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ASEAN Considering Redirecting Resources to Combat Bird Flu HONG KONG (AFP) - Cash set aside to improve farming in Southeast Asia may be redirected to help the region's poorer countries battle bird flu, the general secretary of ASEAN said Thursday. The proposal is part of a coordinated effort by the 10-members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as they struggle to fend off an avian influenza pandemic, the bloc's secretary general Ong Keng Yong said. In an interview with AFP, Ong said money in a special fund set up to improve farm hygiene could be redirected to compensate farmers who lost their poultry flocks in culls during outbreaks of the deadly disease. This would ensure that the poor farmers were less likely to cover up outbreaks among their flocks. "The money is there for animal health issues; we are now trying to see if we can redirect these resources to help these poorer economies to compensate farmers after culls," he said. "The farmers are poor and they are ignorant of the dangers and when their animals fall ill or die, they do things the local way -- they cook them or sell them," Ong added. "They won't dispose of the rest of the flock because they fear losing their entire livelihoods." Outbreaks of the H5N1 flu virus have decimated the poultry industries of many of the regional grouping's 10 members, most of whom are developing economies that depend heavily on agricultural production. More than 60 people have died in outbreaks over the past two years in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia -- all ASEAN member nations. Ong, who was in Hong Kong on a scheduled visit to discuss economic matters with local government officials, said ASEAN members were sharing information on a daily basis through a communication channel called Focal Point. The system was put together as an early warning alert during the global outbreak of the pneumonia-like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003. "We have a strong conviction in this system ... we are quite confident it is in place," said Ong. The secretary general conceded, however, that member nations had neither the cash nor the resources to stockpile antiviral drugs and vaccines to counter a pandemic, and called on richer nations to help. "I feel that the international community could help by providing additional resources," Ong said. "We need cold hard cash to pay the compensation for the farmers, also to buy the vaccines and to provide the mass education." The World Health Organisation has predicted that a bird flu pandemic could kill millions of people around the world. Ong said ASEAN's frugal resources would be best employed in preventative measures such as early warning alerts and close surveillance. But in the event the virus mutates into a form easily transmissible by humans and a pandemic erupts, he said ASEAN nations would be at the mercy of the WHO and other world bodies like the Food and Agriculture Organisation. "Many of our hospitals are just not prepared to handle such sudden crowding," he said. "We would have to follow what the WHO and FAO had said in order to organise ourselves." (by Mark McCord)
BISHKEK, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC -- Ministers from Central Asian and neighboring countries agreed today on a series of specific measures to accelerate economic cooperation in the fast-growing region. Building on the increasing trust and confidence among countries participating in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, Ministers called for a deepening of the program's agenda. "Through coordinated action Central Asia can build on its strengths and again become a vital trade route linking the countries of the famed Silk Road between Asia and Europe," said a joint statement issued in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, at the conclusion of the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation. "The high rates of economic growth now being experienced in the region reflect a new chapter, with growing trade and other forms of openness and modernization replacing inward preoccupations, in a virtuous circle of strengthening relationships," said the statement. "While barriers to trade and the costs of shipping goods continue to seriously hamper competitiveness and development in the region, CAREC countries recognize that the way forward is 'development through cooperation'." High-level delegations from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, People's Republic of China (PRC), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan attended the meeting. They were joined by senior representatives of CAREC's supporting multilateral institutions: the Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Monetary Fund, Islamic Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme, and World Bank. Representatives from neighboring countries as well as multilateral, bilateral, and civil society organizations also contributed to the proceedings. In a keynote address to the Ministerial Conference, ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda underlined the central importance of regional cooperation to economic growth and poverty reduction in Central Asia. "Strengthening your resolve to reap the benefits of regional cooperation has never been more crucial, because a tremendous opportunity lies at hand - an opportunity to significantly increase growth, boost trade, and integrate your countries with regional and global markets," he told the conference. "We at ADB and in our partner institutions understand that regional cooperation takes time, patience and courage. We acknowledge there are risks, but we firmly believe that the benefits outweigh these by far. And we are dedicated to assisting your efforts." "Over the last year, the CAREC collaboration has grown stronger, its objectives more clear. With new partners and a regional economy in high gear, we must reach higher, dream bigger, build better - to intensify our cooperative efforts to reduce poverty and bring lasting peace, prosperity and hope to all the people of Central Asia," Mr. Kuroda said. Ministers called for intensified action, at both the national and regional levels, to overcome trade and other impediments to development, including the creation of transport corridors to integrate the region and connect it with markets in PRC, the Russian Federation, India, the European Union and ports on the Arabian Sea. "The Ministers' statement is an important reflection of, and commitment to, the critical role regional integration will play in Central Asia's future," said Joseph Eichenberger, ADB Vice-President and co-chair of the Ministerial Conference. "It is a welcome sign that CAREC countries are committed to moving in the same direction and producing concrete results in the key areas of transport, trade, and energy. The Ministers have laid out an ambitious agenda of work to push cooperation forward and demonstrate the potential of greater integration," he said. In their statement, Ministers agreed that the gains from regional cooperation depend on continued growth, as well as policy reforms and joint efforts to encourage investment and trade. They renewed their commitment to work together to expand trade openness, develop transport corridors across the region, and further develop and share the region's energy resources. Ministers also underscored the private sector's role as an engine of growth for the region and emphasized the importance of ensuring regional cooperation reflects the needs and interest of the private sector. "Bringing the benefits of regional cooperation to a wider audience must be a priority. Regional cooperation momentum must be reinforced," the Ministers said. "The period of uncertainty must be swept aside, replaced by shared goals and clarity of purpose."
BUSAN, South Korea (Xinhuanet) -- APEC ministers stressed here the need for further enhancing public-private partnership to strengthen cooperation in combating terrorism. Ministers from the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) reiterated in a joint statement issued here after winding up two-day meetings that terrorism is a serious threat to the security, stability and the growth of the APEC region. The ministers encouraged APEC economies to continue to develop new initiatives to dismantle transnational terrorist groups, to eliminate the danger posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. In this connection, the APEC ministers welcome Singapore's initiative to host a symposium on Total Supply Chain Security in 2006. The ministers also recognized the need to further facilitate secure trade, to reduce public health hazards and to reduce the threat of economic disruption through incidents related to radioactive materials. Ministers agreed to instruct officials to advance the APEC initiative on capacity building for machine readable travel documents and biometrics technology to enhance regional security. They also called for further cooperation to ensure that all APEC members issue machine-readable travel documents, if possible, with biometric information by the end of 2008. The ministers also reiterated their common understanding that APEC needed to continue building capacities and stressed the appropriate capacity building activities and best practices should be identified and made available to developing economies for the implementation of security measures.
The 13th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) has concluded in Busan. At the end of the meeting Leaders issued the "Busan Declaration" that is now available for download from the APEC Website (www.apec.org). The declaration covers three areas: Advancing Freer Trade; Safe and Transparent Asia-pacific Region: Enhancing Human Security; APEC's Progress into the Future. A separate statement was also issued on WTO Doha Development Agenda Negotiations that is also available for download. With the conclusion of the AELM in Busan, APEC Leaders, Ministers and Officials will prepare for the 2006 APEC Year that will be hosted by Viet Nam.
Over two thirds of the estimated 3.7 million deaths in children in South Asia are attributed to preventable infections such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, and measles which was also the major cause of deaths and disabilities in South Asia, according to World Health Organisation (WHO). Malaria and typhoid were most common cause of febrile illness and were serious contributors to morbidity and chronic anaemia in children in South Asia. On the other hand, non-communicable diseases were fast emerging as new public health challenges. India now faced HIV/AIDS crisis with over 4.58 million people infected with the virus. Half a million people have been projected to die from AIDS in a year with 600,000 in urgent need of antiretroviral therapy. Lifestyle diseases like heart diseases, strokes, diabetes and chronic lung diseases were fast catching up in South Asia which were attributable to diet, physical activity and use of tobacco products. Against this backdrop 150 eminent doctors, professors, and health personnel from various health institutions in India, Bhutan and other countries in the region gathered in Paro, from November 15 to 17, to discuss and bring these healthcare issues into focus and identify the best methods to improve and protect the lives of millions in the region. The three-day health conference, jointly organised by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and the health ministry, Bhutan, also saw the participants deliberate upon recent advances and futuristic trends in healthcare. Papers and presentations were made in specialties of cardiology, emerging technologies in healthcare, neurology, neuro-surgery, renal diseases, and organ transplantation among host of others. The head of cardiology department of AIIMS, Prof. K. Srinath Reddy, said that given the multitude of health problems and scarcity of resources in the region it was important to collectively frame comprehensive public health response to tackle health threats. ¡°Based on the common understanding of the problems as well as a common pool of knowledge generated within the region we should be able to implement strategies for effective control of these diseases,¡± he said. The conference was also viewed as a common platform where various health institutes in the region could cooperate, exchange, and collaborate in strengthening healthcare provisions. ¡°It is essential to try and see what resources are available in the region which could be used for the advantage of the people in each of the countries,¡± said Prof. Reddy. Traditional medicine, a rich and important aspect of healthcare in South Asia, was fast catching on with the west. ¡°What was called traditional medicine has now emerged as post modern medicine,¡± said associate professor in the department of nephrology at AIIMS, Dr. Dipankar Bhowmik. ¡°In addition to modern medicines we need to look at ancient medicines as effective complimentary medicine.¡± Prof. K S Reddy said that India has been a major source of learning in ayurveda and unfortunately, the use of ayurveda has not been wide. Participants also deliberated on public private partnership in healthcare and ¡®synergy for effective patient care¡¯. Referring to the free health system in Bhutan Prof. Reddy told Kuensel that it was important not to mix government and private services in the same setting. It was suggested that pay clinics with some allocated hours could be established where the money could be shared between the institution and the doctors. The conference also proposed to set up a Research Society where medical practitioners and health personnel could share, acquire and carry out research in public health and hospital administration. The Research Society also plans to grant fellowships to healthcare professionals of different countries for short-term research or study assignments to healthcare centres of excellence of South Asia. The participants also visited the Thimphu referral hospital and the construction site of the new 350-bed hospital in Thimphu. (by karmachoden)
President Bush and other Pacific Rim leaders urged Europe on Saturday to show new flexibility on farm subsidies, an issue that has stalled global trade negotiations, reports The Associated Press (11/20). Wrapping up their annual summit, the 21 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum also promised to boost cooperation on fighting terrorism and preparing for a possible flu pandemic. They urged further progress at international talks on North Korea nuclear disarmament. But it was the trade issue that dominated the two-day APEC summit, just three weeks before a key World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Hong Kong. The leaders, who clearly blamed Europe for the deadlock in remarks on the sidelines of the summit, stopped short of naming the continent in their statement on trade. Officials said it was too politically sensitive. "We urge all other WTO members, and especially those that have the largest stake in the global trading system and derive the biggest benefits therefrom, to show the flexibilities needed to move the negotiations forward," the leaders' statement said. Dow Jones (11/20) writes that the leaders said the WTO's Doha round ¡°must be carried to a successful conclusion ... by the end of 2006.¡± Unblocking the disputes over agriculture were the key, without which ¡°we cannot make progress in the round as a whole,¡± the statement said. ¡°Avoiding or compromising our ambition on this issue would mean that we would lower expectations for the round as a whole.¡± Australia and Canada wanted the statement to name Europe as the main obstacle in the WTO, but other leaders objected because they didn't want to single out any country or region for criticism, officials said. In the broader statement, leaders endorsed a roadmap for lifting trade barriers across APEC member countries, including a planned reduction in trade transaction costs by five percent over the next five years. Counterterrorism, bird flu, energy security and other issues were dealt with in a separate statement, called the Busan Declaration after the port city that hosted the summit. Agence France Presse (11/19) notes that after pointing a collective finger of blame at Europe over farm subsidies, cracks emerged Sunday in the show of unity by Asia-Pacific leaders on free trade. By Sunday, Japan had already threatened to break ranks and take a pragmatic stand alongside Europe in the subsidies dispute in Hong Kong. "APEC is APEC, WTO is WTO," said a Japanese official, adding: "We are still willing to join hands with the EU on a necessary basis during the WTO meeting in Hong Kong next month." European trade officials are upset at the finger-pointing from the Asia-Pacific body, some of whose members operate more lavish protectionist systems than the EU. Japan and South Korea offer massive support to their farmers, and neither looks ready to make the kind of concessions APEC wants from Europe, the European officials say. Some APEC members, aware of the contradictions, have been calling on their own members to fall in line on the issue of subsidy reduction.
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CHINA: Government Driving Constitutional Development on All Fronts The Government was sincere in taking measures on all fronts to drive constitutional development and enhance governance, paving the way for Hong Kong's democratic development, Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Rafael Hui, told the Legislative Council today (October 26). Mr Hui said, the Government had adopted an open and positive attitude in promoting constitutional development. It would invite individuals of various background to join the Committee on Governance and Political Development under the Commission on Strategic Development to work together in formulating a roadmap for attaining universal suffrage. The Government also intends to open up some positions at the middle level of Government, to provide opportunities for individuals of various background to gain experience in public administration, and to help groom political talent for Hong Kong. Plans are in place to strengthen the functions of District Councils in the management of district facilities so that the councils will have both authority and responsibility. Mr Hui also pointed out that if the package of proposals for the 2007-08 elections proposed in the Fifth Report of the Constitutional Development Task Force was endorsed, there would be an increase in the number of seats in the Legislative Council. On the issue of universal suffrage, Mr Hui pointed out that the different systems for universal suffrage in various places around the world had been developed according to their own individual circumstances. Under the framework enshrined in the Basic Law, Hong Kong's constitutional development must not deviate from the principle of an "executive-led" government. Mr Hui said that when the Committee on Governance and Political Development began to examine how universal suffrage should be implemented in accordance with the principles and requirements of the Basic Law, it should ensure that the interests of different strata of the community should be looked after and the development of the economy under capitalism facilitated. The committee will also need to discuss how the functional constituencies in the Legislative Council should evolve before attaining universal suffrage and what the composition and operation of the Legislative Council should be when universal suffrage is attained. "We need to seriously examine what objectives are to be achieved through the implementation of universal suffrage, such as how to achieve a balanced budget and maintain a low tax regime," Mr Hui said. "We need to build consensus in the community on how to implement universal suffrage in order to achieve our common objectives, in a way consistent with our political structure and values." He stressed that constitutional development was an evolving process. It could not be attained in a blink. It had to be achieved in accordance with the principle of gradual and orderly progress. "When the conditions are ripe and all the supporting factors ready, universal suffrage will fall into place" Mr Hui said.
HK Unveils Constitutional Development The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Election Committee, which will pick the chief executive in 2007, would double in size and the Legislative Council (Leg Co) would add 10 members in 2008 under the government blueprint unveiled yesterday. For the proposal to be implemented, it must pass the Leg Co, currently 60 members, by a two-thirds majority before it may apply to the central government in Beijing to amend the relevant appendices of the SAR'S Basic Law. The blueprint proposes that the number of Election Committee members be doubled to 1,600 including all 529 District Council members and more representatives from other sectors. It also suggests the membership of the Leg Co be increased to 70, with geographical direct elections filling five new seats and district councillors filling the other five. Introducing the proposal in the Leg Co and later at a press conference, Chief Secretary for Administration Rafael Hui conceded the administration had not yet secured enough votes in the Leg Co to ensure passage. Hui said the proposal in the Fifth Report of the Constitutional Development Task Force was the best they could have arrived at, and he warned of the risk of facing no constitutional progress at all should the LegCo reject it. "The main thrust of the proposed package is the enhanced level of participation of District Council members in the Election Committee and the Leg Co," Hui told the lawmakers. "Half of the newly added members of the Election Committee and all the newly added Leg Co seats will basically be directly or indirectly elected by more than 3 million voters in Hong Kong through geographical constituencies," Hui said. Chief Executive Donald Tsang said Hong Kong was already in the defining moment for constitutional development, and he called on lawmakers critical of the blueprint not to allow their sectarian interests to hinder the SAR'S constitutional progress. Li Gang, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the SAR, said the government's proposals in the report will be accepted by both the central government and Hong Kong people. Ma Lik, chairman of Democratic Alliance for Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said they supported the government's option because they had put forth similar proposals. Michael Sim, 33, a technician from the northern district said: "One cannot be too pushy and rush things. I am happy that more voices could be heard in the electorate." Leung Jark-cheung, 26, an insurance marketing officer from Island West, said: "Changes in the constitution should proceed steadily. To the average citizen like me, stability is most important."
Several new rules and regulations took effect yesterday on the mainland to better protect the safety and property of the general public, XINHUA reported. A pyramid sales ban introduced by the State Council provides a penalty of up to 2 million Yuan (US$246,000) for organizers of pyramid sales. Owners who rent their property for pyramid sales meetings, and people who help spread sales information on the Internet will also be penalized. People who report pyramid sales organizations to the police will have their names kept confidential and also receive rewards, the rules say. An individual client service guideline for commercial banks prescribes the basic principles and procedures of such services. Such service contracts are required to clarify all additional clauses, if the scheme promises a return higher than the interest rate, the guideline says. The State Banking Supervisory Commission will keep a close eye on such banking services and punish banks that illegally attract deposits with the promise of unusually high interest rates. A narcotics and neurotic medicine rule forbids the sale of such drugs in a common pharmacy. Drugstores would need a special license to sell them, so as to prevent drug abuse. Individuals and companies are forbidden to conduct research on, produce, use, or transport the controlled drugs. Meanwhile, the State also declared that a permit would be needed to produce, transport, import or export precursor chemicals. The State Ministry of Construction stipulated that quality inspection institutes should be independent agencies which have no interest in building or design companies involved. The inspectors will need a minimum registration fund of 800,000 Yuan (US$98,946) and six technicians to qualify. Also taking effect yesterday were some local regulations. Beijing published a set of rules to supervise public security during big events and Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province tightened the control on private construction contractors.
China¡¯s Farm Support Less Protectionist Than in Most OECD Countries Government support and subsidies provide Chinese farmers with around 6 % of their income, a far lower proportion than in most OECD countries, but even this low level of funding could be applied more effectively if used in other ways, according to a new OECD report. In its newly released Review of Agricultural Policies in China, the OECD suggests that by reducing the price support element of government aid to farmers, China could allocate resources elsewhere more efficiently, spreading the benefits more broadly across Chinese society. (By comparison with China, government support and subsidies provide around 58% of farmers¡¯ income in Japan, one of China¡¯s main export markets for farm and food products. In Korea, another major export market for China, the figure rises to 64%). Remarkable progress has been achieved in China in many areas since the 1980s. But poverty is still high in rural areas, and one of the main challenges facing the Chinese government is to reduce the growing inequality between country and city dwellers, the OECD report says. China is not a member of the OECD but it participates in OECD work as an Observer on some OECD Committees. The OECD review of China¡¯s agriculture is part of a co-operation programme launched in 1995 as part of the OECD¡¯S outreach to non-member countries. The OECD has already published other studies, including reviews of the Chinese economy, governance in China, and policies to attract foreign direct investment. Arguing that administrative barriers to migration from rural to urban areas should be relaxed further, the OECD agriculture report suggests that continuing movement of large numbers of workers out of farming and into manufacturing industries will help Chinese agriculture become more productive. But government policies must also tackle the resulting social and environmental pressures on the expanding cities. The rural population also requires better access to education, healthcare and other social services. The importance of agriculture to the Chinese economy is still high, accounting for almost 15% of GDP and providing more than 40% of all jobs. Productivity per unit of land is generally high, though labour productivity in agriculture is relatively low.
China to Popularize Senior High Schooling by 2010 An estimated 16 million middle school students will get access to high school education by 2010, according to a recent seminar on professional education. Expecting about 20 million graduates from junior middle schools across the country in five years, China's senior high schools and vocational high schools will enlist about 80 percent of middle school graduates, said the sources at the seminar. The move is a further step in promoting education following progress in China's nine-year compulsory education and the anti-illiteracy campaigns among young adults. Based on current achievements, China will continue to popularize senior high school education, Zhou Ji, minister of education, said at the seminar held Saturday in Guilin, a tourist city in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. About 8.5 million junior middle school students will get a chance to enter senior high schools and 8.5 million others will receive professional education every year, according to Zhou. China has set a target to increase investment in education to 4 percent of GDP and aims to provide free nine-year compulsory education in rural areas in 2010 and for all students across the country in 2015.
China Vows to Boost Steps Against Bird Flu HONG KONG (AP) -- China called bird flu a ''serious epidemic'' and pledged to step up measures to fight the deadly virus Tuesday as officials announced three new outbreaks of the disease in poultry in the country. The outbreaks were detected last week in western and southern China, resulting in the killing of nearly 175,000 birds, the official Xinhua News Agency said. The latest outbreaks brings the total for China in recent weeks to 20. The massive nation -- where billions of poultry are being vaccinated -- has reported one human fatality and one suspected death. ''The government is making all efforts to combat bird flu, which is a serious epidemic in China,'' Liu Jianchao, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, told reporters at a routine briefing. Liu added that China was still ''facing serious challenges'' and that the country ''will step up our efforts in order to resolve this bird flu issue.'' Meanwhile, Japan joined Hong Kong, Taiwan and the United States in temporarily halting poultry imports from the Canadian province of British Columbia, where officials said they found a duck infected with bird flu. Canada has insisted the bird caught a North American strain of the disease that was less virulent than the virus that has decimated poultry stocks in Asia and killed at least 67 people since 2003. Still, officials have started to kill the 56,000 birds on the farm where the duck was found. An outbreak of bird flu in 2004 in British Columbia prompted the killing of 17 million birds. Japanese officials also reported that signs of a bird flu infection were found at a poultry farm in northern Japan. It was the latest in a series of outbreaks that has led to the killing of about 1.6 million chickens in the past few months in the region. Tests were being conducted on the enclosed-range chickens at the affected farm in Ogawa, about 60 miles northeast of Tokyo, to determine whether 290,000 more birds would need to be killed, said Ibaraki state official Osamu Kamogawa. The chickens tested positive for H5 antibodies -- meaning they were once exposed to the virus -- and a more detailed test is being conducted to see if the disease is still present, Kamogawa said. Japan has asked travelers from bird flu-affected areas to have their shoes disinfected upon arrival at the country's four major airports, including Tokyo's international gateway at Narita. Japan had a single human case of bird flu last year but the patient recovered. Most people who have died or been sickened by bird flu had contact with sick birds. But international health experts fear the virus could mutate into a form that can pass from human to human, sparking a pandemic. In Indonesia, Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari said the number of human bird flu cases is likely to be far higher than reported in his sprawling country because of poor surveillance outside the capital, Jakarta. The government planned a nationwide campaign to measure the extent of the virus in Indonesia, Supari said. All but two of Indonesia's 11 confirmed cases of bird flu -- seven of which have been fatal -- have occurred in the greater Jakarta area. And in Hong Kong, a senior health official said the risk the virus might cross its border with China is increasing, but the city was prepared. Leung Pak-yin, chief of the Center for Health Protection, told business leaders that if there's a flu pandemic, the city will try to ensure it has the world's lowest mortality rate and the economy will recover faster than any other place. Hong Kong has been on hyper alert for signs of bird flu because the city's economy was devastated by the 2003 outbreak of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome. SARS killed nearly 300 people in the city and caused widespread panic. So far, Hong Kong has been spared in the latest outbreak of bird flu.
SOUTH KOREA: Government Establishes Bird Flu Contingency Plan The South Korean government established a four-tiered alert system on Wednesday (Oct. 26) to combat any possible outbreak of the avian bird flu in the country. In a meeting of private and government experts chaired by Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, the participants decided that the governemnt would issue an "attention" alert if a bird flu case is detected among chickens and ducks. "At this initial level, decontamination and quarantine teams will be sent to the site, while detailed blood testing will be conducted," said Kim Chang-ho, the head of the Government Information Agency. The minister said this will be raised to "caution" if the bird flu has been found to have jumped to humans, and move up another notch to "warning" if it is determined the disease has passed from one person to another. Finally if the level of infection becomes rampant, the government will declare a national emergency. Kim said as the caution level move upwards, people's movements in the areas immediately contaminated will be affected first. Then, it will progress to school closures and discouragement of public activities in the final stage of the epidemic. The anti-bird flu drug Tamiflu will be dispensed with the issuing of the warning alert, and a 24-hour emergency task force will also be established to coordinate decontamination and quarantine efforts from this level. Other measures will include close monitoring of possible outbreaks of bird flu in North Korea and prevention of any contamination from across the demilitarized zone. The government stressed that due to the importance of prompt reporting of the disease, bird farms that report suspicious deaths immediately will receive full compensation for the animals culled if it is determined to be a bird flu outbreak.
Law Limiting Medical Ads Unconstitutional Medical doctors and hospitals will be allowed to advertise their services more freely as the Constitutional Court Thursday declared the current law strictly regulating medical ads unconstitutional. The current health-care law prevents hospitals and private medical institutions from marketing the methods and capabilities of their services through print or broadcasting. They are only allowed to provide basic information such as the type of clinical services they are offering, the type of facilities they have and the number of staff members they employ. However, civic groups are reacting cautiously to the ruling, saying that it could create a more competitive medical market that could eventually threaten public health. Six of the nine judges of the court ruled against the current law limiting medical institutions from marketing their services directly to consumers, saying that it infringes on the freedom of medical institutions to pursue profits and the rights of patients to choose better services. The debate over medical advertisements erupted in 2002 when a Seoul ophthalmologist lodged a constitutional complaint after he was indicted for allegedly marketing his services on the Internet. ``Direct-to-consumer advertising could empower the patient to learn more about medical options if they are based on accurate information. It could also result in a healthy competition between medical institutes that could benefit the quality of health-care services eventually,¡¯¡¯ the court said. The three judges expressing the minority opinion stated that medical advertisements should be thought as separate than marketing efforts in conventional consumer industries as they could threaten public health by generating false and exaggerated information. The Korean Medical Association released a statement welcoming the court decision, saying that the health-care law limiting medical advertisements is outdated. However, the Health Right Network and other civic groups claim that the court¡¯s decision may cause problems in public health. (by Kim Tong-hyung)
Top Court Rules Civic Servants¡¯ Strikes Illegal Civil servants will not be allowed to strike, as the Constitutional Court Friday ruled the law banning such actions¡¯ constitutional. Five of the nine justices of the court ruled in favor of the Local Government Workers Act, which prohibits public workers from organizing collective actions. In a ruling on the complaint filed by the Korean Government Employees¡¯ Union (KGEU), the court said that the Constitution gives the government the discretion to limit the rights of public workers to organize collective actions. ``Collective movements by civil servants can be interpreted as harmful to the public good. So, the law banning public workers strikes cannot be said to infringe upon basic labor rights,¡¯¡¯ it noted. The court added that international human rights agreements also permit judicial authorities limiting the basic legal rights of labor to some degree, countering the KGEU¡¯s assertion that the law is in violation of such agreements. Two Constitutional Court justices, Song In-june and Choo Sun-hoe expressed their opinion that it is inappropriate for the court to declare the matter constitutional or unconstitutional. They added that it is desirable for the legislature to revise the law. But they said that if civil servants are granted full rights of collective action, their political neutrality and the public welfare could be undermined. The KGEU filed a complaint with the country¡¯s highest court in July 2003 after the lower courts found several of its high-ranking officials guilty of organizing illegal strikes in November 2002. Despite the government¡¯s strong opposition to an organized labor movement, a group of public workers launched the union in March 2002 ¡®¡¯to secure their basic labor rights, improve working conditions and promote reform measures¡¯¡¯ they said, and ¡®¡¯to eliminate corruption in the government.¡¯¡¯ The union went on strike in November 2002, the first of its kind since the establishment of South Korea in 1948. Following the walkout by some 30,000 low-ranking government employees nationwide, the government brought charges against those responsible for organizing the strikes, which it branded as illegal collective action by public workers. In August 2004, the government drafted a bill designed to legalize public worker¡¯s labor unions from 2006 without giving them the right to call strikes or engage in political activities. But the KGEC protested the bill, calling on the government to fully guarantee their labor rights, including the right to collective action. In a bid to derail the government¡¯s bill, the union tried to launch an all-out struggle, including strikes, in October last year. Its attempt ended in failure, however, mainly due to hostile public sentiment to the unionization of civil servants in a sluggish domestic economy. (by Lee Hyo-sik)
New Bill Is Taking Aim at Tax Evasion Schemes In an effort to tackle the growing incidence of tax evasion, a group of 10 lawmakers has proposed a bill that would allow the nation's tax agency to obtain the personal information of people advertising illicit tax avoidance schemes online and over the phone. The bipartisan group, including Bahk Jae-wan of the Grand National Party, proposed yesterday a bill that would compel local telecommunications companies to provide, at the request of the National Tax Service, extensive personal details on people suspected of operating the tax evasion scams. If, as expected, the bill passes the National Assembly later this year or next year, tax investigators will be able to access the name, address, identification number and dates of subscription to telecommunications services of people under suspicion of pushing the scams. Under current law, only prosecutors have the right to demand personal information from telecommunications companies, making it very difficult for tax investigators to crack down on the purveyors of such schemes. (by Hong Byeong-gee)
Public Firms Asked to Hike Wages Up to 2% in 2006 The government has decided to curb wage hikes at state-invested public corporations to 2 percent next year. The Ministry of Planning and Budget (MPB) said on Sunday that it finalized the budget planning guideline for state-funded corporations for 2006. The guideline stipulates that all 14 public companies, including Korea Electric Power Corp., Korea National Housing Corp. and Korea Land Corp., place a ceiling on the increase in their 2006 labor cost budget plan to maximum 2 percent from the level in 2005. The MPB also banned public firms from using the contingency labor cost budget as a financial resource for a wage hike. It also ordered the companies to record entertainment expense as the business promotion expense in the accounting book to enhance the transparency of the financial structure by minimize the expenses omitted from the book. In addition, the ministry ordered the public firms to freeze next year¡¯s ordinary expense to this year¡¯s level. The public firms¡¯ budget plans will be finalized by year¡¯s end. (by Kim Sung-jin)
Environment Policies Focus on Green Growth Potential The Korean government will strengthen the role of its environmental policies in boosting the country¡¯s green growth potential which is lagging behind those of other advanced nations. The Ministry of Environment is seeking to formulate a set of environment policy measures to support South Korea¡¯s endeavor to achieve sustainable economic growth while preserving its natural environment. Green growth potential refers to capacity of which a country can achieve economic growth with environmentally friendly policies and consumption patterns that reduces environment pressures arising from development. Over the past 40 years, South Korea has been pursuing growthoriented economic development policies, largely disregarding environmental conservation and management. It has accomplished rapid economic growth but its policies have resulted in the degradation in the natural environment and the destruction of ecosystems. The country ranked below average this year in the green growth index, measurement of the economic growth potential of environmental sustainability, according to the Korea Institute of Public Finance. Korea ranked 18th among 30 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) with a score of 5.74. Its green growth index fell short from the OECD average of 7.02, showing that the country is in the slow lane among OECD economies in terms of environmental standards and government and corporate attitudes to environmental malpractice. In light of Korea¡¯s comparatively low green growth potential, the government has begun to recognize that it is urgent to come up with effective policy tools that improve environmentally sustainability growth, enhance performance for pollution control and eco-system management and promote environment as an engine for new economic development, a ministry official said. ¡°We will try to secure more budgets to provide incentives to corporations that practice environmentally sustainable business practices,¡± the official said, adding that the ministry considers introducing green taxes that requires the polluters pay more for the social and ecological consequences of pollutants they emit. The country has also led an international effort to achieve a win-win solution between environmental protection and economic growth across the globe, as today¡¯s environmental problems transcend national borders with wide-ranging impacts. It hosted the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific in March under the theme of ¡°achieving environmentally sustainable economic growth,¡± which was a great opportunity for Korea to increase its presence in the international community. (by Lee Hyo-sik)
Korea Pledges Drastic Deregulation The government pledged to drastically relax or remove unnecessary regulations hampering financial firms' businesses to foster a buyer-oriented market. The Ministry of Finance and Economy (MOFE) said on Tuesday (Nov. 22) that it will overhaul financial regulations. It will seek legislation on the integration of the capital market. The law will set the ground for abolishing the rules barring financial services firms from offering different types of financial services and taking down the boundaries between financial market segments or regulatory entry barriers. The ministry said it would soften or remove 101 regulations under 19 financial market-related laws by as early as the first half of next year. "Despite continuous financial regulatory reform efforts, outmoded regulations that have lost their validity due to changes in the financial market environment," Koh Kwang-hee, a MOFE official, said. "Also, the previous approach taken by the regulatory reform drive based on the compartmentalized financial sectors has revealed the limit of its effectiveness and caused some impartiality among firms in different financial sectors," Koh said. The latest push for financial regulatory reform also follows a flood of complaints from financial firms on the government's post-regulation principle, where the regulation continued to fail to keep up with the rapid pace of the financial market's development boosted by information technology. It will revise 639 outdated rules in the long-term, with a plan to redress 101 of the 639 regulations as the first phase of the reform project. Another distinct change in the proposed regulatory reform is that banks will be able to trade derivatives whose underlying assets will include raw material, such as steel, crude oil and grain, in addition to financial derivatives including interest and securities. The role of banks is expected to grow much larger when the revised regulation takes effect, as banks are allowed to deal only with financial derivatives. Banks will also be able to more efficiently hedge risks with the raw material-based derivatives.
Court Rules New Administrative Town Plan Constitutional The Constitutional Court Thursday (Nov. 24) turned down a petition against a special law on the construction of an administrative town, allowing the government to move two-thirds of its ministries out of Seoul. The nine-judge court voted down the petition 7 to 2, saying that the law is not against the Constitution. Following the ruling, the administration of President Roh Moo-hyun will gain momentum for its project to relocate 12 of 18 government ministries to the Yeongi-Gongju area in South Chungcheong Province by 2014. The plan is designed to transfer a large part of Seoul's administrative functions to the yet-to-be-built administrative town. It would have required at least six votes from the court's nine members to rule the administrative town plan as unconstitutional. "The special law is not against the principles of the Constitution, since Seoul's status as the capital of the Republic of Korea, recognized as part of the customary constitution, is not threatened," the court said. "The President and the National Assembly were not required to seek a constitutional amendment in pushing for the plan. Thus, it could not be said that the basic rights of the people had been violated," the court added.
MONGOLIA: Mineral Resources Law Amendment Draft Law Discussed The Government will discuss the draft law on amendment to mineral resources law next week and submit to the Parliament, said Prime Minister Ts. Elbegdorj, yesterday. According to Industry and Trade Minister Su. Batbold, there will be four major changes in this law. One, the state is to be a part in exploitation of the strategically important big deposits. The Government is to elaborate the mechanism of the state participation in exploitation for the given case and submit to the Parliament. The draft law determines what deposits are to be considered as big deposits. Resources of more than 30 tons in gold, 600 tons in silver, one million tons in copper, 500 thousand tons in zinc, 500 million tons in coal, 1500 tons in uranium oxide are determined as big deposits in exploitation of which the state will have an ownership of 30%. To this point the MP B. Jargalsaikhan's position was for the state to have 51% ownership leaving the rest for the investors. Two, the exploration license fee is to be increased by 10 times and the state funded exploration fields, invalidated or returned licenses are to be sold on an auction sale. Applications for licenses are to be received electronically in order to avoid unlawful dealings, says Minister Su. Batbold. Three, the economic entities income tax discount is to be eliminated. Four, licenses of economic entities are to be invalidated and those responsible are to be charged by criminal law if the license owners fail to fulfill their duties in restoration of the nature thus causing serious environmental damages.
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INDONESIA: Shipping Decree Ready for Implementation With its supporting regulations to be made official this month, the long-awaited presidential instruction for shipping that is expected to boost the development of the national shipping industry will take effect as early as January, a progress report revealed. The report from the Ministry of Transportation's Directorate General of Sea Transportation shows that Presidential Instruction No. 5/2005 -- made official in March -- will be fully implemented on Jan. 1, 2006. The presidential instruction on the revitalization of the national shipping industry will apply the cabotage principle -- that requires domestic loads to be shipped by domestic oceanliners -- as one of ways to reinvigorate the industry which has long been dominated by foreign competitors. Among the progress made was the ratification of the International Convention on Maritime Liens and Mortgages, the draft on law on maritime claims and ship mortgage, as well as a draft for the ratification of the International Convention on the Arrest of Ship. The six working groups involved -- focusing on trade, finance, transportation, industry, energy, as well as education and training -- have reported that they were ready with the draft of the ministerial regulation needed for the implementation of the decree. Previously, the Indonesian Shipowners Association revealed that local shipowners held only a 54 percent share in the domestic shipping market of around 170 million tons per year. Meanwhile, for exports, they shipped only 5 percent out of the annual 540 million tons of exported goods. The instruction says that, within three years after it is issued, goods moved to and from the country's ports must be shipped by Indonesian-flagged oceanliners operated by national shipping companies. Data from the transportation ministry as of September showed there were 5,111 national ships -- out of the total number of 6,521 ships -- in 2005, of which 1,420 were general cargo ships. The total number of operating ships as of Sept. 28 increased by almost 8 percent as compared to the data compiled in March, with a total of 719 foreign ships entering Indonesia. According to the same data, as of Aug. 9, some 128 foreign ships operating in Indonesia are now using the services of local shipping companies. Aside from prioritizing domestic ships, the government, according to the instruction, will give incentives to state-owned companies assigning national-flagged ships to transport their exports and imports. Separately, Indonesian exporters and importers criticized the government's lack of supervision on the implementation of the newly reduced terminal handling charge (THC). Minister of Transportation Hatta Radjasa announced the new THC of US$95 on Nov. 1, lower than the previous fee of $150 for handling a 20-foot container. Indonesian Furniture Producers Association chairman Sae Tanangga Karim said that without proper implementation the long-awaited regulation that would help reduce the country's high cost economy would be useless.
Complaints Over Tax Laws Acknowledged Following intense opposition from the business community over proposed amendments to the tax legislation, the government pledged on Wednesday that it would soften its stance by agreeing to significantly review them. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has instructed relevant ministers to make substantial concessions while discussing the laws with legislators in order to accommodate public demands, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie said. "Based on the president's decision, the government has agreed to be more accommodating in accepting input from taxpayers and by making significant changes to the (draft) amendments," he said after a ceremony at the Presidential Palace. The government passed on the draft amendments to three tax laws to the House of Representatives for deliberation in early September in the expectation that the new bills would come into effect on Jan. 1, 2006. The three amendment bills -- which if past will be the third series of tax legislation reforms since 1983 -- include Law No. 16/2000 on general taxation arrangements and procedures, Law No. 17/2000 on income tax and Law No. 18/2000 on value added tax and luxury tax. Aburizal said that some of the key demands from taxpayers -- which were likely to be accommodated -- included equality between the revenue service and taxpayers. "I think there should be an evaluation of the level of equality between taxpayers and tax officials. This is one of the main concerns of taxpayers that we need to address seriously," he said. Both domestic and foreign taxpayers here have been worried about the widening imbalances between the power of tax officials and the rights of taxpayers. Tax officials remain subject only to internal controls in the directorate general and the finance ministry, with officials suspected of tax crimes or violations being investigated only by their colleagues. On the other hand, taxpayers will face heavier sentences if suspected of violating the tax laws. They will also find it difficult to stand up for their rights in dealing with the tax bureaucracy. Aburizal said the government would also incorporate ways to simplify procedures in tax collection as well as the rebate process. With a possible massive overhaul of the amendments, Aburizal indicated that reform of the country's tax regime could only start in 2007, one year later than expected. The amendments, which were initially praised as "business friendly", turned out to be counterproductive after several unilateral changes were made by the Ministry of Finance minutes before they were submitted to the House. The amendments were drafted jointly by the ministry's Directorate General of Taxation and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), with the primary aim being to make the tax legislation more friendly to taxpayers. Tax collection in Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy, remains one of the lowest among major Asian economies. As of the end of last year, only 3.67 million people or institutions had a tax file number and paid taxes regularly.
Govt Prepares Regulations on Wages The government will soon issue two regulations on remuneration for the formal sector and on industrial relations in the informal sector, a manpower official said on Tuesday. Muzni Tambusai, the director-general for industrial relations at the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration, said one government regulation would introduce three remuneration criteria, while the other would regulate a social security scheme and provide for simple industrial relations in the informal sector. The remuneration schemes in the formal sector would consist of a minimum wage system, bipartite negotiations and individual professional negotiations. "The minimum wage system will remain a safety net to prevent workers from being underpaid," he said after the opening ceremony of a national conference on productivity in Jakarta. Muzni said he could understand why labor unions recently demanded that the government phase out the minimum wage system and replace it with a wider scheme that covered informal workers. "But the problem is not there. The problem is that the labor market is oversupplied and most employers prefer the minimum wage system although they are financially able to pay more." Labor unions recently urged the government to abandon the regional minimum wage scheme because it was applicable only for workers employed in the formal sector. Muzni said the bipartite negotiations would require workers and employers to agree on remuneration systems at the company level. "Of the most importance is that management must be transparent about its company's financial condition and union representatives must have skills in bargaining techniques. If managements are committed to building industrial harmony, they should treat their workers as partners and be transparent about their companies' performance," he said. Muzni said industrial relations had frequently broken down because of a lack of transparency. The third method, the direct professional negotiations between workers and the management, he said, allowed "... professionals to demand their own salaries in accordance with their skills and working experience." In the informal sector, Muzni said the government would introduce simple industrial relations and social security programs for workers to enforce the Law 3/1992 on social security and Law No. 13/2003 on labor. "We will set daily working hours, a simple remuneration system, transportation and meal allowances, and social security programs," he said. The government has not yet regulated industrial relations in the informal sector, which employs 70 percent of the nation's labor force, or more than 60 million people. Muzni said the government had asked state insurance firm PT Jamsostek to start introducing social security programs among workers in the informal sector. "Thousands of housemaids in Yogyakarta and East Java and pedicab drivers in Batam, Riau, have participated in the health and occupational accident insurance programs," he said.
MALAYSIA: Bills Aim for Transparency The Government is proposing two bills to tackle the present chronic problems and to reform the water industry. The two bills are Water Services Industry Bill and the National Water Services Commission Bill. A transparent way of running the country¡¯s water industry and sewerage system is the main objective of the two new Bills proposed by the Government. Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said the Bills would also ensure clean and adequate water supply as well as a proper working sewerage system. ¡°These are two important proposed laws, and we have decided to give the public a chance to have their say,¡± he told a press conference here yesterday. The two Bills have been posted on the ministry¡¯s website, http://www.ktak.gov.my/waterbill. The public's comments have to be submitted by Nov 24 as the Bills are expected to be tabled by the end of the current parliamentary session. He said the move to improve the industry did not mean that the Federal Government was taking over the water services. Instead, it wanted to share the responsibility of formulating policy and regulating the industry with state governments. ¡°It is also not privatisation. But in states which have already privatised the service, like in Johor and Selangor, it is up to the state government whether they want to continue with the concessionaires. ¡°Within three months, these concessionaires must discuss with the commission what they want to do. ¡°We are asking states which have yet to privatise their water supply to corporatise them, as eventually the corporatised companies would be owned by the state governments,¡± he said. Among other things, the two Bills aim to: Provide a transparent and effective regulatory structure; Address the need for financing to fund water services infrastructure; and Overcome losses in revenue due to insufficient funds to finance pipe replacement, and to lack of enforcement on illegal connections and non-payment of water bills. Dr Lim said, in different states, tariff rates for domestic water usage varied from 30 sen to 90 sen for every 1,000 litre and for industrial use, from 90 sen to RM2.90. ¡°We hope there will be a standard tariff one day. But it¡¯s not easy because every operator will face a different situation in each state,¡± he added. He also said illegal connections were rampant, and added that 80% of water supplied in Semporna, Sabah, was not billed. ¡°If any operator were found to be inefficient, the commission would have the power to recommend to the minister and the minister will recommend to the Cabinet to ask another company to take over,¡± he added.
The Human Resources Ministry is revising the national labour policy for implementation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, Deputy Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Bakar said. He said changes to the labour policy were needed because of the rising demand for workers in the agriculture and plantation, manufacturing, construction and services sectors but Malaysians were less interested to get into them. Priority would still be given to Malaysians, he said.
Amended Insurance Act to Improve Services IT is still too early to see what impact the amendment to the Insurance Act will have on the insurance and financial services industry, said Financial Planning Association of Malaysia(FPAM) president U Chen Hock. ¡°The amendment was made so that the public will have more confidence in the services provided by the companies,¡± he told a press conference after the opening of FPAM¡¯s Financial Exposition (Finex) 2005 event in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. The amendment allows licensed financial advisers to market a wider range of products that are untied to a particular insurance provider, but having a RM200,000 minimum professional indemnity insurance coverage for consumer protection. U said he expects that products would become increasingly competitive as a result, though it was the consumers who would benefit. ¡°The independence of financial advisers is meant to address what the consumer wants, and not what an insurance agent wants to sell,¡± he said, adding that it might also benefit the larger companies, but a challenge for smaller players. Finex 2005 was officiated by Tunku Datuk Ya¡¯acod Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah, FPAM¡¯s first president and founder member, who said in his speech that a similar concept exists in institutional unit trust agents and third party distributors of unit trust products for a number of unit trust companies. ¡°Since the concept was first introduced, the IUTAs are performing well in terms of expanding the distribution capacity of the industry. ¡°We believe the IUTAs now contribute close to 50% of the industry¡¯s sales,¡± he said.
The recently-concluded 13th Malaysian Law Conference discussed whether the current form of sentencing was out-moded. SHAILA KOSHY discusses what should be the aims of punishment in a progressive society. This is a powerful indictment of the prison system from a man who was often referred to as ¡°Crime Buster¡± in the media. The failure of the prison system worldwide is somewhat ironic seeing as it was supposed to have been the more humane punishment in comparison to the torture rack and public beheadings. But what is the aim of punishment? This is a question for all Malaysians as a Parliamentary Select Committee on Crime goes about getting public feedback on proposed amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code. When we sentence a repeat offender who steals food for his family, are we deterring theft or punishing him and his family for their poverty, which may well be a result of a combination of the state's development policies? Is the daunting prospect of another stint at His Majesty's Pleasure supposed to press him to get any job that can feed, clothe and educate his family when his ¡°continuing penal education¡± discourages many human resources managers, even the most humane ones, from employing him? Traditionally, the four aims of punishment are deterrence, rehabilitation, prevention and retribution and to achieve that Parliament offers jail, whipping, fines, restricted residence, a combination of the four, and death ¨C none of which has managed to deter crime here. ¡°In Malaysia, sentences reflect a combination of several or all of the above aims, resulting in an eclectic approach to sentencing as opposed to a single uniform sentencing strategy,¡± said V. Sithambaram, chairman of the Bar Council's Criminal Law Committee. ¡°Under the eclectic approach there are no formally fixed aims in advance but judges pick and choose which sentencing aim they wish for in the case.¡± Cambridge University senior lecturer Nicola Padfield said the penal system must be constantly under review and society must reassess its justifications for punishment. ¡°We must work out what we want to achieve before deciding what punishments we should impose and how to evaluate their effectiveness. It is equally vital to collect evidence.¡± Punishment in Malaysia appears to be still about retribution (for the public) or the exercise of power (for the state) over another¡¯s body, in the guise of maintaining law and order. Lately, it has been reported that the Attorney-General's Chambers is studying proposals for implementing community sentences and for a parole system; probably in recognition of the fact that prison sentences have little deterrence or rehabilitative value. We need a process that addresses crime and its impact on the victim, offender and society in a holistic manner. Both Sithambaram and Padfield touched on how the United States and Britain have in place a process called ¡°restorative justice' which attempts to do this by getting offenders into face-to-face mediation with the victims or family group conferences which hopefully end in consensual reparation agreements. Studies in Britain on young offenders have shown that an offender from a socially excluded background has a better chance of reintegration following compensatory education, training and therapy.
SINGAPROE: Commission Publishes Revised Competition Law Guidelines in Six Areas The Competition Commission of Singapore has published a set of revised guidelines on the Competition Act. Based on feedback from public consultation, the commission revised some guidelines in six areas, including powers of investigation and enforcement, to clarify how it will assess, investigate and deal with cases. The other areas are enforcement, guidance notification, leniency, transitional arrangements and penalties. How will a parent company be treated if its subsidiary engages in anti-competitive behaviour? And what factors will be used to determine the financial penalties for abusing market power for distorting competition? These were some of the questions raised in the public consultation exercise carried out by the Competition Commission. Some respondents also wanted to know if the commission would evaluate their prospective business arrangements for possible contravention of the Competition Act. But the commission says it is up to the firms themselves to hire legal firms for advice. And some lawyers agree. Said Kala Anandarajah, head (knowledge and risk management), Rajah and Tann, "Businesses want certainty. They want to be told that before they do something, please tell me if this is going to be anti-competitive. And I understand their concerns. But a few problems come up from saying that CCS should give them the guidance. First of all you're going to have a CCS that's really huge, because in order to analyse and give businesses the comfort you need a big staff. Secondly, businesses vary; different types of businesses have different types of requirements." As for parent companies and their subsidiaries, the commission says they will be assessed to see if they can be considered a single economic entity. And on the issue of financial penalties, the commission says it is not adopting the UK model of providing detailed step-by-step guidelines. Some lawyers also prefer to just have broad guidelines. Said Kala Anandarajah, "As far as the Singapore market is concerned, I think they are still going with the approach that, let's comply with the spirit. They provide broad guidelines and they want to work it that way, which I think in the short term is really the way to go; because if you become too prescriptive, it's sort of pigeonholing us too early in the day. And we shouldn't do that with this new law." The Competition Act was passed in Parliament on 19 October 2004. It will come into force in January 2006.
MAS Says Singapore's Regulatory Framework Fundamentally Sound The central bank has come out to defend Singapore's regulatory framework, saying that it is fundamentally sound. That comments came from Heng Swee Keat, managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He was addressing a conference on corporate governance organised by the Commercial Affairs Department. Also at the same event, Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs Ho Peng Kee says the challenge is to find a flexible tool to rein in fraud while allowing businesses to grow, expand and make profits. There have been calls to tighten the level of corporate governance in Singapore following a spate of recent scandals, including the high-profile incident at China Aviation Oil. But Mr Heng says the regulatory framework here is fundamentally sound. He said, "We must accept that no amount of regulation can prevent all corporate frauds or failures -- not here, nor anywhere in the world. That these matters have surfaced and a number of these cases are currently before the courts is evidence that our system is working." What is important, he says, is to have a robust enforcement system and a high level of disclosure, so that the legal framework and market discipline can work. He also said that the ongoing review by the Singapore Exchange of its listing rules will not lead to Sarbanes Oxley type of obligations being imposed on companies. The Sarbanes Oxley Act, which was introduced in the US in 2002, has been criticised for being too onerous on directors and company officials. Still, Mr Heng noted that it is ultimately the responsibility of companies themselves to win investor trust. Mr Heng said, "Companies can take the initiative to provide more meaningful information for the benefit of investors. We must not forget that our disclosure regime hinges on trust." In his address, Associate Professor Ho said that with complex business transactions and differing accounting standards, even innovative financial products can pose a challenge in the fight against corporate fraud. He says the challenge is to find a flexible tool to rein in fraud while allowing businesses to grow and expand.
VIETNAM: NA Deputies Discuss Proposed Law to Prevent, Fight Corruption The way in which the proposed Law to Prevent and Fight Corruption, or the Anti-Corruption Law should work dominated debate in the National Assembly yesterday. Discussion ranged from identifying the property of State officials and the protection of whistelblowers to deciding which agency should have responsibility for enforcing the law. Many deputies argued that any entity given responsibility for the law should be controlled by the National Assembly or the Viet Nam Communist Party. The Prime Minister should not be in charge, they said. National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An responded by saying that the Party leads the war against corruption, but neither it, nor the National Assembly chairman, should control the agency with responsibility for enforcing the law. The effort to prevent and fight corruption should be taken by the Government and the Prime Minister, he said. Deputy Huynh Van Ti, central Binh Thuan Province, said: "We don¡¯t lack organisations to prevent and fight corruption. "But we lack the mechanism necessary to monitor and supervise activities for preventing and fighting corruption and we do not treat transgressors severely enough." The constitution identified the Government¡¯s responsibility to fight bureaucracy and corruption. Therefore, the Government should establish an organisation to do the job, he said. But the National Assembly should also appoint a committee to oversee the battle. Many deputies complained that the draft law would have State officials declare the property of their under-age children and this was not enough. Deputy Huynh Thi Huong, central Quang Nam Province, said no one would use his name to register property illegally gained. Many officials sent their children to school in the major cities where they bought houses for them. Therefore, officials must declare the property of all their children, she said. Deputy Tran Huynh Men, southern Dong Thap Province, said accountants should also have to declare their assets because they were amid the opportunities for corruption. In addition, the State officials should have to declare scholarships for their children to study outside Viet Nam and stocks held by their family members. Deputy Huynh Van Ti, central Binh Thuan Province, said the more public disclosure the better. Capital for hunger eradication and poverty alleviation and funds for people who have contributed to the revolution could also be embezzled. As a result, all details about projects related to the people¡¯s right and benefit should be made public. Deputy Huynh Thi Huong, central Quang Nam Province, said the proposed law should be specific about protecting people who lay accurate accusations. Otherwise those accused would be able to victimise them. Deputy Duong Thi Loi, northern Bac Giang Province, said the draft law allowed for compensation to the accused by their accuser. But it did not deal with an accuser who was proven right and in danger. Deputy Huynh Van Ti, central Binh Thuan Province, said the possibility of revenge being taken against accusers was real and the Fatherland Front of Viet Nam and its member orga-nisations should ensure that those who made an accurate accusation were protected.
NA Mulls Enterprise, Investment Laws Eleven contentious provisions of the new Enterprise Law were debated in the National Assembly yesterday. The provisions, raised by the deputies when the proposed changes were first discussed earlier this month, ranged from the liabilities of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and the protection of minority share holders to where shareholder meetings should be held. Economic and Budgetary Affairs Committee Chairman Nguyen Duc Kien assured the deputies that all 11 provisions had been reviewed. These were to create benefits for their members and this was why they should be governed by the Enterprise Law. Including them in the new law would also promote their international integration. Pham The Duyet, of northern Hai Duong Province, said most serious corruption had occurred in SOEs. Now because the Government held only 51 per cent of the capital after equitisation, there needed to be an anti-corruption mechanism that included workers through their trade union representatives. National Assembly Deputy Chairman Truong Quang Duoc yesterday introduced the NA to a report on amendments to the draft Law on Investment. A new detail in the draft law states that those given investment priority can have that fact recorded on either their business or investment license. An article of the draft law on investment appraisals regulates that projects belonging to the List of Conditional Investment Projects and projects with capitals of VND300 billion or more are eligible for appraisal. Regarding the use of State funds, NA delegates agreed that the Investment Law only regulates business and investment activities but not investments that use funds from the State budget for non-business goals, as the latter are regulated by the Budget Law and the Law on Bidding. |
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BANGLADESH: Cabinet Okays Draft of PVT Security Service Act UNB, DHAKA £ The Cabinet at a meeting Monday approved the draft of Private Security Service Act, 2005 aiming to ensure the standard of private security service and run it more efficiently. The meeting, held at the PM office with Prime Minister KHALEDA ZIA in the chair, also endorsed the draft of Cable Television Network Act, 2005 to operate cable television network under a regulated system. The Cabinet thanked the people of all walks of life and other concerned for extending cooperation in holding the 13th SAARC summit successfully and congratulated Prime Minister KHALEDA ZIA on assuming the office of SAARC Chairperson. It also discussed the draft of another law to be enacted for preservation and development of rivers and other water bodies, and decided to place it again before the Cabinet after scrutiny. Cabinet members, state ministers concerned, cabinet secretary, principal secretary to the Prime Minister Office and secretaries concerned were present at the meeting.
GOVT Plans TK 90cr Project for Bird Flu Prevention The government is going to undertake a project, which will cost about TK 90 crore, for increasing surveillance and strengthening emergency preparedness for Avian Influenza.(New Age) A highly placed source of the fisheries and livestock ministry said the ministry has already informed the Economic Relations Division of the necessity of the project and asked it to select a donor for financing it. Under the project, the entire money will be spent for building up diagnostic capacity, increasing awareness, providing protective dress for the workers of commercial poultry farms and equipment for strengthening the diagnostic capacity of the laboratories. Bangladesh, as a developing country, has the scope to get financial assistance within the next six months from a fund of $35 million which has been formed only for the developing countries under a preparedness programme to contain bird flu, said a close source of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on Monday. Recently, a four-member delegation ¡ª comprising the additional secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, joint secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, director of the Infectious Diseases Institute and the director-general of the Department of Livestock Services ¡ª has returned after concluding a joint meeting on ¡®Global Avian Influenza and Human Pandemic¡¯ held at Geneva from November 7 to November 9. The meeting was organised jointly by the World Bank, Food and Agricultural Organisation, World Health Organisation and World Organisation for Animal Health, and attended by more than 600 participants from about 100 countries. An official who attended at the meeting said the experts from the different international agencies basically emphasised the need for preparedness to contain the outbreak at the start to prevent a human pandemic. Global organisations like WB, FAO, WHO and OIE will also raise a fund of $1 billion for vaccination, research and prevention of bird flu for the next three years. The Asian Development Bank has already earmarked $53 million for containment of bird flu. Representatives from Japan, USA, Italy and UK who attended the meeting assured the meeting that aid would be forthcoming for developing countries to combat Avian Influenza but didn¡¯t specify the amount or type of aid. The World Health Organisation will regionally stockpile the necessary vaccine and the follow-up of the meeting will be held in January in China. The experts of the international organisations also asked the representatives who attended the meeting not to spread misinformation about bird flu as it may result in disaster. They insisted that all countries must maintain strict surveillance of the migratory birds which are likely to carry the virus. Regarding preparedness, a high official told New Age, ¡®The country has already banned import of poultry and poultry products from 18 different countries and testing of imported day-old chicks is also obligatory¡¯. The government claimed that it has recently started clinical surveillance all over the country and has emphasised the necessity of bio-security measures in the commercial hatcheries and poultry farms throughout the country.
BHUTAN: Bhutan Is Stepping Up Measures to Prevent the Bird Flu THIMPHU - Bhutan is stepping up measures to prevent the bird flu spreading into the country which has so far killed more than 60 people worldwide including 13 in Thailand. The spread of the flu, also called avian flu, from its original hotspot of South East Asia to Turkey and Romania and recently in July 2005 to poultry farms in Russia and Kazakhstan have sparked fears of a pandemic. According to Bhutan¡¯s health ministry, they along with the agriculture ministry have drawn up a comprehensive plan to deal with the flu. The existing ban of import of poultry and poultry products from south East Asia like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia has been stepped up. Import of poultry and its products from India, however, still continues. This is because no bird flu cases have been reported from the neighbouring countries said health official, TANDIN DORJI. But they were being monitored, he added. Led by the Bhutan agriculture and food regulatory authority and the department of livestock, other preventive measures include the surveillance and medical investigation of poultry farms and random checking of village poultry. Samples are being collected to be medically checked for the flu at the national centre for animal health in SERBITHANG. With the help of WHO purchase of special diagnostic equipment and anti-viral drugs are also underway. Migrating birds like the black-necked cranes, ducks, cranes and species of other birds are also being monitored with the help of the royal society of protection of nature, TANDIN DORJI said. Experts fear that wild-migrating birds could carry the flu after reports of outbreaks in Europe and Africa. The bird flu was first spotted in Vietnam and Thailand in 2003. The disease generally still does not transmit easily to humans but WHO has urged heightened surveillance and vigilance. Experts point out that the flu is transmitted to people who are in close contact with infected birds. The spread of bird flu has forced countries around the world to look at how they would tackle an outbreak. Many have developed plans to protect against the possibility that the virus will start to spread between humans. WHO recommends countries should stockpile enough anti-viral drugs to cope with a pandemic. Symptoms of the bird flu include fever, sore throat, and cough similar to common cold. Health researchers in the world are currently working to develop a vaccine.
National Assembly Finalizes Rules on Recognition of TRULKUS and Lams The National Assembly of Bhutan resolved that the formal NGEDZIN (recognition) of TRULKUS and lams born in Bhutan would be conducted according to Bhutanese traditions and the rules of procedure framed by the committee which was established this year in accordance with the resolution of the 83rd session of the National Assembly. The Assembly also resolved that trulkus and lams living outside Bhutan would have to follow the resolution of the 30th session of the Assembly, held in 1969, which said that a trulku or lam could choose to renounce Bhutanese citizenship and live in other countries. The Assembly resolution came after a lengthy debate on the issue in response to a report submitted by the chairman of the Royal Advisory Council, Dasho Rinzin Gyeltshen, on November 21. Dasho Rinzin Gyeltshen. The Zhung Kalyon reported that, while the rules on the recognition of trulkus and lams who were not Bhutanese citizens but were born in Bhutan were very clear in the resolution of the 30th session of the National Assembly they had not been implemented by the dratshang and the government. Meanwhile, the traditional system of recognising trulkus had not been followed by the government or the dratshang. As a result of the growing problems in the ngedzin of trulkus and lams the 83rd session of the National Assembly, in June, 2005, had resolved that a committee should be established to formalise the recognition of trulkus and lams. A high-level committee was established in August, 2005, chaired by the Dorji Lopon (principal assistant of the Je Khenpo in charge of religious teachings). The members were Drabi Lopon (master of literary studies) of the Zhung Dratshang, the Zhung Kalyon, the eminent Ningma lam, Lam Kinzang Wangdi, Sungtruel Rinpoche (speech incarnation Terton Pema Lingpa), Dasho Sigay Dorji of the Royal Advisory Council, the home secretary, Dasho Penden Wangchuk, and the secretary of the dratshang Lhenstshog, Dasho Sangay Wangchug. The Kalyon said the committee had gravely acknowledged the importance and significance of its profound responsibility because a trulku was an enlightened person who had achieved freedom from the encumbrances of the karmic wheel of rebirth and the pure actions of the trulku would have a positive impact on human society. On the basis that it was of vital importance to establish clear and strict procedures for the recognition of Bhutanese and other trulkus born in Bhutan the committee had drawn up a 14-point rules of procedure for the ngedzin of trulkus and lams in September, 2005. This included the traditional practice of recognition by the trulku of the biographical sketch and details of his past life. The committee also re-affirmed the important practice of the right upbringing and spiritual training of the confirmed trulkus noting that, although this tradition had always existed in Bhutan, it was not implemented by the dratshang and the government. The Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs had also been instructed to maintain a list of confirmed trulkus born in Bhutan.
INDIA: Draft Policy to Bring Number Portability Closer The Indian government has drafted a new telecom policy (NTP) which clears the way for the introduction of mobile number portability (MNP) and the implementation of carrier pre-selection by fixed line operators. The draft NTP proposes a twelve-month deadline for the launch of MNP from the date of adopting the policy. Regarding fixed line services, it states that ¡®each service provider will offer other providers direct access to its customers for transmission services, including national and international long-distance, internet access, DSL, and other value added services. This will be enforced through the implementation of carrier access code (CAC) and pre-selection.¡¯ Pending the policy announcement, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has initiated a consultation paper on MNP. GSM industry body the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has two months to respond to the proposals. The TRAI will submit its recommendations on the NTP to the Department of Telecoms in January, according to its chairman Pradip Baijal.
MALDIVES: Majlis Debates on Inclusion of People's Rights Protection Policy in Constitution Some members of the Majlis have expressed their view about inclusion of a policy that will protect the rights of the people, today. During the sessions among the ones held to discuss the policies that should be included in the constitution, some of the members said that the most important thing lacking in the constitution is the absence of a policy that will protect the basic rights of the people.
NEPAL: SWC Introduces New Code of Conduct for NGOs The Social Welfare Council (SWC) today launched the controversial Code of Conduct for all national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) despite their protests. The new Code of Conduct stipulates that the office bearers of the social organizations should not be involved in political activities. National and International NGOs should work in coordination with the local organizations and made their activities transparent. Those organizations should make all their activities transparent and should publicize their progress report and balance sheet every year, the Code states. The new fiat also bars executive committee members of the organization from drawing salaries and other benefits. It also limits the term of the Chairman of the organization to two terms. All the organizations have to submit their reports and financial statement to District Administration Office, District Development Committee, SWC and the donor agencies. Local bodies should be informed in advance about the implementation of the project running under foreign assistance. Organization should clearly distribute the proportion of the budget for the administrative and program expenses. Speaking at the program organized to release the newly formed Code of Conduct Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Durga Shrestha claimed that the code of conduct was issued with the aim of systematizing the NGOs rather than controlling it. Minister Shrestha also appealed all for help to implement the new Code of Conduct. The new code of conduct is facing criticism from all walks of life saying that it wants to control the activities of the NGOs and undermine their contribution in the development of the country. However Member Secretary of SWC Sharad Sharma expressed the hope that all would support it after they knew the provisions of it, as it was issued to boost the morale and prestige of the NGOs that are really working for the welfare of the people and the Country. There are 18,727 NGOs affiliated to the Social Welfare Council and 133 INGOs are also active in Nepal. Some unofficial data say there are as many as 30,000 NGOs working across the country.
Government Prohibits Sale and Distribution of News Without Permission Nepal News -- AsiaMedia Editor's Note: Reports are unclear as to whether the lifting of the state of emergency on April 30 allows for press freedom, and thus Nepalnews may still be operating under the directives of King Gyanendra. The government has prohibited news agencies of sale and distribution of news to any publisher, broadcasting institution and individual without permission from the government as per the recently promulgated Media Ordinance. As per the amendment in the Clause 2 of Article 32 of National News Agency Act 2019 BS, the national and international news agencies can distribute news in the Kingdom only after taking permission from His Majesty's Government, reports said citing a statement of Ministry of Information and Communications issued Tuesday. It has forbidden the publishers, broadcasting institutions and common people to purchase news from the news agencies which have not been allowed to sell and distribute the news in the country.
PAKISTAN: Musharraf Spells Out Rehabilitation Strategy RAWALPINDI -- President General Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday said that the Government "is committed to rehabilitation of vulnerable earthquake victims", including orphaned children, widows and disabled persons through an integrated approach aimed at providing them adequate shelter, education, healthcare and economic opportunities. He was addressing a meeting which discussed matters related to handling of patients in hospitals, rehabilitation of refugees after helping them to overcome the shock, assistance required in their return to their areas as quickly as possible, distribution of compensation amounts and assistance in rebuilding of their individual houses. The meeting was attended by Health Minister Muhammad Naseer Khan, Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education Zubaida Jalal, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Aneesa Zeb Taherkheli, Advisor to the PM on Women Development Neelofar Bakhtiar and Federal Relief Commissioner Major General Farooq Ahmed Khan. The meeting stressed that no patient would be discharged from hospital without being registered, after which they should be taken to affiliated convalescence centres. These centres have been set up in Rawalpindi and Islamabad and later on would also be established in the quake-affected areas. It was also agreed that after proper identification, orphaned children and those still without their parents, destitute women and those needing rehabilitation would be taken care of by the Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education. Others, who would find their relatives, would go back to their homes. The meeting also discussed quick distribution of compensation to those individuals and families who needed to re-construct individual houses, "which are not part of towns or cities" but are situated in outlying areas. The meeting was informed that distribution of money would be properly recorded and photographed so as to obviate any chance of misappropriation. The President emphasised the need for integrating all efforts to ensure proper health, education, shelter and development opportunities for orphaned children, widows, and the destitute affected by October 8 earthquake in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and NWFP. Musharraf directed that special care should be taken to look after the hospitalised people and said that in addition to all concerned ministries and government departments, the entire society has to come forward to pull them out of shock. "The government will pay special attention to these people at dedicated centres, but all segments of the society including the non-governmental organisations should contribute to these efforts, as we have to enable these people to rebuild their lives," he said.
President Musharraf Stresses Quake Reconstruction Won't Hinder Other Projects RAWALPINDI -- President Pervez Musharraf said on Thursday that the reconstruction and rehabilitation process in the earthquake-hit areas and other development projects in the country should move in tandem. Chairing the second meeting to review progress on the national programme for the improvement of watercourses, the president said that policy for relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation in the quake-hit areas was in place and there was a need to continue other development projects in the country. The president said that the brick-lining of watercourses was a very important project that would help save water and contribute to introducing new techniques like drip and sprinkler irrigation. He said that all tiers of government should do their duty to enact useful legislation and implement it. He said he would visit various areas to see the progress on projects in irrigation, health and education. He directed the authorities to continue work on the ongoing projects. Jehangir Tareen, the minister for industries, production and special initiatives, updated the president about the progress on the watercourses project. He said that 86,000 watercourses were being brick-lined. The Planning Commission deputy chairman told the meeting that Pakistan¡¯s short, medium and long-term development projects would not be affected by the earthquake. The meeting was also attended by the chief ministers and secretaries of the provinces and the state minister for agriculture. agencies
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IRAN: Fixed Price Law Replacing Justice with Equality An outspoken lawmaker on Tuesday criticized the parliamentary decision to fix prices of goods and services for this year, stressing that the initiative has replaced justice with equality. Iraj Nadimi, rapporteur of Majlis Economic Commission, told ISNA that the fixed price decision has helped the rich consume more of the national resources. He said there are two main expert viewpoints regarding the fixed price initiative.¡°One suggests that the initiative has only impeded investments and pushed up consumption and the other believes that it has managed to reduce inflation by one percent,¡° he said, adding that the initiative has failed to make a distinction between the rich and the poor in allocating resources. He further noted that the wealthy sections of the society take a much bigger share of the government subsidies as a result of the parliamentary decision.¡°For instance, fixed gasoline prices have encouraged many to use their own cars instead of public transport¡°, he said.
A 15 November announcement from Iran's state Veterinary Organization stated that no cases of the H5 subtype of avian flu have been identified in the country, IRNA reported. The announcement attributed the death of ducks in Aras recently to botulism. The Veterinary Organization said it is cooperating with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization, as well as the World Bank, and it is ready to counter the H5N1 strain of the virus. BS
KAZAKHSTAN: Officials Draft New Amnesty Law Kazakh Justice Minister Zagipa Balieva announced on 4 November that the Justice Ministry is preparing a new amnesty law, Interfax reported. In an announcement following a meeting in Astana with British Ambassador to Kazakhstan James Sharp, Balieva said the new amnesty will apply to some 5,000 prisoners and will seek to reduce the overall number of prisoners over a two-three-year period as part of a broader penal-reform effort. Balieva added that the government is studying the possible abolishment of the death penalty but noted that it "has not set a strict deadline," and that currently "a moratorium on the death sentence is in force." RG
Mazhilis Approves Amendments to Law on Taxes Deputies of the mazhilis (parliament's lower house,) have approved the draft law "On changes and amendments in the law 'On taxes and other obligatory payments' concerning the relief from the VAT for the imported goods related with the implementation of infrastructure projects," today, November 16, at a plenary meeting of the chamber, KZ-today correspondent reports from Astana. MP Victor Yegorov, representing the draft law has explained that "on the past of the state it is suggested to revise the relief from the VAT for the goods imported as per the concession agreement." The list of the imported goods, relieved from the VAT, will be approved by the government, he specified. The draft law has been submitted to the senate for consideration
UZBEKISTAN: Legislative Chamber Passes Three Bills Legislative chamber (lower house of parliament) of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan held a plenary session on 16-17 November. MPs considered Bill "On protection of information at automated banking systems" in third reading and Bill "On consumer crediting" in the second reading. Both of these financial bills were passed by MPs. Afterwards, legislators discussed Bill "On introduction changes and amendments to Crimal Code of Uzbekistan and Code of Administrative responsibility of Uzbekistan", which was also passed in the first reading.
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AUSTRALIA: Plans New Laws for Rapid Troop Deployment The Australian government is planning new laws to allow for the rapid deployment of troops to suppport police in the event of a terrorist attack, Defense Minister Robert Hill said on Sunday. The proposal comes days after Australia's parliament passed urgent amendments to anti-terrorist laws which will make it easier for police to arrest suspects. The amendments were rushed through the day after Prime Minister John Howard said he had received specific information about a possible "terrorist threat" to the country. He gave no further details about the threat.
Australia Plans Army Terror Role The Australian government is planning to bring in new laws to allow for the rapid deployment of troops to support police against any terrorist attack. The changes could be in place ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne next March. The move comes days after Prime Minister John Howard introduced tough new anti-terror laws into parliament. Critics have insisted these new laws have more to do with politics than national security. The Australian government believes the military can provide valuable muscle in the fight against terrorism. The plan to deploy troops in an emergency will be considered by senior ministers in the coming weeks. Opposition objections The proposals have caused unease among some opposition politicians. They have insisted the new laws are unnecessary, because the armed forces already have the capacity to intervene in a crisis. The defence department, however, said current measures were limited and impractical. Green party Senator Kerry Nettle said the move to give the army greater powers was a cynical ploy by the government to divert attention away from its controversial industrial relations legislation. The Australian Prime Minister John Howard has dismissed the accusation as "ridiculous."
Government Acts on Bus Belt Safety Seatbelts will be introduced on all school buses in Western Australia, the State Government announced on Sunday. Premier Geoff Gallop said all new school buses would require seatbelts and the existing fleet would be retrofitted on a priority basis. Local school bus operator Lloyd Shepherdson had echoed a call by fellow operators for the State Government to allow school buses to be fitted with seatbelts. Passenger safety is of paramount importance, he said. Mr Shepherdson is chairperson of the school bus division of the transport industry group Transport Forum WA and operates 12 school bus runs in Augusta, Cowaramup and Margaret River. His plea followed that of Busselton school bus operator Ray Gannaway after a serious crash in Baldivis two weeks ago where 25 school children were injured. The school bus industry had lobbied for more than seven years for a trial of seatbelts on buses, but governments on both sides had failed to implement a trial. "Anything that improves safety of any passengers, especially kids, should be fully investigated," Mr Shepherdson said last week. "We're not allowed to have seatbelts. "We would welcome them. "But the operational issues have to be sorted out." One of the main issues is that the driver is liable for ensuring passengers under 16 years of age wear a seatbelt, if provided, or be subject to a fine. This law must be changed before the issue of seatbelts in buses can be resolved. "The driver cannot leave his or her seat in a school bus with the motor running," he said. "If he observes a child not wearing a seatbelt, he would have to stop the bus in a safe location, switch off the motor and remove the keys before going back to ensure the child is wearing their belt." It is not feasible for a driver to be responsible for a young child who had slipped his or her seatbelt and would be hard for drivers to enforce, he said. Margaret River Primary School principal Paul Bradstreet said the school had responded to two major transport reviews in June, 1998, and many of the committee's safety suggestions were implemented. "Our submission made 11 recommendations, mostly related to school bus safety." he said. The committee noted more research into bus interior design to enhance bus safety was essential, especially seatbelts and padded rails. The practice of allowing children on school buses to stand is another recipe for disaster, Forrest MHR Geoff Prosser said. Current laws permit a percentage of standing school bus passengers. However Mr Prosser was concerned about the number of young children in buses allowed to stand, particularly where the buses are operating in relatively high speed zones. He raised the issue of seatbelts on all buses with State Transport Minister Murray Criddle in 1999. But Mr Criddle indicated that buses were resonably safe.
IR Bill Brings Australia into 21st Century: PM Prime Minister John Howard has joined the debate over the Federal Government's workplace relations bill in the House of Representatives. MPs from both sides have been speaking on the legislation since it was introduced last week. Mr Howard told the Parliament the new system will bring Australia's industrial relations (IR) system into the 21st century. He argues unions no longer have a stranglehold on the workplace. "The world has changed from the days when almost 50 per cent of the work force of Australia belonged to the trade union movement," he said. "The world has changed from the days when we were a five-day a week society, the world has changed enormously and our industrial relations system has to change with it." Opposition Leader Kim Beazley has vowed to wind back the changes. "When we get into office we are going to take this bill and we know exactly where to put it - right in the bin here," he said.
Australia's conservative co-alition government has pushed through reforms to the country's labour laws that will curb trade union powers and introduce more market-based wage-setting measures. The reforms, which yesterday passed through parliament's lower house after the government stopped further debate, are likely to become law by the end of December. (by Ray Marcelo)
New Workplace Relations Bill Passed by Australia's Lower House The Australian government's workplace relations bill has been passed in the House of Representatives - the lower house of federal parliament - after debate was cut short. The government argued the debate on the issue had been the longest one in the history of parliament. Our reporter, Stephanie Kennedy, says that angered the opposition Labor Party - there were more than 20 Labor MPs yet to speak. Labor's Annette Ellis wasn't impressed. "What a black day it is for democracy in this parliament," she said. But Liberal MP, Bob Baldwin, insists there has been plenty of time to debate the bill. "Listening to most of the debate that's gone on, it's been nothing more than just rhetoric about anything but the industrial relations policy, so its time to move on," he said. The government says the new workplace relations agenda involves three major changes - the creation of a single industrial relations system, a simpler agreement-making process between employers and workers and a better balancing of unfair dismissal laws.
Australia's Government Says Protests Will Not Stop New Work Laws The Australian Government says rallies and protest meetings due to get underway across the country will not deter it from implementing its Work Choices legislation. The proposed new laws cut the power of unions and allow employers to design individual contracts, which critics argue will reduce workers' rights to long-held benefits such as holidays and shift rates. Liz Foschia reports, today is the first real test of public sentiment about the changes. Labor's spokesman on Industrial Relations Stephen Smith believes workers will turn out in their hundreds of thousands. "These are bad laws and bad proposals and people are entitled to register and record their opposition to it," he said. But Mark Bethwaite, from employer group Australian Business Ltd, believes most will go to work as usual. "Frankly they are not convinced by the scare campaign the actu has been running," he said. The Federal government says its resolve remains unchanged and it will not be affected by a rally of one person or a 100-thousand. A senate committee is holding a five-day hearing on the planned legislation before it is due to be debated in the upper house.
Government Pressed Over Welfare Changes The federal government has come under added pressure to make further changes to its welfare-to-work plans after the Nationals joined welfare groups and Labor in raising concerns at an inquiry. The government plans to spend $3.6 billion overhauling welfare and pushing more single parents, disabled people and older Australians into the workforce. Under the laws, many disabled people who applied for social security payments after May 10 this year and single parents who applied after July 1 next year would be pushed onto the lower-paid Newstart allowance rather than the pension. If deemed capable of working, they would also be required to look for at least 15 hours of work a week. Single parents would be able to retain the single parent pension until their youngest child turned eight, but would have to search for a job when that child turned six. Any single parent receiving the pension before July 1, 2006, would remain on the pension until their youngest child turned 16, but they too would now have to look for work after that child's seventh birthday. The government made a number of exemptions to the rules - for foster carers and those fleeing domestic violence - after unrest from the coalition backbench. But Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce, who holds a crucial vote, told a Senate inquiry into the legislation his party had further concerns, particularly in regard to disabled people. "What's the government doing to ensure people with a disability are matched to jobs which are matched to the capacity and ability of these people to work?" Senator Joyce said at the hearing. "We are, in the National Party, concerned that by focusing on the capacity of a disabled person to work, the barriers to work are overlooked and the job may not suit their ability and interests." Senator Joyce also queried the "near-poverty level" of benefits paid to disability pensioners. Multiple sclerosis sufferer Sharon Eacott, a member of MS Australia, told the inquiry the laws needed to be flexible and offer better incentives to work. Ms Eacott said she took 20 tablets and administered one injection every day. "Coming to terms with that is very difficult but I want to keep working for as long as I can but I need assistance, I need support, I need to feel that the country wants me to keep producing otherwise it's a battle for no reason at all," she said. Workforce Participation Minister Peter Dutton said the laws were aimed at removing barriers to work. "We do need to focus on overcoming barriers to employment for people with disabilities," Mr Dutton said. "Part of the future assessment process will be the identification of barriers to employment for people with disabilities and referral to either short-term assistance or appropriate employer assistance, such as specialist disability employers." Opposition workforce participation spokeswoman Penny Wong accused the government of handing too much power to officials. The new laws set up "activity agreements" under which Newstart recipients would have to fulfil at least one activity designated by the government. "There's nothing in the Act that stops the (employment department) secretary from designating people to move house for the dole, diet for the dole or medicate for the dole," Senator Wong told the hearing. But Mr Dutton said this was "nonsense" and the government regularly used guidelines for social security. "Guidelines allow Centrelink a degree of flexibility that would not be possible if everything were set in the concrete of legislation," Mr Dutton said. Australian Council of Social Service director Andrew Johnson told the hearing the reforms would push an estimated 161,000 disability and single parent pensioners onto lower payments. Mr Johnson said existing rates of payments needed to be maintained and the government needed to be clearer in the laws about exemptions to the suspension of payments. Catholic Welfare Australia director Frank Quinlan said the penalties were harsh and unnecessary. "We describe it as using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut," Mr Quinlan said.
Government Launches Indemnity Review FEDERAL Health Minister Tony Abbott has announced the make-up of a government medical indemnity insurance review panel. Mr Abbott says he will co-chair the panel, which is due to report in May next year, with Assistant Treasurer Mal Brough. The review will look at the handling of clinical disputes, ways to improve claims management and professional standards, as well as various medical indemnity schemes. The UMP support program will also come under scrutiny, Mr Abbott said. The government pumped almost $600 million to resolve the crisis around doctors' negligence insurance and prevent the collapse of United Medical Protection (UMP) in 2002. It provided direct subsidies to insurers to cut premium costs and said the Government would meet half the cost of claims in excess of $300,000. The Government also provided a guarantee, recouped through a levy, to help doctors keep working by covering unfunded future liabilities for UMP members. But UMP's registered insurer Australian Medical Insurance Limited (AMIL) announced a significant reduction in its premiums for 2005 shortly after coming out of provisional liquidation. Laws passed by parliament last month removed the insurer's competitive advantage. The review will also look at the Premium Support Scheme, the High Cost Claims Scheme, the Exceptional Claims Scheme, the IBNR Scheme, and the Run-off Cover Scheme. The panel will include Australian Medical Association (AMA) president Mukesh Haikerwal, the AMA's Andrew Pesce, the Rural Doctors' Association's Sue Page, the Institute of Actuaries of Australia's Graham Rogers, Council of Procedural Specialists chairman Don Sheldon, and medical indemnity insurance industry representative Andrew Miller. It will hold its first meeting on December 1.
Agencies to Test Bird Flu Plans AUSTRALIA'S first major test of its preparation for an avian flu pandemic will be conducted this week. Exercise Eleusis will run between November 29 and December 1 and will involve some 1,000 people from the Federal and State governments, agriculture and health departments and the agriculture industry. Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran and Health Minister Tony Abbott said the exercise was an important component of Australia's preparedness. Mr McGauran said the exercise would employ a hypothetical scenario to test how well agriculture and health departments could work with industry to identify, contain and eradicate an animal disease outbreak. "This is an opportunity to identify areas where we can continue to improve our emergency response systems," he said in a statement. "The exercise has generated huge interest from overseas and Australia stands ready to share what we learn from the simulation with all countries." Mr Abbott said the exercise scenario included hypothetical cases of people contracting avian influenza. "All Australian health authorities are participating and this is an opportunity to test our emergency response plans," he said in a statement. Mr Abbott said the Australian government had committed more than $300 million to pandemic preparedness, including $170 million on the Australian health response and $140 million to help regional neighbours. The government believes avian influenza to be a threat but surveillance continues to show the H5N1 virus strain is not present in Australia. Avian influenza and human pandemic influenza are different diseases and Avian influenza in birds does not easily cause disease in humans.
WA Govt Considers Recycling Scheme The Western Australian Government is looking at setting up a drink container recycling scheme, which will give refunds for cans and bottles. Environment Minister Judy Edwards says the Government is investigating several methods, including kerbside recycling and automated vending machines that accept waste and give refunds. Dr Edwards says the scheme has many benefits. "It helps local governments with their recycling, it helps small groups, the scouts in South Australia do fantastically well still out of collecting bottles, and the kids could really get some extra pocket money," she said
NEW ZEALAND: Motorists Face New Charges The Ministry of Transport wants motorists and trucking firms to pay more towards building and maintaining the country's roads. A potential trial in Auckland to charge direct fees for the use of some existing roads - and not just tolls for new highways - could also raise more money for public transport. The ministry has highlighted to new Transport Minister David Parker a need to charge more for actual road use, rather than relying on blunter forms of raising revenue such as petrol tax and ratepayer contributions. It warns in a briefing paper for the new minister that better fuel efficiency from technological improvements to New Zealand's vehicle fleet is starting to outstrip the growth in kilometres travelled. "This will lead to a reduction in the level of fuel excise duty collected and is therefore likely to threaten the long-term viability of petrol excise as a primary method of paying for land transport activities," the briefing paper says. It also warns of cases of "strong community resistance" to attempts to boost property rates to pay for transport infrastructure. Petrol tax is expected to raise $1.362 billion this year, of which $748 million is bound for the National Land Transport Fund and $614 million to the Government's general account. Road-user charges from diesel vehicles levied according to how many kilometres are travelled will contribute $792 million to the transport fund, and vehicle registration fees will add $230 million. But Transit New Zealand will spend more than $1 billion on state highways this year in the face of annual cost rises of up to 15 per cent, and Government funding agency Land Transport New Zealand expects to dish out $22.15 billion in the next decade. Despite that spending commitment, the Auckland Regional Council is fretting over a $1.5 billion shortfall in an $11 billion transport wish-list to tackle potentially ruinous congestion over the next decade and has given its own briefing to the minister. Mr Parker, who was in Auckland at the weekend opening new "park and ride" bus stations in Albany and Constellation Drive, could not be reached for comment last night. The Government is frequently criticised by groups such as the Automobile Association for siphoning too much petrol tax away from roads but says it spends more than $1 billion a year from the general account to treat crash victims and those made ill by transport air pollution. Motorists pay 62.9c in tax for each litre sold - 47.665c in petrol tax and 15.3c in goods and services tax - accounting for 46 per cent of the 136.9c price of 91-octane. Although petrol tax will rise with inflation in annual adjustments starting in April, the ministry's briefing paper says this will only delay an erosion in revenue. "A significant challenge ahead for the Ministry of Transport is to identify and develop alternative revenue sources which apportion the cost of land transport activities in a transparent, equitable and sustainable manner," it says. It also warns the minister that the amount local and regional councils are having to contribute to match Government transport funding is becoming increasingly contentious. An early challenge is likely to be posed by recommendations the ministry expects to make to Mr Parker by the end of this month after a year-long study into charging motorists to use existing roads in Auckland. Regional council transport policy committee chairman Joel Cayford said last night that he had yet to see the study but understood it was likely to generate considerable controversy. Dr Cayford was unwilling to give his verdict on the idea of road pricing but said channelling some of the money raised towards public transport would be "absolutely" justified, given the benefits to all road users from reducing congestion. He noted that the regional council was conducting its own study into potential alternatives to increasing rates. This was because the council's proposal to increase rates over the next 10 years by "slightly" more than the level of inflation threatened to exceed the public's ability to pay. The problem New hybrid cars can use nearly 40 per cent less petrol than conventional cars - and their owners pay much less fuel tax as a result. This is expected to cut into the Government's coffers The solution Officials say motorists could pay for actual road use. Tolls are increasingly seen as a revenue earner.
Disability Benefits Mooted for Workers The Government is considering extending disability and sickness benefits to people in the workforce, Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope told Parliament yesterday. He said as part of work being done on revamping the benefit system the Government was looking at extending disability payments to people in jobs. "The rationale is that many sick and disabled people have costs that remain constant, whether or not they are working."
Treasurer Slices Away Old Tax Law Australian Treasurer Peter Costello said he plans to delete 2100 pages, or 30 per cent, of tax law in the biggest simplification of the country's tax code. "This is a major reform to Australia's tax legislation, a dramatic improvement to reduce complexity in Australia's tax system," Costello said in Melbourne. The changes will delete obsolete sections of the legislation. Costello rejected a report in yesterday's Australian newspaper that a bigger-than-estimated Budget surplus would allow him to cut income taxes further. The Budget surplus would rise to more than A$14 billion ($14.87 billion), compared with a May estimate of A$8.9 billion, the newspaper reported, without saying where it got the information. "A newspaper today speculated without quoting any source to back its allegation," Costello said. Still, he said the Government would consider cutting taxes if it could meet spending requirements. "If we can balance the Budget, fund growing health and defence bills, keep interest rates down, then of course we'll try to continue to reduce taxation rates," Costello said. "We've done it three years in a row. If we can do it a fourth we'd love to." The Government in May announced tax cuts of A$21.7 billion over the next four years, with high-income earners getting the most relief. The threshold for the top 47 per cent will be increased in two stages from A$70,000 to A$125,000 by July 1, 2006 - more than twice the average weekly wage of A$53,000. The lowest tax rate was cut to 15 per cent from 17 per cent. This year's relief came on top of a A$14.7 billion income tax cut for the nation's 10 million workers announced in 2004.
TONGAN: Government Announces Process for Political Reform The Tongan government has announced its plans for a political reform process in the kingdom. Nobles representative, Prince Tuipelehake, says Tonga's Privy Council is seeking Commonwealth funding for a consultation process, which will include a public vote. Prince Tuipelehake says it should not be called a referendum, because that would require new legislation. He says his reform committee will hold public consultations on the best way forward, and it will involve expatriate Tongans in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Our reporter in Tonga, Deborah Steele, says the committee will report in June and parliament will discuss its findings in August. The announcement follows a December 5 deadline for progress on reform, set by pro-democracy leaders. Prince Tuipelehake says the king and the crown prince both support the reform process. The developments coincide with a Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) conference in Nuku'Alofa.
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APEC Emphasizes Cooperation in Fighting Corruption The agenda of this year¡¯s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum which opens in Pusan, South Korea, today includes ways to root out corruption that distorts the business environment in the region. The meeting is expected to deepen the sense of necessity for cross-border cooperation in fighting corruption in various fields, and to examine the global community¡¯s efforts to eradicate corruption. One thing to be discussed is the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), which contains some concrete measures to accelerate international efforts. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in October 2003. When more than 100 countries gathered at the signing conference of the convention in Mexico the following December, Chung Soung-jin, chairman of the Korean Independent Commission Against Corruption (KICAC), was also present at the meeting as a representative of the South Korean government. The UNCAC will come into force on Dec 14 this year, 90 days after Ecuador ratified the convention. It was the 30th country to do so. A minority of the 129 signatory countries to the convention has ratified it so far. ``Among G-8 countries, the so-called advanced countries, only France ratified the UNCAC,¡¯¡¯ said a statement from the Council for the Korean Pact on Anti-Corruption and Transparency. ``At OECD level, only 10 percent, or three countries _ France, Mexico, and Hungary _ got approval from their legislatures.¡¯¡¯ ``Advanced countries, including the United States, have not ratified the UNCAC. In Asia, only Sri Lanka did,¡¯¡¯ Chung said. He added that as the countries have differing interests as to the details of the convention, many of them drag their feet over the ratification, even though they sympathize with the cause and spirit of the convention. ``For example, when the convention comes into force, if an African leader had put his embezzled state money into a secret account at a Swiss bank, the bank would be obliged to return the money to the requesting country,¡¯¡¯ Chung said. In fact, the convention tackles issues that could be thorny to some countries, including prosecution and extradition of offenders and asset recovery of illegal funds. South Korea is no exception. Chung said the nation found it hard to abide by the convention¡¯s aims to deal with private sector as well as public sector, for example improving standards of accounting and audit and punishing those that do not comply. ``But after sufficient consultations with relevant ministries, we hope in principle for the legislature to ratify the convention soon,¡¯¡¯ Chung said. Chung is proud of scheduled discussion of anti-corruption issue at the APEC summit. ``The APEC summit in Santiago, Chile, last year started the discussion on the issue,¡¯¡¯ Chung said. ``But we think the continuation of the discussion is attributable to South Korea¡¯s leading role in raising the issue in the community and its commitment to fight corruption.¡¯¡¯ The APEC Anti-Corruption and Transparency Symposium held in September in Seoul brought the issue, which so far has been mainly dealt with in the framework of the U.N. or the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), closer to the APEC member community in the Asia-Pacific region, Chung said. He also hopes the APEC will provide an opportunity to let the world know that South Korea is determined to eradicate corruption and move toward transparency. ``Last year we saw the National Assembly revise the political fund law so that the businesses cannot donate money to individual politicians. This helped greatly to sever corrupt ties between the two,¡¯¡¯ he said. ``And we¡¯re likely to see the APEC CEO summit adopt an anti-corruption declaration during the APEC period.¡¯¡¯ With such efforts being recognized both at home and abroad, South Korea will emerge as a new leading player in global efforts to root out corruption during and after the APEC, Chung said.
APEC Ministers Stress Anti-Corruption, Transparency Standards BUSAN, South Korea (Xinhuanet) -- APEC ministers said here Wednesday that APEC's goal of economic prosperity could not be achieved unless corruption, both in the domestic economies and in international business transactions, was effectively addressed and those individuals guilty of corruption were denied a safe haven. In a joint statement issued on the conclusion of the two-day 17th APEC Ministerial Meeting Wednesday, ministers from the 21 member economies of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) said corruption is one of the largest barriers to APEC's road to free trade, further economic development and greater prosperity. They reaffirmed that they would continue to look for avenues to effectively address this important issue within APEC and in other fora. They commended the APEC Anti-Corruption and Transparency (ACT) Task Force for beginning its important work. The ministers stressed the importance of capacity building programs and encouraged member economies to develop and submit capacity building projects in support of APEC works in transparency as well as in anti-corruption. The APEC Budget Management Committee (BMC) has approved 85 projects designed to strengthen the infrastructure and capacity of developing areas of the regional economy, worth 5.5 million US dollars in 2005, and a further 2.2 million dollars will be available for projects later in 2006, a committee official announced here Monday. The APEC ministers encouraged all member economies to take all appropriate steps toward effective ratification and implementation of relevant conventions. They urged all member economies to submit brief annual progress reports to the ACT Task Force on their APEC anti-corruption commitments, including a more concrete roadmap for accelerating the implementation and tracking progress. The minister pledged to intensify regional cooperation to deny a safe haven to officials and individuals guilty of corruption, and encouraged greater cooperation in the areas of mutual legal assistance, extradition, asset recovery, and forfeiture of the proceeds of corruption. They agreed to continue APEC's collective efforts to promote good governance, integrity, and transparency. The ministers reiterated the importance of fulfilling the APEC Transparency Standards and the area-specific Transparency Standards.
Asian Parliamentary Meeting Opens to Promotes Peace, Democracy PATTAYA, Thailand (Xinhuanet) -- Peace, democracy and solidarity are key elements to ensure Asia's development and the well beings of its people, the 6th General Assembly of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP) said here Sunday. At the inaugurating ceremony of three-day conference, attended by parliamentary representatives of some 40 countries, President of Thai Parliament and the House of Representatives Bhokin Bhalakula said peace today no longer means only the ends to wars and conflicts. "Peace today means assurances for human security, which is people-centered and whose well-beings are comprehensively guaranteed and safeguarded by parliaments, as well as governments and members in the societies, at the national level and international level." He said that with promoting peace in the Asian region as the main objective, the AAPP should pay close attention to matters of common concern in Asia and produce concrete and practical measures for implementation. It should carry out parliamentary oversights in fulfilling its missions for peace in the region, engage in policy debates that reflect the voice of people, introduce legislative initiatives for common legislation on issues such as pandemic diseases, terrorism,drug and human trafficking and align governments and parliaments to its mission for peace, said Bhokin. Chaudhry Amir Hussain, speaker of the House of Representatives of Pakistan and president of the Fifth AAPP, urged the parliamentarians at the meeting to effectively contribute to defining of an international order in efforts to guarantee peace, democracy and solidarity. "The AAPP should enhance regional peace and foster solidarity among its members, particular at the time when Asia needs all of them at most," Chaudhry stressed. "Solidarity among our nations by mutual dependence and linkages will enhance not only the economic ties between member countries but will also help in promoting peace in the region," he said. Later on Sunday, the parliamentarians and delegations will have their first plenary session, at which the Presidency of the Six AAPP General Assembly and Presidency of AAPP will be take over by Bhokin from Chaudhry Amir Hussain. After the session, the participants will discuss in four workshops the current global issues as well as common problems across the Asian Region. A draft Pattaya Declaration is expected to be adopted at the end of the meeting next Tuesday. AAPP, established in 1999, groups 39 member states and some 15 non-member states. The first AAPP General Assembly was held in Bangladesh in 1999, the second in Cambodia in 2001, the third in China in 2002, the fourth in Philippines in 2003, and the 5th in Pakistan last year.
UN Urges Disaster Response Reform The UN's emergency relief coordinator has called for changes in how the world responds to humanitarian disasters, reports The BBC. The UN wants a central fund for emergency relief so it doesn't have to go around begging for money after a disaster has struck. But not all countries support giving the UN money up front. The US, for example, says it does not plan to contribute. UN Relief Chief, Jan Egeland said the traditional method of bringing relief, where aid agencies appeal for money after disaster has struck, was simply not the best way. Speaking in Geneva, Egeland said 2005 was the year of disaster. For relief agencies, the year began with the shocking devastation of the Asian tsunami and will end in the cold and rubble of quake-hit north Pakistan. In between, famine in Niger and hurricanes in North and Central America, and throughout it all, a constant uncertainty about which disaster would gain the sympathy of donor countries, and whether a relief operation would be properly funded. We're over-stretched and under-funded like never before, around the globe really. For our people in the field, we have not even been able to say, ¡®Yes, you can continue working in this situation.¡¯ We're sending around a hat now, we don't know how much is in the hat when it's coming back - in an emergency situation,¡± Egeland said. Where there is consensus, however, is on the need to invest more in disaster prevention. In earthquake zones like Pakistan, buildings should not collapse like decks of cards. "Had there been better prevention, better early warning, better schools, earthquake-safe buildings - tens of thousands of lives would have been saved both in the Indian Ocean tsunami and in the South Asian earthquake," Egeland said. "Schools became death-traps. In the future we have to build back safer," he said. Agence France Presse adds that about 95 percent of deaths caused by natural disasters occur in developing countries, according to the United Nations, while losses as a proportion of national income were 20 times greater than in wealthy nations. The UN wants 10 percent of humanitarian aid to be invested in disaster prevention measures.
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CHINA: Environment Agency Blacklisted The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Centre in Peking University has been blacklisted due to malpractices. The decision was made by the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), which will take strict measures to discipline EIA agencies nationwide. Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau verified the EIA Centre in Peking University did not observe EIA standards, did not carry out complete investigations on environmental protection of areas around projects, made misrepresentations about the projects and their environmental impact, and had no reliable analysis on the use of clean energy in the projects. The municipal bureau sent the case to SEPA, which ordered the Centre to suspend operations for three months, increase discipline and improve technology, a SEPA spokesman said. Three small and medium-sized projects in the capital were involved in the case. Two were real estate projects and the other was part of a secondary school construction project. SEPA is responsible for licensing EIA agencies, supervising their operations and punishing them for wrongdoings. EIA agencies are paid by constructors to carry out assessment and provide reports to environmental protection bureaus. SEPA will take strict measures to discipline EIA agencies. Irresponsible EIA agencies will have their licenses withdrawn, a credit database will be set up, and heads of EIA agencies will be required to receive training to improve their technology and skills. A staff member from Peking University's College of Environmental Sciences told China Daily that they "are investigating the connection between EIA and the university."
Supreme Court Prepares for Judicial Reform The Supreme People's Court is selecting professionals throughout China to help its efforts, after the withdrawal of the right to review death sentences in lower courts, the Beijing News has reported. According to a five-year plan issued by the court last week, the Supreme People's Court will withdraw the death penalty review power in the coming five years. It is reported that public hearings may be introduced in the future to ensure transparency of the death penalty decision and avoid any unjust cases. Although the Criminal Law and the Criminal Procedural Law both prescribe that only the Supreme People's Court has the right to approve death sentences, statistics show that 90 percent of the death sentence review cases are conducted by high courts of provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. To process the increasing number of cases, the Supreme People's Court will add three criminal tribunals. Meanwhile, selection of some 400 professionals from society and lower courts has begun, according to the Beijing News. It is predicted that the amount of death sentences will decline by one-third when the Supreme People's Court reclaims the death review power. According to an insider quoted by the Beijing News, death sentences in fatal and complex cases will have an open hearing during the judicial review. It is expected that lawyers, prosecutors, the accused and victims will be able to take part in public hearing in future to avoid any wrongful executions.
Public Servant Recuiting Examination Applicants to take the public servant examination form a long line to have their identifications certified in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province Nov. 4. This year, 97 central state and government departments plan to recruit 8,662 public servants, but the number of applicants across the country is about 1 million, with about 500,000 applicants passing the qualification check. In the end, only one out of every 50 could succeed in the examination.
Township Level GOV'T to Be Trimmed Down China aims to cut the number of officials in the governmental departments at the township level in the coming five years to alleviate burdens on farmers. Li Shichun, an official with the committee of organizational structure (COS) of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said that most of the income of township level government comes from agriculture. Li said the township governments must streamline the structure and control the number of officials so as to ease the burden of farmers. In order to ensure the realization of the goal, an inspection team made up of officials from the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, COS of the CPC Central Committee, Ministry of Supervision and Ministry of Finance inspected eight towns in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Local governments are also required to make good arrangements for the reemployment of redundant staff members and maintain social stability.
State Securities Official on Bribery Charges The trial of an official with the China Securities Regulatory Commission, accused of extorting money from a Fujian-based company, opened in Beijing yesterday. According to prosecutors, Wang Xiaoshi, 44, and his accomplice Lin Bi received 1.4 million Yuan (US$173,000) from the Fujian Fengzhu Textile Technology Stock Company. Wang, a former deputy department director of the securities regulatory commission's stocks issuance examination committee, denies the charge. He admitted receiving a bribe of 720,000 Yuan (US$88,800) from Lin Bi, acting president of the Beijing Huazhang Investment Management Company. The Beijing No 1 Intermediate People's Court heard the case for the first time yesterday, a year after Wang and Li were arrested. No verdict has yet been given. Because of lack of evidence, the No 1 branch of the Beijing Municipal People's Procuratorate sent the case back to the public security authority twice in April and July for further investigation. The investigation period was also expanded three times because the case is "extremely complicated," said prosecutor Di Guizhen. From February to September 2002, Wang is alleged to have colluded with Lin to use Wang's power to help the Fujian-based company apply for a stock market listing. It is also alleged that Wang introduced Lou Jian and Qi Lei, two officials responsible for approving the Fujian-based company's application, to officials with the company. Enterprises have to be approved by the commission before being listed. Officials working on approvals are selected randomly, and some companies are eager to curry favour with officials who will be considering their application. Wang said yesterday that he was unaware of the regulatory commission's rules forbidding staff from individually meeting people from companies that apply to be listed. "Lin introduced officials from the Fujian company to me because they wanted to get to know my colleagues," he said. "The company wanted to get to know all the China Securities Regulatory Commission's officials, not just Lou and Qi. It was not a secret scheme to help the company's listing application. "I did not aim to interfere in the work of my two colleagues. In fact, they and I did not have any power at all." As well as charges of receiving a bribe of 680,000 Yuan (US$83,800) from the Fujian company, Wang's co-accused, Lin Bi, is also charged with extorting 318,000 Yuan (US$39,200) from Northwest China's Gansu Yasheng Industrial Group in 2002. At that time, Lin was an official with the Northeast Securities Fuzhou Office in Fujian Province. Lin claims the money was a normal industry-recognized fee and denies extorting money from the companies.
HK Immigration Section Renamed and Relocated The Immigration Department has announced that from Monday (November 14), its Joint Recognizance Office of Removal Sub-division at Yu Yuet Lai Building, Central will be renamed as Recognizance (Reporting) Office and relocated to the following address: 1/F, Castle Peak Bay Immigration Centre, 84, Castle Peak Road, Castle Peak Bay, Tuen Mun , New Territories, For enquiries, please call 2521 5356 before next Monday (November 14) or telephone 3693 8372 from next Monday.
Civil Servant Form Fees Waived for Poor The city will begin to exempt needy people from paying civil servant application fees from this year to grant more equal opportunities in government. The shanghai Personnel Bureau announced yesterday that the city planned to recruit about 2,300 people to work in government departments this year. One-third of the vacant positions require at least one or two years' working experience. Applicants need to sit two written tests covering logic, understanding, analysis and judgment - on December 17 and 18. It is followed by an interview. If they pass the tests and interview, the remaining criteria would be to pass a health physical. The application process costs about 300 Yuan (US$37). But applicants whose family lives under the city's poverty line or needy people from rural areas will be exempted from all fees, the bureau said. "The change came to make sure no one would be deprived of the opportunity of being a civil servant due to their economic situation," said Xu Jinlin, director of the bureau's civil servant department. People aged between 18 to 35 and interested can apply for the positions on the bureau's Website (www.21cnhr.gov.cn) from November 14 to 21. All recruitment work will be completed before next April. The city expected to recruit about 2,000 civil servants last year. The vacancies, however, attracted more than 20,000 applicants, most of whom are recent university graduates. That put the admission ratio at about 1:10. This year's figure is estimated to be similar, said officials.
China to Launch Special Inspection over Rural Tax Reform China will kick off a special inspection of rural tax and fee system reform in some provinces, the Ministry of Finance announced on Tuesday. The State Council will send 6 inspection teams to 12 provinces from November 21 to December 5 to check out the reform progress concerning rural tax and fee collection, according to the ministry. To alleviate the burden on Chinese farmers, the government has been reforming its rural tax and fee systems for years in an effort to eliminate growing administrative and arbitrary fees. Since the beginning of this year, the government has stopped collecting the agricultural tax in all provinces except three, where agricultural tax ratios have been lowered to 2 percent. Next year, the whole country is expected to annul the agricultural tax. As local governments collect less taxes and fees from farmers, they are facing fund shortages in supporting education and infrastructure construction. To solve this problem, the central government has allocated huge sums of money to alleviate the fund shortages of local governments.
Blind Choice Behind "Civil Servants Craze": Experts Quite a number of people are blindly applying for the national civil servant examination as they lack a clear understanding of the job duties of a civil servant, experts say. It is reported that more than 1 million people have applied to take the 2006 national civil servant examination, which will be held Nov 26, competing for the 10,282 jobs offered by 97 departments. However, only half of the appliers were granted to take the exams. People throng to apply for 2006 national civil servant examination in Northeast China's Hei Longjiang Province. With the continuing popularity of working in state organs, the number of civil servant jobs is increasing every year, accompanied by the climbing number of applicants. This year has seen tens of thousands of appliers be denied an opportunity to take the exams, due to incorrect or incomplete information on their application. The competition is rather cutthroat as there are too many people applying. Most of the civil servants hunters are current university graduates who will begin to work next year. "Have you applied for the civil servants exams" is one of the most popular campus greetings among students these days. Why do so many job hunters throng to the single-log bridge leading to civil servant posts? "I want the job because it has a good reputation," said a female student from JINAN University of South China's Guangdong Province. Young people are eager for early recognition by others in a competition-oriented society and a job through which they serve the public would be a good choice. Also, as known to all, being a civil servant is recognized as a job with a zero unemployment risk, or, as named by ordinary people, a job with a "golden bowl" (a regular government-paying job). Another reason is that civil servants are well paid. "If I say that money played no role in me competing for a civil servant post, I am not telling the truth," a male student from a university in Beijing said. Though a good pay is no longer the top factor young people take into account when hunting jobs, it is still among the most important ones. Nevertheless, with the increasingly serious employment situation, university graduates are struggling to seek more job opportunities, including those that they are not good at or interested in. In other words, graduates are applying for more jobs as a way of reducing risk of unemployment. Nearly 90 percent of the students interviewed said hard employment is one of the reasons for their civil servant application. An official from the Guangdong Graduates Students Vocational Counseling Center said the civil servants craze among university graduates is one of the results of the current serious employment situation. It is reported that as many as more than 4 million students will graduate this year, 620,000 more than that of last year. However, the number of jobs hasn't increased by that big margin. It is understandable to want to get a steady job with a good pay under a serious employment situation. However, the civil servants craze is also a mirror reflecting graduates' unhealthy vocation views. Most students that have applied for the exams actually lack a throughout knowledge of civil servants or haven't formed a long-term plan for what they are able and going to do. Some graduates in civil servants positions feel frustrated because they find they are not able to exploit their expertise and ability or they are doing what they are not interested in. This wouldn't have happened if they had got a full understanding of the job and carefully examine whether or not they were qualified for the job. Experts suggest students choose their jobs based on their majors because they may be less competitive when doing something they are not good at. Also, they would be much more likely to get jobs if they choose jobs with their interests and characters taken into account. For those who have been determined to be civil servant or who are already in the positions, they have to also be ready for the worst at anytime, experts say. The "golden bowl" is not eternal for everyone. Statistics from the Ministry of Personnel say that 19,374 unqualified civil servants were dismissed from 1996 to 2003. Moreover, civil servants' daily work is not as easy as expected. Instead of "reading newspapers while drinking a cup of coffee," as people describe, some civil servants have had experiences of working extra hours while others say they work under great tension every day. A male civil servant of Guangzhou, capital city of Guangdong, said he works extra hours if there is anything urgent to do and go home only after finishing it, usually around 9 or 10 o'clock at night. It is good to have so many young people show their "interest" in serving in state organs, but it will be better to employ those who show their sincerity in doing it. (by Guan XIAOMENG)
Chinese GOVT Launches English Web Portal GOV.CN, the official web portal of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China, opened on a trial basis Tuesday its English version, English.gov.cn. English.gov.cn is the gateway to a wealth of Chinese government resources. You can browse by topics such as "China Today", "China and World", "Official Publications", "Press Briefings", "Leaders Highlights" and "Laws and Regulations". Or you can access "Services for Non-Residents" to find out information about investment in China, travel tips, children adoption and lots more. It presently provides authoritative and up-to-date information on the Chinese government, and its programs, initiatives and services, as well as facts about China. It will continuously increase the content of information and services in the future. The launch of English.gov.cn serves as a catalyst for the world to have a better understanding of China's foreign policies, its role in international arenas and achievements in national construction, as well as an accelerator for a greater influx of foreign investments into and visitors to China. Gov. cn began trial run on October 1, and will be officially launched on January 1, 2006. It now has three versions: simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese and English.
Students Sit Civil Service Exam for Stable Jobs BEIJING -- At 9 am on Saturday, Deng Jie, a senior at Suzhou University, will join the 365,000 people to sit the national civil service examination. The competition is going to be tough. Only one out of 35 candidates will qualify for an offer, and for some hotly sought positions in the finance, commerce or foreign affairs departments, the ratio is one out of 200, according to the Ministry of Personnel. About 81 per cent of those taking the exam are college students about to graduate. But Deng, who is majoring in international commerce, still wants to try her luck because most of her classmates have signed up. "I don't want to miss the chance for a stable and decent job," she said. One of the reasons behind the exam "mania" is the lifting of a ban on students without a Beijing hukou or household registration to vie for positions in the central government. The Ministry of Personnel said there should be no discrimination against applicants on the basis of gender, appearance or marital status. "The tough examination situation reflects the intense competition in the job market, especially for college graduates," said Ren Zhanzhong, director of the Beijing Career Guidance Centre for Higher Education Students. With the number of graduates expected to reach a record 4 million next year 600,000 more than this year the situation will become tougher, he said. The Ministry of Education said that from 2006 to 2010, 27 million university graduates will enter the job market. But most of them, who were born in the 1980s and are the only child in the family, are reluctant to take on something as challenging as running their own business, said Hong Xiangyang, a Shanghai-based career consultant. It is expected that the competition for civil service positions will continue at a similar level of intensity in the coming years, Ren said.
Roh Defends Information Agency President Roh Moo-hyun on Saturday denounced the call from his opponents to shut down the state information agency as a politically motivated attack, claiming it is a demand on him to stop working. ``It is the same as saying the government should not explain or actively promote its policies and no longer come up with any more policies,¡¯¡¯ he said in a meeting with public relations officials from ministries and other government agencies. The remarks came in response to the main opposition Grand National Party¡¯s (GNP¡¯s) recent move to close the Government Information Agency, which publicizes various policies of the administration. Backed by some conservative news media that are highly critical of the liberal Roh, the GNP presented a bill on information to the National Assembly last Thursday. It calls for the closure of the information agency and the transfer of its tasks to the Office for Government Policy Coordination. In what political analysts call an on-going fight between the ruling and opposition camps, the GNP has accused the information agency of being a mouthpiece for the president, instead of properly disseminating information on state policies. ``The agency has even seriously undermined the freedom of press and the neutrality of public servants,¡¯¡¯ said Jung Jong-bok, a GNP lawmaker who has been leading the proposed legislation. However, Roh says that the information agency must be reinforced under the circumstances in which some powerful news media wield undue influences on public opinion in covering state affairs including major government policies. Since his inauguration in early 2003, and even before that time, Roh found himself in conflict with some major dailies which are regarded as more sympathetic to the conservative GNP than the liberal Roh and his Uri Party. The ruling party and the presidential office have often complained about what they called malicious criticism by the media and the opposition party, while claiming the information agency was able to counterbalance ``distorted reports.¡¯¡¯ ``The (opposition¡¯s) claims are based on unreasonable assumptions from their impression of the governments in the past when they committed wrongs and deceived the people,¡¯¡¯ Roh said. ``We can correctly implement our policies only if we significantly strengthen the government¡¯s public relations functions.¡¯¡¯ While the ruling party holds the largest number of seats in the Assembly, the opposition-sponsored bill to eliminate the agency seems unlikely to pass a floor vote if it is presented to a plenary session. But political pundits say the debate will likely continue for some time. (by Ryu Jin)
Voting Age for Plebiscites to Be Lowered to 19 A law on referendums has come under review to boost voter participation, in the wake of lower-than-expected turnouts in several popular elections earlier this year. The Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs said Tuesday it is considering lowering the voting age in referendums from 20 to 19, the voting age limit in elections for president, national assembly representatives, council members and other public office holders. It is also studying ways of increasing voting hours. The law on referendums stipulates ballots be cast between 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Ministry officials are seeking to extend the voting deadline for both weekends and holidays to 8 p.m. The Ministry said it will hold further discussions with the National Election Commission and local authorities in seeking changes to the laws regarding referendums. The discussions will also include setting guidelines for limiting the power of provincial and municipal governments to stimulate voter participate in referendums. Referendums are direct votes by the electorate to accept or refuse proposals. There have been three referendums held in Korea this year, including a referendum on the local government structure of Cheju-do, a referendum consolidating Chongju City and Chongwon County and last week¡¯s popular vote in four cities over hosting Korea¡¯s first nuclear waste dumpsite. Voter turnout in the Cheju referendum held last July was just 37.7 percent in which the residents opted for a proposition that merges four cities and counties into two and the consolidated local councils. Although the North Kyongsang Province city of Kyongju was selected as the site for the nuclear dump after the elections last week, based on an approval rate of nearly 90 percent and a voter turnout of more than 70 percent, critics argue that the voting results were not high, considering the strained efforts by city governments to encourage eligible residents to go to the polls. (by Kim Tong-hyung)
S. Korea Leads Anti-Corruption Drive South Korea will be able to enter the group of top 20 countries in a worldwide transparency index in three years, a top official who leads an expansive anti-corruption drive here said. To date, the country has been underestimated in the global corruption perceptions index (CPI) due to the index¡¯s technical factors, as well as the nation¡¯s unique social and cultural characteristics, Chung Soung-jin, chairman of the Korean Independent Commission Against Corruption (KICAC), said in an interview with The Korea Times. CPI is a composite survey based on polls of resident and non-resident business people and country analysts. Transparency International (TI), a non-governmental organization for fighting corruption based in Berlin, Germany, publishes it annually. This year, South Korea ranked 40th out of 159 countries surveyed. Most of the countries in the top 20 are located in Europe, but in Asia, Singapore ranked fifth and Hong Kong 15th. Chung said that considering South Korea¡¯s economic scale or gross national income, it is disappointing to see that the country¡¯s ranking fall so far behind Asian countries. ``This ranking is not reflecting practical reality, but is based on people¡¯s perceptions,¡¯¡¯ Chung said. ``And as it focuses on the perceptions formed during the recent three years, people¡¯s memory of the past also influenced it.¡¯¡¯ Chung pointed to the cases that have made big headlines in the local media but later turned out not to be corruption cases, such as the scandals on the development projects of Haengdam-do and those involving Russian oil fields in which close aides of President Roh Moo-hyun were alleged to have been involved. Those scandals left the South Korean public and foreign business people here with a disproportionately poor impression of overall corruption, Chung said. Also, there is the problem of the society¡¯s unique characteristics that might look corrupt to foreign eyes, but are considered to some extent natural for South Koreans. ``What we regard as a conventional expression of gratitude to teachers, for example, might look like a decisive case of corruption to foreigners,¡¯¡¯ Chung said. It will not be an easy task to bring South Korea¡¯s position up into the top 20, but the government is firmly determined to pursue the goal, the KICAC chairman said. Anti-Corruption Drive¡¯s Networking To achieve the goal, however, the government-driven effort has its limits and voluntary participation from civil society is vital, Chung said. In that regard, the K-PACT on anti-corruption and transparency, which was signed last March by political leaders in the public sector, business and civil society, is much valued and hopefully will be expanded further to local governments, as well as in education, labor and religion, he said. ``The pact may be in its initial stages, but it shows that we¡¯re waging a war against corruption here by horizontal cooperation, not by hierarchical control,¡¯¡¯ Chung said. ``It¡¯s good to see our efforts being recognized by the international community. We¡¯ll see to it that the promises made are implemented.¡¯¡¯ This year¡¯s TI report wrote positively of the pact, noting it contributed to ``significant progress¡¯¡¯ in South Korea¡¯s fighting corruption. The KICAC is also keen to root out corruption in private sector, which Chung thinks also influences the public perception of society¡¯s corruption level. But relevant laws have yet been to be drawn up. ``Let¡¯s say a company did a wrong thing in making eateries such as kimchi,¡¯¡¯ said Chung. ``If an insider reports the case, he or she deserves a reward for serving the public good, but we cannot reward them as the current law on anti-corruption does not apply to corruption cases in the private sector.¡¯¡¯ In the long run however, legislation is necessary that enables measures to check corruption in sectors related to the environment, public health and food, Chung said. Need for Independent Investigative Body Chung, who served in the prosecution service for more than 20 years, has another pending issue in mind, namely setting up an independent body with investigation rights under the KICAC. ``Existing investigative authorities seem to have failed to win sufficient public trust, when it comes to corruption cases involving high-ranking officials or say, the president¡¯s relatives,¡¯¡¯ Chung said. ``Under the system of checks and balances, politicians already agreed to establish an independent investigative body, but have been reluctant to push it forward.¡¯¡¯ Lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties submitted a bill to set up the body during the last year¡¯s plenary session of the National Assembly. But the bill stalled over the expansion of the KICAC¡¯s role. ``It¡¯s a criticism with implicit political intentions,¡¯¡¯ Chung said. He added that Singapore¡¯s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), or Hong Kong¡¯s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), both endowed with investigative rights, are very powerful and reputable in international society. The KICAC has similar independence, with composition of its nine committee members allocated to the president, legislature, and the chief of the Supreme Court, each recommending three, Chung stressed. The 65-year-old also said that achieving a transparency society is not only a matter of ethics or morality, but is a matter directly related to the nation¡¯s competitiveness in this era of global competition. ``At the core of one of the most serious issues of our society, namely economic polarization and conflicts between rich and poor, lies corruption,¡¯¡¯ he said. ``Most people think the rich have earned money by illegal, corrupt means, such as tax evasion or land speculation. When we succeed in eradicating corruption and people¡¯s perceptions are improved, the social conflicts will be resolved and the nation¡¯s competitiveness sharpened.¡¯¡¯ (by Seo Dong-shin)
Roh Names Hwang as Civil Society Secretary President Roh Moo-hyun on Tuesday (Nov. 15) named Hwang In-seong, secretary for civil society, to be promoted to the post of senior presidential secretary at the civil society affairs office, Cheong Wa Dae announced. ¡°Hwang, who understands the president's direction and philosophy on state affairs, has gained a lot of experience in the office as a working-level official,' presidential spokesman Kim Man-soo said in a press briefing. Hwang, 52, a graduate of Seoul National University, had worked for the Presidential Truth Commission on Suspicious Deaths before joining the presidential office in May last year.
First Woman Overseas Office Manager Appointed Kim Jung-ran, deputy general manager of Korean Air¡¯s airport customer service department, will become the nation¡¯s first woman manager of an overseas branch. She was recently promoted to Amsterdam service station manager and will start working at the European branch in January. ``The title of `the first¡¯ makes me a role model so I¡¯m bracing myself for the challenge,¡¯¡¯ Kim told The Korea Times. Kim majored in French at college and chose to work at the airline company as she thought she could practice French and have many overseas experiences. After joining Korean Air in 1990, the 38-year-old Kim first worked for 10 years at Gimpo (Kimpo) International Airport, Korea¡¯s major international airport before Incheon International Airport was established. She then took a one-year overseas work program in Paris, a kind of station manager training course. After returning from Paris, Kim worked for the company¡¯s alliance team for one year, and began working at Incheon airport in 2002. Kim also obtained a master¡¯s degree in aviation business administration at Hankuk Aviation University. ``The company supported the master¡¯s program. Although the field was different from my college major, I found it interesting as it was related to my job,¡¯¡¯ she said. She explained that the reason there have not been woman station managers in Korea is because managers have to stay in foreign countries for more than three years. ``In Korea, the man is still considered the breadwinner and the woman, especially after getting married and having a child, has difficulty in working and doing housework at the same time. ``If a man is posted overseas, the wife usually follows the husband, but in the opposite situation, the man maintains his job here and the family has to separate. So most women do not voluntarily apply for such positions,¡¯¡¯ Kim pointed out. Kim is single, and her decision to take the overseas post was not difficult compared to a married woman. But she says she might have applied even if she were married. ``After I was posted to Amsterdam, my women colleagues and juniors now say they also will apply for overseas positions. I think more women workers¡¯ will have opportunities, and I¡¯ll do my best to be a good role model for them,¡¯¡¯ Kim said. She is currently taking a two-month training course for station managers with 45 other people designated for branch offices worldwide. As Kim has worked mainly with passenger traffic, she is learning other aspects of the airport business such as staff management, operation control and company policy. Kim will head the Amsterdam station with 15 staff for four years starting January. ``I¡¯ll try to make the Amsterdam office one of the best branch stations,¡¯¡¯ she said. (by Kim Rahn)
Korea's Anti-Corruption Policies and Efforts to Enhance Transparency Every autumn, Transparency International, a worldwide campaign group against corruption, announces its corruption perceptions index (CPI) that gauges the level of corruption in the global village. The CPI measures the public's perception on corruption of public officials and politicians in a nation, based on opinions collected among the nation's resident and non-resident experts, businessmen, stocks and finance analysts. Due to the concerns of fluctuation in the perception as a result of political situation, the surveys are collected over the three recent years. TI is a non-governmental organization created in 1993 with its headquarters in Berlin. It has announced the CPI annually since 1995. This year, a total of 159 countries, 13 more countries than last year, have been measured. South Korea ranked 40th, up seven from last year's 47th, and scored five out of a clean score of 10. By score, South Korean reached five this year after starting with 3.8 in 1999. Overall, considering the enlarged number of countries included and the improved score, we can see that South Korea's transparency has been enhanced. Overall Improvement in National Transparency By country, Iceland, which ranked third last year, came on top this year with 9.7. Finland, last year's number one, fell to the second with 9.6. Following them are New Zealand (9.5), Denmark (9.5), Singapore (9.4), Sweden (9.2), Switzerland (9.1), and Norway (8.9). Big economies in Northern Europe seem to enjoy transparency. Member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), such as Australia (ninth), the United States (17th), France (18th), and Japan (21st), are also in the lead. There seems to be a correlation between the CPI and the gross domestic product (GDP). The average per capita gross national income of the countries with CPI of more than seven exceeds $ 30,000. In its report that highlights Asia-Pacific region, TI especially said that South Korea is the ``largest improver in Asia' this year. One of the reasons is the government's strong anti-corruption drive. The Korean Independent Commission Against Corruption (KICAC) was launched with the inauguration of the incumbent Participatory Government. The KICAC has contributed to the nation's climbing up the CPI scale by drafting a series of anti-corruption legislations and institutionalization over the last three years. The commission also participated in the making of the K-PACT on anti-corruption and transparency in March this year. We have helped remove corruption in taxations and at schools, launched a nationwide campaign for transparency, intensified education on anti-corruption and set up the rules for public officials' behavior. Lingering Corruption But there are some points we feel we still have a long way to go. South Korea's sore of five is only half of the clean score 10. TI pointed out that two thirds of the 70 countries surveyed with scores of five or less are seriously mired in corruption. South Korea's score, five, seems to be a crossroad of corruption and transparency. Scandals on public firms' involvement in development projects of oil fields or Haengdam Island, and corruption among high-ranking officials have had negative influence on the low score. To achieve better transparency, we need stronger anti-corruption policies with high spirit for innovation. Public officials become corrupt when they are entrusted with too much power and freedom of decision. We need institutional improvements to reduce them. The World Economic Forum pointed out that tax irregularities or bureaucracy weakens a nation's competitiveness. We need a powerful monitoring system for rooting out corruption among high-ranking officials and leaders of the society. Hong Kong and Singapore enjoy best transparency in Asia thanks to the powerful monitoring system. Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), which can arrest people when suspicions of corruption arise, is an excellent example of corruption monitoring. Reshape Nation's Image Internationally While we need to strengthen efforts to improve the nation's image, it is also necessary to take a cautious approach to journalism. We believe the efforts toward transparency in every corner of our society have been underestimated in international community due to the lack of coverage. The media, which tend to exaggerate or distort reports on corruption cases, need to take a more considerate approach to the issue. But above all, the most important thing is actual efforts for making a transparent society as well as the change of perceptions in the minds of all members of society. (by Kim Dok-man, Director of Public Relations at Korean Independent Commission Against Corruption (KICAC))
Court Upholds Modified Plan to Rid Seoul of Bureaucrats The Constitutional Court yesterday dismissed a complaint challenging the constitutionality of new legislation to build a government administrative hub in South Chungcheong province. The ruling was in effect a green light for the Roh Moo-hyun administration to honor its election pledge to move Korea's administrative capital out of Seoul. But no one was using the word "capital." In September 2002, Mr. Roh promised to begin moving the capital, but the first attempt by his Uri Party to honor that pledge was blocked by the same court in October 2004. In a controversial decision, the Constitutional Court said that although the Constitution made no explicit reference to the location of the capital, Seoul had to have that honor because of its historical primacy. After being thwarted in those plans, the administration and the Uri Party devised a new one: They proposed to relocate the bulk of the government's administrative apparatus, mainly to an area near Gongju and Yeongi in South Chungcheong province. Some agencies, however, would be relocated elsewhere in the name of "balanced regional development." But because the Blue House, the Supreme Court and the National Assembly would still be located in Seoul under the bill, supporters argued, there was no threat to the city's designation as the capital of the republic. Although initially opposed to the idea of any move, the opposition Grand National Party backed the second bill for tactical political reasons and the legislation was approved last March. Horrified, 222 persons, mainly from Seoul and including several Seoul City Council members, appealed to the court, which is the judiciary's interpreter of the Korean Constitution, a second time. Seven of the nine justices rejected the complaint; the other two said the modified plan, like the original one, was unconstitutional. "The legislation does not violate the inherited concept in Korea's constitution that Seoul is the capital city," the court said. "The legislation also brings about no change to the nation's presidential governance system under the constitution. The court, therefore, does not accept the complaints that the legislation violated the people's basic rights." Twelve ministries would move to Gongju-Yeongi; nearly 180 other government bodies, para-statal companies and public utilities would be relocated elsewhere. The Blue House and the ministries of foreign affairs, unification, justice, defense, home affairs and gender equality would remain in Seoul, along with the legislature and Supreme Court. But the prime minister would maintain offices in the new administrative hub. While the president will stay in Seoul, the prime minister will work in the new administrative hub. Under the new legislation, the government is allowed to spend no more than 8.5 trillion won ($8.2 billion) for new construction and redevelopment. The earlier legislation on the relocation ordered all government bodies to the South Chungcheong region at an estimated cost of 45.6 trillion won. "While some administrative bodies are moving to the new hub, the recent development of information communication technologies allow video conferences and electronic administration," the court said. "By using such technologies, the inconveniences of being distant from Seoul can be overcome and the president's decision-making will not be hindered. Seoul will still be the political and administrative center, and its functions as a capital city will not be impaired." Lee Choon-hee, deputy head of the government's task force for administrative hub construction, announced soon after the decision a rough timetable for the development plan. He said the government has been conducting surveys since June and a master plan for the move would be approved by next July. Groundbreaking for the construction work would come in 2007 and ministries would start moving into their new quarters in 2012, Mr. Lee said. The administration estimates that the new city would have a population of 300,000 by 2020 and 500,000 by 2030. Seoul's mayor, Lee Myung-bak, was not a happy man. "With the Constitutional Court's decision today, the constitutionality debate on the legislation to build an administrative hub has ended. The special law is ruled not in violation of the constitution, but dismembering the nation's capital city is not a desirable policy," he said in a statement read by his spokesman. "My belief remains unchanged that dismembering the capital city, just like capital relocation, is undesirable for the balanced development of the nation and inappropriate for the nation's future." The Seoul City Council also criticized the Constitutional Court harshly for making an inconsistent ruling. "The legislation contains similar clauses to the new administrative capital legislation that was ruled unconstitutional last year," the council said in its own statement. "The Constitutional Court reversed its decision only a year later, making us wonder why the court exists." The Blue House, of course, was happy. Kim Man-soo, the spokesman there, hailed the end of the "wasteful debate" over the move, saying it was time to "focus the nation's energy to build a society with balanced development." The nation's political parties also welcomed the ruling. The governing Uri Party issued a statement praising the court's decision as "democratic," and "productive." The Grand National Party's leader, Park Geun-hye, was more restrained, saying respected the court's decision, according to the party's spokesman Lee Ke-jin. The far-left Democratic Labor Party urged the government and politicians to work to end politics based on regional factiona;ism and develop the country in a balanced way. But careful not to appear too much in tune with other politicians here, the party said it did not believe the plan would work. It also urged the administration to prevent "reckless development" here. (by Ser Myo-ja)
4 Out of 5 Koreans Distrust Leaders Four out of five Koreans deeply distrust political and economic leaders because of their lack of moral integrity, according to a poll. The Korea Pact on Anti-Corruption and Transparency (K-PACT) said Tuesday that in the survey, 82.1 percent of Koreans generally do not trust politicians and businessmen as they lack moral integrity. The finding was based on a survey of 1,500 adults regarding their perception of the ``uprightness¡¯¡¯ of leading figures in Korean society. K-PACT conducted the poll Nov. 9-15. About 66 percent of the respondents showed an ``extreme¡¯¡¯ distrust in the leaders. ``The public¡¯s distrust about the moral status of the upper class in society has reached a serious level. We need to set up a sustainable standard to evaluate their morality and build up consensus among people for it,¡¯¡¯ Lee Hak-young, head of the K-PACT said. Concerning the questions about the commitment to their basic duties, such as mandatory military service and tax payment, 82.1 percent of those surveyed said that the leaders fail to abide by their duties due to their own social and economic powers. Only 17 percent answered that the leaders perform their duties. The survey shows that 83.7 percent replied that the leaders fail to follow the spirit of ``noblesse oblige,¡¯¡¯ or moral integrity, while 15.2 percent said that they put the spirit into action. About 22 percent of the respondents cited a lack of responsibility as the most serious problem, followed by unfair actions with 19.1 percent and arrogance with 16.6 percent and the lack of moral integrity with 13.7 percent. However, 88.4 percent said most corrupt leaders end up with a lighter punishment than what the gravity of their wrong doing warranted. In the survey, 33.8 percent expect the leaders to fulfill their basic duties. And 25 percent said that they are supposed to engage in social volunteerism. The survey also indicates 19.2 percent thought upper-class people should return their wealth to society. Also 15.7 percent said that wealthy people¡¯s actions should be held accountable in the process of their asset accumulation.(by Chung Ah-young)
Due to the failure in establishing the relevant institutions and the legal environment for dealing with the incompatible situation in the society in time, both the traditionally persistent corruption network and the newly emerging market relations fueled the corruption in a big scale. With other words, the fundamental change in the concept of the state should have been followed by a full-scale modification of all state institutions. Instead, the rule of law plunged into crisis leaving the state¡¯s space empty and ¡°private interest¡± took the ¡°legality¡± in its hands. It is observable that, among transition societies, the forms of corruption in Russia and Mongolia appear to be similar. Studies on corruption in Russia of Western researchers demonstrate similar issues and obstacles. The most spread forms of corruption are hidden dealings (illegal trade of legally forbidden items over border by abuse of power), ¡°back door¡±, conspiracy, rent seeking, shadow economy and various ¡°colored¡± markets. By their corruption index the former sattelite states of the Soviet Union, like Mongolia, are in a leading position in the world. The forms of corruption flourishing in those countries are ¡° administration market¡±, ¡°violent business¡± and ¡°back door¡±. This article aims at a closer look at these different forms of corruption.
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INDONESIA: Susilo Starts Selection of New Cabinet Members President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has started interviewing several people as candidates for members of his new Cabinet team, a source at the State Palace said. The source, who requested anonymity, was quoted by the online news service of Kompas daily on Sunday as saying that the interviews had been conducted over the past few days. He declined to disclose the names of people who had been summoned to the Palace, nor the names of ministers to be replaced. Susilo has recently completed evaluating the performance of his embattled Cabinet, and according to Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi, the President will announce the results of the evaluation after Idul Fitri. The President, who was elected in October last year and has promised to evaluate the performance of this Cabinet after one year in office, has been facing pressure to reshuffle the Cabinet amid criticism over the performance of the government in resolving the country's various problems. There had been strong calls for the President to replace key economics ministers, a demand which became even stronger following the decision to increase fuel prices. Vice President Jusuf Kalla's Golkar Party, the largest party in the House of Representatives and the main supporter of the current government, initially said there was no need for Susilo to reshuffle the Cabinet particularly the economics team, which is led by Aburizal Bakrie of Golkar as the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, pointing out that the government could not quickly fix the current lingering problems as it had to deal with several unexpected disasters. But after a couple of prominent surveys suggested that Susilo must reshuffle the Cabinet to rebuild the image and boost the performance of his government, Golkar deputy chairman Agung Laksono said last week that it was high time for the President to quickly change the members of the Cabinet. "I am aware that the public demands for a Cabinet reshuffle are on the rise. People are pinning their hopes on the government and I would like to see this being responded to. The government will be unable to meet the people's expectations given the current situation. A new departure is necessary," Agung said after greeting the President during an event to mark Idul Fitri at the State Palace on Thursday. Agung, who is also the speaker of the House of Representatives, said the Cabinet shakeup was crucial to speed up the implementation of promised economic recovery programs. Susilo, a retired Army general and the country's first directly elected president, has been tightlipped over the reshuffle issue. But officials of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), another supporter of the government, who last week met with the President, said that Susilo was certain to replace poor-performing ministers. The PKS, the only Muslim political party in the coalition supporting the government, insisted that a reshuffle of the Cabinet was essential to ensure the party's continuous support of the Susilo government.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced on Wednesday he would make few changes to the Cabinet and seek singular loyalty from his aides following the minor reshuffle.The President will also readjust his professional relations with his deputy Jusuf Kalla and regulate the businesses of Cabinet members or their relatives involved in projects funded by the state or regional budgets. "There may be one or two who can no longer sit in the Cabinet because they do not achieve the set standards. Maybe they are good but ministerial posts do not suit them. As the saying goes 'right man, wrong place'. "Or perhaps they are good but face difficulties in working in a team," Susilo told an unscheduled media conference. The President had previously been tightlipped over a Cabinet reshuffle. He said the process of evaluating his aides was almost complete and the results would be announced in the near future. "People may think there will be a major shake-up. There will not, because that would affect stability," Susilo said. After the changes, Cabinet members, particularly those who are supported by political parties, will have to pledge allegiance to the President, Susilo said. "There shall be no dual loyalty but faithfulness to the President when it comes to state duties," Susilo said. For that reason, the President said he would remind national leaders of the "rules of the game" as to how a coalition Cabinet works. The Cabinet comprises 35 ministers, 15 of whom are drawn from political parties. Regarding the adjustment to his relationship with the Vice President, Susilo said the move was necessary to "prevent public perception that the vice president dominates the government". However, Susilo asserted that he would give Kalla an important rather than a stand-in role. Susilo said he had talked to Kalla, who also leads the Golkar Party, which controls the most seats in the House of Representatives, about the issues. Another key move to boost the performance of his Cabinet will be the issuance of a decree requiring members of the Cabinet or their relatives to publicly announce their firms' involvement in bidding for projects funded by the state or regional budgets. The decree is needed to prevent possible conflicts of interest between the Cabinet members and their businesses as well as corruption, collusion and nepotism. "It's not suspicion, but for the sake of a good governance," Susilo said. Kalla and his close Golkar aide Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie, are among Cabinet members whose families run businesses.
Shake-Up Expected of House Leadership The House of Representatives will soon decide on whether to approve a proposed reshuffle of its leadership and the chairmanships of 13 House commissions, according to Speaker Agung Laksono. Agung said that a House plenary session was scheduled for Nov. 14 to decide on any changes. If the principle of proportionality were to be applied, Agung and House Deputy Speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno would retain their positions while Muhaimin Iskandar, a deputy representing the National Awakening Party (PKB), and Ma'arif, representing the Reform Star faction (FBR), would have to give their positions to replacements nominated by the United Development Party (PPP) and Democrat Party (PD) factions. Agung is also deputy chairman of the Golkar Party, while Soetardjo hails from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP). Golkar, which is chaired by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, holds 128 seats in the 550-member House, while the PDI-P holds 109 seats. Meanwhile, the PPP and PD respectively hold 58 and 55 seats, which make them the third and fourth largest parties in the House. The current disproportionate composition of the House leadership was the result of the leadership election held when the House was divided into two major coalitions last October: one jointly led by Golkar and the PDI-P, whose chief mission was to help the PDI-P's Megawati Soekarnoputri win the run-off in the 2004 presidential election. But after Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono won the country's first direct presidential election, and his Vice President Jusuf Kalla later took the chairmanship of Golkar, the coalition broke apart as Kalla forced Golkar to join the Susilo-led camp. Entering the second year of the House's five-year official term, a number of major factions have questioned the disproportionate composition of the House leadership in an apparent attempt to fight for strategic positions for the next four years. The PDI-P and PPP factions have confirmed that they would support the proposed shake-up in the House leadership and commission chairmanships during the plenary meeting. PDI-P faction chairman Tjahjo Kumolo said his faction would propose electing one more deputy to the House speaker to allow a democratic decision-making mechanism in the House leadership. He said that under the current structure comprising a speaker and three deputy speakers, the decision-making process was difficult, particularly when House leaders wanted to vote on particular issues. The chairman of the PPP faction, Endin Sofihara, said he was optimistic that most factions would support the proposed leadership reshuffle in order to refresh the legislature and help strengthen it so that it could optimally perform its duties.
Councillors Call for Governor's Suspension The majority of factions in the East Kalimantan provincial council called on Monday for the suspension of Governor Suwarna AF for alleged graft. The council will file a motion requesting the suspension with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, a councillor said after a plenary session here on Monday. The factions will also propose the President install Yurnalis Ngayoh, the current deputy governor, as a caretaker to replace Suwarna. The announcement came after a plenary council session that discussed the alleged involvement of Governor Suwarna in a graft case. Four factions -- the National Awakening Party, Golkar, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle and the National Mandate Party -- support the suspension, while the Prosperous Justice Party and the United Development Party factions oppose the move. "The motion will be sent to the central government soon," said Soehartono Soetjipto, the speaker of the provincial council. Governor Suwarna was questioned by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) at the end of October over an alleged corruption case. The case centers on the governor's decision to exempt a large plantation company from paying regreening fees to the government. It was later found the company had failed to regreen several of its designated operational areas. The KPK is investigating whether graft was involved in the governor's decision to exempt the company from having to pay the regreening fees. The pressure on Suwarna has increased since his questioning by the commission, with protesters demanding his suspension while the case is investigated. The protesters, who have held regular rallies outside the governor's residence and the provincial council building since October, have demanded the council take action to force the governor's suspension. An assistant to Suwarna, Sjahruddin, said the motion from the council calling for the governor's suspension was illegal. The councillors should have exercised their right to question the governor first, said Sjahruddin, an assistant for governance affairs. Hundreds of protesters, both supporting and opposing the governor, held dueling rallies outside the provincial council building on Monday. There was no violence during the rallies, which were watched over by about 600 police officers.
Golkar's Kalla Confirms 'Minor' Cabinet Reshuffle Vice President Jusuf Kalla confirmed on Wednesday that only one or two underachieving ministers would leave the Cabinet in the upcoming reshuffle. "It's not true that Golkar has proposed nine (new) names. The President will replace only one or two ministers whose performance is below the required standard. Cabinet reshuffles are the President's prerogative but Golkar is ready to supply its best members (for ministerial seats) if they are needed," Kalla said before opening the party's leadership meeting. Asked when the reshuffle would be announced, Kalla said the President was expected to publicly announce it days after arriving back from overseas. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is visiting India and Pakistan, and is scheduled to arrive home on Saturday. Earlier, Kalla defended the performance of the government's economic team under Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie, who is also a Golkar member. Several surveys recommended that the President replace his economic team, which is blamed for the skyrocketing fuel prices and the double-digit inflation rate. Among the political parties supporting the administration, only the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has been outspoken in demanding the replacement of Susilo's economic team. While overseas, Susilo criticized government officials who also ran businesses, and said he would immediately issue a regulation to prevent them from abusing their power to enrich themselves or their families. Kalla and Aburizal both have families involved in business activities. Separately, National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Soetrisno Bachir warned political party leaders against preventing the President from reshuffling his Cabinet. He did not name the leaders he was referring to. Susilo allocated some of the seats in his first Cabinet for PAN, the Democratic Party that he founded, the United Development Party, the Crescent Star Party, the Prosperous Justice Party and Golkar. "Reshuffling the Cabinet is the President's prerogative, therefore party leaders should not hamper the process," Soetrisno told a party function in Semarang. Earlier Golkar deputy chairman Muladi, who heads the government-military think-tank, the National Resilience Institute, suggested that Kalla refrain from intervening in the planned Cabinet reshuffle.
MALAYSIA: Government Departments are Closed on Saturday Government departments which provide counter services are no longer opening them on Saturdays following the five-day week schedule for the civil service on July 1. This runs contrary to the assurance given by the Government that essential counter services would not be affected by the five-day week. In a circular on June 16, Public Service Department director-general Datuk Ismail Adam directed department heads to make the necessary arrangements for the counters to open on Saturdays. ¡°This might involve staff taking turns at the counter to ensure that customers continue to get services such as payment of bills and renewing of licences,¡± he said. Before July 1, service counters were opened on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. A survey by The Star found that except for the National Registration Department, which was open to cater mainly to the rush for MyKad applications due to the December deadline, counters at other departments were all closed. They included those at the local authorities, land offices, Road Transport Department and Immigration Department. The public, who had gone there thinking they were open, said they were disappointed that they could no longer do their transactions on Saturdays. A caller, Mary Wong, said that there were about 20 people at the NRD office in Petaling Jaya when she was there at 8am on a Saturday two weeks ago. ¡°A security guard told us that the office was closed as it was just a branch. Only the state headquarters are open on Saturdays,¡± she said. The Petaling Jaya Municipal Council drive-in and indoor counters and the Subang Jaya Municipal Council counters were also closed. However, a sign on the door stated that it was open until noon on Saturday. Security guards at the JPJ office in Petaling Jaya and Immigration office in Pusat Bandar Damansara said the offices were no longer open on Saturdays. The website of both departments also stated that their offices would be closed on Saturdays. Send us your comments on whether government counter services should be opened on Saturdays.
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BANGLADESH: Grand Rally Vows for Secular Democracy HASINA asks Govt to step down; leaders pledge to ban communal politics; say no participation in elections without reforms Staff Correspondent Despite the government's last-ditch attempts to prevent people from joining the 14-party opposition grand rally, the city's PALTAN MAIDAN yesterday turned into a human sea, where top opposition leaders pledged to establish a secular democratic government after dislodging the BNP-JAMAAT-led coalition through a mass upsurge. Amidst thunderous claps and repeated slogans rising from the mammoth gathering, the opposition line-up spelled out a 23-point common minimum national programme, which is virtually its election manifesto. The opposition combine comprising AWAMI League (AL), left 11-party alliance, JATIYA SAMAJTANTRIK DAL (JSD) and National AWAMI Party (NAP) committed to free the country including all levels of its government and administration of the extreme communal and militant forces. It also pledged to try the war criminals of 1971 and impose a ban on communal politics. AL General Secretary Abdul JALIL read out the 23-point national programme, which vowed to separate the judiciary from the executive, bring the perpetrators of all bomb and grenade blasts to book, hold direct elections to women's reserved seats in parliament and award independence to state-owned radio and television channels. The opposition combine also promised to hold elections to district and UPAZILA councils within one year into coming to office, present accounts of assets of ministers, lawmakers and politicians, reopen closed mills and factories, set a minimum wage for workers and introduce an employment guarantee scheme. The common national programme envisages using gas and coal for national interest and ensuring national energy security. It also promises to set up a regulating body to keep essentials' prices within the consumers' reach. The opposition leaders at the rally declared not to participate in any election without reforms in the caretaker government system and the Election Commission. The government took every measure to turn Dhaka into a city under siege to keep opposition activists and supporters at bay. The police and ruling alliance cadres intercepted people heading for the rally at different points in and outside the capital while BNP musclemen chased and assaulted scores of others in presence of law enforcers, despite the government claim of a foolproof security to ensure peaceful holding of the rally. Besides the countrywide transport strike imposed by the BNP-backed transport leaders obstructing people from coming to the city, the river routes were also blocked and BNP cadres reportedly led by KERANIGANJ police barred boats and other vessels from plying towards SADARGHAT. But, braving the strike, blockages and harassment by the police and ruling alliance cadres, hundreds of thousands of people poured into the biggest opposition rally in recent time chaired by Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and AL President Sheikh HASINA. Traffic movement in the city almost came to a standstill as people joined the rally in waves of processions since noon.
INDIA: Oil-for-Food Scandal Leads PM Singh to Remove Natwar as Foreign Minister NEW DELHI - Not going, definitely not going, almost gone. That¡¯s how the first chapter of the Natwar Singh story ended this evening with the Government stripping him of his Foreign Ministry portfolio-but letting him stay on as Minister hours after announcing a judicial probe into the Volcker committee¡¯s naming him and the Congress in the oil-for-food scandal. The decision to announce a judicial probe was the last card being played by the Government even as Natwar refused to get the message. Yesterday, a special envoy was named for a fact-finding mission; Enforcement Directorate officials were raiding premises and interrogating Andaleeb Sehgal, the man who, along with his firm Hamdan Exports, is named in the Volcker report as having paid $748,540 as illegal kickbacks on behalf of a Swiss firm which lifted oil against rights allotted to Natwar Singh and the Congress party. Natwar¡¯s son Jagat Singh is a close friend of Sehgal¡¯s and, as The Indian Express investigation revealed, their trips to Jordan matched the schedule of ¡°illegal¡± deposits into the Jordan National Bank. The news that he would now be ¡°Minister without portfolio¡± came hours after the Government had announced a probe headed by former Chief Justice Justice R S Pathak. The terms of reference of the one-man commission are yet to be announced but Justice Pathak said his investigation would be ¡®¡®totally independent¡¯¡¯ with the ¡®¡®sole aim to arrive at the truth¡¯¡¯. He did not rule out the possibility of summoning Natwar Singh ¡®¡®if and when the need arises¡¯¡¯. ¡®¡®It is an inquiry with full powers to me to proceed as I like and to devise my own procedure. I want to complete it in the least possible time.¡¯¡¯ He avoided a direct reply about the effectiveness of his probe given the immunity enjoyed by the UN and its officers. ¡®¡®Requests will be made. Cooperation may be possible under treaty arrangements,¡¯¡¯ he said. Justice Pathak, who has served as a judge in the International Court of Justice at The Hague, pointed out that his job was going to be very different from the one entrusted to special envoy Virendra Dayal. According to him, Dayal will be required to collect documents in connection with the charges made by Volcker. About his own task, the former CJI told The Indian Express: ¡®¡®It is to find out if the findings in the Volcker report against Natwar Singh and the Congress are justified.¡¯¡¯ That the government had sounded him earlier on the probe was confirmed by Justice Pathak himself. ¡®¡®They mentioned it. I took a little time to consider if I can take up the responsibility,¡¯¡¯ he said. In fact, the decision to divest the Foreign Minister of his portfolio was taken late last night after consultations with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and the naming of Dayal as a special envoy. Ahmed Patel, Sonia¡¯s political secretary, called Natwar after midnight and is said to have ¡°politely conveyed¡± the decision. Natwar, on his part, called for a ¡°compassionate¡± hearing from the party president in lieu of his age and decades of service to the party. But despite seeking time from Sonia Gandhi, Natwar was not entertained. As Natwar was still not willing to give, the Congress sought the services of his brother-in-law and Punjab CM Amarinder Singh for counselling the Minister and getting him to climb down.
Election Commission to Punish Errant Govt Employees KOLKATA -- The Election Commission is gearing up to take action against the government employees who have been accused of ¡®deliberate disobedience or negligence¡¯ of their poll duties during the last parliamentary election in May 2004 and afterwards, the state chief electoral officer, Mr Debasis Sen, said. It has asked the state election department to prepare a status report on the disciplinary proceedings pending against the government staff who have been served show-cause notices since the last general election. Also the EC has ordered to initiate action against the officials and staff who have been accused of dereliction of duties during the ongoing revision of electoral rolls in the state. ¡°We will ask the district magistrates to submit reports on the disciplinary proceedings pending against government employees who were on poll duties during the parliamentary election. We are expecting the preliminary reports soon. Though show-cause notices were issued to many of them, we lacked the follow-up action. Henceforth, not only actions will be taken in old cases but also new proceedings will be initiated against errant officials engaged in ongoing electoral roll revision,¡¯¡¯ Mr Sen said. A letter to the district administrations will be issued tomorrow. ¡°It was too remote,¡¯¡¯ he commented when asked whether the proceedings initiated during the Assembly polls in 2001 would also be taken into account. According to him, around 25-30 complaints have been lodged against the officials including the election department staff who are engaged in the revision of voters¡¯ list. The visiting EC teams were annoyed as state electoral staff failed to turn up in time at the polling booths at Alipore while citizens had been waiting for them to submit applications for enrolment or objections to such inclusions on various grounds. Today EC teams visited the booths in Kolkata north-west and north-east parliamentary constituencies, as well as several areas of Murshidabad, Nadia and South 24-Parganas. As the EC wants to follow the ¡°Bihar model¡¯ during the forthcoming Assembly election in West Bengal and four other states in 2006, several orders have been issued to ensure free polls.
SRI LANKA: New Cabinet Sworn-in Today, Budget to Be Unveiled Soon The new Cabinet of President Mahinda Rajapakse will be sworn-in this morning at Temple Trees. A new Budget reflecting the people's aspirations as contained in Mahinda Chintana will also be unveiled soon. "By tomorrow the Cabinet will be sworn in," Mangala Samaraweera, who spearheaded Rajapakse's election campaign, told Reuters yesterday. The JVP has still not said whether they will accept Cabinet portfolios, he added. The Cabinet was dissolved when Rajapakse resigned from his post as Prime Minister to be sworn in as President. Samaraweera dismissed fears that Rajapakse's win was part of a strategy by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to keep the peace process stalled and push for a separate homeland. He said Rajapakse would invite the Tigers to discuss amending a 2002 ceasefire as a precursor to peace talks. On Saturday the LTTE said his victory showed the island's Sinhalese majority were impossible to negotiate with. "The Tiger comment I would say is fairly predictable," Samaraweera said. "Despite their public stance, we're quite confident they are willing to resume negotiations as early as possible." As a start, we really want to invite them to start looking at the ceasefire agreement, and I think even the LTTE has admitted that the CFA needs to be strengthened."
Sri Lanka Gets a New Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera was Wednesday named as Sri Lanka's new foreign minister by President Mahinda Rajapakse, who swore in a new cabinet, days after winning a closely fought presidential election. But the Sinhalese-Marxist Janatha Vimukti Peramuna (JVP) party that backed him in the run for presidency declined to accept portfolios. Rajapakse downsized the cabinet to 25 members from the previous 40, retained the important portfolios of defence and finance for himself and named Samaraweera, a trusted colleague, as foreign minister. Under the constitution, the defence ministry should be headed by the president, who is also the commander in chief of the armed forces. But retaining the finance ministry should further strengthen Rajapakse's position over his six-year term. The JVP, or People's Liberation Front, which spearheaded Rajapakse's campaign, was offered cabinet positions but it declined to accept them, a spokesman for the president's office said. The ruling United People's Freedom Alliance was elected to power in April 2004 with the help of the JVP, but the JVP withdrew from the government in June this year after objecting to a pact signed with the Tamil rebels on the distribution of tsunami aid. Kumaratunga's brother Anura Bandaranaike, who was foreign and tourism minister, opposed Rajapakse seeking the support of the JVP for the presidential campaign. On Tuesday he was sworn in as tourism minister, which is considered a demotion. Although Rajapakse, who was elected Nov 18, reduced the number of cabinet ministers to 25, he swore in 23 non-cabinet ministers, which are newly created posts. In addition, 29 deputy ministers were sworn in. On Monday, Rajapakse appointed Ratnasiri Wickremenayake as the prime minister. He was also named the minister in charge of disaster management.
MALDIVES: Social Services Units to Be Established in 6 Atolls HNS -- Minister of Gender and Family Aishath Mohamed Didi has said that Social Services Units will be established in six atolls next year. During the session held to give information to the media, the Ministry said that the work of opening the Units is underway.
The President Appoints Mohamed Zahir as the Convener of All-party Consultations President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has appointed State Dignitary, Mohamed Zahir as the convenor of the all-party consultations. The key objectives of the discussions would be to build confidence and to generate consensus on the reform process, and to formulate a roadmap of the reform programme. The President called for all-party consultations among delegations from each of the registered political parties in the country, in an interview to Television Maldives, on the eve of this year¡¯s Republic Day. The President had expressed his confidence that all the registered political parties would sincerely accept the invitation to hold all-party consultations.
NEPAL: Parties, Maoists Agree to End ¡®Autocratic Monarchy¡¯ to Establish 'Total Democracy' In what is seen as a major political development, the underground CPN (Maoist) Tuesday announced that it has entered into an agreement with seven agitating political parties to "abolish the autocratic monarchy" and offered to accept ¡®total democracy¡¯, as demanded by the parties, and keep its armed forces under the supervision of the United Nations or any other reliable international institution ¡®during an election to Constituent Assembly¡¯. Issuing a press statement today, CPN (Maoist) chairman Prachanda said his party and the seven parties have, following negotiations, arrived at a 12-point ¡®understanding¡¯ as per which both sides would be working for the "establishment of total democracy by abolishing the autocratic monarchy¡±. ¡°The country is in need of positive solution to the armed conflict and permanent peace. We [Maoists] are fully committed to bring the armed conflict to an end and establish permanent peace after ending the autocratic monarchy and hold election to the Constituent Assembly as a process of establishing total democracy. In this regard, agreement has been reached [with the parties] to keep the Maoist armed forces and the royal army under the supervision of the United Nations¡¯ or any other reliable international institution during the process of election to the Constituent Assembly to be conducted after the end of autocratic monarchy,¡± Prachanda¡¯s statement said. In what could be an indication of the rebel outfit being ready to co-exist with constitutional or ceremonial monarchy, the 12-point agreement didn¡¯t mention about the Maoist demand of 'republican setup' or the end of the institution of monarchy as such. Prachanda in his statement mentioned that his party welcomed international mediation in the process of peacefully resolving the crisis. In the agreement, the rebel party also pledged to accept the mandate of the election to Constituent Assembly, stressing the need to make the election process free and fair. The Maoist supremo stated that the parties have expressed commitment for formal talks with his party on the issue of Constituent Assembly election --after forming an all-party government following the restoration of the parliament. He added that both sides have agreed to give continuity to negotiations to decide the procedures of a broad political conference, an interim government and the Constituent Assembly election to resolve the political crisis. Both sides also agreed to go against the municipal elections declared by the royal government in February next year. They also expressed commitment to human rights and press freedom. Meanwhile, organizing a press conference this evening following a meeting, the seven political parties also disclosed the 12-point understanding reached with the Maoists.
Nepal Minister Blasts Anti-king Alliance KATHMANDU -- A day after a 12-point pact between seven anti-king political parties and Maoists in Nepal was made public, a senior government minister Wednesday said the alliance was "unholy" and "unnatural". Information and Communications Minister Tanka Dhakal, who is also the chief government spokesman, told newspersons that the government was "very seriously" studying the agreement. Seven political parties, including Nepali Congress, the Nepali Congress (Democratic) and the largest left-wing party the United Marxist Leninists, disclosed Tuesday evening that they had entered into a 12-point agreement with the Maoists to dislodge the "autocratic monarchy". King Gyanendra took over power in a royal coup in Fenruary this year. The agreement, said to have been reached in New Delhi between the leaders of the seven political parties agitating to end the king's direct rule and the Maoists, seeking for the past ten years to abolish monarchy, aims to set up an interim government and hold elections to a constituent assembly to draft a new constitution for the country. The Maoists in the agreement pledged to surrender arms to the UN or other reliable international agencies and to allow political parties to function normally in areas under their control. Dhakal said after studying the agreement the government would "formulate a suitable stand on the development". This is the first official reaction of the government to the political party-Maoist agreement, which many in the Nepalese capital allege was brokered by India. The agreement comes at a time when Gyanendra is away on a foreign trip. The Nepalese monarch and Queen Komal are scheduled to return home Dec 2.
PAKISTAN: Public Votes for President Amidst Tight Security and Ongoing Civil Strife COLOMBO -- Battered by more than two decades of war, Sri Lankans went to the polls today to vote for president. The two front-runners could not have offered them two more starkly different roadmaps for peace and prosperity. Skip to next paragraph Eranga Jayawardena/Associated Press Mahinda Rajapakse, 59, the current prime minister and a veteran leftist politician, cast his ballot today. Gemunu Amarasinghe/Associated Press A former prime minister and current leader of the opposition, Ranil Wickremesinghe, 56, is known as a free-marketeer. Mahinda Rajapakse, 59, the current prime minister and a veteran leftist politician who has joined hands with Sinhalese ethnic nationalists, proposes greater nationalization of the economy and rejects calls to share power with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, an ethnic separatist group that runs its northern stronghold as its own quasi-state. His chief opponent, a former prime minister and current leader of the opposition, Ranil Wickremesinghe, 56, is known as a free-marketeer and the architect of a peace deal with the guerrilla group, or the L.T.T.E. as they are known. No matter who wins, there is already one casualty. The credibility of the ceasefire agreement, struck in 2002 between the government and the L.T.T.E. and brokered by Norway, has plummeted in recent months, with dissident Tamil politicians falling prey to assassins' bullets and rival Tamil armed factions in eastern Sri Lanka carrying out a shadow war in broad daylight. The conflict, launched in 1983, represents Asia's longest-running civil war, with a death toll of more than 60,000. The Norwegian officials who monitor ceasefire violations have documented nearly 200 killings in the first 10 months of this year, more than three times the number last year. The most high-profile of those killings came last August, with the murder of the foreign minister and the government's highest-ranking Tamil politician, Lakshman Kadirgamar. Though they deny the charge, the L.T.T.E. is accused in the killing. Peace talks between the government and the L.T.T.E. stalled over two years ago. And what hopes for peace had been fostered by last December's tsunami, which killed some 30,000 people and devastated a wide swath of coast in L.T.T.E. and government-held territory, have since been crushed. Even a deal to share tsunami reconstruction funds came unstuck earlier this year.
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AFGHANISTAN: Afghanistan Establishes Military Courts Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman General Mohammad Zaher Azimi told a news conference in Kabul on 13 November that military courts have been established within the framework of the Afghan National Army, the official Radio Afghanistan reported. The courts were established following the approval of a law on military courts by Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The new courts, which would be limited to trials for military offenses, should have five primary courts within the central and regional corps and an appellate court within the chief of staff command. The so-called Third Court, or high court, for military offenses would be set up within the Afghan Supreme Court. AT
AZERBAIJAN: President Fires Another Local Governor Ilham Aliyev dismissed Zakatala Governor Vagif Ragimov on 14 November for failing to comply with his May and October decrees on ensuring that the 6 November parliamentary election was free, fair, and transparent, Azerbaijani media reported. On 12 November, the Central Election Commission annulled the voting results in Constituency No. 110 (Zakatala) on the grounds that final protocols appeared to have been falsified at 19 of the 41 polling stations to ensure a win for the candidate representing the ruling Yeni Azerbaycan party. On 13 November, police in Zakatala used force to disperse opposition supporters who staged a protest against the election outcome, Turan reported. Fifteen participants were arrested, of whom two were sentenced the following day to seven and 10 days' imprisonment. LF
IRAN: Parliament OKs Three Ministers Parliament approved on 9 November three of four ministerial candidates proposed by President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, with oil ministry candidate Sadeq Mahsuli withdrawing due to a lack of support, agencies reported the same day. Parliament approved the new education, welfare, and cooperatives ministers (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 3 November 2005) but Mahsuli withdrew in response to negative comments in recent days by legislators who believe he lacks expertise relevant to the ministry; he is a former soldier. Ahmadinejad told reporters in parliament after the vote that Mahsuli "showed generosity and sensibly withdrew, and I accepted that, and parliament welcomed the decision," ISNA reported. He said he will name another candidate soon. But he defended new faces in government, saying "we need change and must take decisions that bring change, because existing administrative and bureaucratic structures are slowing things down and preventing the use of all...resources for construction," ISNA reported. "We must open administrative circles to new forces and not restrict...appointments to famous people," he said. He admitted the oil ministry has "great tasks" to do and "needs parliament's firm support." VS
KYRGYZSTAN: Court Clears Former Election Commission Head A court in Bishkek on 8 November acquitted Sulaiman Imanbaev, former head of Kyrgyzstan's Central Election Commission, on charges that he abused and exceeded his authority during his tenure from 1996 until earlier this year, akipress.org reported. The court found insufficient evidence of a crime. Galina Skripkina, a lawyer representing Imanbaev, added that the Pervomaiskii District prosecutor did not support the accusation. The charges stated that Imanbaev used his position to help Bermet Akaeva, the daughter of former President Askar Akaev, gain a seat in parliament during the spring 2005 elections. DK
TAJIKISTAN: Tajikistan Registers New Political Party Tajikistan's Justice Ministry has registered a new political party, the Economic Reform Party, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reported on 9 November. Sumangul Taghoeva, who heads the Ministry's registration section, told RFE/RL that her office is examining a registration application from another new party, the Agrarian Party. Economic Reform Party head Olim Boboev told RFE/RL that his party's aims are to reduce poverty, conduct proper privatizations, and attract foreign investment. Boboev said that the party has more than 1,000 members. The registration of the Economic Reform Party brings to seven the number of officially registered political parties in Tajikistan. DK
UZBEKISTAN: New Finance Minister Appointed - Source Rustam Azimov was appointed as Finance Minister of Uzbekistan on Wednesday, a source in the Uzbek Finance Ministry told UzReport.com. Prior to appointment, Mr Azimov headed the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade. According to source, the former Finance Minister Saidahmad Rakhimov will chair the National Bank of Uzbekistan for Foreign Economic Activities. The press service of NBU did not confirm this information yet. |
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AUSTRALIA: ' Biggest Counter-Terror Operation' Today's terror raids which netted 17 arrests were the biggest counter-terrorist police operation Australia has ever seen, police say. Victoria Police chief commissioner Christine Nixon has hailed the actions of more than 100 of her officers, in co-operation with the Australian Federal Police, ASIO, and NSW police, in bringing a 16-month anti-terrorism investigation to fruition. "It's easily the biggest operation that's ever taken place in this country," she told reporters in Melbourne this morning. "It's certainly up there with the Purana (Melbourne gangland) taskforce." "We've been able to keep it secret, we've been able to carry out the investigations and bring it to a point where (arrests have been made)." Nine suspects charged after the Melbourne raids could face up to 25 years in prison, she said. The men, who include Muslim cleric Abu Bakr, were charged with intentionally being a member of a terrorist organisation; some were also charged with intentionally directing the activities of a terrorist organisation. The nine men are at Melbourne Magistrates Court, where their bail application is being heard. Commissioner Nixon said the charge of being a member of a terrorist organisation attracted a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment. The charge of directing a terrorist organisation attracted a maximum of 25 years, she said. "These are serious charges and serious offences," she told a press conference this morning. "There was sufficient evidence for a significant attack." Asked if the thwarted attack was a bombing, Ms Nixon said: "It was a significant attack", and the intelligence revealed publicly last week by the Prime Minister was "key" to the raids and subsequent arrests. She said the men who had been charged were expected to face further charges involving "a range of state-based offences". Australian Federal Police agent Frank Prendergast then stepped in to tell the media that they were "starting to get into details about an ongoing investigation" and that police could therefore not provide detailed answers to all questions. Commissioner Nixon said the group to which the men belonged "doesn't have a name" and "had no specific target in mind". She said there was no evidence to suggest the group's alleged preparations related to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. Commissioner Nixon said her officers had been watching the group for 16 months. (by Elisabeth Lopez)
Australia Says Its Rural Migration Program Failing An Australian federal Government review finds that the country's skilled migration programs are failing in regional Australia, with almost a quarter of foreign workers unemployed and low wages and poor job satisfaction common. The review of the general skilled migration program has found that while overall employment among the foreign worker population is high, many are not using their qualifications. Of migrants who gained entry to Australia on the condition they moved to regional areas, 23 percent were unemployed, according to a survey conducted by the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs since 1997. The survey found 41 percent of employed regional migrants "rarely" used the qualification they were selected for in their job -- and this contributed to poor job satisfaction. Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said she wanted to make sure regional migration applicants were informed about the area before they made their choice to move to the regions. "We know that the states and territories want more people in the regions, we know the regions want people in the regions," Senator Vanstone said. "If there is anything we can do to improve the match of people there, we'll obviously do it."
Low income earners facing large bond payments on rental properties are set to benefit from an increase in the financial assistance available via the Western Australian Government bond loan scheme. Housing Minister Fran Logan has revealed increases of between $100 and $210, depending on family size, have been approved to help people struggling because of the big rises in rental prices across the state over the past year. Under the scheme, eligible applicants will be given interest free loans for the bond deposit required by landlords or real estate agents. Mr Logan says the increases will be a great help to people in the regions, but he says the Commonwealth should also offer some assistance. "As I reminded [the federal Minister for Family and Community Services] Senator Kay Patterson, 'Kay, this is where all your money comes from, this is where the taxes are raised, through mining and off-shore oil and gas and, you know, it's about time you paid some money back to help the people who actually make that money for you'," he said.
Taking the Right Stand on Bird Flu THE State Government is correct to prepare a detailed plan to combat a possible outbreak of bird flu in South Australia. There is only a 10 per cent chance a serious outbreak of bird flu will occur in Australia. But only governments have the overview and legislative power to implement a community-wide plan. This is a classic case of evolving a master plan which hopefully will be a waste of time and money because it will never be needed. It would be irresponsible and potentially disastrous for the Government to ignore the bird flu threat, yet it must tread gently on the narrow path between the need to plan and the danger of creating community alarm. As Health Minister John Hill said: "I want to reassure South Australians we have a plan and we are prepared for any threat." The precautions outlined by the Government are sensible and do not require a large financial outlay. But assuming an effective vaccine is developed to shield humans from the disease, the first priorities must be to protect health and emergency workers and facilitate the rapid distribution of the drug to areas of highest risk - particularly children and the elderly. The Government also plans to establish special clinics to relieve pressure on hospitals and establish mass vaccine centres to inoculate as many people as possible. Education programs such as the need for people to wash their hands and the use of surgical masks, and the possible closure of schools, are also proposed. Crime must not pay for Leslie ADELAIDE-born model Michelle Leslie should not be allowed to benefit financially from her three-month ordeal in a Bali prison. Whichever way you look at it Ms Leslie was convicted of illegally possessing drugs. Under Australian law, people are expressly forbidden from making profit from media exposure as a result of crimes they have committed. The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions is deciding whether Ms Leslie should forfeit any money she is paid for selling her story. She must be made to. As a compromise, any financial payments should be made to an appropriate charity. It could be argued that Ms Leslie was convicted under Indonesian law. It could be argued that in Australia the possession of two ecstasy tablets is not regarded as a serious crime. And it could be argued that her ordeal is a matter of public interest, that people have a right to know what happened. But none of these claims alter the principle. Ms Leslie must not be allowed to sell her story for personal profit.
NEW ZEALAND: Green Party Leader Dies WELLINGTON, (AFP) - Prominent New Zealand politician and co-leader of the Green Party, Rod Donald, has collapsed and died, a Green Party spokeswoman said. It is understood the 48-year-old suffered a heart attack at his home on Saturday night, she said. Donald, a long-standing campaigner for environmental issues, joined the Green Party in 1994, was elected as co-leader with Jeanette Fitzsimons a year later and has been a member of parliament since 1996. Although the Greens won six seats in latest general election seven weeks ago, and had at times campaigned jointly with the ruling Labour Party in the lead up to the September 17 vote, they were cut out of the coalition arrangement. They did, however, agree to abstain on votes of no confidence in the government in return for getting some of their policies implemented.
NZ Govt to Appoint World Cup Minister The NZ government will put a minister in charge of the Rugby World Cup, with Sports Minister Trevor Mallard the obvious choice given his love of the game, Prime Minister Helen Clark said on Monday. The Government would sit down with rugby union bosses once they get back from the All Blacks United Kingdom tour to plot the course ahead to the Rugby World Cup in 2011, she said. New Zealand has won the rights to host the Cup, with All Black captain Tana Umaga among those crediting Miss Clark's part in the successful bid. Miss Clark flew to Dublin to help present the case along with Umaga, All Blacks legend Colin Meads and New Zealand Rugby Union bosses Jock Hobbs and Chris Moller. The Dublin trip was squeezed in ahead of the Apec meeting in South Korea, with Miss Clark saying on Monday she flew around 61 hours to fit it all in. Miss Clark said that, as with the America's Cup, there would be a minister in charge. The obvious choice was Mr Mallard, who also holds the economic development portfolio, "particularly given his great love for rugby". "There's going to need to be a very close relationship between the Government and the rugby union because of the significance of the Government partnership," Miss Clark said at her post-Cabinet press conference. "So we need, in the light of this fantastic decision, to now sit down with the rugby union and plot a course ahead for the next six years. "We'll wait for Jock Hobbs and his team to arrive home and then sit down to plan the course of the next six years." Miss Clark said she was "absolutely confident we can do this and do it well and we've now got to establish the mechanisms that see the whole project through very successfully". Miss Clark also said concerns about Auckland infrastructure being able to handle the large numbers of people attending the matches there were largely "a red herring". The major games at the end of the tournament would be held at Eden Park. During the Lions Tour, there were some "small issues" with the train service but "we've got time to get that right".
Customs Office Opened in China New Zealand has opened its first Customs office in Beijing in a step towards fighting the increasing amount of methamphetamine imported into New Zealand. Customs counsellor Matt Roseingrave will work with Chinese and other international law enforcement agencies to help combat international criminal activity and address other security concerns. Key among these issues is the increasing amount of methamphetamine precursors being trafficked to New Zealand. Comptroller of Customs Martyn Dunne officially opened the office of the customs counsellor in a ceremony yesterday hosted by the New Zealand Ambassador to China Tony Browne and attended by a number of Chinese dignitaries, including Vice-Minister Gong Zheng. "The office of customs counsellor will allow New Zealand and China to join forces to face these challenges together," Mr Dunne said. Mr Roseingrave will also work with China Customs and New Zealand trade policy officials to support the New Zealand Government's Free Trade Agreement negotiations with the Chinese government, Mr Dunne said.
Government Has $637m in Fines to Collect The Government is owed more than $600 million in fines, a figure which National says proves the infringement system is out of control. It is more than double the amount outstanding five years ago. The figures were obtained by National's new law and order spokesman, Simon Power, in answers to written parliamentary questions. They reveal $310.8 million was outstanding at the end of the 1999-2000 year, which jumped to $637.65 million by the end of the last financial year. Over half of the fines - $351 million - were overdue. Other figures released reveal that many people are repeat offenders: 56,589 people owe money for 10 or more fines. There are 9000 people who each owe a whopping $10,000 or more, and nearly 180,000 people owed fines which were more than five years old. Mr Power said the rising number of fines outstanding revealed an infringement system "spiralling out of control". "It's becoming indicative of the way all the law and order and justice portfolios are being run; corrections, police and courts. There doesn't seem to be one of those portfolios that is in good shape. "The public have got a right to expect that if an offender is fined, the fine is paid. This is just blatant flouting of the system." A just-released Ministry of Justice ministerial briefing paper notes a "fundamental review" of the infringement system is under way to ensure it is "fit for purpose". Fines could be imposed for a wide range of offences, by about 100 different prosecuting authorities. "The purpose of the review is to reduce the number of infringements needing enforcement and to make the system more efficient, fairer and more consistent."
Palmer Named Law Commission President Sir Geoffrey Palmer has been chosen by the Government to be the new president of the Law Commission. Mark Burton, the minister responsible for the commission, said that as a former prime minister Sir Geoffrey was well known and highly respected throughout New Zealand. "I believe Sir Geoffrey's many years of eminent experience in the law will be a tremendous asset to the Law Commission," he said in a statement. Mr Burton said he had recommended the appointment to the Administrator of the Government, Dame Sian Elias, who will confirm it on Monday. Dame Sian, the Chief Justice, acts for Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright when she is out the country. Sir Geoffrey served as Prime Minister, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice during his political career. A professor of law, he was a foundation partner of the law firm Chen and Palmer. Mai Chen said the firm was "absolutely delighted". "We know he will make a wonderful contribution and we can think of no one more qualified for the job," she said. The Law Commission regularly reviews laws, recommends reform and development and reports to Parliament on ways to make them understandable and accessible to the public. Their reports often form the basis for amendments and new laws. Sir Geoffrey will replace Justice Bruce Robertson, who resigned in June following his appointment to the Court of Appeal.
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