NEWSROOM 19 June
2009

(Photos: Department of Labour)

NEW ZEALAND: Samoan Quota/Pacific Access Category ballot day is next week

(Photo: S. Goldsmith and A. Balish, CDC/C)

SAMOA: Samoa reports its first confirmed case of influenza A(H1N1)
Source: World Health Organization Press Release via ReliefWeb

Samoa reported its first laboratory-confirmed case of influenza A(H1N1) in the reporting period to 18 June, as the combined total of infections in the Western Pacific Region neared 4000. No deaths from influenza A(H1N1) have been reported in the Western Pacific Region.

New cases were also reported in Australia, China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Viet Nam.

The Western Pacific Region has reported a total 3862 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1):

- 2118 in Australia
- 467 in China
- 666 in Japan
- 23 in Malaysia
- 127 in New Zealand
- 311 in the Philippines
- 73 in the Republic of Korea
- 1 in Samoa
- 49 in Singapore
- 27 in Viet Nam

Australia reported the highest daily increase in infections among Member States for this reporting period, detecting a further 153 cases to take its tally to 2118. The Australian government announced on 17 June that it had raised its pandemic alert level to a newly created phase called "Protect", which would guide that country's ongoing response to the virus. The new phase recognizes that influenza A(H1N1) is so far mild in most cases, severe in some and moderate overall. It places emphasis on treatment and care for patients suffering from severe symptoms.

Japan announced an additional 80 cases, and there are confirmed infections in 30 of that country's 47 prefectures. Of the total of cases in Japan, 147 have no known link to initial infections contracted either through travel to affected countries or close contact with travellers.

An additional 80 cases reported in China included a 25-year-old Chinese woman and a 38-year-old Chinese man with no recent history of overseas travel who caught a train from Chengdu to Guangzhou on 7 June. More than 10 cases were detected among passengers on that train.

Samoa's first infection was a 14-year-old female student who had returned from a school trip to Australia in 8 June. A further 64 cases were announced in the Philippines, all but two of them Filipino nationals. New Zealand had 18 new cases, while six were announced in the Republic of Korea, five in Malaysia, and two in Viet Nam.

Global influenza A(H1N1) case count

As of 18 June 2009, 88 countries officially had reported 39 785 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, with 164 deaths. Mexico has reported 6241 laboratory-confirmed human cases of infection, including 108 deaths. The United States of America has reported 17 855 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including 45 deaths. Canada has reported 4049 laboratory confirmed human cases, including four deaths. Chile has reported 2335 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including two deaths. United Kingdom has reported 1461 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including one death. Costa Rica has reported 149 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including one death. Guatemala has reported 128 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including one death. Dominican Republic has reported 93 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including one death. Colombia has reported 53 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including one death.

The following countries, territories and areas have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths: Argentina (733), Australia (2118), Austria (7), Bahamas (2), Bahrain (12), Barbados (3), Belgium (19), Bermuda UKOT (1), Bolivia (11), Brazil (79), British Virgin Islands UKOT (1), Bulgaria (2), Cayman Islands UKOT (4), China (467), Cuba (7), Cyprus (1), Czech Republic (4), Denmark (15), Dominica (1), Ecuador (86), Egypt (26), El Salvador (125), Estonia (4), Finland (12), France (118), France, French Polynesia, FOC (1), France, Martinique, FOC (1), Germany (195), Greece (23), Honduras (100), Hungary (4), Iceland (4), India (30), Ireland (12), Israel (152), Italy (72), Jamaica (12), Japan (666), Jordan (2), Kuwait (18), Lebanon (11), Luxembourg (2), Malaysia (23), Morocco (3), Netherlands (68), Netherlands, Curacao, OT (1), New Zealand (127), Nicaragua (118), Norway (13), Panama (272), Paraguay (25), Peru (112), Philippines (311), Poland (7), Portugal (3), Qatar (3), Republic of Korea (73), Romania (16), Russia (3), Samoa (1), Saudi Arabia (17), Singapore (49), Slovakia (3), Spain (499), Sri Lanka (1) Sweden (37), Switzerland (27), Thailand (310), Trinidad and Tobago (5), Turkey (16), Ukraine (1), United Arab Emirates (1), United Kingdom, Isle of Man, Crown Dependency (1), United Kingdom, Jersey, Crown Dependency (1), Uruguay (36), Venezuela (45), Viet Nam (27), and West Bank and Gaza Strip (2), and Yemen (1).

Photo Caption: This colourised negative stained transmission electron micrograph (TEM) depicts some of the ultrastructural morphology of the A/CA/4/09 swine flu virus.
 

(Photo: Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Ltd)

AUSTRALIA: Australia, NZ want UN to stop using Fiji troops
Source: Taiwan News

Australia and New Zealand on Thursday renewed demands that the United Nations stop using Fiji troops for peacekeeping duties, more than two years after a military coup in the South Pacific nation.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, speaking after meeting with New Zealand counterpart Murray McCully, said the demands to the U.N. "are ongoing" by both countries.

The countries say the United Nations should not help fund the Fiji military, which seized power in late 2006.

Fiji has up to 2,000 troops on peacekeeping duties with U.N. security forces around the world, including in Iraq, Lebanon and East Timor.

McCully said the U.N.'s use of Fiji troops was "particularly unhelpful" to the international community, given former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's warning to Fiji in 2006 that its peacekeepers would be "sent home" if the coup proceeded.

Fiji's military regime "has gained comfort and considerable amounts of cash from those ongoing peacekeeping activities," McCully said.

There was no immediate comment from Fiji.

But in May, regime spokesman Maj. Neumi Leweni said Fiji's soldiers would continue with U.N. peacekeeping duties, because the U.N. hadn't stopped peacekeeping participation by countries like Pakistan and Zimbabwe.

Leweni spoke shortly after the military consolidated its hold on power in the country of 800,000 people by overthrowing the Constitution, firing the nation's judges and imposing tough media controls.

Photo Caption: Government spokesperson Major Neumi Leweni.
 

USA: American Samoa eligible for $44 million from the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega has announced that American Samoa is eligible for $44,618,528 million under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), a one-time new program that was appropriated for in the American Recovery Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Based on information received from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE), applications are now available and the Territories have until August 1, 2009 to submit requests for these funds.

Under the ARRA, Congress appropriated $53.6 billion over FY2009 and FY2010, 0.5-percent of which to be allocated to the U.S. Territories, for a State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. Over the two year period, the Territories would receive a total of $268 million. The law also provided that distribution of the funds for the Territories would be based on the discretion of the Secretary of the USDOE in consultation with the Secretary of Interior.

“I want to thank Secretary Duncan of the Department of Education and Secretary Salazar of the Department of Interior for recognizing the unique challenges and needs facing educational systems in the Territories,” Faleomavaega said. “I also want to thank Congresswoman Bordallo, Congresswoman Christensen, and Congressman Sablan for their support and effort to ensure the Territories are included in the Stabilization program.”

After several meetings with DOI officials, and including also input from the representatives of the Territories, the USDOE has decided to use the same statutory funding formula for the States to distribute funding to the Territories. Under this distribution mechanism, funds are allocated using two population measures:

1) 61-percent of each Territory’s grant would be based on the respective Territory’s relative population of individuals ages 5-24, and
2) 39-percent would be based on the Territory’s relative total population.

The final breakdown is as follows:

American Samoa $44,618,528
CNMI $44,433,595
Guam $107,983,137
Virgin Islands $70,964,740

The funding will enable the Territories, in consultation with U.S. Department of Education to accomplish the following goals:

1) Improvement of teacher effectiveness in public elementary and secondary schools;
2) establish longitudinal data system;
3) improvement in academic standards and evaluation;
4) modernization and renovation of public school facilities;
5) improvement of technology infrastructure used for classroom instructions; and
6) establish a credible financial management system.

“Improvement of our educational system is vital to the future of our Territory and subsequently the United States. This is also in line with the general theme of the Stimulus package and President Obama’s strategic goals for development,” Faleomavaega concluded.
 

(Photo: Vanuatu Daily Post)

VANUATU: Shefa Province launches own transport association
Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

Shefa Land Transport Association President Mark Bethel has confirmed that Shefa Province has launched its first ever official land transport association.

Mr Bethel informed the DP of the intention of the new Association saying the official launching was to coincide with the commemoration of SHEFA day at Mele village in two weeks time.

The outspoken man from Efate Island said that SLTA now has been registered as a charitable association, with a Constitution that will not only attract more members but will also be able to safeguard the interests of its members and the Province.

He said the Constitution has been formalised, the logo and membership forms are now available at the Shefa Province for members to join.

Mr Bethel said that the membership fee stands at Vt2000, the sticker logo to confirm membership is Vt500.

“Our Constitution is at a price of 500 vatu and is compulsory toke for all members,” Mr Bethel confirmed.

Mr Bethel said that a key feature in the SLTA Constitution is that it aims to enforce all laws that are linked with the transport industry.

“We have incorporated our association to ensure that it maintains and enforces the Land Transport Act, The Traffic Act, the Shipping Act, the VIPA Act, the Local Government Act and the Municipal Act,” he said.

He said members wanting to join the Association are obliged to apply to join and not just join as ordinary members.

“We believe that this will be the Association’s way of ensuring that the Association generates it’s own income to address issues affecting the interests of its members,” Mr Bethel said.

The President for SHEFA Land Transport Association will for the first term in office share his expertise and experiences with his Vice President Silas Vatoko, Secretary Max Aru, Treasurer Toroy Sokomanu and his Vice Treasurer Roy Pakoa. Two members also included in the new executive are Seule Tong and Edwin Malas.

Photo Caption: SLTA President Mark Bethel is on a mission to bring the new association to the highest level.
 

(Photo: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat)

WORLDWIDE: Ministerial Statement from Forum Trade Ministers' meeting

Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

Ministers recognised the importance of deepening regional trade integration as a means to create jobs, enhance private sector growth, raise standards of living and advance the region’s sustainable economic development.

Ministers affirm that PACER-Plus provides the Pacific region with a significant opportunity to develop a truly innovative trade and economic agreement that takes account of the different stages of development of each nation.

Ministers stress the importance of progressing PACER- Plus as a means to underpin the economic security of the region through capacity building and market liberalization. Ministers reflected their intention to bolster the capacity of all Forum Island Countries to take advantage of trade opportunities to help their economies grow, and become more resilient to shocks such as the current global economic crisis.

Forum Island Country (FIC) Ministers welcomed and expressed gratitude to Australia and New Zealand for their stated funding contribution for the establishment of the Office of Chief Trade Adviser (OCTA).

Reflecting the strong engagement at Ministerial and Officials levels over the past 12 months, Ministers recommend to our Leaders that PACER- Plus negotiations commence after the conclusion of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Cairns in August 2009. This decision responds to the direction given by Leaders at Niue in 2008 to agree at the 2009 Forum to the commencement of negotiations.

In particular, Ministers have agreed to the following decisions:

1. recommend to Leaders that PACER-Plus negotiations commence after the conclusion of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Cairns in August 2009;

2. the Office of an independent OCTA be established forthwith;

3. the OCTA be established initially as a special unit of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) prior to the establishment of the permanent office in Vanuatu;

4. the Secretary General be requested to proceed immediately to advertise for a suitable candidate as Chief Trade Adviser (CTA), noting that the CTA would be responsible for recruiting necessary staff for the OCTA;

5. further and future funding for OCTA building on the Australian and New Zealand contributions be also sought from other donors;

6. a Board of Governors comprising the FICs Lead Spokesperson on PACER-Plus matters as Chairman together with the two Alternate Lead Spokespersons being the Ministerial representatives and four Senior Officials to be selected from the remaining FICs in rotation, the first four to be chosen from Vanuatu, Nauru, Palau and Samoa to be responsible for the affairs, work programme and budget of the OCTA;

7. the CTA as required by FICs shall participate in the PACER-Plus negotiations;

8. Forum Trade Ministers should meet as soon as practicable following the meeting of the Forum Leaders in August 2009 to develop a framework for the PACER-Plus negotiations. This meeting is to take place in the Federated States of Micronesia not later than November 2009. The framework would include:

a) issues of timelines (whether 2, 3 or 5 years) within which the negotiations are to be completed;
b) the identification of issues relating to PACER-Plus arrangements common to all Forum countries; and
c) issues in respect of which the CTA could negotiate, including common issues.

9. annual review of the progress of the PACER-Plus negotiations and the arrangements for the OCTA.