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(Photo:
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NEW ZEALAND: Labour MP
welcomes Police action against Gangs & Drugs
Source:
Su'a William Sio
Labour MP Su’a William Sio welcomes the
announcement by the Counties Manukau Police
District on their efforts in the last 6 months
to investigate the supply and distribution of
drugs in Manukau.
“Drugs like P are fast becoming a modern plague
on our society and if we don’t eradicate it from
our communities it will destroy the lives of
every young person who would otherwise be
destined to become a future leader of our
nation.”
“Our communities need to view those involved in
the illegal drugs trade as villains and nothing
more.”
“I am hopeful that the Police announcement today
will send a clear message to those in gangs and
those flirting with gangs that our communities
are sick and tired of their villainy.”
Photo Caption:
Labour MP Su’a William Sio.
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(Photos:
SUNGO & eventpolynesia.com) |
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SAMOA: Let's brigde the gaps in our system to solve the
problem
Source:
Letter from SUNGO
President
I was moved to write after seeing one of your
(Samoa Observer) articles in the Saturday
Edition, reading how His Highness the Head of
State of Samoa shed tears after seeing the
Leififi Student at the hospital suffering from
second degree burns as the result of the Student
Riot, as well as the Leader of the Catholic
Church in Samoa. I should say that the events of
the previous week left many parents, families
and friends of the deceased and the wounded
tasting the bitter cup of sadness and heartache.
According to the Samoan saying; ‘We sleep in
peace, but are awakened to face unforeseen
tragedy’.
The following is a reflection of what I had seen
at the hospital, arriving from the airport on
Saturday 26th April and having to rush to the
hospital to see my own daughter who jumped from
a car after being bashed by her husband; thank
God she is still alive. I was devastated to have
witnessed the ugly scene of suffering as a
result of violence and wonder how our beautiful
Samoa has turned out like this. Next to my
daughter was Faaliliu also moaning, and who
passed away an hour later. Opposite her was the
Leififi student with the Doctor and Nurses
battling to save her life. A mother was in
critical condition after losing her child during
childbirth. Next morning (Sunday) a middle aged
man was brought in with serious wounds from a
cane knife and a young man was suffering from a
broken leg after being hit by a car. An hour
later, news was brought to us that a girl from
Falefa had taken her own life.
I was most saddened not only to see my own
daughter suffering but seeing other parents,
families and those visiting the hospital and for
those whose relatives had finally taken their
last breath. They all seemed to be wearing the
same mask of sadness, otherwise anger. I took
time to visit wards 7 and 8 and saw the same
picture. Sorry to see the Principal of Avele
College with the Director of Education visiting
the Leififi Student whose burns had been
mentioned in a number of publications last week.
I do understand that we the parents, government,
church leaders are being affected by the student
riot, at such moments, we start questioning our
leadership or start pointing fingers at the
parents, teachers, police, the government or
even ourselves. I read with dismay the many
letters from parents and the public searching
for answers or even pointing fingers at teachers
or at the parents for being the first teachers.
This is the one reason why I feel a good
opportunity, thanks to this paper, to contribute
to a solution as I have raised this issue
several times during training and at public
meetings.
Let us stop pointing fingers and start looking
within ourselves for solutions. At present the
church and the villages are still up upholding
their methods of controlling behaviour according
to the Faa-Samoa; something we should never
deny. Unfortunately our efforts are being
confronted by new ideas and pressures from
abroad, highlighting of individual rights plus
our failure to share and work together building
partnerships at all levels. Perhaps if we did we
could have start creating policies and
regulations or even laws to address the present
problem, instead of the RHD Bill and the Good
Bye Samoa to your Land Bill as the lives of the
people should be the FIRST Priority of any
Government. As we have a problem at hand, we
should find a solution.
This is not the first time that I have expressed
this, having already done so during our Adult
Training at Oloamanu (CAT 101 & CAT 102). For
those of us who are 50 or more and coming from
the villages, our upbringings were intact in the
isolation of our own villages where there was
little we knew although a lot to learn and
practice within the village circle, respecting
our elders, and the joy to serve. We trained to
look, see, walk sit, and talk. This behaviour
was well monitored and supervised by everyone,
as any elder above you has the right to
discipline his/her junior. The same practice
took place at the church minister's house. When
crossing to another village we dare not
misbehave as the next village knew where we
belonged and knew our families. Any act out of
course would be heard by our parents and surely
disciplinary action would take place
immediately. Therefore we were brought up in a
closed circle of disciplinary behaviour which
was practiced around the country and even in
Apia when the population was much smaller than
today.
I do recall in some villages, the girl getting
the Best Conduct Award received more recognition
than one who topped the class. For example no
matter how many prizes I brought home, my friend
who got the Best Conduct Award got more praise
than me. Even during prayer that evening my
Grandfather managed to tell me that he wished I
had brought the Best Conduct Award as well.
Therefore he rated the Best Conduct Award higher
than the knowledge that I have acquired to win
top prizes.
I wish to draw your attention to the struggle
that the village communities are facing today in
trying to control the young. Some of our young
people when getting to Higher Schools suddenly
behave and dress differently, even the language
becomes different. They stop going to church or
sometimes to Sunday School. Young couples do not
conduct evening prayer or have even stopped
going to church at all. Some of those going to
University when they return for holidays to the
village are different. They even try to
challenge young chiefs when they are told off. I
guess this was why the New Zealand Government
constructed the Samoa College Hostel as an
example of orientating those from the village of
how to cope with town life whilst keeping our
culture and traditional behaviour. A Samoan
School Master and Mistress were put there to see
to it that and they did their job well. For
example dress code was quite strict and so was
the language. Today there are still Masters and
Mistresses but they have no policies and
guidelines to follow.
It is now more a case of the ‘do your own thing’
kind of attitude plus the encouragement to
express themselves.
My understanding of our Educational System today
overall is prioritising knowledge then skills,
leaving conduct and attitude coming last. I
noticed with admiration how some of the young
students are becoming advanced in the Samoan
language although failing to practice what they
are saying of the Faa-Samoa and what they are
learning from all the cultural learning in
school. Perhaps it is a problem that not only
the schools but villages, government, churches
and NGOs should start addressing in our
planning.
As trouble is taking place around the Apia area
where most of the Colleges are located there is
a gap between the schools and the homes in Apia.
There is nothing provided around the town area
for them where they can meet and socialise. Even
the library is too small. Going home, they find
no discipline as most of the adults are at work;
therefore they can do whatever they wish. There
is no village setting in most of the areas
around Apia except Apia Village, Lepea, and
Vaimoso. Let alone the hundreds roaming town
waiting for the 4 o'clock bus to areas farther
from town, or those sitting outside corridors
waiting for their parents to finish work before
they can go together to the homes outside of the
Tuamasaga area.
Therefore the solution is for us to pull
ourselves together and tighten those ends,
bridging the gaps in our systems so that there's
no room for such actions. This cannot be done by
one person; it can only be achieved with us all
working together. Banning the School Sports Day
is not the solution as they will find another
area to repeat it otherwise they are the future
users of the expensive Sports Complex.
At present the Ministry of Justice is forming a
partnership with SUNGO, trying to address the
problem of juveniles, as putting them behind
bars is not a good solution. Therefore we cannot
blame the schools for this as they are dropouts
for other reasons.
I strongly recommend a special Working Committee
to address the problem, perhaps looking at our
systems and whether we are able to accommodate
the pressure of globalisation and the attraction
of modern technology in our plans.
The fighting between Colleges has been going on
for years and still we deal with it with short
term methods rather than long term solutions.
Let us revisit the days when there was
continuous rivalry between Malua College and
Avele or Leulumoega Fou College; there are so
many stories about those days and yet those
people are still alive. The question is: how did
it stop? I am sure the answer is within us.
My solution is to have a one hour National
Curfew, where every place is to be closed,
including the TV and radio, clubs, shops, and
cars must stop and passengers proceed to the
next fale to attend an evening prayer or a
family solitude. In this way, there is assurance
that the family heads will be able to
communicate with the family and reflect upon the
young peoples’ whereabouts during the day. This
will bring the family together in unity, thus
helping the young and the adults understanding
the children. The children have time to share
with their parents. I am sure this will be
unique for us. Our tourist will love the idea of
leaving his beer standing while attending the
Hotel Owner and staff prayer.
I think some families have stopped conducting
prayer in the evening, as the adults are
watching and using the TV service as their
prayer time while the rest of the family are not
part of it until the movie.
Samoa what a pity to have polluted our beautiful
fertile land with its lush green forest and our
blue ocean, with our lagoon providing us fish to
eat freely, without any fierce animal nor
malicious creatures. Our environment is free
from deathly or poisonous plants... Our culture
and traditions where we strongly value respect
and integrity, you only have to ask and are
given food freely, perhaps we are poor
materially but rich in having each other. Before
I was born I had a place in our society, thus
spelling-out my right and my protection. If ever
I strike trouble in another village I will only
have to say my name, my aiga and my village,
immediately there will be a connection, a
relationship that protects me and I would be
welcomed with open arms by people that I have
never met before. We are experiencing the
pressure of globalisation bringing new ideas and
behaviour which will eventually drive us to lose
sight of our traditions and culture, along with
our identity and pride that we value so highly.
Therefore I call upon you to act now and let's
get our act together and save the Samoa that you
and I are proud of.
These are the thoughts of an awakened and
concerned mother searching and contributing to
finding solutions for our young rioters, who are
the future of this country. The thoughts are
entirely my own. Wishing you all the best and
hoping you have a better and enjoyable week. God
Bless.
Soifua.
Vaasiliifiti, Tauo, Taumasaosili, Tevaga, Leilua,
Galuvao, Moelagi Tiatia Jackson. O Safua Iva
Savaii.
Photo Caption:
President of SUNGO - Vaasiliifiti, Tauo,
Taumasaosili, Tevaga, Leilua, Galuvao, Moelagi
Tiatia Jackson. Vaasilifiti with NZBPC -Hon.
Luamanuvao Winnie Laban.
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(Photos: Laupola Tauapai MAJ) |
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AMERICAN
SAMOA:
Ft Bragg Bids Farewell to Three Toa o Samoa
Source:
Laupola Tauapai MAJ
“May you travel with our Lord.” This was the
theme amongst the three separate gatherings to
bid farewell to SPC Hana Moors, CPT Fitiuta
Galeai, CPT Pili Faagai & MAJ Manu Yasuda.
Supporting Samoan service members that pass
through Ft Bragg, NC, and other states nearby is
our goal commented Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5)
Totolua “Koko” Yandall, of Leone, AS, who is
serving over 36 years in the U.S. Army. These
sentiments were echoed during SPC Moors
departure at Pope Air Force Base by Command
Sergeant Major (CSM) Tuileama Nua, of Ta’u,
Manu’a, serving over 30 years in the US Army.
SPC Hana Moors was born and raised in Pavaia’i,
American Samoa. She attended Pava’ia’i
Elementary and Tafuna High School. She moved to
Long Beach, CA with her mother Faaliga Moors
after her freshman year and enlisted in the US
Army after graduation. SPC Moors is stationed at
Ft Bragg and is deploying on a 15 month tour
with Delta Battery, 3rd Battalion, 4th Air
Defense Regiment. According to 1LT Oblon,
Jonathan’s, Rear Detachment Commander, SPC Moors
is one of the best in his unit.
She is tactically and technically proficient.
When asked for parting comments, she replied,
“please tell my mom not to worry and that I’ll
be OK” Upon arrival in the war zone, SPC Moors
sent the following email, “While I was sitting
at my corner watching the people I was getting
ready to deploy with, something hit me. Every
soldier is surrounded by families and friends;
everywhere they turn, there was someone behind
them, next to them, telling them, it's OK, come
back safe, I'll be waiting for you. An abundance
of hugs and kisses were evident everywhere while
some are holding on to their love one’s hands
like they don’t want to let go. And
all of a sudden, my phone rang, once, twice then
I picked it up.
Out of no where a voice from the other end was
saying…why you didn’t tell us you’re deploying
today. We’ll be there in a little bit…I didn’t
even know what just happen.... to be honest I
really didn’t know who it was and why does this
person have to come to my deployment…Now that I
have a chance to absorb everything, I understand
why I was sad that day until I saw you and
CSM Nua. Thank you so much from the bottom of my
heart.....if you & CSM Nua, SFC Alo-Steffany &
Dayna and CPT Galea’i didn’t show up, I'll
probably be crying in the bathroom... but thank
you for your love and support, it has given me
courage and the strength to shed no tears and
understands the value of family. Thank you and
may God bless you and all
Samoans at Ft Bragg. Signed Hana Toetu Moors.
CPT Fitiuta Galea’i re-deployed from Iraq in
early March 2008, on his way back to American
Samoa. He has been deployed since October 2006.
As he reminisces about his tour, CPT Galea’i
stated, “It was hard to leave my family,
especially not knowing if that will be the last
time I will see them.” CPT Galea’i lost his
father and his brother during his deployment to
Iraq with the 351st Civil Affairs Command out of
Mountain View, California. CPT Galea’i thanked
all the Samoans at Ft Bragg who welcomed him in
their homes and making his re-deployment a
positive experience. The highlight of his
redeployment at Ft Bragg was the trip to Walter
Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland in support
of SFC Senetenari Polu who was a victim of an
IED in Iraq.
CPT Pili Faagai of Futiga, AS arrived at Ft
Bragg in early March 2008 in preparation for his
deployment. He was born and raised in Futiga,
American Samoa to Pili Faagai of Futiga and
Pausea Faimeasoo of Fagaitua. He is a 1979
graduate of Marist Brother HS in Malaeloa, AS.
CPT Faagai deployed with the 311th Expeditionary
Support Command (ESC), USAR, out of Los
Angeles, California as the Chief Communication
Officer for the ESC.
He is married to Alana Faagai of Hawaii and they
have 5 children. Before he departed Ft Bragg,
CPT Faagai commented, “I am amazed by the
hospitality shown by senior Samoan military
personnel at Ft Bragg. Their ability to host &
support soldiers coming in and going out of Ft
Bragg is a feat to strive for and a humble
lesson for me. Their actions give substance to
the biblical saying; “friends for all seasons
and kin in moments of crisis.” Thanks for your
love and support.”
Ft Bragg is fortunate to meet MAJ Manu Smith
Yasuda who deployed with CPT Faagai out of the
311th ESC. MAJ Yasuda was born in Tonga to Sione
Lauhaki and Nonu Mahoni and was later adopted by
Bill and Carol Smith of San Diego, CA. Her
adopted family moved to American Samoa in the
late 1980s for a tour with the FAA. MAJ Yasuda
graduated from Tafuna High
School in 1988. She continued her education at
ASCC and later transferred to the University of
Hawaii (UH), Manoa where she received her
commission in 1993. During this deployment, MAJ
Yasuda will be the 311th ESC Current Operation,
Night Battle Captain. She is a Command and
General Staff Officer College graduate. MAJ
Yasuda sends her alofa’s to her alma mater
in American Samoa as well as UH. Malo e lelei,
Soifua, and God bless.
The following Samoans at Ft Bragg are providing
the support group for Samoan soldiers that are
stationed at “The Home of the Paratrooper &
Special Operations”: CW5 Totolua “Koko” Yandall
& Gwen (Leone), SFC Taisi Steffany-Alo & Dayna (Fagasa/Poloa),
SSG Taumua Faasi’usiuga (Poloa), SGM John Letuli
(Futiga), SGT Doreen Fiaui (Amaua), SPC Rapi
Leota & Emerald (Pago Pago/Fagasa), PFC Angel
Fofoa (Leone), PFC Nephi Isumu (Nu’uuli), SPC
Jeremiah Vaeotama (Fagaitua), SSG Derek Afalava
& Violeta (Aoloau/Nuuuli), SGT Burgie Perofeta &
Corinna (Tafuna/Afao & Leone), SPC Aliimau
Kilisi (Auasi), Tiaseugogo Tiapula (Laulii), SGT
Venus Taumanupepe (Utulei), Susuga Gafatasi
Fuimaono Ponafala & Faletua Ana (Vailoa), Lucia
Bartley & family (Tafuna), SGT Penu Alaimaleata
& Peka (Alofau), SFC Fonoti Mata’utia (Poloa),
SGT Monty Loa (Pago Pago), Fau Tufele, SPC
Filemoni Fanuaea & Rosa (Tafuna), SPC Christina
Auvaa (Laulii), PFC Bud Luuga (Indiana), SSG(P)
Sualauvi Tuimalealiifano & Shannon (Falelatai/Pago
Pago), SGT Michael Pless & Brenda, Elsa
Talalemotu Smith & family (Fagaitua), CWO1
Tauasose Tupua & family (Vailoa), SSG Malua
Malua & Katherine, Derrick & Nita Leomiti, (Pavaia’i
& Vatia) CSM Tuileama Nua & Anita (Ta’u), MAJ
Tauapai Laupola & Lana (Afono/Fagaitua & Pago
Pago).
Photo Caption:
SGM John Letuli & CPT Fitiuta Galeai. L-R-MAJ
Laupola, SPC Moors, CSM Nua. Photo taken at the
holding area at Pope AFB, NC before SPC Moors
boards her plane for the war zone. MAJ Yasuda &
CPT Faagai.
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COOK ISLANDS:
Cook Islands stadium funding from China in doubt
Source:
Radio New Zealand
International
China’s government owned Import Export Bank is
threatening to withdraw a huge soft loan which
was to fund the construction of sport facilities
for next year’s South Pacific mini Games in the
Cook Islands.
The Cook Islands Foreign Minister Wilkie
Rasmussen says the Bank is concerned that they
had not been properly informed about changes to
the complex plans made by the
Cook Islands Investment Corporation.
He says he now fears that the the hosting of the
mini games and the world youth netball
championships could be under threat.
Mr Rasmussen says the Government faces a serious
situation.
“Because we have delayed it for so long. We had
points in time throughout this whole process for
us to says ’no’ we are not in a position to
host. So for us now to pull out or to forfeit
will I think be quite embarrassing for the Cook
Islands and at the same time will cause
difficulties for those organising committees.”
The Cook Islands Foreign Minister, Wilkie
Rasmussen.
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FIJI:
Fiji Sugar Corporation
has sealed a $1billion deal
Source:
Fiji Times Online
The Fiji Sugar Corporation has sealed a
$1billion deal for the supply of raw sugar as
preferential imports to the European Union
market over the next seven years.
The contract for the supply of 300,000 tonnes of
sugar per annum has been sealed with the
corporation's traditional EU market buyer, Tate
& Lyle.
Tate & Lyle is the largest cane sugar refiner in
the EU and a leading trader in molasses and
world market sugars. Tate & Lyle has been
trading with FSC since the inception of the
African-Caribbean Pacific-EU Sugar Protocol in
1975.
The contract secured by FSC is part of the
Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between
the European Union and ACP States under the
union's sugar regime reform that would supersede
the sugar protocol from October next year.
Sugar and Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry
expressed his appreciation on the conclusion of
negotiations, saying the contract that would
continue until September 30, 2015 would be worth
more than $425 million.
Mr Chaudhry said the industry was very fortunate
that FSC had well-established and strong
commercial links with Tate & Lyle.
Mr Chaudhry stressed the challenges arising from
fundamental changes under the EU sugar regime
reforms and the trading arrangements under the
EPAs.
He said the EPAs required the sugar industry to
seek long-term commercial arrangements that
would contribute positively to the industry's
continued viability and sustainability.
Mr Chaudhry said the current sugar industry
reforms and the on-going mill upgrade program
would ensure that Fiji was able to take full
advantage of the additional market access
opportunities for sugar in the EU as well as
benefit under its long-term contract with Tate &
Lyle.
However, Mr Chaudhry called for the full
participation of all stakeholders to ensure the
industry fulfilled its quota and quality
requirements under the new season.
"The new agreement contains stringent
requirements in terms of quality and shipment
schedules and can only be realised with the full
and active participation of all concerned," said
Mr Chaudhry.
"The onus is now on all industry stakeholders to
actively play their respective roles in enabling
us to honour FSC's full commitments under the
agreement.
"The EU preferential price is expected to remain
attractive, despite reductions totaling 36 per
cent by 2009, provided we are able to achieve
efficiency and productivity gains, both in the
field and the factory. Attempts to contact FSC
acting chief executive, Deo Saran yesterday were
unsuccessful.
However, in an earlier interview, Mr Saran said
the industry was expected to earn about $209
million from the sugar produced over the new
season under the current preferential prices.
Mr Saran said the industry would import a total
of 45,000 tonnes of sugar to fulfill the
domestic and regional demands.
"The first few exports would be sold at $980 per
tonne while exports at the end of the year and
beginning of next year would be sold at $872 per
tonne," he said.
"We expect to earn $209 million from our total
exports to the EU," said Mr Saran.
"We are going to import 45,000 tonnes of sugar.
13,000 tonnes will be used for the regional
market while 32,000 tonnes will be locally," he
said.
Mr Saran defended the decision to import sugar,
saying it would be significantly cheap for the
industry to import.
Sugar Cane Growers Council chairman Jain Kumar
has welcomed the announcement and guaranteed
they would be able to supply the 300,000 tonnes
required under the contract.
Last season, the industry was forced to import
sugar from India so it could fulfill its export
quota because it had produced less than 300,000
tonnes. Mr Kumar said there were incentives in
place to encourage farmers to boost productivity
over the new season that begins next month.
He said they were monitoring mill performance
very closely.
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TOKELAU: Gender Experts Meet in Fiji for Pacific
Consultation
Source:
UNDP Press Release
Civil society members working in the area of
gender, government representatives and
development partners concluded a two day meeting
in Suva today that discussed Pacific
perspectives on gender inequality.
The discussions were part of the consultations
on the process of preparing the Asia Pacific
Regional Human Development report on Gender, and
will feed into the report, which is being
facilitated by the Human Development Report Unit
of the UNDP Regional Centre Colombo.
The two day Pacific consultation, held at the
Holiday Inn in Suva followed the Asia
consultation that was held in Malaysia from
14-15 April. The Pacific consultation discussed
unequal power and voice that has been identified
as the overarching framework for this work. The
discussions also focused on gender socialization
and identities which influence opportunities and
choices for women and men, as well as sensitive
aspects relating to gender that include cultural
norms and
practices.
The meeting discussed the six themes under
consideration for the report. These include
gender and political and justice system gaps;
economic gaps and the importance of investing in
gender
equality; energy and environment; gender based
violence; gender in crisis prevention and
recovery; and gender in the context of migration
and mobility.
The Pacific consultation while gathering Pacific
perspectives on gender inequality also helped
narrow down the core issues that will be
addressed in the report.
The Asia Pacific Regional Human Development
Report on Gender will be the third in a regular
series. The first in this series was the 2006
report Trade on Human Terms: Transforming Trade
for Human Development in Asia and the
Pacific.The second, Tackling Corruption,
Transforming Lives: Accelerating Human
Development for Asia and the Pacific will be
released soon.
ABOUT UNDP:
UNDP is the UN global development network,
advocating for change and connecting countries
to knowledge, experience and resources to help
people build a better life. We are on the ground
in 166 countries, working with them on their own
solutions to global and national development
challenges. As they develop local capacity, they
draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of
partners. There are three UNDP offices in the
Pacific, based on Fiji, Samoa and Papua New
Guinea as well as a regional Centre, the Pacific
Centre, UNDP regional programme and knowledge
centre in Suva, Fiji focused on Small Islands
Developing States and serving 15 Pacific Island
countries.
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