Contents main news
Lifesaving surgery for hole in heart boy 2-5
bislama news
26
children’s page
35
classifieds
24
comics
32
dining
39
entertainment
34
french news
8 - 11
gardening
19
indyview
13
medical
31
motoring
22
opinion
7
promedical news
30
recipes
38
red cross news
30
special features
20, 21
tv movies
28
vinedu
6
weather
25
wilson’s word
7
Advertising deadline: 12 noon each Thursday Send advertisements to: advertising@independent.vu Editorial content and letters to the editor: 1pm Thursday Send your letters or news tips to the independent email: editor@independent.vu
The
Vanuatu
Independent L’IND EP EN DA N T
DU
VANUATU
BP 1555 - Port Vila - Tel: 29999 - Fax: 29991
Contributions are welcomed at news@independent.vu
Published weekly Publisher : The Independent Foundation, Port Vila Editor:
Tony Wilson
Deputy Editor:
Evelyne Toa
Journalists:
Gratien Molsoul, Hilaire Bule, Richard Michael
Advertising:
Valerie Byrne (7751979) email: advertising@independent.vu
Printers:
Horton Media, Brisbane
All articles appearing in this newspaper are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced except with the written consent of the copyright owner.
Page 2
by Tony Wilson MELE youngster Victor Mete seems like any normal five-year-old, running around with a cowboy gun and a big smile. But then after only a few minutes on his feet, you notice he is crouching down on his haunches, catching his breath. His grandmother Ruth Carlot explained that Victor has a hole in his heart, which was diagnosed when he was 17 months old. “He can only stand for a few minutes and then he has to stop and catch his breath and it is hard to watch him doing that all the time,’’ she said. She said thanks to Rotary Port Vila, Victor will fly to Auckland on Sunday with his father Nia and Ruth. Ruth said he will have life saving surgery to close the hole in his heart over the next few weeks and doctors and the family are hopeful that he will return to Port Vila as a normal little boy with a real future. “Without the surgery, we don’t really know what sort of future he would have had at all,’’ she said. “But thank God to Rotary, he is getting this chance. “We are just a normal family and we could not afford to go to New Zealand and offer this surgery to Victor, but Rotary stepped in and they are making it all possible.’’ She said doctors would perform exploratory surgery on Victor in Auckland on December 3, so they can discover the extent of his problem and plan for a major operation.
Five-year-old Victor Mete with his family, who hope he will soon be living a normal life.
Emelee to tackle fraud and misappropriation From Page 1 He said the owner of Rua Kaha paid the cost of salvaging his vessel from Port Vila harbour but records showed that a total of VT five million had been paid to politicians. “An official complaint was launched to the police to investigate the sum but somehow, police never acted and the file also went missing,” said Mr Emelee. Concerning MV Persishean, he said that the government through TAC has spent only VT 28 million for a diving operation but the ship is still lying on Tanna reefs today. The Torba MP said that under the law, the owner of the ship is responsible to cover to cost of the salvage of his vessel and not Vanuatu’s taxpayers. Mr Emelee said he will also ask the a commission of inquiry to investigate
allegations of fraud of VT 10 million payment to a private company over claims relating to P&O waste in Etas dump side on Efate - work which was never carried out and an attempt to defraud the government to the amount of VT 29 million over the salvage of fishing boat Hu Chang 12 in Port Vila harbour.
malpractices and corruption with documents that can be used as evidence and are in his possession.
He said he will ask government to resurrect the issue of Kakula island, the payment of VT 900 million for the Center Point building by the Vanuatu National Provident Fund and VT 30 million payment to Gilles Daniel.
He also asked the government to recall the Australian Federal Police to help local police to curb corruption and fraud.
Mr Emelee said he understands that no valuation has been carried on the value of the Center Point property and Mr Daniel was awarded that sum under the deed of release. He said that now that he is a government back bencher, he is ready to help Prime Minister Sato Kilman in combating
Mr Emelee said that Vanuatu has financial resources but its people can not benefit from that if we can not stop corruptive practices.
Mr Emelee said whether or not people accept their presence in the country, they have to come back in order for Vanuatu Police Force to benefit from their assistance and expertise. He said that Vanuatu had deported AFP officers but there are others still under cover AFP in Vanuatu and, with current technology, they can still monitor what is happening in Vanuatu from Australia.
Longest DG retired with VT 17 Million AS The Independent went to press, an official ceremony was taking place at the Office of the Prime Minister to farewell and at the same time, welcome new Director Generals or DGs who have served the government for many years. The longest serving DG in Vanuatu, for more than 20 years, is Mr Jean Sese the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who is now retired. The Independent understands from government sources that Mr Sese is leaving the Public Service, with a severence pay of VT 17 Million paid to him by the government.
The government through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alfred Carlot, during a previous official ceremony to farewell the department’s director Kalvau Kaloris, the current Vanuatu’s High Commissioner in Canberra, Australia, said that Mr Sese had been a loyal public servant for more than 20 years. “Mr Sese has contributed a lot to the development of Vanuatu, the government and the people, through his longest term, in the government, specially to, through and with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” Mr Sese’s health has been affected through a minor stroke that happened a year ago.
Quote for the Weekend
“
Living up to ideals is like doing everyday work with your Sunday clothes on
”
- Ed Howe
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
News
PVIS celebrates 20th birthday by Richard Michael THE Port Vila International School yesterday marked its 20th birthday, with more than 300 students taking part in the celebrations. The day started with the speeches from the school authorities before proceeding with a cake cutting. To commemorate the occasion the students had made a time capsule which was buried in the school grounds, to be opened in 20 years time. A staff member said on November 30, 2032, they will call the students back to witness the opening of the box. “Some of them might be grown and married or we might call them back from Australia to witness that moment,” she said. The staff member said items placed in the box included the students’ athletics records, a 2012 telephone book, students’ work, photos, a copy of yesterday’s Daily Post and other things. Students also happily took part in many sport activities that highlighted the day.
PVIS students with the time capsule buried yesterday to mark the 20th birthday of the founding of the school.
Driver in Tagabe fatal crash discharged
by Richard Michael
job as a taxi driver after a lunch time break.
THE driver who was allegedly accused over the death of a one year old boy at Tagabe Bridge last year was discharged in the Supreme Court this week Judge Robert Spears delivered the verdict after a one day trial in Dumbea saying that there was no case to answer. He said the matter is serious but every prosecution witnesess failed to testify with enough evidence. He said he has dropped the charge against Kalo Roy from Tongoa because none of the witnesess told the court that he or she actually witnessed the accident.
Defence counselAndrew Bal argued that Roy pleaded not guilty because he was not agreed with the charge on the original claim of the parents of the dead boy. “Mr Roy was originally charged with careless driving contrary to section 14 of the road traffic control act – the section stated that ‘a person who drives a motor vehicle on a road without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding VT 50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both’.” said Mr Spears.
He said the main prosecution witness had returned to her home island at Erromango. He said the prosecution did not make any attempt to bring her to Port Vila to attend trial. Mr Spears said Mr Roy allegedly ran over the child in August 20 last year at a round 2pm when he was resuming from his
“The charge was later amended earlier before the trial commenced to section 12 of the road traffic control act - causing death by reckless driving which stated that ‘a person who causes the death of another person by driving a motor vehicle on the road recklessly shall be guilty of an offence
Futuna Island health at risk Richard Michael FUTUNA island urgently needs a qualified nurse to be posted in Mission Bay Dispensary as soon as possible. An Ishia primary school female teacher who did not want to be named said pregnant mothers and girls from Futuna have to be flown to Tanna for delivery. She said the mothers who did not have chance to go to bigger hospital in Tanna and Port Vila because of lack of air fares – ‘delivered the babies at home and those babies have never been taken to hospital for medical check since birth’. She said the matter has placed another burden on the hardworking mothers and responsible people to meet their own fares to Tanna and Port Vila for better treatment. “The last qualified nurse who was deployed to Futuna left mid-last year for further training but he did not come back,” she said. “He told us that he will resume his duty after he came back from his training but later we heard that he was posted to Northern District hospital in Santo.” She said since then an aid post field worker, Bill Nalpini, is now in charge of the Mission Bay dispensary and regularly moved around the island to treath minor disease and injuries. “People’s safety is jeopardised when nurses are sidelined from ward rounds and
there is nothing we can do for now,” said the teacher. “Patients with serious sickness have to wait until Wednesday or Saturday to board the Air Vanuatu normal flight to Vila or Tanna but they have to pay they own fare, otherwise they may be left to die here with the disease. “We need a qualified nurse to be posted in our island very quickly to help save lives and reduce pain and suffering.” She said the community leaders have made several calls to Lenakel Hospital in Tanna to assist them with a nurse and they have waited for more than one year now and the people are still suffering for lack of better medication. She said they have been regularly faced with a shortage of nurses in past years but she said in this case they have been waiting for so long and it is likely that the need will grow even more if the government fails to address the issue quickly. She said that Mr Nalpini is not a nurse and he is not employed for the job but he is looking after the whole island, including Mission Bay, Harold Bay, Mohoun’gha and Matangi. Those villages are home to more than 500 islanders. “We do need more than one nurse here,” the teacher said. She said that TVL had just launched its telecomunication tower and now the communication was fixed after four years, and the road had been fixed in some places, but they needed two or three nurses to be posted to the island.
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding VT 500,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both’.
“The mother of the child left her son with his auntie at home and walked down to the road market to buy some taro. “On her way back to the house she saw the child’s auntie take the boy in her arms while crying but she noticed that there was blood all over his face. “She ran and took her son in her arms and asked Roy why did drive so fast but he said he did not see anything and he did not even realise that he hit the child.” He said Mr Roy took the boy to the Vila Central Hospital after the accident but he was declared dead on arrival.Mr Spears said it is likely that the one year old child was dropped below the view of the driver and got hit at the right side of the white cab. He said Mr Roy was at the left side of the taxi and might not be able to see the playboy who may run to the road without supervision.
“The mother confirmed to the court that her child was not a confident walker and sometimes she have to go and bring him off the road,” he said. “There is also evidence on Mr Roy’s car that showed no damage during the accident and the police officer Jack Tom Lan confirmed that.” Outside the court the parents of the child said they were not happy with the decision but they respected the law. They said their late child was a healthy and happy boy. “Something has to happen now,” the young mother said. “My son has lost his life. “He’s not going to get a chance to live a life, and he has a mother and father and family and friends who are just devastated. “I don’t even know how I am going to face the rest of my life without him. He was my world.”
Shem to be tried next year for theft
by Richard Michael NOTORIOUS high risk prisoner Jean Yves Shem and co-accused Ian Thomspon will appear again in the Supreme Court for trial mid-next year, over the theft of more than VT1.2 million.
Shem and Thompson accordingly gave their statements of free will. He said the Supreme Court will deal with the matter in April next year.
A preliminary trial was held this week in the Supreme Court over the break-in at Vanuatu Beverage over which both men pleaded not guilty to four charges when they first appeard on October 3.
Mr Takau said that Jean Yves Shem alone was charged with two counts of damage to property contrary to section 133 of the Penal Code Act for damaging the perimeter fence, door and window glasses at Vanuatu Beverage to find the way into the building and the cash box.
Prosecutor Gregory Takau said the duo mentioned their involvement in their original statements but claimed later that they had been forced and threatened by police officers to say they were involved. He said 19-year-old Jean Yves Shem said in a statement that they admitted their involvement to stop the frustrated police officers from beating them but they were not directly involved.
He said Shem and his alleged co-accused Ian Thompson were charged with unlawfully entering a dwelling house contrary to section 143, theft contrary to section 25 in the Penal Code Act CAP 135. He said that the robbery was part of the mid-year Port Vila crime spree that involved the inmates’ relatives, girlfriends and friends, who were then arrested for harbouring them when they made their break for freedom.
He said they later pleaded not guilty to the charges which confused the court.
He said Shem and Thompson will also face another trial soon over the theft of more than VT2 million from the Post Office.
Mr Takau said the aim of that preliminary trial is to get the facts straight before progressing to the next stage of the case. After the preliminary trial, Juge Dudley Aru said that he had taken into consideration the facts from the two police officers who were in charge of the statements after their recapture and cross examined with the statements of the prisoners and found that
He said although Shem is very young he is now one of the most notorious inmates since the crime spree he is alleged to have been involved in. Meanwhile outside the court Mr Takau said they had fingerprint evidence yet to come and the prosecution will use it as exhibits during the trial.
Page 3
News
Vanuatu’s ComPol saga: Rakau and Caulton both on retirement age WHILE the Head of State is yet to appoint a police commissioner, following a recommendation made by the government through a special screening panel committee, it is understood that Prime Minister Sato Kilman has this week removed responsibility from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and taken over the portfolio of the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF). The VPF has been under Arthur Caulton as Acting Police Commissioner since last September, following the termination of the three year contract of the former Commissioner of Police Joshua Bong by the then Kilman government. Mr Bong’s contract was terminated at a time when the VPF had been alerted by a formal complaint lodged by Mr Bong accusing some high ranking police officers of mutiny and inciting mutiny. A few weeks later, after Bong’s termination, a group of 23 police force members were also suspended for unknown reasons, and remain so until today. Some of those officers were manning island police posts in some of the islands of Vanuatu. The current chairman of the Police Service Commission Herve Hopkins, who has been appointed to replace Tony Ata who resigned in last August to contest the October elections, was unreachable for comment on to how many candidates have applied for the police commissioner’s post, following an advertisement published through the local media in September. It is understood that the Hopkins commission should have held its meeting before the end of this month to screen the applicants for the post. The Independent understands from reliable sources within the government and from the Police Commission, that around 10 most senior police officers have applied for
I
ndependent nvestigation
the post, including lieutenant colonels, a lawyer and a former police superintendent, as well as a female police officer, Delphine Vuti, the VPF plans officer. In mid-October, just before the general election, the then caretaker government intended to appoint a police commissioner, when the names of the current Acting Commissioner of Police, Arthur Caulton and the current Acting Deputy Police Commissioner, Malon Taleo were recommended by the government for these two top posts. During a police executive meeting, members present were informed by the acting Deputy Commisioner of Police Taleo that Caulton would be the new police commissioner by the end of the week (Friday, November 16). However The Independent found in its investigation that their appointments have been put on hold, as the Head of State would like to see a proper recommendation made by the Police Service Commission, as required by law, in consultation with the minister responsible for police. On Sunday, November 18, a special committee set up by the then caretaker government, made up of three direcrtor generals from the Prime Minister’s office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Justice, sat and interviewed four ‘candidates’ that had been selected. There were Arthur Caulton, Vake Rakau, Tari Tamata and Delphine Vuti.
Vanuatu in pictures
A source within the VPF told The Independent that both Messrs Caulton and Rakau, who have been recommended by the special panel committee, have reached the retirement age and that some of them have some medical problems. The source added that Mr Tamata is a direct entry to the Police Force. They have been selected although sources understand that there are other highly qualified, dynamic applicants who were not considered. They described the decision made by the special panel as unfair, biased and not transparent. The source added that this issue is not in the police nor the national interest but purely political by politicians. “If this matter is not properly handled, it can fuel other critical issues that will affect the future of the VPF,” the source advised. The Head of State, President Iolu Abbil, will appoint the Commissioner of Police on the advice of the Commission after consultation with the Minister of Internal Affairs. However, the police portfolio is now under the Prime Minister’s office. Under the Police Act, Cap 105 (amended in 2010) the appointment of the commissioner of police will be effective for a period of five years. The Commission must review that appointment after three years.
An insider of the government told The Independent that the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been pressurised to re-advertise the position of the Police Commissioner, and that a proper recruitment process be undertaken. The Third Political Advisor to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, under Toara Daniel, Simeon Robert said that the ministry understands that a group of people is going around and asking the government to review the process and the recommendation made by the special panel committee. “The Ministry cannot do anything now that a recommendation has been submitted to the Head of State to appoint a police commissioner,” he said. Meanwhile it is understood that no official handing over of the police commissioner’s responsibility has been made since Mr Bong’s departure more than a month ago. Under the protocol and the VPF tradition, the police commissioner’s sword is the symbol of the commissioner’s power and authority passing on to the new police commissioner – it is part of the Vanuatu Police Force’s long history.
MAV: Don’t shoot the messenger A SENIOR francophone journalist from the Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC), Antoine Malsugai, has been suspended since last Friday, for two weeks without salary, for an alleged breach of VBTC’s staff guidelines. The Independent was told that Malsugai has been suspended by the Company’s General Manager Fred Vurobaravu,
effective from November 23 following an instruction by the Prime Minister’ office. A reliable source from the VBTC stated that Malsugai was suspended following a talk back show he had conducted last Wednesday, over the alleged debt of VT 13 million in connection with the re-elected Prime Minister Sato Kilman for his monthly land rentals, that was accummulated since 2004. “The VBTC’s GM reminded Mr Malsugai of being in a breach of the VBTC’s staff guidelines, as the matter is yet up to court to dealt with it,” the VBTC source said. The VBTC, which is directly under the portfolio of Prime Minister, receives annual subsidies of VT 45 million to cover its operational costs. This is not the first time Malsugai has been suspended from official duties because of political pressure by politicians. Two years ago, in 2010, Malsugai was sanctioned following a news article he had carried concerning the then saga of the Northern Island Stevedoring Company Limited or NISCOL. Meanwhile, the Media Association of Vanuatu (MAV) has spoken out and condemned the action taken against Mr Malsugai. In a media statement issued following Mr Malsugai’s suspension, MAV says that after 32 years of Independence, Vanuatu’s national leaders including any government of the day, should have a better working relationship together with the Vanuatu media so that any issue of this kind would be properly handled, without causing any harm to any parties that are involved or implicated. MAV’s statement reiterates that the Code of Ethics of the association is a guide to guide reporters on their daily duties.
HEAD IN THE CLOUDS... this lovely picture of the island of Futuna peeking through the clouds at sunset was taken from the air by The Indy’s reporter Richard Michael, who visited Futuna on assignment last week. The Independent wants to see YOUR photos of life throughout Vanuatu - any topic you like. Send pictures (preferably in jpg or tiff format, 500kb or more) to: editor@independent.vu and we will publish the best each week.
Page 4
Finally MAV is appealing to all media users to not to ‘shoot messengers’ but to work together so that accurate information can be disseminated to the people on issues that affect their lives.
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
News
Call for govt to intervene in Fiji airline dispute
AIR Vanuatu Chief Executive Officer Joseph Laloyer has called on the Vanuatu government to assist the airline in restoring its codeshare partnership with Solomon Airlines, recently suspended by the government of Fiji.
Air Vanuatu announced the new codeshare service from Vila to Nadi earlier this month which was welcomed by the industry. “We were thrilled to renew our partnership with Solomon Airlines, particularly after Air Pacific without reason, terminated our long standing codeshare service on the same route,” Mr. Laloyer said. The Government of Fiji advised Air Vanuatu the codeshare agreement did not meet the requirements of Fiji’s Air Services Agreement (ASA) which allows for only the designated carriers of Vanuatu and Fiji to operate services between the two countries.
seats between Honiara and Port Vila - and they are not a designated carrier for either destination. The Solomon Airlines has a codeshare agreement in place with Air Niugini that allows them to sell seats on flights from Honiara to Fiji - without operating their own aircraft. According to Fiji’s interpretation of the ASA, this service would also not meet the requirements of the ASA. Air Vanuatu operates its own Vila to Suva service which had been performing well but was recently suspended whilst the ATR-72 has been offline due to overseas maintenance. The flights will resume once the ATR returns to Vanuatu, hopefully by the end of the month. “Our Suva flight has been very popular with business and student travelers in particular, especially with our unmatched 30kg bag allowance and bigger aircraft,” Mr. Laloyer said.
VANUATU NEWS
in Brief
24 election petitions registered
ON November 27, the Supreme Court had received 24 elections petitions from concerned political parties and individuals who believed there have been significant irregularities, errors and alleged fraud cases that have occurred in most of the 17 constituencies throughout Vanuatu during the general elections. The Supreme Court spokesperson confirmed that from that 24 petitions, three are from Santo and Luganville constituencies. The major election petition in Port Vila is the one from the newly elected Port Vila MP and president of the Vanuatu Liberal and Democratic Party(VLDP), Willie Jimmy, seeking Supreme Court to rule on the re-election of Prime Minister Sato Kilman, Mr Jimmy wants the Suprme Court to define how the Electoral Commission has allowed the then caretaker Prime Minister Kilman to contest the election without settling his VT13 million outstanding land rent. He said if the Court rules that his election is unlawful, it is likely to cause the Government to collapse, forcing Parliament to reconvene to elect a new Government. In this week’s radio talk back shows relating to the high number of the election disputes most of the callers said that this government and future governments also must consider this year’s elections issues as very critical and rectify matters.
Provincial elections may be postponed
“We hope the spirit of co-operation endorsed by the Melanesian Spearhead Group charter will allow for the Solomons/ Air Vanuatu codeshare to resume and hope our government will be able to assist at the negotiating table.”
THE chairman of the Electoral Commission, John Taleo, says he is considering whether to postpone the upcoming provincial elections. Fresh from an error-ridden general election, the Commission has been the subject of criticism over the electoral system and the state of the electoral roll. Two weeks ago the Commission announced the polling date for provincial elections as January 8 next year. But Mr Taleo says the Kilman government is particularly concerned about the electoral roll. “I’ve received a lot of complaints saying why can’t we sort out the electoral roll before we go to the provincial elections,’’ he said. “The problem for me to move the dates is that the date for the dissolution of the current Local Government Councils is December 3. Then the law says after December 3, it has to be one month to conduct an election.” Mr Taleo expects the Commission to decide on the date for the elections soon.
Head of WTO visiting Vanuatu
Former President against changes to no-confidence rules
“We are seeking clarification on this matter, as it seems to us that we are intentionally being kept out of the Nadi market - first with Air Pacific cancelling our codeshare and now with their government saying we can’t codeshare with another carrier,” Mr. Laloyer said. According to the ASA, only Air Pacific and Air Vanuatu can operate flights between the two countries - however restrictions apply to Air Vanuatu only, with Air Pacific selling
“However the agreement with Solomon Airlines allowed passengers to connect to other international flights from Nadi and was filling a gap in the market,” he said.
THE Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is currently undertaking a visit this week to Samoa and Vanuatu for discussions with the government on national and global trade development issues.
EDS Limited, CCK Trading and Women in Business projects.
Pascal Lamy is to speak on business implications of WTO membership at a Chamber of Commerce-hosted forum attended by representatives of the private sector, government and civil society.
The Director General is currently in Vanuatu, the Pacific’s newest WTO member. A media briofing was held Thursday morning in regards to his visit in Port Vila, where it is understood that Mr Lamy will be meeting, among other dignitaries, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Commerce, Ham Lini.
He is expected to conduct site visits to key Samoa exporters including Yazaki
As well, Mr Lamy will meet officials from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to discuss some trade initiatives in the region.
Four new HIV cases recorded THE Ministry of Health has detected four new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases.
(2011-2012) is an 80 per cent increase since 2010, compared to 2002-2010 where there were only five cases.
The new confirmed cases of three adults and a child bring the total of people living with HIV in Vanuatu to nine (seven adults and two children) and two Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) related deaths. Three of the above patients are currently on Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART).
He said in today’s lifestyle setting this should prompt the country’s sexually active population to fully utilize the Voluntary Confidential Counseling and Testing Centers (VCCTs) by testing to personally guarantee their status because physically a person with HIV AIDs looks totally normal.
Director of Public Health Dr Len Tarivonda noted four new HIV cases within two years
Meanwhile the Ministry of Health is working on a new national strategic plan for HIV and AIDS to be implemented in 2013.
Plan for world's largest marine reserve THE world’s largest marine reserve could be created around Pitcairn Island under a proposal before the British Government.
by humanity's relentless quest for fish and other resources,” managing director of Pew Environment Group Josh Reichert said.
An expedition spent one month on the remote Pacific Island, made famous as the exile base of the Bounty mutineers, and has recommended a 829-square-kilometre protective reserve be established.
Under the plan, fishing would be largely banned about the UK overseas territory with the exception being local islander and commercial fishing within a 12 nautical mile radius. It would protect 69 sea mounts and 327 knolls which are important habits for more than 1000 marine species, including whales, dolphins, turtles and fish.
“There are few places in the world's oceans that remain relatively untouched
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
THE former president, Kalkot Mataskelekele says the country’s constitution should be modified to restrict votes of no confidence in the government. Within hours of the new government being named on Monday there was talk of a vote being staged but Mr Mataskelekele said the current legislation is too open. He told a training course for new MPs that Vanuatu needs a system like that in Papua New Guinea where MPs cannot stage votes of no confidence within the first 18 months of an election. Mr Mataskelekele said governments need a grace period to begin implementing their program. “For example at this time, this government should be given the chance to carry out its work for the next 15 or 18 months, and then after that, there could be a motion,’’ he said. “That’s what have happened in the PNG situation but in our situation there can be a motion next week, or after next week, or next month or next year.”
Smaller airlines in Pacific feel shut out by big players
THE head of Solomon Islands’ national carrier says the region’s bigger airlines are making it difficult for smaller companies to enter new territory. Solomon Airlines recently entered into a new agreement with Air Vanuatu, where it will codeshare on its flights from Honiara to Port Vila and on to Nadi. The airline’s manager, Gus Kraus, said the new relationship is partly a result of Fiji’s Air Pacific recently ending its codeshare agreement with Air Vanuatu. He said for three years they’ve been in negotiations with Papua New Guinea’s Air Niugini for a codeshare on a Honiara to Port Moresby service, but haven’t got anywhere. “We’ve been trying to push Air Niugini to apply to their regulators to allow us to take on 15 to 20 seats per flight of their twice a week flight, we can’t even get that across the line,’’ he said.
Specialist says land leases amount to alienation
A SPECIALIST in land and governance issues in Vanuatu says the land grab underway through lease arrangements in the country is of a similar scale to Papua New Guinea’s but by contrast has gained little attention. Siobhan McDonnell, who recently worked as a land law advisor to Vanuatu’s Attorney General, said land pressures are increasing, especially on Efate and Santo. Ms McDonnell said that approximately 10 to 12 percent of Vanuatu land is now under lease. She said social issues associated with the alienation of land leave Vanuatu’s youthful population disenfranchised and vulnerable. “There may be improvement clauses built into those leases which means that the time the lease term is up, custom land owners will need to compensate for any buildings on that land,’’ she said. “And if they’re large scale resorts or expensive housing, it’s very unlikely that custom landowners are going to be able to compensate, which is where you get the argument that that style of leasing is really alienation.”
Kids learn survival through nursery rhymes
AN Australian charity has developed a DVD which uses nursery rhymes to help early childhood teachers in the Pacific teach techniques on surviving natural disasters. Caritas Australia says the DVD is a cost effective way of helping young children learn to prepare for cyclones, earthquakes and even tsunamis. The charity’s program manager for Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, Adam Elliot has told Radio Australia, children are among the most at risk from natural disasters. “We found that kids were vulnerable in emergencies, particularly to panic,” he said.
Page Page05 5
News & Views VINEDU has heard that two politicians have been self appointed in the department of health. The duo are well known for falsifying government documents and receiving bribes. One is now planning to give all expats in the health sector citizenship. The other is currently undertaking intensive training to become a specialist doctor after realising that there is no money to divert to his account to pay for a new bus. VINEDU has heard that there is need for Australian Federal Police to come back in Vanuatu to monitor current dealings with Brazilian mafia. VINEDU has heard that some MPs have more than a 50 per cent chance of losing
Letters
vinedu their seats following election disputes filed in Electoral Commission this week. It will be a lesson for them for not disturbing dead people in cemeteries to rise and vote for them in future elections.
VINEDU has heard that not only Mr Kilman wants to stay in power. The Opposition also wants its turn because there are still cases such as NISCOL and Pernix which can be disastrous for some of them if the court rules a certain way.
VINEDU has heard that the Opposition was not
VINEDU has heard that government has
already decided to release the mega yacht Phocea but the skipper needs his log book back in order to leave the country. Vinedu has learned that TCU is currently receiving political pressure to release it. The question remains whether it was a fake log book or not. VINEDU has heard that Port Vila Central Hospital has been forced to order a metre of nurse uniform for a new graduate nurse at scholarship office. VINEDU has heard that a ship is charging VT 22,500 for each fuel drum to be transported to Gaua island in Torba province. Easy money, but the cost is applied to local people when they buy air tickets.
Transparency Vanuatu reply to Wilson’s Word
RE: your comment about Transparency Vanuatu in ‘Wilson’s Word’ in the November 10, 2012 Indy. Given that you made such a sweeping attack of Transparency Vanuatu, we trust you will publish this letter as our response.
On behalf of the (voluntary) board of Transparency Vanuatu, I would like to express our astonishment and disappointment at your unjustified criticisms of our NGO. I personally have never met you nor have you ever contacted me about any Transparency matter. More surprising is the fact that according to the Transparency Vanuatu office staff you have never been to the office and have never contacted any one of them by phone or in writing about working with us in the fight against corruption. You make no precise accusations against Transparency Vanuatu, confining yourself instead to generalised comments that
here in Vanuatu Transparency has ‘a credibility problem’, that we have ‘duped the international media into quoting them as if they have some degree of authority’, that we are, ‘only regularly using one media outlet for their statements and judgments through a ‘mates network’ (whatever that is supposed to mean)…’, that we are, ‘seen to be at the beck and call of one media group’, that we are ‘failing at a very basic and key level’ and that ‘we need to see a major change of attitude or leadership...’ These comments, in addition to being unsupported by any evidence, are also quite spiteful towards a small group of dedicated people who work away at doing what they can to fight the corrosive effect of the rapidly increasing corruption in this country. You seem to be objecting in some way to the fact that Transparency Vanuatu has a weekly page in the Daily Post that is not shared with you when you wrote that, ‘their
Pioneering Nagriamel and nationalism
MUCH criticism has been labeled against me personally in the media recently and I take full responsibility for the views and comments I have made and to those especially, current political groupings, the international community, and any individuals that may have find personal discomfort as a result of my views I apologize sincerely. If anything I would like to say that it merely is to do with mature political debate let alone formation of the current government and the lead up negotiation. On this note I would like to congratulate Honorable Meltek Sato Killman for taking up the reign and willingness to govern and wish him and his new cabinet a wealth of success. At this point I would especially like to congratulate our three winning Nagriamel candidates for beating the odds in the national elections and gaining a place in our national legislature. I would like to assure that the dreams of our pioneering fathers of nationalistic movement have tripled and to Hon. Havo Molisale, Hon. John Lum and Hon. Samsen Samsen you take full credit and congratulation for breaking new grounds for us all. To those who have been unsuccessful in the elections we salute you with dignity and our losses are seen not in terms of an end but a new beginning in this new era of national politics.
I would like to conclude by saying that we in Nagriamel as a movement have our unique way of showing our allegiance or respect for that matter to our hierarchy hence our structure which is very much rooted in our Vanuatu custom fundamental values and principles and the chiefly system that prevails which is something perhaps this country needs to show much interest in as we continue the political debate. We are taught a few basic principles of doing things or running political affairs: - Whatever the circumstance the chiefs in this
Page 6
able to deposit its motion this week because of lack of numbers. The Opposition was undecided whether to allocate the position of Prime Minister and three ministerial portfolios to four government MPs if they joined the opposition. Meanwhile VB blamed the Opposition for not keeping its word to give the prime ministership to other political parties. God has changed their destiny to remain in the opposition.
case the Upper Council of Chiefs have their last say and we follow. - Political debate is likened to going out hunting - you hear the dogs bark, or firing of the musket, you cannot confirm your kill until you get to the spot then you find out. So it pays a lot to wait and see. - Our relationship with our neighboring countries is likened to a small and big brother relationship. In the region or internationally whatever happens we will and always be the small brother, nothing that politics is power and is about power wielding. No matter the fatherly love and the brotherly care big brother has a lot of what can be termed as ‘relatively power’ or discrete power if you like. Lest we forget our fathers have been beaten once for fighting for their nation regardless of how they fought it. If something can happen once it is bound to repeat, if not in the same form in other forms which show the care and determination that we take which culminates in the movement slogan “Let our people go” with its motto “Equal Justice for All”. I hope I have clarified myself and in doing so I wish to cease myself from any media representation on behalf of the Nagriamel Movement unless otherwise specifically requested by my superiors. For further communications and dealings to do with political matters or the Nagriamel Movement please refer to Hon John Lum (MP) Santo Rural, the President of Nagriamel Political Commission and Mr Robinson Toka, Secretary General, Nagriamel Political Commission. And I would like to thank all of you who have voted for Nagriamel in Port Vila during the last election, and I wish you all and your good families a wonderful Marry Christmas and Prosperous New Year 2013. Jeff Joel Patunvanu Member, Nagriamel Political Commission
work and findings should be made available on a regular basis to all media…’ The Transparency Weekly Page published every Friday in the Daily Post is not a typical media release issued to the media at large. It is a regular column offered freely to Transparency by the Daily Post, starting many years ago.
small country, it is far more important to be building relationships constructively rather than driving divisive wedges between people and organisations that should be supporting each other and working together.
As far as I understand both newspapers have these types of regular features from other NGOs such as the Red Cross and ProMedical, as well as features such as your IndyView, gardening page and motoring column.
Editor’s Note: Apologies, there was an oversight and this was meant to have been published in the last edition as I promised. But the apology ends there. The writer of the above letter has missed the point I was making in the column. It was not spiteful as all I did was simply state the fact that Transparency International Vanautu does not send media releases to any other media outlets and only the Post gets their news releases, which means it lacks credibility. I did not make any comments about the work they do which is quality work, nor did I mention anything about a column in the Post, which I have no problem with either. The writer has chosen to ignore my point of fact altogether.
Instead of alienating yourself from the Transparency Vanuatu office by firing off a out of the blue broadside of unwarranted criticism, may I suggest that you to contact me or the Transparency office to sit down together and see how we can all work towards where our energies really should be directed – namely, exposing and reporting the appalling examples of official corruption that have and are continuing to cause so much damage in this country. In a small town, in a
Marie-Noelle Patterson Board President, Transparency Vanuatu
Rome is burning...
THERE was a saying that Rome was burning while the emperor fiddled. It seems that Vanuatu’s children are losing because our politicians are fiddling around. We have a very unhealthy situation developing with our children that should have been addressed a long time ago by a government with any foresight (instead of political gain).
We have any number of gun-like ‘toys’ being sold throughout Vanuatu which have no business even being allowed into the country. The reason there is probably such a profusion of such ‘toys’ is that many countries have banned the sale of these items and they are still being produced in China. Now Vanuatu and other countries who have no bans have become the dumping grounds for such. The dictionary definition of toy is: an object for a child to play with, typically a model or miniature replica of something. As an educator I would also add that toys are also used for teaching and reinforcement of lessons to be learned.
videos. You put someone’s eye out - they don’t get a replacement eye. Guns are not things to play with. Before you think I am just another gun hater, I served five years in the US armed forces of which 18 months was in Vietnam 1967-1969 when there was some of the most heavy fighting. I know what guns are for - to kill. If I had need of a gun I would have one. I like shooting guns. They demand respect! We have tight gun laws in Vanuatu for a reason but then we just let the Chinese dump all these ‘toy’ guns (says Made in China) on our impressionable children and will wonder why our future youth and leaders have no respect for guns. Oh, sorry the children probably don’t buy the ‘toy’ pistol - some irresponsible adult did because the child whined for it and it was cheap. That still does not make it right! Where is the responsible parenting in this equation? Perhaps now that the election is over the true politicians who care about what happens with the future of Vanuatu will get serious about what we are teaching our upcoming generation.
Over the past weeks I have seen toy pistols (shaped like a German lugar) in the hands of under 12-year-olds being used in an unhealthy way. These pistols have a spring in them and small rocks can be placed in them and shot. I have seen these ‘toys’ aimed in the faces of young children and also had it pointed in the direction of my wife when she went out to see why the kids here at Eton were running down the road. This boy was coming from school and was carrying the ‘toy’; when my wife said something he pointed it at her and ran away. In most countries if you even take a toy gun to school you are suspended from school and the child and the parents get a personal chat with the police, dah! I also saw a boy doing the same with his ‘toy’ in Wilco last week. Just having fun! Bang Bang!
The shopkeepers are not at fault, because they are in business of making money (selling what the customer wants). But all the shopkeepers need to know the limitations of what they can sell for the betterment of this country (be it bad ‘toys’, inferior products or out of date food items).
What are we telling and teaching our children about guns? This is life people, not the
Dr Tobey Huff Eton Village
Is it too much to ask our leaders to enact a law which bans certain ‘toys’ which endanger our children and that teach a wrong moral system to them? If the toy guns are banned and are then found in Vanuatu the toys should be confiscated and shop owners should be fined. Is it too much to ask the authorities to take back over the country (from overseas interests) and recall all the toy guns that have the capacity to be used to hurt or maim someone?
The Independent/L’Indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
Opinion
People still not satisfied after the election by Evelyne Toa IT IS ironic, but there is a lot of disatisfaction after the national election. Some of the reasons for the disatisfaction, are valid while others are not. Listening to the talk back shows, many people expressed their disappointment concerning this present government, even though this government has just got into power. Why are the people complaining when all had the opportunity to cast their votes for someone else? Firstly, the people were looking forward to a change, because there was a lot of things that the people were not happy about in the last government emanating from the highest level of leadership. However, after the election the same people returned to power, some of them with more votes than before. It seems that some of the new MPs are already showing similar trends to that shown by those who were in parliament previously. They are already playing the same game of frog hopping and requesting ministerial positions and demanding now greater amounts of money to join a group. Of course this sickly behavior seems to be getting worse. To hear that MPs and their parties will practice dishonesty and bargain negatively to be in a position of power is degrading for people at that level of leadership. They sign with one party only to switch to another, even some signed in different groups at the same time. Even one small group made up of individual MPs from different parties came out in print, saying they shifted in the last minute to the government side simply because they were not offered the post of prime minister. How low can political parties and their members be to debase themselves with such a public declaration?
WW and ‘she who must be obeyed’ thought long and hard about making Vanuatu our permanent home some years ago. We actually drew a line down an A4 page and listed the pros and cons. It’s obvious which side won. But in the ensuing time, WW has been surprised at how many expats chose to live here because there are basically no rules. WW had not thought about how overgoverned we were in OZ and from many descriptions we have now heard, they are in NZ as well. While it was not a motivating factor for us in moving here, WW must admit the minimally restrictive environment is a pleasing aspect of life in Vanuatu. This past weekend WW entertained a citizen with an amazing history in this country, and he is absolutely fed up to the back teeth with dealing with thieves. Our guest has numerous court cases pending where he is owed millions of vatu and yet he despairs of ever seeing any of that money again. WW knows of at least one long term resident who has ripped off a number of people and institutions to the tune of more than one million Australian dollars and yet he is swanning around Port Vila as free as a bird, seemingly without a care in the world. That scenario is far less likely to take place in Oz. WW has no doubt that Australian cities such as Shepparton, Tamworth and Gladstone and NZ cities like Invercargill and Whangarei, which are all about the same size as Port Vila, would not have anywhere near as many white collar criminals as here. WW feels that the tax free haven tag attracts a certain type of individual who has no respect for the law or anything else. Still on the subject of law breaking, WW is
Behind the news Well, this is the happiest place on earth so anything is alright, even if the people are facing more difficulties and ever increasing hardships in life. It is the case of what you sow will be what you will reap. The courts will be busy in the start of the new year to deal with the many petitions submitted concerning irregularities just before and during election day. There are more than 20 cases already lodged and this may only be the tip of the iceberg for bribery has now become the norm of life for the majority of the politicians being supported by those who have money lurking under the surface, looking for opportunities to devour the people of their resources under the guise of business and service to the public. What a tragedy that the very institution that should be the saviour of the country has become the opposite - bringing the country to its knees with hardly any money and being forced to rely on foreign countries for its development and sustenance. People are starting to expose what is wrong by taking it to court and this is good, except that the court system is too expensive, with lawyers charging unnecessarily high fees which limits more cases being taken to court. Since this is a democratic country, everything will boil down to people power, as it seems that those in high positions are more concerned about themselves rather than the people. People are now expressing themselves through the papers and radios, but it seems nobody is listening.
WORD
It is unfortunate, but the journalist who hosted the talk back show last week was
ilson’s
watching the shaky career of a prominent Port Vila lawyer who appears to have done the wrong thing by clients and the law. If this person were practising law in Oz or NZ, they would be facing serious jail time as well may be the case here. WW will release the name and more details when appropriate.
VANUATU’s roving ambassador to Russia, Mme Goiset Thi Tham, queried with WW this week why The Independent covered her court case ahead of hundreds of others, let alone put it on the front page of the last edition. WW explained that Mme Goiset has a major connection to Phocea owner Pascal Ahn Quahn Saken and that ‘the Phocea affair’ is the hottest story of 2012 in Vanuatu – and perhaps for a number of years – with lead stories common place since the super yacht sailed into Port Vila Harbour on July 14. WW explained that we are entitled to cover any court case, providing we do so fairly and that we show that justice is being done. This is a critically important right of the fifth estate in any democracy.
WW put a survey on the front page towards
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
suspended for doing his job. Fear is being created by those in power, by penalising those who want to allow free expression according to the constitution. No wonder those who might speak out are afraid to do so, in fear of losing their jobs. Many civil servants keep their mouths shut and engage in what they are instructed to do, even though they know its not right due to the fear of losing their jobs. Even when ministers were travelling at the expense of the country for no good reasons, they will process these... and the list can be extended. Unfortunately democracy that we all preach is only mere words but underneath there are forces attempting to deviate people from freely exercising their choices. Many cast their votes, because the chief or big man said so, others their parents, others through political or group affiliations while others, because they were obliged to, due to what someone has done or given them through bribery. Sad to say, but many do not vote honestly, because their reasons for choosing someone were not well critically analysed. It will take time, but now a lot of people are at least openly expressing themselves on issues they are not happy with. Suspending journalists is anti-democratic and shows which direction this beautiful country is heading. A lot of people are now looking forward to the court cases that will soon be played out and are crossing their fingers that they will see justice done. In recent years, we have witnessed case after case where lawyers deliberately don’t
the end of 2010 that seriously predicted the demise of fish being available in the Pacific by 2030. There were some derisive comments at the time and WW admits being shocked and somewhat sceptical. But more and more WW has grave fears that now old story was a portent of things to come. Those in the know have told WW that the ‘Pacific tuna wars’ are not far away and will be very ugly and dramatic.
OUR little story on the hole-in-the-heart boy Victor Mete again highlighted the critical and ongoing work done by Rotary – and the Kiwanis need to be mentioned for the same reasons – in this country. That five-yearold stands a really good chance of leading a normal life thanks to the efforts of these unsung heroes.
WW loves to promote what is good in food and entertainment around Efate and has no hesitation in selling Tamanu Resort as they go the extra distance for the customer. This is a late plug by WW for their last show of 2012 tonight for its dinner cabaret which promises to be the best of the year… The Bublé Experience. This two act show salutes the inimitable style popularised by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and Michael Bublé backed by big band music. Direct from Australia, international performer, Greg Aspeling should delight the audience with his smooth and unique renditions of this
turn up to court, for various unjustified reasons, papers not submitted and looking for technical flaws rather than ensuring that justice is done. The truth is what has exactly occurred while facts can be tampered with and if the false documentations plus lies are not exposed, then the truth will not prevail and justice will not be done. People are unhappy because they are tired of seeing and hearing injustice and those involved are not being put in jail. There are people that are now fed up so much, that they refuse to turn up to vote as indicated by the last election. It is ‘wrong’ not to exercise one’s democratic right but what would one do when they are fed up of seeing our MPs playing ‘lelu’ every time they are in power and it seems to be escalating rather than decreasing. Now the people’s mistrust of the government has reached such a high level that it is common to hear words about being ‘fed up’ around from radio stations, papers, nakamals and in homes. This is not healthy for if the people continue to hear negative words they will start to behave negatively, which is not healthy for this beautiful country. There is always an opportunity to start something positive but this will take courage and sheer determination with humility and putting the country’s interest first. The way things are happening, there is very little room for people to see something positive from the government. People say what they see and hear and it is up to the government and civil servants to allow the people to see what will change their perception of the government will and bring back trust for it is what the country will need for unity. Unity will allow the country to progress positively towards true independence - politically and economically.
unforgettable music. It will feature Michael Bublé’s contemporary hits Kissing a Fool, Just Haven’t Met You Yet and Home, Greg also covers Bublé’s versions of classics like All of Me, Foggy Day, Crazy Little thing Called Love, Moondance, Sway and many more. The music, production and three course dinner are pure gold, so WW suggests you jump in this arvo and book now by calling Tamanu on 27279. Tamanu will be doing more of the same in 2013 and WW feels the expats should support these efforts as they significantly add to the social fabric of our lives.
SINCE The Independent launched its Dining Out page 14 months ago, WW and ‘she who must be obeyed’ have dined at, sampled, tasted and enjoyed the fare of more than 50 restaurants, cafes and takeaways – making us somewhat experts in this field for Efate. The feedback from the hospitality industry had been enormous and as Vanuatu surges towards a record year for tourist numbers, WW can report positively that outside of Oz and NZ, Vanuatu offers the best cuisine in the Pacific and WW is prepared to go head to head with anyone who disputes that statement. Usually the detractors are peasants who think coconut crab is a prepared dish and they are the bimbo types who order snails, oysters or scallops at a steak restaurant.
AND that’s Wilson’s Word. Page 7
Nouvelles régionales
RADIO COCOTIER
Brèves du Pacifique Nouvelle-Zélande : la diaspora du Pacifique dans les mailles des usuriers
Il n’y a pas d’aller-retour à l’UPM Il a été signalé que les militants de l’UPM de Tanna tentaient de faire revenir leur nouvel élu dans le camp de l’opposition et surtout dans le parti dont les grandes lignes politiques l’ont conduit au succès aux dernières élections législatives. Les tensions se seraient apaisées une fois que le président du parti a donné son mot en intervenant dans la situation où il fallait laisser partir un militant qui agissait suivant ses propres intérêts. Le président du parti aurait dit qu’il est de la constitution de l’UPM que tout militant individuel qui quitte son camp pour s’affilier ailleurs perd automatiquement le droit d’y retourner. Des exemples s’étaient déjà manifestés et les derniers à avoir tenté d’y retourner ont fini par fonder le RMC après une longue bataille judiciaire. Cette fois, c’est le président du RMC qui ne connaît pas encore que dans l’UPM, on ne joue pas avec la fidélité. Il a tenté de réunifier l’UPM alors que les blessures sont irréparables.
Un nouveau rapport du ministère des Affaires des îles du Pacifique confirme. Selon ce rapport coécrit par la Commission aux Affaires familiales, ces usuriers et les obligations culturelles sont devenus un véritable fardeau pour des familles océaniennes à faibles revenus. Un exemple : vous empruntez 10 000 dollars pour acheter une voiture. Avec les taux d’intérêt, vous finirez par payer 40 000 dollars. C’est-à-dire qu’il vous faudra vendre votre maison et même la voiture pour rembourser votre dette. C’est ce qui est arrivé à une Océanienne de Nouvelle-Zélande, Felisi Bestwick et sa mésaventure est loin d’être un cas isolé.
Un ministre qui n’est pas à sa place Avant la nomination d’un député au portefeuille de la santé, on dirait que tout n’allait plus à la santé alors que l’hôpital central est dans la misère et qu’il est obligé de demander de l’aide partout car le gouvernement a des difficultés pour intervenir matériellement et financièrement. Des lettres de licenciement ont été distribuées à des cadres alors que ces derniers sont des hommes de qualité qu’on ne trouve pas beaucoup dans le domaine de la santé. Un certain individu qui avait sali la réputation du bureau des bourses, et n’ayant aucune expérience dans le domaine de la santé, a été nommé à la direction de l’hôpital central sans publication de poste. Il fallait que le nouveau directeur général se mette activement au travail dès son premier jour au bureau pour pouvoir révoquer toutes ces lettres de licenciement. Il tentera de remettre de l’ordre à la santé s’il a l’appui de son ministre dont l’épouse a agressé en public une fille en disant que son époux de pasteur lui donnait de l’argent. Dans l’électorat du ministre, on était au courant de cette histoire de relations extra conjugales mais parce qu’on a été également tenté par l’argent, il a été réélu.
Un acte qui fait honte À Pentecôte, c’est avec beaucoup de honte que des chefs ont appris que le président du RMC a manifesté son soutien au camp de Natapei le 18 novembre en apposant sa signature sur le mémorandum d’entente, pour que son parti s’allie à Sato Kilman le lendemain. On raconte à Pentecôte que le président du RMC est un chef de l’île qui ne devait pas agir de la sorte et qui ne pense qu’aux intérêts des députés de son parti et non à l’intérêt national. Cet intérêt de la nation était qu’il ne fallait pas soutenir l’élection au poste de Premier ministre, un candidat qui a fait du pouvoir exécutif le pire des gouvernements que le Vanuatu ait connu.
Un directeur francophone s’adresse en anglais à un autre francophone C’est le pire des omissions liées à l’ignorance et à l’échec de beaucoup de francophones dans leur détermination qui est d’apporter leur part au développement de la langue de Molière dans le pays alors que l’anglais domine sur le français depuis l’indépendance. Surtout pour le directeur de la SRTV qui, en s’adressant à un journaliste francophone dans une lettre de suspension, n’a pas eu le courage de dire “Vous” mais son côté faible dans la gestion de la société l’a poussé à dire “You”. Cette lettre de suspension était liée l’émission “Tok Bak Show”, animée par ce journaliste et dont le sujet était les 13 millions de vatus de dettes du Premier ministre à l’État. Le directeur justifiait dans sa lettre que la Cour suprême avait déjà été saisie dans cette affaire et que la publication ou la diffusion à l’opinion publique n’était pas souhaitable avant le verdict final. Il paraît que le directeur ne faisait qu’obéir aux ordres qui venaient du haut de la colline.
Comment seront les mini-jeux du Pacifique Sud ? On se pose beaucoup cette question depuis le retour de Sato Kilman au pouvoir. La décision de la nouvelle coalition de rayer de la liste le ministre du développement et de la formation de la jeunesse aurait sans doute des impacts pour la préparation du Vanuatu pour accueillir en 2017 les mini-jeux du Pacifique Sud. Le Vanuatu risque de se débrouiller tout seul si la limite de la générosité des pays donateurs n’est pas atteinte à cause du manque de dévouement du pays à titre bénévole. Si les partenaires de la coalition ont voulu que le portefeuille des sports soit réinséré dans l’éducation, c’est parce qu’ils disaient qu’en étant séparé, le ministère des sports n’apportait pas d’argent à l’État. On se souvient des propos de Sato Kilman alors qu’il se trouvait, il y a juste quelques mois, à Londres où il assistait aux Jeux Olympiques. Il avait dit que le Vanuatu devait développer plus le sport.
“Si c’était ma radio qui me critiquait...” Lors d’une conversation privée, un dirigeant politique aurait riposté en disant que “la FM107 dit beaucoup de choses sur moi mais si c’était ma radio...”. Il faisait allusion à Radio Vanuatu comme ci celle-ci appartenait à son grand-père. Une chose que les politiciens ne comprennent pas c’est que la SRTV est une société mixte qui a sa propre loi et ne mérite pas d’être exploitée suivant la décision du gouvernement ou de n’importe quelle personne qui a le pouvoir de diriger et de décider dans l’administration publique. Page 8
Des familles océaniennes dépouillées par des taux d’intérêt excessifs. (Credit: ABC)
James Prescott, le Commissaire aux Affaires familiales confirme : «Avant nous avions des preuves anecdotiques, nous savions que ce genre de choses existait en Nouvelle-Zélande depuis des années mais le rapport a entériné ces preuves». Mais est-ce que des familles du Pacifique sont véritablement ciblées ? Est-ce que ces usuriers sans scrupules visent uniquement les Océaniens ? Prescott : « Non, non, ils ne ciblent pas une ethnie en particulier. Ils ciblent simplement les couches défavorisées, les faibles revenus parce toute personne dans cette situation cherche parfois trouver des fonds désespérément. Il s’agit des faibles revenus et pas nécessairement des Insulaires du Pacifique». Autre fardeau pour ces familles : les donations aux Églises qui sont parfois considérées comme un facteur d’endettement. Est-ce vrai ? Nous avons au bout du fil le révérend Tevita Finau, de l’Église méthodiste tongienne de Mount Hermon, toujours en Nouvelle-Zélande : «Pas nécessairement. Beaucoup de personnes planifient leur budget en fonction de leurs donations pour toute l’année. Mais ils y en a quelques-uns qui ne planifient pas et qui ne font pas d’économie. Planifier des économies est une bonne solution». Bainimarama brigue la Présidence de l’Organisation internationale du sucre Cette organisation qui représente la plupart de tous les pays producteurs de sucre. Elle est en réunion cette semaine à Londres pour élire un nouveau président. Et c’est le Premier ministre fidjien, Frank Bainimarama qui est pressenti à ce poste. Toutefois l’Union international des travailleurs de l’alimentaire et de l’agriculture a décidé de lui mettre des bâtons dans les roues et s’oppose à l’élection de M. Bainimarama. Sue Langley, membre de ce syndicat international explique : «Son élection ne ferait que légitimer une dictature militaire et nous sommes inquiets de cette dictature militaire à Fidji et pendant cette dictature on a assisté à une érosion des droits syndicaux et des droits de l’Homme».Sue Langley demande à tous les participants de ne pas voter en faveur du Premier ministre fidjien. PNG : des pirates attaquent un ferry au large de la province de Morobe L’attaque s’est déroulée le mardi 27 novembre au large des côtes situées entre Finschafen et Lae. 200 passagers et 5 membres d’équipage étaient à bord du Geyam-sao au moment des faits. Les pirates, dont on ne connaît pas le nombre exact, ont prétendu être des passagers et sont montés à bord ferry après avoir dissimulé des armes et des machettes dans leurs bagages. Aux alentours de 9h30, ils ont ordonné à tous les passagers et aux membres d’équipage de se mettre à plat ventre. Téléphones portables, argent, les pirates ont ensuite dépouillé tous les passagers de tous leurs biens. L’opération a duré 10 minutes et ils ont réussir à s’enfuir à l’aide de bateaux pneumatiques et avec la caisse du ferry qui contenait près de 4 000 dollars. - P.R
L’Indépendant - Samedi le 1 Decembre, 2012
EDITORIAL Stop Press c’est agrandis a nouveau avec leur nouveau Mega magasin Stop press a Freshwater en face d’Intraco. Près de 800 mètres carrés avec la plus grande variété d’articles de papeterie au Vanuatu français et en anglais. Mais aussi du mobilier de bureau, matériel informatique et ordinateurs, accessoires informatiques et du consommables pour imprimantes. Service de photocopie, reliure, plastification. Ils ont tout pour le bureau ou la maison au meilleur prix au Vanuatu.Un personnel amical qui parle français et anglais. De nombreuses places de parking et un service de livraison. Ouvert de 7h30 a 17h30 meme le midi et une demi-journée le samedi matin. Stop Press se considère comme le spécialiste de la papeterie, donc si vous avez besoin de quelque chose de spécial s’il vous plaît parler à son équipe de gestion Renée, Sally ou Noreen.
Création d’emplois au Vanuatu et en Papouasie Nouvelle-Guinée Les secteurs des transports et du tourisme sont visés. L’Australie a décidé de financer un nouveau projet : Pacific Growth and Employment Project (Projet de la croissance et de l’emploi dans le Pacifique) qui est un partenariat avec l’Organisation Internationale du Travail, la Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de l’Australie et l’ACTU, la grande centrale syndicale australienne. C’est mercredi que la Présidente de l’ACTU, Ged Kearney, a officiellement lancé ce projet à la Maison du Parlement à Canberra. «C’est un projet assez unique dans le sens où ce n’est pas tous les jours que la Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie et l’ACTU sont partenaires. Mais nous avons décidé de le faire parce que le besoin et réel dans le Pacifique, notamment en ce qui concerne le chômage des jeunes. Ça fait des années que nous planifions ce projet. Depuis que nous avons vu que l’industrie australienne était active dans le Pacifique en fournissant des services dans les secteurs des transports et du tourisme. Et nous avons pensé que les jeunes pourraient accéder à des emplois
dans ces industries», a souligné Ged Kearney.Prenons un exemple concret. Sur l’île de Manus, en Papouasie NouvelleGuinée, sur laquelle se trouve un centre de détention du gouvernement australien pour les demandeurs d’asile, les propriétaires fonciers locaux ont menacé de couper l’électricité sur l’ile en disant que tous les emplois associés au centre de détention sont donnés à des Australiens et pas aux habitants locaux. La réponse de Ged Kearney : «C’est affaire en particulier est très complexe. Mais revenons à ce projet qui va s’assurer que si des Australiens font des affaires dans les secteurs des transports ou du tourisme, notamment au Vanuatu et en Papouasie NouvelleGuinée, et bien nous nous assurerons que les habitants locaux puissent avoir des emplois et s’il y a des barrières, nous nous en occuperons. Ce sont parfois des choses toutes simples. S’assurer que les écoles locales fournissent des qualifications appropriées ou que les jeunes aient accès à des transports pour aller suivre une formation dans une école et obtenir ces qualifications».
Starfish Christmas Menu This menu will be served on Christmas Eve, & Christmas Day for both Lunch & Dinner VT5000 per head On Arrival Glass of Bubbles, wine, beer or fruit punch Starter A selection of canapés Plated Main Course - your choice of 2 meats Glazed leg of Ham Vanuatu finest Roast Rump of Beef Roast Pork and Apple Sauce Pan fried Poulet Basted Seasoned Turkey Served with traditional Christmas vegetables Potatoes in butter and parsley, Green peas, Roasted carrot and Pumpkin Or Crisp Fresh Salad & Condiments Dessert Your choice from the dessert board Passion Fruit Pavola with cream Wicked Chocolate Cake with Cream Tropical Fruits with Ice cream or Cream
PO Box 1424 Tel: +678 24661, Fax: +678 23552 Champagne Estate, Port Vila autodis@autodis.com.vu www.facebook.com/FordVanuatu The Independent/L’indépendant - Samedi le 1 Decembre, 2012
Go further / Allons plus loin Page 9
Nouvelles en français
Les anciens de la gendarmerie française ont leur drapeau Les Vanutais ayant servi dans la gendarmerie sous l’administration française avant l’indépendance viennent de bénéficier d’une reconnaissance de la part de l’Union Nationale du Personnel en Retraite de la Gendarmerie-section Pacifique (UNPRG).
Reith Nassé, Raffey Taïwia, son frère Nato Taïwia, député de Vaté, Patrick Tévanou, Eugéno Vanou, Yannick Rory, Eugène Tabi, Mackenzie Naling, Joseph d’Imaki, Maoung de Tanna, Simon Malatou, Bernard de Lamap, Hugues de Vao entre autres. Ces noms sont courants. La liste est longue, trop longue même pour dire combien ils étaient au total à servir les Nouvelles-Hébrides dans le domaine de la sécurité et du service de la loi. Nombreux sont ceux et celles qui ne sont plus en vie et les seuls survivants sont ceux dont l’image de cette période avant l’indépendance revient toujours dans leur tête, mais aussi ceux qui les avaient vu dans une période où la France dépensait toute son énergie pour ce pays qui lui réclamera un jour l’autodétermination. Certains sont encore en service dans la police nationale et dans la police des frontières. Le 24 novembre dernier, ils étaient une trentaine à répondre à l’invitation du président national de l’Union nationale du Personnel en Retraite de la Gendarmerie, Raffey TaÏwia, pour venir témoigner de leur présence la cérémonie du lancement de l’UNPRG-Nouvelle-Calédonie/Vanuatu. S’était déplacé pour cette occasion, celui par qui cette union a vu le jour, le président de l’UNPRG, Bernard Gaudel et d’autres gendarmes retraités de la NouvelleCalédonie, dont certains étaient mutés au service de l’administration française au temps du Condominium. Ils étaient tous une cinquantaine à se réunir autour des deux drapeaux représentants
les deux pays voisins composants de l’UNPRG. Le groupe s’était rassemblé au Tennis Club avant d’aller se recueillir au Monument des Morts. Une messe a été célébrée à la Cathédrale de Port-Vila à la mémoire de Sainte Géneviève, patronne des gendarmes, et en leur honneur. Le cocktail au Tennis Club leur a permis de se rafraîchir la mémoire par les vieilles photos exposées, sorties de la collection propre des anciens miliciens de la police française. C’était une journée de reconnaissance mais aussi de retrouvailles puisque c’est la première fois que les anciens miliciens se retrouvent ensemble après tant d’années de dispersion, causée par la retraite de beaucoup d’entre eux pour retrouver la vie dans les communautés alors qu’ils sont toujours considérés comme part active de la société vanuataise puisque chacun avait su y trouver sa place malgré le fait qu’il ne fasse plus partie de la police nationale. Comme a souligné le président de l’UNPRG, Bernard Gaudec, lorsqu’il les accueillait dans son organisation au Tennis Club : “Cette journée restera unique et exceptionnelle dans les annales de l’Union du Personnel en Retraite-NouvelleCalédonie/Vanuatu. Elle sera marquée par deux symboles très forts, celui de la laïcité qu’est la remise d’un drapeau aux couleurs d’une nation démocratique et souveraine à une association franco-vanuataise et celle religieuse, propre à nos pays francophones, qui nous amènera à prier pour une sainte protectrice d’un Corps d’État au service de la loi. Lorsque j’ai brièvement présenté votre drapeau, cher Raffey, à
notre président national, lors du congrès de Ronce-les Bains le 12 septembre cette année, bon nombre de mes camarades présidents, intrigués par son graphisme, m’ont, à plusieurs reprises, demandé si c’était celui de la Nouvelle-Calédonie. Je leur ai répondu que c’est celui de notre section du Vanuatu, la deuxième, hors les murs, après le Mali, à rejoindre l’UNPRG. Cet étendard qui marie vos couleurs à celle de mon pays, vous accompagnera dans la joie, comme dans la tristesse. Il sera votre compagnon de route, lorsque l’heure dernière arrivée, chacun de vous, inéluctablement, quittera cette terre pour vous présenter devant Dieu. Aujourd’hui, je viens de vous confier la garde, que rien ne vienne l’entacher. Il est votre honneur, votre signe d’appartenance à notre association. Porte drapeau ! Soyez fiers de le brandir lors des diverses manifestations auxquelles vous serez appelé à participer. N’oubliez
jamais que cet emblème et l’expression de nos sentiments de solidarité et de respect envers vous. Cette confiance doit se manifester de façon pérenne dans la continuité de nos relations par le maintien de part et d’autre d’un lien de franche camaraderie et d’un soutien sans faille. Ce matin, ces couleurs vont être bénies dans le souvenir d’une époque faite de pardon et de réconciliation et présentement celle d’une amitié conjuguée et retrouvée. Amitié dont la pierre angulaire est celle d’avoir appartenu à notre Arme et son ciment la Francophonie”.Les ont accompagnés dans cette journée, l’ancien député de Pentecôte, premier avocat indigène en retraite, et Marcel Sam, premier avocat indigène à avoir été affecté au Parquet général sous l’administration française. GM
Vingt-quatre pétitions enregistrées par le greffier de la Cour Le nombre des pétitions enregistrées par le bureau du greffier de la Cour de justice bat tous les records car il concerne une grande partie des circonscriptions électorales.
Le GJP présente ses quatre députés C'était à l'occasion d'un repas de victoire organisé par le Graon mo Jastis Pati à Saralana dimanche dernier que le parti a officiellement présenté ses quatre élus à ses militants. Même si le GJP est dans l'opposition, les dernières élections furent pour lui une réussite. En 2008, Ralph Regenvanu s'était présenté sous l'étiquette indépendante en sortant premier à la circonscription de Port-Vila avec un record de 1 710 voix. Aux dernières élections, il a battu son propre record avec 2 286 voix sous l'étiquette du GJP dont il est président et fondateur. Trois nouveaux élus sont à ses côtés. De gauche à droite : Gillion William (Vaté), Daniel Nalet (Mallicolo), Ralph Regenvanu (Port-Vila) et Alfred Maoh (Santo).
Le bureau du greffier signale cette semaine qu'après que la commission électorale ait accordé une période pour permettre d'engager des procédures liées à de prétendues fraudes électorales, vingt-quatre pétitions ont été présentées, accompagnées de demandes d'examen.
C'est la première fois depuis l'indépendance d'un nombre significatif de pétitions est déposé, demandant la comparution de prétendus fautifs devant la Cour de justice. En 2008, parmi un nombre de pétitions n'ayant pas atteint huit, trois seulement avaient été prises en considération. Après tant de mois d'examen des preuves, la Cour suprême a ordonné la réorganisation des élections dans trois circonscriptions, à savoir Épi, Vaté et Tanna.
Épidémie de limogeages au sein de la santé publique du Vanuatu Le Dr Len Tarivonda, Directeur de la santé du Vanuatu, a été suspendu de ses fonctions en fin de semaine dernière, sur décision politique, rapporte lundi la radio nationale publique. Selon les mêmes sources, d’autres responsables au sein du ministère vanuatuan de la santé, notamment ceux en charge des régions Nord et Sud de l’archipel, ont été limogés. Le Dr Willie Tokon superintendant du plus grand hôpital du pays, l’hôpital central de la capitale Port-Vila, a été mis en «retraite anticipée».
“ANNONCE” Pour les nouvelles, contacter 22200 ou 77 44456 ou envoyez-les à l’adresse suivante : gratien.tiona@independent.vu L’Indépendant, votre unique journal à trois langues
Page 10
Ces sanctions ont été prises par la directrice générale de la santé, Maturine Carlot Tary, qui est elle-même sur le point d’être remplacé. Des sources proches du dossier confiaient récemment au quotidien local Daily Post leur exaspération concernant ce qu’ils considèrent comme une ingérence permanente des politiques dans les affaire de santé publique, au gré des changements de gouvernements. pad
Europe/USA to Port Vila Fr8 Logistics, www. fr8. vu 27744
The Independent/L’indépendant - Samedi 1 Decembre, 2012
Nouvelles régionales
Pascal Lamy en Océanie cette semaine Pascal Lamy, Directeur général de l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC), a entamé cette semaine une tournée océanienne par l’Australie, avant de se rendre en Nouvelle-Zélande, puis en Océanie insulaire, à Samoa et au Vanuatu, pour y rencontrer les autorités des plus récents membres de cette organisation mondiale. Lundi, à Melbourne, M. Lamy est intervenu devant un parterre d’acteurs économiques autour du thème «L’avenir du système commercial multilatéral». Mardi 27 novembre 2012, à Auckland (Nouvelle-Zélande), en mode escale, il devait rencontrer les responsables du tissu économique, avant de s’envoler pour Samoa où, mercredi 28 novembre 2012, il rencontrera Fonotoe Nuafesili Pierre Lauofo, vice-Premier ministre, les membres de la chambre de Commerce locale, ainsi que, en mode régional, le Samoan Tuiloma Neroni Slade, Secrétaire-Général du Forum des Îles du Pacifique (FIP, basé à Suva, Fidji). L’OMC et le FIP devraient signer une convention portant sur une coopération en matière d’aide technique relative aux négociations commerciales, précisait mardi le FIP dans un communiqué. Jeudi 29 et vendredi 30 novembre 2012, cette tournée océanienne s’est poursui au Vanuatu, où M. Lamy a prévu de s’entretenir avec le Premier ministre Sato Kilman, tout juste réélu après les élections législatives du 30 octobre 2012.
joué par ce groupe d’États, qu’il qualifié de «l’une des armes les plus puissantes et influentes en matière de défense de la cause et de négociation au sein de l’OMC». Lors de cette allocution, il a exhorté les 79 pays ACP à se mobiliser en faveur des grands dossiers commerciaux, notamment sur les terrains de l’intégration régionale et de la levée des barrières douanières. Cette réunion de Bruxelles était présidée par Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Attorney General et ministre du commerce et de l’industries des îles Fidji. Turbulente accession du Vanuatu
Pascal Lami s’exprimait lundi à Melbourne. (Source photo : OMC) le 1er septembre 2005 pour un mandat de quatre ans. En avril 2009, les Membres de l’OMC ont réélu M. Lamy pour un second mandat de quatre ans, à compter du 1er septembre 2009. Avant de diriger l’OMC, M. Lamy était commissaire européen. À ce titre, il avait lancé un cycle de négociations entre les pays ACP (Afrique, Caraïbe, Pacifique) et l’UE autour du principe d’ «Accords de Partenariat Économique» (APE).
Il devrait aussi rencontrer le Vice-premier ministre Ham Lini (par ailleurs ministre du commerce et qui a suivi de près le dossier de l’adhésion au Vanuatu à l’OMC) et le ministre des finances Charlot Salwai.
Ces accords, qui auraient dû être conclus en 2008, n’ont pour la plupart pas abouti, à l’exception de certains pays (dans le Pacifique : Fidji et la Papouasie-NouvelleGuinée) qui ont choisi de signer des accords «intérimaires» avec Bruxelles, principalement en raison de leurs exportations de poissons (thon) et de matières premières.
Pascal Lamy est le cinquième Directeur général de l’OMC. Sa désignation a pris effet
Pour les pays océaniens des ACP, engagés dans des négociations post-Lomé et Cotonou
avec l’UE, le point focal est le Forum des Îles du Pacifique, dont ils sont tous membres, à l’exception de l’Australie et de la NouvelleZélande. La semaine dernière, les pays Pacifique des ACP ont par ailleurs résolu, lors d’une réunion spéciale à Port-Moresby (PapouasieNouvelle-Guinée) d’inviter à nouveau Fidji à participer aux réunions «PACP», mettant en avant que l’exclusion de ce pays (au niveau Forum, depuis mai 2009, après le putsch de décembre 2006 et pour cause de non retour à la démocratie) privait ce groupe d’un acteur économique essentiel. Cette décision des ACP océaniens a été perçue comme un camouflet vis-à-vis du FIP, qui continue à exclure Fidji. Lors de la récente réunion du groupe ACP à Bruxelles, le 24 octobre 2012, Pascal Lamy avait été invité à s’exprimer et, dans un discours, avait souligné le «rôle instrumental»
Premier chargement à l’export pour le nickel papou La société Highlands Pacific, qui exploite le gisement de nickel de Ramu, a exporté en fin de semaine dernière son premier chargement de six cent tonnes d’hydroxyde de nickel et cobalt à destination d’un client industriel chinois, a annoncé la société. Cette exploitation de nickel, en PapouasieNouvelle-Guinée, est en phase de montée en puissance et devrait, en capacité de croisière, produire plus de trente mile tonnes de nickel par an, ainsi qu’un peu plus de trois mille tonnes de cobalt.
le déversement d’acides dans la Baie de Basamuk, où mouillent les navires qui approvisionnent cette unité de production et de traitement. Autre inquiétude toujours formulée par les organisations de défense de l’environnement : le rejet à la mer, par un énorme tuyau de 135 kilomètres de long, de dizaines de millions de tonnes de boue, sur une période prévue de vingt ans, ce qui pourrait à terme nuire gravement à la santé de la biodiversité corallienne et marine.
Ce projet minier a connu ces derniers mois des retards sur son calendrier d’entrée en production, sur fond de polémiques concernant son impact sur l’environnement.
Le gisement du site de Ramu (à environ 75 kilomètres de Madang, chef-lieu de la province éponyme) représenterait 143 millions de tonnes de cobalt à 0,1 pour cent de teneur et de nickel à 1pour cent, selon les études prospectives.
Les accidents les plus notables ont concerné
Ce
projet,
démarré
en
1999,
est
essentiellement piloté par un consortium chinois, Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd (MCC), avec une part minoritaire de l’Australienne Highlands Pacific, pour un investissement en capital estimé à environ 1,5 milliard de dollars US. Il est prévu pour entrer en pleine production mi-2013. Highlands Pacific est par ailleurs actionnaire dans un autre projet papou, non loin de là, la mine de cuivre d’Ok Tedi et dont l’impact environnemental fait aussi polémique, avec le déversement de déchets dans la rivière Fly toute proche. La mine d’OK Tedi contribuerait actuellement à pas moins de 18 pour cent du produit intérieur brut papou. - pad
Projets routiers à Fidji : des fonds asiatiques pour financer L’annonce, la semaine dernière, du budget 2013 par le Contre-amiral Premier ministre Franck Bainimarama, a fait la part belle à un vaste programme de reconstruction et de remise à niveau des routes et des ponts de l’archipel, qui devrait être essentiellement financé par des fonds asiatiques. Selon le ministère fidjien es finances, plus de deux cent cinquante millions de dollars fidjiens (près de 110 millions d’euros) seront empruntés pour ces travaux devenus indispensables, certains ponts ayant ces dernières semaines dû être complètement fermés à la circulation, y compris en plein centre de la capitale Suva. Ces sommes devraient être remboursées sur une période de « quinze à vingt ans », a déclaré le
directeur des finances Filimoni Waqabaca à la radio nationale privée Legend FM. Plusieurs tranches sont concernées : l’une, pour environ quatre millions d’euros, entre dans le cadre d’un programme de la Banque Asiatique de Développement (ADB). Pour la réfection de la route de ceinture de l’île principale (partie Ouest), les quarante millions de dollars fidjiens (17 millions d’euros) proviennent d’un prêt de la banque Export-Import (EXIM) de Malaisie, selon les mêmes sources. Ce même établissement prête aussi pour financer les travaux d’un autre tronçon de 80 millions de dollars fidjiens (34,5 millions d’euros) dans la région de Nabouwalu/Dreketi.Un autre programme, dans la zone environnant la
The Independent/L’indépendant - Samedi le 1 Decembre, 2012
ville de Sigatoka (non loin de Nadi et de son aéroport international, à l’Ouest de l’île principale de Viti Levu), porte sur 9,5 millions d’euros provenant d’un prêt de la banque EXIM de Chine, tout comme une autre portion Buca bay/Moto (10 millions d’euros). Le jour de l’annonce du budget 2013, jeudi 22 novembre 2012, le gouvernement fidjien signait par ailleurs l’octroi des marchés des travaux avec trois entreprises néozélandaises, désormais responsables de la maintenance des infrastructures routières existantes, dans le cadre d’un privatisation partielle du service gouvernemental des travaux publics. Chacune des trois sociétés néo-zélandaises a signé un contrat de cinq ans avec le gouvernement de Suva. - pad
Dans la région, le Vanuatu, en achevant le processus de ratification des documents nécessaires, est devenu, fin août 2012, le dernier arrivant (et 157ème État) dans la liste des membres de l’OMC, après un processus long et marqué par un fort mouvement de protestation de la part d’organismes de défense des droits des consommateurs et qui s’opposait farouchement à cette adhésion. La dernière ligne droite dans ce processus (qui avait débuté en 1995) avait été marquée par un refus initial de signer de la part du Président Iolu Abbil, suivi d’un jugement qui avait dû être rendu en Cour Suprême de l’archipel, début juin 2012. Les détracteurs de cette adhésion (avec en tête un collectif d’ONG, dont certaines églises du pays, rassemblé sous le nom «Say No to WTO» [Dites Non à l’(OMC]) s’interrogeaient sur les conditions d’accès à l’organisation contenues dans le dossier Vanuatu et qui, selon eux, sont plus dures que celles acceptées par de grands pays comme l’Australie. Pascal Lamy, pour sa part, avait salué cette accession en estimant que désormais, en devant membre de l’OMC, le Vanuatu «pourra asseoir son développement sur des fondements stables et prévisibles». Ces conditions incluent une levée étendue et progressive (jusqu’en 2015) des droits à l’importation pour une gamme de produits allant des vins et spiritueux aux alcools en passant par les téléphones mobiles et les postes de télévisions. « Le Vanuatu s’est engagé à appliquer pleinement toutes les dispositions de l’OMC à compter de la date de son accession et n’a demandé à bénéficier d’aucune période de transition, sauf dans le domaine de la propriété intellectuelle et pour la publication des données commerciales. Le Vanuatu appliquera un taux consolidé final moyen de 39,7 pour cent et a pris des engagements spécifiques dans dix secteurs de services. Le secteur des services est en pleine expansion et présente actuellement trois quarts du PIB national», rappelait l’OMC dans un communiqué, fin juillet 2012 Cinq autres pays insulaires du Pacifique — Fidji, Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée, Îles Salomon, Tonga et Samoa (ce dernier pays a accédé le 10 mai 2012 en tant que 155ème membre) — sont déjà Membres de l’OMC. «Samoa a présenté sa demande d’accession à l’OMC le 15 avril 1998. Le 10 avril 2012, le pays a informé l’OMC qu’il avait accepté l’ensemble des textes relatifs à son accession», déclarait alors Pascal Lamy. - pad Page 11
News
Can science solve mystery of Arafat’s death? was put forward initially," Dr Hamilton said.
ALMOST a decade after Yasser Arafat's death, three teams of scientists are carrying out tests on his remains to determine whether he may have been poisoned by polonium-210.
"The initial [thought] was that he had a stroke. The brain is very likely to have decomposed by this point so it's going to be very difficult to even see if that may have been the case."
It is the same rare and highly radioactive element which killed Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko in 2006.
If polonium-210 is indeed found in Arafat's body, it will nevertheless be difficult to calculate the exact amount present at the time of his death.
While Arafat's tomb was resealed shortly after the exhumation, test results are expected to take at least several months.
The radioactive element has a so-called half-life of 138 days, which means levels decay by half every 138 days. Around 21 half-lives had already passed when scientists first discovered traces of the material in March.
The investigation raises important questions about how much evidence experts can expect to find at this stage, and whether they will be able to draw definite conclusions. In March, first findings of polonium-210 in samples taken from Arafat's urine, blood and clothes were deemed inconclusive. The evidence could have been contaminated after his fatal stroke, experts say. But even if the new probe confirms the presence of polonium-210, scientists will face another hurdle - determining whether the levels were elevated enough to have killed the Palestinian leader. For Bertrand Ludes, the director of Strasbourg's Forensic Medicine Institute, the time lapse is less relevant with regards to the scientific outcome. "If there has been polonium poisoning, it will have deeply penetrated into the body's tissues and still be detectable today," he told the BBC. The real issues surrounding Arafat's death will arise once scientists have completed
New evidence suggests Yasser Arafat may have been poisoned. their work, according to Mr Ludes. "The longer the interval between someone's death and the examination, the more "Given that polonium is neither naturally difficult it is to get the info you need, and present in the body nor in the land, one the more difficult it's going to be to interpret can assume Mr Arafat would have been it," Dr Hamilton told the BBC's Newsday exposed to it in other ways," he said. programme. "That's why it's important to distinguish between what science can or cannot answer. Science can assess the quality and quantity of polonium but it is unable to shed light on how it got there in the first place. That is a matter for criminal investigation."
Interpreting information is an essential part of forensic pathology as physical evidence is often not enough to obtain answers, he added.
However, forensic pathologist Dr Stuart Hamilton says eight years is a very a long time to wait to undertake an examination.
Scientists need context to gain proper insight into how someone has died. The more time has passed, the harder it is to understand the circumstances surrounding the death.
Getting answers could prove "very troublesome", according to the British expert who has experience in exhuming graves.
"In the simplest sense, if they do identify polonium or radioactive material, it doesn't necessarily answer why he's dead if you don't have the alternative hypothesis that
"Trying to interpret back what levels of radiation there would have been eight years ago and whether [they were] sufficient to be fatal, is going to be very, very difficult," Dr Hamilton said. "It's going to take a lot of these scientists a lot of time and a lot expertise to tease out the facts and then interpret them in the context of the body." Given the uncertainties involved in the forensic analysis, the test results are also likely to be contestable in court, he added. "If you can't say other things haven't happened - for example the stroke that was initially put forward as the cause of Mr Arafat's death - if you can't refute that scientifically, it's going to be difficult to prove that beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law." - BBC
Syria conflict: ‘Fierce clashes’ near Damascus airport THE road to the airport in the Syrian capital Damascus has been closed and flights cancelled amid reports of fierce clashes with rebels in the area.
The BBC's correspondent says there have also been reports of passengers still being trapped inside the terminal and at an airport hotel. No rebels appear to be inside the airport.
The government appears to be mounting an unprecedented offensive against rebelheld districts in the east of the city, BBC correspondents report. The clashes came as internet and phone systems in the country went down. The Syrian government has previously cut off access to the internet during major operations. However, correspondents say a nationwide switch-off is unprecedented. But Syria's information minister said 'terrorists' had cut off the internet and that engineers were working to repair the fault. Emirates airline and Egypt Air have cancelled flights to Damascus. Government sources said a plane carrying 150 staff from the UN peacekeeping force had taken off from Damascus airport on Thursday evening. A replacement team had already arrived earlier in the day, the sources said. State TV reported on Thursday evening that
the airport road had been "secured" after military intervention. But correspondents say the highway remains closed and there are more reports of fighting. It is believed that Syrian government reinforcements were sent into the area after rebels fired mortars at the runway, the BBC's Paul Wood in Beirut reports. A source in the Free Syrian Army told our correspondent the attack on the airport had been planned for a long time and that rebel fighters had been "inching closer and closer" over the past few days and hours. The aim of the plan was to capture the airport and not just conduct a hit-and-run attack, the source said. The rebels carrying out the attack were all from Eastern Ghouta, a suburb of the capital, and were well armed after capturing government weapons, including heavy weapons, in recent weeks, the source added.
Air/Sea Fr8 Logistics, Facebook Page 12
Despite the communications blackout, the BBC was able to get through to residents in the centre of Damascus, who said they could hear and see what they believed to be the biggest army offensive so far against rebel-held districts. The offensive appeared to be going on in the east of the city, extending to the airport 27km (17 miles) south-east of the centre. The main road to the airport passes through rebel-held territory which has regularly been the target of government air strikes. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based activist group, also reported a major government offensive, saying clashes were most intense in the suburb of Babbila, near the rebel stronghold of Tadamun. The group, whose information cannot be independently verified, said there were clashes all along the road. State TV said government forces were fighting "al-Qaeda elements", mostly in the suburbs of Duma and Daraya. Two Austrian soldiers from a UN peacekeeping force deployed in the Golan Heights, disputed by Syria and Israel, were wounded as their convoy came under fire on the road to the airport. Their injuries were not life-threatening, the Austrian defence ministry said.
The Syrian ambassador in Vienna was to be summoned to the foreign ministry to explain what happened, Austrian government officials said in an official statement. "Syria is responsible for the safety of our [UN] soldiers and must ensure that they can fulfil their international mandate", they said. Meanwhile the UN and Arab League envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, said he had "the elements of a peace plan" but could not move ahead without the backing of the Security Council. "No doubt what is very, very urgently needed is a ceasefire that can hold and that, I believe, will require a peacekeeping mission," he said on Thursday. "It bears repeating that the situation is bad in Syria and getting worse, that unfortunately the parties themselves are not ready to have an internal solution. "The region is also not really capable, at this time, of helping for a peaceful solution. The place where a peaceful solution can be initiated is the Security Council." On Wednesday, two car bombs hit Druze and Christian areas, also to the south-east of Damascus, killing 34 people. No group has said it was behind the bombings, and there was no immediately obvious military or government target, reports the BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut. Activists say more than 40,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011.
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
The Indyview
Feature by Tony Wilson
A doer, not a quitter
business in Port Vila that covered all aspect s of corporate training in Vanuatu.
WHEN Margaret Macfarlane said a hard core group of students at an inner Brisbane city high school ‘almost broke me’ there was not a word of exaggeration in her at all. And we are talking weeks - not even a term - as they threw everything at her, proverbially, including the local town hall.
“We have grown and expanded from that and Tess and I have moved into other areas that interested each of us,’’ she said. Through her company, Advantage Management and Consultancy (AMC), Margaret said she tackles everything and anything ‘as long as it is legal’.
And Margaret clearly still remembers it like it was yesterday.
“Fortunately, I am very multi-skilled and I work in institutional change as an HR advisor, policy making, corporate structures and capacity building,’ she said.
“They trashed my car, it was covered with dints, scratches and lipstick marks,’’ she recalled. “There were all kinds of threats against me, even rape threats and I knew that some of these students were capable of carrying them out.
She works with a number of government departments such as PWD, Lands, Justice, Aviation, Meteo and Geohazards – usually at all levels from Directors General to front of house staff.
“Some of the student’s family members were involved in drugs and a number of these students were themselves victims of serious personal crimes.
“It is not unusual to be called at eight or 9pm and asked to do a paper for the Minister who needs it first thing next morning, which means a late night for me,’’ she said.
“Basically some of them were only still in the education system because they were too young for jail. There were knife fights in the playground – the worst being the Tongans versus the Samoans and they would bring machetes to school hidden under their clothes. “They had cones of marijuana instead of bringing lunch to school and I had as many as 17 languages in one classroom because we were ‘mainstreaming’ children out of a migrant institution nearby. So the problems were simply immense. Then these children – still desperately needing an education and a real start in life - were mixed with academic children from well-todo, conservative, middle class families in the surrounding gentrifying suburbs.”
“Working so closely with public servants gives me a great deal of confidence in the future of Vanuatu because there is an enormous amount of talent and commitment in government that is just not appreciated by the general public. Margaret Macfarlane sees a bright future for Vanuatu, and (below) with a friend enjoying a day the races.
“They became volunteers and mentors to the students and when things went wrong they could get away with the ‘tough love’ things I couldn’t and it all worked beautifully.”
To compound these confronting issues, Margaret was living back with her mother at Mt Mort, making it a lengthy commute five days a week. Her mother had suffered a broken leg, so Margaret juggled caring duties with class prep and studying for her Masters, which constantly took her into the wee small hours. “I can remember driving home for the Easter break, thinking the real purpose that I was back in Australia was to get my Masters degree,” she said. “I thought, I don’t really need this job and I don’t need these problem kids. But the more I thought about it the more I realised that I had been approaching it all wrong and that the kids weren’t the problem. I had typecast them and then it dawned on me that I was the problem.” She contacted her principal and explained her new plans, which were accepted, then she spent much of the Easter break contacting the parents or guardians of her students, spelling out to them her new approach. After Easter, Margaret made an emotional return to Toowong High, standing in front of her students expressing her apologies for getting it wrong. “I told them I was so sorry and there were tears from me initially as I said sorry, and
“There was a wealth of talent and experience there amongst the retirees engineers, doctors, physicists - mostly very bored with their lives, and I offered them a real challenge,’’ she said.
Slowly but surely the dysfunctional kids became students and the disparate group a real class and teachers began to appear at Margaret’s classroom door to see how this amazing transformation had been achieved.
then from them – even some of the toughest guys in the classes,’’ she said. Under her new routine, each student was given a contract they had to sign and a folder with a list of work and assignments that had to be covered during that week – and for the ten weeks of the entire term. “Their work had to be signed off and parents and guardians knew that if they came home and said they had no homework, then that was not true because the family also had a copy of the individualised work plans,” she said. Margaret set up sleep zones in the rear of the classroom for those who had indulged in too much partying or an excess of some other substance. In another stroke of genius she went down to the local bowls club to recruit some assistance.
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
For her Herculean efforts, Margaret was rewarded with a prestigious National Excellence in Teaching award in 1997. She then returned to Vanuatu, armed with her Masters degree and, one suspects, a whole lot more. And although not related, she never really taught in a classroom again. Margaret’s not inconsiderable skills became embroiled in broader and higher educational matters via some charity based organisations where she moved from the education and health scholarship world to a role in education policy and strategic planning for the nation’s education sector programs funded by AusAID. Leaving AusAID, Margaret became Team Leader of the TVET Program setting up Vanuatu’s national vocational system while still retaining some serious links with the International School as a board member, which she still is to the present. Together with Dr Tess Cain, they set up a
“These people are really well qualified and they will keep improving with experience, which is great for the nation.” Margaret is also heavily involved on a volunteer basis as Chair of the Board with Vanwods, which she describes as ‘a bank meets Alcoholics Anonymous’. “It is a micro finance organisation for impoverished Ni Vanuatu women and it is the most amazing and uplifting experience to be a part of it,” she said. She said it consists of pods which are made up of three women or ‘sistas’, with 10 pods to a district. Each of the women is able to receive small business loans and if they default on their loan it is re-paid by their sistas in the pod. “It is amazing that in all the many years it has been operating in Vanuatu, there has never been a defaulted loan,” she said. “I was honoured to receive a Paul Harris Fellow award from Rotary for my work in education and women’s microfinance, but you don’t do these things to get recognition or sitting fees or honours – its to try to make sure women who are ‘unbankable’ have access to seed finance and a better life.” Outside of her strenuous work regime, Margaret was always heavily involved in all things equestrian in Efate, but these days her passion is rowing. This statuesque woman can be seen most early mornings on the water and she has thrown herself into a plan to see rowers representing Vanuatu on the water in Rio in 2016. And for those who know Margaret and the drive and commitment that she possesses, then Vanuatu is well placed to be part of the rowing regatta at the next Olympics.
Page 13
JOKER DRAW JACKPOT NOW 100,000 VT You could win - Ask how
Page 14
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
Adver tisement RED KROS SOSAETI BLONG VANUATU
P.O.Box 618 Port Vila VANUATU Telephone : (678 ) 27418 Fax : ( 678 ) 22599 Email : redcross@vanuatu.com.vu
VANUATU RED CROSS SOCIETY LA SOCIETE VANUATU DE LA CROIX ROUGE
VACANCY NOTICE Finance and Administrative officer (national) The Vanuatu Red Cross Society, working jointly with the support of the French Red Cross, is seeking applications from dynamic and highly motivated persons to immediately fill up the following position as part of its VRCS management team. Job location:
VRCS headquarters in Port-Vila
Applicants are required to demonstrate the following: Two years experience in Finance and administrative management (particularly in humanitarian organization will be an asset). Demonstrated experience and competencies in at least two (2) of the following sectors will be an asset: o Funding management o Accountancy management o HR management o Cash flow management o Administration Excellent computer skills (Internet, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) Excellent communication, drafting and presentation skills Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills Strong sense of responsibility and control Excellent knowledge of Vanuatu administrative component Interest in sharing professional skills as well as learning from others Knowledge of the Vanuatu context, in particular of the Torba province Fluent Bislama required Fluent English and/or French required Open-minded, dynamic and flexible Knowledge of Red Cross movement will be an asset Driving license will be an asset Interested candidates are invited to pick up a more detailed Job description of this position at Vanuatu Red Cross Office (located at Vanuatu Red Cross Headquarters), or send request by mail to: fin-pacific.frc@croix-rouge.fr RD Interested ni-vanuatu candidates may submit their applications, with letter of interest and CV, no later than 3 December 2012 to: fin-pacific.frc@croix-rouge.fr and/or to hod-van-si.frc@croix-rouge.fr Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
P.O. Box 822 Port Vila, Vanuatu
JOB VACANCY Date: 22/11/12
+678 25566 (EMERGENCY) +678 26996 (Office) +678 45521 (Mobile) +678 27125 (Fax) www.promedical.com.vu ops@promedical.com.vu
TITLE: Administration Assistance. Promedical are seeking application for position of Administration Assistance to cover maternity leave. Duties and Responsibilities - Book-keeping function for ProMedical VEMSA, including timely payment of all supplier and Collection of accounts receivable, bank reconciliations. - Ensure timely invoicing of clients adhering to the schedule of fees as prescribed by the board. - Maintenance of the subscription scheme - Ensure adherence with and report to external statutory bodies in consultation with the treasurer (eg VNPF, VAT, Vanuatu Govt) - Payroll - General office duties including drafting of letters, collection of mail, responding to queries and local purchasing Knowledge, skills and abilities - Be computer literate - Be familiar with MYOB account software - Have experience with modern office procedures and methods including telephone Communication, office system, and record keeping - Have previous book-keeping experience to Balance Sheet - Speak, read and write English and Bislama Closing date of application Friday 30th November 2012
Vanuatu Emergency Medical Services Association An incorporated charity in the Republic of Vanuatu The Independent/L’Indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
ViLa MODeRN TiLeS PRE-CHRISTMAS SALE!!!
First Quality Porcelain Tiles
UP to 20% off Selected Ceramic Tiles Up to 10% off Bathroom Cabinets up to 20% off
*And also, check out our New Arrivals of Wall tiles & Listellos
Come & have a look or call us on Tel: 22703 (Next to Top Signs, Dauphine Street Port Vila) Or Email us on vilamoderntiles@vanuatu.com.vu
Please note: We close for Christmas Holidays from 15th Dec– 14th Jan 2013
Page 15 31 Page
Adver tisement
The
Vanuatu
Independent
L’I ND E P E N DA N T
DU
VANUATU
Sales Representative in Advertising Vacancy Do you have experience selling? We are looking for an experienced Sales Representative. This is a great opportunity to make good commission on sales for the right person.
EDITORIAL Stop Press has expanded again with their new Mega store Stop Press Officeworks Freshwater opposite Intraco. Nearly 800 square metres with the largest variety of stationery in Vanuatu both English and French. Also Office furniture, equipment and Computers, computer accessories and consumables for printers. Photocopy service , binding, laminating. They have everything for the office or home office at the best prices in Vanuatu. Friendly staff that speak French and English. Plenty of parking and a delivery service. Open 7.30 to 5.30 and half day sat morning. Open throughout lunch for your convenience Stop Press Officeworks considers themselves stationery specialist so if you require that special something please speak to their management team Renee, Sally or Noreen.
Qualifications and requirements:
• 1 year experience in sales preferred • Candidate must be highly motivated, • Outgoing and friendly personality but be competitive and aggressive in seeking your goals • Must have confidence for cold-calling and networking with local businesses and government and non-government departments • Must be Honest • Must be clean and well groomed • Must have a reliable working mobile phone • Excellent command of spoken and written English, Bislama & French an advantage
If you are interested in this position please e-mail your resume to: advertising@independent.vu Or hand deliver to the office of The Independent.
Vanuatu Credit Services (VCS) Credit and Debt Advisors Can the below listed please contact us by phone, email or PO Box to help us with our enquiries on behalf of our clients. 1. John Canny 2. Anthony Olsen 3. Douglas Ngwele 4. Kilson’s Home Construction 5. Tania Wus 6. Omawa Ioane Simon 7. Patrick McGreal 8. Philip Boedoro 9. Silas Taima – Lano Catering 10. Cong Duc Nguyen 11. Jeffrey Tokataake 12. Lopez Adams-Sports Power If anyone can provide us with contact addresses for the above listed people it will be appreciated. Thank you. If you require debts collected or credit advice please contact Leonie on 5571030 or 5524333, email: vancreditservices@gmail.com or PO Box 3304, Port Vila
YOUR HEALTH – YOUR LIFE
Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem for Vanuatu and many other countries. Diabetes is a deceptive disease because most people diagnosed with diabetes have probably had it for a number of years without knowing it. The symptoms aren’t obvious. The average blood sugar rises gradually and as it rises there is damage occurring throughout the body. Out of control blood sugar levels can lead to serious short term medical problems. . Uncontrolled blood sugar can also damage the vessels that supply blood to important organs, like the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. This can occur even when you feel OK. That’s why it is so important to take action as soon as you’re diagnosed with diabetes. Our bodies are amazing, but unfortunately once you have a heart attack or stroke, or your kidneys fail, or you become blind, the damage can’t be undone.
IS YOUR BUSINESS GOING NOWHERE? Can’t afford good advice? Don’t know where to turn? Would you like free advice from your own business mentor?
• • •
Come and discover how participating in the Business Mentoring Programme can help your business to grow, improve profitability and develop new markets, by drawing on the expertise of experienced business professionals from New Zealand. Over 12 months this sort of advice could cost you thousands of dollars but participation in the programme is FREE as it is fully funded by the New Zealand Government Aid Programme! The Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry is proud to be the local agent for the Pacific Mentoring Programme since April 2011 and you are invited to attend a short presentation by Mr. Chris Elphick, Business Trainer from Business Mentors NZ.
WEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2012 5.30pm – 6.30pm AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM VANUATU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ALL BUSINESS PEOPLE ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THIS FREE PRESENTATION WANT TO KNOW MORE? Check the internet at: http://www/businessmentorspacific.org.nz
The experience at the new Vanuatu Medical Laboratory during a recent 4 months period, 82 patients were tested for glucose, and 38 of them (46%) had an elevated Glucose level. This is an alarm bell for diabetes. Glucose is vital to your health because it’s an important source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues. It’s your brain’s main source of fuel. However, if you have diabetes, no matter what type, it means you have too much glucose in your blood. Too much glucose in your blood can lead to very serious health problems. Potentially reversible diabetes conditions include prediabetes — when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Prediabetes/diabetes has become a worldwide epidemic. There are 57 million people in the United States alone who have prediabetes and most don’t know it, according to the American Diabetes Association. Unfortunately, many people who believe they’re “borderline diabetic” or have “a touch of diabetes” think that they’re safe. However, research has shown that some long-term damage is being done to the body, especially to the heart and circulatory system. It is time to go now and check level of glucose in your blood. The Vanuatu Medical Laboratory (“VML”) can do this for you, quickly and inexpensively. Telephone for an appointment 777-4-111
Diagnosis You can have prediabetes and not know it. Two tests are commonly used to diagnose prediabetes:
•
Fasting blood glucose. Measures blood glucose first thing in the morning before you eat. A normal fasting blood glucose is between 70 to 100 mg/dl (3.8 to 5.5 mmol). You have prediabetes if your fasting blood sugar is 101 to 125 mg/dl (5.6 to 6.9 mmol)
•
Oral glucose tolerance test. Measures blood glucose after fasting and again 2 hours after drinking a glucose-rich drink.
•
If you have prediabetes, you should do something about it. Studies have shown that people with prediabetes can prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes by up to 58 percent through changes to their lifestyle, including modest weight loss (as little as 5 to 7 percent of your current weight) and increasing physical exercise. That is huge!
You can register for the programme by following the links through “Becoming a Client”. For further information, confirmation of participation or to be considered as a Local Mentor in the second phase of the project, please contact the Vanuatu Programme Coordinator at VCCI, Mrs Mereisi Shem on Tel. 27 543 Ext 21 or email mstraining@vanuatu.com.vu In 2009 the New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, launched the Business Mentoring Programme for Pacific Island Countries to support the growth and development of Small to Medium Enterprises in the region. The programme has now been rolled out in the Cook Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Page 16
Call VML 777-4-111 now for a diabetes test appointment. It may save your health. Page 39 The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
Reconfiguring regionalism
Reconfiguring regionalism in the Pacific?
The common and ‘uncontroversial issue’ to get the ball rolling for this new group is ‘green economic policies’ as agreed to in the outcomes document of the Engaging with the Pacific meeting.
By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor Fiji’s full return to all levels of Pacific ACP (African, Caribbean & Pacific) meetings on November 21 was ‘historical’ in many sense of the word. Historical because the decision was resolved in a truly ‘Pacific Way’ as described by Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna.
However, the underlying collective objective of the group is to develop into a formal body to represent ‘Pacific values and interests’ without the control of Australia and New Zealand.
“The Pacific came together as a family and dealt with an important issue in a way that a family should – a Pacific Way.’ Also historic in the sense that Pacific ACP Leaders created their own ‘space’ to discuss an unresolved long outstanding issue – Fiji’s full participation – without the presence of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) executives in the room. PIFS executives were in Port Moresby to assist the chair of PACP facilitate discussions. The Forum Secretariat plays a key role in the relations between Pacific ACP countries and the European Union. Apart from facilitating the meeting of PACP Leaders, the Secretariat’s Secretary General is also the Regional Authorising Officer (RAO) for the European Development Fund (EDF), the development funding assistance that forms the basis of the PACP/EU relationship. Papua New Guinea’s offer to fund and host an interim secretariat for PACP Leaders - away from the Suva-based Forum Secretariat - was a significant milestone of the Port Moresby meeting. As one trade expert in the region explained to me, ‘In PACP relations with the EU, the real power lies in who controls EU development assistance to the region. Right now, that power is in the hands of PIFS Secretary General.’ After Port Moresby, Pacific ACP Leaders need to determine where to locate the RAO for the Pacific region. While that is an issue best left to PACP Leaders, the first step to shift PACP responsibilities away from the Forum Secretariat is a ‘bold step,’ said the regional trade expert who is familiar with the PACP relations with the EU. That bold step is part of the new reformed regional thinking that has emerged in the past five years or so – for Pacific Islanders and their Leaders to determine what’s in their best interest without the influence or control of donors and development partners. Rethinking Oceania The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) in 2010 produced paper titled ‘Rethinking Oceania’ calling for a new form of Oceanic regionalism – ‘one that is marked by politics and economics of sufficiency and solidarity.’ “The key goals in such undertaking are to strengthen family life, our traditional economies, the principles of maximizing social and political relationships and the respect and holistic perspective our Pacific people have for the environment.” “In essence, this proposed concept is about creating the space for Oceania people to claim it as their own,” said the PCC paper. In recent years, this new form of regionalism has begun to take hold – with the emergence of a number of sub-regional groups and breakaway of specialised and technical organisation – with almost one aim – to claim their own space to discuss issues of common interest to their members.
Opinion
The leaders of the Pacific-ACP meeting in Port Moresby. “These are footsteps in the sand of a region that’s growing, manifested in the growing desire to be independent from the imposed decisions from outside, according to the regional affairs expert. The PCC proposal said the 1970’s provided the Pacific with similar leadership which gave us the ‘Pacific Way’. “Today, Oceania requires visionary and pragmatic Leaders who believe that an alternative future is indeed possible for our people.” “The coming out now is timely. The region has had 40 years to grow into maturity and we’ve made mistakes as part of that learning process. However, we now understand the value of our resources and the strength of cooperating amongst themselves. You will see more of that reassertion of independence in the coming years, said the regional expert, according to the regional affairs expert. The political reconfiguration now underway in the region coincides with global discussion on the post 2015 agenda, at the expiry of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the implementation of the Rio+20 outcomes, which can link into the new ‘reformed regional’ architecture. Break-away, an expression of ‘enough is enough’ One only has observe current political developments in the region in the last five years or so to see the emergence of sub regional groups as an expression of the desire of Pacific countries to claim their own space to discuss their own issues. In trade, Forum Island Countries agreed to set up a separate Office of the Chief Trade Adviser (OCTA) in Port Vila in 2009 to provide independent advice and support in the negotiations of PACER Plus negotiations with Australia and New Zealand. OCTA was created to assist island nations develop and advance their negotiating positions in PACER Plus discussions. Similarly in 2010, the same thinking was behind the formation of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement Secretariat to allow its eight members namely Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu to take control of the management and conservation of their tuna resources for their benefit. Collectively the eight PNA countries control around 30 percent of the global tuna supply, whose estimated value of catch is over US$2 billion annually. In New York, the formation of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), an informal group representing 11 countries at the United Nations in 2007 was an expression by these nations to work together to advance
The Independent/L’independent - Saturday 1 December, 2012 Page 32
common interests in climate change, sustainable development in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, encouraging public and private sector investment and the sustainable management and conservation of marine resources. The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), representing the four largest economies of the region established its own Secretariat in 1988 in the hope of identifying strengths within its membership to promote Melanesian identity and solidarity through political, social, trade and economic developments in the region. On the margins of the Pacific Forum Leaders meeting in Rarotonga in August, the birth of the Polynesian Leaders Group (PLG) was formalised. Comprising Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, American Samoa, French Polynesia/Tahiti and Tokelau, PLG Leaders amongst other things considered setting up a secretariat to co-ordinate ways to co-operate with each other at the subregional level. Cook Islands Prime Minister said in August the new body will not compete with other groups within the Forum. However, there are certain issues that are peculiar to Polynesia that can be dealt with at the sub-regional level. Up north, the Micronesia Chief Executive’s Summit (MCES) has been meeting since 2003 to discuss common issues of interest to the Micronesian region. Because the islands of Micronesia are all communities that draw their economic livelihood, cultural values, spiritual well being and civic strength from their ocean-based environments, many common activities focus on environmental protection and sustainable development. The Micronesian Challenge is one of these initiatives which commit the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands and Palau to conserve 30 percent of the coastal waters and 20 percent of their forest land by 2020. These cooperative arrangements form an emerging foundation of regional cooperation and governance. Pacific Islands Development Forum Buried deep in the communiqué of the August meeting of the Engaging with the Pacific meeting in Fiji was a proposal to convene a meeting of the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) in 2013 to engage leaders from key sectors to implement green policies for Pacific Island Countries. It’s the first ever reference to a new body to, initially discuss issues of common interest to Pacific Island Developing States (PSIDS).
Three months later, the Fijian Government formalised PIDF as a successor to its Engaging with the Pacific initiative, a meeting of Pacific nations at the invitation of the Fijian Government after its suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum in 2009. A cabinet statement issued on 06 November said the PIDF was seen by Pacific Leaders at the Third Engaging with the Pacific in Nadi in August 2012, as an ‘opportunity for all national players in the Pacific Small Islands Development States (PSIDS) – governments, private sectors and civil society to unite in discussing and identifying options that will ensure sustainable development outcomes by establishing green PSIDS economies.’ Fiji will host the first ever PIDF Leaders summit in 2013 to demonstrate its ‘spirit of genuine interest and partnership in the overall Pacific community.’ PIDF is another example of an emerging informal group set up exclusively by Pacific Leaders for their own benefit. History repeating itself Forty-one years ago, Leaders of newly independent states from the Pacific created history when they broke ranks with the then South Pacific Commission to form the South Pacific Forum, out of frustration that political issues challenging their new democracies were not being allowed discussion at SPC meetings. This led to the formation of the South Pacific Forum (the forerunner of the Pacific Islands Forum) by Fiji, Cook Islands, Nauru, Tonga, Western Samoa including Australia and New Zealand. According to the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, the two metropolitan powers were needed for their economic assistance. 30 years later in Nauru, recounting the events of 1971, Ratu Mara said he may have regretted his inclusion of Australia and New Zealand in the group. Their inclusion, as he put it then, ‘was on the basis that political independence was meaningless without an economic component. However, the late Ratu Mara cautioned Forum Leaders to ‘remain vigilant and take control of their destinies.’ “We found that aid had strings attached and projects were more in line with the thinking of donors than the recipients, said Ratu Mara. The former Fijian PM and one of the founding fathers of the Forum said metropolitan powers in the Pacific imposed their solutions in an insensitive way. “When left to ourselves, we could work things out in what we call the ‘Pacific Way. This is exactly the feeling amongst Pacific countries who have actively aligned themselves to groups of like-minded countries at sub-regional level, away from the membership of Australia and New Zealand. As highlighted above, the emergence of new configuration of Pacific interests points to a new reformed regionalism independent of Australia and New Zealand. Is it a case of history repeating itself?
Page 17
News
No paddles, just saving lives by Tony Wilson WHEN a defibrillator is mentioned, many people think of large paddles, bodies convulsing and hearts being re-started. While those old defibrillators saved many lives, the new versions are far less dramatic and more efficient. ProMedical is now the proud owner of a state-of-the-art Lifepac 12 cardiac monitor and defibrillator – bought with the money raised at the ‘Opening Ceremony’ dinner and ‘Survivor 2012’. ProMedical operations manager Michael Benjamin said this Lifepac 12 is a replica of one they already have and will make the ambulance service just a better unit. He said the Lifepac 12 is a 12-lead heart monitor as well as a defibrillator. “What it
means is that before we get the patient to hospital, we will be able to establish which part of the heart is affected,’’ he said. “This means we can speed up the treatment and make early decisions as to whether the patient has to be medivaced out for overseas treatment.’’ Mr Benjamin said ProMedical was also able to buy a Propaq, which is a transport monitor used to closely monitor the heart rate, ECG, blood pressure and oxygen availability while the patient is being medivaced. “These two pieces of equipment, in the hands of our qualified paramedics, have the ability to save many lives and on behalf of the patients that they will treat and potentially save, I say ‘thank you’ to all those who donated money to our fundraising efforts,’’ he said. He said the two pieces of equipment are already in use.
Paramedic Roger Roy demonstrates the Lifepac 12 on patient Yvonne Ngwele.
Death penalty will cost PNG K1-2 million THE death penalty by hanging or lethal injection is a very costly exercise that will cost the State between K1-2 million (US$469, 500 - US$ 939,000) to implement, according to the Papua New Guinea Attorney General. However the execution of a person through hanging is now out of the question as Cabinet in 2005 put it on hold because it felt that hanging was cruel and inhuman, AttorneyGeneral and Justice Minister Kerenga Kua told Parliament yesterday. Interpol has elected Frenchwoman Mireille Ballestrazzi as its first female president.
PNG votes French woman Interpol’s first female chief PAPUA New Guinea is one of the 154 countries that voted for Frenchwoman Mireille Ballestrazzi as president of Interpol. The appointment was made on the last day of the 81st Interpol General Assembly in Rome, Italy. Ballestrazzi is the deputy central director of the French Judicial Police. The president of the organization heads its executive committee and is elected by the general assembly for a period of four years. PNG Police Minister Nixon Duban expressed confidence at Ballestrazzi’s election, especially at a time when countries were adapting to the realities of the changing nature of transnational organised crime in the 21st century. Congratulating Ballestrazzi, Duban told her of the need for greater Interpol focus and assistance to member countries in the Oceania region. Duban expressed the need for the Oceanic region to have its own member delegate instead of being included in the Asia region. Interpol secretary-general Ronald Noble welcomed Ballestrazzi’s appointment as another example of Interpol’s evolution, reflecting the active role of men and women in the international law enforcement community. “As the world’s largest police organisation, it is essential that Interpol’s leadership offers the best policing and expertise to its 190 member countries in order to meet their needs,” Noble said. Duban took part in the election of the Interpol executive committee, which included: Alan Bersin, assistant secretary of interPage 18
national affairs for the US Department of Homeland Security, Nobuyuki Kawai, director of the organised crime department of the National Police Academy of Japan, Algeria’s Abdelkader Kara Bouhadba, Commissaire Divisionnaire de Police, Directeur de la Police Judiciaire, Bob Paulson, Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Jong Yang Kim of the Korean National Police Agency and Head of Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Seoul, Brigadier-General Saoud Abdallah Al-Mahmoud, Director of the International Cooperation Department of Qatar’s Ministry of Interior and Filippo Dispenza, Brigadier-General of the Italian National Police. The four-day conference from November 5-8 in Rome was launched with a ministerial meeting attended by close to 100 global leaders who endorsed a joint declaration recognising the need to identify viable strategies to effectively address the changing modes of contemporary criminal violence. During the conference, more than 1,000 delegates from 170 countries endorsed a series of resolutions to build a modern framework for collective action, including on maritime piracy, illicit trafficking in cultural property, the Interpol programme to combat trafficking in illicit goods launched earlier this year, the Interpol travel document and cybercrime. Duban said Papua New Guinea had yet to tap into the immense benefits the membership of Interpol offered. He said as police minister he would ensure PNG improved its crime fighting capacity and capability by tapping into the vast resources and experiences of Interpol member countries.“The combined experiences and skills of 190 countries are available through Interpol and Papua New Guinea must tap into this,” Duban said from Rome.
He said nothing much had happened in 2005 until now and he has now started the process to revisit the death penalty issue. “What we are going to do is reactive the study. I have asked the Department to liaise with countries that have death penalties, especially United States through their Embassy here, to provide to us details and manuals of how they do it, so that I will bring it back to Cabinet who will have the responsibility of endorsing that procedure and then we move forward to the next step,” he said. “But we need to prepare things like chambers for that process to take place, we need to employ the personnel. Some Papua New Guineans have put their hands up to participate in that process. Then we have to provide funding because it is estimated that the cost of implementing the death penalty is about K1 million for hanging and double that amount for killing by lethal injection.” Minister Kua made the explanation in re-
sponse to questions raised by Lagaip-Porgera MP Nixon Mangape this week when the Government will start implementing the death penalty. “Generally speaking execution of people is not allowed by our laws except in instances where the law itself provides for it and in the execution of a sentence that is being imposed by a court,” he said. “There are four types of offences where the courts are at liberty to impose sentences of death penalty: treason, piracy, attempted piracy involving violence and cases of willful murder. “If Parliament and people want it to be extended to other crimes such as to serial rapists, armed robbery with grievous bodily harm or death, or massive volumes of drugs, that is a matter that needs to be discussed separately where the death penalty can be extended to cover such offences. “But as it is we have in our law books a penalty of death, initially the courts were reluctant to impose the death penalty even though it exists in our books. “However because of the escalation of the law and order related problems that we have been experiencing in the country over the last few years, the courts are slowly warming to the idea of imposing the death penalty in the areas of offences where they can, in the hope that it can act as deterrence to slow down the rate of law and order issues that we have in the country.”
Animation software to help Pacific youth employment chances A computer specialist says animation software has the potential to give Pacific youth employment and is also a growing educational tool in the region.
He said animation engages young people and computer programmes such as ’moviestorm’ may help them use their creative potential to tell their own stories in the future.
A New Zealand-based IT expert John Herd has volunteered in Vanuatu for several years and taught young people movie making skills while making videos on numeracy for the NGO ’One Smol Bag’.
“I think it’s a great example where software could potentially level the playing field and give a voice to people that are, they’re on the wrong side of that digital divide at the moment.
He said financial literacy is doubly important in places where traditionally people live off the land and are not used to a moneybased economy.
And there’s no reason why someone in say Vanuatu can’t use this software to produce as good a result as someone in Los Angeles or Seattle.”
New Zealand to Port Vila Fr8, 1 Wharf Road, Port Vila The Independent/L’Indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
Gardening
Capturing that scent by Cornelia Wyllie LIVING in Vanuatu has heightened my sense of smell. During the day the brilliant colors and reflections of sky and water are surpassed by the alluring perfumes of tropical flowers, leaves and even, in some cases, wood and berries. None of the artificially infused joss sticks can compare to the complexity of natural scents captured in on an evening breeze or in essential oils. The scent in itself is not an oil but highly fragile, volatile aromatic compounds. Maceration, steam distillation or solvents are all methods of extracting or capturing the biological essences and are beyond the scope of this column. What we can highlight are the plants that we can grow and use in the home that will bring a third dimension to a pleasurable experience.
Heaven scent... the gorgeous gardenia (left) releases a delicate perfume that lasts and lasts, while white ginger (above) has a fragile flower but a heady aroma.
Virgin coconut oil will solidify at lower temperatures but it is odorless, colorless and has no flavour, which makes it a perfect base oil to infuse the essences of other plants. A very simple method, practiced in the islands, is to introduce the gardenia flower or Ylang Ylang flower into the oil and let it steep for a couple of weeks. To produce a genuine ‘Monoi de Tahiti’ the process is legislatively controlled in Tahiti. The minimum of 15 unopened flowers of the Tiare (gardenia) are placed in 1 litre of virgin coconut oil for 15 days. Salad oils (for culinary use) are made in a similar fashion. Basil, ginger or thyme are fully submerged into a carrier oil. A minimum of two weeks is required to transfer the flavour. This is the season to be cutting and carrying gardenia into the home. The creamy white, plush flowers are grown on a small to medium bush. The best location for a gardenia is where it will receive a little shade during the heat of the day. Cutting the flowers with a 15cm stem is preferable to pulling off the buds. The unfurling petals will continue to release their delicate perfume and the light pruning will encourage a new flush of growth. Gardenia will resist a period of drought by dropping their leaves and looking spindly. Keep the mulch around the plant to keep the roots cool and the soil fed.
scented but the fruit is highly fragrant. A couple of ripening guavas will emit a tropical, fruity, sweet, musky scent that will fill a room. Coconut flowers are too high for us to enjoy the scent but a pandanus male flower has a deep rich mature fragrance which the bees like to visit. Some cultivated varieties have edible fruit segments. The fleshy, colourful base can be eaten raw, cooked or allowed to sit in a fruit bowl to perfume the room. White ginger lily has a fragile flower which last a few days. A single corm will spread a metre in a year and provide flowers after a heavy application of water or during the rainy season. A true cut and come again plant. The creamy colored flower as opposed to the crystal white has a deeper, creamier scent. Ylang-ylang is a medium height tree that flowers more frequently than a gardenia. The pale lemon-lime flowers hang in clusters and release their perfume as the sun goes down. The same can be said of the tuberose and henna bush.
This week’s challenge is to identify thhis plant. Someone from Tanna should recognize this one. The winner who correctly names it will receive a 5000vt plant voucher to be redeemed at Rainbow Botanic Gardens. Last week’s answer was vanilla flower being pollinated. Please forward all answers by email to rainbowanswers@gmail.com and don’t forget to include your contact number.
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
Coffee tree – both the dwarf and standard varieties - have white heavily scented flowers followed by red berries and, of course, a delicious smelling brew when processed correctly. Guava – the flowers are white and lightly
The Summit has a distillery for the extraction of a variety of essential oils. Along with their own production they sell a wide variety of soaps, candles, creams and roll on perfumes. They feature exotic blends of vanilla, white ginger, sandalwood, lemongrass, lime, frangipani and Tamanu oil.
Essential beauty... products at The Summit which use essential oils distilled from plants. Page 19
Travel Feature
Marvellous meteorological sites MANY people travel in search of sunshine. But there’s much more to experience than mere golden rays. So, everywhere you go, always take a good look at the weather with you. From Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2013 – the best trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the upcoming year.
Catatumbo Lightning, Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela Catatumbo National Park comes as something of a shock. Unusual climate conditions thought to result from the unique proximity of 5000m-high peaks (the Andes) and a sea-level reservoir (Lake Maracaibo) cause one of the worlds longest and most consistent lightning displays, though its power has diminished somewhat in recent years. Even still, on average the skies here are electrified on 160 nights a year, with bolts striking up to 40 times a minute for up to nine hours, visible from 400km away. Strangely, though, the associated thunder is inaudible, rendering this fury an eerily silent spectacle. Tours to Catatumbo can be arranged from Mrida; lightning is more likely during the wet season (May to December).
Moonbow, Victoria Falls, Zambia/ Zimbabwe Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders) is no ordinary waterfall. Here, a 1700m-wide sheet of Zambezi River plunges more than 100m into the gorge below. And here, on certain evenings, it puts on some extra sparkle. By day, rainbows often arc over this roaring cascade, caused by sunlight reflecting off the considerable spray. But when the moons full and the skys cloud-free, the same happens at night though colours are barely discernible due to the fainter light. Stand on the Zambian side just after moonrise for the best chance of a glimpse. Just watch out for the buff alo and elephant that like night-walking too. Moonbows are best seen April to July, when water levels are highest, thus creating sufficient spray
Morning Glory, Gulf Of Carpentaria, Australia There’s a wonderful Aussie-ness to weather prediction in farnorth outback Queensland. They say: if a brisk sea breeze has been blowing through Burketown, and if the fridges in the pub have frosted over, there’s a good chance the next day will bring a Morning Glory. Scientific? Maybe not. But the Gulf of Carpentaria is the only place where these enormous roll clouds often 1000km long, 1km to 2km high, hovering just 100m above the ground and travelling at up to 60km/ hour can be predictably seen. And scientifically forecast or otherwise, it’s worth raising a tinny to that. Morning Glories form early in the day in September and October; scenic flights are available from Burketown.
Tornado Alley, Midwest US There is no Tornado Alley. At least, not in a discrete, accurately mappable sense. But there is a clump of the American midwest states such as Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and the Dakotas where whirlwinds whip through with particular oomph and frequency: 90 per cent of the US’s tornadoes twist here, as the cold, dry Rocky Mountain air hits the moist breezes from the Gulf of Mexico. Peak time for such Dorothybothering cyclones is May to June, when the best plan is to hole up in Oklahoma City or Denver, and be ready to make a dash when you hear the forecast Storm Chasing Adventure Tours runs small, six-day trips in Tornado Alley; see www. stormchasing.com.
Extreme Cold, Antarctica It’s no surprise the planet’s coldest temperature was recorded in Antarctica - a downright nippy -89.2C at the Russian Vostok Station. Much stranger is the fact that the White Continent is a desert, due to its lack of rain. It’s scientists who feel the regions harshest extremes as they visit the coldest, darkest reaches at the coldest, darkest times. Passing travellers get off lighter, most cruising to the wildlife-crazy Antarctic Peninsula in summer, when the weathers a balmy 0C the mere tip of the iceberg. Most Antarctic expeditions depart from Ushuaia, Argentina; the summer cruise season runs from November to March.
Camanchacas, Atacama Desert, Chile The Atacama Desert is a mighty parched place. The region sees an annual average of less than 1mm of rain; some areas havent had so much as drizzle for 400 years. Barren plains are prevalent, soil is Mars-like, ancient bodies are mummified by the arid air. And yet there is life here largely thanks to the camanchacas, vast banks of marine fog that float inland off the Pacific and provide a few cleverly adapted residents (llama-like guanacos, foxes, prickly cacti) with a little liquid. Sit and watch the mists roll in, and you may also glimpse the wildlife taking a grateful drink. San Pedro de Atacama is the regions tourism hub; it is 1670km and a 20-hour bus ride from Santiago.
Aurora Borealis, Abisko, Sweden The time is nigh to catch the most magical of celestial spectacles: NASA has predicted 201213 will see a 50-year peak in auroral activity. And what activity the northern lights are the ballerinas of the meteorological world. Graceful shimmers of green, yellow and red, they pirouette and cabriole across the skies, a dazzling dance on a heavenly stage. The performance can be seen at high latitudes all over the northern hemisphere, but clear and perpetually cloudless Abisko is one of the best spots during winter at this outpost in Swedish Lapland, the lights come out to play almost every night. Abisko is 100km west of Kiruna, which has an airport. The best time for aurora viewing is December to March.
Monsoon, Meghalaya, India In Hindi, Meghalaya means Home of the Clouds an appropriate epithet for India’s soggiest state, wherein lie a couple of contenders for worlds wettest place. The village of Mawsynram, tucked into the unsurprisingly lush East Khasi Hills, receives an annual average of 11,872mm of rain - a boon for the waterfalls that thunder dramatically down the surrounding steep slopes. However, it’s nearby Cherrapunjee that declares itself to be the dampest spot of all; to cope, locals traverse the surrounding countryside via living bridges natural fairytale spans made of rubber-tree roots, which don’t wash away in the rain. Most rain falls during the summer monsoon, which starts in May and continues to October.
Page 20
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
Rallye de Port Vila du 15 au 16 décembre 2012 ---- Port Vila Rally, 15-16 December 2012
Sport Feature
Présentation de 3 des meilleurs pilotes du Vanuatu Presentation of three of the best drivers of Vanuatu Richard Guttadauro
Lorsque Richard ne s’occupe pas de l’entretien des espaces verts de Port Vila, il s’occupe de sa voiture… M. Guttadauro est un grand passionné de rallye et c’est un pilote à redouter. Il fait ses débuts en 1994, dans une Toyota Corolla 2 roues motrices à propulsion et se retrouve toujours sur le podium, mais jamais à la première place ! Il ne monte que sur la troisième ou la deuxième marche du podium, derrière Arnaud Russet la plupart du temps… En 1999, au Rallye du Vanuatu, il accède enfin à la première place, cette fois-ci en tant que copilote. Thierry Bourgeois était au volant de la voiture. En 2004, Richard tente le Championnat de Nouméa avec une Mitsubishi VR4 Galante 4 roues motrices. Il ne remporte cependant aucun titre avec cette dernière. Il conduit maintenant un prototype BMW à propulsion 2 roues motrices, qu’il a raccourci de 25 cm. Ce gain de poids de 120kg améliorera
sérieusement son rapport poids/puissance sur les pistes et le fera peut-être remonter sur le podium… Comme au bon vieux temps ! Pour la première fois, il prendra pour co-pilote Michel Morar, son mécanicien. Ce dernier connait la voiture et l’aidera sûrement à remporter un prix. L’animal qui caractérise le mieux Richard est le Rottweiler, ce chien d’attaque redoutable. Comme son animal fétiche, Richard est une
véritable boule de nerf… Il sait attendre le bon moment pour attaquer par surprise et est prêt à faire mordre la poussière à tous ces adversaires!
Richard Guttadauro
When Richard is not involved in the maintenance of green spaces of Port Vila, he takes care of his car ... Mr. Guttadauro is a passionate rally driver and he is to be feared. He started in 1994 in a Toyota Corolla 2WD
Jean-Charles Pandosy dit Tchouky
Le directeur de l’Entreprise Générale Pandosy de Port Vila est un grand passionné de sport automobile depuis des années ! Il commence les rallyes en 2002 sur une Peugeot 504 rallye. Tchouky n’arrive pas à accéder au podium, et ce malgré la modification de sa voiture. Il raccourci lui-même sa Peugeot et gagne en poids… Mais cela ne l’aide pas à gravir les marches vers le sommet. Il adopte alors une Subaru Legacy, 4 roues motrices et arrive 3ème au rallye de Takara en 2011, avec comme co-pilote Gaëtan Fontaine! Cette première victoire le rend très fier et lui redonne du courage pour les autres courses. Cette même année, il arrive même à battre Pierre-Henri Brunet 2 fois de suite sur le Rallye de la pointe du diable ! Tchouky va sûrement nous surprendre cette année car il est bien motivé à éliminer ses concurrents ! Il sera accompagné
Pierre-Henri Brunet Pierre-Henri a toujours aimé les voitures et la vitesse, mais le jeune entrepreneur de Port-Vila a commencé à « rentrer dans la course » il y a deux ans seulement… En 2010, il débute au volant d’une Subaru Impreza STI 4 roues motrices, il se découvre alors une réelle passion pour les rallyes. Fin 2010, il arrive 3ème au classement général du Tusker Rallye. En 2011, Pierre-Henri monte à la 2ème place du Rallye des 1000 vaches, derrière Julien Lenglet. Ses qualités de pilote de rallye se sont améliorées progressivement et en 2012, Pierre-Henri risque fort de monter à la Première place ! Son copilote sera Anthony Olsen, son ami d’enfance avec qui il travaille également. Pierre-Henri nourrit secrètement le désir de passer devant Philippe Blanche, notre concurrent Calédonien, sur le podium… Et lorsque M. Brunet veut quelque chose, il travaille
d’Alain Jacobé, son nouveau co-pilote. Son animal : le TIGRE. Le tigre est un gros chat en apparence… Tchouky est pareil, c’est un homme doux, affectueux et attachant mais il est aussi surprenant, fort, dangereux et rusé que cet animal… Il saura bondir sur l’occasion et terrasser ses concurrents quand il le faudra, croyez moi !
dur et fait tout pour l’obtenir! M. Blanche peut se faire du souci… L’animal de Pierre-Henri : L’Ours. Cet animal rare est un redoutable prédateur, c’est un grand chasseur et un incroyable pêcheur. Craint par les Hommes, l’Ours est pourtant un animal calme, affectueux et timide. Pierre-Henri est pareil, c’est un vrai « Nounours »… mais Attention, car lorsqu’il se
propulsion and is always found on the podium, but never in first place! He only goes to the third or second place behind Arnaud Russet most of the time ... In 1999, Rally of Vanuatu, he finally reached the top spot, this time as co-driver. Thierry Bourgeois was driving the car. In 2004, Richard tries Championship Noumea with a Mitsubishi VR4 Galante 4WD. He however did not win any title. He now leads a prototype BMW-powered twowheel drive, it was shortened to 25 cm. This weight of 120kg seriously improve its power / weight ratio of the slopes and will perhaps get back on the podium ... Like the good old days! For the first time, it will for co-driver Michel Morar, his mechanic. He knows the car and will surely win a prize. The animal that best characterizes Richard is the Rottweiler, this great attack dog. As his favorite animal, Richard is full of nerves... He knows how to wait for the right moment to attack by surprise and is ready to bite the dust of all opponents!
The General Director of the Company Pandosy Port-Vila has been a big fan of motorsport for years! He begins rallies in 2002 on a Peugeot 504 rally. Tchouky can not reach the podium, despite the change of his car. He shortened his own Peugeot
and gain in weight ... But it does not help to climb the stairs to the top. He then adopts a Subaru Legacy, 4 wheel drive and comes third in Rally Takara in 2011, with Gaetan Fontaine as co-driver. This first victory makes him very proud and gives courage to the other races. That same year, he even manages to beat Pierre-Henri Brunet 2 times on Devils’ Point Rally! Tchouky will surely surprise us this year, because he is well motivated to eliminate his competitors! He will be with Alain Jacobe as co-driver. His animal: the TIGER! The tiger is a large cat... Tchouky is the same, he is a gentle, affectionate and endearing but he is also strong, surprising, dangerous and cunning like this animal ... He will jump to the opportunity and defeat his competitors when necessary, believe me!
sent menacé, il sort les griffes et sait être très rapide afin d’atteindre son but !!!! Un Ours à observer le 15 et le 16 décembre. Pierre-Henri Brunet Pierre-Henri has always loved cars and speed, but the young Port-Vila builder began racing only two years ago ... In 2010, he began driving a Subaru Impreza STI
4-wheel drive, and he discovers his passion for rallies. End of 2010, he finished third overall in the Tusker Rally. In 2011, Pierre-Henri rises to the 2nd place in the 1000 Cows Rally behind Julien Lenglet. His qualities as a rally driver gradually improved and in 2012, Pierre-Henri is likely to get to the first place! Anthony Olsen, his childhood friend with whom he also works, is his copilot. Pierre-Henri secretly nourishes the desire to pass in front of the Caledonian competitor Philippe Blanche... And when Mr. Brunet wants something, he works hard and does everything to get it! Mr. Blanche can worry ... Pierre-Henri’s animal is: The Bear. This rare animal is a great predator, a great hunter and an incredible fisherman. Feared by Men, the Bear is yet very calm, affectionate and shy. Pierre-Henri is the same, he is a true "Teddy bear" ... but be careful because when he feels threatened, he lets his claws out and knows how to be very fast to get his goal!!
Jean-Charles Pandosy, called Tchouky
Ainsi que LE pilote de Nouvelle Calédonie à redouter Philippe Blanche, notre concurrent Calédonien Philippe est un pilote redouté et redoutable. Il a fait ses débuts en 1994, au rallye de Nouvelle Calédonie, sur une Renaud Clio William, 2 roues motrices. En 2001, il arrive 1er au Rallye Asie Pacifique et cette même année, il est sacré Champion de Nouvelle Calédonie en 2 roues motrices, avec une Renaud Mégane. En 2003, Il arrive deux fois 1er aux Rallyes de Nouvelle Calédonie. En 2004, il fait son premier rallye au Vanuatu, il est au volant d’une Ford Escort 4 roues motrices. Philippe vient se hisser directement à la Première place, en détrônant notre Arnaud Russet national! Philippe connait très bien le Vanuatu, car c’est un homme du pays. Il a en effet passé 10 merveilleuses années de sa vie, de 5 ans à 15ans et demie, sur l’île d’Efaté. En 2011, il fait la promesse à Pierre-Henri Brunet et à Julien Lenglet qu’il retournera au Vanuatu pour le prochain rallye… La promesse est tenue! Nous attendons ce
And THE pilot of New Caledonia to fear grand pilote pour le rallye du 15 et 16 décembre! Il conduira une Clio 3 RS 2 roues motrices et sera accompagné de Marion Gaspard, la fille de son ancien copilote. L’animal qui le caractérise le plus est le coq. Cet animal familier qui sait se faire entendre, incarne souvent le courage et l'intelligence. Philippe Blanche est aussi combatif et compétitif qu’un coq. Lorsqu’on lui demande quel est le message qu’il veut faire passer avant la course aux autres pilotes… Il répond sereinement: « entrainezvous les gars! J’arrive pour vous botter les fesses! »… Les pilotes du Vanuatu seront-ils à la hauteur du chant du coq? - Lili, traduit par Ysée Bedford Philippe Blanche, our Caledonian competitor Philippe is a strong and feared pilot. He first started in 1994, in the Rally of New Caledonia, driving a Renaud Clio William, 2 WD. In 2001, he finished First at the Asia Pacific Rally and the
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
same year he was crowned Champion of New Caledonia in 2WD, with a Renaud Megane Car. In 2003 New Caledonia rallies, he finishes first twice. In 2004, he participated to his first rally in Vanuatu, he was driving a Ford Escort 4-wheel drive. Philippe just climbed directly to the First place, overtaking our national Arnaud Russet! Philippe knows very well Vanuatu, because he is a man from the country. In fact, he spent 10 wonderful years of his life, from 5 till 15 years old, on the island of Efate. In 2011, he made a promise to Pierre-Henri Brunet and Julien Lenglet that he will return to Vanuatu for the next rally... The promise is kept! We expect this great rally driver for the December 15 and 16! He will lead a Clio 3 RS 2 wheel drive and will be accompanied by Marion Gaspard, the daughter of his former co-driver. The animal that characterizes Philippe the most is the Rooster. This animal who knows
how to let people hear his voice, often represents courage and intelligence. Philippe Blanche is a fighting and competitive Rooster. When asked what message he wants to pass on to the other drivers before the race...He answered calmly: "Practice a lot guys! I will get there to kick your ass! "...Will Vanuatu drivers be up and ready to face the Rooster? - Lili, translated by Ysee Bedford Page 19 21
Motoring
Mister-cars
Wagon has a growth spurt
boxer petrol engine producing 123kW of power at 5600 rpm and 229 Nm of torque at 4000 revs. Expect to get fuel consumption of 8.6 litres per 100 km, while emitting 202 grams of carbon dioxide every kilometre in the combined urban/highway cycle.
By DEREK OGDEN and EWAN KENNEDY
IS the tribe becoming too big for the faithful family sedan but cannot consign it to the remainder section? Look no further than the Subaru Liberty Exiga seven-seater wagon.
There’s no arguing with the vehicle’s smooth operation, the new Subaru Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) seeing to that. An adaptive control helps select the optimum gear to suit driving style and road conditions.
Based on the Liberty platform, the Exiga started life as a six-seater wagon. Now, due to popular demand says the maker Subaru, an extra place has been set for someone in the 2013 Model Year vehicle, which went on sale in July. The seven-seater comes in two models – the Liberty Exiga 2.5i, which includes a DVD, and the top spec Liberty Exiga 2.5i Premium (our test vehicle), which adds leather trim, satellite navigation, reversing camera, Bluetooth compatibility, eight-way electric driver and front passenger seats, and a new 17-inch alloy wheel design and new-look door mirrors. The former is priced from $37,990, the latter costs from $42,490, both plus onroad costs. With a model upgrade midway through 2012 the entry-level Exiga added a reversing camera plus dusk sensing headlights and steering wheel Bluetooth controls, voice command, audio streaming, USB connectivity and AUX jack. Dusk sensing headlights were also added to the MY12 Premium model. Liberty Exiga 2.5i’s factory-fitted 4.3-inch LCD screen displays audio information and reversing camera images. A saving grace on long drawn-out journeys is the roof-mounted, fold-down remotecontrol DVD system with infra-red wireless
Driver demanded gearchanges within the CVT, at 100 milliseconds or less, are designed to be almost instantaneous to increase response.
The tall and not-so-handsome Subaru Exiga makes up for its visual shortcomings in seven-seat comfort and good fuel economy. headphones which can keep even the most tiresome travellers in the two rows of rear seats occupied. With all seven seats occupied, there’s not much space in the back for two people’s luggage, let alone that for more than half a dozen. With the rear two rows of seats folded there’s a reasonably flat surface to take longer and more bulky items – even a street market marquee folded. Gone is the central storage compartment of the sixseater, but that’s understandable – you can’t expect to have everything. Designers, it seems, did not spend much time on the exterior, the Exiga having a boxy, old fashioned look. The high sides, however, do make for plenty of head room
– 40 mm better than the Liberty – and good visibility all round for the driver. Liberty Exiga has 16-inch solid disc brakes with aluminium callipers for weight savings of around 1 kg backed up by the latest anti-skid braking system with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist. However, step into the past with an oldfashioned foot operated parking brake. Vehicle Dynamics Control, Subaru’s electronic stability program, is standard and the Exiga has a top five-star ANCAP crash rating for occupant safety and a three-star pedestrian rating. The wagon is powered by Subaru’s fourcylinder 2.5-litre horizontally opposed
A six-speed manual mode can be engaged by tapping the gear lever across. The steering wheel paddles can then be used for manual shifting. If the speed remains unchanged, the transmission will move back to the Drive mode automatically. The tilt-and-rake adjustable steering column allows 40 mm of rake adjustment, while dual zone air-conditioning has been refined to reduce engine load and increase fuel efficiency, while double door seals and weather strips optimise window sealing and temperature insulation. Subaru says comfort, noise, vibration and harshness were high on the designers’ list of priorities. Pity their colleagues did not attach the same importance to outward appearance. However, once you go past the dated ‘maxi taxi’ exterior the Liberty Exiga has much to offer, especially for the larger family, small sports team or groups of friends. PRICING AND SPECIFICATIONS Subaru Liberty Exiga 2.5i five-door wagon: $37,990 (automatic) Subaru Liberty Exiga 2.5i Premium five-door wagon: $42,490 (automatic) Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Subaru dealer for drive-away price FUEL CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS 8.6 litres / 100km; 202g of CO2 per kilometre (combined cycle) PERFORMANCE Acceleration 0-100 km/h: Not available Maximum speed: Not available WHEELS AND TYRES Exiga 16x6 1/2JJ 205/60 R16 Bridgestone; Exiga Premium 17x7JJ 215/50 R17 Yokohama. Space-saver spare
* Mister Cars is the fastest growing motoring website in the South Pacific. Visit: mister-cars. com. Road tests are conducted in Australia and although many of these vehicles are not available in Vanuatu, this column is designed to be enjoyed by motoring enthusiasts.
Page 22
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES Suspension: Coil MacPherson strut type (front); double wishbone type independent (rear) Brakes: Vacuum assisted ventilated discs (front); vacuum assisted discs (rear) Steering: Engine speed sensitive power assisted rack and pinion GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE Greenhouse Rating: 6/10 Air Pollution Rating: 6.5/10
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday, 1 December, 2012
News
Study: How smoking rots your brain SMOKING is known to be highly damaging to physical health, being a major factor in cancer and heart disease. Now, however, its alarming effects on the mental well-being of millions of smokers have been outlined by scientists in the UK. Lighting up regularly has been associated with a sharp decline in the performance of the brain, according to their study.
Web-addict kids miss meals and sleep ONE in five Aussie kids spends so much time surfing the internet that they miss out on meals and sleep, a study shows.
sports or weather websites. Younger children are most likely to use the internet to play games.
Edith Cowan University researchers have revealed that “excessive internet use” is twice as common in Australian children as British kids.
Older girls prefer emailing, instant messaging and social networking, while older boys prefer interactive role-playing games online.
A fifth of the Australian children surveyed said they had “gone without eating or sleeping because of the internet”. More than half confessed they waste so much time online that they “have spent less time than I should have” with family, friends or doing homework. Sixty per cent said they had caught themselves surfing when they were “not really interested”. And half “felt bothered” when they could not get online.
They found that middle-aged smokers performed worse on tests compared with those without the tobacco habit. The project examined memory, planning and overall mental ability after four and eight years. The tests included asking people to learn new words or name as many animals as they could in a minute.
Dr Simon Ridley, of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Research has repeatedly linked smoking and high blood pressure to a greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia. This study adds weight to that.
Researchers concluded that smoking “consistently” reduced all three performance measures after four years.
“Cognitive decline as we age can develop into dementia, and unravelling the factors linked to this decline could be crucial for finding ways to prevent the condition.”
“It seems to be an emerging issue, and most commonly it interferes with kids’ sleep,” he said.
The university researchers did not ask children how many hours they spent online only whether they felt it was too much time.
Child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg advised parents to ban all “screens” - from TVs to computers, tablets and smartphones from children’s bedrooms.
But the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that six per cent of kids aged five to 15 - and twice as many teens aged 12 to 14 - spend at least 20 hours a week online.
Parents can then keep an eye on what their children are watching, and ensure they get enough sleep.
Nine in 10 children use the internet for homework, and two-thirds use it to play online games, listen to music or watch videos or movies. One in three uses the internet to visit social networking sites, and one in five visits news,
The ECU study, led by Professor of Communications Lelia Green, says excessive internet use is “unlikely to be a problem” for children with good friend and family relationships. “... the advice to parents worried about excessive internet use is to consider their child’s offline behaviours as well as their online behaviours, and to act early if the child indicates they are experiencing significant emotional problems,” they said.
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
Jessica Smith, of the Alzheimer”s Society, said: “We all know smoking, a high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a high Body Mass Index is bad for our heart. “This adds to the huge amount of evidence that also suggests they can be bad for our head too.”
Send your advertisements to The Independent email:advertising@independent.vu
OFFSHORE AND DOMESTIC FINANCIAL SERVICE MADE EASY
The chairman of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists’ child adolescent faculty.
Internet obsession appears to peak at the age of 13 to 14, the study shows, as children start high school and use the internet more for homework and social networking with friends.
Just over half Australia’s children spend less than four hours a week using the internet at home, and more than a third spend between five and 19 hours a week online.
There are 3 million smokers in Australia and 70 per cent say they want to quit. Every year, about 19,000 Australians die from diseases caused by smoking and one in two lifetime smokers will die from their addiction.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority’s 2008 survey of kids’ internet use discovered that children aged 8-17 spend just over an hour online each day - with 49 minutes dedicated to social networking, and 13 minutes on homework.
Dr Nick Kowalenko, warned against letting children stay up too late playing on the internet.
The researchers at King’s College London were investigating links between the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke and the state of the brain. Recent laboratory research suggested a compound in tobacco called NNK provokes white blood cells in the central nervous system to attack healthy cells, leading to severe neurological damage.
They also found that high blood pressure and being overweight took their toll of brainpower - but not as much as smoking. Children have themselves revealed the way the internet can dominate their lives.
This study examined risk factor data for more than 8,800 people aged 50 and over who were taking part in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.
l l l Private Banking
l
Local company Incorporation
l Trust and Fiduciary Banking
l
International Company Incorporation
l Fund and Asset Management
l
Offshore Bank Incorporation
Accounting Services
l
Share purchases
VIPA applications
l
Lifes Insurance plans
Investment Guidance
l
Asset Protection Estate Planning
l
As one of the leading providers on offshore and domestic financial services, our group ensures prompt & personal attention to our clients’ needs. For further information contact us today.
PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL TRUST CO LTD P O Box 45, Port Vila, Vanuatu Tel: (678) 23410 Fax: (678) 23405 Email: security@vila.net www.financial.com.vu
Page 19 23
Advertising / Classifieds
D A S D SIFIE ENDENT
CLAS
P
E for IND
The Vanuatu Independent
Tel.: 29999
Email: advertising@independent.vu
VEHICLES
QUALITY ZERO TURN MOWER FOR SALE
C H A I S E LOUNGE / SOFA BED WITH AT TA C H A B L E GLASS TOP C O F F E E TABLE. OPENS OUT TO A FOLDOUT DOUBLE BED. EASILY ASSEMBLED. AVAILABLE COLOURS RED, PURPLE, &GOLD/BLACK VT100,000 each Contact 7744303
LAND FOR SALE
House block at Bellevue. Elevated position, cleared and ready to build. Desirable area, close to town, all services available. AUS $110,000 Call 7755226
FOR SALE KIA SPORTAGE 4WD, Manual, 73,000km, Regularly Serviced, Air-Con, Diesel, 990,000vt ono. Phone: 7745385
FOR SALE
For Rent
Kawenu & Malapoa Estate: 1 bedroom apartment 27,000vt per month; 2 bedroom apartment 40,000vt. Contact Lori 7775393 for details
FOR RENT
Angelfish Cove Villas. Looking for Medium to long term
USA BUILT TORO ZMASTER ZERO TURN MOWER; DRIVEN BY A 26 HP KOHLER PETROL ENGINE; 60 INCH CUT THAT CAN MOW TO 1 HECTARE PER HOUR; VERY COMFORTABLE AND FUN TO USE; PERFECT FOR MAINTAINING LARGE GRASSED AREAS; ORIGINAL COST OVER 2 MILLION VATU NEW, SELLING FOR 950,000 VATU ONLY. PLEASE CALL BEN ON 5500001 TO HAVE A TEST RUN
FOR SALE
accommodation on a great beach in a fully self contained environment? Onsite Management, Pool,use of Kayaks and great snorkeling. Then call us and ask about the opportunity to rent a 2 bedroom Villa at Angelfish Cove. From Vt200,000 per month plus utilities. Phone Bryan on 5577034.
FOR SALE
2004 SUZUKI CARRY VAN FOR SALE
The Oset Bike is an American made Electric Trials bike suitable for kids up to about 12 years old. Near new. Vt190,000 or best offer.
The yellow Husqvarna is 2004 TE450 Enduro racing bike, fully reconditioned, suitable only for experienced riders. Excellent condition. Vt500,000 or best offer
FOR SALE Manual, 4 doors with seating for two in back, fully serviced, current mileage 71,869. Price VT650,000 ONO. Contact Sandra to inspect, telephone 22091.
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
KIA SPORTAGE 4WD / Manual / 73,000km / Regularly Serviced / Air-Con / Diesel 990,000vt; PH: Damian 7745385
LAND FOR SALE
FOR SALE
Mitsubishi Pajero (Made in Japan and rebadged in US as a Montero). Year 2006. 79,000 Miles. 4WD Automatic/ Sportstronic transmission. Full Option. AirCon, Leather seats 7 Seater, ceiling mount DVD. Many more features. Has to be driven to know what true real comfort is. Great Family Car. Price: VT2.7M o.n.o. Email:
Page 24
A Vendre 150CC Moto Scooter only 12 months old, with cubby box at rear. Full 2011 Registration only 120,000 Vatu Phone 774 7427 ask for Gordon. English, Français mo Bislama spoken. Be quick don’t miss out.
FOR SALE
YELLOW MG 1979; 950 000 VT; Contact: 7750499
FOR SALE
2 X 2012 Seadoo GTS PRO; Heavy duty as used by surf rescue; includes trailer and cover. OPEN TO OFFER contact 7746495
Land for Sale at Bladinieres Estate. Title No: 12/0631/412; Size: 2347 m2 (40m x 60m); Price: 3,5 million vatu. Contact: 7784983
URGENT SALE
Urgent Sale, with Bus Permit, HYUNDAI Stares Bus. Very Good Condition, 400,000vt. Call mobile: 7799399
WANTED TO BUY
Want to buy 20 to 40kgs of fresh live lobster, we pay cash on sale. Contact 5577034 or 7751979
Two white china wash basins. Brand new, never used. 15,000vt each, (1/2 price of retail). Phone (m) 77 42769 or 22769
Honda 2003 model 4stroke , 5 gears 215000vt Ph Andy on 7755221
2004 Toyota Echo, 80,000km, 1300cc, 5-speed manual, Excellent Condition; Price reduced VT 800,000; Call 7799925
NOTICES
FOR RENT
MAHOGANY 4 DRAWER FILING CABINET – DEEP DRAWERS ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE SUSPENSION FILES. GREEN TOP. MATCHING EXECUTIVE MAHOGANY “DOUBLE SIDED” DESK – able to be utilised by two persons if required. FEATURING 6 DRAWERS & 1 LOCKABLE CABINET EACH SIDE. VT 230,000 ono (for Office set) Contact 7744303
Honda Motorcycle XR400R, good condition. Fast. 2000 model. 400,000vt ono. Ph 7758080 or 23355.
Your Classified Ad stays on the Classified page for a reasonable time or until you advise cancellation. Up to 100 words are FREE for personal adverts. Then it costs Vt1,000 for each hundred words over the first one hundred. Photos are Vt300. This section is not available for Commercial advertising, only for personal advertising. Please bring your Classifieds before midday Wednesdays.
GENERAL GOODS AND RENT
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
FREE
The Red and Black Husqvarna is 2008 Fuel injected TE450 Enduro racing bike has better manners and is suitable for on and off road. Also experienced riders. Like new. Vt650,000 or best offer. All three can be viewed at Telsat up behind the Police Station. Ph: 23407 or Mob: 7745797
LAND FOR SALE
Narpow Point Elevated block in Teouma Hillside Residential Subdivision. Power and water to boundary. 2,500,000vt. Tel 77 58079
FOR SALE
A book about the History of Vanuatu before and after Vanuatu became a Republic is now on sale. It is very interesting with many true facts, information and knowledge. Please contact Jack on 7745914 at anytime
HOUSE FOR RENT.
4 Bedroom, 3 bathroom family home. Large open area kitchen and living area. Air con in 2 bedrooms with fans in all rooms. Gas hot water and stove. Can be available fully furnished if required. Large established garden, 160,000vt.per month. Contact Bryan on 5577034 or Valerie 7751979 for inspection.
HOUSE FOR RENT 1 Bedroom self contained House for rent. Shared access, Neat house that is fully furnished with TV lounge, cupboards, cutlery, pots, plates, fridge, etc. Well secured, fenced, shared driveway etc. Close to the water and close to town. Bottom of Malopoa facing town. Free wifi access. Prefer Expat on long contract at around term 60’000 per month. Short term also available wiwo 18’000 per week. Phone: 7776767
FOR RENT
“Executive House For Rent - 3 bedroom / 2 bathroom, garage with internal access, large lounge/dining and kitchen, large deck with very good sea views over Erakor Island and beyond, fully fenced. Only 3 years old. Nice living on the end of The Golden Mile next to Amalfi Court in Eluk. Rent Bargain at V.165,000 pm and fully furnished. Ph. 5571030 or 5524333.”
FOR RENT
Fully self contained two bedroom cottage location at Evergreen Estate on Devils Point Road. Wire up for Telsat Pay TV and Wimax. Includes gardener. Quiet ,good views and close to beach. ONLY 90,000 vatu per month. Contact 7740104 or 5544054.
Elluk Drive, recently renovated Townhouse, 3 bedroom / 3 bathrooms, Double Lock-up garage, fully furnished. Call 7743151 for further details.
House For Rent
Tastefully renovated 3 bedroom house with excellent indoor-outdoor flow, two bathrooms and office or playroom, situated in spacious garden setting overlooking Port Vila Bay. This property is secure and private and ideally suited to family on short or long term transfer. Available fully furnished if required. As the owners also live onsite swimming pool and garden maintenance is all taken care of. Tel 77 58079 for more details or to arrange for a time to view
PUBLIC NOTICE
Can the listed persons please contact us by phone, email or PO Box to help us with our enquiries : 1. John Canny 2. Anthony Olsen 3. Douglas Ngwele 4. Kilson’s Home Construction 5. Tania Wus 6. Omawa Ioane Simon OR If anyone can provide us with contact addresses it will be appreciated.. Telephone Leonie on 5571030 or 5524333; email: vancreditservices@ gmail.com or P.O Box 3304, Port Vila
Public Notice
SIL is recruiting a Director for the Port Vila office to facilitate the work of Bible translation and literacy in Vanuatu. The applicant must have university-level training in linguistics, translation theory, and Biblical studies along with appropriate experience. This is a volunteer position. No salary is offered. Apply to: Director, SIL, PO Box 174, Port Vila
Storage available :
Vanuatu Self Storage, 24hr security. Phone Lloyd Hately on 7114040
Australia to Port Vila Fr8 Logistics www. fr8.vu
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December 2012
News
Arctic sea ice larger than US melted: UN
AN area of Arctic sea ice bigger than the United States melted this year, according the UN weather agency’s annual climate report.
over what they were in preindustrial times. Temperatures have already risen about 0.8C, according to the latest report by the IPCC.
commitments to cut its emissions beyond a non-binding pledge to reduce emissions by 17 per cent below 2005 levels by 2020.
In a report released at UN climate talks in Doha, the World Meteorological Organisation said the Arctic ice melt was one of a myriad of extreme and record-breaking weather events to hit the planet in 2012.
Discord between rich and poor countries on who should do what has kept the twodecade-old UN talks from delivering on that goal, and global emissions are still going up.
“For developed country parties like the United States and the European Union, the pledges and commitments ... put forward on the table are far below what is required by the science,” Su Wei, a member of the Chinese delegation, told reporters.
Droughts devastated nearly two-thirds of the United States as well western Russia and southern Europe. Floods swamped west Africa and heat waves left much of the Northern Hemisphere sweltering.
Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 with former US Vice President Al Gore, urged delegates to heed the science and quickly take action.
But it was the ice melt that seemed to dominate the annual report, with the UN concluding ice cover had reached “a new record low” in the area around the North Pole and that the loss from March to September was a staggering 11.83 million square kilometres - an area bigger than the United States.
“When I had the privilege in 2007 of accepting the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the IPCC, in my speech I asked the rhetorical question, ‘Will those responsible for decisions in the field of climate change at the global level listen to the voice of science and knowledge, which is now loud and clear,’ “ he said.
“The alarming rate of its melt this year highlighted the far-reaching changes taking place on Earth’s oceans and biosphere,” WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said.
“I am not sure our voice is louder today but it is certainly clearer on the basis of the new knowledge.” Delegates in Doha are bickering over money from rich countries to help poorer ones adapt to and combat the impacts of climate change, and whether developed countries will sign onto an extension of a legally binding emissions pact, the Kyoto Protocol, that would run until 2020.
“Climate change is taking place before our eyes and will continue to do so as a result of the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which have risen constantly and again reached new records.”
The dire climate news - following on the A pact that once incorporated all industrialised heels of a report this week that melting– PORT countries TIDE PREDICTIONS FORfound VANUATU VILAexcept the US would now include permafrost could significantly amplify global only the European Union, Australia and DECEMBER – 2012 LOCAL STANDARD TIME warming - comes as delegates from nearly several smaller countries which together Tide gauge zero is 3.6037 metres below VAN1 200 countries struggled for a third day to account for less than 15 per cent of global lay the groundwork for a deal that would emissions. SUNDAY in MONDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY cut emissions an attemptTUESDAY to ensure 0121 0.30 more than 2C 0048 0.29 don’t 0106bolder 0.30 that temperatures rise And the US is refusing to offer 30 0720 1.31 31 0754 1.32 1any 0741 1.27 1245 0.75 1831 1.40
1323 0.75 1908 1.38
1300 0.77 1846 1.37
1.5m
1.5m
1.0m
1.0m
0.5m
0.5m
Tide Chart for Port Vila Harbour 0
6
2
SUN 6MON 12 18 0 12 18 0140 0818 1339 1922
0.32 1.26 0.79 1.33
3
0215 0859 1423 2001
0 0.36 1.26 0.81 1.29
4
TUE 0253 0943 1515 2046
5
0.41 1.25 0.82 1.24
WED 0335 1032 1619 2143
0.46 1.27 0.82 1.18
6
THUR 0423 1126 1730 2253
0.52 1.30 0.78 1.13
7
FRI
0 0519 0.57 1219 1.34 1840 0.71
6
8
SAT 12 18 0016 0621 1310 1944
0 1.12 0.61 1.40 0.60
1.5m 1.0m 0.5m 0
6
12 18 0 0140 1.14 0724 0.64 1358 1.46 2040 0.48
9
6
12 18 0 6 12 18 0 6 12 18 0 6 12 18 0 6 12 18 0 0633 1.42 0251 1.19 0353 1.26 0449 1.33 0543 1.38 Disclaimer: These tide predictions are supplied1018 in good faith and believed to be correct. 1203 0826 0.66 0923 0.66 0.66 1111 0.66 0.67 1444 1.52 1530 1.57 1618 1.61 1707 1.62 1757 1.61 2358 0.08 2132 0.35 2221 0.23 2310 0.14
10
1.5m
11
12
13
14
Weather Forecast
6
15
12 18 0 0045 0.07 0723 1.44 1257 0.67 1848 1.57
1.0m Forecast issued by the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department 0.5m Weather Forecasting Centre, Port Vila at 11:15am Thursday, November 29, 2012. 0 6 12 18 0 6 12 18 0 6 12 18 0 6 12 18 0 6 12 18 0 6 12 18 0 6 12
18
0
0542 0.62 0220 0.17 0308 0.28 0356 0.39 0446 0.52 0112 1.09 0.10 16 0133 0813 1.44 17 0902 1.42 18 0953 1.40 19 1046 1.37 20 1141 1.36 21 1235 1.35 22 0643 0.71 1352 0.69 1450 0.70 1553 0.71 1700 0.71 1811 0.68 1921 0.63 1327 1.36 2348 1.50 2032 1.31 lies east 2233 1.21 2024 0.56 General1940 Situation: A1.41 surface 2130 trough northeast of1.13 Vanuatu, slow moving,
while 1.5m moderate trades cover the Vanuatu area. 1.0m
Port Vila 0.5m 0
6
12 18 0 0230 1.10 0746 0.76 1414 1.37 2115 0.49
23
Saturday 1 1.5m
6
24
12 18 0 0333 1.13 0845 0.78 1455 1.38 2159 0.43
Sunday 2 Max 29 Min 20
Max 29
1.0mMin 20
6
25
12 18 0 0424 1.17 0933 0.78 1533 1.39 2237 0.37
Monday 3 Max 29 Min 20
6
26
12 18 0 0504 1.21 1016 0.78 1610 1.40 2311 0.33
Tuesday 4 Max 29 Min 20
6
27
12 18 0 0541 1.25 1055 0.77 1645 1.41 2344 0.30
6
28
12 18 0 0615 1.27 1131 0.76 1720 1.42
Thursday 6 Max 29 Min 20
Wednesday 5 Max 29 Min 20
6
29
12 18 0 0016 0.29 0647 1.30 1207 0.75 1756 1.42
Friday 7 Max 29 Min 20
0.5m
Luganville 0
6
12
18
0
6
12
18
0
6
12
18
0
6
12
18
0
6
12
18
0
6
12
18
0
6
12
18
“And far below what is required by their historical responsibility.”
Developing countries have said they are willing to take steps to control emissions, but that they must be given space to build their economies. Although China is the largest carbon polluter and India is rapidly catching up, both countries lag far behind the industrial countries in emissions per person and still have huge populations mired in poverty. - AAP
Rich, lonely woman leaves $12.5 million estate to neighbour A RICH but lonely old lady has left her entire estate, worth $12.5 million to her neighbour, who bought her bread and milk and helped her manage her daily chores. Betty Harris, who died aged 95 in 2009, chose to leave her estate to her neighbour in the millionaires enclave of Point Piper in Sydney after she felt her niece was trying to force her into a nursing home. When Mrs Harris died, leaving her estate to neighbour Beatrice Gray, a bitterly fought legal battle ensued with Mrs Harris’s niece in the Supreme Court. Speaking from her Point Piper home this morning Mrs Gray told The Telegraph “I’m extremely grateful to Betty Harris”. She declined to comment further. The court heard Mrs Harris lived alone, and had no close friends after her husband Keith died in 1991. She was not close to any of her relatives and her only interest was horse racing. In his ruling today, Justice Richard White found that Mrs Gray - a wealthy Sydney University academic and barrister - was entitled to the estate because Mrs Harris’ will, written in April 2005 was valid. Justice White rejected arguments by Mrs Harris’s niece Coralie Hart that the will was invalid because Mrs Harris was deluded when she began thinking her greedy niece was trying to gain control of her fortune. Mrs Harris had no children and was largely estranged from her nieces and nephews, telling hospital staff in 2005 that she had not spoken to them for 13 years, a court heard.. In 2005, shortly after she changed the will, Mrs Harris complained of her niece and nephews “they all want their bit of money”. The court heard she complained her nephews were “ a pretty pathetic lot” and called another niece, Anne Nickolls a “b***h”.
of cognitive impairment” but she was still capable of signing a will. An earlier will - written in 1996 - had left the entire estate to Mrs Hart, but Mrs Harris revoked it after she became “angry” with Mrs Hart who wanted to put her in a nursing home and appoint a legal guardian to take control of her finances, a court heard. Mrs Hart applied for control over Mrs Harris’s affairs when Mrs Harris became ill in 2005. Justice White found Mrs Hart applied for control in order to “protect her inheritance”. “She was suspicious that Mr and Mrs Gray would attempt to take control of Mrs Harris’ finances,” Justice White found. During a stay in hospital, a geriatric doctor had diagnosed Mrs Harris as suffering from “moderately severe dementia” . The court heard that Mrs Harris was “humiliated” at losing her independence and having to ask for money from a financial manager, appointed by the Guardianship Tribunal in 2005. During this time Mrs Harris borrowed money from Mrs Gray and her then husband Robert. The Gray’s lived next door to Mrs Harris in Wyuna Road, Point Piper for 33 years, until she died on September 17, 2009 aged 95, a court heard.. The Grays helped Mrs Harris pay her bills, organise her car registration and the reinvestment of her money Mrs Gray’s late husband also helped Mrs Harris to replace light bulbs and wheel out her recycling bin. The couple also checked on Mrs Harris’s house to make sure she had not been robbed, and they kept a spare key for Mrs Harris.
Mrs Nickolls said that Mrs Harris had always “sworn like a trooper”.
Mrs Harris was the widow of Keith Harris, a former vice chair of the Sydney Turf Club and a horse breeder who was jailed in 1987 for a conspiracy to bribe the Corrective Services Minister, Rex “Buckets” Jackson, over a prisoners’ early release, a court heard.
Justice White found that there was “no doubt” that Mrs Harris had “some degree
Keith Harris made his fortune making radios and televisions.
0
© Copyright: Commonwealth of Australia 2011, Bureau of Meteorology (ABN 92 637 533 532) Disclaimer: These tide predictions are supplied in good faith and believed to be correct. No warranty is given in respect to errors, omissions, or suitability for any purpose.
Saturday 1 Max 30 Min 24
Sunday 2 Max 31 Min 24
Monday 3 Max 31 Min 24
Tuesday 4 Max 31 Min 24
Wednesday 5 Max 31 Min 24
Thursday 6 Max 31 Min 24
Friday 7 Max 31 Min 24
8 am to 8 am rainfall records over Vanuatu Meteorological Stations (millimeters) Thursday
Date Bauerfield Luganville
Friday
22/11/12 23/11/12 4.7 0.2 11.3 3.0
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
24/11/12 Nil 0.8
25/11/12 Nil 23.4
26/11/12 18.7 66.6
27/11/12 13 17.7
28/11/12 Nil 0.6
“Whatever the weather – have a good week” The independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
Send your news stories to the independent email:editor@independent.vu Page 25
EDITORIAL
Stet i pusumaot olgeta
Oli kam aktif memba blong sivil sosaeti be Stet i bin disaed blong pusumaot olgeta aot long wok blong olgeta we oli bin kwalifae mo gat bigfala experiens long hem.
bin tingbaot fastaem wok blong hem bitim evri samting inkludim famili blong hem. Plante pipol oli bin witnesem wok blong olgeta ia we tede fulap oli ritae finis be sam oli stap long wok yet.
Olgeta ia oli olgeta we oli bin stap insaed long “La milice française” mo “British Police” long taem blong Condominium.
Long saed blong administresen blong Franis long Niu Hebridis, rul blong wok i bin strong mo long saed blong polis blong hem, evriwan i mas kwalifae long wok, tastawe evriwan i mas go long trening sam long saed blong wei blong handelem sekuriti long solwota, sam long saed blong graon mo sam long saed blong ea. Long franis oli kolem ol kaen trening ia TAM we emi Terre, Air, Mer. Risalt blong trening blong olgeta i bin soem se fitnes blong olgeta emi bin inaf blong handelem eni kaen problem we i bin traem blong pulum daon sekuriti blong Niu Hebridis mo espseli nao tufala taon blong hem, Port Vila mo Luganville. Fitnes ia i bin folem saes blong bodi we i bin strong inaf blong kam stret tul blong fesem eni kaen problem we i bin kam long eni kaen situesen.
Long satede las wik, union blong olgeta franisman we oli bin wok olsem ol “gendarmes” long Niu Kaledonia i bin fasem taet wan tingting blong wok tugeta wetem olgeta man ples we oli bin stap long “La milice française” long taem blong Condominium mo givim wan niu flag blong olgeta we i ripresentem olgeta insaed long sosaeti. Emi wan bigfala “recognition” we ol fren blong olgeta blong Niu Kaledonia i givim long olgeta. Taem yumi harem storian blong olgeta abaot histri blong olgeta, yumi lanem plante samting mo storian blong olgeta i pulum bak tingting i go bak long koloniol taem mo ol fes manis blong 1980 bifo kaontri i kasem independens blong hem long namba 30 juale 1980. Taem yumi harem wanwan long olgeta “miliciens” mo olgeta long saed blong “British Police” oli storian abaot laef blong olgeta insaed long wok blong olgeta long taem ia, tingting i klik kwiktaem long hed se emi bin wan taem we wanwan long olgeta i
Ikat ripot se Elektrol Komisen, hemi kasem ova 20 komplen folem eleksen long las 30 Oktoba. Ikat 2 difren kaen komplen. Ikat wan we hemi konstitusionol mo nara wan, hemi kriminol. Ol konstitusionol kes, hemi isiu we hemi dil wetem ol kad blong vot be kriminol kes, hemi isiu we hemi dill wetem braeberi o fasin blong pem man o woman blong winim ting ting blong hem blong vot long hem long taem blong wan eleksen. Long ol konstituensi olsem Port Vila, ikat ova long 50% janis blong i save kat eleksen bagegen. Wan long olgeta risen blong komplen, hemi isiu blong red kad blong vot we hemi mekem se sam pipol i save vot nomo long jeneral eleksen be oli no save vot long taem blong munisipol mo eleksen blong Shefa provins. Ol komplen we hemi kasem elektoral ofis, hemi save mekem se bae ikat eleksen bagegen long ol konstituensi we komplen ia i kamaut long olgeta mo hemi save kam wan risk blong ol kandidet we oli bin winim las eleksen mo tede, oli kam memba blong palaman finis blong oli save lusum tsea blong olgeta bagegen. Ol man we oli stap folem developmen blong politik blong Vanuatu, oli talem se naoia we ikat nois blong mosen blong oposisen istap go raon, hemi gud blong livim ting ting blong kapsaetem gavman festaem. Nois ia, hemi kosem lelebet instabiliti blong politik long Vanuatu afta we gavman I tes fom nomo mo ino kat iet wan klia risen from wanem nao kantri i mas jenisim bagegen wan gavman. Main risen we oposisen istap iusum naoia se ol pati we oli stap naoia long gavman, oli no sapos blong stap. Hemi wan nois nomo be oposisen ino kat namba iet blong adem long 23 we hemi kat naoia istap blong hemi save kasem 27 memba blong palaman Page 26
Wan man i gat tede 46 yia i tokabaot long niuspepa ia olsem wanem emi bin putum bigfala “admiration” long wok blong man olsem niufala MP, Nato Taiwia, taem emi bin wan long ol memba blong “La milice française”. Emi talem se emi bin luk long ae blong hem we Nato i bin go stopem “hemwan” wan faet bitwin seven man blong sam aelan long eria blong Anabrou.
Emi talem se Nato hemwan nomo i bin go long wan smol waet trak blong “La milice française” mo stopem faet ia folem fitnes mo pawa we emi bin gat mo folem trening we emi bin kasem. Man ia i mekem poen se tede taem wan faet i stap samples, i gat bitim wan trak blong polis wetem fulap polisman oli go long stopem. Emi gohed blong talem se emi bin luk Nato yet long wan narafala taem we emi bin ronem wan trak we i bin gat tri man insaed we oli bin drong mo emi bin go kasem olgeta mo putum “handcuff” long tufala han blong draeva mo karem hem i go long “Gendarmerie”, ples ia we ministri blong tred i stap long hem naoia. Natao hemwan yet i bin mekem wok ia we sapos emi tede, ating faev polisman wantaem oli mekem operesen olsem.
Tede, lukluk i stap kam klia se blong handelem sekuriti mo spolem ol problem olsem ol faet, i nid blong karem smol namba blong ol man nomo we bodi blong olgeta i fit gud mo oli no fraet be i no plante we bodi blong olgeta i no fit nating mo oli smolsmol tumas we taem wan faet i faerap samples, plante oli fraet blong go stopem. Taem i gat smol namba blong ol man we oli fit blong handelem problem we i nidim plante man we oli no fit, emi wan wei blong katem daon spending long saed blong mani blong pipol blong Vanuatu. Nao, tokabaot fitnes, plante long olgeta we oli bin stap long “La milice française” mo
Kot o mosen
Oposicen lida Edward Natapei. blong save signautem wan ekstra-ordineri sesen mo blong hemi save pasem mosen insaed long palaman. Long las wik, pipol i harem se oposisen grup, hemi ofarem posisen blong praem minista mo tri ministri long 4 memba blong palaman we bae oli ronwe long gavman saed blong go mekem namba blong oposisen. Proposisen blong oposisen ia, hemi wan klia saen se hemi no kat namba blong hemi save tabelem wan mosen agensem praem minista Sato Kilman long taem naoia we hemi stap tok tok. Ol politikol analaesa i talem se hemi no nomol se oposisen i talem se hemi kat namba finis mo antap long hem, hemi stap ofarem iet posisen mo tri ministri long ol MP we oli stap long gavman saed sapos, oli krosem flo. Divisen we hemi stap bitwin ol politikol parti we oli stap long gavman mo olgeta we oli stap long oposisen, hemi putum palaman tu long wan difikol situesen blong oposisen, hemi save tokbaut mosen.
Tok tok blong presiden blong RMC tu, Mr Vincent Boulekone se lida blong oposisen, hemi bin kiaman long hem, hemi mekem se ol MP blong gavman, oli stap kat tufala ting ting blong sapotem mosen. Ino klia sapos oposisen bae hemi holem taet tok tok blong hem afta we hemi bin kiaman finis long taem we kantri, hemi bin stap negosietem wan niu gavman afta long las eleksen. Ol analaesa ia, oli talem se ikat risk blong ol MP blong gavman i klosem flo finis be oposisen ino stanap long tok tok blong hem from we bae hemi no posibol blong fo MP ia oli kat praem minista wetem tri ministri afta ol pati we oli stap long oposisen tede bae oli kat wanem. Situesen ia, bae hemi save lid blong kapsaetem gavman bagegen. The Independent i kasem ripot se oposisen grup, oli tok tok finis wetem sam MP long gavman be ting ting blong sapotem mosen ino strong folem ol kiaman promes blong oposisen. Ikat tok tok i bin stap go raon se bae oposisen, hemi putum mosen long tasde long wik ia long palaman be ting ting ia, hemi no save kam wan rialiti afta
“British Police” oli bin ritae nomo from we loa blong wok long Vanuatu i no bin letem se oli stap longtaem moa long polis fos, be fitnes blong olgeta i nid yet blong mekem yus long hem sapos gavman i tingting bak long olgeta. Naoia we plante long olgeta oli stap long wanwan aelan blong olgeta, sapos wan problem i hapen long wan long ol aelan ia, i no nid blong sendem ol polisman aot long Vila o Luganville o Isangel o Lakatoro o Saratamata o Sola be yusum nomo ol risos we i stap long aelan ia finis: olgeta foma polisman ia. Pem nomo wan alaowens blong olgeta be i no nid blong spendem big mani long rod blong plante polisman o pem mazut big mani blong RVS Tukoro i go long wanwan aelan. Tingting ia i kam antap sapos gavman i gat lukluk blong katem daon ol problem we i stap spolem sosaeti, semak long faet agensem marijuana we tede polis hemwan i no naf blong stopem mo oltaem emi mas askem help blong ol jif taem i gat oli man finis we oli fit moa blong mekem wok ia. I nid nomo blong gavman i givim wan mani long olgeta, wanwan long olgeta i gat experiens finis we plante polisman insaed long fos tede oli no gat. Gratien Molsoul
oposisen, hemi no kat namba. Sam memba mo sapota blong oposisen, oli blemem ol man blong negosiet long saed blong oposisen se oli no ol gudfala negosieta. Oli talem se sapos, oli bin negosiet gud bae ol pati we oli stap tede long oposisen, oli sut stap long gavman. Long naoia we ikat ova long 20 komplen i kasem elektorol ofis long wik, ol man mo woman we oli stap folem developmen blong politik, oli talem se ino wan gudfala ting ting iet blong tokbaut mosen from ol komplen ia, kot rul long feva blong olgeta we oli komplen, bae desisen blong kot ia, bae hemi save afektem tugeta saed. Desisen blong kot ia, bae hemi save putum long kuesten namba blong gavman mo namba blong gavman. Ikat luk luk se i sut kat stabiliti insaed long palaman festaem bifo nois blong mosen i save kamaut. Ol politikol analaesa ia, oli talem se long situesen we sapos oposisen ikat namba naoia, bae hemi save dabolem ekpensis blong pipol blong Vanuatu blong pem ol minista mo ol politikol advaesa mo aloens blong ol MP be afta bae niu gavman, hemi save fulfaon bagegen sapos, ikat wan bae-eleksen mo afektem namba blong hem. Ol man mo woman we oli stap folem politikol situesen blong Vanuatu, oli talem se bae hemi moa waes blong kantri, hemi sevem mani sapos kot hemi dil festaem wetem ol komplen blong eleksen. Ikat tu kes blong kandem bagegen risal blong eleksen long konstituensi blong Santo folem rikues blong Nagriamel kastom muvmen igo long kot. Wok blong kandem bagegen risal blong eleksen ia, bae hemi tekem ples long foret blong Chief Jastis blong Vanuatu, Vincent Lunapek. Elektoral Komisen i talem se naoia, oli wet nomo long Chief Jastis blong talem wanem taem nao, oli save sidaon blong mekem kaonting bagegen.
The Independent/L’indépendant - Sarere 1 Decemba 2012
Nius
Sistem i trikim studen mo perens
Olsem long end blong evri yia, Vanuatu istap witnesen ol pikinini blong hem we oli finis long skul blong oli go wok mo sam, oli lego Vanuatu blong gohet long stadi blong olgeta long level blong universiti autsaed long rijin mo autsaed. Hemi bin kes blong Lycee Louis Antoine de Bougainville mo Vanuatu Institute of Technology long wik ia mo long las wik. Long las fraede, LAB, hemi bin witnesem ova long 60 studen blong hem we oli bin saksesfuli winim pepa blong olgeta blong oli save go gohet long stadi blong olgeta long level blong universiti long New Caledonia. Prinsipol blong LAB, Goretti Lunabek i talem se Vanuatu, hemi bin setem wan rikod long yia ia from we ol studen blong hem, oli kasem gudfala mak bitim ol fren blong olgeta blong franis teritri blong New Caledonia. Hemi inkarejem ol studen we oli no bin kat janis blong winim eksam blong olgeta blong traem bagegen long nekis yia long DEAU mo long AUF long Port Vila. Seremoni blong graduesen blong studen blong DEAU long las wik, hemi bin lukim wan tanis kastom blong Tanna, hemi bin lidim ol pikinini ia blong oli go kasem diplom blong olgeta long Franis ambasada, representativ blong franis universiti long New Caledonia mo representativ blong ministri blong edukesen blong Vanuatu. Oli kasem diplom blong olgeta be ikat wari iet long olgeta we mak blong olgeta i ikasem 10 mo oli kualifae blong go stadi long franis
universiti. Oli kasem mak be ikat ripot se gavman blong Vanuatu mo ol aid dona, bae oli save sponsarem ol pikinini we mak blong olgeta, hemi 12 igo antap. Bigfala namba blong ol studen we oli kasem diplom blong olgeta, hemi long saed ‘lettre’ komperem long saens. Nara big seremoni blong graduesen we hemi tekem ples long wik ia, hemi ova long 300 studen we oli finisim stadi blong olgeta long nasional teknikol skul blong Vanuatu, VIT. Ol pikinini ia, oli bin graduet mo oli kasem kualifikesen blong oli save wok long ol difren sekta blong wok long Vanuatu. Bigfala namba blong ol studen blong VIT ia we oli finisim stadi blong olgeta long yia ia, hemi mekem se manejmen blong skul, hemi bin oganaesem graduesen seremoni long Farea Pacific long Warwick Le Lagoon long Port Vila. Long ol yia we hemi pas graduesen seremoni ia, hemi bin stap tekem ples nomo long VIT. Seremoni blong graduesen blong ol studen blong VIT, hemi bin lukim sam long olgeta perens long aelan we oli bin kam long Port Vila blong witnesem ol pikinini blong olgeta i kasem frut blong ol stragol mo ol swet blong olgeta stat long praemeri level i kam long yia ia. Ol big big man blong gavman olsem praem minista, Sato Kilman, olgeta tu i bin stap long seremoni ia, long Le Lagoon Hotel long wednesde, hemi bin lukim ples, hemi kalaful long ol unifom blong ol perens mo ol pikinini
Sapraes apoentmen long hospital
Niu Darekta General blong ministri blong health, hemi kat wan big wok blong mekem afta we hemi karem posisen blong hem long olgeta de we istap kam.
wan man o woman we hemi kat eksperiens long level blong manejmen. Hemi talem se ol staff blong hospital i askem niu DG blong dil wetem isiu we istap.
Klos sos long Port Vila Central Hospital, dipatmen mo ministri blong health i talem se health sekta blong Vanuatu, hemi no fesem nomo problem blong mani be hemi kam wan ples we ikat ol brakot man nomo igo wok long hem. Ikat ripot se fasin blong givim wok long fren mo famili, hemi kam bigwan long sam de we i pas long hospital mo dipatmen blong health long Port Vila.
Hemi talem se long save blong olgeta, ino bin kat advaetaesmen blong wan empiti posisen blong maneja mo Leipakoa, ino kat gudfala risen blong rimuvum Leipakoa. Sos ia i talem se oli muvumaut Leipakoa long maneja level mo naoia, hemi kam olsem wan simpol nes nomo.
Ikat alegesen o tok tok long rod se akting darekta generol blong ministri blong health, Maturin Carlot, hemi bin teminetem supritenden blong Port Vila Central Hospital, Dokta Timothy Tokon mo hemi riplesem hem long wan klos fren blong hem. Wan dresa blong Port Vila Central Hospital i talem se oli sek tu long nekis de blong fomesen blong niu koalisen gavman blong praem minista Sato Kilman se oli kat wan niu maneja. Niu maneja ia blong Port Vila Central Hospital, hemi wan foma staff blong ofis blong skolasip, Theophile Masing mo hemi tekem ples blong wan long olgeta mama we ikat plande save mo eksperiens long saed blong health, Leipakoa Matariki. Sos long hospital ia, hemi talem se rimuvol blong Leipakoa blong riplesem wetem Mr Masing, hemi wan slap long fes blong ol staf. Oli talem se kaen situesen olsem bae hemi no save helpem developmen blong hospital from we hospital, hemi wan eria we hemi kat spesel lanwis blong hem mo hemi nidim
The Independent i kasem infomesen se naoia, oli postem hem igo wan long olgeta aid post long Shefa provins. Sos long hospital ia, i talem se oli sapraes tu blong luk fes politikol advaesa blong foma minista blong health, Joe Melson Arnabat, naoia, hemi tekem wan permanen posisen olsem human risos maneja long dipatmen blong health. Ol kruket fasin we istap happen insaed long ministri mo dipatmen blong health, hemi mekem sam dona kantri olsem Australia, oli holemtaet asistens blong olgeta. Asistens blong ol dona kantri ia long saed blong mani, hemi fosem Port Vila Central Hospital blong hemi katem daon sevis blong hem igo long olgeta sik pipol. Sos long hospital ia, hemi talem se ol kruket fasin ia, hemi daonem tu moral blong ol staff blong wok. Health sekta, hemi nambatu sekta afta long edukesen we tufala i kakae bigfala pat blong budget blong gavman blong Vanuatu long wan yia.
The independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 Decemba, 2012
Two lo olgeta graduet wetem ol famili blong tufala. ia mo kalaful kastom tanis welkam we ikam long ol mama blong Tanna. Sam long olgeta studen mo perens blong olgeta, wota blong ae blong olgeta i bin ron taem we ol pikinini blong olgeta i kasem pepa blong olgeta be bigfala jalenj blong olgeta naoia, hemi blong fainem wok blong oli save kasem smol salari. Sam perens, oli bin stap serem finis wari blong olgeta autsaed Farea Pacific afta we oli harem se long evri yia, ikat smol namba blong ol pikinini we oli graduet we oli save fainem wok. Plande long olgeta, situesen, hemi fosem olgeta blong oli go bak long aelan blong olgeta blong stat long zero level blong buildimap fiutsa blong olgeta wetem wanem we oli save fainem long vilej mo aelan blong olgeta olsem developmen blong graon blong olgeta. Sam long olgeta perens ia, oli resem wari ia afta we oli bin investem swet mo poket mani blong olgeta long ol pikinini blong olgeta be oli harem se bae hemi no isi blong olgeta i save fainem wok blong kasem smol salari mo givim bak mani blong olgeta. Oli talem se long luk luk blong olgeta sistem, hemi tritim ol pikinini ia mo ol perens taem oli kasem pepa, oli hangem flaoa mo oli mekem bigfala lafet blong olgeta from we rialiti blong laef blong tede, hemi no olsem long bifo. Oli talem se bifo taem we wan pikinini, hemi winim eksam blong hem long aelan blong pas ikam long Port Vila o go long Santo, ol perens, oli mekem wan bigfala kakae long aelan mo oli mekem kastom igo long ol papa mo ol anti from we pikinini blong olgeta i pas mo oli save se long end blong stadi blong olgeta, bae oli save fainem wok blong helpem olgeta mo fiutsa famili blong olgeta. Oli talem se filing ia, hemi stap semak iet tede long ol perens long ol aelan be long wok ples, situesen hemi nomo olsem bifo. Oli talem se level blong edukesen, hemi fuldaon bigwan mo ol pepa we ol pikinini blong Vanuatu, oli kasem tede, oli no luk save long ol nara kantri. Long level blong ol pikinini we oli tok tok franis, pepa we oli kasem long Vanuatu, oli no iven rikonaesem long ol nara kantri olsem New Caledonia. Oli talem se iven ol studen we oli kamaut long level blong universiti, oli fainem i hat blong oli kasem wok taem we oli kam bak long Vanuatu. Oli talem se bifo, taem we wan studen, hemi finisim stadi blong hem long universiti, hemi no putum wik blong hemi save fainem wok taem we hemi kam bak long kantri be tede wik ia, hemi kam manis mo hemi iven kam kuesten blong yia. Grup blong ol perens autsaed long Farea Pacific long wik ia, oli serem ting ting se i gud blong gavman, hemi luk luk bagegen long
level blong developmen blong edukesen blong ol pikinini blong hem. Oli talem se gavman, hemi sapos blong inkarejem moa kriesen blong wok mo developmen blong praevet sekta mo bisnis long olgeta provins mo aelan. Oli talem se plaming blong developmen blong gavman, hemi go semak long inkris blong ol pikinini we oli bon mo ol pikinini we oli finisim stadi blong wok. Oli talem se nara solusen blong problem we istap, hemi blong Vanuatu, hemi prodiusim moa pikinini we taem we oli finisim skul, oli ol kualifae teknisien mo enjinia blong oli save krietem faktri blong olgeta nomo mo givim wok long ol pikinini we oli kamaut long ol teknikol skul olsem long VIT. Grup blong ol perens ia, oli kamap wetem sem luk luk se tede bigfala kampani we hemi givim wok long pikinini blong Vanuatu, hemi Pablik Sevis be hemi nomo save givim wok long evriwan we oli finis long evri ytia. Oli talem se tede Vanuatu, hemi kat plande pikinini blong hem we oli holem wok olsem ol loea mo ol nara sekta blong wok finis be hemi gud blong gavman i darektem moa pikinini igo long sekta blong stadi we Vanuatu, hemi rili nidim long tede. Oli talem se wan long olgeta sekta, hemi processing sekta mo fasin blong man ples, hemi save setemap faktri blong hem blong givim nara valiu long ol lokol prodak blong hem olsem mekem kava ikam jus mo pauda wan blong save ekspotem olsem wan finis prodak. Long saed blong gavman blong Vanuatu, hemi statem finis blong adresem isiu blong problem blong edukesen be hemi tes wan stat blong hem blong givim akses blong wan pikinini i save go long skul blong save rid mo rait. Ol ting ting blong gavman blong developem edukesen ia, oli stap insaed long wanem we oli kolem Education Road Map o Feuille de Route mo hemi nidim plande yia blong mekem se hemi kam wan rialiti blong mekem se sistem inomo trikim ol pikinini mo ol perens.
Page 27
ANGELS & DEMONS
Starring: Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor and Ayelet Zurer Director: Ron Howard The team behind the global phenomenon The Da Vinci Code returns for the highly anticipated Angels & Demons, based upon the bestselling novel by Dan Brown. Tom Hanks reprises his role as Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, who once again finds that forces with ancient roots are willing to stop at nothing to advance their goals. When Langdon finds evidence of the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati, he also finds a deadly threat against the Catholic Church – the Illuminati’s most despised enemy. Upon learning that the clock is ticking on an unstoppable time bomb, Langdon is recruited to travel to Rome, where he joins forces with a beautiful and enigmatic Italian scientist (Zurer).
CARS 2
Voices of: Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy and Michael Caine Directed by: John Lasseter All the world’s a racetrack as racing superstar Lightning McQueen zooms back into action, with his best friend Mater in tow, to take on the globe’s fastest and finest in this thrilling high-octane new installment of the “Cars” saga. Mater and McQueen will need their passports as they find themselves in a new world of intrigue, thrills and fast-paced comedic escapades around the globe. “Cars 2” is being directed by Brad Lewis, producer of the Oscar®-winning film “Ratatouille.”
CASINO JACK AND THE UNITED STATES OF MONEY
T V g u i d e
DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK
Starring: Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce and Bailee Madison Directed by: Troy Nixey While architect Alex Hurst (Guy Pearce) and his new girlfriend Kim (Katie Holmes) restore their Gothic mansion’s period interiors, Alex’s young daughter Sally (Bailee Madison) - neglected by her real mother and brushed aside by the careerist father - can investigate the macabre history and dark corners of the estate. Spurring Sally’s investigation are the voices - rasping whispers who call out to her from the basement, who promise her understanding and friendship, who are so very hungry and would like to be set free. When Sally gives in to her curiosity, she opens a gateway into a hellish underworld from which an army of beady-eyed, sharp-clawed monsters emerge, small in size but endless in number: the homunculi. Confronted with the horror that now threatens to taker her life and destroy her family, Sally desperately tries to warn the whole house, but there’s just one problem: no one believes her. Will she make them understand in time, or will they become another chapter in the centuries-long horror story of Blackwood Manor?
ROBOT 1
Starring: Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan and Bruce Greenwood Directed by: Alex Proyas In the year 2035 a techno-phobic cop investigates a crime that may have been perpetrated by a robot, which leads to a larger threat to humanity.
JUST MARRIED
Starring: Jack Abramoff, Tom DeLay and William Branner Directed by: Alex Gibney A probing investigation into the lies, greed and corruption surrounding Washington D.C. super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his cronies.
Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Brittany Murphy and Christian Kane Director: Shawn Levy Following a whirlwind coursthip, a recently married couple sets off with the highest of hopes and ideals about love and marriage, on what they expect will be the perfect vacation in Italy. But thanks to her wealthy ex-boyfriend and a relentless string of bad luck, the happy couple experiences a honeymoon from hell that tests the limits of their young love.
THE RECRUIT
COLOMBIANA
Starring: Zoe Saldana, Michael Vartan and Callum Blue Directed by: Olivier Megaton After witnessing her parents being murdered by the mob, 10-year-old Cataleya sets off on a 15-year journey for revenge that takes her across the world. Working for her uncle as a hitman by day, but spending her personal time engaging in vigilante murders, she hopes that one day it will lead her to her ultimate target the mobster responsible for her parents’ death.
Page 28
Starring: Al Pacino, Colin Farrell and Bridget Moynahan Directed by: Roger Donaldson A brilliant young CIA trainee is asked by his mentor to help find a mole in the Agency. The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
Life style
Life Style Burn Off Belly Fat with This Condiment It’s perfect on potatoes, very good on veggies, and divine in salad dressings. And the best news yet? It may help with fat burning. The magic condiment in question: vinegar. Obese people who took in 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar daily in a study melted significantly more body fat and belly fat than a group taking a placebo -- despite being on the same diet and exercise plan.
A Sour Path to Skinny Vinegar may offer a weight loss boost thanks to acetic acid. Seems this sour stuff does double-duty fat-blasting, inhibiting the body’s ability to store fat while boosting its ability to burn it. And even though apple cider vinegar was the type used in the recent study, researchers suspect most varieties of the liquid seasoning could have the same get-skinny effects.
Other Tart Benefits Vinegar also seemed to help lower bad-for-the-heart triglyceride levels and systolic blood pressure at the end of the 12-week study. That’s a Sherpa’s load of health benefits for one little flavor maker.
Ways to reduce the Body Weight Not only are you smart, waistwise, for eating them; they’re good brain food, too. Eggs are packed with selenium, a nutrient that can help keep your memory sharp and your thinking fast. In fact, people who get at least 55 micrograms (mcg) a day of selenium have cognitive test scores that put them in a league with people 10 years younger. An egg (14 mcg) on wholegrain toast (10 mcg) gets you almost halfway there. Round out your day with some albacore tuna (63 mcg for 3 ounces), turkey (27 mcg for 3 ounces), or brazil nuts (a mother lode at 270 mcg per half ounce). Repeat the next morning
Change what, not how much, you eat. Eat Up to Slim Down If you’re trying to lose weight, for heaven’s sake, don’t starve. Instead, change what -- not how much -- you eat, so you walk away from a meal feeling full, not frustrated. Instead of a big bowl of spicy chili, have an equally big bowl of zesty gazpacho; instead of a wedge of berry pie, have a whole pint of juicy strawberries. In other words, cut calories and fat, not portions. It works, say scientists. Recent research shows that eating fresher, lighter foods while leaving portion size unchanged is a good way to lose weight. This means eating foods that have a lot of water: melon, tomatoes, cucumbers, greens, carrots, grapes, oranges, jicama, radishes -- almost any veggies you eat raw, and most fruits, as well as nonfat milk and broth-based soups. In the study, participants reported feeling satisfied after eating large portions of low-cal foods. On the other hand, when portions of high-calorie foods were reduced in an effort to lose weight, participants noted feelings of deprivation and hunger.
Eat This and the Pounds Will Drop You’ll lose even more if you set out a plate of this before each meal: apple wedges. Eating a bit of high-fiber fruit -- like a small apple or pear -- before each meal is a proven weight-loss booster.
Fruit Booster You’ve seen those ads for weightloss pills that promise to help you lose even more weight when you diet. It’s possible that apple wedges could give those pills a run for the money. In a recent study where women were divided up into fruit-before-meals and no-fruit-before-meals groups, the fruit group lost more weight -- even though they all followed the same reducedcalorie diet. The key? Choosing fruit that’s high in fiber but low in calories (read: high water content, like apples)
Fab Food Combo The food duo with the most muscle? Fiber and water. Together they keep your food bulky and soft, so it can move easily through your system without putting too much pressure on your intestines. Remember, without water, fiber often turns to cement. The combo of fiber and water also makes you feel full, which helps your overall health, because it keeps you from eating other things that are more likely to lead to problems associated with obesity, like heart disease and diabetes. where to get it? Fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, oats, beans, and some cereals. Your goal: 25 grams a day for women and 35 grams a day for men. And don’t forget the water.
More Waist-Shrinking Diet Tips
Let’s face it: We need all the help we can get when it comes to whittling our waists. Here are some other easy changes that help support that effort:
The Good Egg
Ingredients 12 oz (350 g) red ripe tomatoes 4 oz (110g) rocket, stalks removed ½ small young cucumber, cut into smallish chunks 1 lb (450 g) new potatoes, cooked and sliced 4 oz (110 g) French beans, cooked 4 shallots, peeled and finely chopped 2 x 200 g tins tuna fish in oil, well drained 2 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered 2 oz (50 g) anchovy fillets 2 oz (50 g) black olives 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley Plus add a vinaigrette dressing of your choice
Hit the snooze button. Deep Sleep Diet
Add a good night’s sleep to your checklist of helpful weight-loss aids. Sleep deprivation interferes with appetite-suppressing hormones, increases stress hormone levels, and decreases a person’s glucose tolerance, all of which may contribute to weight gain. Another way sleep loss may help pile on the pounds: latenight munching. Go to bed and get up at the same time each day to help achieve sounder sleep. Although more research is needed to confirm the link between sleep and weight, getting 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night can make your age as much as 3 years younger and help improve your mood. Overweight and obese adults are more likely to report skimping on sleep compared to people with healthy body mass indexes. Expending more calories than you take in is the simple science behind any successful weightloss program. The best way to do this is to eat a healthy, reduced-calorie diet and boost the amount of time you spend exercising. Other habits may boost your weight loss efforts or hamper them. For example, skimping on sleep negatively alters levels of hormones involved in carbohydrate metabolism and appetite control, which may contribute to weight gain. And living a hectic, high-stress lifestyle may make it harder for you to focus on your health and may increase the likelihood that you’ll make poor food choices and skip your exercise routine. Set yourself up for success by living a balanced lifestyle, in addition to balancing calorie intake and expenditure.
Have a boiled egg instead of a bagel for breakfast. Get thin, get smart. One little oval package helps make both happen, and you don’t even have to get a prescription for it (yes, it’s legal). Eggs were reinstated as a health food a while back, when major studies cleared them of increasing heart attack and stroke risk. Now there’s evidence that people who scramble, boil, or poach one for breakfast -- versus eating a bagel with the same number of calories -- bypass junk-food cravings and eat fewer calories for at least 24 hours. Without even trying. While eggs are a good source of nutrients and protein, for reasons that aren’t completely clear, it turns out that they make your body feel fuller longer.
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
Page 29
News
promedıcal news
promedıcal news By Operations Manager Michael Benjamin
with medications to open the airways and improve their condition.
Well it’s been a rather exciting month, between the emergency cases that we have attended and the other incidents that have been widely reported in all the media, Firstly whilst treating a very unwell patient in a shop in the main street our ambulance was stolen by a man and driven down to Pango Beach. Luckily it was recovered a short while later undamaged and no one was injured, we were then able to transport the patient to Tassiriki Health Centre for further management.
The most serious case was very recent in which we were called to a 29-year-old male at Vila Mall. It appears he was travelling on a bus and became severely short of breath. ProMedical was called as was the VCH ambulance and all arrived to assist. The patient became unconscious as the ambulance arrived and was quickly loaded into the ProMedical ambulance with the assistance of VCH staff. It was established that the patient had cardiac arrested and CPR was started. His airway was soiled with vomit so a breathing tube (ETT) placed to protect his airway. It was also established that no air was reaching his lungs and a common cause of this is a tension pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung), so two needles were inserted in his chest to remove the built up air. An I.V. was inserted and numerous doses of adrenaline were administered but unfortunately on arrival at VCH the patient had not responded to any of the treatment and was pronounced dead. ProMedical wishes to pass on their condolences to the family and friends of the patient. ProMedical also wishes to thank the VCH staff for their assistance at the time.
The bi-annual emergency airport exercise was held last week in which all emergency services were tested in their response times, disaster management and communication and co-operation with other responding agencies. Overall it was a very successful exercise and everyone learnt some valuable lessons. Our cases this month have been varied as always, ranging from the simple to the extreme. Cases such as vomiting and diarrhea are commonplace but can become serious if
Airport exercise... Paramedic Roger Roy loading a patient into the ambulance. left untreated and the patients become dehydrated. It’s then that the ProMedical paramedics have to intervene and treat the patients with fluid to restore their blood pressure. Asthma has been another regular case for our staff this month, ranging from mild to severe in which we have to intervene
Emergency Number
25566 / 115 Emergency Number
25566 / 115
Red Cross News
Subscribe Now!
La VRCS (Société de la Croix Rouge du Vanuatu) s’est engagée en juillet 2012, avec l’appui de la Croix Rouge Française, à participer activement à un programme sur le changement climatique, dénommé « Yumi stap redi long climate change ». Celui-ci est mis en œuvre dans le cadre d’un consortium avec cinq autres associations (Oxfam, Save the Children, CARE, GIZ et VRDTCA). L’objectif de ce programme est d’améliorer la résilience des communautés vulnérables pour répondre aux effets du changement climatique dans leurs zones de vie de manière pluridisciplinaire. Les activités menées par la VRCS seront d’établir un plan d’action avec les communautés et de travailler sur les composantes suivantes : l’accès à l’eau, l’hygiène, l’amélioration des techniques agricole et la protection côtière via la plantation de mangrove.
Page 30
26996
Protect your family
admin@promedical.com.vu
Subscribe Now! Protect your family
Ce programme permettra également aux bénéficiaires d’acquérir une meilleure connaissance du changement climatique et de réaliser des actions pilotes de préparation et d’adaptation à ses effets et impacts.
By Charley Sikal
Administration
Administration
26996
admin@promedical.com.vu
Les premières étapes du programme ont été de définir une stratégie commune au sein du consortium sur les outils et les méthodes à utiliser. Un des objectifs est également de partager les informations et les leçons apprises avec toutes les parties prenantes concernées et notamment au sein des institutions du pays. La VRCS souhaite cibler12 communautés dans la province de Torba. La durée du programme sera de 30 mois et s’achèvera en décembre 2014. Charles AUROUET
Flooding in Sola,Torba Province (above), and the assistance provided during the flooding (left).
The Independent/L’Indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
Health
Understanding How Your Immune System Work (A Cartoon Story) Ever wonder how your immune system works and how to improve its functioning? Here is a basic outline told in cartoon superhero style. The immune centers of your body are located in the tonsils, thymus, spleen, and bone marrow. The Tonsils are thought to be the first line of defense against ingested or inhaled diseases, however, their full role in the immune system is yet to be understood. •
The Thymus is involved with the proper functioning of certain immune cells called T-lymphocytes or (T Cells).
•
The Spleen filters the blood for diseases, foreign materials, also called “antigens”.4
•
The Bone Marrow is responsible for producing leukocytes, cells which are responsible for capturing cellular debris, foreign particles, and invading microorganisms.
After defeating a particular disease lymphocytes will keep a profile and remember the disease throughout your life. Should it appear again, they will quickly eliminate it.
This memory effect of immune cells led to the idea of a vaccine: weakened antigens which could be injected into your body.
From these centers your immune cells circulate around your body, looking for the “bad guys”, foreign bodies, or antigens which can appear in the form of viruses, bacteria, and even pollen.
Your immune system can then “practice” on this weakened form of a disease.
When a disease is found by your immune cells their response depends both on the disease and on the particular immune cell.
The next time a disease enters your body, your immune system draws upon its memory to quickly defeat it.
Phagocytes (a type of white blood cell) actually engulf, absorb, or eat pathogens. Phagocytes also consume “dead cells” in our body, and play an important roll in allowing wounds to heal.
Lymphocytes attack antigens by creating antibodies, or toxic granules.
Common vaccines include the measles, mumps, chicken pox, and, Tetanus. What foods boost my immune system?
Lymphocytes also destroy cells which have been infected by a virus, and tag antigens to be attacked later.
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday, 1 December, 2012 Page 28
•
Vitamin A plays a key role in production of white blood cells, vital for fighting off infection. Vitamin A Foods include carrots, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes.
•
Vitamin C can help boost the immune system, particularly in endurance atheletes and those undergoing physical stress. Vitamin C Foods include chilies, guavas, bell peppers, broccoli, papayas, and strawberries.
•
Zinc, among other immune functions, is necessary for the creation and activation of lymphocytes. Zinc has also been shown to help alleviate symptoms of the common cold, and may even accelerate the time to recovery. High Zinc Foods include Oysters, wheat germ, sesame seeds, pumpkin and squash seeds, peanuts, and dark chocolate.
Page 31
The Indy Entertainment
9 chickweed lane
Candorville
Adam @Home
Drabble
Andy Capp Flo & Friend
B.C
For Better or Worse
Broom Hilda Fred
Calvin & Hobbes
Page 32
Non Sequitur
The Independent/L’indÊpendant - Saturday 1 December,Page 201227
News
Rolling Stones ‘still lead the pack’ after 50 years THE Rolling Stones returned to the London stage this week in the first of five concerts to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Sir Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood were joined by their original bass player Bill Wyman at the 02 Arena. Music critics hailed the rockers’ return a success. Reviews of the gig described the band as “still leading the pack” and “at the cutting edge of pop”. “They have a combined age of 273, but the four Stones remain an extraordinary live proposition,” John Aizlewood wrote in the Evening Standard. “Jagger, camp and louche, was a preening but energetic peacock; Richards was as cool as a man sporting a red hairband and turquoise jacket could possibly be; Ronnie Wood was a chirpy mascot and that ocean of serenity Charlie Watts showed the tiniest of drumkits can make the biggest noise,” he said. Guest stars included Mick Taylor - was originally in the Stones from 1969 to 1974 who played lead guitar on Midnight Rambler. US singer Mary J Blige also duetted with Sir Mick on Gimme Shelter. “It’s amazing that we’re still doing this, and it’s amazing that you’re still buying our records and coming to our shows,” the frontman said. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”He also joked about the controversial price of the concert’s tickets. “How are you doing up in the cheap seats?”
he asked fans in the upper rows. “Except they’re not cheap seats, that’s the problem.” The show began with a brief video tribute from stars including Sir Elton John, Iggy Pop and Johnny Depp. The band played 23 songs including some of their rarely-played early numbers such as It’s All Over Now and their cover version of the Beatles’ I Wanna Be Your Man. They also showed a video montage of their big influences such as Muddy Waters, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. The Independent described Sir Mick as being “in good voice” and “impressively strident” in the opening song. Reviewer Andy Gill was also positive about the guest appearances of Wyman, who he described as “stolid as ever” on It’s Only Rock’n’Roll and Honky Tonk Women, and Taylor, whose “stinging lead lines” on Midnight Rambler combined well with the rest of the band. “For seven minutes or so, the years fall away and it seems as if the group were still at the cutting edge of pop - something their two new numbers, sadly, never quite manage,” he said. BBC Radio 5 live’s Colin Paterson said Sir Mick’s energy “was just frightening” while The Mirror described the “sprightly legends” who played a “blistering” set. Writing in The Guardian, Alexis Petridis said the show was “liberally flecked with moments” which were “about more than mere nostalgia, where the band seems to suddenly hit its stride, when well-worn material comes alive”. “Keith Richards’ Before They Make Me Run
The Rolling Stones performed for two and a half hours.
arrives with its screw-you swagger intact,” he added. The band played 23 songs, ending the gig with Jumping Jack Flash Comedian Noel Fielding, who was in the audience, told the BBC Richards was “amazing”. “I think Keith played incredibly. Sympathy For The Devil...his lead on that was absolutely amazing,” he said. “Mick came out in a cape which - as always has got to be a bonus.” The band also played classics such as Paint It Black and Jumping Jack Flash, but they didn’t get to perform Satisfaction as they ran out of time. Still, fans were happy with the performance.
“It was pretty special,” said one, adding: “It’s not very often you get to see something like that. It was incredible.” Another man who travelled from Australia for the concert said it was “amazing”. “Mick Taylor... What a genius,” he added. Music critic Neil McCormick said the music sounded as good as it did when he first started going to gigs in the early 1980s. “They really did seem happy to be there,” he told the BBC. “There were many moments when they went completely mad.” The series of gigs marks 50 years since the band first appeared in a small London club determined to pay homage to the masters of American blues. There will be one more concert in London on Thursday, followed by one in Brooklyn, New York, and two in Newark, New Jersey.
Superstorm costs $42 billion, damage worse than Katrina SUPERSTORM Sandy ran up a super bill of $US42 billion ($A40.35 billion) across New York, causing more damage than the infamous Hurricane Katrina, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says.
New Jersey was “62, and 61 billion dollars,” Cuomo estimated, although that number seemed sure to rise when including extra funds needed for protection against future storms.
Cuomo told a news conference that Sandy’s impact had by some measures been worse than Katrina, which caused devastation along the US Gulf Coast in 2005.
In New York state alone, Cuomo said the total cost of recovery work came to $32.8 billion, with another $9.1 billion in prevention expenses. Footing that bill would “incapacitate” New York’s budget, Cuomo said, urging Washington to come to the rescue with federal aid.
Although Katrina’s death toll at 1,833 was far higher than the approximately 110 killed during last month’s hurricane-strength Sandy, the damage to property and businesses was worse this time round, he said. The total bill in New York and neighboring
Earlier, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said America’s biggest city had suffered $19 billion in Sandy-related costs.
The US Air Force inspected the New Jersey shoreline after the devastating superstorm. The Big Apple “will struggle to recover in the long term unless expedited federal funding is supplied,” Bloomberg said. The October 29 hurricane flooded the subway train system, damaged tens of thousands of houses in the New York area, knocked out
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
electricity in swaths of the city for days, and prompted severe fuel shortages.Among the storm’s prominent victims was the Statue of Liberty, which had only just reopened after a year’s refurbishments and is now to be closed again for at least the remainder of 2012.
Page 33 39 Page
The Indy Entertainment
H H
23 Sept. 22 Oct.
CROSSWORDS
Libra - You can stand up and play your part with style today, even in the face of resistance. In fact, you may perform so well in these tough circumstances now that you can actually change the outcome, snatching success from the closing jaws of defeat. Nevertheless, this is a sobering time as your key planet Venus is held in check Scorpio -
O O
R R
23 Oct. 22 Nov.
Sagittarius - You would benefit from the wise advice from someone you trust today, 23 Nov. 21 Dec.
22 Dec. 18 Jan.
O O 19 Jan. 19 Feb.
S S
You’re ready for fun today, but obligations at work may force you to delay a previously scheduled social event. Unfortunately, your resentment might grow and encroach onto areas of your life that were working fine. Thankfully, you can nip a problem in the bud if you’re aware of it, so watch for signs of negativity before it surfaces. Facing difficult issues now enables you to emerge stronger and brighter .
but you may have a hard time finding anyone who can meet your high expectations. Nevertheless, listen to the voices of experience, even if they don’t have all the answers. Even a simple interaction at work could bring you the breakthrough you need as long as you’re open to receiving the gifts of someone else’s perspective.
Capricorn - You may be feeling quite conservative today, but your current attitude isn’t about politics or sex. Rather, your caution influences your finances, your emotions and your personal relationships. You are quick to see what’s happening now, and you might choose not to take an unnecessary risk. Your methodical approach has its advantages. Instead of pursuing more excitement, stabilize what you already have so that it can last longer. Aquarius - The cosmic radio is playing your requests today, but the planets are singing along with conflicting messages. Try not to stress out if you can’t decide whether to follow your need for long-term emotional security or an immediate impulse for affection. Hold both sides of the spectrum in your thoughts for as long as you can. Hopefully, reality will end up being somewhere in the middle.
Pisces - You might not believe that you’re receiving enough emotional support from your close friends now. You could even grow discouraged, but dwelling on negativity isn’t the best use of today’s productive transits. Instead, observe your current situation and isolate anything that makes you feel unhappy. Share your concerns with a trusted 20 Feb. 20 March friend. Although the conversation might not begin smoothly, a good old-fashioned Aries -
C C O O
You may have to hold yourself back today, but it’s better than dealing with the aftermath of a lack of discipline. You have been getting by without imposing too much structure on yourself, but making a commitment now can bring you the support you need. Although you might want to congratulate yourself that you made it this far, you 22 March 20 April cannot continue in the same manner forever. It’s time to reconsider your behavior and rein yourself in.
21 April 20 May
21 May 21 June
P P 22 June 22 July
E E 23 July 23 Aug.
S S
24 Aug. 22 Sept.
Taurus - Be careful about negotiating away more than you should in order to enter into an agreement today. Even if you know what you want, you might not truly appreciate what you must give up until it’s gone. Consider your limits before relinquishing something of value or losing your self-respect. You stand to benefit by seriously thinking about what you’re about to do before you make a deal. Gemini - There’s a quiet observer within you now who is making notes and plotting out a course of action, even if your hectic life is filled with craziness. Fortunately, your inner-strategist is not deterred by all the noise. Cultivate this adaptable aspect of your personality as you work hard to navigate your way through the turbulent seas that surround you at this time. Cancer - The stable Taurus Moon reassures you by reaffirming a practical choice you’ve recently made about your life. However, your feelings may still be in conflict with your decision. Even when you move beyond words, you can’t sink fully into your emotions without being reminded of your dilemma. Give yourself plenty of time to let your head and your heart come into agreement. Leo - The pressure to change may continue to build until you discover a way to ease the source of the tension. You might choose to play the role of the rebel by stirring up every hornet’s nest you find today. Although this brash approach frees you from having to play by the rules, it may not be the best strategy. Think your plan all the way through now before you do something drastic or you might discover that you have crossed the line and you can’t go back. Virgo - Your problems are still present today, but you seem to have a real sense of what commitments you can make and which ones to sidestep. Oddly enough, you are being quite practical by considering how each option could affect your feelings. Although you might believe that you understand the full consequences of your current decisions now, you probably don’t. Wait a few days and then make your final choice.
SUDOKU ROCKU Last Solution 458
ACROSS 1. Wings 5. Comforter 10. Cain’s brother 14. Peddle 15. Colonic 16. Minute opening 17. Pillaging 19. Kitty-cat 20. Poetic dusk 21. Quaver 22. Leases 23. Molasses 25. Submarine 27. Timid 28. Besmirching 31. Chilly 34. Inspire 35. Charge 36. Garments of goat hair 37. Tilt 38. Change direction 39. Apiece 40. Begin 41. Serf 42. Physical exertion 44. Delivery vehicle 45. Approaches 46. Disquiet 50. Communion table 52. Angry 54. Downwind 55. Incite 56. Frugal 58. Border 59. Sew together loosely 60. A small wooded hollow 61. Clairvoyant 62. Consecrate 63. Ground forces
10. Materialize 11. Plentiful 12. At one time (archaic) 13. Not more 18. Fidgety 22. Lion sound 24. Vipers 26. Red vegetable 28. Portion 29. Roman emperor 30. Lady’s escort 31. Back of the neck 32. Wild goat 33. Bloodline 34. Music genre 37. Blend 38. Canvas dwelling 40. Stigma 41. Seraglio 43. A literate person 44. Votes that block a decision 46. Trousers 47. Canker sore 48. Kingdom 49. Tummy 50. How old we are 51. Prospector’s find 53. Thorny flower 56. Diminish 57. Actress Lupino
Last solution - 458
DOWN
The grid of 81 squares consists of nine blocks each containing nine cellls. Solve the puzzle using logic and a process of elimination. Fill in the blank cells using the numbers from 1 to 9. Each number must appear just once in each row, column and block. Solution next edition.
Page 32 4
1. Something of value 2. Pariah 3. Without company 4. L 5. So very much 6. Loosen, as laces 7. Head covering 8. A type of compensation 9. Buff The Independent/L’Indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
Children’s Page
Pin Wheel
Dot Dragon Name __________________
Supplies •
2 sheets paper 12cm x 12 cmpiece of dowel or pencil
•
map pin
•
ribbons
•
double sided tape
facing out •
On one square, draw diagonal lines crossing through the centre.
•
Cut along lines - from each corner 6 cm in to centre.
•
Bend every second corner into the center making sure to overlap the tips.
•
Push a map pin through the center the papers making sure to catch all tips and into the wood…adult help may be required.
Method •
Using plain paper and decorating it or use decorative paper
•
Stick both pieces of paper together with decorative side
Sudoku
Stars Copyright 2007 abcteach.com
Supplies
Soluiton
•
Paper/card
•
Paint /glitter
•
Markers/ crayons/ pencils
•
Scissors
Method
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
•
Cut 2 identical star shapes for each star decoration/card... I used a star stencil but there are a number of star templates available online.
•
Decorate bath stars front and back.
•
On one star cut down from a point into the centre.
•
On the other cut in the opposite inner corner, again to the centre.
•
Slip the 2 stars together and VIOLA they stand up!
•
Great as Christmas decorations en masse or as a card.
Page Page 35 31
Weird and Wacky news Obese woman dies after airline officials say she was too fat to fly
Their travel agent said they could get on an October 22 Lufthansa flight to New York via Frankfurt, which would be able to accommodate her size.
A SICKLY, one-legged, obese woman from the Bronx has died from kidney failure in Hungary after airline officials booted her from three New York-bound flights because she was too fat, her husband says.
Airline crew, helped by the local fire department, were unable to move Vilma from her wheelchair to the three seats assigned to her. After 30 minutes with no success, the captain ordered them off the plane.
Janos Soltesz told the New York Post his 56-year-old wife, Vilma, died stranded in Hungary, nine days after she was kicked off the first of three flights. “All we wanted was to come back home to get her treatment,” said Mr Soltesz, a Staten Island Ferry security guard.
“We had 140 passengers on board, and they had connections and needed to travel,” said Lufthansa spokesman Nils Haupt.
Vilma, who weighed around 193kg, had only one leg and used a wheelchair. She had travelled with her husband of 33 years to Hungary on Delta and KLM airlines on September 17. There they had spent several weeks relaxing at a holiday house they owned in the Hungarian countryside. It was a trip they took almost every year. The New York Post reports that prior to the journey, the couple’s travel agent had informed Delta of Vilma’s condition. They had purchased two tickets for her and one for Mr Soltesz. The couple, both natives of Hungary, had planned to return to New York on October 15 so Vilma could resume treatment with her doctors. But after boarding the plane they were told Vilma couldn’t be accommodated by KLM, Mr Soltesz said. “They tried to fit her into the back of the plane, but they didn’t have an extension to secure her,” Mr Soltesz, 56, said. Mr Soltesz said Vilma’s illness - a combination of kidney disease and diabetes - caused her to gain water weight, and the airline said it didn’t have a seat-belt extender for her.
“The question was never the seat belt. The question was the mobility of the passenger.”
A New York woman has died on holiday in Hungary after an airline told her she was too fat to fly back to the US for medical treatment. He was also told the seat’s back couldn’t handle his wife’s weight. Mr Soltesz said his wife was already seated when they were asked to leave. “It appeared on the passenger’s return that it was not physically possible for her to board the aircraft, despite every effort made by KLM to this end. A seat or belt extender did not offer a solution, either,” KLM spokeswoman, Ellen van Ginkel, said. Airline staff told the couple they would try to get her on a different flight. They sat at the airport for five hours. According to attorney Holly Ostrov Ronai, who is working on a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the airlines accusing them of violating laws protecting the disabled, the couple were then told to drive five hours to Prague to catch a Delta plane that could accommodate Vilma as a disabled person.
Belgian man discovers wife of 19 years was born a man A BELGIAN man has been left devastated after discovering his wife of 19 years was born a man.
she told Belgium’s Nieuwsblad newspaper.“I didn’t suspect a thing until a cousin of hers came to visit and let something slip.
The Antwerp man, known only as Jan, said he felt like his world had been violated after he discovered the truth about ‘Monica’.
“I mentioned it to my son and he said he’d heard a rumour too that Monica used to be a man.
Jan, 43, said he met Monica when she arrived in Beligum from Indonesia to be an au pair for his sister’s children and he described her as “very beautiful and feminine”, the Daily Mail reports.
“One evening I confronted her and she finally confessed she had been born a boy and had a sex change operation.
But he said he now understood why she was no good at ironing and housework. “’I thought she was an attractive woman, and she was all woman - she had no male traits,”
“My world collapsed in a few seconds. I was horrified. I feel like have been violated for almost 20 years.” The couple are still living in the same house after a judge refused an application from Jan to have her evicted.
Commercial & Personal Effects Fr8 Logistics Ph 27744 Page 36
So they again went back to the holiday home to make other arrangements as Vilma became sicker and sicker.
“This absolutely contributed to the cause of her death,” Ms Ronai said. “They managed to get her over there and were obligated to get her home.”
Neither Mr Soltesz or his wife trusted the doctors in Hungary, especially because they wouldn’t be familiar with her lengthy medical history, Mr Soltesz said.
But in Prague, Delta staff told the couple the airline’s plastic wheelchair couldn’t hold her weight, Mr Soltesz said.
“She was very ill and did not trust that the hospitals in former communist Hungary could attend to her needs,” he said.
Staff were also unable to put her on the sky-lift elevator, according to the airline.
The New York Post reports Mr Soltesz found Vilma dead two days later and buried her in Hungary.
“After the operating carrier in Budapest was physically unable to board Mrs Soltesz on its flight, and despite a determined goodfaith effort by Delta in Prague, we were also physically unable to board her on our aircraft,” said Delta spokesman Russel Cason.
“I’m lonely now. Wherever I am going, I am just going alone. I am missing her a lot,” he said, adding he was grateful to work his Staten Island ferry job on Thanksgiving to keep his mind off his late wife.
The only thing left for the couple to do was to drive back to their holiday home and call their New York travel agent to make other arrangements.
“There were only two women in my life - my mother, who I lived with for 23 years, and Vilma, who I lived with for 33 years,” Mr Soltesz said.
US family drowns to save dog A FAMILY that tried to rescue their dog from powerful surf in California have been swept out to sea, leaving the parents dead and their 16-year-old son missing, presumed dead, authorities say.
authorities said. He has not been found and is presumed dead.
Waves reaching three metres high pulled the dog into the Pacific at Big Lagoon, north of San Francisco, as it ran to retrieve a stick, said Dana Jones, a state Parks and Recreation district superintendent.
The couple’s daughter, 18-year-old Olivia, and Gregory’s girlfriend watched the horrifying ordeal from the beach.
Jones said the boy, went after the dog, prompting his father to go after them. The Kuljians were swept away trying to save their dog, which emerged from the ocean by itself, unscathed. She said the teenager was able to get out, but when he didn’t see his father, he and his mother went into the water looking for him. Mary Elena Scott, 57, and Howard Gregory Kuljian, 54, both drowned in the tragedy. A massive search for their son, Gregory James Kuljian, has now been called off,
“Both were dragged into the ocean,” Jones said of Saturday’s tragedy.
A nearby bystander called 911 at 12.40pm to report that the trio was in trouble - but by the time help arrived, nothing could be done. Rescuers eventually retrieved the mother’s body, and the father’s body washed up. The dog got out of the water on its own, Jones said. The Coast Guard deployed a helicopter and two motor life boats to search for the teenager, but the aerial search was ended because of thick fog.Coast Guard Lieutenant Bernie Garrigan said on Monday a person without a wetsuit could not survive for long because of the frigid waters. - AAP
The Independent/L’Indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
Sport Feature
Port Vila Golf and Country Club Weekly Update Last weekend was a busy one for golfers as they played in the South Pacific Travel sponsored stroke event on the Saturday and some lined up for the finals of the First National Realty Cup match play competition. Saturday saw the return to Vanuatu of The Crutch 2 (alias Leith Campbell) after having had a hip replacement in NZ. Welcome back Leith and The real Crutch reckons there not a enough room for two “Crutches” Crutchless might be the go. This week we also farewelled Dr Peter Auso (The Real Crutch) as he departs to take up a position on the sandy atoll of Nauru. Dr Peter already has plans to set up a golf course!!!. Dr Peter will be missed by not only his golf buddies but the WHO community of Port Vila. See you back again soon mate. Saturday results saw Glenda Pietzsh take out the ladies event with a 71 net from form player Edwina Dinh. The Men’s B grade was a cake-walk for Lee Spear who shot a four under 68 net to easily account for the fired with the best of the rest being Sashi Singh on a count back with 72 et. The Men’s A grade was won by another form player, Jose Franconieri with a 68 net also. Jose won on a count back from Remy Mansale
Pennant final winners team NBV.
The First National Realty pennant final on the Sunday produced some good golf and close matches with the battle for the cup going right down to the last match with Remy Mansale prevailing to clinch a hard fought win for Team NBV from worthy opponents Team Enterprise Dinh In the battle for 3rd team Barrett & Partners easily accounted for Team Mainguy to claim nothing but Bragging Rights. The day saw a good crowd turn out to watch and also to participate in the Presentations and BBQ lunch which was enjoyed by all. PacificOztralasia sponsored the annual Best and Fairest Award for the year and Branch Manager for Pacoz Bryan Death presented the award in 2012 to runaway winner Christophe Dinh with 17 points who won from joint 2nd placegetters Mark Trezise and Dave Outhred on 12. Sponsor Neil Hamilton confirmed his ongoing support for this event for 2013
Best and fairest winner Christophe Dinh.
Neil Hamilton with Dr Peter.
- The Caveman
NEAREST THE PINS DHL - 6th Hole Tim Merrick ANZ - 8th Hole Ron Barbe Callard & Kaddour - 12th Hole Chris George Vanuatu Agriculture - 17th Hole No winner STRAIGHT DRIVES – Hole Asco Motors - A Grade Ian Campbell Wilco - B Grade Sashi Singh Vila Refrigeration & Air Conditioning – Ladies Bev Stafford PAF Jackpot – Hole 7 (1st Week) Frank King, Ron Barbe, Remy Mansale, Josepho Matauatu, Adrian Sinclair 2 CLUBS Bev Stafford (2), Russell Mitchell, Chris George, Dave Woolford, Christophe Dinh, Jose Franconieri, Remy Mansale LADIES RESULTS Winner Glenda Pietzsch - 71 Runner Up Edwina Dinh - 72 MENS RESULTS
Great spot for drink (above)... members enjoying a cold one after the round (left).
B Grade – 15 Players Winner Lee Spear - 68 Runner Up Sashi Singh - 72 (countback) A Grade - 31 Players Winner Jose Franconieri - 68 Runner Up Remy Mansale – 68 (countback) South Pacific Meat Supplies - meat tray Lee Spear Island Time – Fish and Chip Voucher Raymond Vallette Joker Draw Winnie, Ian & Leith Campbell – joker not found Card Draw – Pam Ryan
VANUATU GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB SOUTH PACIFIC TRAVEL - STROKE 24 November 2012 Men: 46 Ladies: 17 Total: 63 Visitors: C Neizeret, Sean Sealy
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
A grade winner Jose.
Page 33 Page 37
Recipes Pineapple & Jalapeño Salsa
Chocolate Toffee Bark Ingredients: • • • • • • • •
1 cup water 2 cups caster sugar 1 cup liquid glucose ¼ tsp salt 25g butter ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda 200g dark chocolate, melted 100g white chocolate, melted 25g pistachios, finely chopped
Method 1. Line a large oven tray with baking paper. Put water and sugar in a medium heavy-based saucepan over a high heat. Bring to the boil, then remove from heat and stir until sugar has dissolved. 2. Stir in glucose and salt. Return to heat and bring to the boil. Cook for about 10 minutes or until sugar reaches 146°C on a sugar thermometer. Remove from heat and stir in butter and bicarb. Immediately pour into prepared tray. Set aside to cool completely. 3. Spread dark chocolate evenly over toffee. Immediately drizzle white chocolate over dark chocolate in parallel lines, from 1 short end to the other. Run a skewer through the chocolate to create a feathered effect. Sprinkle over pistachios and set aside for 30 minutes, or until toffee is hard and chocolate has set. Break into shards. Serve or gift-wrap.
Ingredients:
Method
• • • • • • • •
1. Cut the top and skin off pineapple, remove the eyes and core. Finely dice the pineapple (you will have about 4 cups diced pineapple) and place in a medium bowl. Add scallions, cilantro, lime juice, jalapeno and oil. Toss to mix. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for about 1 hour to allow flavors to blend.
Raspberry Vinegar
1 small ripe pineapple 1/4 cup minced scallions 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 3 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoon minced fresh jalapeño pepper (about 1 large) 1 tablespoon canola oil 1/4 teaspoon salt Freshly ground pepper to taste
Traditional Roast Beef with Yorkshire Puddings Method 1. To make the Yorkshire puddings, place the flour and salt in a bowl. Whisk together the egg and milk in a jug. Add to the flour mixture and whisk until smooth. Cover and set aside for 30 minutes to rest. Divide the oil among eight 80ml (1/3-cup) capacity non-stick muffin pans.
Ingredients
• • •
500g raspberries 500ml apple cider vinegar 60g granulated sugar
Ingredients Method 1. Squash your summer fruits with the back of a fork in a glass or bowl. Pour the vinegar over and leave in a sealed air tight container for two to seven days, depending on the strength of flavour you prefer. Give it an occasional stir. 2. After letting your vinegar steep, drain through muslin for two hours, or overnight. 3. Add the sugar to the liquid and bring to the boil for ten minutes. For a low carb version, leave the sugar out and add some Stevia after boiling. 4. Pour into sterilized bottles and the vinegar will last for 12 months unopened. It makes a unique present at Christmas time too.
Page 38
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Note Another way to incorporate fruit vinegars into your diet is as a refreshing drink – use them as you would use orange squash. Add a few ice cubes and you’ve got an amazingly refreshing drink. You can even drizzle a fruit vinegar over strawberries or natural yoghurt as a delicious snack or pudding. Making vinegar with berries like raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries is an innovative new way of enjoying their flavours and nutritional benefits.
1 piece (about 1kg) beef scotch fillet 1 tbs olive oil 4 (about 150g each) sebago potatoes, peeled, quartered 500g kent pumpkin, peeled, deseeded, cut into 4cm pieces 2 tbs plain flour 125ml (1/2 cup) dry red wine 500ml (2 cups) beef stock Steamed green peas, to serve Yorkshire puddings 115g (3/4 cup) self-raising flour 1/2 tsp salt 1 egg, lightly whisked 250ml (1 cup) milk 2 tbs vegetable oil Horseradish cream 85g (1/3 cup) sour cream 1 tbs drained grated horseradish 2 tsp Dijon mustard
Note •
Prep: 15 mins (+ 30 mins resting time)
2. Preheat oven to 220°C. Season beef with salt and pepper. Heat half the oil in a roasting pan over high heat. Add the beef and cook for 2-3 minutes each side or until browned all over. Remove from heat. Place the potato and pumpkin in a large bowl. Drizzle with the remaining oil and season with salt and pepper. Gently toss until combined. Arrange the potato and pumpkin around the beef in the pan. Roast in oven for 40 minutes for medium or until cooked to your liking. Remove from oven. Increase temperature to 240°C. Transfer beef and vegetables to a platter and cover with foil to keep warm. 3. Place the prepared muffin pan in the oven for 5 minutes or until the oil is just smoking. Working quickly, pour the pudding batter evenly among the muffin pans. Cook in oven for 15 minutes or until puddings are puffed and golden. Meanwhile, place the roasting 4. pan used to roast the beef over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until mixture bubbles. Add the wine and stock and cook, scraping pan with a flat-edged wooden spoon to dislodge any bits that have cooked onto the base, for 5-6 minutes or until mixture boils. Season with salt and pepper. Strain into a heatproof jug. 5. To make the horseradish cream, combine the sour cream, horseradish and mustard in a small bowl. 6. Thickly carve the beef across the grain. Serve with the potato, pumpkin, Yorkshire puddings, gravy, horseradish cream and steamed peas, if desired.
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
Dining Out
A touch of spice IF there’s a downside to writing about restaurants – apart from the deleterious effect on the waistline – it’s that you always have to be looking for somewhere new to try, and you don’t get back to the ones you especially like as often as you’d wish.
Kesorn’s Exotic Thai Kitchen
Nambatu Paray, next to Peter Pan School Phone: 29949 / 5660400 Open: Monday to Saturday – 10.30am2.30pm and 5.30-10pm; Sunday 5.30-10pm Special features: Deliciously authentic Thai cuisine, great service and a pretty garden setting – plus wallet friendly prices.
If that was not the case, we’d have been back to Kesorn’s Exotic Thai Kitchen much more often than we have in fact managed. There’s a lot to like about this charming little eatery, which is tucked away off the main drag in a converted house at Nambatu Paray, but is well and truly on the map for lovers of Thai cuisine. And it’s earned a loyal following since it opened in March last year, as much for its friendly service, relaxed atmosphere and value for money as for its consistently good food.
coconut milk laced with chilli, lime, coriander, lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves, each aspect adding a new layer of depth to the dish, which actually seemed to get tastier as it cooled. From the chef’s specials, we chose a main course of steamed whole poulet with lemon sauce (VT 1700 small / 2500 large) which looked – and tasted – delicious. Steamingis a perfect way to prepare this popular fish, as it stays moist and flaky, and it was generously dressed with garlic, chilli and lemon slices and finished with a tangy lemon sauce that really complemented the subtle taste of the fish.
We love the setting of the restaurant, with tables set across a broad verandah and onto the grass under abig mango tree. There’s a lush garden with pretty lily pond, and owner Kesorn and her wait staff always offer a warm welcome, ready advice on the food and ever-smiling service.
Finally, Mussaman curry beef (VT 1850) was incredibly tender, slow cooked with mild spices to give a deep, richness to the meat, the dish balanced with pieces of potato and carrot which also soaked up the wonderful flavour of the gravy. Some steamed jasmine rice was just the thing to soak up the gorgeous sauce and round out the meal.
An example of the good value you’ll find at Exotic Thai is the Thursday night curry buffet, which is tremendously popular. The price of just VT 1900 (half price for kids under 12), includes spring rolls, soup, salad, five different curries (including beef, chicken, fish and vegetarian), plus fried rice and steamed rice. To accompany this feast, you can get Tusker beer for just VT 300 or a glass of house wine for VT 500… amazingly good value, you’d have to agree. It’s a good idea to book for the buffet night, as the restaurant only seats 40-odd people. There’s also a special lunch deal, priced at just VT 750, for which you can expect meals such as red curry beef with rice, sweet and sour chicken with rice, or beef noodle soup – these specials change regularly, so regulars don’t get bored, and it’s a good way to try different tastes. While many people have their favourite dishes and enjoy them time and again, we usually like to try something different, so we went for some dishes we’ve not had at Exotic Thai before, starting with a couple of lovely entrees. Satay chicken (VT 900) did not disappoint – tender marinated chicken, cooked on skewers and finished with a rich, lightly spicy peanut sauce, it was a real palate pleaser. And while curry puffs appear on
Those who prefer less spicy dishes will not go wrong at Kesorn’s Exotic Thai Kitchen, with tempters such as honey chicken, beef and black beans, ginger pork, beef or chicken, and Thai BBQ chicken – there’s sure to something to please pretty much everyone. Good tastes... chicken satay, curry puffs, Tom Kha Gai and green papaya salad. many menus, Kesorn’s version (VT 800) was superior to most, with superb, flaky pastry filled with a mixture of minced beef and potato which was superbly spiced and delicious – so tasty it didn’t really need the accompanying chilli sauce. Next, a green papaya salad (VT 1450) really got the taste buds going. This classic combination of shredded green papaya, tomato, green beans, shredded carrot, chillies and peanuts was topped with prawns and was full of zesty flavour, leaving a warm glow in the mouth and a light sheen of perspiration on the cheek-line! We love Thai soups, and the tom kar gai
(VT 1000) here was superb, with tender bite sized pieces of chicken breast fillet, champignons, onion, capsicum and carrot in a beautiful broth of chicken stock and
Whether you stop in for a budget-friendly lunch or splash out on a banquet for a crowd (functions and group bookings are most welcome), Kesorn and her crew will ensure you dine in exotic style. - Tony & Elaine Wilson
Wine of the week MORTON ESTATE – Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Marlborough, NZ, is a classic-style Sauvignon lurking behnind a daggy 1970s style label. This is a real Kiwi gem displaying lime, currant and grapefruit notes with hints of herbs on a fresh palate. It’s lively and crisp flavour leaves a mouth-watering finish. Enjoy with your favourite seafood dish. Normally VT 2100, it is on special for VT 1900 this week at Libation, so add to your cellar with a classy drop. - TW
Delicious... whole steamed poulet fish with garlic, chilli and lemon sauce.
The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012
Page Page 39 19
BUY AN INTERNET BUNDLE AND WIN Buy an Internet bundle and go into the draw to win a Samsung S3 phone Get an Internet bundle to be in to win
INTERNET BUNDLES 75VT
WIN A
SAMSUNG S3
FOR
5MB DATA 24hr Bundle
TEXT DATA TO 784
WWW.DIGICELVANUATU.COM | Vanuatu’s Bigger, Better Network. Terms and Conditions: Buy a data bundle between 2nd November and 18th December for entry to draw. One purchase of bundle equates to one draw entry. Winner to be contacted on December 19th.