NEWSROOM: 02 April - 08 April 2006

Following in their fathers' foot steps into Samoa politics
08 April 2006 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

The new faces in the line up of new Members of Parliament to be sworn in later this month have some familiar features.

New MP for Fa'asaleleaga # 1 is afioga Gatoloaifaana Amataga Alesana Gidlow and daughter of the late Prime Minister Tofilau Eti Alesana. New MP for Gagaifomauga # 3 is afioga Laauli Leuatea Polataivao and son of the late Government Minister Polataivao Fosi Schmidt. New MP for Vaisigano # 1 is a former Government Minsiter and son of the late Prime Minister Vaai Kolone Vaai. Returning MP for Satupaitea is Asiata Saleimoa Vaai another son of the late Vaai Kolone Vaai. New MP for Falealili is Fuimaono Gaoia Tei and daughter of the late MP for Falealili Fuimaono Mimio.

The late Tofilau Eti Alesana is a founding member of the ruling political party, Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP). His daughter Gatoloaifaana Amataga Alesana Gidlow is a successful hotelier and businesswoman in Savai and a HRPP MP.

Polataivao Fosi Schmidt is also a founding member of HRPP and fondly known by many as 'King Pola'. His son La'auli Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt is a successful businessman in the hospitality industry, now the newly appointed HRPP Whip.

Vaai Kolone Vaai was the first leader of the HRPP until he joined the then SNDP under Tui Atua, Tupua Tamasese Efi. His son Vaai Papu an Independent MP is a successful hotelier and businessman in Savaii and just last week his constituent wanted him to join the HRPP. The other son Asiata saleimoa is a lawyer by profession and deputy leader of the main opposition SDUP.

Fuimaono Mimio a founding member of the SNDP which later became the SDUP. His daughter Fuimaono Gaoia Tei is a successful businesswomen and one of the 10 SDUP MPs.

Many Samoans have fond memories of the old politicians like Tofilau Eti, Polataivao Fosi, Vaai Kolone and Fuimaono Mimio with their distinguished and colourful characteristics. Many will watch with interest the beginning of a new era with their children following in their fathers' foot steps."
 

Six new Australia youth ambassador welcomed
08 April 2006 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Australia High Commissioner Phillip Allars welcomed six youth ambassadors from Australia, who will be serving in Samoa for one year.

The youths are here under the Australian Youth Ambassadors For Development (AYAD) They will serve at various Government Ministries and Non Government Organizations. The AYAD program is a very important program in the development of Australian youth. Since the establishment of AYAD, there has been an increase of youth interest to join the program

Samoa is one country utilizing the service provided by AYAD.

The new recruits are : Darren Thomas, will serve as a Basketball Federation development officer. Mary James will work at the Ministry of Women Community Strategy Development specialist. Jessica Reed will join MWCSD as a policy planning officer. Penny Taylor will work closely with MWCSD as a legal advisor on domesticating CRC and CEDAW. Nicole Doninson is a Strategic
Planner with PUMA. Jeniffer Ross is the new marketing and sponsorship officer with South Pacific Games Authority."
 

Gagaifomauga # 3 MP Laauli Leuatea Polataivao appointed HRPP Whip
07 April 2006 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Member of Parliament from Gagaifomauga # 3 constituency, La'auli Leuatea Polataivao has been appointed by the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) as their Whip.

Current Whip Mulitalo Sealiimalietoa Siafausa said, the appointment of La'auli will help share the responsibility of overseeing the party's activities and its well being.

Mulitalo and La'auli will also share the role of being the party'sspokesmen.

La'auli is a successful local businessman and is the son of the late Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, a HRPP cabinet minister known favorably as "King Pola."

HRPP had been camping at their headquarter at Mulinuu since Monday.

According to Mulitalo, the camp is an opportunity for members to acquaint themselves with other members. The camp will continue on until after the recount of ballots is completed within the next two weeks."
 

Sports Equipment handed over to Samata-tai youth
07 April 2006 - Source: Media Release - Food Agriculture Organization

The youth of Samata-tai has benefited from a collaborative initiative by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

This project provided the youth of Samata-tai with a complete set of rugby gear, which included a set of rugby jerseys (22), a set of rugby shorts (22), a set of rugby boots (22), and four rugby balls, all to the value of about US$2,000.

The objective of this sports development initiative is to provide rural youth with some sports equipment and facilities, which will not only aim at curbing the rural to urban migration of the youth, but also to build a healthy youth generation, and at the same time assist the youth with farm enterprises

This Samata-tai youth group is also part of the FAO assisted project on "Capacity building in agribusiness, marketing of agricultural produce and farm management for young farmer groups" or also known as the Future Farmers of Samoa project, which is assisting ten pilot youth groups in Upolu and Savaii in the establishment of various farm enterprises. This project is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, and the Ministry of Women, Community & Social Development.

The sports equipment was handed over by Dr. Vili A. Fuavao, FAO Sub-Regional Representative for the Pacific and FAO Representative in Samoa at the FAO Office at Matautu-uta. The pastor of the Samata-tai CCCS church, Reverend Penaia Koro, and two members of the village council and youth group, received the sports equipment on behalf of the group and the village."
 

Vaisigano # 1 constituency wants newly elected MP to join HRPP camp
06 April 2006 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

The list of independents wanting to join the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) continues to grow when on Tuesday, Alii ma Faipule from Vaisigano # 1constituency arrived at the HRPP headquarter at Mulinuu with their Member of Parliament, Vaai Papu Vaai, with the intention of joining the HRPP party.

HRPP Whip Mulitalo Sealaiimalietoa Siafausa told eventpolynesia.com, "that the decision to accept or decline membership is up to the caucus. The executive has yet to meet to discuss Vaisigano's request."

Three independent MPs have joined HRPP, Solamalemalo Keneti Sio (Sagaga le Usoga), Muagututagata Peter Ah Him (Sagaga le Falefa) and Lafaitele Patrick Leiataualesa (Alataua West) guaranteeing HRPP 35 seats in Parliament.

According to Mulitalo, all the independent candidates were approached by HRPP before the election and were invited to join HRPP but still contest their constituency's seat as independents.

"They never got back to us and we respect that until Monday when we received a letter from Toluono Feti, asking if the independent group could join us. "

According to other independent members, Toluono had no "business to include the Independent group in his letter..if he wants to join HRPP. He is free to do so, but leave us out."
 

Argentina wins 10 - 8 Samoa in the IRB Under 19 at Dubai
 06 April 2006 - Source: Media Release - John MacDonald

A drop goal in the dying stages clinched the win for Argentina and cruelly robbed the Samoans, who had looked set to pull off a result that earlier seemed highly unlikely.

The Division A encounter in the IRB Under 19 World Championship 2006 at Sharjah Wanderers was dominated by Argentina for most of the first half, but they were still trailing 3-0 to a 25th minute penalty by Ki Anufe until injury time.

Three minutes into injury time flanker Pablo Ruiz scored a try, converted by fly half Ignacio Mieres, and the second half seemed set for Argentina to convert their possession and territory into points.  However the Samoans had other ideas, soaking up relentless pressure and gradually asserting their own authority.

Adventurous running and handling created several forays into the opponents' 22-metre area for almost the first time in the match, and they were rewarded after 50 minutes when wing Silaumua Potifele crossed the line by the left corner flag.

Anufe missed the conversion and Argentina duly came storming back with wave after wave of attack threatening the try line, but still the Samoan defence held firm.

As the clock ticked down into injury time, Samoa seemed to have defied the odds to cling on to their one point advantage until the crucial drop goal from Agustin Vaccari dashed their hopes.

The ball broke from a ruck to the replacement centre standing just inside the 22-metre line, and with time and space to spare he coolly struck the ball between the posts to the relief of his team-mates and the strong Argentine contingent in the crowd.

Argentina will next face England at Sharjah Wanders on Sunday, while Samoa take on defending champions South Africa at the same venue.

QUOTES:

Samoa coach Niko Palamo: "This was our first outing in the A Division and one we should have won. We gave away a try in the closing seconds of the first half and then the drop goal at the death. But no complaints, we'll be back."

Samoa captain Mania Ieti: "Of course we're disappointed, losing so late in the game, but we played well and we're looking forward to taking on South Africa on Sunday."
 

HRPP turned down Independent members request to join
05 April 2006 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

A request by the Independent members to join the ruling party Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) has been turned down by the HRPP caucus at their meeting yesterday.

According to HRPP leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, priority is given to members who had supported and campaigned for HRPP prior to the election. In a letter addressed to Toluono Feti, the independent MP’s who had signed a Memorandum of Understanding before the election are being encouraged by HRPP to keep their commitment as per their MOU.

Six of the Independent candidates that signed the MOU have won seats which include Toluono Feti (Palauli), Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi (Faleata i Sisifo), Vaai Papu Vaai (Vaisigano # 1), Motuopuaa Aisoli Vaai (vaisigano # 2), and Lafaitele Patrick Leataualesa (Alataua i Sisifo).

Vaai is a former cabinet minister under the HRPP. Toluono and Lealailepule are former Chief Executive officers in the Public Service and Motuopuaa is a consultant doctor by profession.
 

Samoa Election preliminary results on Friday 31st March
05 April 2006 - Source: Website – Samoa Election 2006
 

Post election casualties include one man shot and school burnt
04 April 2006 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Despite a generally peaceful election, post election casualties have now started to emerge including a Sili man being shot and a school building at Puleia village being burnt, both incidents from the same district.

The aftermath of the election is yet unknown with many families fearing the wrath of their village councils and family 'matai' for voting against their wish. One voter told eventpolynesia.com that his family had been threatened to "loose everything if we vote for a certain candidate."

While the battle is over for some candidates, the war is still not over for many. For some of the districts with close results, anticipation is still high with the official count to come, especially in constituents where special votes are yet to be accounted for.

Information has come to eventpolynesia.com that a record number of candidates are now preparing to petition the results in court, citing bribery for many of the unfair results.
 

Three Samoans awarded Japanese Government Scholarships
04 April 2006 - Source: Media Release - JICA

Three recipients of Japanese Government Scholarships offered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in Japan, departed over the weekend.

Mr Johnwilliam Sala has been accepted to study civil engineering at the Syusei Technical College in Osaka. Mr Sala is a student at the National University of Samoa. His scholarship is for a period of three years.

Ms Venus Tupai also a student at the National University of Samoa has been accepted to study International Business Law at the Tokyo University of Foreign Languages as an undergraduate student. Her scholarship is for four years.

Mr Vaise Patu, an Electronics Lecturer at Samoa Polytechnic has been accepted as a research student at Ibaraki University in Tokyo. Mr Patu will be carrying out research in the area of Information Technology. His scholarship is for a period of two years.

Mr Sala and Ms Tupai will study Japanese language for one year before beginning their respective courses, while Mr Patu will study Japanese language for six months.

Every year two to three Samoan students are accepted for the MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship Scheme. There are presently six other Samoans studying on MEXT scholarships in Japan.

The application process for MEXT scholarships for next year, 2007, will begin in May this year. For undergraduate programs candidates must be between 17 and 21 years of age, whereas the post-graduate (research) program is up to 35 years of age.
 

History repeats itself with HRPP winning the Samoa election
03 April 2006 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

With the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) winning 32 seats of the 49 seat Parliament, political history has again repeated itself, ending speculation of a change of Government before the election.

The win by HRPP also puts to rest predictions that were made based on the polls that were run by local newspapers and local radios. “Polls should be left to staticians....it’s not something journalists should play around with,” said Felise Va’a, a political analyst. However, a better interpretation of the polls based on the geographical sampling areas instead of being interpreted as a national indicator would have been more useful.

The election result is a shock to many people who “expected a close race.” Samoa Party being the biggest looser with none of its 21 members winning any seat. The other two small parties, Samoa Christian Party and Samoa Progressive Party, did not win any seat.

When Samoa went to the polls in 2001, there was a strong feeling that Samoa was ready for a change of Government. Instead HRPP returned to power. People in Samoa and abroad had been more daring, bold and vocal in calling for a change of Government leading up to last Friday’s election. Many people quoted their dislike of the Prime Minister’s arrogance and rudeness.

But come the day after election, history has once again repeated itself with HRPP has returning with a majority number of seats.

While many are conceding with the feeling that the election results speaks for Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and the HRPP’s popularity, others think otherwise.

A closer observation indicates that people voted for their candidate and not because of the party alliance. Unfortunately, most of the ‘people’s candidates were on the HRPP list.
 

Samoa U19 team named to play Argentina in Dubai
03 April 2006 - Source: Media Release – Samoa Rugby Union

Samoa Rugby Union announce Samoa U19 team to play Argentina U19 on Wednesday 05th April 2006 at 6pm (Dubai time) which is Wednesday 05th April at 3am (Samoan time).
 

New election system and process blamed for long queues
02 April 2006 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

While the new system has definitely reduced the chances of voters casting more than one vote by using different identities, instead, the voting process has been blamed for the long queues and delay in people casting their votes.

Much of the complaints were towards the “slow and slack” performance of returning officers, and in some cases the poor coordination of the voting process in some villages. According to the some of the voters, they expected things to be “easy and to finish early. “ Instead, the voters had to wait in the hot sun for hours.

Some of the people that turned up in the morning only cast their votes in the afternoon, while others went home and returned to find the booths closed. “The system only created headaches and empty stomachs," complained some of the voters. In some areas like Malifa, Vaimea and Aele, additional police were called in to control annoyed voters.

At one Aele polling booth, the Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) was the center of voter’s anger, when he closed the polling booth before everyone present could cast their vote. eventpolynesia.com was told that the problem started when the duty police officer gave out ticket numbers to voters who were waiting their turns, before closing time at three o’clock. But when the police officer ran out of ticket numbers, he then told the rest of the votes who have been waiting since mid-day, that they could not vote.

Voters’ persistence paid off with the DRO placing a call to the Electoral Commissioner. According to returning MP Joachim Hans Keil, who was present during the dispute, "when closing time arrives for voting, only those people who were waiting their turns were allowed to vote, but anyone else that comes after three o’clock, will not vote." eventpolynesia.com was told, that the booth did not close until later in the evening.

The polling booth at the Apia Court house picked up voters (individual) who had already cast their votes at other booths, but turned up to cast more votes at a different booth.

Some of the returning officers also had their share of misfortune. “We got to our assigned polling booth, which was the church minister’s residence, only to be told by the ‘faifeau’ that he had not being informed of their home being used as a polling booth, except to have seen it on an announcement on SBC TV.” According to a returning officer who was based at Vaimoso, “I was so embarrassed when the ‘faifeau’ told us that.”

Despite the mainly minor hiccups in the voting process and electoral system, the 2006 general election will go down in history to be much more peaceful than the previous ones.
 

Petroleum prices move up once more
02 April 2006 - Source: Media Release – Government Press Secretariat

World oil prices have moved back up resulting increases in retail petrol prices of 9 sene per litre and in retail diesel prices of 9.8 sene per litre. The Hon. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Misa Telefoni, commented that “with these prices increases, petrol prices are back where they were in November 2005 while diesel has hit a new record high.”

“There seems to be no single factor which has driven the petroleum products market up,” he said. The same very tight supply conditions in the face of continuing strong growth in Asian demand seem to have locked in high prices that are now moving up and down in a narrow band. In the case of petrol this is USD$65-$70 per barrel in Singapore. For diesel the recent range has been USD$68-$74 per barrel.”

“While we had hoped that spring in the northern hemisphere would lessen short term demand pressures in the world market, we now have another dark cloud on the horizon,” the Deputy PM said. “The recent sharp weakening in the NZ dollar to which the Samoan Tala is linked in our trade weighted basket of currencies will increase the tala costs of fuels.”

The new fuel prices for Samoa for the month of April are as follows:
 

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