13 May 2012
Human Rights Council Appoints Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment
The session convened in Geneva, Switzerland, from 27 February - 23 March 2012. The adopted resolutions and decisions focused on, inter alia: issues relating to Special Rapporteurs on various human rights obligations; human rights and the environment; and human rights and terrorism.
Former Cook Islands Prime Minister joins the ancestors
Radio New Zealand International
At 71, Sir Geoffrey passes away at his home on Rarotonga
Sir Geoffrey died at his home in Rarotonga surrounded by family members and close friends. He was 71.
Sir Geoffrey, a former prime minister, had been battling cancer and had been a patient at the Rarotonga Hospital until Saturday when he was discharged home.
Plans are being finalized for a state funeral for Sir Geoffrey, whose final resting place will be next to his home in Takuvaine.
Sir Geoffrey, who was born in Aitutaki in 1940 and is from a family of 16, married Louisa Hoff in 1965 and they had six children.
He entered the country’s political scene in 1965 at the age of 24 - the youngest member of the Cook Islands Legislative Assembly - as an independent member for Aitutaki, and was the leader of the Cook Islands Party from the early 1980s until his retirement from politics in 2006.
Sir Geoffrey served as the country’s prime minister for a brief period in 1983, and was again prime minister for a decade from 1989 to 1999.
He became a Knight Commander of the British Empire in 1992, and in February last year became the Speaker of Parliament.
11 May 2012
De la décolonisation de la Kanaky à la souveraineté Ma’ohi
Communiqué du Tävini Huira’atira
Dans son projet pour l’outre mer, le candidat préféré des Français s’est bien plus longuement arrêté sur la situation de la Kanaky que sur celle de la Polynésie française. Pourtant le PS a signé une convention de partenariat et de soutien avec le Tavini Huiraatira, ce qui n’est pas le cas de nos voisins francophones du Pacifique. Il est important de s’y arrêter pour une bonne information des électeurs Polynésiens.La Kanaky, ou Nouvelle Calédonie, revient de loin en effet. Là bas, le racisme avait cours, le mépris des autochtones s’affichait sans complexe. Dans les années 60, l’Etat RPR avait favorisé une campagne d’immigration blanche, des Français incités à se lancer dans une aventure pleine de promesses avec notamment la richesse du nickel qui poussait l’économie du pays.
Chez eux, les Kanaks restaient des exclus, même lorsqu’ils rentraient de métropole avec des diplômes et cela ne pouvait pas durer. Vols de bétails, incendies de petits établissements touristiques appartenant aux colons comme aux nouveaux arrivants se sont multipliés.
La situation s’est rapidement dégradée avec morts d’hommes par armes à feu. Le pays était entrain de basculer dans une guerre civile de caractère raciste. La gauche au pouvoir a réussi à faire taire les armes et ouvrir le dialogue. Les leaders Jacques Lafleur et Jean Marie Tjibaou ont fait la paix et le Parti Socialiste a lancé les accords de Matignon puis ceux de Nouméa. En une vingtaine d’années ces accords ont permis à la population kanak de rattraper ses retards et de gérer ses affaires. Le super complexe industriel du nickel de la Province Nord géré par les responsables kanaks en partenariat avec un géant canadien est l’un des plus spectaculaires résultats. Cette réussite est celle des Kanaks et des Calédoniens grâce au PS.
C’est cette voie que veut ouvrir le Tavini Huiraatira à travers sa réinscription sur la liste des pays à dé-coloniser. Le suivi par l’ONU des accords de développement sur 15 ans voulus par la Polynésie française et validés par l’Etat est une garantie du bon déroulement du processus quelque soit le président de la République.
La Polynésie française a l’occasion d’offrir à la France une décolonisation réussie, dans la paix et un partenaire loyal dans la région Pacifique, car indépendance ne signifie pas rupture, mais nouveau partenariat dans la dignité. Voilà le vœu le plus cher que le Tavini Huiraatira souhaite voir s’accomplir. Il est à notre portée et n’exclut personne.
10 May 2012
Chamorro Patriotism and Perceptions of American Colonialism
Kopbla Amerika #2: Chamorro Patriotism
One issue that every young Chamorro activist has to deal with, is the same issue that so many on Guam struggle with; their relationship to the United States.
Guam's relationship to the US in general is ambiguous, it may be considered very American one moment, but then barely American the next. People from their may be the epitome of Americanness one moment, and then foreigners the next.
This is not really an issue of active racism, but just a result of the basic relationship between a territory and its colonizer. Such is the nature of all fundamentally unequal power relationships.
When one is supposed to be over another, there is a wide gray area where both benevolence and tyranny and be found. If we recall the era of slavery in the US for example, you could treat your slaves like garbage or you could treat them like members of your family. Either way was allowed.
There was no rule that said you have to be especially cruel or that you have to torture or maim them, but there was also no rule that said you have to be very nice and polite to them and consult them about anything dealing with them.
Such is the nature of any relationship where one is supposed to be over another. Being nice doesn't change the relationship and neither does being mean. Both of them are possible reactions, and so many times people on Guam make the easy mistake of assuming that because the US is nice to Guam, that means the island can't be a colony.
Read the full article here.
PRIMERAS JORNADAS EN HONOR A DON RAMÓN EMETERIO BETANCES
Ateneo Puertorriqueño
Comunicado de Prensa
ATENEO PUERTORRIQUEÑO
ANUNCIA SUS PRIMERAS JORNADAS EN HONOR A
DON RAMÓN EMETERIO BETANCES
El Ateneo Puertorriqueño, se honra en invitarle a formar parte de las Jornadas en honor a Don Ramón Emeterio Betances.
El Ateneo Puertorriqueño, es la institución cultural más antigua en Puerto Rico y funge como centro de manifestación cultural e identidad puertorriqueña desde su fundación en 1876. Este propósito no ha variado un ápice, y el mismo se enriquece con el servicio y actividades educativas y culturales que realiza. Desde entonces, el trabajo en favor del Arte y la Literatura se destaca por sobre todas las demás actividades, convirtiendo así a la institución, en la más comprometida sociedad defensora de nuestros valores.
En esta ocasión, nos hemos dado a la tarea de reconocer al Padre de la Identidad Nacional, Don Ramón Emeterio Betances, celebrando así su gran regreso, luego de su último destierro. Nuestro interés es destacar la labor literaria, cultural de esta figura. Con estos fines, se celebran las Jornadas en honor al insigne patriota, en las cuales se representaran piezas teatrales, congresos, foros y grupos de discusión. Como complemento, tendremos la exposición sobre su vida y obra, la producción de los audiolibros de su obra literaria, un documental y develando, como actividad cumbre, la escultura del Dr. Betances, diseñada y esculpida por José Caraveda. Diversas actividades con el propósito de fomentar el conocimiento y conciencia en la comunidad sobre sus logros.
Como parte de la celebración, hemos confeccionado una cantidad limitada de réplicas de la escultura. -siete, sólo quedan tres- Las mismas, de bronce, tienen un tamaño aproximado de dos pies de alto. Sus detalles en el rostro, así como en la pieza en general son un trabajo de alto calibre que merece obtenerse.
Con la venta de dichas estatuas se podrán subvencionar las gastos de dichas Jornadas. Su aportación es muy importante para su ejecución, además de ser una pieza conmemorativa y exclusiva de dichas actividades y réplica de un valuarte del Ateneo Puertorriqueño.
Su colaboración es importante para el desarrollo educativo y cultural del país.
Para más información puede comunicarse con nosotros al 787-721-3877.
09 May 2012
Alfonso Arthur Schomburg: El Bibliófilo
Claridad
El Periódico de la Nación Puertorriqueña
http://www.claridadpuertorico.com
Por: Ada Myriam Felicié Soto
Ada Myriam Felicié Soto/Especial para En Rojo
“Pride of race is the antidote to prejudice."
Alfonso Arthur Schomburg: El Bibliófilo
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Una de las vergüenzas nacionales de este convulso país es el desconocimiento que se tiene de uno de los puertorriqueños más insignes: Alfonso Arthur Schomburg, quien nació el 10 de enero de 1874 en Cangrejos (Santurce). Pocos en nuestro país saben que esta puertorriqueño es reconocido en Estados Unidos como el Padre de la Historia Negra. Al parecer, quienes desarrollan el currículo escolar tuvieron un ups: olvidaron incluir a Schomburg. No hay que ser muy
suspicaz para intuir que ese olvido esté asociado con el color de su piel y a su ideal independentista.
Afortunadamente, personas como Bernardo Vega, Flor Piñero, Victoria Ortiz, el Lcdo. Ebenecer López Ruyol, Víctor López (Taller Cultural Afroantillano), Sandra Andino, entre otros, han realizado esfuerzos para destacar la aportación de Schomburg. El Concilio Puertorriqueño contra el Racismo, el Museo de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, el Ateneo Puertorriqueño y la Fundación Puertorriqueña para las Humanidades también han contribuido a dar a conocer en Puerto Rico el legado de Schomburg.
Cabe destacar que Jesús Omar Díaz, “El Boricuazo”, ha aportado más al conocimiento de Schomburg en nuestro país que las instituciones responsables, por mandato constitucional, de educar a nuestro pueblo.
A fin de conocer más de la vida fascinante de este hombre, un buen día tomé un avión, un taxi y el metro y, haciéndole honor a mi profesión bibliotecaria y sufriendo el frío de enero, me fui en busca de fuentes primarias al Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, ubicado en pleno corazón del Harlem Negro. No tenía otra opción ante mi indignación por el olvido y desdén de que ha sido objeto este puertorriqueño negro, que vivió una vida con un propósito: evidenciar los logros de la raza negra y su aportación a la humanidad.
Allí descubrí que en la vida de Schomburg ocurrieron tres incidentes claves que, a mi juicio, jugaron un papel determinante en su pasión por los libros y en su valoración de la importancia de la documentación. En su adolescencia, un maestro le dijo que los negros no tenían historia. Esto lo retó a descubrir y documentar la historia de sus antepasados africanos. Cuando se interesó por estudiar Derecho no le fue posible presentar las credenciales escolares oficiales porque las mismas se habían perdido tras un incendio. Por otro lado, pese a su significativa aportación al quehacer humanista, Schomburg percibió una actitud de desprecio por parte de la comunidad intelectual negra, a raíz de su origen humilde y carencia de educación formal.
Schomburg convirtió su crisis en oportunidad. Lejos de lamentarse y sucumbir a la tentación de la tristeza y el encono, desató su energía fundamentando y documentando el legado de la raza negra, dotando así a las generaciones venideras del conocimiento respecto a los logros y la aportación del negro a la cultura. Interesante por demás; quien no tuvo estudios formales ni fue admitido a una universidad, dio al mundo una verdadera lección magistral: su visión de la historia como herramienta para combatir la desigualdad racial y construir un futuro digno.
The American Negro must remake his past in order to make his future… History must restore what slavery took away., sentenció Arthur Alfonso Schomburg. Existe una dimensión del legado de Schomburg: la Bibliofilia, que es la afición apasionada por los libros, especialmente por los raros y curiosos. El gusto por coleccionar, investigar y hacer bellos libros se inicia en la Antigüedad.
Desde el siglo XIII, el amor por los libros tuvo sus máximos exponentes en San Luis, Rey de Francia y en el monarca castellano Alfonso X. Desde el Renacimiento, la bibliofilia cobra especial interés por parte de los príncipes, los grandes señores y los humanistas, quienes recorrerán o enviarán emisarios por toda Europa en busca de códices y, posteriormente, de los primeros libros impresos (incunables).
Desde la Edad Moderna hasta nuestros días, la belleza, el interés de su contenido o la rareza de algunos ejemplares han llevado a los amantes del libro a la búsqueda y recuperación de ejemplares únicos o raros, rescatándolos así para la posteridad. Eso fue exactamente lo que convirtió a Schomburg en un bibliófilo, que es la persona aficionada a las ediciones originales, raras y curiosas de libros.
Schomburg convirtió su crisis en oportunidad. Lejos de lamentarse y sucumbir a la tentación de la tristeza y el encono, desató su energía fundamentando y documentando el legado de la raza negra, dotando así a las generaciones venideras del conocimiento respecto a los logros y la aportación del negro a la cultura. Interesante por demás; quien no tuvo estudios formales ni fue admitido a una universidad, dio al mundo una verdadera lección magistral: su visión de la historia como herramienta para combatir la desigualdad racial y construir un futuro digno.
The American Negro must remake his past in order to make his future… History must restore what slavery took away., sentenció Arthur Alfonso Schomburg. Existe una dimensión del legado de Schomburg: la Bibliofilia, que es la afición apasionada por los libros, especialmente por los raros y curiosos. El gusto por coleccionar, investigar y hacer bellos libros se inicia en la Antigüedad.
Desde el siglo XIII, el amor por los libros tuvo sus máximos exponentes en San Luis, Rey de Francia y en el monarca castellano Alfonso X. Desde el Renacimiento, la bibliofilia cobra especial interés por parte de los príncipes, los grandes señores y los humanistas, quienes recorrerán o enviarán emisarios por toda Europa en busca de códices y, posteriormente, de los primeros libros impresos (incunables).
Desde la Edad Moderna hasta nuestros días, la belleza, el interés de su contenido o la rareza de algunos ejemplares han llevado a los amantes del libro a la búsqueda y recuperación de ejemplares únicos o raros, rescatándolos así para la posteridad. Eso fue exactamente lo que convirtió a Schomburg en un bibliófilo, que es la persona aficionada a las ediciones originales, raras y curiosas de libros.
Como bibliófilo, Schomburg tenía su propio Ex Libris (frase en latín que significa de los libros de), que usualmente se imprimía en una placa para evidenciar la procedencia de un libro. La imagen del Ex Libris de Schomburg era un esclavo negro. La afición por los libros de este puertorriqueño ilustre fue evidente desde su niñez. Entre sus libros favoritos figuraban Robinson Crusoe y Los tres mosqueteros. Su héroe fue el libertador haitiano Toussaint L’Ouverture y su gran inspiración fue el patriota y maestro puertorriqueño Rafael Cordero. Sus lecturas inspiradoras fueron las obras de los abolicionistas José Julián Acosta y Salvador Brau.
Schomburg llega a New York el 17 de abril de 1891 y comparte hospedaje y actividades políticas con Flor Baerga, un coleccionista aficionado de libros que había recopilado muchos documentos de emigrantes cubanos y puertorriqueños en New York. Conoció a José Martí, quien fue otra figura que le inspiró y cuya obra literaria disfrutaba. En un viaje a Nueva Orleáns en 1892 se conmueve profundamente al visitar las comunidades negras y escuchar las canciones religiosas. Se identifica con los afroamericanos.
En 1892 se convierte en masón y se hace parte de la Logia El Sol de Cuba. A raíz de su dominio del español, inglés y el francés, fue nombrado Presidente del Comité de Relaciones Extranjeras y traduce documentos masónicos al español. Organizó y preservó los archivos de la Logia y estableció muchos contactos que le facilitaron su misión de preservar y documentar la historia negra.
Con sus escasos ingresos como supervisor de la Sección de Correspondencia del Banker’s Trust, Schomburg acopió una gran colección de libros, documentos valiosos y artefactos en su casa. Era visitado por los estudiantes e intelectuales que investigaban la historia negra. Participaba activamente en todos los eventos sociales, culturales y políticos asociados con la comunidad negra. Contribuyó a desarrollar
orgullo por la raza negra, proveyendo recursos bibliográficos, orientación e interpretación de los logros de la humanidad negra. Publicó una gran cantidad de artículos en torno a la aportación del negro. Prestaba sus libros y permitía que las personas visitaran su hogar para realizar sus investigaciones.
¿Cómo desarrolló Schomburg su colección de libros y documentos? Le pedía a sus amigos que viajaban que adquirieran libros y documentos. Viajaba para buscar materiales para documentar sus investigaciones. Realizaba bibliografías sobre literatura afroamericana. Mantenía correspondencia con personas de todo el mundo.
¿Cómo desarrolló Schomburg su colección de libros y documentos? Le pedía a sus amigos que viajaban que adquirieran libros y documentos. Viajaba para buscar materiales para documentar sus investigaciones. Realizaba bibliografías sobre literatura afroamericana. Mantenía correspondencia con personas de todo el mundo.
Compraba libros raros en París, Londres, La Habana, Madrid, Hamburgo y Estados Unidos. Hacía colectas entre sus amigos y conocidos para adquirir obras valiosas. Su activa participación en la Sociedad Negra para la Investigación Histórica le permitió establecer contactos para fortalecer su colección, la cual ya para el 1925 contaba con más de 3,000 volúmenes, 1,100 folletos, estampas, manuscritos, conferencias, invitaciones a actividades sociales, cívicas y religiosas, programas de teatro, anuncios de conciertos, estampas, folletos, etc.
Era consultado por intelectuales, historiadores, escritores, y artistas negros. Mantenía correspondencia e intercambiaba documentos con importantes líderes negros, coleccionistas de libros, vendedores de antigüedades, bibliófilos, escritores e historiadores de muchas partes del mundo. Era un gran negociador, pues tenía un sentido muy agudo para identificar documentos valiosos.
Schomburg establece el fundamento intelectual para el movimiento denominado El Renacimiento de Harlem o el Renacimiento Negro, en el cual Harlem se convirtió en el centro cultural del negro. Durante ese período se fortaleció su lucha por el reconocimiento de la historia y herencia negra. La New York Public Library en Harlem era el centro de acción de Schomburg, quien donó parte de sus libros cuando su esposa le dijo que se iban los libros de la casa o se iba ella… Organizó la División de Literatura, Historia y Estampas del Negro. En 1926 la Carnegie Foundation dona $10,000 para comprar su valiosa colección para la New York Public Library. Con esa suma de dinero, Schomburg viaja a Europa y a Cuba para adquirir más recursos bibliográficos para la Biblioteca. En 1932 lo nombran conservador de la Sala de Investigación del Schomburg Center.
Era consultado por intelectuales, historiadores, escritores, y artistas negros. Mantenía correspondencia e intercambiaba documentos con importantes líderes negros, coleccionistas de libros, vendedores de antigüedades, bibliófilos, escritores e historiadores de muchas partes del mundo. Era un gran negociador, pues tenía un sentido muy agudo para identificar documentos valiosos.
Schomburg establece el fundamento intelectual para el movimiento denominado El Renacimiento de Harlem o el Renacimiento Negro, en el cual Harlem se convirtió en el centro cultural del negro. Durante ese período se fortaleció su lucha por el reconocimiento de la historia y herencia negra. La New York Public Library en Harlem era el centro de acción de Schomburg, quien donó parte de sus libros cuando su esposa le dijo que se iban los libros de la casa o se iba ella… Organizó la División de Literatura, Historia y Estampas del Negro. En 1926 la Carnegie Foundation dona $10,000 para comprar su valiosa colección para la New York Public Library. Con esa suma de dinero, Schomburg viaja a Europa y a Cuba para adquirir más recursos bibliográficos para la Biblioteca. En 1932 lo nombran conservador de la Sala de Investigación del Schomburg Center.
Mantuvo su pasión por la bibliofilia hasta su muerte, acaecida el 10 de junio de 1938, a los 64 años como consecuencia de las complicaciones de una infección dental. Puerto Rico y la clase profesional bibliotecaria con Alfonso Schomburg, quien puso en alto, como pocos, el nombre de nuestro país y realizó una aportación extraordinaria a la biblioteca pública más reconocida del mundo. Nunca es tarde para reinvindicarnos y rescatar del olvido a este insigne afro-borinqueño, como a veces él se hacía llamar. Prometemos seguir trabajando en ello. Muy pronto el mundo será testigo del nacimiento de una obra sublime, valiosa y digna que honrará la memoria de este humanista puertorriqueño.
Sugerencia: La próxima vez que dé un viajecito a Nueva York, además de visitar el Rockefeller Center, la Estatua de la Libertad y el Parque Central, dese una vueltecita por la 135 y Lenox. Tan pronto se baje de la estación del tren, verá de frente la New York Public Library, un edificio de ladrillos con un rótulo que lee: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Tengo la certeza de que su corazón va a latir aceleradamente y va a sentir un profundo orgullo que le hará exclamar:
“Ése es boricua, pa’ que tú lo sepas!
La doctora nos anuncia una 2da parte de este trabajo.
La autora es doctora en bibliotecología y trabaja en el Sistema de Bibliotecas de la Universidad de Puerto Rico en Río Piedras.
“Ése es boricua, pa’ que tú lo sepas!
La doctora nos anuncia una 2da parte de este trabajo.
La autora es doctora en bibliotecología y trabaja en el Sistema de Bibliotecas de la Universidad de Puerto Rico en Río Piedras.
06 May 2012
University of Guam, Scripps Institution of Oceanography sign agreement
UOG President Dr. Robert Underwood and Dr. Doug Bartlett, deep sea microbiologist and deputy director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, signed the MOU yesterday afternoon in the President’s Conference Room at the UOG campus.
Also present during the signing was Dr. Helen Whippy, UOG senior vice president for Academic and Student Affairs, and Scripps engineer Kevin Hardy, designer of the unmanned lander vehicles used in the Challenger Deep expedition.
Both Barlett and Hardy were part of the Challenger Deep science team that accompanied acclaimed filmmaker James Cameron on his recent expedition to the Mariana Trench.
As outlined in the MOU, the two institutions will cooperate to further the development of basic scientific and applied research with goals of advancing research in ocean science, gaining a more fundamental understanding of the oceans, and benefiting society at large.
Exchange
At the core of the MOU is the exchange of academic and scientific knowledge, UOG indicated in a press release. That entails the exchanging of researchers, scientists, faculty members and graduate students; scientific information in fields of mutual interest; exchanging scholars for lectures, talks, conferences, colloquia, symposia and sharing of experiences; implementing cooperative research programs; and making facilities and equipment (including research vessels) of one party available to researchers from the other party, among a number of activities.
“The value of any MOU of this kind depends on more than just the goodwill, but the active involvement of both parties to look for opportunities in the future,” said Barlett, highlighting some ideas that went beyond the research into the Deepsea Challenge expedition.
Barlett expressed his optimism that the partnership would provide productive interactions in the form of proposals, funded grants, and exchanges involving research and student education.
“It’d be wonderful to have some students from Guam taking some of our classes and some of our students coming here,” he added.
04 May 2012
Anguilla Chief Ministers speaks on sustainable development
CM's Speech notes at Anguilla Renewable Energy Integration Stakeholder Workshop
Speech by Anguilla's Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism,
Mr. Hubert Hughes
Firstly, let me extend a warm welcome, once again, to our visitors Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), the sponsor of this project and CASTALIA Strategic Advisors, the contracted consultant , , who have come, on their second visit now, to assist us in this very important endeavour.
I also acknowledge the important roles that the Anguilla Renewable Energy Office, ANGLEC, the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Ministry of Infrastructure and other stakeholders are all playing to make this project a success. I give particular mention to HMG, who, through DFID, is providing funding for this project.
As Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism I have a vested interest in electricity not only in this project but in the entire electricity sector of Anguilla as a whole. Thus, it is with esteemed pleasure that I address you this morning on such an important and topical subject as Renewable Energy (RE).
The woes caused by the world’s financial and economic downturn coupled with the extremely high prices we have to pay for electricity in Anguilla have dealt a crippling blow to both our commercial and residential consumers alike. The situation has now reached untenable proportions and may be even described as approaching crisis levels when we consider the amount of businesses that are closing and households that are off the grid because they cannot afford to meet their obligations including paying their electricity bills.
My Government hear the cry of the people and is responding to that cry. We are pushing ahead as fast and as responsible as we can with this project which will put in place the legislative and regulatory framework to allow the integration of RE into our energy system, both at the utility and distributed levels.
This should bring relief on two fronts as the utility would now be able to freely procure renewable energy plant and thus we should see a reduction in electricity prices as they switch to RE; and on the other hand, the small house-holder would now be able to procure RE plant and feed into the grid thus allowing him/her to reduce his/her electricity bill and at the same time sell excess generation back to Anglec.
This will only be the beginning. It is a deliberate top priority policy decision of my Government to develop RE, as fast as we can, so as to provide further relief to electricity consumers in Anguilla. At present my Government is working on other initiatives whereby we are seeking Technical Assistance from the United Kingdom for the reform of the entire energy sector in Anguilla.
At the same time we are also encouraging Anglec to forge ahead with the procurement of renewable energy plant, perhaps a 2 or 3 MW plant in the first instance and continued RE procurement thereafter.
Some of these initiatives will begin to bear fruit in the immediate term and as we put more initiatives in place we will see further benefits being realized by the use of renewables in Anguilla and hence a corresponding reduction in the cost of electricity; which the Minister for Energy will speak to in greater detail. Let me hasten to add that we must temper our expectations because, like everything else, these initiatives do take time to implement.
A policy priority of Government during this project is Improving Environmental Sustainability. This will seek to protect the local environment and this is vital since the environment is essential to our bread basket, the tourism industry, and thus the economy of Anguilla. As Minister with responsibility for Tourism this is of particular interest to me.
Anguilla’s impact on the global environment by its emission of greenhouse gases through the use of fossil fuel is minimal. However, it will suffer disproportionally more than large emitters from the effects of climate change since it is a small, low lying island, in the Caribbean. It can become exposed to increased intensity and frequency of hurricanes due to increase climate variability. It would be more equitable for the largest polluters to pay to mitigate global greenhouse gas emissions, and help the developing countries become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
RE Integration can help reduce both local and global environmental impacts by lowering greenhouse emissions. However, there is a trade-off to make regarding how much RE to integrate to protect the environment, and the costs of integration. Investing in economically viable RE technologies can both mitigate impacts and lower costs. Once all of the viable RE investments have been made, achieving larger reductions in emissions will require the integration of additional RE projects that are more expensive at this time than conventional generation. This would lead to increased electricity costs that would be passed on to the end consumer in the form of higher electricity prices. Thus, for global environmental sustainability, Anguilla’s objective will be to pursue greenhouse gas abatement options as long as they are least cost, that is, they reduce the cost of electricity to the country as a whole.
This then becomes the threshold at which Anguilla will have to leverage the larger countries and foundations for help with climate change mitigation.
Once again I extend a warm welcome to all and look forward to a very successful Renewable Energy Stakeholder Workshop.
01 May 2012
Economic inequality of U.S. dependencies evident as federal health care funding opposed in U.S. Congressional committee
"The impending decrease in funding is indicative of the political and economic deficiencies inherent in the U.S. territorial status where American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands do not have the same political or economic rights as the integrated 50 U.S. states" - a territorial expert.
U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate's amendment to restore Medicaid funding fails
Christensen's amendment sought to restore Medicaid funding to the U.S. territories that would be cut from the federal budget under legislation that would repeal portions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act. The cuts would result in a decrease of 65 percent of Medicaid funding for the territories during the next 10 years, according to a statement Christensen released Wednesday.
Christensen's amendment seeking to counter the Medicaid cuts was voted down 30-21 on a roll call vote along party lines.
"This cut targets the territories, is irresponsible, unprincipled, unjustified and unnecessary, and if implemented would deal the territories a crippling blow," Christensen said in introducing the amendment.
Christensen's amendment was supported in statements by ranking committee member Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and Rep. Charles Gonzales, D-Texas.
A unified voice from U.S. territorial governors and delegates failed to block Republicans from reducing Medicaid funding for the territories, including the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI).
Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan (Ind-MP) said yesterday that Republicans on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to take away some $100 million in Medicaid funding from the CNMI and increase the CNMI's local match by 11 percent.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial joined on Tuesday Guam Gov. Eddie Calvo, U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. John P. de Jongh Jr., Puerto Rico Gov. Luis G. Fortuno, and American Samoa Gov. Togiola Tulafono in asking the Energy and Commerce Committee "to vote 'no' on de-funding the territories."
"As governors serving the over 4.5 million Americans who live in the Territories of the United States, we are writing in strong opposition to the proposed elimination of the funding provided to the Territories under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," Fitial and the other governors said.
But the five territorial governors' plea fell on deaf ears as Republicans voted to de-fund the territories.
The bill repeals a provision of the Affordable Care Act that provided for $6.3 billion in additional funding for Medicaid in the territories from Fiscal Year 2011 through 2019, and increased the territories' Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) from 50 percent to 55 percent.
Sablan, in a statement yesterday, said the Republican legislation strips Medicaid funding from all the U.S. territories that they won in health care reform-Obamacare-when Democrats led Congress in 2010.
"With the Commonwealth Health Center in serious jeopardy, with little kids getting turned away from the dentist, there could not be a worse time for Republicans to steal away our Medicaid money. But once again, it is the poor and the weak who take the hit," said Sablan, who has been running as independent but aligns himself with Democrats.
Medicaid is the federal health care program for those with low income.
Some 14,700 people in the Marianas, who cannot afford care, are eligible for hospital care, outpatient services, and prescription drugs through Medicaid.
CNMI officials expressed disappointment with the loss of millions of funding for healthcare.
Sen. Ralph Torres (R-Saipan), chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, said providing healthcare would become more difficult as a result of Medicaid funding cuts.
"Even now, we are experiencing very difficult time to give proper health service," he told Saipan Tribune.
Sablan said territorial delegates worked together to block the legislation.
But he said Republicans killed an amendment offered by Donna Christensen (D-Virgin Islands), who is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, on a straight party line vote.
Sablan said 30 Republicans voted to slash Medicaid for the territories by 65 percent over the coming decade.
He said the 21 Committee Democrats voted to protect the territorial Medicaid money and maintain the current 55-45 federal-local match.
"As with last week's vote in the Agriculture Committee to cut food stamps funding our poor families rely on, Republicans in Congress are choosing to balance the budget on the backs of those who can least afford it," Sablan said.
Governors and delegates said Medicaid for the territories has long lagged behind funding for the states, and health in the territories has suffered as a result.
"Instead of working to close the gap between the territories and the rest of the U.S.-as we did in the Democratic-led Congress, the Republican plan is to make the gap wider between those who have adequate medical care and those who have not. How can anyone justify that?" Sablan asked.
The legislation Republicans passed yesterday is part of their effort to repeal Obamacare.
Section 1204 of the health care reform act worked to close the gap in care for the over 4 million Americans in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the CNMI by providing $6.3 billion in increased Medicaid funding and increasing the federal share of Medicaid from 50 percent to 55 percent.
Sablan said the new funds became available on July 1, 2011 and the CNMI immediately drew down $8.1 million.
That was on top of $6.4 million already received for fiscal 2011. For fiscal year 2012, the CNMI submitted a budget for another $18.2 million in federal medical aid grants, including $17 million for Medicaid, he said.
Over the next eight years, the CNMI will receive $140 million in Medicaid - three times more than before the President signed the health care reform law in 2010.
"That huge increase for the islands passed Congress without a single Republican vote; and now Republicans want to take that money away," Sablan added.
Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo also issued a statement yesterday, saying that the Republican attempt to eliminate critical Medicaid funding for the territories shifts the funding problem back to the territories.
"Rather than working with us to remove the cap by decreasing the local match, the Republicans have reduced our funding. This funding has helped to provide critical services for residents in the territories who depend on Medicaid for health coverage, and the loss of these additional funds would negate important progress made toward reducing health disparities among the territories," she said.
Republicans crafted the bill to meet spending targets stipulated in the recently-passed Ryan budget resolution, which requires the Energy and Commerce Committee to reduce the deficit by $96.76 billion over the next decade.
The bill was considered by the full Energy and Commerce Committee yesterday, and is expected to be considered on the House floor in the coming weeks.
Bordallo joined her colleagues from the territories in sending a letter to the Committee chairman to request that he "reconsider" his proposal, which, if enacted, would have many adverse impacts for people residing in the territories.
"We will work to block this bill in the Senate," she added.
Saipan Tribune http://www.saipantribune.com
Christensen said the Affordable Care Act addressed, but did not correct traditional discriminatory treatment to the territories regarding Medicaid.
"The federal government pays at least 50 percent of the Medicaid program's cost in each of the states and around 80 percent in the poorest states," she said. "By contrast, federal law imposes an annual cap on funding in the territories. Historically, the territories' caps were shockingly low."
****
U.S. House Votes To Cut Medicaid for Guam and CNMI
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Saipan Tribune
Saipan Tribune
Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan (Ind-MP) said yesterday that Republicans on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to take away some $100 million in Medicaid funding from the CNMI and increase the CNMI's local match by 11 percent.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial joined on Tuesday Guam Gov. Eddie Calvo, U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. John P. de Jongh Jr., Puerto Rico Gov. Luis G. Fortuno, and American Samoa Gov. Togiola Tulafono in asking the Energy and Commerce Committee "to vote 'no' on de-funding the territories."
"As governors serving the over 4.5 million Americans who live in the Territories of the United States, we are writing in strong opposition to the proposed elimination of the funding provided to the Territories under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," Fitial and the other governors said.
But the five territorial governors' plea fell on deaf ears as Republicans voted to de-fund the territories.
The bill repeals a provision of the Affordable Care Act that provided for $6.3 billion in additional funding for Medicaid in the territories from Fiscal Year 2011 through 2019, and increased the territories' Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) from 50 percent to 55 percent.
Sablan, in a statement yesterday, said the Republican legislation strips Medicaid funding from all the U.S. territories that they won in health care reform-Obamacare-when Democrats led Congress in 2010.
"With the Commonwealth Health Center in serious jeopardy, with little kids getting turned away from the dentist, there could not be a worse time for Republicans to steal away our Medicaid money. But once again, it is the poor and the weak who take the hit," said Sablan, who has been running as independent but aligns himself with Democrats.
Medicaid is the federal health care program for those with low income.
Some 14,700 people in the Marianas, who cannot afford care, are eligible for hospital care, outpatient services, and prescription drugs through Medicaid.
CNMI officials expressed disappointment with the loss of millions of funding for healthcare.
Sen. Ralph Torres (R-Saipan), chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, said providing healthcare would become more difficult as a result of Medicaid funding cuts.
"Even now, we are experiencing very difficult time to give proper health service," he told Saipan Tribune.
Sablan said territorial delegates worked together to block the legislation.
But he said Republicans killed an amendment offered by Donna Christensen (D-Virgin Islands), who is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, on a straight party line vote.
Sablan said 30 Republicans voted to slash Medicaid for the territories by 65 percent over the coming decade.
He said the 21 Committee Democrats voted to protect the territorial Medicaid money and maintain the current 55-45 federal-local match.
"As with last week's vote in the Agriculture Committee to cut food stamps funding our poor families rely on, Republicans in Congress are choosing to balance the budget on the backs of those who can least afford it," Sablan said.
Governors and delegates said Medicaid for the territories has long lagged behind funding for the states, and health in the territories has suffered as a result.
"Instead of working to close the gap between the territories and the rest of the U.S.-as we did in the Democratic-led Congress, the Republican plan is to make the gap wider between those who have adequate medical care and those who have not. How can anyone justify that?" Sablan asked.
The legislation Republicans passed yesterday is part of their effort to repeal Obamacare.
Section 1204 of the health care reform act worked to close the gap in care for the over 4 million Americans in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the CNMI by providing $6.3 billion in increased Medicaid funding and increasing the federal share of Medicaid from 50 percent to 55 percent.
Sablan said the new funds became available on July 1, 2011 and the CNMI immediately drew down $8.1 million.
That was on top of $6.4 million already received for fiscal 2011. For fiscal year 2012, the CNMI submitted a budget for another $18.2 million in federal medical aid grants, including $17 million for Medicaid, he said.
Over the next eight years, the CNMI will receive $140 million in Medicaid - three times more than before the President signed the health care reform law in 2010.
"That huge increase for the islands passed Congress without a single Republican vote; and now Republicans want to take that money away," Sablan added.
Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo also issued a statement yesterday, saying that the Republican attempt to eliminate critical Medicaid funding for the territories shifts the funding problem back to the territories.
"Rather than working with us to remove the cap by decreasing the local match, the Republicans have reduced our funding. This funding has helped to provide critical services for residents in the territories who depend on Medicaid for health coverage, and the loss of these additional funds would negate important progress made toward reducing health disparities among the territories," she said.
Republicans crafted the bill to meet spending targets stipulated in the recently-passed Ryan budget resolution, which requires the Energy and Commerce Committee to reduce the deficit by $96.76 billion over the next decade.
The bill was considered by the full Energy and Commerce Committee yesterday, and is expected to be considered on the House floor in the coming weeks.
Bordallo joined her colleagues from the territories in sending a letter to the Committee chairman to request that he "reconsider" his proposal, which, if enacted, would have many adverse impacts for people residing in the territories.
"We will work to block this bill in the Senate," she added.
Saipan Tribune http://www.saipantribune.com
30 April 2012
American Samoa Governor Presents 2012 Flag Day Address
2012 FLAG DAY ADDRESS
Governor Togiola Tulafono
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Veterans Memorial Stadium
Tafuna, American Samoa
americansamoa.gov
"...But if we have any pride, we must seek to change that political status. All other countries, major and minor, have changed their status so they can be truly self-governed with self-determination. We must have that (for) American Samoa."
Talofa Amerika Samoa. Happy anniversary. One hundred and twelve!
I offer greetings to your excellencies, dignitaries, the government representatives, members of the diplomatic corps in the Pacific Islands representing your respective governments, I welcome you to American Samoa and thank you for gracing our shores in this celebration with your presence. Fa’afetai tele.
Welcome to the Honorable Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Fatialofa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa; and also welcome to Assistant Secretary Anthony Babauta of the United States Department of the Interior, and Director of Insular Affairs Mr. Nikolao Pula. Talofa.
It is truly an honor to welcome His Highness Tupouto’a Ulukalala ’Aho’eitu - Crown Prince of Tonga. Thank you for joining us in this celebration. We welcome the Governor-General of Tuvalu Sir Iakoba Taei Italeli, and talofa to the Titular Head of Tokelau – Ulu o Tokelau, Le Aliki Faipule, Kerisiano Kalolo.
Greetings also to American Samoa’s representative in the U.S. Congress, the Honorable Faleomavaega Eni, U.S. military officials, invited guest and the people of American Samoa.
One hundred and twelve years ago, a couple of hundred people gathered on top of Sogelau Hill with a makeshift flagpole, and raised the United States flag over the islands of Tutuila and Aunu’u. It was not the first time the flag was raised as it was raised in 1872 and 1878. Then on April 17th 1900, it was raised again shortly after the signing of the Agreement of Cession. The agreement in its first part recites with no uncertainty, the action of the three major powers of the world; Germany, Great Britain and the United States of America. Where in 1899, they met in Berlin and executed the Berlin Treaty where they partitioned the sovereign nation of Samoa where they agreed that when they returned, all islands East of longitude 171 West of Greenwich would be under the control of the United States of America, and islands West of this line would be under the control of Germany.
We had no say. We had no agreement to be partitioned. We did not seek to be partitioned. We were a sovereign nation and the agreement does speak to that. It acknowledges that Samoa is a sovereign nation of its own. Since that time, our chiefs in Tutuila and Aunu’u, and four years later in Manu’a, have ceded the complete authority to legislate and control the islands to the United States Government.
So therefore, everything that we exercise today, we only exercise the power that is not ours; the power that belongs to someone else. That is why our forefathers thought to keep the agreement in an unorganized, unincorporated fashion. Perhaps that is why later generations of Samoans never sought to change the unorganized, unincorporated status.
For us, we have been too busy trying to define what those words meant. But we failed our duty as citizens to seek out the message and read between the lines what it meant. I think the time has come for us to do our duty and read between the lines. If we have been left unorganized and unincorporated for 112 years, I ask you, are you happy with that? Is that a political status that you would like your children to grow up in? I say this, life has been good. But if we have any pride, we must seek to change that political status. All other countries, major and minor, have changed their status so they can be truly self-governed with self-determination. We must have that American Samoa.
We cannot do that unless we do it for ourselves, and I say the time has come for us to rise up and determine for ourselves what it is that we want to do or self-determination will never come. Self-governance will not happen if we do not rise together and work together. You see, as I read more into the history of these agreements, Captain Benjamin Tilley in 1902 read it right and he promulgated the first, initial regulation that still lives today that said there shall be no alienation of communal and cultural land unless it is approved by the governor. Why did he seek to do that? Because he sought to read in between the lines the agreements in its most essential essence was that Samoa shall be preserved for Samoans. I believe that is the underlying essence of these agreements but we have failed to see it for all these years.
Captain Tilley saw it. And that regulation has become the law. It has been enacted by our own legislative enactments since that time. It was an effort to stop the rush to sell communal land to merchants and to people who were offering money. If that Captain had not seen the essence of that agreement and sought to do what he did, I dare say, American Samoa would not be what it is today. We would not have any land. We would not have the best of the lands that we have now. I say, it is time that we do our duty and rise up and make that determination for ourselves for no one else will.
The time is now and we must act. Let us have a great celebration today and let us have a moment to think about what it is that our forefathers left for us to do. Let us re-examine the essence of these agreements and do what our fore parents wanted us to do.
Soifua.
(Samoan version)
Lauga o le Sisiga Fu’a 2012
Afioga i le Kovana Sili o Amerika Samoa
Togiola T.A. Tulafono
Aso Lua, 17 Aperila 2012
Malae i Lupelele
Veterans Memorial Stadium
Tafuna, Amerika Samoa
Ua paia Lupelele. Ua paia le aso. Ua mamalu fo’i le fetalai mae’ae’a o le tu’ua o le saofiga – le tofa ia Afuola Nanai. Paepae ma teuteu fa’alaulelei sa ma faigata o lenei aso aua le paia o le Faleagafulu, aua le pa’ia o le Manu’a Tele, aua fo’i le tapua’iga a le usoga ia Pule ma Tumua. O pa’ia na o le atunu’usa o Samoa, o le a ou le toe au’ili’iliina, ae tau ia ina fa’apipii i ai lo’u leo fa’atauva’a.
Ou te fa’atulou atu ma fa’anoi atu - fa’aagafua ia le tulaga ma le leo ona o fuafuaga o lenei aso. Pa’ia o le Malo o Amerika Samoa i lona tafatolu tutusa, ou te fa’atulou atu. Pa’ia fo’i o ekalesia i ona fa’auluuluga ma ona ta’itai o lo’o tapua’ia le saogalemu ma le filemu o le atunu’u ma nounou manu aua le manuia o Amerika Samoa. Ou te fa’atulou. Fa’amalilie, aumaia se avanoa, tau ia ona ou fa’afeiloa’i atu e fai ma sui o le Malo ma le tatou atunu’u i a tatou malo fa’aaloalogia.
Fa’atalofa atu i lau afioga i le ali’i Palemia Tuila’epa Lupesoliai Fatialofa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi ma le au malaga, ae maise ai o le mamalu o Pule ma Tumua ua pa’au mai e fa’amamalu ma fa’amatagofie lenei aso - mai alalafaga, o outou olo sa o le atunu’u, ae maise ai o le malu o malo ua outou tilitili anuanu mai ona o le fa’atalau’ula atu a lenei itu o le atunu’u. Fa’afetai tele i lau afioga, malo le fai uso, faafetai le fa’aaloalo.
Fa’atalofa atu i le afio mai o lau afioga i le sui failautusi - greetings to Assistant Secretary Anthony Papauta of the United States Department of Interior. O le matagaluega o lo’o tatou fai pa’aga ia ma lau faigamalaga. O se tasi fo’i o alo o le atunu’u, le susuga ia Nikolao Pula o lo’o va’ava’a lua i le galuega. Talofa.
Fa’atalofa atu i le mamalu tele i le susu mai o lau susuga i le perenise fa’au’uina, lau susuga Tupouto’a Ulukalala ’Aho’eitu - Crown Prince of Tonga. Lau Afioga i le Kovana Senerale o Tuvalu, lau Susuga Italelei ma le faletua, ia o le a ou le fa’apapalagi atu aua e te malamalama lelei i le gagana Samoa. Talofa, afio maia. Le Aliki Faipule, lau afioga i le Ulu o Tokelau, malo tauasa, fa’afetai susu mai e fa’amamalu le matou aso, Lau Susuga Kerisiano Kalolo.
Fa’atalofa atu i lau tofa Faleomavaega Eni, o le sui filifilia o le atunu’u i le Konekeresi, ali’i ma ta’ita’i sinia o le vaega’au a le Malo Tele, le vala’aulia, ma le mamalu ma le pa’ia o tagatanu’u o Amerika Samoa. Fa’afetai tala’a’ao mai.
Amerika Samoa, selau sefulu ma le lua tausaga talu ai i luga o si mauga laitiiti e igoa ia Sogelau i le tala fa’atai o le taulaga i Fagatogo, a o fa’afeagai ma le uafu tele o lo’o i ai nei, sa faia ai le sauniga o le sainiga o le feagaiga o le tu’uina atu. Ina ua uma le sainia o lea feagaiga, sa tala a’e loa a’ao o le Kapeteni Benjamin Tilley ma le mamalu o le atunu’u sa vala’aulia ma sisiina a’e le tagavai o le Malo Tele o Amerika i le tulaga aloa’ia. E le o le taimi muamua lea na sisi a’e ai le fu’a a Amerika i totonu o Amerika Samoa po o Tutuila ma Manu’a. Sa sisi i le 1872 ina ua faia le feagaiga ma le afioga i le Ma’oputasi felagolagoma’i ma le Malo Tele. Sa toe sisi fo’i la i le 1878 ina ua toe osi fo’i leisi feagaiga ma le afioga i le Ma’oputasi ma le talafaatai o le taulaga mo le puipuiga a le Iunaite Setete.
Sa fa’apena ona aluma’i ae peita’i i le 1899, sa o mai fa’atasi malo e tolu - Peretania, Siamani ma le Iunaite Setete. Sa o i Perelini, Siamani sa fai ai le latou fono, ma fai ai le latou maliliega o le a o mai e vaevae Samoa. O le a vaevae Samoa.
O motu uma i le itu i sasa’e, o le laina 171 o le a tu’uese mai, mai totonu o le pule’aga fa’asamoa o le atunu’u e tasi. Sa fa’apena ona fai lea e ta’ua i le ta fegaiga. O le vaega muamua o le fegaiga a Tutuila ma Aunu’u o lo’o faamatalatalaina ai e fa’apea: “Ua uma ona matou vaevaea outou. O lea ua matou malilie e tu’u mai le itu lea i sasa’e i lalo o le pule’aga a le Malo a le Iunaite Setete, a o sisifo o le a tumau ia Siamani.”
Sa fa’apena ona fai ae peita’i sa le finagalo le Manu’a Tele e saini lea maliliega. Afe iva selau ma le fa (1904) Iulai 16 fa’ato’a sainia ai se maliliega mo Manu’a. Ae i lea fo’i feagaiga i lona ulutala, sa fa’amatalaina ai le mea na tupu i Perelini (1899): “Ua uma ona matou vaevaeina le atunu’u.” Ona fa’ato’a fai lea o le feagaiga i le vaega lua, o le tu’uina atu; Tu’uina atu ma le fa’amautuina o le pule e fai ai le tulafono ma le fa’atautaiga atoa o motu i sasa’e o Samoa. Selau sefulu ma le lua tausaga o Tutuila ma Aunu’u, selau sefulu ma le valu tausaga o motu o Manu’a. Mai ia tausaga uma, o lo’o tatou galulue i lalo o le ta’u “e le’i tu’ufa’atasia” - unorganized. E le’i tu’ua i totonu, unincorporated. O ia tu’ufa’atasiga ma ia fa’amaumauga o lea ua tatou tini taunu’u i le aso; selau sefulu ma le lua tausaga o tatou fa’afuata’ape ai lava ma le tu’uina ai i totonu.
O le a fa’apu’upuu a’u tala. O le fesili ou te fa’atula’ i lenei aso Amerika Samoa, o ‘e fiafia i lea tulaga? O le fesili lona lua, ua tatou malilie ea tatou o fa’asalalau ai lava fa’apea mo seisi selau sefulu ma le lua tausaga? I lo’u su’esu’e i nei maliliega Amerika Samoa, ua atagia mai ia te a’u le le mautu ona fa’ataunu’u o tatou tiute fa’atagata nu’u. O le fesili e sili ona taua, o le a le mea na finagalo ai o outou tua’a ma o tatou matua e tu’u ai fa’apea maliliega fa’apea? Tu’u ai fa’asalalau pe fa’afuata’ape ai pea, aua ne’i matua, filogia i totonu ae tatou feso’ota’i pea? Ua alu le selau sefulu lua tausaga o tatou taumafai e fa’amatala le uiga o upu ae o le mea ua tatou le faia i o tatou tiute faa’atagatanu’u, o le faitau le feau la e ta’u mai i totonu o upu ia. Ua alu uma le tatou taimi e fa’amatala le upu a ua galo le agaga o le maliliega ma le feagaiga.
O le mea lea ou te tula’i ai i lenei aso Amerika Samoa. Pe le ua o’o ea i le taimi e tatou va’ai i totonu o le agaga o ia feagaiga po o taunu’u pe leai? Pe tatou te o fa’asalalau ai fa’apea mo seisi selau ma sefulu lua tausaga? O le tatou tiute mo tupulaga lumana’i, saili, fa’atonu, fa’alelei, fa’amautu ina ia manuia tupulaga o lumana’i.
Ia soifua ma ia manuia le sisigafu’a o lenei tausaga. Soifua.
29 April 2012
US military eyes Cocos Islands as a future Indian Ocean spy base
United States military aircraft, including drones undertaking surveillance operations over the South China Sea, could be based on Australia's Cocos and Keeling Islands in the Indian Ocean.
As part of enhanced US-Australian military co-operation announced in November by Julia Gillard and the US President, Barack Obama, the islands would replace the US's present Indian Ocean base of Diego Garcia, which the US leases from the British and is due to be mothballed in 2016.
The Washington Post reported yesterday that the US was eyeing the Cocos Islands, 2700 kilometres east of Diego Garcia, as ''an ideal site not only for manned US surveillance aircraft but for Global Hawks, an unarmed, high-altitude surveillance drone''. Aircraft based in the Cocos would be well positioned to launch spy flights over the South China Sea,'' the Post reported.
When Mr Obama visited Australia in November, he and Ms Gillard announced an increased US presence in Australia that experts said was all about containing a rising China. The three priorities were an increased rotation of up to 2500 US Marines through the Northern Territory, more US war planes using NT air bases, and increased access by US Navy ships and submarines to the HMAS Stirling base in Western Australia.
After Mr Obama's visit, the Defence Minister, Stephen Smith, hinted that US ships and aircraft would use the Cocos Islands eventually.
''But that's well down the track. Indeed, there would be a requirement for substantial infrastructure changes to be made for further air or naval engagement through the Cocos Islands,'' he said in late November.
Speaking yesterday at a nuclear security summit in South Korea, Ms Gillard said ''there has not been any substantial progress'' on using the Cocos Islands since Mr Smith's comments last year.
She said the focus had been on implementing the arrangement that was struck about the deployment of Marines.
''Clearly, the alliance we have with the United States is pivotal to our security. It's of long standing and we took the next natural step in my view in the evolution of that alliance last year when I agreed with President Obama that we would host the Marines on a rotational basis in the Northern Territory exercises.''
Yesterday, a spokesman for Mr Smith said the details of drones, planes and ships using the Cocos Islands had yet to be discussed.
''Cocos Islands is a longer-term option for closer Australian-US engagement but is not one of the three priority levels of engagement,'' he said.
''In the first instance, our Indian Ocean arrangement will be, in my view, greater naval access to [HMAS Stirling].''
The maritime version of the Grumman Global Hawk drone is likely to be introduced into the defence forces of both countries later this decade, under a program known as Broad Area Maritime Surveillance.
With a wingspan of almost 40 metres, it can cruise for 30 hours at a speed of 575 km/h, covering a vast expanse of ocean with its cameras, radar and other sensors.
The news that they are becoming part of Mr Obama's ''pivot'' into south-east Asia is slowly seeping out among the 600 residents of the Cocos Islands.
The caretaker-manager at Cocos Beach Bungalows, who gave his name as Bill, said he had seen reports on the internet but had not noticed any unusual activity, aside from the occasional air force plane with mechanical trouble.
The islands attract a handful of tourists each year, mainly snorkellers and birdwatchers.
For the Royal Australian Air Force, the Global Hawk will be part of the mix replacing its maritime patrol aircraft, the four-engine turboprop P3C Orion, along with a new manned aircraft, a development of the twin-jet Boeing 737 called the P8 Poseidon.
''The idea is to integrate drones and aircraft so you need fewer manned aircraft,'' said Derek Woolner, a defence expert at the Australian National University.
The progress report of the Defence Force Posture Review recommends the upgrade of the Cocos airfield.
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