Big hitting heroics from Vani send Papua New Guinea top of the table

ICC Media Release 30 January 2009 Papua New Guinea took a step closer to qualifying for the ICC Cricket World Cup when it thrashed Hong Kong by nine wickets on a rain affected day at the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 3. But Afghanistan's and Uganda's dream of playing in world's cricket biggest one-day event remains alive after rain saved both sides from precarious positions in Buenos Aires on Friday and forced both games to be abandoned. While Uganda's match against Argentina was abandoned with the African side 69-4 in the first innings of the game, Afghanistan enjoyed an even luckier escape after Cayman Islands' run chase was thwarted when it needed just 28 more runs for victory following a torrential downpour. PNG coach Martin Gleeson, whose team now tops the table with eight points, was delighted with the performance of his side and admitted it will be a nervous day tomorrow following the fortunes of the two other matches. With the top two sides at this event earning a place in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, if Afghanistan and Uganda both win its matches tomorrow it will be net run rate that is used to determine final group placings as the top three teams will all have won four matches at this event. "Today was a completely different performance to Wednesday. I thought we needed to stand up collectively and show a bit of character and the boys responded really well and showed a bit of character," said Gleeson. "There were no individual stars with the bowling – it was just a really good all-round performance. "Our batting focus was on knocking off the runs as quickly as possible, hitting the ball and not slogging it. I think we showed that we can score six or seven runs an over with the bat. "We will just have to see how the other matches end up." Hong Kong, who started play with an outside chance of finishing in the top two of the competition, never recovered from a disastrous start and was eventually dismissed for 9x all out, with Loa Nou the pick of the bowlers with 3-14. And openers Vani Morea (41 not out off 30 balls) and Chris Amini (38 off 44 balls) provided an explosive reply to reach its revised victory target, due to the rain, transforming Papua New Guinea's net run rate which had been seriously damaged following Wednesday's crushing defeat to Afghanistan. Kabir Khan, Afghanistan coach, admitted that his side were extremely lucky to escape from a defeat against Cayman Islands after a dramatic finish to their match. Afghanistan got off to a terrible start against Cayman Islands losing openers Shafiqullah Shafaq and Karim Khan when the score was on 17. Further wickets followed, with Rais Ahmadzai and Mohammad Nabi falling within the space of four balls to Saheed Mohammed, leaving the Afghans, who started the day's play, struggling on 47-5. Skipper Narooz Mangal (26 not out) then led a mini recovery to 68-5 off 31 overs, before rain halted proceedings, until early evening sunshine finally allowed play to resume with Cayman Islands set a target of 63 off 20 overs under the D/L method. Although Ainsley Hall fell in the opening over, three fours in one Hamid Hassan over by Keneil Irving looked to have set Cayman Islands on the way to a shock victory. But rain, was to be Afghanistan's saviour, as a late downpour left the umpires with no choice but to take the players off the field forcing the abandonment of the game. "I nearly had another heart attack. I think I need to say thank you to God as he has been very kind to us today. We needed it to rain and it did," said Kabir. "We have to play better tomorrow as PNG has already won its game and Uganda has a very good chance of winning their game as well, so we need to win and with a good run rate as well." "It is very disappointing but there is nothing we can do about it. I thought we looked very comfortable today, but we will have to see what happens tomorrow," said Theo Cuffy, coach of Cayman Islands. "I am confident, but tomorrow is just another day, but we will try our best. I thought our bowlers really stuck to their plans today and it is just unfortunate about the weather." In the other match of the day, Argentina finally found some form in this tournament when it reduced Uganda to 69-4 before rain also forced the match to be abandoned. Tomorrow's rankings play-off matches are now cancelled and will be replaced by the replayed matches between Argentina and Uganda (at Belgrano) and Afghanistan and Cayman Islands (at Corimayo).

Wewak petrol rationing

InterOil says it has been forced to re-introduce petrol rationing in Wewak as supplies of ULP (unleaded petrol) reach critically low levels.

Stocks have fallen to 9,000 litres which will be rationed to filling stations during the week.

The shortages follow a series of problems caused when seas swells damaged local port facilities in December.

The tanker previously used by InterOil for its bulk deliveries, will no longer berth at Wewak because of safety concerns on the part of the skipper.

This has meant smaller vessels, with less carrying capacity, have been used to bring in drummed supplies.

Recently, a shipment of 135,000 litres of bulk ULP was received at Wewak.

Normally this would have been enough to last for many weeks.

However the greater than anticipated demand following a long period of fuel shortages has seen stocks dwindle quickly.

InterOil Products Limited General Manager Peter Diezmann has assured consumers another shipment is due in within days.

“We are doing everything we can for our customers in Wewak and the surrounding district”.

“We’ve left no stone unturned to find ways to replenish supplies efficiently and quickly”, he said.

Supplementary stocks of ULP will be brought in from InterOil’s Lae and Madang Terminals. 

The tanker vessel is due in Wednesday and will be carrying 64,000 litres of ULP and 32,000 of Zoom.

A bulk shipment of ULP is due to arrive three days later.

Mr. Diezmann said that diesel fuel and kerosene are not subject to rationing at this stage.

For further information

Susuve Laumaea

Senior Manager Media Relations - InterOil Corporation

Ph: 321 7040

Mobile: 684 5168

Email: susuve.laumaea@interoil.com

 

 

 

 

Taiwan scandal could be costly

By ANTHONY SIL in The National

MEDIA reports on the alleged Taiwan-Papua New Guinea dollar diplomacy scandal is of grave concern.

If true, it has not only relegated PNG’s diplomatic practices to the whims of subversive elements, but has also brought into question the country’s “One-China policy”.

PNG has benefited much from this policy through development aid and direct investments.

To some observers the scandal only propagates an evolving norm of frivolous attitudes and self-interests of some PNG diplomats.

Unfortunately, past scandals have not been properly addressed by the Government and the departments concerned.

For the people of PNG, this alleged scandal militates against national interests. The public can only despairingly talk of having to see another diplomatic blunder, like “a dog going back to its vomit, every time a PNG plenipotentiary is sent abroad.

Article 2 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR), 1961 states: The establishment of diplomatic relations between states, and of permanent diplomatic missions, takes place by mutual consent.

This simply means that only a State bestowed with the principles of “sovereignty” under International Law, namely, non-intervention, equality and immunity can engage in diplomatic relations.

In my opinion, Taiwan is an integral part of China.

The ongoing struggle by the Taiwanese people to be politically independent is a domestic matter for the government of China.

It was ill-conceived for PNG representatives to covertly negotiate with Taiwanese counterparts.

Unless China allows, Taiwan is not a “State”.

PNG’s act in essence amounts to interfering into China’s internal affairs.

Any State by virtue of its sovereignty has the right to give diplomatic recognition to Taiwan irrespective of China’s stand.

But it is inconceivable and a “shot in the foot” for PNG to covertly give diplomatic recognition to Taiwan whilst concurrently flagging the “One-China Policy”.

Or does the PNG Government plan a diplomatic shift from China to Taiwan?

Arrangements of diplomatic representations between States in the post-WWII era take place overtly within the framework of the Vienna convention.

For example, Articles 3 to 5 provide for the functions of diplomatic missions, formalities of accreditations and recognition of types of representations.

Diplomatic relations are governed by International Law, treaties, conventions and acceptable practices based on the principles of “sovereignty” and only applicable to states.

The initial willingness of PNG negotiators to covertly arrange for Taiwan’s diplomatic recognition derogates from the intent and spirit of the VCDR.

If indeed PNG does give diplomatic recognition to Taiwan, the country would very likely be slapped with economic sanctions by China. Our PNG negotiators seem to have ignored such basic analysis of costs and benefits.

On a broader level, we need to look at the benefits and challenges posed by China’s pre-eminence in world politics.

America’s “financial-meltdown” has sent rippling effects across the world, especially the industrialised West and the developing and developed Asian countries.

Whilst China is to some extent facing the turbulence, it has shown admirable degree of resilience in the way it has managed its domestic and foreign policies.

China is becoming a global economic power.

Its presence in the Pacific has been greeted with befuddled reaction by Australia and the US where security is concerned.

Pacific Island countries, including PNG, must exploit opportunities to gain economically with China and diversify from it.

South Pacific regional trade dynamics, whether bilateral or multilateral, will no doubt continue to be influenced by China’s involvement as a pivotal infusion for expansion.

China is one of PNG’s major development partners apart from Australia, Britain, European Union and Japan.

Our Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, therefore, needs to be more vigilant in the way it manages its diplomats and others entrusted to deal with China.

The PNG-Taiwan dollar-diplomacy has no substance of national interests other than to serve the interests of a few.

More than 30 years ago, a gentleman by the name of Harold Nicolson once said: “The policy of cabinet can only be rightly executed by man of experience, integrity and intelligence; by man of resource, good temper and courage.

“A man above all, who is not swayed by emotion or prejudice, who is profoundly modest in all his dealings for they guarantee moral ascendancy, truthfulness, precision.

“A man who is guided only by a sense of public duty and who understands the value of cleverness and the virtues of reason, moderation, discretion, patience and tact.”

These qualities are indispensable prerequisites for the exercise of diplomatic profession even in this age of information technology and private competition.

Most PNG diplomats, politicians and senior public servants in relevant departments entrusted to negotiate internationally are doing a fine job.

The diplomatic blunders created in the recent past including the current Taiwan scandal have been caused by few individuals.Let us not lose face again. Diplomats must put the country first. Not their self-interests.

Note: The writer is a lecturer in International Relations and Diplomatic Practices and Procedures at the University of PNG.

 

 

What a way to die!

Accused sorcerer butchered in Eastern Highlands Province

By ZACHERY PER

A 40-YEAR-old man accused of practising sorcery was chopped to death outside Goroka in the Eastern Highlands province last weekend, a barbaric killing that only came to light yesterday, The National reports.

The man was allegedly taken before a kangaroo court that comprised church pastors and village court officials, pronounced guilty and taken away to be chopped to death by a group of men armed with bush knives.

The killing occurred at a village in Unggai-Bena district last Friday, and shocked National Doctors Association president, Dr Kauve Pomat, who was in the village at the time.

An eyewitness, who gathered the victim’s mutilated remains and buried them, identified the deceased as John Ogono from Fayantina in Henganofi district.

Mr Ogono had migrated to Kopafo village in Unggai-Bena district to live there.

Dr Pomat, who is from the area, yesterday confirmed to this reporter that he was present at the “court hearing” to determine whether the accused was actually practicing sorcery.

“I was there at the hearing, but when he (deceased) was removed, I left. Being a doctor and a life-saver, I was emotionally bogged down and deeply saddened,” Dr Pomat said.

He said he tried in vain to plead and negotiate with the villagers to spare the man’s life.

Dr Pomat said he did not witness the actual killing, but later heard about how it was done and was horrified.

The eyewitness who spoke to The National said Lampo villagers who live between Goroka and Henganofi, near the Okuk Highway, alleged that the deceased and another person were sorcerers and went after them.

He said 10 youths including a village peace officer went to Kopafo village at around 4am last Friday and picked up Mr Ogono, his wife, his teenage son and an another man while they were asleep in their house.

“They took them to Siguyagu creek before releasing the wife, son and the other man. They took Ogono (deceased) to the village and interrogated him in a hastily convened court comprising four church pastors, a peace officer, and a village court chairman,” the eyewitness, who declined to be identified in fear of his life, said.

He said at around 11am, the villagers led by a prominent village leader (named) interrogated Ogono, forcing him to admit to practicing sorcery.

The deceased’s last words, according to the eyewitness, were: “In the eyes of the leaders, only God knows, I am innocent.” He spoke the words in the local dialect.

Before he could finish, a young man standing close to him kicked him, and as he fell down, he was kicked in his jaws.

“Youths all armed with bush knives dragged him away and chopped him to pieces,” the eyewitness said.

The pastors are from the Four Square, Lutheran, Baptist and Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) churches. The peace officer and the village court chairman have been identified to police.

The eyewitness said the same group of youths that killed the man went to Kintunu village the next day (Saturday) and took away another person they accused of being a sorcerer.

Sehupa Trimek, 25, was tortured and was slowly being put to death when Dr Pomat intervened.

As they were in the process of torturing him by pushing a red-hot iron rod into his body and started inflicting knife wounds, Dr Pomat intervened and appealed to them to stop.

The attackers heeded his plea and released the accused, demanding K5, 000 and two pigs from him. The villagers claimed he (Trimek) had gone to Lae and placed a leaf under the bed of one of their relatives working there, the eyewitness said.

Placing a fresh leaf under someone’s bed is viewed as an attempt to take someone’s life through sorcery.

Dr Pomat confirmed that he sent word to the group of youths not to torture and kill Trimek, and they released him.

According to the eyewitness, the whole village was warned not to report the matter to police. But the eyewitness decided to speak out to reporters in Goroka yesterday.

Eastern Highlands provincial police commander Chief Supt Teddy Tei, when contacted yesterday, said they police had not received any report of such a killing, but would now launch an investigation.

“This is a barbaric act. Police will investigate this,” Supt Tei said.

Sorcery related killings are all too common in the Highlands. Deaths from illnesses such as AIDS are often blamed on sorcery, and the old and the weak are usually targeted.

Chairman of the Constitutional Development Commission Joe Mek Teine has vowed to bring tough legislation before Parliament to put a stop to this practice.

 

Uganda win last-over thriller against Hong Kong to set up fantastic finale

ICC Media Release

28 January 2009

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Two wickets by Ronald Ssemanda in the final over of a sensational match against Hong Kong handed Uganda a dramatic one-run win in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 3.

With Afghanistan ending Papua New Guinea’s unbeaten run at the tournament after an inspired performance by stand-in captain Karim Khan, three teams now sit level on points after the fourth round of matches.

And despite the agony of the defeat, Hong Kong still remains in contention at this tournament, although it will be reliant on some shock results if it is achieve a top-two finish.

This means four sides go into Friday’s final group matches with the potential to win one of the two remaining spots at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in April on what should be an exciting finale to the group stages of the event.

Should teams be tied on equal points and equal wins in the round-robin matches, places will be determined by who has the higher net run-rate, and if the teams are still equal the team with the higher number of wickets taken per balls bowled in the round-robin matches in which results were achieved will be placed in the higher position.

Uganda’s man of the match Kenneth Kamyuka, who followed up yet another valuable contribution with the bat in the lower-order with four wickets, admitted that his side had turned around what had looked like an impossible situation when Hong Kong was 160-5 with almost five overs remaining and paid tribute to his coach, Ebrahim Mohamed, for the side’s tough mental resolve.

“The coach has helped us with these situations by working on the mental side of our game. He has told us we should be soldiers and fight to the last ball,” said Kamyuka.

“I enjoy bowling when there is a lot of pressure on the batsmen.”

Needing just 21 runs for victory, with five wickets in hand and 27 balls remaining, Hong Kong looked all set for victory, after an 84-run third-wicket partnership from Butt Hussain (52) and Manoj Cheruparambil (51) had helped it recover from the loss of two early wickets.

But inspired bowling from Kamyuka and Ssemanda created one of the most memorable finishes to a game in the history of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League.

With just three runs required for victory in the final over, Ssemanda first dismissed Zain Abbas (35) before Jamie Atkinson was trapped lbw with Hong Kong one run short of its target.

Earlier in the day, Roger Mukasa’s 67 provided the foundation for Uganda’s 180 all out, with Moner Ahmed the pick of the bowlers with 4-30.

“I didn’t give up hope as we have been in these type of situations before and from the moment we got a couple of late wickets, there was always a chance and we were determined to fight until the last ball,” said Ebrahim Mohamed, Uganda coach.

His opposite number, Aftab Habib, admitted that he was devastated by the result but was extremely proud of the effort put in by his side.

“To be honest we were cruising the game and then all of a sudden we lost five wickets for 19 runs. We weren’t quite good enough, but I’m proud of the guys and the amount of effort they put in,” said Habib.

“There was pressure through the whole of the game and the boys felt a bit hard done by in the end.”

Afghanistan stand-in captain Karim Khan led the way for his team with an outstanding individual display in a comfortable eight-wicket win over PNG and believes his side is well placed to win Friday’s fixture against Cayman Islands.

“I am very proud that I captained my country, took six catches and scored a 50, so I am very happy. I am also pleased we have helped our net run-rate and hopefully we go out and win on Friday,” said Karim.

“We beat Cayman Islands in a practice match before this tournament and we have our captain coming back for this match so I am hopeful that we can win.

“It is my dream to get my very poor country to the World Cup. All of our people want to watch our country play in the tournament and watch the games live on television.”

PNG chose to bat first despite the fact overnight rain had made conditions tricky for batting in on what was a humid, overcast day in Buenos Aires. And there may have been some regret there as the team slumped to 29-4, a mess from which it never full recovered as it was eventually dismissed for 93 in 31 overs.

Fast bowler Hamid Hassan’s gradual improvement in the tournament continued with a three-wicket haul, although it was a strong all-round bowling display from Afghanistan, well supported behind the stumps by Karim Khan.

With net run-rate likely to come into contention on Friday in deciding who will finish in the top two of the table, Afghanistan played in typically aggressive fashion and Karim’s 43-ball 50, which included eight fours, ensured that the match ended even before the lunch interval was due.

“We let ourselves down in the batting and it was always going to be hard to defend a small total like that,” said PNG captain Rarua Dikana.

“We need to work hard on our batting and if we put on a good score we should be able to defend it given our bowling strength. We have been quietly confident throughout and hopefully we will do well on Friday.”

Meanwhile, Argentina skipper Esteban MacDermott admitted he was desperately disappointed after the host lost to Cayman Islands by six wickets.

The fourth consecutive defeat in this tournament means his side is now relegated to the WCL Div. 4 but MacDermott vowed that his team was determined to respond in a positive manner.

“We will have to adapt and face up to the situation we are in and we will look to get promotion from Division 4,” said MacDermott.

“The tournament is not over yet and we owe it to the people who come to watch our matches and we owe it to ourselves to do our best in our last two games.”

A hard-hitting innings from opener Lucas Paterlini (70) got Argentina off to an excellent start in its innings but once again a middle-order collapse was to prove costly as it only managed a disappointing 165 all out.

In reply, an excellent knock from Ramon Sealy (66 not out) was enough to bring his side home and give the Cayman Islands its first win at the event.

“It’s good to get a win at this event. We were always confident of reaching the target as it wasn’t that big a total but it was nice to get a victory,” said Sealy.

In Friday’s matches, Argentina plays Uganda, PNG faces Hong Kong, while Afghanistan takes on Cayman Islands.

 

Antelope-1 confirmed deepest yet

Vertical section almost 960 metres.

 

The latest testing has confirmed InterOil's Antelope-1 exploration well has tapped into the deepest subterranean gas reservoir discovered in Papua New Guinea to date.

 It is now confirmed the reservoir has a vertical section of 962 metres (3,156 feet) in the onshore reef.

 InterOil Chief Executive Officer, Phil Mulacek has described the results of the latest testing as "The signs are very encouraging and supports a third reservoir type on the onshore trend with the Elk-Antelope structures".

 Porosity averages more than 8.4% across the entire vertical section, with some sections exceeding 20%.

 The cumulative net or productive reservoir has a net to gross ratio of 90%.

 Further tests are to be carried out at Antelope-1 to better ascertain gas volume and the pressure at which it can be delivered.

 "Additional drilling and testing activity may be conducted before the full flow tests are performed", Mr. Mulacek said.

 Antelope-1 is the third major gas strike InterOil has made in its prospecting site in the Gulf Province and the first confirming gas from an on-shore reef.

 Two nearby wells, Elk-1 and Elk-4 both returned the highest gas flow rates of any gas discovery ever made in the country.

 Both were evaluated at more than 100 million cubic feet of gas per day, with cumulative flow rate capacity of 207 million cubic feet of gas per day.

 The company now intends to run a vertical seismic profile with the well under pressure.

 This will be followed by a series of drill stem tests on the lower sections of the well bore and other zones of interest.

 These tests will

• Tie the wellbore directly to seismic data,
• Evaluate the newly drilled section, and
• Determine the level of the lowest known hydrocarbons, if not yet encountered by the extended drilling program.

It is expected that gas from the Elk-Antelope structures would feed the proposed Liquid Niugini Gas project (of which InterOil is a foundation partner).

 The proposed project would be a major windfall for the PNG economy and make a significant contribution to the nation's GDP in years to come.

 For further information please contact

 Susuve Laumaea

Senior Manager Media Relations InterOil Corporation

Ph: 321 7040

Mobile: + (675) 684 5168

Email: susuve.laumaea@interoil.com  

Understanding consumer preference of fresh produce in Papua New Guinea

Caption: Highlands fresh carrots sold at Lae market 
Story and picture by JOSEPHINE YAGA
The Papua New Guinea fresh produce sector has great potential in generating export revenue.
 It is also an important source of cash income for highlands farmers if the functioning of the supply chain is improved.
However, the sector at present is not organised to provide reliable supplies of consistent quality produce and this is compounded with no effective quality control system in place. 
This is according to a recent National Agriculture Research Institute publication Think Locally before Going Global: Understanding the Consumer Preferences of Fresh Produce in Papua New Guinea. The technical bulletin, written by research economists Norah Omot and Jesse Anjen of NARI and Professor John Spriggs of University of Canberra, says that in order for the PNG fresh produce industry to effectively compete on the export market, it is essential to improve the functioning of the supply chain.
The bulletin was published in August 2007 following a survey funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), which was carried out in major supermarkets of Lae and Port Moresby.
The study focused on improving the formal marketing system for fresh produce in PNG. 
The publication, which provides valuable information on fresh produce and markets in the country, says fresh produce grown under temperate climate in the highlands has an excellent reputation for quality.
PNG can take advantage of rapidly involving global opportunities.
Agriculture exports are viewed as an important alternative source of export revenue as royalties from the mining sector begin to diminish.
Thus, improving the domestic marketing system for the highland fresh produce is a matter of urgency.
But lack of proper handling, storage and most importantly, formal domestic marketing system for fresh produce are issues needed to be addressed by the government.
“If agriculture is to achieve the National Government’s objective on export-driven economic growth, rural development, poverty reduction and empowerment through human resource development through the Medium Term Development Strategy (MTDS) 2005-2010, there needs to be an improvement in the formal domestic marketing system for fresh produce before casting its sights further a field to the export market,” according to the report.
Consumers, both at the highlands and coastal markets, prefer the quality of local fresh produce more that those imported.
However, the poorly-developed marketing system for locally-grown fresh produce, results in inconsistent quality and unreliable supply.
The publication says besides filling the gap that is currently being inadequately served by imports, improving the local industry will also provide a springboard for the successful export of fresh produce grown locally in PNG to the rest of the world. 
The publication is currently selling at K5.
Meanwhile, socio-economic studies are currently underway to find avenues that can help improve marketing systems of fresh produce in PNG.
One such study, funded by ACIAR, is a collaborative research project on improving the marketing efficiency, post-harvest management and value addition of sweet potato in PNG.
The project is being carried out by NARI, the Fresh Produce Development Agency and partners from PNG and Australia.