The Manager of the E.F.K.S Museum, Tuigamala Opetaia Liu, is not a happy man.

He is saddened by what he describes as a deliberate attempt by “cowards” to vandalise the Museum’s sign at Malua.

As of yesterday, the sign has been vandalised thrice.

When it first happened on 27 April 2015, the Police were informed. A student from Leulumoega Fou College witnessed the incident.

“The student saw what happened, a yellow van crashed into the sign and damaged the sign,” he said.

“We reported the matter to the Police and we even told them the plate number of the yellow van. They told us to give them twenty one days so that they can carry out an investigation.”

Tuigamala said the Museum has yet to hear from the Police.

On 12 August 2015, Tuigamala said they found that someone had inflicted more damage to the sign.

“This matter had been reported to the Police twice and we are still waiting for a response,” he said. “We didn’t want to fix it right away because we were still waiting for a report from the Police.

“But up until now, we still haven’t got any report from the Police. It’s not just the sign on the side of the road that had been damaged.

Other signs inside the compound have been destroyed as well.”

Tuigamala’s main concern is that the sign and other properties belong to church members.

“The money that was used on these signs are all from the church. I am worried that the leaders of the Church might think that I am being careless and not looking after the Museum very well.

“The truth is, I look after these properties like they’re my own. I care for it so much because I know that our church people are paying for it.

“As a Manager, I know that it is my responsibility to look after and take care of all of these properties. So when things like this happen, it really hurts me on the inside.

“That is why I wanted to immediately went to the Police for help because I know that if we are able to identify the people who are responsible for this wicked behaviour, we will also be able to put a stop to it and have them pay for the damages they’ve caused.”

According to Tuigamala, the Sign was put up in November 2013 and it cost $2,100. The car park signs which have also been damaged cost $2,400 and the direction indicators inside the compound cost $300. They have also been destroyed.

“I’m very disappointed at the people who are responsible for these vandalism acts. They are not scared of God and law. They are not only breaking the law but they are also destroying the properties that belong to the Church.”

Tuigamala said that they would continue on going to the Police until they find out who is responsible.

“We don’t want to build a new one while we’re still not sure who was responsible for destroying this one,” he said.

“This is because if we have a new sign, our church will have to pay for it again and I don’t want the same people to come and destroy it again. We have to find the people behind this so that we can put a stop to it.”

The Manager of the E.F.K.S Museum asks members of the public, especially people living closer to the Museum, to help them find who is behind all of this.

“We are trying our very best to improve our services and move up to the next level, but this kind of action makes it really hard for us to move forward.”

A 43-year-old mother, of Tiavi, has expressed concerns about the conduct of Police officers in front of her family and children.

Silafaga Tupito’s property was raided two weeks ago where the Police found marijuana.

Mrs. Tupito’s husband, Atina Okesene, was taken in for questioning and is being detained.

But the mother and her children received an unexpected visit from the officers last Friday.

This time, she said they were armed.

Mrs. Tupito said she understands that the Police have a role to play and that they were merely doing their jobs.

But she questioned the need to be armed, especially around young children.

“My children are very young and yet they saw the officers being armed coming to our house as if we are murderers and criminals,” she said.

“I am scared to go back home because police might come again to search our place.

“During their first raid, they did find marijuana. But when they came the second time, they didn’t find anything. After the raid, one of the police officers came to me and thanked me and said they didn’t find anything.”

Mrs. Tupito said she was shocked that morning when her 4-year-old daughter ran to her screaming “Mommy police are coming with guns.”

Mrs. Tupito said she was at home with a friend from Tapatapao who came with her husband to visit them after they found that they were on their own.

“It was 6.30am,” she said. “This is the first time I have ever seen a real gun, I only see it in the movies.”

She said up to seven vehicles pulled up at her home. Some officers were in uniform while others were in civilian clothes.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate for police officers to be armed while children are around, especially as young as my children.

“Not only that but they came twice to our house. Once is enough but twice with guns is not fair.”

Asked for a comment, Police Commissioner, Egon Keil, said the second visit was necessary because the Police was tipped off that there was a marijuana patch at the property.

“We found the patch but everything had been pulled,” he said. “There were empty ammos that were found.”

Commissioner Keil also confirmed that the Police officers were armed but he said they would never point a gun towards a child or in the presence of a child.

Given the significance of agriculture to the Pacific region, a workshop currently underway in Suva aims to assist Pacific governments to better plan and target public spending on agriculture and to increase value for money in public agriculture expenditure.

The three day workshop is targeting senior agriculture, forestry, finance, and treasury officials from the governments of Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, and Vanuatu.

In 2011-2012, the agriculture sector accounted for 3 to 24 percent of Pacific Island economies and employed between 20 and 50 percent of workers in the larger Pacific Island countries. Despite this, over the same period, the sector was allocated only 1 to 3 percent of government budgets.

The Head of the European Union Delegation for the Pacific, Ambassador Andrew Jacobs said "as public budgets for agriculture are relatively small in the region, it is of utmost importance that they are efficiently allocated and executed in order to promote inclusive and sustainable development.

This is what Public Expenditure Reviews, and this workshop, should help you achieve." Ambassador Jacobs added, "In 2016 the EU will launch important support initiatives for the agriculture sectors in Vanuatu (€25 million), Solomon Islands (€10 million) and Fiji (€20 million). For all these initiatives the EU is seeking to implement budget support programmes.

This means moving away from a project approach to initiatives that put the entire management responsibility on the beneficiary governments and their ministries of agriculture. The focus of the workshop is therefore very timely."

The World Bank is leading the first part of the workshop which introduces Public Expenditure Reviews for the agriculture sector in the Pacific.

The Tautua Whip and Member of Parliament for Faleata West, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, has called for Cell No. 9 at Tafa’igata Prison to be re-opened.

Referred to locally as the “pa sima,” the cell used to hold some of the country’s worst criminals was closed a few years ago.

But Lealailepule’s call has been promoted by the growing number of prison escapees, threatening the safety of the community.v Leala said re-opening the cell might be one way of deterring prisoners.

“This could be the reason why they keep running away because it’s no longer used (cell no.9),” said Leala. “If it deters the criminals, then it should be re-used.

“There are some prisoners that need to be placed in there for that reason. They cannot be controlled and cannot be trusted to be in a normal cell.”

Leala also questioned why prisoners are allowed to spend weekends away from prison.

This is the time many of them use to re-offend, he said.

“If they are sent to prison, they should stay there and serve their time until it is done,” he said.

“Maybe it was a practice from the past but to me the prisoners today are not like the ones in those days.”

In explaining his point, Leala said the new criminals have a habit of re-offending. He said they have made breaking the law a “career” and “their profession”.

He added that perhaps the separation of Prisons from the Police was done too soon.

“I feel for them (prisons authority) if they are not given resources and assistance they need to strengthen their role,” said Leala. “It’s an internal issue that should be addressed with the government to ensure that people from my constituency and the country feel safe in their homes and are protected.”

Asked for a comment, Assistant Commissioner of Prisons and Corrections Services, Ulugia Niuia Aumua, said the call for the pa sima to be re-opened is not an option.

“It does not comply with United Nations and human rights requirements and conditions,” said Ulugia. “That cell has been closed due to incidents that happened in the past. I don’t think that will happen with the practicality of it having it reopened without upgrading the cell and I’m pretty sure the Ombudsman would have a lot to say about that.”

The pa sima is a dark room with no iron bars and no light.

Ulugia pointed out that there are other cells being used at the moment for extra punishment.

He said the cells is a smaller version of the ones being currently used and only has a capacity to hold about six people.

“It has natural light coming through and we try to keep up to four prisoners in the cell when under punishment,” said Ulugia. “The Corrections regulations clearly state if they are in there for more than two days, they should be let out. Regardless of that they are let out for showers and meal.”

As for claims that prisoners should not be allowed to spend Sundays with their families, Ulugia said the practice is part of the Police and Prisons Act. He explained that not all the prisoners are entitled to it and there are conditions they need to meet.

“It’s part of rehabilitation. It is a way of maintaining the connections between the prisoners and their families. We also recognise that cultural aspect the relationship of respect being highlighted in the legislation.”

A Commissioner of Inquiry report in 2014 from Ombudsman, Maiava Iulai Toma highlighted the issues with the pa sima and related issues at Tafaigata prison.

In his report, Maiava said Samoa’s prison population as of 26 September 2013 comprised of four hundred fifty seven (457) male and thirty-six (36) female inmates.

Seventy six (76) males and three (3) females were also being held in custody at Tafaigata Prison making a grand total of five hundred seventy two (572) detained persons.

“Except for a high concrete wall under construction around the small women’s compound situated within Tafaigata prison, there are no perimeter security walls around any of the three detention facilities,” Maiava said in the report.

Furthermore, the Ombudsman pointed out that the Vaiaata prison in Savai’i and Olomanu, a prison opened in November 2006 for young offenders, are both very low security facilities for male inmates. The latter two facilities have neither security fencing nor a single lock-up cell.

Forty seven (47) prison officers under the command of the Commissioner of Police through an Assistant Commissioner as the Chief Gaoler are responsible for and maintain prisons security without visible arms of any kind.

“It is quite normal on the other hand for large gangs of often twenty or more prisoners, each with a razor sharp machete, to be supervised in plantation work by one or two unarmed policemen far from the prison buildings and other prison officers.

“This never fails to impress or stun people when they see it or when it is recounted to them by Samoan prison officials. The latter explain it in terms of Samoan culture and traditional modes of interaction between officers and inmates.

“ Without detracting from the remarkable achievements of prison officers in truly risky circumstances on the job, it is undoubtedly the case that the system works and operates with minimal visible structural support because of its functionally effective basis in fear and intimidation; – fear of the Police and the “pa sima”, the “concrete wall” or punishment block.

“The key component of the fear mechanism is prisoner conviction that while in gaol, the “pa sima” is his lot in life, whenever a prison officer chooses to make it so. This is reenforced continuously either by the reality of the punishment itself or frequent verbal threats or reminders of it. The realization moreover that escaping from prison is futile and does not offer relief must also help.

“Convicts on the run in Samoa are not able to melt into anonymity in society as may be possible elsewhere, and find themselves in traditional communities that are not only incapable of accommodating them as anonymous individuals, but are uncomfortable or even unwilling nowadays to accommodate them at all.

“In these circumstances escapees inevitably find themselves quickly back in prison and into the ever waiting solid, sinister, dank and dehumanizing reality of the prison “pa sima”.”

The Minister of Public Enterprises, Lautafi Fio Purcell, has stepped in to resolve a dispute between the Samoa Sports Facilities Authority (S.S.F.A) and the Samoa Weightlifting Federation (S.W.F).

Lautafi, whose portfolio includes S.S.F.A, has called on the officials involved to work together to prioritise the development of athletes.

The clash between S.S.F.A and S.W.F surfaced last week when the Weightlifting team was locked out of their training venue at Tuana’imato.

The President of S.W.F, Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork, said it was not the first time they have been locked out.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Lautafi reminded that the facilities are there to develop local athletes.

“They should remember the facilities were made to develop our people and their sporting talents,” said the Minister. “Red tapes and bureaucracy should not be the reason to hinder that.

“They need to work together with the association to find the best solution so that it does not compromise our athletes.”

The Minister pointed out that part of the “disruption” was the big events being held at the facilities like the Small Island Developing States and Commonwealth Youth Games.

The weightlifters had used the Food Court to train and had to move when the area was used to host the events.

But Lautafi said “those little things” only had to take the two bodies to “bang their heads together and talk properly” to sort out another option.

A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday next week where the issue will be discussed.

“They need not to forget that the sports facilities were made for the athletes,” said Lautafi.

He also reminded that S.S.F.A. has a responsibility to the government in the sense they have to be responsible if anything happens to the assets.

For that reason, Lautafi said the sports bodies have to look after the facilities.

“They can’t just use the assets and leave it there for someone else to clean up after,” said the Minister. “It doesn’t work like that way. If they are not prepared to work like that, then we are not prepared to take them on board regardless.

All is needed is for them to work together with those looking after the facilities.”

Last week, Tuaopepe expressed disappointment about S.S.F.A’s decision.

“It’s really disappointing to be chased around like this,” he said.

“I had a feeling that this would happen after the Commonwealth Youth Games but I didn’t expect it would be this soon.”

Contacted for a comment, S.S.F.A C.E.O, Moefa’auo Salale Moananu said the venue was only made available for the Weightlifting during the Commonwealth Youth Games.

“The Samoa Weightlifting Federation has their own venue and that is the gym up at the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee,” he said.

“We did not ban anyone. To make it clear, the venue here was only made available for them and for other sports during the Commonwealth Youth Games.

“Now that the games are finished, the facilities are closed again. They have to use their venue up at S.A.S.N.O.C.”

Moefa’auo said the decision was made to lock the gym to protect the equipment as it belongs to the government.

“So we are waiting for the final audit from the government to tender everything that was used during the Games,” he said.

“The other option is that the government could lend the equipment to them to use but it’s not theirs, it belongs to the government.”

Tuaopepe also said this is not the first time Moefa’auo has locked them out.

“This happened before when we were using the building where they are using as a food court now,” he said. “They kicked us out from there so we moved to the S.A.S.N.O.C Gym.

“It’s really sad because with all these facilities available and we are not allowed to use it. I just don’t know what to do.”

The Whip of the Tautua Samoa Party, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, has refused to deny or confirm reports that he might switch political parties for next year’s General Elections.

Lealailepule, however, confirmed being asked by his constituency of Faleata West to run for the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P).

But he maintained that his allegiance is firmly with the Opposition party for now.

“The thing is that I don’t know why people keep asking me the same question,” Leala responded when the Samoa Observer approached him.

“I will wait until next year.”

A hugely popular Member of Parliament for his personality, Leala admitted he has a lot of friends in the H.R.P.P.

“I’m a friendly guy,” he said. “I have a lot of friends and many of them are in the H.R.P.P. That’s just how I am.”

Leala also confirmed that he has been pressured by his constituency and family to change his party.

“I haven’t made a decision yet, I’m still with Tautua,” he said. “I told them pray to God to tell us what to do.

“I’m good and happy where I am and how I started my career. I’ve contributed in the development of the government (through advice and criticisms) and I speak my mind.

“But will see in moving forward.

At the same time I have to look at my constituency’s needs and what they want.” Leala said he would make a decision when the right time arrives.

“I will cross that bridge when we get there,” he said.

Asked how the Tautua Party was preparing for the election, Leala said it’s doing well.

But he added that they need to be “more aggressive now that election is near. There are so many issues and that is what we should look at.”

Contacted about the state of the Tautua Party yesterday, leader Palusalue Fa’apo II said everything was fine.

She has big shoes to fill – if she wins - but Lemalu Silivia Iona is ready to step up.

Lemalu is one of the candidates for the Lefaga and Falease’ela seat, which will be vacant when veteran Member of Parliament and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Le Mamea Ropati, steps down.

Le Mamea has announced that he is not contesting next March’s General Elections.

For businesswoman Lemalu, she believes this is her chance to make a contribution to her district and Samoa.

She has already registered her candidacy with the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P) and will compete against two other candidates.

Lemalu has also claimed the support of Matautu Lefaga, where the current M.P. hails from.

Asked about her plans, Lemalu said she wants to continue the work that has already been started by Le Mamea.

Among her priorities are health and road infrastructure. According to Lemalu, the constituents rely on the Leulumoega hospital and in most serious cases they have to make the long trip to Moto’otua hospital.

“Our villagers are also hard working farmers and it is important they have good access roads to their plantations,” said Lemalu. “We have a strong support on conservation projects and we hope to continue that and make other similar plans.”

As a mother and a woman who lives in the village, Lemalu said she also wants to advocate for women issues. She wants to improve the status of women in Samoa and make sure all women are well supported in whatever they want to do.

During the 2011 election, the Lefaga and Falease’ela constituency had 2,800 registered voters.

Only 2000 of them cast their votes. Lemalu said while the number of voters vary over the years, she hopes to see people exercise their their rights to vote and get behind their candidates.

Manu Samoa might have lost the battle yesterday but they have yet to lose the war.

With that attitude, Toiaivao Amby Perez, the father of Manu Samoa midfielder, Paul Perez, is calling on the country not to lose faith in the team.

Manu Samoa was crushed by South Africa, 46-6, at Villa Park.

But that did not stop Toiaivao and his family from offering thanksgiving at the end of the game, especially seeing Paul play the full eighty minutes.

“It’s not easy and I know that there’s a lot of pressure on them now,” he said.

“It’s difficult when you have such a good team like South Africa. I thought our players gave it their all but we were not good enough.” Toiaivao was up early in the morning, joining thousands of Samoans to support their team.

“To me, they selected the best team for the game and I know that our gave it their all,” he said.

“My advice for the boys is to continue to give it their best because the whole country is continuing to cheer for them. I know that it will not be easy, but I know that with God, everything is possible “I wish them all the best with the upcoming game and may the best team win. Give it your all and may our good lord be with you all.”

Speaking about Paul Perez, Toiaivao said his youngest son has always loved rugby. A former student of Leififi College, he is also a proud resident of Vaigaga. “He had been playing rugby ever since he was young and as he was growing up, he grew in terms of rugby and he was given the opportunity to play for Taranaki,” said Toiaivao. “He attended Taranaki and that’s where he started to play professionally.

“Now that he is playing for Samoa, our family have been praying for him as well as the other boys representing our country at the Rugby World Cup.”

Toiaivao said his son is now playing professionally for Natal Sharks in South Africa.

“I wish him all the best,” he said. “Our prayers are with him and we will always be praying for the team no matter what.”

The Shadow Minister of Finance for the Tautua Samoa Party, Afualo Dr. Wood Salele (pictured), remains confident in his Party’s ability to mount a strong challenge in next year’s General Elections.

In fact, Afualo believes his Party is in a better position now to challenge the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P) for the right to govern the country when voters go to the polls on 4 March 2015.

Should they win, it will end more than 35 years of rule by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi's group.

For Afualo though, his first priority is to regain one of two seats available at his constituency of Salega.

The other seat is held by Tapuai Toese Ah Sam, who is also a member of the Tautua Samoa Party.

“It’s been very humbling to have been allowed by my constituency to serve them during the past five years,” he said.

“I am also honoured to say that they have expressed their support for me to contest the seat for next year.”

Afualo does not plan to change his allegiance in terms of political parties.

Confirming that he is all for the Tautua Samoa Party, Afualo said the Opposition’s election strategy will be based around education, the creation of employment opportunities as well as improving health.

He also wants to ensure that everyone is treated fairly by the policies created by the lawmakers.

Looking at the government today, Afualo said there is a lot of unnecessary spending that could be better utilised.

He also said the government, especially state-owned enterprises should be run like businesses so that they become self-sufficient. That way, they do not reply of taxpayers to prop them up. Afualo said these are some of the area the Tautua Party is looking to target during the election run.

As for his preparations, he said “I am well prepared for the upcoming election.

“I am also preparing myself when our Party will come into power to lead this country.” Afualo said he was unaware about the other candidates in his constituency.

The Territorial Constituency covers the villages of Fagafau, Fiaai, Fogatuli, Samata-i-tai and Samata-i-uta. An economist by profession, Afualo also stressed the need to look after the elderly members of the community, people he said are not being well cared for by the current administration.

The M.P. also used the opportunity to thank his supporters, families and children for always being there for him. Afualo, 57, hails from the villages of Fogatuli Salega, Matautu and Moata’a.

He holds a PHD in Economics from the University of Guelph Canada.

He received his Masters in Economics from the University of New England in New South Wales, Australia and also holds a Bachelor of Agriculture Science from the University of the South Pacific.

Afualo is married to Rosemarie Keil Salele and they have four children.

For years, 25 November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and children.

However, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women has proclaimed the 25th of each month as ‘Orange Day’, a day to raise awareness and take action against violence against women and girls.

The optimistic bright color symbolizes a bright future free from violence towards women, girls and children.

At the Public Service Day parade last Friday, many government departments wore orange to showcase their support in raising awareness to end violence against women in Samoa.

Also in the town of Apia, girls and women were seen wearing orange as a way to say NO to violence against women.

Samoa congratulates you on your election and lends its full support to the agenda that will guide our work during your tenure. In the same spirit, I applaud our Secretary- General and Samoan Prince Tupua Ban Ki-moon for his firm commitment and strong leadership in steering our organization during this particularly turbulent and difficult period for the world.

As members of the global family, our futures and interests are inextricably linked, Crises with a global reach threaten to engulf the world and affect all nations irrespective of whether they caused or contributed to the crises.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is one such crisis. It is the world's most urgent problem and the greatest moral challenge of our time. Known crises of global dimensions pale in comparison to what climate change poses to our world as a whole and to the future security of some of our low-lying islands as sovereign states.

Climate change is indifferent to the suffering of countries touched by its destructive reach. The victims can be rich or poor, large or small, resilient or vulnerable, but they hardly matter. It impacts all.

For some there are already existential implications looming. Others may consider the effect on them to be minimum. Such complacency would be a grave mistake and tantamount to gross negligence. If climate change is not addressed comprehensively, the consequence for our planet is dire indeed and affects all countries.

No country should therefore stay detached and unconcerned to the plight of the majority. All countries must work together. Apportioning blame for the present state of our environment is itself yet another human failing. It serves no useful purpose. Being judgmental will not restore our environment. Those who exploit the traditional divide between developed and developing countries, and ideological and political differences, do so conveniently to mask their unwillingness to be part of the solution to an impending global catastrophe.

There is so much at stake for the world to just sit idly by. Strong visionary leadership that rise beyond the dictates of vested national interests and political tenures and view the world as a single constituency where everyone must work together within the limits of their capacity and capability to be part of the total solution is at a premium.

Governments must yield not to vested interests and expediency of time, but because it is the ethical and just thing to do.

Our timelines are slipping by fast and soon we will be playing catch-up. Yet each day lost to indecisiveness and wrangling on petty points, only intensifies the challenges we face.

The Lima and Paris climate conferences provide the best openings for the world to redeem itself. UN member states should step forward with a sense of urgency and commitment to address climate change, today, not tomorrow. It should not just be the science and real life experiences that forces us to act, but also our consciences.

Against this backdrop, the Climate Summit on Tuesday was timely. Its message was clear and simple. Our actions to address climate change are grossly inadequate. We are focusing more on symptoms, not the root causes. And the solemn truth is that things will only get worse if we do not act collectively now.

Couched delicately however in this ominous prediction was a ray of hope best captured in the following fundamental truths, • Firstly, climate change is a societal problem. It requires decisive political leadership and a whole-of-society approach. Every individual effort and every national action count because in unity, we succeed, but in division there is little we can do,

• Secondly, we need a global solution if we are to succeed. The United Nations is our last best hope. It is indispensable to a sustainable solution to provide the necessary commitment to turn the tide against climate change, and • Thirdly, climate change is solvable, with the solution firmly in our hand. Only through enlightened leadership and concerted efforts by all countries with the major green house gas emitters at the forefront can we stand a chance of lessening the destructive impact of climate change and the chances of reaching a credible post-Kyoto climate Agreement next year.

Samoa calls upon those member states of our organization in position of world leadership to lead the charge and do what needs to be implemented quickly, and decisively so that Paris can deliver on an ambitious Climate Change Agreement that is effective, binding, capable of swift implementation and universally owned and respected by the 193 UN member states. EBOLA

The EBOLA outbreak is a deadly pandemic causing chaos and untold suffering in parts of West Africa. Its reach is global, and if not treated, can be unstoppable. It has no respect for national borders or government sovereignty and its victims are selected indiscriminately. Born and unborn babies are robbed of their youth, girls and boys of their adulthood, women and men of their productive lives, their dignity and worth, and countries are dispossessed and deprived of their valuable human assets.

Can we win the war on EBOLA? Samoa believes we can, and we should. That was why we were honoured to be among the 134 co-sponsors of the Peace and Security in Africa, with reference to Ebola last Thursday. The Security Council resolution passed with the highest ever number of co-sponsors, and was swiftly followed the next day by a General Assembly decision, which unanimously approved a proposal to establish an international emergency response mission for Ebola.

Samoa welcomes the rapid, decisive and coordinated response from UN Member States, and UN agencies in particular the proactive role the Secretary General played in mobilizing both the political will and material resources necessary to respond to this grave crisis.

The global response to the Ebola outbreak is a powerful illustration of what is possible when states collaborate and coordinate to assist each other to achieve common and critical goals. Such unified responses have tangible results, and save lives. Samoa encourages all member states to take this spirit of cooperation forward, and harness and follow this example when dealing with other critical global issues.

TERRORISM IN MIDDLE EAST

As we meet here at the UN, the rise in extremism has a taken a turn for the worst. Radical militants are committing unspeakably brutal and barbaric atrocities across the Middle East, and threatening to spread their evil brand further afield.

As a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, these threats can seem extremely far-removed from my country of Samoa. However, in the globalized age in which we live, all countries are threatened by challenges to international peace and security.

Developments in one state invariably have effects in other, and this is true of my country, as far away as we are. Global interconnectedness has brought innumerable benefits to all countries, but it also increasingly brings risks from far-away corners of the earth. As such, it is imperative that the UN and its member states commit to tackling threats to international peace and security, especially through the UN Security Council.

Specifically, UN member states must increase collaboration and cooperation to find solutions to challenges to peace and security, and work diligently to implement them.

The UN was founded upon values of collective security, and for small nations, remains a critical forum in which to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security, stability and prosperity. This is particularly important for small island developing states, who risk a reversal of the development gains they have made due to crises far from home.

To cement and build upon development goals already achieved, international peace and security must be maintained, and it is the responsibility of all member states, particularly those on the Security Council, to work in close cooperation to ensure this happens.

SHALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES

Samoa belongs to the group of Small Island Developing states, a UN recognized group with special needs and inherent vulnerabilities, not by their choice but by factors completely outside of their control.

Part of the dilemma we continually face is the misconception that SIDS challenges are minuscule in comparison to the needs of other special groups and regions and that their one and only concern is climate change.

Nothing can be further from the truth. My country was honoured to host on behalf of the Pacific region the once in a decade International Conference on Small Island Developing States three weeks ago, Our primary goal in hosting the Third SIDS Conference was the opportunity for the spotlight of international attention to fall on SIDS on their challenges and realities.

Now that the spotlight has passed on, we hope the increased understanding and appreciation of SIDS issues and challenges gained at the conference will not be forgotten with the passing of time or sidelined due to other competing priority issues.

The international community has a very full agenda. We as nations are being pulled in many directions. This general debate and the ensuing 69th session will show just how packed the agenda is. The follow up to the SIDS conference will be part of that agenda and our hope is that, amidst all the demands, political, economic and other, that the realities of SIDS, so clearly spelled out in Apia and in the SAMOA Pathway are able to retain the attention of the wider international community.

We took seriously the commitments given for SIDS at the conference and we will remain deeply mindful of how those commitments are turned into actions.

The conference had as its theme the sustainable development of SIDS through genuine and durable partnerships.

We are ready to build on our existing partnerships. We may be small but we are also able to demonstrate the impact of our people and our countries of successful, 21st century partnerships.

We may be small and sometimes invisible to many. However we know that united the SIDS are a strong and a positive group.

AOSIS is showing its determination in a growing range of areas and forums. Samoa like other Pacific islands is proud of its place within AOSIS.

The SAMOA Pathway asks the UN Secretary-General to undertake a comprehensive review of how the UN system supports SIDS. This is the opportunity to ensure the UN is fit for purpose when it comes to support for SIDS, There is ample scope for improvement and we look forward to engaging fully in this process. The time for "business as usual" has long passed, Let us work for an approach to SIDS that shows the UN at its best, The SAMOA Pathway is a well-crafted intergovernmental agreement that has the zeal and stamp of approval of the UN membership. Going forward, it falls on SIDS themselves to be prepared to lead and own the SAMOA Pathway if it is to be sustainable. Together with the specific entities within the UN Secretariat entrusted to advocate and champion SIDS causes, they should be more proactive and assertive.

Jointly, they must re-position themselves to engage better in a more effective and visible partnership.

Moreover, what we need to achieve is to have a "Human face of SIDS" to every issue that comes before the UN, be it security, human rights, climate change, development, gender, or indigenous issues. That way, SIDS issues are at the forefront of the UN agenda, they remain topical and relevant, and are considered, debated and actioned daily, weekly or monthly and not conveniently set aside to be discussed only when we have another SIDS conference ten years from now.

PEACEKEEPING

Samoa continues to support the UN peacekeeping efforts worldwide. Small as we are, Samoan police continue to serve side by side with officers from other countries in places that require the intervention of the United Nations.

Within the Pacific region, our solidarity to challenges facing our neighbours means a guaranteed Samoan police presence in the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands under the umbrella of the Pacific Islands Forum. MIDDLE EAST

A durable peace settlement in the Middle East continues to elude us. But that's not ground to be pessimistic. We should support every effort to create conditions conducive to the creation of an independent Palestinian State alongside a secure and safe State of Israel to succeed.

Finally, those bent on creating fear and panic throughout the world will stop at nothing to achieve their aims. We must not be held hostage to their devious designs.

Individually and collectively we must step up our efforts to combat the threat of international terrorism in its many manifestations. No country can succeed on its own. Only by working collaboratively can we be successful.

POST-2015 DEVELOPHETN AGENDA

As we approach the new Post-2015 Development agenda, the culmination of many years of international negotiations and agreements on sustainable development, we must ensure that while a one Framework approach is important - this does not equate to a one size fits all for purposes of implementation and monitoring and evaluation.

Indeed the applicability of the MDG's and their indicators to small island countries proved difficult and much tailoring was necessary before these global targets were seen as relevant for us to meaningfully participate. It is important therefore in the defining and refining of the SDGs and Post-2015 Development agenda that we account for groups like SIDS, and ensure that indicators developed are applicable to their situations also, Building on the existing processes and experiences in these SIDS countries and their respective regions and sub-regions is critical in this regard.

Fortunately we are on the back of a successful SIDS Conference, whose theme was focused on effective means of implementation through partnerships. We must ensure therefore that the means to implement the SAMOA Pathway is solidly laminated into the Post 2015 Development Framework: These arrangements are well entrenched in the High Level Political Forum and review arrangements of the ECOSOC.

It is important that the intergovernmental architectures of our respective SIDS regions are included in this process and that means working together. We cannot afford a situation where we have Intergovernmental organizations developing separate policies and implementation arrangements and partnerships for the same things. We must work together.

Finally we must break down what has been a traditional 'them and us' perception on both sides of the members states and the secretariats established to serve our collective needs.

This has not served either side well and in fact we are on the same side of the coin. Therefore I would encourage that any coordination mechanisms established have representation of both for transparency and balance of perspectives and interests

.

The Inter-Agency Consultative Group is perhaps an arrangement that could benefit from member state representation as well where open discussions can take place around effective implementation of the SAMOA Pathway and Post 2015 Development Agenda.

Some of our development partners, traditional and new, have reached out to help us. What they have in common is trust and respect for our views and needs. Bilaterally, regionally and internationally, they are partnering with SIDS to overcome some of the constraints imposed by limited land and narrow natural resources bases, isolation and downward agricultural production, sustained food security for our expanding populations, and the need to provide a meaningful existence for our people and communities in the rural areas.

The United Nations was established to prevent wars, bring peace and security and protect human rights through multilateralism and intergovernmental cooperation. The architecture of the organization we have today is complex and there invariably are imperfections. However the fact that we have consistently without failure meet in the UN General Assembly each year is irrefutable evidence that our organization works at many and different levels. It is hard to imagine where the world would be without the United Nations.

It is why Samoa's support for our organization is unwavering.

I thank you.

Acting Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, made a bold promise to the people of Samoa.

“Looking ahead, I want to see a more resilient country,” he declared.

“I want to see every man, woman and child in Samoa enjoy a prosperous life by 2030."

“If we each step up, we can achieve it. So let future generations look back and say that they inherited a better world because - at this critical moment - we did not shrink from our responsibilities."

“Let them say that we rose to the challenge, that we kept our promise.”

Fonotoe made the promise during the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals (S.D.Gs) and the 2030 Agenda at the United Nations headquarters in Samoa at Matautu.

The S.D.Gs and the 2030 Agenda is a plan of action, which targets prosperity for close to eight billion people in the world – including more than 180,000 Samoans living in Samoa.

The plan was adopted by the United Nations in New York during the weekend. It was done so by the 193 Member States of the United Nations – including Samoa - at the start of a three-day Summit held at the UN Headquarters. Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, is attending the meeting.

Titled “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, the agenda includes seventeen goals that will help to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and fix climate change over 15 years.

“The Government of Samoa warmly welcomes the Sustainable Development Goals,” Fonotoe said yesterday.

“The agreed outcome of the International Conference on S.I.D.S last year, the S.A.M.O.A Pathway, categorically affirmed the commitment of our nation to sustainable development.

“Hence, is a privilege to be here today to reaffirm this commitment and political will in promoting the vision of the S.D.Gs and moving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development forward.”

According to the Acting Prime Minister, with 17 goals and 169 targets, the numbers can be daunting.

“But the good news is that the S.D.Gs build on the gains and lessons we have accrued from the M.D.Gs. And the Millennium Development Goals (M.D.Gs) have shown us how the world can come together around shared aims.

“It now remains on us to draw inspiration from what we have achieved, and continue to forge ahead to realize the grand blueprint we have laid out to building a more peaceful, inclusive and just world.”

So how can this be achieved?

Fonotoe called for a broad alliance.

"People, the Governments, the United Nations, civil society and the private sector need to work together,” he said.

“It is with the support of all stakeholders and through durable and meaningful partnerships that we will be able to address vulnerability and advance in the implementation of this very comprehensive agenda. No sector acting alone can achieve the goals for humanity.

“Today marks and historic turning point for the world and the Sustainable Development Goals should become a priority for everyone, for each person and every organisation present in this room.”

“In this new era of development, our country has a very significant role to play.”

“Samoa and Fiji are the only two Pacific country members of the United Nations Inter Agency expert group that is developing global indicators that will measure the progress of the SDGs.”

“We are expected to submit their report by March next year.”

“Lastly, I can confirm that the Samoan Government will continue to hold to its commitments and support the positive and transformative vision of the Sustainable Development Goals with consistent, prompt and long term action, particularly on climate change.”

The new Sustainable Development Goals

1. End poverty in all its forms] everywhere.
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being at all ages.
4. Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. Ensure access to water and sanitation for all.
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
8. Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. Conserve and sustainable use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
15. Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss.
16. Promote just, peaceful and inclusive socieites
17. Revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development.

Three years after the village of Tafitoala was devastated by Cyclone Evan, new hope is rising with the village reopening their church.

On Friday, Orita Senara, cut the ribbon to open the new church building called Moriah.

The building belongs to the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa in the village.

The opening ceremony was attended by the church’s leadership as well as friends and supporters of the church locally and overseas.

Deputy Chairman of C.C.C.S, Reverend Tautiaga Senara, acknowledged the hand of the almighty God over the project.

He praised the work of Reverend Siaosi Moananu and his congregation for finishing the project. He then presented a gift of $20,000 from the church’s mother body for the parish.

For Revered Siaosi Moananu, the celebration was to firstly thank God for the project as well as to celebrate the spirit with which their congregation came together to complete it.

The building cost $251,000.

It was completed by Zheng Constructions within four months.

Rev. Siaosi thanked everyone who helped to complete the project. Since 2012 when the church was damaged, the congregation has been using their hall for their regular services.

Rev. Siaosi and his wife Imakulata Moananu have been serving the Tafitoala church for five years.

A fire during the weekend has completely demolished a property belonging to a local company located at Puipa’a.

The fire broke out at the property at midnight on Friday. An eye-witness, who asked for his name not to be published, told the Samoa Observer the fire had apparently from inside the building.

“It was around 11pm when I heard loud sounds coming from inside the building and when I ran outside to see what it was, I saw the building on fire,” he said.

“I also saw the security guard who was on duty there running outside when the building was on fire.”

The Fire and Emergency Services Authority was contacted and they arrived immediately.

“There were people who tried to stop the fire but it was too late,” said the witness. “When the Fire Services arrived, there was little they could do. The fire had already consumed the best part of the property.”

The property is located behind the new set up of a gas company in the area.

A fire during the weekend has completely demolished a property belonging to a local company located at Puipa’a.

The fire broke out at the property at midnight on Friday. An eye-witness, who asked for his name not to be published, told the Samoa Observer the fire had apparently from inside the building.

“It was around 11pm when I heard loud sounds coming from inside the building and when I ran outside to see what it was, I saw the building on fire,” he said.

“I also saw the security guard who was on duty there running outside when the building was on fire.”

The Fire and Emergency Services Authority was contacted and they arrived immediately.

“There were people who tried to stop the fire but it was too late,” said the witness. “When the Fire Services arrived, there was little they could do. The fire had already consumed the best part of the property.”

The property is located behind the new set up of a gas company in the area.

Manu Samoa coach, Stephen Betham, has defended his playing squad for tomorrow morning’s must-win game against Japan at the Rugby World Cup.

Copping plenty of flak for excluding loose forwards Alafoti Faosiliva and Maurie Fa’asavalu, Betham said it’s unfortunate that not everyone can be selected.

“Experience was kind of a factor but we have gone on form mostly,” he said.

“Whoever is in the best form has been given the nod by me.”

After the team was announced yesterday morning, many fans have criticised the selection.

While most of the criticisms are about the non-selection of Faosiliva who was electric for Samoa against the All Blacks, some people have also questioned the decision to continue to play captain Ofisa Treviranus when his form has not been the best.

A former Manu Samoa player who spoke to the Weekend Observer yesterday on the condition of anonymity also questioned the decision to play Alesana Tuilagi.

“With due respect to these players, when they are not performing, it is the natural thing to take them off, isn’t it?” the former player said.

“I would’ve liked to see Paul Perez move to the wing and bring in George Pisi who can organise the midfield.

“Why can’t we have Fa’atoina Autagavaia on the wing instead of Ken Pisi. That’s another guy who hasn't been performing.”

The former player said it’s sad the coaching staff are still tinkling with the team.

“My thoughts go back to the Pacific Nations Cup,” he said. “Why didn't they take the World Cup team to the Pacific Nations Cup? Many of the players need to match fitness. They don't have it.

“Someone like Kane (Thompson) for example hasn’t played for the past three weeks. He’s a great player but match fitness is a different story.”

The former player who had represented Samoa at two Rugby World Cups said by continuing to change the teams, the coaches are not giving the players a platform to win.

“This is the World Cup,” he said. “You don't use this tournament to test players.

You get one chance at it and you better hope you make the right decisions. I hope and I pray that we can beat Japan.”

Yesterday, Betham said the selection of the team has been difficult.

“Unfortunately we cannot pick everyone but I am confident we have picked the right team for Sunday.”

Among five changes made to the team crushed by South Africa last week sees the return of lock, Kane Thompson.

Thompson missed the first game of the tournament due to a suspension but was not selected last week at all.

This time, Betham has named Thompson in the starting line-up for the crucial Pool B clash with Japan at Stadium MK. He will be pairing up with Teofilo Paulo.

"Kane has been hungry to go,” Betham said. “He’s waited for his chance and he’s been given it for this Saturday. We have welcomed him back with open arms."

The 33-year-old has played at RWC 2007 and 2011, and his experience could prove decisive in a match where both teams are locked on four points (one win and one loss).

“It’s do or die for both teams and I’m sure they are feeling what we are feeling.

It's backs against the wall for both teams and whoever wins will have a great shot at making the quarter-finals.

It is Samoa's most experienced test side ever, with the starting XV boasting 346 caps.

“After reviewing our loss to South Africa, we were able to find some really positive aspects to our game – it can be easy to overlook these in the face of a very clinical Springboks side,” he said.

“ We’ve also identified the areas where we needed a boost.

“This week has definitely been the most difficult week in terms of selections. “We have some very experienced, and very capable players – but in the end you can’t select everyone.

“We’ve selected the team that we believe has the best combination of skills, strength and experience to deliver us the results we are looking for against Japan.

“We have ten players with between 20 and 51 Test caps so we also know we will have some very experienced men out there.”

It’s over. Samoa’s dreams of making the quarterfinals at the Rugby World Cup 2015 were shamefully crushed this morning by Japan.

Wrong selections, poor discipline and the absence of leadership took its toll.

Japan won convincingly, 26-5.

A lone try by hard-working Paul Perez was simply not good enough to stem the flow of points accumulated by a clinical Japanese team, who stepped up another notch in their performance.

This unfortunately for Samoa tearfully spelled the end of a dream.

Not so long ago, Samoa’s chances of rewriting the history books looked very promising.

But that dream now has become a thing of the past in what has so far been a woeful World Cup campaign for the men in blue.

Unimpressive against the United States of America in their first game, this morning’s defeat comes on the heels of a massive, 46-6 points hiding against the South Africa last week.

Samoa needed to at least beat Japan to keep their hopes alive with one more must-win game against Scotland this week.

Alas, it wasn't to be.

Samoa started poorly.

A drop ball from captain Ofisa Treviranus from the kick-off was a sign of things to come as the team struggled for possession and territory.

The penalty count quickly mounted against them and that indiscipline cost them dearly with two players sin-binned in the opening 40 minutes.

First was Faifili Levave for a dangerous tackle and then Sakaria Taulafo followed for tackling a player in the air.

With 13 men, Manu Samoa conceded a penalty try for attempting to spoil Japan at the line.

They never recovered from there.

The Brave Blossoms took full advantage with Ayumu Goromaru directing a very famous win for the Japanese who have no doubt now become the darlings of the World Cup.

Samoa’s problems were compounded in the end when lock Teofilo Paulo was also sent to the bin.

For Japan, it was an incredible win, adding to what has already been an incredible World Cup campaign.

The result against Samoa was never in doubt.

Two converted tries (penalty and Akihito Yamada) and four penalties for Ayumu Goromaru took Eddie Jones's side ahead of South Africa, the side they stunned at the start of the tournament, into second in pool B.

Should Scotland beat the Springboks, the Brave Blossoms, who have now doubled their total World Cup victories, will be looking at a quarter-final place with a win over U.S.A.

The equation for Manu Samoa is quite simple. Beat Japan on Sunday morning and they live to fight another day, lose and their Rugby World Cup 2015 campaign is finished.

Coach Stephen Betham admitted that much last night when he named his starting team for the all-important World Cup clash.

“This match is do or die for us,” he said. “We do not for one moment assume anything. Japan threw this pool wide open and they have clearly become one of the favourite teams of the tournament.

“We’re in no doubt that this Test match will be a massive challenge for us.”

But the selection of Betham’s playing 23-squad will again raise eyebrows, especially with the decision to exclude loose forwards, Alafoti Faosiliva and Maurie Fa’asavalu.

Among the positional changes made include moving captain Ofisa Treviranus to blindside flanker and TJ Ioane rewarded for his form last week.

He will start at open side flanker with Faifili Levave slotting in at 8.

Jack Lam is on the bench.

Betham said selectors had a difficult task in choosing the final team. “After reviewing our loss to South Africa, we were able to find some really positive aspects to our game – it can be easy to overlook these in the face of a very clinical Springboks side,” he said.

We’ve also identified the areas where we needed a boost.

“This week has definitely been the most difficult week in terms of selections.

“We have some very experienced, and very capable players – but in the end you can’t select everyone.

“We’ve selected the team that we believe has the best combination of skills, strength and experience to deliver us the results we are looking for against Japan.

“We have ten players with between 20 and 51 Test caps so we also know we will have some very experienced men out there.” Among that experience are veteran lock Kane Thompson and explosive midfielder Johnny Leota both coming in for their first run in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Tusi Pisi returns at first five-eight, and hooker Ole Avei swaps with last week’s starting hooker Motu Matu’u.

Other changes see Lam, Mike Stanley and Rey Lee-Lo on the bench.

A Norwegian woman who was attacked by an escaped prisoner has called on the government to act now without delay to address the string of crimes including rape that are harming Samoa’s image.

Mina Weydahl is urging Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi to take note and put pressure on the relevant authorities to do their jobs to ensure Samoans and visitors to these shores are protected.

“Protecting the safety of the citizens is at the core of the responsibilities of a government,” said Ms. Weydahl. “As long as dangerous convicts keep escaping on a regular basis, the government is completely failing in their responsibilities. The saddest part is that innocent members of the public pay the price.”

Ms. Weydahl was running alone on the Mt. Vaea trail when he was attacked by a prisoner who had run away from Tafa'igata, Daniel Vailopa.

Speaking to the Sunday Samoan from England, she said she was lucky to have been able to free herself and escaped.

But Ms. Weydahl said what she had to endure was “horrible and unacceptable”.

She pointed out that the Ministry of Police and the Ministry of Prisons are not doing enough to keep the prisoners where they are supposed to be.

Vailopa preyed on her while she was going for a run on a Sunday morning at Mount Vaea.

She recalled that along the way she saw four men which three were escaped prisoners.

“Having seen me run alone, one of the escapees Daniel Vailopa tried to convince the other two prisoners to come after me but declined,” Ms. Weydahl recalled.

“As I was running down Daniel was standing on the trail blocking my path. I tried to run past him but he then caught up with me quite fast and held me back. He said he was going to rape me.”

Ms. Weydahl managed to escape but the culprit caught up with her again after a minute.

“We started fighting,” she said. “As were struggling I lost my iPhone which distracted him for a moment and of instinct I started screaming while running away again.

“By a miracle as I was about 3km into the woods at I managed to escape.”

With the help of friends, Ms. Weydahl went straight to the police who later caught Vailopa and was identified as the offender.

Ms. Weydahl said she does not want to scare people with her story but she wants to make people aware and be careful when they are out alone.

“No one told me it could be dangerous to go running on a Sunday morning in Samoa – I wish I had known,” she said.

“I share my story with you so you can be careful and tell your friends and family to be careful especially as long as the prison security is so weak.”

The U.N. employee urged women not to go by themselves but in groups.

The General Manager of the Samoa Shipping Corporation (S.S.C), Papali’i Willie Nansen, has denied reports that the Corporation’s newest ferry, M.V S.S.C Fasefulu, has not been operating.

Papali’i instead told the Sunday Samoan that the ferry is on a lifesaving mission on the waters of Tokelau.

The $8m ferry, launched during the last day of the Corporation’s 40th birthday celebration at the beginning of the year, left the country on Thursday.

The trip, according to Papali’i, is in response to a call from Tokelau.

“The vessel has left for the rescue operation to find three people from Tokelau that were on a fishing boat,” said Papali’i.

Fasefulu is the only vessel that’s fitting and available for the operation. It was not possible to get an official comment from the Tokelau office yesterday.

But Papali’i said the Fasefulu has been travelling back and forth between Upolu and Savai’i to transport petroleum products.

He explained that it makes about four trips a month to Savai’i and an additional three trips to Tokelau.

“The M.V Nafanua is currently not in operation so Fasefulu makes up for those trips to Tokelau,” said Papali’i.

He also rejected reports that the $8million vessel was faulty.

In March, the vessel underwent modification with some parts being replaced so that “safety is secured.”

The 2013 ship was bought from Malaysia with assistance from the Westpac Bank who provided US$2.5million of the ship’s cost.

The ferry is 45meters in its length and 42 meters wide. The vessel was brought to Samoa by staff members of the Corporation.