Tuesday, March 31, 2009

[pima.nius] PMW: PAPUA: Indonesians deport two Dutchreporters over 'visa misuse'

9:06 PM |


Title – 6059 PAPUA: Indonesians deport two Dutch reporters over 'visa misuse'

Date – 1 April 2009

Byline – Christian Motte

Origin – Pacific Media Watch

Source – The Jakarta Globe, 30/03/09

Copyright – CP

Status – Unabridged

----------------------------

* Pacific Media Watch Online - check the website for archive and links:

 

* Post a comment on this story at PMW Right of Reply:

 

DUTCH REPORTERS KICKED OUT OF PAPUA

 

By Christian Motte

 

JAYAPURA (JG Online/Pacific Media Watch):

The Immigration Department is deporting two Dutch

journalists for allegedly misusing their tourist visas by

covering a pro-independence rally in Papua Province last week.

 

Raden Hendiartono, head of immigration in Jayapura, the

provincial capital, said on Sunday that Gabriela Babette, 57,

and Peter Mariaw Smith, 57, both with Dutch NRC TV, had been

sent to Jakarta.

 

"We are deporting both foreign citizens," he said. "We have

given them three days to stay in Jakarta to take care of their

return tickets to the Netherlands."

 

A third journalist, Ronald Wigman, 54, also with NRC TV, was

found to have a permit to stay in Bali, Hendiartono said.

 

"Ronald will be questioned in Denpasar [Bali] because his

documents and data are there," he said. "He went to Jakarta as

he has relatives there. But it is possible he will be deported,

too."

 

The three journalists and Elske Schouten, who is the NRC

Handelsblad newspaper's Jakarta correspondent, were originally

detained by immigration officials and questioned for 12 hours

about their activities in the sensitive province, which is off

limits to foreign journalists.

 

Schouten was later released and returned to Jakarta, but the

three others were barred from leaving the resource-rich

province, home to a low-level insurgency by members of the Free

Papua Movement, or OPM.

 

The journalists were reporting on the return of Nicolaas Jouwe,

a founder of the OPM. Jouwe came back to the country after more

than 40 years exile in the Netherlands and stoked controversy by

referring to Indonesia as Papua's next-door neighbor.

 

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda had earlier said that the

journalists would be deported for abusing their tourist visas.

 

On Wednesday, Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu said he regretted

the detentions.

 

"Why should they be arrested, they have a three-day visa, during

which they had the right to stay in Papua. This is strange," he

said, adding that the episode could discourage tourism and harm

relations with the Netherlands.

 

What are now the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua,

once occupied by the Dutch, were incorporated into Indonesia

after a 1969 UN-backed vote by tribal elders, which was widely

seen as a sham.

 

The government heavily restricts access to the region by foreign

journalists and Indonesian security forces there are accused of

widespread human rights abuses.

 

* Terjemahan (atas jasa "Kataku"):

 

* Comment on this item www.pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com

 

+++niuswire

 

PACIFIC MEDIA WATCH ONLINE

 

PACIFIC MEDIA WATCH is a media and educational resource compiled by the AUT Pacific Media Centre for the Pacific region.

 

(c)1996-2009 Creative Commons

 

Items are provided solely for review purposes as a non-profit educational service. Copyright remains the property of the original producers as indicated in the header. Recipients should seek permission

from the copyright owner for any publishing. Copyright owners not wishing their materials to be posted by PMW please contact us. The views expressed in material listed by PMW are not necessarily the views

of PMW or the Pacific Media Centre.

 

For further information or joining the Pacific Media Watch listserve, go to:

 

Email:

Fax: (+649) 921 9987

SnailMail: Pacific Media Centre, School of Communication Studies, AUT

University, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1142, Aotearoa/New Zealand

 

Website: www.pmw.c2o.org

_______________________________________________

Pacific_media_watch mailing list


_______________________________________________
Pacific_media_watch mailing list
Pacific_media_watch@lists.apc.org.au




--
----------------------------------------
pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
----------------------------------------

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
- - - - - - - - -

comment here:
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius/topics?hl=en

send an email comment here:
pima-nius@googlegroups.com

unsubscribe:
pima-nius+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

more options
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius?hl=en?hl=en

- - - - - - - - -
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

[pima.nius] PR: Minimum wage rise leaves thousands out

9:04 PM |

<<PRfentonminimumapril1`.doc>>
John Harvey
Press Secretary
Office of Hon Phil Goff
Leader of the Opposition
+64 4 817 9305
+64 21 461 675




--
----------------------------------------
pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
----------------------------------------

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
- - - - - - - - -

comment here:
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius/topics?hl=en

send an email comment here:
pima-nius@googlegroups.com

unsubscribe:
pima-nius+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

more options
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius?hl=en?hl=en

- - - - - - - - -
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

[pima.nius] PR: 'EthnoGratification' Group Exhibition @ October Gallery, London / September 09

9:02 PM |

 

Kia ora and Greetings,

 

Please find the press release file attatched in this email for the up coming group exhibition entitled 'EthnoGratification' featuring works by Shigeyuki Kihara, Lisa Reihana, George Nuku and Rosanna Raymond held at the October Gallery in London September 2009.

 

For media inquieries:

 

To contact the Artists:

To contact October Gallery. London:

 

Christine Takengny

Exhibitions Organiser

October Gallery

24 Old Gloucester Street

LondonWC1N 3AL

Tel: 020 7242 7367

Fax: 020 7405 1851

 

About October Gallery, London:

 

'Founded in 1978, the October Gallery is an art gallery dedicated to the appreciation of art from all cultures around the world. The Gallery exhibits and promotes art of the transvangarde - or trans-cultural avant-garde - that is to say, the work of artists who, whilst working at the forefront of their own respective cultures, assimilate into their work elements from other cultures as well. During the past twenty-one years, the Gallery has shown the work of such transvangarde artists as: Gerald Wilde, El Anatsui, William S. Burroughs, Emmanuel Taiwo Jegede, Kenji Yoshida, Aubrey Williams, Ablade Glover, Fiona Folye and Sokari Douglas Camp amongst many others.' (Taken from website www.octobergallery.co.uk )

 

Note to Editors:

  • Artists Shigeyuki Kihara and Lisa Reihana will be present in London with funding pending.
  • Artists Shigeyuki Kihara and Lisa Reihana are both based in Auckland NZ
  • Artists George Nuku and Rosanna Raymond are both based in London UK
  • There is a Artist Forum featuring artist talks, panel discussions, live performances and film screenings staged to accompany the group exhibition held at the October Gallery, London.
  • All artists including the October gallery are available for interviews on request
  • Hi-res images for media articles supplied on request
  • Media package supplied on request
  • More up dates about the group exhibition closer to time

Thanks for taking your time in reading this email and feel free to contact me if you have any other quiries.

 

Feel free to circulate this email.

 

manuia regards

 

Shigeyuki Kihara / Artist

On behalf of Lisa Reihana, George Nuku, Rosanna Raymond and the October Gallery, London.

 

--

Kind regards, Shigeyuki Kihara

 

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS

 

'Shigeyuki Kihara: Living Photographs'

Solo Exhibition

7 October 2008 - 1 February 2009

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York, USA

 

'Le Folauga'

13 December 2008 – 5 April 2009

Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts

Kaohsiung, Taiwan

 

'Assume Nothing'

28 February - 7 June 2009

Te Manawa Museum

Palmerston North, New Zealand

 

'F for Fake'

7 March – 26 April 2009

Part of Auckland Festival 2009

Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts

Auckland, New Zealand

 

'My home is where my heart is'

19 - 26 April 2009

Public Art Comission by Auckland City Council

Auckland CBD, New Zealand

 

'Move Me'

27 April - 2 May 2009

Webb's Auction House

Auckland, New Zealand

 

'The Sound and the Fury'

20 May - June 2009

Nowhere Gallery

Milan, Italy

 

'Flower Power'

23 May - 11 October 2009

CRAA Centro Ricerca Arte Attuale

Verbania, Italy

 

'Ethnografika'

9 September - 10 October 2009

October Gallery

London, United Kingdom

 

'What do you think about when you dance?'

Artist in Residence: 17 November - 27 November 2009

Exhibition: 28 November 2009 - 3 January 2010

Campbelltown Arts Centre Art Gallery

Sydney, Australia

 

For more information please visit:

 


--
----------------------------------------
pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
----------------------------------------

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
- - - - - - - - -

comment here:
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius/topics?hl=en

send an email comment here:
pima-nius@googlegroups.com

unsubscribe:
pima-nius+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

more options
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius?hl=en?hl=en

- - - - - - - - -
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

[pima.nius] PRLabour: Chauvel: National should get its electricity priorities sorted

9:01 PM |


MEDIA STATEMENT

National should get its electricity priorities sorted  
       

Gerry Brownlee's ministerial advisory group on the electricity sector has an impossible task, thanks to the National Government's failure to provide basic answers on what it expects from the system, Labour's Energy spokesperson Charles Chauvel said today.

"Sustainability, affordability and security of supply must be the three key aims of any electricity sector," Charles Chauvel said.

"On the first point - sustainability – New Zealanders deserve to know if the Government is still committed to 90% renewable generation by 2025. 

"If it isn't, then the inevitability of a world cost of carbon is going to mean that more fossil-fuelled generation will mean higher power bills.

"On the second point - affordability – New Zealanders deserve to know if the Government still intends to wring maximum profits out of the state-owned power generators. 

"If they do, an ever-increasing price spiral lies ahead for consumers. 

"On the third point - security of supply - it is clear that greater investment is required in generation and in transmission.  These are strategic priorities for New Zealand and should be part of the Government's response to the current economic crisis. 

"But New Zealand still awaits leadership from the Government in this area.

"The Government can appoint any number of committees to advise on the way the system should be structured.  But until those basic questions are answered at a political level, the consumer can expect little progress on the issues that matter," Charles Chauvel said.

Contact: Charles Chauvel 021 557 964


<<PRChauvelElectricityApr01.doc>>

Kris Faafoi
Press Secretary
Hon. Phil Goff
Leader of the Opposition
+64 4 817 8284
+64 21 648 859
kris.faafoi@parliament.govt.nz




--
----------------------------------------
pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
----------------------------------------

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
- - - - - - - - -

comment here:
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius/topics?hl=en

send an email comment here:
pima-nius@googlegroups.com

unsubscribe:
pima-nius+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

more options
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius?hl=en?hl=en

- - - - - - - - -
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

[pima.nius] PR: Backwards step for independent foreign policy

8:58 PM |



Scoop News   http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0904/S00015.htm

Backwards step for independent foreign policy

Wednesday, 1 April 2009, 12:04 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Labour Party

Grant Robertson
Associate Foreign Affairs spokesperson

1 April 2009 Media Statement

Backwards step for independent foreign policy


The Government's decision to drop New Zealand's bid for election to the Human Rights Council marks a step backwards for our independent foreign policy stance, says Labour's Associate Foreign Affairs spokesman Grant Robertson.

"The decision marks a sad day for the Pacific as New Zealand was the first country from the region to stand for a position on this United Nations council and its election would have provided an important Pacific voice. Indeed New Zealand has campaigned for the position on this basis.

"Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has long made his distain for the United Nations, and this council in particular, evident. His announcement today is really about using the US interest as an excuse to take New Zealand out of the debate on international human rights," says Grant Robertson.

"Mr McCully claims that New Zealand has withdrawn its candidacy to clear the way for the election of the United States to the Council.

"While we welcome and respect the new United States interest in the Council, it cannot act as a proxy for New Zealand's and the Pacific's views and interests. It does not have New Zealand's track record when it comes to working with Pacific nations to protect and advance human rights in the region," said Grant Robertson.

"New Zealand has a distinct and independent voice which has enabled it to punch above its weight internationally. Labour believes this voice should be preserved, not sidelined.

"New Zealand played an active role in setting up the Human Rights Council and Labour believes our country has a role to play in ensuring the Council reaches its full potential.

"We have a long history of ground-breaking legislation which advances human rights, such as being the first country to give women the vote.

"Taking New Zealand out of contention for this body is a backward step for our international reputation," says Grant Robertson.


ENDS




--
----------------------------------------
pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
----------------------------------------

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
- - - - - - - - -

comment here:
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius/topics?hl=en

send an email comment here:
pima-nius@googlegroups.com

unsubscribe:
pima-nius+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

more options
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius?hl=en?hl=en

- - - - - - - - -
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

[pima.nius] Public Meeting: "Migrant workers, the economic crisis and the unions"

8:55 PM |

MIGRANT WORKERS, THE ECONOMIC CRISIS AND THE UNIONS

Public Meeting: 7.30pm, Tuesday, April 7, Trades Hall. 147, Great North Rd, Grey Lynn

 

Recently there have been decisions by companies to make NZ workers redundant while continuing to employ migrant workers on temporary visas. There have been calls by both the Labour Party, National and some unionists for these migrant workers to be laid off first. The immigration service has revoked the work visas of some workers who kept their jobs. Migrant advocates have raised concerns that racist sentiments are being fostered and ask the question why migrant workers shouldn't have their rights protected. New Zealand-born or permanent residents ask why they should be sacked when temporary visa holders keep their jobs.

 

This raises questions on how unions should be approaching migrant workers when there may be conflicting claims for support from different groups of workers who are their members.

 

Addressing these questions will be speakers involved in the union movement and in advocating for migrant workers. These include:

 

-         Laila Harre, National Secretary of the National Distribution Union

-         Dennis Maga, Migrante Aotearoa

-         John Minto, Organiser, Unite Union

-         Mike Treen, Global Peace and Justice Auckland (Chair)

 

For more information contact Dennis Maga, 021 971 070, dennis.maga@yahoo.co.nz

 

 

Mike Treen

National Director, Unite Union
Unite Organising Centre

6a Western Springs Rd,

Morningside, Auckland, 1021

Ph: DD - +64 9 846 9485

Mobile - +64 29 525 4744

Ph: Office - +64 9 845 2132; Fax - +64 9 846 9509




--
----------------------------------------
pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
----------------------------------------


--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
- - - - - - - - -

comment here:
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius/topics?hl=en

send an email comment here:
pima-nius@googlegroups.com

unsubscribe:
pima-nius+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

more options
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius?hl=en?hl=en

- - - - - - - - -
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

[pima.nius] PR: National's tax cuts offer nothing to most Pacific families

8:46 PM |


National's tax cuts offer nothing to most Pacific families     
       

National's tax cut package will deliver nothing to the majority of Pacific families struggling to make ends meet, Labour's spokesperson on Pacific Island Affairs Luamanuvao Winnie Laban said today.

"Nearly three quarters, or 71 per cent, of all taxpayers earn less than $40,000 a year, and under National's tax plan not one of those taxpayers who has a family will get one cent extra.

"And of course the average Pacific family is on a lower income than the average New Zealand family which means even fewer Pacific households with children to support will benefit.

"This is evident when you look at electorates with large Pacific populations.  In Manukau East and Mangere 81 per cent of taxpayers earn less than $40,000, while in Maurewa the figure is 77 per cent," says Luamanuvao Winnie Laban.

 "Labour is not opposed to tax cuts. But it is opposed to a tax cut programme that is not fair for all. If fully implemented, National's tax package would be worth $800 million a year to taxpayers, but a third of this money would go to the top three per cent of taxpayers.

"Under National's tax cut package someone on the Prime Minister's salary of  $393,000 a year gets $120 more a week, someone on the average wage gets $18 a week and a taxpayer with a family on less than $40,000 misses out altogether.

"It's not fair that those on big incomes are the winners and struggling families are the losers. National's failed to put money back into the hands of hardworking New Zealanders who are only just making ends meet," said Luamanuvao Winnie Laban.

"The economic challenge the world faces is now becoming a reality for many Kiwi families. Jobs are being lost and more homes are being lost in mortgagee sales.

"National must rethink its tax plan to help struggling Kiwi families, who would have been better off under Labour's tax cut package."



Contact: Winnie Laban: 0272 709 041

 

<<Labantaxcuts.doc>>

Ruth Berry
Press Secretary
Office of Hon Phil Goff
Leader of the Opposition
+64 4 817 9685 or +64 21 833 353

 
----------------------------------------
pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
----------------------------------------

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
- - - - - - - - -

comment here:
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius/topics?hl=en

send an email comment here:
pima-nius@googlegroups.com

unsubscribe:
pima-nius+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

more options
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius?hl=en?hl=en

- - - - - - - - -
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

[pima.nius] PR: Hon Georgina te Heuheu - Forum focuses on partnership in Pacific education

8:44 PM |

 

Hon Georgina te Heuheu

Minister for Pacific Island Affairs

cid:image001.jpg@01C9AC90.6F3A9C70

24 March 2009

Media Release

        

Forum focuses on partnership in Pacific education

Pacific Island Affairs Minister Georgina te Heuheu leaves for Tonga today to attend the Pacific Islands Forum Education Ministers' meeting.

 

Mrs te Heuheu, who is attending on behalf of Education Minister Anne Tolley, said New Zealand was committed to a regional policy framework that set strategic directions on priorities for regional education development.

 

'We also support a strengthened action plan as a critical regional framework for improving access to, and quality of, basic education in the Pacific.

 

'New Zealand is willing to work with other development partners to determine appropriate regional initiatives to address education priorities identified in the review called for by Ministers when they last met in 2007.'

 

Mrs te Heuheu said that New Zealand had always taken pride in being a good regional neighbour.  The forum's focus on partnership in Pacific education was a perfect fit.

 

'We'll debate the future of the Pacific regional education initiatives, project funding and a review of the forum's basic education action plan,' she said.

 

'We will strengthen existing bonds and create a stronger profile for New Zealand in the Pacific.'

 

The 16 member governments of the Pacific Forum have been invited.  They are: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

 

Media contact:       Rose Hart, Press Secretary  

                               04 817 9878   or   021 279 9878

 

----------------------------------------
pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
----------------------------------------

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
- - - - - - - - -

comment here:
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius/topics?hl=en

send an email comment here:
pima-nius@googlegroups.com

unsubscribe:
pima-nius+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

more options
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius?hl=en?hl=en

- - - - - - - - -
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

Saturday, March 28, 2009

[pima.nius] Re: PIMA integrates Googlegroup with Blogspot

3:35 PM |

. . .


talo fa aaron, dominka,

Good stuff Aaron, it's exciting to see colleagues adapting and updating web2 presences. Not a case of which "one" to use online, then, but which "ones" . 

Dominika, understand your reservations about referring to the fabulous qualities of hemp, including the low-THC industrial version, but I think you'll find that the topics have been fairly wide ranging over the last year and a half. Sometimes us editors like to throw in a curve ball now and then just to spice things up , )

Next step, getting the PIMA nius group updating automatically on Facebook. Which raises an important point: it would be great to get more of the next generation of journalists helping us volunteers on PIMA nius, digging out industry issues. Not to stress a point to much, but ... feel like helping out? Drop us a line - students welcome - and no doubt that goes for our colleagues across on PFF and PIJO too.

manuia,

jas
. . .


2009/3/29 pima news <pima.nius@gmail.com>
Kia Orana,

Thank you to PIMA members for your patience. We were testing a new link to a pima nius blog page last night and can say testing was successful. PIMA google group is now linked to the pima nius blog page at - http://pimanius.blogspot.com
You may now either post to our google group or directly to our blog page. Googlegroup posting are now automatically published to our blog page. We will be doing further work in trying to link the blog page/googlegroup posts to the pima website and hopefully soon all three will be integrated.
Apologies for any inconviniences.
We hope you will continue to use pima coms.
Fa'afetai tele lava

pima exec.
----------------------------------------
pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
----------------------------------------


--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
- - - - - - - - -

comment here:
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius/topics?hl=en

send an email comment here:
pima-nius@googlegroups.com

unsubscribe:
pima-nius+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

more options
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius?hl=en?hl=en

- - - - - - - - -
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

[pima.nius] PIMA integrates Googlegroup with Blogspot

1:14 PM |

Kia Orana,

Thank you to PIMA members for your patience. We were testing a new link to a pima nius blog page last night and can say testing was successful. PIMA google group is now linked to the pima nius blog page at - http://pimanius.blogspot.com
You may now either post to our google group or directly to our blog page. Googlegroup posting are now automatically published to our blog page. We will be doing further work in trying to link the blog page/googlegroup posts to the pima website and hopefully soon all three will be integrated.
Apologies for any inconviniences.
We hope you will continue to use pima coms.
Fa'afetai tele lava

pima exec.
----------------------------------------
pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
----------------------------------------

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
- - - - - - - - -

comment here:
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius/topics?hl=en

send an email comment here:
pima-nius@googlegroups.com

unsubscribe:
pima-nius+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

more options
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius?hl=en?hl=en

- - - - - - - - -
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

SECRETARY-GENERAL NOMINATES HELEN CLARK OF NEW ZEALAND

3:34 AM |

SECRETARY-GENERAL NOMINATES HELEN CLARK OF NEW ZEALAND*

*AS NEW ADMINISTRATOR UNDP*

Secretary-General BAN Ki-moon, following consultations with the Executive
Board of UNDP, has written to the President of the General Assembly
requesting the General Assembly to confirm Helen Clark of New Zealand as the
new Administrator of the UNDP for a term of four years. Miss Clark replaces
Mr. Kemal DerviÅŸ.

The Secretary-General is deeply grateful to Mr. Dervis for the services he
has rendered to the Organization and for so ably leading UNDP at a critical
juncture. The Secretary-General is particularly appreciative of the great
leadership displayed by Mr. DerviÅŸ in the implementation of his mandate.

Helen Clark's nomination is made at the end of an extensive selection
process which included the establishment of a senior appointments panel
chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General and consisting of senior UN
officials as well as two outside experts in financial and developmental
economics. The Panel was composed in a manner to reflect a combination of
required expertise and skills as well as gender and geographical balance.
The Panel was entrusted with interviewing the short-listed candidates and
recommending the finalists for the Secretary-General's consideration.

Helen Clark was selected, amongst a group of excellent candidates, for her
outstanding qualifications and numerous accomplishments in her long career.
Miss Clark has the needed leadership and international recognition that
would allow her as the new Administrator to build on her predecessors'
legacy. In addition, she would bring a strategic perspective coupled with
fresh thinking and impetus for change. Miss Clark is expected to bring to
the UNDP and the UN System her well honed consensus building skills and
commitment to the multilateral approach to addressing global financial and
development issues.

Miss Clark has been a member of the New Zealand Parliament since 1981, and
was Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008. Concurrently she held
a number of other portfolios including Minister of Arts, Culture and
Heritage.

In government Helen Clark led her country's policy debate on a wide range of
economic, social, environmental, and cultural issues, including
sustainability and climate change, and the development of an inclusive
multicultural and multi faith society. She was also a very active leader of
her country's international relations at bilateral, regional, and
multilateral levels. She has been a strong supporter of development and the
achievement of the MDGs in her region.

Between 1984 and 1987 she served as Chair of Parliament's Foreign Affairs
Select Committee. From 1987 - 1990, she served as first Minister of
Housing and Minister of Conservation, and then as Minister of Health,
Minister of Labour and Deputy Prime Minister. In these capacities, she
prioritised affordable housing, protection of New Zealand's unique
biodiversity, primary health care and public health, and gender equity in
employment.

Born in 1950 in New Zealand, Helen Clark is married to Professor Peter
Davis. Miss Clark was educated at Auckland University where she studied
Political Studies and History. She graduated with a BA in 1971 and MA
(Hons) in 1974.

Reama Naco-Biumaiono
UNDP Fiji Multi Country Office
Suva
Tel : (679) 3312500 Fax : (679) 3301718
Mobile : (679) 9715523
Email : reama.biumai...@undp.org, reama.n...@gmail.com
Website : www.undp.org.fj

Auckland: FA'AFALETUI O LE AGANUU DATES CHANGED DUE TO OVERWHELMING INTEREST FROM OUTSIDE OF AUCKLAND

3:34 AM |

FA'AFALETUI O LE AGANUU DATES CHANGED DUE TO OVERWHELMING INTEREST FROM
OUTSIDE OF AUCKLAND*

Source: eventpolynesia.com (26 March 2009)

Organizers of the *Fa’afaletui o le Aganuu,* a two day community
consultation to discuss Samoan culture and tradition, yesterday announced
the change in dates to accommodate participants travelling from outside of
Auckland. Instead of the event running on the 7th and 9th of April, it will
now be staged on the 7th and 8th of April back-to-back days to help those
taking annual leave to attend.

According to Mr. Pa’u Fereti Puni of the organizing committee, “The respond
is overwhelming with interest as far as Samoans in the military in Iraq,
Samoans working in UK, Dubai and especially Samoans living in Australia. It
has certainly touched a nerve with so much demand to understand Samoan
culture.”

The *Fa'afaletui o le Aganuu* to be held in Auckland is an initiative of the
Faleula o Samoa, a committee of Samoan senior matai formed under the Samoa
Ministry of Women, Community & Social Development. One of the key tasks
being undertaken by the Faleula o Samoa is to address the excessive spending
at Fa'alavelave, a real issue that impacts on the social welfare and
wellbeing of Samoans everywhere.

Mr Puni said, “Culture is such a sensitive topic especially when it comes to
Samoans. The difference in interpretation and application of culture is
forever contested. Some proud Samoans especially abroad have disconnected
themselves from their families because of the 'Fa’alavelave' word.

“The forum comes at the best of time with the economic recession affecting
everyone and calls for Fa’alavelave to be done in moderation.”

Some of the feedbacks have pointed the finger to the role of the church
saying it is unfair to storm only the culture which has been our pride, and
will forever make us unique, and hiding the impact of church obligations.
The difficulty for many is distinguishing between giving to the matai and to
the family, and donating to supporting the faifeau and the church.

One feedback had raised an interesting question, why Samoans use the work
‘fa’alavelave’ which means a burden to describe family gatherings such as
wedding and title bestowments which are supposedly happy occasions. Maybe
its time to change the word ‘fa’alavelave’ or its use.

There is a huge interest from New Zealand born Samoans who have requested if
there is an opportunity for the *Fa’afaletui o le Aganuu* to be delivered in
English. The two half day event is the first time the Faleula o Samoa has
taken their message outside of Samoa since its inception six years ago.

An official send off by the Samoa Government is set for Friday 3rd April for
the twenty eight member delegation. On arrival in Auckland, the group will
be officially welcomed with a tradition ‘ava’ ceremony by the Samoan
Advisory Council and the Samoan community.

This is an opportunity not to be missed by those who are keen to learn and
understand the Samoa culture.

A limited number of information pack containing the official program with
course notes and four Faleula o Samoa DVDs is now on sale at $60 presold and
$80 per pack available at the venue bending availability of stock. To order
your pack, see attachment.

For more information contact Pa'u Fereti Puni on mobile: (021) 618-042 or
email: i...@eventpolynesia.com.

FIJI: Media council says need for balanced coverage now critical

3:33 AM |

Title – 6043 FIJI: Media council says need for balanced coverage now
critical

Date – 28 March 2009

Byline – None

Origin – Pacific Media Watch

Source – Radio NZ International, 27/03/09

Copyright – RNZI

Status – Unabridged

----------------------------

* Pacific Media Watch Online - check the website for archive and links:

www.pacmediawatch.aut.ac.nz

* Post a comment on this story at PMW Right of Reply:

www.pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com

p...@aut.ac.nz

*FIJI MEDIA COUNCIL SAYS BALANCED COVERAGE MORE CRITICAL NOW THAN EVER *

www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=45601

SUVA (*RNZI Online/Pacific Media Watch*): The Fiji Media Council says
providing balanced coverage of events in the country has never been more
important than it is at the moment.

His comments come after attacks on the homes of the editor-in-chief of
the *Fiji
Times* and a security recruitment agent.

The military, the police and the interim government claim the media’s
portrayal of these attacks is unbalanced.

But the council’s chairperson, Daryl Tarte, says that under the
circumstances, the media are reporting these events as objectively as they
can.

*“The media in Fiji, just as in Australia, is entitled to be be partisan if
they want to be. It’s probably more dangerous to be partisan in Fiji than it
is in Australia but the fact is that I think most media in Fiji are trying
to report as objectively and in a balanced way as they can. It is very
dangerous for them not to do so. And the examples of the recent attacks on
the editor of the Fiji Times is evidence of this”*

TONGA: Milestone broadcast engineer retires after 29 years

3:33 AM |

Title – 6041 TONGA: Milestone broadcast engineer retires after 29 years

Date – 27 March 2009

Byline – None

Origin – Pacific Media Watch

Source – Tonga Broadcasting Commission, 26/03/09

Copyright – TBC

Status – Unabridged

‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑

* Pacific Media Watch Online ‑ check the website for archive and links:

www.pacmediawatch.aut.ac.nz

* Post a comment on this story at PMW Right of Reply:

www.pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com

p...@aut.ac.nz

*FIRST DEGREE HOLDER IN ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING IN BROADCASTING RETIRES AFTER
29 YEARS OF SERVICE*
*<http://69.64.78.143/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1665&It...>
*

NUKU’ALOFA (*TBC Online/Pacific Media Watch*): The Tonga Broadcasting
Commission (TBC) has bid farewell to one of its senior staff, the first to
obtain a degree in electrical engineering in broadcasting, Sioeli Maka Tohi.

Maka retires after working for 29 years, starting his employment with the
Tonga Broadcasting Commission in 1980.

He is one of the founders of the first FM station in the kingdom - FM 97.2 -
in 1986.

This is now the popularly known Radio Tonga 2, Cool 90 FM.

He was involved in establishing Television Tonga in 2000.

This initiative is not only to disseminate information through audio only
but visual as well.

Maka is also a signatory to the agreement for establishing Sky Pacific TV in
the kingdom.

Speaking to Radio Tonga News, he says that after retiring he will establish
his own FM station at his residence in Ngele'ia.

He advised staff of the commission, to do their utmost in everything they do
to ensure they have accomplished its vision and mission.

This is to disseminate information to public and to serve them with
information that will promote a peaceful country where they work with a
spirit of solidarity.

Maka has held the position of acting manager of the commission.

He is retiring after holding the post of chief engineer for the technical
and commercial operations departments of TBC.

TAHITI: French nuclear test compo 'peanuts', veterans tell media

3:32 AM |

Title – 6035 TAHITI: French nuclear test compo 'peanuts', veterans tell
media

Date – 27 March 2009

Byline – None

Origin – Pacific Media Watch

Source – Radio NZ International, 26/03/09

Copyright – RNZI

Status – Unabridged

----------------------------

* Pacific Media Watch Online - check the website for archive and links:

www.pacmediawatch.aut.ac.nz

* Post a comment on this story at PMW Right of Reply:

www.pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com

p...@aut.ac.nz

*FRENCH NUCLEAR TEST COMPENSATION TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE, SAYS VETERANS GROUP
*

www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=45558

PAPE'ETE (*RNZI Online/Pacific Media Watch*): A 10 million euro compensation
package for the victims of nuclear test is being described as "peanuts".

French Defence Minister Hervé Morin has outlined the main points of a
proposed bill to compensate - for the first time - victims of nuclear
testing conducted by France both in Algeria and later in French Polynesia,
between 1966 and 1996.

Roland Oldham, the president of the French Polynesian nuclear test veterans’
group, Moruroa o Tatou, says the deal is a bad joke.

*“They announce a few million like that, just like we should be very happy,
we should drop on our knees and say thank you to the French Government. But
that’s not the case at all, because it’s peanuts , it really is peanuts when
you compare how the French government spends a lot of money on defence.”*

Oldham says the French plan is not good for the victims.

He says there needs to be a health structure to help them, and the
environmental impact should not be ignored.

IFJ condemns military officer’s call to shut Fiji Times

3:32 AM |

Title – 6037 FIJI: IFJ condemns military officer’s call to shut Fiji Times

Date – 27 March 2009

Byline – None

Origin – Pacific Media Watch

Source – International Federation of Journalists, 27/03/09

Copyright – IFJ

Status – Unabridged

‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑

* Pacific Media Watch Online ‑ check the website for archive and links:

www.pacmediawatch.aut.ac.nz

* Post a comment on this story at PMW Right of Reply:

www.pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com

p...@aut.ac.nz

*IFJ CONDEMNS MILITARY LEADER’S CALL TO CLOSE FIJI TIMES
*
http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-condemns-military-leaders-...

SYDNEY (*IFJ Asia-Pacific Online/Pacific Media Watch*): The International
Federation of Journalists (IFJ) calls on Fiji’s interim military government
to put an immediate stop to efforts to shut down the country’s independent
media, following a call by a senior Army officer for the closure of the *Fiji
Times*.**

According to local media reports, the Land Force Commander of Fiji’s
Military Forces, Colonel Pita Driti, issued a media statement on March 25
attacking the *Fiji Times*, saying it was “the most non-cooperative and
biased newspaper in the country”. He alleged that the media did not give
adequate coverage to military “grievances” or “positive achievements”.

The newspaper’s editor, Netani Rika, said Driti’s comments were unfortunate.
He said the *Fiji Times* sought to give fair coverage on all issues and
incidents involving the Army and interim administration, and he invited
Driti to be more specific about his complaints.

The IFJ is extremely concerned for the safety and integrity of Fiji’s media,
and urges the interim military government to instruct all officials and
senior military personnel to refrain from making or endorsing statements
that demand censorship and serve to incite anti-media sentiment.

“Colonel Pita Driti’s public call for a newspaper to be shut down because he
apparently does not agree with its content demonstrates a gross
misunderstanding of the role of independent media in an open society,” IFJ
Asia-Pacific director Jacqueline Park said.

“This kind of comment by a high-ranking military officer appears intended to
intimidate the media community, and is irresponsible given recent physical
attacks on media personnel.

“The IFJ urges Fiji’s interim military leaders to make a public commitment
to the protection of media personnel and freedom of expression in Fiji.”

Driti’s statement comes after more than a year of systematic anti-media
actions by the interim military government of Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
In particular, there has been a campaign to intimidate and undermine the *Fiji
Times*, with the deportation of one publisher last May and another in
January, the newspaper’s conviction on contempt charges for publishing a
letter critical of a court ruling upholding the legality of Fiji’s 2006
military coup, and police searches of the paper’s offices and questioning of
the editor earlier this month.

It also follows a firebomb attack by unknown assailants on Rika’s home on
March 23, in which bottles filled with kerosene and sugar failed to ignite,
and the smashing of Rika’s car on March 10.

In his statement, Driti also expressed dissatisfaction with the Fiji Media
Council and its advice to political parties and stakeholders on dealing with
complaints about the media.

The IFJ reiterates that complaints against the media must be dealt with
through an open dialogue and independent regulatory mechanisms.

Shutting down media, deporting publishers and seeking court convictions only
take Fiji further along the path toward a closed society.

- *For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919. **The
IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide.***

PR: Forum focuses on partnership in Pacific education

3:31 AM |

*Hon Georgina te Heuheu* *Minister for Pacific Island Affairs* *[image:
cid:image001....@01C9AC90.6F3A9C70]*

*24 March 2009 *
*Media Release* * *

*Forum focuses on partnership in Pacific education*

Pacific Island Affairs Minister Georgina te Heuheu leaves for Tonga today to
attend the Pacific Islands Forum Education Ministers’ meeting.

Mrs te Heuheu, who is attending on behalf of Education Minister Anne Tolley,
said New Zealand was committed to a regional policy framework that set
strategic directions on priorities for regional education development.

‘We also support a strengthened action plan as a critical regional framework
for improving access to, and quality of, basic education in the Pacific.

‘New Zealand is willing to work with other development partners to determine
appropriate regional initiatives to address education priorities identified
in the review called for by Ministers when they last met in 2007.’

Mrs te Heuheu said that New Zealand had always taken pride in being a good
regional neighbour. The forum’s focus on partnership in Pacific education
was a perfect fit.

‘We’ll debate the future of the Pacific regional education initiatives,
project funding and a review of the forum’s basic education action plan,’
she said.

‘We will strengthen existing bonds and create a stronger profile for New
Zealand in the Pacific.’

The 16 member governments of the Pacific Forum have been invited. They are:
Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati,
Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall
Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

*Media contact: Rose Hart, Press Secretary *

* 04 817 9878 or 021 279 9878*

UN's Economic and Social Survey for Asia and the Pacific Analyses Threat of Triple Crises to the Region

3:30 AM |

26 March 2009 Press Release No. G/22/2009
Embargoed until 0500 GMT/1200 Bangkok, 26 March 2009
UN's Economic and Social Survey for Asia and the Pacific Analyses Threat of
Triple Crises to the Region
Solutions proposed to deal with economic, food/fuel and climate change
challenges
Bangkok (UN/ESCAP Information Services) - While most governments are focused
on dealing with the worst economic crisis in many decades, two other longer
term crises should not be forgotten. Food-fuel price volatility and climate
change are converging with the present economic crisis to create what is now
being referred to as the triple threat. With almost two thirds of the
world's poor and half of its natural disasters, Asia and the Pacific is at
the epicentre of the triple crises.
This message comes from the Economic and Social Survey for Asia and the
Pacific 2009, the flagship publication of the United Nations' regional arm -
the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Entitled "Addressing Triple Threats to Development," the report is released
today in over 20 cities across the region and in New York and Geneva.
The Survey provides a regional perspective as well as country-specific
analyses, and outlines ways in which economies in the region can move
forward in unison towards a more inclusive and sustainable development path.
"The severity of the triple crises required a more responsive,
action-oriented agenda," said Noeleen Heyzer, UN Under-Secretary-General and
Executive Secretary of ESCAP at the main launch in Bangkok. "The Survey's
findings and recommendations will serve as a guide to policymakers through
the uncertain times ahead."
Resilience to financial crisis eroded by reliance on exports to other
regions
This is the second time in a decade Asia and the Pacific has been hit by a
financial crisis. However, the Survey finds that reforms undertaken since
1997 - implementation of prudent macroeconomic policies, improved fiscal
balances, banking reforms and foreign exchange reserve accumulation - made
the region more resilient at the beginning of the current crisis. That
resilience started to erode, however, when in the fourth quarter of 2008,
trade - the region's engine of growth - moved from double digit growth to
double digit declines.
"The fact is that the Asia-Pacific region is more economically integrated
with the rest of the world then with itself," Dr. Heyzer noted.
"Intraregional trade among developing countries accounts for only 37% of
exports in our region, compared with NAFTA at 51% and the E.U at 68%."
/...
Headquartered in Bangkok, ESCAP is the largest of the UN's five Regional
Commissions in terms of its membership,
population served and area covered. The only intergovernmental forum
covering the entire Asia-Pacific region, ESCAP
works to promote sustainable and inclusive economic and social progress.
More information is available at
www.unescap.org.
United Nations Information Services Bangkok
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: (+66-2) 288-1861-9 ● Fax: (+66-2) 288-1052 ● E-mail:
unisbkk.unes...@un.org
- 2 -
The Survey calls for more intra-regional trade and investment by
accelerating implementation of regional economic cooperation agreements. "By
strengthening our domestic markets, the region can provide a buffer to
global market fluctuations and move from being crisis resilient to crisis
resistant. A key component in this will be how governments use fiscal policy
as a tool of development" Dr. Heyzer added.
Poverty and food/fuel crisis increase vulnerability to climate change
The Survey points out that the triple crises are interlinked and are
reinforcing the impacts of each other. It notes that the number of the poor
in Asia and the Pacific - already two thirds of the global total - is likely
to increase as a result of the economic crisis and rising unemployment.
Record high oil prices last year of $147 dollars a barrel, in combination
with hording and price speculation drove the price of rice up by 150
percent. This is the region's staple, with price increases hitting the poor
the hardest.
At the same time, studies have shown that natural disasters
disproportionately affect the poor and the most vulnerable. Asia, as the
most disaster-prone region in the world, experiences almost half of global
natural disasters, with a disproportionate 65 per cent of the victims.
Climate change threatens to further magnify the vulnerability of the poor by
increasing the frequency and severity of natural disasters, and crop
failures, in the region.
Stimulus packages offer opportunity to address long term issues
The Survey sees governments' stimulus packages as an opportunity to not only
reinvigorate the economy in the short term, but address long-term issues by
investing in food and energy security, social safety nets, disaster risk
reduction and green technology.
.
"Impacts of the crises have hit the world's poor the hardest, two thirds of
whom live in the Asia Pacific. It is clear that a more inclusive model for
economic growth is required to address their needs," Dr. Heyzer said. "This
requires setting up social protection systems that increase income security
and free up the spending power of middle and lower income people who drive
the economy."
The Survey points out that coverage of basic social protection is currently
very low in the Asia-Pacific region, with only an estimated 30 per cent of
the elderly receiving pensions and 20% of the population having access to
health-care assistance.
"The converging triple threat highlights the need for a more comprehensive,
inclusive approach to development," Dr. Heyzer noted. "Not only is there an
urgent requirement to resume economic growth, but we have to re-think where
that growth takes place and whom it benefits."
"As the Asia-Pacific region becomes more influential in discussions shaping
the future global economic architecture, so too will its responsibility to
address the underlying causes of the triple threats. Our region has the
potential to emerge from the current crises as a global leader, but only if
current stimulus packages and reforms are implemented in a manner that is
both inclusive and sustainable."
The Economic and Social Survey for Asia and the Pacific 2009 is available
online at: http://www.unescap.org/survey2009/
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Tiziana Bonapace
Macroeconomic Policy Section, ESCAP
Tel.: (66) 2 288 1430
Email: bonap...@un.org
Mr. Bentley Jenson
UN Information Services (UNIS), ESCAP
Tel.: (66) 2 288 1869
Mobile: (66) 84 080 5025
Email: jen...@un.org and unisbkk.unes...@un.org