JJNIYERSlti OF HAWAU .. L.!.6!AR11

arianas ~riet.Yr;~ Micronesia's Leading Newspaper Since 1972 ~ ews

US nixes I cemetery plan

DVA says veterans proiect is 'unreasonably overpriced' By Ferdie de la Torre Variety News Staff

THE US Department of Veterans Affairs has found the government's plan to provide a dignified gravesite for the CNMI veterans and their families "too expensive."

William Jayne, director for the State Cemetery Grants Service, said the $1.5 million grant to the CNMI should be sufficient to give a fitting cemetery for the less than 1,000 veterans and their families.

Jayne noted that the design con­cept of the proposed State Veter­ans Cemetery, prepared by SSFM Engineers, Inc., contemplates a

project costing between $4 mil­lion and $5 million for the first phase.

This is more than double the amount that the DV A and the Department of Cultural and Com­munity Affairs had agreed to, said Jayne in a letter to DCCA, a copy of which was obtained Friday by the Variety.

The DCCA's Veterans Affairs Office has been working since 1993 to complete the project to provide basic cemetery services and facilities in honor of CNMI veterans.

Aside from the cemetery, a memorial park was to be an added

attraction in the project to be con­structed in Marpi.

Jayne said the plans as presented to them by SSFM would provide only 150 gravesites.

"The CNMI veterans cemetery project as presented in the SSFM design concept is unreasonably expensive in terms of cost per grave site," Jayne said.

·The director stated that the cost per grave site of the project as proposed is roughly 25 times more expensive than any other cem­etery project the US DVA has been involved with.

The chapel measuring 2,280

Continued on page 4

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By ZaldyJ)andan Marigl~na;:;.r~ady t6-wal~ out of VarietyNews Staff · their jobs;,; · . . ..

: ROJA:Smunicipalgovemment At the same timei Rota'sresi~ . a.,ndJh:eTenorioAdmJ?istration. ~ent di_iecte>r f{)fhealt~,Teresita.

have.identifiedfunds to·pay tfle .. · · A. Santos· and ·Gov.-Pedro. P; ·, salaries 'of the island's :govern~ _. Teii"orio's'top itgvis~r.J:)r. Jose T. · rit'erifnurses,thus preventinga. Villagomez, in. separate: inter-

~·health crisis," it was learned views'.yesterday said the munici~ yesterday. . . . pal and centralgovemments will

Hired through a manpower .end the practice of hiring nurses agency, the nurses have yet .to through. manpower agencies. be paid their salaries for over a "We were paying the agency month now and are, according · twice the amount they're paying to Rota Mayor ·Benjamin T. nurses;" Santos said.

"We want the nu'rses under the government, so these things would not happen again."

She said a letter of termina­tion will be·.sent this week to the -agency that contracted Rota's nurses·. ·. :Notfair

· Villagomez, for his part, said the new administration will not renew existing contr;;icts with manpower agencies, but added that the nurses will not be sent

Continued on page 4

TinianOKs $.5M budget for TCGCC

By Zaldy Dandan Variety News Staff

TINIAN's municipal council and legislative delegation have approved a half-a-million bud­get for the i-sland 's cash­strapped casino gaming com­mission, which will get the money once Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio signs the proposed ap­propriation.

The commission (TCGCC) was hoping for at least $3 mil­lion, but Sen. David M. Cing (D-Tinian) yesterday said the amount eventually approved-­$500,000--was the best they could come up with in light of the government's critical finan­cial condition.

"We can't give them every­thing," he said.

1

The proposed budget was

David M. Ging

transmitted on Friday to the gov­ernor, who is expected to sign it.

"This is the correct proce­dure," Cing said, "not the 'My way or no way' procedure of the previous administration."

Despite the additional Continued on page 19

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i_:,;'.: backed by Ag~~hg~~~~ \1

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~ had its approval," Dr. Jose T. .

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: Villagomez said yesterday. ti He declined, however, to /·.1

·' disclose the names of the AGO ,. \~ lawyers who reviewed and I : :~_ cleared the 59 contracts. {_:j ~ The chairofTenorio's tran- · ! l ~

l) Froilan C. Tenorio

~~ By Zaldy Dandan ri Variety News Staff [l t·.J THE ATTORNEY General's q i,J f • .';

Office reviewed and approved the previous administration's controversial sole source con­tracts, according to a top ad­viser of Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio.

"We can't say the contracts : : were illegal because they went

sition team, Vi lagomez at the ,_i_]

same time said the more than 11

$ I 2 million paid to the con- -~j tractors came from then gov- // ernor Froilan C. Tenorio's f· contingency fund. J f':l

"At least that's what they fj told us," Villagomez said. f,

The former governor and his !1

.::;l former Finance secretary, An- !

tonio R. Cabrera, have de­clined to make any comment regarding the findings of the transition team.

Continued on page 19 t:i L· -,.•,.11.,'.':,~·~:.u: .. :.~:.:.~~.·:~~--- · ,: '' ·····.· __ .;·. ·_._-··.: ·. _:C .... ~:.1 .. :· ·.·'_0>' ·:.'•.:.,'"".., ,': ;.~.:·,.:·L·-~·;

Court OKs sale of Hillblom's shares at DHLC

By Ferdie de la Torre Variety News Staff

THE SUPERIOR Court has al­lowed the sale of Larry Hillblom 's shares in the DHL Corporation, one of the late businessman's major holdings.

Following Thursday's closed­door hearing, Presiding Judge Alexandro Castro approved the settlement between Hillblom 's estate executor Bank of Saipan and DHLC.

c-o-n~ti-n-ue-d~o_n_p_a_g_e-:-19·

2-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-TUESDAY- FEBRUARY 17, 1998

US sets stage for strike By JIM ABRAMS

WASHINGTON (AP)-Top Clinton administration offi­cials say they see no answer to the diplomatic impasse with Iraq and arc prepared to go to the nation to explain why a military strike may be neces­sary and unavoidable.

Defense Secretary William Cohen said Sunday that the United States will accept no compromise that allows Iraq to limit U.N. weapons inspec­tions. "I have seen no pro­posal that wou le.I satisfy the basic objectives_ that is full, unrestricted access," he said on ABC television's "This Week."

U.N. representatives are in Baghdad and the Iraqi gov­ernment has sought to defuse the crisis by offering some access to the presidential com­pounds it previously declared off-limits.

The issue. chief U .N. weap­ons inspector Richard Butler said on Cable News Network's "Late Edition," is whether there can be about eight pal­aces that "will be inspected in a special way. That doesn't mean an ineffective inspec­tion, but a special way that shows sensitivity to Iraq; and if a solution on that basis is agreeable to the (Security) Council. mavbe we've got a diplomatic s~lution. If ~ot. I don't know what will happen ...

President Bill Clinton's na­tional security adviser. Sandy Berger, said he hoped the dis­pute could be settled peace­fully, but not if it meant con-

William Cohen

cessions to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

"We simply cannot let this man, who has used chemical

. weapons 10 times since 1983, have safe havens to redevelop his weapons of mass destruc­tion," Berger said on NBC television's "Meet the Press."

The administration says a military strike could come at any time, although it would still like to get more open sup­port from U.S. allies and has yet to get a formal endorse­ment from Congress, which is in recess this week.

To raise national conscious­ness on the issue, Clinton will go to the Pentagon on Tues­day. Cohen, Berger and Sec­retary of State Madeleine Albright will hold a town-hall meeting in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday.

Sen. Joseph Biden, a Dela­ware Democrat, said the

United States has been prom­ised logistical support for a military strike from at least 23 nations, compared with 37 backers during the 1991 Gulf War.

But Russia, China and France remain opposed to the military option, and Clinton continued his telephone cam­paign Sunday, calling leaders in Austria, Belgium, Bahrain and Kuwait to coordinate policy. . Administration officials made frequent trips to Con­gress last week to gamer sup­port. Cohen said he was satisfied

. that "uitimately Congress is go­ing to be very supportive. And I think there's a strong majority for action right now."

But neither the House of Rep­resentatives nor the Senate have been able to come up with lan­guage for a resolution supporting military action in Iraq that would be acceptable both to lawmakers who think the administration is going too far and those who feel it's not doing enough.

Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican, urged Clinton to an­nounce a deadline for military action. If the United States does not stop Saddam, "then we will face a problem of the gravity that we haven't experienced probably in the history of our country," he said on "Fox News Sunday."

Sens. John Warner, a Vir­ginia Republican, and Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat, who accompanied Cohen last

Pa!estin_ian leade~ Ya.sser Arafat, right, kisses Jordanian King Hussein on the forehead, shortly after Arafat amved ,n Amman s hilltop Raghadan Palace on Sunday. Arafat and Hussein will discuss the stalled Mideast peace process and Iraq's standoff with the U.N., according to officials. AP

week on a trip to the Middle East and Russia in search of support for U.S. military ac­tion, also said Congress would back the president. "The bot­tom line is, what's the alter­native?" Warner said on CBS television's "Face the Na­tion.,,

But others said Clinton has yet to make his case.

"The president has not yet addressed the American people," Sen. Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, said on Fox. There should be no military strike before Con­gress gives its approval, he said, and" AI1Jerica is not psy­chologically ready for an at­tack on Iraq."

"We need to know if we're

going to use this type of mili­tary strength and put our people at risk and clearly kill a lot of civilians, potentially, in Iraq and potentially put Is­rael at risk - what is the pur­pose?" Sen. Judd Gregg, a New Hampshire Republican, added on CNN.

Gregg and others also com­plained that the stated U.S. mission - to diminish Saddam's ability to build weapons of mass destruction and threaten Iraq's neighbors, <lid not go far enough.

"As a practical matter, an at­tack on him in which he survives and maintains his biological ca­pabilities will probably increase his stature in the Arab world and make a person who has been a pariah up until now maybe a martyr," Gregg said.

Japan~se P_rime. Minister Ryutaro Hashim~to rubs. his eyelid after deltvermg his pobcy speech durmg the opening sess,on of the Diet in Tokyo Monday. Seen at left is Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi. AP

Japan Minister demands Iraq open up to UN team TOKYO(AP)-Inchingcloser to throwing full support behind a possible U.S. military strike against Iraq, Japan's Foreign Minister on Monday called on the Iraqi government to "uncon­ditionally" permit U.N. weap­ons inspections teams to carry out their work.

In a speech beforeJ apan 'spar-1 iament, Foreign Minister Kcizo Obuchi said that while Tokyo seeks a diplomatic resolution to the standoff between the U.S. and Iraq, it demands complete Iraqi compliance with U.N.-or­dered biological and chemical weapons inspections.

"It is important that Iraq imme­diately and unconditionally ac­cept full-scale U.N. inspections," Obuchi said, noting Japan's sen­sitivity to the issue of chemical

weapons due to a 1995 subway poison gas attack in Tokyo.

The U.S. has begun a massive military build-up in the Persian Gulf to pressure Iraq into per­mitting U.N. teams to complete inspections of its weapons stock­piles. Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has limited access to many suspected weapons sites.

On Friday.Japan gave its first indication that it would support military action against Iraq by issuing a joint statement with the U.S. saying that "all options remain on the table" in dealing with Baghdad. -

Tokyo had been strongly urg­ing for a diplomatic settlement and has pressed Washington not to attack Iraq during the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, which run through Feb. 22.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1998-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-3

I&S had little impact? By Mar-Vic C. Munar Variety News Slaff

TI-IEI&S Advertising Agency had vi11ually admitted to doing a "poor job," and the committee's recom­.ncn<lation to reject the advertis­ing contrnct was based on this "admission." according to a tran­sition committee member.

In its final transition report· re­leased last week, the committee rec.ommended that the $3.5 mil­l ion contract between the Marianas Visitors Bureau and I&S be not approved. It was a one­liner statement, and no explana-

tion was offered. But a committee member, who

spoke on condition of anonymity, said the recommendation was based on the su beam mi llec 's re­view of the minutes of the Aug. 15 meeting between MVB's Board of Director an<l I&S repre­sentatives.

The source said the minutes quoted I&S representatives as saying they wanted "to develop another commercial because the first one was beautiful but had no impact."

"The government had spent

$4.5 million in advertising in fa. pan, but I&S itself admitted to its poor performance," the commit­tee member.

"l&S is not helping the CNMI. Tourism is decreasing faster than before," the committee member added.

The Aug. 15 meeting was held to evaluate the performance of I&S, and discuss the prospect of renewing the contract-then ex­piring in September.

Masayuki Hasiguchi, l&S 's international division's manager, and Nahomi Nuship attended the

Viability of bond deal depends on how proceeds will be used

By Aldwin R. Fajardo Variety News Staff

THEGOVERNMENT's plan to float bonds will boost the Northern Mruiana Islands' economy, but only if it is used to fimmce the right projects, business sector leader Joe C. Ayuyu said.

"It is timely," said Ayuyu, refer­ring to the CNMI's government plan to float bonds as an option to finance pending infn.1.>ttucture projects.

The CNMI government is looking forways to raise funds to push through with $90 million worth of Capital Improvement Projects (C!Ps) already in the pipeline but which require matching funds.

Close to $50 million are intended

for 11 road development projects, while $40 million are for the con­struction of buildings and facilities.

"Wencedsomewaystofindmoney and floating a bond is one way," the Chamber head stressed.

But he explained that the govern­ment must be "extra cru-eful" in ap­propriating portions of the bond to several pipeline project,, or effo1t., will only prove futile.

''WemustallocateittoprojecL,that we need. We haye to make sure it's (projects) really what we need, not what we want," he said.

A yuyu said the move will serve the Commonwealth well if proceeclsfrom planned bond flotation will be allo­cated to projects like construction of

new classrooms or other similar in­frastructure pmject,.

"But if we'll just build waiting sheds or the like, it would just be a waste at this point," he said.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio previously said he will consult with the Com­monwealth Development Authority and key government officials to re­view and identify projects that re­quire immediate implementation.

Tenmiosaidhisadminisuntionwill prioritize the projects and d~cide which infrastructure "we need and which should be implemented first."

Dming Tenorio 's second te1m, the CNM!govcmmenttloated$240mil­lion, th; proceeds which were used to finance infn1structure projects.

Inmate in·trouble for 'drug pos~ession' By Ferdie de la Torre Variety News Staff

A TOURIST serving a jail term for<lrug conviction was allegedly found in possession of controlled substance believed to be mari­juana Sunday night.

Public Safety Infrnmation Officer Maj. J. J. Ot~tro identified the inmate a, 32-yem·-ol<l Hideaki Satake.

Castro said initial investigations showed that while a police officer was conducting a routine inspec­tion at the Division of Corrections, he saw Satake throw aziplockplas-

tic bag from his cell at 10 p.m. The officer picked up the bag

and observed a possible marijuana cigaret in it, Castro said.

The case was placed under fur­ther investigation.

Satake pleaded guilty last No­vember to possession with intent to distribute IO grams of crystal mcthamphetamine.

Meanwhile, a 13-ycar-old girl was allegedly sexually abused by her relative at their residence in Kagman I yesterday before dawn.

No arrest was made yet.

In another report, a 27-year-old man was arrested for allegedly assaulting an inmate at the DOC' s halfway house over the weekend.

John Steven M. Camacho was nabbed for assault and battery and disturbing the peace.

Investigation showed that while a prisoner, Christopher R. Ayuyu, was walking along the halfway house in Susupe, Camacho alighted from his vehicle.

Camachoappmached :me.I shouted profanity against Ayuyu for alleg­edly burglmizing their house.

meeting. When sought for comment, a

representative of I&S said the committee might have "misread" the Aug. 15 minutes.

"It wasn't us who said the project had no impact. Some board members were not impressed with our project, and we told them about our intention to improve the project," said the I&S repre-

sentative in a telephone interview from Tokyo.

The minutes also indicated the MVB board members' dissatis­faction with the !&S's Blue!Blue!Bluc! campaign which they had described as "generic and only focus on our primary target."

A board member expressed the Continued on page 20

Teno Gov't to retain NMI lobbyist in D.C.

By Zaldy Dandan Variety News Staff

GOVERNOR Pedro P. Tenorio has reiterated that CNMI needs to have "someone looking after its interests," adding that his ad­ministration will likely retain a lobbyist in Washington, D.C.

"We need friends there," the governor said.

He added, however, that the CNMI's current financial con­dition will prevent the govern­ment from pursuing the high level and aggressive lobbying campaign of the previous ad­ministration, which paid the Se­attle-based law firm Preston, Gates, Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds $4.25millionfrom 1996to 1997.

In addition, Tenorio said any lobbying campaign will no longer be directed against con­gressional Democrats, some key members of which are adamant on the need for a "federal take­over" of local immigration and minimum wage.

The Variety earlier learned that the Legislature will urge the governor to approach other lob­bying firms in Washington, D.C., and perhaps even consider renewing the contract of Preston, Gates.

The firm's lobbying effo11s in Congress are credited for block­ing the passage of legislation that would end local control over im­migration and minimum wage.

Recently, however, CNMI's political and business leaders have been alarmed by the Clinton

Pedro P. Tenorio

administration's proposal to scrap the duty-free entry of CNMI exports to the mainland us.

Washington, D.C. observers have said, moreover, that the Clinton administration is "dead set'' in implementing a "federal takeover," and will propose vari­ous pieces of legislation aimed against the CNMI's continued control over its immigration and minimum wage policies.

TI1e next six months will be crucial for the CNMI, the Vari­ety was told.

The U.S. tariff schedules, for example, are up for renewal this coming June, and the Clinton administration is expected to submit a bill that would detail the levies to be imposed on CNMI exports.

IfCNMI exports lose itsduty­free entry privileges, the North­ern Marianas's second largest i n<lustry-garmcnt manu factur­i ng-ma y be forced to shut­down its operations.

Airline exec: Turnaround of Korean tourist market won't be seen until after two years

Miss CNMI Universe Melanie Sibetang (center) congratulates the winners for the Hot Pepper Eating Contest sponsored by MVB during the recent Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Chitose, Japan. MVB pho10

By Aldwin R. Fajardo Variety News Staff

THERE MAY really be a need for the Northern Marianas to tap other tourism markets to boost its slumping industry caused by the ongoing Asian ctmency turmoil.

An airline executive said tour­ism marker from Seoul, whic11 dropped when the Korean economy suffered a painful blow, may not be able to tum m·ound in two or three years.

Walter Dias, Continental Micronesia vice president for sales and promotion, said Ko­rean market was already bad when the airline company de­cided to suspend its direct flights

to Seoul December last year. "That market won't tum around

in two to three years," Dias told the Variety.

He stressed that Contincntal's decision to cancel its Korean flights was made to prevent losses. since the reduced number of load has made flying very expensive:.

'·Cancellationofflights to Seoul did not affect the number of visi­tor anivals to Saipan because there is no market at this point," he explained.

Continental earlier hinted that it wil I not resume flights to Korea this year, as it considers flight cancellation to Taiwan, indicat­ing a really rough times ahead for the Commonwealth.

"But the openingoftheTinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino next month may change these plans," Marianas Visitors Bureau man­aging director Anicia Q. Tomokane said.

1l1e Micronesia's flag caJTier is also set to implement changes in its flight schedule beginning April. Flights to northern cities of Japan will be canceled and the only direct flights to Saipan will be from Osaka and through Nagoya.

Initial assessments made by the airline company indicated that only Nagoya and Osaka showed promising growths, while prospects for other Japa-

Contlnued on page 20

,

4-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-TUESDAY- FEBRUARY 17, 1998

Report: CJPA did work unrelated to mission

By Ferdie de la Torre

Variety News Staff n IE CRIMINAL Justice Plmming Agency has l~cn doing tl1ings which ;ui:: urui::latcd to iL, scope of work, according to the Executive Tnmsi­tion Committee.

TI1c Transition Committee in its 1epo11 stated that CJP A has expanded iL, mandate from collecting and dis­seminating infonnation and statistics to one of a ~learinghouse fora variety of federally funded programs.

Such various programs, however, are not directly related to the Depart­ment of Public Safety, said the com­mittee repo11.

'ToisresultcdbecausefonmerGov. Froilan Tenorio designated CJP A as the 'state' agency for funding pur­poses,'' the committee said.

The committee said CJP A in tum, competes with other local agencies

forfunding that gencrnll y should have gone directly to them in the first place.

"'1lrns, CJP A has to some ex tent occome a se1vice provider, somc­tJ1ing not contained in tJ1eir mission stat;mem:· the 1i::port stated.

The commi ttcc has recommended that the functions of the Office of Special Projects and CJPA must be reviewed to reduce and eliminate duplication of services and activities, and to ensure the most efficient use of staff.

Amongthecommittee'smajorrec­ommendations, is a review of all "state" designations now given to CJPA with the goal being to re­turn them to the local agency di­rectly involved in providing the services.

1be committee also sought for an audit on CJP A persormel in order to transfer its skilled staff to service

providing agencies to eliminate du­plication and maximize use of c1itical skills and training.

WitJ1 reg.mis to DPS, the tr:msition group said the organization command structure of the department is frag­mented, resulting in inefficiency and misuse of critical resources.

The committee said the next DPS commissioner must have especially strong organizational and adminis­trative skills.

"DPS must reorganize its units and persormel so that it can be more effi­cientinprovidingservicestothecom­munity," the report said.

Othermajorrecommendationsare: •Review on overtime policy. •lnstituteacomprehensiveprogram

of vehicle maintenance and e{]Uip­ment repair.

•An audit of finances, equipment and materials.

OPW and Park Service staffers pose for a photo during a recent Masonry Class under Lino Santos.

us ... Continued from page 1 ---~--- -- ----·-- - ----- --

square feet and worth S775,SOO. Jayne said. exceeds OVA 's !!Uidclincs as pre­sen tcd i~1 Slate Cemetery Grants Program Guide.

"It is approximately twice as large as we could approve. The other structures are also very large and we could not approve them and remain con­sistent with our program guide

Gov't ... CJn!i~_u_1:d from page 1

home. 'That's not fair," he said. He added. "'This is something

we have to do through the Leg­islatme because I believe there is a law prohibiting direct hir­! ni!.

~But the administration will work with legislators to ad­dress this issue once and for all." Villagomez said.

Tint:J,1 :,r1tJ".'iaip'an·, he :1dded. ·

and our dealings with other states and territories," Jayne stressed.

Since the project has changed drastically since 1994. Jayne asked DCCA to provide him a new applica­tion for federal assistance and budget information.

"The recommendation of this office is that you scale the scope of the project down to conform with the $1.5 mil­lion, JOO percent grant origi-

al so face the same problems Rota has.

"This is not a knee-jerk re­action,'' Villagomez said.

''I'm sorry to say this, be­cause I have some friends in the agencies. but I have al-ways been against the prac-ti Ce.

nally committed to by US DYA," Jayne told DCCA.

He said DCCA could begin by excluding the costs such as the off-site costs for water and electricity and the cost of the monument, then, scale back the bui I dings to a more appro­priate size and cost.

If DCCA wishes to re-struc­ture the grant application as a 50 percent matching grant rather than the $1.5 million grant at 100 percent, Jayne

Despite not receiving the money, the agency managed to pay the nurses for two of the last four paydays, Santos said.

She added that the munici­pal government's debt was inherited by Manglona from his predecessor.

Payless paydays "We don't know how this Santos said the municipal debt came about--it was there

government owes the man- when the new mayor took power agency :;; 11 I, 853, over," she added. which cover four paydays Even before the ··pay less frorn "lo1·e111bcr tr) Fcbrn:rr=1: ····payday~ ... Santos -~aid tlie ·

17 of Saipan Mayor's staff cannot be hired

By Jojo Dass Variety News Staff

ABOUT 17 full time employ­ees can not be hired by the Saipan Mayor's Office due

·10· a funding shortfall caused by the issuance.of bonuses to retirees who left government service last month, it was gathered.

In an interview, Saipan Mayor Jose C. Sablan said there is "not enough money left" in the 1997 budget to set an actual date of employ­ment for the FTEs.

Sablan explained the em­ployees were given a 30-per­cent retirement bonus.

"We have a total of 67 FTEs... (but) we can only accomodate 50 because of funding (benefits) of the employees that left the mu­nicipal government last month... (it) took much of the funds from the personnel budget," said Sablan.

"That's what is causing the s hortfa II.,,.

Sablan however failed to state exactly how many em­ployees have retired.

Sablan said he is asking for more FTE but can't actu­ally hire them "until such time that the proposed 1998 budget has been approved."

Jose C. Sablan

"We are awaiting the governor's decision-·· as to what course of action he's going to take regarding the matter ... then, we can also make our decision here at the munucipal level," he added ·

The FTEs, said Sablan, will be absorbed by the vari­ous programs under SMO. These include beautification plans, among others.

Sablan said his office is currently surviving on a con­tinuing resolution of the 1997 budget.

"We are in a very difficult situation," he added, noting that other programs like youth-related ones and the capture of stray dogs are hardly getting off the ground.

Registration deadline for FEMA assistance set FEBRUARY 23, 1998 is the deadline for the Federal Emer­gency Management Agency (FEMA) to accept registra­tions for disaster assistance, from Rota residents, who suf­fered damage or losses as a result of Supertyphoon Paka, FEMA said in a news release.

Anyone living on Rota who was adversely affected by "Paka" has one week remain-

said it should submit new forms in accordance with YA's program guide.

He noted that it appears that the CNMI government has al­ready obligated itscl f for work done by SSFM, regardless of OVA 's approval or disap­proval of the conceptual de­sign.

When it became necessary to make federal funding avail­able for design work, Jayne explained that his predeces-

nurses were already complain­ing about their salary levels, the lack of transportation and their housing accommodations.

"We will try to address their concerns," she said.

She described the nurses as "ve1·y · professional" whose ser­vices arc valued by Rota's hospi­tal.

"Now that they're not being paid, all I could do is to offer th em food,'' Santos said. "They shouldn't be experienc­ing all this.-':

ing to register for assistance, according to Federal and Com­monwealth officials.

Supertyphoon Paka impacted Rota on Dec. I 6-17, 1997 and President Clinton declared it a major disaster on Dec. 24th.

To date, 557 people on Rota have registered for assistance, and aln;ost $400,000 in disas­ter housing checks have been disbursed to 214 residents.

sor, Harold Graber, awarded $200,000 to CNMI on July 28, 1995, rounding up the $188,000 requested to ensure that adequate funds would be avai I able.

"Since SSfM has billed DCCA $135,000 as a progress payment for the design con­cept only, it seems clear that CNMI will exceed the S200,000 previous! y approved by DY A to complete the de­sign work," he said.

DCCA said they are aware of DVA 's $1.5 million com­mitment and are working to obtain approval for the CNMI to fund the difference to com­plete the plans.

Joe Palacios, director for DC:CA 's Veterans Affairs Of­fice, has decried the apparent neglect being given the project by the past administration.

Palacios in an earlier inter­view said he is hoping that the new administration and the Legislature will help him to finally realize the project.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND YIEWS-5

Jones explains side By Rick Alberto Variety News Staff

HOUSE Minority Leader Dino M. Jones clarified a report re­leased by the Executive Transi­tion Team which found that the previous adminislration incum.:d huge expenses for sole source contracts.

The report named the man­power agency owned by Jones and his wife, Letty, as one of those contracted by the Froilan C. Tenorio administration.

The agency accordingly pro-. vided domestic and custodial services at the Governor's House·.

Jones, in a letter addressed to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio last Fri­day. said the transition team re­port was biased in that it only presented the expenses and not

Dino M. Jones

the performance of the contrac­tors.

Saying his contract was a carryover from the former con­tractor which had defaulted,Jones pointed out that "up to this date (Feb. 13) the government still

owes my company $5,000 for the services rendered."

"In all fairness, this should have also been reported," Jones told the governor.

The report said the previous executive branch entered into sole source contracts amounting to $12. 7 million.

A newspaper quoted govern­ment officials as saying the ex­penses were unprecedented and that the previous administration might have violated the procure­ment regulations which require requests for proposal.

The Democrat representative said, "Instead of pursuing politi­cal agenda, let us work together to find solution to pressing public concerns, particularly those ter­minated government e·mployees and to be."

Lottery earns $70,996 for gov't By Mar-Vic C. Munar Variety News Staff

LOTTERY operations for the third quarterof fiscal year 1997 had generated $70,996 for the government, according to the Office of the Public Auditor.

OPA reported that lottery op­erations .covered by the most recent audit were properly com­puted "in accordance with the terms of agreements and memo­randum of understanding,"

The scope of the audit cov-

ered revenues earned from the third quarter of fiscal year 1997 ending in June 1997.

Audit showed that the govern­ment received revenues from on­line games of $17,355 and from instant game tickets of $53,641, thus totalling $70,996.

OPA regularly conducts audit of Lottery operations "to deter­mine whether government rev­enues from the CNMI Lottery Operations are properly com­puted."

---- - ~' ---.... ..._ \ ....... . -- US F1re-X Rated

/ ;('

Lotteries are being drawn by the Tattersall, and its accred­ited authorized representative agent, The Mail Service.

Under the agreement between the CNMI and TMS, the CNMI "shall receive or be compen­sated directly or directly by pay­ment of commissions, taxes, duties, and frees in an amount equivalent to at least35 percent of the subscription price paid for each on-line ticket sold in the CNMI."

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Monday: "Angus" Bar-B-Que on a stick ala Mexico with Spanish Rice

Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie with Peas and Real Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

Wednesday: 6 Oz "Angus" Top Sirloin ala Monterey w/ Mashed Potatoes

Thursday: South of the Border Fried Chicken with French Fries

Friday: Chiles Rellenos (Mexican StuffedPeppers) and Spanish Rice

All of the above are priced at $7.50 and served with tortilla chips and salsa, and bottomless iced tea, or soft drinks.

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Ayuyu: We can learn from RP By Aldwin R. Fajardo Variety News Staff

NOT EVEN the slumping North­ern Marianas economy can stop business leaders and government officials fro"m taking their time out to travel to Manila for a trade mission organized by the Philip­pine Consulate.

"When it comes to maintaining a good relationship, it does not mat­ter whether we're in for a good time or a bad lime," said Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Jose C. Ayuyu.

Ayuyu remains upbeatovernext. week's trade visit to the Philip­pines, citing the need to diversify at a time when the Commonwealth's tourism sector, the largestrevenue­producing industry in the Northern Marianas, is in a downward trend.

"It could have been a lot better if it's on another time. But it's al­ready here, so we 'II take it." he told Variety, adding that the mission will serve as an opportunity for Saipan business and government leaders to see what the Philippines has to offer in terms of trade.

Part of the Saipan delegation's

Jose C. Ayuyu

schedule would be a tour around the country's export processing zones, a center of industrial activi­ties where international line of prod­ucts like Nike, Ralph Lauren among other top brand names are pro­cessed.

The export processing zones have been situated in several Northern and Southern Philippine provinces.

Ayuyu said he is also expecting to learn "some important lessons" from the country's economic suc­cess, which can possibly be ap­plied on the island.

"We will tour around the coun­try to see some economic success

of the Philippines and see what we can do to, perhaps, adopt those economic success formula here," he said in an interview.

Though Ayuyu admits the trdde visit to the Philippines would ini­tially appearuntimely, considering theCommonwealth'sfinancialand economic situation, the Chamber chief said there is more to reap than to lose.

"I'm always a believer that it is either you do it or you don't. I am looking at the bigger picture aqd the bigger picture is that we main­tain the good working relation­ship with the Philippine govern­ment and the business sector," he stressed.

He added that the Philippines has been contributing a lot of man­power toward the Commonwealth's economic growth and development, referring to the thousands of professional and skilled Filipino workers em­ployed in various industries.

"It is important that we continue to maintain and strengthen this good relationship (between CNMI and the Philippines)," Ayuyu said.

Time Inc. Asia announces the appointment of

MICRONESIA

as the newsstand distributor in Saipan for

starting January 26, 1998 . . .

Philippine Consul Julia Heidemann said her office is al­ready finalizing arrangements for the trade visit of some 35 Saipan businessmen to the country next week.

Heidemann added that prospects for the mission are good despite the economic slump in both the Com­monweal th and the Philippines.

She underscored the importance of focusing on trade matters, espe­cially now that the tourism indus­try is down.

She said the trade mission, which will coincide with the Philippine's Economic Zone Centennial Show~ case, is bent at pushing for the country's export processing zones and agricultural products.

·.

Competition seen as force th·at regulates price levels

By Aldwin R. Fa)ardo Variety News Staff

TIIE OPEN mari<et policy is sup­po·sed to serve the Northern MarianasconsumersrightButonly whenthemarketis"opehenough."

Business sector leader Joe C. Ayuyu said counter prices of im­portcommod.ities mirror the items' true market value, as if these have been passed at a higher price level to island consumers.

A yuyu, a two-time president of theSaipanChamberofConunerce, said consumers should not only . look aithe purchasing price of im­ported items.

He explained that there are a lot of things that go with the importa· tion of products from exporting countries to make them consummable items. ·

"Of course that's how business operates. The price you see on the counter reflects the cost of bringing the products in here. There are a lot of expenses businesses incur to import goods," he said in an inter-

. view. Businessman and academician

Alfonso Sy Jr., who also works at the Philippine Trade Promotion Office in Hongkong, said an open market could never allow overpdc­ing of goods.

"If there were free competition, I would think that' prices of com­modities would reflect their true market value," Sy told Variety.

He explained that taxes and du­ties paid for the items, the cost of ovemead, labor, utilities, among others, a fair mark-up for import commodities, must be considered by the consumers in identifying a fair mark-up for the goods.

He stressed that if existing mer­chants were perceived to be over­pricing their goods, Qr making a killing in profits, an open market policy would allow new entrants into the trading of the same goods.

'Thesenewentrants would most likely offer the same goods priced lower than that of the overpricing merchant To stay in competition, this merchant would of course push down his piices to stay in the mar­ket," Sy added.

He said the market may not be really open if merchants were mak­ing so much money from the sale of imported items and new entrant~ have not appeared in the market.

"There will only be overpricing of goods if there were no competi­tion," he said.

Businessmen and commerce of-

ficials have been lashing at the foreigninvestmentslaw, which they claim to be restJ.ictive in terms of · the $100,00) security deposit re, · quirement, on top of the $150,00) minimum capital.

Theimpositionofthe$100,00) .. security deposit had discouraged foreign investors from doing busi­ness into the Northern Marianas because they would rather use the money as part of their capital than · let it sit idle in the bank.

Members of the Eleventh Legis­lature are plarming to take actions, amidst the slumping CNMI economy due to the Asian currency turmoil, against the foreign invest­ment law. . ..

Rep. Oscar Babauta said he is looking at the possibilities of tem­porarily lifting the security deposit provision, citing the Commonwealth'sneedforforeign investors.

Babauta said the Asian crisis has dampened the growth oftheCNMI as the island's tourism industry is suffering from a dramatic reduc-tion in visitor arrivals. ·

The Consumer Counsel of the Attoiney-General's Office earlier said merchants can put additional charges on imported items to a "sky-is-the-limit" level, "as long as the consumers are willing to pay the price."

But it said merchants normally monitor and follow each other's pdce levels to compete with one another.

The CNMI' s Consumer Protec­tion Law said that the "public inter­est requires that consumers be pro­tected from abuses in commerce which deprive them of the full value and benefit of their purchases of goods and services."

The law, however, does not mention anything about over­pricing, or passing on goods to consumers at an unacceptable price. It only cited as illegal the increasing of the cost of mer­chandise "which has been pre­viously· been placed into the stream of commerce by having been offered to the public for sale at a specific price, indi­cated by the price tag or mark­ing placed on the goods,"

With regards to the imported commodities, CNMI laws merely prohibit the use of de­cepti vc representations or des­ignations of geographic origin in connection with goods or ser­vices .

I

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Marpi

TUESDAY; FEBRUARY 17, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-7

el ntr5o ORouql)c u.._1 l)Ac rs re'?

The El Nino is an event that changes the weather. In the Northern Mariana Islands, the El Nino will cause less rain to fall.

75-percent less rain will fall this spring and summer!

.....

.....

.....

Our Community Utility is preparing now for a drought.

ml)AC CAT) t bo9 If you have a water tank, clean it out, starting using it, and make sure it has a float valve that works. Float Valves stop the water from overflowing.

If you don't have a tank, consider buying one right away.

Put gutters all the way around your roof-top to catch all of the rainwater and pipe it directly to the tank.

Beginning March 1st, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation will release water only during the daylight. (If you receive water 24-hours a day, you will still receive 24-hour water. This schedule is for the villages listed below.)

(.L]E' Ul/ll)L co belP you SAVE' UJACE'R. O{ZR comm{ZT)ICiJ {ZClllcg «Jill GIVE' J)C)(l Cl)E'

U.1,ACE'R _azbE'l) gou ARE' ,AITV\.KE' ,Al)O AC !Jome Cl)fS UVlY, gC>{I C,Al) SCOP Cl)€' Ul,ALE'R

FROm OVE'RFlOaVT)(j.

commOT)illEALCl) ucrlrctes CORPORACfOT) illACER houR scheoule

ffiARC l) 1, 1998

Drnught Drought

6 am - 10 am -I hour Navy Hill (upper) 6 am - 9 am -1 hour

San Roque (upper) 6 am - IO am - I hour China Town (upper) 9 am - 11 am -1 hour

San Roque (lower) 6am - 4pm -1 hour China Town (lower) 11 am - 1 pm -1 hour

Navy Hill (lower) I pm - 3 pm -1 hour

As Matuis 12 pm - 4pm -I hour Chalan Laulau 6 am - 8 am -30 minutes Tanapag/ Achugao 6 am - IO am -I hour

LaoLao Bay 6 am- 8 am -1 hour

Capitol Hill ( 1200/1300) 6 am- 7 pm -3 hours San Vicente (upper) 8 am - lO am -l hour San Vicente (lower) 10 am - 12 pm -l hour

Puerto Rico 6 am- 8am -1 hour San Vicente (south) 12 pm - 3 pm -l hour

Garapan 6 am- 8am - I hour San Vicente (Toflia) 6 am - 8 am -1 hour

Gualo Rai 6 am - 9 am -1 hour Dandan 6 am - 8 am -I hour As Lito 6 am - 9 am -I hour

Wireless Ridge As Terlajc 6 am - 8 am - I hour (Nekai/Quitugua/Standford) I pm - 7 pm/5-7pm - I hour KanatTabla 6 am - 9 am/4- 7pm - I hours

(Noisom) I I am - I pm Fina Sisu north (Tun Doi Road) 6 am - 8am

(F.Camacho/J.Cruz/M.Falig) 6 am - 11 am Kagman Farm:

Tapochau 9 am - 1 pm - I hour Western Acosta: 12pm - 6pm -2 hours

Tapochau (what's lateral?) 1 pm - 4pm - I hour Eastern: 6 am- 12 pm -2 hours

8-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-TUESDAY- FEBRUARY 17, 1998

The Around the Islands section covers community stories, local events, and cultural activities. Should you have a story you would like to share, or an event that needs to

be covered, contact Laila at 234-6341

Local entrepreneur takes a stand

Business owner Marianne R. Concepcion stands beside her "Memong Hot Stand" by Beach Road with her son, Memong C. Teregeyo.

<Commonwraltb of tbc ~ortfJcrn illlarimrn .ifslanlls COMMONWEALTH DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

PUBLIC NOTICE February 12, 1998

PURSUANT TO PUBLIC LAW 8-41, SECTION 11, GOVERNOR PEDRO P. TENORIO AND LT. GOVERNOR JESUS R. SABLAN, THROUGH THE CDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ARE HEREBY GIVING NOTICE, THAT THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMMONWEALTH DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CDA) SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1998 AT I 0:00 A.M. IS POSTPONED UNTIL WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1998 AT 10:00 A.M.

Isl JUAN S. TENORIO

Chairman, CDA Board of Directors

bai P~~,~~~~La~8~~~c~n~1 MARIANAS Governor Pedro P. Tenorio and .Lt. Governor v1s1rn•s aun••u Jesus R. Sablan, through the Mananas V1s1tors Bureau, hereby give notice that a Special Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 1998, 10:00 a.m., at the IVlVB Conference Room, Professional Building in San Jose.

AGENDA I. Preliminary Matters

a. Roll Call b. Adoption of Agenda c. Adoption of Minutes - 12/9-10/97, 12/27 /97, 1 /6/98

II. New Business a. Attorney General's Letter to l&S Corporation

(Action) b. Cost Cutting Measures

Ill. Miscellaneous/Announcements

IV. Adjournment

/s/ PEDRO M. OGO Acting Chairman, MVB Board of Directors

By Laila C. Younis Variety News Staff

FOR ONE young local entrepre­neur, the knack for business started at a very young age.

.. My mother and father had me watching their store, and I learned the rope: of business even with­out a choice," said Marianne R. Concepcion, laughing.

"But that experience drove me to open up my own business, and along the road, I realized there are a lot of sacrifices you have to make in order to succeed," she said.

The 20 year-old business woman owns a mobile "Memong's Hot Dog Stand", and a retail of 62 gum b'aII machines distributed around the island.

Motorists on Beach Road have seen the colorful hot dog stand offering six kinds of hot dogs, cotton candy, lumpia, tempura, even Japanese Udon and other local goodies.

"It all started with one gum baII machine when I was in the 11th grade. Ihaditsetupinmyparent's store," she said.

"Within two years, I owned five gum ball machines and I saved some money. That's how I got the rest of the machines," she noted.

"I bought my own car by age 16, and I started lining up ideas to find more ways to make ends meet," she added.

After the birth of her first son a year ago, Marianne also realized providing a better life for her son was a top priority.

"I would like for him to have the better things in life," she said.

"It was not easy. Although we had the gracious support of my parents, there was still a lot of things we had to give up to get the business stai1ed," she noted.

"We had to cut down on extra expenses like going out to eat, and watch our spending very care­fully. It was hard," she added.

The young business owner pointed out that the schedule for the hot dog stand which is from IO a.m. to 4 p.m. on Beach Road, then 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Ada Gym leaves little time for rest and time for themselves.

Also, the current rules and regu­lations theCNMigovemmentim­poses on small business owners does not make it any easier.

"I am required by the Division of Public Lands to lease out the space near the 13 Fishermen's Monument, a fee that creates more overhead costs," she said.

"Also, I am required to get a CRM permit which is costly too. I am not taking too much space and the money I'm making is not very much. Why can't they give us a break?," she noted.

She stressed that the govern-

ment should support and encour­age small local business owners," she stressed.

Despite the challenges, Marianne has found owning a business a rewarding experience and advises other aspiring entre­preneurs to "be prepared':, .

"Having faith and the msp1ra­tion to keep you going is very important. If you have something that will keep you going through the hard times, go ahead and do it," she said.

"It is .an investment of your ti me and effort and the challenges are there. You have got to have the drive to push you forward," she added.

Marianne also said her future plans include opening a video store as well as a children's cloth-ing store.

:· ·=i· . . '

Marianne R. Concepcion offers a smile to customers as she takes orders from her hot dog stand along Beach Road yesterday.

Photo by Lalla C. Younis

WSR Elem. sponsors fitness walk THE STAFF, parents and stu­dents of William S. Reyes El­ementary School invites the gen­eral public to pai1icipate in it's first annual "WSR Health & Fit­ness Walk" this coming Thurs­day, Feb. I 9 on the Beach Road

Pathway, said a news release from the school.

The walk will begin at 8 a.m. form Kilili Beach and a turn around point across from Quarter Master Road. Water will be pro­vided.

JUST MARRIED. CNMI Businessman Ben Fitial {right) was on Guam on Saturday to bear witness to the Valentine's Day marriage of his nephew Eric Ada to Kimberly Nelson.

Photo Courtesy of Eduardo C. Siguenia, Reuters

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-9

~~ The Around the Islands section covers community stories,

. ~~\--,l local events, and cultural activities. Should you have a

"'---::7:::)':.--:1!111 story you would like to share, or an event that needs to :ii%;) be covered, contact Laila at 234-6341

Deaf com.m.unity raises funds for Guam. workshop By Laila C. Younis Variety News Staff

THE SAIPAN Deaf Community had fun yesterday washing cars at Wendy's as a part of fundraising efforts to attend an upcoming workshop on Guam, according to Instructor and volunteer Kimo Warnick.

"The island's dc:tf community was invited to attend a 'Consumer Training' workshop on Guam on March 5th and we arc trying to raise funds to go there," said Warnick.

The workshop, said Warnick· will help provide awareness on the kinds of devices and products that are available for the deaf.

~ ·', ':f :, ·.'.''·, :'. < ; ,., .. ~,r,··1-· '._

'

There were also passers-by who were kind enough to donate without a car wash," said Warnick.

"The fundraising is also a way for people to-know that we are a part of the commu­nity and that is all we want. It was great seeing parents, broth­ers, sisters and relatives come out to help us. We also had some teacher volunteers," he said.

Warnick also asked for the community support for an­other upcoming car wash ac­tivity the group has scheduled for this Saturday at Wendy's.

"We can also take back what we have learned and see if we have it here," he said.

"We have always been con­cerned about having the proper equipment at hospitals, police sta­tions and other critical areas," he

The Saipan Deaf Community, volunteers and Exotic Minis Car Club members gather for a group photo during a car wash fundraising at Wendy's yesterday. Photo by Laila c. Younis

"Hopefully, we'll raise enough before March 5th. We have ;lso sold hot lunches, and picked up trash on the beaches," he said.

Members of the Saipan Ex­otic Minis Car Club also as­sisted the Deaf Community in yesterday's car wash.

added. Warnick also pointed out that

for the 16 deaf community mem-

CNMI students retuITI from Nagoya trip Tl-IE TWENTY-two students who recently left Saipan for a one-week cultural exchange program to Nagoya returned late last week.

"Everything went well smoothly, they (students) learned about the Japanese culture," said Maryann Calvo, Saipan Mayor Jose C. Sablan 's PIO.

The students, who were be­tween I I and 17 years old, left the Commonwealth on Feb. 7 with two escorts from the Saipan Mayor's Office.

The trip is part of an annual program in coordination with authorities from the Japanese government. - The next trip, according to Calvo, may be held in July in time for Japan's summer holi­days.

Observers however noted th:tt then: may be a smalkr turnout for the July trip due to the Commonwealth's finan­cial crisis.

The exchange program has been in effect over the past several years. It aims to main­tain socio-cultural tics be­tween Japan.

The Commonwealth's indig­enous population partly traces its roots to Japan, a c.ountry which had the islands as part of its territories before the second world war.

Saipan had a flourishing sugar industry ran by the Japa­nc;c government before US forces invaded the islands in I 942.

Calvo meanwhile explained that the trip is granted to stu­drnts who respond to applica­tion letters sent to th<.: diffcr­<.:nt private and public schools.

Approval, said Calvo, is

made on a ··first-comc-first­served" basi.s.

Participants arc made to shou Ider the transportation expenses .

At least two batches of stu­dents go to Japan under the exchange program every year.

For their part, the Japanese government also routinely sends batches of students to the Commonwealth under the same program. Jojo Dass

bers on island, the workshop would be a good educational op­portunity.

"We had a good turnout for the car wash and I would like to thank all of those who have contributed.

Two young boys play by the sand and surf of Micro Beach during the 17th Micronesian Open Windsurf Regatta yesterday. Photo by Laila c. Younis

-~-. . . .

i, '1

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previously rented product.

IRED OF CREDIT HASSLES? pf No Repair Bills

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pf No Long-Term Obligations . ....

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10-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-TUESDAY-FEBRUARY 17, 1998

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CUC commends 4 of its top officials

By Rick Alberto Variety News Staff

THE Commonwealth Utilities Corp. boa.rd has commended CUC Execu­tive DirectorTimothy P. Villagomez and three other officials for their roles in the "impi:oved"' management and public image of the corporation.

During its board meeting last week, the lxxu·d, chaired by Benjamin A. Sabhm, unanimously approved four resolutions each commending the CUC per,onnel that also includes Public Information Officer Pamela A. Mathis, Legal Counsel William Ohle, and Comptroller Y enny Tom.

Villagomez. was commended for "improving management of the utili­ties" through various measures in-

eluding cost cutting, employee re­duction, and efficient operations.

ThecommendationcitedtheSaipan Chamber of ~ommerce's Special A ward that Villagomez received last month as Businessper,on of the year, government sector.

'The Saipan Chamber of Com­merce honored Mr; Villagomez for his insight and dedication to the business sector, customer sat­isfaction, and for operating the community utility in a business­like manner," the commendation read. ·

Mathis was commended for "en­hancing public education and awme­ness of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation."

" ... Ms. Mathis has provided the community with up-to-the-minute lifes-saving information, as well as educational news during tropical stom1s :md other disturbances," her commendation read.

MathiswasalsocitedbytheSaipan Ch,m1berofCommercefordedicated community service contribution.

Her commendation said Mathis helped in transforming the CUC's "decade of negative impression" to "a positive image b,t<;ed on public trnst, ethics and factual, educational information."

Ohle received commendation for "providing the staff, management and board with precise mid accurate ad­vice.''

NMI students return after Nagoya cultural exchange 11-IE'IWENTY-two students who recently leftSaipanfor a one-week cultural exchange program to Nagoya returned late last week.

''EverythingwentweUsmoothly, they (students) learned about the Japanese culture," said Mazyann Calvo, Saipan Mayor Jose C. Sablan 's PIO.

The students, who were between 11 and 17 years old, left the Com­monwealth on Feb. 7 with two es­corts from the Saipan Mayor's Of­fice.

The trip is part of an annual pro­gram in coordination with authori­ties from theJ apanese government

Thenexttrip,aocordingtoCalvo,

may beheld in July in time for Japan's summer holidays.

Observershowevernotedthatdiere maybe a smaller tumoutfortheJuly nip due to the Commonwealth's fi­nancial crisis.

Theexchangeprogramhasbeenin effect over the pa,,i several years. It aims to maintain sociO-OJltural ties between Japan.

The Commonwealth's indi_genous population partly traces its roots to

. Japan, a country which had the is­lands as part of its territories before the second world war.

Saipan had a flourishing sugar in­dustry ran by the Japanese govern­ment before US forces invaded the

islands in 1942. Calvo meanwliJleexplained that

the trip is granted to students who respond to application letlerssentto the different private and public schools.

Approval,saidCalvo,ismadeon a ''firsH:ome-first-served" basis.

Participants are made to shoulder the transportation expenses. .

At least two batches of students go to Japan under the exchange program every year.

For their part, the Japanese gov­emmentalsoroutinelysendsbatches of students to the Commonwealth under the same program.

Jojo Dass

Transition report: OPM, CSC not working as closely as needed

By Jojo Dass Variety News Staff

THE CIVIL Service Commission and the Office of Personnel Manage­ment is not working closely together as needed to improve the Commonwealth'smanagementofits government employees, Gov. Pedro PTeno1io 's tr;msition committee has repo11cd.

In iL\ rcpo11, the comrninec noted thut most government employees, as it appear.-;, do not fully undmtand CSC'smle.

'This is also the case with respect to the relationship between CSC and OPM," said the repo11.

The committee attributed the seem-

ing confusion on Executive Order 94-3 which was issued by fo1mer governor Froilan Tenorio in 1994.

The Jaw reorganized the bureau­cracy.

The committee, in the same report, proposed that EO 94-3 be rescinded "as it affecL~ CSC :md OPM."

It also made the following "major·· recommendations:

* A close coordination between CSC, the autonomous agencies, OPM, and the Legislature on the 1etum those employees in locally rccrnitable/non-appointed positions to the civil service system;

* A more active effort by CSC in assisting OPM in ensuring account-

ability of activities and compliance with laws and regulations;

* The holding of a management/ personnel review of CSC to deter­mine if there is excess staff;

* A revision of Persc,nnel Regula­tions and Polices which should be done in-house by qualified govern­ment personnel;

* The return, by CSC, of its personnel servicing OPM "to end duplication of effort and staff; and

* A close coordination between CSC, OPM and the Attorney General's Office in efforts to reach a compromise on the proposed versions of the Civil Service Act.

Biolena ori tonight's Usapang-_Pinoy ATIORNEY Fred Biolena, CNMI Representative of the Overseas Work­ers Welfare Administration (OWW A), willappearontheCNMI's only live Filipino talk show USAP ANG PINOY tonightat7 p.m. on Marianas Cable Vision, Channel 7.

''We 're very pleased to have Attor­ney Biolenaon this week's show as he just returned from the Philippines and will share new developments at

OWW A," Usapm1g Pinoy co-host Claudette Gasmen-Peters said in a news 11:lease.

According to co-host Pastor Gagaring, OWW A provides a vari­ety of important services and benefits to overseas Filipino workers includ­ing legal, insurance, and medical pro­grams.

The show will review these pro­grams and spotlight new develop­ment~ that affect overseas workers,"

the release said. · The viewing audience on Saipan

can pose questions during Tuesday's live show by calling MCV at 235-6382/6383/6384.

USAPANG PINOY is broad­cast live on Marianas Cable Vision's Channel 7 every Tues­day at 7 p.m. and scheduled for re-broadcast at I p.m. on Wednes­days and Fridays and 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VJEWS-11

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12-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-TUESDAY- FEBRUARY 17, 1998

~~••• Elsewhere in th~ Pacific

Fiji PM says he is aware of plan to overthrow him SUVA, Fiji (AP) - Prime Minis­ter and 1987 military coup leader Sitivcni Rabuka say$ a group of fom1er supporters· is planning to overthrow his government, a newspaper reported Monday.

Rabuka was quoted by Fiji's Daily Post newspaper as saying those involved were clergymen and senior military and police of­ficers.

· 'l am aware of these people's identity," he said. He did not say whal was being done about them.

Rabuka said the group belonged to the Cadra Mai (Rise Up) Fijian

movement, which he said was try­ing to discredit his government.

The group is made up of church leaders. mililary and police offic­ers who were wilh me during the 1987 coups," Rabuka said in the interview wilh a Ministry of In­formation journalist.

He said those concerned had their own personal agendas against him.

R:ibuka, then an army officer, led two military coups in 1987 to topple an Indian-dominated, democratically elected govern­ment.

f .. ; ' '. i '}~~{-'. ' " '

'

Constitutional changes inlroduced in 1990 ensured in­digenous Fijians would retain political power and also barred Indian Fijians - the descendants of cane workers brought in by the British - from many top jobs.

Rabuka has recently pushed reforms that remove some of the more blatant policies of racism against Fiji's Indians- a step which has not proved popular with many indigenous Fijians. A new conslitution comes into force on July 25.

Au:'tralian army medic Michael Slattery, right, and an unidentified Papua New Guinea medic, left, weigh a child in the village of Yaps1e m the Papua New Guinea Western Province, Saturday during a medical check. Papua New Guinea is receiving aid from Australia following a year-long drought. AP

OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

PUBLIC NOTICE This is to inform the public that the State Independent Living Council will hold its meeting on Friday, February 20, 1998 at 9:00 A.M. at the PREL Office located in the 2nd floor at Bank of Hawaii in Puerto Rico. Interested persons are welcome to attend.

AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER II. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Ill. ADOPTION OF LAST MINUTES (1/21/98) IV. FINAL BY-LAWS V. OTHER ITEMS FOR SILC MEMBERS VI. MISCELLANEOUS VII. ADJOURNMENT

In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), individuals who wish to attend this meeting, but requires accessibility such as large print or sign language interpreter, must call 664-6538 (voice) or 322-6448 (TTY). Advance notice is necessary to allow organizers ample time to make necessary arrangements.

/s/ BRIAN FARLEY CHAIR

Solomons PM: No funds for project HONIARA (Pacnews)--Solomon Islands Prime Minister Brutholomew Ulufa'alu says the government does not have the money to recommence two small projects development funds which it had suspended due to finan­cial difficulties.

They are the Small Islands Com­munity Project SpecialAssistance grant orSICOPSA, and the Constitu­ency Development Fund which was used at the discretion of members of parliament

Ulufa' alu says the plain trnth was thatthegovemment'sdebtswasabout $US 190 million and it cannot go on spending money it does not have.

1l1e prime minister was reacting to comment~ by the opposition that the government had been withholding funds for both schemes.

Ulufa'alusaystheoppositioncom­ments were irresponsible and confus­i ngsince the govemmentcannotwith­hold funds it does not have.

He says however, that the govern­ment plans to amalgamate the two

. small projects funds into a scheme · called the Rural Community Devel­opment Scheme.

He says the new scheme will have an established structure and account­ability which he believed will attract assistance from aid donors.

Hong Kong helps out Fiji's small stock exchange SUVA, Fiji (AP) - Hong Kong's Securities Commission will assist the growth of the world's smallest stock exchange, the Suva Stock Exchange in Fiji.

The Suva·exchange's manager, Mesake Nawari, said Monday the HKSC would be the executing agency for an International Fi­nance Corp. review of the exchange 's functions.

Established in July 1996, the SSEX trades in the shares of

now eight local public compa­nies, government and public corporation bonds and unit trust shares.

It hopes to emerge as a re­gional trading post for the South Pacific.

Efforts by Papua New Guinea to open a stock exchange are being renewed in Port Moresby after being stalled for two years due to economic and political problems in the country.

S~ate bu~lds bridges PORT MORESBY (Pacnews)­Papua New Guinea P1ime Minister Bill Skate said the priorities on Bougainville before thenextround of leaders talks is to getse1vices back on track. He made the comment after a visit to Bougainville Saturday where he met with secessionist leader Jo­seph Kabui at his village, PNG Post­Courier repo11S.

Skate, accompanied by Bougainville Affairs Minister Sam Akoitai and Bougainville Premier Gerard Sinato, m;t with Kabui for several hours before returning to P01t Moresby in the evening. He ~dafter

the meeting, it was iinpo1tant that before the next round of peace talks, scheduled for April, se1viccs such as banking are introduced and roads repaired in Central Bougainville.

The Prime Minitersaid he will this week instruct the depaitments of Agriculture, Transport, Forestry, Communication and Finance to go to Bougainville, see the people and see how they could help them. Skate was in Bougainiville the previous week­end on a similar visit

Kabui described the meeting as one of continuing to "build confi­dence and trust between leaders" ..

Superstitious villagers in PNG desert homes

By ROHAN SULLIVAN ONANGE, Papua New Guinea (AP) - Remote villages repo1t­edly hit by disease outbreaks after the worst drought in I 00 years rue being abandoned because of an­cient beliefs in witchcraft and sor­cecy, health officials said Sunday.·

A team of militaJy medics were airlifted by helicopter to a village in mountainous country near Yapsiei, in the westSepik region, only to find it completely deserted, Australim1 medical officer At-LL Karl Bau~r said.

"Some of this villages are not on the map .. and there are all sorts of belief systems in place, in witchc1y andsorce1y,sovillagescanbeab,01-doned overnight," he said.

About 80 percent of Papua New Guinea's 4 million people live in rural areas, where ui bal beliefs are still the norm.

Tnaseparateprovincethismonth,

five women were axed to death by villagers who blamed them for kill­ing five other people by sorcecy.

Militruymedicsareflyingtocom­muni ties cut off from the outside world to check on reports of ma­laria, dysentery and other diseases in the wake of the more than 12-month drought, which has devas­tated the nation's food supplies and left mru1y tivers polluted.

Thousands of people have mi­grated from their villages looking for food, sometimes walking for days to reach relatives. ~

Rainisnowfallingonmostprov­inces, allowing replantina of crops . e m vegetable gardens on which up to SO percent of the nation's 4million people rely.

But harvests of staple crops such as swe.et potato will not be ready for months, and more than 50,000 people still need emergency foo:I to survive.

~ - - ' - ' 11 . . .

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1998 MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS 13

Taiwan party OKs China talks TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -Taiwan's main opposition party agree·d Sunday lo push for talks with China but af­firmed its position that the island is independent.

Leaders of the Democratic Progressive Party sought to smooth deep divisions over its China policy. The party's crushing defeat of the lono­ruling Nationalists in loc:1 elections in November put a new focus on how it would handle the China question ifit formed a government.

"This debate leaves us more unified, not more divided ... We have established consid-· erable consensus," party chairman.Hsu Hsin-liang told reporters after the meeting.

But party leaders still dis­agreed about what they should discuss with China.

Hsu favors increased eco­nomic ties to make China de­pendent on Taiwanese invest­ment and more respectfulof the island. llsu also wants to restore direct trade, transpor­tation and communications with China.

But Chiu Yi-jen, the party's secretary-general, and other leaders advocate keeping China at arms' length by lim­iting trade and investment and pushing for greater support from other countries.

Despite these disagree­ments, "the vast majority," of party representatives insist that Taiwa.n is independent and oppose making uny con-

cessions to China over the island's sovereignty, Chiu told a news conference.

Relations with China and Taiwan's national identity are the cause of major contention in Taiwan, where surveys rou­tinely show most people want lo postpone decisions on those matters.

China, which regards Tai­wan as a renegade province, has threatened to use military force against the island if it seeks independence.

The two sides have been politically separated since the Communists ousted the Na­tionalists, who fled to Taiwan in 1949.

The Dempcratic Progressive Party's victories in the No­vember elections gave it con­trol over local governments for 70 percent of Taiwan's population and raised the prospect of it winning big in legislative election/in No­vember.

Also Sunday. a newspaper reported that a Nationalist of­ficial discussed economic aid and air links with South Ko­rean President-elect Kim Dae­jung last week in Seou I.

The meeting was kept secret to uvoid provoking China, the Liberty Tim·es said.

The meeting would mark a breakthrough in contacts be­tween the two sides, which have had frosty relations since South Korea broke off diplo­matic relations to recognize China in 1992. -

Malaysia urges Indonesia to put out fires in East KUALA LUMPUR, Malay­sia (AP) - Fearing another southeast Asian haze crisis, Malaysia called on Indonesia Sunday to take immediate steps to douse fires raging out of control in its jungles.

The most recent fires have razed 3,000 hectares of Indonesia's dwindling forests in East Kalimantan province, according to the national news agency Bernama.

Forest fires in Indonesia last year blanketed the region espe­cially neighboring Malaysia~ in a dense haze for months, causing respiratory illness and disrupt­ing transportation.

J\t the height of the haze crisis. schools. offices and fac­tories were closed in the state of Sarawak on Borneo island. and Malaysia joined several foreign countries in sending fire fighters to Indonesia.

Once again, immediate steps arc necessary, said National

Disaster Management and Re-1 ief Committ~e Chairman, Mohamed Rahmal speaking in Johor Bahru, 300 kilometers, ( l 80 miles) south of here.

"We hope that the I ndone­sian authorities will take im­mediate legal action regard­ing the fi1~s caused by the opening up of forests an by the El Nino weather phenom­enon.'' Bcrnama quoled him as telling reporters.

Mohamed, who is also In­formation Minister. said both countries had agreed to form a joint cabinet-level committee on fires and haze. to meet in Jakarta soon.

Malaysia and Indonesia reached an ageement in Kuala Lumpur last November on implementing laws to control open burning lo ckar land for agriculture and development. and to cut red tape that ham­pers timely action in the face of such a disaster.

Hsu Hsin-liang, left, chairm~n of _Taiwan's main oppositi~n Democratic Progressive Party, makes a point dunng a debate on the party_s policies to_ward China f!t Taiwan University's law school in Taipei on Sunday. DDP lawmaker Su Huan-ch1h 1s on the right, and senior consultant Lin Yi-shiung is seated center. The OPP said the debate smoothed some internal divisions on China policy. AP

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14-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-TUESDAY- FEBRUARY 17, 1998

India chooses new- gov't By DONNA BRYSON

NEW DELHI, India (AP) - The bulk of races for India's federal parliament were being decided Monday by voters in the rngged, volatile northeast, the slum-dot­ted capital and other regions in the second elections in two years in the world ·s largest democracy.

In all, 222 seats were being contested Monday, the first of six days of voting staggered by re­gion across India for the 545-member Lok Sabha, or lower house of parliament.

Vote counting won't begin un­til March.

Among the northeastern states voting Monday were Manipur, where eight soldiers were killed as they moved to take up posi­tions at polling stations Sunday; Tripura, where suspected tribal militants killed at least seven po-

!icemen and 12 civilians in at­tacks last week; and Assam, where a parliamentary candidate was shot and killed by suspected sepa­ratists as he campaigned last week.

I! was mos1ly soldiers and elec­tion staff at polling stations in the Assamese state capital ofGauhati early Monday, with voters com­ing only in ones and twos. The region's most powerful rebel group, the United Liberation Front of Assam, had warned residents not to vote, and State Chief Min­ister Prafulla Kumar Mahantasaid he expected their"determined bid to keep people in their homes" would be particularly effective in rnral areas.

Elections are being held three years early because no party had a majority in the last Lok Sabha, or lower house of parliament, and politicians could not agree on a

Elections officials inspect ballot boxes for distribution to various polling centres in New Delhi Sunday. India, the world's largest democracy, goes to the polls for the general elections on Feb. 16. AP

Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi wave to the crowd at Beed, norlh of Bombay, Saturday. Sonia Gandhi, wife of slain former prime minister of India Rajiv Gandhi, is on a whirlwind election campaign tour of tribal villages and economically backward regions in western India, to appeal to the people to return the Congress Party to government. AP

minority or coalition government. Stability was the main issue of

the campaign. Voters blamed the political uncertainty of the last two years for faltering economic reforms and lack of progress in developing one of the world's poorest countries.

Politicians said India's best chance for an enduring govern­ment lay in giving one party firm control of parliament.

But another hung parliament was expected after this election, with the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party expected to repeat its I 996 performance, when it won the most seats, but not the majority needed to govern alone. Leaders will be under pres­sure to form a workable coalition.

Thousands of security troops were deployed in trouble spots Monday. The voting was stag­gered to give federal paramilitary forces time to move among the areas where rebel groups are seek­ing independence or greater au­tonomy, or where ethnic or reli­gious tensions could be exacer­bated by election disputes.

Violence erupted Saturday in the southern industrial town of Coimbatore, where voting is scheduled on Feb. 22. A series of explosions there killed at least 50 people in attacks blamed on Mus-1 im militants apparently trying to disrupt campaigning by Hindu fundamentalists.

Voters across the country are choosing from among nearly 5,000 candidates representing scores of parties vying for 543 federal parliament seats - two other seats are filled by appoint­ment.

The main contestants are the BJP; the centrist Congress; and the United Front coalition that led the last government, whose mem­bers range from moderates to Marxists.

Sonia Gandhi emerged from years of seclusion to campaign for Congress, reminding voters of the sacrifices made by her hus­band, formerPrimeMinisterRajiv Gandhi, assassinated in I 991; his mother Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, assassinated in I 984; and his grandfather Jawaharlal Nehrn,

independent India's first prime minister.

Congress, for decades the most powerful party in India, has been battered in recent years by accu­sations it is corrupt .and out of touch.

Opinion polls indicate it will do well in this race thanks in large part to Sonia Gandhi's efforts, but not well enough to catch the BJP.

Sonia Gandhi voted at a polling station in a government office near her New Delhi home Monday morning, surrounded by report­ers and bodyguards.

She nodded when reporters asked if she thought her cam­paign had gone well. She has re­fused throughout the campaign to answer questions.

Moments after Sonia Gandhi voted, an ailing 56-year-old woman named Mabin was car­ried to the same polling station by two of her nephews.

Mobin, who uses only one name, said she would not let her poor health keep her from voting for "Sonia and Congress."

Death toll in India bombings rises to 50 By K.n. Arun

MADRAS, India (AP) - Six militants died Sunday when a bomb exploded prematurely in a house during a police raid, raising the death toll in a series of weekend blasts in southern lndia to 50, police said.

Another eight militants were arrested during the police sweep at the home in Coimbatore, 1,500 miles south of New Delhi. po­lice said. Three officers were injured in the operation.

The identities of the suspects and the organization to which they belonged were not imme­diately known, police said.

Just hours before the raid, I 3 explosions rocked Coimbatore, killing 44 people and injuring 120 on Saturday.

No one immediately claimed

responsibility for the blasts, but authorities suspected radical Mus­lim groups formed after follow­ers of the Hindu Nationalist Bharatiya Janata Pa11y destroyed an ancient mosque in 1992.

The explosions Saturday oc­cuITed near the area where the leader of Bharatiya Jana ta was to address an election rally, police said.

If the bombings were election­related, they would be the worst outbreak of violence in what has been so far an unusually peaceful campaign.

A leader of one of the Muslim groups, S.A. Basha, was arrested at his home in Madras on Satur­day night and charged with ille­gally storing explosives.

Police were investigating whether he was linked to the

The mangled remains of a vehicle destroyed in a bomb blast in Coimbatore town in Tamil Nadu Saturday. A series of expfosions killed at least 50 people and injured 120 others in southern India. AP

bombings. United News oflndia reported

that police arrested hundreds of other people linked to Basha's group, knownasAl-Umma, and seized crnde bombs and other weapons in a crackdown on Muslim militants.

Residents of Coimbatore arc scheduled to vote Feb. 22 in the second stage of the parliamen­tary elections.

Voting is staggered by region over six nonconsecutive days to allow paramilitary forces time to deploy at different trouble spots.

The bombings sparked clashes mobs Saturday night, but the area was calm Sunday morning. Some Muslim fami­lies left their homes in Coimbatore fearing attacks.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1998 -MAR[ANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VJEWS-15

Signaling Ranariddh's possible return to Cambodia

Royalists register for polls PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - ll1ough threatened with arrest if he returns to Cambodia, Prince Norodom Ranariddh reg­istered his party Sunday for elec­tions scheduled for July.

On the same day, a group of

southeast Asian nations and 11 other countries meeting in Ma­nila, the Philippines, declared sup­port for a proposal that Cambodia quickly try, convict and then par­don the ousted co-Premier so he can freely join in the elections.

The signature of Ranariddh, who is in exile, appeared at the bottom of registration forms ac­cepted by the Cambodian Interior Ministry for the July 26 elections, said Lu Laysreng, the prince's personal representative in Phnom

Cambodian security police stand behind a metal barrier as workers hold a banner in front of the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh Sunday. Over 500 garment factory workers led by opposition Khmer Nation Party leader Sam Rainsy called on the United States to revoke the Generalized System of Preferences trade status to Cambodia unless textile company owners respect the labor law and workers' rights. AP

Penh. "Our office has been notified

that we are officially registered at the Interior Ministry for the elec­tions," said Lu Laysreng, calling the decision "good news."

Ranariddh :s royalist FUNCINPEC party won U.N.­organized elections in 1993, but under threats of renewed civil war accepted a power-sharing aITange­ment with Hun Sen and his for­merly communist Cumbodian People's Party.

Hun Sen deposed Ranariddh as co-premier in a bloody coup last July and has threatened to a1Test and try him if he returns on alle­gations of plotting his own coup in collusion with Khmer Rouge guerrillas.

Hun Sen hopes theeiection will restore his government's interna­tional legitimacy and lure back foreign aid that was cut following the takeover.

Opposition parties have accused Hun Sen of orchestrating splits in their ranks, weakening the chal­lenge to him.

FUNCINPEC has divided into four smaller parties, diminishing its strength against Hun Sen 's united, well-organized CPP.

Lu Laysrengsaid that the regis­tration included a party logo with a picture of the prince. Atthe Association of Southeast Asian

Nations meeting in Manila, ASEAN members said the elec­tions will only be credible if Ranariddh and all other politi­cians are allowed to participate.

Ranariddh has told Thai offi­cials he plans to return to Cambo­dia by March 20, Philippine For­eign Secretary Domingo Siazon told reporters.

Siazon was the host Sunday of a meeting organized by a three­nation ASEAN commi\lec on Cambodia with I I other coun­tries, mostly cJonor nutions.

The countries, which belong to an informalgroup called '"Friends of Cambodia," include the United States and Japan.

Siazon said the ASEAN com­mittee and the other nations had expressed strong support for the principles behind a set of four steps proposed by Japan. Cambodia's largest aid donor, for restoring political normalcy.

One step states that Ranariddh should be tried as quickly as pos­sible, then immediately granted amnesty by the king, Norodom Sihanouk, his father.

Siazon said Cambodia had al­ready responded to the Japanese proposal, and that the solution could involve a trial and then amnesty for Ranariddh in absen­tia, which would allow him to return without arrest.

Ji)eath anB <3:;f uneral @Announcement

@1/;UIJ!,ISta &)!Anco · ciJ!Jatsumoto

of Garapan was called to her eternal rest on Tuesday, February 10, 1998 at the age of 81 years

~ her death she now iojns h!;Jr: arents:Juan ra,tano Blanco & Antonia Blas Blanco

Husband: Jose Y. Matsumoto Son: Francisco B. Matsumoto Grandson: Ryan B. Matsumoto Brothers: Manuel B. Blanco, Jose B. Blanco. Carlos B. Blanco Sisters: Elizabeth (Ellis) B. Camacho, Maria (Marikita) B. Kamiyama Brothers-in-law: Gregorio Camacho, Miguel Salas, Antonio Camacho

T I v I i f m will liv in h h . ·1 ren S . o n . atrrc a . atsumoto, argaret . an . a erty u v1 e, ew or . Roman B. & Lillian M

Matsumoto, Lydia M. & Felipe Fejeran, Herminia M. & Ron J. Fusco, Julia B. Matsumoto (Detroit, Michigan)

2randchildre~S~uses &#ineat-Gr~ndchildr~o: reama & Any esser (1 iam &ara) (Wichita Falls, Texas), Carla Rae Matsumoto (Plano, Texas), James B. Matsumoto

Jeffrey P. Rafferty (Washington, D.C.), Michael J. & Edie Rafferty (Kaitlyn & Megan) (Middletown, New York), Timonty J. Rafferty (Virginia Beach, Virginia) Bonnie M. Matsumoto, Farrah M. Matsumoto (Kiana Lei), Bradley M. Matsumoto, Terra M. Matsumoto, Camille M. Matsumoto Philla M. Fejeran, Alex M. Fejeran Rachel Ann Fusco

Brothers Sis~ers & ;;>no~sfo: . · · · · Juanrta ~. &redenco • orja, (Yukon, Oklahoma) Rosa B. Camacho, Concepcion B. Salas (San Diego, Ca.), Josephine B. & Maximo R. Akiyama (Foster City, Ca.) Juan B. Blanco, Antonio B. & Hortensia. B(anco (El Paseo, Texas)

~ter-ln-~w· unc1on.!31anco, Constancia C. Blanco

~rgk~eK~%t~Yfna (Guam) Additional suivjved by numerous nieces, nephews & cousins:

Rosary is being said nightly at 8:00 p.m. at Kristo Rai Church, Garapan. Last respects will be held on Wednesday. February 18, 1998 at 9:00 a.m. Mass of christian burial will be offered on the same day at 4:00 p.m. at Kristo Rai Church. Burial will follow at

Chalan Kanoa Cemetery. Dinner will be served immediately after the burial at Kristo Rai Church social hall.

I • t 4 '. l I '

16-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-TUESDAY- FEBRUARY 17, 1998

Iraqi neighbors wo By Eileen Alt Powell

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - they would be the victims of economic and political fallout from an Americun attack aimed at forcing Saddam Hussein to cooperate with U.N. weapons inspectors.

Jord,m. Turkey and Iran again may have to deal with huge waves of refugees. as they did - with almost no international help -during the l 990 Persian Gulf cri­sis and 1991 Gulf War.

Along with Syria, they have important trade links with Iraq. And all are watching with dismay as foreign tourists cancel reserva­tions for what had been expected to be a lucrative spring season.

Only Kuwait, which hasn't for­given Sad~am for his 1990 inva­sion of the country, has offered to support an American-led military campaign.

Neighboring Saudi Arabia, which participated with the U.S.­led coalition that ended Iraq's occupation of Kuwait, won't even allow its military bases to be used this time. Neither will Jordan or Turkey.

None wants to get dragged into a conflict that most certainly would spread if Iraq retaliates by firing Scuds or other missiles at Israel - and Israel, as promised, respomls with greater force.

.. We all lived the burden of the (Gull) War, .. Turkey ·s prime min­ister. Mcsut Yilmaz, said earlier this month ... And we llon't want to live it again."

countries." Jordan is almost entirely de­

pendent on Iraq for oil, and Iraq is the main market for Jordanian­made products. Turkey complains it lias lost $35 billion in trade with Iraq since the Gulf War and en­courages a daily procession of Turkish trucks to cany food and textiles across the border to Iraq and return with oil.

Syria recently signed its first contracts to sell food anll soap to Iraq under a U.N.-approved pro­gran1.

Iran, though it fought a devas­tating war with Iraq in the 1980s. is selling more and more products to Baghdad. It also apparently is turning a blind eye to what Iraqi opposition groups say is the ex­tensive smuggling of Iraqi oil through Iran's Gulf ports.

Many Arab leaders also must deal with their citizens' concerns that seven years of punishing U.N. sanctions have pauperized Iraq's 22 million people.

Already there have been pro­Iraq - and anti-American -demonstrations in Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Yemen and the Palestin­ian tenitories,despitc government bans aimed at keeping emotions in check.

Jordanian opposition leader Leith Shubeilat, who has led two pro-Iraq rallies here and is plan­ning a third, foresees repercus­sions of the crisis "not only for Jordan but for the whole region."

could lead to a partitioning of Iraq - a major concern during the Gulf War-again arc being dis­cussed. It was no surprise that Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, a mediator dispatched to Baghdad earlier this month, called for a regional security plan that would meet Saddam's "concerns for Iraq's te1Titori,iintegrity."

Turkey, Syria and Iran wou Id look askance at a pmtitioning that creates an autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq, fearing it would embolden their own sub­stantial Kurdish minorities to rise

up. Autonomy for the Shiite Mus­

lim majority in southern Iraq could have repercussions in Iran, where Shiite Muslims also are a major­ity, and in Saudi Arabia, where Shiites predominate in the oil­rich Eastern Province.

Iran still is caring for thousands of Iraqi Shiites who fled their homeland after Saddam, a Sunni Muslim, put down a Shiite upris­ing following the Gulf War.

Differences between the two branches of Islam date back to 632 A.D., when war broke out for

leadership of the Muslim world, and still lead to conflicts today.

Syria and thePalestinians,mean­while, have watched the U.S.­brokered peace process stalemate following the election of hard-line Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in mid-1996. Now, they feel their cause has been relegated to the back burner.

"The United States and Britain arc taking the limelight from the Palestinian issue and focusing world attention on Iraq," com­plained Omar Khatib, the Pales­tinian representative to Jordan.

Labib Kamhawi. a political sci­ence profess.or at Jordan Univer­sity. told The Associated Press on Sunday that. in the short run, strik­ing Iraq "will have a devastating economic impact that could trig­ger instability in the neighboring

He predicted that if Arab government's don't heed grow­ing public sympathy for the Iraqis "there is going to be a divorce between the people and their gov­ernments .... Certainly we will be sitting on a powder keg."

Worries that a U.S.-lcd strike

An unidentified Kuwaiti resident, helped by a Kuwaiti soldier, takes off his keffieh before wearing a gas mask during a training session at a Civil Defense centre in Kuwait city Sunday. Many residents in Kuwait are fearing a possible strike on Iraq by Western forces. AP

Incumbent scores narrow victory in Cyprus presidential election By Alex Etty

ICOSIA,Cyprus(AP)-Presi­dcnt Glafcos Clcrides scored a narrnw victory in Sunday's presi­dential election that was seen as

crucial for the reunification of the war-divided island.

Final results gave him 50.8 per­cent of the votes compared to the 49.2 percent for his challenger,

former Foreign Minister George Jacovou.

Thousands of supporters of the 78-ycar-old Clerides waving Greek and Cypriot flags staged noisy eel-

President Glafcos Clerides celebrates his re-election to office with close friends and family in Nicosia, Sunday. The 78 year-old right-winger beat his center-left rival George lacovou by 1.6 percent. AP

ebrations in several cities to mark his re-election for a second five­year term.

The election was significant as the new government will embark on crucial negotiations next month for the reunification of the island, which is divided between the Greek Cypriot area - wh..:rc the elec­tions were helll-and the Turkish­occupi..:d north.

The n..:w government will also hold scp,u-atc talks on Cyprus join­ing the European Union.

Sunday's tally reversed tjc first­round balloting on Feb. 8, when lacovou posted a razor-thin victory over Clcridcs, 40.6 percent to 4D. I percent.

'n1e small Socialist Pw1y, whose candidate won I 0.6 percent of the last vote, declined to endorse either candidale in the nm-off, and its suppo11ers i1pparcntly helll the key in Sunday's election.

The leaders of four other small panics, who took a total of 8.7 percent in the first round, backed Clerides, but it was not clear how many of those votes went to him.

Officials said 94 percent of the 446,976 eligible voters hall c:L~t their ballots.

"I pray this will be the last clec-

tion before Cyprus is reunited so we can all return to our homes," said Andreas Louca, an 80-year­old refugee from the Turkish­occupied north of Cyprus.

He was one of the early voters who stood in long orderly queues in Nicosia where electoral offic­ers making special effort~ to as­sist the elderly ;md infirm.

After casting their ballots, both lacovou and Clcrides reaffirmed to their cheering suppo1ters that they would respect a pledge made last week to fo1m an all-party national unity government.

Cyprus has been unofficially partitioned since Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third in 1974 in the wake of an abo1tivc coup by supporters of union with Greece.

TurkishCyprioL~holdtheirown elections in thcnrnth 's breakaway state, recognized only by Turkey, which maintains 35,000 troops there.

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said this week that the Cyprus issue is one of America's top priori tics. She added that U.S. envoy Richarll Holbrooke would embark on a new round of talks after the election.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND YIEWS-17

maps Iraqi sites

UR-2658

Steffan de Mistura from Sweden, left, holding small case, head of UN delegation sent by Kofi Annan shakes hands with an Iraqi official at AI-Habania airport outside Baghdad Sunday. The three-man delegation is in Baghdad for a few days mission to draw up plans how to inspect presidential sites. AP

By Waiel Faleh BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A U.N. team began mapping Iraq's presidential compounds Sunday, attempting to help resolve one of the main disputes in the crisis over U.N. inspections of suspected weapons sites, Iraqi sources said .

The teams are not actually in­vestigating the compounds, which Iraq has said are off limits to U.N. weapons inspectors. Instead, U.N. officials hope to use the maps to determine which areas of the sprawling compounds are legiti­mate targets for inspections and which areas should remain closed.

Iraq has said unrestricted in­spections would violate its na­tional sovereignty.

The United States, which has threatened military action against Iraq if it does not open the com­pounds to inspectors, did not im-

mediately comment on the map­making team.

But Iraq called the development a "positive step," and warned that a U.S. military strike could de­stroy a well functioning U.N. monitoring system of suspected weapons sites:

"The military attack would practically destroy the system, which relies on communications, cameras," said Gen. Amir al Sa'adi, an Iraqi presidential ad­viser.

He also denied claims that Deputy Prime MinisterTarik Aziz ever described presidential pal­aces as "absolutely forbidden." The claim was made earlier Sun­day by the chief U.N. weapons inspector, Richard Butler, in a CNN interview.

Al Sa 'adi said Aziz, in a meet­ing with Butler, hall in fact pleaded

for a postponement on the lliscus­sion about presidential sites.

Asked if the Iraqi government is open to inspection of at least part of the restrlcted sites, al Sa' adi said:

"We are flexible." He did not elaborate.

Access to the presidential sites is at the core of the cUJTent crisis. The United States and Britain have threatened to attack Iraq if Presi­dent Saddam Hussein does not completely open his palaces to U.N. inspectors.

The inspectors, working under U.N. Security Council resolu­tions passed at the end of the Gulf War, are responsible foroversee­ing the elimination oflraq 's long­range missiles and weapons of mass destruction. Iraqi compli­ance is needed for U.N. economic sanctions to be lifted.

US Senators differ on Iraqi strike By Jim Abrams

W ASIDNGTON (AP) - Sen. JohnMcCainsaidit'stimeforPresi­llent Clinton to set a deadline for Saddam Hussein lo back down or face U.S. militarymighL Oth.:rlaw­makero insisted Sunday the presi­dent not :ict without a vote of support from Congress;which ison vacation next we.ck.

'1ne president's got tosctadead­line, and Saddam Hussein has to understand it," said McCain, R­Ariz., ascniormembcrofthc Senate Armed Services Committee.

He said on "Fox News Sunday" that the cum:ntstandoff - threats by the United States to use force unless Saddam gives unconditional access to U.N. weapons inspectors -gives Iraqi President Saddam an "equal place in the world forum" and "continues to erode our cred­ibility."

But Defense Secrela!)' William Cohen, appearing on ABC's "This Wt:ek with Sam and Cokie," said a

specific deadline is not needed bc he's been in violation of his obliga­tion for some time now." 'The presi­dent, Cohen said, ''will decide if and when diplomacy has failed."

White House National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, on NBC's "Meet the Press," also said the ad­ministration "has been very careful not to set an artificial deadline." Re­peating what other administration officials have said in recent weeks, he said the timclinc for commencing military action is "not measured in days but it's also not measured in months." ·

With Russia, France, China and othcrnations openly opposed to mili­tary sllikcs, the administration con­tinued to campaign for international backing.

Clinton talked Sunday with the p1imc ministers of Ausllia and Bel­gium and the emirs of Balrrain and Kuwait to coordinate Iraqi policy, White House officials said.

Other lawmakers on the Sunday

ncwsprogr.unssaid miLitmystrikcs should at least wait until Congress returns Feb. 23 from its Presidents Day recess and passes a resolution supporting milituy action.

Differences over the l,Ull,,'llagc of such a resolution stopped Senate and House action last week.

"Anauackwouldbcmrnctofwar,'' Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said on Fox. "Andonlyth:Congres.s has the authority to authorize that"

"I agn:c completely," said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-TII. ''The Ameri­can people have to bc in on this decision th1ough their elected rep­resentatives."

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R­Texas, said the president needs to explain what he will do bcyond military strikes to intenupt the cycle of continual threats from Saddan1. ''I think if we 're going to show the clear commitment to take these weapons of mass destruction away from this despot, we've gotta take the second step," she said.

The United Nations and the United States say the inspectors can search any place they want. Iraq has refused, citing national sovereignty.

Under pressure to resolve the crisis, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan ordered the map­making team to Iraq on Friday.

The team, led by Staffon de

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De Mistura, a former U.N. hu­manitarian coordinator for Iraq, and the two Austrian map-mak­ers accompanying him are ex­pected to finish charting the eight sprawling presidential com­pounds in three or four days.

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18-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-TUESDAY- FEBRUARY 17, 1998

Taylor keeps old habits By TIM SULLIVAN

MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) - For seven years Charles Tay !or was a ruthless warlord, commanding thousands of sol­diers in a civil war that left much of Liberia in ruins.

Now he is the president. And six months after taking office, there are signs he ha;n' t lost his old habits of tolerating no criticism and handing ~out harsh punishment for those who anger him.

Opposition politicians have been harassed, journalists have been arrested and radio stations closed. One of the country's most prominent op­position figures, a former Tay­lor ally, was murdered last year and one of the men charged was an official in the government's secret police.

For some Liberians, the heavy-handedness threatens to overshadow the steps Taylor has taken to get the country going again and rebuild a feel­ing of national unity. They especially fear that the fledg­ling security services may not be properly trained.

'Tm very worried about what could happen," said a Monrovia businesswoman,

who I ike most people who dis­cussed the issue would speak only on condition her name not be used. "The people who were doing the looting and fighting, now they're the se­curity."

Taylor, 50, is a Boston-edu­cated descendent of freed American slaves who helped

.settle Liberia. He served in the government of former dic­tator Samuel Doe, fled to the United States when Doe charged him with embezzle­ment and broke out of a Mas­sachusetts jail while fighting extradition. On Christmas Eve 1989, he led supporters into Liberia to begin a war against Doe's ethnic Krahn dictator­ship.

The war, fought mostly by soldiers who were barely teen­agers, quickly degenerated into factional fighting that flared through cycles of bru­tal warfare and tenuous peace agreements.

After seven years, about 200,000 people were dead and half the country's 2.6 million people were homeless.

A peace treaty finally held, however, and Taylor was swept into power last July with

Liberian President Charles Taylor sits on a throne with a traditional dancer sitting at his feet during a ceremony in Monrovia in this recent but undated file picture where Ghanian immigrants crowned him Chief Okatakyie, "The Greatest of Warriors." Taylor, who fought a seven-year civil war before being elected President of Liberia six months ago, will add the Chief title to his long name of honorifics "His Excellency Dahkpanah Chief Okatakyie Dr. Charles Ghankay Taylor." AP

a landslide election victory.

death and promised a full in­vestigation. Four men are awaiting trial, but the main suspect, a regional secret po­lice commander, escaped from prison before the trial.

Another major concern is Taylor's former militiamen are believed to dominate the security branches and there are worries they have been given little training in the ways of peace.

Government officials won't comment on the specific makeup of the security ser­vices. Reginald Goodridge, Taylor's spokesman, said the government has made sure to provide proper training and ensure the ranks include all of Liberia's ethnic groups.

Goodridge also rejected ac­cusations the government is heavy-handed.

"We are going to uphold freedom of the press and hu­man rights," he said.

But he added that certain "sensationalist" reporting had to be stopped because it could spark renewed fighting. "I don't think that's authoritar­ian."

Even critics of the

Helicopters arrive with relief for Afghanistan

Taylor's years as a military commander were marked by tight control over his soldiers, and he appears to be keeping a close eye on post-war Liberia as well.

"I don't think much can hap­pen in the country without Taylor knowing about it," said Kofi Woods, one of the country's best-known human rights activists.

government's human rights record say a country emerg­ing from such a bloody his­tory cannot become a West­ern-style democracy over­night.

"We had war for seven years," Woods said. "People used to operating without question now must do things like deal with the press. So the transition will be painful."

By ZAHEERUDDIN ABDULLAH RUSTAQ, Afghanistan (AP)­A helicopter ferried desperately needed aid to remote mountain .. 1-Iages on Sunday for the fo,t time since last week's devastating earth­quake in mountainous northeast

Afghanistan. Three helicopters canying blan­

kets, food and plastic sheeting arrived in the area and one immediately left for the remotest villages, which have been inaccessible by road.

Two of three helicopters belonged

Afghan aid workers carry blankets Sunday in Rustaq, Northern Afghanistan, to an Afghan opposition alliance helicopter loaded with humanitarian aid for victims of the 6. 1 earthquake that struck the region 11 days ago. With the weather conditions improving, helicop­ters are used to reach remote and isolated stricken villages. AP

to the military alliance that controls the area and the third was chartered from neighboring Tajikistan by aid organizations.

Ousted Afghan president Burhanuddin Rabbani arrived on one of the helicopters - the first visit to the region by an Afghan leader. After praying at a local mosque, Rabbani, who was thrown out of Kabul by the Taliban reli­gious army that controls south and central Afghanistan, appealed for more aid.

Rabbani's alliance of small op­position parties controls the quake­devastated area

"I am hopeful we can cm1y through tl1is tragedy witl1 tl1e help oftheAfgbmpeople:mdourf1icnds abroad," he said. "We ,u-e doing our l:cst to take cai-e of tl1esc inn; cent people, but we need mon~ help."

For aid workers in the region it has been a logistical nightmare gettingrelieftotheestimated30.(XXl swvivors of the 6.1 magnitude quake that ki lied mor-e than~'iO,(X)(J people.

Frustrated by relentless bad weather,subzerotemperntures;md renewed fighting, relief tean1s have been distiibuting a aickle of sup­plies that is ba.r-ely a frJction of the aid tlmt is needed.

Rain and snow has flooded tJ1e near-est runway forcing aid work­ers to rely on helicopters to bring in supplies that have been piling up in Centrnl Asia.

The Special Security Ser­vice works out of the execu­tive mansion.

Its officers are a common sight in Monrovia's stores, bars and offices, swaggering men in well-pressed slacks carrying walkie-talkies.

While denying any inten­tions to muzzle the press, Taylor's government has shutdown a num­ber of media outlets.

The most prominent inde­pendent radio station, Star Radio, was closed for nearly a month over a disagreement about its license and for send­ing news on the Internet with­out permission.

The editor of an opposition newspaper was flogged for publishing an article alleging bad relations between a West African peacekeeping force and Liberia's police.

Another well-known jour­nalist was arrested trying to report on the funeral of Samuel Dokie, a Tayloropponent who was murdered with some fam­ily members late last year.

Taylor has decried Dokie 's

There are positive signs. The peace accord has held, and crime is being slowly reined 111.

Taylor has appointed people from former enemy factions to his Cabinet and is negotiat­ing with international l;ndine institutions for money to re: bui Id the country.

In Monrovia, Liberia's bul­let-riddled capital, perhaps the biggest change is a renewed sense of unity.

In a country that for years had a 10,000-man West Afri­can peacekeeping force to help keep things calm, former en­emies now speak of govern­ing together.

Some people worry that with the peacekeepers de­creasing their presence_ there arc only about 5,000 now. and their duties have been cur­tailed_ violence could break out again.

S ti 11, they arc proud to be taking care of their own. "It's time for Liberia to start re­building our country," said Ellis Peters, an unemployed construction worker. "Now, we arc one people again."

Keep Saipan Clean and Beautiful

:,-.,--·--. ' .

Court ... Continued fro_m page 1

Castro authorized the executor to take all necessary steps, in­cluding execution of agreements

Froilan ... Continued from page 1

But the former governor said he will "say a lot, later."

Meantime, according to Villagomez, the new administra­tion is forming a legal team to look into the sole source con­tracts, so called because they were awarded without going through the bidding process.

'They will determine what ac­tion to take," he said.

"It's no longer fun uncovering all these negatives."

He added that the Legislature is also planning to investigate the controversy.

The governor on Friday said his administration will go after those awarded sole source con­tracts who failed to deliver the required services or products.

Those who failed to deliver will be asked to refund the money paid to them, he said.

The governor added that he has asked the Office of the Public Auditor(OPA) to get involved in the ongoing audit of the sole

Tinian. . . Continued from page 1

$400,000 it "ban-owed" from the previous administration, TCGCC continues to be saddled with fi­nancial problems, with employ­ees not getting their paychecks on time.

The $400,000, however, were supposed to be used forTCGCC's operational costs from Nov. 97 to March of this year, but by Janu­ary, not a cent of it remains, the Variety has learned.

In anearlierinterview, Tinian's new municipal treasurer, David Q. Maratita, said he is unaware of what happened to the $400,000 released last November.

Maratita came in only last month as an appointee of new Tinian Mayor Francisco M. Borja.

to implement the terms of the memorandum of settlement.

Castro permitted the executor to cause the settlement and sale of the estate's DHLC shares to be concluded as promptly as possible so that proceeds may be received. ·

source contracts. The new administration has also

cancelled any such contract that is still in force, he said.

The transition team report dis­closed that the sole source con­tracts involved mostly consult­ants, and included housekeeping, computer purchases, secretarial work, house building and car leases.

In 1994, Republican legislators lashed out at then governor Tenorio for what they termed as "pricey" consultancy contracts.

The then governor defended the contracts, saying that his consult­ants would not receive overtime pay and were not entitled to other government benefits, thus saving the government money.

But according to critics, the consultants merely duplicated the functions of constitutionally cre­ated departments and agencies.

Moreover, most of those awarded sole source contracts were political allies of the then governor who was perceived to be "rewarding" them with public funds.

Public Auditor Leo LaMotte recently advised Maratita that the Tinian municipal treasurer does not have the authority to issue checks for TCGCC's payroll and withholding taxes for a former commissioner.

Without a budget of its own, TCGCC in 1996 "ban-owed" $2.6 million from the Office of the Governor, which pledged another $800,000 in loans to TCGCC late last year.

But the previous administration, the Variety learned, only released half of the $800,000.

TCGCC, however, has been under Senate investigation for its former commissioners' "highly 4uestionable" expenditures of the loan, which is, itself. considered improper by the Office of the Public Auditor.

And since a 12-year study shows that being 40% or more overweight puts you at high risk it makes sense to follow these guidelines for healthy living! Eat plenty of fruits ~nd vegetables rich In vhamlns A and C-oranges, cantaloupe, strawberries, peaches, apricots, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage. Eat a high-fiber, low-fat diet that Includes whole-grain breads and cereals such as oatmeal, bran and wheat Eat lean meats, fish, skinned poultry I ,

• and low-fat dairy products. Drink alcoholic beverages only In moderation. ' For more infonnation, call 1-800-ACS-2345. .AMERI

ffCt1~

TUESDAY, r:EBRUARY 17, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VJEWS-19

It was not indicated in the order how much money the estate will receive from the deal, but sources estimated that the estate wi II get $ I I 2 million.

DHLC and the executor had engaged in litigation before the US District Court of Cali­fornia over Hillblom 's DHLC stock.

DHL International and DHLC and their shareholders

.claimed they had certain rights to purchase the stock owned

by a shareholder who died pursuant to shareholders' agreements.

Last August, Castro ap­proved a settlement that would give $282 million to the ex­ecutor over the sale of Hillblom 's shares in the DHLI.

The executor informed the court last Jan. 29 that it had tentatively reached a settle­ment with DHLC to resolve the claims related to the case.

The executor filed under seal last Feb. 6 a report which ex-

plained the action, settlement negotiations, terms of the agreement, and reasons for the settlement.

Castro approved the settle­ment after al lowing the par­ties involved in the litigation reasonable notice of the settle­ment and adequate opportu­nity to investigate the reason­ableness of the settlement.

The court found that the settlement with DHLC "is fair, reasonable, and in the best in­terests of the estate."

VINYL SIGNS: For indoor/outdoor with col­ors, style and quality, on wood, glass, metal, plastic cloth and walls, designed in computer · graphics, artistically drafted, composed with a lot of talent and knowledge, is now avail­able at Younis Art Studio, Inc.

VINYL BANNERS: On cloth and plastic materials, from 1-5 feet wide and length from 3 feet to 50 or 75 feet and more, with any cola~. letters size and style and rich graph­ics.

Also hand painted signs and banners, artis­tically designed and colored on any mate­rial surface of all sizes.

DIGITAL PRINT: Signs for inside markets/ stores/shops in full colors with print of the goods/merchandise on plastic sheets/ boards or on transparencies on special pa­per or cloth for ceiling hang for display or above shelves, counters and merchandise stands, can easily be produced by the tal­ented and capable sign makers at YAS Sign System.

Full color digital print for back light in shops window or special display in the outdoor, such as food items, drinks cosmetics, per­fumes, jewelry and many more.

Vinyl signs are durable, colorful and guar­anteed to last for five ta seven years in all weather conditions and stands heat tem­perature 40-180 degrees Fahrenheit.

For all signs need, please visit or call

at Y~ Younis Art Studio, Inc., in Garapan. Telephone Nos. 234-6341 ¥ 234-7578 ¥

234 .. 9797 ¥ 234119272 or Fax No. 234 .. 9271.

20-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-TUESDAY- FEBRUARY 17, 1998

Pal: Diana W"asn't pregnant By Maureen Johnson

LONDON (AP)-Aclose friend who was with PrincessDiana less than 36 hours before her death said that Diana was not pregnant and had no plans to wed, accord­ing to an article in the Sunday Telegraph.

The princess also remarked shortly before she and boyfriend Dodi Fayed were killed in a Paris car crash Aug. 31 that she needed a new maiTiage ''like .a bad rash on my face." Diana's friend Rosa Monckton wrote in the newspa­per. breaking months of silence.

The comments by Ms. Monckton. the president of the jewelry fim1 Tiffany and Co., fol­lowed a buildup of Diana storie~ speculating about pregnancy, marriage. murder, and medical treatment that might have saved the princess.

Dodi's London-based million­aire father. Mohamed Al Fayed, in British newspaper interviews last week.claimed Diana and Dodi were engaged and 99.9 percent certain to maiTy.

Diana's family has complained that the stories are upsetting her sons, Prince William, 15, and Prince Harry. 13.

The Diana-memorabilia indus­try also is growing - from ash­trays toa computer game simulat­ing the car crash - which Prime MinisterTony Blaircriticized this weekend as "inappropriate and tacky ...

Ms. Monckton, who was on vacation in Greece with Dian 10 days before the accident, wrote: "I know that it would have been biologically impossible for her to

Airline . .. Continued from page 3

nese cities remain bleak. Philippine Consul Julia

Heidemann has mentioned the need to tap other markets for the Commonwealth's tourism indus­try.

l lciJemann mentioned the pos­sibility of expanding promotional efforts to some countries in Eu­rope.

I&S. 0 0

Continued from page 3

,ll'l'U to dc:n:lup pmmution catc:r­

ing to family tr:m:lc:1·s anJ nature­nricntcd tr,1\·ekrs ·:c\'cn though they ,ire only our ,c:comlary mar­ki.:t urgi.:h.··

The I3luc-Bluel Bluel tck\'i­si11n campaign ,1·as launched in Tokyo. Osaka and Nagoya. It ran from J ,111uary IO to 3 I. I ':J':J7.

It targeted young female travel­ers. particularly those graduating from college.

"This was the main target of MVB. This was wh:ll we devel­oped because this is what MYB wanted us to do, .. the I&S repre­sentative told the Variety.

The I&S representative said the agency had also developed other projects that covered MVB 's sec­ondary market, such as family travelers and golfers.

"It's too bad. they don't under­stand what we're doing." the l&S representative said.

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she quoted the princess as saying. Engagement rings are worn on

the left hand. "It is absolutely tme that she

had found happiness with him," Ms. Monckton added. "But it was more the fact of having someone there for her 24 hours a day.

She was unused to this and rather relished it. Shew as so emo­tionally insecure that in all her relationships she demanded constant reassurance.''

Three days before Diana died, Ms. Monkton wrote, they talked and "the bulk of our conversation was about be-

have been pregnant at the time of tray al, and being misunder-the crash.'' stood."

Ms. Monckton, whose younger Ms. Monckton, who serves daughter is Diana's goddaughter, on a J 0-member committee also wrote that the princess told that will decide on a lasting her that Dodi had given her a memorial to Diana, also said bracelet and a watch, and she was Diana and Dodi's stopover in expecting a ring next. Paris after a Mediterranean

"Rosa, that's going firmly on cruise was a last-minute deci-the fou11h fingerof my right hand," sion.

~.~1>::ffi11:1~~ ~~

Sharon Stone weds BEVERLY HILLS, California (AP) - Actress Sharon Stone was married to a San Francisco newspapereditor, Phil Bronstein, during a party at her Beverly Hills home Saturday night, her publicist said Sunday.

No wedding plans had been announced previously, and no details of the ceremony were made public in the brief news release by publicist Cindi Berger of the PMK agency.

Stone, 39, a former model and musician, starred with Michael Douglas in "Basic Instinct" in 1992. Bronstein, 47, is executive editor of the San Francisco Examiner.

She was co-producer and starred in the Western "The Quick and the Dead" in 1995 and in "Casino" with Robe11De Niro the same year.

'Married' orangutans reunited BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Mike and Susu, a celebrity couple in Thailand who had been separated for a year, have been reunited in a new home.

The orangutans, whose nearly human "man-iage" drew a nationwide television audience in 1996. were moved to separate quarters in January 1997 after Susu gave bi11h to a son.

Mike was jeal;us of the attention showered on the infant and his handlers at the Lop Buri Zoo. no11h of Bangkok, feared he would harm the baby.

TI1e Nation newspaper reported Sunday that Mike had regained his equilibrium and moved with his family to anew I .5 million-baht($30,000) ape house.

Last year, when Mike was deprived of conjugal visits with Susu,adebate flared over whether he should be allowed a mia nay, or minor wife- the Thai re1m for mistress.

Cabbies take etiquette class PHI LA DELPHIA (AP)- Philadelphia cabbies are taking classes to bun a little class.

'll1e Pennsylv:miaPublic Utility Commission, which oversees !axis, has been holding m:u1datory etiquette cl,Lsscs for Philadelphia's cab d1ivers since .lanu­:uy.

It's aso110f ch,u111 school that's meant to better prepare cabd1ivers for the job. On the lesson pl:m :u-c movies like "View from the Backseat" :md lectures about keeping cars clean.

The J1ivcrs a1-c also schooled on how to dr-css - clean shirts with collars, p:mt,, shoes and socks.

"We likcd1i vers ro think of themselves ,L, business professionals doing a job," PUC enforcement officer Benes Lawrence told a class ofa dozen men hL,t week.

TI1e city's 6.CXXJ ceni ficd taxi clri vers are required to take a one-day dass. New drivers must take a tlu-ce-day course.

Dog 'Olympics' open NEW YORK (AP) - If tl1ere were an Olympics for dogs, this would be it. The 122nd Wesuninstcr Kennel Club Show opens Monday with 2,500 champions prancing and pn;cning in the second oldest continuously running sports event in the United Swtes. 'Ilic world's most prestigious dog show -only registered purebred pedigree champions witl1 the American Kennel Club can enter- will be held for two days in Madison Square Garden.Only the Kentucky D::rby has had alongcrrun.

' '1. I , / t

11

1 I . ' ', • 1,' \'' •. ', • l I\ 1 ·,

'' I I' '.'

Actress Sharon Stone, 39, is shown with San Francisco Examiner executive editor Phil Bronstein, 47 after their wedding ceremony at her home in Beverly Hills, Calif., Saturday. AP

·.

US college papers oppose liquor ads

By Kristen Hays PITTSBURGH (AP) - A bar advertisement in a Pennsyl­vania college newspaper may lure readers to a wet T-shirt conies] or the dance floor, but it can't tout two-for-one shots.

EdiLors of college newspapers across the s-ale oppose a year-old revision to the state's liquor law, blocking advertis­ing of beer or liquor brands and prices in school publica­tions. Bar owners who violate the law could lose their liquor licenses or pay fines.

"!I's a bad law, but we don't wanL 10 break it," said Anthony Breznican, editor-in-ehief of The Pitt News at the Universily of Pittsburgh.

The Legislature approved the new law, which became efrective in February lg97 but was enforced only last fall.

Editors say loss of advertising revenue has been minimal since bars revised or reduced ads la

fall at the urging of Ihe Pennsylvania State Police's office of Liquor Control Enforcement.

Their concern is whelher the law violates newspapers' and adverl isers' rights to free speech.

LCE officers didn't tell newspapers they couldn't publish cerlain ads. Instead, they told bar owners Lhat they risk fines and liquor-license suspension if they ignore the law.

Last monlh, Megan Donley, editor in chief of The Daily Collegian at Penn State University in State College, started including information about happy hours and drink specials in a news column, ''Over 21 Scene."

Donley asked all Stale College establishments with liquor licenses lo fax or mail upcoming specials they· wanted in the column. The paper's edilorial staff could visit bars to gather such information as well, The column wasn't an ad, so conlribulors paid nolhing to be induded,

LCE ofricers told State College bar owners they couldn't provide that information, eilher.

"LCE ofricers visited bars to warn us and say that if we volunteer that information, knowing it would be used for reprint, we would be in violation," said Mike Desmond, who­owns two bars in. Hotel State College next to Penn Sta~e.

"We accept the rules and will abide by them," Desmond said. We can'] al ford not to."

Drive Safely

1

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND YIEWS-21

~t]v.larianas '1'arietr~ DEADLINE: 12:00 noon the day prior to publication ii NOTE: If some reason your advertisement is incorrect. coll us immediately to make the necessary corrections. The Mananas Variety News and Views is responsible only for one incorrect insertion. We Classified Ads Section . · I reserve the right to edit, refuse. reject or cancel any ad at any time.

Employment Wanted

02 COMMERCIAL CLEANER-Sal­ary:$3/05 per hour Contact: JAG INC, dba Tropical Clean­ing Services Tel. 235-5377(2/ 17)T25390

01 ELECTRICAL DRAFTER-Sal­ary:$1,300.00 per month Contact: EMC2 ELECTRICAL INC. dt>a Emce Consulting Engrs. Tel. 322-1364(2/17)T25394

01 GOLDSMJTH-Salary:$650.00 per month Contact: MIKE'S MANUFACTURING; INC. dba Mike's Jew~lry Tel. 233-7250(2/17)T25395

01 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT­Satary:$3.75 per hour Contact: PACIFIC ISLE IMPORTS Tel. 233-3811(2/17)T25396

04 HEAVY EQUIPMENTOPERATOR­Salary:$4.00-5.80 per hour Contact: SAIPAN BUS & TRANSPOR­TATION COMPANY Tel. 322-3995(2/ 17)T70566

01 MAINTENANCE REPAIRER, BUILDING-Salary:S3.05 per hour Contact: CHALAN KIYA APARTMENT CIRCLE, INC. Tel. 235-1626(21 17)T25389

01 DELIVERER MERCHANDISE-Sal­ary:$3.05 per hour 01 RETAIL STORE SUPERV!SOR­Salary:$3.50 per hour Contact: INTER GLOBAL CORPORA­TION Tel. 235-4209(2/17)T70559

01 MECHANIC-Salary:$3.44 per hour 04 ELECTRICJAN·Salary:S3.44 per hour Contact GRACE CHRISTIAN ACAD­EMY dba Grace Chr;stian (2/17)T70564

01 TOUR COORDINATOR-Sa!· ary:S3.05 per hour Contact: ST. MARKS, INC. dba Hole in One Tour Tel. 235-2112{2/17)T25391

03 COOK-Salary:$3.05 per hour 14 CUTIER-Satary:$3.05 per hour 98 SEWING MACHINE OPERATOR­Salary:$3.05 per hour Contact: WINNERS CORPORATION Tel. 235-1804(2/17) T25392 ---· --------- --------------

01 BEAUTICIAN (ALL AROUND)-Sal­ary:$3.05 per hour Contact: ROMAN B. MATSUMOTO/ GARAPAN SAFEWAY dba La Bonita Beauty Salon Tel, 234-5765(2/ 17)T25384

06 H.E. OPERATOR-Salary:S3.05 per hour Contact PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION Tel. 235-5086(2/ 24)T25477

01 SALES MANAGER-Salary:$800.00 per month Contact: VICENTE H. SABLAN Tel. 235-1004(2/24)T25476

01 TRAVEL AGENT-Salary:$800.00-1,250.00 per month Bilingual in Japanese Language Contact R & C TOURS SAIPAN, INC. Tel. 235-7621 (2/24)T25478

02 AUTO A/C TECHNICIAN-Sal­ary:$3.05-3.50 per hour 02 REFRIGERATION AND AIRCONDITIONJNG TECH.-Sal­ary:$3.05-3.50 per hour Contact: TORRES REFRIGERATION, INC. Tel. 234-6098(2/24)T25480

01 STEEL WORKER-Salary:$3.05--3.50 per hour 01 PLUMBER-Salary:$3.05-4.00 per hour 02 HrnVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC· Salary:$3.05-3.75 per nour 01 CONSTRUCTION MANAGER-Sal­ary:S1 ,875.00 per month 01 ACCOUNTANT-Salary:33.05-6.00 per hour 01 LABORER-Salary:$3.05-3.80 per

. hour 04 HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR­Salary:$3.05:3.75 per hour 04 CARPENTER-Salary:33.05-3.50 per hour 02 MASON-Salary:$3.05-3.65 per hour Contact: CONSTRUCTION AND MATE­RIAL SUPPLY, INC. dt>a CMS Tel. 234-6136(2/17) T70550

01 ELECTRONIC TECHNICIAN-Sal­ary:$3.05 per hour Contact: TARO SUE CORP. dt>a Taro Sue Store Tel.. 234-5416(2/17)T25387

01 DIVING INSTRUCTOR-Sal-ary:$900.00-1,700.00 per month Contact: ADVANCE MARINE SAIPAN INC. dba AMS Tel. 323-4987(2/ 17)T25388

10 HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR­Salary:$3.05-6 .50 per hour 06 (DRAFT) ARCHITECTURAL-Sal­ary:$3.05-6.50 per hour 04 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT-Sal­ary:$3.05-6.50 per hour 05 COOK-Salary:$3.05-6.50 per hour 100 MASON-Salary:$3.05--6.50 per hour 16 MECHAN!C-Salary:$3.05-6.50 per hour 04 NOODLE MAKER (PRESS OPERA· TOR)-Salary:$3.05-6.50 per hour 20 PLUMBER-Salary:$3.05-6.50 per hour 02 DISPATCHER (CONST. IND.)-Sal­ary:33.05-6.50 per hour 04 SECURITY GUARD-Salary:$3.05-6.50 per hour 08 MACHINIST-Salary:$3.05-6.50 per hour 06 TINSMITH-Salary:S3.05-6.50 per hour 06 WAITER/WAITRESS (RESTAU­RANT)-Salary:$3.05-6.50 per hour 01 BATCHJNG(PLANT) CRUSHER (OPERATOR)-Salary:$3.05-6.30 per hour 90 CARPENTER-Salary:$3.05-6.50 per hour 01 CHIEF COOK-Salary:S3.05-2,900.00 per month 04 MAINTENANCE (BUILDING RE­PAIR)-Salary:$3.05-6.50 per hour 08 WELDER-Salary:$3.05-6.50 per hour 10 AUTO-BODY REPAIRER-Sal· ary:$3.05-6.50 per hour 04 BAKER-Salary:$3.05-6,50 per hour 04 (ALUMINUM) WINDOW AND DOOR (FABR!CATOR)-Salary:S3.05·6.50 per hour 04 PURCHASER-Salary:S3.05·6.50 per hour 04 MOTOR REWINDER-Salary:$3.05-6.50 per hour 25 GENERAL CONSTRUCTION WORKER-Salary:S3.05-6.50 per hour 20 ELECTRICIAN-Salary:$3.05-6.50 per l1our 30 PAINTER-Salary:$3.05-6.50 per hour 25 (STEELMAN) REINFORCE-STEEL WORKER-Salary:$3.05-6.50 per hour 04 ESTIMATOR-Salary:$ 1,050.00-2,900.00 per month 08 ACCOUNTANT-Salary:S1 ,050-2,900.00 per month 02 FINANCIAL ANALYST (PLANNER)­Salary:$1,050-2,900.00 per month 04 SANITARY ENGINEER-Sal­ary:$1,050.00-2,900.00 per month 04 FOREMAN-Salary:$1,050.00-2,900.00 per month 04 CONSTRUCTION/PROJECT MAN· AGER-Salary:$1,050.00-2,900.00 per month 01 INDUSTRIAL ENGJNEER-Sal­ary:$1,050.00-2,900.00 per month 02 COST ACCOUNTANT-Sal-ary:$1,050.00-2,900.00 per month 06 ELECTRICAL ENGINEER-Sal­ary:S1 ,050.00-2,900.00 per month 06 MECHANICAL ENGINEER-Sal­ary:S1 ,050.00-2,900.00 per month 06 CIVIL ENGINEER-Salary:S1 ,050.00-2,900.00 per month Contact: SABLAN CORPORATION dba Sablan Construction Co., Ltd./Sablan Rock Quarry Tel. 234-7947(2/24)T70673 [ .- ··-··- -- ···-__ J

L. - -- -- ·- ----- -- -- - --------- ·---------· . - -

01 STORE SUPERVISOR-Sal-ary:S1 ,300.00 per month Contact: WILD BOAR OF AMERICA, INC. Tel. 322-5801(2/24)T25473

01 CASHIER-Salary:$3.50 per hour Contact: ZHANG, BIN HUA dba Pacific Carrie Enterprises Tel. 234-5667(3/ 3)T25546

01 ACCOUNTANT-Salary:$1 ,200.00 per month 01 ADMINISTRATIVEASSISTANT-Sal­ary:$3.25-4.00 per hour Contact: CLARITO C. VIRAY dba H & R Block Tel. 235-4728{313)T25556

01 MASON-Salary:$3.05 per hour Contact: SAIHON DEVELOPMENT, INC. (3/3)T70785

01 SALES CLERK-Salary:S3.05 per hour Contact: TARO SUE CORPORATION dba Taro Sue Store Tel. 234-5416(3/ 3)T25551

01 ACCOUNTANT-Salary:$3.65-5.00 per hour Contact: SAIPAN SHIPPING COM­PANY, INC. Tel. 322-9706(3/3)T25552

01 SALESPERSON-Salary:$634.40 per month Contact: TRIPLE M CORP. dba Fang's Bakery Tel. 235-1071(3/3)T25548

01 CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR­Salary:$3.05 per hour Contact: SUN-MARS CORP. dba Gen. Contractor Construction Te·1. 235-8775(3/3)T25547

01 COOK-Salary:$3.05-3.25 oer hour 02 FOUNTAIN SERVER-Salary:S3.f15-3.25 per hour 01 FOUNTAIN SERVER-Salary: $3.05-3.40 per hour Contact: 3'S, INC. dt>a "Hula Girl" Tel. 234-3533(312)M70777

01 SALES REPRESENTATIVE-Sal­ary:$3.05 per hoL•r Contact: "LAWN AND GARDEN CEN­TER" AARON D. TAWNEY/AGNELIA P. TAWNEY Tel. 235-7396(312)M25540

01 SHOP SUPERVISOR-Salary: S4.00-4.50 per hour 01 WELDER-Salary: $3.50-3.75 per hour Contact: MARIANAS REPAIRS COM­PANY, INC. Tel. 234-9083(313)T25560

01 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT-Sal­ary: 33.05 per hour Contact: FRANCISCO S. DL GUERRERO dba Mas Mauleg Enter­prises Tel. 288-2078(3/3) T25562

02 WAITRESS-Salary: $3.05 per hour Contact: MAS MAULEG ENTER­PRISES dba Help Supply Services Tel. 288-2078(3/3)T25553

IN TIIE S\ll'ERIOR C'OUHT OFTI IE C:OMMONWEAt:1'11 OF Tl IE NORTIIERN

MAKIM,i\ ISLANDS

UNION DANK or CALIFORNIA. Plainiilf. -\'-

MA. THERESA E.QUITUGUA. aka MA. THERESA EUGENIO QUITUGUA. Defendant. Cl\'ILACTIO" ~O 97-1228

Sl'\I\Hl"S FOR p1:B1.ICATIO" TO THE ABOVE-NAMf.fl DEFENDANT

YOU ARE HEREBY SU"'MONED and nolified to file any answer you wish lo make 10 1he Complaint. a copy of which is served upon you hereby, within 1wen1y-one (21) days after the fourth publicalion of this S,,nmons. and 10 deliver or mail a copy of your .inswer to White. Pierce. Mailman & Nulling. 1he Plaintiff's Allorneys, whose address ,s P.O. box 5222. Saipan, MP 96950, as ;oon as practicable after filing your answer or St"ding it to the Clerk of Courts for filing.

Your answer should be in wriling and filed with the Clerk of this Court al Susupe. Saipan. I: may be prepared and signed for you by your counsel and sent 10 the Clerk of this Court by messenger or mail. It is not necessary for you to appear personally until further notice. If you fail to answer in accordance with lhis Summons.judgment by defauli may be 1aken against vou for !he relief demanded in !he c'omplainl.

By order 10 the above court:

ls/Deputy Clerk of Court

DATED, !his 23rd day of Januar . 1998.

CC~[Pl~lf ~[L [H](0)1JlE[L GARAPAN NOW ACCEPTING MONTHLY RENTAL

(WITH COMMUNITY KITCHEN & LAUNDRY ROOM)

FREE DRINKING WATER, BACK-UP GENERATOR, 24 HOURS SECURITY

FOR INQUIRY:

Please Call Tel. 233-7821 Fax: 233-7822

APARTMENT FOR RENT 4 Units. I Bedroom, Fully Furnished

Susupe. Near Grand Hotel $550.00/month

Call: 233-1190 (9am-9pm)

GREEN HOMES INT'L. INC. Size: 680 or 1.360 sq. ft. nEAcH ROAD

Location: GARAPAN , ~ THIS PLAC~JI

For more information, please 0,""·'"

call: (11 :OOAM-2:00PM) suum

Tel. 233-5533 Fax: 233-5534

IIYATIHOTEL

ot.:,\DAYA

lJAl,IC!ll HOTEL

I~ THE SUPERIOR COURT OI' Tl IE COMMONWEAl:J'II OF THE NOHTIIEHN

M,\l{IANA !SLANIJS

PACIFIC FINANCIAL CORPORATION. Plainliff. ·V·

JOSEPH JUAN M. CRUZ. aka JOSE JUAN M. DELA CRUZ. Defendant. CIVIL ACTIO'I Ml. 98-27

Sl'M\10:-iS FOR i'li!!LH'ATIO\ TO THE ABQVE.t.;AMED DEFENDANT:

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and notified to file any answer you wish 10 make the Complaint. a copy of which is ser\'cd upon you hereby. within 1wen1y-one (21 J days after 1he fourth publication of th is Summons. and 10 deliver or mail a copy of your answer 10 While, Pierce. Mailman & Nulling. the Plaintiff's Atlorney. whose address is P.O. Bo, 5222. Saipan. MP 96950, as soon as practicable after filing your answer or sending ii lo the Clerk of Courts for filing.

Your answer should be in wri1ing and filed wilh the Clerk of this Court at Susupe. Saipan. Ii may be prepared and signed for you by your counsel and sent to the Clerk of this Court by messenger or mail. II is nol necessary for you 10 appear personally until further nolice. If sou foil to answer in accordance with this Sut)lmons.judgment by default may be taken agains, you for !he relief demanded in the Complaiul.

By order to the abo1e court·

is/Deputy Clcrl o '. Court

DATED. this 20th da ,;,£}anuarv. 1998.

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT Olj'HE COMMONWEAt:rH OF THE NORl f IERN

MARIANA ISLANDS . -..,

In the matter of the estate of: Toribio Pagarigan Mercado, Deceased. Civil Action No. 98-107B

NOTICE OF HEARING

Notice is hereby given that on March I 0, 1998 at I :30 p.m. in the courthouse of the Superior Court in Susupe. the petitioner, Theresa M. Nieto, will petition the court to he appointed administratrix of the estate of Toribio Pagarigan Mercado.

Any person. who has any objection to said petition, may appear in said court on said date and time to make such objection.

Dated this I 0th day of February, 1998.

ls/REYNALDO 0. YANA

At1omev fur Petitiuner

12) bedroom, 11) t:<d1oom apartmenl Brand New, Fully Furnished, Ceramic Floor Tiles, Laundry Room, Secunty Gale w1lh lnlercom Gale

Switch, 24 hours waler.

MODERN APARTMENT AAA·S57, Caller Box 10001, Saipan, MP 96950

Tel. 288·8471 or 483-8484 Con1ac1 Person: Daniel Lin

IJE. A LIFELONG LEJ\.RNER,;.READ.

4000 SQ. FT. WITH SECURITY ALARM, A/C, ROLL UP DOOR IN AS·LITO (TURN KEV OPERATIONS)

..___CA!l: THOMAS 288-26789 287-8022 FAK: 288 .. 7881

22 MARIANAS VARIEfY NEWS AND VIEWS-TIJESDAY-FEBRUARY 17, 1998

EEK & MEEK® by Howie Schneider

Garfield® by Jim Davis r OKAY, N10~ ]

~/\ o L g Ii

h : p

-----!~

~-------------'''-PEANUTS® by

I

-~~~;-. Charles M.

Four weeks went by ...

Andy and Olaf still ·hadn't found our brother Spil<e who lives in -the desert.

STELLA WILDER

YOUR BIRTHDAY Born today, you arc one of

the most down-to-earth and realistic individuals born un­der your sign, and yet you are perhaps the most capable when it comes to an occupation that truly captures your interest. Indeed, there are times when you may seem to work magic, doing things that others have only dreamed of and coming through where others have fallen short. In spite of this, you remain humble about your accomplishments, ready and willing to work hard to better yourself and improve youron­thc-job pc rf ormancc.

You work well with others, and you 're never one to show­boat or insist that you be in the spotlight. Still·, you can be relied upon to come to the res­cue when the need arises. Above all, you insist on hav­ing a good time - even when working hard.

Also born on this date arc: Alan Bates and Hal Holbrook, actors; Jim Brown, football player; l\Iichacl Jordan, basketball player.

To sec what is in store for you tomorrow. find your birth­day and rc:ad the: cuncspond­ing pa1·agraph. Let your birth­day star he your daily guide.

WED:\ESDA Y, FEB. 18 AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Fcb.

18) - You are going to have to face the music today and respond to those who have

specific criticisms. You must not overreact, by all means!

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) - You will recognize something in a rival that prompts a feeling of greater respect and understanding -and an increased sense of com­petition.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) - You are in for a treat today, thanks to a friend who understands just what kind of special something you 're in the mood for at this time.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)- The difference between fact and fiction will be re­vealed to you in dramatic style today, and you must be sure to keep your reactions in propor­tion.

GEMINI (May21-June20) - You are going to have to keep careful track of all comings and goings today. You have an appointment to keep that almost slipped your mind entirely.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) - Do what is asked of you as soon as possible today and you'll avoid any kind of fric­tion as a result of mixed mes­sages or unclear expectations.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -You may find yourself racing against the clock today, when you had intended to do things in a far more leisurt.:ly fashion at this time.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) - You must be sure to fol low

THE:Y 10£f.D NJ a.D PERSOIJ 1D HEAD UP rvtffiCARf:

Schulz

certain steps in order if you expect to get the results you seek. There are times when you must follow the rules!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-0ct. 22) - Timing is of the essence today and tomorrow. Still, you must concentrate on each is­sue as it arises; don't overprepare.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) - Environmental influ­ences aren't likely to affect you as much as you might ex­pect today, while interper­sonal ones are strongly felt.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) - You will receive news that may have you pon­dering your next move today. You have time, however, while someone else may be in a big hurry.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) - The behavior of others may have you fit to be tied today, but now is not the time to show your disapproval. Stay relaxed and tolerant.

An early version of golf was played by the Romans, who called their game "pagancia."

Within three and a half years, Chester Arthur went from mayor of Buffalo, to governor of New York, to president of lhe United Slates.

!n the battle for Acre in 1191, 100,000 Crusaders and Saracens were killed.

Mead dates back to biblical times and is made by fermenting honey, water and yeast or hops.

CROSSWORD .PUZZLER ACROSS

1 Takes lo court

5 Kennel sound

8 Donald Duck's nephew

12 Stare al 13 Club dues 14 Biblical

preposition 15 Make

unclear 16 Kin (abbr.) 17 Singer

Jagger 18 Actress Miles 20 Abhor 22 Silkworm 23 Seabird 24 Hesitated 27 Took a break 31 Hockey great 32 Ginger-33 "Raging Bull"

actor 37 Femme-

40 Decay 41 Year (Sp.) 42 Anticipate 45 -dozen 49 Having little

fat 50 Auricle 52 Robert--53 Pay the kitty 54 Baseball stat 55 Pleasant 56 Ms. West,

et al. 57 Dry, as wine 58 Concordes

DOWN

1 Weeps 2 Unsightly 3 Hebrew _

month 4 Caters to 5 Scared 6 Female ruff 7 Cleveland

Indians pitcher (1936-56)

Answer to Previous Puzzle

2-17 © 1998 United Feature Syndicate

8 People 9 Single item

10 Engrave with acid

11 Ox harness 19 Anger

21 Mineral 24 Pea holder 25 Metric

measure 26 Vase 28 Chinese

pagoda 29 Building

addition 30 Scottish river 34 Papas and

Dunne 35 Mythical bird 36 Playful water

animals 37 Woven · material

38 Collection of anecdotes

39 Mementos 42 Character

actor Jack-43 "-: Warrior

Princess" 44 Top of the

head 46 Yalies 47 Four-sided

figure (abbr.) 48 Witnesses 51 Honest -

KidSp(!)'C,... by Dick Rogers

~ti

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OLD

5DOWN: LESS 11-!AN TWICE

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The hunt begins tomorro.w

THEBIGONE 1111-1-·· 11--·- ADVANCETICKETSONSALENOW! Is COMING ., . ', ' ' FR!ESo\mNIRMAIIICCourcnsLEPIN

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----------·- -

I.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1998-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-23

Winter Olympics

Maier wins Super-G gold By BOB BAUM

HAKUBA, Japan (AP) - A monster crash couldn't stop "Das

Monster." Hermann Maier, his body

bruised and right knee strained in

a spectacular crash on the down­hill three days earlier, careened down the hill with his usual aban-

Austria's Hermann Maier, center, the gold medal winner is flanked by his compatriot Hans Knauss left and Switzerland's Didier Cuche the joint silver medal winners during the flower ceremony for the Men~ Super­G at the XVfll Winter Olympic Games in Hakuba Monday. AP

By PIEROVALSECCHI In yetartother facet of the con-. HAKUBA,Japan (AP)-The trovers:y over snowboarding, head ofskiing)s governing body threeatimey1orld championTerje has given low marl<s to the Olym- Haakonsetj ofNorwa y boycotted piqlebutofsoowboarding, a sport the Olympics in a dispute over _

-of free spirits who had to accept who should organize the compe-drug tes~g and wtifonns to get ti tiori. here. - _ - HaakonseninsistedthattheIOC

Thesportneedsbetterdiscipline should have given that job to the and technique tohaveafuture inrhe snow boarding federation, rather

· QlYuipi~~GianFra,1CQK;ispersaid than the -FIS. _ Sund~y,. _ -- _. < K:~J>rl'said that ''.the competi-

Sriowboarding's first Olympic) i 9otj .was interesting, and the tech­gold medalist, Canadian Ross •. --- nique of the leading snowboarders Rebagli:iti, tested positiveformari- • good. However, the level of several juana and kept the medal only be- others, especially in the women's

-causeasportsrubitrationpanelover~ events, was quite low and must be ruled thelntemational Olympic improved." Committee's decision to take it He also urged choosing differcrtt away. snO\vboardevents to show off more

The credentials of an Austrian spectacular maneuvers and gain snowboarder were taken away af- popularity for the sport. tern rowdy party in a hotel. "Snowboard must not ape

"l11at'swasreally abadstatt," (copy) Alpine skiing. Slalom and said Kasper, secretary-general giant s1alom are not good for oftheFederationintemationalc snowboarding. Border cross de Ski, known by its acronym should be added to the halfpipe FIS. programJt'ssomethingwhichmust

Huston ... Continued from page 24

on the fina!Hawaiian Open, which will be replaced on the Tour cal­endar by the Sony Classic in Ha­waii in 1999, Huston rolled in a three-foot ( meter) putt on the 72nd hole to claim the mark.

Tom Watson shot a 66 to finish second at 21-under 267 with Trevor Dodds in third.

Tied for fourth were Mike Reid, Brett Quigley and Frank Lickliter with R.W. Eaks, Steve Stricker, Olin Browne and Greg Kraft an­other stroke behind.

The win also gave Huston a

two-year exemption. Coming into 1998, he had to use his one-time Top 50 money winner list exemp­tion to remain on the Tour.

A birdie at the first hole put Huston five strokes ahead of the field. By the tum at the 7,012-yard (6410-meter) WaialaeCoun­try Club course, Huston was 25-under,

From that point, Huston's only opponent was the record book. The 23-under Hawaiian Open record was a given, so the focus switched to the all-time U.S. PGA Tour record of 27-under.

Huston picked up only eight strokes on the long holes, but he birdied the 411-yard (376-meter)

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be discussed," he added, In this Olympics; four

snowboarding gold medals were awarded, in men's and women's giantslalom and halfpiJX!. --

In the halfpiJX! competition, boarders - "shredders" in their own lingo '-Slide up the sides of a long snow. trough io flip, spin and twist in tl-.e air.

While not hiding his lack of en­thusiasm for some _ aspects of snowboarding, Kasper said he was misquoted inpublishedreportssay­ing that he described the sport as a child's game.

"l emphasized the entertaining aspect of this sport fur youngsters," Kasp;:rsaid. "Mysonisasnowboard fanatic."

Rebagliati was the fast athlete to test positive for marijuana since HS l:egan testing its athletes 2 1-2 years ago, Kasper said.

The Canadian said he had not smoked marijuana in recent years,

, butcouldhaveinhaledsmokefrom friends at a party.

14th hole all four days and the 427-yard (390-meter)eighth three times.

He also recorded seven bird­ies on the 12 par-3 s.

The $ 324,000 winner's check raised Huston's 1998 winnings to almost dlrs 445,000. In four tournaments, he has won once and finished in ties for eighth and I 0th, in addition to missing one cut.

The Sony Classi~ in Hawaii will be in the same early year position in 1999 and will follow the Mercedes Championships, which will be held at Kapalua's Plantation Course on the island of Maui.

don Monday to win the Olympic gold medal in the super-G, a race he has yet to lose this season.

The former bricklayer nick­named "Das Monster" and the "Herminator" by his legion of fans, won the twice-postponed race in I minute, 34.82 sec­onds, more than a half-second faster than his nearest rivals.

Fellow Austrian Hans Knauss and Didier Cuche of Switzerland shared the silver medal at 1:35.43. No bronze was awarded. It was the third time an Olympic Alpine race had ended with a tie for a sil­ver.

Maier, 25, didn't think he was his normally overpower­ing self.

But those who watched him

Agassi ... Continued from page 24

set, with a cross-court backhand for break point. He broke serve again to go up 4-1, and kept com­mand the rest of the way on the fast surface at the San Jose Arena.

Plagued by broken strings, Sampras used five rackets during the match. Down 5-2 in the first set, he continued to rally with broken strings, then playfully pre­tended he was about to throw his racket into the crowd when he lost the point. Even Agassi laughed.

The two men have not played each other since the November 1996 ATP World Championship in Hanover, Germany, which Sampras won. The last time Agassi beat Sampras was in 1995 at Montreal.

Bulls Continued from page 24

clock about to expire, took an inbounds pass, dribbled away from the basket and lofted a long 3-pointer to make it 82-70. Two more free throws by Caffey com­pleted a I 0-0 run that pushed the lead to 14 points.

But Hunter hit three more 3s, the final one pulling the Pistons to within 95-90 with 23 seconds left, before Jordan secured the win with two free throws.

CNMI ... Continued from page 24

serve the shutout. Raumakita was elected as the

Most Valuable Player by tournament officials.

The Saipan team debuted interna­tionally last year at the First lntema­tionalToumamentinBangkok, where it earned the monickcr Sweethearts because of the members' flamboy:mt and crowd-pleasing style of play.

In that tournament Saipan n:ached the quru1er finals, sccuting the spon­sorship of General Accident :md Micro) Insurance.

"We are expanind our ho1iwns to more international toumamenL~,"

'' . 1 '.' .•

rocket out of the fog at the top of the course and flash down the track would disagree.

"I was not really the 'Herminator' today," he said, "but I am overjoyed to win this gold a few days after a terrific spill in the downhill."

Maier, whose injuries in the men's downhill Friday kept him out of the combined event Friday, showed no loss of his trademark aggressiveness in a race delayed for 45 minutes by fog.

"I never expected this to­day," he said. 'Tm so happy and I thank my doctors and my trainers."

"After a big crash, it's hard for the brain, hard to concentrate," he said. "'I needed the first gates to get in my rhythm."

Two years ago at the Sybase, the results were the opposite with Sampras easily defeating Agassi 6-2, 6-3. Overall, Sampras leads the series be­tween the two, 12-9.

Sunday's victory was a sign that Agassi 's much-touted comeback was real.

Agassi ended 1996 ranked No. 8, but his game fell off dramatically last year, with his ranking plummeting to as low as No. 141 in November.

This year, a revitalized Agassi has been on a steady climb, with more final and semifinal appear­ances than all of last year.

Currently, he is ranked No. 71. He reached the semifinals in

Auckland, then this week defeated French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten and No. 2 seed Michael Chang.

Kukoc made a steal and dunk, scored again on a long pass be­hind the Pistons defense and Pippen hit Ron Harper with a per­fect alley oop pass, completing a I 0-4 nm that gave Chicago a I 0-poi nt lead after three quarters.

NOTES: Rodman, who entered the game with 2:50 left in the first quarter, played 21 minutes with no points and eight rebounds. He missed the Sunday morning shootaround .... The Bulls are 14-4 since Pippen returned from a foot injury .... The Pistons have lost five straight on the road.

Bishop said. The team has been invited to scv­

er..il major international tournaments this year including the Manila I Os and Bangkok 7s.

The other Saipan team members that played in Guam wen:: Sefulu Tigilau, Jim Hollman, Peni Ta.si, Mikeson John, Arn.lrew Grace, lose Tuigrunala, Bruce Berline, Roben Faas:1, Pete Lcau, David Banes, Wilbert Kamcrang, and Mii Tckopua.

Anybody interested in learning rugby may contact Hollman at 664-3013 or Banes at 234-5684, or go to the American Memorial Park field on Tuesdays and l11urs­days between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

24-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-TUESDAY- FEBRUARY I 7 1998

SPORTS

I wins Rugby title SAIP AN bagged the Budweiser Cup in the .True GRIT Interna­tional Rugby Tournament held over the weekend in Guam.

After defeating the teams from China, Guam, Palau and Pohnpei,

it went on to seal its sweep of the tournament with a 12-0 win against Navy SEALS.

The Saipan team opened its campaign for the crown Saturday by taking on its southern neigh-

borGuam. Stan Iakopo, Ika Veamatahau

and Penni Tasi hoo~ed up early and scored three ties (equivalent to touchdowns in American foot­ball) in the firs half to run up the

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Windsurfers at the 17th Micronesian Open Windsurfing R'egatta prepare their sails while waiting for winds to pick up during the final races yesterday. Photo by Lalla c. Younis

Bulls demolish Pistons By Rick Gano

CHICAGO.(AP)-ToniKukoc, a surprise starter after Dennis Rodman missed practice, scored 22 points and the Chicago Bulls withstood the late 3-pointshoot­ing of Lindsey Hunter for a 99-90 win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.

Michael Jordan added 21 points and had 12 rebounds while Scottie Pippen had 20 points for the Bulls.

Hunter had five 3-pointers and 19 points in the fourth quarter.

He finished 7-for-19 on 3s and with 31 points.

Brian Williams had 21 before fouling out with 3:42 left.

Kukoc scored 14 of his points in the second half as Chicago beat Detroit for the 18th time in the last 19 meetings.

The Bulls, who let a late 23-point lead slip away in their previ­ous game against Atlanta, were

up by IO after three quarters. But the Pistons rallied behind

Hunter, closing to 74-70 as Hunter hit a pair of 3-pointers and Williams muscled in for a basket.

Bulls reserves Randy Brown and Jason Caffey hit jumpers and Caffey added a free throw, giving the Bulls a nine-point cushion.

Then Pippen, with the shot Continued on page 23

Agassi defeats Sampras BY ANNE M. PETERSON

SAN JOSE, California (AP) - Continuing his dramatic comeback after falling out of the top I 00 last year, a confident and hard-hitting Andre Agassi easily upset No. I-ranked Pete Sampras 6-2, 6-4 in the Sybase Open final.

Despite Sampras' strong serves, Agassi controlled the match Sunday with power and placement to win his fourth Sybase title. He also won it in 1990, '93 and '95.

When Sampras hit long for match point, a jubilant Agassi raised his hands in victory and blew a kiss to the fans, as wife

AndreAgassicefebrateshiswinover Pete Sampras at the Svbase Open tennis tournament final. Agassi de­feated Sampras 6-2, 64. AP

BrookeShields cheered wildly and the crowd gave him a stand­ing ovation.

"Today, looking across the net and seeing Pete, it felt great," t\gassi said. "I was hitting the

· ball really clean and feeling con­fident and making the big points."

Sampras, the top seed and two-time defending champion, appeared sluggish despite 17 aces. He seemed stunned after the match.

"He was just on top of his game," Sampras said. "I was a

little bit off.'' Agassi went up 2-1 in the first

Continued on page 23

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score, 15-0. Guam fried to catch up, but

Saipan frustrated Guam's effort eventually securing the victory, 15-12.

Saipan ended the day with two more triumphs over Palau and Pohnpei, 15-5 and 42-0 respe_c­tively.

Saipan continued its domina­tion the.following day, Sunday, running away with the games with Palau, 35-0, Guam's A side, 24-19, and second-placer Navy SEALS, 12-0. .

The finals proved to be a classic match, with the Navy SEALS re­lying on their fitness and hitting abilities andSaipan on th'eirspeed and ball-handling skills.

Daniel Raumakita scored first for Saipan by ·pooch-kicking the ball over the Navy defender and winning the foot race to the try

zone. Navy came back and almost

scored as no Saipan defender was within 15 yards of the runner.

But Iakopo, with courage and speed, chased the bigger Navy player and tackled him at the try line to prevent a tying score.

Minutes later, Raumakita took the ball on a penlaty againy Navy and dove in for a second try. He then made the conversion kick to make the score 12-0 at half time.

Although the Navy came out strong in the second half, Saipan 's two big defense men, Faaea Talalemotu and Mark Zachres, along with stalwart Harris Taivero, prevented them from reaching the try zone.

With team captain Mike Bishop sidelinedwith an injury, Willie Setefano stepped in to help pre-

Continued on page 23

John Huston, of Palm Harbnr, Fla., holds up the Hawaiian Open pineapple trophy, Sunday at the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu. Huston won with a 28-µnder-par 260 to set a PGA Tour record for most strokes under par. AP

: Huston wins Hawaiian O.pen ., . . .

By GORDON SAKAMOTO HONOLULU (AP) - John Huston rewrote the U.S. PGA Tour record. book in giving the final Hawaiian Open a fitting sendoff.

Huston shot a closing 66 Sun­day to finish with a 28-under-par 260, breaking the 27-under mark

set by Ben Hogan and matched by Mike Souchak.

Huston needed a 62 to break the 257 Tour record for a 72-hole event, which was also set by Souchak at the Texas Open in 1955.

In placing an exclamation point

Continued on page 23