NEWSPAGE 02 February
2011

(Photo: Auckland Council)

NEW ZEALAND: Exhibition influenced by Tongan culture and family history

(Photos: Samoa Rugby Union)

SAMOA: Samoa Rugby Union gives to Ben Lei’a
Source: Samoa Rugby Union Press Release

It is just about this time last year, that a 23 year old young man from Satitoa Aleipata village full of dreams to don the Manu Samoa blue jersey, were shattered to pieces when he suffered a catastrophic cervical spinal injury during a rugby match on the 30th of January last year.

The injury according to doctor’s report is a complete severance of the spinal cord, and it will be a total paralysis to the arms and legs.

Ben Le’ia who will be 24 years on the 2nd of next month, is one sad story for someone who wish to excel well in rugby as he sees opens the door for the future of his family. He played as a halfback for the Marist Club during the match between HPU and Marist and was unfortunate to be involved in a tackle situation which he losses power in his arms and legs and felt severe pain in his neck according to doctor’s report.

Last week the Samoa Rugby Union presented $5000.00 check to Ben Lei’a at his home at Satitoa village. Manu Samoa Head Coach Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua, says, the money is to help out with Ben Le’ia’s wellbeing, and daily expenses.

A family member reiterated by saying God has worked in miraculous way for Ben. “Instead of continuing rugby, our family has been blessed with the good work of Marist club, and now with the Samoa Rugby Union and everyone who lend a hand to help with Ben.”

Samoa Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer Su’a Peter Schuster, with Manu Samoa Head Coach Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua and Development Director Lilomaiava Taufusi Salesa were the Union’s representatives to present the $5000.00 check for Ben Lei’a.

Managing an enormous gratifying smile, Ben wished SRU officials a pleasant day, and a simple “thank-you” to the Samoa Rugby Union.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Samoa Rugby Union CEO Su'a Peter Schuster with Ben Lei'a.

Photo 2 - Samoa Rugby Union CEO and Manu Samoa Head Coach with Ben's relatives.
 

(Photo: U.S. House of Representatives)

AMERICAN SAMOA: Togiola outlines issues to be discussed with DOI next month
Source: Samoa News

Having the governor of American Samoa appoint justices of the High Court, including the Chief Justice, and providing funds to implement recommendations of economic development for the territory are among top issues that Gov. Togiola Tulafono says he will discuss with the U.S. Interior Department next month in Washington.

Togiola announced on his weekend radio program his off-island trip, departing on Feb. 20 and returning to Pago Pago on Mar. 7, and the meetings include those with DOI to discuss pertinent issues to the territory.

The Governor started out by telling radio listeners that he has made a decision, but will meet first with the Fono leadership about his decision regarding the current financial crisis faced by the American Samoa government.

Togiola gave no hint on what the decision is, but said he wants the public to know that he plans to relay the decision to the Fono leadership before an official public announcement is made, and before he departs the territory for the off-island meetings.

The Governor has previously said on his radio program that it appears the Fono is not acting quickly on the administration's revenue measures submitted to address the financial shortfall faced by the government; and if there is still no action, he is looking at the second pay period of February for the next and last option which is to either reduce working hours or working days.


High Court Justices

Togiola said one of the issues of discussion with DOI will be the appointment of justices to the High Court, whose associate justice and chief justice are currently appointed by the Secretary of Interior, in accordance with the constitution.

He says it's going on about 12 months now with efforts continuing to find a way to address the needs of the Judicial Branch as requested by the Chief Justice for two more justices to be appointed by DOI, to address the heavy workload and additional cases now before the court.

The Governor said it was recommended by the chief justice to request the DOI to appoint two permanent justices, to address the ever expanding workload of the court. However, says Togiola, the DOI has agreed to appoint two more for the High Court but their salaries are to be funded with local revenues, which he says is very difficult as ASG is already faced with its own financial woes.

Togiola says he believes if someone has the responsibility of appointing, that same individual also has the responsibility to provide funding.

He was making this issue public, Togiola said, because he believes this is the right time for American Samoa to sit down with the DOI to discuss full self governance for the territory, which currently has the power and authority to elect its governor and lieutenant governor as well as Fono members, but not the judicial branch, whose top judges are still appointed by the Interior Secretary.

Allowing the territory to appoint justices of the High Court means the territory would then be fully self governing, to carry out its democratic government, said Togiola adding that DOI will still be the federal agency that oversees American Samoa.

He said American Samoa had not argued much about the federally appointed judges as the DOI is funding their services, which is part of the annual DOI aid for local government operations.

Togiola says he will ask DOI to allow the governor to appoint the justices, who are subject to Fono confirmation, which will then complete a full democratic government for American Samoa.

However, he said, one issue he will present to the Interior Secretary to assist in his decision is that the selection of a justice, including the chief justice, should not be made alone by a sitting governor.

Instead, the governor says he will suggest the establishment of a Judiciary Appointment Committee, or JAC, who will have the task of identifying candidates - maybe three - and give their names to the governor for the final decision.

He says the JAC, would include members of the local legal community, or even someone from the DOI - and the group will go through the process of selecting the top candidates and present them to governor, who will then select a name and submit the appointee to the Fono for confirmation.

Togiola reiterated about three times on the radio program, the importance of a democracy or a democratic government, making its choices instead of depending on outsiders to make decisions.

According to the Revised Constitution of American Samoa, the Secretary of the Interior shall appoint a Chief Justice of American Samoa and such Associate Justices as he may deem necessary.

A member of the legal community, when asked over the weekend for comments, said that if the DOI secretary does endorse the governor's suggestion, " I believe that the constitution would require to be amended first."

The constitution can be amended by the Fono with the appropriate legislation, which is then sent to the voters for the final decision or through a constitutional convention, which was the case last year when the same change was proposed, but failed to make it on the final amendments discussed by the general convention.


Economic Advisroy Commisson

Also to be discussed with DOI is the 2002 report on economic developments for the territory released in 2002 by the federally appointed American Samoa Economic Advisory Commission, which was established in 2000, and made several recommendations.

Togiola, who was a member of the commission at the time he was lieutenant governor, says the report calls for providing funds to carry out the commission's recommendations and he will address this issue with DOI along with a suggestion to set up a special committee to implement the commission's recommendations.

The Governor says he wants to raise this issue with the DOI because nothing much has been done by the federal agency since the release of the report, while the ASG has begun to implement some of the recommendations such as improvement in telecommunications through its own initiative with the undersea fiber optic cable, which is 33% owned by the local government through ASH-Cable.

He said government pushed for this project which was supported by DOI, who allocated $6 million, with $3 million from ASG.

He says the majority of the recommendations, such as fisheries, would require assistance from DOI. He will ask the secretary to revisit this report and carry out the recommendation to fund a special committee to work on implementing the recommendations to assist the territory's economic development.

Photo Caption: Govenor Togiola Tulafono.
 

(Photo: Martin Seras Lima / International Rugby Board)

FIJI: Fiji recoil at Wellington
Source: Fiji Times

Fiji's status as defending champions does not carry any weight at this weekend's Wellington Sevens.

National coach Iliesa Tanivula feels Fiji will have to do the hard yards like any other team in the tournament.

The Digicel national side goes into the two-day tournament with four surviving members of the team which defeated Samoa 19-14 in the final last year.

The players from the winning team include Seremaia Burotu, Watisoni Votu, Emosi Vucago and Apisai Naiyabo.

Tanivula said they would take one game at a time.

He said the players would need to concentrate and execute all set moves learnt during training.

"Its always tough on the International Rugby Board Sevens World Series," Tanivula said.

"I don't see us as the defending champions. We are in the same mindset as the other teams to come in and compete and win. We have to play our pool games. Get through each one as it comes. Hopefully we get through the three of them and then move to Saturday."

"The players have done their best at training. They will now have to transform that on to the field come Friday and Saturday. Pressure wise it depends on how you look at it and how you take it. The boys will have to get away from the hype and do their job."

The national side faces France, Canada and South Africa in pool play.

Tanivula said teams were using video analysis to formulate strategies and counter their opposition.

He said they had toned down their training in recent days but would look at playing a few warm up matches before kick-off on Friday.

"I'm happy with the physical aspects of the players," Tanivula said.

"There has been lot of improvement over the years. This year we have sort of stepped up. There was a lot of work done in November and December last year. The aerobic fitness is quite good. We have toned down training. When we arrive in Wellington we will have couple of gymnasium sessions. The players will work on speed. We will also look for a few games."

Fiji Team: Seremaia Burotu, Apisai Naiyabo, Watisoni Votu, Nemani Nagusa, Semesa Gonevou, Kelemedi Bola, Mitieli Nacagilevu, Emosi Vucago, Ilai Tinai, Peni Gaunimeke, Apisai Navuoro, Joeli Lutumailagi.

Photo Caption: Seremaia Burotu, right, goes in for a tackle during training at Melrose Park, Wellington, yesterday.
 

(Photo: Nguna-Pele Marine Protected Area)

VANUATU: Nguna-Pele land and sea cleanup campaign
Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

The Nguna Pele Marine and Land Protected area network is hosting a Land and Sea Cleanup Competition from February 16 to 18.

People from Nguna, Pele, Efate and surrounding islands are encouraged to get involved in the clean up competition. There are huge prizes to be won, including half tonne cement, solar lights, MP3 players, crow bars and rice.

Communities and individuals will be coming together to collect the invasive African Snail, which eats over 500 different varieties of plant crops; having a serious impact on local gardens and therefore food resources.

The campaign will also be collecting another one of Vanuatu’s pests; the Crown of Thorns starfish.

The Crown of Thorns starfish has the ability to have a devastating effect on local food resources, income generation, reef health and tourism.

The aim is to collect 10,000 Crown of Thorns and 10,000 African Snails.

Lunch will be provided in some villages on the Friday.

To find out more/register as an individual or group (of 3) contact the NP MPLA Chairman Tatupe Joeseph on 7752788, or Cathy on 7762776.

Photo Caption: Crown of Thorns starfish are voracious predators that can wipe out large areas of coral reef.
 

(Photo: International Institute for Sustainable Development)

WORLDWIDE: Renewed impetus sought for Economic Partnership Agreement with EU
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

The Pacific region’s top trade officials, experts and Ministers gather this week in Apia, Samoa, to deliberate on key issues surrounding negotiations with the European Union on a fair and comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

Today Pacific ACP (PACP) Trade Officials begin discussions which will form the basis for advice to Pacific ACP Trade Ministers, who meet later in the week.

“These are going to be very challenging meetings, and very important ones,” said the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade. “We are at a turning point where we must rally our efforts with renewed impetus, as one region, and as guided by our Leaders, to seek a truly mutually beneficial agreement with the European Union.”

With the exception of the Caribbean, which has signed a comprehensive EPA with the EU, ACP regions are facing difficulties in concluding negotiations across the board.

“There are many and varied reasons for these difficulties, including the inability to resolve outstanding contentious issues,” explained Mr Slade. “It is important to note, however, that many issues are common across all regions, and we must actively monitor EPA developments in other ACP regions, as any progress made elsewhere will affect our own negotiating positions.”

“Since Pacific ACP Trade Ministers last met in June 2009 in Apia, much of the region’s work has focused on technical preparations for negotiations,” added Mr Slade.

“With support from the European Union, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has been assisting Pacific ACP States to construct their market access offers. These offers will form the basis for the next round of negotiations.”

Trade officials and Ministers will also discuss regional trade issues related to engagement with the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Aid for Trade and developments under the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA).

The Pacific ACP Trade Ministers meeting begins in Apia this Thursday following the three-day meeting of Pacific ACP Officials.

Pacific ACP countries are a grouping of the Pacific Islands Forum’s island countries, encompassing the Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Solomon Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Republic of Marshall Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, that are members of the ACP Group.

Photo Caption: Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade.