NEWSPAGE 01 August
2011

(Photos: La Biennale)

NEW ZEALAND: NZ film 'The Orator' to premiere at Venice International Film Festival

(Photo: London Wasps)

SAMOA: Samoa’s Taulafo has big warning for Wales
Source: Western Mail

Samoan prop Sakaria Taulafo has warned Wales that the Pacific Islanders intend to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup in New Zealand.

Reigning world champions South Africa, Wales, Samoa, Fiji and Namiba are all in the tournament’s ‘Group of Death’.

Wales, who open their campaign against the Springboks, face the Samoans seven days later in Hamilton.

Wasps prop Taulafo was part of Samoa’s 32-23 victory over the Wallabies in Sydney two weeks ago which sent shock waves around the rugby world.

Taulafo, who will be coached by former Blues coach David Young next season, has warned Warren Gatland that Wales are in the sights of the tough-tackling Samoans.

“The win has caused a lot of excitement in Samoa,” said Taulafo. “People were reminded of our win over Wales in 1991. Samoans are again thinking, yes, we can do it.”

Wales, of course, have suffered two embarrassing World Cup defeats to Samoa back in 1991 and 1999.

Wales were also booted out by Fiji before the knockout stages in France 2007.

But Pool D, with South Africa out of sorts, Wales still having to play their warm-up games and with Samoa’s win over one of the favourites for the competition, appears to be wide open.

Taulafo, who received a hero’s welcome when he returned to Samoa with the rest of the team last week, has given an insight into the confidence and self-belief instilled in his teammates after the victory over Australia.

“Everyone is still so excited,” said Taulafo.

“I’m really happy to be part of something special, but it’s important to keep calm and not get too carried away.

“We’re focused on our goals - of making the World Cup quarter-finals and then try to go one further.”

Photo Caption: London Wasps prop Sakaria Taulafo in action.

AMERICAN SAMOA: Faleomavaega requests suggestions for proposed legislation
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega announced recently that he has requested the Governor and the Fono for suggestions on legislation he is considering. The proposed bill will amend the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA) to allow certain long time residents of American Samoa to apply for U.S. national status. The complete text of Faleomavaega’s letter to Governor Togiola, Speaker Savali and President Gaoteote, which was also copied to the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Senators and Representatives, is included below.

I am writing to inform you of legislation that I am considering to amend the United States Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The proposed legislation will redefine U.S. national to include certain residents of American Samoa. The goal is to provide U.S. national status to not only the residents of American Samoa for 20 or more years but also to students and persons who are married to U.S. nationals.

Under the current law, only those born in American Samoa or have a parent who was born in American Samoa are eligible to become U.S. nationals. This does not do justice to some 4000 long time residents that have been living continuously in American Samoa for 20 years or more, paid taxes to the American Samoa Government, donated to their churches, and contributed to American Samoa society in many ways. Yet, despite their contributions, they remain without the benefit of U.S. national status.

The bill I am considering is the legislative fix. It will grant U.S. national status to 3 categories of long time residents in American Samoa: 1) Any person who has continuously lived in American Samoa since the age of 5 years or under and has graduated from high school; 2) Any person who has been legally married to a U.S. national, and has continuously resided in American Samoa, for at least 10 years; and 3) Any person who has been physically and legally present in American Samoa for a continuous period of at least 20 years.


In addition, there are several other key provisions:

5-year cutoff period

There is a five year cutoff date, which will allow only people who resided in American Samoa 5 years prior to the enactment of the bill to qualify for U.S. national status. For example, if the bill is signed into law in 2011 only those who were residing in American Samoa prior to 2006 will qualify to become U.S. nationals. The purpose is to avoid an influx to American Samoa of people seeking to take advantage of the proposed bill.


Good moral character requirement

The good moral character requirement is to ensure that the person applying to become a U.S. national has not committed any serious crimes during their continuous residence in American Samoa. This is in accordance with the INA and it prevents against any convicted felons and of other serious crimes from gaining U.S. national status.


Lawfully admitted and continuous residency requirement

The policy is to provide U.S. national status only to those who have remained in American Samoa without interruption. Exceptions are provided in cases when the person must leave American Samoa because of health treatment or other health related issues. In addition, an exception is provided in the case when a person must leave American Samoa to attend school or for official travel to attend forums or seminars.


Construction provision

The construction provision is to ensure that nothing in the proposed bill will alter the authority of the American Samoa Government to control its own immigration laws and procedures.

I have enclosed a copy of the draft bill and will welcome any suggestion you might have on the matter. I have also provided a document with a section by section analysis of the provisions of the bill.

The Congressman concluded his letter by stating, “I thank you for your support and I look forward to working together on this legislation.”
 

(Photo: Cook Islands News)

COOK ISLANDS: Women the powerhouse of the nation
Source: Cook Islands Herald
 

Last Monday (July 25, 2011), the high level delegation from the Asia Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors was hosted by the President of the Cook Islands National Council of Women (CINCW), Vaine Wichman and leading members of affiliated women’s organizations and Non Government Organisations (NGOs) at CINCW headquarters in Takuvaine.

The ADB delegation comprised; Executive Directors Mr Yingming Yang,Maurin Sitorus and Chaiyuth Sudthitanakom, alternative Executive Directors Gaudencio Hernandez Jnr and Bounleua Sinxayvolavong and Maria Melei from the ADB office in Suva.

In her address to the guests, Wichman said;

“I believe that this visit to our council headquarters confirms the Bank’s interest to develop the channels of communication and support between us as we work to address the issues of widening gaps, social equity and justice, and poverty.”

“Our Council has been in existence since 1967. In 1981, the Cook Islands National Council of Women (CINCW) was formalized to move on from the work of our pioneering women and has been the main vehicle for representing women’s voices and concerns and finding ways to resolve them.”

“The 27 affiliate members of the Council span broad family, community, island, national and international development agendas and affiliations. Some of the President’s attending with me today represent organizations that deal with a wide range of social issues ranging from: health and welfare of child, mother and women’s health, youth and sexual reproductive health, mental health concerns, elderly care giving; representing and addressing the needs of the disabled, providing safe havens and pushing for stronger legislation and practices against those that hit their children and women; and progressing a more gender responsive and equal society.”

Wichman said the Council applauded the ADB Boards support for important investment areas in the country but respectfully asked that it also considered the investment from a woman’s perspective. The ADB Board responded to the National Women’s Council with full support for the rights of women to be heard in governance activities and that funds would also be given to support the work of the group. In the interest of social equity and eradicating poverty, in the Cook Islands case this means improving our people’s access to opportunities. A poverty of opportunity exists here for us women commented one Council member.

The CINCW believes that investing in large infrastructure programs and economic financial recovery packages must always be balanced with investment also in the “Cinderella” projects, such as women’s handicrafts and its integration into the Cook Islands tourism marketing sector and rejuvenating agriculture and livestock production for the Rarotonga market that allows incomes and investments in the Cook Islands. “These Cinderella projects cement the grace of our island culture and hospitality and the significance of our island living into the fabric of the Cook Islands national pride. We must undertake them hand in hand.” said Council President, Vaine Wichman.

“The Cook Islands National Women’s Councils philosophy is that women are the home life and powerhouse of the nation. To maintain this strong hold, we work to ensure their safety, and their access to services and opportunities.” said Wichman.

Photo Caption: President of the Cook Islands National Council of Women (CINCW), Vaine Wichman.

FIJI: UN Welcomes Vanuatu's accession to the UN Convention Against Corruption
Source: United Nations Development Programme Press Release
 

On 12 July 2011, Vanuatu acceded to the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), becoming the fourth Pacific island country to become a State party to this ground-breaking international treaty.

“The ratification of the UNCAC by Vanuatu’s Parliament in 2010 is indicative of the strong support within the wider community to address and tackle corruption in the country. The Convention will be invaluable in providing guidance to the Government and other key stakeholders in our efforts to do this,” said the Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s Minister for Justice.

UNCAC was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 31 October 2003. The Convention came into force on 14 December 2005, upon its thirtieth ratification. With Vanuatu’s accession, UNCAC has now been ratified by 155 States, including PNG, Fiji, Palau and now Vanuatu in the Pacific.

“UNDP wishes to commend the Vanuatu Government for its leadership in acceding to the UN Convention against Corruption. Supporting Pacific Island countries to promote accountability and integrity in their governments and in their communities is a priority for UNDP,” announced Mr Knut Ostby, UN Resident Coorodinator Resident Representative of the UNDP Multi-Country Office in Fiji.

UNCAC is the first international legal instrument of its kind and is a clear demonstration of global consensus on what State parties should do to prevent and combat corruption, to improve international cooperation in fighting corruption, and to recover assets. The Convention establishes a global framework that all countries can apply in order to strengthen their legal and regulatory regimes to fight corruption.

“Accession to the Convention though, is only the first step. In reality, the most important step is implementation - progressing the key reforms in Vanuatu that will ensure accountable, responsive and transparent leadership, by parliamentarians and officials themselves as well as the people of Vanuatu. UNCAC recognizes that mechanisms to prevent corruption need to be put in place, and that these need to be complemented by strong laws and enforcement processes that ensure that corrupt people are punished for their efforts to undermine Vanuatu’s good governance,” remarked Mr Ostby.

UNDP works with countries through the Pacific region, as well as the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, which is the Secretariat to UNCAC, and regional agencies and community based organisations to promote accountability and transparency and support local efforts to tackle corruption.
 

(Photo: New Zealand Defence Force)

TOKELAU: Exercise Tropic Twilight wraps up in Tokelau
Source: Radio New Zealand International

A New Zealand humanitarian aid disaster relief effort, dubbed Exercise Tropic Twilight, has just ended in Tokelau.

A team, made up of Defence Force personnel, Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management travelled to Tokelau on the HMNZS OTAGO.

They carried out medical and dental training, education on sanitation, as well as testing public drinking water sources and completing minor engineering projects.

A team also worked with Tokelau representatives to test the Tokelau Disaster Risk Reduction Plan.

The Senior National Officer for Tropic Twilight, Lieutenant Commander Simon Rooke, says they were also able to install warning sirens for locals.

Lieutenant Commander Rooke says the exercise was a huge success.

“All the three atolls we went on , the Tokelauans were extremely pleased to see us and overall I think the exercise went fantasically well and we’ve built some great relationships with the people of the Tokelaus as well.”

Photo Caption: Exercise Tropic Twilight: Locals on Fakaofo Atoll help NZ Army personnel unload building materials.