VanInd460-121208

The Vanuatu Issue Nº 460

Independent

L’IND EP EN DA N T

December 8 - 14, 2012

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One of the ‘best of the best’

t 50 V 1 Y ONL

THE Havannah resort in North Efate has again been named a finalist in the prestigious Conde Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence.

Condé Nast Johansens, the international luxury travel guide, announced the winners of the 2013 Awards for Excellence, with those winners chosen as the top properties within their regions.

This year The Havannah was named as finalist for Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway and Most Excellent Small Resort in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific Islands.

Travel experts said this is a major achievement for The Havannah as the only Vanuatu property featured and one of only two in the entire Pacific region.

They said it is even more commendable when The Havannah competed against resorts in the Caribbean, given the size and investment in these properties.

Continued Page 2

Rape couple pleads guilty to multiple sex charges

by Richard Michael A SEXUAL predator who raped six female teenagers with the help of his wife pleaded guilty in Supreme Court this week.

His wife also pleaded guilty.

Jacob Tavorvor enlisted his wife Mary’s support in the ongoing abuse as she helped her husband by luring the teenage girls to him before he raped them while she sat nearby.

This case reaches its final stages as figures have been released showing sexual offences against children under 16 have increased by 40 per cent in Vanuatu

INSIDE

this year (see report Page 2).

The Erromango couple in this case were originally charged with 42 counts of sexual intercourse without consent, contrary to section 97, unlawful sexual intercourse contrary to section 90 (a), aiding and abetting contrary to section 30, aggravated sexual assault with a child contrary to section 97 (1), threat to kill contrary to section 115, act of indecency against young people against section 98 (i) and (ii), all in the Penal Code Act CAP 135.

But the prosecution this week dropped five counts each of acts of indecency, while

the couple pleaded guilty to one count each.

Jacob Tavorvor pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual intercourse without consent. Mary pleaded guilty to six counts of aiding and abetting while five more counts of the same charge were dropped.

The prosecution also wiped out all seven counts of unlawful sexual intercourse laid against Jacob.

He pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent additionally with a count of threats to kill.

The matter was set down for trial next

Kilman still ‘unbeatable’

Rallye qui devient élégant et féminin

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early next year.

The couple appeared in the court before more than 50 people, with all chairs occupied and people sitting on the floor to the left and right of the dock and witness box, and the crowd flowing out of the entrance.

Justice Robert Spears advised their lawyer Christina Tina to sit with the couple in the dock while answering the court.

They both agreed that most allegations laid by the prosecution were true but Jacob denied his involvement in one case.

Continued Page 2

Kalvau niu agrikaltsa minista

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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.

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News

Contents main news

Rise in number of child sex offences 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

tv movies

28

vinedu

6

weather

25

wilson’s word

7

world sport

37

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Journalists:

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Page 2

by Richard Michael THE number of people convicted of sex offences on minors aged under 16 in Vanuatu has increased by nearly 40 per cent this year. The offences include rape, acting indecently and incest.

A judicial source who wished to remain anonymous said the analysis found that the increase in sex crimes began in 2005 with more people convicted, while in 2012 the incidence has increased enormously.

He said the rise has been attributed to better detection and raised awareness.

He said the number is still relatively small and that it remains a grossly under-reported crime. He said many cases were agreed to be dealt with out of court because it involved close families.

The source said in numerous cases, the wives were beaten to intimidate them not to speak about the matter as their husbands were having extra marital affairs with their step daughters.

“It’s difficult to tell if these figures indicate

an increase in the number of sex offences being committed against children,” he said.

“But the good sign is it may be that more people (adults and children) are becoming aware of abuse and so are reporting cases to the police and other authorities.

“But it’s still a relatively small number of convictions considering child sex abuse is a big problem.”

He said the figure included the incest cases convicted.

He said this year police were notified of moe than 20 sexual crime cases with minors since August and that recent research by The Independent suggested the most serious one involved an eightyear-old primary school student who had been sexually assaulted by her stepfather.

While the family protection unit could not comment on sexual offenders they are working with non government organisations to help prevent abuse.

The source said the increase in convictions could suggest courts were increasingly

likely to find people guilty, even if the number of children reporting abuse remained the same.

However, he said authorities were encouraged that it may indicate that children were feeling more confident to report a crime than in the past, when it may have been too difficult.

“They need to have the language skills to say what’s happening to them and to understand that it’s wrong,” he said.

“It’s still the case that most children who are sexually abused do not report it.

“It is good news as it’s a good indicator that police services and others are getting their act together.”

He said police forces had changed how they investigated child sex abuse and officers have had specialised training.

He added that authorities did not use conviction numbers as a primary measure of success because it was an under-reported crime and hard to prosecute where there tended to be few witnesses.

Stepfather pleads guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse

by Richard Michael A STEPFATHER who repeatedly had sexual intercourse with his eight-yearold stepdaughter pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court this week.

The court was told that the stepfather had lured his stepdaughter with between VT 20 and VT100 for his sexual gratification.

The man, from Erakor, entered an early guilty plea charged with unlawful sexual

intercouse. The offence carries up to 13 years imprisonment.

admitted he was having an affair with her daughter, and reported him to the police.

Prosecutor Tristan Karae said the latest incident happened at their Erakor home on October 15. He said the girl was playing with her baby sister when her stepfather called her into the house, then held her on the bed and had sex with her.

He said in earlier incidents, the man took the girl to the family’s garden and had sex with her, telling her not to tell her mother, and offering her coins not exceeding VT100.

He said the daughter ran outside crying and told her mother. Mr Karae said the mother was very angry and when the man

Mr Karae said the sexual activity had been going for months, even on school days, when he ordered her to return home early.

A pre-sentence report is being prepared.

Couple admits to multiple rape charges From Page 1 Court documents showed that the couple were arrested mid-year for sexually abusing 12 to 14-year-old girls and a young married woman.

The Tavorvors are parents to seven children and Mr Spears agreed to have their bail extended until their sentence.

In court documents it was claimed that the the couple were both ‘sex teachers’ to the young girls.

Another document presented in court said

a 13-year-old girl was forced to have sex with Jacob and her wife in return for some cash and the couple used to pay her father and sister’s airfares to Port Vila on medical grounds.

The document said: “By the time Jacob was lying down on the bed fully naked and the victim was so frightened as it was her first time to see a man without any clothes on.”

Mary had been involved in all cases, taking the clothes of the victims off their bodies and helping to force the girls to have sex with her husband.

Havannah again finalist in top awards From Page 1 Lesley O’Malley-Keyes, vice president and publishing director, the Americas said the Awards for Excellence winners represent the ‘very best of the best’.

“Our readers are discerning and experienced travellers who know what they want when they travel - exceptional accommodation, outstanding service and good value for money,’’ he said.

“Condé Nast Johansens only recommends properties that meet these very specific standards.”

The Havannah’s general manager Frederick Maclean said the staff at the Havannah have worked exceptionally well.

“They are all to be commended for our nomination in two categories, as to be finalist globally is still an outstanding

achievement that we can all be proud of,’’ he said.

“Now we need to work smarter to be the winner in one if not two categories next year.”

He said The Havannah is one of Vanuatu’s newest boutique retreats - ‘a place where romance meets affordable luxury.’

“It combines a breathtaking beachfront location with luxurious comfort to create the ultimate romantic and secluded resort experience,’’ he said.

“Offering just 16 superbly appointed individual bungalows, some with their own plunge pool, a stunning infinity edge swimming pool with suspended day beds and superb service with exquisite cuisine, The Havannah is an oasis of relaxation, cultural experiences and soft adventure.’’

They also admitted performing oral sex on schoolgirls from primary level three to level six before Jacob had sex with them.

The documents explained that the victims suffered great pain as it was their first time to have sex.

The court also heard that the couple had sex in front of several victims, explaining to them about how sex works.

In another case Jacob was with a married woman and quickly held her by the hand and told her to follow him.

The document said he was holding a knife and the young woman insisted that she was married to someone else but the rapist said he would cut her if she failed to obey.

The couple will need a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the probation officers before the sentencing submissions in February next year.

Quote for the Weekend

“

Always strive to excel, but only on weekends.

”

- Richard Rorty

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

News

Supreme Court orders Parliament to sit THE Vanuatu Supreme Court ordered Speaker George Wells to reconvene Parliament on Friday, ruling that the Speaker did not have the power to stop the no confidence debate.

The ruling of Chief Justice Vincent Lunapek followed a claim submitted on Wednesday to the court by the Opposition challenging the decision of the Speaker.

Mr Wells had declared that the no confidence motion deposited by the Opposition on November 30 was not in order.

He claimed that because one of the motion’ signataries, Luganville MP Kalvau Moli, had withdrawn his signature.

However, in his verdict Chief Justice Lunapek explained that the decision made

by MP Moli has nothing to do with him.

He said it was not the Speaker’s business, but rather it is the constitutional duty of the Parliament to decide on the motion.

Chief Justice Lunapek then ordered the Speaker to convene the parliament as what he did is beyond his responsibiltiy.

He said to debate a motion is a parliamentary matter. He also mentioned that a similar case that happened in 2004 was a precedent for yesterday’s decision.

Meanwhile in a ministerial reshuffle on Thursday afternoon, Prime Minister Sato

Kilman took the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery portfolio from Dunstan Hilton and gave it to Luganville MP Kalvau Moli.

The Prime Minister was re-elected only a month ago but had four ministers defect after he reappointed a number of ministers who were facing impending court cases.

get numbers to form government,” said Mr Kilman.

“This time, it’s the same except it’s a really short time base.” He also said he was ‘very disappointed’ to have corruption allegations levelled against him by the Opposition.

“No one has proved anything,” he said.

After the recent shuffle, Mr Kilman said he now had the support of 30 members of the 52-seat parliament.

“If a member or citizen of a country thinks there is a crime committed then they should report it to the appropriate authorities and have it dealt with by law.”

“I’ve been in Parliament for 17 years and most of that time - soon after any election of [the] Prime Minister - you find the Opposition making every effort to try and

As The Independent went to press Friday, it was understood that the Opposition does not had sufficient numbers to topple the Kilman government.

Kalvau Moli

Sato Kilman

numbers between the Government and the Opposition after four government backbenchers defected from Kilman’s government to back the opposition’s motion last Friday. Mr Moli has joined the Kilman coalition government with independent Tanna MP Richard Namel.

Meanwhile people from Torba said they are satisfied with the move of their MP for the stability of the government but said that there should fair sharing in distribution of ministerial portfolios.

‘Unbeatable’ Kilman avoids motion by reshuffle

by Hilaire Bule PRIME Minister Sato Kilman will remain Prime Minister until the end of his four year mandate.

This has been said by political experts and supporters after the way Mr Kilman played his cards after the October elections when he managed to gather the political parties who were in his former government and new parties which also won the elections.

Opinion

supporters at his office on Wednesday that he has now secured the support of 30 MPs by reshuffling his former minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, Dunstan Hilton.

Mr Kilman said that he has the support of the majority of the 52 MPs and he expected that Opposition will withdraw its motion because it no longer has the numbers.

Mr Kilman has successfully assembled more than 10 political parties after the official results of the elections and the new parliament elected him as new Prime Minister with 29 votes against 23 for the current Opposition leader Edward Natapei.

Straight after his election, the Opposition made a clear comment that the current government lead by Mr Kilman should not be in power.

He said he is not surprised that the Opposition filed a motion of no confidence against him because it is their constitutional right.

This led to a motion of no confidence that 27 MPs deposited in Parliament last Friday, accusing the Prime Minister of entertaining corrupt and criminal practices.

He thanked Mr Hilton for stepping down to maintain the current coalition in power for the interest of the people in Vanuatu.

On the eve of the debate of the first motion of no confidence, Mr Kilman managed to grab two MPs from Natapei’s opposition group and appointed one of them, Luganville MP Kalvau Moli, as the new agriculture minister.

Mr Kilman told government

Mr Kilman said he is disappointed that the Opposition has accused and labeled his government as corrupt, challenging them to take their allegations to the police and courts to prove them.

He also welcomed Mr Moli as a new member of his cabinet and said that he trusted him to be a good minister.

The appointment of Mr Moli has put an end to a week of tug of war over the

Chamber of Commerce concerned about severance pay judgment STRONG concerns regarding the impact of the controversial severance pay case judgment have been raised by the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

In a judgment handed down by the Supreme Court on November 30, Justice Fatiaki ruled that the new rates of severance pay stated in the Employment Amendment Act 33 of 2009 would apply from the date that employment began for employees on continuance employment for more than six years- not just from the October 26, 2009 when the Act came into force.

The new rate of severance pay is calculated at one month per year, which is double the old rate of two weeks per year.

This will affect employees who wish to resign after 6 years of continuous employment, who choose to retire at 55 or after, or who were terminated after October 26, 2009.

However, business leaders said the flipside of this decision is that employers must

calculate these higher rates retrospectively - that is, they are liable to pay more than they have accounted for, from before the Act came into effect.

“We at the Chamber are strongly concerned about the retrospective effect on employers of this decision” said Tom Bayer, VCCI board member representing the financial centre association.

“To apply the new rate from the date that employment commenced for employees is unfair to the employer.”

He said there is serious concern that the judgment will negatively impact businesses in Vanuatu by making some unviable, as they are suddenly liable for more severance pay than planned for and the shortfall for all past years will have to be taken up this financial year.

“It is a real issue of concern to the business community of Vanuatu,” he said “The Chamber is committed to supporting an appeal by the defendants, if ANZ or Wilco decide to do so.”

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

Two of the government backbenchers who signed the motion last week with the Opposition were seen at the PM’s office during the ceremony of the appointment of Mr Moli.

Mophet William said that Wednesday’s reshuffle has left Torba province with no ministry. He reminded the PM that Torba province is part of Vanuatu and they should allocated a ministerial portfolio. Torba province has two MPs in the current Kilman coalition government.

Bilateral relations vital for Pacific: US

THE United States will critically enhance Pacific Partnership between Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and PNG for successful national development.

The newly appointed US Ambassador to PNG, Walter North, stressed this at the US Embassy in Port Moresby this week during a press conference.

“The US wants to maintain good bilateral relations with Papua New Guinea and contribute to its development, therefore, collaboration between these three countries is very important,” he said.

“The US Government will continue to contribute towards Women’s Empowerment such as response to gender based violence, enhancing Pacific Partnership between Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and PNG.” The Ambassador said the US Government will continue working to help prevent and respond to gender based violence in PNG. He said they will continue working with the health sectors under President Obama’s Global Health Initiative, Educational and Cultural Exchanges and Democracy and Good Governance.

“You have a wonderful, rich nation blessed

with an abundance of resources, a vibrant civil society in which there is so much talent.

I have so much interest for the country, the vibrant cultures and traditions, the friendly people, the natural geography such as volcanoes, the national history, and many others,” he said.

Ambassador North was commissioned by the Governor General, Sir Michael Ogio on Tuesday, and officially took office as the 13th United States Ambassador to PNG. He arrived in Papua New Guinea on November 18, following his September 20 confirmation by the United States Senate and his swearing-in as Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands on November 7. Prior to that, Ambassador North served as the Mission Director in India, Indonesia, Zambia, Ethiopia and Bangladesh.

He also held a number of positions at USAid’s Washington Headquarters as Administrator for International Agencies or Offices. Ambassador North is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, holding the rank of a Career Minister.

He will serve as ambassador for two years in the country.

Port Vila to Anywhere Fr8 Logistics Ph 27744 Page 3

News

No discernible benefits from WTO membership WORLD Trade Organisation (WTO) director general Pascal Lamy addressed a small private sector group last week, sponsored by the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in a bid to set out the advantages Vanuatu has obtained by becoming a member of WTO. Mr Lamy said that the WTO ‘cares about its small members’.

He explained that the philosphy of WTO was that ‘trade freedom must work for both big and small members of the organisation’and said he was here to ensure that the post accession framework was in place.

However, he failed to explain exactly what that meant.

In answer to his rhetorical question “How the WTO can help Vanuatu?”, he explained that membership will provide better access to markets of the world for Vanuatu’s exports by obtaining reduced import tariffs in other countries.

He also explained that the WTO will be helping Vanuatu to understand and comply

with the rules and regulations of the WTO. And he said the WTO will help with the training of Ni-Vanuatu in learning how to comply with WTO. Most of this training is ‘on-line’ rather than direct face to face instruction.

Mr Lamy said he wanted to learn the priorities of Vanuatu and to explain what the country needed to do to comply with the WTO rules.

He emphasised that Vanuatu exports will be no longer be discriminated against by other members and that more than 98 per cent of the world trade was now trade between members of the WTO. The meeting was then opened for questions and it was immediately pointed out that on a world scale, Vanuatu exports virtually nothing, with a few exceptions.

One business leader asked what will be the benefit of being member of WTO and what will be the cost.

Mr Lamy responded that there were no

Vanuatu in pictures

costs to Vanuatu as it is a least developed country and did not have to pay anything for representation.

standards of packaging and sanitary control and therefore not something in which the WTO is involved.

In respect of what the benefits were, he reminded the meeting of the points he had previously made and added that Vanuatu exports can now be defended against unfair treatment by other members.

In respect of financial products Mr Lamy said that all members have the right to exempt certain products for the protection of their own economic situation.

And he said it can receive technical assistance in training in how to comply with WTO’s rules and technical assistance in capacity building.

Another question cited three exports that Vanuatu does have - kava, tuna and financial products - and asked how being a WTO member assisted this country with these exports.

Mr Lamy responded by saying that kava was a pharmaceutical problem and was not something that WTO will be involved because it was not a tariff or trade problem.

He said that kava, being made into a beverage, will become product that may be able to utilise assistance from WTO but the product will need definition and there is no standard definition yet of the kava beverage.

He said in respect of tuna exports, which are mainly from the 150 international shipping vessels which fly the Vanuatu flag around the world, that the EU demands certificates of compliance with their standards. He said it was not a trade issue, but one of

The case of Tusker brewery not being able to export its beer to New Caledonia was raised, as France was a member of WTO. Mr Lamy said it might be due to its overseas territory status, but he would look into this problem.

Another business leader commented that while it has cost nothing to join the WTO, there seemed to be no benefits gained and Vanuatu had the detriment of opening its borders for the influx of imported goods which are no longer allowed to be precluded on a tariff basis.

Mr Lamy said history showed that joining WTO has resulted in a surge in direct investment in the country which joins WTO, so Vanuatu can expect this increase in direct investment which will help its economy grow.

“The general feeling of the meeting was that while it was interesting to hear from Mr Lamy there seemed little benefit that Vanuatu is going to get from WTO membership and we are now exposed to foreign competition that will undermine our existing commercial private sector industry,” a Chamber of Commerce member commented.

New Epi MP Bohn supports NgunaPele development program FOR the first time the Nguna-Pele Development Program has received ffinancial assistance from an MP, says Levi Tarosa.

Mr Tarosa, who is Chairman of NgunaPele Development Advisory Group (Nape Dag), said they received a cash donation of VT50,000 from newly elected Epi MP Robert Sikol Bohn to assist the setting up of a tourism company for the chiefs of Nguna and Pele.

He said a request was made to the four elected MPs for Efate Rural constituency in December 2010 for VT100,000 each but no positive response was ever received.

Despite the difficulties in attracting funding for this development program, Mr Tarosa said he is not discouraged as until this week, his valuation company De Roza Investment Group Limited stepped in to be the main financier of this program.

The private company has been providing free secretarial services for the Nguna-Pele development program over the past three years under a Joint Partnership Agreement signed with the Chiefs of Nguna-Pele and Shefa Provincial Government Council and has since financed development planning workshops and other small development initiatives, as well as continuing to seek funding opportunities towards the region’s development program.

WATER BABIES... visitor Alison Carter snapped this picture of some kids having a swim on Port Vila waterfront, and says she was amazed the water was so pristine, despite the busy boat traffic. Just one more reason to love Vanuatu!

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

“When we talk about rural development, the government, the private sector, NGOs and the community have to be prepared to make small sacrifices in the name of community development,” said Mr Tarosa.

“We have to look at development with an open mind and be ready to accept new concepts, new ways to address this issue of decentralising development and services to the rural areas, particularly at the Area Council levels.

MP Robert Bohn hands over funding for NgunaPele Development Program to Levi Tarosa.

“When we preach rural development and decentralisation, we have to put our money where our mouth is,” said an elated Tarosa when he invited Mr Bohn to make a presentation suitably called Think Outside the Box Session with the chiefs of Nguna and Pele.

MP Bohn was offered the opportunity to introduce to the chiefs of Nguna and Pele to his new concept of integrating development with politics in a pro-active manner.

The chiefs were able to learn how small community projects and road infrastructure was built through ‘man-power’ with the assistance of MP Bohn. They learned how, with the help of Vanuatu Progressive Development Party (VPDP) on Epi, an airstrip was cleared in two weeks to allow ‘Captain Mark’ to fly to remote areas on Epi to provide much needed medical services which has been lacking in that region in the past 32 years.

Mr Bohn also talked about the franchise system of politics which he used for the VPDP and has been taking ‘small baby steps’ in introducing VPDP to the constituency of Efate as well as other islands, particularly in the Banks group and Tanna.

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

News

Survey key to a stronger voice for business THE Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) is conducting a survey with 186 of its members, “Improving Business in Vanuatu”, as part of its push to build and strengthen the advocacy and lobbying capacity of the VCCI.

The survey is part of an on-going collaboration between the VCCI and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), a specialised agency of the United Nations that promotes decent work for all through sustainable enterprise and job-rich growth.

The survey invites businesses to share their opinions and experiences on key focus areas that affect them, such as business performance, employment issues, and workers’ compensation. With this information, the VCCI is empowered to better advocate and represent the private sector in Vanuatu when advising Government on policies that affect them.

Over the next few weeks, VCCI staff will mobilise and collect completed surveys that have already been sent to businesses.

They will also assist those who need help in completing the form, in person. The survey targets VCCI members in the key industries of wholesale imports, retail, accommodation, bars and restaurants.

Joe Massing, Manager of Employment Services Unit at the VCCI says, “This survey is an important project to address the feedback that we need to improve some of the services that the Chamber provides and consider all the issues of the private sector.

“We need to hear what is important for businesses in Vanuatu, so that we can have a stronger voice and influence Government decision-making. For example, we want to make sure that the Government takes into consideration business interests in formulating the Employment Relations Act, for instance the issue around severance pay.”

“We at the VCCI will be going to visit the businesses ourselves, as it is such a good opportunity to really listen and understand the needs of our members,” said Astrid Boulekone, General Manager at the VCCI. “It ‘s a chance for businesses to have their say on the issues that really matter to them, and we ask them for their assistance and collaboration in the survey so that the VCCI can perform their advocacy role more effectively.”

For more information on the VCCI Survey “Improving Business in Vanuatu”, call the VCCI at 27543 (phone) or 27542 (fax).

Pacific nations alarmed by tuna overfishing PACIFIC island nations including Vanuatu and environmentalists have raised an alarm over destructive fishing methods and overfishing that they say are threatening bigeye tuna - the fish popular among sushi lovers worldwide.

Palau fisheries official Nanette Malsol, who leads a bloc of Pacific island nations, said at the start of a weeklong tuna fisheries conference in Manila that large countries should cut back on fishing, curb the use of destructive fishing methods and respect fishing bans to allow tuna stocks to be replenished in the Pacific, which produces more than 60 percent of the world’s tuna catch.

The annual meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, which regulates commercial fishing in the vast expanse of waters from Indonesia to Hawaii, is to approve steps aimed at protecting the bigeye and other threatened tuna species, along with giant whale sharks.

More than 600 delegates from about 40 Asian and Western countries, along with environmental activists, are attending.

Malsol said she expects heated debate.

Proponents of the multibillion-dollar fishing industry have squared off with conservationists in the past over the best ways to protect the bigeye and other species without considerably setting back the lucrative business.

Bigeye and yellowfin tuna, which can grow to 8-9 feet (2.4-2.7 meters) long and weigh more than 450 pounds (200 kilograms), are not in immediate danger of being wiped out, but have been hit hard by overfishing.

The fish are used mostly for steaks, and in the case of bigeye, sushi.

The fisheries business in the western and central Pacific region, estimated to be worth about US$5 billion annually, has drawn increasing numbers of industrial fishing fleets, which have caused tuna stocks to fall since the 1960s.

“This week it’s up to the big fishing nations to show the world what they are going to do to cut overfishing of bigeye tuna,” Malsol said.

Many fleets are using so-called “fish aggregation devices” (FADs) - various types of floats which are used to lure vast numbers of tuna. When schools of tuna have massed under the devices, fishing vessels alerted by sensors approach and scoop up their catch with giant nets.

Between 47,000 and 105,000 fish aggregation devices, made from bamboo, palm fronds, plastic or old nets, have been deployed worldwide to attract a wide variety of marine life. The method is used to catch nearly half of the world’s tuna and has contributed to the overfishing of bigeye tuna across the Pacific Ocean, according to the US-based Pew Environment Group.

Aside from tuna, sea turtles, sharks and juvenile fish have often been killed.

“The deployment of tens of thousands of drifting fish aggregating devices in the world’s oceans with little to no oversight is extremely worrisome,” said Amanda Nickson of the Pew Environment Group.

“The fishing industry is not currently required to account for its use of FADs. It is being allowed to gamble with the health of the ocean, and it is time for governments to require full accountability and management of this proliferating and risky fishing gear,” Nickson said.

Conservation efforts, however, have been tough to implement and have sparked disagreements.

Greepeace activists said they will submit evidence to the fisheries commission detailing violations of regional tuna fishing rules by Southeast Asian countries including allowing fishing vessels to operate on the high seas without permits and required observers onboard.

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

VANUATU NEWS

in Brief

Tanneese attacks: two teenages seriously injured AN attack that happened last week at Fresh Water 5 in Port Vila resulted in two teenagers (a boy and a girl) being admitted to Vila Central Hospital (VCH) with critical condition.

Sources close to the families said that the boy, who is from Tanna, lost two teeth and had a broken jaw and his girlfriend who is three months pregnant had injuries on her forearms and fingers.

The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday, December 2, as they were coming back from a night out and met a group of youths that started to throw abusive words to the duo, and a fight broke out.

Unfortunately, after the police was informed by the family concerned, they took more than an hour to attend the crime scene.

“When they arrived, the duo were already taken to the hospital, and fire was set on houses and nakamals at Fresh Water 5,” eye witnesses said.

The attack has created ill feelings between families of the duo that saw other fights taking place late Sunday evening and again on Wednesday at the market.

Chiefs from Tanna residing in Port Vila have called upon the acting commisioner of police Arthur Caulton to resign ‘if he is incapable to tackle the issue’. They called upon the government and relevent authorities to appoint a police commissioner on merit immediately.

Minister signs mega-yacht Phocea release MINISTER of Public Utilities, Harry Iauko, has signed a deed of release of one million vatu, or US$11,000, to release the mega-yacht Phocea.

The mega yacht has been detained in Port Vila harbour since it was seized in July over an alleged smuggling and forgery operation.

Iauko says that he has taken legal advise from the Attorney General and the Prosecution that there is no longer a case in Court between the government and the owner of the Phocea.

However director of Ports and Marine, Morris Kaloran, says that Iauko has no power to release the Phocea and that he has never been consulted by the office of the Attorney General to release it.

The director says that the Phocea’s arrival in Vanuatu breached International Maritime laws and Vanuatu should bring back the claimed owner, Pascal Anh Saken, to be charged.

The forgery case against Saken was recently withdrawn by the court on the basis that he was not in Vanuatu.

Broadcasting chief says no political interference THE General Manager of Vanuatu’s Broadcasting and Television Corporation says a senior journalist has been suspended because the broadcaster wants to eliminate politically biased reports.

Antoine Malsungai is suspended for two weeks following his segment on allegations that the Prime Minister Sato Kilman had not yet cleared a debt to government of VT 13 Million or US$140,000.

Sato Kilman’s alleged debt was the reason why he was left off the initial candidates list for the recent election.

The VBTC manager, Fred Vurobaravu, says the segment should have covered other politicians who have debts to government.

Vurobaravu said Malsungai failed to have the segment approved by the heads of news.

“And it’s created some very serious comments from some political leaders on the issue of the outstanding 13-million vatu for the Prime Minister. There have been various reactions on that one, as to why this was done specifically on the Prime Minister rather than a general topic on many leaders involved in similar cases.”

He said it’s not the first time Malsungai has breached staff guidelines.

“I hope we’re not faced with other problems in the future. It (the suspension) was nothing political. I have received a complaint from the Prime Minister from his office but it was not on the PM’s instruction or whatever.”

Motion of no confidence in PM blocked A MOTION of no confidence against prime minister, Sato Kilman, has been blocked by the recently re-elected speaker of parliament, Georges Wells.

The motion was tabled last Friday, just over a month after Kilman was re-elected as leader in the national elections.

The opposition says it has the backing of 28 of the country’s 52 MPs, after four of Kilman’s supporters crossed the floor.

Despite that, on Monday, the parliament’s speaker, Wells, who is a supporter of Kilman, ruled the motion was out of order and would not be heard.

Four backbenchers in the Vanuatu coalition government David Tosul, of People’s Progressive Party or PPP in Pentecost (Sato Kilman’s party), John Amos, another MP from Kilman’s party in Tongoa, Jonas James of Natatok in Paama and Tony Nari of Iauko group in Pentecost, are among the MPs who signed a motion of no confidence against the Prime Minister, Sato Kilman.

The government backbenchers claim Kilman’s lead coalition government has failed to keep its promise to allocate political posts to their politicians.

The office of the speaker has now declared the motion of no confidence against Mr Kilman is in order and parliament was expected to meet within yesterday to debate it.

Page Page05 5

News & Views VINEDU has heard that because there was not the appropriation bill this December, MPs could not make Christmas fundraising as was tradition. It has been noticed that almost every year where there is budget, the session starts with boycott motions and so on to prolong the session. The MPs get VT 7000 for their daily allowance, which is good money. The Opposition has filed a motion of no confidence against PM Kilman to fund raise for Christmas.

VINEDU has heard that the good preacher of good governance and the interests of the people does not care about the spending fund. Parliament will spend VT

diplomatic bag. Mr Saken has travelled with it in Russia, Brazil and South Africa.

vinedu 364,000 in the name of constitution and democratic right.

VINEDU has heard the Vanuatu Government is a generous government, with VT 1 million for the deed of release to please Mr Saken while he is making billions with Vanuatu’s

VINEDU has heard that the public prosecution office has become a stumbling block in Vanuatu’s jucidiciary. Some government departments are hesitant to use it. They prefer to wait until the end of their contract rather than waste their energy.

VINEDU has heard that the new Kilman coalition has started well this term. The release of Phocea and a minister demanding free cartons of beer is a good start to avoiding corruption and upholding the respect to the leadership code.

VINEDU has heard that the champion con man in Port Vila has not only managed to give a job to his scholarship friend but he has also managed to employ his wife in the same government sector with VT 7000 salary per day.

VINEDU has heard that legal firms are going to spend a good Christmas with election disputes. They are making ‘ded mani’ with the cases.

VINEDU has heard that a minister intends to sue his complainant for damages because they have ruined his name by accusing him of bribery during the last general election.

Letters

Re: Nagriamel will not accept VP/Australia influence

PERHAPS the real writer should ask VP whether they were only a strong believer of Australia or treating Australia and other traditional aid donors, like New Zealand, France, EU, etc the same?

The issue, I believe, is not about favouritism but about a political party’s international relations, how best to attract donor’s assistance to the people of Vanuatu. It is how good governance, transparency and accountability is respected and applied by a political party in all sectors of the government. The opposite is entertaining corruption, manipulating the system, political interference and these are methods that would give us reasons to hate another person or country. I think that is the weakest point of Nagriamel, causing all this gut feeling against Australia! You cannot turn the stone of history on the blackbirding issue.

If an apology is indeed owed to Vanuatu by Australia, it must be discussed between the two governments and a formal request be made by Vanuatu. That was never pursued

by any past government, even coalitions with the Nagriamel partnership.

And did you say surrendering to Australia’s influence is worse than corruption? No, I say surrendering to the corrupt rich businessmen is worse than what you imply here. For example, giving a Nagriamel title like ‘Saken’ to someone without screening and foreseeing the negative impacts, is worse than worse shit covered with white linen. That title was used for speculative adoptions and is connected to recent media spotlights on corruption. In short, it is used to compromise Vanuatu’s sovereignty with the powerful rich elites.

Now how do you compare that with Australia’s influence on Vanuatu? And perhaps you should simply ask the Australian embassy here the actual reasons for the changes of their diplomatic heads rather than pushing a false alarm. I am sorry but I am still not convinced over your comments that Vanuatu’s sovereignty is at risk under VP. Because I still

Re Police arrest of subordinates

THE issue of the Vanuatu Police Force (arrests) is a very serious matter. In my humble opinion, the Vanuatu Police Force is no longer a disciplined force. My opinion is that the executive of the Force is now playing politics within the organisation.

What the Police Commissioners’ office is doing, is using the institution to satisfy an interest group of people, but not the nation.

Interestingly, Ron Tamtam told the media that the most recent arrests were similarly to the arrests in mid this year. But I remember from articles in mid this year, that prior to the former Commissioner’s departure, a warrant of arrest was issued by the court, and police were merely executing the ‘Arrest Warrant’.

That’s the normal procedure, isn’t it?

My question is, did Ron Tamtam obtain enough material on alleged criminal behavior of the suspects to satisfy a court judge and convince the judge to issue a similar Warrant of Arrest? Or was it just a retaliation over the arrests that happened sometime in July/ August of this year?

If no Warrant of Arrest was issued by a Vanuatu Court, then that makes the current arrest different from the previous arrests.

Why? Because one arrest was made following a directive of the court while the other was made by order from the Acting Police Commissioner. And, if the current arrests was just a pay-back, then I think the current executive is putting itself on a hot frying pan.

I also wonder whether or not the Public Prosecutor’s opinion was sought over the recent arrests.

All of you high ranking officers are ‘officers of high statute’ but if your actions are aimed at using the power of authority (both from

Page 6

government and Vanuatu Police Force) to satisfy an interest group of people, rather than the nation, then you have all put yourselves in disrepute, and may find difficulty rebuilding your good status.

Ol my gud fren long Force, (whether from Bong or Caulton’s groups), “Better to leave politics to politicians”. Incoming young Police officers are watching you. You should be demonstrating quality leadership of the ranks you are holding.

I hope you have applied and complied with all necessary laws and acting in the best interest of the nation.

Oh, dear! The Good Lord knows what is best for our country, so help us Lord.

Peter Lo Santo

cannot think of a development project initiated

by Nagriamel, or the recent coalition which Nagriamel was part of, that lured support for any development projects in Vanuatu. What I do remember from radio and newspapers is that development projects undertaken by the most recent government were all initiated by the VP-led government! But, I accept that our new government is formed and we are all looking forward to its achievements.

Like I said earlier, it is all about which party has the policies to attract donor partners and investors to further the development and improve the living standard of the people of Vanuatu, because the government does not have the financial base to do that. At least we are all happy that Australia has funded road projects in our islands, built new classrooms, subsidised schools fees to enable more niVanuatu a chance of education, assisted to end the telecommunications monopoly – allowing mobile phone and internet communications throughout the entire Vanuatu archipelago

- assisted with a lot reforms in the finance sector, assisted in the improvement of health services, assisted in maintaining a proficient security for the people and the country as a whole, assisted our new parliamentarians with induction courses etc. Is that what you termed ‘influence’.

Lastly, you cannot put Vanuatu at the same level as Australia in terms of its relationship with Indonesia. Australia does have trade interests with Indonesia (sell and buy), Vanuatu doesn’t. Only Philippines buys our copra. Our relations with Indonesia may have been based on monitary reasons for individual or political gain but not necessarily in the best interest of Vanuatu! I think you should begin to review the way you want to think about Australia’s influence and work towards befriending not just Australia, but other donor partners too, so to attract assistance for your people, and Vanuatu as a whole.

Manu

Re: MP vows to fight corruption

THE heading of your front page article on Issue 459 looks very promising but with reservation.

I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate MP Christopher Emelee’s ambitions to tackle corruption, but would he be able to push for that matter, as a one man band against groups within the government. Or will it be another repeat of what happened last year, where the government’s partial investigations were only aimed at discrediting political opponents on the eve of the election year. A number of cases that needed to be investigated remained pending because they involved ministers and politicians in the government of the day.

I was interested in the list of cases provided in the article but thought it should also include the sale of passports during his time as Vanuatu Consul General in New Zealand, and the sale of government property at the government wharf that was purchased by his Tuna Fishing company.

I doubt very much if investigations will be carried out against ministers of the Kilman Government if they continue to hold the reigns of power. I think it would be difficult to prosecute corrupt practices involving politicians because key witnesses in such cases will be other politicians themselves… and that’s where the difficult side comes into play.

Wan politician I digim toti blong nara wan bae toti blong hem tu ikam aot long klia ples.

Identity issues at The Independent?

DID Editor Tony Wilson (Wilson’s Word, Independent December 1) mean to confirm what we’ve suspected since The Independent’s format changed from a news newspaper to mélange of lifestyle magazine and kiddies corner with a bit of news and opinion on the side - that the paper has identity issues?

Explaining to Mme Goiset Thi Tham that the reason one of her own court cases made it on to the front page of a previous issue of the Indy was her close connection to so called owner of Phocea, Pascal Anh Quan Saken, Wilson wrote: “We [media] are entitled to cover any court case, providing we do so fairly… This is a critically important right of the fifth estate in any democracy”.

According to Wikipedia the term 'fifth estate' has no fixed meaning, but is used to describe any class or group in society other than the first four. It has been used to describe civil society (including trade unions) and the poor or the proletariat (a lower social class, usually the working class) and also to describe media outlets including the blogosphere that see themselves in opposition to mainstream media and ‘networked individuals’ enabled by the Internet in ways that can hold the other estates accountable.

The Indy? Any of those? Nope, not as far as we know and not as far as

Tank yu Max Sulsul

the Constitution of the registered Charitable Association that publishes the paper says.

Surely Wilson meant 'fourth estate' as the media is usually termed after the clergy (first), the nobility (second) and the commoners or people (third). We’d appreciate if he’d clarify.

B.J. Skane Editor's note: No identity crisis here, just steadily increasing circulation because readers are enjoying the accurate news and features and the feedback is simply that The Independent is a quality read every week.

THE Independent welcomes letters to the editor and encourages readers to express their views in writing.

However, it should be understood that not every letter submitted will be published and the decision whether or not to do so remains at the discretion of the editor. It should also be noted that The Independent will not consider letters that have appeared in other publications.

The views expressed by letter writers are not necessarily those of the management and staff of The Independent.

The Independent/L’Indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

THE to-ing and fro-ing of politicians from Opposition to Government and back will become frequent enough to hypnotise an elephant and this style of Third World politics is set to be a regular part of the fabric of Vanuatu politics for at least the next four years. Unless something less drastic can be found and immediately acted upon, WW strongly favours a plan put to him this week by some of the wiser and stronger heads of industry and commerce in Port Vila. Like all good plans – it’s simple.

For example, when a vote of no confidence is called, requiring all MPs to return to Port Vila to attend the session in Parliament – which is a very costly exercise – then the loser of the no confidence bill pays all the costs. WW understands that the strategy is that all MPs who supported the losing side of the bill have their pay docked to cover the costs. It is money they would simply never see. WW is convinced the old ‘go-direct-to-the- hip-pocket’ routine would dramatically reduce the number of times Parliament is recalled in any given year. And therefore should reduce the quickstep shuffle that is poisoning the nation currently.

BLIND Freddie will have noticed A-boards that have sprung up everywhere in the retail sector extolling the values and availability of SolBrew beer, the beer beverage from the Solomons Islands that is now widely available in Vanuatu. It is being sold at such a cheap price because they do not have to pay any import duty under an arrangement signed by member nations of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, of which Vanuatu is a member/ signatory. So WW understands that this beer company owned by international Dutch giant Heineken can undercut the price of Tusker beer here on home soil because of this import tax exemption, thus jeopardising the jobs of many Ni Vans. But when Tusker tries to sell its fine product to say New Caledonia or the Solomons, they hit a brick wall because those nations have other regulations in place to counteract the import tax exemption. As far as WW is concerned, this means Tusker, and therefore Vanuatu, is now being mugged from both within and outside the country.

WORD

ilson’s

So WW challenges MSG leaders based here in Port Vila to tell us how Vanuatu, with its smaller population and higher wages, can possibly benefit from the beer scenario spelled out above. No rhetoric or goobledegook political speak - WW just wants some answers about the Tusker situation. Maybe when it’s all said and done WW feels that Vanuatu should tell the MSG to collectively take a long walk off a short pier, hand in hand with the WTO. It’s time we took a long, hard look at some of these organisations and asked the simple but salient question - what does Vanuatu get from being a member of XY, and Z? Sadly, The Independent and all other local media asked these sorts of questions for months before Vanuatu joined the dreaded WTO and yet it still happened in a rare misguided moment. During that period of unity and purpose, Vanuatu Chiefs and a united Christian church group rallied and protested, yet it still happened. WW heard about one of the WTO’s head wallahs being in town last week to answer questions and that this ‘Nellie Negative’s’ answers to a strong core of Port Vila’s leading business identities were about as exciting as watching paint dry. Under the spotlight, ‘Mr Negative’ could not list one single area where the WTO could be of positive assistance to Vanuatu – except in training people in how to deal with the WTO. WW feels it’s time we told them to shove our membership where the sun doesn’t shine. If we tell them we are withdrawing our WTO membership what can they really do – basically three fifths of bugger-all. Also pathetic to see that ‘Mr Negative’ received some positive press –how quickly some media forget the truth that was previously front page news.

Opinion THE Vanuatu Government’s sale of citizenships to astute Chinese business people trying to get a toehold into the extremely lucrative Hong Kong market has made some headlines in Vila and at the time WW only queried where the proceeds from this rather clever business deal went. WW now wonders if the government could take a leaf from the actions of the Spanish government, which has embarked on a similar fund raising scheme. Under their scheme, foreign investors are being offered permanent residency if they acquire a home in Spain worth more than 160,000 Euros (about $AUD200,000) – which is aimed at trying to stimulate a stagnant economy where five million Spaniards are out of work and there are about 300 people evicted from their homes every day. A similar move here – offering permanent residency to land buyers - would stimulate a stagnant property market, perhaps seeing new residents spending more and thus creating jobs.

STILL on the property front, WW notes that Moso Island is ‘for sale’ from this weekend. An ‘Open Day’ will be held on December 9 with a sausage sizzle to promote the sale of 28 ‘superb oceanfront’ lots ranging in price from VT4.8M to Vt7.8M. WW did report some time ago that the clearing of these lots was rough and that the mangroves took a beating on a site that does not have any real beach. Progress can be viewed many ways and WW suspects that similar projects on Moso will follow. As a Havannah resident, WW could not be critical.

THERE has been a strong rumour around Port Vila concerning a Vietnamese family/group who have allegedly been breeding dogs for human consumption. Government officials checked it out and it does not appear to have any substance at this time. But WW is not surprised at the possibility as he is certain he unwittingly ate dog in Vietnam some years ago.

While he avoided all references to ‘le chien’ on menus, WW still feels it was an unnamed substitute for beef, especially in Hanoi. As a

confirmed dog lover, WW does not want to see the practice occur here.

SCHOOLIES (students celebrating the end of their school life) have been here from OZ in recent days and have been seen at various venues around Port Vila, but fortunately they have not created any ridiculous headlines in Vanuatu. It helps that we don’t have many buildings 11 stories high for a schoolie to sleep it off on the narrow ledge, as one extremely lucky lad did in Surfers Paradise. And it also helps that we don’t have monkeys like in Bali.

This is a reference to the 18-year-old schoolie muppet who paid $100 for a monkey from a street vendor in Kuta – to save its life! Then,of course returned home to OZ minus the monkey. WW does not believe we will ever see schoolies in Vila in plague proportions like the Gold Coast and Bali as we do not have the range and variety of attractions that appeal to mindless 18-year-olds hell bent on destruction.

Good thing really.

STRANGE and sad health stories abound in Vanuatu and this one has bugged WW this week. A Ni Vanuatu woman was found to have a lump in her breast, so she went and had it tested. The test cost VT12,000, it is unclear whether she will get any results and, even if she does, there is no treatment here for cancer anyway and this woman could not afford to travel overseas for treatment if needed. This is a truly forlorn story that must be replicated frequently here and WW believes a major push must be made to get some cancer treatments in situ in Port Vila ASAP. So many cancers are now successfully treated around the world that hundreds of Ni Vans would live long, rewarding lives if an oncology department could be introduced at the major hospital in this country.

AND that’s Wilson’s Word.

Disrespectful, barbaric actions increasing

by Evelyne Toa LAST week this country witnessed a senseless incident, where a young, innocent teenager with his pregnant girlfriend were attacked by a group of thugs at Freshwota Five in a cowardly assault.

Unfortunately this kind of unacceptable behavior is on the increase and for this to happen in this untouchable, beautiful, friendliest place on earth is beyond one’s imagination.

In the past few years, more violent behaviour has been observed. Police have reported increases in criminal activities, especially in Luganville and Port Vila. Definitely there is no reason for this and it is not good to have to live in fear in our society. What happened to these teenagers should never have happened and the police should ship those who did this barbaric act to Mathew and Hunter to isolate them from the rest of the community.

Attacking innocent teenagers when they should be able to walk freely in a public place, makes one to think as to what kind of human do we have in this country?

Although this country is still better than most in the world in terms of violence, is not good enough and people should be respected, especially when they are in a public place.

Whatever the reasons might be for this incident, hitting someone should be out of the question.

There was a call out on the radio for the acting Police Commissioner to resign because the police were very slow to arrive at the scene.

We all know that quite often police are ineffective in emergency cases and the lame excuses of lack of vehicles and fuel must stop.

The public see them driving around looking smart in these vehicles, stopping at nakamals

Behind the news at times, and not turning up at a place that should take, at the most, 10 minutes to reach is unthinkable. The public wants to be reassured by the police that they are safe and the acting Police Commissioner is expected to find out those who should have responded promptly but did not and sack them.

The police must show that they can be trusted with the safety of the citizens of this now not so friendliest place on earth.

What are the parents of those who caused such stupidity doing about it? It is not enough to be ashamed and do nothing. It is evident that most parents these days allow their children to do whatever they want and go whereever they wish to go. Most of the blame should be levelled at the parents for not bringing their children up properly. Unfortunately many are wasting their time drinking kava and getting involved in activities that keep them away from home, where they should be instilling discipline and good values in their children.

I hope that parents reading this will further think that the child or children they brought into this world, either planned or unplanned, should be brought up to be a blessing, not a curse to the others.

What are the chiefs doing rather than just putting out messages on the radio? What real action do they take to ensure that their communities are safe? Of course the chiefs may have done more good in ensuring peace in a community than the police, but how do we respond in such a case as this and what should be done to ensure that it is stopped?

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

Rather than just mobilising their community to do good, the chiefs should push for other options to eradicate such barbaric behavior.

There has been a lot of talk that those from other islands should be shipped back to their home island if they caused such inhumane behavior. Those chiefs on each island should take up this responsibility and the police and government should support such a move.

It is utterly disrespectful to the people on this island when people from other islands come in and get involved in such despicable acts.

Whatever has happened to sending back to their islands those who are not working and doing nothing here on Efate or other islands for that matter? If there is no walking the talk this country will continue to see on the rise such unacceptable behavior.

What is the government doing about it? The government unfortunately has been sucked into the United Nations regulations and our laws are too weak to be effective against such behavior. When there is an international convention to sign up to something, the government jets off to sign it without seriously thinking and consulting the bulk of the people.

Unfortunately instead of contextualising these conventions, they have contributed to eroding what we have which looks at the good of the society first rather than the individual first.

Now when somebody is involved in a crime, we house them and feed them with steak and honey and, guess what, they continue to rape and steal when they get out of prison.

Now that the police did act strongly against

those who escaped earlier this year then – surprise, surprise we are not seeing any more attempts to escape from prison. Don’t even think that is because of the ribbon wire being set up, for even in the top security prisons of the world criminals will always find a way to escape. The government must start to put in measures to strongly protect the majority, not the criminals who make the society an unsafe place to live in.

Unfortunately the government is so busy trying to keep itself in power rather than looking and providing solutions for the real issues. What is the government really doing with such issues? There is talk of legalising marijuana so it can spend less money looking after those who have gone kuku in the head.

The criminals sleep with good beds and we feed them with good food, so how do one expect prison to be a deterrent.

Legalise divorce and prostitutes because everybody is doing it and let’s break down the fabric of trust and holding together of a community by respect and valuing others.

Continue to advertise the use of scores of condoms at the expense of being committed to only one for life. The government needs to make tougher laws to address the modern issues that are arising exponentially and must put the good of the communities first not unnecessarily on individualism, a foreign concept to this country. The international community should act more responsibly by not ‘imposing’ foreign elements on our community that will tear us apart. Breaking down our systems that have given us peace and the wellbeing of everybody is truly sad indeed and those who advocate this should not be allowed to sleep well at night.

Page 7

Nouvelles régionales

RADIO COCOTIER

On ment au bureau présidentiel Un coup de fil au palais présidentiel a permis d’apprendre une information qui était loin de la vérité. Alors qu’on cherchait à savoir pourquoi le président de la République n’habite plus dans sa résidence officielle située au dessus de la baie de Fatumarou, une voix féminine a laissé entendre que le président est logé ailleurs parce que le toit de la maison présidentielle a besoin d’une réparation après qu’il y ait eu des fuites d’eau durant les pluies. S’il y a des fuites d’eau, il s’agit tout de même de la résidence officielle du président de la République qui devrait subir les réparations urgentes afin de permettre au locataire d’y retourner ! Cela fait presqu’un an qu’il n’y va plus que durant les heures ouvrables alors qu’il est logé ailleurs aux frais de l’État. La vérité c’est que le locataire actuel du palais présidentiel a peur d’habiter à cette résidence qui lui est allouée par l’État sous prétexte de retomber malade après qu’il lui ait été conseillé par un sorcier que quelqu’un y aurait enterré quelque chose de nocif qui le rendait tout le temps malade. L’État aurait déjà dépensé des millions en soins médicaux pour le locataire actuel du palais présidentiel comme s’il a été élu exclusivement pour ses soins. Après avoir passé des mois dans une maison privée à Malapoa Estate aux frais de l’État, il habite désormais dans un motel à Nambatri toujours aux frais de l’État, selon une source proche du trésor public. Dans le pays, on change de maison comme si on est un SDF qui veut dire au Vanuatu “Silip long Dok blong Famili”.

Les nouveaux suivent l’exemple des vieux Comme faisaient les vieux et les anciens députés, il faut que les nouveaux députés suivent la même pente : déstabiliser un gouvernement à tout moment suivant les besoins et les intérêts de ceux qui ont activement apporté leur part à la campagne électorale à leurs côtés. On dirait qu’ils ont été élus pour servir les intérêts personnels de leurs électeurs et les leurs tout en négligeant leur responsabilité de dirigeant aux yeux de la nation. Un d’entre eux a été trouvé dans une banque avec un chèque du gouvernement, soit le premier versement de ses attributions parlementaires. La somme serait estimée à quelques centaines de milliers de vatus, destinées à aider peut-être ceux qui ont voté pour lui. On pensait à un don qu’allait faire le nouveau député à ses électeurs quelques jours après avoir été vu à la banque alors qu’il était attendu à l’extérieur. Le nouveau député aurait dit à ses supporters qui se trouvaient dehors que le chèque était bien déposé à son compte mais que l’argent devrait être prêt dans trois jours. À la fin de la semaine dernière, les voitures de location ont fait l’aller-retour Tara/ Port-Vila. Les passagers étaient en quête du soutien pour renverser la nouvelle coalition gouvernementale. Il n’y a pas espoir que certains de ces nouveaux députés, qui ont changé de camp politique, apportent un changement au pays car ils dépendent trop des intérêts politiques et personnels comme ceux qui leur ont déjà montré l’exemple auparavant alors qu’ils s’entraînaient pour se lancer dans la carrière politique.

Brèves du Pacifique Appels pour une réduction de 30% des prises des thons obèses Un thon très apprécié ainsi que l’albacore sur les marchés du sashimi et du sushi.

Les régulateurs du secteur de la pêche commerciale et les écologistes affirment que les stocks de ce thon sont sérieusement surexploités dans la région et ils réclament une réduction de 30% des prises de thon obèse, également appelé thon à nageoires jaunes et thon à gros œil.

Des appels auxquels vont s’opposer les pêcheries commerciales du Pacifique occidental et central qui est la source de la moitié de l’approvisionnement en thon de la planète. Le thon obèse est très recherché en Chine, au Japon, aux États-Unis et en Europe. Des flottes de pêches en opération dans le Pacifique occidental et central attrapent plus de 150 000 tonnes de thon obèse par an.

Pour la Commission des pêches du Pacifique occidental et central, c’est trop. Le directeur de cette Commission, Glenn Hurry : «Les recommandations scientifiques n’ont pas changé depuis 3 ou 4 ans, il faut réduire les prises de 30%». Le professeur Glenn Hurry est actuellement à Manille, capitale des Philippines, pour la réunion annuelle de la Commission des pêches du Pacifique occidental et central. Des centaines de délégués participent à ce sommet de la pêche et nous avons demandé à Glenn Hurry si des pays comme la Chine, le Japon ou les États-Unis étaient susceptibles d’accepter une réduction de 30%.

Les couleurs du Vanuatu découpées par les commerçants chinois Les commerçants chinois trouvent quand même le moyen de faire de l’argent avec les couleurs du Vanuatu. Il suffit d’envoyer une photo des couleurs chez eux et les rouleaux de tissus arrivent par tonne pour les vendre. Et si les rouleaux sont chers pour certains vanuatais, les commerçants chinois peuvent les vendre par mètre. Alors qu’il est strictement interdit à Pékin de découper les couleurs de la Chine, les chinois ont réussi à faire découper les couleurs du Vanuatu en remplissant leur poche. Et personne n’ose lever la main !

La sorcellerie marcherait à fond en politique Alors que les partis politiques tentaient de former une nouvelle coalition après la publication des résultats officiels des dernières élections, un fonctionnaire originaire du nord-ouest de Mallicolo est allé raconter dans les nakamals que la sécurité de Sato Kilman en politique venait de chez lui. Seul un sorcier de cette région mallicoloise aurait le pouvoir de lever la force de ce qui avait été entrepris pour que le député de l’île ne puisse pas être réélu à la tête du gouvernement. Pour ce fonctionnaire, si un sorcier du nord-ouest de Mallicolo ne pouvait pas intervenir, personne d’autre ne pouvait le faire car cette pratique liée à la sécurité d’un dirigeant n’existe que dans cette région. La preuve : Sato Kilman a été bien réélu malgré la forte campagne de l’opposition contre les pratiques liées à la corruption auxquelles s’étaient livrées des dirigeants de l’ancienne coalition. L’homme censé être le protecteur de son ancien gouvernement aurait reçu une enveloppe sous forme de remerciement. Avant les élections, Sato Kilman aurait demandé au conseil des ministres d’approuver une somme de cinq millions de vatus pour donner à ceux auxquels le Premier ministre a fait allusion en disant que sans eux, le gouvernement n’aurait pas tenu jusqu’au bout. Comme le budget de l’État ne pouvait plus permettre une telle dépense, Sato Kilman aurait mis la main dans la caisse contenant des fonds communautaires.

La nomination d’Arthur Caulton a divisé les ministres Ce n’était pas pour rien que Sato Kilman, à peine réélu au poste de Premier ministre, a décidé de changer la police pour la mettre sous sa tutelle. On a signalé que le conseil des ministres a été divisé sur la décision du chef du gouvernement de nommer le préfet de la police par intérim au plus haut poste de la police nationale. Des ministres étaient en désaccord avec le Premier ministre, disant que si Arthur Caulton était nommé à la tête de la police, cela n’avait pas fait suite à la publication du poste. Ces ministres auraient préféré demander au chef de l’exécutif de revoir sa décision et de porter le poste à la publication afin de permettre au public de postuler comme le veut la loi sur la police.

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Le thon obèse est très recherché en Chine, au Japon, aux États-Unis et en Europe.

(Credit: Reuters)

Hurry : «Nous sommes au milieu de notre premier débat en ce moment, il y a beaucoup d’opinions différentes qui sont avancées et c’est le meilleur moyen d’avancer. Je dirais qu’il y a une certaine prise de conscience que nous devons faire quelque chose sur cette question».

Pendant ce temps, les petites nations océaniennes du Pacifique font pression pour essayer de limiter l’utilisation des Dispositifs de Concentrations du Poisson (DCP).

Ces DCP sont des structures flottantes comme des bouées reliées à une ligne et un corps mort et assez rapidement la partie supérieure de la ligne et le flotteur sont colonisés par des algues et tout aussi rapidement on assiste à des concentrations de thonidés autour des bouées et il n’y a plus qu’à ramasser les poissons au filet Nouveaux cas de séropositivité aux îles Salomon Après 30 nouveaux cas détectés à Fidji au cours du premier semestre 2012 et 4 nouveaux cas au Vanuatu, c’est aux îles Salomon que 3 nouveaux cas de séropositivité ont maintenant été signalés.

Entre 1994 et décembre 2011, 17 cas ont été confirmés aux Salomon; 6 hommes et 11 femmes. 7 sont décédés et 10 toujours en vie.

Selon les services de santé, la plupart des salomonais ne passent pas de test de dépistage et le chiffre de 17 cas est nettement en-dessous de la réalité. Les experts indiquent que des centaines de cas de séropositivité existent probablement aux Salomon qui, selon les services de santé, sont assises sur une bombe à retardement Des ananas aromatisés à la noix de coco C’est une première mondiale, une nouvelle variété d’ananas est sur le point de voir le jour, une variété d’ananas à saveur de noix de coco nommée AusFestival.

Le bureau de recherche du ministère de l’Agriculture de l’État australien du Queensland a mis 10 ans pour peaufiner cette nouvelle variété d’ananas qui devraient être dans les rayons des supermarchés d’ici 2 ans.

Garth Seneski, un horticulteur de haut rang, affirme que le goût est véritablement unique, la saveur de noix de coco est légère mais distinctement reconnaissable, l’ananas est sucré, peu acide et très juteux.

- P.R

L’Indépendant - Samedi le 8 Decembre, 2012

Le Lycée français de Port-Vila fête la fin de l’année scolaire Samedi 24 novembre, le Lycée Français a organisé sa grande fête annuelle, sur le thème des îles et des Océans.

Toute la journée, des spectacles proposés par les élèves se sont succédés sur la grande scène mise en place pour l’occasion : danseuses de tamouré, hip-hop, danses coutumières de Pentecôte, Zumba…

Pendant ce temps, petits et grands ont pu s’amuser avec le Clown avale-tout, les défis de Fort Boyard, la pêche à la ligne, les traditionnelles fléchettes, et de nombreux autres stands de jeux. Des ballons multicolores, flottants gracieusement dans les airs grâce à l’hélium gentiment offert par la société Esqal, ont égayé la journée.

Hamburgers, crêpes, gaufres, barbes à papa, glaces et autres boissons fraîches ont pu rassasier les estomacs les plus voraces !

La fête s’est terminée en beauté, avec le tirage au sort de la tombola, qui a, cette année encore, permis de distribuer de somptueux lots à ceux qui ont eu la chance de gagner, et notamment un ordinateur portable offert par Spim, un barbecue offert par Port-Vila Hardware, un aller-retour Port Vila/Nouméa offert par Air Calin, des livres et des casques audio offerts par Sharper Image, un abonnement d’un an offert par le Tennis Club, et de nombreux autres lots.

Cette fête a été rendue possible grâce à la générosité de ces partenaires qui méritent d’être remerciés : Esqal, Unelco, Au Bon Marché, Spim, Port-Vila Hardware, Air Calin, U.F.E., Asco Motors, Sharper Image, Wilco, Sound Center, Paris Beauté, Banque Bred, Rina’s Island Spa, Computer World, SCALP, Tusker, TVL, Vaté Electrics, Brunet Entreprise,

Starfish Christmas Menu Boulangerie Ah Pow, Mme Muriel Leong et Mr Osea. Les bénéfices de cette grande fête alimenteront le Foyer Socio Éducatif, qui finance de nombreux ateliers périscolaires, des projets pédagogiques tels que le tour de l’ile en VTT, ou la fête de la Science à Nouméa, et aide aussi les familles en difficulté. Créé en 1981, le lycée français propose un cursus bilingue de l’âge de 3 ans jusqu’au Baccalauréat (18 ans) qui permet à tous les élèves de maîtriser à la fois le français et l’anglais.

Il est ouvert à toutes les nationalités et permet aux élèves de poursuivre ensuite leurs études en Australie, en France, en Nouvelle-Calédonie ou au Vanuatu, avec d’excellents taux de réussite.

Les inscriptions sont encore ouvertes.

Renseignements : Tel : 22 926 Internet : lfpv@lfportvila.edu.vu

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 8 Decembre, 2012

Go further / Allons plus loin Page 9

Nouvelles en français

Une première tentative contre Kilman après sa ré-investiture

Si la Cour suprême donnait raison à l’opposition qui a engagé une première tentative de motion de défiance, alors que nous mettions sous presse jeudi, ceci en moins de deux semaines après la ré-investiture de Sato Kilman, le Parlement devrait siéger suivant la décision suprême.

Il avait été prévu lorsque le réélu de Mallicolo a été reconduit à la tête de l’exécutif le 19 novembre dernier que toute initiative d’engager une motion de défiance à son encontre surgirait à tout moment vu le nombre des députés qui étaient au côté de l’opposition. Il suffirait que quatre députés se retirent de la nouvelle coalition pour que la balance tourne de l’autre côté.

Ces quatre députés étaient attendus. Ils ont été confirmés en moins de deux semaines après la ré-investiture de Sato Kilman : David Tosul, élu du PPP à Pentecôte, John Amos, autre élu du PPP à Tongoa, Jonas James du Natatok à Paama et Tony Nari du groupe Iauko à Pentecôte. Les quatre ont justifié leur geste à l’opposition. Ils se plaignent du fait que leur électorat respectif ne soit pas représenté politiquement dans la composition de chaque ministère, à savoir les postes politiques dans les ministères et dont le partage pour eux n’a pas été équitable.

et Tony Nari ont fait de même mais ont réaffirmé leur soutien à l’opposition. Depuis la fin de la semaine dernière, seul Kalvao Moli apportait une position plus rassurante pour la coalition gouvernementale. Au début de la semaine, on signalait que Sato Kilman s’apprêtait à attribuer au nouveau venu le portefeuille de l’agriculture à la place de Dunstan Hilton.

Lorsque l’opposition a été avisée de la position des quatre élus, une motion de défiance a été élaborée et signée par un total de vingt-sept députés, soit la majorité requise. Mais une fois déposée au secrétariat du Parlement, le président du Parlement, Georges Wells, annonçait qu’il préférait qu’elle soit déposée à son bureau.

Sur ce, il n’a pas voulu y donner une suite puisque quelques heures seulement après le dépôt de la motion de défiance, Kalvao Moli, élu indépendant de Luganville, a renoncé à son soutien à la motion en faisant savoir sa position au président du Parlement. Par la suite, Jonas James

Rappelons qu’en août 2004, un cas similaire, soit le premier depuis l’indépendance, avait fait l’objet de poursuite. Arnold Prasad, alors élu de Santo, avait retiré sa signature de la motion de censure, engagée contre Serge Vohor. Le président de la Cour suprême, Vincent Lunapek, s’était alors prononcé en faveur de l’opposition en estimant qu’une fois la motion de défiance déposée au bureau du président du Parlement, elle n’est plus de la responsabilité du président lui-même mais du Parlement.

Pour le cas actuel, les raisons liées à la nouvelle tentative sont diverses.

L’opposition estime qu’après avoir été

Kalvao Moli devrait prêter serment mardi après-midi mais les démarches pour sa nomination ont été annulées après qu’il ait été dit que l’opposition négociait avec lui. L’opposition avait décidé de saisir la justice pour se prononcer sur la décision du président du Parlement de rejeter la motion de l’opposition estimant que la majorité avait été levée une fois qu’un député ait renoncé à sa signature. L’opposition a été obligée d’aller jusqu’à la justice et jeudi matin, la Cour suprême a examiné le dossier.

élu Premier ministre, Sato Kilman a procédé à la nomination des ministres dont certains étaient déjà ministres sous son gouvernement précédent, ayant été condamnés par les tribunaux ou ont des dossiers en instance devant les tribunaux. «Il est manifestement incapable de discipliner ses ministres, en omettant de respecter son engagement de bonne gouvernance que nécessite une telle discipline. Il continue à perpétuer et à discréditer le gouvernement et la République du Vanuatu», lui reproche l’opposition.

Pour le camp de Natapei, Sato Kilman n’a pas réussi, dans son gouvernement précédent, à gérer efficacement les affaires financières de l’État vu la mauvaise utilisation flagrante des fonds publics et un certain nombre de règlements à l’amiable faits à des copains d’une manière non approuvée par le Parlement. «Tout cela a abouti à une situation dans laquelle le budget du fonctionnement de l’éducation nationale a été épuisé trois mois avant la fin de l’exercice; le salaire des enseignants, des policiers et leurs droits ne pouvant plus être payés, le service de la santé étant gravement sous-financé et les passifs de l’État continuant à croître à un rythme insoutenable, ce qui risque de compromettre la capacité des gouvernements futurs à fournir des services au peuple du Vanuatu», estime l’opposition.

Autre reproche à Sato Kilman : «Il a fait preuve d’un manque de professionnalisme à l’endroit des porteurs de charge publique en permettant la nomination de personnes

non fondée sur les mérites mais plutôt sur le népotisme, et en intervenant dans la nomination des personnes à des postes publics importants, y compris dans les sociétés mixtes et les institutions légales, la commission de la fonction publique, la Caisse nationale de prévoyance et bien d’autres.

«En prenant une décision unilatérale de retirer le portefeuille ministériel du développement et de la formation de la jeunesse et de le remplacer ar un ministère créé pour satisfaire les désirs personnels d’un membre du Parlement, il oublie que les jeunes constituent un grand groupe à part au sein de la population du pays. Dans le cadre de la préparation du pays pour accueillir le mini-jeux du Pacifique de 2917, il faudra un effort concerté ministériel pour oeuvrer efficacement», souligne d’autre part l’opposition.

Dernière reproche de l’opposition : «À titre de Premier ministre, Sato Kilman a amené le discrédit au sein de la République et réduit la crédibilité et a souveraineté du Vanuatu au sein de la communauté internationale par la façon dont il conduit la diplomatie vanuataise, par la vente continue des passeports vanuatais aux ressortissants étrangers, par la nomination népotique continue de ses copains à des postes diplomatiques, en continuant à établir des relations plus étroites avec l’Indonésie dans l’acceptation unilatérale de son statut d’observateur dans le Groupe Mélanésien de Fer de Lance et par la signature des accords de coopération au développement contre la volonté du Parlement et du peuple du Vanuatu».

Doresthy Kenneth reçoit une Guerre des chefs de la police : distinction honorifique de la France

nouveaux soubresauts

La directrice du département des Affaires féminines, Doresthy Kenneth, a été décorée des insignes de Chevalier de l’Ordre national du mérite par l’Ambassadeur de France, Michel Djokovic, lors d’une cérémonie simple et émouvante qui s’est déroulée à la résidence de France le 22 novembre dernier.

Parmi la centaine d’invités figuraient M. Sethy Regenvanu, ancien Vice-Premier Ministre et Ralph Regenvanu, qui vient d’être réélu membre du Parlement, ainsi qu’une représentante de la Commission de la Fonction publique, les membres de la famille de Mme Kenneth, ses amis et ses collègues de travail.

Cette prestigieuse distinction française vient non seulement récompenser un grand dévouement professionnel en faveur du développement économique et social du Vanuatu, mais aussi un engagement résolu en faveur de la promotion de la condition féminine et de la lutte contre les violences domestiques.

Mme Kenneth a d’abord exercé des responsabilités en tant qu’économiste au sein du département des Pêches à partir de 1989 avant d’en être la directrice de 1995 à 1997 puis d’assumer les tâches de directrice du département de l’Agriculture et du Développement rural de 2000 à 2009.

Il s’agissait notamment de promouvoir les notions de responsabilité et d’équité auprès des petits agriculteurs et de leurs organisations professionnelles. Ses efforts se sont notamment déployés dans le cadre du Projet d’Organisation des Producteurs Agricoles pour la Commercialisation Associative (POPACA), cofinancé par la France et l’Union Européenne de 2002 à 2007.

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La guerre qui oppose deux rivaux à la tête des forces de police du Vanuatu a connu mardi un nouveau rebondissement avec l’arrestation-surprise d’une petite douzaine d’agents, déjà mis à pied en octobre 2012 et réputés proches de l’ancien Commissaire, Joshua Bong.

Doresthy Kenneth décorée des insignes de Chevalier de l’Ordre National de mérite. À sa droite, l’ambassadeur, Michel Djokovic.

Depuis juillet 2009, Doresthy Kenneth assure avec la même détermination la direction du département des Affaires féminines, rattaché au ministère de la Justice et des affaires sociales. Son engagement vise à assurer l’égalité des chances, à renforcer les droits des femmes et à favoriser la parité hommes/ femmes. Ces actions s’avèrent aujourd’hui bien nécessaires, même si au Vanuatu les femmes ont toujours eu une place essentielle dans la vie quotidienne de la société.

Défenseur convaincu de la «Convention sur l’élimination de toutes les formes de discrimination à l’égard des femmes», la CEDAW, que le Vanuatu a ratifiée en 1995, Mme Kenneth contribue aussi à la lutte contre les violences faites aux femmes, au sein des familles ou à l’extérieur.

Son département participe d’ailleurs activement à la Journée internationale pour l'élimination des violences faites aux femmes et aux enfants ainsi qu’à la campagne de mobilisation du Ruban Blanc qui vient de se dérouler à Port-Vila le 27 novembre.

Ces arrestations mardi aux aurores, ont été menées dans le cadre d’une opération spéciale dirigée par l’actuel chef de la police par intérim, Arthur Caulton, a annoncé un porte-parole des forces de l’ordre.

Les onze agents concernés ont été entendus, puis relâchés en attendant une comparution devant la justice pour « mutinerie », incitation à la mutinerie et arrestation illégale de M. Caulton (ainsi que deux autres officiers supérieurs), lors de la précédente crise ouverte qui a secoué la police de cet archipel, fin septembre 2012. À cette époque, M. Bong, juste avant l’arrivée à terme de son contrat, alors qu’il était déjà mis à pied, avait brièvement fait arrêter M. Caulton, avant que ce dernier soit finalement libéré.

Selon la police, M. Bong se trouverait aussi sur la liste des personnes à interpeller dans les prochains jours, tout comme un Commandant des forces mobiles du Vanuatu (VMF, groupe paramilitaire), Aru Maralau, lui aussi mis à pied depuis les événements de septembre.

Les intéressé n’ont jusqu’ici pas pu être appréhendés et ne se trouvent plus à leur domicile depuis plusieurs jours, a reconnu la police, qui les considère «en fuite».

Cette lutte pour le pouvoir au sein mêmes des forces de police du pays avait menacé de dégénérer en mutinerie.

Ces arrestations coïncident aussi avec une échéance très attendue sur le calendrier local : l’annonce en milieu de semaine d’une décision concernant la nomination définitive du Chef de la police nationale.

Le tenant du titre par intérim, Arthur Caulton, pourrait se voir confirmé dans ses fonctions.

Il avait déjà été préféré à son rival et prédécesseur, Joshua Bong, sur intervention du Président de la République Iolu Abbil, au plus fort de la crise qui opposait les deux hommes, quelques jours avant les élections de fin octobre 2012.

La période d’intérim de M. Caulton, qui débutait le 5 octobre 2012 pour une période de deux mois, s’achève le 5 décembre 2012.

La Commission des Services de la Police (Police Service Commission, organe chargé de superviser le fonctionnement d e la police du Vanuatu) aurait déjà soumis vendredi 30 novembre 2012 une liste de recommandations au gouvernement, contenant le nom de trois personnes. Les noms des personnes concernées ne sont toujours pas connus.

La nomination officielle du titulaire à ce poste-clé, normalement conçu pour une période de cinq ans, doit être effectuée par le Président de la République Iolu Abbil, sur avis du gouvernement.

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The Independent/L’indépendant - Samedi 8 Decembre, 2012

Nouvelles régionales

Affaire Finau Maka : nouveau rebondissement Dans un rebondissement judiciaire après un précédent jugement rendu en octobre 2010, la Cour d’Appel de Toulouse a condamné mardi le rugbyman tongien Finau Maka, ancien troisième ligne du Stade toulousain, à verser 2.000 euros d’amende et 5.000 euros de dommages-intérêts, après l’avoir reconnu coupable de «soumission à des conditions de logement indignes» d’un sans-papier tunisien.

Le joueur océanien a toutefois été délesté des chefs d’accusation de «travail dissimulé» et d’ «emploi d’un travailleur clandestin», a précisé l’avocat du rugbyman, Pierre Dunac.

Lors d’un précédent jugement rendu par le tribunal correctionnel de Toulouse, le 19 octobre 2010, le joueur avait été relaxé de tous les chefs d’accusation. Les plaignants s’étaient alors pourvus en appel.

Ils ont aussi indiqué leur intention de poursuivre une autre action devant les prud’hommes afin d’obtenir paiement de ce qu’ils considèrent comme des salaires non versés par le rugbyman, a indiqué l’avocat de Moncef Derbali, Éric Zerbib.

Finau Maka, pour sa part, entend contester la dernière décision de la Cour d’Appel en formant un pourvoi en cassation.

Dans cette affaire, ce joueur de rugby océanien de 35 ans, ancien troisième ligne du Stade Toulousain, s’était retrouvé à la barre après avoir été accusé en mai 2010 par le Tunisien Moncef Derbali (34 ans), qu’il avait hébergé entre février 2006 et avril 2010 dans sa maison de Beauzelle (environs de Toulouse, Haute-Garonne), de l’avoir fait travailler au noir et vivre dans des conditions si indignes (il était hébergé dans une cabane au fond du jardin) qu’elles relevaient de «l’esclavagisme moderne».

Dès l‘ouverture du procès, en octobre 2010, le plaignant avait affirmé que sur une période de quatre années, il avait dû travailler à la rénovation de la résidence du rugbyman, sans pour autant avoir jamais été rémunéré.

Finau Maka avait rejeté les accusations, expliquant qu’il avait, par contre, fait parvenir de l’argent à la mère du plaignant, directement en Tunisie.

Le plaignant avait dans un premier temps réclamé quatre vingt mille euros en guise d’estimation d’un salaire non payés pendant ces quatre années, assortis de soixante mille euros supplémentaires pour le « préjudice moral » occasionné.

Finau Maka sur un banc de salle d’audiences en octobre 2010.

Le procureur avait requis cinq mille euros d’amende lors de la clôture des audiences, le 21 septembre 2010. Le tribunal avait finalement rendu un non-lieu. À l’annonce du verdict, à l’époque, le Tongien avait fondu en larmes tout en se déclarant «ravi et soulagé» de cette décision.

Il avait aussi expliqué que le fait d’avoir accueilli cet homme en échanges de quelques tâches diverses correspondait à une conception océanienne de l’hospitalité et de la charité chrétienne, mais que son

hôte n’avait jamais été «forcé» à effectuer quelque tâche que ce soit. Le dépôt de la plainte avait coïncidé, en mai 2010, avec la fin du contrat de Finau Maka à Toulouse et le début de ses préparatifs de déménagement vers Aix-en-Provence.

L’avocat du Tongien avait estimé, au cours des audiences, que les accusations portées à l’encontre de son client constituaient de fait «une forme de chantage à la plainte» de la part du Tunisien, qui venait apparemment d’apprendre qu’il ne ferait pas partie du déménagement.

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La Nouvelle-Calédonie déclare une épidémie de dengue de type 1 La collectivité française de NouvelleCalédonie a déclaré mardi être en état d’épidémie concernant le sérotype 1 de la fièvre hémorragique dengue, transmise par les moustiques.

«Une nouvelle épidémie de dengue de type 1 débute ce jour en Nouvelle-Calédonie, avec 127 cas en novembre et 16 cas en décembre », a annoncé mardi le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie dans un communiqué».

Les cas dépistés concernent aussi bien la capitale Nouméa et sa grande banlieue, ainsi que la partie Nord de l’île principale (Grande Terre) ou encore l’île de Maré (îles Loyauté).

Le nouvel ambassadeur américain après avoir présenté ses lettres de créances au gouverneur général de la Papouasie Nouvelle-Guinée.

Un nouvel ambassadeur américain pour la Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée, les îles Salomon et le Vanuatu Le nouvel ambassadeur des États-Unis résidant en Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée, Walter North, a présenté mardi ses lettres de créances au Gouverneur Général (représentant de la Reine d’Angleterre, qui est le chef de cet État du Commonwealth) Sir Michael Ogio, a annoncé mardi l’ambassade des États-Unis à Port-Moresby.

Auparavant, il a occupé des postes similaires comme directeur d’UsAid en Indonésie (2007-2011), en Inde (2000-2004) et en Zambie (1996-2000).

Ce diplomate de carrière, qui prend ainsi le poste de treizième ambassadeur des ÉtatsUnis dans ce pays depuis son indépendance en 1975, avait été nommé mi-juillet 2012 par le Président Barack Obama.

Outre ces postes à l’étranger, toujours au sein de la même structure, M. North a aussi été plusieurs fois en poste au siège UsAid de Washington, en particulier chargé des affaires africaines (2006-2007) ou encore asiatiques (2004-2005).

Il est aussi compétent, sur une base nonrésidente, dans les archipels voisins et mélanésiens des îles Salomon et du Vanuatu.

Dans son annonce, le Président américain avait ainsi désigné M. Walter North comme étant le prochain chef de la mission diplomatique américaine en Mélanésie.

North, diplomate de carrière, occupait jusqu’à récemment le poste de directeur de l’agence internationale d’aide au développement (UsAid) pour l’Égypte.

Avant cela, il avait été directeur adjoint de l’agence UsAid en Éthiopie (1992-1996), rappelle la Maison Blanche.

L’un des principaux foyers identifiés de cette épidémie a été localisé sur Nouméa et ses environs.

Les autorités ont appelé à la vigilance de la part du public, en encourageant, dès l’apparition de symptômes (tels que les douleurs articulaires, musculaires, maux de tête, nausées), de consulter un médecin.

«Le médecin pourra, s’il le juge nécessaire, prescrire un test de dépistage pris en charge gratuitement par le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie. Il déclarera le cas de dengue dès sa suspicion, ce qui permettra

la mise en place, au plus tôt, de la lutte anti vectorielle par la municipalité concernée», précise le gouvernement.

Les conseils concernant aussi, au plan de la lutte conte le vecteur de la maladie, le moustique Aedes Aegypti, de se protéger en utilisant des produits répulsifs cutanés, mais aussi de nettoyer toute zone susceptible de constituer un gîte larvaire en abritant des eaux dormantes (vieux pneus, pots, broussailles).

Cette déclaration coïncide avec l’arrivée de la saison chaude et humide dans cette partie de l’hémisphère Sud. La dengue est une fièvre hémorragique dont les symptômes vont des douleurs musculaires et articulaires aux maux de têtes, aux nausées, à la fièvre, et pouvant aller jusqu’à l’hémorragie interne dans les stades les plus avancés de la maladie, qui peut dans certains cas se révéler mortelle.

Il existe quatre sérotypes connus (1 à 4) de la dengue.

Les épidémies précédentes en NouvelleCalédonie de dengue de type 1 remontent à 2008.

- pad

Litiges postélectoraux : un ministre papou perd son siège Paru Aihi, ministre de l’éducation au sein du gouvernement du Premier ministre papou Peter O’Neill, a perdu son siège de député à a suite de l’annulation des résultats dans sa circonscription, lors des récentes élections législatives tenues en juin-juillet 2012, rapporte mardi la radio nationale.

M. North devrait prochainement remplacer Teddy Taylor, l’actuel ambassadeur des États-Unis dans cette zone, dont le passage, depuis 2009, aura été marqué par l’établissement d’une nouvelle agence régionale UsAid, chargée en particulier de programmes sanitaires et de protection de l’environnement, dans le cadre d’une politique ostensible de réengagement des États-Unis dans la région Pacifique.

Cette annulation résulte du dépôt d’un recours devant le tribunal des litiges électoraux, dans la circonscription de Kairuku-Hiri (province du Centre de l’île principale).Les plaignants accusaient le ministre et député sortant de s’être rendu coupable de corruption active au cours de la campagne. La cour leur a donné raison. Le ministre entend désormais faire appel de cette décision.

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The Independent/L’indépendant - Samedi le 8 Decembre, 2012

Il s’agit du second député à perdre son siège à la suite de plaintes électorales déposées après le scrutin national de 2012. Une première décision similaire concernait le député Ezekiel Anisi dont l’élection dans la province de Ambunti-Drekikir avait aussi été invalidée. La Cour avait en effet découvert et établi que l’intéressé n’avait pas l’âge légal pour être éligible.

Page 11

News

10,000 farmers get crop assistance to prepare for natural disasters

THE World Bank Board has approved a US$5.58 million Global Environment Facility grant for Vanuatu to boost the resilience of communities to the impact of climate change and natural disasters and help secure people’s access to food and water.

The project combines plans to reduce the risk of natural disasters with policies that address climate change and climate variability. The project will provide up to 10,000 farmers with better crop production technologies and more resilient food crop varieties. About 6000 residents of 120 rural communities will receive safe drinking water with the installation of 300 rainwater catchment and storage systems. Around 35 different communities of between 4000 and 6000 residents will benefit from disaster risk management programs, while more timely and accurate predictions of natural disasters will benefit up to 10,000 people.

“Hundreds of Vanuatu communities will be better prepared to weather the sort of devastation that natural disasters and climate change can have on their livelihoods,” said Jotham Napat, Director of the Vanuatu Meteorological and Geohazard Department.

“Vanuatu is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters in the world,” World Bank Country Director Ulrich Zachau said.

“Implementation of this GEF funded project can make a difference for thousands of

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families.”

“Climate change is likely to affect every sector in Vanuatu, but agriculture is especially susceptible to weather changes,” said Robert de Raeve, Chargé d’Affaires, European Union delegation to Vanuatu. “This sort of assistance will ensure communities that rely on agriculture become as resilient as possible to the effects of climate change and natural disasters.”

Vanuatu already experiences the consequences of climate variability and change – rising sea levels, increasingly extreme weather patterns, and changes to agricultural productivity and water availability. These challenges are likely to intensify in the future, and coupled with a high frequency of natural disasters, put extreme pressure on the livelihoods of remote subsistence farmers throughout Vanuatu. The remoteness from government assistance makes relief efforts difficult, putting significant pressure on food and water security. The project aims to address these fundamental challenges.

The Global Environment Facility is joined by the Government of Vanuatu, the European Union and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery in financing the US$11.52 million project.

The Vanuatu Meteorological and Geohazard Department will manage the project.

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The Indyview

Feature

by Tony Wilson

Tall in the saddle

TOM Nangam is definitely Vanuatu’s Mr Equestrian. It is not a title he would have chosen for himself, but it fits comfortably on this handsome man’s shoulders and, honestly, there’s not much about horses that Tom doesn’t know or can’t do.

He has been the long term champion jockey at the iconic Kiwanis Race Day since its inception, he is renowned internationally for both his skill at breaking wild horses and training them, add to that he is the nation’s only trained blacksmith, and together with his brother owns two equestrian centres.

Throw a saddle over that lot and you won’t get much of an argument about the Mr Equestrian tag.

What is equally impressive as his prowess with the noble beast is how he got to where he is today, as a 50-year-old, from extremely tough and humble beginnings.

Tom’s life began in Lenakel in Tanna, the first born of a large family, with three brothers and four sisters. Like many Tannese in the ‘60s, and even through to today, the Nangam family were subsistence farmers – a tough life offering little more than hand to mouth existence.

“It was a hard life and there was just no opportunity for me to go to school at all,” he said. “I’ve never really learnt to read and write properly and in those early years all I knew was the Tanna language; I couldn’t even speak Bislama, let alone any French or English.”

Tom came to Efate as a young lad and in 1972, as a 13-year-old, he began working for the Sodap company at Rentabau doing general farming and labouring duties.

He said he had a tough but fair Australian boss, Bill Hol, and initially he found the language barrier a real struggle.

“I learnt to say ‘yes’ and ‘no’, and I said ‘yes’ more often, but most of the time I ‘talked’ with my arms, trying to make myself understood,” he said.

Working Monday to Friday for a few thousand vatu a week, Tom managed to learn Bislama after the first year on the cattle farm.

Being a cattle property, it meant Tom was instantly involved with horses and immediately it became apparent to all around him that he was blessed with natural talents once astride a horse.

Master horseman Tom Nangam loves being in the saddle (right) and (above), with Marco Traverso, for whom he trains and rides - often - winners.

“Mr Bill taught me a lot about horses and eventually he let me ride in a few agricultural shows, and I absolutely loved it and even at an early age, I started winning.

“He even let me ride a bull in a rodeo, but it was the horses that were my first love and that is still the same today. I just felt special around them.”

‘Mr Bill’ returned to Australia and Tom went to work for the Lingrison Air company in 1976.

“I was doing the same job, working with cattle and horses, but I had good teachers for the horse riding and now I was working with horses every day.

“I was starting to learn how to break the wild horses so they could be ridden, and Efate was full of them, in fact there are still many, many wild horses in North Efate, especially on the plateau above Tanoliu.”

Already Tom’s skills in the saddle and in the training ring were becoming known and still in 1976, he was approached by the French family that ran Club Hippique, the Nodys.

“They wanted me to join their riding school and train wild horses and they offered me more money and the chance to do exactly what I wanted to do, so I joined them,” said Tom. It was the beginning of an 18-year relationship with Club Hippique and, as each year went by, Tom’s abilities grew, as did his reputation.

“I learnt more and more riding techniques

and competed as often as I could, and in those days there were many competitions.”

Tom has very fond memories of 1980.

“My first child Margaret was born. It was also my first overseas visit when I was invited to Sydney to work with some horses after people had seen me at Club Hippique.

It was also the Kiwanis’ first race day at the golf club, which I won and oh, of course, we became independent,” he said with a cheeky grin.

There were to be other trips to Australia, where people used his renowned skills for short training periods at their stables. He also formed a long term and successful partnership with Marco Traverso, winning numerous Tusker Cups at the annual famous race day on Traverso’s horses.

After 18 highly successful years at Club Hippique Tom resigned and took his family back to his roots, in Tanna.

The Nangam fame in horse craft had also spread to Europe and he accepted an invitation to spend some months training at a highly regarded riding club in Belgium.

He spent six months there in 2004, before returning for a further three months the following year.

After his European experience, investors and supporters gave Tom a small area of land at Bellevue to establish his own riding school and the Bellevue Ranch Equestrian School was finally born in April this year.

It is already proving a hit with tourists and Tom is proud to be sharing the riding training and horse breaking duties with his 20-year-old son Wayne Tom.

“I wanted to help my family and we built a tourist bungalow at Lenakel and then I helped train my brother, and we also established an equestrian centre called the Lenakel Golf Resort. My brother still manages it and it remains popular with tourists.”

It is also ironical that Tom was beaten in this year’s Tusker Cup at the Kiwanis Race Day for the first time.

Having established the successful business in Tanna that involved his family, Tom was able to make a comfortable return to Port Vila and resume his horse training duties with Marco Traverso.

Tom said he is very appreciative of the help of many people, especially Marco Traverso, that have seen him achieve what he has done without any formal education and transfer his amazing skills with horses into two viable businesses that allow him to continue in his greatest passion.

In the early ‘90s Tom also journeyed to Melbourne, where he spent time learning the ancient craft of blacksmithing, which

Tom and friends in Australia, where he learned blacksmithing and (right) winning the 2011 Tusker Cup at the Kiwanis Race Day. The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

included the making of horse shoews as well as the fitting of them. He remains today the only trained blacksmith in Vanuatu, although using those skills is a challenge due to the lack of specialist equipment available.

“I fell,” he said, with an apologetic shrug of his shoulders. “But that’s alright, because Wayne went on and won the race.”

He also feels very strongly that with a still abundant supply of wild horses, much more could be made of equestrian pursuits for tourists, that Tom believes could employ many more Ni Vanuatu and give this country yet another unique tourist attraction in the Pacific.

This is an extremely likeable, humble Ni Vanuatu – completely in tune with what he has achieved without any formally taught skills. He should certainly be put forward as a role model for anyone in this nation struggling without opportunity. But when it’s all boiled down one gets the very definite impression that Tom is more at home with horses than most humans, where he rare God given talents rise right to the top.

Page 13

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The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

Adver tisement

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme

Vanuatu Government The TVET Sector Strengthening Program

(SPREP)

invites applications for the following position: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COORDINATOR (READVERTISED)

JOB OPPORTUNITIES: Qualified professionals who are interested in exciting and challenging opportunities in one of the world’s leading regional environmental organisations are invited to apply to the following positions:

CLIMATE CHANGE TEAM • Climate Change Monitoring & Evaluation Officer(CCMEO) • Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change, Finance & Operations Officer(PACCFOO) WASTE MANAGEMENT & POLLUTION CONTROL TEAM • Pollution Adviser (PA) Full details on responsibilities, requirements, remuneration packages and lodging an application can be obtained from the Employment section of our website: www.sprep.org or by contacting Christine Purcell or Jolynn Managreve-Fepuleai of the HR Team on telephone: +685 21929 Ext. 325 or 328, Fax: +685 20231, or direct Email: christinep@sprep.org or jolynnf@sprep.org.

Closing date: Friday, 4th January 2013

SPREP is an Equal Opportunity Employer

ANGLE

SCHOLARSHIPS Academic Exchange between Europe and the ACP countries

The Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Sector Strengthening Program is an AusAID-funded Program located in Santo and Malekula with the objective of improving training outcomes for employment and income generation within a national quality system.

The Program is currently seeking experienced Ni-Vanuatu applicants for the role of BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES OFFICER based at its office in LUGANVILLE, SANTO. A key focus of the role will be to assist small business owners and farmers improve their business operations and productivity throughout Sanma province.

Skills and Experience: •

Recognised qualification in a relevant productive sector field (ie: Agriculture, Tourism, Fisheries, etc.) or Business/Economics-related discipline

•

Proven experience in business development/rural development

•

Strong networks with stakeholders working in business and rural development

•

Experience in skills transfer, including delivery of training, workshops, etc.

•

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, in either English or French

•

Ability to manage simultaneously multiple tasks in a challenging work environment

•

Highly competent in the use of MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint and the Internet

•

Ability to drive will be an distinct advantage

Remuneration

A very attractive remuneration package will be offered based on applicants’ skills and experience. Previous applicants for this position need not apply.

All application letters and accompanying CVs should be submitted no later than Wednesday 12 December addressed to: Administration Officer TVET Sector Strengthening Program P O Box 5003, Port Vila - Email: may@vanuatutvet.org.vu - Phone: 27166

ViLa MODeRN TiLeS PRE-CHRISTMAS SALE!!!

First Quality Porcelain Tiles

MASTER PHD ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATION STAFF

UP to 20% off Selected Ceramic Tiles Up to 10% off Bathroom Cabinets up to 20% off

VANUATU INFORMATION SESSIONS: Wednesday 12 December, 2012 Thursday 13 December 2012 Time: From 12 pm Venue: USP Emalus Campus

Email: International@usp.ac.fj Phone: 679 32 32916 http://angle.up.pt

Erasmus Mundus

Funded with the support of the European Commission This publication reflects the views only of the author and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein

The Independent/L’Indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

*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

POSITION VACANT Dans le cadre de la procédure de renouvellement du permis de travail et conformément à la loi en vigueur, UNELCO VANUATU LIMITED recherche un(e) candidat(e) Ni-Vanuatu bilingue (français/anglais) susceptible d’occuper le poste de :

DIRECTEUR TECHNIQUE PROFIL REQUIS : o CONNAISSANCES

 Ingénieur (Bac+5) en Electricité/Electrotechnique/Electromécanique/Maintenance industrielle ou diplôme de formation professionnelle équivalente avec expérience professionnelle minimum de 15 ans en mécanique et électricité  Connaissance en centrale thermique (formation spécifique) o EXPERIENCES

 15 ans recommandés d’expérience dans les domaines de la production et de la distribution d’énergie  ou 15 ans recommandés d’expérience en maintenance industrielle dans les domaines de l’électricité et la mécanique o ASPECTS

COMPORTEMENTAUX

 Grande disponibilité  Rigueur  Sens de l’anticipation  Ouverture d’esprit  Sens du relationnel et de la pédagogie

MISSIONS :

 Assurer la gestion des activités techniques de la Société (Electricité et Eau)  Optimiser l’organisation et la productivité des services techniques  Optimiser la qualité de service rendu au client  Optimiser la qualité des produits distribués au client  Assurer le développement et la pérennisation des moyens de production et de distribution  Optimiser la fiabilité et rendement des installations de production et de distribution  Veiller au maintien des bonnes relations avec les partenaires et les autres Directions de la Société  Veiller au respect des règles d’hygiène, de sécurité et d’environnement  Gérer le personnel du Département Technique  Garantir l’accueil et l’écoute du client  Rendre compte au Directeur Général  Veiller au respect des valeurs et de la charte d’éthique du Groupe  Gérer les budgets d’investissement et de fonctionnement attribué par le conseil d’administration Les candidatures devront être envoyées au Directeur Général Délégué d’UNELCO VANUATU LIMITED BP. 26 Port-Vila au plus tard le 17 décembre 2012.

EXPERIENCED HOSPITALITY STAFF WANTED For Teouma/Whitesands area Restaurant 1. CHEF 2. FRONT OF HOUSE & BAR Must be reliable. Must speak good English. ph. 23355 or 7758080

• • •

Refrigeration Engineer.

Must be experienced in all aspects of large industrial refrigeration maintenance.

Must have had at least 5 years of experience in working in a large industrial setting.

Must have relevant qualifications to show that the person is qualified.

Please write to : Refrigeration Engineer P O Box 47 Port Vila.

Applications close on the 13/12/2012.

QBE INSURANCE (VANUATU) LIMITED POSITION OF GENERAL MANAGER Applications are sought in relation to the position of General Manager.

Vanuatu Medical Laboratory may shortly have a vacancy for a citizen to manage the laboratory. Applicants should be a qualified medical doctor, licensed by the Vanuatu Health Board, and hold a qualification as a Medical Technologist.

Applicants must also have experience managing a medical lab, including medicine control and test machinery calibration.

Applications, with CV and passport size photo, should be submitted to: The Manager, Vanuatu Medical Laboratory, P.O. Box 1, Port Vila

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. Pascal Tasso 2. Anthony Olsen 3. Douglas Ngwele 4. Johnny Arnhambat 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. Crusoe Fishing Adventures 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 BLOOD TYPE

Why Is It Important to Know What Type of Blood You Have?

Knowing one’s blood type is important for a variety of reasons. The first is that in an accident, if one loses enough blood to require a transfusion, one can become severely ill if the wrong type is administered.

Hospitals usually can do emergency blood type tests to avoid transfusing incompatible blood, but knowing one’s blood type will save critical time in such emergencies.

In other words, it is important to know blood types to avoid mismatch in emergency cases. It is even important that you get a blood type ID where you take note of your blood type in cases of accidents and emergencies.

The successful applicant will be required to: -Manage all facets of our general insurance operations here in Vanuatu.

-Hold a recognized insurance qualification as required by the Insurance Act 2005.

-Have a minimum of 10 years General Insurance Experience.

-Have at least five years experience in Senior Management roles in such areas as Claims Management, Portfolio and Case Underwriting, Financial and General Administration, Insurance Product Marketing.

It is expected that the successful applicant will be prepared to assist with the training and development of the local Ni-Vanuatu staff in the delivery of quality insurance products to our customers.

Only applicants who meet the above criteria will be considered.

Written applications and a copy of the resume with evidence of educational qualifications including a certified academic transcript and two nominated referees should be sent to: The Human Resource Executive QBE Insurance (Vanuatu) Limited P O Box 186, Port Vila APPLICATIONS CLOSE 5 PM ON THE 20TH DECEMBER 2012

Page 16

Vanuatu Medical Lab, located in the Pro-Medical ambulance building, has all necessary reagents for blood type testing.

The price of the test (Blood type and Rh) is just 500 vt. Result is on the same day Tel. 777-4-111 for an appointment Page 39 The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

News

MP Williams shines light for Melemaat youths BEING a member of Parliament has only been a few weeks and MP Gillion Williams is already honouring the title by stepping in to serve the needs of the people and communities in the constituency he represents.

MP Gillion Williams of Ground and Justice Party (GJP)and member of Efate Rural constituency (the first after 12years), handed a cash donation of VT30,000 to Graham Kennedy Touwia, Lopatu for Jesus representative, and same time president of the Presbyterian Youth of Melemaat village.

A spokesperson representing Melemaat youths said that the money will help Lopatu for Jesus, purchase uniform material for more than 70 youths who have performed at Christmas in the Park in Port Vila.

Before handing over the donation to Mr Touwia, pictured receiving the envelope from MP, MP Gillion remarked, “I’m happy that the young people of Melemaat have teamed up coming from different churches and background in the goal to contribute positively to their livelihoods by engaging in community & church activities in order to

show their peers and every young people that there is more to life than drugs and alcohol”.

MP Gillion continued with a smile, “Congratulations and keep up the good work in encouraging youths to discover their hidden talents and continue to use it positively for your village and this country”.

Lopatu for Jesus shone at Zion Fest with their songs “Something About the name Jesus” and “Here I am to Worship” and are currently on demand from churches around Vila after their debut performance at Zion Fest.

Their performance this week is expected to have more kids on stage as the youths will be teaming up with their younger Sunday and Sabbath Schooler’s performing on Thursday and Saturday evening at 6.30pm.

Lopatu for Jesus will be performing a range of items from their very own original “Breakthrough” drama to Christmas carols, choir, skits, and a merge of both skits & song.

A feature performance for public to look forward to will be from the group’s spokeslady

MP Williams handing over a cash to Graham the Melemaat youth. and Vanuatu’s long time singer songwriter, Ms Alcina Charlie.

have now asked to share their gift of singing with their mum at Christmas in the Park.

Ms Charlie, for the first time, will also be sharing the stage and microphone with her twin daughters who sung up a storm at their Sunday School closing last week on Thursday. After being very happy with their performance, the budding singers of age 8

Lopatu for Jesus takes this opportunity to congratulate MP Gillion Williams for his election into parliament and at the same time sincerely thanks MP Gillion for accepting their request which marks a good example for all members of Parliament to follow.

Women’s Center: Govt has not protected women

by Evelyne Toa ACCORDING to Vanuatu’s Women Centre, the governent has not done enough to protect women and girls on related issues of domestic violence against these two vulnerable groups.

Best investments a country can make on early childhood care and education RESEARCH shows that providing a high quality education for children before they turn five yields significant long-term benefits.

A three-day meeting of the Pacific Regional Council for Early Childhood Care and Education (PRC4ECCE) held last week will oversee region-wide investment in high quality and sustainable early childhood care and education (ECCE) programs and initiatives so children in the Pacific reach their full potential.

The meeting with education representatives from nine Pacific Island Countries elected Mr. Mataiasi Tuivanuayalewa, Senior Education Officer from Fiji’s Ministry of Education as the President of the ECCE Executive Board, Ms. Teimana Avanitele, Early Childhood Care and Education Officer from Tuvalu’s Ministry of Education as Vice-President and Ms. Upokoina Temaru, Early Childhood Education Advisor from Cook Islands Ministry of Education as representative to the Asia and Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood (ARNEC).

Fiji and Solomon Islands have made ECCE a priority and increased their commitment through the allocation of funds to support early childhood education teacher salaries in 2013.

UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) acts as the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Council for Early Childhood Care and Education

(PRC4ECCE). The Council was established by the Pacific Islands Forum in 2011 under the Pacific Education Development Framework to enhance alignment between national priorities and ECCE initiatives by developing a regional information management platform that will include existing information, as well as provide direction for future research and program activities.

PRC4ECCE will provide direction to national and regional level initiatives in high quality, inclusive and equitable ECCE programs by enabling and promoting effective coordination, sharing, dissemination, and use of relevant research, resources, and documented best practices. The Council is preparing the “Guidelines for the Development of National Quality Frameworks for ECCE”, as a resource for countries to adapt and strengthen their ECCE planning and implementation.

The meeting was attended by Ministry of Education officials from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu as well as representatives from Save the Children –Australia and Fiji, World VisionAustralia, University of the South Pacific, Fiji National University, and Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

The Council was made possible with the commitment and support of the Ministers’ of Education and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

The Independent/L’independent - Saturday 8 December, 2012 Page 32

The coordinator of the Vanuatu Women Centre Marilyn Tahi said that higher authorities need to do more in order to protect women and girls from violence facing their lives, such as fighting, sexual abuse, emotional (worries) and discrimination.

According to Mrs Tahi, women in Vanuatu are facing a lot of violence – and although there are reports of violence against women and or girls through and in the media, the government has not done enough to be able to create services to protect women population.

She explained that a survey undertaken in 2011 found that 68 per cent of women

are those who are emotionally affected, while 60 per cent are those who are victims of physical or sexual violence. One of the recommendations of the survey recommended the government to establish policies to protect the rights of women and girls.

Mrs Tahi said that the government has agreat deal to do to protect women. She recognised a strategic initiative taken by the Vanuatu Police that has now a Family Protection Unit (FPU) in the Vanuatu’s main centres – Vila, Santo, Tanna and Malekula. Its prime role is to handle female victims of domestic violence.

She said domestic violence is affecting everyone even some police officers. She urged the government to consider putting in place a policy that deals with police officers committing violence against women.She also called on church leaders and all the sectors of life to help in promoting zero violence tolerance in the work places.

More jobs in MSG nations, scheme to benefit Pacific Islanders ABOUT twelve hundred jobs in specialised fields will be available for the Fijian workforce, in the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu under the Skills Movement Scheme.

A Memorandum of Understanding on the Scheme was finalised in March this year and the initiative is strongly supported by the Fijian Government.

In order to implement the scheme the Ministry of Industry and Trade held a workshop this week to discuss the necessary processes.

MSG member countries had six months to come up with processes and systems to implement the scheme and that period has lapsed.

Under the scheme, trained Fijians will be given the option to work in any of the countries in the MSG region.

Industry and Trade Permanent Secretary

Shaheen Ali says immigration issues, qualification and lack of proper accreditations has prevented skilled labours to move from one country to another.

However since Fiji took over the chairmanship of the MSG this has changed.

Mr Ali said this will not only fix labour shortage problems but also generate economic activity.

Speaking at the workshop, he said the administrators and facilitators discussed the processes required to implement the scheme.

“It has been seven months now – our officials have been working hard both within Fiji and also through a MSG sub-committee on services regionally and have come up now with detailed plan to implement this scheme – so the purpose of this workshop is to get feedback from our stakeholders also discuss this processes and systems that are in place that will implement the scheme,” he said.

Page 17

News VANUATU GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB FORD MONTHLY MEDAL - 1 December 2012 Men: 33 Ladies: 8 Total: 41 NEAREST THE PINS DHL - 6th Hole

Chris George

ANZ - 8th Hole

Chris Lunnay

Callard & Kaddour - 12th Hole

Kevin Mansale

Vanuatu Agriculture - 17th Hole

Kevin Mansale

STRAIGHT DRIVES – Hole 14

Sponsers day winners.

Port Vila Golf & Country Club Thanks Sponsors

The Port Vila Golf & Country Club said thank you to all of their great sponsors on Thursday 29th November.

Ladies Captain, Kate Martin, and her band of ladies helpers had a huge response to their invitations to sponsors to field a 3-man team to play in an Ambrose event.

120 players took to the course after having consumed plenty of yummy sausages and egg burgers and coffee..some preferred cooler drinks to kick start the day of course and to get rid of a few nerves.

Many non-golfers also played with sponsors and the format of the Ambrose event always means that a few, or even a lot of bad shots, can go relatively unnoticed.

Tusker and Champagne flowed freely on the course and there was lots of cheering and groaning from around the course as shots went well or not so well.

After the golf players were greeted by a sumptuous buffet prepared by Kate and her team and everyone stayed on well into the evening.

After a series of mathematical calculations that only a few can figure out the Team from Bred Bank was declared the winning team on the day.

The real purpose of the day however was simply to say a big thanks to the club’s sponsors who, through their corporate and signage sponsorship, contribute greatly to the successful operation of the club.

Club President Shaun Gilchrist thanked all the sponsors and outlined some course works and general improvements planned by the committee for the coming year.

The past weekend was the Medal of medals final where all those lucky enough to have secured a monthly medal get to play off for the medal of Medals whilst the rest of us just play for the usual l 5,5,5 If you are holidaying in Port Vila or recently arrived to live then pop out and say hello to the team at PVGCC who will ensure you a warm welcome..Phone 22564

Asco Motors - A Grade

Raymond Vallette

Wilco - B Grade

no winner

Vila Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Ladies

Bev Stafford

PAF Jackpot - Hole 9

no winner

2 CLUBS

Kevin Mansale, Jose Franconieri, Lindsay Barrett

LEAST NUMBER OF PUTTS

Preveed Reddy - 24

LADIES RESULTS Best Gross

Mala Malapa - 99

Winner

Jeannick Qualao - 63

Runner Up

Jo Woolford - 74

MENS RESULTS B Grade - 7 Players Best Gross

Steve Bean - 97

Winner

Steve Bean - 75

Runner Up

Mr Hong - 77

A Grade - 26 Players Best Gross

Raymond Vallette - 75 (countback)

Winner

Mitch Clement - 66

Runner Up

Preveed Reddy - 69

South Pacific Meat Supplies - meat tray

Lindsay Barrett

Island Time – Fish and Chip Voucher

Jeannick Qualao

Joker Draw

Tony Ryan - not found - jackpot to next week

Card Draw

David Outhred

Next week’s competition is sponsored by: MEDAL OF MEDALS

The Caveman...one of two!!!!

TRR Achievements and focus for 2013

DURING an end of the year presentation to Telecommunications and ICT industry stakeholders, the Outgoing Regulator Mr. Alan Horne presented on TRR’s achievements during his time working as the Regulator. These include: 1. Staff capacity & experience has significantly increased to effectively regulate and support development of the sustainable and competitive telecommunications market; 2. The establishment of a National Emergency Response Group and emergency short codes, together with an improved response time + SMS warnings; 3. Better understanding and working relationships amongst stakeholders of the role of TRR; 4. Active Consumer and Business Advisory Groups; 5. Documented processes & procedures that assist methodology, consistency, transparency and effectiveness Significant IT platform, web site; 6. National, International and regional awareness of TRR & Vanuatu. In two years we have become the most advanced Regulator in the Pacific; 7. Awareness of ICT – TRR lit the torch; Page 18

8. Lessons learnt from Rensarie. A broadband pilot project for provision of telecommunications services in a rural area; 9. Action on Cyber security and awareness; 10. The establishment of an Internet Working Groups assisting Vanuatu to shape its future; and 11. Development of key regulatory tools that assist our work.

Vanuatu is seen to be one of the more advanced Regulator’s offices in the Pacific Region.

During a presentation at the 2012 PACINET conference held in Suva, Pacific ICT Regulatory Resource Centre (PIRRC) reported that Vanuatu was again ranked 1st out of the five countries (Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Kiribati) in terms of Regulatory website accessibility and information contained.

In response the Regulator Designate, Mr. Ronald Box thanked Alan for his achievements and presented TRR’s key focus projects for 2013. He would like to see the sector be consumer driven to ensure their needs and requirements are provided in the service delivery of Vanuatu’s Telecommunication’s operations.

TRR presenting at the Parliament Chamber in August 2012.

He has to ensure a commitment to TRR’s golden projects for 2013, to make sure there is sustainable competition; consumers are better educated and aware of their rights.

TRR will also assist with events to promote benefits of internet to rural communities to increase internet penetration rate.

The Minister Responsible for Telecommunications/ICT Honourable Sato Kilman, on behalf of the people of Vanuatu thanked Alan for his contributions to the development of the sector in Vanuatu and welcomed on board Mr. Box on board to continue the important work of TRR.

The Independent/L’Indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

Gardening

Colour and fragrance... plumeria with vanilla notes and (right) a striking red plumeria found in Santo.

A perfume of its own

by Cornelia Wyllie

have large colorful flowers but is deciduous.

THE first sign of daffodils heralds the arrival of spring in temperate countries. The first sign of frangipani flowers in the tropics announces the beginning of the hot season.

The combination of heat and day length transforms the bare architectural value of the branches to a cover of large, glossy green leaves and showers of perfumed flowers.

Frangipani flowers are popular in bridal bouquets and leis. The plant and flowers have a variety of cultural uses around the world. As a tree it is an excellent host to grow Dendrobium orchids. It is also associated with love in feng shui. In Indian culture it is associated with immortality and is planted near temples and graveyards for the flowers to fall on the tombs. The ability to continue to flower and produce leaves even after it has been lifted from the ground adds to its enchantment.

Collectors of frangipani plants start to evaluate the size, color and perfume levels of varieties around Vanuatu at this time.

There are an amazing number of variations which are grouped into two main families – Plumeria obtusa which tends to be evergreen if it is in a location that the roots are subject to extra heat units, eg: adjacent to roads and cement heat sinks. The other group is Plumeria x Rubra which tend to

A Frangipani plant in a pot creates a love hate relationship. Initially their 30 to 60 cm growth per year may be attractive but eventually the plant will make it to a height between 5-6 metres with a spread equal to that. Add to that their constant drop of flowers and it becomes a daily clean up,

especially around pools. The frangipani is a great survivor and will recover from near death neglect. The Plumeria is a perfect plant to resist heat and drought with a root system that is well behaved.

Propagating Plumeria cuttings is easy. Being a sappy plant, the cuttings are best left to dry out before putting into a well drained potting mix. The largest cutting I have taken was nearly 2 metres tall which was placed on to a sandy pile of ground (not into) and staked to keep it steady. The cutting lost it leaves and appeared to sulk for the dry season. The following wet season it burst forth into flower and made remarkable growth. Normally it is advisable to dip the cutting in softwood rooting hormone containing an anti-fungicide prior to planting into a sterile potting mix, as they are susceptible to rotting during the rooting process. It is also important that the rooting media is not too heavy, as the new

roots are brittle and can break off during the transplanting process once the cutting has rooted. The cutting should be potted in a 6cm pot and placed in a warm, sunny area and lightly watered once a week. After four to six weeks, a gentle tug on the cutting will confirm that rooting has taken place. Rooted cuttings can then be transplanted into a more nutritious media.

Fertilizing frangipani is not often practiced but if you want to help the small tree to resist the attack of rust spores by keeping it healthy and vigorous, apply bone meal from the abattoir during the hot season at the rate of 1kg per year of age of the tree.

Alternatively dissolve a high phosphorus fertilizer (the middle number in NPK formula) and apply during the wet season, making sure it is well clear of the trunk but within the canopy circle.

You beauty... plumeria rainbow fantasy (above), and frangipani flowers in gorgeous wedding bouquets (left).

This week’s challenge is to identify the leaf. Someone from Pentecost 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 coffee tree. Please forward all answers by email to rainbowanswers@gmail.com and don’t forget to include your contact number.

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

Page 19

Sport Feature

Une touche féminine au Rallye du 15 et 16 décembre 2012 Un Rallye qui devient élégant et féminin… Attention Messieurs, les femmes sont dans la course!

A woman’s touch in the Rally of 15 and 16 December 2012 A rally becomes elegant and feminine ... Attention Gentlemen, women are in the race!

Caroline Brunet Hors piste, Caroline gère d’une main de maître la plantation familiale en plus d’être la maman de 4 enfants. Cette femme de caractère a plus d’un tour dans son sac…

Poussée par son frère, elle fait ses débuts au Tusker Rallye de 2011 sur la superspéciale de la Pointe du Diable, au volant d’une 4WD Subaru Impreza STI. Caroline qui déteste les montagnes russes et les manèges à sensations a adoré l’adrénaline de sa première course de rallye!

Elle arrive à la 4ème place au Rallye des 1000 vaches, en décembre 2011 avec pour copilote, son mari Stuart Bedford : Partenaires dans la vie et sur les pistes.

Caroline arrive au pied du podium lors de son deuxième rallye… à croire qu’elle a la course dans le sang!

L’animal qui caractérise Caroline est le cheval sauvage : Intelligent et difficile à apprivoiser, cet animal peut s’avérer être aussi très dangereux… mais une fois dompté, le cheval est un animal

calme et fidele… Caroline est une femme mystérieuse qui ne se laisse pas approcher aisément, mais c’est une amie loyale et une femme merveilleuse à découvrir.

Rapide, tout comme son animal totem, Caroline va enflammer les pistes et risque fort de monter sur le podium cette année!

Pour le rallye du 15 et 16 décembre, son mari sera malheureusement absent, Caroline a choisi Kirstin Wilson pour copilote.

Ce qui fait de la Subaru Impreza de Caroline, une voiture exclusivement féminine et bilingue!

Ces messieurs n’ont qu’à bien se tenir, parce que je parie que le duo CarolineKirstin va nous surprendre!

Caroline Brunet Off road, Caroline manages the family plantation with a strong hand; in addition to being the mother of 4 children. This woman of character has more than one trick up her sleeve ...

Driven by her brother, she debuted at Tusker Rally 2011 on the super-special Pointe du Diable, driving a 4WD Subaru Impreza STI. Caroline who hates roller coasters and thrill rides loved the adrenaline in her first race rally!

She arrives at the 4th place in the 1000 Rally of cows in December 2011 with co-driver, her husband Stuart Bedford:

Partners in life and on the track.

Caroline arrives at the podium during her second rally ... to believe she has the race in the blood!

The animal of Caroline is the wild horse: Intelligent and difficult to tame, this animal can prove to be very dangerous ... but once mastered, the horse is calm and faithful ...

Caroline is a mysterious woman who does not allow easy approach, but is a loyal friend and a wonderful woman to discover.

Fast, just like her totem animal, Caroline will ignite tracks and is likely to be on the podium this year!

Rally for December 15 and 16, her husband is unfortunately absent, Caroline chose Kirstin Wilson as a copilot.

This makes the Subaru Impreza Caroline, a car exclusively female and bilingual!

These gentlemen have to behave themselves, because I bet the duo Kirstin Caroline will surprise us!

Y’aura-t-il une deuxième voiture exclusivement féminine ? Will there be a second car exclusively female?

Line Traverso va-t-elle s’inscrire au Rallye de 2012?

Gérante de la boucherie Traverso, Line est une forte tête.

Elle est connue pour être une femme franche et tenace.

Lorsque Line veut quelque chose, elle l’obtient… Si Line décide de participer et de gagner ce rallye, je ne donne pas cher de ses concurrents…

La jeune mariée de Port Vila a fait ses débuts en tant que Line Laurent au « Devil’s Point Rally » de 2011 sur une Peugeot 309 2WD. Cette même année, Line arrive 3ème au Championnat des pilotes!

Elle ne s’arrête pas en si bon chemin et continue en accédant à la première place, 2 roues motrices, du rallye de Takara!

Toujours en 2011!

Line a toujours eu Lavinia Russet, comme copilote. Meilleures amies dans la vie, leur complicité leur avait donné des ailes…

Lavinia sera la copilote de son mari Arnaud Russet le 15 et 16 décembre prochain.

Qui saura guider Line jusqu’au podium si

serpente les mers de manière très précise et peut doubler sa vitesse pour atteindre son objectif…. Cet animal se déplace sous l’eau avec la même grâce que Line au volant de sa voiture, mais va-t-on avoir la chance d’entendre crier le moteur de la Peugeot 309 le 15 et 16 décembre prochain?

Line relèvera t-elle le défi?

Line Traverso: will she join the rally in 2012?

elle décide de s’inscrire à la course… ???

Line aime la vitesse, mais elle sait surtout être prudente et concentrée sur les pistes.

L’animal qui caractérise le mieux Line Traverso est l’hippocampe. Le cheval de mer est un animal féministe !

Pouvoir aux femmes ! En effet, chez les hippocampes, c’est la femelle qui doit choisir le mâle… L’hippocampe est doté d’une vision très développée, ce qui fait de cet animal, un sérieux prédateur. Il

PROGRAMME ET INFORMATIONS SUR LE RALLYE : Samedi 15 décembre 8h à 13h: Centre Port Vila, à Saralana (Terrain du parlement).

15h à 18h : Pointe du diable.

18h30 à 20h30: Spéciale de nuit à la Pointe du Diable.

Dimanche 16 décembre 8h à 14h: Pointe du diable, remise des prix.

Les compétiteurs et les spectateurs qui désirent assister à la soirée qui aura lieu au Tennis Club de Port Vila peuvent dès à présent acheter les tickets en vente à Top Signs pour 3000 vt (1500 vt pour les moins de 12 ans).

L’ACPV nous promet un événement atypique et étonnant à ne pas rater !

Le premier prix voiture sera un chèque de 500 000 vt, le deuxième prix : 250 000 vt et le troisième prix : 150 000 vt.

Le premier prix Motos et Quads sera de 50 000vt, deuxième : 30 000vt et troisième prix : 20 000vt et le quatrième prix est une inscription gratuite pour le prochain rallye.

Plusieurs sociétés et certains particuliers ont proposés leur aide à l’ACPV (Automobile Club de Port Vila) et feront de ces deux jours, des moments inoubliables pour tous.

L’Entreprise Russet Arnaud, épaulé par Pierre Brunet Entreprise Générale se sont chargés de la rénovation des circuits existants et de la création de la nouvelle spéciale en centre ville.

L’ACPV recevra aussi l’aide de la Société des Services Pétroliers et de Vate Electrics Page 20

qui assureront l’organisation et l’installation des systèmes audio et autres.

Pour la première journée de compétition, Vanuatuhelicopters survolera l’événement et l’équipe de Nambawan Video sera là pour filmer et immortaliser le moment…

Des surprises attendront les nombreux spectateurs qui viendront voir la Présentation des véhicules et les premières démonstrations de vitesse des coureurs à Saralana, sur le terrain du parlement et l’après midi à la Pointe du Diable.

Pour le plaisir de tous, nous aurons la chance d’assister également à une course de nuit.

Dargan Sariani et ses amis enflammeront le circuit avec un spectacle «Tout feu, tout flamme» avant le départ des «bolides ».

PGS assurera la sécurité des spectateurs et des coureurs.

La grande nouvelle, le grand soulagement de cette année est la présence sur place de Jean Louis Soccoja et de Jean Philippe King, médecin urgentiste accompagnés de Mademoiselle Eloïse Estevenard de Tassiriki Health Centre.

Une ambulance de Promedical suivra également l’événement et apportera toute l’aide médicale possible en cas de problème.

Le Péché Mignon sera présent afin de satisfaire l’appétit des spectateurs et les boissons Tuskers, bières et sodas, seront en vente exclusive pour l’événement.

Encore une fois, des surprises attendront la foule attendue pour ce dernier jour…

Manager of the butchery Traverso Line, she is a strong character.

She is known to be a frank and stubborn woman.

Line when she wants something, she gets it ... If Line decides to participate and win this rally, other competitors beware.

Bride of Port Vila debuted as Lawrence Line "Devil's Point Rally" in 2011 on a Peugeot 309 2WD. That same year, coming 3rd in Line Drivers' Championship!

Starting out strong she continued to achieve first place, 2 wheel drive rally

Takara! Still in 2011!

Line has always been Russet Lavinias codriver. Best friends in life, their compatibility has given them wings ... Lavinia will be the co-pilot for her husband Arnaud Russet, 15 and December 16.

Which will guide Line to the podium if she decides to join the race...??

Line likes speed, but she knows to be careful and concentrates on the track.

The animal that best characterizes Line Traverso is the hippocampus. The sea horse is an animal feminist! Girl Power! The female chooses the male.

The hippocampus has highly developed vision, which makes this animal a serious predator. It cruses the sea very precisely and can double its speed to achieve his goal... This animal moves under the water with the same grace as Line driving her car, but will there be a chance to hear the screaming engine of the Peugeot 309 in December15 and 16?

Line... will she be up to the challenge?

RALLY PROGRAM AND INFORMATION: Saturday, December 15 8am to 1pm: at Saralana, Parliament Grounds 3pm to 6pm: at Devil’s Point 6.30pm to 8.30pm: Night race at Devil’s Point Sunday, December 16 8am to 2pm: At Devil’s Point Competitors and spectators wishing to join the ACPV for the Sunday dinner, which will be held at the Tennis Club of Port Vila, can now buy tickets on sale at Top Signs for 3000 vt (1500 vt for those under 12 years).

The ACPV promises an unique and exciting event… Not to be missed!

The first prize for car is 500,000 vt cash, Second prize: 250,000 vt cash and Third prize: 150,000 vt cash!

The first prize for Motos and Quads is: 50 000vt cash, Second prize: 30 000vt cash and Third prize: 20 000vt and fourth is free subscription for the next rally...

Numerous companies and individuals have offered support and assistance to the ACPV (Automobile Club of Port Vila) which will make these two days, unforgettable for all.

Both Arnaud Russet Ltd and Pierre Brunet Ltd have been responsible for the renovation of existing circuits and the creation of the new special downtown track.

SSP (Pacific Petroleum) and Vate Electrics

have offered support to the ACPV and will ensure the organization and installation of audio and other systems. For the first day of competition, Vanuatuhelicopters will fly over the event and the team from Nambawan Video filming will be there to capture the excitement on film...

Surprises await the spectators who come to see the presentation of the vehicles and the first speed demonstrations in the centre of Port Vila, at Saralana, Parliament Grounds and in Devil’s Point during the afternoon… For the pleasure of all, there is a chance to attend a night race in Devil’s point and Dargan Sariani and his friends will ignite the circuit with a show "All fire and flame" before the departure of the cars.

The security company PGS will ensure the safety of spectators and competitors.

Also present on site will be Jean Louis Soccoja and Dr Jean Philippe King with the nurse Eloïse Estevenard, the emergency medical team from the Tassiriki Health Centre. An ambulance from Promedical will be also at the event and provide all possible medical assistance in case of problems.

Péché Mignon will be present to satisfy the appetites of spectators and Tusker exclusively will be selling its beer and softdrinks.

Again, surprises await the expected crowd for the last day.

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK

1 WEEK SPECIAL

5 BURNER BOMPANI WAS VT130,000

NOW VT 110,000

SAVING VT 20,000

TRIPLE COUNTRY COOKER WAS VT 4,700

MICROWAVE WAS VT 29,000

NOW VT 3,000 SAVING VT 1,700

NOW VT 22,500 SAVING VT 6,500

4 BURNER BOMPANI WAS VT 53,000

NOW VT 40,000 SAVING VT 13,000

3 BURNER HOT PLATE WAS VT 8,600

NOW VT 7,000

4 INDESIT GAS COOKER WAS 95,000VT

NOW VT 85,000 SAVING VT10,000

SAVING VT 1,600

ONE WOK BURNER WAS VT 8,000

NOW VT 5,500

1 BURNER COUNTRY COOKER WAS VT 3,700

NOW VT 2,000 SAVING VT 1,700

SAVING VT 2,500

2 BURNER COUNTRY COOKER WAS VT 5,600

NOW VT 4,000

origin

SAVING 1,600

GAS DOES IT

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

Page 19 21

Motoring

Mister-cars

Lexus LS goes trendy

By EWAN KENNEDY

THE upper-luxury car market is in a state of serious decline in many countries at the moment, with sales in Australia for example down by more than half in recent times.

People either can’t afford cars, or don’t want to be seen in ostentatious vehicles, or, and this is the most likely among many of the very rich, are going for highly equipped SUVs.

Lexus has been the leading Japanese upper-luxury car market worldwide for more years than its competitors care to remember. When the first Lexus, the LS Line, was introduced in 1990 it was greeted with considerable scepticism by many pundits. These people have since been proven wrong. Extreme quietness and smoothness were combined with a level of build quality that was close to perfection right from the start made many consider the Lexus LS400, as it was then, as an option instead of one of the big two German marques.

Now in a move that’s surprised many, Lexus has given the LS Line a major working over in the styling stakes, giving it a shape that’s anything but ordinary. The new Lexus LS’s big ‘spindle-grille’ front is complemented by flowing lines that could almost be Italian in the flair of their flare.

Upper-luxury cars tend to be on the conservative side, with the Audi, BMW and Mercedes offerings being much more conventional in their bodies. Only time will tell if the Lexus planners have got it right…

Due to the need to keep the cost of the redevelopment of the latest Lexus LS Line under control during the harsh years of the GFC this is not an all-new model. Rather it carries much of the existing ‘skeleton‘ but with significant changes in shape and mechanically.

The doors and the roof panels have been carried over but everything has been reshaped. The floorpan has been strengthened and has had some aerodynamic aids added to further reduce noise levels and at the same time make it a little slicker through the air to minimise fuel consumption and emissions.

Inside there have been major revisions to the seats and dash area, with the very large central screen being borrowed from the all-new Lexus GS we reported on recently.

This unit holds a lot of information but does so in a way that minimise distraction to the driver.

Technology upgrades are a feature of this Lexus. The very sophisticated air conditioning system has numerous sensors that monitor interior temperature in several locations, even including the seats, as well as readings of humidity. In

the topline models there’s even checking of the strength of infrared rays coming through the glass.

Equally fascinating is the fact that the clock. It is designed to look like a traditional old-style unit, but is actually a high-tech electronic machine that keeps an eye on its poison on the planet using GPS satellites. Meaning it can update itself as it moves from one time zone to another.

This smart clock is just thing for the timeconfused folks living in Coolangatta / Tweed Heads who can lose or pick up an hour just by driving across an intersection when daylight saving is force in NSW!

Major primary safety features are driver fatigue and inattention warnings and automatic collision avoidance, or crash severity mitigation if avoidance becomes impossible.

Lexus tells us suspension changes are aimed at giving the new Lexus LS a sportier feel without taking anything from the comfort and quietness that have been a hallmark of the model since the beginning. Though we have undertaken major technical presentations and looked over and under the new LS in detail, we are yet to drive it. So we can’t comment on the change in suspension philosophy.

Stay tuned.

The Lexus V8 engines are modified versions of the existing units and produce slightly more power while having lower petrol consumption and emitting less CO2.

The automatic transmission is the same eight-speed unit that has been used in the superseded models. The exception is the hybrid version which uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT). To let it mimic a conventional auto the CVT has eight pre-set ratios that can be chosen by a driver who feels the computer has the car in the wrong ratios.

As before, a petrol-electric LS variant is offered, but this time around it will be sold as standard with the short wheelbase, not the longer one seen previously. This has led to a price reduction of around $30,000.

Similarly, Lexus found that most previous owners of the standard LS didn’t want the extended wheelbase, so that latter model is now sold only on special order.

Lexus Australia tells us that around 90 per cent of LS buyers have bought themselves another LS when the time came to move up from their old car. The strikingly different shape of this new car may challenge that history - it will be interesting to witness what happens over the next year or so.

Our feeling is that today’s older buyers are more amenable to change than those of previous generations – but, as we said previously, only time will tell.

Latest Lexus LS Line has standout style that lifts if apart from others in the class.

* 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

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday, 8 December, 2012

News

Cancer: Not only a rich-world disease CANCER treatment in the developing world tends to be primitive or non-existent, and the disease is often regarded as a death sentence. It’s not a priority for aid donors there is a mistaken tendency to see it as a disease of the rich. But this is now beginning to change.

“Once you are diagnosed with cancer, they think that it’s already a death sentence.”

Dr Jackson Orem is on the front line of the change. He directs the Uganda Cancer Institute - the only dedicated cancer treatment facility in a country of 33 million people.

Orem studied oncology in the US and returned to Uganda to head the government-owned cancer institute in 2004. For several years, he was the only oncologist in the country.

He’s a busy man, but he makes time to see patients like Musa Settimba.

Orem doesn’t complain about the hard work, but some things make him cringe. One of them is a comment he’s heard expressed by people from developed countries - that cancer doesn’t hit poor people.

Settimba is in for a check-up. He has something called Gist, a type of gastrointestinal cancer that is often fatal, even in the West.

Orem has arranged for Settimba to get a very effective and costly new cancer drug free of charge, courtesy of the manufacturer. There’s paperwork involved, and drugs for only a few cancers are available this way. It’s a godsend for Settimba, who has been doing very well.

“You are getting one of the best treatments for this disease,” a smiling Orem tells his patient.

Unfortunately, Settimba is the rare exception.

The survival rate for patients who make it to the Uganda Cancer Institute is astonishingly low. It treats about 22,000 patients a year, and of those, 20,000 die within a year.

Orem says most Ugandans don’t have a real concept of cancer as a set of diseases that can be diagnosed and treated. In some tribal languages, there is no word for it. “They don’t have early diagnosis. They don’t actually even know that they have cancer,” “he says.

And most don’t see the value of seeking care.

They’re partly right. Most people don’t see a doctor until the very last stages of cancer.

At that point, no hospital anywhere could do much for them.

“People think that malaria kills [and] other diseases are killing people from a low socioeconomic status. But cancer is the same,” he says. “The truth of the matter is that cancer is a disease of the African person just like any other person elsewhere in the world.”

The misconception affects funding. “When you ask for funding for cancer, nobody is going to give [it to] you,” Orem says. “But if you ask for funding for these other diseases, they say, ‘All right, your priority is correct, we are going to give you some funds.’”

There is also a perception that cancer is too expensive to treat, and treatment is too hi-tech to be done in poor countries. Orem says that’s not necessarily true - surgery and chemotherapy, for example, don’t require million-dollar machines.

The result is that the amount of money available for cancer care in the developing world is only a fraction of the sums spent on HIV, TB and malaria.

ANTI – CORRUPTION DAY

What is Transparency?

Do you know what Corruption is?

How can we define Corruption?

Cancer is not a disease only of the rich, says a Uganda specialist who is leading the way in treatment.

“I think donors have been asleep,” says Richard Horton, editor of the medical journal The Lancet. “It’s an appalling example of neglect.”

He blames donors who regard cancers caused by tobacco or obesity as the patient’s fault, and not worthy of aid. At the same time, he acknowledges that HIV, TB and malaria have created an overwhelming burden.

“It’s been hard to see anything through that

.....This will be successful in collaboration with the Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC), Youth against Corruption (YAC), Women Affairs Department and more other local sponsors.....

What is happening? ... Speeches from national leaders

... Sermon on corruption: the biblical side ... Entertainment from various youth groups ... Raffle tickets and other prices to be won and a lot more...!!!

Lukim yu!!!

Last year, the UN urged that more be done to detect and treat cancer in the developing world. George and Laura Bush recently toured Africa to bring attention to breast and cervical cancer.

- BBC

Private Banking

l

Local company Incorporation

Trust and Fiduciary Banking

l

International Company Incorporation

l Fund and Asset Management

l

Offshore Bank Incorporation

l Accounting Services

l

Share purchases

VIPA applications

l

Lifes Insurance plans

Investment Guidance

l

Asset Protection Estate Planning

l Transparency Vanuatu is inviting you to the Anti – Corruption Day on the 9th of December down at the Sea Front right after lunch (12:00pm) to answer your questions!!

But as the HIV, TB and malaria numbers come down, things may change. “The clearing of the mist as a result of those successes has left [the cancer epidemic] in view,” Horton says.

OFFSHORE AND DOMESTIC FINANCIAL SERVICE MADE EASY

Are you tired of Corruption?

How can you help the fight against Corruption?

fog of death,” he says.

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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 Send your advertisements to The Independent email:advertising@independent.vu

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

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

FOR SALE Honda Motorcycle XR400R, good condition. Fast. 2000 model. 400,000vt ono. Ph 7758080 or 23355.

FOR SALE KIA SPORTAGE 4WD, Manual, 73,000km, Regularly Serviced, Air-Con, Diesel, 990,000vt ono.

Phone: 7745385

2004 SUZUKI CARRY VAN 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

YELLOW MG 1979; 950 000 VT; Contact: 7750499 2004 Toyota Echo, 80,000km, 1300cc, 5-speed manual, Excellent Condition; Price reduced VT 800,000; Call 7799925

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: maccasomerled@ gmail.com Tel: 7747123 for More detailsl.

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.

FOR SALE 2 X 2012 Seadoo GTS PRO; Heavy duty as used by surf rescue; includes trailer and cover.

OPEN TO OFFER contact 7746495

FOR SALE

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.

Page 24

GENERAL GOODS AND RENT

QUALITY ZERO FOR SALE TURN MOWER FOR SALE

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

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

HOUSE FOR RENT

FOR SALE

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

The yellow Husqvarna is 2004 TE450 Enduro racing bike, fully reconditioned, suitable only for experienced riders. Excellent condition.

Vt500,000 or best offer

Land for Sale at Bladinieres Estate. Title No: 12/0631/412; Size: 2347 m2 (40m x 60m); Price: 3,5 million vatu. Contact: 7784983

LAND FOR SALE

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

URGENT SALE

Urgent Sale, with Bus Permit, HYUNDAI Stares Bus. Very Good Condition, 400,000vt.

Call mobile: 7799399

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

Storage available :

Vanuatu Self Storage, 24hr security.

Phone Lloyd Hately on 7114040

FOR RENT

Angelfish Cove Villas.

Looking for Medium to long term 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.

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 term contract at around 60’000 per month. Short term also available wiwo 18’000 per week. Phone: 7776767

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.

“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.”

HOUSE FOR RENT.

House For Rent

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.

WANTED TO BUY

Want to buy 20 to 40kgs of fresh live lobster, we pay cash on sale.

Contact 5577034 or 7751979

NOTICES

House 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

LAND FOR SALE

FOR SALE Honda 2003 model 4stroke , 5 gears 215000vt Ph Andy on 7755221

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.

Two white china wash basins. Brand new, never used. 15,000vt each, (1/2 price of retail). Phone (m) 77 42769 or 22769

FOR SALE

KIA SPORTAGE 4WD / Manual / 73,000km / Regularly Serviced / Air-Con / Diesel 990,000vt; PH: Damian 7745385

FREE

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

3 Bedroom/2 Bathroom on closest white sand beach from Vila in Valevale Beach – Pango, from mid-December.

4 years old, excellent kitchen, living areas and deck - great living literally 4 metres from the beach on a beautiful sheltered Bay. Fully furnished including everything down to cutlery and plates. Single lockable garage. Safe - good security, excellent swimming, snorkeling and kayaking.

In hot demand – be quick, V.185,000 pm. Ph. 5571030, or 5524333.”

PUBLIC NOTICE SIL Vanuatu is recruiting a Bible Translation Advisor to facilitate the work of Bible translation and literacy, and to train Ni-Vanuatu Bible translators and literacy workers. The applicant must have university-level training in linguistics, translation theory and Biblical studies.

This is a volunteer position.

No salary is offered. Apply to: Director, SIL, PO Box 174, Port Vila.

For Rent

Kawenu & Malapoa Estate: 1 bedroom apartment 27,000vt per month; 2 bedroom apartment 40,000vt. Contact Lori 7775393 for details

FOR RENT Elluk Drive, recently renovated Townhouse, 3 bedroom / 3 bathrooms, Double Lock-up garage, fully furnished. Call 7743151 for further details.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Can the listed persons please contact us by phone, email or PO Box to help us with our enquiries : 1. Pascal Tasso 2. Anthony Olsen 3. Douglas Ngwele 4. Johnny Arnhambat 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

Australia to Port Vila Fr8 Logistics www. fr8.vu

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December 2012

News

Cannibal mystery as Russians found in wild A MURDER case has been opened in Russia around two fishermen lost for three months amid fears that they may have eaten a companion to stay alive.

agency said that the initial theory was that the two men had eaten one companion. It was not clear what happened to the fourth man.

Four men disappeared in August on a riverfishing expedition to the vast Yakutia region in the Russian Far East, one of the most remote and inhospitable places in the world.

“What we found were chopped human bones, fragments of a skull and a bloodstained chunk of ice,” an investigator, who was not named, told the Komsomolskaya Pravda tabloid daily.

Rescuers finally found two of the men this month by the Sutam River some 250 kilometres from the nearest town of Neryungri in the south of Yakutia, but without two companions.

“It’s clear that this person did not die of his own accord,” said the investigator.

Meanwhile local news site Sakhapress.ru said that their expedition had been aimed at gold prospecting and not fishing as claimed.

The men claimed their group had split up and said the others were likely still alive, as they were used to living in the open.

Two of the four are local inhabitants of the Russian Far East and the others are from the region of Saratov in central Russia who were visiting the area.

But a murder probe was opened after a team of top investigators from the regional capital Yakutsk found fragments of a human corpse close to the place where the pair was found.

The human remains have yet to be identified.

The wife of one of the men who remains missing, named as Andrei Kurochkin from Saratov, said she had not yet given up hope PORT for her VILA husband.

“Investigators carried out an examination of two areas. Fragments of a human corpse TIDE with signs of PREDICTIONS a violent death FOR were VANUATU discovered – and removed,” the Yakutia DECEMBER – 2012 branch of Russia’s LOCAL STANDARD TIME Investigative Committee saidmetres in a statement.

“The police said that they had found human Tide gauge zero is 3.6037 below VAN1 “A criminal case into suspected murder has remains. But I believe that Andrei is alive. I been opened.” am hoping other hunters have found him and SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY he is not alone,” Olga Kurochkina 0106 told0.30 the 0048 0.29 0121 0.30 30 to 0720 1.31 31 0754 1.32 1 0741 1.27 According report 1323 on 0.75 the lifenews.ru newspaper.

1245a0.75 1300 0.77 1831 1.40 1908 1.38 1846 1.37 website, the men have fled the hospital 1.5m 1.5m where they were being treated for severe The rescued pair, reportedly aged 37 and 35, 1.0m 1.0m frostbite and were now on the run. have denied any wrongdoing and said they 0.5m 0.5m had managed to survive as the winter set in a 6 12 18 0 6 no 12 18 0 6in 12 0 Russia0 has article the18criminal code for wooden hut by foraging for wild0 foods.

0.32 1.12 0215 0.36 0253 0.41 0335 0.46 0423 0.52 0519 0.57 2 0140 0818 3 0859 1.26 Novosti 4 0943 1.25 5 1032 1.27 6 1126 1.30 7 1219 1.34 8 0016 0621 0.61 cannibalism but1.26 the state RIA news - AAP 1339 0.79 1922 1.33

1423 0.81 2001 1.29

1515 0.82 2046 1.24

1619 0.82 2143 1.18

1730 0.78 2253 1.13

1840 0.71

1310 1.40 1944 0.60

Tide Chart for Port Vila Harbour

1.5m 1.0m 0.5m

0

6

SUN MON 12

9

18

0140 0724 1358 2040

0

1.14 0.64 1.46 0.48

6

10

12

18

0251 0826 1444 2132

0

1.19 0.66 1.52 0.35

TUE

6

11

12

18

0353 0923 1530 2221

0

1.26 0.66 1.57 0.23

WED

6

12

12

18

0449 1018 1618 2310

0

1.33 0.66 1.61 0.14

6

13

THUR 12

18

0543 1111 1707 2358

0

1.38 0.66 1.62 0.08

6

14

FRI

12

18

0

0633 1.42 1203 0.67 1757 1.61

6

SAT

15

12

18

0045 0723 1257 1848

0

0.07 1.44 0.67 1.57

1.5m 1.0m 0.5m 0

6

12

16

18

0133 0813 1352 1940

0

0.10 1.44 0.69 1.50

6

12

18

0

6

12

18

0

6

12

18

0

6

12

18

0

6

0220 0.17 0308 0.28 0356 0.39 0446 0.52 17 0902 These 1.42 tide 18predictions 0953 1.40 19 1046 20believed 1141 to 1.36 21 Disclaimer: are supplied in good1.37 faith and be correct.

1450 0.70 1553 0.71 1700 0.71 1811 0.68

Weather Forecast 2032 1.41

1.5m

2130 1.31

2233 1.21

2348 1.13

12

18

0

0542 0.62 1235 1.35 1921 0.63

6

22

12

18

0112 0643 1327 2024

0

1.09 0.71 1.36 0.56

1.0m

Forecast issued by the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department 0.5m Weather Forecasting Centre, Port Vila at 11:15am Thursday, December 6, 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

1.10 0016 0.29 0333 1.13 0424 1.17 0504 1.21 0541 1.25 0615 1.27 23 0230 0746 0.76 24 0845 0.78 25 0933 0.78 26 1016 0.78 27 1055 0.77 28 1131 0.76 29 0647 1.30 1.37 1455 ridge 1.38 1533 1.39 pressure 1610 1.40remains 1645 1.41 1720 1.42 and1207 0.75 General 1414 Situation:A of high over central 2115 0.49 2159 0.43 2237 0.37 2311 0.33 2344 0.30 1756 1.42 southern Vanuatu.

Meanwhile, a surface trough east northeast of the 1.5m group, slow moving.

1.0m 0.5m

Port Vila 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

© 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 8 Max 30 Min 20

Sunday 9 Max 30 Min 20

Monday 10 Max 30 Min 20

Tuesday 11 Max 30 Min 20

Wednesday 12 Max 30 Min 20

Thursday 13 Max 30 Min 20

Friday 14 Max 30 Min 20

Luganville

Saturday 9 Max 31 Min 24

Sunday 10 Max 31 Min 24

Monday 11 Max 31 Min 24

Tuesday 12 Max 31 Min 24

Wednesday 13 Max 31 Min 24

Thursday 14 Max 31 Min 24

Friday 15 Max 31 Min 24

8 am to 8 am rainfall records over Vanuatu Meteorological Stations (millimeters) Thursday

Date Bauerfield Luganville

Friday

29/11/12 30/12/12 Nil 1.4 10.8 0.8

Saturday 01/12/12 7.4 Nil

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

02/12/12 6.4 Nil

03/12/12 Nil 5.0

04/12/12 Nil 4.0

05/12/12 Nil Nil

“Whatever the weather – have a good week” The independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

0

New Zealand is giving jobseekers roughly $1200 for a one-way ticket to Australia to get them back to work and off the dole at home.

NZ giving unemployed oneway airfares to Australia

NEW Zealand has a creative way to reduce unemployment - fund Kiwis’ one-way airfares to Australia so they can find work and not be paid the dole back home.

The airfare payments last night left the government red-faced - with its Social Development Minister putting an immediate stop to any further hand-outs and saying the grants had been inappropriately handed out by case managers in dole offices.

The New Zealand Labour party introduced a transition to work grant in 2007, but now in opposition its MPs are attacking the current conservative National Party for using it “discretionally’’ to relocate Kiwis on the dole to Australia.

Since then Kiwis receiving the dole have been able to apply for money to migrate to Australia, if they could prove there was a job waiting at their destination.

Sia Aston, a spokeswoman for social development minister Paula Bennett, was unable to say how many grants had been paid but said a manual audit of 500,000 files was underway. That could take “days or weeks’’.

What was known is that in the regime’s first year 16 people had their airfares paid. It is unclear whether airfares to countries other than Australia were paid.

Ms Aston said the transition grants - up to NZ$1500 ($1200), but on average NZ $363 - were usually paid to fund clothing used for job interviews.

“Some of these people have zero income,’’ she said.

To get a grant, applicants had to say what was standing in the way of their gaining employment. In some cases, that would appear to be lack of a ticket to Australia.

Similar grants would not be given to Australians wanting to move to New Zealand for work, according to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

Over recent years New Zealand has continued to haemorrhage citizens wanting to chase better incomes and lifestyles in Australia. An average of 1000 New Zealanders a week move to Australia - and a record 54,000 moved in the year to July 2012. Most are aged between 20 and 29 and seek work in trade industries.

The National Party pledged at the last election to reverse the numbers but have failed.

For Kiwis moving to Australia there are no hoops to jump through. An automatic Special Category Visa (SCV) is issued electronically to New Zealand passport holders meaning they can live and work here indefinitely.

Kiwis are not entitled to Centrelink support until two years after being issued permanent residency.

Labor MP Kelvin Thomson has called on a cap for Kiwis moving to Australia, suggesting a 30,000 or 40,000 limit.

Rescued stray dogs in NZ learn to drive IN a world already full of road hogs this is perhaps the last thing you want to see in the rear view mirror. Animal experts are teaching dogs how to drive.

Astonishingly, it took three mutts just eight weeks to master the basics in wooden carts.

They then graduated to a modified Mini in which they sat on their haunches in the driver’s seat with their paws on the steering wheel. Their feet go on extension levers which are attached to the accelerator and the brake while their paw rests on the gearstick.

The experiment was set up by an animal welfare group in New Zealand which wanted to show the public how intelligent dogs are.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will put Porter, a ten-month old beardie cross, Monty, an 18-month-old schnauzer cross, and Ginny, a one-year-old

beardie whippet cross to the test in a live broadcast next Monday.

Mark Vette, who is schooling the dogs, said: ‘“We train them to do different actions, touch is the first thing and then we teach them to touch the different objects with the right paw and left paw. They’ve all come through at this point and they’re all going really well”.

All of the dogs involved had been rescued by the SPCA. The organisation hopes the public will be so impressed that they will adopt them and others like them. SPCA Auckland chief executive Christine Kalin said: “I think sometimes people think because they’re getting an animal that’s been abandoned that somehow it’s a second-class animal.“This really shows with the right environment just how much potential all dogs from the SPCA have as family pets.”

Page 25

EDITORIAL

Jenis blong gavman long nem blong interes blong ol sapota Oltaem sam man nomo oli mekem wan gavman i jenis from interes blong olgeta wetem ol sapota blong olgeta be i no folem nating interes blong kaontri ia.

Tede, yumi harem bakegen se fo MP, we tri long olgeta oli niu long Palemen, oli tekemaot sapot blong olgeta long Sato Kilman we olgeta nao oli bin vot long hem long namba 19 novemba blong emi kam Praem minista bakegen from we oli bin biliv se hem nao i save wok gud bitim ol narawan. Oli tanem raon nomo long hem from we oli luk se shering blong wok long olgeta totin ministri i no fea, emi minim se taem oli go insaed long gavman long namba 19 novemba, sam oli kakae kek bitim ol narawan. Oli tanem raon long Sato Kilman from emia nomo be sam dei bifo oli bin ting se olgeta tu bae oli kakae kek ia mo oli biliv strong se taem oli kam MP oli mas givim wok long ol man blong olgeta, nomata ol man blong olgeta ia oli no kwalifae tumas o oli no kwalifae nating blong wok long wan ofis blong gavman.

Naoia sapos emia nao emi bigfala risen from wanem ol fofala MP ia oli no wantem stap long gavman ia be ating oli sapotem Sato Kilman ia, oposisen i shud putum risen ia i go insaed long mosen blong hem, from we ating emia nao emi mein samting we i muvum oposisen blong putum wan mosen long wan taem we

plante pipol oli no agri yet long hem. Letem Palemen i tokabaot ol politiko risen ia olsem long program blong “Tok Bak Sho”. I gat ol risen mo ol kleim blong oposisen we i link wetem lidaship blong Sato Kilman be long rialiti lidaship ia nao i mekem se ol patna insaed long niu koalisen oli no serem gud kek blong olgeta.

Nao, yumi no save sapos olgeta fo MP ia oli serem ol risen bihaen long mosen blong no gat trast wetem olgeta we oli tes go joenem olgeta long oposisen abaot lidaship blong Sato Kilman o no gat ? Wanem we emi tru nao se olgeta oli no wantem save from wanem Natapei mo grup blong hem oli no wantem se Sato Kilman emi Praem minista blong Vanuatu yet be oli wantem nomo se oli mas gat wan pis blong kek long eni koalisen we i go long gavman mo i luk nogud we oposisen i akseptem ol man we oli stap jampjamp wetem ol politikol interest blong olgeta we oli no riflektem nating tingting blong bildim kaontri ia i go long fiutja.

“For sure”, sapos niu koalisen i go insaed long gavman tumoro mo wan o tu long olgeta fofala MP ia oli no kakae kek, oli save ronwe eni taem from we fasin ia nao oli bin stap lanem taem oli stap nomo long Vila mo watjem ol olfala MP oli ple toti politik blong bel we i no benefitim Vanuatu wan pis mo olgeta oli gohed blong enkarejem. Tingbaot

toktok ia “Like father, like son”, emi olsem ia nao long politik!

Naoia we Sato Kilman emi no moa tingting long olgeta be emi tingting moa blong pulum wan man i go insaed blong mekem tim blong hem i strong i stap, bambae fofala MP ia oli go wea? Bae i luk nogud sapos oli gohed blong stap long gavman, o aot long gavman afta go bak.

Nao, emi bitim taem finis blong faenem wan wei blong stopem ol jampjamp olsem from we naoia emi kam olsem wan pleple mo semtaem wan kastom blong ol man blong politik. Sapos oposisen i biliv long gud gavenens, emi mas faenem wan wei kwiktaem blong Vanuatu i folem taem bae emi go long Palemen eni taem. Fes samting, putum wan strong loa blong stopem ol jampjamp ova long fanis. Wan smol tingting nomo blong helpem situesen : mekem evri politikol pati oli rejista long Vanuatu Faenensol Sevis Komisen mo mekem MP alokesen blong evri MP blong olgeta i go insaed long basket blong olgeta wanwan olsem ia taem wan MP i ronwe long pati we emi bin “elected” long hem, emi “automatically” lusum raet blong hem long MP alokesen.

Naoia we faet i stap gohed long saed blong politik, polis tu i muvmuv mo sekuriti blong pipol blong kaontri ia i lus. I gat ripot se sam

man oli bin wantem se Arthur Caulthon i kam “automatically” niu komisina blong polis mo oli bin wok from be taem plan ia i go lan long kaonsel blong ol minista, sam long ol minista oli komplen se man ia i no save kam bos blong polis from we oli no bin advataesem post ia.

I mekem plante manis finis we polis i no moa wok gud from we i gat tumas raorao insaed folem ol pesonal mo politikol interes. Be yet ol politisen oli no luk save. Taem ol hae ranking ofisa oli faet antap, ol smol wan daon oli pleple.

I gat ripot se long taem blong sho blong Wan People Band, polis i no moa save long sekuriti long pablik from we ol yang polisman we oli bin stap long wok long taem ia oli drong mo ron long trak blong polis, mekem se wan ofisa we i hae i mas singaotem olgeta mo rao long olgeta.

Long taem ia, ol drong man oli fulap aotsaed long ples we sho i bin stap long hem mo wan i bin ded long drong mo silip long rod kolosap Asco, be i no gat wan polisman long taem ia blong helpem hem.

Taem i no gat disiplin long hed blong gavman, i no gat diplisin tu long ol narafala pat blong hem. Emia nao problem !

Gratien Molsoul

Kalvau ikam niu minista blong agrikaltsa Praem minista Sato Kilman i mekem wan risafol long tasde aftenun we hemi lukim indipenden MP blong Luganville konstituensi, Kalvau Moli, hemi kam niu minista blong agrikaltsa. Apoentmen blong Mr Moli, hemi kamaut long taem stret we suprem kot istap harem konstitusinol aplikesen blong oposisen ova long mosen blong no gat tras long praem minista, Sato Kilman. Mosen ia, oposisen, hemi bin putum long las fraede mo ikat 27 memba blong palaman we oli bin saenem. Long taem we oposisen, hemi putum mosen ia long palaman, hemi bin kat namba be storian bae hemi jenis taem we taem we spika blong palaman, Georges Wells, bae hemi tekem desisen long mande wik ia blong talem se mosen ino stap long oda blong palaman ia, hemi save tokbaut. Mr Wells i talem se palaman ino save mit blong tokbaut mosen ia from ikat wan long olgeta we hemi saenem mosen ia, hemi karemaut signetsa blong hem. Mr Wells i talem se taem we wan signetsa, hemi aut hemi minim se ikat 26 nomo istap mo 26 ia ino mitim wanem we palaman i talem blong wan mosen, hemi kualifae.

Desisen blong Mr Wells i mekem se oposisen, hemi resis igo long kot blong askem kot blong talem se desisen blong Mr Wells, hemi no stret mo palaman i mas sidaon blong tokbaut mosen. Oposisen i talem se taem wan mosen i kasem ofis blong spika mo ikat namba, spika i mas kolem palaman mo sapos MP we hemi saenem mosen, hemi wandem widroem signetsa blong hem, hemi save mekem nomo insaed long palaman ino ausaet.

Long tasde nao kot hemi sidaon blong luk luk long aplikesen blong oposisen be long semtaem tu we kot istap sidaon, Praem minista Sato Kilman, hemi mekem gavman blong hem i stron taem we hemi minista blong agrikaltsa mo PPP MP blong Banks/ Torres, Danston Hilton, hemi disaed blong lego poisen blong hem long Mr Moli.

Page 26

Niu minista blong Agrikaltsa, Kalvau Moli

Mr Kilman, hemi presem Mr Hilton long korej we hemi kat blong hemi save lego posisen blong hem blong mantenem stabiliti blong gavman.

Hemi talem se hemi no wan isi desisen we MP blong Torba, hemi bin tekem. Praem minista i talem se long niu minista blong agrikaltsa ia se hemi trastem hem blong hemi save karemaut wok blong olsem olsem niu minista blong agrikaltsa.

Mr Kilman i talem se wetem apoentmen blong Mr Moli, hemi putum gavman blong hem long wan sef ples agensem mosen blong no gat blong oposisen. Hemi talem

se naoia, hemi 30 MP istap wetem hem taem we Mr Moli, hemi go joenem gavman blong hem wetem indipendens kandidet blong Tanna, Richard Namel.

Long taem blong apoentmen blong Mr Moli, PPP MP blong Tongoa, John Amos mo Iauko Grup MP blong Pentecost, Tony Nari, tufala tu i bin witnesem seremoni ia we hemi bin tekem ples long ofis blong praem minista. PPP MP blong Pentecost nomo, David Tosul ino bin stap. Ol MP ia nao, oli bin go saenem mosen blong no gat tras agensem Mr Kilman we oposisem i putum long palaman long las wik.

Long taem blong eleksen hem blong hemi kam praem minista, Mr Kilman, hemi bin kat 29 MP istap long saed blong hem. Wetem muv blong MP Kalvau, hemi inkrisim namba blong igo long 30 MP. Mr Moli, hemi bin wan long olgeta niu MP we oli go insaed long palaman folem eleksen long las oktoba. Hemi bin wan man nius festaem bifo, hemi joenem politik.

Hemi bin nasional tresora blong Union blong Moderet Pati blong Serge Vohor be Mr Vohor, hemi autem bifo UMP igo long jenerol eleksen blong hemi go stanap long indipenden tiket mo winim fes tsea long Luganville constituensi.

The Independent/L’indépendant - Sarere 8 Decemba 2012

Nius

Iauko i lego Phocea fri long tsip mani Ol tok tok long rod long ol wik we i pas ikam rialiti long wik ia taem we minista blong pablik utiliti, Harry Iauko, hemi talemaut se seling bout Phocea, bae hemi save sel aut long Port Vila haba mo bae ona i pem wan milien vatu nomo ikam long gavman blong Vanuatu.

Vanuatu we hemi titsim olsem wanem blong wok olsem wan kru insaed long wan sip. Ikat ol nara kiaman pepa bagegen we oli fainem long sip olsem hemia we i talem se sip ia, hemi rejista istap long Vanuatu. Man we hemi klem se hemi ona blong seling bout, Pascal Anh Saken, polis ino bin save fainem hem taem we hemi go insaed long sip long namba 14 julae.

Mr Iauko i talem se hemi lego sip ia, hemi lego kantri folem advaes we hemi kasem long ofis blong Attorney General mo ofis blong Pablik Prosekuta.

The Independent i kasem ripot se i bin kat miting bitwin ministri, AG mo pablik prosekiuta long las wik mo oli no letem blong polis istap insaed.

Long las wik tu, The Independent, hemi bin kasem wan ripot se ol man blong politik, oli bin putum presa long polis blong oli mas rilisim wanem we oli kolem ‘log book’ blong Phocea. Sip ino save aut sapos, hemi kat buk ia long hem.

Hemi talem se naoia we istap Phocea, hemi nomo kat wan kes o isiu we hemi stap long kot mo gavman mo hemi sut livim kantri kuiktaem.

Mr Iauko i talem se gavman, hemi wari from we naoia kantri, hemi stap long sisen blong saeklon mo ino gud ikat problem wetem Phocea sapos ikat saeklon we hemi save lid igo long wan nara problem wetem ona blong Phocea mo gavman.

Tok tok blong Mr Iauko ia, hemi sekem plande pipol mo oli bin kamaut long pablik tru long tok bak so program blong Radio Vanuatu.

Darekta blong Ports mo Marine, Morris Kaloran i talem se hemi no agri blong

Minista blong pablik utiliti, Harry Iauko Vanuatu, hemi lego sip ia igo long wan tsip praes.

Hemi talem se Phocea, hemi brekem lo blong International Maritime lo mo ona blong hem, hemi mas kam bak long Vanuatu blong ansarem kot blong kantri ia. Mr Kaloran i talem se gavman ino sapos blong lego sip igo be holemtaet istap blong ona blong hem, hemi kam karem bak.

Darekta blong Ports mo Marine ia i talem se i bin wan jarj we oli kolem ‘forgery’ we hemi wan strong jarj long wan kot be kot blong Vanuatu, hemi dropem jarj ia nomo from we ona blong seling bout ia, hemi no stap long Vanuatu.

Taem we polis, hemi bin go insaed long sip ia long namba 14 julae, hemi bin fainem plande kiaman pepa we oli bin stap insaed. Sam long olgeta kiaman pepa ia se ol kru we oli stap long seling bout ia, oli bin kasem pepa blong olgeta long wan trening skul blong

Polis i tes kasem ripot afta se Saken, hemi livim kantri bifo polis, hemi go tsekem sip. Praem minista Sato Kilman, hemi bin raitem wan leta finis igo long foren afea blong oli kanselem diplomatik paspot blong Vanuatu we Saken hemi holem istap be letes infomesen i soem se Saken istap wokbaut iet wetem diplomatik paspot ia. Foren afea i talem se Intapol, hemi stap traem iet blong kasem Saken blong karemaut diplomatik paspot ia long hem. Ikat ripot se Saken, hemi no kat wan diplomatik paspot nomo be hemi kat 2. Ikat ripot se Saken, hemi stap wokbaut tu wetem diplomatik bag blong Vanuatu igo long olgeta kantri olsem Rasia, Saut Afrika mo Brezil. Wan sos klosap long foren afea i talem se nomoli, wan diplomatik bag, hemi save travel nomo bitwin Vanuatu mo kantri we hemi kat diplomatik rilesen wetem hem.

Sam long olgeta kantri we Saken istap karem diplomatik bag ia igo long hem, oli no kat diplomatik rilesen wetem Vanuatu.

Mr Kaloran i talem se desisen we Mr Iauko, hemi mekem, hemi wan politikol desisen be hemi no blong intres blong pipol blong Vanuatu. Hemi talem se sapos hemi bin long intres blong Vanuatu, ol otoriti, oli sut askem bigfala mani long ona blong Phocea.

Wetem ol kiaman pepa we oli fainem long

sip, hemi no klia iet se Saken nao, hemi ona blong Phocea. Wan nara ripot i talem se Saken, hemi rentem sip ia nomo mo stat we hemi kasem Vanuatu, Saken, hemi gohet iet blong pem rent blong hem igo long stret ona blong hem mo hemia i mekem se hemi putum presa long ol politikol fren blong hem long Vanuatu blong Phocea i mas livim kantri.

Mr Kaloran i talem se sip ia Phocea, hemi brekem International Maritime lo mo ikat bigfala faen long hem mo sapos Vanuatu i lego igo, wan kantri olsem Australia, hemi save arestem afta mo mekem bigfala mani aut long hem.

Hemi talem se gavman, hemi mas luk luk bagegen long isiu blong Phocea mo mekem stret valiu blong hem. Sam pipol we oli kat save long sip mo oli save abaut histri blong Phocea, oli talem se valiu blong sip ia, hemi ova long bilien blong vatu.

Oli talem se tede gavman i trabol long mani mo hemi gud blong hemi salem sip ia blong hemi save mekem mani long hem be gavman ino mas lego from wan milien nomo. Oli talem se Phocea, hemi seling bout we hemi popula raon long wol mo bae hemi isi nomo blong gavman blong Vanuatu, hemi salem long plande milien blong vatu.

Long wik ia, oposisen hemi bin yusum mosen blong no gat tras agensem praem minista Sato Kilman se ikat sam koraptiv lida insaed.

Sam long olgeta kola blong tok bak so program blong Radio Vanuatu, hemi ranem long wednesde long wik, oli akiusim Mr Iauko se hemi mas kasem smol mani andanit teibol blong hemi save rilisim Phocea long praes we hemi tsip.

Eleksen: Toara bae i klemem damej

Vanuatu Suprem hemi stat blong harem ol komplen blong eleksen stat long wik ia.

Ikat wan total blong blong 24 komplen we ol kandidet we oli bin lusum eleksen, oli bin sabmitim igo long Elektrol Komisen long wik we igo. Kam kasem long tasde, Suprem kot, hemi bin dismisim o sakemaut sam long olgeta komplen ia finis from we sam oli no kat ol strong pruv mo sam komplen igo agensem ol rong man.

Long konstituensi blong Shepherds Auta aelan, Moses Stevens, Baptist Firiam, John Marc Reuben, Pakoa William mo John Luen Tarinuamata, oli lusum kes blong olgeta agensem MP blong konstituensi ia mo semtaem minista blong intenol afea blong naoia anda long niu koalisen gavman blong praem minista Sato Kilman, Daniel Toara.

Ol kandidet we oli lusum eleksen long konstituensi ia, oli mekem komplen se Mr Toara, hemi pem ol man blong vot long hem long taem blong eleksen long namba 30 blong las manis.

Praevet advaesa blong Mr Toara, Simeon Robert i talem se Suprem i sakemaut komplen blong olgeta afta we oli feil blong putum ol strong evidens o pruv igo long kot.

Mr Simeon i talem se naoia grup blong minista, oli stap ting ting blong askem olgeta we oli komplen igo long kot blong pem wanem oli kolem dameij from we oli spolem nem blong MP we naoia, hemi stap olsem wan minista blong gavman blong Vanuatu mo hemi memba blong palaman blong pipol blong Sheperds.

Hemi talem se ol pipol blong Sheperds, oli ol famili mo oli sapos blong akseptem lus mo akseptem win blong Mr Toara long las eleksen.

Mr Simeon i talem se sapos, oli no akseptem se oli lusum eleksen, oli sapos blong putum ol strong pruv blong sapotem komplen blong olgeta. Mr Toara, hemi stap naoia long gavman saed mo hemi bin kontestem las jenerol eleksen long tiket blong Grin Confederation.

Long konstituensi blong Pentecost, kot i sakemaut komplen blong wan long olgeta kandidet we hemi lusum eleksen long aelan ia, Francois Chani Tabisalsal.

Wan long olgeta risen we Chani i mekem komplen from, hemi foto blong Iauko Grup MP, Tony Nari, we sam sapota blong Vanuaku Pati, oli mekem agensem hem se narasaed long foto ia, ikat foto blong wan kandidet blong Malakula konstituensi.

Kot i sakemaut komplen blong Chani from we loea blong hem nao, hemi sapos blong advaesem klaen blong hem blong mekem komplen agensem elektrol komisen be ino Mr Nari. Sapos ikat foto blong wan kandidet blong Malekula long narasaed long foto blong hem, ino Mr Nari, hemi putum foto ia be hemi olgeta long elektrol ofis.

Long konstituensi blong Banks mo Torres, MP blong olgeta we hemi semtaem presiden blong Vanuatu Nationan Pati, Christophe Emelee, hemi winim kes blong hem agensem Basil Hopkins afta we suprem hemi sakedmaut komplen blong hem.

Mr Emelee, hemi ripitim bagegen long Mr Hopkins se pipol blong Torba, oli tekem desisen blong olgeta finis mo inomo kat wan nara wei aut be hemi sapos blong akseptem nomo se hemi lusum eleksen.

hemi save jalenjem hem long kot mo long wan bae-eleksen. Hemi talem se Mr Hopkins, hemi traem bes blong hem blong mekem wan kriminol kes agensem hem blong mekem bae hemi save diskualifae, be pruv we hemi givim long kot ino hevi.

Mr Emelee i talem se Mr Hopkins mo ol sapota blong hem, oli akiusim hem se hemi givimm kakae mo kava long ol pipol blong oli save vot long hem be Mr Hopkins tru long loea blong hem, tufala i feil blong talemaut long kot wanem pat blong lo blong Vanuatu nao we i talem se hemi rong blong fidim man mo kivim kakae.

Mr Emelee i talem se sam politisien, oli bin sakem plande rong tok tok agensem hem long taem mo bifo kampen mo naoia, oli lusum kes bagegen long kot long wik ia. Niu MP blong Banks mo Torres ia i talem se hemi save askem Mr Hopkins mo olgeta we oli rabisim nem blong hem blong oli pem hem from we oli spolem nem blong hem be hemi save se bae oli neva pem from we bae oli karem mani wea.

Hemi talem famili Hopkins hemi wan famili we pipol blong Efate, Luganville mo Torba,

S

oli kat respek long hem mo hem tu, hemi respektem olgeta.

Kam kasem long tasde long wik ia, ino kat wan long olgeta kandidet iet we oli lusum eleksen we hemi manej blong konvinsim kot long komplen blong hem blong mekem wan MP i lusum tsea blong hem. Long eleksen blong 2008, kot hemi bin diklerem se wan tsea blong Epi. Efate mo Tanna, oli empti afta we kot hemi hapi se ol MP we komplen i agensem olgeta, i bin kat stong pruv agensem olgeta.

Long Epi konstituensi, MP Leinavao Taso, hemi lusun eleksen nomo from we hemi bin givim 2 kilo rais mo wan tausen vatu long wan woman long taem blong eleksen.

Maet, hemi bin givim from fasin blong vilej be long lo, hemi tabu blong mekem long taem blong eleksen.

Fasin blong vilej o tradisinol fasin, hemi mekem se palaman, hemi bin mekem wan jenis long lo blong eleksen blong mekem wan kandidet, hemi save givim kakae mo transpotem ol votas blong hem long taem blong wan eleksen.

end your letters and news

stories to the independent email: editor@independent.vu

MP Emelee i talem se antap long hem, namba blong hem, hemi smol tumas blong

The independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 Decemba, 2012

Page 27

BICENTENNIAL MAN

Starring: Robin Williams, Embeth Davidtz and Sam Neill Directed by: Chris Columbus Who said that robots and computers could never possess the capacity for feelings, creativity or love? It’s an undying quest for an android named Andrew (Robin Williams), otherwise listed as an NDR-114 robot purchased as a household appliance by patriarch Richard Martin (Sam Neill) for his family.

The Martins, including their two daughters and granddaughter, treat Andrew as a real person, but his increasing creativity and compassion makes them wonder: Is Andrew just well-programmed, or is he becoming human? Over the course of two centuries, Andrew sets out on a journey of self-discovery to find out what it is to be human, including the faults, frailties and mortality inherent in Earth’s creatures.

CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN 2

Starring: Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt and Eugene Levy Directed by: Adam Shankman The Baker family, while on vacation, find themselves in competition with a rival family of eight children.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN (2011)

T V g u i d e

HOMELAND – SEASON FINALE

Starring: Claire Danes, Damian Lewis and Mandy Patinkin Catch the season finale of the Emmy® and Golden Globe® award-winning best drama series as Carrie continues to investigate decorated war hero Nicholas Brody, who is now working for Al Qaeda and is plotting an attack against the United States

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Starring: Orlando Bloom, Eva Green and Liam Neeson Directed by: Ridley Scott A young Frenchman discovers his destiny as a knight during the Crusades and ultimately uses all his courage and skill to defend the city against staggering odds.

SHANGHAI NOON

Starring: Jason Momoa, Ron Perlman and Rachel Nichols Directed by: Marcus Nispel A quest that begins as a personal vendetta for the fierce warrior soon turns into an epic battle against hulking rivals, horrific monsters, and impossible odds, as Conan the Cimmerian realizes he is the only hope of saving the great nations of Hyboria from an encroaching reign of supernatural evil.

Starring: Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson and Lucy Liu Directed by: Tom Dey A member of China’s Imperial Guard travels to the Wild West and teams up with a train robber to rescue a kidnapped princess.

THE WALKING DEAD – MIDSEASON FINALE

DARK WATER

Starring: Jennifer Connelly, Ariel Gade and John C. Reilly Directed by: Walter Salles Mysterious noises and strange happenings begin to close around a mother and daughter who moved into a new apartment after a bitter custody battle.

Page 28

Starring: Andrew Lincoln, Sarah Wayne Callies and David Morrissey This year’s most watched TV series will take a break until next February, Andrea (Laurie Holden) spends time with a steely old friend on “The Walking Dead.”

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

Life style

Life Style

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is derived from ancient Sanskrit and means “life knowledge” or “life science.”

It is based on the concept that one’s physical, mental and spiritual balance comes from a number of sources, including a healthful diet based on one’s individual constitution or prakriti. The balance between a primary, secondary and third (less prominent) dosha determines a patient’s prakriti. After completing a complex examination to determine their predominant dosha, an Ayurvedic practitioner carefully tailors a treatment plan for an individual so they can make simple changes in diet and behaviour to support optimal health.

Take the quiz below to identify your primary dosha: vata (air), pitta (fire) or kapha (earth).

Flavourful remedy Add a little spice to your morning beverage. It’s a simple way to inject some Ayurvedic healing into your day. It is well known that excess coffee intake can have a negative impact on the adrenal glands, also known as the “stress glands.” Instead, enjoy a cup of the increasingly popular and delicious chai or Indian tea. A homemade chai is much healthier than the sugarfilled syrups and concentrates normally used in coffee shop chai. A large quantity can be kept in the fridge for up to a week. It’s great reheated or iced. If you aren’t ready to give up your cup of java, reduce the acidity and detoxify thee effects of caffeine by adding crushed green cardamom seeds. They add a warming, sweet taste and delightfully sensuous aroma.

1. Black pepper blood purifier, good for circulation.

2. Cardamom pods digestive aid.

3. Cloves contain eugenol, benefi cial to the nervous system. e oil is a powerful anesthetic and painkiller, particularly for teeth and gums.

4. Cinnamon strengthens the bones; purifies the blood.

5. Ginger root contains over 70 active ingredients and is known as the “food pharmacy.” Helps soothe colds and flu, increases energy; eases nausea and upset stomach. Lowers blood pressure; aids with fungal infections.

6. Milk aids in the easy assimilation of spices, while the small dose of black tea acts as an alloy for all the ingredients and creates just the right chemical balance. You can use almond or soy milk if you are lactose intolerant. Allow the tea to cool slightly before adding soy milk to prevent curdling.

DOSHAS: AIR, FIRE, EARTH If you scored mainly A’s, you are: Vata: air, ether and movement. This person is quick thinking, active, easily excited and imaginative. Body: a more slender build, with an erratic appetite. When imbalanced, vata becomes bored, worried and anxious. To mediate a balance, look for a structured diet and more relaxing daily activities.

If you scored mostly B’s, you are: Pitta: fire and transformation. This person is fiery, courageous and has great intellect and willpower. A pitta body tends toward a more athletic build, sharp physical features and a high metabolism. When imbalanced, pitta becomes angry, bitter, jealous and judgmental.

To mediate a balance, opt for a sweet treat at the end of your day to unwind.

If you scored mostly C’s, you are: Kapha: earth and construction. This person is calm, loving, and supportive. A kapha body tends toward a rounder and larger build, big facial features and a low metabolism. When imbalanced, kapha becomes depressed, lazy, and attached. To mediate a balance, look for a lighter diet and a walk or a jog to start or end your day.

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

Page 29

News

Red Cross News

this Volunteers service Awareness every years, with their volunteers in their branch throughout the country and are willing to continue to work to gather to help in the reduction of Crisis..

Vanuatu Red Cross Society help more than 20,000 people in 2011,providing communities with skills and services in first aid, health and sanitation, disaster preparedness, humanitarian law and emergency response.

They depend mostly on volunteers and the generosity of the Vanuatu public and donors to perform their mission.

Volunteers service Awareness at Tafea Red Cross provincial branch

By Charley Sikal A Volunteer service has been successfully conducted at the Red Cross Branch in Tafea province on October 5.

The actual turnout was good, featuring over eleven participants of both genders who are present during that time.

The awareness was run and coordinated by a Vanuatu Red Cross Staff in Port Vila.

Purpose of this awareness is to ensure surrounding communities will be able to fully understand how to use Volunteers services and also to respond to Crisis in their areas.

They are guided by the principles of Red Cross a nod Red Crescent, the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through 187 member National Societies.

Volunteers have been very committed, helping the Red Cross staffs as they taught the communities about the importance of basic Hygiene and Sanitation in Community health, First aid training, Youth focus as well as Disasters in the country.

Awarness for the red cross volunteers in Tafea province

With that, people are able to explore their potential and can act accordingly to face such disasters that are impacting the lives of our most vulnerable people who are in desperate needs.

Vanuatu Red Cross Society encourages you all to join them, by becoming a volunteer, donating to their efforts or taking a first aid training course, Or learn more about what Vanuatu Red Cross Is doing, please call 27418.

promedıcal news

Vanuatu Red Cross have been conducting

promedıcal news

By Operations Manager Michael Benjamin

heureusement, il a été récupéré un peu plus tard en bon état et personne n’a été blessé, nous étions alors en mesure de transporter le patient à Tassiriki Centre de santé des fins de gestion.

Aéroport exercice, Auxiliaire Roger Roy chargement d’un patient dans l’ambulance.

Eh bien, il a été un mois plutôt excitant, entre les cas d’urgence que nous avons assisté et les autres incidents qui ont été largement rapportés dans tous les médias, d’abord tout traitement d’un patient très malade dans une boutique de la rue principale de notre ambulance a été volée par un l’homme et axée sur vers le bas pour Pango Beach,

L’exercice Bi-annuel urgence de l’aéroport a eu lieu la semaine dernière dans laquelle tous les services d’urgence ont été testés dans leurs temps de réponse, la gestion des catastrophes et de la communication et de la coopération avec d’autres organismes qui ont répondu, dans l’ensemble c’était un exercice très réussi et tout le monde a appris de précieuses leçons . Nos cas ce mois-ci ont été variées, comme toujours, allant de la simple à l’extrême, les cas tels que des vomissements et la diarrhée sont monnaie courante, mais peut devenir grave si elle n’est pas traitée et les patients se déshydrater, il alors que les ambulanciers ont Promedical d’intervenir et de traiter les patients atteints de fluide pour restaurer il ya la pression artérielle. L’asthme a été un autre cas régulier pour notre personnel ce mois-ci,

Emergency Number

25566 / 115 Emergency Number

25566 / 115

à l’arrivée de la VCH le patient n’avait pas répondu à aucune de traitement et a été déclaré mort, Promedical souhaitent transmettre leurs condoléances à la famille et les amis du patient.

Promedical tiens également à remercier l’aide du personnel du VCH à l’époque.

Administration

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Protect your family

Page 30

allant de légère à sévère dans laquelle nous devons intervenir avec des médicaments pour ouvrir les voies respiratoires et d’améliorer la condition il. Le cas le plus grave est très récente dans laquelle nous avons été appelés à un homme 29yr vieux Mall Vila, il semble qu’il voyageait dans un bus et est devenu gravement à court de souffle Promedical a été appelé l’ambulance était VCH et tous arrivés pour aider le patiente est devenue inconsciente que l’ambulance est arrivée et a rapidement été chargé dans l’ambulance Promedical avec l’aide du personnel du VCH, il a été établi que le patient avait arrêté et cardiaque CPR a commencé, ses voies respiratoires était sale de vomi donc un tube de respiration (ETT) placé à protéger ses voies respiratoires, il a été établi que l’air ne fut atteint ses poumons et une cause commune de ceci est un pneumothorax sous tension (affaissement du poumon), donc 2 aiguilles ont été insérées dans la poitrine d’enlever le haut jusqu’à l’air, un IV a été inséré et des doses multiples d’adrénaline ont été administrés, mais malheureusement

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The Independent/L’Indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

Health

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Overview (STDs) STDs caused by bacteria • Chancroid (Haemophilus ducreyi) • Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) • Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhea) • Granuloma inguinale (Calymmatobacterium granulomatis) • Lymphogranuloma venereum (Chlamydia trachomatis) • Syphilis (Treponema pallidum) Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs, venereal diseases) are among the most common infectious diseases. STDs are sometimes referred to as sexually transmitted infections, since these conditions involve the transmission of an infectious organism between sex partners. More than 20 different STDs have been identified.

Depending on the disease, the infection can be spread through any type of sexual activity involving the sex organs, the anus, or the mouth; an infection can also be spread through contact with blood during sexual activity. STDs are infrequently transmitted by any other type of contact (blood, body fluids or tissue removed from an STD infected person and placed in contact with an uninfected person); however, people that share unsterilized needles markedly increase the chance to pass many diseases, including STD’s (especially hepatitis B), to others. Some diseases are not considered to be officially an STD (for example, hepatitis types A, C, E) but are infrequently noted to be transferred during sexual activity. Consequently, lists of STD’s can vary, depending on whether the STD is usually transmitted by sexual contact or only infrequently transmitted.

•

STDs affect men and women of all ages and backgrounds, including children.

•

STDs have become more common in recent years, partly because people are becoming sexually active at a younger age, are having multiple partners, and do not use preventive methods to lessen their chance of acquiring an STD.

•

People can pass STDs to sexual partners even if they themselves do not have any symptoms.

•

Frequently, STDs can be present but cause no symptoms, especially in women (for example, chlamydia, genital herpes or gonorrhea). This can also occur in some men.

•

• • •

Health problems and long-term consequences from STDs tend to be more severe for women than for men. Some STDs can cause pelvic infections such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which may cause a tubo-ovarian abscess. The abscess, in turn, may lead to scarring of the reproductive organs, which can result in an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus), infertility or even death for a woman.

Human papillomavirus infection (HPV infection), an STD, is a known cause of cancer of the cervix.

Many STDs can be passed from a mother to her baby before, during, or immediately after birth.

Because the method of becoming infected is similar with all STDs, a person often obtains more than one pathogenic organism at a time. For example, many people (about 50%) are infected at a single sexual contact with both gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Causes Depending on the disease, STDs can be spread with any type of sexual activity. STDs are most often caused by viruses and bacteria. The following is a list of the most common STDs, their causes and other infections (see STDs with asterisk mark*) that may be transmitted on occasion by sexual activity, but are frequently not considered primarily to be an STD by many investigators:

STDs caused by viruses • Genital herpes (herpes simplex virus) • Genital warts (human papillomavirus virus [HPV]) • Hepatitis B and D, and infrequently, A*,C*,E* (hepatitis viruses, types A-E) • HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV virus]) • Molluscum contagiosum* (poxvirus) STD caused by protozoan • Trichomoniasis (Trichomonas vaginalis) STD’s* caused by fungi • Jock itch (Tenia cruris)* • Yeast infections* (Candida albicans) STD’s caused by parasites • Pubic lice or crabs (Pediculosis pubis) • Scabies* Sarcoptes scabiei

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Symptoms and Signs Common STDs have a variety of symptoms (if symptoms develop at all) and many different complications, including death.

Symptoms of STDs caused by bacteria Chancroid Symptoms

• • • •

• • • •

Genital herpes

• • • •

• • • •

Most common of all STDs caused by bacteria.

Cause no symptoms in about 80% of women and 50% of men When symptoms are present, commonly there is discharge from the vagina or the penis, and burning or pain during urination.

Is transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact Ectopic pregnancy and infertility for women are potential serious complications.

Is treatable with antibiotics

Gonorrhea symptoms

• • • •

•

Discharge from the vagina or the penis Over 50% of infected women have no symptoms, but they can still transmit the disease to others.

Painful urination Ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility for women, Fitzhugh-Curtis syndrome (perihepatitis) and death are potential serious complications.

Is treatable with antibiotics

Granuloma inguinale (donovanosis) symptoms.

• •

Symptoms are painless genital ulcers in the groin area.

Is treatable with antibiotics, usually for three or more weeks

Lymphogranuloma venereum

Syphilis

Symptoms are abscesses (buboes) in the groin, rectum or other areas; fistulas that drain pus may occur and are treatable with antibiotics.

Recurring outbreaks of blister-like sores on the genitals Can be transmitted from a mother to her baby during birth Reduction in frequency and severity of blister outbreaks with treatment but not complete elimination of infection.

Can be transmitted by a partner who has herpes even if no blisters are present.

Genital warts

• • • •

Caused by a virus related to skin warts, human papillomavirus (HPV) Small, painless bumps in the genital or anal areas (sometimes in large clusters that look like cauliflower) Various treatments available (for example, freezing or painting the warts with medication) Vaccines are available against the most common types of HPV

Hepatitis

• •

Chlamydia symptoms

• •

Symptoms are mild and often go undetected initially Starts with a painless genital ulcer that goes away on its own Rash, fever, headache, achy joints Is treatable with antibiotics More serious complications associated with later stages of the disease if undetected and untreated

Symptoms of STDs caused by viruses

•

•

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday, 8 December, 2012 Page 28

Common in developing countries.

Symptoms include painful ulcers on the genitals.

Can be confused with syphilis or herpes Is treatable with antibiotics

•

• • • •

Hepatitis B and D are most often associated with sexual contact, hepatitis A, C, E are less frequently transmitted by sexual contact.

Both may be transmitted via contact with blood; for hepatitis B, sexual transmission is believed to be responsible for 30% of the cases worldwide.

The hepatitis B virus can cause both an initial (acute) and a chronic form of liver inflammation.

Only 50% of acute infections with the hepatitis B virus produce symptoms. The initial phase of infection lasts a few weeks, and in most people (90%-95%), the infection clears.

Acute infection can cause yellowish skin and eyes, fever, achy, tired (flu-like symptoms).

Severe complications in some people, including cirrhosis and liver cancer may occur in a small percent of individuals infected with HBV. Treatments are available and remission is possible with some aggressive medications.

Immunizations are available to prevent hepatitis B.

HIV/AIDS • Spread primarily by sexual contact and from sharing IV needles • Can be transmitted at the time a person becomes infected with other STDs • No specific symptoms or physical signs confirm HIV infection.

• The average time from infection to the development of symptoms related to immunosuppression (decreased functioning of the immune system) is 10 years.

• Fatigue, night sweats, chills, or fever lasting several weeks, headaches, and cough may occur a few weeks after contracting the virus initially.

• Serious complications of AIDS include unusual infections or cancers, weight loss, intellectual deterioration (dementia), and death.

• No current cure but medications are available to slow disease progression.

Molluscum contagiosum • Small (2-5mm) raised areas (papules) on the skin • Contagious, usually by direct skin to skin contact • Self-limited over months to years; treated with some topical creams • Often cryotherapy (freezing) or surgical removal is performed

To be continued next week…………Other STD Symptoms and Signs

Page 31

The Indy Entertainment

9 chickweed lane

Fred

Adam @Home

Non Sequitur

Andy Capp One Big Happy

B.C Peanut

Flo & Friend

Pickles

For Better or Worse

Shoe

Page 32

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December,Page 201227

News

Obama warns Assad on chemical weapons SYRIA has begun mixing chemicals that can be used to make deadly sarin gas, a US official says.

US President Barack Obama has dramatically told Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad not to turn chemical weapons on his own people, following US warnings his forces were mixing deadly sarin gas.

Obama publicly told the increasingly beleaguered Assad not to unleash the “worst weapons of the 20th Century” in the 21st, capping a day of alarming American warnings on the Syrian regime’s intentions.

“Today, I want to make it absolutely clear to Assad and those under his command, the world is watching, the use of chemical weapons is and would be totally unacceptable,” Obama said.

“If you make the tragic mistake of using these weapons, there will be consequences and you will be held accountable.”

The Damascus government, hitting back at increasingly explicit US rhetoric, had earlier pledged never to take such a step, which the Obama administration warns would cross a “red line” and result in US action.

Adding to the impression of a quickening endgame in Syria, Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi exclusively told AFP that Assad’s regime was in danger of collapse “anytime” as the opposition makes sweeping gains.

And prompted by deteriorating security, the United Nations suspended operations in Syria and said it would pull out non-essential staff, while the European Union reduced its activities in Damascus to a minimum.

A US official told AFP earlier that Syria had begun mixing chemicals that could be used to make sarin, a deadly nerve agent, while CNN reported Damascus may mull the use of the gas in a limited artillery attack on advancing rebels.

The intelligence appeared to explain a series of fresh warnings issued by Washington that the use of chemical weapons by the Assad government would invite unspecified US action.

The White House has been reluctant to directly intervene in Syria but indicated on Monday that the use of chemical weapons could change the equation.

“We are concerned that an increasingly beleaguered regime, having found its escalation of violence through conventional means inadequate, might be considering the use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

Washington worries that battlefield advances by rebels could prompt Assad to use chemical arms, or that such stocks could become insecure or find their way into the hands of groups hostile to the United States and its allies.

In televised remarks, an unnamed Syrian foreign ministry official said Syria would “never, under any circumstances, use chemical weapons against its own people, if such weapons exist”.

The New York Times reported that as well as public warnings to Assad, US and European officials had sent private warnings to Damascus through Russia.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, during a trip to Prague, declined to “telegraph” what Washington would do if Syria crossed its “red line” and used chemical weapons.

But she said: “Suffice it to say that we’re certainly planning to take action if that eventuality were to occur”.

A 150-strong US task force, including special forces soldiers, has been stationed in Jordan for several months, and could be called into action if Syria loses control of its chemical weapons amid battlefield chaos.

In Syria itself, there were new developments in a vicious conflict that has taken an estimated 41,000 lives since erupting in March 2011.

In an exclusive interview with AFP, Arabi said Assad’s regime was in danger of collapse “anytime” as the opposition made political and military headway.

“Facts on the ground indicate very clearly now that the Syrian opposition is gaining, politically and militarily. Every day they are gaining something,” Arabi said.

In another blow to the Assad regime, foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdisi, a prominent advocate of the president, was reported to have quit and headed for London from Beirut.

UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said the world body would pull non-essential international staff from Syria with “immediate effect.”

A Google Map which shows a red arrow pointing at what used to be marked as Sandy Island.

Missing island riddle solved A NEW Zealand researcher claims to have solved the riddle of a mystery South Pacific island shown on Google Earth and world maps which does not exist, blaming a whaling ship from 1876.

The phantom landmass in the Coral Sea is shown as Sandy Island on Google Earth and Google maps and is supposedly midway between Australia and the French-governed New Caledonia. The Times Atlas of the World appears to identify it as Sable Island, but according to Australian scientists who went searching last month during a geological expedition it could not be found.

recorded a low-lying reef or thought they saw a reef. They could have been in the wrong place. There is all number of possibilities,” he said.

“But what we do have is a dotted shape on the map that’s been recorded at that time and it appears it’s simply been copied over time.”

News of the invisible island sparked debate on social media at the time, with tweeters pointing out that Sandy Island was also on Yahoo Maps as well as Bing Maps.

Intrigued, Shaun Higgins, a researcher at Auckland Museum, started investigating and claimed it never existed, with a whaling ship the source of the original error.

On www.abovetopsecret.com, discussions were robust with one poster claiming he had confirmed with the French hydrographic office that it was indeed a phantom island and was supposed to have been removed from charts in 1979.

“As far as I can tell, the island was recorded by the whaling ship the Velocity,” Mr Higgins told ABC radio, adding that the ship’s master reported a series of “heavy breakers” and some “sandy islets”.

Google told AFP last month it always welcomed feedback on maps and “continuously explore(s) ways to integrate new information from our users and authoritative partners into Google Maps”.

“My supposition is that they simply recorded a hazard at the time. They might have

It appears that Sandy Island has now been taken off its map.

The EU said it was also reducing activities in Damascus to a minimum.

An air strike on Monday killed at least 12 people - eight rebels and four civilians - and wounded more than 30 in the rebel-held town of Ras al-Ain on the border with Turkey, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The monitoring group, which relies on a network of activists and medics in civilian and military hospitals, said 86 people - including 32 civilians, 32 rebels and 22 troops - were killed on Monday as Syrian troops battered rebel positions in and around Damascus.

On the diplomatic front, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Turkey that the NATO deployment of Patriot missiles along its border with Syria could exacerbate tensions after meeting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Russia objects to Turkey’s NATO request for the deployment of Patriot missiles as Assad’s regime clings to power and suppresses a rebellion.

Moscow has warned that such a deployment could spark a broader conflict, pulling in the Western military alliance.

“As they say, if a gun is hung on the wall at the start of a play, then at the end of the play it will definitely fire,” Putin said.

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

- AAP

Le Lycée français recrute : Un responsable (H ou F) chargé de :  La gestion des personnels ouvriers et de services : Elaboration et gestion de plannings de travail, contrôle du service fait, gestion du matériel.  La mise en œuvre de la politique de communication de l’école : organisation d’événements, promotion de l’école et de ses activités, communication avec les médias, communication interne.

Compétences requises : • Savoir parler français, anglais, bichlamar • Qualités relationnelles, • Bon contact avec les enfants • Connaissance du milieu scolaire • Connaissance en marketing • Connaissances en informatique • Permis de conduire Merci de d adresser vos candidatures avant le jeudi 13 décembre à : Monsieur le proviseur du lycée français Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio BP 40 Port Vila Tel : 22 926 Fax : 25 840 Mel : proviseur@lfportvila@edu.vu BP 40

-

Lycée Français Jean–Marie Gustave Le Clézio P o r t V i l a V a n u a t u ' 00 (678) 22 92 - 7 00 (678) 25 840 - : lfpv@lfportvila.edu.vu - Site : www.lfportvila.edu.vu

Page 33 39 Page

The Indy Entertainment

H H O O

R R

23 Sept.

22 Oct.

23 Oct. 22 Nov.

Scorpio - Although several planets moving through water signs heighten your emotional sensitivity now, a Grand Fire Trine empowers you to swing into action and overcome any self-doubt. There’s still more work to do resolving issues regarding your own self-worth, but at least you can sense hope is on the horizon. Be patient yet persistent. Don’t ease up on your efforts, but it’s important to realize that it’s going.

Sagittarius -Your energy is building to a crescendo today, yet you must be careful not

23 Nov. 21 Dec.

to over-commit so you don’t waste the current opportunities in front of you. It’s tempting to blindly trust your confidence now, but it’s healthier to support your optimistic outlook with analytical skills and a concrete plan. Balancing your goals with a bit of common sense multiplies your chances of finding success.

Capricorn - You can feel a shift into a new perspective, but you might still resist change.

22 Dec. 18 Jan.

O O

For this reason, the next few days may feel a bit strained as current circumstances require you to let go of the past. Meanwhile, now that the Moon is in expressive Leo, you need to take a risk to make the most of the situation. Nevertheless, watch your moods carefully, especially while interacting with people who stir up your emotions. It’s perfectly acceptable to switch the topic if things get too intense.

Aquarius 19 Jan. 19 Feb.

S S

CROSSWORDS

Libra -Although today is an action-packed day, it seems as if something is holding you back from doing as much as you wish. It may be that social obligations prevent you from having the fun that you wanted. However, if you remain flexible, the potential for enjoyment might resurface later in the day in ways that you could never expect.

Social activities bring a lot of joy this time of year but, unfortunately, there is also a high price to pay. If you overextend your commitments now, you might find yourself too tired to do what really must be done. Your current practice should include moderation. If you curtail your activities just a little, you can conserve the energy that you need to fulfill your current obligations.

Pisces -

It might feel as if you’re running around in circles today, as you think and rethink the same ideas. Your current mental loops may border on obsession, but they can also indicate that some information about a project at work is still missing.

Nevertheless, shine your inner light for all to see. Don’t waste precious energy trying to 20 Feb. 20 March analyze what’s happening; just trust that it will all make sense in due time.

Aries -

C C O O

You are excited today as the storm clouds continue to clear, encouraging you to feel as if you can see forever. Although this is a great day to set long-term goals, the lively Leo Moon adds an element of playfulness to nearly anything you do. You can even come to terms with difficult emotions now, especially if you are willing to narrow 22 March 20 April your vision and move slower as you execute your plans.

21 April 20 May

Gemini 21 May 21 June

P P

You may have so much to do today that you feel tired before you even begin anything. And although it’s difficult to set a pace you can maintain throughout the day, getting started is half the battle now. Don’t worry about the possibility of letting others down because you’re not sure you can hold up your end of the deal. You might be happily surprised when you look back and realize how much you actually accomplished.

Cancer 22 June 22 July

E E 23 July 23 Aug.

S S

Taurus - You might reveal your innermost feelings today in a rather cavalier manner.

Usually, it takes time for you to open up and verbalize your emotions, but self-disclosure seems like the simplest course of action now. Grab the opportunity to share while you can, since expressing what’s in your heart sets a positive tone for the days ahead.

Everything at work seems to be moving along smoothly today now that the extroverted Leo Moon collaborates with the planets in your 6th House of Employment.

Nevertheless, your emotions are more complicated than others realize, but you might be afraid to share them now because you don’t want to create any drama. Ironically, expressing your true feelings will ultimately result in more harmony than if you remain quiet.

Leo - Today’s outgoing Leo Moon poses an interesting dilemma. You’re more sensitive than usual, but you’re also excited by original ideas and unconventional plans of action. Your world is humming an unfamiliar tune and you are ready to play along, yet there’s a nagging voice that encourages you to stay within safe boundaries.

Find a way to honor your vulnerability while still moving joyfully toward your future.

Virgo -

24 Aug. 22 Sept.

Newly acquired information must be integrated into your current perspective today, even if you think it will distract you from your real work. You might act impulsively, letting others know how you feel without regard to the consequences. Although there’s no need to postpone action until another day, make sure your decisions are made in a methodical manner rather than shooting from the hip.

SUDOKU ROCKU Last Solution 459

ACROSS 1. Call forth 6. If not 10. Frost 14. Fend off 15. 64 in Roman numerals 16. Bright thought 17. Vineyard fruit 18. Spindle 19. Close 20. Responsibility 22. Handguns 23. Fury 24. Foolish 26. A type of tree resin 30. Rock 32. Of a pelvic bone 33. Triangular headsail 37. Acquire deservedly 38. Jargon 39. Calamitous 40. Betrayal 42. Iron or steel 43. Crystal-lined rock 44. Unorthodox tenets 45. They make wool 47. Preschooler 48. Gull-like bird 49. Express in different words 56. Arm or leg 57. Holly 58. Lubricated 59. By mouth 60. Not a single one 61. Drugged 62. Sea eagle 63. Obtains 64. Tale

12. Substantial 13. Hearing organs 21. Arrive (abbrev.)

25. Hotel 26. Weight loss plan 27. Winglike 28. Bog 29. Controllable 30. Surplus 31. Small 33. Sleigh 34. Go fly a ____!

35. Historical periods 36. Depend 38. Buying 41. C 42. Ways of doing things 44. Jump 45. To scour 46. What we are 47. What we pay to the govt.

48. Blackthorn 50. Found in some lotions 51. Lease 52. Violent disturbance 53. As well 54. Clairvoyant 55. Countercurrent

Last solution - 459

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. Therefore 2. “Action word” 3. Iridescent gem 4. Yachting cap 5. Melancholy 6. Gladden 7. 71 in Roman numerals 8. Storage cylinder 9. A daily evening church service 10. Instigator 11. Something to shoot for The Independent/L’Indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

Children’s Page

Make cute egg carton spiders

Make a lava lamp

Create cool, creepy-crawly egg carton spiders with this fun art and craft kids’ activity. Your kids will love making these hairy creatures.

Black paint •

Paintbrush

•

Egg carton

•

Skewer

•

Black pipe cleaners

•

Googly eyes

•

Scissors

•

White craft glue

Making a lava lamp is not only fun, it’s a sneaky science experiment. Try this simple science experiment, which will teach your children about density. Your kids will love making their own homemade lava lamp.

Activity:

What You Need:

Cut the bumpy half of your egg carton into individual egg cups.

Using the skewer or sharp pencil, make eight holes in the bottom edge of each egg cup, four on each side (see note), these are for your pipe cleaner legs to poke through.

Paint each egg cup black, and let dry.

Push a pipe cleaner in through one hole and out the opposite side’s hole.

Bend the legs at halfway for knees and then a small section at the end for the feet.

•

clear plastic bottle with lid

•

vegetable oil

•

water

•

food coloring

•

Alka-Seltzer tablet

Activity:

Repeat for each of the legs.

Glue on googly eyes, and your egg carton spider is ready to pounce!

Notes: •

To safely punch neat holes in your egg cups, place a large blob of blu-tac on your work surface, and position your egg cup on top where you want your hole to be.

Pierce through the egg cup and into the blu tac with your skewer - this creates a neat hole without harming your fingers! A pen or sharp pencil are also good tools for this job.

•

Pre-cut the carton and prepare the holes ahead of time for group or party use.

•

To hang your spider, pierce a hole in the top of each egg cup, and carefully thread the two ends of a 60cm length of string through the hole, so the ends are inside the egg cup. Knot the ends inside the egg cup so it won’t pull out, and hang your spider wherever you wish!

Fill the bottle three quarters of the way with vegetable oil.

Fill the rest of the bottle with water that has been colored with food coloring.

Close the bottle lid tightly.

Wait for the two layers to settle.

Break the Alka-Seltzer tablet into small pieces.

Drop small pieces of the tablet into the bottle to create a bubbly fizzy lava lamp.

Pikelets recipe This is a lovely recipe for little hands to help mum in the kitchen. Handy for afternoon tea, too.

Pikelets are an easy after school snack recipe. Try this easy pikelet recipe that your kids will love - ou can add a few to their lunch box too.

Silver Crown This impressive jeweled crown is fabulous for dress-ups and all sorts of imaginative play. Get your child to decorate it however they wish. It works best as a pretty silver crown for a Rapunzel dress up.

What You Need: •

cardboard

•

aluminum foil

•

scissors

•

stapler

•

glue

•

decorations (sequins, fake jewels, glitter, buttons, beads etc)

Activity: Cut a long strip of cardboard, making sure it is at least 10cm wide.

Glue aluminum foil to one side of the strip.

Along one of the lengths cut out triangles to create sharp diagonal teethlike points.

Measure the strip to fit your child’s head.

Staple in place to form a large round ring with teeth-like points at the top circumference.

This is the beginnings of a crown.

Cut away any extra extensions.

Get your child to decorate the silver foil crown using whatever decorations they desire.

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

Ingredients: • • • • • •

2 cups self-raising flour ¼ teaspoon salt (optional) 1/3 cup caster sugar 1 egg 1 cup (250mL) milk 1 tablespoon butter

Method: Sift flour and salt, add sugar, drop unbeaten egg into the middle of the bowl and stir. Slowly add enough milk

to make a thick batter. Beat well until smooth. Heat a non-stick pan over a medium heat, melt ½ teaspoon butter and drop heaped tablespoonfuls of mixture into the pan.I cooked about 5 at a time. When bubbles appear on the surface, turn the pikelets (muttering and cursing and chasing them all over the pan) and allow to brown on the second side. Transfer pikelets onto a plate and cover with a cloth while you finish cooking the remainder.

Page Page 35 31

Weird and Wacky news Homeless man given boots by New York cop shoeless again THE homeless man who was given a pair of socks and boots by a police officer in New York is shoeless once again.

Jeffrey Hillman was given a pair of $100 ($96) boots on November 14 by police officer Lawrence DePrimo, in a random act of kindness. But he was spotted on Sunday night in New York’s Upper West Side walking barefoot, The New York Times reports.

Mr Hillman said he still had the boots but had hidden them for his own safety.

“Those shoes are hidden. They are worth a lot of money,” Mr Hillman told the newspaper. “I could lose my life.”

in the United States and Germany. He said he was honourably discharged after five years and worked in kitchens in New Jersey before becoming homeless.

He told the newspaper he had moved to New York about 10 years ago and had been living on the streets for most of that time.

During rain, he often seeks refuge on a train, he said.

The New York Times reports Mr Hillman has two children - Nikita, 22, and Jeffrey, 24 - but has had little contact with them since a visit three years ago.

The 54-year-old said he was grateful for the kindness shown by officer DePrimo on that cold winter’s night.

He was reluctant to talk about how he ended up on the streets. After a long pause, he shook his head and said, “I don’t know,” according to the report.

“I want to thank everyone that got onto this thing. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart. It meant a lot to me. And to the officer, first and foremost.”

Meanwhile, Mr Hillman’s family say they had no idea the vagrant in the touching photograph that made headlines around the world was their relative.

But he admitted he was rather taken aback by the attention given to the story around the world - particularly by the media.

Jeffrey Hillman’s brother Kirk was stunned when he read about the tourist’s photograph of New York City police officer Lawrence DePrimo giving new all-weather boots and thermal socks to a barefoot homeless man in Times Square.

“I was put on YouTube, I was put on everything without permission. What do I get?” he said.

“This went around the world, and I want a piece of the pie.

“I appreciate what the officer did, don’t get me wrong,” he said. “I wish there were more people like him in the world.”

Mr Hillman, from South Plainfield, New Jersey, told The New York Times he joined the Army in 1978 and served as a “food service specialist”

A tourist in Manhattan’s Times Square took this heartwarming picture of New York policeman Larry DePrimo giving homeless man Jeffrey Hillman a pair of boots and thermal socks.

The three Hillman brothers grew up in New Jersey with Kirk and younger sibling Alfred both graduating from college before moving into white-collar professions.

home are always open to him,” his niece Alegra Hall said.

Neither brother heard much from Jeffrey who they say has been poor for years, unemployed since the 1980s and was declared bankrupt in 1993. While his brothers were forging careers in academia, Jeffrey moved around New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York, recently staying in homeless shelters in Harlem and Hell’s Kitchen.

New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly says his staff have not been in touch with Jeffrey since Officer DePrimo kindly gave Jeffrey the boots on a cold night.

Jeffrey’s friends told the Post he’s always on the move and often buys vodka from a store Kirk and his wife Tish told The New York Post on 9th Avenue in New York, though he hasn’t they didn’t recognise the bedraggled man in been seen much lately. the photo and had no idea the homeless man Jeffrey’s family insist that they never shut the was Kirk’s brother Jeffrey. door on him and he knows he always has a “The last time we heard from him was maybe place to stay if he needs it.

Officer DePrimo last week told Newsday that Jeffrey “smiled from ear to ear” after getting the boots.

a year ago on New Year’s Day,” sister-in-law Tish Hillman said. “Once a year, he calls us to let us know he’s OK.”

“Jeffrey has his own life, and he has chosen that life, but he knows that our hearts and

“He knows that, he’s well aware of that.”

“We’re not looking for him,” Kelly added. “He has shoes now. He’s much more difficult to spot.”

“It was like you gave him a million dollars,” he added.

The 25-year-old told The New York Times that he keeps the receipt for the boots in his vest to remind him “that sometimes people have it worse”.

Software company founder still on the run

SOFTWARE company founder John McAfee said earlier this week he has left Belize and is still on the run, adding “we are not in Belize, but not quite out of the woods yet.”

Mr McAfee did not describe the entire plan, nor did he say where exactly he was now. In a previous interview with the AP, McAfee had said he had no plans to leave Belize.

Mr McAfee claimed in a blog posting he had evaded authorities by staging an elaborate distraction in neighbouring Mexico.

“I’m not going to leave this country,” he had told the AP. “I love this country, this is my home. I intend to fight the injustice that’s here from here, I can’t do much from outside, can I?”

It was a turn typical of the bizarre saga of the eccentric anti-virus company founder wanted for questioning in connection with the killing of a fellow American ex-pat.

In an email to The Associated Press, Mr McAfee confirmed a posting to his website in which he described, in what appeared to be joking tones, how he mounted the ruse.

Police in Belize have called him a “person of interest” in the slaying of fellow American Gregory Viant Faull and asked him to turn himself in for questioning.

“My ‘double,’ carrying on (sic) a North Korean passport under my name, was detained in Mexico for pre-planned misbehaviour,”

Faull was shot to death in early November.

Mr McAfee acknowledges that Faull had complained about his dogs, which were poisoned shortly before Faull’s killing, but says he didn’t kill Faull.

Mr McAfee wrote in the posting, “but due to indifference on the part of authorities (he) was evicted from the jail and was unable to serve his intended purpose in our exit plan.”

In Monday’s post, Mr McAfee said he left Belize because he thought “Sam,” the young Belizean woman who has accompanied him since he went on the lam, was in danger.

Page 36

“I left Belize because of a series of events which led both Sam and I to believe that she was in danger of capture. She has been my go-between and my eyes and ears in the outside world. I decided to make the move. I will be returning to Belize after I have place (sic) Sam in a safe position. My fight is in Belize, and I can do little in exile.”

Police sources in Belize said early this week they believed he was still in the country. The sparsely populated border between the two countries is unguarded and unmarked in many places.

Mr McAfee, who is extremely polite and coherent in telephone conversations, brushes off such accusations, telling the AP “if people want to call that paranoia, they can do so if you wish, that will not concern me.”

Mr McAfee, the creator of the McAfee antivirus program, has led an eccentric life since he sold his stake in the anti-virus software company that is named after him in the early 1990s and moved to Belize about three years ago to lower his taxes.

Rumours arose over the weekend that Mr McAfee had been caught, but Belizean police quickly denied that. Mr MacAfee has said he won’t turn himself in because he fears he will be killed by Belizean police while in custody.

He told The New York Times in 2009 that he had lost all but $US4 million of his $US100 million ($96 million) fortune in the US financial crisis. However, a story on the Gizmodo website quoted him as calling that claim “not very accurate at all.” He has dabbled in yoga, ultra-light aircraft and producing herbal medications.

Belize’s prime minister, Dean Barrow, has expressed doubts about Mr McAfee’s mental state: “I don’t want to be unkind to the gentleman, but I believe he is extremely paranoid, even bonkers.”

Mr McAfee has never said where he’s hiding.

But in his blog, he has claimed to have disguised himself as a grungy street peddler and a foul-mouthed German tourist.

- AAP

The Independent/L’Indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

World Sport

South American football’s obsession with drama DURING breaks in the play, Peruvian TV loves to show a quick compilation of the game’s outstanding fouls, so that fans of gratuitous violence can enjoy a special treat.

system and the drama of sudden death matches - is frequently apparent in South American scheduling. Almost all over the continent the year is divided into two halves, so that two separate championships can be staged in a bid to keep interest levels high.

Real Garcilaso might feel like crying foul if they chalk up a big win in next Sunday’s second leg of the final of the Peruvian championship.

In Ecuador, where there are only 12 first division clubs, it is possible to stage two separate home and away leagues, with the idea being that the two winners meet each other at the end of the year in a two-legged final. That has been scuppered this year by the fact that Barcelona of Guayaquil won both phases.

Founded as recently as 2009, Garcilaso have enjoyed a meteoric rise. They are still entitled to dream of their debut title - but they will have to do it the hard way after losing the first leg 1-0 at home to Sporting Cristal.

It was a disappointing result in their home city of Cuzco, where they might have hoped that the altitude would tip things in their favour. Their main threat all season has been their splendidly named centre forward, Andy Pando, by some distance the top scorer of the championship.

In the event, though, Cristal’s three centre backs and their deep defence deprived Pando of time and space, and he made little impression.

Cristal have been outstanding all year, and in front of their own fans in Lima in the second leg they are strong favourites. Garcilaso and Andy Pando would seem to be waving goodbye to their title hopes - especially as a victory by more than a single goal would not be good enough. Goal difference is not a factor in this final.

South American footballers are known for their passion on the pitch.

A win by one goal is worth the same as a win by 10. If the teams are locked on a win apiece, whatever the margins, then a third game will be played - and Cristal, who have accumulated more points through the year, are entitled to name the venue.

This set up - the championship culminating in a final, which may stretch to three games - is a clear attempt to manufacture drama. It is done to avoid what has happened in Brazil this year - after years of varying formats, the 20 first division teams now play each other home and away in a classic league format.

This system has serious advantages - not only does it reward the best side, it also

keeps all the clubs in operation for the entire duration of the season. But it comes at a price. There is no guarantee of last-gasp drama.

This year Fluminense wrapped up the title with three games still to go. Sunday’s last round was something of a damp squib - there was very little left to play for. One Brazilian TV executive despises this league format and never ceases to complain about it. He gave a speech at the Soccerex trade fair last week which could be paraphrased as “I don’t mind if the format is not fair, I want it to be exciting.”

This tension - between the justice of a league

Man city miss out in Europe

MANCHESTER City missed out on a Europa League place after ending their miserable Champions League campaign with a defeat

by Borussia Dortmund.

But Dortmund posed the greater threat, forcing a series of saves from Joe Hart before Julian Schieber slid in to score from Jakub Blaszczykowski’s cross.

City become the first Premier League side not to manage a single group win, and missing out on the consolation prize of the Europa League means their seeding is likely to drop further when they return to Europe next season.

On this evidence, a vast improvement is required if they are to make any impact. If it had not been for some superb saves by Hart, City would have lost by an even greater margin to a depleted Dortmund side without many of their stars.

Jurgen Klopp’s side were already through as group winners so the onus was on the visitors to chase victory, especially with Ajax behind early on in Madrid.

Colombia and Chile try something more exotic. In Colombia the 18 teams play each other once - with an extra round of local derbies. The top eight then go through to the play-offs, where they are divided into two groups of four. They meet each other home and away, with the winners of each group meeting in a two-legged final.

This can be incredibly dramatic. Last July little O’Higgins were seconds away from their first ever title. Then Universidad de Chile scrambled a stoppage-time equaliser, O’Higgins froze in the penalty shoot out and ‘la U’ claimed their third consecutive title.

City crash out of Europe without a win in any of their six group games.

Manchester City’s tally of three points from their six group games replaces Blackburn’s record in 1995-96 as the worst by an English team in the Champions League. Rovers finished bottom of a group containing Spartak Moscow, Legia Warsaw and Rosenborg on four points, with their only victory coming in their final game against Rosenborg when Mike Newell scored a nine-minute hat-trick.

Argentina also has two annual championships, where the 20 teams meet each other once. Until now there has been no overall champion. That now changes.

The winners of the second tournament in 2012 will meet those of the first in 2013 in a grand final. The first team in have already been decided - on Sunday Velez Sarsfield wrapped up the title with a round still to go.

The top eight in Chile also make it through to the play-offs, but in this case it is straight home and away knockout all the way to the final, with the side who finished first in the league stage meeting the team who came eighth, and so on.

Ajax’s defeat by Real Madrid meant City would have finished third in Group D had they beaten the German champions.

Their haul of three points is a meagre return given the vast resources at Roberto Mancini’s disposal, and is the lowest by an English club in the 20-year history of the competition.

Paraguay also has 12 clubs, and has separate leagues without an overall final.

There is no lack of drama this time, as with two rounds to go there is only a point between the top three, Libertad, Nacional and Guarani.

Roberto Mancini was not happy with his strikers.

But Mancini’s men created little in the first bar and reacting well to beat away Kevin 45 minutes, and their only effort on goal was Grosskreutz’s fierce strike. So it was no a bouncing shot by Edin Dzeko that Roman surprise when they took the lead just before Weidenfeller pushed round his post. the hour mark, Schieber gratefully gobbling up Blaszczykowski’s delightful low cross.

Carlos Tevez worked hard and covered a lot of ground but, without the injured David The scorer almost added a second soon Silva, City were lacking a spark in attack. after when Hart kept out his chip and City’s response was muted at best, despite the Dortmund also began slowly before creating best efforts of Tevez. a host of chances either side of half-time.

The Argentine striker and his compatriot Hart, City’s hero when they snatched a point Sergio Aguero forced smart saves from against Dortmund at the Etihad Stadium in Weidenfeller but Hart remained the busier October, came to their rescue before the goalkeeper, stopping a Robert Lewandowski break when he got his fingertips to a Marco effort with his face.

Reus drive and dived to keep out Ivan In the end City went out meekly. They had Perisic’s curling shot. known before kick-off they could progress no further in the Champions League and this The home side went closer still when Mats lethargic performance was an appropriate Hummels was just unable to turn in an way to end a hugely disappointing campaign. inviting free-kick from Blaszczykowski, who came on for Marco Reus at the interval.

A far better display will be needed when the Premier League champions return Edin Dzeko headed straight at Weidenfeller to domestic action on Sunday in what as City tried to respond but the chances promises to be a pivotal clash with title rivals kept coming for Dortmund, with Hart Manchester United. tipping a swerving Perisic volley over the - BBC

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

They will not be winning a fourth. In the second leg of their quarter-final they only needed a draw against Union Espanola, and seemed well on their way when they were a goal up at half time. But Espanola struck back, got in front and then scored twice in stoppage time to record a memorable 4-1 victory.

The big rivals of ‘la U’ are Colo Colo, who did manage to make it through to the semi finals - but only just. At 2-1 up at home to Audax Italiano in their quarter-final second leg they had a three goal cushion. Audax scored four.

In one of the most exciting finishes I can recall, Mauro Olivi scored two terrific late goals to save Colo Colo - who then fell in the semis to the in-form Union Espanola.

Their opponents in the final will be Huachipato, who can boast two of the players of the tournament in Uruguayan striker Braian Rodriguez and left winger Cesar Cortes. After the league phase Huachipato and Espanola were sixth and seventh respectively. Their presence in the final might not be strictly fair - but they have come good at the right time and should produce a memorable occasion.

If so, there will be plenty in Chile who will regret the switch next year to a straight league format. A grade winner Jose.

- BBC

Page 33 Page 37

Recipes Double-Coconut Cake Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Cooking spray 1 tablespoon cake flour 2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 2/3 cups sugar 1/3 cup butter, softened 2 large eggs 1 (14-ounce) can light coconut milk 1 tablespoon vanilla extract Fluffy Coconut Frosting 2/3 cup flaked sweetened coconut, divided

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.

Fluffy Coconut Frosting Ingredients: • • • • • • •

4 large egg whites 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar Dash of salt 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup water 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract

Method 1. Place egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form. Combine sugar and water in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until candy thermometer registers 238°. Pour hot sugar syrup in a thin stream over egg whites, beating at high speed. Stir in extracts.

Avocado Shrimp Ceviche-Estillo Sarita

White Christmas slice recipe This recipe skips the traditional ingredients for White Christmas and uses white chocolate to hold together the things we really like! Leave it on the buffet in tiny squares to nibble on ,or cut it into large squares and bag it in clear cellophane to give as gifts.

Ingredients: •

• • • • •

1 kg large shrimp - peeled, deveined and chopped 3/4 cup fresh lime juice 5 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced 1 white onion, chopped 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• • • •

•

1 tablespoon ketchup 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce salt and pepper to taste 1 avocado - peeled, pitted and diced 16 saltine crackers

Method 1. Place the shrimp and lime juice into a large bowl, and stir to coat. Let stand for about 5 minutes, or until shrimp are opaque. The lime juice will cook them. Mix in the tomatoes, onion, and cilantro until coated with lime juice; cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

2. Remove from the refrigerator, and mix in the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, hot sauce, salt and pepper. We have our own hot sauce recipe, but you can use whatever hot sauce you like, or leave it out and let people add their own when serving.

3. Serve in glass tumblers and top with avocado pieces. Set out extra Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, lime wedges and hot sauce for people to individualize their dish.

Serve with saltine crackers.

Page 38

Ingredients • • • •

• • •

500g white chocolate buttons 1 1/2 cups of Rice Bubbles 100g red glace cherries 160g almonds, roasted and roughly chopped 160g sultanas 1 cup dessicated coconut 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method 1. Line a slice tin with baking paper and set aside.

2. Place the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl and melt in the microwave for 1 minute and stir well. Then 30 seconds and stir again. When it is melted stir in the rest of the ingredients.

3. Using a large metal spoon, press the mixture into the slice tin and press it down firmly.

4. Refrigerate to set. Cut into squares and drizzle with melted chocolate for decoration.

The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 8 December, 2012

How tempting THERE are still plenty of people who speak fondly of The Rossi, on Port Vila’s waterfront, which was originally built early in the 20th century and became one of the favourite watering holes in the town.

La Tentation

Ocean Walk Complex, Port Vila Phone: 29661 Email: latentation@vanuatu.com.vu Open: Monday-Saturday 7am-11.55pm, Sunday 7am-3pm Special features: Arguably the best location in Port Vila, with good service and well cooked, tasty local produce.

It became the Hotel Rossi when Antoine Rossi took over management in 1951. Later The Rossi was strictly a restaurant, and the 1996 edition of the South Pacific Handbook travel guide said: ‘The garden terrace overlooking the harbour is a nice place for a leisurely lunch. If you come for dinner, don’t arrive too late and miss the sunset’. The 2000 edition added: ‘It’s also a fine place to stop for a morning or afternoon coffee’.

this would probably set you back at least twice the price in Australia, so no complaints there!

There are some who still bemoan the fact The Rossi closed in 2005, and no doubt many people have many happy memories of the place, yet time moves on and few ‘institutions’ last forever.

Tempting... great waterfront location, attractive garden setting tasty food like local slipper crays and good value lunch specials - all at La Tentation.

The Rossi gave way to a lovely new building and La Tentation opened its doors in 2009, and developed a loyal following. And in July this year, new owners Mariya and Nathan, a couple of Aussies from Queensland, took over the reins, beginning the restaurant’s latest phase.

So we’re happy to report that from the moment we walked in the door for lunch this week, we had nothing but a positive experience – and our visit was totally anonymous, so there’s no way we received any special treatment because we were from the Indy.

The restaurant’s wait staff can take a big bow - they were attentive, efficient and friendly and their performance definitely enhanced the experience, down to the little things, like immediately offering a fresh napkin when one of ours wafted off the table when a breeze came up, or being on hand in seconds when we needed a key to the loo. Plus they were also well informed about the dishes on offer, which is not the case in every eatery.

There are plenty of choices on offer for lunch, with a printed regular menu enhanced by a fairly extensive blackboard menu.

Main courses were mainly seafood, naturally enough, such as seafood platter, lobster mornay and grilled mahi mahi, but our choice was the seafood lasagne (VT 2800), and were pleased with its light texture but rich flavour, and there were nice chunks of crab, prawn and lobster tail studded through the sauce, which was not too heavy on the cheese, so it didn’t ‘drown’ the fish.

There are also budget-friendly weekday lunch specials priced at VT 1300, and we picked chicken skewers, which were nice and meaty, cooked well, with a lovely barbecue style sauce, and came with rice and salad bar – diners choose five ingredients from items such as corn, pineapple, tomato, cucumber, carrot and more to top crisp lettuce, and one of four dressings.

Big changes over the past few years, yes indeed, but then again, some things never change. The South Pacific Handbook’s words: ‘...a nice place for a leisurely lunch... for dinner, don’t arrive too late and miss the sunset...’ and ‘...fine place to stop for a morning or afternoon coffee’ all still describe just as accurately as ever La Tentation today.

We thought it would be good to wind up our restaurant write-ups for this year with a visit to one of the ‘newer’ establishments in Vila, now that the new regime has had plenty of time to settle in and iron out the bugs that inevitably come with taking over a new business. Indeed, we had heard mixed reports about La Ten since the changeover in July, so we weren’t exactly sure what to expect.

Dining Out

To sum up, our meals were generously portioned, well cooked, attractively presented and, we thought, good value.

Mariya said she and Nathan felt they were blessed to have inherited such amazing staff: “They have made our job so much easier.” Good luck to all of them!

- Tony & Elaine Wilson Speaking to owner Mariya later on, she told us the strategy was to focus on changing the fare – keeping a standard menu but putting the specials board to good use, keeping the menu fresh by using whatever fresh local produce is available, so there’s always something different coming through.

The regular menu includes starters such as pesto and tomato bruschetta or salt and pepper calamari, lighter meals such as steak sandwich and club sandwich, as well as pasta, and heartier meals like prime Vanuatu steak, and classic fish and chips.

But it’s hard to go past the specials board, which offers lots of choices, and some pretty darn good value, too.

The day we visited, entree specials included Greek salad with chicken, and lobster tail salad, but we chose to share the chargrilled ‘poppinet’ salad (VT 1650) – beautiful, fresh slipper crays, perfectly cooked, served with a simple salad and a light, creamy dressing.

The ‘bug’ meat, as we’d call it in Aus, was

Superior colour, superior print quality...

Send your advertisment to The Independent email: advertising@independent.vu The Independent/L’indépendant - Saturday 1 December, 2012

just delicious and the dressing a pleasing complement. Worth noting that a dish like

*Watch out next week for celebratory recipes from some of our best local chefs... in your Indy

Wine of the week OAKLAND Shiraz 2009, from South Eastern Australia, is a deep red and vibrant purple shiraz with aromas of red berries, spices and ripe plums.

It has a mouth-filling palate with flavours of plums, milk chocolate together with hints of vanilla, leaving a delightfullingering finish.

Enjoy with some wonderful Toulouse sausages or hearty casseroles.

Normally selling for VT 1700, it is on special at Libation for VT1550.

This wine is drinking well now, but another 12 months or so of cellaring will not harm it, so buy two or three and enjoy.

- TW

Page Page 39 19

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