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DENPASAR

JAKARTA

BANDUNG

YOGYAKARTA

SURABAYA

SUNNY BRIGHT/CLOUDY RAIN

PAGE 8

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Monday, March 8, 2010

16 Pages Number 462st Year

e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id online: http://www.internationalbalipost.com.

http://epaper.internationalbalipost.com.

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Price: Rp 3.000,-

Bullock,‘Transformers’make Razziesworst list

Norwegian shiphijacked offMadagascar

Chinese touristsremain thirdbiggest, Japanesedecrease

Baghdad bore the brunt of theviolence, with dozens of mortarsraining down on the capital as vot-ing stations opened for the war-shat-tered nation’s second parliamentaryelection since US-led forces ousteddictator Saddam Hussein

Fallujah, Baquba, Samarra andother cities across the countrywere also hit by mortar rounds orbombs, many of them explodingnear polling stations. But the capi-tal saw the deadliest attacks.

A Katyusha rocket flattened aresidential building, killing 12 andwounding 10, officials said, add-ing that a second blast killed fourand wounded eight when anotherbuilding was targeted by a bomb,security officials said.

Four more people were killedby mortar attacks in Baghdad andfour others by bombs that betweenthem wounded 40, the officialssaid. The attacks come despite amassive security operation inplace for Sunday’s voting, with200,000 police and soldiers de-ployed in Baghdad alone.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Malikisaid the attacks “are only noise toimpress voters but Iraqis are apeople who love challenges andyou will see that this will not dam-age their morale.”

Maliki cast his vote inBaghdad’s fortified “Green Zone”

Denpasar (Bali Post)

Only because small problems,teenagers are trying to solve it withwrong solution, one of them bycommits suicide. Three teenagerswere trying to kill themselves onSunday, march 7th 2010.

All of the victims were rushedinto Sanglah hospital. The firstone was a woman who came in

Three teenagers try to kill themselvesunconscious state. She was drink-ing poisonous substance to kill her-self. The second one was a 23 yearsold lady who cut her wrist with arazor blade.

The third victim was a 17 yearsold boy who drinks a bottle of softdrink mixed with medicine. Thesecond victim was taken to the hos-pital by her boyfriend. He explainedthat the girl was trying to kill her-

self after they had a big fight.“At first, we had a fight and sud-

denly she took a razor blade and cuther hand,” he added. While the thirdvictim was trying to commit suicideafter he had disagreement with hisfather.

The victims are still in the hos-pital for further treatment.

Wrong identification

Because he was very thirsty,Marten drink a catalyst which hethought was water. The, he wasrushed to Sanglah hospital. One ofhis friends explained that before theincident, they were fixing a boat inBenoa harbor.

Unaware, Marten drink the poi-sonous catalyst next to him. Cur-rently, he still treated intensively inthe hospital.(san)

AP Photo/Karim Kadim

Rescuers search for bodies under the rubble at the sceneof a blast which leveled a building in northeasternBaghdad, Iraq, Sunday, March 7, 2010 which killed scoresof people, including four children, according to police andhospital officials.

Blasts kill 24,injure dozensas Iraqis vote

Agence France Presse

BAGHDAD – Iraqis on Sunday braved waves of bomb,mortar and rocket attacks that killed 24 people to vote in par-liamentary elections that Al-Qaeda vowed to wreck.

which earlier Sunday took severalmortar hits.

Abu Adel, a 57-year-old retiredman, was one of the tens of thou-sands across the country whoqueued up at polling stations to casttheir votes despite the danger.

“It is a duty to participate in thedemocratic process,” he said as hevoted at the Omar al-Mokhtar poll-ing centre in central Baghdad.

Sunni Arabs are expected to turnout in force at voting centres, instark contrast to 2005 when theyboycotted nationwide polls in pro-test at the rise to power of thenation’s long-oppressed Shiite ma-jority. Factfile: Iraq

That boycott deepened the sec-tarian divide and heightened unrestwhich killed tens of thousands ofIraqis in the aftermath of the 2003US-led invasion and which has onlyeased in the past two years.

The election will usher in a gov-ernment tasked with tackling a mul-titude of problems, including stillhigh levels of violence, an economyin tatters and state ministries miredin a culture of endemic corruption.

Seven years after the war, muchof Baghdad remains bomb damaged,most homes receive only a few hoursof mains electricity a day and lackclean drinking water, and a quarterof the Iraqi population is illiterate.Continued on page 6

InternationalMonday, March 8, 20102

Founder : K.Nadha, Chief Editor: ABG Satria Naradha Managing Editor: Wirata,Palgunadi Editors: Alit Purnata, Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Darmasunu, Daniel Fajry, Diah Dewi, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca,

Sugiartha, Sutiawan, Wirya, Yudi Winanto Denpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subagiadnya, Subrata, Suentra, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Pujawan, Buleleng: Adnyana, Gianyar: Agung Dharmada,

Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Bali Putra Ariawan, Tabanan: Surpi. Jakarta: Nikson, Suharto Olii, Indu P. Adi, Ahmadi Supriyanto, Achmad Nasrudin, Hardianto, Darmawan S. Sumardjo, Heru B Arifin, Asep

Djamaluddin, Ade Irawan, Ipik Tanoyo. NTB: Agus Talino, Syamsudin Karim, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani, Nur Haedin, Suyadnya. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto. Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi. Office:

Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB:

Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publiser: PT Bali Post

Bali News

Yes, KONI has officially struckthe sport branch and did not in-volve it in the 2011 Porprov X inJemberana,? said Spokesperson ofKONI, Ketut Sugiana, last Friday(Mar 5).

Official deletion of the pool wasperformed in the preparation forKONI meeting of Klungkung Re-gency facing the upcomingPorprov at Suwecapura Stadium.The meeting was chaired by Sec-retary of KONI, Nyoman Mudarta.Deletion of swimming branch was

A large number of vehicles pass-ing back and forth on the highway in-directly had significant impact on airquality conditions. Moreover, gasemission of many vehicles is abovethe standard quality that has been de-termined. These conditions result inair quality on the highway has nowentered into the concerned category.

This can be seen from the resultsof the test of vehicle exhaust emis-sions that has been done for severaltimes by the Denpasar EnvironmentAgency. Emission test was conductedat several strategic points whose vol-ume of vehicle traffic was fairlycrowded. At the end of last year, theDenpasar Environment Agency con-ducted emissions test at three loca-tions, namely Jalan Mahendradatta,Jalan Raya Sesetan and Jalan HayamWuruk.

Result of the emission test indeedindicated the increased quality shownby diminishing number of vehiclescategorized to have not passed in thegas emissions test or its exhaust gaswas above the threshold compared tothe result in the last 2008.

Division Head of Control and Pol-lution, Denpasar EnvironmentAgency (BLH) IGN Alit Sudibyawhen met not long ago expressed thegeneral ambience of air quality in

Within the past few weeks, Den-gue Fever started to spread and in-fect the community. Occasional sum-mer heat and intermittent rain indeedstrongly support the spread of this dis-ease. Booming patients of DengueFever, apart from other tropical infec-tious diseases, made the room capac-ity of Sanglah Hospital always fullyoccupied.

Based on the data within a week,Dengue Fever patients treated atSanglah Hospital reached 100 per-sons with an average increase of 20new patients. Not only at SanglahHospital, Wangaya Hospital also en-countered the same condition. DFpatients treated during the past 10days amounted to 96 patients. In-creasing number of DF patients didnot only overwhelm State Hospitals.One of the private hospitals, KasihIbu Hospital Denpasar, receivedmany DF patients so some patientsshould be referred to other hospitalsbecause of insufficient capacity of theroom. Based on the data of patientshaving got inpatient treatment atKasih Ibu Hospital, Denpasar, duringthe past week they reached the 19patients with 63 outpatient treatment.

Head of Bali Health Services,Nyoman Sutedja, not long ago saidthat under condition with intermittentrain and hot weather, people neededto be alert and maintain a healthy en-vironment as doing mosquito?s nesteradication and maintain stamina. ?Itcan be said fogging is not too effec-tive to eliminate this DF, in this caseAedes aegypti mosquito. What shouldbe done is to keep the environment

KONI PostponeKONI PostponeKONI PostponeKONI PostponeKONI PostponeSwimming, CommercializesSwimming, CommercializesSwimming, CommercializesSwimming, CommercializesSwimming, Commercializesuwecapura Stadiumuwecapura Stadiumuwecapura Stadiumuwecapura Stadiumuwecapura StadiumSemarapura (Bali Post)

National Sports Federation (KONI) of Klungkung Regency struck the swimming sports par-ticipation in the 2011 Bali Provincial Sports Week (Porprov) X in Jemberana. In fact, swimmingis one of the potential sport branches in Klungkung. It was proven by the emergence of reliableswimmers such as Gede Siman Sudartawan, who currently often appears in the national andeven ASEAN level.

made due to the absence of gover-nance where Regency Managementof Indonesia Swimming Federation(PRSI) of Klungkung Regency hadexpired as of May 2009. ?KONI hasrequested the formation of newmanagement. In fact, up to thesedays it has not been formed,? headded Sugiana.

Deletion of this sport branchmeans Klungkung will only send 14sport branches out of 21 sportbranches put into competition in the2011 Porprov X in Jemberana. On

that account, the contingent forceof Klungkung Regency will onlyconsist of 300 people (officials andathletes).

Aside from striking the swim-ming branch, the meeting also de-cided to ?commercialize? theSuwecapura Stadium at Gelgel. Inthat sense, every organization orsports event using the stadium mustpay the rental fee. This action istaken to address shortfalls in theKONI in relation to the preparationof Porprov. (kmb20)

Worrying, Air Quality in DenpasarDenpasar was not too worried. Thiswas influenced by geographical con-dition of Denpasar city located on thebeach. On that account, the intensityof air circulation was very smooth. Inaddition, there were no large-scale in-dustries within the urban region. How-ever, these conditions differed greatlyfrom the air quality on the highway.Some points of roads indicate con-cerned air quality.

Preview on polluted air quality at anumber of roads in Denpasar wasshown by the results of emissions testin 2008. From 1,645 four-wheel ve-hicles involved in the emission test,930 units of four-wheeled vehicles or56.53 percent of the total samplestested had exhaust gas emission abovethe threshold of standard quality or didnot pass the test.

Emission test was intended to ob-tain data on air pollution from mobilesources, particularly motor vehicles onthe highway. ?This is what we need tosocialize to the public about the im-portance of good air quality for health.In addition, with this vehicle emissiontest the owners know the condition oftheir vehicle?s engine,? explained AlitSudibya.

Alit Sudibya said the new vehicledid not guarantee to have emission gasunder the standard quality. The proof,

no less new manufactured vehicles,their emission gas was above standardquality. However, it did close the pos-sibility that older vehicles remainedto have normal engine output. ?Actu-ally, this highly depends on the enginemaintenance,? said Alit Sudibya ac-companied by officers of PPLH ofBali Region.

The impact of too high gas emis-sions will affect human health becauseif the high concentration of carbonmonoxide (CO) will reduce the oxy-gen in the blood, so it leads to the im-pact on the thinking disorder. Simi-larly, if the hydrocarbon (HC) on thethreshold, it causes eye irritation,coughing, sleepy, skin rash, andchanges in the genetic code.

Meanwhile, emission tests con-ducted in last 2009 began to increaserather than previous year. The proof,out of the 963 units of vehicles under-going emission test, in fact 29.49 per-cent did not pass. Such emission testhas been taking place at three strate-gic locations in the city of Denpasar.The three locations chosen consistedof Jalan Mahendradatta, Jalan RayaSesetan and Jalan Hayam Wuruk,Denpasar. Number of vehicles testedsuccessfully reached 963 units. Of thatamount, 284 units of vehicles did notpass the test. (ara)

Dengue Fever Breaks Out,Keep Body’s Condition andEnvironmental Hygiene

clean, especially keeping no mosquitolarvae as well as increasing endur-ance,? advised Sutedja.

Head of Pediatrics Division ofSanglah Hospital, BNP Arhana, notlong ago said that by improving en-durance, especially in infants was es-sential in order to combat diseasescaused by viruses. ?It is not easy tocombat diseases caused by viruses.Therefore, increasing endurance isvery important. For infants, for in-stance, administration of breast-feed-ing is better than formulaic milk.Other than having minimal contami-nation, it also further increases thebaby?s immune system,? he said.

In addition, applying the habit ofwashing hands within the family wasalso very important. According toArhana, hand denoted a carrier oftransmission of diseases both causedby viruses or bacteria. Similarly, keep-ing the environment clean was alsoworth noting in the transitional sea-sons like this. ?If you do not main-tain a healthy environment, denguefever will be increasingly threatened,?he added.

If already infected, maintaining thebody fluids should be considered be-cause the body infected by diseases likefever and diarrhea needed liquids tomaintain the body condition. ContinuedArhana, treatment with antibiotics didnot always resolve the problem. ?Notall infectious diseases can be cured byantibiotic. Administration of antibioticis only performed to infectious diseasescaused by bacteria. So, it should be ex-amined first and keep the body fluidsintake,? he added. (kmb24)

IBP/edi

Workers are continuing to finish a bridge in Ida Bagus Man-tra road. The project which cost 175 billion rupiah will befinished in 2011.

3Monday, March 8, 2010International Bali News

This was stated by the Head ofBali Agricultural Office Ir. PutraSuryawan, on Friday (5 / 3) yester-day in Renon. Each Gapoktan willreceive a grant of 200 million ru-piah. In the year 2009, a budget of 2billion rupiah had been disbursed,while in the year 2010, it increasesby four-fold to 8 billion rupiah.

Out of the 40 Gapoktan, most arelocated in Buleleng andKarangasem. The first and secondlargest regencies in Bali’s will hostthe most Simantri groups as theyhave the majority of poor house-holds. This is in accordance with thepriorities of the Simantri programwhich target villages with poorhousehold rate above 35 percent.

From 40 Gapoktan, 12 will bebuilt in Buleleng villages, 9 inKarangasem, 6 in Bangli, 4 inTabanan, 3 in Klungkung, 2 each inJembrana and Gianyar, and 1 eachin Badung and Denpasar.

In addition to the percentage re-quirement of poor households, ev-ery Simantri village must have acharacterized commodity as a pointof leverage. For example, the villageof Tulamben in Karangasem isgranted the program for it hascashew and peanuts as their com-modities. Besides, the appointed

Semarapura (Bali Post) —

Current village authorities arehaving difficulties in implement-ing the program designed in theVillage Budget (APBDes) due tothe decreasing allocation of vil-lage funds (ADD) received byeach village in Klungkung Re-gency. ‘’The ADD we receivedcame from the budget remainingafter being used by local govern-ments,’’ said the Chief of SelatVillage, Nengah

Buda when asked for confirma-tion at a local village office re-cently.

Specifically for Selat Village,Buda said, the received ADD hasbeen steadily declining since2008. In 2008, thee ADD receivedwas 124 million.

In 2009, it has decreased by 39million to 85 million rupiah. ‘’For

Simantri Works on AreasSimantri Works on AreasSimantri Works on AreasSimantri Works on AreasSimantri Works on Areaswith More Than 35 Percentwith More Than 35 Percentwith More Than 35 Percentwith More Than 35 Percentwith More Than 35 PercentPoor HouseholdsPoor HouseholdsPoor HouseholdsPoor HouseholdsPoor HouseholdsBali Post

Denpasar - Integrated farming systems (Simantri) launched by Bali Governor Made MangkuPastika and Vice Governor AA Puspayoga since 2009 have been well received among the farmers.This is proven by the increase of the number of targeted Farmer Union Group (Gapoktan) to bebuilt from 10 in its early stages to 40 in the 2010 year 2010.

Gapoktan should be willing and ableto implement the pre-designed inte-grated programs. ‘’This step shouldbe taken to ensure they carry out theSimantri program themselves,’’ hesaid.

While the Office of Agriculturewill only facilitate and provide guid-ance or assistance, the ultimate goalis to increase the welfare of farmersin the area. He also recognized thecharacteristic of Balinese farmerswho in average have 0,3-0,5 Ha farmland holdings per household and 2-5 average ownership of cattle, pigsand goats.

He hoped that some farmergroups which had joined Gapoktanwill not only develop their ownfarming locally but also improvetheir business nationally. This is inaccordance with the objectives ofSimantri program to increase acre-age and quantity of agriculturalproducts, livestock and fisheries byincreasing their production andpopulations.

Organic fertilizers and pesticideswill always be present to help farm-ers. Through Gapoktan, farmers willbe able to grow and improve thequality of their resources so that thediversification of business and em-ployment in the rural areas will also

increase.‘’So, Simantri combines a num-

ber of livestock and staple farmers,and their processing results in agroup of farmers called Gapoktan.The main activity is to combine cropand livestock integration along withall of their accompaniments,’’ hesaid.

As an illustration he mentionsBina Karya Bakti Gapoktan fromMusi Village, Gerokgak Bulelenghas been developing 8 Ha of cornpopulations, 4 Ha of peanuts, 400Kgl organic fertilizer, 200 breadfruittrees, 20 cows, 1 unit of communalstable, 1 unit of bio gas installation,1 unit each of food, compost andbio-urine processor. All of these de-velopments were funded as much as181,460,000 rupiah by the Govern-ment of Bali.

But when carrying out 10Gapoktan in 2009, he acknowledgedsome problems. Among them are:the minimum use of land; the lessintensive performance of farming,the conventional livestock farmingused because it was carried out insmall scale; improper recycling pro-cess of livestock waste. In addition,there were marketing constraintsand underdeveloped processing re-sults. (sua)

Constantly Decreasing ADDDifficulties to Run Village Programs

the 2010 year, we have not knownof how much ADD we would bereceiving. Most likely, it will bemuch lower compared to previousyears,’’

Buda asserted.He added the declining ADD re-

ceived in 2009 compared to one in2008 is causing some village pro-grams can not be held optimally.One of them is the Selat’s EarlyChildhood Education (PAUD)School Building in Tabu Region.Development of the pre-schoolequivalent educational facility hadbeen funded based on the assis-tance of Bali Provincial Govern-ment.

However, other facilities suchas bathrooms and clean waterpumps are not yet available. Thefinished building is only one unitup until now. No separating walls

were made between the studyrooms of children with the teach-ers and principle’s office. Mean-while, the number of students reg-istered in the facility named WidyaKumara is as many as 48 peopleand teaching staff (principals andteachers) as many as 5 people.

‘’Funds from ADD in 2009have already been used to buy landto build the PAUD building. Theprice was 60 million rupiah for the4 acre land,’’ he said. Buda hopesthat development of other facili-ties can be covered by the ADDfund in 2010. ‘’That is if there willbe any funds,’’ he added.

While awaiting the provision offacilities such as clean water andbathrooms, the principal andteachers had to teach the PAUDstudents in the Widya KumaraKindergarten located in BanjarTabu. (Kmb20)

Amlapura (Bali Post) —Many sidewalks and gutters at

Besakih have damaged or perforated.They need improving promptly, espe-cially ahead of the Tawur Gentuh ex-orcism rite and Ida Betara Turun Kabeh(IBTK) ceremony whose peak fall onthe full moon of the tenth month in Ba-linese calendar, Monday (Mar 29).

It was said by a member ofKarangasem House from Selat, I WSekep Aryana Manusabat, last Sunday(Mar 7) in Karangasem. According tohim, the repair of the sidewalks wasvery urgent because actually it shouldhave been worked since the PancabaliKrama ceremony of last year as manyparts of them were damaged. However,they were not yet repaired, allegedlyBali Provincial Government whichusually did it was lacking of funding.

According to him, most importantlywas how to make pedestrian could passit comfortably. Based on current expe-rience, every organization of ritual orany substantial ceremony, people fromevery nook and cranny of Bali and evenfrom across the archipelago came tosay prayers, so they often triggeredcongestion. When tens of thousands ofpeople thronged the temple, theycaused traffic jam and even some partsof road body were used for parking.Therefore, people who walked homeor went to temple should be on foot.In many cases, pedestrians often foundit difficult because the road got traffic

C.518272-rpa

Batara Turun Kabeh CeremonySidewalks at BesakihNeed Improving

jam, while the sidewalks were broken.Sekep added the traffic congestion

during the ritual events needed antici-pating avoiding any congestion on thepeak of ceremony. In addition, janitorsalso continued to use previous workexperience, how to make the upcom-ing IBTK more comfortable. Moreover,Besakih as the mother temple of Balialso had attraction to international tour-ists. Never let the image of Bali de-creased in the eyes of the world becausewe did not care about cleanliness andcomfort of the environment, until theplastic garbage scattered. ?When heavyrains and floods occurred, the gutteroften exploded into the road body be-cause the waterway was blocked bytrashes,? said Sekep.

On the other hand, Chairman of theCommittee of IBTK, I Wayan Gunatrasaid smoothness of traffic and sanita-tion maintenance had been considered.It would be attempted to reduce con-gestion during the IBTK by utilizingthe existing parking area.

Meanwhile, devotees saying prayersusing vehicle must also comply withtraffic directions. ?The matter of sani-tation will be handled by dozens ofgood sweepers, both of Bali ProvincialGovernment and Karangasem Re-gency. It is important to socialize thehygiene persistently and it should start.

(013

International4 Monday, March 8, 2010 News

“We accept the public apology.It is laudable,” Father LawrenceAndrew, the editor of the Catholic“Herald” newspaper, told AFP.

“We trust they will not repeat it.We are not holding any grudges.”

Two journalists from the “Al Is-lam” magazine took the wafer andspat it out after entering a Catholicchurch to investigate claims thatMuslims were illegally convertingto Christianity.

“Al Islam magazine apologises...because the article had unintention-ally hurt the feelings of Christians,especially Catholics,” it said on its

AFP

BANGKOK (AFP) – Supportersof Thailand’s fugitive former pre-mier Thaksin Shinawatra startedtrying to build momentum Sundayfor a mass rally next week that coulddecide the fate of their anti-govern-ment movement.

The so-called “Red Shirts” saythey expect hundreds of thousandsof people to gather in the capital onMarch 14, just over two weeks af-ter a court seized 1.4 billion dollarsof the deposed tycoon’s fortune.

Organisers are holding a series ofmeetings beginning Sunday to mo-tivate nationwide protesters, mostlyfrom the rural poor, who resent whatthey see as an elitist and undemo-cratic government in Bangkok.

“I would like to urge those wholove democracy, justice, equality,and those who think that I have beenbullied without mercy and human-ity, to join the rally,” Thaksin wroteon Saturday on Twitter.

The rally promises to be the big-gest since last April, when up to100,000 Reds protested against cur-rent prime minister AbhisitVejjajiva, followed by riots whichleft two people dead and derailed amajor Asian summit.

The Reds have held a string ofprotests since another court decisionremoved Thaksin’s allies from gov-ernment and brought Abhisit topower in December 2008, after ablockade of Bangkok’s airports byrival, royalist “Yellow Shirts”.

Thaksin was toppled in a coupin 2006 and is living in exile, mainlyin Dubai, to avoid a two-year jailsentence for graft imposed in absen-tia. He has vowed to fight the con-fiscation of his wealth.

The country remains deeply di-vided between the largely Thaksin-loving Reds and the Yellows, whoview Thaksin as corrupt and arebacked by the Bangkok-based elitesof the palace, military and bureau-cracy.

On Sunday, provincial Red Shirtleaders were set to meet the rank-and-file in Rayong, a major indus-trial hub near Bangkok, whereorganisers said tens of thousandswere expected to gather from 5pm

AFP/File

Supporters of Thailand’s fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra,the so-called ‘Red Shirts’

AP

HONG KONG – China haswarned that a plan by pro-democ-racy activists in Hong Kong to usea special election as a de facto ref-erendum on democratic reform is athreat to stability in the former Brit-ish colony.

While Hong Kong returned toChinese rule in 1997, it maintains aseparate political system and enjoysWestern-style civil liberties typi-cally denied on the mainland. ButBeijing has continued to deny full

Thailand’s ‘Red Shirts’gear up for decisive week

(1000 GMT).They said meetings were planned

throughout the week in central,northern and western Thailand.Around 200 mainly taxi-drivingReds besieged a Bangkok police sta-tion late Saturday after the arrest ofPhornwat Thongthanaboon, aThaksin supporter accused of post-ing a YouTube video warning of vio-lence after the court ruling.

Police also said Sunday they hadarrested another man, a 23-year-oldstudent linked to the Reds, sus-pected of grenade attacks that weredirected at branches of the country’sbiggest bank on the day after theverdict.

Abhisit, who plans to push aheadwith a trip to Australia from March13 to 17, told local media that in-telligence reports indicated the pos-sibility of a sabotage next weekend,although organisers say the rallieswill be peaceful.

“Our aim is to topple the gov-ernment, to force them to make achoice between suppressing us andstepping down,” Red Shirt leaderJaran Ditsatapichai told reportersearlier this week.

But the number of supportersthey actually draw to Bangkok willbe crucial in deciding whether theReds have any chance of pushingout the government beforeThailand’s next elections, due inDecember 2011.

Paul Chambers, a Thailand ex-pert at Germany’s Heidelberg Uni-versity, said the demonstration andits ability to match last year’s turn-out will be a “crucial event to provewhether their cause will persevere.”

“Whether these numbers reachhigher than 100,000 will be a goodmeasure of their continuing politi-cal potential,” Chambers added.

The Red Shirts said earlier thisweek that they expected anywherebetween 400,000 and 600,000, withmany coming from Thaksin’sstronghold in the northeast in thou-sands of buses and pick-up trucks.

The Reds’ success will also de-pend on building support amongBangkok’s traditionally pro-YellowShirt middle class, and in the ranksof Thailand’s powerful army, whichso far has backed Abhisit.

AFP/File

The Malaysian national flag flies near a Catholic church in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia Catholics acceptMalaysia Catholics acceptMalaysia Catholics acceptMalaysia Catholics acceptMalaysia Catholics accept‘desecration’ apology‘desecration’ apology‘desecration’ apology‘desecration’ apology‘desecration’ apologyAFP

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) – Catholic authorities in Malaysia on Sun-day accepted an apology from a Muslim magazine after its writerstook part in a Catholic service and allegedly desecrated the commun-ion wafer.

website Utusan Karya on Friday.“It is also not the intention of Al

Islam to insult the Christian religionnor to desecrate their house of wor-ship,” said the monthly magazinewhich reports on issues concerningMalaysian Muslims.

The apology came after the arch-bishop of Kuala Lumpur MurphyPakiam criticised the government’s“failure to act” over the incident.

“The journalists have displayedutmost disrespect for the Catholiccommunity when they admit receiv-ing and spitting out the Holy Com-munion,” he said.

However, Attorney-GeneralAbdul Gani Patail defended the han-dling of the incident, saying the pairdid not understand the significanceof the wafer, which Catholics be-lieve represents the body of JesusChrist. Muslim-majority Malaysiahas been beset by religious disputesin recent months.

The multi-ethnic country was hitwith a spate of firebombings againstchurches and mosques in January,triggered by a dispute over the useof the word “Allah” as a translationfor “God” by non-Muslims.

The rows have strained relationsbetween majority Muslim Malaysand minorities including ethnic Chi-nese and Indian communities whofear the country is being “Islamised.”About nine percent of Malaysia’s 28million population are Christians,including 850,000 Catholics.

China warns again against HongKong democracy push

democracy. Hong Kong’s leader ischosen by an 800-member commit-tee stacked with pro-China figuresand its legislature is half elected, halfpicked by special interest groups.

Pro-democracy activists have ar-gued for years that the wealthy finan-cial hub of 7 million people is matureenough to choose its own leaders. Intheir latest campaign, five oppositionlegislators — one from each of HongKong’s five major electoral districts— resigned in January, triggering aspecial election. Opposition partiesplan to field candidates in the by-elec-

tion, hoping to turn the territory-widecontests into a de facto referendumon democratic reform.

“There are political groups thathave launched the so-called ‘fivedistrict referendum campaign,’ evenproposing sensational and extremeslogans like ‘civic uprising’ and ‘lib-erating Hong Kong,’” PengQinghua, the head of China’s liai-son office in Hong Kong, said whenhe met with Hong Kong delegateson the sidelines of the annual meet-ing of China’s parliament in Beijingon Saturday.

General Info Monday, March 8, 2010 5International

Denpasar

There are 4 major hospitals usually used by foreigners -Denpasar General Hospital(RSUP Sanglah), Kasih Ibu Hospital, Rumah Sakit Wongayaand Rumah Sakit Dharma Husada.

RSUP Sanglah is the main provincial public hospital. Itsfacilities have improved since the emergency ward had beenbuilt in 1991. Difficult/critical cases would not become aproblem anymore since it has complete equipments. It islocated on Jl. KesehatanSelatan 1 Sanglah Denpasar with :Phone : 227 911 – 15Fax : 226 363

Kasih Ibu Hospital is a private hospital which caters forless serious cases such as diarrhea, intestinal disorders, ane-mia, asthma and minor accidents. Kasih Ibu is also equippedto care for pregnant women. This hospital is located on Jl.Teuku Umar 120 Denpasar.Phone : 223 036Fax : 268 690.

Rumah Sakit Wongaya (Public Hospital; Psychiatric Unit)Jl. Kartini, Denpasar.Phone : 222 142.

Rumah Sakit Dharma Husada , (Private)Jl. Sudirman No 50, DenpasarPhone : 227 560, 234 824

In relating with health, Bali also has insurance and medicalevacuation company, thatis:AEA International - SOS Assistance Bali.PT Abhaya Eka Astiti, Jl. By Pass Ngurah RaiNo. 24X, Kuta 80361.Phone : 755 768 Fax : 755 768One thing that should be noted by tourists here is that theBlood Bank in Bali normally carries no stock of Rhesus (Rh)Negative blood.

Badung

Bali Medical ClinicsThere are some medical clinics that are well known by for-eigners in Bali. Some of them are western owned and oper-ated :

Bali International Medical Center (BIMC)Bali International Medical Centre (BIMC) provides excel-lent Primary Health Care & Emeregency Medical Servicesfor tourists, traveler, and expatriate living in Bali.Emeregency Room, Ambulance, Clinic Services, Insurance& Medical Evacuations also available. Open 24 hours Phone: 761 2631. Located Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai No.100X, Kuta,Bali 80361 - Indonesia. http://www.bimcbali.com

International SOS Clinic BaliOpened in 1999, offers International SOS members and visi-tors to Bali comprehensive primary health care and 24-houremergency medical service.Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai 505X, Kuta 80361, Bali - IndonesiaPhone : 720 100 Fax : 721 919E-mail : info@sos-bali.comttp ://www.sos-bali.com

Bali Nusa Dua Emergency ClinicJl Pratama No. 81 Phone : 771 324

Kuta ClinicJl. Raya Kuta Phone : 753 268

Dental ClinicDr Indra Guizot, Jl. Patimura 19, DenpasarPhone : 222 445, 234 375

DDS. Ritjie Rihartinah, Jl Pratama No. 81Nusa Dua Phone : 771 324

Retno W. Agung, Jln. Bypass Ngurah Rai No.4ABr. Tamansari – Sanur Phone : 288 501

Australian Consulate GeneralJalan Tantular 32 Renon DenpasarPhone: +62 361 241118Fax: +62 361 221195 (General) +62 361 241120 (Immigration)

Royal Danish & NorwegianMimpi Resort Jimbaran, BaliPhone +62.361.701 070

The Czech RepublicJalan Pengembak No. 17 Sanur, BaliPhone +62.361.286 465

France Consulate AgencyJalan Merta Sari Gang II No. 8 Sanur, BaliPhone +62.361.285 485

The Federal Republic of GermanyJalan Pantai Karang No 17 Sanur, BaliPhone +62.361.288 535

The Republic of HungaryJalan By Pass No 219 Sanur, BaliPhone +62.361.287 701

Italian ConsulateJalan By Pass Ngurah Rai Jimbaran, BaliPhone +62.361.701 005

Honorary Consulate of MexicoJalan Mohamad Yamin 1 A, Renon, Denpasar, BaliPhone +62.361.223 266

Honorary Consulate of The NetherlandsJalan Raya Kuta 127, BaliPhone +62.361.761 506

Honorary Consulate of SpainKomplek Istana Kuta Galleria Blok Vallet 2 No 11. JalanPatih Jelantik Kuta, BaliPhone +62.361.769 286

USA Consulate AgencyJalan Hayam Wuruk No. 188 Denpasar, BaliPhone +62.361.222 426

Consulate General of JapanJalan Raya Puputan No. 170 Renon, Denpasar, BaliPhone +62.361.227 628

Honorary Consulate of BritishJalan Tirta Nadi No. 20 Sanur, BaliPhone +62.361.270 601

Swiss and Austria ConsulateJalan Patih Jelantik, Komplek Pertokoan IstanaGalleriaPhone +62.361.751 735

Honorary Consulate of BrazilJalan Legian No. 186, BaliPhone +62.361.757 775

Honorary Consulate of ThailandJalan Raya Puputan Renon 81, Denpasar, BaliPhone +62.361.263 310

Embassy of IndiaJalan Raya Puputan Renon 42-44, Denpasar, BaliPhone +62.361.241 978

Honorary Consulate of Sweden anf FinlandSegara Village Hotel, Jalan Segara Ayu, Sanur, BaliPhone +62.361.282 223

Honorary Consulate of MalaysiaAlam Kulkul Boutique Resort, Jalan Pantai Kuta, BaliPhone +62.361.752 520

Bangli

Bangli General HospitalJl. Kesumayuda 27, BangliPhone : +62 366 91521

Gianyar

Clinic MasJl. Raya Mas, UbudPhone : +62 361 974573

Toyo ClinicJl. Pengosekan, UbudPhone : +62 361 978078

Permata Bunda ClinicJl. Patih Jelantik 50 X, GianyarPhone : +62 361 942082

Ubud ClinicJl Raya Ubud No.36 Campuhan, UbudPhone : +62 361 974911

Gianyar General HospitalJl. Ciung Wanara 2, GianyarPhone : +62 361 943049

Karangasem

Karangasem General HospitalJl. Ngurah Rai, KarangasemPhone : +62 363 21001

Klungkung

Klungkung General HospitalJl. Flamboyan 40-4, KlungkungPhone : +62 366 21371

Negara

Negara General HospitalJl. Gelar, NegaraPhone : +62 365 41006

Tabanan

Laboratorium ClinicJl. Gunung semeru No. 8, TabananPhone : +62 361 819260

Mengwi ClinicJl. I Gusti Ngurah Rai 46, TabananPhone : +62 361 880550

Darma Kerti HospitalJl. Teratai 16, TabananPhone : +62 361 812359

Tabanan General HospitalJl. Pahlawan 14, TabananPhone : +62 361 811027

Praja Taxi : (0361) 289090Bali Taxi : (0361) 701111Ngurah Rai Taxi : (0361) 724724Pan Wirthi Taxi : (0361) 723366Komotra Taxi : (0361) 758855

Singaraja

Prodia ClinicJl. RA Kartini 12, Singaraja Bali0362 - 24-516

Singaraja HospitalJl. Ngurah Rai 30, Singaraja Bali0362 - 22-573

Pet ClinicsKayumas: (0361) 226934Sayang Binatang: (0361) 483121Satwa Kertha Husada: (0361) 263018Pantai Sindhu: (0361) 287518Sidakarya: (0361) 724492Pedungan: (0361) 720026

HOSPITALIMIGRATION HOSPITAL

TAXIS

Monday, March 8, 20106 News

It was not clear whether anyonein the crew, all from Myanmar, hadbeen injured in the attack early Fri-day or whether any ransom had beendemanded.

Svenn Pedersen, CEO and man-aging director of Norway’s Th.Broevigtank Shipowners, said theUBT Ocean chemical tanker was onits way from the United Arab Emir-ates to Tanzania when it was hi-jacked about 300 miles (500 kilo-meters) from its destination.

“The captain made contact say-ing pirates were on board and thenthe contact was cut off. Nothing hasbeen heard from the ship since then,”Pedersen said.

He said the 9,000-ton vessel isregistered in the Marshall Islandsand was carrying fuel oil.

Edward Ion, a spokesman for the

AFP

MELBOURNE (AFP) –Melbourne was bracing itself Sun-day for further storms after a mini-cyclone ripped through Australia’ssecond largest city, bringing with ithail stones the size of tennis balls.

The storm dumped heavy rainacross the southern state of Victoria,and smashed into the regional capi-tal with winds of up to 100kilometres (62 miles) an hour, cut-ting power to 100,000 homes.

Some 26 millimetres (one inch)of rain fell on Melbourne within anhour while other areas recorded upto 70 millimetres during the Satur-day storm.

“Yesterday we had golf-to-tennisball-sized hail and certainly there’sa prospect of similar sized hail some-where in the state today,” RichardCarlyon, the Bureau ofMeteorology’s senior forecaster, toldABC radio.

“Whether it’s Melbourne I’m notso sure about... but if it’s notMelbourne, I think there’s a verygood prospect of large hail beingreported somewhere in the state.”

In the city centre the NationalGallery of Victoria suffered flood-ing, while the Docklands Stadiumwas among those buildings damagedduring the violent storm, whichwashed out horse races.

Bureau of Meteorology forecasterWasyl Drosdowsky said the hail thathit in one suburban area was up to10 centimetres (four inches) in di-ameter.

AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) – USPresident Barack Obama on Satur-day renewed his appeal to Congressto vote on his health care reform,arguing that any delay would allowinsurance companies to continuetheir old practices.

“We are very close. And so I askCongress to finish its work,”Obama said in his weekly radioaddress.

“I ask them to give the Ameri-can people an up or down vote. Andlet’s show our citizens that it’s stillpossible for Washington to look outfor their interests and their future.”

Norwegian ship hijackedNorwegian ship hijackedNorwegian ship hijackedNorwegian ship hijackedNorwegian ship hijackedoff Madagascaroff Madagascaroff Madagascaroff Madagascaroff Madagascar

AFP/Turkish Army/File –

This handout picture shows a Turkish frigate capturing pirates in the Gulf of Aden

AP

OSLO, Norway – A chemical tanker with 21 crew members has been hijacked by Somali piratesnear Madagascar, the Norwegian owner said Saturday.

vessel’s technical manager, ShipManagement Associates inSingapore, said attempts have beenmade to re-establish contact with thevessel, but it has so far been unsuc-cessful.

“We’re making every effort,” hesaid, adding the company is cooper-ating with local authorities and moni-toring agencies and anti-piracy forcesin the region. “Obviously we’re veryconcerned about this.”

The hijacking is one of the south-ernmost attacks the pirates have everlaunched, and serves as yet anotherindicator that increased naval patrolsin the Gulf of Aden are pushing thepirates’ range further south and eastinto the Indian Ocean.

Duncan Findlay, an official withShip Management Associates, saidthe ship complied with industry

guidelines because it was registeredwith, and reported to, the UK Mari-time Trade Operations, a group thatoversees the route the vessel wastaking.

According to the company, thevessel was not registered with theEU Naval Force-run Maritime Se-curity Centre for the Horn of Africabecause the ship would not go nearthe Horn of Africa.

“It would have been the incorrectcoordination center because the shipwas 1,000 nautical miles south of theHorn of Africa,” Ion said.

On Friday, a French frigate in-volved in an EU anti-piracy missionoff Somalia detained 22 suspectedpirates from six separate boats in theIndian Ocean. According to theFrench Defense MInistry, the sus-pects are being held on the frigate.

Obama urges action on health care without delayLast month, Obama hosted an

unusual day-long health care “sum-mit” with key Republicans and in-cluded four of their main ideas inhis proposal. Republican leadershowever have said the changes werenot enough.

Since then, the president has beenpushing Congress to pass his historichealth care overhaul by a party-linevote.

Democratic congressional aideshave said they hope to pass a finalbill before the start of a two-weekEaster recess at the end of the day onMarch 26.

They say that would enable law-makers to focus more on the bleak

US jobs picture in the months ahead.Obama warned that if lawmakers

let this opportunity pass for anotheryear or another decade, more Ameri-cans would lose their family’s healthinsurance if they lost their job - oreven switched job.

“More small businesses will beforced to choose between health careand hiring,” he continued. “More in-surance companies will raise premi-ums and deny coverage.”

Obama also warned that the ris-ing costs of Medicare and Medicaid- the government-run health insur-ance programs for the senior and thepoor — would sink the US govern-ment “deeper and deeper into debt.”

Mini-cyclone, recordfloods hit Australia

“(It was) tennis ball size roughly,”he said. “As far as we can tell, that’sclose to the biggest hail we’ve seenin Melbourne.”

As the city readied for further vio-lent storms Sunday, once-in-a-cen-tury floods were peaking in the stateof Queensland in the country’snortheast, parts of which have beenin drought for almost a decade.

Townships in the state’s cotton-growing south were cut off by ris-ing flood waters and in St Georgethe Balonne River reached 13.5metres (44 feet), its highest levelsince records began in 1890.

Queensland Premier Anna Blighsaid the cost of the flooding wouldbe in the hundreds of millions ofdollars, as there had been major dam-age to highways and rail lines hadbeen washed away.

“This is a massive water eventwhich has smashed all the recordsknown here in the southwest,” shetold reporters Sunday as she touredSt George.

“All this water ultimately is go-ing to mean great things for local(farmers) but there is a lot of pain tobe felt in these communities beforewe can see total recovery.”

In the nearby tiny town ofNindigully, residents were marvel-ling at the amount of water surround-ing the rural outpost.

“Overall, we are happy to have ex-perienced this flood because of thebeauty of vast expanses of waterthrough the bush that you never forget,”Steve Burns, the owner of the 146-year-old Nindigully Pub told AAP.

Northern Iraq’s autonomousKurdish region, which is almost freeof violent attacks and whose economyis booming, is one of the country’s fewbright spots.

Iraq has vast oil deposits and in re-cent months has signed 10 massivedeals with foreign companies, but in-come will take years to flow into gov-ernment coffers and for the momentmuch of the population remains poor.

The United States hopes the elec-tion will bolster Iraq’s fledgling de-mocracy, make it a beacon in a regionwhere free and fair elections are theexception, and pave the way to asmooth pullout of American troops.

Maliki, the Shiite head of the Stateof Law Alliance, is bidding to becomethe first Iraqi voted back into office atthe will of the people who for decadeshad no choice but Saddam’s BaathParty.

His rivals include Iyad Allawi, aShiite former prime minister whoheads the Iraqiya list, a rival secularcoalition that has strong support inSunni areas.

Also seeking the top job are AhmedChalabi, a former deputy premier oncefavoured but now loathed by Wash-ington; Adel Abdel Mahdi, thecountry’s Shiite vice president; andBaqer Jaber Solagh, the finance min-

Blasts kill 24...From page 1

ister.Chalabi, Mahdi and Solagh all rep-

resent the Iraq National Alliance, themain Shiite religious list.

Under the Iraqi electoral system noone party will emerge with the 163seats needed to form a government ontheir own and the ensuing horse-trad-ing to form a governing coalition couldtake months.

So far, 4,380 American soldiershave died since the invasion, accord-ing to an AFP tally based on the inde-pendent website icasualties.org.

Iraq Body Count, a Britain-basedgroup, estimates that between 95,000and 104,000 civilians were killed inthe same period.

Although violence is at a post-in-vasion low, attacks occur almost dailyin Baghdad and other hotspots. Morethan 350 people died in unrest lastmonth. Related article: Key dates sinceUS-lead invasion

Al-Qaeda in Iraq in a statement onFriday threatened to kill voters, daysafter a series of suicide attacks andbombings killed dozens.

The Islamic State of Iraq, the Qaedafront in the country, said it was im-posing a “curfew” on Sunday and any-one who dared defy it would “exposehimself to the anger of Allah and ... allkinds of weapons of the mujahedeen.”

Monday, March 8, 2010 7Indonesia TodayInternational

Police spokesman EdwardAritonang said the three securitymen and the terror suspect werefound dead after an intense ex-change of gunfire on Thursday.

“At the location, we found fourdead bodies. They consist of threeparamilitary police members and aterror suspect,” Aritonang said,without further elaboration.

It was the second terror suspectreported to have been killed in raidson alleged militants in a remote, for-

Antara

TANJUNGPINANG - Constitu-tional Court chairman Mahfud MDsaid the Bank Century case should bereferred to a criminal court to provewho was guilty in the alleged criminaloffenses or violations of the law.

“It should be brought to a criminalcourt for a ruling,” he said after givinga lecture at Hotel Comfort here on Sat-urday. He said by taking the case to acriminal court it would be known ifcriminal effenses or law violations, cor-ruption or manipulations had reallyhappened.

“They can all be verified from thosewhose names have been mentioned inthe House inquiry committee’s meet-ing such as bank officials,” he said.

Mahfud said he believed the Cor-ruption Eradication Commission

Antara

BENGKALIS - A number ofwild elephants destroyed threehouses in Petani village, Mandausub-district, Bengkalis, on Thurs-day and Friday, local residentssaid.

But there were no fatalities inthe wild elephants’ attacks as thehouse tenants could escape in time,Poiman, 45, told ANTARA hereSaturday.

“We (local residents) haveagreed to drive the wild elephantsout of the village,” he said.

Over the past week, the herbivo-rous animals have been enteringthe Petani village area — home ofmore than 200 families.

On Friday night, the wild el-ephants destroyed the villagers’crops and two houses, he said.

The villagers had tried to drive

Antara

SEMARANG - The Central JavaCultural and Tourism Agency saidthat about 18 foreign incursion boatsor yachts are scheduled to call at theTanjung Emas port of Semarang, fora visit to the province.

“Actually, at least 18 foreignyachts will be mooring at TanjungEmas,” Head of the Central JavaCultural and Tourism AgencyGatot Bambang Hastowo said hereSunday.

He said some other foreign tour-ism operators are still having ne-

18 foreign yachts tovisit Central Java

gotiations on visits to Central Java.“The 18 yachts had already re-

ceived a green light to go to Cen-tral Java,” he said.

He said if each of the yachtsbrought 500 passengers, the num-ber of foreign tourists to the prov-ince will increase significantly.

Earlier, Central Java GovernorBibit Waluyo said that in 2009 atotal of 15 yachts visited the prov-ince, bringing 9,379 tourists frommany countries. The total numberof tourists to Central Java in 2009reached 19 million, with an aver-age length of stay of 1.94 days.

Mahfud: Century case should bereferred to criminal court

Wild elephants destroyhouses in Riau’s Bengkalis

(KPK) would have the courage to un-veil the case so long as they have in-dictment relating to bribery or corrup-tion.

“So far the KPK has shown cour-age and it fears no one so long as it hasan indictment against a criminal law,”he said.

Mahfud said if the case is to bebrought to the constitution court (MK)as a political case there must first be apolitical opinion from the House ofRepresentatives supported by 75 per-cent of its members.

“It will take long. And only after thatwill an impeachment be able to be car-ried out. It will be impossible to do itwithout the process,” he said.

He said the constitutional courtcould not push for the case to bebrought there, adding the constitutionalcourt would only stand-by and would

not do it unless no one filed it.“MK would only stand by and is not

allowed to actively take case,” he said.Mahfud said conviction in the crimi-

nal court has nothing to do with im-peachment.

“They are not related. If the Houseof Representatives or the People’s Con-sultative Assembly (MPR) would notimpeach it will never happen althoughthey are proven guilty in court,” he said.

The majority of the House ofRepresenatives decided in a vote re-cently that irregularities had occured inconnection with the government’s de-cision to bailout the Century Bank inthe midst of the world’s economic cri-sis in 2008. President Susilo BambangYudhoyono in a speech on Thursdaymeanwhile supported the decision say-ing it was needed to save the country’seconomy and banking sector.

them out by turning on lanterns,burning used tires and firing bam-boo canons but failed to expelthem. Instead the animals ap-proached the people, causing themto get panic and run away.

According to another villager,Sonia, 43, the elephants had alsodamaged crops on five hectares ofthe locals’ farm land and a houseon Thursday.

Patris, whose house was seri-ously damaged by the wild el-ephants, said the people’s safetywas at stake so that 11 families hadtaken refuge in safer places.

Some of the displaced familiesmoved to their relatives’ houses,which were far away from their vil-lage, the 40-year-old Patris said.

Besides destroying threehouses, the wild elephants alsocaused minor damage to at least 20other houses.

AFP PHOTO / MOCHAMMAD RISYAL HIDAYAT

An Indonesian activist from Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) throwshis shoes toward an image of US President Barack Obama dur-ing an anti-Obama protest in Surabaya on March 5, 2010. Protest-ers claim Obama is responsible for a war on Muslims. The WhiteHouse announced in early February that Obama and his familywill visit Indonesia in March, a trip eagerly awaited by some inthe world’s most populous Muslim-majority country sinceObama’s inauguration.

AFP PHOTO / CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN

Indonesian police at work while bodies are evacuated, following an intense exchange of gunfire in a raid ona camp of suspected Islamist militants, in Lamkabeu on March 6, 2010. Three policemen and a terror suspectwere killed during the March 4 raid in Sumatra island’s northern Aceh province, Indonesian police said.

Three police, one militantThree police, one militantThree police, one militantThree police, one militantThree police, one militantkilled in Aceh: policekilled in Aceh: policekilled in Aceh: policekilled in Aceh: policekilled in Aceh: policeAgence France-Presse

BANDA ACEH - Three policemen and a terror suspect were killedduring this week’s raid on Islamist militants in Sumatra Island’s north-ern Aceh province, Indonesian police said Saturday.

ested part of Aceh Besar district overthe past two weeks.

Two civilians were also killed bystray bullets in the operations, po-lice said. Fourteen suspected mili-tants have been charged followingtheir arrest in the raids which, po-lice said Saturday, were ongoing.

The police said they discovereda blog on Friday in which it claimedas to belonging to the Al-Qaedabranch in Aceh.

The blog stated that some mem-

bers had survived the raids in Acehand called for fellow Muslims to fol-low their steps, according to reportsby local media.

“We are still investigating who’sresponsible for the blog and whetherit was truly linked to the armedgroup in Aceh. We want to knowwhether the blog was genuine,”Aritonang said.

Indonesia’s President SusiloBambang Yudhoyono said Fridaythat the alleged militants were notlinked to GAM, which once wagedan insurgency in Aceh.

Semi-autonomous Aceh, a deeplyIslamic province, saw a three-decadeseparatist war that claimed around15,000 lives before it ended in 2005.

8 InternationaMonday, March 8, 2010

Bali Today

In January 2010, the total num-ber of Chinese tourists visiting Balireached 15,849, a 31.44 percent de-cline compared to the same periodlast year, the head of Bali’s bureauof statistics, Ida Komang Wisnu,said here Sunday.

In January 2009, 23,117 Chi-nese tourists spent their holiday inBali, he said.

The tourists of mainlandChina directly flew to Bali. Nonecame here by cruise ships, Wisnusaid.

Last year, 206,151 Chinesetourists visited the resort island oran increase of 56.98 percent com-pared to 131,319 the year before.

Bali has so far had 766 Man-darin-speaking guides who areready to accompany the comingChinese tourists who want to enjoythe cultural uniqueness and naturalbeauty of the resort island.

To become what it is today,Ngurah Rai Airport has gonethrough a lots of changes. This air-port was used to be an emergencystrip that utilized the Dutch armypurposes. It is only having a 700meters airstrip which started on1930 by Department Voor Veerkeren Waterstaats (similar to Depart-ment of Public Works). By the yearof 1931, the airstrip finally open tosmall plane that used to called

Chinese tourists remain thirdChinese tourists remain thirdChinese tourists remain thirdChinese tourists remain thirdChinese tourists remain thirdbiggest, Japanese decreasebiggest, Japanese decreasebiggest, Japanese decreasebiggest, Japanese decreasebiggest, Japanese decrease

http://farm1.static.flickr.com

Two Japanese tourists take a walk at Kuta, Bali Island. The Japa-nese tourists to Bali have dropped by 23.86 pct from 25,357 inJanuary 2009 to 19,308 in January 2010.

Antara

DENPASAR - Chinese holiday makers remain the third biggest visitors in the Indonesianresort island of Bali after those of Australia and Japan, an official said.

While Chinese tourists remainthird biggest, the Japanese touriststo Bali have dropped by 23.86 pctfrom 25,357 in January 2009 to19,308 in January 2010.

“The drop was worse than inDecember 2009 their numberreached 28,048, a 31.16 pct decline,”said Wisnu.

She said the number of Japa-nese holidaying in Bali in the last fewyears had been decreasing and thisdevelopment needs to be anticipatedin the hope they would still be com-ing to the island resort for a holiday.

Last year their number reached333,905, a 7.2 pct drop compared to2008’s 359,824.

Ida Komang Wisnu added thatwhile the Japanese tourists comingto Bali had been declining, theirnumber is still second after Austra-lia on the list of those from the 10countries visiting Bali.

Japan contributed 10.77 pct ofthe total number of f179,273 foreigntourists to Bali in January 2010, a2.71 pct increase compared to thesame month last year.

Of the tourists from 10 coun-tries to Bali, those from four coun-tries had increased in number sig-nificantly, and those from six coun-tries had declined.

The four countries are Austra-lia with an increase of nearly 60 pctfrom 27,966 in January 2009 to44,412 in January 2010, South Ko-rea 26.49 pct from 8,105 to 10,252,Holland 40.10 pct from 4,444 to6,226, and Russia by 2.51 pct from8,901 to 9,124.

The six countries whose tour-ists to Bali had declined are Japanand China by 31.44 pct, Taiwan 8.55pct, Malaysia 28 pct, France 6.17pct, and the United States 8.36 pct,Ida Komang Wisnu said.

Ngurah Rai Airport, a gateway to Paradise Island (1)

From emergency strip to international airportNow, Ngurah Rai airport has been able to served 9 millionspassengers per year. Behind its ability to served passengersover its capacity, lies story that worth to read about. Thebook that entitled ‘’Ngurah Rai Airport Bali – Gateway toParadise”, tells us all about it. In these four edition articles,International Bali Post will try to sum up all the storiesabout Ngurah Rai Airport since 1930 to 2010 and its vitalrole in developing tourism industry in Bali. At the end ofthis continuous article, International Bali Post will alsoprovide some hopes and critics from the tourism stakehold-ers that want to make Ngurah Rai Airport a world classquality airport.

By Diah Dewi

‘’Pesawat Capung” because it’sdragonfly-like features. Because ofits location, this airstrip referred asTuban Airport. The name stayed foryears thereafter.

The commercial plane startedto land in Bali on 1935, when theRoyal Netherlands Indies Airwayslanded regularly in this airport.Within the same year, Qantas Em-pire Airways also submitted letter toDirector of Civil Aviation Depart-

ment Verkeer en Waterstaats to landits plane and stayed overnight in Balion regular basis.

Besides being used as com-mercial ones, this airport also havea different function during the war,especially on the start of World WarII in 1942. Some living witnessescalled that the frequency of flightsbecoming intensive during the year.In fact, because Bali was the homebase of Dutch army, Japan bombedBali in 1942 and aimed to destroythe airstrip. But realizing the strate-gic position of Bali to distributeJapanese soldiers to the east and cen-tral part of Indonesia, Japan alsoused Tuban as their strategic base.At the time, Japan also lengthenedthe airstrip.

During the Japan’s occupa-tion, Tuban airstrip went throughsome improvement changes. Theairstrip extended to 1,200 metersfrom 700 meters. The better im-provement was done during thePresident Soekarno leadership. Onthat era, Tuban also went through alot of changes, the most memorizechanges is the capacity increase forTuban Airport to serve long haulflights. Soekarno as president was

very often visited Bali. The first ar-rival of Soekarno to this airport wason the year of 1955.

In 1959, Tuban Airportstarted serving international flightsfrom various airlines around theworld. To land in this airport, theflights must first ask the permissionfrom the central government be-cause in the Immigration, Customs,and Quarantine department was notoperating at Tuban Airport.

In this particular times, cen-tral government start to realized theimportance of tourism as one of thecountry’s incomes. In order to in-crease the income from tourism,government started to develop theinfrastructure of Tuban Airport. Thegovernment initiated the construc-tion of international terminal build-ing and the airstrip towards the westwas lengthened from 1,200 metersto 2,700 meters x 45 meters, withan overrun of 2 x 100 meters,through land reclamation of about1,500 meters coastal area. Thismoves called Airport Tuban projectand it started in 1963. This giganticproject –during that time, was doneunder direction of SoebandioWirjowigunowho led the Tuban

Airport at that time. Besides beingdone by doing the reclamation pro-cess, this project also have to useheavy equipments that came fromRussia and United States ofAmerica (USA).

With the progress develop-ment and the completion of tempo-rary terminal and runway, the gov-ernment inaugurated an interna-tional flight at Tuban Airport on 10August 1966. Since then, many in-ternational carriers started to openits routes through Bali, such as ThaiAirways and Air Cambodia thathave a regular flight to Bali.

After a long and windingroad, the airport finally ready tofully-operated. The official cer-emony that happened on August 1,1969 also officially changed theTuban Airport named into NgurahRai International Airport. This namewas taken from the name of an in-dependence-day hero from Bali,Brigadir Jenderal Anumerta I GustiNgurah Rai. Born in Carangsari Vil-lage, he was a well-respected figureand the pride of the people of Balias he was very courageous in lead-ing the war against the Dutch NICA.(To be continued…)

Balinese Culture

Monday, March 8, 2010 9al

Star fruits treesgrow in manyBalinese gardens,a convenientsource of leavesfor vegetabledishes. The leavesare crunchy with aslightly bitter tang.If not availablesubstitute withspinach leaves.

INGREDIENTS:400 gr star fruit leaves, washed½ cup basic spice paste2 cups coconut milk2 salam leaves300 gr beef rump, minced30 cm square of banana leaf½ tsp salt¼ tsp black peppercorn, crushed

PREPARATION:Bring 3 liters (12 cups) of lightly salted water to the

boil in a stockpot. Add star fruit leaves. Reduce heatand simmer for 5 minutes. Drain leaves, and thencools to room temperatures in ice water. Drain anddry well. Place half of the spice paste into saucepanand sauté for 2 minutes. Add coconut milk and salamleaf, reduce heat and simmer until sauce thickens.Season minced beef with the remaining spice paste.Place on banana leaf and roll up very tightly into theshape of a sausage. Steam for 15 minutes. Allow tocool, open banana leaf and break meat into itsoriginal minced consistency. Mix the coconut milk andmince beer well and add star fruit leaves and mixagain. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve atroom temperature with steamed rice.(www.baliguide.com/balifood)

Denpasar (Bali Post) -

Telkomsel as a cellular operatoris not only focusing on its businessactivities but also conducted socialactivities. On Sunday, March 7th 2010,Telkomsel was participating in thebeach cleaning act which was pio-neered by Kuta Society Association(LPM).

Telkomsel also gave 170 unitsof garbage bins to Kuta district. Thebins will be placed on Kuta beach andBakung Sari Street Kuta. Luh PutuSuryani, the Spv Community & Seg-mented Customer Telkomsel BranchDenpasar, said that the social activitydone by Telkomsel is one of the ef-forts to keep Bali clean and beautiful.

Approximately, 1,000 membersof Telkomsel School Community(TSC) took part in the activity. Suryanisaid that is is a positive act because itcan teach the students to responsibleto the environment.

She also said that the participa-tion of Telkomsel in the activity is thetoken of appreciation and gratitude forthe customers for the great respondespecially to the students on the free1,000 SMS program by Kartu As.

“In order to receive the freeSMS, the customers only must send

Photo by Telkomsel

Spv Community & Segmented Customer Telkomsel BranchDenpasar, Luh Putu Suryani (right) is handing over the gar-bage bin to the Head of Kuta Subdistrict I Gede Supartha, S.STP. MM. Telkomsel donated 170 units of garbage bins to KutaSub district that will be place along the Kuta Beach and St.Bakung Sari.

Telkomsel involving 1,000students in social activity

OVERVIEW:You can use any type of

leftover chicken (roast,steamed or fried) for thisdelightfully tangy chickensalad

INGREDIENTS :1 whole chicken,

weighing about 1.2 kg (2½ lb)

1 cup chicken spicepaste

½ cup tomato sambal3 tbsp freshly squeezed limejuice

PREPARATION:1. Rub the chicken outside and inside with the

spice paste, and season with salt and crushed blackpepper.

2. Place on wire rack in oven and roast first at 220Celsius (420 F) for 20 min, then reduce heat to 180Celsius (350 F) and roast until done. Frequently bastechicken with a mixture of coconut oil and chickenspice paste.

3. When cool, remove and discard the skin.Remove meat from bones and shred by hand into finestrips.

4. Combine chicken stripes with remainingingredients. Mix well and season to taste. Serve atroom temperature with steamed rice.(www.baliguide.com/balifood)

Jukut Belimbing(Star Fruit Leaves in Sweet Sauce)

Ayam Pelalah(Shredded Chicken with Chilies & Lime)

SMS worth 1,000 rupiah and the bo-nus can be used for 24 hours,” sheadded.

In adition to the social activity,Telkomsel also give other program tothe member of TSC such as scholar-ship abroad and try out for the test toenter colleague. The company also cre-

ated a competition called FutsalAsikSuperschool and a workshop entitled“1 Day for The Future”.

The activities are done to openthe knowledge of the student about theirfuture profession. The school wantedto join the community can contact thenearest Telkmosel office

Monday, March 8, 201010 InternationalDestinations

International Bali Post Classifieds

Contact usDenpasar

Jakarta

: +62 361 22-5764 Jl. Kepundung 67 A, e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id: +62 21 535-6271 Jl. Palmerah Barat 21 F

... gets maximum benefits with minimum charge

KUTA is the most famous tourist places in Bali. It is famous with thespectacular white sandy beach, several of hotels from luxury and until bud-get hotels are available, hilarious nightlife, plenty of restaurants with inter-national cuisine, bars, pub, Water Boom Park and shopping center. It is onestop place for holiday in Bali by offering the plenty of selection we needand make it the right place to visit on your vacation in Bali.

At three hundred year ago, in this place had been built a Konco (BuddhistTemple) located beside of Tukad Mati (Dead River) where it river can be navi-gable at that time. The boat steps into the hinterland of Kuta, so that Kuta is a porttrade. Mads Longe is a merchant from Denmark in 19 century had built its tradestation in the river periphery. During living in Bali, he often becomes the mediumbetween king of Bali and Dutch. Mads Longe has mysteriously died and hisgrave is located inside of Konco (Buddhist Temple) right in the river periphery.Kuta is quiet fisherman countryside in the past, but now it has been turned intothe hilarious town and it is completed by post office, police office, market, phar-macy, photo center, and shop. There are a lot of hotels which are designed luxuryand comfortable set in a long side of white sandy beach of Kuta.

Kuta is situated in 11 KM southern part of Denpasar town and it can beeasily reached by public transportation from Tegal Bus Station about 15minutes. Kuta is the fastest growing tourist place in Bali and it is the heavenfor foreign countries tourists. Kuta is well equipped by tourist facilitieslike white sandy beach, bars, restaurants, cafeteria, disco and others spec-tacular nightlife. We can also meet a lot of good shops selling multifariousitems of tourist need like clothes, cassette ribbon, airplane ticket, souvenir,handicraft, sport gear and others. It is a popular place with the surfing ac-tivity besides of beautiful sunset. Mostly the tourists come and stays in thisplace are coming from the low budget traveler especially young tourist.There is a new tourism object in Kuta built in the center of this place calledBali Bomb Monument to commemorate the Bali Bomb Tragedy on 12October 2002. Bomb which burst at Sari Club and also Paddy’S club havekilled 202 people. (www.balistarisland.com)http://paradisite.files.wordpress.com

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Monday, March 8, 2010 11

BUSINESS

Agence France-Presse

PARIS - French PresidentNicolas Sarkozy announced Satur-day an extra 800 million euros insubsidised loans for farmers hit bythe financial crisis, taking to 1.8 bil-lion euros a package for the sector.

“The money will be there to fi-nance everything to allow you to tideover the financial crisis,” he said atthe Paris agricultural show during around table meeting with farmers’unions.

“I will do for the French agri-culture sector — a strategic and keysector — what we have tried to dofor the financial crisis,” he said.

Sarkozy in October announcedone billion euros (1.3 billion dollars)in aid for embattled French farmers,whose revenues were slashed byaround a third last year. Dairy farm-ers saw their incomes halved.

The French leader also an-nounced Saturday an extra 50 mil-

“We actually want to move toan exit strategy soon but it wouldmake things worse,” Finance Min-ister Naoto Kan said in aprogramme on the public broad-caster NHK.

“I think it is too early to takesteps towards fiscal belt-tighteningin the immediate future,” he said.

Japan’s lower house last weekpassed a record 92.3 trillion yen(1.0 trillion dollar) budget for theyear from April that will add to analready enormous mountain of pub-lic debt as Tokyo tries to stimulatea recovery.

The Organisation for Eco-nomic Cooperation and Develop-ment has warned that Japan’s pub-

Agence France-Presse

LONDON - Faced with publicoutrage over excessive bankers’ pay,the bosses of Britain’s five biggestbanks have taken the unprecedentedstep of spurning bonuses worth mil-lions of pounds.

As the dust settles on the annualresults season, analysts said the sec-tor was keen to fix its battered reputa-tion after being accused of helping tospark the global financial crisis thatdragged the world into a painful re-cession.

The chief executives of Barclays,HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, RoyalBank of Scotland and Standard Char-tered all decided to renounce theirbonus entitlements for 2009, withsome even donating their rewards tocharity.

“I am not surprised by thebehaviour of bank chief executives,”said senior strategist HowardWheeldon at BGC Brokers in London.

“They are seeking to carry theresponsibility, if not the can, for thepart that their respective banks mayor may not have been responsible for,in the mess that we have seen unfoldover the past two years or so.”

He told AFP: “They are ofcourse responding to public opiniontoo — but they are also seeking toprotect their senior staff who are, af-ter all, legally entitled to receive allthat has been previously agreed thatthey will earn.”

While bosses relinquished theirbonuses, remaining senior staff at thebanks will still receive bumper finan-cial rewards on top of their salaries— even after the government decidedto slap a 50-percent tax rate on bank

Japan financeJapan financeJapan financeJapan financeJapan financeminister says toominister says toominister says toominister says toominister says tooearly to endearly to endearly to endearly to endearly to endstimulus planstimulus planstimulus planstimulus planstimulus planAgence France-Presse

TOKYO - It is too early for Japan to end its massive stimu-lus spending because the world’s second biggest economy is stillslowly recovering from a severe recession, the finance ministersaid Sunday.

lic debt, bloated by repeat bouts ofstimulus spending, will soar to 200percent of the country’s gross do-mestic product by 2011.

Japan plunged into a year-long recession in 2008 as its exportscollapsed amid the global financialcrisis.

It returned to growth in thesecond quarter of 2009, but the re-covery remains fragile with highpublic debt, falling consumer pricesand weak domestic demand allmajor concerns for policymakers.

The Nikkei economic daily re-ported last week that the centralBank of Japan would likely con-sider more monetary easing to fightstubborn deflation.

Sarkozy announces loansfor crisis-hit French farmers

lion euros in aid for badly indebtedfarmers, taking the total amount to100 million euros.

He pledged to take moves to en-sure that markets are better regulated.

“From November France willhead the G20. We will take the ini-tiative to promote real market regu-lations for primary agricultural goodsto prevent growing speculation,” hesaid.

“The farmer is an entrepreneur.He should be able to live off pricesand not subsidies,” Sarkozy added.

Earlier this week, Sarkozylaunched a drive to reverse an accel-erating decline in French industry,protect jobs and raise manufacturedoutput by 25 percent over five years.

The French leader said 6.5 bil-lion euros (8.84 billion dollars)would be assigned to support re-search and investment from fundsraised by a special bond — “thegrand national loan” — he intendsto issue later this year.

British bank bosses shunbonuses to avoid backlash

employee bonuses above 25,000pounds (27,700 euros, 37,600 dollars).

The so-called “supertax” couldgenerate more than 2.5 billion poundsin taxation revenues, according to arecent survey by the Financial Times.

Last week, the head of globalbanking titan HSBC pledged his bo-nus to charity despite rising profits atthe Asia-focused group as he soughtto deflect public criticism over thecontroversial issue of executive pay.

HSBC, which unlike many rivalsreceived no state bailouts, said chiefexecutive Michael Geoghegan woulddonate up to four million pounds tocharity in what was described as apersonal decision.

HSBC’s move was swiftly fol-lowed by Standard Chartered, whosechief executive Peter Sands decidedto give his 2.1-million-pound bonusto charity. This too the group called apersonal decision.

Sands made the gesture despiteguiding the emerging markets bankto record profits and income during2009.

Standard Chartered said: “Likemost bankers, we are conscious thatthe world has changed and that wemust work together with regulators,governments and the rest of the indus-try to secure a better financial system,if we are to support the global recov-ery and to focus on the socially-use-ful aspects of banking.

“The issue of bonuses has beenmuch in the spotlight ... We pay forgood performance and we do not re-ward failure. And we have continuedto produce record income and profitson a sustained basis,” the bank added.

Bank bosses are eager to defusepublic anger about the bonus culture,

which many observers blame for en-couraging the kind of excessive risk-taking that tipped the world economyinto crisis.

Barclays threw down the gauntletto its rivals when it declared that topexecutives had dropped their bonuses.

That set the tone for other banksbecause Barclays survived the globalfinancial crisis intact, without taxpayerhandouts, and also saw its profits rocketby 114 percent in 2009.

The state-rescued Lloyds BankingGroup followed suit last week when itschief executive Eric Daniels revealedhe would not collect his annual bonusof 2.3 million pounds.

Lloyds, which is 41.3-percentstate owned after being bailed out withbillions of pounds of taxpayers’ cash,said it was “mindful of the ongoingpublic debate on the issue of bonusesin the banking sector.”

Royal Bank of Scotland, whichis 84-percent state-owned, also an-nounced that its chief executiveStephen Hester would waive his bo-nus of 1.6 million pounds despite nar-rowing losses in 2009.

However, banks have still dishedout bonus pools to their best workers,arguing that some of their top talentcould jump ship if they were not paidthe going rate.

RBS said it was determined thatthere would be “no reward for failure”and pointed out that “senior executivesresponsible for the overall losses” —such as former chief executive FredGoodwin — had left the company.

Britain’s banking landscape hasundergone huge changes since 2007,with major lenders such as RBS andLBG partly nationalised in the wake ofthe financial crisis.

AFP PHOTO/Carl Court/FILES

This file picture taken on February 24, 2010 in central London shows a man walking past the newpremises for a branch of Metro Bank. Faced with public outrage over excessive bankers’ pay, thebosses of Britain’s five biggest banks have taken the unprecedented step of spurning bonusesworth millions of pounds.

Entertainment InternationalMonday, March 8, 201012

Bullock swung by the Razzies onthe eve of her expected triumph atSunday’s Oscars, where she is con-sidered the favorite to win best ac-tress for “The Blind Side.” If shewins Sunday, Bullock will be the firstperson to win an Oscar and a Razzieover the same weekend.

“I think this is an extraordinaryaward,” said Bullock, who had prom-ised throughout awards season thatif she won the Razzie, she wouldaccept it in person. “And I didn’t re-alize that, in Hollywood, all you hadto do was say you’d show up, andthen you’d get the award. If I’dknown that, I would have said I wasappearing at the Oscars a long timeago.”

“Transformers: Revenge of theFallen” was picked as last year’sworst picture and won two otherRazzies, worst director for MichaelBay and worst screenplay for EhrenKruger, Roberto Orci and AlexKurtzman.

Bay and his team probably willnot lose any asleep over it. Thoughreviled by critics, “Transformers”took in $402.1 million domestically,No. 2 on the 2009 box-office chartbehind “Avatar.”

Bullock, who also shared theRazzie for worst screen couple with

Reuters

LOS ANGELES – “Alice in Wonderland”set a new record for a March release at theweekend box office in North America, earningan estimated $41 million on its opening day,distributor Walt Disney Co said on Saturday.

Director Tim Burton’s 3D collaborationwith Johnny Depp opened across the UnitedStates and Canada on Friday, and is also play-ing in about 40 foreign countries.

The North American tally ranks at No. 19among single-day debuts, said tracking firmBox Office Mojo. The previous opening-dayrecord for a March film was $28 million, setby “300” in 2007. The ancient epic also holdsthe record for an opening weekend in March

Agence France Presse

PARIS – US singer-songwriter StevieWonder was Saturday awarded one ofFrance’s top cultural honours, which he dedi-cated to his deceased mother 30 years afterhe was tapped to receive it.

“I receive this honour in memory of mymother and in memory of all of those thathave made it possible for me to stand heretoday,” said an emotional Wonder, clad inmarine blue striped suit, as he received theCommander of Arts andLetters award fromFrench Culture MinisterFrederic Mitterrand.

“As I was... listeningto what you were saying,I had a flash in mymemory, the memory of1964, when I came toParis, France for the firsttime. I came with mymother,” 59-year-oldWonder told Mitterrand.His mother died in 2006.

Standing next toMitterrand was formerculture minister JackLang, who first namedWonder for the medalthat has been bestowedover the years to person-alities ranging from

Bullock, ‘Transformers’ make Razzies worst listBullock, ‘Transformers’ make Razzies worst listBullock, ‘Transformers’ make Razzies worst listBullock, ‘Transformers’ make Razzies worst listBullock, ‘Transformers’ make Razzies worst listAssociated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES – Sandra Bullock warmed up for the AcademyAwards with a stop at the Razzies to collect a dubious honor: a worst-actress prize for her romantic comedy flop “All About Steve.”

“All About Steve” co-star BradleyCooper, was the first acting winnerto show up at the Razzies since HalleBerry won worst-actress for“Catwoman” five years ago.

As she took the stage, Bullockpulled a little red wagon filled withDVDs of “All About Steve,” sayingshe was giving a copy to everyonein the audience of about 300.

Bullock implied that many Razzievoters had not actually seen themovie but cast ballots for her hop-ing to get her to show up at theawards. Bullock said if they watchedthe DVD — “I mean really watchit” — and decided it was not theworst performance of the year afterall, then she would come back nextyear and “give back the Razzie. ...then we’ll go drink afterwards.” Theworst-actor Razzie went to siblingsKevin, Joe and Nick Jonas for “JonasBrothers: The 3D Concert Experi-ence.”

The Jonas’ pal Miley Cyrus, starof “Hannah Montana: The Movie,”lost the worst-actress category toBullock. But her dad, Billy RayCyrus, was named worst supportingactor for the big-screen “HannahMontana.”

Sienna Miller received the worstsupporting-actress Razzie for the

AP Photo/Dan SteinbergActress Sandra Bullock accepts her Razzie award for worst actress in a feature film in Los Angeles onSaturday, March 6, 2010.

action tale “G.I. Joe.”Will Ferrell’s action comedy flop

“Land of the Lost” had come in tiedwith “Transformers” for the Razzieslead with seven nominations, but it

was nearly shut out in every cat-egory.

Once ballots had been countedfrom the roughly 650 Razzies vot-ers, “Land of the Lost” was tied for

the group’s worst remake, rip-off orsequel prize. Razzies founder JohnWilson, who always votes last, gavethe tie-breaking vote to “Land of theLost.”

Stevie Wonder receivestop French award

South African writer Nadine Gordimer, Brit-ish actor Roger Moore and Lebanese divaFairuz.

“As citizen, administrator and culture min-ister I just called to say we love you,”Mitterrand told Wonder, mixing French andEnglish and referring to one of Wonder’s big-gest hits which featured in the film “TheWoman in Red.”

Mitterand praised Wonder as “music’sfamiliar genius.” A political activist whofought for Martin Luther King day (signed

into law in 1983)honouring the slain civilrights leader, Wondermore recently backed USPresident BarackObama’s run for office in2008.

During the ceremony,he made a pitch forObama’s push to extendhealth coverage to millionsof uninsured Americans.

“I’m very encouragedyou have it here, in thiscountry,” he said, refer-ring the France’s near-universal coverage.“Don’t change.”

Wonder is expected toreceive a lifetime achieve-ment award at a Frenchceremony Saturday night.

AFP/Bertrand Langlois

Stevie Wonder

“Alice in Wonderland” opensstrongly at box office

with $71 million.“Alice” looks set to smash that tally, likely

surpassing $100 million, when three-day salesdata are issued on Sunday. Pundits had con-servatively forecast an opening weekendabove $75 million. The last movie to reachthat level was “Avatar,” which opened to $77million in December on its way to worlddomination.

Depp stars as the Mad Hatter, while Aus-tralian actress Mia Wasikowska plays Alice.Burton’s girlfriend Helena Bonham Carterand Anne Hathaway round out the headlinersas the Red Queen and White Queen, respec-tively. Reviews were mixed, with critics moreenthused by the movie’s visual splendor thanits narrative essence.

An image of Johnny Depp,as the Mad Hatter in thenew “Alice in Wonderland”film, stares down throughthe plastic tent coveringthe red carpet outside theKodak Theatre as prepara-tions continue forSunday’s AcademyAwards in Los Angeles,on Saturday, March 6,2010.

AP Photo/Amy Sancetta

International Monday, March 8, 2010 13Life Style

Mule’s precocious daughterElizabeth excels at science and hasbeen studying tarantulas since shewas 5. But she watched Elizabeth’sexcitement turn to confusion whenthey reached the evolution sectionof the book from Apologia Educa-tional Ministries, which disputedCharles Darwin’s theory.

“I thought she was going to havea coronary,” Mule said of her daugh-ter, who is now 16 and taking col-lege courses in Houston. “She’slike, ‘This is not true!’”

Christian-based materials domi-nate a growing home-school educa-tion market that encompasses morethan 1.5 million students in the U.S.And for most home-school parents,a Bible-based version of the Earth’screation is exactly what they want.Federal statistics from 2007 show83 percent of home-schooling par-ents want to give their children “re-ligious or moral instruction.”

“The majority of home-schoolersself-identify as evangelical Chris-tians,” said Ian Slatter, a spokesmanfor the Home School Legal DefenseAssociation. “Most home-schoolerswill definitely have a sort of cre-ationist component to their home-

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – Methane, apotent global warming gas, is bub-bling out of the frozen Arctic fasterthan had been expected.

Methane had become trapped inthe permafrost over time and a warm-ing climate is now resulting in its re-lease, researchers report in Friday’sedition of the journal Science.

“The amount of methane cur-rently coming out of the East Sibe-rian Arctic Shelf is comparable to theamount coming out of the entireworld’s oceans,” said NataliaShakhova, of the University of AlaskaFairbanks International Arctic Re-search Center and the co-author.

Concerns about global warm-ing have centered on rising levelsof carbon dioxide in the atmo-sphere, but scientists note thatmethane can be 30 times more ef-fective at trapping heat than car-bon dioxide.

Historically, methane concen-trations in the world’s atmospherehave ranged between 0.3 and 0.4parts per million in cool periods

Reuters

BEIJING – China must urgentlyaddress the physical fitness of thenation’s youth or run the risk of rais-ing a generation incapable of fight-ing the Japanese in a future war, thehead of the country’s top sports uni-versity said Thursday.

The government must immediatelyinvest some of its new wealth in en-suring that children take regular exer-cise, Beijing Sports University presi-

AP Photo/James CrispIn this photo Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, Thirteen year-old Louisa Perry-Farr, left, works on her science while herten year old sister Thea Perry-Farr works on her Logic in the dining room of their home in Lexington, Ky.

Top home-school textsTop home-school textsTop home-school textsTop home-school textsTop home-school textsdismiss Darwin, evolutiondismiss Darwin, evolutiondismiss Darwin, evolutiondismiss Darwin, evolutiondismiss Darwin, evolutionAssociated Press Writer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Home-school mom Susan Mule wishes shehadn’t taken a friend’s advice and tried a textbook from a popularChristian publisher for her 10-year-old’s biology lessons.

school program.”Those who don’t, however, often

feel isolated and frustrated from try-ing to find a textbook that fits theirbeliefs.

Two of the best-selling biologytextbooks stack the deck against evo-lution, said some science educatorswho reviewed sections of the booksat the request of The AssociatedPress.

“I feel fairly strongly about this.These books are promulgating liesto kids,” said Jerry Coyne, an ecol-ogy and evolution professor at theUniversity of Chicago.

The textbook publishers defendtheir books as well-rounded lessonson evolution and its shortcomings.One of the books doesn’t attempt tomask disdain for Darwin and evolu-tionary science.

“Those who do not believe thatthe Bible is the inspired, inerrantWord of God will find many pointsin this book puzzling,” says the in-troduction to “Biology: Third Edi-tion” from Bob Jones UniversityPress. “This book was not written forthem.”

The textbook delivers a religiousultimatum to young readers and par-

ents, warning in its “History of Life”chapter that a “Christian worldview... is the only correct view of reality;anyone who rejects it will not onlyfail to reach heaven but also fail tosee the world as it truly is.”

When the AP asked about thatpassage, university spokesman BrianScoles said the sentence made it intothe book because of an editing error

and will be removed from future edi-tions.

The size of the business of home-school texts isn’t clear because thetextbook industry is fragmented andprivately held publishers don’t giveout sales numbers. Slatter said home-school material sales reach about $1billion annually in the U.S.

Publishers are well aware of the

market, said Jay Wile, a formerchemistry professor in Indianapoliswho helped launch the Apologia cur-riculum in the early 1990s.

“If I’m planning to write a cur-riculum, and I want to write it in away that will appeal to home-schoolers, I’m going to at least findout what my demographic is,” Wilesaid.

Methane seen asgrowing climate risk

to 0.6 to 0.7 in warm periods. Cur-rent methane concentrations in theArctic average about 1.85 partsper million, the scientists said, thehighest in 400,000 years.

AFP/File/Slim AllaguiA general view of the Artic Oceanin 2008. Methane is leaking intothe atmosphere from unstablepermafrost in the Arctic Oceanfaster than scientists had thoughtand could worsen global warm-ing, a study said Thursday.

Chinese youth accused of not being fighting fitdent Yang Hua told the sports group ofthe largely ceremonial advisory bodyto China’s annual parliament.

“It is time for the Chinese nation toimprove the physical fitness of our nextgeneration,” said Yang. “If we miss thenext three to five years a whole gen-eration will be next to useless.

“If there was another war againstJapan, would the younger Chinese beable to fight the Japanese one-on-one?

“The government has enoughmoney for banquets and for luxuri-

ous office buildings, do they not havemoney for children’s physical edu-cation?” he added.

Japan invaded and occupied muchof China between 1931 and 1945.Rancour over Japanese wartimeatrocities has subsided as a diplo-matic flashpoint, but it continues toshape Chinese public attitudes to-ward Japan and its people.

The fitness of China’s youngdominated the opening session of theChinese People’s Political Consul-tative Conference’s sports group, anormally sedate gathering turnedinto a media circus this year by thepresence of hurdler Liu Xiang.

The former Olympic and worldchampion 110 meter hurdler, uncon-ventionally dressed in jeans with hisshirt tails hanging out, was makinghis first appearance as one of the 22members of the committee.

“A healthy body is the foundationof everything,” he said. “I hope I canbe an example to attract more atten-tion to athletics, and encourage ourchildren to be stronger and stronger.”

The emphasis on academic educa-tion in China — Chinese teenagers pre-paring for the university entrance ex-ams often study for more than 12 hoursa day — has been blamed for the lackof exercise undertaken by young.

REUTERS/Sheng LiChildren exercise during a weight-losing summer camp in Shenyang,Liaoning province, August 3, 2009.

Monday, March 8, 201014 InternationalSport

Former England internationalScholes settled a hard-fought con-test with a well-taken goal 17 min-utes from time at Molineux that leftreigning champions United twopoints clear of title rivals Chelseaand Arsenal.

“He’s a fantastic player,” saidUnited manager Ferguson of 35-year-old one-club man Scholes,who made no mistake with hischance from Nani’s cross. “Onehundred league goals from amidfield player is outstanding andhe’s a fantastic player.

“The way we play him nowa-days, we sit him a bit deeper andmaybe it takes away the goal threathe could always give you as a youngplayer,” Ferguson explained.

“But when the opportunity arosehe was the best player to have it.”

United were without WayneRooney due to a knee problem thatmakes the England striker doubtfulfor Wednesday’s ChampionsLeague game against AC Milan atOld Trafford.

But Ferguson, who saw RioFerdinand and Nemanja Vidic playin central defence for just the fifth

Agence France Presse

MADRID – Real Madrid battledback from 2-0 down to beat Sevilla3-2 on Saturday and go top of theSpanish first division with RafaelVan der Vaart grabbing a dramaticstoppage time winner.

After 10-man Barcelona wereheld 2-2 by Almeria, the incentivewas on Real who had the chance togo ahead of the Catalans on goal dif-ference, and they managed it in dra-matic fashion at the Bernabeu.

They slumped two-goals down anown-goal from Xabi Alonso and aIvica Dragutinovic free-kick whichcaught out Real keeper Iker Casillas.

But Real piled on the pressurewith Cristiano Ronaldo and SergioRamos drawing their side level.

It appeared as though Real wouldhave to settle for a draw before agrandstand finish saw Van der Vaartslot home from close range. A bracefrom Leo Messi rescued a point forBarcelona at modest Almeria.

Domingo Cisma put the homeside in front after he beat CarlesPuyol in the air to head past keeperVictor Valdes.

Messi equalised, though, after acontentious free-kick was awardedfor a foul on Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

An own-goal from Puyol and thenthe expulsion of Ibrahimovic forkicking out put Almeria firmly in thedriving seat but Messi was Barca’ssaviour, scoring his second fromclose range mid-way through thesecond half.

Earlier, a fine strike from JoseGuardado helped Deportivo la

AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES

Manchester United’s English midfielder Paul Scholes (2nd R) celebrates scoring the openinggoal of the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers andManchester United at Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, central England, on March 6, 2010.

Ferguson salutesFerguson salutesFerguson salutesFerguson salutesFerguson salutesScholes’s centuryScholes’s centuryScholes’s centuryScholes’s centuryScholes’s centuryas United go topas United go topas United go topas United go topas United go topAgence France Presse

WOLVERHAMPTON – Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to Paul Scholes after the midfielderscored his 100th Premier League goal as Manchester United returned to the top of the table witha 1-0 win at Wolves.

time in the Premier League this sea-son, feels his team are starting to findtheir best performances at the righttime.

United have just nine league gamesof the season remaining as they lookto win a record fourth straight PremierLeague title and Ferguson said: “I thinkthe form of the team has been good.

“We’re managing to do withoutplayers from time to time and it wasthe first time that back four has playedin a year-and-a-half,” the veteran Scot-tish manager added.

“That tells you that the squadstrength we have and that’s importantat this time of the year. We’re not faraway from getting Owen Hargreavesback and (Federico) Macheda’s backin training which is a bonus for us be-cause he can get you a goal and thatmay be important without MichaelOwen.”

Scholes was delighted to chalk uphis 100th league goal and felt the vic-tory would boost United ahead ofWednesday’s game with Milan whereFerguson’s men have a 3-2 advantageafter their first leg win in Italy in thelast 16 tie.

“I’m very pleased with that,” said

Scholes. “To score goals is what youneed to do to win games and thank-fully I managed to put it away.

“It was a difficult game. It was atough pitch and they’re a tough teamto play against but a 1-0 win is exactlywhat we needed at this stage of theseason, so we’re happy with that.”

Scholes added: “It’s always nice tobe top of the league. It’s a good timeto go top, with nine games left for usnow, and it gives us confidence aheadof Wednesday as well.” Defeat leftWolves deep in relegation trouble withjust one win in 10 league matches.

Their tally of 21 Premier Leaguegoals is the lowest in the division butmanager Mick McCarthy, whose de-cision to field a weakened side inDecember’s 3-0 defeat at Old Traffordled to a suspended fine for Wolves,believes his side have enough qualityto stay up.

“The only way that our luck willchange is by playing that way. It willchange because we played well,”McCarthy said after a loss that leftWolves above the relegation zone ongoal difference alone. “There areplenty of games to go and there aregames coming along that we can win.”

AFP PHOTO/Pedro ARMESTRE

Real Madrid’s Brazilian defender Marcelo (L) vies withSevilla’s goalkeeper Andres Palop (R) during a Spanishleague football match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium,on March 6, 2010 in Madrid.

Real Madrid battlefrom two-goal deficitto top Spanish league

Coruna come from behind to beatTenerife 3-1 and boost their Euro-pean ambitions.

Deportivo had plenty of earlypossession but poor defending sawJuanlu Hens give Tenerife the lead.

Juan Rodriguez headedDeportivo level and while they con-tinued to press forward it wasTenerife that went nearer to scoringagain when Juan Nino saw a close-range shot saved well by keeperDaniel Aranzubia shortly before halftime.

powerful left-footed drive fromGuardado found the corner after 55minutes and from there Deportivonever looked back with DiegoColotto adding to their lead.

Valencia were well-beaten byAtletico Madrid 4-1 but they stillhave a three-point cushion abovefourth place ahead of Sunday’smatch with Racing Santander.

Mallorca’s remarkable seasoncontinues and they will be lookingto maintain their strong home form,which has seen them lose just onceall season, against Sporting Gijon.

The battle for a European placeis fierce and Villarreal, under newcoach Juan Carlos Garrido, got backinto the frame with victory overDeportivo la Coruna last weekend.

“Garrido has tried to give theteam more balance and he knows alot about defending and how tomaintain the possession. It was notnormal for us to concede so manygoals before. I hope we can get intothe Europa League and I know theplayers will battle until the end,” saiddefender Gonzalo Rodriguez.

Monday, March 8, 2010 15International Sport

France cruised past Germany in their WorldGroup first round tie when Michael Llodra andJulien Benneteau defeated Philipp Kohlschreiberand Christopher Kas 6-1, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 to take anunassailable 3-0 lead in Toulon.

France will face Spain in the last eight if thechampions get past Switzerland in Logrono.

Spain, playing without the injured RafaelNadal, opened a 2-1 lead in their tie when MarcelGranollers and Tommy Robredo defeated YvesAllegro and Stanislas Wawrinka 7-6 (10/8), 6-2,4-6, 6-4.

“Both of us played well. We had a difficultspell in the third set, but we hit back,” saidRobredo. Croatia, the 2005 champions, saw offEcuador 3-0 and will face either bitter rivalsSerbia or 32-time champions USA for a place inthe semi-finals.

Marin Cilic and Ivo Karlovic coasted to a 7-6(7/3), 6-3, 7-5 win over Nicolas Lapentti andGiovanni Lapentti in Saturday?s doubles to giveCroatia an unassailable 3-0 lead.

In Belgrade, Bob Bryan and John Isner keptthe US in their tie when they defeated NenadZimonjic and Janko Tipsarevic 7-6 (10/8), 5-7,7-6 (10/8), 6-3 to leave Serbia 2-1 in front goinginto the final day. Isner will face world numbertwo Novak Djokovic on Sunday needing a winto keep the tie alive.

“I think the doubles is going to help John alot,” said American captain Patrick McEnroe.

“The fact he has two matches under his beltnow, I think we?re going to see him play his besttennis; obviously it?s a very tough match againstNovak but we?re looking forward to it.”

Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi kept

Associated Press Writer

PHOENIX – Amare Stoudemire scored 30points for the third consecutive game and thePhoenix Suns beat the Indiana Pacers 113-105on Saturday night for the 1,900th victory in fran-chise history in a game marred by two fightsand eight technical fouls.

Things got heated with 46.7 seconds re-maining in the third period when the Pacers’Earl Watson appeared to push the Suns’Channing Frye. Indiana’s Danny Granger thentook a swipe at Frye, who swung back. ThePacers’ Roy Hibbert and the Suns’ JasonRichardson joined the altercation, and bothwere hit with technicals, along with Granger.Frye was assessed two technical fouls, an au-tomatic ejection.

For the remainder of the game, Granger wasbooed every time he touched the ball.

Things were also testy midway through thesecond period when Indiana’s Josh McRobertsand Phoenix’s Louis Amundson scuffled. Bothreceived technicals.

Early in the fourth quarter, Indiana coach

Agence France Presse

UNCASVILLE – Unbeaten DevonAlexander stopped Juan Urango in the eighthround Saturday to unify the International Box-ing Federation and World Boxing Councillight-welterweight titles.

Referee Benjy Esteves stopped the fight1:12 into the eighth round after a pair of up-percuts by US standout Alexander sentColombia’s Urango to the first knockout de-feat of his career.

Alexander improved to 20-0 with his 13thvictory inside the distance while Urango fellto 22-3 with one drawn.

The 22-year-old American added Urango’sIBF crown to his WBC title belt with a devas-tating right uppercut in the eighth and anotherstunning blow to the temple followed by a fi-nal uppercut that send Urango down to endthe fight.

“Speed kills anything,” Alexander said. “Iknew he was a brawler, that he would keepcoming. I knew if I didn’t stand in front of

AFP PHOTO/Rafa Rivas

Spain’s Tommy Robredo (R) and Marcel Granollers (L) celebrate after winning aset against Switzerland’s Yves Allegro and Stanislas Wawrinka during their DavisCup tennis match in Logrono, northern Spain, on March 6, 2010. Granollers andRobredo won 7-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

France, Czechs,France, Czechs,France, Czechs,France, Czechs,France, Czechs,Croatia into DavisCroatia into DavisCroatia into DavisCroatia into DavisCroatia into DavisCup quarter-finalsCup quarter-finalsCup quarter-finalsCup quarter-finalsCup quarter-finalsAgence France Presse

PARIS – France set-up a potential Davis Cup quarter-final blockbuster againstdefending champions Spain after extending their 72-year stranglehold over Ger-many on Saturday.

India’s hopes alive, beating Igor Kunitsyn andTeimuraz Gabashvili in straight sets in Moscow.

The Indian doubles specialists, who won 14Grand Slam titles during their career, outclassedthe Russian duo 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to make the tie score2-1 to Russia ahead of Sunday’s reverse singles.

“We play well together and we both enjoy play-ing doubles,” Bhupathi said. “Today we playedvery well.” The winner of the tie faces either Swe-den or Argentina in the last eight.

The Argentines took a 2-1 lead in Stockholmwhen David Nalbandian partnered HoracioZeballos to a 6-2, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5) victory overRobert Lindstedt and Robin Soderling.

Nalbandian only arrived on Thursday afterlooking as though he would miss the tie with a leginjury. The former Wimbledon finalist has onlyjust returned to action after undergoing hip sur-gery in May.

“After nine months out it?s not easy to playwell but I think I did well today,” said Nalbandian.

“Horacio played a great match too. He was in-credible. I tried to push him all the way and henever let me down. We took every chance theygave us.”

Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek gave theCzech Republic a 3-0 victory over Belgium inBree, beating Steve Darcis and Olivier Rochus 7-6 (7/0), 6-0, 6-3.

The Czechs, runners-up in 2009, will face thewinners of the delayed Chile-Israel encounter inthe quarter-finals, where they would be away toChile or home to Israel.

Nicolas Massu gave the Chileans a 1-0 leadSaturday after winning the opening singles againstDudi Sela 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4.

PhoenixSuns’ JaredDudley (3)and SteveNash (13),hold backIndianaPacers’DannyGranger (33)and RoyHibbert afteran altercationduring thesecond halfof an NBAbasketballgame Satur-day, March 6,2010 inPhoenix. TheSuns won113-105.

Suns beat Pacers in game marred by 2 fightsJim O’Brien was hit with a technical for argu-ing with officials.

Grant Hill added 22 points for the Suns, Ja-son Richardson had 20 points and 10 rebounds,and Jared Dudley also had a double-double with11 points and 12 rebounds.

Granger led the Pacers with 24 points, Hibbertscored 22, including 12 for 12 from the foul line,and Troy Murphy had 19 points and 16 rebounds.

The game began with poor shooting as theSuns began 5 for 15 and the Pacers 4 for 20.After that, the Suns’ marksmanship improveddramatically and finished the half at 52.6 per-cent (20 for 38) with a 63-57 lead, while Indianawound up at 34.7 percent (17 for 49).

The Pacers cut into a 12-point deficit at 63-51 with 3-pointers by Granger and Earl Watson,who stole an inbounds pass from Amundson, inthe final 2.8 seconds.

Indiana stayed close with the aid of its offen-sive rebounding. The Pacers had 24 second-chance points off 10 offensive boards.

Stoudemire had 17 points at the half, includ-ing nine straight during a two-minute span latein the second quarter.

(AP Photo/Matt York)

Alexander stops Urangoto unify light-welter titles

him I would be the champion. He didn’t hurtme at all.”

Alexander stopped Britain’s Junior Witterto claim the vacant WBC title last August, thesame month Urango returned the light welter-weight ranks with an 11th-round stoppage ofAmerican Randall Bailey for the IBF crown.

The only prior losses for Urango, 29, wereto former champion Ricky Hatton of Englandin 2007 and current welterweight title holderAndre Berto last May.

Alexander used footwork and effective jabsto seize command. Although Urango scoredwell at times with right hooks, Alexanderstayed with his tactics and pressed his advan-tage.

Alexander opened a cut above the SouthAmerican’s left eye in round two but stayedpatient rather than risk getting into a flurrywith the hard-punching Colombian.

“When I see blood, I want to go for it, but(I stayed) focused, stuck to the game plan andnow I’m the IBF champion,” Alexander said.“I can beat anybody.”

Monday, March 8, 201016 SportI N T E R N A T I O N A L

The furore over the evidenceHamilton and McLaren team man-ager Dave Ryan gave the officialsas they investigated Jarno Trulli andHamilton’s change of position dur-ing a safety car period led to Ryanparting company with the team andMcLaren receiving a suspendedthree-race ban.

Hamilton was heavily criticisedover the scandal, and said ratherthan pondering leaving McLarenover the incident, he consideredquitting F1 altogether.

“There was a lot to take on boardafter what had gone on,” he told theBritish newspaper media.

“I care about how people per-ceive me. It was a feeling of ‘shoot,maybe I shouldn’t be in the sport’rather than not in my team. This ismy dream team and I am fortunateto have been here from the begin-

FELIPE Massa has hit out at the new teams joining Formula 1 thisseason, suggesting that their relatively slow pace is bad for the champi-onship and could pose a danger for the frontrunners.

Massa’s Ferrari team has been strongly critical of the way the in-creased F1 entry was handled, and the Brazilian said the newcomers’lack of speed is a concern for him too.

“I hope they won’tbe a danger,” saidMassa in an interviewwith Italian newspa-per Corriere dellaSera reprinted onFerrari’s website.

“There are six/seven teams one sec-ond apart while thoseteams are four sec-onds behind. It’s notgood for the sport andnot good for them:it’s like two differentseries.

“They’ll suffer.And we’ll suffer too,when we have themin front of us duringqualifying.”

Lotus and Virginwere several secondsoff the pace in pre-season testing, but areconfident they willget up to speed giventime and mileage,while fellow new-comer Hispania willnot run until Bahrainnext weekend.

AFP PHOTO/JOSEP LAGO

McLaren’s British Lewis Hamilton makes a pit stop during a training session on February 28,2010 at Catalunya’s racetrack in Montmelo, near Barcelona.

Hamilton ‘nearlyquit’ over ’09scandal

LEWIS Hamilton has revealed that he was on the brink ofwalking away from Formula 1 after he was adjudged to havemisled the stewards at last year’s Australian Grand Prix.

ning [of my career].“I never had a desire to drive for

anyone else. So it was not a desireto leave the team, just to stop rac-ing. For a split second it was ‘this istoo much to take. How do I recoverfrom this?’”

The Briton credited the support hereceived in the wake of the affair forconvincing him to continue racing.

“There was support from myfamily, team, fans, amazing lettersand I thought ‘you know what, Imade a mistake but I am being givena second chance by all these peopleand support,’” said Hamilton.

“I never for a second didn’t wantto do it, I love racing. Sometimes itis hard to face the music; hard to facepeople when you know that as soonas you turn your back they are talk-ing about you.

“And for a long period of time,

for months, I would walk into aroom and I am sure there are somepeople who walked into the roomand they feel cool but for me I justdidn’t feel positive, it was negativeenergy and I don’t like that.

“But slowly I began to realise thatit was not all negative energy and Ihad a lot of support and respect frompeople. It made me stronger. It wasa real strong experience.”

Hamilton added that he was de-termined to avoid similar situationsin the future. “I don’t want to be inthat position again,”he said.

“It’s like when you put your handout to a certain dog and it bites you,you won’t do the same again. It’ssimilar. I have been bitten once andyou don’t want to get bit again. I don’tever want to be in that position againand I don’t feel I ever will be.

“I can’t say what will happen inthe future but I have always said Ilove the sport, I love winning andwinning in the right way. Integrityis very important to me.”

AFP PHOTO/JOSEP LAGO

Ferrari’s Brazilian Felipe Massa walks inthe paddock during a training session onFebruary 28, 2010 at Catalunya’s race-track in Montmelo, near Barcelona.

Massa says newteams bad for F1