Thursday, December 24, 2009

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Capture to the suspect was car-ried out due to suspicion that thesuspect would like to smuggle ille-gal drugs belonging to metham-phetamine category. Even, he didit with the same modus as otherseven Iranian suspects that havebeen captured previously. The sus-

Again, an Iranian CapturedAgain, an Iranian CapturedAgain, an Iranian CapturedAgain, an Iranian CapturedAgain, an Iranian Capturedat Ngurah Rai Airportat Ngurah Rai Airportat Ngurah Rai Airportat Ngurah Rai Airportat Ngurah Rai AirportSmuggles 200 Gram of MethamphetamineDenpasar (Bali Post)—

Having captured seven Iranians attempting to smuggle meth-Having captured seven Iranians attempting to smuggle meth-Having captured seven Iranians attempting to smuggle meth-Having captured seven Iranians attempting to smuggle meth-Having captured seven Iranians attempting to smuggle meth-amphetamine of 4.5 kilogram, recently the officer of Custom andamphetamine of 4.5 kilogram, recently the officer of Custom andamphetamine of 4.5 kilogram, recently the officer of Custom andamphetamine of 4.5 kilogram, recently the officer of Custom andamphetamine of 4.5 kilogram, recently the officer of Custom andExcise of Ngurah Rai Airport captured again another suspect whoExcise of Ngurah Rai Airport captured again another suspect whoExcise of Ngurah Rai Airport captured again another suspect whoExcise of Ngurah Rai Airport captured again another suspect whoExcise of Ngurah Rai Airport captured again another suspect whois also from Iran. The suspect is Shahbazi Saeid, 34. He was cap-is also from Iran. The suspect is Shahbazi Saeid, 34. He was cap-is also from Iran. The suspect is Shahbazi Saeid, 34. He was cap-is also from Iran. The suspect is Shahbazi Saeid, 34. He was cap-is also from Iran. The suspect is Shahbazi Saeid, 34. He was cap-tured by Custom and Excise officer at Ngurah Rai Airport, lasttured by Custom and Excise officer at Ngurah Rai Airport, lasttured by Custom and Excise officer at Ngurah Rai Airport, lasttured by Custom and Excise officer at Ngurah Rai Airport, lasttured by Custom and Excise officer at Ngurah Rai Airport, lastMonday (Dec 21) at 08:00 pm Local Time.Monday (Dec 21) at 08:00 pm Local Time.Monday (Dec 21) at 08:00 pm Local Time.Monday (Dec 21) at 08:00 pm Local Time.Monday (Dec 21) at 08:00 pm Local Time.

pect Shahbazi also swallowed themethamphetamine into his intestinethat has been formed into capsule.

However, Custom and Exciseofficer who did the examinationcarefully could foil the endeavor ofsuch illegal goods smuggling.

Tabanan (Bali Post)—Commemoration of Mother’s Day,

last Tuesday (Dec 22), in Tabanan tookplace vibrantly. The Head of TabananDistrict Attorney, Putu Indriati, servedas inspector of the commemorationceremony in such 81st Mother’s Day.Present on the event were TabananRegent N Adi Wiryatama and Headof Tabanan House and Higher Offi-cials of Tabanan.

Commemoration of Mother’s Day in TabananHead of District

Attorney Reminds theJustice for Women

On that occasion, Indriati revealedthat this year became an important mile-stone to women of Indonesia becausemany of them could have filled in im-portant position, both in the circle ofjudicative, executive and legislative.She said, the gender equality beganto arise in the national developmentsince the first Indonesian womencongress on December 22-25, 1928.

China negotiator:Taiwan trade pact“long process”

Terrorist attackfeared afterJackson arrest

Tritunggal Churchheld three holymass

BP/doc

The Iranian who was trying to smuggle illegal drugs to Bali was arrested by Bali Police Department officer

Not PublishedNot PublishedNot PublishedNot PublishedNot PublishedWe, the international Bali

Post will not be published onFriday, December 25th 2009due to Christmas

Merry Christmas

InternationalThursday, December 24, 20092

Founder : K.Nadha, Chief Editor: ABG Satria Naradha Managing Editor: Wirata Editors: Alit Purnata, Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Darmasunu, Daniel Fajry, Diah Dewi, Iwan Darmawan, Martinaya, Mawa,Palgunadi, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Sutiawan, Wirya, Yudi Winanto Denpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Mas Ruscitadewi, Oka Rusmini, Umbu Landu Paranggi, Subagiadnya, Subrata, Suentra,Sumatika, Gregorius Rusmanda, 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 PostJakarta, 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

To ensure the condition of parcelexisting in Denpasar, the DenpasarIndustry and Trade Services(Disperindag), last Tuesday (Dec22), performed a raid to a number ofshops. Not only shops, the team ledby Division Head of Protection andCooperation, Ratnaningrat also tar-geted traditional market. Three shopsvisited last Tuesday consisted ofMoena Fresh, Toko Mindra at KertaWijaya Shopping Complex on JalanDiponegoro and Tiara Dewata Su-permarket.

The Head of DisperindagDenpasar, I Wayan Gatra, in themidst of his raid revealed that theactivity has become a regular agenda

Parcels Inspection

Prevention the DistributionPrevention the DistributionPrevention the DistributionPrevention the DistributionPrevention the Distributionof Expired Goodsof Expired Goodsof Expired Goodsof Expired Goodsof Expired Goods

Denpasar (Bali Post)—Denpasar (Bali Post)—Denpasar (Bali Post)—Denpasar (Bali Post)—Denpasar (Bali Post)—By the Christmas and New Year festivity, the sale of various foodBy the Christmas and New Year festivity, the sale of various foodBy the Christmas and New Year festivity, the sale of various foodBy the Christmas and New Year festivity, the sale of various foodBy the Christmas and New Year festivity, the sale of various food

and parcels began to show an increase. Even, a number of shopsand parcels began to show an increase. Even, a number of shopsand parcels began to show an increase. Even, a number of shopsand parcels began to show an increase. Even, a number of shopsand parcels began to show an increase. Even, a number of shopsselling food started to offer numerous kinds of parcel to candidateselling food started to offer numerous kinds of parcel to candidateselling food started to offer numerous kinds of parcel to candidateselling food started to offer numerous kinds of parcel to candidateselling food started to offer numerous kinds of parcel to candidateof their customers. However, it was worried that a number of itemsof their customers. However, it was worried that a number of itemsof their customers. However, it was worried that a number of itemsof their customers. However, it was worried that a number of itemsof their customers. However, it was worried that a number of itemsinside have expired.inside have expired.inside have expired.inside have expired.inside have expired.

of Disperindag. His party regularlycommitted the raid to parcels pack-age by holidays. Similarly,Disperindag would like to ensure inorder the parcels sold were safe, es-pecially did not contain expiredgoods or its pack was not damaged.

It was said that on the current raid,his team did not encounter any ex-pired goods. Condition of all parcelswas once opened by the team and allwere in good condition. Likewise,they did not found any expiredgoods.

However, the team once founddifficulty when carrying out an ex-amination by opening one of the ex-isting parcel samples. As in the ex-

amination of parcel at Tiara DewataSupermarket, the member of teamlooked confused on examining theparcels. Except for there were manyparcels, around 300 pieces, the ex-isting parcels have been ordered. Itscustomers have ordered almost 60percent of parcels on display. It wasindicated by the sticker of customer’sname put on the parcels.

“In essence, all parcels we openedwere not suspicious. All are in goodcondition and quality. Since theyhave been ordered, so we find diffi-culty which one to open for exami-nation,” said Gatra accompanied byRatnaningrat.

In the meantime, Sales Divisionof Tiara Dewata, I WayanSumardita, said that all parcels soldby Christmas and New Year were in-shop production of Tiara Dewata. Onthat account, hygiene of all food inthe parcels has been probed thor-oughly. (kmb12)(kmb12)(kmb12)(kmb12)(kmb12)

Denpasar (Bali Post)—Denpasar (Bali Post)—Denpasar (Bali Post)—Denpasar (Bali Post)—Denpasar (Bali Post)—By this yearend, a number of activities to jazz up the year

change are ensured to be held by various institutions, both ofgovernment and private sector. Without exception for DenpasarCity Government that since the past few years always orga-nized some events by yearend. The current one in combinationwith Denpasar Festival, the year change 2009 will grace theheart of culture-based city.

However, the unavoidable impact of this activity is crowdedtraffic at a number of road routes around the center of city.Because, Denpasar City Government has made sure to closetotally the streets such as Jalan Gajah Mada, Jalan Kartini up toJalan Veteran. “Closing of those roads will start from the cross-road of Jalan Gajah Mada and Jalan Kartini until in front ofInna Bali Hotel,” said Division Head of Operation Control,Transportation Services of Denpasar, Ketut Sriawan, last Tues-day (Dec 22). The closing of roads becoming the main routes toeastern part of Denpasar City such as Sumerta, Sanur and otherareas in the east of Denpasar was ensured to result in thecrowdedness at other locations. Moreover, a number of otherroutes becoming alternatives were not so wide. “To minimizethis worries, we have socialized this matter far before the event,”said Sriawan last Tuesday.

Sriawan said that a number of routes used as the alternativesfor channeling the traffic streams, namely Jalan Kartini fromJalan Gajah Mada, remained normal. Meanwhile, the traffic fromJalan Sulawesi that usually became the route to Badung Marketand Kumbasari Market from Jalan Hassanudin would also betotally closed. Then, the traffic from south like Jalan Udayanato Jalan Veteran would also be closed and traffic would be takento Jalan Kaliasem. “For the route of Jalan Udayana right in frontof Headquarter of Udayana Military Commander remains openas usual,” said Sriawan.

Organizing Yearend FestivityDenpasar Government

Closes Jalan Gajah Mada

Tabanan (Bali Post)—Tabanan (Bali Post)—Tabanan (Bali Post)—Tabanan (Bali Post)—Tabanan (Bali Post)—A grandmother, Ni Nyoman Swasri, 60, a resident of

Tibudalem Hamlet, Pujungan Village, Pupuan subdistrict, diedafter crashed by a motorbike last Tuesday (Dec 22). A young-ster riding the motorbike at high speed crashed her.

The victim was crashed by motorbike Honda Supra DK 4446GR on the Tabanan-Pupuan route at Mekarsari Hamlet,Pujungan, Pupuan, last Tuesday (Dec 22) around 07:30 am Localtime. Such grandmother was crossing the road from west toeast side then. At the same time, a motorbike came ridden by IKomang Ruly Wirawan, 19, from Tabanan direction. The sus-pect having no driving license, motorbike’s document did notuse helmet and rode at high speed. He crashed her right away.That old victim was darted off because she was crashed at highspeed and caused her exude fresh blood from her right ear. Im-mediately, she was then taken to Santhi Graha Hospital inSingaraja. Few hours later, the unconscious victim breathed herlast. Spokesperson in charge of Tabanan Resort Police, I WayanLungsur, accompanied by Chief of Traffic Accident Unit, INyoman Rauh, said the accident occurred because the rider ofmotorbike DK 4446 GR did not give priority to pedestrian.Moreover, he rode his motorbike without having driving license,motorbike’s document and did not use helmet. (kmb14)(kmb14)(kmb14)(kmb14)(kmb14)

GrandmotherKilled in Accident

BP/doc

Officers are inspecting the parcel sold in a store.

3Thursday, December 24, 2009International Bali News

According to a resource person inBali Police told that the capture ofAGS was based on the investigationto the suspect Fachrudin aliasFahrus. Fachrudin admitted that hedid not kill the couple alone. How-ever, he did so with two other friends(AGS and SU). However, up to nowSU remained to be pursued by po-lice officers.

The capture of AGS, said that re-source person, took place in

Denpasar (Bali Post)—The image of police streaked by

some persons of mischievous po-lice seemed to become serious at-tention to Chief of Bali Police,Sutisna. Recently, a number of po-lice personnel were known to actbeyond the legal procedures. Onthat account, this number-one manin Bali Police instructed the relatedparties (Profession and SecurityDivision) to take firm action andimpose sanction to mischievouspolice officers procedurally.

The case involving a memberof police once occurred few timesago, namely the capture of a per-son of police officer that wasproven to distribute illegal drugs.Such person of police had initialname LL. He has arrested in thedetention cell of Denpasar MetroPolice and his case remained to beinvestigated. Even, this person wasensured to be discharged.

More than that, there were policeofficers who were found having funat nightclub and being with a girl.They had initial name LP and BWknown to enjoy nightlife at Dee JayMusic Club few days ago. However,it was unclear whether both officers

Denpasar (Bali Post)—Siamese-twins baby, baby with

spilled out intestine or without skulldenotes disorder case on baby due toimperfection on the organ formationduring the fetus was in the womb ofits mother. The causing factor is verycomplicated, starting from malnutri-tion, genetic disorder, factor of itsmother and the fetus itself. However,the disorders on baby are usuallyknown late. Even, after performingregular USG examination, some-times there were some disorders un-detected. At Sanglah Hospital, thebaby born in disorder reaches 6 per-cent to 8 percent of the life born. AtSanglah Hospital, the number of lifeborn amounts to 2000 per year.

“At this moment, to examine thecondition of fetus in the womb is usedlaboratory test and USG, either of 2D,3D or 4D. Such disorder can be iden-tified when organ of the baby hasbeen formed,” said Director of Medi-cal and Nursing Services of SanglahHospital, AAN Jaya Kusuma, lastMonday (Dec 21).

Jaya Kusuma added that nowa-days there has been a technologyused to identify the disorder of babyat very early stage and even before itwas formed. It was called integratedprenatal diagnosis examinationwhere the examination is known asAmniocentesis or examination offetal membrane to know the chromo-

BADUNG Regency Governmentorganized the commemoration of the81st Mother’s Day and National Soli-darity Day, last Tuesday (Dec 22)located at the Civic Center Squareof Badung Regency. As inspector ofthe ceremony, Deputy Regent ofBadung I Ketut Sudikerta and at-tended by the Head of BadungHouse I Made Sumer together withhis apparatus, and Badung higherofficials of Badung Regency. Otherofficials were also the Head of Mo-tivator Team of PKK of Badung Re-gency Mrs. Ratna Gde Agung alongits members, civil servant of Badung

Instruction of Chief SutisnaMischievous PolicesImposed with Sanction

would be imposed with sanction ornot. “If they (mischievous police—ed)were indeed proven to act beyond thelegal procedures, they should be takenaction,” asserted Chief Sutisna.

Besides, there was mischievouspolice or asking for bribe that high-lighted in the discussion among themembers of Bali House. On askingabout that matter, this former expertstaff of National Police (Polri)stated that the statement of mem-bers of Bali House was fair. How-ever, he asked to prove who the per-son was. “It is fair, but please provethe perpetrator. If so, I will processprocedurally,” he said while askingthe entire community to informsuch matter to the private numberof Chief of Bali Police at 74 Polri.

Chief Sutisna admitted to havegiven warning to his members actingbeyond the procedures. However,since the member of Bali Policeamounted to 12,000 personnel, ofcourse, there are few of them actingbeyond the procedures. Nevertheless,should there be any personnel actingillegally, they must be given sanction.“If their act belongs to criminal act,we will propose them to generalcrime,” he explained. (kmb21)

AmniocentesisBaby in Disorder Can BeDetected at Early Stage

somal disorder on the fetus. The ex-amination could be performed whenthe pregnancy has reached 12-14weeks old. At this stage, the organ ofbaby was not formed yet. “In the ex-amination of fetal membrane, themothers could know earlier whethertheir fetus undergoes any disorder ornot,” said Jaya Kusuma.

According to Jaya Kusuma, theAmniocentesis examination was basedon some backgrounds such as themother had a record of giving birth toa disabled baby or pregnancy of themothers over 35 years old that oncegave birth to a baby with abnormalgrowth of fetus. “If a mother has suchindication, she will be suggested toundergo Amniocentesis examination,”he observed.

Should there be any disorder, addedJaya Kusuma, of course it could betaken any action earlier. For instance,if it was found any chromosomal dis-order causing the fetus to undergo theleakage of heart’s valve. “If this disor-der occurred to baby’s heart has beenknown and it will be promptly born, itwould be prepared a team to handleit,” he observed. He admitted, thechromosomal disorder indeed couldnot be improved. However, any dis-order that might arise could beminimized if it has been known inadvance. Amniocentesis technologyitself has been implemented bySanglah Hospital. (kmb24)

Remembrance of Mother’s Dayand Social Solidarity DayTo Grow Concern and Improve Solidarity

Regency as well as students of sec-ondary schools.

The ceremony led by Ni MadeLestari from Badung Resort Policewas intended to recall and refresh thememory on how importance the roleof women as an inseparable part fromthe national awakening of Indonesiain struggling for the Indonesian In-dependence. On that occasion, it wasread the brief history on the forma-tion of Mother’s Day of Indonesia byAA Sri Dewi from Social and LaborForce Services of Badung Regency.

Deputy Regent of Badung IKetut Sudikerta on reading the ad-

dress said that the moment denoteda strategic milestone for womengroup of Indonesia to re-observe towhat extent the women have partici-pated in filling in the developmentstarting from the first Indonesianmovement on December 22-25,1928 that later on was celebrated asMother’s Day on December 22.

Sudikerta invited all componentsof community to grow the empathicsense toward the fellow humans byattempting to lend a hand throughsocial activities. It posed a manifes-tation of our solidarity to social en-vironment of the community.

One of the Victim’sOne of the Victim’sOne of the Victim’sOne of the Victim’sOne of the Victim’sEmployees to be CapturedEmployees to be CapturedEmployees to be CapturedEmployees to be CapturedEmployees to be Captured

ALLEGATION of police related to the murder of the couple—Sugianto Halim, 30, and Fenny MariaSuliyanti, 27, amounted to seven perpetrators. This information was obtained from the capture of one ofthe suspects denoting the victim’s employee with initial name AGS, last Tuesday (Dec 22) noon. AGS wasalleged to get involved in such brutal murder case.

Denpasar last Tuesday noon. He isnow being probed at the room ofinvestigator. “AGS is the employeeof the victim. Well, whether AGSwill be proven to murder both vic-tims stays to be investigated by po-lice,” he said while asking not tomention his name on the newspa-per.

Out of these three perpetratorsidentified by police, it was stronglyalleged that SU became the master-

mind of perpetrators. SU knew thevictim intimately. Business compe-tition was estimated to become themotive of such murder. “SU is be-ing pursued by police,” he added.

Based on information, the mur-der of both victims was committedby perpetrators on last December 10,2009 at 7:00 pm Local Time. Per-petrators brought vehicle KijangInnova and was parked in front ofthe shop. (jay)

BP/doc

The suspect of the newly wed couple escorted by the police to the jail

International4 Thursday, December 24, 2009 News

Reuters

BOGOTA - Colombia said onTuesday FARC guerrillas slit astate governor’s throat hours afterthey kidnapped him during a bra-zen raid in one of worst rebelstrikes during President AlvaroUribe’s government.

The kidnapping of LuisCuellar, the Caqueta state gover-nor, underscored how LatinAmerica’s oldest insurgency re-mains capable of high-profile at-tacks despite being battered to itsweakest level in decades byUribe’s U.S.-backed offensive.

Armed rebels, dressed in mili-tary uniforms, blasted through thedoor of Cuellar’s house in a south-ern Colombian city late on Mon-day, killed a police guard anddragged the governor away fromhis wife and into a waiting jeep.

Cuellar’s body was found onTuesday as troops scoured the re-mote jungle in hopes of rescuinghim. The kidnapping was a re-minder of the darker days ofColombia’s conflict when lawmak-ers were easy prey for rebel squads.

“He had his throat cut, theyslaughtered him miserably,” Uribesaid in a national broadcast afterCuellar’s body was discoverednear the vehicle abandoned byrebels as they fled into jungle nearFlorencia city.

“As the armed forces were inpursuit, the terrorists cut thegovernor’s throat to avoid firingany shots,” he said.

The FARC, or RevolutionaryArmed Forces of Colombia, hadyet to issue an statement on thekidnapping.

Hamas and other militant groupshave called on Egypt to stop build-ing such a wall along the Gaza bor-der and Egyptian security officialshave confirmed a steel barrier is be-ing built.

Tunnel builders say around 150tunnels along the border betweenEgypt and Gaza provide a vital sup-ply link for the enclave whose im-ports are blocked by Israel.

Reuters

MANILA - Philippine securityforces will unilaterally suspend armyoffensives against Maoist-led rebelsfor 60-hours over Christmas, but willmaintain defenses, a senior govern-ment official said on Wednesday.

Manila will also observe a 24 hourceasefire New Year, Executive Sec-retary Eduardo Ermita told reporters.

“We’re calling on them (rebels)not to take advantage of the situa-tion and spoil the Filipinos’ Christ-mas holidays,” Ermita told a pressbriefing at the presidential palace.

The truce will cover only the 4,000-

Car of Iran opposition’sMousavi attacked

Reuters

TEHRAN - The car of Iranianopposition leader MirhosseinMousavi was attacked by “plain-clothes men” on motorbikes onMonday and one member of hisentourage was injured, the reform-ist Kaleme website reported.

Kaleme said the incident happenedwhen Mousavi was on his way backto Tehran after attending the funeralof leading dissident cleric Grand Aya-tollah Hossein Ali Montazeri in Qom.It said the car’s back window wassmashed in the attack.

Kaleme said the group on motor-bikes insulted Mousavi and thoseaccompanying him and several timesstopped his motorcade and prevented

it from resuming its journey.“On the way back from Qom to Tehran before noon ... a group of

plainclothes men riding motorcycles attacked the car carrying Mousavi,as a consequence of which one member of Mousavi’s entourage wasinjured,” Kaleme said.

“One of the assailants shattered the back window of the car carryingMousavi,” Kaleme said, adding that one of the attackers was also in-jured in the incident. (Editing by Tim Pearce)

AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI

Mirhossein Mousavi

Colombia says rebelsmurder kidnapped governor

The rebel group once controlledlarge parts of the country. But ur-ban bombings and kidnappingshave eased as Uribe sent troops totake back areas from armed groupswho fund their war with cocainetrafficking.

Foreign investment has soared inColombia, Latin America’s No. 4 oilproducer, as cities became safer,kidnappings dropped and soldierstook back rural areas once off lim-its to petroleum and mining com-panies because of security risks.

HOSTAGES IN JUNGLE CAMPSUribe, one of Washington’s

staunchest allies in Latin America,is popular at home for the successof his security policies. His alliesare pushing for a constitutionalchange to allow the conservative torun for a third consecutive term.

His popularity remains high de-spite scandals over corruption,military involvement in civilianmurders and paramilitary links tosome of his lawmaker allies.

With around 9,000 fighters, theFARC is still a force in rural areaswhere state control is weak. But therebels have increasingly turned toambushes and the use of landminesas they are driven back deep intothe mountains and jungles.

“The campaign against the FARCis still incomplete and requires morework and time,” said Rafael Nieto, aformer Colombian deputy justiceminister and now a consultant. “TheFARC can show they are still capableof these operations.”

The FARC is holding 24 policeand soldiers hostage — some kid-napped more than a decade ago —in jungle camps.

AFP PHOTO/SAID KHATIB

RAFAH - Palestinians observe heavy machinery at work on the Egyptian side of Rafah, on the border withthe southern Gaza Strip on December 21, 2009, while a few hundred Hamas supporters hold a rally in Rafahto protest Egypt’s construction of an underground wall to stem smuggling to the besieged Gaza Strip terri-tory, on December 21, 2009. Egypt has only implicitly confirmed the construction of the underground wall,which was first reported by Israeli media, saying it is aimed at protecting its territory from security threats.

Philippines declares holidaytruce with Maoist rebels

member communist New People’sArmy (NPA), which has been wag-ing a protracted guerrilla war sincethe late 1960s. The conflict has killedabout 40,000 people and stuntedgrowth in rural economies.

Maoist guerrillas are expected toreciprocate the government gestureand impose a similar truce, but at-tacks to mark the 41st anniversaryof the Communist Party of the Phil-ippines, the rebels’ political arm, onDecember 26 are still possible.

The Philippines is also battlingMuslim rebels in the south, andwhile a bilateral ceasefire with theMoro Islamic Liberation Front

(MILF) has been in place and thetwo sides resumed formal peacetalks on December 8, some skir-mishes still occur.

Soldiers will continue to pursuean armed group suspected to be be-hind the massacre of 57 people in thesouth and the Abu Sayyaf, a smallIslamic militant group engaged inkidnapping in the southern Philip-pines, military spokesman Lieuten-ant-Colonel Romeo Brawner said.

Since 1986, the government hasobserved a holiday ceasefire withcommunist rebels as the mainly Ro-man Catholic state celebrates one ofthe world’s longest Christmas seasons.

Egypt says no steel GazaEgypt says no steel GazaEgypt says no steel GazaEgypt says no steel GazaEgypt says no steel Gazawall despite Hamas fearswall despite Hamas fearswall despite Hamas fearswall despite Hamas fearswall despite Hamas fearsReuters

CAIRO - Egypt confirmed on Tuesday it is engaged in constructionalong its border with Gaza but said it is not building what some re-ports have said is a steel wall to block cross-border smuggling.

Until now the foreign ministryhad refused to comment, but at anews conference ministry spokes-man Hossam Zaki said:

“The procedures that Egypt isundertaking inside its lands,whether building or constructionwork along the border with theGaza Strip, is an Egyptian concernthat is related to Egypt and Egyp-tian national security.”

“We refuse to call the construc-tion a steel wall and wonder wheresuch a name came from,” headded.

Zaki said the border work hadnothing to do with Egyptian media-tion between the Palestinian Author-ity and its Gaza-based rival Hamasand that it would continue even ifHamas were to sign an Egyptian-brokered agreement.

At least 500 Hamas supportersrallied along the border on Mondayto condemn the building of the wall,prompting Egyptian soldiers on theother side of the frontier to take uppositions behind sandbags.

General Info Thursday, December 24, 2009 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

Thursday, December 24, 20096 NewsPHILIPPINES, Manila :

Roasted pigs are indisplay at a store inthe Manila suburbs

on December 20, 2009ahead of Christmas

Day. “Lechon”, orroasted pig, has

always been a regularfare at Philippine

festivities, especiallyduring Christmas and

New Year celebra-tions.

Falun Gong hailed it as a historichuman rights ruling on Tuesday,although a lawyer for the group ac-knowledged it is largely symbolic.

Federal Judge Octavio deLamadrid on December 17 askedInterpol to issue an arrest warrantagainst Jiang and former securitychief Luo Gan after four years ofinvestigating charges of torture andgenocide against the Falun Gonggroup.

The judge ordered the arrest ofthe two “over crimes against hu-manity committed in China” in-cluding genocide and torture, ac-cording to a copy of the ruling.Jiang was president from 1993 to2003.

De Lamadrid made the rulingbased on sections of Argentina’s

Argentine judge asks ChinaArgentine judge asks ChinaArgentine judge asks ChinaArgentine judge asks ChinaArgentine judge asks Chinaarrests over Falun Gongarrests over Falun Gongarrests over Falun Gongarrests over Falun Gongarrests over Falun Gong

Reuters

BUENOS AIRES - An Argentine judge has ordered the arrestBUENOS AIRES - An Argentine judge has ordered the arrestBUENOS AIRES - An Argentine judge has ordered the arrestBUENOS AIRES - An Argentine judge has ordered the arrestBUENOS AIRES - An Argentine judge has ordered the arrestof China’s former President Jiang Zemin and another top officialof China’s former President Jiang Zemin and another top officialof China’s former President Jiang Zemin and another top officialof China’s former President Jiang Zemin and another top officialof China’s former President Jiang Zemin and another top officialfor “crimes against humanity” in the alleged persecution of thefor “crimes against humanity” in the alleged persecution of thefor “crimes against humanity” in the alleged persecution of thefor “crimes against humanity” in the alleged persecution of thefor “crimes against humanity” in the alleged persecution of theFalun Gong spiritual movement.Falun Gong spiritual movement.Falun Gong spiritual movement.Falun Gong spiritual movement.Falun Gong spiritual movement.

1994 constitution that allow Ar-gentine courts to address humanrights issues in other countries.

In his ruling, the judge said “ifuniversal jurisdiction is not admit-ted we would find ourselves allow-ing impunity, which is what the in-ternational community wants toavoid.”

Alejandro Cowes, an Argentinelawyer representing Falun Gong,said: “It’s a historic ruling becausefor the first time we’re opening auniversal jurisdiction to investigatecrimes committed abroad.”

However, a second lawyer forthe group acknowledged that theruling was mostly symbolic sinceit is unlikely that the arrests wouldbe carried out. Falun Gong haspushed for such rulings without re-

AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS

sults in France, Spain and else-where.

Argentine President CristinaFernandez is scheduled to travel toChina in January to discuss bilat-eral trade and business. Fernandezhas pushed for human rights trialsin Argentina against former militaryofficers accused of abuses duringthe 1976-1983 “dirty war” againstleftists.

A decade-long governmentcrackdown drove Falun Gong un-derground in China but it has flour-ished abroad, where it has movedfrom a spiritual movement into avehicle against Chinese CommunistParty rule.

Thousands have been jailed sinceChina declared Falun Gong a cultin 1999. The Falun Dafa Informa-tion Center, which documents sus-pected abuses against practitionersin China, says 104 Falun Gong ad-herents died of abuse or neglect incustody last year, bringing to 3,242the number of deaths documentedover 10 years.

The suspect should dwell detentioncell while waiting for further process.From the hand of suspect, the officerscould secure 22 capsules containingmethamphetamine with gross weight of200 gram.

The Head of Directorate General ofCustom and Excise for Bali, NTB andNTT Regional Office, Faried SyibliBarcia, last Tuesday (Dec 22), ex-plained about the capture. It originatedin when the suspect got out of from theQatar Airways. From the carrier withflight number QR 0624 of Doha-Denpasar route and transited in KualaLumpur, the suspect went out and cameup with an examination right away.

Since the suspect indicated suspi-cious behavior, the local officers exam-ined him more profoundly. The suspectwas then taken into examination room.“When getting in touch with local of-ficers, the suspect looked so strained.Even, the suspect was also nervous asif he would not like to interact anylonger,” explained Faried accompaniedby Directorate of Narcotics, Bali Po-lice, Kokot Indarto, last Tuesday.

That suspicion was getting strongerwhen the suspect kept on holding hisstomach. The officers felt that the stom-ach of suspect was slightly hard. Al-legedly, there was something suspi-cious. “Therefore, we suspected therewere illegal goods within his intestine.Moreover, we have also captured otherseven Iranians previously. Well, basedon such experience, the suspect was

She also reminded the values of justiceemancipation of women to men denoting afoundation of character building.

Celebration of national days, said

From page 1

Againthen taken to Bali InternationalMedical Clinic (BIMC) around07:30 pm Local Time,” he re-vealed.

Based on the result of examina-tion by means of X-ray and CT-scan, medical officer could detectstrange item of round shape. Hav-ing been taken out, in fact therewere capsules containing whitepowder and alleged as metham-phetamine. “There were 22 cap-sules taken out. Having checked itscontent, in fact, they were positiveto methamphetamine. In terms ofits commercial value, it cost up toIDR 400 million,” he explained.

Did he belong to the same syn-dicate as the suspects captured pre-viously? Kokot Indarto said that hisparty could not make sure yetwhether they were in the same syn-dicate or not. However, in terms ofits modus, they possibly belongedto the same syndicate. Besides, itwas also based on the confessionof the suspect saying that he justtransited for two hours in Bali.

In addition, he would fly directlyto Jakarta and someone wouldpick him up. More than that, ac-tually there were nine Iranianpassengers at the same flight.However, only the suspect wasdeclared positive to bring and at-tempt to smuggle methamphet-amine. “We also confiscate otherevidences in the form of 16 piecesof dollar banknote totally valued516 and 30,000 Iranian rials,” headded. (kmb21)(kmb21)(kmb21)(kmb21)(kmb21)

CommemorationFrom page 1

Indriati, had significant meaning to en-courage the spirit of struggle. She ex-pected, through the celebration ofMother’s Day of this year, the role ofwomen would progressively increase,both in the development and in improv-ing the quality of family life. (kmb14)(kmb14)(kmb14)(kmb14)(kmb14)

ReutersPARIS - France’s ruling UMP

party plans to present a bill to par-liament in January on banning fullIslamic veils in all public places andnot just in certain buildings, a se-nior party official said on Tuesday.

The bill would be accompaniedby a resolution related to respect forwomen, Jean-Francois Cope, theparliamentary party leader of Presi-

French ruling party plans bill on broad burqa bandent Nicolas Sarkozy’s UMP, tolda news conference.

Both propositions would behanded to parliament during the firsttwo weeks of January, before theconclusions of a French parliamen-tary inquiry into the all-coveringniqab and burqa are published.

France has been moving towardoutlawing full Islamic veils in cer-tain public buildings and had ap-

peared to stop short of a broader banthat could violate religious freedomand deepen a rift in the government.

Most politicians are waiting forthe results of the parliamentary in-quiry before deciding on the need fora law A complete ban could meetwith legal obstacles. Switzerland’sban on minarets, for example, hasbeen challenged before the EuropeanCourt of Human Rights.

Thursday, December 24, 2009 7Indonesia TodayInternational

The four victims identified asemployee on the construction werethen brought to the hospital whileother 10 men were still buried un-der the collapsed building.

Building Manager from TanahAbang shopping center, SetyartoHaryono, said the 3x20 meters wideconstruction was collapsed at 10.00

Antara

JAKARTA - President SusiloBambang Yudhoyono will givesaplings as his Christmas presentto the Christian community on theoccasion of a Christmas celebra-tion on December 27, the event’schief organizer said.

“President Susilo BambangYudhoyono will symbolicallypresent a coconut tree sapling to achild at the Christmas celebrationat the Jakarta Convention Hall onDecember 27,” the chief organizerof the celebration, EE Mangindaan,told newsmen here on Tuesday.

Mangindaan who is state minis-ter for administrative reform said In-donesia is now facing various prob-lems from economic and financialproblems to education and socialwelfare. The national committeehowever would only focus on ef-

Antara

JAKARTA - Former central bankgovernor Boediono said here onTuesday the government’s decisionto inject Rp6.7 trillion into BankCentury to save it was correct.

Boediono who is now vice presi-dent made the statement in reply toa question from Ahmad Muzani, amember of the House Bank CenturyInquiry Committee from theGerindra Party.

“The decision was made by theCommittee for Financial Sector Sta-bility (KSSK) and I believed thenthat it was a right and good deci-sion,” he said.

He said the decision to extend the

AFP PHOTO / ADEK BERRY

A security guard removes debris of a collapsed building in Jakarta on December 23, 2009. Two people werekilled and 12 were injured after a building collapsed in central Jakarta on December 23, police said.

Four men in criticalFour men in criticalFour men in criticalFour men in criticalFour men in criticalcondition on collapsedcondition on collapsedcondition on collapsedcondition on collapsedcondition on collapsedbuilding accidentbuilding accidentbuilding accidentbuilding accidentbuilding accidentAntara

JAKARTA - Some four men are reported to be in critical conditionafter an under-construction part of a shopping center building at TanahAbang was collapsed here on Wednesday.

west Indonesia time (WIB). The col-lapsed construction, he explained,was an extension part of the corebuilding in the shopping center spe-cially made for visitor’s toilet in thethird and fourth floor.

“We have carried out the con-struction for the past four monthswith only 30 percent percentage of

completion so far. This building isplanned to be finished around July2010,” said Setyarto.

Central Jakarta’s District PoliceChief, Senior Commissioner Hamidin,said the four men on critical conditionhad been evacuated. The victims’names were yet to be identified whenthey were brought to the hospital.

“We are still investigating thecause of the collapsed building,”Hamidin said adding that evacuationin the accident scene was conductedcarefully since the building madefrom heavy material such as steel.

Boediono defends decision to bail out Bank Centurybailout funds was correct in view ofthe conditions at the time when amonetary crisis similar to that of1997/98 was happening.

In view of that he said if the Cen-tury Bank which had been declaredas a failed bank at the time was notbailed out the effect would spreadto other banks.

“The case was declared systemicfollowing discussions on it in ameeting of central bank governors.The basis is information from thoseauthorized to study it,” he said.

Boediono said among the indica-tions that showed similarity with the1997/98 crisis was a quick flight ofcapital abroad followed by stagna-tion in domestic banking liquidity

and various rumors.“The collapse of a bank may

spread to other banks like what wehave seen before,” he said.

He said if Bank Century wasclosed, the situation would be ex-plosive and therefore the KSSK de-cided to immediately save it to pre-vent the recurrence of the 1997/98crisis. If that crisis recurred the costto be paid by the state would be veryextreme and therefore a quick re-sponse had to be taken to avoid it,he said.

The Bank Century has now beentaken over the Deposit InsuranceInstitute (LPS) and been renamedBank Mutiara which is now alreadyprofitable.

Antara

JAKARTA - Terrorist ideologywhich allows violence to achieveone’s goals has the potential todevelop in 2010 although a num-ber of top terrorists have been ar-rested or killed, police said.

Chief of the National PoliceHeadquarters’ Detachment-88Anti-Terror Unit, Senior Commis-sioner Tito Karnavian, said onTuesday the ideology would con-tinue to develop in 2010.

He said the threat of terrorist at-

AFP PHOTO / ADEK BERRY

A believer prays outside of a Christian church in Jakarta on Decem-ber 23, 2009. Christians in this Muslim majority country are gearingup for Christmas, an important event in the Christian calendar.

President to presentsaplings as Christmas gift

forts to appeal to people to partici-pate in environmental preservationefforts to reduce pollution, he said.

“Therefore, the decorations laterwill be dominated by green color tomake it a ‘Green Christmas’ and not a‘White Christmas”, he said jokingly.

He said the event would also beattended by First Lady Mrs AniYudhoyono, Vice PresidentBoediono and Mrs HerawatiBoediono, cabinet ministers andother high-ranking officials.

Around six thousand people fromvarious cities such as Merauke inPapua, Maumere in East NusaTenggara and Toraja, South Sulawesiwould attend the celebration.

He was optimistic the eventwould run well, especially becausethe organizing committee’s vicechairman was Major GeneralDarpito who is the commander ofthe Jakarta Military Command.

Police: Terrorist ideology haspotential to develop in 2010

tacks had admittedly been reducedsince the killing of Noordin M Topand his lieutenants but it did notmean that the threat of terrorismreceded. This is because their ide-ology still exists among the people.

This ideology could gain furthersupport and strength both at home andabroad. Local conflicts with religiousnuances such an in Poso and Amboncould serve as a factor from inside thecountry. “If a goup of Muslims felt itwas oppressed, it would create an im-petus to the revival of this ideology,”Tito Karnavian said.

8 InternationaThursday, December 24, 2009

Bali Today

There are approximately 4,500 people in thevillage and the capacity of the church is only1,200 people. For hat reason, the mass will bedone three times and the Christian can join oneof them.

Jack explained that the first mass will bedone on Christmas Eve followed by two massin Christmas day. “The preparation for the eventhas been started since few days ago,” he added.

The church is also decorated with variousBalinese traditional accessories and one of themis ‘penjor’. ‘Penjor’ is a bamboo decorated withcoconut leaves and other accessories. The Hin-dus in Bali usually place it in front of the housein Galungan day.

“It is exactly the same with the Hindus. Itis a tradition passed on from generation to gen-eration by our ancestors,” Jack said. Tuka is thefirst village in Bali the inhabited by Christian inBali in 1935.

Tritunggal Church held three holy massTritunggal Church held three holy massTritunggal Church held three holy massTritunggal Church held three holy massTritunggal Church held three holy massAntara

DENPASAR - Paroki Tritunggal DENPASAR - Paroki Tritunggal DENPASAR - Paroki Tritunggal DENPASAR - Paroki Tritunggal DENPASAR - Paroki TritunggalMahakudus Banjar Tuka Church, in DalungMahakudus Banjar Tuka Church, in DalungMahakudus Banjar Tuka Church, in DalungMahakudus Banjar Tuka Church, in DalungMahakudus Banjar Tuka Church, in Dalungvillage, Kuta, will hold three holy mass invillage, Kuta, will hold three holy mass invillage, Kuta, will hold three holy mass invillage, Kuta, will hold three holy mass invillage, Kuta, will hold three holy mass inthe celebration of Christmas 2009. Ketutthe celebration of Christmas 2009. Ketutthe celebration of Christmas 2009. Ketutthe celebration of Christmas 2009. Ketutthe celebration of Christmas 2009. KetutJack Mudastra, the head of the church, saidJack Mudastra, the head of the church, saidJack Mudastra, the head of the church, saidJack Mudastra, the head of the church, saidJack Mudastra, the head of the church, said“the mass is done more than once because“the mass is done more than once because“the mass is done more than once because“the mass is done more than once because“the mass is done more than once becausethe church is not big enough to accommo-the church is not big enough to accommo-the church is not big enough to accommo-the church is not big enough to accommo-the church is not big enough to accommo-date all of the people who wanted to pray.”date all of the people who wanted to pray.”date all of the people who wanted to pray.”date all of the people who wanted to pray.”date all of the people who wanted to pray.”

Antara

DENPASAR – Tourists from Russia gen-erally fond of the beautiful nature of Bali.Wayan Dunia, a tour guide for Russian tour-ists, said “Russian tourists often chose the ho-tel which has beautiful garden or near thebeach or rivers.”

The tourists like quiet condition andcountry side so the fond of villas in the middleof the rice filed. “They usually don’t com-plaint about the price as long as they foundthe certain place that they want,” Duniaadded.

Ngurah Oka, another tourist guide, saidthat Russian tourists also attracted with spiri-tual activities so Bali is the right place for

Beautiful nature of Baliattract Russian tourist

them. Bali has many unique cultures and itcan not be found in other places throughoutthe world.

“The Russian who come to Bali said thatthey found peace in the Island. No wonderthe number of tourists from Russia increasehighly,” he added.

Based on the data from Bali TourismDepartment, the average of Russian touristsvisited Bali each month was very stable whichwas 4,091 tourists per month were. The totalnumber of tourists from Russia during Janu-ary through October 2009 was 46,919 tour-ists.

The number is 2.5% from the total num-ber of foreign tourists visited Bali which was1.8 million tourists.

Antara DENPASAR – Bali exported marine and

fishery product worth $114 million duringJanuary through November 2009 period. GustiPutu Nuriartha, the head of Bali Marine andFishery Department, said “the profit gainedfrom the export increase 22% compared to thesame period last year.”

The profit gained from the export of32,128 tons of products. The exported com-

Bali fishery exportsproduce $114 million

modities consist of 47 marine and fishery prod-ucts which have good quality. The exportsreach approximately 18 countries throughoutthe world such as Japan, US, Singapore, HongKong, Germany, Netherlands, Malaysia, Italy,Taiwan, and China.

The most products being exported wasfresh tuna, frozen tuna, and canned fish. Otherexport commodities that gained high profitwere sea weed, squid, and lobsters.

Bali Post/Eka

Around 1,008 Balinese dancers performed Pendet Dance during the opening ofMcDonald’s outlet at Kebo Iwa Street. This performance also a MURI recordbreaking that held by PT. Rekso Nasional Food as the developmental licenseeof McDonald’s Indonesia on Wednesday, December 23, 2009.

BTN/Doc

Tourists watching the performance to celebrate Christmas at one of the hotel in Bali. Paroki Tritunggal MahakudusBanjar Tuka Church, in Dalung village, Kuta, will hold three holy mass in the celebration of Christmas 2009. Ketut JackMudastra, the head of the church, said “the mass is done more than once because the church is not big enough toaccommodate all of the people who wanted to pray.”

Balinese Culture

Thursday, December 24, 2009 9al

Udang Pantung Kuning(Lobster in Yellow Sauce)

Overview:A real gourmet treat from Bali, this could also be made

with huge prawns. In Bali, coconut chunks are roasteddirectly on charcoal, then the charred skin scrapped offand the flesh grated for making the coconut milk.

Ingredients:4 sml lobsters, weighing about 500 gr each or 1 kg large

prawns5 cups water2 lemongrass, bruised2 fragrant lime leaves4 cups coconut milkfew drops white vinegarfried shallots to garnish

Spice paste:5 red chilies, seeded and chopped3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped7 shallots, peeled and chopped5 cm fresh turmeric, peeled and chopped5 cm ginger, peeled and chopped4 candlenuts1 ½ tsp coriander½ tsp dried shrimp paste toasted1 sml tomato, peeled and seeded2 tbsp oil1 ½ tbsp tamarind pulp1 salam leaf1 lemon grass, bruised

PreparationPrepare spice paste by grinding or blending all

ingredients except oil, tamarind, salam leaf andlemongrass. Heat oil, add spice paste and all otheringredients. Cook over moderate heat for about 5 minutes,then cool.

Wash lobsters and leave whole. Bring water to the boil,add lobsters and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove lobsters,plunge in iced water for 1 minutes, then drain and removemeat. Return shells to the pot of water, keeping lobstermeat aside.

Add spice paste, lemongrass, lime leaves and vinegar tothe water with the shells and simmer until 4 cups of stockremain. Add coconut milk and simmer for 10 minutes.Strain stock and return to pan. Add lobster and simmer for1 minute. Serve garnished with fried shallots andaccompanied by white rice.

Helpful hints:if using prawns instead of lobster, peel the raw prawns

and put prawns shells 4 cups of water. Simmer for 5minutes, then combine this stock with coconut milk, prawnsand all other ingredients, simmering until cooked.(www.baliguide.com/balifood)

Antara

DENPASAR – Candles pro-duce by small industry in Bali aremainly being exported abroad. Thedemand for Balinese candles ismostly coming from Italy. The profitgained form the candles export fromJanuary through October 2009 pe-riod was $316,000.

Ni Wayan Kusumawathi, thehead of Foreign Trade Division inBali Industrial Department, said “theexport increased 6% compared to thesame period last year which wasonly $297,000.”

Balinese candles can createcertain scent that can give relax andcalm sensation to the users. Theunique scents are attracting manycustomers throughout the world.Made Supri, candles and incenseproducer, said that the scent produceby the Balinese businessmen are lav-

Bali’s candlesgained

$316,000from exports

ender, frangipani, jasmine, greentea, sandalwood, lemon, pepper-mint, sakura, wild strawberry, nightqueen, clove, inspiration, illusion,and refresh

Tourists who visited Bali alsooften used it for spiritual purposes.

“Candles and incense are new exportcommodities which attracted the in-terest of customers throughout theworld,” Supri said.

Currently, there are 9 smallcompany that produce candles forexporting materials.

http://wb3.itrademarket.com

Candles produce by small industry in Bali are mainly being ex-ported abroad. The demand for Balinese candles is mostly com-ing from Italy. The profit gained form the candles export fromJanuary through October 2009 period was $316,000.

Thursday, December 24, 200910 InternationalDestinations

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Tamblingan Lake is a lake located in theplateau area with green hill surrounded. It issituated adjunction to Buyan Lake with coolweather surrounds it. It owns the fascinationwhere the nature authenticity is felt and theinexistence of boat use motorize here. Thesebeautiful lakes can be seen from the top hillright from Asah Gobleg Countryside,Sukasada District and Singaraja regency,north part of Bali. This lake is encircled byhill and covered by fresh cold atmosphere willfascinate all visitors who pay a visit to thisplace. This lake is ideal for Jungle TrekkingAdventure because it was very amazing withthe rain forest including flora and fauna ob-servation. Beside of that, many local visitorsare doing camping program or outdoor teambuilding while enjoy the beautiful nature.Here we also can see the local residents usethe small traditional boat which is calledPerahu to cross it or doing fishing.

The existence of monkey which is not farfrom these two lakes are precisely located inroad side of the main road from Denpasar toSingaraja. In progressively, the amounts aremore and more dwelling this area and it wasone of fascination for tourist who visit it. It islocated in Sukasada sub district, 21 Km southhttp://ilovena.files.wordpress.com

Tamblingan Lakeside of Singaraja town. It is situated in thehigh enough about 1000 meters above sealevel so that the atmosphere is rather cold andchilled at night time.

In order to reach Buyan or TamblinganLake, it can pass through Munduk country-side, Gobleg countryside and penetrate inLovina area. Along the way to this lake, wewill enjoy the magnificent view ofTamblingan Lake in particular from the topside. From Munduk countryside, this lake canbe reached through the road which is madeby local society. Tamblingan Lake is strategi-cally located in the tourist destinations arealike Bedugul and Beratan Lake.

The broadness of Tamblingan lake is 1.9 Kmwith the maximum deepness is 90 m and itsvolume 0,027 km3. The public facilities avail-able in this area are the parking area, boat rentalfor fishing or simply visited and lodging. Thehotels are spreading around the village whichare the most own the magnificent view to thelake. Despitefully in some places alongside ofthe lake there are places for seating for simplydrinking coffee, eat the cake or look into thebeautiful view of lake. Every day these lakesare many visited by the tourist from local andforeign countries. (www.balistarisland.com)

Thursday, December 24, 2009 11

BUSINESS

The comments from Chen Yunlin ap-peared to be aimed at assuaging oppositionconcerns that the pact could undermineTaiwanese sovereignty and lead to signifi-cant job losses on the island of 23 millionpeople.

Chen was speaking in the centralTaiwanese city of Taichung on the thirdday of his scheduled five-day visit.

The pact - formally known as theEconomic Cooperation Framework Agree-ment or ECFA - is the centerpiece of Presi-dent Ma Ying-jeou’s signature effort to linkTaiwan’s economy ever closer to China’slucrative markets. He says he hopes it willbe signed in the spring of 2010.

Since taking office in May 2008, theHarvard-educated Ma has eased tensionsacross the 100-mile-wide (160-kilometer-wide) Taiwan Strait to their lowest level in60 years, turning his back on predecessorChen Shui-Bian’s pro-independence poli-cies. The sides split amid civil war in 1949,and Beijing has made political unificationwith the island - achieved by force if nec-essary – the core of its Taiwan policy eversince. Speaking to a business group inTaichung, Chen emphasized the positiveaspects of the proposed ECFA deal.

China negotiator: Taiwan trade pact “long process”China negotiator: Taiwan trade pact “long process”China negotiator: Taiwan trade pact “long process”China negotiator: Taiwan trade pact “long process”China negotiator: Taiwan trade pact “long process”Associated Press Writer

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (AP) - China’s top Taiwan negotiator said Wednes- TAICHUNG, Taiwan (AP) - China’s top Taiwan negotiator said Wednes- TAICHUNG, Taiwan (AP) - China’s top Taiwan negotiator said Wednes- TAICHUNG, Taiwan (AP) - China’s top Taiwan negotiator said Wednes- TAICHUNG, Taiwan (AP) - China’s top Taiwan negotiator said Wednes-day a proposed free-trade pact that has engendered fierce condemnation fromday a proposed free-trade pact that has engendered fierce condemnation fromday a proposed free-trade pact that has engendered fierce condemnation fromday a proposed free-trade pact that has engendered fierce condemnation fromday a proposed free-trade pact that has engendered fierce condemnation fromTaiwan’s pro-independence opposition will be a “long process” that can benefitTaiwan’s pro-independence opposition will be a “long process” that can benefitTaiwan’s pro-independence opposition will be a “long process” that can benefitTaiwan’s pro-independence opposition will be a “long process” that can benefitTaiwan’s pro-independence opposition will be a “long process” that can benefitboth sides.both sides.both sides.both sides.both sides.

Little is known about the deal exceptthat it would reduce restrictions on tradebetween the two sides, save for some Chi-nese agricultural and labor exports. Ifsigned, it is expected to be implementedgradually, with textiles, machinery and pet-rochemicals likely to be early beneficiariesof bilateral tariff reductions.

In an interview with The AssociatedPress on Tuesday, Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen of the main opposition Democratic Pro-gressive Party blasted Ma over the deal,charging he was negotiating with China ina way that flouts “democratic rules.”

Tsai says that ECFA will cost Taiwan-ese jobs and undermine Taiwan’s de factoindependence - charges Ma denies.

In his first 18 months in office, Mahas pushed a raft of business-boosting ini-tiatives with China, including the resump-tion of regular air and sea links after a hia-tus of 60 years and the ending of across-the-board restrictions on Chinese invest-ment in Taiwan.

Ma argues that a trade deal with Chinais necessary to prevent Taiwan’s economicmarginalization amid growing commercialties between Beijing and neighboring Asiancountries.

Associated Press Writer SINGAPORE - Singapore’s con-

sumer prices fell in November for an eighthmonth from a year earlier as the cost ofelectricity and gas slumped.

The consumer price index fell 0.2percent in the 12 months through Novem-ber after a 0.8 percent drop in the 12 monthsto October, the statistics department saidWednesday. Compared to October,November’s CPI rose 0.4 percent.

Prices will likely rise in Decemberand jump about 3 percent next year as thegovernment boosts its calculation of pub-lic housing values, Alvin Liew, an econo-mist with Standard Chartered in Singapore,said in a report.

Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON - Sales of new homes

are expected to have increased in Novemberfor the third month in a row, a sign that thehousing market is finally on solid ground.

The Commerce Department’s report onNovember’s new home sales is forecast toshow a 2.3 percent increase to a seasonallyadjusted annual rate of 440,000, from 430,000in October, according to economists polledby Thomson Reuters.

The report will be released Wednesdayat 10 a.m. EST (1500 GMT). It counts signedcontracts to buy homes, rather than completed

Novembernew home sales

seen rising2.3 percent

Fargo Securities. And builders aren’t brimming with enthusi-

asm this winter. The National Association of HomeBuilders said last week its index of industry confi-dence fell to the lowest level since June, reflectingconcern that job losses and a slow economic re-covery will continue to stifle demand. The realestate recovery is not only dependent on taxpayerdollars but also on the economy, which grew at aslower pace in the third quarter than originallythought. The economy grew at a 2.2 percent ratein the July-September period, down from an ini-tial reading of 2.8 percent, the government saidTuesday.

sales, so it will capture consumer reaction to Con-gress’ decision last month to extend and expand ahomebuyer tax credit.

First-time buyers will still be able to saveup to $8,000, and now homeowners who havelived in their current properties for at least fiveyears can claim a tax credit of up to $6,500 if theyrelocate. To qualify, buyers must ink a deal by theend of April. Still, some analysts don’t think thenew deadline will have an immediate impact onsales, because many buyers won’t act until the 11thhour approaches.

“Buyer traffic is likely to be flat until spring,”said Mark Vitner, senior economist with Wells

Singapore consumer pricesfall for eighth month

“Domestic price pressures will other-wise remain manageable as there remainssignificant slack in the economy even whenexternal demand improves next year,” Liewsaid. Prices fell for most of this year amidrecession. The government expects theeconomy to contract up to 2.5 percent thisyear and grow as much as 5 percent nextyear. Housing costs - which include gasand electricity - dropped 4.6 percent from ayear earlier, transport and communicationrose 2.4 percent and food jumped 0.7 per-cent. Inflation has eased from a 26-year highin June 2008 of 7.5 percent.

The central bank expects inflation toquicken from zero percent this year to be-tween 2.5 percent and 3.5 percent next year.

REUTERS/Nicky Loh

Protesters shout slogans on a vehicle outside the venue of the upcoming Taiwanand China cross strait meetings in Taichung December 21, 2009. China’s top Taiwannegotiator said Wednesday a proposed free-trade pact that has engendered fiercecondemnation from Taiwan’s pro-independence opposition will be a “long process”that can benefit both sides.

Entertainment InternationalThursday, December 24, 200912

The FBI monitored Jackson formore than a decade, but the filescontain no major revelations abouthis private life and the bureau ap-parently never developed any solidevidence against him.

In 2004, the Santa Maria PoliceDepartment in California asked forFBI “involvement” after Jacksonwas arrested for child molestation.Police, according to the FBI, saidthey believed the court case wouldbe a “soft target” for terrorism be-cause of the “worldwide mediacoverage” the trial would attract.

The FBI concluded there wereno threats, but did note the pres-ence in an early court appearanceof “The Nation of Islam, repre-sented by its security unit Fruits ofIslam,” and of a New Black Pan-

Associated Press Writer

VATICAN CITY – To put it as thedevout Ned Flanders would, theVatican’s newspaper thinks “TheSimpsons” are an okely dokely bunch.

L’Osservatore Romano on Tuesdaycongratulated the show on its 20thanniversary, praising its philosophicalleanings as well as its stinging andoften irreverent take on religion.

Without Homer Simpson and theother yellow-skinned characters“many today wouldn’t know how tolaugh,” said the article titled“Aristotle’s Virtues and Homer’sDoughnut.”

Associated Press Writer

BEIJING – Hollywood directorJames Cameron urged China toopen its doors to more foreign films,arguing it would boost the local cin-ema industry after the WTO ruledBeijing was illegally restrictingmovie and other media imports.

In Beijing to promote his latestsci-fi extravaganza, “Avatar,”Cameron said Wednesday thatChina’s breakneck economic growthmeant it no longer needed measuresto protect its film industry.

“China’s economy is expandingvery, very rapidly. And I think thefeeling right now is that perhaps itdoesn’t need to be protecting itselfquite as much,” Cameron, the di-rector of blockbusters that include“Terminator 2: Judgment Day” and“Titanic,” told reporters. “Chinesefilmmakers are very strong ...they’re highly respected.”

The Chinese government protectslocal films by limiting the numberof film imports on a revenue-shar-ing basis to 20 a year, a quota thateffectively limits Hollywood block-busters to 20 slots annually.

These and other restrictions havebeen a key complaint by Westerncountries, who say that China’s rapidrise as a trade power has been in part

BP/ist

The Simpson family

Vatican paper says ‘TheSimpsons’ are okely dokely

The paper credited “The Simpsons”— the longest-running American ani-mated program — with opening upcartoons to an adult audience.

The show is based on “realistic andintelligent writing,” it said, though itadded there was some reason to criti-cize its “excessively crude language,the violence of certain episodes orsome extreme choices by thescriptwriters.”

Religion, from the snore-evokingsermons of the Rev. Lovejoy toHomer’s face-to-face talks with God,appears so frequently on the show thatit could be possible to come up with a“Simpsonian theology,” it said.

Homer’s religious confusion andignorance are “a mirror of the in-difference and the need that mod-ern man feels toward faith,” the pa-per said.

It commented on several religion-themed episodes, including one inwhich Homer calls for divine inter-vention by crying: “I’m not normallya religious man, but if you’re up there,save me, Superman!”

“Homer finds in God his last ref-uge, even though he sometimes getsHis name sensationally wrong,”L’Osservatore said. “But these arejust minor mistakes, after all, the twoknow each other well.”

James Cameron: Chinashould let more movies in

aided by unfair policies that boostsales of Chinese goods abroad whilelimiting imports into its market.

“I think that by opening the doorsin China to other filmmakers, it willraise the entire film industry in China,”Cameron said. “It will get people moreexcited, there will be more seats, morecinemas, more excitement about thecinema-going experience, which willalso raise the Chinese filmmakers’ability to play their films.”

On Monday, a World Trade Or-ganization panel upheld a ruling ina case brought by the U.S. govern-ment that China was obstructingtrade by forcing foreign suppliers todistribute movies, music and booksthrough state-owned companies.

China expressed disappointmentat the decision but gave no imme-diate sign whether it could keep try-ing to defend the controls.

The WTO case focused on com-plaints by groups representing mu-sic labels such as EMI and SonyMusic Entertainment, publishersincluding McGraw Hill and Simon& Schuster and Hollywood studiosWarner Bros., Disney, Paramount,Universal and 20th Century Fox.The groups say the Chinese rulescost them tens of millions of dol-lars each year in lost business op-portunities.

AP Photo/Andy Wong

Film Director James Cameron, center, speaks while film producerJon Landau, right, and Jim Gianopulos, chief executive of Fox FilmedEntertainment, left, look on during a press conference of their new3D movie ‘Avatar’ in Beijing, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009.

File-In thisFeb.,2005 file

photo showingMichael Jackson

arriving for thefirst day of his

child molestationtrial at the SantaBarbara County

Superior Court inSanta Maria, Calif.

AP Photo/Michael A. Mariant,File

Terrorist attack fearedTerrorist attack fearedTerrorist attack fearedTerrorist attack fearedTerrorist attack fearedafter Jackson arrestafter Jackson arrestafter Jackson arrestafter Jackson arrestafter Jackson arrestAssociated Press Writer

NEW YORK – Police concerns that media-hungry terrorists would attack Michael Jackson’s trial as a“soft target” led to a request for federal help, according to FBI files kept on the late pop star. The docu-ments also show that the FBI helped facilitate interviews in the Philippines by California authorities inves-tigating Jackson over allegations that he had sexually abused boys.

ther Party member whose name wasleft blank in the files. Jackson usedNation of Islam bodyguards duringthe legal proceedings.

Back in September 1993, an in-vestigator from the Los Angeles Po-lice Department and another fromthe Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Officearrived in Manila to speak to twoformer employees of Jackson’sNeverland ranch who claimed theysaw the singer fondle young boys.

Their trip came after the LAPDhad asked the FBI if it wanted towork a possible case against Jack-son for transporting a minor acrossstate lines for immoral purposes. TheFBI checked with the U.S.Attorney’s Office, which declined.

The files say an FBI agent accom-panied the California officials to the

first interview to make sure therewere no problems.

The documents, dating from 1992to 2005, were made public Tuesdaythrough a Freedom of InformationAct request from The AssociatedPress and other media after Jackson’sdeath June 25, at age 50. The FBIinitially said it had about 600 pagesin its files but released 333 pages,citing privacy rules and the desire toprotect investigative techniques.

In March 2004, the Santa BarbaraCounty district attorney’s officereached out to the FBI, seeking helpin developing a strategy to prosecuteJackson for molesting a 13-year-oldcancer survivor in the singer’s home.Jackson was acquitted of all 14 countsagainst him in what was one of themost widely followed cases in history.

International Thursday, December 24, 2009 13Life Style

Archaeologists and present-day resi-dents of Nazareth imagined Jesus as ayoungster, playing with other childrenin the isolated village, not far from thespot where the Archangel Gabriel re-vealed to Mary that she would give birthto the boy.

Today the ornate Basilica of theAnnunciation marks that spot, andNazareth is the largest Arab city innorthern Israel, with about 65,000residents. Muslims now outnumberChristians two to one in the noisy,crowded city.

The archaeological find shows howdifferent it was 2000 years ago: Therewere no Christians or Muslims, the Jew-ish Temple stood in Jerusalem and tinyNazareth stood near a battleground be-

Agence France Presse

PARIS – Cardiovascular diseaselinked to obesity may be worse thanthought while health problems as-sociated with being underweightmay have been overstated, accord-ing to a study published by the Brit-ish Medical Journal (BMJ) onWednesday.

The paper, written by doctors inBritain and Sweden, seeks tofinetune a well-known tool — thebody mass index (BMI) — whichis used to measure obesity and ill-health.

BMI entails taking one’s weightin kilos and dividing it by the squareof one’s height, in metres. A BMIof 25-30 is generally consideredoverweight. while a figure of above30 indicates obesity.

Previous studies have al-ready found a big link be-tween BMI and higher riskof death from cardiovascu-lar disease, diabetes andsome cancers.

In contrast, a low BMI— in other words, peoplewho are very skinny — isassociated with increasedmortality from respiratorydisease and lung cancer.

But many experts havequestioned the findingsabout low BMI, arguingthat the figures could beskewed by somethingcalled reverse causality.Forinstance, diseases such aslung cancer, which causeweight loss, are being fac-tored in as low BMI, theyargue. And smoking andpoor socioeconomic cir-cumstances may also causebias.

Seeking to find outmore, specialists fromBritain’s University ofBristol and the KarolinskaInstitute in Sweden set outto get a wider view of theBMI benchmark.

They measured BMI and

THE weather was forecast to be-come more wintry across the CentralU.S. as a low pressure system contin-ued to strengthen Wednesday. Flowaround this large system was expectedto pull abundant moisture into thePlains from the Gulf of Mexico. Fore-casters expected the low pressure sys-tem, cool air from the north and moistair mass to trigger sloppy winterweather.

The Central and Northern Plainswere to brace for 2 to 4 inches of snow

Reverend JackKaram, left, standsnear Israel’sAntiquities Author-ity workers at theexcavation site ofthe remains of thefirst dwelling inNazareth, Israel thatcan be dated backto the time ofJesus, Monday,Dec. 21, 2009.ArchaeologistYardena Alexandre,unseen, of theIsrael AntiquitiesAuthority saysremains of a wall, ahideout and acistern were foundafter builders dugup an old conventcourtyard in thenorthern Israeli city.

AP Photos/Dan Balilty

The nation’s weatherduring the day, with an additional 3inches in the evening. The Upper Mid-west was forecast to see increasinglysnowy conditions by evening with snowtotals near 3 inches.

A sloppy combination of freezingrain and snow was expected to makeroad conditions and any travel danger-ous in southern Iowa, Nebraska, andKansas, where temperatures were fore-cast just above freezing.

A winter weather storm watch wasissued for most of the Central U.S.

Further south, the system wasforecast to produce periods of heavyrain showers over Missouri, while aflash flood watch was issued overmost of the state. A low pressure sys-tem was expected to push eastwardfrom the Great Basin and over theCentral Rockies, strengthening as ittraversed the mountains and drop-ping another 3 to 7 inches of snow.

Otherwise the West Coast wasforecast to remain cool and dry ashigh pressure hovered over the re-gion. Meanwhile, the Northeast andNew England was to see a few lightand scattered snow showers withsnowfall totals less than a half of aninch and highs in the 20s. Partlycloudy skies were forecast in theSoutheast, with highs near 60.AP PHOTO/WEATHER UNDERGROUND

This NOAA satellite image taken Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009 at 12:45 a.m.EST shows a developing storm system in the Southern Plains, which isgenerating a mix of snow and freezing rain over eastern Colorado andKansas. Moreover, widely scattered showers and thunderstorms arenoted across the Southern Plains and Mississippi Valley.

First Jesus-era houseFirst Jesus-era houseFirst Jesus-era houseFirst Jesus-era houseFirst Jesus-era housediscovered in Nazarethdiscovered in Nazarethdiscovered in Nazarethdiscovered in Nazarethdiscovered in NazarethAssociated Press Writer

NAZARETH, Israel – Just in time for Christmas, archaeologists on Monday unveiled what may have been thehome of one of Jesus’ childhood neighbors. The humble dwelling is the first dating to the era of Jesus to be discov-ered in Nazareth, then a hamlet of around 50 impoverished Jewish families where Jesus spent his boyhood.

tween Roman rulers and Jewish guer-rillas. The Jews of Nazareth dug cam-ouflaged grottos to hide from Romaninvaders, said archaeologist YardenaAlexandre, excavations director at theIsrael Antiquities Authority. But thehamlet was so far off the beaten paththat the caves were apparently notneeded, she said.

Based on clay and chalk shardsfound at the site, the dwelling appearedto house a “simple Jewish family,”Alexandre added, as workers carefullychipped away at mud with small pick-axes to reveal stone walls.

“This may well have been a placethat Jesus and his contemporaries werefamiliar with,” Alexandre said. A youngJesus may have played around the

house with his cousins and friends. “It’sa logical suggestion.”

The discovery so close to Christmaspleased local Christians.

“They say if the people do not speak,the stones will speak,” said the Rev.Jack Karam of the nearby basilica.

Archaeologist Stephen Pfann, presi-dent of the University of The HolyLand, noted: “It’s the only witness thatwe have from that area that shows uswhat the walls and floors were like in-side Nazareth in the first century.” Pfannwas not involved in the dig.

Alexandre said workers uncov-ered the first signs of the dwellinglast summer, but it became clear onlythis month that it was a structurefrom the days of Jesus.

AFP/FileAn overweight woman. Cardiovasculardisease linked to obesity may be worsethan thought while health problems as-sociated with being underweight mayhave been overstated, according to astudy published by the British MedicalJournal (BMJ) on Wednesday.

New study sharpens focuson problems of obesity

mortality among more than a mil-lion pairs of Swedes, comprisingmother-and-son pairs and father-and-son pairs, over 50 years.

They found strong patterns ofmortality and BMI. The link wasespecially noticeable in cardiovas-cular disease — for which prevail-ing estimates may be “substantiallyunderestimated” — as well as dia-betes and kidney cancer.

But there was no evidence of anassociation between low BMI andan increased risk of respiratory dis-ease and lung cancer mortality.

The findings are important, be-cause they imply that obesityprogrammes could yield majorhealth benefits, says the study.

“Suggestions to the contrary areprobably misguided,” it adds.

InternationalSportThursday, Desember 24, 200914

Watching his team’s hapless dis-play in the Camp Nou as they fell toa 4-2 defeat against Johan Cruyff’sCatalonia side reminded me of thewords of yet another retired great.

Australian cricketing legendShane Warne made an assessment ofEngland’s spin bowler MontyPanesar that rings true of Maradona’smanagement career. Warne said thatdespite the Panesar establishing him-self in the England team he stilllooked like a man who had playedhis debut match 50 times.

After a year in the job, Maradona’sArgentina are still a long way off fromhaving a definite system or a set se-lection of starting personnel.

During his time in charge,Maradona has capped over 70 play-ers and experimented with back fives,midfield sixes and four pronged at-tacks. This uncertainty over their styleof play had Argentina running intoeach other on the pitch at times.

Agence France Presse

LONDON – Chelsea managerCarlo Ancelotti has likened John Terryto Italian greats Franco Baresi andPaolo Maldini in his latest show ofsupport for his beleaguered captain.

The England skipper has been hav-ing to defend himself from accusa-tions of money-grabbing after theNews of the World tabloid on Sun-day alleged he’d accepted a financialpayment to provide a tour ofChelsea’s training ground.

The paper claimed Terry, whocaptained the Premier League lead-ers in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at WestHam, arranged the visit to Chelsea’sCobham training complex for threeundercover reporters posing as busi-nessmen without permission fromAncelotti.

It is claimed that Terry took a10,000 pounds payment, 8,000pounds of which he wanted to go tothe ‘Make A Wish’ charity for chil-dren with the other 2,000 pounds go-ing to a middleman.

Ancelotti dismissed the report andthe former AC Milan coach went fur-ther by telling Tuesday’s LondonEvening Standard that centre-backTerry reminded him of Rossoneri de-fensive greats Baresi and Maldini,whom he played alongside at the SanSiro.

“Terry is like Franco Baresi andPaolo Maldini in personality, charac-ter and leadership,” Ancelotti said.

LONDON - Liverpool striker Fernando Torres hasbacked his teammates and manager Rafael Benitezto overcome the problems that have sofar blighted this season’s campaign.

Torres, who has recently beennamed in FIFA’s world XIteam, offered his support toBenitez, claiming it is downto the players to perform on aconsistent basis.

“I think sacking the man-ager is not a solution,” he said,as quoted by Press AssociationSport.

“The manager is not playing sowe have to be positive with him, tryto work with him. We are the mainreason, the players are the people thathave to find a solution to the situa-tion. The manager is not playing, sowe have to play much better.”

The Spanish international admit-ted that Liverpool are goingthrough a very difficult periodboth on and off the pitch, but re-mained confident theMerseysiders have the personnelcapable of regaining the form dis-played last term. “It’s a difficultsituation but every top team in theworld goes sometimes through a badsituation like Liverpool now,” he added.

“Like every top team in the world,Liverpool will get over the situation.

“I have confidence in myself and my team.I know we are good enough. We were play-ing really well last season with the same team.

AFP PHOTO / DANIEL GARCIA

(FILES) Argentina’s coach Diego Maradona greets forward LionelMessi as he lefts the field during their FIFA World Cup SouthAfrica-2010 qualifier football match against Uruguay at theCentenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay on October 14, 2009.

Maradona Must PutMaradona Must PutMaradona Must PutMaradona Must PutMaradona Must PutGroundhog Day Behind HimGroundhog Day Behind HimGroundhog Day Behind HimGroundhog Day Behind HimGroundhog Day Behind Him

Argentine - Diego Maradona has given football fans of Argentinayet another moment that will live long in their collective memory. Thetrouble is that the gifts ‘El Diego’ is bestowing these days are the typethat nobody wants.

On the other hand it was obviousthat barely over a month into takinghis post as manager of Catalonia,Cruyff had his players all doing spe-cific jobs in their natural positions.

Okay, so he had the cream ofBarcelona to choose from andCatalonia were never going to rollover for Argentina but let’s get real,the result but more importantly theperformance of Maradona’s teamwas completely unacceptable.

Argentina had many players un-available but who is going to come inbulk up the sieve like defense whichwas fielded in Barcelona. Can anotherWorld Cup really be squeezed out ofthe aging legs of Gabriel Heinze,Javier Zanetti and Walter Samuel?

Mario Bolatti and FernandoGago have both had tough ends to2009 but surely this game was theperfect opportunity for them to endtheir year on a high. The centralmidfield duo were woeful and com-

fortable over run by Xavi on his own.Wingers Javier Pastore and Angel

Di María may have both got a goaleach but they wasted possession farmore times than they used it wisely.Up front Ezequiel Lavezzi providedsome bright sparks but his partnerGonzalo Higuain put on an exhibi-tion of poor finishing. MartinPalermo who replaced Higuain failedto connect with the ball once duringhis 25 minutes on the pitch.

One bright point for Argentina wasright-back Cristian Alvarez but even hewas found wanting as Catalonia got theirfirst just before half-time. As Bojan’spass traveled across the pitch, Joan Verduhad time to salute the pass before bring-ing it down. He then lofted in a centerwhich headed home under no pressure.

It is very rare that a goal is scoredin football without some kind of mis-take being made but the errors of theArgentine defense were far too el-ementary for international football.The lack of a challenge on Bojan ashe waltzed through for Catalonia’ssecond, Nicolas Pareja’s foul for thepenalty and the free near post headerfor the fourth were all avoidable.

Torres: Sacking Benitez Will NotSolve Liverpool’s Problems

We have to just recover the mentality and the confi-dence in ourselves and everything will be different.”

The Euro 2008 winner went on to admit hisbelief that the Anfield club lack the necessary

funds to attract players of sufficient quality inthe January transfer window. “Obviously we

need players,” Torres conceded.“If we can bring quality players itshould be really positive for us, but I

think the situation is really diffi-cult because I think we don’t

have money to bring in thebest players.”

Club captain StevenGerrard, who featuresalongside Torres inthe world XI, re-fused to criticise in-dividual perfor-mances and echoedTorres’ sentimentsthat a team effort isrequired in order tot u r n a r o u n dLiverpool’s for-tunes. “I don’t thinkit’s right to pick outindividual players,”he said.

“We’re a team,we’re a group and we

are responsible forwhere we’re lying in the

league at the moment. Allof us have got to stick to-gether and try and pullthrough and turn it around.”

AFP PHOTO/Glyn Kirk

Fernando Torres

Terry like Baresi andMaldini, says Ancelotti

“I am very lucky to have this playeras my captain,” the Italian added.

Ancelotti also drew a comparisonbetween Chelsea owner RomanAbramovich and the Russianbillionaire’s Milan counterpart SilvioBerlusconi, the Italian prime minis-ter. “Abramovich is like Berlusconi,”Ancelotti said. “He has a passion forhis club, he likes to speak about foot-ball, as does Berlusconi. Both of themlike to watch football on television.After a game he comes to the dress-ing room.

“I never think that if I don’t wingames Roman will remove me. Myaim is to do the best for this club, as Ihave done for other clubs.”

AFP/File/Ian Kington

John Terry.

Thursday, December 24, 2009 15International Sport

Mayweather’s manager said thefight would not go on if Pacquiaodidn’t agree to blood testing understandards followed by the UnitedStates Anti-Doping Agency.

“There is no fight without Olym-pic-style random drug testing,”Leonard Ellerbe said.

Mayweather’s camp claims itwas told Pacquiao would not agreeto have his blood tested within 30days of the fight because of personalsuperstitions. But Pacquiao’strainer, Freddie Roach, said hecould live with some testing, as longas it wasn’t too close to the fight andwasn’t overly intrusive.

“I will not let my fighter take ablood test the day before a fight,”Roach said. “If they give me a five-day window or something like thatI have no problem with it.”

Roach said he hoped the issuewasn’t brought up as a way to getMayweather out of the fight. “He’slooking for a back door out,” Roachsaid. “We’re eager to fight.”

The fight, which promises to be

Pacquiao-Mayweather fight in jeopardyPacquiao-Mayweather fight in jeopardyPacquiao-Mayweather fight in jeopardyPacquiao-Mayweather fight in jeopardyPacquiao-Mayweather fight in jeopardyAssociated Press Writer

LAS VEGAS – The proposed megafight between Manny PacquiaoLAS VEGAS – The proposed megafight between Manny PacquiaoLAS VEGAS – The proposed megafight between Manny PacquiaoLAS VEGAS – The proposed megafight between Manny PacquiaoLAS VEGAS – The proposed megafight between Manny Pacquiaoand Floyd Mayweather Jr. was thrown into jeopardy Tuesday with aand Floyd Mayweather Jr. was thrown into jeopardy Tuesday with aand Floyd Mayweather Jr. was thrown into jeopardy Tuesday with aand Floyd Mayweather Jr. was thrown into jeopardy Tuesday with aand Floyd Mayweather Jr. was thrown into jeopardy Tuesday with ademand by Mayweather’s camp that both fighters be subjected todemand by Mayweather’s camp that both fighters be subjected todemand by Mayweather’s camp that both fighters be subjected todemand by Mayweather’s camp that both fighters be subjected todemand by Mayweather’s camp that both fighters be subjected toOlympic-type drug testing in the weeks leading up to the bout.Olympic-type drug testing in the weeks leading up to the bout.Olympic-type drug testing in the weeks leading up to the bout.Olympic-type drug testing in the weeks leading up to the bout.Olympic-type drug testing in the weeks leading up to the bout.

the richest ever, had widely been ex-pected to be formalized this week,with an official announcement Jan.6. It was expected to be held at theMGM Grand hotel, with the biggestlive gate ever.

But neither fighter has signed for-mal contracts and there have beendisputes between representatives ofthe two fighters ever sinceMayweather’s promoter pulled out atthe last minute of a trip to Texas,where Dallas Cowboys owner JerryJones was to make a proposal to hostthe bout.

But Mayweather’s promoter, Ri-chard Schaefer, said all other issueshave been agreed upon.

“The good news is we have agreedon all the other points,” Schaefer said.“Depending on what MannyPacquiao decides to do we either havea fight or we don’t have a fight.”

Schaefer said he is still hopeful ofthe fight happening, based on the factPacquiao himself has not publiclysaid he would not accept blood test-ing.

AP Photos/Alastair Grant and Rick Bowmer, FileFILE - In this combination of filephotos, U.S. boxer FloydMayweather Jr., left, prepares tospar at a gym in east London onMay 22, 2009, and Manny Pacquiao,right, of the Philippines, weighs infor the junior welterweight boxingmatch against British boxer RickyHatton, May 1, 2009, in Las Vegas.

Agence France PresseLOS ANGELES – Kobe Bryant

scored 40 points for the sixth timethis season, and the NBA-leadingLos Angeles Lakers shook off arough first half before hanging onfor their 16th victory in 17 games,111-108 over the Oklahoma CityThunder on Tuesday night.

Pau Gasol had 15 points and 11rebounds for the road-weary Lak-ers, who needed two last-minutefree throws apiece from Bryant and

Lakers hold off Thunderfor 5th straight win

Derek Fisher to win their first gameback from a five-game road trip.

After trailing by 12 in the firsthalf, Los Angeles blew most of an11-point lead in the fourth quarter.Baskets by Russell Westbrook andJames Harden twice cut the Lakers’lead to one in the final 25 seconds,but Bryant and Fisher sealed LosAngeles’ 12th straight win overOklahoma City.

Kevin Durant scored 30 pointsbefore fouling out with 1:31 to play,

Agence France Presse

INDIAN WELLS – Larry Ellison, founder and chief executiveof computer firm Oracle, has bought the ATP and WTA hardcourtevent played at Indian Wells every March, officials said on Mon-day.

The deal includes the stadium and grounds upon which the BNPParibas Open is played, properties valued at 50 to 100 million dol-lars according to Sports Business Journal.

“I am very excited,” Ellison said. “Anyone who knows me knowsthat I love the game of tennis. I play it regularly, watch it frequently,and now look forward to being in Indian Wells every March tohost the greatest players in the world.”

The tournament, to be played next March 8-21, was previouslyowned by a group that included tennis legends Pete Sampras, BillieJean King and Chris Evert, the US Tennis Association, officials ofTennis magazine and tournament manager Charlie Pasarell.

“The previous owners and I are thrilled to have Larry Ellison asthe new owner,” Pasarell said. “He is as passionate as we are anddesires to continue with the vision and the goals we have estab-lished.” The event first came to Indian Wells in 1976 and has beenowned by the group headed by Pasarell and Ray Moore since 1981.Their PM Sports Management will continue to manage the eventfor Ellison.

Indian Wells ATP-WTAevent sold to Oracle boss

“I am still hopeful because I re-ally believe this decision didn’tcome from Manny Pacquiao, it camefrom somebody else,” Schaefer said.“It’s up to Manny Pacquiao to proveme right or wrong.” Pacquiao hasnever failed a post-fight urine testin Nevada, including his last fight

when he stopped Miguel Cotto.Mayweather also has passed urinetests in the state after his fights.

Fighters, though, are not rou-tinely tested before bouts for per-formance-enhancing drugs, andthere are no blood tests done forthose drugs.

and former UCLA star Westbrook had21 points and 13 assists for the Thunder,who dropped back below .500 with theirfifth loss in six games. Despite a strongstart and finish at Staples Center, theThunder haven’t beaten the Lakers sincethey were the Seattle SuperSonics.

Thabo Sefolosha scored 16 points forthe Thunder, but just three after halftime— and the guard missed an open 3-pointattempt to tie it in the final two minutes.

Fisher’s season high-tying 15 pointsincluded two free throws with 14.9 sec-onds left, followed by a missed 3-pointattempt by Westbrook.

Playing at home for the first time sincebreaking his right index finger in a gameagainst Minnesota, Bryant had anotherinjury scare when he landed awkwardlyon his left knee while putting up a back-ward layup with 5:08 to play. Bryantstayed down on the court for severalmoments, but shot his own free throwsafter a timeout — only to take an elbowto the jaw from Westbrook with 3:55left. Bryant persevered, drawingDurant’s sixth foul before hitting twofree throws with 19.5 seconds left in the102nd 40-point game of his career.

The Lakers returned home after win-ning the last four games of their firstbig road trip in a season that began with17 of their first 21 games at StaplesCenter. Los Angeles has five morehome games in the next two weeks, in-cluding a Christmas meeting withCleveland and a New Year’s Day visitfrom Sacramento.

AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, center, goes up for a basketagainst Oklahoma City Thunder’s Thabo Sefolosha (2) andNenad Krstic during the first half of an NBA basketball gamein Los Angeles, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009.

Larry Ellison, seen herein October 2009 and whois the founder and chiefexecutive of computerfirm Oracle, has boughtthe ATP and WTAhardcourt event playedat Indian Wells everyMarch, officials said onMonday.

AFP/Getty Images/File/Justin Sullivan

Thursday, December 24, 200916 Sport

The German, who will turn 41 inJanuary, has been linked with the out-fit ever since Mercedes-Benz tookover Brawn GP. He finally concludeda three-year deal to make a sensationalF1 return on Tuesday evening.

“The motivation I think is prettystraightforward,” Schumacher said.“The call I got from Ross at the endof November concerning the chanceto go racing, Mercedes being in-volved, I felt great.

“I never left the race track. I wastired of F1 by the end of 2006, but inthree years of absence I got back allthe energy that I am feeling right now.I played around with motorbikes andI feel ready for some serious stuffnow.”

Schumacher originally retired fromF1 at the end of 2006, and he had ap-peared fully content to be away fromthe pressures and strains of racing inmotor sport’s top category.

He maintained links with F1

Schumacher makes F1 returnSchumacher makes F1 returnSchumacher makes F1 returnSchumacher makes F1 returnSchumacher makes F1 returnGermany -Germany -Germany -Germany -Germany -Michael Schumacher will return to Formula 1 in 2010, afterMichael Schumacher will return to Formula 1 in 2010, afterMichael Schumacher will return to Formula 1 in 2010, afterMichael Schumacher will return to Formula 1 in 2010, afterMichael Schumacher will return to Formula 1 in 2010, afterMercedes GP confirmed on Wednesday that the seven-time worldMercedes GP confirmed on Wednesday that the seven-time worldMercedes GP confirmed on Wednesday that the seven-time worldMercedes GP confirmed on Wednesday that the seven-time worldMercedes GP confirmed on Wednesday that the seven-time worldchampion is joining its team next year.champion is joining its team next year.champion is joining its team next year.champion is joining its team next year.champion is joining its team next year.

through an ambassadorial role withFerrari, and his on-track activities re-volved around outings in a kart and amove to motorcycle racing.

However, last season Schumacheragreed to a comeback as a temporarystand-in for the injured Felipe Massaat Ferrari. Despite training hard for thereturn, however, Schumacher’s planshad to be called off due to a neck in-jury that he had sustained in a motor-cycle crash earlier this year.

“It is obviously a topic that I un-derstand is questioned, and I want tounderstand,” Schumacher said whenasked about his neck. “Before I gavea final okay I made sure that I wassure myself, and I can say 100 per cent

the neck is no further issue.“Unfortunately it was too close to

the accident in the summer when Itried for Ferrari, but the time now isenough to have healed completely. Ican do everything I used to do, andno problem.”

The events of the summer ap-peared to have rekindled his enthusi-asm for F1 and when Brawn GP failedto conclude a deal with world cham-pion Jenson Button for 2010,Schumacher was instantly installed asthe favourite to replace him.

The deal could not be concludeduntil Schumacher’s neck was giventhe all-clear by doctors but once thathappened, talks advanced quickly toseal the deal.

Schumacher’s move to MercedesGP marks a reunion between himselfand the German car maker that helpedpush him into F1.

Japan - 250cc world champion Hiroshi

Aoyama impressed the newlyformed Interwetten HondaMotoGP team with his pace on daytwo of the Sepang rookie test - alsoattended by fellow RCV newcomerMarco Simoncelli and the Hondatest team.

After setting a 2min 4.38sec -without the aid of electronics - onday one, Aoyama made a signifi-cant step forward with a 2min3.25sec on day two. That compareswith a 2min 3.70 for Simoncelli,while the official race lap recordstands at 2min 2.180sec from 2008(the 2009 race was wet).

“We’re still using the ex-GaborTalmacsi bike,” Aoyama’s teammanager Daniel Epp toldCrash.net. “We did 60 laps yester-

Aoyama ‘learning fast’ - and getting fasterday and just over 40 laps today, be-cause of the rain shower in the after-noon.

“The lap time was quite nice, justover one second from the laprecord,” he continued. “Hiro is learn-ing fast. Today we worked with trac-tion control and engine braking,which is the big difference betweenMotoGP and all other classes.”

As at his first test in Valencia,Aoyama’s use of electronics is be-ing carefully moderated by crewchief Tom Jojic to avoid creatinga false impression of the RCV’scharacter.

Nevertheless, with proper use ofelectronics vital for MotoGP suc-cess, Aoyama knows he must learnto exploit what presently seemslike a ‘strange’ sensation.

“Yesterday we didn’t put any

electronic controls. Today theystarted to introduce some con-trols,” confirmed Aoyama, speak-ing to Crash.net inside the pit ga-rage.

“It felt strange because I like tocontrol the bike myself but the ma-chine does it. And you can choosewhere and which part it controls,which angle etc. It’s quite compli-cated for me to use all the packageof this bike. I need to go step-by-step, study and then go faster.

“I’ve ridden many types ofbikes, but this is something special,”he continued, pointing to the RCVnearby. “It is like a nice new toy forme! There are so many options tochange and it is easy to get confusedif you don’t know how to use it. Atthis moment I don’t know exactlywhat to change and in what way.”

BP/afp

Michael Schumacher