~V~SJTY, Of H6WAU Ll8RARV

arianas %riety:~,, Micronesia's Leading Newspaper Since 1972 ~ ,;.{" ,''-'i})

:f Su . 'rfoiCoui:tas'the:o · . niri of\'.": ·· ·::,~:~)iid,id~l@fupiei:&,$1i~~~.\I):··, 'f~nli_riµe{)p:Jace. unc~riaincy: ''' .. . Pre~iding .Ju.dge. ,Alexandr~. ·' Castro dis~l~s~:d:. eu • ;;>; .-

Castro has -mstl,'ucte.d Courts . .. Djr~ctor j::dwaid~·c:.'.Deieon· / · · tih~fi'e_t9ii§tt<irely~o~tlje'pfos~ . . ·: ( pectq(relqca~rig·!9th~'.J~dkial .. ·· . . 1..---A-le-x-an_d_r,_o,-C-a-st-ro-· .-. _--'

>~~f fi!fJ!t~i~~:~#~t;;··.-·:::v~de_is~?rlrig-_.t~e·.·.•;~~iiiii~ .• : 1/Family · Court, :,as:iyveU: #s;,itlie:< ;-. 1:1~~tf9r c.ou~oom.spac:e)11~~ · · TiniiurC6. urt. , : i: -; ·.·i ·:. · · · <· .· '{.:\/ ".· :'.(·fu#!~r.•.· (;~stto.:/Jaqi~ilt~cl.Jl!.~l <

· · ''.Whiie:fr is:rumored. iliaf\ye' ·.;//fapilY Go~rt JµdgeYir.gJ*iaB.: : .. may '.SQOil be ,reJocatingfc(tb~' ;/_ : Qq~r~¢~~:~~ ·~rt "~Oll~j°.g'' ·.·.new. coinplexaridtheft ffi.e 1:iiil~ ~';./ •.ff<?1;11 .-~()~ft.1'9.qrn: .. to. sourt1"q9.m ·. ccciu~pu·s~ proj~ct i~81.ippo~ed ~.- · . foralm~~tJ'.Ye~.np'!V: : \;<l .· .... ·. ·.fore restarted, these e.ven~·do '. : g~_p91n~#-l?U{tnat9p$eV~p1L .·

:','.iiot:have. defi~ite.•completion: · · occ#sio11s)~gge!Q~¢~1!~i~:h~' .• dates ~rid: therefore: can. not be ' ' kept attomeysand litigan,~'r"~i!-

relied upont the. judge told . ing_for hqur~:ii:t:s:-der to gefan Deleon Guerrero in a: memoran- available courtroom. . , . dum issued-last week. · · , Continued c:n:r pag~ ~If

. . -·· .: __ ._ . ._ . ..::.., .. -~: .. .;..:.::..:_ ... ·.::·:.._.: .. , .:~.~,-~,: ...... . ~7..--:-.;:~~~~~·,-;:--::::_,~~--:::E?~"t;'t'~'.';"::::-~:·--.::-~-...--:7;;~:1~;~u· .. ~.,;:!,

HCPABoard imposes limit f:i

! 1 on port agency's spending(;

f r; By Aldwin A. Fajardo Salas said the CPA can only

, , Variety News Staff afford $20 million in total bond 1 •

; PROJECTING!owerrevenues flotation, given the ports i . ; · duetotheeconomicslump,the agency's lower revenue pro-

Board of Directors of the Com- jections. monwealth Ports Authority "This $20 million is really ! :

. [CPA] yesterday approved a what we can afford right now, $60 million cap on the agency's based on the declining revenues expenses. of the airports," he stressed.

The CPA board also decided He explained that with the to float $20 million and $34.6 $20 million bond size, CPA million bond size for the air- will be able to pay off the out-port and the seaport sectors , standing airport revenue bonds respectively. amounting to $8.5 million.

"The board has passed a reso- He said the balance appro-lution authorizing CPA to in- priated as construction funds curup to $60 million expenses. that will pay off all ongoing It is a cap of debt the CPA can capital improvement projects

; , incur in this financing scheme at the airport. 11 1··:j' that we have," Ports executive "We have some airportreha- p I ~. director Carlos Salas said. Continued on page 3~, ff

'J' r' ,.,. ·I ! ~ ' , -, ' t-. • ··• ••

Quitugua sues Reader's Digest

Rota resident files $3M libel suit over 'labor abuse' expose . By Mar-Vic C. Munar Variety News Staff

A ROTA businessman filed yester­day a $3-million libel suit against the Reader's Digest magazine in con­nection with a 1997 article which allegedly raised "false" and "mali­cious" accusations against him.

Rafael L. Quitugua filed the case with the Superior Court through law­yer Steve Pixley.

QuituguawasrefeningtotheJune 1997 article, written by Herny Hurt, in which he was described as a ''politically well-connected business­man."

Thearticletitled''ShameonAmeri­can Soil," discussed the human rights and labor abuses committed against guest contract workers in the CNMl Local officials had described the ar-

tide as a "rehash" of old labor cases. Thearticletookofffromthecaseof

Filipino maid Thelma Landeza who had complained of being undeipaid. She was also quoted as saying Quitugua, her employer, "beat me and finally raped me."

Landeza told the Reader's Digest that she was "afraid to complain to local labor officials" because Quitugua "flaunted his connections with those very people."

Landeza filed a rape complaint against Quitugua in 1995, but the Attorney General's Office had dis­missed it for "lack of evidence."

"No charges were brought. Quitugua, meanwhile, maintained his innocence," the article said.

The article, according to the com­plaint, "alleges by innuendo that

[Quitugua] used his political influ­ence as as 'a political well-('.onnected businessman' to acquire a dismissal of the case."

'The above publication made by [Reader's Digest] was an unfair, false and malicious account of the pro­ceedings in the Northern Marianas," the complaint said.

The complaint said the Reader's Digest writer"negligently and reck­lessly published its false version of the event of the events" without giv­ing Quitugua a chance to comment

"Ithasexposed [Quitugua] to pub­lic wrath, hatred, contempt, and ridi­cule, has deprived the plaintiff of the benefits of public confidence and social intercourse," the com­plaint said.

Quitugua is requesting a jury trial.

STATE FUNERAL. Teresita Attao, widow of the late former Congressman Maximo Attao is presented a wreath honoring her husband during yesterday's state memorial service at the Multipurpose Center. From right are Saipan Mayor Jose C. Sablan, Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Supreme Court Chief Justice Marty W.K. Taylor and Speaker Diego T. Benavente. Photo by Mar-Vic c. Munar

Leaders: D.c·.· 10~'1Y-needed Museum hit by funds lack

PAC NEWSPAPER STACKS

By Mar-Vic C. Munar Variety News Staff

THE LEGISLATURE urged Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday to hire a trade consultant and a public­relations firm to the CNMI in its efforts to quash the federal government's takeover plan, in­cluding the Clinton Administration's proposal to im­pose tariff on CNMI's garment exports to the United States.

At the same time, the Legisla­ture also proposed to renew the contract of the Seattle-based lobby group, Preston-Gates, to

continue its representation of the CNMI in the nation's capital

In a letter to the Governor, Sen­ate President Paul Manglona and Speaker Diego Benavente pro­posed that the government extend the services of Preston-Gates "so that this firm can proceed with the necessary task."

The Senate and House leaders said that since Preston-Gates had represented the CNMI in Wash­ington for two years, it "is already familiar with the CNMI's issues and concerns." ~~-~---~ Continued on page 38

-~-

By Mar-Vic C. Munar Variety News Staff

THECNMI Museum in Garapan is ready to open, but.it doesn't have funds to hire people who will operate it, a museum offi­cial said yesterday.

The Legislature had approved the hiring of six full-time em­ployees for the museum, but Herman T. Guerrero, chairman of the Board of Governors for the Museum, said he doesn't know .where to get the money for their salaries.

Continued on page 38

)

l

1''. \\~. i'i ·,·

'i i' '·~ !•)

/ ./

China to close 11 niinistries

By RENEE SCHOOF BEIJING (AP)_ China's legis­lature convenes its annual ses­sion Thursday with a big agenda: electing new top leaders to five­year terms and paring down a bloated bureaucracy.

111e 15-day session will include small-group debates over pressing problems such as economic reform m1dcomiptioningovernrnent. Votes on a new premier and other top posi­tions will be taken in the main assem­bly room of the Great Hall of the People under a ceilingdecornted with a huge glowing red star.

with a report by the premier on the government' sworkoverthcpast year and recommendations for the ve:u-aliead. •

Li, who was to give the speech in one of his last functions as premier, was likely to focus on the economy, restating the government's call for 8 percent growth, financial reforms and investment in technology and infra­strucrure.

Although the party has not an­nounced any of this year's changes, some are widely anticipated.

The new premier is expected to be Zhu Rongji, 01ina 's main economic policymaker since 1993 and a fonner mayor of Shanghai.

yem. Li Peng, the outgoing premier,

must step down by law after two five-yeartemJS.Senio.rofficialschose Li on Wednesday to preside over the legislativesession,andheisexpected to ce approved as the congress chair­m.u1 on Mmch 16, three days before the session ends.

Li, a political conservative, will replace the relatively liberal Qiao Shi.

· Lawmakers also will approve an­other five-year term as president for Jiang l.emin, the chairman of the Communist Pmty. The powerful Jiang also faces no challenger for another term as chairman of the Cen­tral MiUtaiy Commission ..

But the important decisions have already been made in secret by the ruling Communist Party. The 2,979 delegates to the congress_ 70 per­cent of them party members _ are virtually certain to approve them.

The legislative session was to open on Thursday as it traditionally does,

Zhu,69,putcontrolsonoverheated growth and brought inflation down from 22 percent in 1994 to under I percent last yearwithout pl tinging the economy into recession. The economy grew at 8.8 percent last

The three top leaders_ Jiang, Ll and Zhu _ are all considered main­stream communists who will not embrace sweeping democratic re-

Contmued on page 36

Chinese Premier Li Peng, right, shakes hands with National People's Congress Chairman Qiao Shi after Li was chosen to preside over the 15-day annual meeting of the legislature which opens Thursday, at a meeting of leaders in Beijing Wednesday. AP

TIRES AS LOW AS .............. _ ~ ......... ~--.-.. - ...... _,,._..._ ......

95* •.n.- ••• ., ...... ft ....... --~- ~ - __ _. -_ __.._ ~ ... - ----

TRIPLE J . ....... . .,,.,. ~-g

o Qo v.,.n,"-

WE SERVICE ALL MAJOR BRANDS M1tsubish1 • Hyundai • Isuzu • Toyota • Nissan • Honda • Ford Cnevy • Chrysler • Jeep • BMW • Mercedes • Mazda & more!

BRAKE SERVICE

$)3995 PER AXLE (most cars)

• Replace pads or shoes • Resurtace rotors or drums

• Inspect br.ake Ii]-. system )7.-,.

4 x .! truck . • (eX\r2 charge) -•

·------------------l1~@m;/Nl@1=:W@I

• 0,1 & f111er :·:,· :-· • Lubrica:e c:t1(:' • Top ell all ;il,1:;~

• Rctat~ 6 1:·2lc:Y • Servic; [,atiery !i::T ::c::is • lnsp~c! '..J~2~t:_<::

• !Ac.is; Cc: rs 6 /1gh! trucks

·------------------TUNE UP

• 4-Cylinder 11 • Replace Spark Plugs ,ill • Set Timing -

;;:;95' I

------------------·

OIL & RITTR CHANGE • Drain old oil & add up to 5

qua~s of Castrol or Shell Oil

• lnslail new ~ name-brand '-i.__:/ • oil filter

• Disposal lee $3.00 extra

s29,s .··. ·. RADIATOR 'fLUSH . .

• Evacuate old C1JGlanr.

• Che:k tor possible leaks

• Re'ill wi1r. new coolanl

s59,s ·------------------li:J1)~1 IUI IJ;11 (ij//M=:,1

I

• Inspect front & rear suspens,or: • Adjust caster. 11 '

toe & camber ; , , (when applicable) · :

• Most cars · . , I I I

s59,s ! I

·------------------~

· PASSENGER TIRES '155R12 $29.95'

155R13 39.95 --TIRES 185/70R13 59.95

185/75R 14 62.95 HIGH PERFOHl,!ANCE TIRES 4 X 4 TRUCK TIRES 195175R14 69.95 185/60R13 $59.95 27/8.50R14 $89.95

175/70R14 59.95 195/60R14 79.95 30/9.SORl 5 119.95

185/70R14 64.95 195/65R15 84. 95 31/10.SORlS 149.95

195/70R14 74. 95 215/65R15 94. 95 31111.SORlS 154.95

205/70R14 79.95 225160R15 99.95 33/12.SOR 15 159. 95

205/75R15 79.95 195/50R15 99.95 35/12.SOR 15 169.95

215/75R15 84.95 2D5l50R15 109.95 265/75R16 169." 225/75R15 89. 95 2D5l55R16 109.95

'};>/ ~8~~~c~~:~s '185/60R 13 215140R16

175/50R13 225/40R16

~s \.O'IJ ~s 185/60R14 245/45R16

2D5/6DR14 215/70R17

S8995 195/45R14 235/40R17

205150R15 255/40R17

205/45R16

e2,EftKEI .·.······ •- , i.\10\V IN STOCK ,,. \

.;~:ill;;) O'N (\S \··-~." •.... )! (\S t; nCJS '~. .-Y1 s ·"~ ----· IA- EUM-2 EUM-3

-f \ FINANCING ,-==~-1eo/fvis11J~ffl'/f@-j ~ !j~lft.l.uJ~i AVAILABLE! ----- I~ ,.,. ~l~ ._,,..,

~ Au!oC•t•Cffllar

Apply for a Triple J Express Tire & Lube Card. Available Soon! "'""'· ,..., ''" ..... ..,,

Shell Gas S!ahon on Mid11e Road, Gualo Ra1 HDUrs·. Mon.-Sal. 7:30A.M.·7.00P.M.; Open: Sun 800AM-5 OOPM

234-TIRE (8473) 235-4455/6550

LIGHTTRUCK TIRES 155R12 $54.95

165R13 54.95

185R14 89.95

195R14 99."

205/75R14 99.•5

215/75R15 104.95

215/85R16 129. 95

225/75R 16 134.95

235/85R16 149.95

245/75R16 159.95

EUM-5

Prices valid until March 31, 1998, while supplies /asr. Not with any other offer. Tread design varies by lire size and brand.

Kim orders overhaul of spy agency

By Sang-Hun Choe SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -President Kim Dae-jung ovemauled South Korea's intelligence agency Wednesday, naminganewchiefand ordering the agency to focus on its original role of gathering information overseas.

The president appointed a close aide, 62-year-old Lee Jong-chan, to lead the Agency for National Secu­rity Planning.Lee, whountilrecently headed the president's transition temn, is considered a modernte conserva­tive despite serving at the spy agency during the 1970s, when then­strongmanParkChung-heeusedit to suppress political dissent

"Because he has first-hand knowl­edge of the inner workings of the agency, Mr. Lee will be well-posi­tioned to reform the agency and preventitfrommeddlingin domestic politics," said presidential spokes­man Park Ji-won.

Until the early 1980s, theorganiz.a­tion wa, known a, theKoreaCentral Intelligence Agency. It was used by the country's former miliuu-y dicta­tors to shadow, kidnap and torrure dissidents.

Most observers say itha~curbed its excesses while keeping a foot in do­mestic politics.

Kim had been the agency's most high-profile victim until December's election made him the first opposi­tion leader to take power in South Korea.

The spy agency had painted Kim as a dangerous communist for his campaign for greater human rights during the 1970s and '80s.

In 1973, whenKimwasinpolitical exile in Japan, he says he was kid­napped from a hotel room by KCIA agents.

Kim says U.S. intervention pre­vented the agents from drowning him in the Sea of Japan. He was released in Seoul several days later.

ti r l ..

' \

r

',.

I;

f l f I i

I.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-3 .

gets 'sem.i-waiver' By Zaldy Dandan Variety News Staff FEMA lowers matching fund requirement for typhoon grants Business Administration.

Prior to supertyphoon Paka's fury last Dec. 16-17, the CNMI was hard hit by supertyphoons Joan on Oct. 7-8, and Keith on Nov. 2-3.

THE CNMI can now come up with a reduced amount of local matching funds and still receive close to $3 million in federal assistance for the victims of supertyphoon Keith.

In a letter Tuesday to the Fed­eral Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), President Clinton reduced by half the matching fund requirement, which will mean a savings of half a million dollars for the com­monwealth, according to Gov.

• •

Pedro P. Tenorio. Tenorio yesterday described

the President's decision as "a welcome news" for the cash­strapped CNMI government.

''They did not totally waive the required matching funds (as

· we have requested), but this is still good news, and we appre­ciate the President's under­standi;-ig of our situation here," Tenorio said.

Prior to the President's deci­sion, CNMI was required to

·.· J' ·,,If '

(, , :,:·. .1

Chamorrita dancers perform a welcome number at the Apra Harbor on Guam upon the arrival of the cruise ship, Oriana. The luxury liner from London, England came in recently to Guam bringing senior citizens for a tour of the island. Photo by Eduardo C. Siguenza (Reuters)

·Spare Veterans Office from p.olitics-- Palacios

By Ferdie de la Torre Variety News Staff

VETERANS Affairs Office Director Joe Palacios said he is hoping that his position will be spared from politics, which has nothing to do in dealing with the veterans.

Palacios said the people should work together with V AO regardless of their po· litical parties to accomplish the agency's mission to as­sist the veterans in the CNMI.

Palacios, in an interview Wednesday, said acting De­partment of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Eloise Furey had informed him that the administration has given him a 90-day ex­tension as VAO,director.

The transition committee reportedly included Palacios as among the four candidates for the position of YAO di­rector.

Palacios has served as V A.0 chief since the term of former Gov. Larry Guerrero who is

a Republican, and former Gov. Froi Ian Tenorio, a Democrat.

"I just hope that the selec­tion will be based on perfor­mance. I think I have done a lot to assist our veterans on the island," the director pointed out.

Palacios said he is confi­dent that Gov. Pedro Tenorio has realized that he has been doing his responsibility dur­ing.his term as directorof the program.

"If I am not doing anything on my job, I am glad to step down," he said.

Palacios earlier decried the apparent neglect given the State Veterans Cemetery project by the past adminis­tration.

The director has been push­ing since 1993 to realize such project designed to accom­modate burial sites for both current and future veterans and possibly their families.

put up 25 cents for every dollar of federal assistance.

But citing the slump in the local economy and the government's critical financial condition, Tenorio requested the White House to waive the matching fund requirement.

Clinton's directive will re­duce the CNMI's obligation from 25 to IO percent.

"We can then use our savings

to provide additional services to the community," Tenorio said.

FEMA and the Emergency Management Office (EMO) un­veiled last December the fed­eral aid programs for individu­als and businesses whose prop­erties suffered damages from supertyphoon Keith.

The aid program includes di­saster loans from the U.S. Small

President Clinton declared the CNMI a disaster area last Dec. 8.

The President later made an­other declaration of disaster for the commonwealth as a result of the extensivf! damages caused by supertyphoon Paka on Rota.

Reyes to sponsor bill that seeks to abolish MVB's current board

By Zaldy Dandan Variety News Staff

SENA TE Majority Leader Pedro P. Reyes (R-Saipan) yesterday said he will introduce legislation to abolish the cunent board of the Marianas Visitors Bureau.

Reyes said his bill would return MVB to its autonomousscarus, which was changed in 1994 by then gover­nor Froilan C. Tenorio through a controversial executive order reorga­nizing the executive branch.

Reyes said his bill would enable Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to appoint a new board of directors .

MYB 's current board members are mostly appointees of the previous governor.

'Tuey seem unwilling to resign and allow the new governor to ap­point new members," Reyes said.

THE remains of former Con­gressman Maximo T. Attao were laid to rest yesterday, fol lowing a state memorial service at the Multipurpose Center in Susupe.

A proclamation signed by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio and resolutions adopted by the Legislature honoring the former legislator were read at the memorial service.

Upon the governor's order, the US and CNMI flags were lowered to half-mast yester­day. He was given a 15-gun salute.

Top government officials graced the ceremony. . Attao, who was a member of

the Fifth Legislature from 1986 to 1988, was survived by his wife Teresita and five children.

Attao drowned last Feb. 25 while rescuing his son who was swept by water current off the Managaha island.

Born on May 4, 1998, Attao is brother of House Vice Speaker Jesus Attao.

The Governor's proclamation stated that Attao "served the Com­monwealth government with di~­tinction and he will be remem­bered for the many contributions he made to his community."

(MCM)

TI1e board's current members in­clude MYB Chair Antonio S. Guerrero, Pedro Ogo, Rosita A. Hocog, Frederico Del a Cruz, Carmen Gaskins,JoseC.Ayuyu,LinoOlopai, JoaquinH.Borja,KaishunNishigaya and Bartley Jackson.

The new administration has vowed to make MYB more autonomous, and to appoint more board members from the private sector.

Ban on agency hiring At the sanie time, Reyes said he

will also introduce a bill banning the hiringofnonresidentworkersthrough manpower agencies.

Other key senators, including Sen­ate President Paul A. Manglona (R­Rota)andSenate Vice PresidentTho­mas P. Villagomez (R-Saipan), have expressed support for such legisla­tion in light of concerns over the conditions of nurses hired through agencies.

For his part, acting Health Secre­taiy Joseph Kevin Yillagomezearlier said the hiring of nurses through man-

Pedro P. Reyes

power agencies wiJJ not be stopped immediately but phased out grndu­aJly.

He said the .idministrntion's plan reg.u-ding the direct hiring of the nurses may not require legislation.

Less than half of the 120 nonresi­dent nurses cunently hired through twomanpoweragenciesalready have US accreditation and may be hired directly, Villagomez said.

Cancelling I&S contract could cost MVB $3.5M

By Zaldy Dandan Variety News Staff

EVEN IF !&S's proposed $3.5 million contract is canceled, the Marianas Visitors' Bureau may have to pay almost the same amount in cancellation fees to Japanese media outlets, it was learned.

Due to assurances from the MYB board that the contract would be signed, the Tokyo­based advertising agency com­pleted, by the end of January, its TY commercial producti~n and airing to promote the CNMI to Japanese tourists.

I&S has also booked promo ads for the CNMI in selected Japanese magazines.

Moreover, MYB 's Tokyo of­fice has I ined up several promo projects for the coming marine <living festival in April.

Without l&S, MYB will have to handle booth decoration, pro­duction, event stage planning, operation and coordination with the Japanese media.

Sources in the tourism indus­try admitted that a cancellation of I&S contract could damage

MYB 's current good relation­ship with the Japanese media, which has allowed MYB to get considerable media discounts.

The Variety also learned that starting April, advertising gi­ant Omnicom Group will :1c­quire minority stake in l&S.

Sources said the Ne1, Y,}rk­based Omnicon, which is the world's second largest :tJ com­pany, may pursue a ··different tack" regarding T&S's unpaid promotional work for the CNMI.

They did not elaborate. I&S has earlier notifed MVB

that without a .. go-ahead" sig­nal from the CNMI government, the agency will cease today all its promotional work for the Northern Marianas.

Despite the absence of a signed contract for the last five months, l&S has been paying for all the promotional work it has been doing in Japan for the CNMI.

But the administration has yet · to decide whether to sign I&S 's contract with MYB.

.I

;i .J

; •.1

I.

j.

. I

, I

,'ll ' I

':.; '. '. I: I ['

' \

•,. ' .. '/ · 1· ·.1 I I 1 •, ,: ,",/•'L j • - -.· -i ', ,,- ;) .'·, ·~· / '>; \ \'·. ~,'\"': ,~ : !°-, <~, ; ,· •,r \' 'i ~,r'.!

4-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-FRIDAY- MARCH 6 1998

No time to roll back tax THE PROPOSAL in Legislature to strike out the sunset provision in the CNMI tax law which effects a rollback of excise tax rates

on certain imports is a sensible one in these most trying of times. There are no arguments that, given the precarious financial

condition the CNMI finds itself in, much should be done in the area of revenue collection so as to generate the much-needed money to keep government operations running.

With such rich revenue sources as the tourist market suffering a major slump and the garment industry under federal attack, it is but logical for leaders to put a plug on this new hole as it can help drain CNMI coffers like a CUC tank leaking water during an El Nino drought.

The sunset provision calls for excise taxes to revert to rates prevailing before Public Law 9-22 took effect in January of 1995.

Such a provision was okayed by the Ninth Legislature with the hope that by the year 1998, the CNMI would have reached a healthier financial posture.

Expectations were that with almost all CNMI tax rates raised to "progressive" levels, the surplus would have afforded govern­ment the luxury of being able to give back some money to the taxpayers.

There was even a time when officials of the previous Adminis­tration boasted it will have so much money it can even waive excise and income tax coI!ection.

It was just too good to be true. Now, government is faced with a deficit of about $35 million

and is even lacking the money to be able to pay for taxpayer rebates. Maximizing collections and minimizing expenditures are important.

Government must now earn its keep and it should do so rigorously. It should collect where it could.

Gone should be the days of tax breaks, waivers and entitle­ments.

The poor could not affo;·d to be generous. Although the Karl Reye, proposal to stop the excise tax rollback

bungles an opportunity for consumer relief, it should be looked at as part of the community's contribution to the overall economic recovery effort.

After all, the impact of the excise rates under the _1995 law has long been felt and weathered by the CNMI consumers who have since been accustomed to the resultant pricing levels.

The economy calls for a much-needed shot in the arm. There is much more at stake for government ii' this issue than for most of the consumers.

Either get rid of the sunset provision, or at the very least extend it for maybe, three more years and see if the situation improves.

This is but a sacrifice the peoole of the CNMI have to collec­tively make.

The government needs help quite badly. And as long as it handles matters responsibly and conscien­

tiously, support should be gladly given.

8Jarianas ~riet~~ . Serving the Commonwealth for 25 years . · · .

Published Monday to Friday By Younis Art Studio, Inc.

Publishers: Abed and Paz Younis

Rafael H. Arroyo ••.••. Editor

Member of The Associaled Press (AP)

P.O. Box 231, Saipan MP 96950-0231 Tel. (670) 234-6341/7578/979719272 Fax: (670) 234-9271 a.:1iu,u1 SINCE It~

© 1998. Marianas Variety NI Rights Reserved ~

TIONAL NEWSPAPER

;.,;... IH/ ASSOCIATION

• Yariation~ --· 1.2 ~ >

Zaldy Dandan '

·.· . .· .

The virtues of cautiousness CLOSE to two months after Governor Teno was sworn into office for the third time, a pattern has emerged, revealing what the new administration's initial "game plan" is: I) Check what the previous governor did, and 2) Try not to do it. Amazingly, this administra­tion has already accomplished what its prede­cessor vowed to do: Patch up relations with the feds; cut government spending; work with, not against, the Legislature.

As I've been telling my colleagues even before the GOP primary in 1996, a Teno vic­tory would mean a "boring" administration. For reporters, that is. Gone now is the gener­ous trough of "go-to-hel 1-shu t-up-or-1 '11-fire­you" barbs that Saipan 's press corps had fed on for the past four years. What we have now is an administration that actually deliberates on a particular issue before handing even a slice of a statement to the media.

It's a law like Murphy's, but still nameless and also quite obvious: "A news item's worth to the media is inversely proportional to its value to the community." Carnage and rape might be great headlines, but for society as a whole ... You get the picture.

Consider the I&S's proposed $3.5 million contract with MVB. Clearly, there is a clash of personalities involved-certain MVB offi­cials vs. certain transition team members-on top of pressing legal, policy and financial issues. The administration, moreover, could have made a case against the perceived, uh, dissipative attitude towards public funds dis­played by MVB executives, and declare an end to the I&S contract, which it could then describe as an example of MVB 's, um, inordi­nateness.

But the contract is also about the CNMI tourism industry's largest market, and it seems that the administration, thank God, would rather arrive on a well-thought-out solution than, well, kick butt, however deserving the involved derrierc is of it.

Also, there are several things that could be chalked up for I&S. For example, during the

past six years the agency has promoted the islands, there has been a 40 percent increase in CNMI's tourism. The blame for the cur­rent decrease in tourism could be pinned on patriotic South Koreans who would rather spend their US dollars in.the fatherland, which is going through its worst economic crisis since the 1950-53 war.

It should be recalled, too, that I&S won a competitive bid against several other agen­cies before working with MVB, which, since 1992, has been apparently more than happy with its partnership with l&S. Furthermore, I&S is still willing to enter into a new bidding and even allow the CNMI to defer payment until the commonwealth's financial situation has improved. Perhaps more important is the fact that scrapping I&S 's contract would mean cancellation fees, and even a "bad press" for the CNMI in Japan's ad age.ncy circle. At any rate, and in light of the current economic slump, the CNMI could not afford to stop attracting more Japanese tourists to visit the islands.

Indeed, this so-called I&'S fiasco stemmed not from the ad agency's perceived deficien­cies, but from the previous governor's re­ported realization that he profoundly despises a certain MVB official. Hence his decision not to sign the contract despite the Legislature's approving the appropriation for it. For the sole reason that said official was lobbying for the contract.

I was recently told that, as far as some key officials of the new administration are con­cerned, the "likeability" of certain MVB execu­tives-the usual suspects-are still below accept­able levels. But should l&S then be penalized for being associated with the wrong officials?

Asked for an update on I&S last Wednesday, Governor Teno instead stressed the importance of a thorough review of the proposed contract and the options available to the administration.

A reply, to be sure, that is not even a semblance of a sound bite. Pity the reporters. Envy the !::Ommunity.

,.

f

i '.

; '.. ·~;:

·.··.:··:··-:_i ... 'J ,.

;,/ .. ''

JACK ANDERSON and JAN · WASHINGTON MERRY-GO-ROUND

Annan's appeasement leaves U.S. in a bind

ONLY a week after it was signed, the United Nations-brokered inspection pact with Iraq's Saddam Hussein is starting to crack.

Last Sunday, Iraqi diplomats were already beginning to bicker over the fine print of the agreement. The Iraqis believe ultimate power over inspections lies with envoys appointed by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. But chief weapons inspector Richard Butler-whose hard-line attitude on inspections helped precipitate the showdown to begin with- says he's the one in charge (and rightfully so).

It should surprise no one that Saddam would rather have the inspection power in the hands of Annan's appointed delegates. For our intelligence sources tell tis that the U.N. chief was completely taken by the Iraqi leader during his last-ditch diplo­matic voyage to Baghdad late last month.

The Clinton administration was already positioned for war, albeit without a clear mission, when Annan went to Baghdad to try to restart the inspections process. But instead of being a tough negotiator, Annan surprised veteran observers when he allowed Saddam's arguments to hold sway. It was Saddam's deft handling of the U.N. chief that produced the surprising agreement, which is now being criticized by congressional leaders.

Intelligence sources tell us that Annan surprised members of the U.N. Security Council during a closed-door briefing after his return from Baghdad. During the briefing, he reportedly called the inspections an "offense to Iraq's dignity and sover­eignty" - words that Saddam himself has used to describe the inspections. Annan also referred to the U.S.-led inspection teams as "cowboys," implying that they've been overzealous in their mission and that, perhaps, Saddam has a point.

During the same briefing, intelligence sources told us, Annan described Saddam's fear that America's insistence on inspect­ing his many palaces were merely an excuse to plot his assassi­nation.

As we've reported in the past, Saddam is notorious for his paranoia. He rarely, if ever, sleeps in the same location two nights in a row - and only a tiny group of close associates know where he can be found at any given moment.

According to our sources, Annan reported Saddam's claim to the Security Council without agreeing -or disagreeing- with it.

Annan 's appeasement has put the Clinton administration in a serious bind - at home and abroad. By going to war now, America surely would shatter what little remains of the old Gulf War coalition. Arab sympathy would rest with Saddam.

But by letting Saddam buy more time and sticking with the Annan appeasement strategy, America assures itself of a more confident, better armed adversary in the months and years to come.

REVENGE OF THE JUDGES - Members of Congress, who normally have no compunction about raising their own salaries when the times warrant, aren't as generous when it comes to federal judges.

For years, the salaries of federal judges have been tied to those of members of Congress - even though judges actually require qualifications to do their jobs, while members of Congress merely need to have a functioning pulse to hold office.

But when Congress gave itself a cost-of-living raise last year, it forgot to include judges in the equation. Lawmakers swear this was an honest mistake, and had nothing to do with the GOP's court-clogging campaign against "activist" federal judges. When the error was later pointed out to congressional leaders, they quickly passed a technical correction that gave judges a modest, 2.3 percent cost-of-living raise (their first since 1993 ).

But the judges don't think their overdue pay increase makes up for the four years that they've been stiffed by their congres­sional paymasters. A group of 20 judges is suing Congress for higher pay, arguing that they have the same rights as other federal workers, who get automatic raises every year.

We wish the judges luck in their lawsuit. But we also believe it's high time that judges were paid what they're worth, which is considerably more than they're making now.

Most, if not all, federal judges could make many times their federal salaries should they leave the bench for private law practice, as many now do when it's time to send their children to college. There's no way of telling how many qualified candi­dates turn down judicial appointments because of the cut in pay it would involve.

Congress - and all Americans - has a strong vested interest in having the best possible people on the federal bench. One way to accomplish this is to quit playing silly politics with their salaries and to pay them what they 're worth. Cop)'rlght 1998, United Feature Syndicate, Inc.

END MERRY·ClO-ROUND 3·6-9B

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1998-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-5

[~Letters to the Editor Criteria for new Education commissioner

,,

Dear Editor: For newspaper publication-an

open letter to elected members of the CNMI Board of F.ducation:

The media has rejX)rted that 11 candidates have applied for the posi­tion of commissioner. The media has published that the BOE Chair be­lieves the main selection criteria are "leadership skills and getting along with the board." It has also been printed in the newspapers that each memberhas hisorherown individual criteria for the selection process.

I am hopeful that you will include the following criteria at the top of your list

•current professional knowledge ( conferences attended, subscriptions to journals, books currently read, in­fonnation about other school sys­tems,researchabouthowpeopleleam, etc.);

•commitment to and deep under­standing of the unique cu lturai and linguistic situation of the CNMIPSS.

Very recently, the Third Interna­tional Mathematics and Science Srudy (TIMSS) was released. It showed the U.S. 8th graders scoring in 14th place in math and 11th place in science.

'This is behind countries such as Japan, New Zealand and Thailand.

Professional educators and busi­ness leaders point out that these re­sults clearly indicate that the U.S. model of education is inadequate to prepare students for the infonnation age, which is heavily dependent on math and science skills.

The CNMI education system is based on this model. The Commis­sionershould be very knowledgeable about different models of education globally inordertomaketherequired changes that will result in high levels of achievemenl The "A.BC television program Prime Time Live recently aired a show called "Falling Grade" which looked at this issue. It dis­cussed the math/science results for the US. It also gave an example of what does work. The television pro­gram explained that Minnesota state results were so good that if compared intemationaily,theywouldplacenear the top in the 1™SS report.

I am writing this because what Minnesota does in science is what PSS has been working towards in the last few years with the creation of performance standards, benchmarks, curriculum, new materials, teacher training methods and evaluation.

WhilePSSsurelyhasalongwayto go toward achieving international

su=ss, they are taking the right steps in that direction. The next Commis-. sioner of F.ducation must be familiar with tl1e history of instructional im­provement at PSS.

ThenewCommissio1Jermustknow what mistakes have been made, what plans areundeiway, and most impor­tantly, must be able to guide PSS through all that isnecessarytoachieve world class education for the future.

Instructional leadership skills should be placed at the forefront of your selection criteria. If you select a commissioner who is a life long pro­fessional educator, has a global un­derstanding of education with deep respect for the uniqueness of the lan­guages and culrures of our students, PSSstandsagoodchanceatachieve­ments like Minnesota and other top scorers in the world.PSS has the op­portunity to be an international com­petitor for top positions in 1™SS and achieve success for all its stu­dents, but it will require the right Commissioner to lead the way.

As a parent of a PSS student., I respectfu 11 y request that you consider these issues as you select the next Commissioner of Education.

DOMINIQUE BUCKLEY

Why can't local hires have benefits, too? Dear Editor. Will someone kindly explain to me

why the local people are being dis­criminated against by private sectors when applying for work?

Or, why does the Government al­low the private sector to advertise job openings with a salary for non-resi­dents different from that for locals?

Here's the thing: A private sector puts out an ad offering job openings with a salary to the locals; eventually no one wants the job.

The company then turns around andhiressomeonefromanothercoun­try with benefits such as free housing with air con, transportation with ga~, meals, medical or health insurance, utility and round-nip paid vacations.

Why the inconsistency and why can 'ti have these benefits too? Iieally don't know the bottom figure for all these free-bies but, if the government will come out with a figure and make it a law for companies to offer the srune, it will eventually reduce guest

workers on the island. a big reduction in tl1e food stamp program.

Mr. Allen Stayman will be glad to cease the idea of a takeover and we will be able to live.

Don't you think so? I would like to note that the minimum wage cannot in any way feed a family, pay for the car and gas, utility bills and housing, all consistent to the need to survive. Not to mention the six-packs of beer. Let alone a family vacation?

On another matter, why is it that we only get to see one Board Director (Victor Hocog) from the previous administration apjX)intees to submit his resignation?

What happened to the so-called "'couitesy resignation?" Is it not a practice that when a losing paity ends its tem1 courtesy resignations fol­low?

Lest we forget the practice, I say it is only fair and proper to resign sim­ply ceca use a person that did not vote for the pmty should not continue to be

involved. fn other words, if a person comes

out and rnJJies in sup]XJ11 of someone it only means that that person does not agree nor believe in the opjX)sing person.

Therefore, it is a shmne and dis­gusting for anyone to continue serv­ing under the person they do not believe in.

With this in mind, will evel)'one kindly submit his or her resignation and allow the governor to select who he believes in'l

I sincerely hope that you me not thinking that the govemorneeds you too.

Especially after the fact that many of you me a pmt of a near bankrnpt government tl1ar this administration inJ1erited.

Lastly, will the leaders kindly bleak the Poker monopoly for the sake of the right thing.

EDWARDO K. PETIX JR.

Suggestions on Manila liaison office Dem· Editor:

I read with inte1est tJ1e suggestions of Mr. Ayuyu with respect to the CNMI Liason Office in Manila pub­lished in the Variety's March 2nd issue, particularly with regards to refeirJJs to Makati Medical Center and St. Luke's Hospital.

I mn not against Makati Medic,tl and St Luke's Hospital, they ,u-e considen:d first class hospitals in the Philippines but there are also other hospitals in the Philippines with fo,t class facilities such as Manila Doc­trn, Hospital, SanJuan De Dias 1-los­pital,ChineseGeneralHospital,Met­rojX)litm1 Hospital and Philippine Heait Center, to name a few.

In this regard, may I respectfully suggest in fairness toMr.Ayuyu, that the CNMI government should in­stead enter into a direct transaction witl1 a settling agent/commercial cor­respondent in the Philippines with insurnnce/medicalknowledgeandex­pcricnce to handle medical patients from the 'island.

The government can also bring into the picture the pdvate insurance companies whocai1also benefit from this tnmsaction since according to the latest survey, then: arc at least 18,(XX) Filipino migrant workers in Saipai1 who m-e cove1-ed under the Workers' Compensation J\ct.

This settling agent/commercial conespondcnt will assist the patient,

regardless of nationality ai1d 1eligion from the day tl1c patient mrives in the Philippinesw1d admitted to the hospi­tal of his or her choice until dis­ch,u·ged ,u1ll cenified lit to work by the attending physici.u1.

TI1ey will not only look for the welfmdcondition of the patient but will ,tlso ,L,sist tl1e CNMI govern­ment in settling obligations with the hospital.

They can also update Worker's Compen,ation Commission official or whoever is 1-esponsiblc for the pa­tient, with the latest status of the pa­tient as well as the physician's progiess mid rejX)rted on a weekly basis or as necessary.

Continued on page 36

lj I' 11

,.!'

I , I

-'_)\ •• /,

: l I I

; '

- -

·6-MARIANAS VAR1ETY NEWS AND VIEWS-FRIDAY- MARCH 6 1998 .198

Reyes not rushing support for Queen Elizabeth project

Business feels need to hike minimum wage

By Zaldy Dandan Variety News Staff

THE SENATE'S majority leader and chair of the Fiscal Affairs Committee is not sup­porting the proposed $313 mil­lion Queen Elizabeth 2 hotel, resort and entertainment com­plex project.

Sen. Pete p _ Reyes (R­Saipan) in an interview yester­day, cited the project propo­nents' failure to come up with all the necessary info1mation regarding the project as the reason for his opposition.

"To this date, no appraisal of QE2 has been made. They say it's worth $250 million, but is it true? They just want us to believe it rightaway, but I'm not going to do that, particu­larly if they 're requiring the CNMI to cosign their loan ap­plication," Reyes said.

Under the proposed memo­randum of agreement (MOA), Cunard Hotel Company-the

new company to be formed by Kvaerner, parent company of the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), and SeaTel-will float bonds to finance the project, which in­volves turning the '·world's most famous ship" into a hotel. . The bond offering is expected to be underwritten by any of the following major investment banks: Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Credit Swisse or First Boston.

In addition, Cunard will clean up the Puerto Rico dump­which would have cost the CNMI $25 million-and will give the commonwealth a J 5 percent stake in a new local cor­poration, Saipan Convention Center, Inc.

In return, the CNMI will be asked to guarantee the $5.5 mil­lion interest payments for the bonds for the next 10-years, or a total of $55 million.

According to Reyes, however, the project proponents should

be willing to assume all the risks involved like any other investors in the CNML

Reyes is also opposed to the CNMI government's having a stake in a private corporation.

"The government has no business to be in business," he said.

Reyes admitted that the project has support in the House of Representatives, but added-that there are other sena­tors who are also not impressed with the project.

''Our attitude now is not to support it until we are satisfied with the documents they present and learn more about this project," he said.

The project needs the ap­proval of 2/3 of all tj)e mem­bers of the Senate and the House.

Further, the Legislature has to approve all the land and sub­merged land leases needed by the project.

By Aldwin R. Fajardo

Variety News Staff

AMIDST immigration and la­bor federal takeover plans of tl1e United States governmtnt, the business community on Saipan is starting to feel the need to increase the current $3.05 per hour minimum wage.

But Saipan Chamber of Commerce Joe C. Ayuyu said the: increase will largely de­pend on how the CNMI economy will conciliate with the financial status of its neighboring countries in the Asia-Paci fie region.

Tourism dominates the CNMI economy and generates the largest revenues for the Northern Mariana Islands. Principal source of visitors are Japan and Korea which have been impacted by the ongoing Asian financial turmoil.

I.

1irst £adJJ'S Vision Healthy Women - Healthy Families - Strong Community

Hinemlo' Famalao'an - Hinemlo Familia - Minetgot Communidat Mamawaal Schoobwut - Mamawaar Schoo - Mamaweer Towlap

6:30-8:00 a.m.

6:30-8:00 a.m.

Program CHC Laboratory complimentary service Fasting blood sugar and cholesterol blood tests

Registration

,.\1.istress of Ceremony: Marian Tude'/a and Sue Schwarz

8:25-8:30 a.m.

8:30-8:40 a.m.

8:40-9:00 a.m.

9:20-9:30 a.m.

9:30-9:50 a.m.

9:50-10:20 a.m.

10:20-11:00 a.m.

11 :00-11 :20 a.m.

11 :20-11 :50 a.m.

11:50-12:00 a.m.

12:00-1:00 a.m.

Invocation Father Roger Tenorio, Chancery

Welcoming Remarks Ms. Marian Tudela, Special Assistant, Office of Women's Affairs

Keynote Address Mrs. Sophia Tenorio, First Lady Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands

Stretching Exercise Ms. Chailang Palacios, CHC Health Promotion Ms. Cory Gilbert, CHC Physical Therapy

Osteoporosis: Burden of the Future Generation Dr. Amanda Hey, CHC Family Practitioner

Healthy Lifestyles for Healthy Bones Ms Phyllis Hazelwood, CHC Dietitian

Nutrition Break and Health Displays

Heart Disease and Stroke: What all women need to know Dr. Norma Ada, CHC Internal Medicine Specialist and Pediatrician

Menopause and Woman's Hormones: Unraveling the Mystery Dr. Helen Taro-Atalig, CHC Obstetrician and Gynecologist

Closing Remarks: A Healthy Checklist for CNMI Women Ms. Chailang Palacios, Wellness Health Promotion Coordinator

Woman to Woman: A chance to sample local foods, exchange stories and talk to speakers

JoeAyuyu

"There may be certain years in the future when wages may increase but there may also be times when it has to be frozen, depending on the CNMI economy," Ayuyu explained.

The Chamber has under­taken an informal survey among its members on the possibilities of a minimum wage increase, according to the business sector leader.

The general feeling, he said, was that the minimum wage should be increased over a period of time.

He added that Chamber members, based on the initial results of the survey, are ame­nable to the gradual pay hike.

Ayuyu said, however, that the survey on the possible in­crease of the current $3.05 minimum wage did not include the benefits nonresident work­ers get like free housing, food and transportation.

"Some of the proposed in­crease [in minimum wage] al­ready offsets the benefits the [nonresident] employees are presently enjoying," he told reporters.

This, even as he admitted that the Northern Mariana Is­lands will have to reach the US minimum wage in the fu­ture.

Ayuyu said he still has to confirm the initial survey re­sults with the members during a discussion on fede~al take­over concerns next week, where the Chamber is ex­pected to come up with its own position on the issue.

The Chamber is set to ask the 902 committee to allow representations and testimo­nies from the busi ncss com­munity during the hearing, while admitting that Chamber members are yet to reach a consensus whether they are for or against the federal takeover.

He said the takeover has been seen to have serious im­p Ii cations on the CNMI economy, adding that the US government must be sensitive on the economic situation of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The CNM! administration earlier said it will oppose fed­eral takeover.

~: ,. r.

t ,, /·

/: f•·

1 f

i i ' ;

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1998 -MARIAN AS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-7

CPA: New airlines to boost revenues

GREAT McDONALD'S DEAL

By Aldwln R. Fajardo Variety News Staff THE COMMONWEAL TH

Ports Authority [CPA] is looking forward to a better financial sta­tus as officials expect the entry of new air companies on Saipan to reboot the agency's declining rev­enues.

Three airline and cargo compa­nies have so far expressed inten­tions to service the Northern Mariana Islands, records from the ports agency revealed.

CPA executive director Carlos Salas said the entry of new air companies in the Northern Marianas has been seen to in­crease airport operation revenues.

"These [new air firms] are ex­pected to boost airport revenues, like this would mean additional income since they have to pay landing fees," Salas said.

He also said the entry of new air companies on the islands is also expected to reboot the CNMI's ailing economy, explaining that the development is likely to cre­ateadditionalemploymentoppor­tunities.

Salas said more players in the Commonwealth's air transporta­tion industry would result to tighter competition which brings better and improved services.

Competition, according to economists, is a force that regu­lates price levels. ·Businessman Alfonso Sy Jr. earlier told Variety that new entrants would normally offer the same services at lower prices than the services offered by the existing players.

New air cargo firm, Asia Pa­cific Airlines, is flying Honolulu­Pohnpei-Saipan-Guam rountrip route starting April 15. Salas said the company will transport mail and cargoes to different islands in the Pacific.

Asia Pacific Air will also deal with the shipment of fresh fish and other agricultural products from and to different islands in Micronesia and in Hawaii.

Another airline, Marianas Air, has also proposed to service Saipan-Tinian route during the third week of the month, in time

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 and vegetables rich In vltaml ns A and C-oranges, cantaloupe; strawberries, peaches, apricots, broccoli, cauliflower, brusset sprouts, cabbage. Eat a high-fiber, low-lat diet that Includes wt,ole-graln breads ;md cereals such as oatmeal, bran and wheat Eat lean meats, fish, skinned poultry and low­latdalry products. Drink alcohollc beverages only In moderation. For more inlormalion. , call 1-800-ACS-2345.

AMER! ~CANCER

er SOCIE1Y"

Carlos Salas

forthegrandopeningoftheTinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino. The air company is using Cesna air­craft.

New Zealand-based Coral In­ternational also proposed to fly Guam-Saipan roundtrip routes though the ports authority is yet to receive formal proposal from air­line management.

Salas said the pull out of major carrier Korean Air and the downsizing of operations of other air transport players in the North­ern Mariana Islands have resulted in the dwindling revenues of the CPA.

During the firstquarterof 1998, the CPA suffered 359 percent net loss or a total of $381,284 in its airport operations compared to the same period last year.

2 CHEESE BURGER EXTRA VALUE MEAL

(Includes Medium drink, Large Fries and 'l\vo Cheese burgers)

FOR LIMITED TIME ONLY/WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

GOOD TIMES, GREAT TASTE AT McDONALD'S. This was a result of a decline in enplanement by 16 percent, deplanement by 22 percent and aircraft landings by 44 percent. The pull out of Korean Airlines has resulted in the first quarter losses of 39,922 number of pas­sengers coming in and out of Saipan and 130 reduction of air­craft landings.

STORE HOURS: Middle Road:

Garapan Express:

•. ······•··~,~~~qf cm~R'~ ... .A~~Es?•· •...•.... ·.· i•.•Ii"'B.~~ll'~.111~ \••.·)<A•.••i\.}. .... ·.. ff !',lo $ecurity tieppsit .•

··· .\a··~1.9~1tcit~1<> •. •• ·.•-.•·······•·· • <'I( t.l0Jlln97Te"!lot>11gat1ons

Sunday to Thursday Friday and Saturday Sunday to Saturday

-6AMto 12PM - OPEN 24 HOURS - 6 AM to Midnight

FIND OUT HOW EASY ... 9t is to Ylent to Own

~ W~ Wa~t your bus·· 1ne5·5I . MiddleRoad,·GualoRai 234 7368. . · ReJJ.ltJ.(2/JJH. • next lo Subway • · ,..--..__ . ' '

··~

/ I

i i

. I

. '

i

I\\ ' :1, . . l: I [ I

, I

' . \ '.

8-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-FRIDAY- MARCH 6 1998

New- Red Cross conunittee organizes Walk-a-thon

Tracy Guerrero

THE DATE for the 12th Annual Walkathon has been set for Satur­day, March 28.

'This year brings a new plan­ning commiuee and new ideas to the event," said Chapter Execu­tive Cassandra Ely.

Two new board members Tracy Guerrero and Jeff Boyer have stepped up to the challenge of this event and will be working as the Chair and Co-Chair for the event.

They have formed a committee consisting of members all under the age of25 and look forward to making this best Walkathon ever.

"The Walkathon has been a long-standing tradition of the Chapter and I even walked when I was a teenager, but in this 12th year we wanted to take a fresh

approach and to take full advan­tage of the new Saipan Beach Road Pathway." said Guerrero.

The route for the 12th Annual Walkathon will now begin and end at Kilili Beach Park and for nearly the entire route will run along the Saipan Beach Road Pathway.

Some other changes indicated by Guerrero will be the announce­ment of the prize winners on the day of the event, the promotion of the Red Cross and volunteerism at the schools.

"Since March is Red Cross · month, our committee will be

Continued on page 36

First graders at William S. Reyes Elementary School clap along to a song during class on Wednesday. DFS is also donating air-conditioners to all of WSR's first grade classes. Photo by Latta c. Younis

K·s DIMSUM & NOODLE HOOSE

'U'e SetWe:

DIMSUM •siopao •siomai •squid balls ·dumplings

NOODLE SOUPS • wanton • ravioli • chicken • beef brisket

:cp,~~ TOP \:::f;\.'.-,:i:\J QUALITY FOOD ~77 AT LOW PRICES :,) ,. ,

CONGEE/RICE SOUPS/LUGAW • Pork ball (bola bola) • halo halo • chicken ball • sliced beef

.. . . . a,ed Ht4l«f #HOite

SI ,S AND

• lUP We are open until midnite during weekdays & 3:00 a.m. during weekends

7n '7~ t)ea Sewta. p~ ~ Tel. No. 234-3307

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

DFS donates air-cons to· GES STUDENTS at Garapan Elementary School may now enjoy a cool day inside their cafeteria thanks to Duty Free Shoppers, Ltd. for donating air-conditioners, installment and supplies, according to a press release.

DFS contributed $7,800.00 to purchase two 60,000 BTU/HR air conditioners, pay for installation costs and supplies for the school's cafeteria, said the release.

"Students, parents and faculty will now enjoy a pleasant and cool environment during breakfast, lunch, physical education classes,

Special Education therapy sessions, PTA meetings and other events," noted the release.

With this added improvement, GES will now be able to provide its students with an excellent environment conducive to learning.

The release also noted that the school salutes DFS President Marian Aldan-Pierce and thanks her for the many contributions DFS has also made to other schools.

OES PTA Meeting THE Principal of Oleai El­ementary School announces that there will be a PTSA meet­ing on Tuesday, March IO at 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria.

The meeting's theme is Nu­trition Awareness & Health Issues.

Everyone is encouraged to attend.

TES PTA Meeting TANAPAG Elementary School would like to announce its Parent Teacher Association meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the school caf­eteria.

We ask you to make a special effort to attend the meeting be­cause several important issues in our agenda that concern you, your children and the public commu­nity school will be discussed.

Soil and Water Conservation District holds meeting THE SAIPAN and Northern Is­land Soil and Water Conserva­tion District and the Department of Lands & Natural Resources infonns the general publictht there

will be an interagency meeting with farmers and agricultural pro­ducers on Thursday, March 19 at the Carolinian Utt from 5 p.m. to 6:30p.m.

Happy 1st Birthday

Tornilco ~ Dela Cruz D1a2

from your Auntie Norma and Uncle Ken

i

I ~: ( ~: i' ;:, !

(

' L ;.r

t 1 l'

i i'

' ·~ i:_· I' .,.

t )_. ·1

·,

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-9

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

PIC sponsors a night at the opera THEP ACIFIC Islands Club (PIC) and Continental Micronesia are once again sponsoring the visit of artists from the San Francisco Opera Center to Saipan.

On Saturday, March I 4, one tenor, two baritones, a meZZD-soprano, a soprano and their coach and accom­panist will fill the Magellan Room of PIC with a number of works from Mozart, Cole Porter, Verdi, Jnring Berlin, Victor Herbert, Gounod and Leonard Bernstein an eclectic collec­tion.

This year's fundraising dinner, auc­tion and performance will benefit KRNM 88.1 FM, Public Radio for the Northern Marianas.

"WearepleasedthatPICandCon-

tinental Micronesia are helping us continue to provide quality radio to the people of Saipan and Tinian," KRNM Station Manager Perry Jeter said.

"As a public station, we need sup­port from the community and our listeners," he said.

Tickets for the fundraising event ($50 per individual, $90 per couple) are available at the station, NMC Bookstore, WhiteCoconutComputer Services, Coffee Care, CHC Volun­teers Gift Shop and Rudolpho's.

The event includes dirmer, a live auction and a two and a half hour performance by the visiting opera singers.

With the exception of coach/ac-

companist Bryndon Hassman, all of the visiting performers are partici­pantsinSanFranciscoOperaCenter's Adler Fellowship Program.

The program is named after the late, great director of the San Fran­cisco Opera, Kurt Adler, who estab­lished several of the company's edu­cational and community programs during his tenure.

Visiting Saipan this year will be mezzo-soprano Molly Clayman.

Originally from Montana, she just concluded a national tour with the Western Opera Theater's pro­duction of Carmen.

Baritone Alfredo Daza will also perform March l 4 at PIC.

Continued on page 36

With interest. Students at William S. Reyes Elementary School turn their undivided attention to 'Poetry Alive!' performers on Wednesday.

THE Photo by Laila C. Younis

CNAIIGUIDE

www.cnmi-guide.com Web Developing, Web Hosting.

Top Quality Web Design.

We wi11 put you on the Internet for $150 No Monthly Payment !

We create Dynamic Web Sites which will give your business a professional image

Check us out at www.cnmi-guide.com For more information please call

233-9191/2 Having fun. Children at a recent Camp Hyatt program plant some corn seeds for their garden. Camp Hyatt

is now accepting applications for children ages 4-10 years old. .--... Ph:o:to•co:u.rte:s~y •of•H~ya•tt•R•e;ge•n.;cy-..iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii'I

Open House at the Abilities Center AS PART of its celebration of Development Disabilities Month, the Northern Marianas College Abilities center will hold an Open House form I p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, march 9 at Joeten Fina Sisu Housing.

The event will feature the presence of related service specialists from several gov­ernment agencies who wi II provide free basic vision and hearing screening tests and of­fer assistance in obtaining pos­sibility needed services.

"The first step is always to find out a condition exists, and that's what screening tests are all about," Abilities Center Coordinator Jami Sefiane said.

"A disability is any impair­ment that hinders people, any

condition which prevents them from achieving their full po­tential," she added.

Sefiane said screening tests are particularily important for children because impairments can hinder learning often un­necessarily.

The Abilities Center, a joint project of the University Af­filiated Program (a coordinance function associ­ated with the University of Ha­waii) and the Rehabilitation Research Training Center of the Pacific (associated with San Diego State University.

The center is the first bu ii d­ing on the left as you enter the Joeten Fina Sisu housing area and will open during regular business hours.

-~g'ea,~ ~-~

s~ 4- t.,pe,e·

Nissan Sentra Model not exactly as shown

298.00*

Standard Features • 1 .6L DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder • Power Steering • 115 Horsepower • Dual Airbags • Automatic Transmission • Cruise Control • Air-Conditioning • Cloth Seats/Full Carpeting • AM/FM Radio Cassette • Power Windows/Door Locks

• Power-Assisted Brakes and much more .....

"15,195.00, Less $4,000.00 Down, at 12.5% APR for 48 Months Offer expires March 31, 1998 1i JOETEN MOTOR COMPANY INC.

i AUTO SALES, PARTS & SERVICE I 234-5562 to 5568 or 235-5557 or 235-5559 First on Saipan!

Enjoy the ride:"

10-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWs__t.ND VIEWS--FR:IDA Y~ MARCH 6. 1998_

Garment sector offlcial:

50% e 'not achievable' By Jojo Dass Variety News Staff

lMPOSING a SO-percent US citizen workforce requirement on the gar­ment industry would be a ''shot at the moon" asalready,exccutivesrue hav­ing difficulties meeting the 20-per­cent hiring policy.

In an inte1view, MoscsT. Fejeran, who heads a group of about 33 gar­ment resident managers, said it will be very difficult to hiie locally. espe­cial I y workers from tl1e Fi-eel y As,o­ciated States (FAS).

"You hin: them (FAS citizens), they get theirfo,t pa ye/Jeck then Ll1cy never n:tum ... Lunenteu Feje1~m.

'!lies..· 1rnrkc1,, he said, come back alier about six months to apply again for the job.

/\,lost FAS ci1izrns. accordin!l to Fcjer,u1. "only 11111 to tl1e CNMfror jobs" if they encounter p1ublems in Guam whe1e thcv have been staving for severnl ye,u,~ • -

'"That is why," Fejeran s:iid. "it is very difficult to meet the 20-rx:rc:ent (1equi11:mcnt)."

Anotl1er factor is what local busi­nessrnen have called tl1e ",lltitude problem" tliat most CNlv!I 1esidenL, ha\'c on being hin:d in tl1c g,u111ent facto1ies ,L, w;JJ ,L, ot11erjob ~sitions usually Iii ku in by nonn:siuent work­e1,.

C orrnnonweaJt11 ci tizcm. Ll1cv said. "shun .. suc/J employment po.;itions "lxc:wsc they sec it ,L,ajob for alien

workers ;md not 11:sidents." 111e Clinton administr.ition 1epo1t­

cdly wanL, the CNMI gwment indus­lly to h;1ve a workforce with at least 50 percent "CNMI citizens."

Insuhu- Affairs Director Allen Staymandcfineu''citizens"toinclude

US citizens, people wifu immignmt status in tl1e US, and FAS 1esidenL,.

111e move, he said, is aimed at closing a "lush little loophole" that the gannent sector "has exploited."

He explained tliat fue auministr.i­tion is I.lying to correct a situation

whe1e CNMI grnrnent products me sold in the US "as if tl1ey were made in the USA witl1 US cornponcnL," even as"the owners( offactories), the workers, the accesoiies, t11e ym11, and Ll1c clotli are all made from Asia."

The bulk of the industry's

workforce me Chinese nationals. Fejeran said replacing thcrn with

US citizens will put a lot of gannent fim1s in "hot water" as tlie workers "have already established the dynan,­ics" of the factory having already been in tlic CNMI over the past two year,.

Gov't leaders asked: 'Save the industry' By Jojo Dass Variety News Staff

AGROUPofgannentmanufactur­ershasaskedGov. PedroP. Tenorio :md the legislatwe to "set aside political diffe1ences" ,mu work to save the industry.

"I believe that the govemor and Ll,e Legislature should work to­gether, set aside their political dif­forences and address the problem," said Mo&S T. Fejernn, Resident Manager of the Neo Fashion Inc. who also heads a newly-formed group of industry officials.

"We want our 1,ovemmcnt to convince Washingron fuat we can co1rect our problem witl1in a shon time ... (fue adminisu,ition) should ask for a second chance.'' Fe jerm1 added.

"Wchavetoprovethatwecando it.''

At the same time, Fejer.m said government can enforce measures mat can discipline the ranks of gw·­mcnt manufoclllrers as way of rec-

Pedro P. Tenorio

tifying "mistakes." These, he said, include imposing

fines and pc1111anently baning em­ployers found committing labor vio­lations from hiring new nonresident workers.

The Department of Labor and Im­migration has already been obsen-­ing such reprimands in issuing ml­ings on workers' complaints.

Fejeran said employers who con-

Al Slayman

tinueto1epeatactsofviolationsshould have their factories foroed to shut down by govemment.

"We are so eager to assist in im­proving the situation, fue negative image of tl1e CNMI," said Fejenw.

F-ejenm said with tou1ism on the decline, only the garment sector is now tl1ere to "support the economy."

The Clinton ad mini str,uion repo1t­edl y wants tlie CNMigarment ind us-

1.1y to have a workforce witli at lea~t 50 percent US citizens.

Allen Stayrnan, Insulm Affairs Director, has said the move aims to conect a situation where garment manufacturers rue ''exploiting" tar­iff piivileges given to the CNMI on !lie exportation of gam1ent prod­ucts to !lie US mainland.

He said imposing the hiring re­quirement is !lie goal of tlie federal govemment in proposing to levy tariff on CNM 's garment exports to the US.

Fejeransaid themovecouldspell !lie end of the local garment indus­try.

"What happens when fue gar­ment sector folds up? What kind of 1evenue genernting industry will be tliere to help the economy ?

Arc we going to go to Uncle Sam and beg for money again ?" raised Fejeran.

The gamientsector, according to him, brings in $68 million a year to CNMI's coffer.

[;)~ @~ ~&m~~u ______.\ \lco;~ 'J/(ap: Plcm

(Formerly ORIENTAL MARKET, KOBLERVILLE) i:--:.j- ,,-- '.J· '!~I.

'-...J' u

as PORK CHOP

$17.95 bag

HAM STEAK $14.95

bag

WHOLE CHICKEN 30 LBS.

$23.95 cs RIB EYE STEfiK

$21.95 bag

GROUND BEEF ]0 lbs.

$15.95 roll

FROZEN MACKEREL

99( lb.

Fifi SPAGHETTI

WITH MEATBALL 14.75 oz.

$1.29

FOfiM CUP 51's $1.19

CHICKEN LEG OOARTER

30 lbs. $22.95 cs

FLANK STEAK

$22.95 bag

BEEF FIE!ET $8.99 bag

TfiNG zo qt. $8.99

HOME& GARDEN FLOUR 5 lbs. $1.99

ZEE NAPKIN

500's $4.45

PORK BEEF SPfiRERIB STEW

ZO lbs. $15.95 bag $19.95 cs

BEEF BEEF SHANK

SHORTRIB BONE-IN $22.95 bag $1195 bag

VEGfa OX Si ?ALM St-litiM? CORNED

1 lb. BEEF $8.95 box 12 oz. NESTER $1.79

ICED TEA MIX ARGO 53 oz. CORN $4.59 STARCH

CAMPBELL 16 oz. 69(

CHICKEN W/ NlfiGfiRA RICE SPRfiY

10.5 oz. STARCH 89(: 22 oz. $1.49 CHARMIN

TISS<JE BOUNTY 4 roll $1.39 roll. $1.69 $15.9512's

TOP RO<JND STEAK

$17.95 bag

OX TAIL $18.95 bag

fiilMOCli{ VIENNA

SACISFiGE 9.15 oz.

$1.29

BEfiCH CLIFF

SARDINE 69(

JOY DISHWfiStt

18 oz. $2.15

PfiMPERS n·s

$16.95

fl ~Zil MOBIL

MAZOLA COijN Oil

1 gal. $6.99

OLTitA GAIN

851oad $13.99

LOVS 40/34/

ZS/24/22 $6.99

!

FR)DAY,'MARCH'6', i~cj~'-MARIANAS vAlUETY NEWS.AND ViEWs-fi

SABLAN ENTERPRISES, INC. P.O. BOX 166

Saipan, MP 96950 Tel. (670) 234-n49/235-6995 Fax: (670) 234-1559

FCJRNITCJRE & APPLIANCE CENTER W WHITE-WESTINGHOUSE SALE!!!

White-Westinghouse 7k ~ rput, ,eee,d .•• ~ tk fvuc,e4, e,ou f.Q4Ht •••

16.0 cf Refrigerator . .............. Reg: $1,099.00

14.8 cf Chest Freezer .............. Reg: $ 859.00

19.7 cf Chest Freezer .............. Reg: $ 920.00

20" Electric Range/Oven . .......... Reg: $ 709.00

(ideal for appartments)

30" Electric Range/Oven . .......... Reg: $1,275.00

(Eurochef Design)

Washer, X-Large Capacity

7-cycle .................... Reg: $ 859.00

10-cycle .................... Reg: $ 875.00

Sale! $799.00

Sale! $649.00

Sale! $699.00

Sale! $539.00

Sale! $949.00

Sale! $599.00 Sale! $639.00 -----

Dryer (electric or gas) . ................. from $400.00 and up ...

Room Air Conditioner

6,200 BTU to 27,500 BTU ...... starts at a low $399.00

'•, ,:j'

::A-----t .. ,. t ...

,,

,,, ..... ,.,,,.,.,,..,., ... , ..... ,

(Store Hours : Monday - Saturday'\

- Hotel Quality Mattresses, sizes : single, double, queen, also on SALE! l .. . . . . . 9:00 am - 6:00 pm )

"-,.........,,,.,,,,,,_.~M'Mm-um~---,~w,•.~-,-~,~~~-~m=~,..,,,,,,,,_~,.....,,.,,_,,,""

- FINANCING AVAILABLE! - PLUS .... 50 o/o Off! on all named brand HOUSIEWARE & KITCHENWARE ITEMS ...

Rubbermaid, Anchor Hocking, Tramontina, Ai-De-Chef, Regal, and a whole lot more

Come visit us today, or call us at 234-7749, 1558, ext. 217-218

SABIII IIID- Sftedtd Weded Sate! REG.

1) #12 THHN SOLID ELECTRICAL WIRE COLOR: WHITE 500'/ROLL

2) #6/3 ROMEX WIRE WITH GROUND 125'/ROLL

3) #8/3 ROMEX WIRE WITH GROUND 125'/ROLL

4) #10/3 ROMEX WIRE WITH GROUND 250'/ROLL

5) #12/3 ROMEX WIRE WITH GROUND 250'/ROLL

6) 4'DAYLIGHT, FLOURESCENT DOUBLE PIN

7) 4'COOL WHITE, FLOURESCENT DOUBLE PIN

8) 8'DAYLIGHT, FLOURESCENT SINGLE PIN

9)CARPENTER/MAS0N TOOLS

10) ALL STANDARD BRAND PAINT

e • e • • • e e I e e e t I t e • o o I e • I e

• • e • t e t I I e e • • e e e e • • • • • • •

$ 45.00

$298.75

$293.75

$165-00

$105.00

• • • • , • • e e I I e t t • • • • • • • • t • $ 2.25

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3. 95

I • • • e I • e e I I e • I e e 9 e • e • e e • $ 4.95

25-35°/o OFF

70°/o CLEARANCE SALE

SALE

$ 28.95

$220.00

$206.25

$122.00

$ 82.50

$ 1.80

$ 2.96

$ 3.47

I

1 '. .. , I: I\'

I

T '12-MARIANAS VARIETY.NEWS AND VIEWSc FRir>A'Y > MARC:H-6, '1998

Insurance plan allows release of person's benefits before death

Consulate asks USDA to allow entry of mangoes

By Jojo Dass Variety News Staff

IF YOU think paying for your coffin before you die is mor­bid, you haven't heard this one yet.

An insurance firm is doing the rounds of government of­fices selling a plan that would give them 75 percent of their death benefits even before they pass away.

There's a catch though, The employee has to be di­

agnosed by a competent doc­tor to be terminally ill with a year or less to live before money can be released.

"So," explained Charles Mills, Pacific Regional Man­ager for the Individual As­surance Co., "if a govern­ment employee come~s down with a terminal illness ... (he or she) may apply to us and receive up to 75 percent of the death benefits before he or she dies."

$ale

"And, (the money) can be used to help pay medical bills. It's a good thing, if you have Jess than a year to live, you may want to get access to this money and you may want to take your family to visit all your uncles and aunts," Mills said.

So you can tell them you will be dead next year?

The remaining 25 percent of the benefits, Mills added, will go to the immediate relatives.

Called ··u ving Benefit Rider," the scheme is one of two new plans being intro­duced by the firm to an esti­mated 6,000 government workers, the other being called as "Accelerated Benefit Rider."

The second plan involves one of at least four "critical illnesses" - stroke, heart at­tack, life-threatening cancer, and renal failure - that the applicant must have to be

qualified. "You can gain access to

some of your death ben~fit prior to your death if you incur one of those illeneses," explained Mills.

"You can get up to 50 per­cent of your death benefit in this case ... (because) if you have (any of) these (diseases) chances are you are in need of some funds," he added.

The insurance firm, which, according to Mills, have been covering CNMI's public sec­tor over the past 30 years, recently signed a new three­year contract with govern­ment for another coverage.

The contract took effect Jan.! this year.

Benefits, which is released at an amount twice as much as the employee's annual salary, are based on an applicant's salary.

Premium is pegged at .35 cents per $1,000, in which government pays half.

By Aldwin R. Fajardo

Variety News Staff

WHILE PHILIPPINE man­goes can easily reach out to European fruit lovers, the country's favorite fruit is hav­ing a hard time penetrating the Northern Marianas mar­ket.

This, even as CNMI resi­dents have previously been quoted as saying that Philip­pine mangoes are among the best.

One Chamorro woman ran­domly asked by the Variety 4uipped she loves Philippine mangoes but cannot find the fruit in store shelves on the island.

"Why can't we have Philip­pine mangoes here," she asked.

The Philippine Consulate has admitted that it is harder to ship local magoes here de­spite the existence of a pro-

Saipan Supply, Inc. Construction Materials Specialist PPP 114 Box 10000, Chalan Kanoa, Saipan MP 96950

e Tel.: Fax:

235-7797 235-7798

. 1e 1e s~

$ale • DENYO GENERATOR 2 KVA __ , .\ \ t • KAWASAKI BUSH CUTTER 1.5 HP --rl\j • TAMPERING MACHINE ~ c~

• ELECTRIC REBAR CUTTER 115, 1330W • WATER CLOSET WHITE .AMERICAN STANDARD 0 PEDESTAL LAVATORY WHITE AMERICAN STANDARD • FABRICATED DOOR JAMB PHlL. MAHOGANY • HOLLOW CORE FLUSH DOOR

a SOLID CORE FLUSH DOOR 1 3/4" X 80" X 36" 1 3/4" X 80" X 34" 1 3/4" X 80" X 32" 1 3/4" X 80" X 30"

6' X 6'-8" 6' X 6'-8" 5' x4' 6' X 4' 4' x4' 2' x2'

Alum. Sliding Door Bronze Sliding Door Bronze Sliding Window Bronze Sliding Window Bronze Sliding Window Alum. Sliding Window

1 3/8" X 30" X 36" 1 3/8" X 80" X 34" 1 3/8" X 80" X 32" 1 3/8" X 80" X 30" 1 3/8" X 80" X 28" 1 3/8" X 80" X 26" 1 3/8" X 80" X 24"

STYLETON PAINT PAINT BRUSH

LOCK SET GARDEN HOSE

1 3/4 11 X 80 11 X 36 11 Solid Core One Side Carved Door

spective market in the Marianas for the fruit.

Philippine Consul Julia Heidemann explained that the Philippine mangoes have been regulated by the US Depart­ment of Agriculture and ne­gotiations are needed lo ship the local fruit to CNMI.

"It is regulated by the US agriculture department, so maybe, it needs a harder ne­gotiation with the Department to be done in Washington." Heidemann said.

She added that shipment of mangoes lo the CNMI should not be a problem considering the islands' proximity to the Philippines.

" ... unlike when I was in Eu­rope, we had a problem trans­porting the mangoes. It has to be by plane, here you can do it by boat," Heidemann stressed.

She also said that even when the Philippine mangoes cost $3 per piece, there was no re­strictions from the customs and the Europeans "just love having the fruit."

At the same time, the Con­sul said her office has been identifying specific products which can be fused in to the CNMI market, and the ways to let Phiiippine goods in.

Vice Consul Rone!] Santos previously said the existing trade relations between the Philippine and the CNMI gov­ernments is giving Philippine­made products a chance to compete with foreign and na­tive goods.

S.intos said this is evident in the pn:s.:ncc of various Phil­ippine commodities in differ­ent groceries and supermar­kets in Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

"We have been identifying products that have good po­tentials to penetrate the local market.

The basic aspect of trade promotion is lo find a market for a particular product," he told the Variety.

But Santos said he is not discounting the fact that a large percentage of the popu­lation in the Marianas is domi­nated by the Filipinos, which have resulted to a bigger de­mand for Philippine goods.

He said the Consulate's trade promotion office is con­tinuously providing informa­tion to Philippine-based busi­nessmen on who to contact in CNMI for their products.

.DRIVE·· :') ..

SAFELY

'FRIDAY;'M'.A:RCH 6,' 1998 ~MARIANAS'VA'.RIETY NEWS AND VIEWS }3

S students 'lose hope' By Lalla C. Younis

Variety News Staff IT WAS not too long ago when students of Marianas High School were anxiously waiting for the completion of their$ l .2 million dollar gymnasium.

Now, says MI-IS Student Council President Winfred Camacho, the students have "'lost hope" of ever seeing the gym completed.

"All we hear are promises, especially during election times. We are told over and over again we will see it completed, but it has never happened," said Camacho.

"I have a sister in Hopwood Jr. High and I bet she 'II come to MHS and graduate before see­ing the gym completed. We have basically lost our focus on the gym and moved on to other activities," he said.

But the MHS Senior said that

with students constantly being referred to as "future leaders" yet students are not getting what they need to achieve those goals.

"This shows how much PSS cares or the government cares about us or our future.

How can we be future leaders without the necessary education and the faci Ii ties to accommo­date that?," said Barcinas.

''Our leaders got to act on what they like talking about: the children's future. And provide the education and facilities that we need," she said.

Multi-mi Ilion-dollar neighbor Camacho also noted that most

of the frustration students are feeling comes from just looking "next door" to the multi-million dollar Judicial complex.

"Did you see how fast that went up? And look how long it is taking, five years and count­ing, to finish our gym," said

,-­~~·- ~ .... _ .. ,,, ..... "t::Tar-...... :r;'I"~ ' -. .

• ! ,_

...

Rusting away. The $1.2 million dollar gymnasium still stands unfinished on Marianas High School's campus. Student leaders are getting restless with waiting for its completion. Photo by Laila C. Younis

Camacho. "Why can they build that, and not

our gym? Are criminals being fo .. cuse<l on first than students?, "he said.

Camacho also said that it is already hard enough trying to encourage stu­dents to just take part in school activi-

ties because "student motivation is so low",

"We believe severa.l factors con­tribute to the break down of school pride and student mora.le, and one of those includes this situation forsure," said Camacho.

Students are tired ofheming prom­ises and we get our hopes up only to seeitsquashedintheend. It'ssad,"hc said.

"Please,just build our gym firsl It is about time the students should see action and not just words," he said.

~ ~~ ,:.~Q -?Q ~

~ m ® @ SAIPAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL ®

~ registration for the 1998-99 school year is being ~ II U held in March and April LIi I

11 n Month of March: Pre-Registration for all returning students and their siblings. n I ~ Registration for all students from Saipan Communily Church. ~

@ Month of April: Open registration for all students grades Kindergarten through 8. @ fin Kindergarteners must l>e 5 years old by August 31, 1998. ~

W Please call 234-8887 for any inquiries. Ask for Mrs Michling. ~ ~?Q?~?~~~~

Marianas High School Student Council officers gather for a photo after a meeting on Tuesday. Joining them are MHS STUCO Advisor Fasefulu Tigilau (center) and Student Activities Coordinator Doreen Manglona (right).

I I • i I I 0

if Council does decide to do "any fighting" for the gym, it will be for the younger students. And the student leaders will take action,

"We have written letters to the former Commissioner of Education, we have talked Lo our leaders, but nothing has hap­pened. We will decide what we can do to get things moving," said Camacho.

"The situation is pathetic. We are tired of waiting. At our graduation we will probably be hanging the same banner from last year: 'We made it, but the Gym didn-'t'," he said.

New High School? Camacho pointed out that if it

"took so much trouble" to con­struct a gym, imagine an entire new high school.

"How can we believe that the Public School System will con­struct a new high school when they can't complete a gym? Stu­dents are going to end up wait­ing once again," said Camacho.

"Students are losing faith in the PSS. What kind of a mes­sage are they trying to send us? That we are at the bottom of their list? It seems they have more importunt things to do, "he said.

STUCO Treasurer Heather Barcinas said she is frustrated

Tax Time Loans Available at Norwest Financial Expecting a Refund? There's no need to wait! A Norwest Financial loan can be used now for whatever you wish. Then, when you receive your refund, simply pay off your loan or, if you prefer, continue

making your regular payments.

Paying Taxes? An affordable Norwest Financial tax loan lets you pay the IRS in full, while letting you budget your payments over a period of time that may make it more comfortable to handle.

At tax time or any time, Norwest Financial is the one to call

!Sfl!ftt...§Efll IJ!!/t//!t!Mt !!MfJ!!!!.[!{;!J ~~-~~ NORWEST FINANCIAL

Take advantage of our Saturday hours

9:00 a.m. to 1 :00 p.m.

Norwest Financial Loan Request Fax Form

Complete and fax to Norwest Financial

Social Security number: _

NORWEST FINAN©DAIL Joeten Dandan Commercial Bldg. Dandan, Northern Mariana Islands

SPS 882 Box 10006 Saipan, MP 96950

tel. 235-6030 fax 670/235-6040

www.norwestfinancial.com

Name:----·---------~ Address:. Loan amount requested: $ Telephone number: (home). Best time to call:----

Monthly income* (after payroll deduction):$·­(work) --~---- . Birthdate: ---- _.

*Income from alimony, child support, and separate maintenance need not be shown if you do not wish it considered as a basis for repayment.

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ 5 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ ~ $ $ $ l $ ~ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $'$ $. $.'

1111111111

14-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-FRIDAY-MARCH 6, 1998

We've move_d· to Yona! Jeff & Karen Marchesseault

#25 Calle de Silencio Yona, Guam 96914

(671) 477-9711 ext. 222

Call, write or visit!

MIDNITE KARAOKE 'Ule'4=tk.We4t~&~~/,t.~

OPENS 6 P.M. • 2 A.M. DAILY

s~ 'JtefAI-"" ~ ~

• TSINGTAO BEER $ 3.0Q/bottle (Chinese No.1 Beer)

• SASHIMI $1 O.®/plate

~ r-------------., 1 Midnight Karaoke 1

:1 FREE lady's drink: I couoon I .. ~---·------.. ~ HAPPY HOUR:

&pm • 8pm (Beer $1. 50)

~ UNITED STL!TES fJa POST/J.L SERV/C

U !··. po·· s· .t" A .. L. \.~-~- i; - • . ~: .. - "v ," .; '.

0· · e · ·

SERVICE EXAMINATION The U.S. Postal Service will be opening Exam 470 (Clerk) for Saipan, MP. Starting pay is about $13.00 per hr. plus 22.5% TCOLA Interested persons can obtain an application during the period March 9-13, 1998 at the Saipan Post Office. All applications must be submitted by March 13, 1998.

Focus on economy

Is it really possible to plan development?

By WIiiiam H. Stewart, Economist Economic Service Counsel

FORCES INFLUENCING FU­TURE PROJECTIONS

Any development plan for tl1c CNMI must.of course, center around the needs of the peoplc.The1efo1e, population characteristics are of cen­tral importance in anticipating such needs as: housing,c\assrooms.medi­cal facilities, infrasuucture and the provision of a wide variety of other public services.

In the Commonwealth the1e aie several distinct population groups which must be considered.

TI1esc are United States citizens, both indigenous and non indigenous; the nonresident worker; Micronesians, which by reason of a negotiated agreement are pennitted entry into the CNMI and finally, the transient population of tourists.

Within the United States citizen group there are several impo11a11tsub categories each of which require spe­cial consideration as, for example, minorities- asinthecaseofCarolin­ians, school age children, retired and handicapped persons, etc.

Populationcharacteristics and pro­jections should be prepared for each of the inhabited islands of the Com­monwealth, namely, Rota, linian, Saipan and the Northern Islands in the event they will again be inhabited in any number in the future.

It would be very convenient to state as a principal assumption that the projections are based on an evalua­tion of the present general local and regionaleconornies:.inddoesnottake into account, or make prov is ions for, the effect of sharp changes not pres­ently foreseeable.

This, however, avoids the issue of attempting to make furure projec­tions as accurate as possible.

Population projections must be objective and it should be clearly understood that they consist of lli1

elal:xlrate combination of estimates. To the extent that any one estimate

is in error then the final result will be in deficient.

Hazardous as ii is, it isanimprove­mentovertheintuitivemethod which some would employ without llilY at­tempt to measure the vmicd factors involved.

Projections must take into consid­eration the possible future state of the economy and be based on major as­sumptiornfortheprincipal sectors of: government., manufacturing, tourism and the related sectors of retail, whole­sale, construction, etc.

It is somewhat difficult to foresee the many chllilges that could occur in the Commonwealth 'seconomic base over the next five years con­sidering that many of the forces effecting the future well being of the economy aie external and aie influenced by events over which tl1e CNMI has no conuul.

Among such forces within Asia ml::

• changes in the exchange rate of tl1e dollar in relation to the Japanese yen and other Asiai1 currencies, (a strong dollanesult~ in the Common­wealth becoming a more expensive

destination and tllus Jess competitive with other areas);

• fluctuations in Asian stock mar­kets and otl1er factors.

Forces within the United States which could have a deui mental effect on the economy and thus the futme population include:

•theAme1icanGovemment'sabil­ity to inc1easetheCNMI'sminimum wage to that p1evailing in the U. S.;

• the U. S. assuming control of immigration in the Commonwealth;

• application of federal tax laws and withdrawal of the Commonwealth'sprivilegetoexpo1t its manufactured pmducts duty free to the U. S. market

Additionally, the Commonwealth legislature and the executive branch can modify the business environment by either stimulating increased eco­nomic activity by offering additional investment incentives or adversely effecting economic growth by enact­ing measures to discourage additional investrnent.

This sometimes results when laws are enacted without anticipating the unintended, unanticipated conse­quences of such legislation or regu la­tion.

Other unforeseen factors affecting the area's economic growth and thus its population can include:

• physical disasters such as droughts, typhoons and earthquakes;

• increased crime; • degradation of the environment; • tlie island's business climate and

its appeal to additional foreign invest­ment;

• whether or not casinos will be operating successfully;

• the availability of adequate infra­structure, etc.

To the extent that these unforeseen forces effect the economy in the future then obviously the projec­tions will require adjustment.

Reasonable assumptions that are employed in making projec­tions must be clearly articulated.

As events unfold over the plan­ning period necessary adjustments in the population projections will, of course, have to be made and incorporated into the overall plan.

A previous article discussed some of the elements and consid­erations, encompassing eco­nomic, social and environmental that must be addressed in any planning process.

But how can a plan proceed when major tools for its imple­mentation can be modified or en­tirely negated by unfrneseen inter­national events or actions by "out­side"forcessuchas U.S. government policies?

As is widely known, the present labor element of the economy can not be sustained entirely by the indigenous population nor are there sufficient numbers of "off­island" U.S. citizens available to augment the limited Chamono/ Carolinian labor force.

Some members of the United States Congress have suggested that local control of immigration in the Commonwealth be with-

William H. Stewart

drawn and the administration of immigration be placed under the laws of the United States with federal immigration authorities responsible for this element of government.

In my judgment if this occurs the Commonwealth economy may shrink to somewhere around the 1990 level of $1.2 billion in re­ported business gross revenue, if not lower.

This would be about halfofthe $2.2 billion reported for 1996, the most recent data I have available.

Presently, two industries domi­nate the economy of the Northern Marianas - tourism and garment manufacturing.

Tourism is an extremely fragile industry and many forces, both internal and external, can affect its success.

Typhoons can be a disruptive force, as can droughts, pollution, crime, an area's price structure, competition from other areas, fuel prices and a myriad of other fac­tors.

No economy should be depen­dent on a single industry - espe­cially tourism.

Therefore, every effort must be made to diversify the island's eco­nomic base.

Manufacturing, fishing, agri­culture, etc., accomplishes this goal.

In most cases manufacturing. and to some extent, fishing and agriculture will require nonresi­dent workers.

Manufacturing will also require the importation of raw materials.

ln 1996 when tourist entries totaled 736,508, there were 3,847 hotel rooms available to accom­modate them.

Before the recent currency cri­sis in Asia, I prepared a study, that indicated that about twice the above number of visitors would be required to make up for the loss of government revenues should the garment industry leave.

1l1is means that about twice the above number of hotel rooms would be necessary to accommo­date the increase in visitors.

Al an average cost of, say, $120,000 as the pro-rated, per room construction cost for a first class facility, approximately $462 million in new investment would be required along with an addi­tional 5,800 non-indigenous workers to staff the hotels.

l. l i'·

'

j ··' f r

/. f' r.-.

i.

,, !: \ i

-, ) ) • • > I ' I ~ '~ , , Ir,., • ,• • · ~ • ..- • t • • ·' ~ ·• • • • • -~ • •' ,- • • " • .~ • 1 •, •

_______________________________ F'.__'R~l'::..D~A~Y.!...', M~AR~C'::.'H'.:...'6, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-15

Estrada leads RP presidential race

;_:

TOJl:\LI2 PHlLlPPl\E CE\11\',lAL

MANILA, Philippines (AP) -Philippines Vice President Joseph Estrada, the presidential candidate of the main opposition party, continues to hold a large lead in the campaign for May presidential elections, ac­cording to a survey published Thurs­day.

Estrada,aformermovieactionstar and senator who campaigns on a pro­poor platform, was favored by 28 percent of respondents in the nation­wide poll by the respected Social Weather Stations survey group.

Thepollasked l,500peopletorate nine leading presidential candidates.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, a tough-talkingfom1erpolicechiefwho promises law and order and is backed byfrnmer P1esidentCorazonAquino,

MANILA, Philippines (AP) _ Philippine stocks ended mixed Thursday, with bargain-hunting offsetting the impact of higher­than-expected inflation and a slightly weaker peso, traders said.

The 30-share Philippine Stock Exchange slipped 11.77 points, or 0.5 percent, to 2,207.54, ac­cording to preliminary data. On Friday it fell 39.55 points.

However, gainers outnumbered losers 66 lo 45, with 47 issues unchanged.

Advancers were led by re­bounding stocks such as Philip­pine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Manila Electric Co.

The government announced Thursday that the consumer p1ice index rose 7.4 percent in Februmy compai-ed to a year earlier_ the high­est increase in 18 months. Inflation in January was 6.4 percent.

··Bmgain-hunting moderated the negative sentiment caused by news of higher-tl1an-expected inflation data," said Julie Villena, an analyst for Magnum lntemational Secu1ities Inc.

EconomisL~ had forecast that con­sumer prices would 1ise between 6.5 percent ai1d 7.0 percent yc,u·-on-ycm· in reb1uary. ll1e 1elativcly steep 1ise in inflation was hu·gely caused by a shmp increase in food p1ices, which have a hefty weighting in tl1e con­sumer p11ce index.

At midday, the peso averaged 39.990pesos perdollar,compaied to Wednesday's 39.963 pesos.

Dealers said tl1e peso was weak­ened in morning tI~tding by modest speculativedemandfordollarscaused bythecontinued weakeningofSoud1-east Asian cunencies.

Southeast Asian cunencies _ led by the Singapo1e dollar _ declined furtherThursdaymorningon the back of poor banking sector earnings re­sults from the 1egion.

The Philippine inflation data did not have a sharp effect on peso-dollm· trading, as participm1ts continued to focus on regional concerns. n-aders said.

placed second with 14 percent One point behind Lim was former

Cebu Governor Emilio Osmena, an advocate of rural development

Ruling party candidate Rep. Jose de Venecia, the choice of President Fidel Ramos, placed fourth with 12 percent

He was followed by Senator Raul Roco, who has strong support from young voters with 9 percent

Former first lady Imelda Marcos, widow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was picked by 2.3 percent of the respondents and ranked eighth.

Estrada is widely popular, espe­cially in the countryside, because of his decades as an actor po11raying underdogs who cure for the poor.

Some business groups, however, have exp1essed apprehension over whetl1er he can hllildle the country's economic problems.

Other critics charge that he is not morn.lly fit to be president because of his history of gambling, drinking and

CltAYSLER NC-ON

womanizing. The influential Catholic Bishops

Conference of the Philippines has urged voters to pick leaders with in­tegrity and a record of"performance, not popularity or promises."

Ramos, who won with just 24 per­cent of the vote in a seven-candidate election in 1992, has downplayed surveys showing Estrada far in the lead. 'Toe one that really counts is the survey of the electorate on May 11, 1998," he said.

Social Weather Stations said the margin of e1ror in the poll, conducted last month, was 3 percentage poinL~.

Ramos is limited by the comtitu­tion to a single six-year te1m, which ends in June I 998.

A move to chllilgc the constitution last year to allow him to run for anotl1er term met with su·ong resis­tance from democratic activists.

An estimated I 00.<XXJ Cllildidates aie expected to run for 17,340 na­tional and local posts on May 11.

A mural depicting the country's declaration of independence I 00 years ago, which will serve as a countdown marker, is unveiled by govern­ment officials led by President Fidel Ramos (hidden at left) during ceremonies Thursday outside Malacanang Palace in Manila. The Philippines celebrates on June 12 the 100 years of its independence from Spain after being colonized for more than 300 years. AP

JJJ _I

CltRYSLEA STRATUS . · _ save up·to · .. · .

. $6500:.00

S087080 CltRYSLER CARAVAN

4l!llt 5067032

JEEP CltEROKEE

--5067026

$08703'1

DODGE DAKOTA

Cffll> 5077072

(067300

DODGE RAM

5077037

LOCATED ON AIRPORT ROAD NEXT TO THRIFTY CAR RENTAL

l~~-:::-i ___ ..._, Airport Rd. E~

Tel. 234-0173

I I i

16-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-FRIDAY- MARCH 6, 1998

CDA cautions CPA against bond rush

Juan S. Tenorio

By Rick Alberto Van·ety News Staff

THE Commonwealth Develop­ment Authority is cautioning !he Pons Authority not to rush with its bond flotation and wait until the bond interest rate goes down further.

"I don '1 think that we should rush, because I know for a fact that the interest rale is coming down," CDA chair Juan S. Tenorio said.

Tenorio said the going interest rate now is 6.5 percent.

"I know we can negotiate as it goes down further this month," he told reporters Wednesday. He said the interest rate should be at most 6.2 percent.

Tenorio said the CPA should wait for another 30 days as the going interest rale is expected to still slide down.

Tenorio said the CPA seems ro

be in a rush to float the bond because it is in dire need of funds to finish its ongoing ports projects.

The CPA has downgraded its proposed bond flotation from $140 million to $60 million, bu! the CDA wants the amount raised to $80 million to accommodate the lengthening of the Tinian air­port runway.

The CPA has apparently cho­sen Altura Nelson as the bond underwriter, which had served in the same capacity when the CPA floated a bond several years ago.

The CPA late last year aborted a bond deal with Yu Corp. be­cause of differences hinging on the increase of bond interest from 6.5 percent to 6. 7 percent.

Tenorio, however, is question­ing the legality of CPA 's move to choose Allura in the absence of RFP, or request for proposals.

"I do not wan! lo have the same scenario as the I&S; somebody would question whether there is an RFP," Tenorio said.

Tenorio was referring to the controversial advertising contract thal the Marianas Visitors Bu­reau had forged with the Japa­nese ad agency and which some in government is questioning because of alleged lack of RFP.

The CDA approves any bond float proposal and bases its ap­proval on the proponent's capac­ity to pay.

CRM plans to open Tinian · field office

By Rick Alberto Variety News Staff

THE Coastal Resources Manage­ment plans to open an office on Tmian "as soon as feasible," to l:etter serve the pub Ii c 's needs, CRMactingDirectorPeter J. Barias said yesterday.

Barias was responding to a letter dated March 4 from Tmian Sen. Joaquin G. Adriano, who claimed that the centralized permitting pro­cess of the CRM was "severely hampering progress and opera­tions."

"It has been brought to the atten-

tion of the Tinian Oegislative) delega­tion that the centralized permitting process, whereby all permits are pro­cessed on Saipan, no matter the size or scope of the project involved, is severely hampering progress and operations," Adriano wrote.

AdrianorequestedBarlastoautho­rizetheCRMrepresentativeonTmian to issue pennits for minor projects.

"I understand that CRM has,no office on Tmian at this time, which l believe is also hampering operations, andlhopethatthis will be resolved as soon aspossible," Adriano told Barias.

But Barlas, in his reply letter, in-

formed Adriano that the CRM coastal coordinator on Tinian had been authorized to issue minor permits on Tinian since Jan. 20.

Barias said theCRMisdoing its best to "locateandrentofficespace for our Tinian coordinator" but that "we have been hampered by insufficient funds."

"We have also been hampered by the lack of suitable office space at a reasonable price because of the demand for housing ... created by the construction of the Tinian DynastyHotelandCasino,"Barlas said.

CUC designs groundwater model By Rick Alberto Variety News Staff

THE Commonwealth Utilities Corp.'s Project WET has de­vised an Island Hydrology Groundwater Flow Model kit to educate schoolchildren on how the Northern Mariana islands soils and rocks are affected by polluted water.

On Wednesday, schoolteach­ers and principals from Saipan 's different elementary schools un­derwent training on the model kit, which was designed by Preston L. Fisher, technical ad­visor for CUC's water division where he is on detail by the US

Continued on page 3S

HYDROLOGY MODEL KIT. Preston L F',sher, technical adviser for the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., shows how Saipan's soils are affected by pollutedwaterthrough a hydrology groundwater flow model he has designed under Project Water Education for Teachers the other day during a training session at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Ubrary seminar hall. Photo by Rick Alberto

GALLERIA MAICH MADNESS SPECIALS

Destination Liquor

Saipan T-Shirt Ballantine

$10 buy 2 bottles

3 for $25 of 17 or 21 year old FREE Ballantine Sport Bag

Fragrance Fashion Fashion 8r~!lilidls

buy $75 WIOll''::h Designer IFaslhion

FREE Gift 30°/o•55% Ofi (1rom original retails)

(selected)

Active Active Fila RTW Nike T-Shirt

55o/o OFF Original $12.00 Retail (selected)

Many more itczms on sale tlorry whilcz stocks last

Tobacco

Salem buy 2 cartons

FREE Salem Camera

Liquor

JW Gold Label buy 2 bottles FREE Cross Pen

Active Wear Nike

30°/o•S5°/o Off Original Retail

(selected)

Accessories Pens

Costume Jewelry Cross Pens

buy $75 worth buy $75 worth

FREE Jewelry Box FREE Pen Pouch (seiected)

Destination Souvenirs Asserted Kern Done Designs

Coinpurses any purchase buy 1 get 1 FREE FREE Gift

(selected)

Cosmetic Leather Fashion Brands

buy $75 worth Designer Fashion

FREE Gift 30°/o-55°/o Off

(selected) (from original retails)

'U'e a.uept: ~ II· - . . ...... ~ -&

DFS Galleria - Beach Road Garapan • Tel. 234-6615 OPEN DAILY

9:00AM-1 O:OOPM

' T -- ..

--rF If

.

I

.1

I

l i

' '

' . ! ti.

11' ..

' I'.· \ ' A:¥J ,.' .,1

·• MARCH 6, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-17

TocK J~]ARKET Island Fiesta Bldg. Susupe Tel. 235-1492 • Fax 235-1493

OPEN 8:00 am - 9:00 pm Daily U'e a«eftt: 1--

SALE PERIOD MARCH 6-12 =· ~ Certified Angus CHILLED T-BONE STEAK

7a.4Ude-~

Certiiied Angus CHILLED BONELESS CHUCK ROAST

.. -· .... ~ .. -u· .. ·,-.. t~ .. ---JA-.... --. ,-u~·u:·· ·-, ,· .. ··L· ... · _ ....... L··, c:·.-·u;··, .... 1 ......... -. t---.. ..--.. ~· t-4. ... c:- ·t'-,:, ,,, •' ·;; ·,,n ·(:,' '" ';, .;; ·. .. ,:, ' ' . : .. ',. . , .. .... • .. , O"'" ... -, . ·-\[);· .... . l - . -c .. ,,,.... ,.. .. . ...... - ., . . .. ~I,,-~ I\;.,, •l .. ·, ·,v ..:..,, .~ ~I..'.·- . J ,;,.... ·~L,,' 'L,

Certified Prime CHILLED RIB STEAK

FROZEN BANGUS (Milkfish)

HOME GARDEN

each / Any size

WIZARD Air Fresheners

8 oz. Aerosol Can

Sweet - Ripe Juicy WATERMELON

GOLDEN GRAHAMS Honey Flavored Cereal

13 oz. Box

(Seedless)

FLAVORITE TUNA

BOUNTY Paper Towel Single Roll

Certified Angus CHILLED GROUND BEEF

TYSON Frozen Chicken

Drumsticks 2 1 /2 pound bag

DIAMONDG U.S. Calrose Rice

50 pound bag

HORMEL

CHARMIN Toilet Tissue 12 Roll Pack

We no~ a~c~pt ·N.AP Foo·d St~mps--at .Sugar:Doek Market

I I i

American Samoan House set to vote on Samoa non-recognition PAGO PAGO (Pacncws)­American Samoa's House of Rcp­rcscnracives will take !he final vote on the comrovcrsial non-rec­ognition of Samoa bill. And if passed it will then go to the sen­ate.

On Tuesday the representatives passed the second reading of the bill without a debate.

Eleven Representatives intro­duced the bill last August and 11 yes votes were needed to pass the bill.

The prime mover of the legisla­tion, Representative Suemalo Seti Lapa, is confident that the bill will get enough votes to pass on today.

A provision in the non recogni­tion Samoa bill states that pass­ports and letters of identity which bear the name Samoa will be re­jected and the territory will only recognise travel documents bcar­-ing the name, Western Samoa.

Congressman, Fa\comavaega Eni Hunkin, has strongly opposed

the bill saying it does more harm than good and will draw the United States government's attention to American Samoa's immigration system and possibly lead to US involvement in local immigration.

Governor Tauese Sunia is on record as saying that he will veto the bill but accord­ing to Representative Lapa, the governor has indicated that he will support the bill if the prov is ion on passports is de­leted.

Vanuatu to appoint police prober PORT VILA (Pacnews)­Vanuatu's Prosecutions Depart­ment is in the process of investi­gating two cases from rhc recent public reports by the Ombuds­man.

Acting Public Prosecutor Kayleen Tavoa says a police in­vestigator will soon be appointed to help the department can-y out

more investigations into the Ombudsman's reports. Radio Vanuatu reports.

Tavoa (Ms) says the two reports to

l:e investigated are the SaleofV anualu Passports report which implicated Prime Minister Serge Vohorand the Besty Fund report.

The Betsy Fund report found that former Prime Minister

Maxime Carlo! Korman used about $US I million received from outside donors for cyclone relief as his own personal money.

Tavoa says police investiga­tions will determine whether the people involved in these two re­ports are liable to prosecution.

Tavoa says investigations will take about two months ..

,f~~!} NORTHERN MARIANAS HOUSING CORPORATION~

'-""" REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS '"""""""' o,ro1:m.1NJTY !.) •••• (.).

The Board of Directors of the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation (NMHC), represented by Mr. Juan S. Tenorio. Chairman, and the Department of Public Works are soliciting sealed proposals for the Installation of Lighting of the Baseball Field in Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Isl.ands. Proposals i~ duplicate, will be accepted at the NMHC Central Office in Garapan, · Sa1pan until 2:00 p.m., local time, March 16, 1998, at which time and place all proposals will be opened and read aloud. Any proposals received alter the above time will not be accepted under any circumstances.

A bond of 15% of the total bid price must accompany the proposal. This security may be Certified Check, Cashier's Check, or Bid Bond, made payable to the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation.

The proposer is required to submit with the proposal: 1) a copy of a current CNMl-issued business license; 2) updated financial statement; 3) listing of existing and past projects including completion dates; 4) certification of tax compliance from the Department of Revenue and Taxation; 5) written confirmation from a reputable bonding firm as to the company's capability to obtain bond insurance and performan_ce and payment bond; 6) copy of Builder's Risk and Workmen's Compensation coverage; 7) listing of manpower with copies of CNMl-issued work permits; and 8) listing of equipments.

Plans and Specifications of the project are available from the Technical Services Division Department of Public Works, Saipan, on or after February 25, 1998. A non-refundable payment ~f $150.00 is required for each set; payment made payable to the NMHC. The Pre-Proposal Conference for this project will be held at 10:00 a.m., March 10, 1998 at the NMHC Conference Room.

Attention is called to Section .3 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1968 which req~1res the provision of training and employment, and the awarding of contract for work on the proJect, t_o low 1nc~me proJect area residents and business con?erns. NMHC also notifies proposers that 11_ will aff1rma,1v.ely ensure that, in any _contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority and womens business enterprises will be accorded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this RFP.

Attention is further called to the Labor Standards Provision for Wage Rate Determination of the Commonwealth, Classification and Salary Structure Plans, and payment of not less than the minimum salaries and wages as set forth in the Contract Document, must be paid on this project.

The Government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive any imperfections in the said proposals, if in its sole opinion, to do so would be in the government's best interest. All proposals shall become the property of the Commonwealth Government.

Isl JUAN S. TENORIO Chairman of the Board

February 13, 1998 Date

· Northern Marianas Housing Corporation

Is/ JOHN B. CEPEDA February 17, 1 998 . Acting Secretary of Public Works

isl HERMAN SABLAN February 17, 1998 Acting Director, Procurement & Supply

ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS

MEETS

The Saipan Group of Alcoholics Anon.ymous_meets every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m_. at _the Kristo Ra1 Church Social Hall Kitchen in Garapan, across from the Hor1guch1 Building. If you have a drinking or drugging problem call 234-5100 and they will put you in contact with someone who might be able to help.

PNG, Solomons begin joint border meetings CANBERRA (Pacnews)­Thc Papua New Guinea gov­ernment has spent less than half the money it has allocated for drought relief.

With the worst of the drought now over, most of the remaining money will be spent helping to keep people fed until village gardens are back in production, probably within the next two to three months.

In a report to parliament, PNG 's minister for emergency

services, Simon Kaumi, said the government had spent $Aus5. 7 million ($US3.8m) on food relief for more than 700,000 people.

Kaumi paid tribute to the 150 Australian defence and aid person­nel who have helped with the relief operation to which the Australian government so far has committed $Aus20 million ($USl3m).

Kaumi told parliament that Ja­pan would provide 8,000 tonnes of rice later this month ..

Pago Gov't meets deadline set by US on hospital plan PAGO PAGO (Pacnews)­AmericanSamoa'sHouseofRep­resentatives will take the final vote on the controversial non-rec­ognition of Samoa bill. And if passed it will then go to the senate.

On Tuesday the representatives passed the second reading of the bill without a debate.

Eleven Representatives intr0;­duced the bill last .August and 11 · yes votes were needed to pass the bill.

The prime mover of the legisla­tion, Representative SuemaloSeti Lapa, is confident that the bill will get enough votes to pass on today.

A provision in the non rec­ognition Samo.a bill states that passports and letters of iden- . tity which bear the n:ame Sa-

moa · will be rejected and the tenitol)' will only recognise travel documents bearing the name, Western Samoa. Congressman,

Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, has strongly opposed the bill say­ing. it does more hann than

· good and will draw the United Stiites goverriinent' s attention to American Samoa's immF ·gration system and possibly lead to US involvement in local immigration.

GovemorTauese Sunia is op record as · saying that he will veto the bill but according to Representative Lapa, the gov'­ernor has indicated that he will support the bill if the provis sion on passports is deleted .. ·

Tarawans told: Live healthy TARAWA (Pacnews)-A 4-day National Public Health conference, the first of its kind in Kiribati, is underway in the capital Tarawa.

More than I 00 participants representing all sections of the community from throughout the republic are attending the gathering, Radio Kiribati re­ports.

In his opening address Tues-

day, Health and Family Plan­ning Minister Kataotika Tekee said developments in the the country could only happen if there's minimal sickness amongst a popula­tion.

He said the staging of the con­ference is in line with the World Health Organisation's ultimate goals of reaching Health For All by the year 2000.

Fiji sto.ck.exchange gets--help SUVA (Pacnews)-The Suva Stock Exchange Wednesday re­ceived technical assistance from the United Nations Development Programme to help upgrade it~ ser­vices.

LJNDP will provide funds to al­low experts from the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank to help the stock exchange, Island Networks Corporation re­ports.

The project, worth about $Fl30,000 ($US69,000), aim/, to promote and open the local mar­ket to foreign and direct invest­ment, mobilise domestic savings and facilitate the float of privatised stale-owned enter­prises.

UNDP resident representative Dr Romulu Garcia says he hopes locals too can benefit from the program.

UN assists Solomons business HONIARA (Pacnews)-The United · Nations is providing $US I. 1 million to assist Solomon Islanders set up in business and providing techni­cal as1s1ancc.

The. ministry of commerce says that of the money' $US900,000 is provided by the United Nations Development Programme to assist nationals sci up small and medium enter­prises.

And $300,000 provided by the UN Industrial Development Organisation under which ex­perts in various fields arc pro­vided to train local trainers, busi­ness advisors and the entrepre­neurs.

Both projects are being imple­mented by the industrial devel­opment division of the Ministry of Commerce, and is part of gov­ernment policies to develop the country's private sector.

,,

j )

I

····t'~

· - \ Y, MARCH 6, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-19

PACIFIC MEDICAL CENTER PPP 131 Middle Road Saipan, MP 96950 Tel. No. 670-233-8100

[] ttEfiLTtt CLEfiRflNCE EXfiM [Z] HIV [3J CH EST X-RAY ~RPR

All in compliance with the Emergency Regulation and the CDC

RESULTS AVAILABLE ON THE SAME DAY

NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED

Monday-Friday Saturday

~< -to LOWER BASE

fHAPPYl ~

I

I

8:00AM-6:00PM 9:00AM-3:00PM

PACIFIC MEDICAL CENTER

GASOLINE STATION

j I ., ... · ... -.. , ",,, "., ,. ". ,----------lllll!l ... ~11111111-.---.-!"' .. ·""· ...... -.,. .... "!I .• !!".'"' .. -. .... 11!!1_1!'1 • .... -----------------------------------.1 I :fJ ~{'

' i~i1

I I I i

20-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-FRIDAY- MARCH 6, 1998

Vote on P. Rico plebiscite set By DAVID BRISCOE

WASHING TON (AP) A vote by Puerto Ricans on whetherto become the 51 st state moved a step closer Wednesday after the House of Rep­resentatives rejected effort, by st.Ite­hocx.J opponents to make English the official U.S. language.

The House voted 265- I 53 for an amendment that wouldsubjectPuerto Rico. if it becomes the 5 lststateafter a JO-year transition, to the same lan­guagerequirementsofanyotherstate. 11,e United States currently has no official language.

l11at vote scuttled a controversial amendment that would have declared English the official language through­out the United States, imposing spe­cial requirement on predominantly Spanish-speaking Puerto Rico.

Non-Puerto Rican House mem­bers opposing statehood had led tlie English-only drive, which sparked a firey debate.

Final vote on the pie bi sci te bill was expected late in the evening as tl1e House worked on otheramendments, includingonethatwouldallowPuerto Ricans now living in the 50 states to vote in the plebiscite.

A woman carrying bags of cans for recycling walks past a newsstand in San Juan, Puerto Rico with newspapers headlining the possibility of a self-determination plebiscite Wednesday. The plebiscite bill supported by Clmton and both Republican and Democratic House leaders would set up a three-way vote in Puerto Rico before the end of 1998, Puerto Rico's 100th anniversary as a U.S. territory. Voters would choose whether to continue a self­governing commonwealth, gain statehood or become an independent country. AP

The bill supported by President beforetheendofl998,PuertoRico's commonwealth, gain statehood or Bill Clinton and both Republican and l 00th anniversary as U.S. tenitory. become an independent country. Democratic House leaders would set Voters would choose whethertl,ey Even if statehood wins the plebi-up a three-way vote in Puerto Rico want to remain a self-governing U.S. scite, the bill sets up a I 0-yeartransi-

C!&fftce of tbe 3'f ob ij!ratntng t)artnersbip ~ct

On behalf of the Governor's JfPA Office and the Trainees, I would like to take this opportunity in extending our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the following firms for your strong commitment and participation in according Employment and Training opportunities to our indigenous work force in an effort of finding meaningful employment.

Aqua Resort Club Herman's Modern Bakery Pacific Sky Travel Law Office of Perry B. lnos KElCO Motors FAS Moving &. Storage Vivian B. Seman (Primerica) Consolidated Transportation Services, Inc. Saipan Diamond Hotel Pacific Oriental. Inc. J.C. Tenorio Enterprises, Inc.

Law Office of John A. Manglona Sister Remedios Preschool, ECDC IT&.E, Saipan Office Marianas Printing Services, Inc. Sablan Construction Company J.E.T. Holding Company YCO Corporation Safety First Systems, Inc. (hong's Corporation Tan Holding's Corporation

Your willingness for such undertaking, exemplifies a shared commitment that this is a social issue, therefore, we must work collectively on effort to enable our people to become contributing members of our community and not reliant on welfare programs. l hope that in the future should the need arise for an additional staff, you would consider us to assist on the matter.

For those firms that are interested in "getting involve" on such worthy endeavor, contact Mr. Ray Cruz or Mr. Richard Santos at 664--1702. Once again, Si Yu' us Ma' ase', Ghiflisow, and Thank You for your continued support and good luck in your business endeavor.

/s/felix R. Nogls Jf PA Executive Director

xc : Governor

tion period and requires several votes by Congress and Puerto Ricans be­fore a change in status. A similar bill is pending in the Senate.

Puerto Ricans tliemselves are split over the need for a plebiscite and the statehood issue, although two-thirds of the commonwealtl1 'selected offi­cials support statehcxxl, according to Puerto Rican Senate President Charles A. Rodri6TUez. Statehood trni led com­monwealth status in a close 1993 vote, with less than 5 percent opting for independence.

Foroes advocating statehood cast the issue as a simple matter of "self determination''for3.8millionAmeri­can citizens who have no voting rep­resentation in Congress. Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens sinoe 1917 but cannot vote in presidential elec­tions and pay no federal income tax.

"Do you cherish the principles of our democracy enough to dismantle I 00 years of colonialism and extend the right of full self-determination to the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico?" challenged Puerto Rico's non-voting Democratic member of Congress, Rep. Carlos Romero-Barcelo.

But tlie English-only provision sparked the most intense debate.

'To make English ourofficial lan­guage," said Rep. Gene Green, "lim­its ournation." Others argued that the English-only amendment would im­pose requirements on Puerto Ricans that are not imposed on other citizens.

"We must encourage everyone to speak English, but we must not dis­criminate against those that speak otlier languages," said Rep. John Lewis.

Rep. Gerald Solomon, leader of efforts to adopt English as tlie na­tional language, said in advanoe he would oppose tlie plebiscite bill even with the English-only amendment

'This bill sets up a process by which the citizens of Puerto Rico are forced to vote unti I they vote for statehood," Solomon said. If com­monwealth is retained, the bill says, votes on statehood would be held at least eve1y l O years after this year's plebiscite.

··rr the citizens of Puerto Rico de­cide to seek statehood ... they should clearly understand the demands of assimilation," said Solomon, adding tliat language is "the number-one barrier to assimilation."

Rep. Virgil Goode, said he feared a Spanish-speaking Puerto Rico would become like Quebec, where a French-speaking sepa­ratist movement thrives. Leam­ing English should be imposed from the beginning, he said.

The debate marked an unusual focus on Puerto Rico an issue that has cooled down -consider­ably from the extreme violence it sparked in the 1950s.

The House debate came 44 years and two days after four Puerto Rican militants advocat­ing independence fired more than 30 shots in the same chamber, wounding five members of Con­gress. In I 950, two Puerto Rican nationalists tried to kill President Harry S. Truman outside Blair House, where the president was living at the time. Truman wasn't hurt, but a policeman and one would-be assassin died in a gun battle.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-21

S. Korea plane to fly thru North's airspace SEOUL, South Korea (AP) A South Korean commercial plane flew through North Korea's heavily guarded air­space Tuesday for the first time since the Korean War began in 1950.

The Korean Air B747-400F cargo plane with a crew of four passed through North Korean airspace over the Sea of Japan for about 20 minutes on its way from Anchorage, Alaska, to Seoul.

It was the third of five sched­uled test flights before North Korea's airspace is officially opened for international com­mercial flights on April 23.

US, Indonesian officials deny plans for a US military base JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)

The United States has no plans to build a military base in Indonesia, the U.S. Em­bassy said Wednesday, echo­ing denials from the Indone­sian government.

On Tuesday, Indonesia's foreign minister said rumors that the United States had asked to set up a military base were false and that such a plan would violate national sover­eignty.

"There has not been and there never will be such a re­quest. If there is, it is clear that Indonesia will reject it," the official Antara news agency quoted Foreign Minis­ter Ali Alatas as saying.

U.S. Embassy spokesman Steven Monblatt also denied the rumors, and said he did not know their origin.

The United States has no military forces based in Indo­nesia. But it wants to strengthen its defense rela­tionship, in part by conduct­ing more joint exercises and arranging more naval port vis­its.

In January, U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen vis­ited Indonesia to convey to President Suharto that the United States sees Indonesia as a key to political and mili­tary stability in Southeast Asia.

U.S. officials are concerned that a breakdown of social and political order in Indonesia, linked to the worst economic crisis in three decades, could endanger security ties throughout the region.

Subic Bay in the Philippines for decades was home to the largest U.S. naval base out­side the United States, but the last U.S. forces left the Phil­ippines in 1992.

BUCKLE UP

Cathay Pacific of Hong kong and Delta Airlines of the United States flew similar test flights over the reclusive communist nation's territory Saturday and Sunday.

North Korea agreed to open its airspace last year in a pact with the International Air Transport Association, which represents most of the world's airlines.

The pact will enable some international airlines to fly shorter routes and save mil­lions of dollars in fuel costs because they will no longer have to detour North Korea, which has been off-limits for a half century.

S.uch flights could also give cash-strapped North Korea another source of hard cur­rency from control tower fees, which experts say could reach dlrs 2 million per year.

Captain Nam Bang-won, second from right, and other crew members of the Korean Air wave their hands upon their arrival at Seoul's Kimpo International airport Tuesday after flying though North Korea's heavily guarded airspace. The Korean Air 87 47-400F cargo plane with the four crew members passed through North airspace over the Sea of Japan for about 20 minutes on its way from Anchorage, Alaska to Seoul. It was the first time since the Korean War began in 1950. AP

• 1enna Has Arrived!!!

" ,. f-t

lJ

Sienna is much more than a mini van. fr) It's a 7 passenger sedan.

I.?~~

Stop by for a test drive today!

Pairere #1 (:ft)TOYOTA

fj

Microl Corporatio11 ~· --··-

~~'7 An Inchcape Motors Company

At the comer of Beach Road & Chalan Mnsr. Guerrero in San Jose. Call us at 234-5911 or fax us at 234-6514

- -------··----------

22-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-FRIDAY- MARCH 6, 1998

Deposed Chinese leader is under tight security BEUING(AP) D.:posedCommu­nist Party leade"r Zhao Ziyang has been held undertightersecurity since petitioning Chinese leaders in Sep­tember co 1e-examine rl1e J 989 de­mocracy movement, a human rights group said Wednesday.

Zhao, now 78, has lived under house arrest since pruty elders re­moved him from power for sympa­thizing with the demonstrators.

He has been spotted occasionally playing golf in suburban Beijing ;md reportedly has toured pru1s of t11e

country. But Zhao was not allowed to travel

outside Beijing in Februru-y to cel­ebrnte the Lunar New Year, as he has done in p1evious yem:s, the Hong Kong-based Infonnation Center of Human Rights and Democratic Movement i~ China said.

Zhao reportedly wrote to a pivotal Communist Party congress in Sep­tember, asking delegates to reverse tl1e official assessment that lhe pro­democracy movement was a counter­revolutionary rebellion.

l11e verdict was used to justify the military crackdown tliat ended tl1e protest\ killing hundreds.

"Because of petitioning the 15th party congress, Zhao Ziyang has been under strict supervision and control," the Information Center said, cit­ing an unidentified person close to Zhao.

It did not give any other details of his captivity, but said Zhao's health is good and he recently had treatment for an eye problem.

}

Chinese military police march in front of Beijing's Great Hall of the People Wednesday. The Great Half is the venue for the annual meeting of China's lef11'slature, the National People's Congress, which opens Thursday. Security has been stepped up in the capital in preparation for the congress. AP

P.O. BOX 1640, AS LITO, SAlPAN MP 96950

oio 0

Taiwan VP arrives for hushed Malaysia visit KUALA LUMPUR, Malay­sia (AP) - Taiwan's Vice President Lien Chan arrived in Malaysia on Wednesday for a hushed four-day visit to strengthen trade and investment ties.

Reflecting Malaysia's desire not to provoke China, authori­ties reportedly asked media not to cover Lien's visit.

Malaysia adheres to a one­China policy and maintains dip­lomatic ties only with Beijing, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province with no right to conduct its own foreign affairs.

Lien, accompanied by a 19-member delegation of Taiwan­ese government officials and businessmen, is scheduled to meet with Malaysia's leaders and Taiwanese business people, said Kiang Chuan Ching of the Taiwan Economic and Trade Cultural Center.

His visit is mainly "to under­stand the investment environ­ment" in Malaysia, said Kiang.

Lien is scheduled to meet Wednesday with officials from Hong Leong Group, a Chinese­owned company that owns one of Malaysia's largest financial companies as well as several manufacturing companies.

On Thursday, Lien is sched­uled to meet with Prime Minis­ter Mahathir Mohamad and Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Kiang said.

According to a report on Tai­wan Television, which inter­viewed Anwar in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, he confirmed he would meet with Lien. Anwar visited Taiwan last month.

"There are going to be pri­vate discussions on trade, busi­ness and investments," Anwar, who is also deputy prime min­ister, told the station.

However, Malaysian authori­ties have declined to comment further on Lien's visit. "I have no details whatsoever on it," a spokesperson at the For­eign Ministry told The Associ­ated Press.

"Whenever it comes to Tai­wan, there is an element of, well, it's kept quiet, because of the Chinese government, you know," the spokesperson added. Taiwan established a govern­ment independent of the main­land at the end oftheChinacivil war in 1949.

Friday, Lien will visitPenang, an island 300 kilometers (180 miles) northwest of the capital, Kuala Lumpur. .

The vice president is sched­uled to meet with Penang's Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon and the Taiwanese Investment Association of Malaysia.

The majority of Penang's population is Chinese.

Lien's visit comes as the final leg of a Middle East tour that provoked protests from China.

REBA~ G40. 20· 3- 6 . •••••••• $388.00/ST \Y\ I as ft}ffORMo fiO[ 1 Plt ~rUHl~a $ 27 ~00/PC

(\~~ M.ll, PLyWOOD BB r. as PLyWOOD ACX I

i, US LUMBER REGULAR TREATED

2x4x8 3.38 5.90 2x4x10 4.38 6.50 2x4x12 5.45 6.90 2x4x14 6.45 9.90 a.

AIRPORT

. .

2x4x16 7.45 10.60 <t ~

a GAS STATION

ASL/TO ROAD

2x4x18 8.20 10.60 • NORTH AS LITO ~ MARIANAS • ~

' COLLEGE FINA SISU GUANGDONG

2x4x20 8.90 11.70 SAN JOSE • . SUSUPE · C.K.

BEACH ROAD CHALAN PIAO

T

TEP UP TO IYIRGI

HOFFYHOTOR MILD LINK SAUSAGE 5Lbs. Box

U.S. PACIFIC MACKEREL

ZEST AQUA BATHSOAP 8-50z. Bars

MILO ENERGY DRINKS MIX 375G

SEABLEND IMITATION CRAB MEAT 2Lbs. Pkg.

DIXIE FRUIT & BERRY DESIGN BOWLS 12oz.

24HOURS WASHROOM SPRAY

KIRIN LAGER BEER CAN 24/355 mL 8 for 84.10

PACIFIC CORNED BEEF 12oz.

U.S. PRAWN SHRIMP (FW2I-25/26-36) 4 Lbs. Blocks

-~/ NEW ZEALAND MEDIUM BROWN ONION

CHARMIN BATHROOM TISSUE 12 Rolls

CLOROX LIQUID BLEACH 1 Gal.

YOURS LEMON POWDER Ea. 150 G

,)

U.S. CHICKEN

WHOLE FRYERS 30L8S. CASE

".!'; .,

;'."·i

'i BOUNCE ~- :'; OUTDOOR FRESH

Pk. 40 Ct.

,~SJ Ea.

KRAFT MACARONI& CHEESE 7.250z.

PEDIGREE DRY DOG FOOD 35.3 Lbs. Bag

. · Ea. LIBBY'S SLICED PEACHES 290Z.

SUEBEE ORANGE HONEY 240Z.

. ~1 Ea ·.:.·~-; .

Ea.

Ea.

Ea.

'JOETEN SHDPPINc; CENTER

' i

l

... ---·----···----------

24-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-FRIDAY- MARCH 6, 1998

Thousands protest in Indonesia By JOSEPH COLEMAN

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) _ Thousands of students protested peacefully against the government on Wednesday in one of the larg­est shows of discontent since the onset of Indonesia's economic crisis.

Demonstrators at several uni­versity campuses on Java and Sulawesi islands urged an end to President Suharto's long rule and better handling of the country's financial predicament.

They also appealed for lower prices, which shot up along with unemployment last year after the rupiah plunged in value. Five people have been killed in riots over rising costs.

In Jakai1a, meanwhile, de legates !O a special Jssembly prepared to deliver another five-year term to Suharto. The People's Consulta­tive Assembly, dominated by Suharto supporters, is virtually

certain to give him a seventh, five­year term next week.

Asia's longest-serving leader is firmly in control of the govern­ment and has resisted calls to implement political reforms.

However, he is under interna­tional pressure to comply with economic reforms in exchange for dlrs 43 billion in loans.

Seven university students in Surabaya, 800 kilometers (500 miles) east of Jakarta on Java is­land, entered the second day of a hunger strike Wednesday.

They arc the second group of students to stage such a protest against the government.

In Y ogyakarta, another Java city, more than I ,000 demonstra­tors rallied at the prestigious Gadjah Mada University. Many protesters circled the campus on motorcycles.

Police blocked a smaller group of protesters from leaving the cam­

~m;a:;;~:;;;..;~':;"":"'~

.. ~

··.c.c:.._._._:::; ••. ••• I !sll"5/!1,:,!}I0~!J~~§T,~~~ ~~:

CARS . 0 vWILLAC ,J~ 1: llt

U97-155 L'.]~CED~S :r~=' s::~ U97-264 1S:·~ t:RCU~Y Sf,B(.'.: U97-309 1S2, 3:\'/ ,2Si U97-004 E, I SUiCi( CE, :;·1m ABA-217

, - U97-221 1SS8 SUFHA AAA-533 3925

"

U97-251 19:,3 CM,1RY AAG-969 2585 U98-04-0 10;1 CRESSID;, AAY-813 U98-033 1'.. Ci.!c:Fl':' AAW 8995 U97-188 ,,; -172 5995 ,-·;:~;,,,·'.

U97-150 :m ?:}: !!~:~~ m~ ~ U97·241 ·,s:·.J CN·;,, AAW-531 3595 '"1iESJ

·'i. U97·273 1,:, c,,,,;:-~ AAZ-841 ,S95 I .·' :

•

·,, - • U97-3\5 ·, ABV-01\ ,.,,. I~ U•7 197 LtiJ':; ~·, ' . ABB-721 ,935 _ ' U97-279 m:. C:'.!P., ALi: AAW-849 ~595 ~ U97-310 1S9!, CA 1.rnY V6XLE AB0-562 13695 ~ U97-270 1992 CAMRYLE AAW-196 8695

I U98-038 11~

99B1· TERCEL 2 DR ABG-68-0 10~5

, 240 SX AAS-669 7995 1S92 SEf/TRi AAU-734 17&5 19?2 STMiZ!1 AAZ-325 5500 1?92 AAV-369 7995 1592 El.tRTRi: AAY-003 1&95

U97-214 19SO SUB/,RU LOYALE AAM-328 1995 . U97-316 1991 SUBARU \'/AGOI! AAT-834 3'.95

! . . : U97-257 1 ?12 l.lAi:DA PROTEGE AAX-186 3695 ;\".\"\ ~_l/_97-314 _ 1SJ1 _ i'.@A 323 ~13J.682 3595 • , • - '-miiuii'?r,,;:-;----,.-·""i· T~R~U~C:-:c_lK~· ~S~-r-...--,,~~-_j

C:lf',r_ ,..,:.,., ~ ~f ~if )if; /l r, -CiE ~~t~it b.. ~uu}Hi2!8 ' ' " :: i,··•,i'. .. _,_· .. :.•., .. J~

,o-v 102, L, cc, ', .jJ \C.,E ABJ.725 ·· . .«a ' ..... •"· (" R98-002 1995 1 ic,1.:, ~ ~X-CAS ABU-041 1'"·" i

- U98-022 1995 T1G<J 4, 1 EX-C.~6 ABV-612 ·"~.._,_. · .: U98-016 199" T ;;e's,:---

~ ,-:..:...:.:.:.....J__:::~~s.1~10i0~4~:·~iS~~~5-=..--.b;A~BU~-~87~2_1_~1~1.;'.'0"

~ - ' '-muii7:i~:i\<2ti?2J<1ioi~~;;,~=Sc;P'-?r~,gRii'.rW~r~~OT;i:7,o~~~:~·!_!:L:;_!l~T--:;c,..BQ.~.3=1~~f ~-;-::t_J1: j;;.f_.·). U98-013 1S95 RtVI, ABF--948 m·,'. IJ U98-024 19£5 RAV-4 ACA-271 'T

. U97•199 mo 4-RUW!ER AAL-790 '?-'(.j ,·. . . U98-007 1991 4-RUNl,ER AAW-075 ;;:i,i5

:. . .• .::.~. U97-034 1991 4-RUIINER AAV-815 10?,, i-..,. !t. C98-003 1991 4-RUII/IER AAX-125 10',':5

U97-222 1992 4-RUNNER AAX-453 10?;5 · U98-031 1992 4-R@NER AAW-734 13~,5 U97-319 1995 !-RUi'!NER HIDE 19SS5 U98-015 1895 4-RUNNER ABC-374 19995 C97-007 1SSQ J:EP AAM-037 7995

-011 ;g;c, HP CHEROK::E AAR·996 9995 U97-305 '.?,1 CHEVY 15 P.~X VM/ TEM-2047 G995 U9S-039 1$91 PF.EVIA \'All AAT-247 "'l95

5~J Microl Corporation

An Inchcape Motors Company at the comer of Beacll Road and Chalan Mnsr. Guerrero In San Jose

Call us at 234-5911 or Fax us at 234-6514 •

pus at a state university in Bandung, near Jakarta. In the capi­tal, students also marched at an Islamic university.

Several th~usand people also marched at a teaching institute in Ujungpandang on Sulawesi is­land, northeast of the capital, ac­cording to the Suara Pembaruan newspaper.

In Jakarta, three women arrested in an anti-government protest went on trial. More than I 00 people crowded a district court for a hearing in the case of Gadis Ari via and Karlina Leksono, both feminist editors and philosophy lecturers, and Wularsih, a house­wife.

They were arrested Feb. 23 af-

terwaving posters on a main plaza to protest the government's man­agement of the economy. The women face one week in jail if convicted.

Authorities have imposed a ban on political rallies in Jakarta dur­ing and for a week after the as­sembly expected to renominate Suharto.

Malaysian premier warns universities against 'technology without morality'

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Pegging the economic tmmoil to technological progress gone awry, Malaysia's leader is urging universities to hold clas.ses on morals.

Cautioning college students of the "damaging consequences" wreaked by "technology without morality,"PrimeMinisterMahathir Mohamad said young technolo­gistsshould be taught betterbehav­iorwhen applying their skills to the real world.

"The economy and currency problems we now face are due to the development of technology," Mahathir said Tuesday at Malaysia's Limkokwing Institute of Creative Technology.

He was attending an awards cer­emony for the most innovative in­vention: a durian fruit opener.

Mahathirsaid that before the ad-, vent of computers, traders needed

ships, trains and long p;:riods of time to move commodities from one place to another.

"But now people can trade in currencies without having to move thecurrenciesatall," said the prime minister, adding !hat today's trad­ers merely had to move figures on TV screens connected worldwide.

''Themarvelofrnodemteclmol­ogy is that it is poss1ble to sell one trillion dollars in one split second." .

Mahathir has angrily accused airrency spewlators of triggering .Malaysia's e.conomic downslide which in tum cawed investors ~

flee. Mahathir said that unless technol­

ogy classes were infused with "good values,''thereisapossibilitythat"tech­nology will be used for negative pur­poses that can be harmful to society."

"Itshouldbegoodforusbutunfor­tunately it is not good for some COWJ­

tries, including Malaysia," Mahathir said.

Malaysia is currently developing a multi-billion dollar cybercity outside Kuala Lumpur, the capital, called tire Multimedia Sup;:r Corridor.

The project, spearheaded by Mahathir, is intended to be Asia's answer to Silicon Valley.

Mahathir has rejected sug­gestions that the economic cri­sis will scareinvestorsawayfrom MSC.

Wednesday, Malaysia's Do­mestic Trade and Consumer Af­fairs Minister Megat Junid Megat Ayob urged authorities to closely monitor cybercafes, to keep youth from logging onto pornographic websites.

)

... t

. ::. :4 "'I ·1·

. . ~-The Sultan of Brunei HassanaJ Bolkiah left · · ~alai'Jian Prime Minister Mflhathir Mohamad i~ k~a?~l~'::f':U~'s~ttr-

ay. . assaf!al, accompanied by his younger brother Prince Jeffri ljJot lk1atih wats ''! Kuala_ Lumpur /~st week for a one-day workinn visit with m en ons o mvest 1n Malaysia. AP "

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-25

3 nabbed in Yamaichi scandal TO.KYO (AP) - The former president of collapsed broker­age Yamaichi Securities Co. and two other former executives were arrested Wednesday on suspicion they helped cover up some 260 billion yen ($ 2 bil­lion) in corporate losses.

Arrested by Tokyo prosecu­tors were former president Atsuo Miki, 62; former chair­man Tsugio Yukihira, 66, and Ryuji Shirai, a former vice presi­dent.

They are suspected of hiding the losses, starting in the early 1990s, through an illegal prac­tice known as "tobashi," in which accounts that show losses are transferred from one client to another to keep them from showing up on financial state­ments, prose cu tors said.

In Japan's biggest business failure ever, Yamaichi collapsed

last November under the weight of the losses. Yamaichi Finance Co., an affiliate, filed for bank­ruptcy Monday.

Japan's maximum penalty for falsifying financial reports, a violation of the Securities and Exchange Law, is five years in prison or a fine of 5 million yen ($ 40,000).

The three were among six Yamaichi officials arrested last year in a separate payoff scan­dal. In that scandal, the three, who were subsequently released on bail, were charged with illegally funneling profits to suspected racketeer Ryuichi Koike.

The executives stepped down from their posts last summer to become advisers, then resigned from Yamaichi in the fall, said a company spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Former Yamaichi Securities Co. President Atsuo Miki, center, es­corted by officials, arrives at the Tokyo Prosecutors' Office in Tokyo Wednesday to be questioned on suspicion he helped cover up some 260 billion yen ($2 billion) in corporate losses. AP

Japanese business leader urges deeper budget cuts TOKYO (AP)-The head of an influential business group urged Japan's government Wednesday to cut taxes sharply this year, say­ing this is needed to revive an ailing economy.

A national sales tax increase last April, higher medical ex­penses and the extremely low in­terest rates paid to savers have led to dramatically lower consump­tion and slowed economic growth, Jiro Nemoto, chairman of the Ja­pan Federation of Employers' As­sociations, said al a news confer-

ence. To get the economy moving

again, the government should draft a special package of tax cuts and additional public spending worth about l O trillion yen($ 80billion) in the fiscal year beginning in April, Nemoto said.

"We would definitely like to see stronger tax cuts," he added.

Nemoto said the government should increase spending on such things as making public buildings more resistant to earthquakes.

Yamaichi said it viewed the arrests as a "serious problem." It was carrying out an internal investigation and intended to co­operate fully with the authori­ties in their investigation, the company added.

Prosecutors raided the Yamaichi main office in To-

kyo, as we\! as the executives' homes, earlier in the day.

Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, who was finance minister during some of the years of the alleged cover-up, lamented that he had not been able to detect the off-the-book losses, Kyodo News reported.

Hashimoto was quoted by Kyodo as saying in a Parlia­ment budget committee meet­ing: "Why didn't Yamaichi ex­ecutives tell the truth at that time? Though the losses were off the book, I greatly regret having failed to catch the prob­lem."

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS INVITATION FOR BIDS

DPW98-IFB-012 February 27, 1998

Governor Pedro P. Tenorio and Lt. Governor Jesus R. Sablan, through the Department of Public Works, are soliciting sealed bids for repair and renovation of the Lieutenant Governor's Residence, Capitol Hill, Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Sealed bids, in triplicate, will be accepted in the Office of the Director, Division of Procurement and Supply, Lower Base, Saipan until 2:00 p.m. local time, Monday, March 23, 1998 at which time and place the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Any bids received after the above date and time will not be accepted under any circumstances. Specifications and plans are available at no cost, on or alter Tuesday, March 11, 1998 at the Technical Services Division, Department of Public Works, Lower Base, Saipan. A Bid Bond of fifteen percent (15%) of the total bid price must accompany any bid. This security may be certified check, cashier's check, or bid bond made payable to the CNMI Treasurer, with a notation on the face of the check: "Credit Account No. 44660". The bidder is required to submit with his proposal a copy of his business permits in compliance with the licensing laws of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. All bid documents received shall become the sole property of the Government of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Government reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any imperfection in a bid proposal in the interest of the Governrrient

Isl JOHN B. CEPEDA Acting Secretary of Public Works

Isl HERMANS. SABLAN Acting Director, Procurement & Supply

PUBLIC NOTICE TO ALL PRESENT AND FORMER

EMPLOYEES OF KAN PACIFIC SAIPAN, LTD.

YOU MAY PICK UP YOUR W-2's FOR TAX YEAR 1997

AT THE PERSONNEL OFFICE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF

11 :30 A.M. AND l :30 PM DAILY

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

SUE or BEN AT 322-4692

0 KAN PACIFIC SA/PAN LTD,

2'-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-FRIDAY- MARCH 6 1998

Rm1 fou11d

Norodom Ranariddh

By KER MUNTHIT PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - A military court found Prince Norodom Ranariddh guilty and sentenced him to five years in prison Wednesday for arms smug­gling preceding his ouster last July by his co-premier, Hun Sen.

Judge NheyThol issued the ver­dict immediately after reconven­ing the court after lunch. Includ­ing a long lunch break, the trial in the Hun Sen-controlled court lasted only six hours.

Ranariddh, exiled in the bloody

,.111, ...,"'.,~ WORLDWIDE EXPRESS.

COURIERS DHL WORLDWIDE EXPRESS IS SEEKING CUSTOMER ORIENTED COURIERS FOR P/U & DELIVERY OF TIME SENSITIVE MATERIALS. MUST POSSESS A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE AND CLEAN DRIVING RECORD. ABILITY TO LIFT UP TO 70 LBS & EXCELLENT COMMUNICATION SKILLS ESSENTIAL.

With his reports in hand, Sihanoukville military police commander Chhin Chan Por. center takes the witness stf:!'}d against rhe deposed first prime minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh during a triai in absentia at the M,htary Court m Phnom Penh Wednesday. Ranariddh was found guilty of illegally importing weapons. AP

DHL OFFERS AN EXCELLENT BENEFIT PACKAGE INCLUDING: • HEALTH & VISION INSURANCE • DENTAL INSURANCE • LIFE INSURANCE • DISABILITY INSURANCE • PAID VACATION AFTER 6 MONTHS • INTERLINE TRAVEL BENEFITS • TU\T\ON ASS\ST/1.NCE PROGRAM • 401K PLAN

APPLICATIONS MAY BE PICKED UP AT THE SAIPAN SERVICE CENTER LOCATION IN CHALAN LAULAU (WHITE TWO-STORY BUILDING AT THE NORTH OF MCDONALD'S RESTAURANT. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.

takeover, was not present and was believed to be following the pro­ceedings from Thailand.

The case will help determine whether the prince returns to Cam­bodia to contest elections July 26 under a complicated plan that would require him to seek a par­don from his father, constitutional monarch King Norodom Sihanouk.

Prosecutors accused Ranariddh of importing weapons and plot­ting his own coup against Hun Sen before he himself was toppled.

The prince has denied all the charges and called the proceed­ings illegal.

He refused to mount any de-

OPPORTUNITIES IN RADIO SALES & MARKETING

SORENSEN PACIFIC BROADCASTING INC. IS LOOKING TO EXPAND ITS RADIO SALES & MARKETING STAFF FOR CNMl'S NUMBER ONE RADIO STATION POWER 99FM.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES MUST BE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE WITH A MINIMUM OF 2 YEARS WORKING EXPERIENCE AND MUST HAVE RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION.

WE OFFER EXCELLENT TRAINING, BENEFITS INCLUDING AN ATTRACTIVE PAY SCALE BASED ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE UNLIMITED INCOME.

jppUCATIONS Will BE ACCEPTED THROUGH MARCH 27TH.

:PONTACTGURTIS DANC0EAT235-7996 EXT. 101 TODAY!

fense and has said seeking a par- guerrillas. don would be an admission of A separate trial on the con-guilt. spiracy allegations is scheduled

"Despite his royal blood type, for March 17. he must be punished like others," Many diplomats have wel-Nhey Tool said in his verdict. corned the trial as the first step to

The judge also sentenced pave the way for elections. It is Ranariddh 's top military com- partofaJapanese-sponsoredplan mander, Gen. Nhek Bunchhay, to aimed at assuring the prince can four years imprisonment, and his return for the.polls. chief of bodyguards, Thach The international community Suong, to a two-year suspended regardsRanariddh'sparticipation sentence. as vital for the polls to be free and

Neither was present. fair. But even if the prince meets They have two months to ap- all of Hun Sen's conditions, his

peal the verdicts, though that is long absence and the looming unlikely given political maneu- election date means his campaign vering around the case. will be badly weakened.

The judge said the evidence The constantly ringing mobile provedRanariddh 's "persistentef- telephones in the courtroom were forts ... to secretly arm anarchic a stark contrast with the silence forces in order to create instabil- from the defense table, which was ity which would lead to the over- empty. A microphone had been throw of the royal government to. placed atop it nonetheless. grab power for himself and his The prosecutor} Sao Sok, said group." in his closing statement that

The verdict drew no response "documents, witnesses and evi-from the standing-room-only denceclearly justifythatNorodom courtroom, a Defense Ministry Ranariddh is the ringleader." lecture hall packed with some 350 Nine witnesses, including mili-journalists, human-rights work- tary, police and port officials, tes-ers and other people. tified that Ranariddh attempted to

"It's no surprise," said Lu bring in a two-ton shipment of Laysreng, the prince's personal handguns, assault rifles and am-representative in the Cambodian munition that was seized May 26 -capital. "Ranariddh was already in the port of Sihanoukville. convicted before the trial, the "They wanted to grab power, whole world knows that." and buying weapons the reason

Meanwhile, a brigadier general for that," Sao Sok said. 'The greed known as loyal to the prince, Kim for power led to this offense." Sang, was shot and killed by mo- At the center of the courtroom torcycle-riding gunmen in a were IO crates addressed to Phnom Penh suburb before the Ranariddh labeled "evidence." trial began. The government contends they

The motive was unclear, but contained weapons. Samples of human-rights workers suspected anti-tank arms were· also dis-politics. · played.

Hun Sen shared a tense co- Video of the weapons seizure premiership with Ranariddh after ·was aired on all six television U.N.-sponsoredelectionsin 1993 stations Tuesday. until last July's takeover. "This is the point that will make

lblnSen has called elections to Ranariddhdeadin fundthecomt," legitimize his, rule and ~ back Hoo Sen said in the footage. forcignaid.oothe kas iniwtt.d the Both prime miaisters, who were prmce cannot return to nm with- battlefield enemies in the 1980s, our being tri~, the~ pardoned, on had sought to beef up their arse-

., ,,,,

.. soRE~SEN PACIFIC BROADCASTING INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

char~es of •mi><:rtmg arms and nals and respective military

plottmg i!Coupw1th 1<:h.me.r R~mg~, • ' ,S\I:eng,tl) .~i~Cfi tnr).~1 ~le.f!iJ>!li;, ., ' ,, ,; ' '" •· ,. '" ' ·-· '

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, l 998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS ANDVIEWS-27

BANGKOK, Thailand(AP)-The Cabinet has unleashed a heavy attack on the central bank for alleged mis­management, saying that more than 800billionbaht($ I 9billion)waslost trying to bail out ailing banks and finance companies.

Cabinet says officials have mismanaged financial crisis ccntr"dl bank's credibility," Akapol said.

Nimmanahaeminda reportedly told have denied accusations of misman- sion-making process and received clearance from then-Finance Minis­ter Amnuay Viravan.

Some financial analysts believe the government will have to bring in outsiders to restore confidence to the bank.

the Cabinet that it would take at least agement,raisingquestionsofaccount-a year to recover halfof the losses. ability as Chuan 's four-month-old

The regular Cabinet meeting was "a bit more tense than usual because lots of money is involved," govem­mentspokesmanAkapolSorasuchart said Wednesday.

The other half will be written off government tries to sort out the mess. through privatization of state enter- Remgchai had said in previous prises and interest payments through inteiview that all his actions and poli-the state budget cies went through a collective deci-

ButAmnuayinsisted last month he had no knowledge of the buildup of foreign-exchange liabilities.

"Ourultimate goal is to restore the

Akapo! said that the government is not ruling out restructuring the bank or purging management

Thai newspapers reported that the ministers spent five hours Tuesday grilling Bank of Thailand Governor Chaiyawat Wibulswasdi after the Finance Ministry reported the losses.

"Infom1ation that had been hidden for a lrn:ig time is now being made known and it's understandable why people are upset," Akapol said.

Finance Minister Tarrin

Chaiyawatand aformerbankgov­emor,RemgchaiMarakanond,played a part in building up$ 23.4 billion in foreign exchange commitments that helped precipitate Thailand's finan­cial crisis.

The Thai baht lost more than half its value against the U.S. dollar after being floated last year.

The government has closed 56 in­solvent finance companies and taken over four banks.

Allofthecentral bank 'sinnercircle

Japan's Vice Finance Minister Eisuke Sakakibara, left, is shown the way by Thai Finance Minister Tarrin Nimmanahaeminda for a news conference at Finance Ministry in Bangkok Wednesday. Sakakibara said he believes "the worst is over" for Thailand's troubled economy, and he would urge Japanese banks to extend payment terms for Thai borrowers. AP

Singapore to regulate taxis, reduce cruising SINGAPORE (AP)- Getting a taxi in Singapore during the morning and evening rush hour is set to get more diffia.ilt and more expensive in September.

Toe Land Trdl1Sit Authority said Wednesday it will recommend deregulating taxi fares as part of a new road-pricing system under which drivers pay fees for the amount of time they spend driving in the center city area and on highways.

Toismeanstaxis"arelikelytorelymoreonrad.iobookingsandcutdown on empty cruising in order to minimize (Electronic Road Pricing) costs," the Land Authority said.

BookingacabinSingaporealreadyaddsanextra520SingaporedoUars ($3.22)tothefare,andrnanycabdriversavoidtaxistandsandstopcrui~ing during rush hour to await booked calls at the higher fare. _

Taxi companies often tell customers there are no cabs available during certain times of the day, usually from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and just before midnight, when fares go up. ·

The Land Authority said, "deregulating taxi fares will ... allow the market to reflect the cost of providing taxi seivice in ~e new operating environment"

Tiil_Ollgh electronic devices containing cash debit cards installed on all automobile dashboards, the new system will automatically charge drivers for using highways and entering the central bl,Jsin~ district ' . '. .. •' ·. . . . . Elei;trolli<; .monitors installed on the roadside detect whe\he( ,the ~bit .. cards are in the devices, and they record~ car'~.\i.ccr1se plate numqer i(. the driver has not placed his cash card in the dyte!;tor, , _ : . , . . . . , .

The system redu_ces the incentive for taxi dtjvers to cruise through the central business district looking for customers because they have to pay even wh\!.n they have no passenger.

INVITATION FOR BIDS COMMONWEAL TH UTILITIES CORPORATION

CUC·IFB98-0016

The Office of the Executive Director, Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, is soliciting sealed bids for the construction of SINAPALU/CHUGAI WATERLINE PROJECT, Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The sealed bids shall be identified on the outside of the envelope by the Invitation for Bids No. CUC-IFB98-0016. Bids in duplicate will be accepted at the Procurement and Supply Office, CUC, at Lower Base, Saipan until 3:00 p.m., on March 27, 1998, at which time and place will be publicly opened and read aloud.

A bid guarantee of 15 percent of the total bid price must accompany the bids. The security may be in cash, certified check, cashier's check, or other form acceptable to the CNMI government made payable to the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation.

The bidder is required to submit with his proposal a copy of his CNMI Business permit in compliance with the Contractor's Registration and Licensing Laws of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

This project is funded in part by a grant from the Office o! Insular Affairs (OJA), Department o! Interior and with matching funds from the CNMI Government. The award o! this project is contingent upon receipt of approval from OIA.

The project consists, in general, of installing 4.0 miles underground 6-inch and 4-inch diameter waterlines with appurtenant valves, fittings, hydrants, service laterals, and meters. I

' A non-refundable payment of $200.00 is required for each set of Plans, Specifications, and Proposal Forms, available on or after March 6, 1998 at the Water Division Office, CUC, Saipan. A pre-bid conference for this project is scheduled at 11 :DO a.m., on March 13, 1998, at the CUC Conference Room, Rota. A project site visit is scheduled following the pre-bid meeting. ·

Attention is called lo the Labor Standard Provisions for Wage Rate Determination of the CNMI Classification and Salarv Structure Plans and that payment of not less than the minimum salaries and wages as set forth in the specifications must be paid on this project.

CUC reserves the right to reject any or all bids and waive any imperfection in the bid proposal in the interest of the government.

All inquiries should be directed to Ernesto L. Villarin at telephone number (670) 322-9383.

Isl TIMOTHY P. VILLAGOMEZ

~ ;: t~ £, I; , ..

Executive Director ._ ___________________ -=::[

COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANAS ISLAND

CNMI PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM Request for Proposal

RFP98-004 The CNMI Public Schoot System is soliciting competitive sealed proposab from firms interested in conducting desk audit_on posiliom al the Central Office, the Tinian Administrative Services Office. and the Rola Administrative Services Office. Proposal requirements are available at the Procurement & Supply Offic:e,~ituated on the 3rd Jloor of the Nauru Building. Susupe, Saipan. All proposals must be sealed in an envelope and lacemarked "RFP98-004 Proposal" and is due no later than 2:00 fl.El .. March 30, l 998, and submitted tu the Procurement & Supply Office, situated on the 3rd Jloor or I Ii,· Nauru Building, Susupe. Saipan. !vlP 96950_ Proposals will be evaluated basecJ on the followirw ,-ritl'-ria: ·'

l. Firm's Experience 2. Personnel Experience 3. Firm's proposal approach 4. Progress Schedule/Timeline 5. Cost

20% 15% 20% 20% 25%

A r.,re-proposal conference will be held on March l 2,_ 1998 at 2:00 p.rn. at the Procurer11ent & Supply Ollie<: sllu~ted on_ the .3rd ll?or ot the ~auru Bu1Idmg. All prospective proposers are required to submit their questions in wntmg pertammg to the proposal requirements and must he submitted two days prior to the pre-propo~al co_nference. All questions must be submitted directly to Cl1arlie Kenly at the Human Resources Office situated on the 3rd !lour of the Nauru Building. Susure, Saipan and maybe comactecJ at telerhone number 664-3761.

All prospective rroposers are required to submit their responsibility determination documents in compliance to PSSl'R3-301. Responsibility determination documents must be suhmiltecJ in separate envelope and faccmarked "RFP98-004 Responsibility Determination" /{esponsihility determination documents are Llue at the date, time, and place of the rroposal dateline.

All documents received shall be the sole property or the CNMI Public School System. Discussions maybe conducted with responsible o!Terors who submit a proposal determined. to be reasonably susceptible of being selected for award ror the purpose of clariricatiori and to ensure a full unde:-­standing of, and responsiveness to the solicitation requirements. O!Terors shall be accorded !"air ancJ equal treatment with respect to any opportunity !"or discussion and revision or proposals ancJ such revisions maybe permit\ed arter submission and prior to award for the purpose of obtaining the best and final offers.· 111 conducling discussions, there be no disclosure or any mformation derived from proposals suhmined by competing offerors. The Public School System reserves the right to award ;1 single or multiple award or to reject any or all proposal ii" to do will be to its best interest.

Isl ~11\RG/\RET C:. llElA CRUZ /\Cling Commissioner of Education

Isl LOlllSE CONCEPCION Procurement & Supply Office

...

28-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-FRIDAY- MARCH 6, 1998

Republicans bash an ByTOMRAUM

W ASIDNGTON (AP)_ U.N. Sec­reta1y-General Kofi Annan won wide praise initially for his mission to Baghdad to broker a deal with Irnqi President Saddam Hussein. But he is comingundermounting criticism from skeptical congi~ssional Republicans.

Senate M,tjority Leader Trent Lott

even snubbed Annan publicly earlier this week and asserted: "I cannot understand why the Clinton adminis­tration would place trust in someone devoted to building a 'human rela­tionship' with a mass murderer."

Sen. Jesse Helms, chaim1an of the Senate Foreign Relations Commit­tee,saidAnnan''gaveawaythestore.''

So what else is new? The United Nationshas neverbeen

a popular instirution on Capitol Hill, especially among conservatives. That 'sonereason the United States is about dlrs I billion in arrears in its dues to the world organization.

The U.N. chief has often been an easy target After all, Annan 's prede-

INVITATION FOR BIDS COMMONWEAL TH UTILITIES CORPORATION

CUC•IFB98-0015

The Oftice of the Executive Director, Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, is soliciting sealed bids for the construction of TATACHOG/SONGSONG and TENETO/PONIA POINT WATERLINE PROJECT, Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The sealed bids shall be identified on the outside of the envelope by the Invitation lor Bids No. CUC­IFB98-0015. Bids in duplicate will be accepted at the Procurement and Supply Office, CUC, at Lower Base, Saipan until 2:00 p.m., on March 27, 1998, at which time and place will be publicly opened and read aloud.

A bid guarantee of 15 percent of the total bid price must accompany the bids. The security may be in cash, certified check, cashier's check, or other form acceptable to the Economic Development Administration and the CNMI government made payable to the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation with a notation on the face of the check: "Account No. FW97-R001 (EDA)."

The bidder is required to submit with his proposal a copy of his CNMI Business permit in compliance with the Contractor's Registration and Licensing Laws of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

This project is funded in part by a grant 1rom the Economic Development Administration (EDA), U.S. Department of Commerce and with matching funds from the Ottice of Insular Aflairs (OIA), Department of Interior and the CNMI Government. The award ot this project is contingent upon receipt of approval from both EDA and OIA.

The project consists, in general, of installing 4.5 miles underground 10-inch and 8-inch waterlines with appurtenant valves, fittings, hydrants, service laterals, and meters.

A non-refundable payment of S300.00 is required for each set of Plans, Specifications, and Proposal Forms, available on or after March 6, 1998 at the Water Division Office, CUC, Saipan. A pre-bid conference for this project is scheduled at 10:00 a.m., on March 13, 1998, at the CUC Conference Room, Rota. A project site visit is scheduled following the pre-bid meeting.

Mention is called to the Labor Standard Provisions for Wage Rate Determination of the CNM/ Classification and Salary Structure Plans and the U.S. Davis Bacon Wage Rates. The higher of the federal and local wage rates shall be paid on this project.

.CUC reserves the right to reject any or all bids and waive any imperfection in the bid proposal in the interest of the government.

All inquiries should be directed to Ernesto L. Villarin at telephone number (670) 322-9383.

is/ TIMOTHY P. VILLAGOMEZ Executive Director

<£ommonb.1ealtl) Zf:!ttltttes <£orporation

The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC) is soliciting proposals from firms capable of providing Janitorial Services for its offices.

The Scope of Work may be picked up at the CUC Procurement & Supply Office in Lower Base, between 7:30 a.m. to 11 :30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for Government observed holidays.

Offerors shall provided a certificate signed by a principle of the company stating that the company has in the past, and is currently, in compliance wilh all applicable CNMI and federal labor laws. Should the company be unable to provide such certi1ication, the comp1r,y must provide a written explanation as to why, including a description of any violations of such labor laws and any remedial action taken. FAILURE OF THE COMPANY TO PROVIDE THE CERTIFICATION OR EXPLANATION IS GROUNDS TO REJECT THE ENTIRE PROPOSAL.

Proposals will be evaluated and selected made based on Cost - 50 points, Experience -30 points, Approach to Project - 20 points

Six (6) sets of the proposals and copies of business licenses must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked CUC RFP 98-0013, to CUC Procurement & Supply, P.O. Box 1220, Lower Base, Saipan, MP 96950, no later than 3:00 p.m., local time, Wednesday, March 25, 1998. Late submissions will be not considered.

Discussions rnay be conducted with responsible offerors who submit proposals determined to be reasonably susceptible of being selected for award for the purpose of clarification and to ensure full understanding of, and responsiveness to solicitation requirements. Offerors shall be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to any opportunity for discussion and revision of proposals and such revisions may be permitted after submission and prior to award for the purpose or obtaining the best and 1inal otters. In conducting discussions, there shall be no disclosure of any information derived from proposals submitted by competing otferors.

CUC reserves the right to reject any or all proposals for any reason and to waive any defects in said proposals, if in its sole opinion to do so would be in the best interest of CUC. All bids shall become the property of CUC.

TIMOTHY P. VILLAGOMEZ Executive Director

Kofi Annan

cessor, Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt, was widely denounced by Republicans.PresidentBill Clinton's 1996 1ival, Bob Dole, repeatedly in­voked his name with scorn on the presidential campaign trail. Boutros-Ghali ultimately lost Clinton's support, and Annan, of Ghana, was elected in late I 996 after the United States vetoed Boutros­Ghali for a second tem1.

Republicans have long accused Clinton of surrendering U.S. au­tonomy over its troops to the secre­tary-general.

A year ago, Clinton promised Annan that the White House would pay the U.S. arrears, including dlrs 819 million in past dues and dlrs 107 million in "debt forgiveness," but they remain unpaid.

The dlrs 819 million was blocked last fall as part of a congressional dispute over an anti-abortion pro­posal.

And Helms recently asserted that the payments would remain on hold. He accused the administration of re­neging on a deal that linked the repay­ment with pushing for U.N. reforms.

Until the aftermath of his Baghdad trip,Annanhad generally drnwngood reviews from Democrats and Repub­lic,ms alike.

A career bureaucrat, the soft-spo­ken Annan developed a reputation for leading by consensus rather than coercion. Many world leaders urged him to make tl1e nip to Baghdad to negotiate a deal to avert U.S. military action.Threnations_France,Canada and Qatar_ even offered him planes.

TI1e accord he strnck _ in which Saddam offered to open up eight so-

Trent Lott

called p1esidential sites to weapons inspectors, but with conditions_ was hesitantly accepted by Clinton and won general international plaudits.

But then Annan's troubles with congressional Republicans began. Returning in triumph to the United Nations,Annanwasaskedifhecould trust Saddam to keep his word and he said, "I think I can do business with him. I think he was serious."

Then Annan was quoted as de­scribing U.N. weapons inspectors as "cowboys."

That set off Lon and other Repub­lican lawmakers.

"Why in the world would the sec­retary-general use this kind of word­ing?" Lott asked, calling the com­ments "outJ·ageous" and saying, 'They reflect someone bent on ap­peasement."

Annan canceled a planned visit to Washington after Lott declined to meet with him. Although the Senate leader cited a full schedule, he also pointedly suggested to reporters the trip might have been canceled be­cause "maybe there was some ner­vousness that he might say some of the things like what he said last week, which did cause a certain amount of consternation on my part and others."

For his part, Annan told Cable News Network's Larry King he still plans to go to Washington_ although he made it clear his main mission wa~ to see Clinton.

Will he meet Lott too? "I will meet with any of the sena­

tors," Annan said. "Ifhe is available, I will meet with him. ... If he is occupied, I will see others, other people."

Leader of the Nation of Islam Louis Farrakhan addreeses a news conference at the U,:,i(ed Nations_ Wedne~day. The Nation of !slam leader ca/fed for the l,ft,ng of sanctions agamst Iraq, Libya Sudan and Cuba. AP

.----- :---r -

__!J{_IDA Y, MARCH 6, _199~ :!-'l_i\l{li\_f','J'\:~\fi\l{/ETY NEWS A_ND VIE\VS-.29

FBI lodges Internet suit By LARRY NEUMEISTER NEW YORK (AP) In the

first federal prosecution of sports betting over the Internet, the FBI on Wednesday brought con­spiracy charges against 14 own­ers and managers of offshore com­panies with sports betting pages. The companies charged were lo­cated in the Caribbean and Cen­tral America, but some also had offices in New York City. About 90 percent of their customers were said to be in the United States.

"The Internet is not an elec­tronic sanctuary for illegal bet­ting," Attorney General Janet Reno said in a statement. "It's a federal crime to use the Internet to conduct betting operations."

The defendants, including two former stockbrokers and a law­yer, let thousands of clients across the United States wager on pro­fessional and college sports events through six companies, prosecu­tors alleged.

U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White said the defendants broke a 1961 law making it a crime to use inter­state telephone lines for gambling.

"Such blatant and widespread efforts to evade gambling laws cannot and will not be tolerated," Ms. White said at a Manhattan news conference.

One of the defendants, Ken-y Rogers, blasted prosecutors in a telephone interview from Las Ve­gas, calling the charges "ridicu­lous."

"They've got guys shooting people up in New York. Don't they have anything better to do? I'm not in the gambling business. I'm in the Internet business," he said, describing his work as an Internet provider as more I ike that of a landlord.

He defended the company pros­ecutors linked him with even though he said he only provides them space on the Internet.

'They clearly have a license to <lo it. I've read the law a hundred

General Janet Reno

times. I've asked several lawyers and it's legal. This is just harass­ment," Rogers said.

The companies advertised their sites in magazfoes and through promotional mailings and their own Web sites. Bettors opened accounts with initial deposits of dlrs I 00 to dlrs 500 and placed their bets via computers or over toll-free telephone numbers and were required to pay a 10 percent fee, authorities said.

Ms. Reno said the prosecution sends a message to betting opera­tors everywhere: "You can't hide on-line and you can't hide off­shore."

Lewis Schiliro, assistant direc­tor in charge of the New York FBI office, said computer technology and the information superhigh­way are "opening up a new fron­tier of crime."

Ms. White said her office has sent letters to telephone compa­nies directing them to discontinue telephone service to the compa­nies involved in the prosecution.

Those companies were identi­fied as Galaxy Sports and Island Casino, both based in Curacao; Real Casino and SDB Global, both in Costa Rica; Winner's Way in the Dominican Republic, and World Sports Exchange in

Rep. David Minge, 0-Minn., left, greets Federal Reserve Board Chair­man Alan Greenspan on Capitol Hill Wednesday prior to Greenspan testifying before the House Budget Committee. Greenspan urged Congress to exercise caution in deciding how to deal with projected budget surpluses, arguing that white an "exemplary" economy has produced nothing but pleasant surprises in recent years, the situation could change quickly. AP

Antigua. Two of the 14 have been ar­

rested and the remaining defen­dants were notified that they wilf be arrested when they return to the United States, the authorities said. All arc U.S. citizens.

Ir convicted. the <lcf cnuants each face a maximum sentence or five years in prison and a fine of up to dlrs 250,000.

Ms. Whit<.: said ther<.: an: duzen.1 of sports betting gambling sites al­ready on the Internet but so far it is

a small portion of th1: ovnall gambling imlustry in th<.: Unitcc.l Stal<.:s. It is i.:stimatcc.l Amcri­rnns will ,pcnu ,omc dlrs 25 billion this year on rcgulatc<J c,L,ino., ,md dJr., 51)() bi/Jiun on /1orsc: tracks, lotti.:rit.:.,. sport, bookies and bingo gan1i.::,.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND IMMIGRATION Division of Labor

PUBLIC NOTICE The following persons with pending Labor or Agency Case are hereby notified to report to the Division of Labor, Enforcement Section, located on the 2nd Floor of Afetna Building, San Antonio, Saipan within THIRTY (30) days from the date of the publication of this notice.

NAME 1. Rogelio A. Fabian 2. Ariel S. Dupra 3. Odelon V. Caragos 4. Jose J. Sytamco 5. Uldarico F. Duran 6. Lilia M. Dano

LABOR/AGENCY CASE NO. Labor Case #91-0084 Labor Case #91-0084 Labor Case #91-0084 Labor Case #91-0084 Labor Case #91-0084 Labor Case #91-0084

Failure to appear at the Division on or before the date and time specified above shall be ground for dismissal of the above cases and appropriate action and/or sanction shall be taken against the above individuals, including the referrals of their matters to the Immigration Office for their actions.

Dated this 12th day of February, 1998.

/s/ GIL M. SAN NICOLAS Acting Director of Labor

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

INVITATION FOR BIDS DPW98-IFB-013

February 27, 1998 Governor Pedro P. Tenorio and Lt. Governor Jesus R. Sablan, through the Department of Public Works are solicit­ing sealed bids for construction of the Garapan Drainage Improvements, Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Sealed bids, in triplicate, will be accepted in the Office of the Director, Division of Procurement & Supply. Lower Base. Saipan until 2:00 p.m. local time. Monday, March 30, 1998 at which time and place the bids will be public') opened and read aloud. Any bids received after the above time will not be accepted under any circumstances

A bid bond of fifteen percent (15%) of the total bid price must accompany the bid. This security may be certiiied check, cashier's check, or bid bond made payable to the CNMI Treasurer, with a notation on the face of /he check: "Credit Account No. 4466."

Specifications and plans of the project are available on or after Tuesday, March 10, 1998 at the Technical Services Division, Department of Public Works. Lower Base, Saipan. A non-refundable payment of one hundred f1fly dollars (S150.00) is required for each set; payment to be made to the CNMI Treasurer.

Pre-bid Conference for lhis project will be held at 10:00 a.m. local time, Monday March 23. 1998 at '.he Conference Room. DPW Main Office, Gualo Rai Saipan.

The bidder is required to submit with his proposal a copy of his business permil compliance wilh Ille licensing laws of the Commonwealth of tile Norlhern Mariana Islands.

Atlenlion is called Jo t11e Labor Standard Provisions for Wage Rate Determination anj payment of not less tl1a11 the minimum salaries and wages as set forth in the Specifications rnusl be paid on t111s pro1ect.

All bid documents received shall become the sole property of the Government of the Northern Mariana Islands with the exception of bid bonds, certified checks or cashier's checks which will be returned to the bidders in accordance with the specifications section entitled Instructions to Bidders, subsection 5 "Bid Guarantee".

The Government reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any imperfection in a bid proposal in t11e interest of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

This project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department ot Interior, Oflice ot Insular Affairs at 60% of the cost. with 40% matching funds provided by the CNMI Government.

isl JUAN B. CEPEDA Acting Secretary of Public Works

is/ HERMANS SABl.AN Aeling Director, Procurement & Supply

-~'

.. ------- -·· ------------···--.~-.-·;

30-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-FRIDAY- MARCH 6, 1998

Libya sanctions hearing sought By Robert H. Reid

UNITED NATIONS (AP) -Arab and African countries are urging an open Security Coun­cil debate to pressure Britain and V/ashington to ease sanc­tions imposed on Libya after the 1988 Pan Am bombing.

been scheduled to review -and presumably renew - the sanctions for another 120 days this week. Such reviews are routinely done in closed ses­sions.

dent, Abdoulie Momodou Saleh of Gambia, to postpone the review and schedule an open debate, diplomatic sources said Wednesday on condition of anonymity.

The 15 counci I members had

But Arab and African mem­bers of the Security Council are urging the current presi-

That would enable any U.N. member state to join the dis­cussions.

.. Israeli presict_ential candi~ate Shaul Amor, c_enter, holds ~is he~d in his hand as he listens to fellow Likud party member Pm, Bar_ash during the voting session for Israel, President at the Knesset in Jerusalem Wednesday. Incumbent President Ezer Weizman defeated Amor. AP

(![:ommontuealt!J Wftilttie.ff ei::orporntion JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

IT IS TIii, POLICY or TI/E COMMONWEALT/1 UT/UT/ES CORPORATION (CUC) TIIATT//E CUC MERIT HIRING SYSTEM SI/AIL BEAPPU/:D AND ADM/N/STt.REDACCORDING TO THE PR/NC/PU: OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL CJTIZENS AND NATIONALS DEFINED BY Tl/E NOR71/ERN MARIANAS COMMONWEAL11i CONSTITUTION AND STATUES REGARDLESS OF AGE. RACE. SEX. REUGION. l'OL/TICALAFFIUAT/ON OR BELIEF. MARITAL STATUS. HANDICAP OR Pl.ACE OF ORIGIN.

POSITION TITLE: TRADES TECIJNICIANS (Power Pla11t Mecha11ic) (Power Plarll Operator) ( Power Flam Water Treatmelll Teclwicia11)

DUTIES & RESl'ONSlBI LIT/ES: Highly skilled and speciali1.ed type of work which include the installation, maintcrn.1ncl', rcpair1 o,·erhaul and operation of go,,crnmcnt owned main generating units und emergency generators, both gas and diesel type within the CNMI. (INTERESTED APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE JOB DESCRIPTION OUTLINING THE COMPLETE DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS POSITION).

LOCATION: Power Genemtio11, Saipan/Rota

QUALi Ff CATIONS REQUIREMENTS: Tech11ical, BA, BS degree plusfi,·e (5) years of working as specialist with little supervision. E~perie11c_e mus/ be directly applicable lo technical position and dulies. Basic ma1h, English ski/fr, and techmcal wnlmg reqwred.

STARTING SALARY: $15,860.10-$17,482.77 per annum plus 25% ha1.ardous premium

This announcement closes on March 16, 1998. Applications are available al the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Lower Base, Sarpan, the CUC Rota or Tirnan office. Copy ol orploma and/or oflicial Iran script and recent police clearance must be attached.

<Commonb.Jealt!J ~tilities QCorporation JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

IT IS Tllfl'OI./Cr OF 1111: CUM.\/ON\\'Ec\lJ/1 /!TfUT!f.\' COl/1'01/ATION (CUC/ TIIATTIIE CUC MU/IT JIiii/NG SY~TEM .111:·'U !JI: M'l'L!UJAND A1J,111.v1.17u11:1J ACCOHJJJ,vc; m 11u,- i'IIJNCJPI.EOF EQUAi. Ol'POIITUNl7Y FOR AU. c1n1ENS . ·1\/J ,\_,,noN:\L.~ t:~Ih:fD_ IJ Y Tl 11; NU/(// /CI/N ,\/,,1//IJ\N1\S COM.\IONWEAt:/1 I CONS/'ITU710N AND S7M'U ES 1/EGAIWLESS Of M,I:. I/AU. SU.1/U.IGION, POL/llCM.,\IF/1./1\JJO.V OJI IJU.IJ:l: MARITAi .. \TAT/JS. 1/ANIJICAP Oil PI.ACEOF ORIGIN.

POSITION TITLE: CIVIL ENGINEER

DU~IES_ & RE_~PON_?B~LITIES: Performs a wide l'llrie!y of engineering work such as designing, planning, speci(i~alw~ wmmg, e51'.ma_1111g, conslruch~n "'.a11ageme111 of water projects, writing of federal grant applications, adm1111s/rallon and mo111/or111g of waler capllal 1mproveme111 projects for the Commonwea/lh U1ilities Corpora/ion. (INTERESTED APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE JOB DESCRIPTION OUTLINING THE COMPLETE DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS POSITION).

LOCATION: Waler Dfrisio11, Saipan

QU,1L/FICATIONSREQUIREMENTS·B 0 d · E · · t · I · · · . . . , • . ., egree m · ng111een11g p UH1g 11 (8) years experience m e11g111eering re/a/ed work, 1111hly experience prlferred.

STARTING SALARY: $40,000.00 per annum [ Thi_s announcemenl closes on March 16, 1998. Applications are available al the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Lower Base, Sarpan, the CUC Rola or nnran office. Copy of diploma and/or otticial transcript and recent police clearance must be attached.

11

fer. The United States and Brit­ain could block any decision to lift or ease the sanctions, which were imposed in 1992 to pressure Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to extra­dite two suspects in the fatal bombing of Pan Am Flight I 03 over Lockerbie, Scotland. The bombing killed 270 people.

The use of sanctions as a means of pressuring govern­ments has lost favor among many of the 185 U.N. member states, in part because they cause suffering among popu­lations who often have little influence on their govern­ments' policies.

Still, an open debate would draw attention to calls by the Arab League and the Organi­zation of African Unity to lift the sanctions.

Gadhafi has proposed send­ing the two Libyan suspects to a third country for trial. Wash­ington and London insist they be tried in Scotland or the United States.

In an attempt to head off the debate, Britain and the United States have asked U.N. legal of­ficers for a ruling on whether the review must be completed by the end of the week, the sources said.

If so, there would not be enough time under U.N. rules to organize an open debate.

But a growing number of council members, including Russia, have urged the coun~ cil to consider Gadhafi's of-

On Friday, the World Court ruled it has the authority to settle the dispute between Libya and the United States and Britain over who should try the sus­pects.

Experts warn that threat of biological terrorism is real

By TOM RAUM WASHINGTON (AP)_ Americans could face real danger from biological or chemical terrorism, a panel of specialists told a Senate hearing Wednesday.

"The current confrontation with Iraq highlights the poten­tial significance of state support for biological terrorism," said W. Seth Carus, a visiting professor at the government­funded National Defense University.

He suggested it was "certainly possible" that Iraqi Presi­dent Saddam Hussein might try to orchestrate a terrorist att~ck within the United States if provoked by U,S. air strikes.

Even more troubling: recent reports of a Russian-made form of a deadly anthrax bacteria said to be resistant to penicillin and all other current vaccines.

Sen. Richard Lugar has raised the possibility that indi­vidual Russian biologists might illicitly sell samples of their work to rogue nations like Iraq.

But the _witness~s, all spe~ialists in biological weapons, urged ~l?:amst pamc. They said programs are progressing in U.S. c1t1es to combat such threats of at-home terrorism. They also asserted that the dangers are sometimes over­stated.

Col. David Franz, deputy commander of the Army's Medi­cal Research and Materiel Command, suggested that a bio­logical att_ack in an American city would be difficult to pull off effectively _ short of a "very technically competent well-funded terrorist program." '

"There are a lot of hoaxes and lesser threats," he said, urging that public officials "turn down" the volume in talking about the risks.

Franz told the hearing, convened jointly by the Senate Judiciary and Intelligence committees, that some of the most lethal biological substances_ such as anthrax, botuli­num toxin or Ebola virus_ are only deadly if made airborne and inhaled.

The hearing was called after two men were arrested i.n Las Vegas on Feb. 18. An FBI informant s~id they claimed to have deadly anthrax in their possession. Charges were dis­missed against the two after tests showed the material was a harmless anthrax veterinary vaccine.

"The recent events in Las Vegas_ even though there was fortunately no real danger to human life served as an important reminder of the threat these horrible substances pose to Americans," said Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Shelby. .

"For Saddam Hussein, biological weapons may be the perfect terrorist w_eapon, because they require more time to take effect and could leave minimal telltale evidence impli­cating Iraq," he added.

"THERE'S NO HOPE IN DOPE"

"Just Say No To Drugs"

1

II

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-31

President Clinton signs an executiye memorandum Tuesday directinq Transportation Sec. Rodney Slater to develop a pl~n to adopt a lowering of the b/ood~alcoho/ /evel at which a driver is declared legally drunk. The president 1s surrounded by students from Sprmg Garden Elementary School in Westminster, Md. AP

Clinton seeking m.oney for longer US m.ission in Bosnia

By DONNA ABU-NASR WASHINGTON (AP)_ The top U.S. envoy to the Balkans warned Yugoslav President Slobodan MiloseviconWednesdaythatWash­ingtonhasnotchangedalong-stand­ing policy to respond with force if Belgrndeshouldre-ignite the Balkan warintheAlbanian-majority Kosovo province.

. Ambassador Robert Gelbard also outlined ways the military' s mission is changing in Bosnia, from con­frontation to protection against civil uprising. And President Bill Clinton sent a message to Congress promis­ing the American commitment of troops to Bosnia is "by no means open-ended" but setting no with­drawal date.

"America has major national in­terests in peace in Bosnia," Clinton wrote in a fonnal certification to Congiess on the need to keep troops there beyond his earlier withdrawal date of June 30. Accompanying the statement was a 1equest fordlrs 2.35 billion in emergency funding to sup­p01t U.S. military operations in Bosnia through 1999.

Talking to defense writers on Kosovo, Gelb:m:l said: "We con­tinue to be prepaied to deal with this pmblem with Milosevic, with his mili~uy and with his police using cve1y appropriate tool we have at ourcommand,''RobertGelbardsaid .

Clinton made no mention of Kosovo in his letter to Cong1ess but described Bosnia as a fuse in a re-

gional powder keg that can be con­tained if the 1995 Dayton peace ac­cords are fully implemented.

The breakup of Yugoslavia began in 1989 in Kosovo, when Milosevic forcibly took away the province's autonomy and brought it under Serbian control. Fearing a war that might spread through the Balkans, the United States, first in the Bush administration, then Clinton's, threat­ened to intervene if Milosevic sent troops. The policy had not been re­stated for years.

"U.S.policyhasnotchanged.We're prepared to try to find new and other tools to make this effective. But the key is we're going to have effective means to deal with these problems, and we have warned Milosevic ap­propriately," Gel bard said.

At least 20 people died in a week­end of violence in Kosovo, which began with the deaths of four Serb policemen slain by independence­seeking ethnic Albanian rebels. Al­banians comprise 90 percent of Kosovo's 2 million people.

''You will seeoverthecourse of the nextseveraldays ... someveryserious action by the United States and our close allies dealing with (Yugosla­via) and the Kosovo issues," Gel bard said.

Asked about the possibility of mili­tary action ifMilosevic'scrackdown on ethnic Albanians in Kosovo con­tinues, Gelbardsaid, "Idonotwantto get into anything hypothetical." But he stressed there could be 1enewed

economic sanctions on what is left of Yugoslavia.

'The economic situation in ... Yu­goslavia is dismal .... The situation can become an awful lot worse, and we can make it worse," he said.

On Bosnia, itself a breakaway former Yugoslav republic, Gelbard said the Clinton administration is de­termined "to lock in success," and "we 're well on the way to doing that"

In his letter to Congress, Ointon wrote: "U.S. leadership is as essential to sustaining progress as it has been to endingthewarandlayingthefounda­tion for peace." He said the overall size of the NA TO-led peacekeeping force in Bosnia would remain stable, but the U.S. share would shrink by about 20 percent

"Althoughidonotproposeafixed end-date for this presence, it is by no means open-ended," Clinton wrote.

Gelbard told reporters the overd!l size of the peacekeeping force, SR)R, will not change through the critical September Bosnian elections because of fear of civil disturbances.

TheUnitedStates,throughNATO, will try to getothercounnies, particu­larly Western European nations, to take on some responsibilities in sup­po1t tasks, he said.

Gelban.l said the Bosnia mission will become more localized, focus­ing on potential civil disturbances that could arise from the return of refugees and displaced people, in­stalling elected municipal govern­ments and economic reforms.

One of Mexican septuplets dies MEXICO CITY (AP) - One of the sextuplets bom to a Mexi­can woman has died, but doc­tors were optimisticWednesday about the chances of the other five.

Bryan Sanchez Hernandez died of respiratory problems late Tuesday, said Sergio Gra­ham, the head of Mexico City's Los Angeles Hospital pediatric

division. Television footage showed a

small coffin being loaded onto an airplane for burial at the family's hometown in northern Chihua­hua state.

The three boys and three girls born Saturday to Cristina Hernandez Nunez were 13 weeks premature. Three of them were taken off respirators on Monday,

but Bryan and two others could not breathe on their own.

The other two babies remain on respirators.

Doctors said the five remain­ing babies were in good health but will remain under observa­tion for two months before being allowed to go home.

"I am still optimistic," Gra­ham told the Televisa network.

COMMONWEALTH PORTS AUTHORITY

PUBLIC NOTICE TheCommonweallh Ports Authority (CPA) will sell on March 19, 1998 through March 13, 1998, from 8 a.m. to4 p.m., the following used and damaged materials from airport renovations.

Wood Screen Aluminum Railing Stainless Counter Top Aluminum Window Frame Aluminum Window w/o Glass Sliding Windows w/Anodized

Aluminum Frame Push-Out Glass Windows

w/Anodized Aluminum Frame Bal\isters Chairs (set) Wood Doors Mirrors Ceiling Lights Fan Grills

Wood Railing A/C Ducting Aluminum Window Shutters Aluminum Window Louvers Aluminum Glass Doors Anodized Aluminum Swing

Door Anodized Aluminum Window

Frame G.l. Pipe Railings Custodial Sink Tempered Glass Clear Glass Flourescent Light Fixtures

The above materials are located outside the CPA Maintenance Building south of the former MVB 's Office Building, Saipan International Airport. For more infonnation call Mr. Joe Camacho at 664-3538 during working hours.

The above materials will be sold "as is" and all sales are final.

ls/CARLOS H. SALAS Executive Director

~·~·u~~ Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands '1 Jaepartment of l..abor anll 3lmmigration ~ Division of labor

PUBLIC NOTICE The following person with pending Labor or Agency Case are hereby notified to report to the Division of Labor, Enforcement Section, located on the 2nd Floor of Afetna Building, San Antonio, Saipan within THIRTY (30) days from the date of the publication of this notice.

NAME I) Alexander F. Aguilar 2) Irma S. Villavicencio

LABOR/ AGENCY CASE NO. Labor Case# 96-493 Labor Case# 96-599

Failure to appear at the Division on or before the date and time specified above shall be ground for dismissal of the above cases and appropriate action and/or sanction shall be taken against them, including the referrals of this matter to the Immigration Office for their actions.

Dated this 26th day of February, 1998.

ls/Lynn H. Asper Hearing Officer

SEISHIN F'1flM\: .. ··. in MARPI

Come & take advantage of the big discount From 220 lbs live weight - you can save up to

$100.00 from the regular price. 50 heads available

Promo ends March 1998

For info - call Imelda, Tel/Fax 235-5948, 10:00AM-10:00PM

, 32-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND.VIEWS-FRIDA Y-'MARCH 6, 19!98~=====================================-----,fj,--l

Israel nabs former Palestinian hitrn.an JENIN, West Bank (AP)-lsraeli troops have snatched a fom1~r Pa)es­tinian vi ctilantc whowas servmg time

c . ' in a Palestinian jail for kidnapping two Israeli bcrder policemen, offi­cials said Wednesday.

Jamal Abu Rub, 32. wa;; on a fi.ir­lough from prison last week when he wa,; seized by Israeli soldiers on the outski11s of the Palestinian-control led t0\\'11 of Jcnin.

Abu Rub was a member of the not01ious "Black P,mther" vigihmtes who.during the 1987-1993 Palestin­i,m upiising, killed ,md tortured d~z­ens of suspected collabcrators wnh Israel.

Abu Rub has been on Israel's wanted list for severJ! years. After lsmeli troops withdrew from Jenin and other Palestinian towns in the fall of 1995, Abu Rub was recruited by Palestini,m secu1ity officials.

Two years ago, he kidnapped two Israeli bcrder policemen and took them to Jenin. Palestinian secUiity forces airested him, freed his hos­tages and sentenced him to nine years in jail.

lsr.iel has long accused the Pales­tinian Authoiity of ,mesting and sen­tencing Palestinian militants for show~ and then releasing them quickly.

Annan may name Indian diplomat as his Iraq rep DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) _ The Un!ted Arab ~irates ?as banned the use ofbarges for oil storage or transportation followmg a massive spill of what was believed to be smuggled Iraqi fuel in January.

Toe ban prohibits ships from towing any vessel used to store or transport oil, the official Emirates News Agency reported Tuesday. .

A barge not built for oil transportation but believed to have ~n carrying smuggled oil from Imq nm aground in January off the Eml.l'ates coast, dumping 28,COO barrels (4,~ tons) of ~~l into the Gulf. ,

Scores of barges, rickety ships and traditional Gulf ~hows v. ci: engaged in smuggling operations, picking up oil in Iraq and trying to avoid U.S.-led naval forces that enforce U.N. sanctions against Baghdad. .

Until the spill, the Emirates had turned a blind eye to th~ smuggling. But since then it has promised to crack down on the smuggling to ave11 more environmental damage.

The sanctions, im~sed after Irnq 's 1990 invasion of Kuwait, allow only limited oil exports and bar other financial transactions. Tiiey are_not to be lifted until after Iraq has eliminated its weapons of mass destructlon.

· ff /d E l d · s past a row of Harrier jump jets on the Wren Operating Me<;~anic_ Suzie Pa~ke',.{,J!J'i5~i~c/g,e, siid:; y',fe Invincible is at anchor a few miles off flight deck of the B,:1t1sh ~,rcr[!-ft ;ar~t1er l n ent carrier the HMS Illustrious to arrive in the Gulf. AP the coast of Bahrain as ,t waits ,or Is rep acem , ,

Em.irates im.pose strict new m.easures on oil transport UNITED NA TIO NS (AP) _ Secretary-General Kofi Annan plans to name a senior Indian diplomat as his special repre­sentative to Iraq, diplomatic sources said Tuesday.

Prakash Shah, 58, a former Indian ambassador to the United Nations, would be re­sponsible for keeping the sec-

retary-general informed of developments in Iraq and pro­viding a channel of communi­cations to the Iraqi leadership, the sources said on condition of anonymity.

The United Nations main­tains numerous programs in Iraq, including the weapons inspection teams and humani-

tarian missions·. But the United Nations has no one designated primarily for political issues.

Shah has held numerous posts in the Indian govern­ment. He served as Indian ambassadortoJapan, Venezu­ela and Malaysia and as direc­tor of the Ministry of Petro­leum.

HERBERT SAN, N:l'COLAS

Predeceased By: Parents:

Parents-in-law: Reared Parents: Brothers & Spouse :

also knomn as "- 'JJ4. ·'- ,, r:;?fll/ ,cnang DIED: February 25, 1998 at the age of 72

Maria Cabrera San Nicolas & Jose Wilson Pangelinan Vidal Palacios & Maria Aguon Camacho Francisco Camacho & Rosa Santa Maria Manibusan Ramon Diaz & Rosario Pangelinan Borja Francisco s. Pangelinan, Candido S. Pangelinan, Manuel S.N. Pangelinan, . Torcuato s. & Cecilia Borja.Serafin S. Borja, Benbal S. & Maria T. Boqa, Antonio A. Camacho, Roman A. Camacho, Juan A. Camacho, Luis A. Camacho

Brothers-in-law & Spouses: Blas P. Tenorio, ,Juan S.N. Cabrera, Juan Santa Maria Manibusan, Francisco Santa Maria . . . Manibusan, Jose Manibusan - (Antonia c. Manibusan, Ana B. Manibusan), Joaquin A. Diaz, Jesus Ig1bara, Ignacio Celis

Sisters: Rosa S. Sablan; Lucia A. Camacho

Sisters-in-law & Spouse: . Rosalia s. Pangelinan, Ignacia Santa Maria Manibusan, Rosa M. & Jose Castro, Mana M. & Jose Blas

Son-in-law: Joseph "Tudor" Aguon Nauta Dolores Taitingfong San Nicolas Carla Rose D. San Nicolas, Xena B. San Nicolas

Daughter-in-law: Grandchildren : Survived By: Wife: Ignacia "Achalang" Manibusan San Nicolas Children, Grandchildren & Spouses & Great Grandchildren: . . . . . .

Juan M. & Mariana o. San Nicolas: Carol, John Paz S.N. Nauta & Patrick J1ro: Mark/Ann Dons (Ray, T.J_., Vinni), Herbie/ . Gloria (Brenda Lynn, Paricia, C.J., Justine), Monessa, Joseph Priscilla S.N. & Pedro c_. Muna: P_eter, Patrick Ra~ona S.N. ~ Anto~10 c. Barcinas: Tanya/Jay (Jayna),Hercia/Chris (Christopher), Niona/Chavo, Alexandra, Nicole Francisco M. & Cyn~h1a T. San ~1cola~ · Michael (Matthew, Mara, Marissa), Peter, Audrey/Vince (Darren, Dean), James, Herbert, Ignat1~ Ramon M. & Nenita _B. _san Nicolas. Vanessa/Gerard (Gerard, Cirigida, Joseph),Sherrie, Maile, Craig, Bo, Shawn Esther M. San N1c~las & R.obert_Nesb1tt · Tere_nce, R~ssel, Elicia Moises M. & Norinda A. San Nicolas: Oliver, Moricia, Herbert Juan ( Penny Walker): Adnan/Jack1e (Erli~da, Eloy, Elex1a), Moises Jr., Daniel Elisa S.N. & Norbert D. Camacho: Norisa Gil M. & Irene T. San Nicolas: Reneacia, Gilbert, Catherine Eloy M. & Jeanne R.

San Nicolas: Christopher . Sisters & Spouse: Luise P. & Manuel s. Villagomez, Juanita P. & Frank Megilich, Guadalupe P. Tenorio, Gregoria C. Cabrera, V1ce.~ta A. Camacho Brothers & Spouse: Juan S.N. & Jun Wong Pangelinan, Bishop Tomas A. Camacho, Francisco & Isabel V. Camacho, Juan A. & Emilia V. Camacho, Roman A.

& Beverly J. Camacho . . · . . Sisters-in-law : Dolores Ito Pangelinan, Priscilla D. Pangelinan, Victorina M. Pangelinan, Dolores C. Santos, Mana M. lgibara, Giana M. Celis

The Holy Rosary is being said nightly 7:00 P.M. at his residence in Tan~pag: Last Respects max be paid on Friday, Marc~ 6, beginn!ng at 8:00 A.M. - 1 :30 P.M. at his residence in Tanapag. State funeral service Will be held at the Multi-Purpose Center from 2.00 P.M. - 3.00 P.M. Mass will be offered at Mt. Carmel Cathedral 4:00 P.M, Burial will follow immediately.

'T

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS'-33

Yeltsin names nuclear chief By Vladimir lsachenkov

MOSCOW (AP) - President Boris Yeltsin named a new minister for atomic energy on Wednesday and immediately ordered him to ensure that Russia retains parity with lhe West in nuclear weapons.

Yeltsin appointed nuclear researcher Yevgeny Adamov, 58, to replace the former min­ister relieved of the post ear­lier this week,

After a meeting with Yeltsin, Adamov said the president told him that Russia must keep its remaining arse­nals of nuclear weapons in top shape,

"This parity should be pre­served even though the funds and the means to achieve it might be reduced," Adamov quoted Yeltsin as saying, ac­cording to the IT AR-Tass news agency,

Russia's Atomic Energy Ministry is in charge of both civilian and military nuclear programs.

Russian officials have re­peatedly spoken of the impor­tance of maintaining Russia's nuclear capability while cut-

ting stockpiles under arms control agreements and work­ing to reduce the overall size of the Russian military.

Union's top nuclear weapons designer, who asked to resign as minister and return to schol­arship,

Russia's atomic energy min­istry has been buffeted by eco-

nomic troubles, and Mikhailov said last month it would have to sharply curtail its nuclear weapons program this year because of fund shortages.

The ministry has sought re-

lief in part by promoting the construction of new power plants in foreign countrie~, in­cluding one in Iran th;a has drawn protests from the U.S. government.

At their meeting Wednes­day, Yeltsin also told Adamov to increase safety at Russia's nuclear power plants and to promote exports of uranium and nuclear technologies, IT AR-Tass said.

Russia has signed a deal with the United States to sell the uranium from nuclear war­heads dismantled under arms control pacts, but the agree­ment has hit snags as the two sides have continued to argue over prices.

Chechen president appeals for the release of British hostages

Adamov is one of Russia's top nuclear experts. He worked for the Kurchatov In­stitute, Russia's leading nuclear research center, from 1962 to 1986. He took part in cleaning up the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in April 1986, and later that year was ap­pointed director of Russia's Power Technologies Research Institute-a job he held until now.

Adamov replaces Viktor Mikhailov, 64, the Soviet

By MAURA REYNOLDS MOSCOW (AP) In ad­vance of a planned visit to Britain, Chechen President Asian Maskhadov appealed to kidnappers Wednesday to release two British aid work­ers held hostage for the last eight months.

Camilla Carr, 40, and Jon James, 37, who worked with a center for needy children, were abducted July 4 from their home in the Chechen capital of Grozny.

Maskhadov, through his spokesman, warned the kid­nappers that they were dam­aging the political and eco­nomic interests of their homeland, which has de­,c!ared independence from Russia.

"If you still have honor and conscience, and feel any compassion for the Chechen people, you fl.lUSt release the

hostages," presidential spokesman Maibek Vachagayev said, according to the Interfax news agency.

Maskhadov 's visit to Brit­ain is aimed at drawing in­vestment in Chechnya, whose economy was devastated dur­ing its two-year war for seces­sion. That war ended with a Russian retreat, but the republic's status is still unre­solved.

Earlier this week, Chechen officials said Maskhadov would travel to Britain "in the next few days," but no spe­cific date has been named.

Maskhadov says he is presi­dent of an independent coun-

. try, but the Kremlin insists the republic remains a part of the Russian Federation. No coun­try has recognized Chechnya as independent.

Since the end of the war, Maskhadov has had trouble

J:lo.inl 7/nn.iuersary Y<asary We the family of the late,

would like to invite our families and friends to join us in prayer as we remember their passing into eternal life.

Nightly rosary in their memory will be said at the residence of MANUEL TENORIO AND MARIA CASTRO DELACRUZ (Apigigi) in Susupe beginning on Friday, February 27th and will end on March 7th 1998 at 7:00P.M.

reining in the armed bands still active in the republic. Many have taken to kidnap­ping, and at least six for­eigners and dozens of Rus­sians are missing in the re­gion and believed held for ransom.

Maskhadov 's spokesman warned the kidnappers that the British government has not and would not pay ran­som. He also offered dlrs I 00,000 as a reward to any­one providing information on the hostages' where­abouts, saying "this money will be taken away from the Chechen people because of the kidnappers' criminal actions."

At the time of their abduction, Carr and James had been work­ing for the Center for Peace­making and Community Devel­opment, a charity with Quaker Jinks that runs a home forneedy children in Grozny.

ENCARNACION TENORIO

DELACRUZ

DR. JUAN TENORIO DELACRUZ

Juan Aniguak!f ocoya 12 years Chong Aniguak!f ocoya

55 years

A special mass for the repose of their souls will be celebrated on Saturday, March 7th 1998 at Our Lady of Mount Cannel Cathedral at 5:00PM. Dinner will be served immediately after the Mass at the Family's residence in Susupe.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

MANUEL, MARIA, CIDLDREN, GRANDCHILDREN

;, .'°J4•MARIANAS .YARIETY NEWS 'AND 'V1EWS-Fll!DA::'MA~~~--t .. '.6, 'l°l;i9S • e de ' r~ A6R-ABES1MENTEI ~, Wlllllers wooing In 1a S i ·~ parties to form coalition

++ KENNETH RICHARD DELOS REYES KAPILEO

I tinayuyot miyo, ijinatton miyo yan i ayudon miyo gi duranten i chinatsagan mame anai matai i guinayan mame, hana' nalalang i piniten mame

todo magahet. Para todo ayu siha na taotao ni man man ayuda: Si Obispo, Mamale', CHC yan

EMS, Man Ga'chong na gi Customs Division, yan otro siha, en sen agradesi.

Ginen hame nifamiliapara todo hamyo, Un Sumen Dankulo Na Si Yu'us Ma'ase' ginen i •

''l'· fondun i korason mame. :~

/Sil Ramon yan Josepha Kapi/ea yan Familia ~;;:.

'~ MESSAGE OF .APPRECIATION i \~ We, the sons and daughters (Jesus M. Elameto, I,' i; Estanislao 0. Laniyo, Rosario M. Elameto and '.I ~I Maria M. Elameto) and the family of the late I,' ~ Rosa Mareham Elameto take this opportunity to ,., ~I express our appreciation, Ghirisow, Si Yii'us Ma'ase, I;' ,, and Salamat Po to a// our relatives, friends, leaders, /J ~ our priests our techas, choirs and the most excellency ,J ~( Bishop Tomas A. Camacho. ,: f~ Your most conforting expression of sympathy, e ii kinc4ness, prayers and support have deeply touched us ~

11 more than any words of thanks I 1

1~• can ever be expressed. 0~

Please be assured that you will alwa,,s be ~ 11 J Ii : remembered by the family. ~

I\ Rosary Mass is on March 7, 1998 at 4:00 p.m. in the /\ \~ •i '( Mount Carmel Cathedral. ~ t \ Please join the family a~er mass for a dinner at the I I f' residence of Ms. Rosario M. Elameto ~' X in San Jose/0/eai. I~ • Thank you in advance for your presence. •

•• >::: •>:::•~:::· >::. >:::• ~::·. ;~ ·=-~. :~ ,;~, =-~·:.....: •• First and Third Joint Anniversary Rq¢ary

IN LOVING MEMORY ///: of our ,

DADDY, GRANDDADDY AND HUSBAND BROTHER, UNCLE AND.SON·> ,,..· . . . >

.J{

·4itr)i,:;;,,@~;·'.·' FRANCISCO(:iA,ft~l!)O -_·. /\-.: PAULr;tJ,AMACHO:J\

VILLAGOMEZ · . , . / . i. . · .. Jf~LLAGOMEZ ·

!d ~:~a!fv:~.'~:1°.o~a.u.!i~:.·ra·e.:~1:~.~~~~:et\::!:eu~i:~t~~~ third Anniver~ry ~0:3:BTY,9~l~l~ssii'r~f:o~~ly tl~loved ~~e~. The Holy Rosary 1s·b.eJ!1~t~J~nJg~t\tat3:00'p.m: at ,he fam1fy s residence .. (Isabel. C/y.n1.,~ .. ·1n · . ).))n F!~Jit~~R :,v111 e~ on M~rc,h 11, 1~98. On the J<1.Std~¥;fr ~h l'<>sa~Jtbe:sa1d at 1~:00 p.m. ~ special mass.of mte~~9?/w1ll\be :{.k'II\.,, ,,, 1,,,,,,· ""'" ,,,,,1, ,1,,, ·"Y' \

o~fered at Knst·o. ·R·a., .. · .. C. ·? ... ~ .. rchjat . : . .:&;'./1'':'· "~ ,,,,;,, "" "'"'./'[""'"I'· 6.00 p.m. March 1~, t99,B,J, / ;, _: ,;7t t"1J '1,,,, ,,,.,.,, ,,,,1,t'"""' .

. ., :-·=-' -.: :· .. ';(~. : , ' rm· /1/1· 11ml ~/"fr ~,,,, rr,11/i) "''' l.ff/1. Thank you and Si Yuus Ma~-s~. .; ·, ?!:"'' Hi''jffnr,~tmiiiil'":'i1, ,,,, ~,;,,.,,

/:;;;/H11d1,11'} /pr your lm11rJ 111 :>ro11

/ (Vm /pith i.1 .11,rl, 1/mt 111,. /11 /in•1

The Family t,11111 "" ,,t"" .,1,,,11111111 (1~1111,,.

By HEMA SHUKLA NEWDELHI,India(AP) Thetop finishers in India's parliame;-truy elec­tions are wooing the small regional parties that arc likely to decide which main party gel~ to fom1 the next government.

With no single party winning a majority, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata P:nty, the centrist Congress party and the United Front coalition held strategy sessions Wednesday to map plans for forming a new government.

All but a handfu I of seats for the 545-member lower house of parlia­ment have been decided. No party won the 273 needed to govern alone. According to tallies Wednesday, Bharatiya Janata and its allies won

251 seats, Congress and its allies took a government but failed to muster a 166, and the United Front got 96. majority in parliament. Its govern-

That leaves 21 seats to indepen· mentcollapsedinlessthantwoweeks. dents and others who could be per- Last month's elections were held suaded to join one of the three blocs. three years ahead of schedule after

NewvotingwasorderedforThurs- Congress. which had supported the day because of inegularities in one United Front from outside, pulled race. Of the remaining 10 seats, vot· down the 14-party coalition. ing foreighthas not yet been held, and Now Congress and the United Front two are to be appointed by the presi- are united in their desire to govern _ dent and in their fear that a Hindu nation-

By law, President K.R. Narayanan alist government would widen the decides which party_ usually the one divide between India's Hindu major-with the most seats_should be given ity and its Muslim minority. thefirstchancetoforrnagovemment The rival Congress and United Once the party's leader is sworn ina, Front parties have said they would primerninister,itsclaim is tested in a join forces in a coalition to keep vote of confidence. out Bharatiya Janata, but they

BharatiyaJanataiswaryofrepeat· would still need 11 more seats for ingthefiascoof!996,whenitfo1med a majority.

Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party President Lal Krishna Advani, left, meets with the BJP candidate for Prime Minister Atal Bihari Va/payee at party headquarters in New Delhi Wednesday. The BJP is now discussing new strategies to form a government after winning the elections. AP

We the family of the late

AUGUSTA BLANCO MATSUMOTO

Would like to extend our sincere gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to all of our families, relatives and friends from Saipan, Guam and the U.S. Mainland for the physical and spiritual support during our time of mourning and

Your kind expressions of sympathy and personal help extended to us on the loss of our Beloved Mother/Grandmother have been most comforting and touching. Your presence at the daily rosaries, funeral mass and at the final resting place was greatly appreciated.

Our profound thank you to Bishop Tomas A. Camacho, Father Gary Bradley, our Tech a Luisa B. Castro, special thanks to Dr. James Hofschneider and the Doctors & Nurses at CHC-.

You will be always remembered in our Prayers.

DANGKULU NA SI YU'US MA'ASE

John B. Matsumoto & Family Roman B. Matsumoto & Family Margaret M. Rafferty & Family

Lydia M. Fejeran & Famiiy Herminia M. Fusco & Famiiy

Julia B. Matsumoto

I ' . ' t '',

!

· FRIDAY MA'.RCH 6' 1998 °MARIANAS' VA'RIETY NEWS 1AND :VIE~35 -~~- ----------------------------------'-'----''-- ---------

Camera Scandal envelops Mexico MEXICO CITY (AP) - A top Mexico City official said she has discovered two tiny surveillance cameras in her office - a day after a leading opposition con­gressman found hidden micro­phones in his office.

The latest round in the "Can­did Camera" scandal, reported Wednesday by Mexican news media, uncovered what city Interior Secretary Rosario

Robles called "serious espio­nage" of her downtown office.

"We think that many more of our offices have been sub­jected to this kind of illegal practice," said Robles, a mem­ber of the opposition Demo­cratic Revolution Party.

She did not say who might have been behind the surveil­lance.

During a remodeling of Rob-

Demonstrators hold portraits of Gen. Augusto Pinochet during a protest in front of the Spanish embassy Wednesday against investigations in Spain of alleged human rights abuses under the Pinochet regime. The demonstrators also support Pinochet's plan to become a senator-for­/ife after his scheduled retirement from the military next week. AP

NATO expansion to cost US taxpayers

By JOHN DIAMOND W ASIIlNGTON(AP)-Expand­ing NA TO means expanding busi­ness for U.S. weapons makers, and taxpayers will be footing some of the bill, an arms-control advocacy group maintained.

Companies such as Lockheed­Martin Corp. and Boeing Co. are playing a lead role in lobbyingfonm expanded NATO alliance, the World Policy Institute said, as they eye possibly billions in sales of w:n·­planes to Central European nations.

But that money won't just be pouring in to American defense con­tractors from other countries, the New York-based private research organi7.ation reported.

It said Wednesday that federal grants and loan subsidies - pro­gramsdrawing moI1Cy from the pub­lic purse-will account for some of the cost of the weapons sales.

NA 1D expansion got a boost Tuesday, when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 16-2 in favor of adding Poland, Hungaiy

' and1heCzechRepublictotheNATO alliance.

'The change in the NA1D treaty goes to the Senate floor this spring for rntification.

The institute argued in its report

that NATO expansion is being pushed by, among others, self-in­terested weapons makers who see Central Europe as a growth market for arms sales.

The report described how the Ointooadrninistration,throughgov­emmentgrantsandrapidlyexpand­ingsubsidizedloans-aswellwith lobbying by U.S. embassy officials in Central Europe - is supporting these sales.

Administration and defense con­tractor officials defend the drive for foreign sales as a way to boost the U.S. economy and support a US.defense industry that has seen Pentagon contracts sluink.

They also argue d1at the sales would lower d,e cost of weapons bought by the Pentagon by increas­ing the quantity produced, thus cre­ating economies of scale.

In addition, the administration, in its foreign aid submission to Con­gress,arguedthatnew NATOmem­bers "need substantial assistance to make their military forces interoperable with alliance forces."

he instiwte repo1t, however, ar­gued that the U.S. govemment has fared poorly inloaningforeigncoun­tries money to buy weapons.

Jes' office, workers removed the carpet and found a tangle of cables. They discovered more cables above a false ceil­ing, suggesting that cameras or microphones might have been installed there.

Mayor Cuauhtemoc Cardenas, also a member of Democratic

Revolution Party, took office in December as the city's first elected mayor in seven decades.

The offices he assigned to Rob­les were used by the previous interior secretary under the ad­mini strati on of Mayor Oscar Espinosa, a memberofthe ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party. Like all his predecessors,

Espinosa was a presidential ap­pointee.

A similar scandal came to light Monday, when two mi­crophones were found in the office of Congressman Santiago Creel of the right­center opposition National Action Party.

Quality_ Counts. 1991 Subaru Legacy (71005A)

1992 Subaru Loyale s/w (7Hl60A)

1991 Buick Regal (7Ml21A)

1988 Suzuki Samurai (8P197)

1991 Isuzu Trooper (8M121AJ

1989 Suzuki Sidekick (6P204)

1992 Ford Taurus (2P240)

1992 Toyota 4x2 Pickup (8M149A)

1991 Subaru Legacy (6P212A)

1992 Subaru Legacy s/w (7H142A)

1991 Honda Prelude (2P16'A)

1991 Honda Accord (7H132A)

1993 Hyundai Elantra (BMllSA)

1991 Mazda RX7 (7H135A)

1988 Mercedes Benz (7H054A)

1994 Hyundai Sonata (7Hl80A)

1993 Mazda 626 (8M083A)

1992 Isuzu Trooper (7HD08A)

1992 Mitsubishi Diamante (7Ml49A)

l 995 Ford Escort (5P239)

1996 Mitsubishi Mirage (8M136A)

1994 Ford Escort s/w , •• ,36)

1995 Oldsmobile Ciera (5P235)

1991 Toyota 4-Runner (8MD39A)

1996 Toyota Corolla (6P206)

1992 Toyota Camry (BM129A)

1997 Isuzu Hombre Pickup (711254)

1997 Hyundai Tiburon (7Hl43A)

1995 Toyota E-Cab 4x4 Pickup (8M136A)

1995 Chevrolet Camara Conv. (8M104A) ·

1 994 Ford 1 5 Passenger Van ''"'45)

1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT ''"'59)

$4,995 $5,995 $5,995 $6,995 SOLD!

$7,995 $7,995 $7,995 $7,995 $8,495 $8,595 $8,995 $8,995 $9,995

$10,995 $10,995 $10,995 $11,995 $11,995 $12,595 $12,995 $12,995 $12,995 $13,595 $13,995 $13,995 $114,995 $14,995 $15,995 $16,995 $16,995 $18,995

~~@~ 7 ,,..,,..,,,~

;.tl/j_r!Jc,1A a.a».~ USED CAR MART

At the Monsignor Guerrero and Middle Road intersection

235-5012, 235-5014

\

\

36-MAR!,A.NAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-FRIDAY- MARCH 6, 1998

Chrysler February sales up DEI'ROIT(AP) _ Chrysler Corp. posteda3 percent sales gain in February in afamiliarway: car sales were down, while sales oflighttrucks _ especially sport utility vehicles_ increased l O percent

"Trucks as usual are driving Chrysler," said David Healy of Burnham Securities Inc.

The two largest automakers, Generel Motors Corp. and Ford MotorC.O., were scheduled to report sales results Wednesday. Analysts said their February figures could be flat or down slightly from a year ago.

Chrysler said Tuesday that it set a February record for SlN sales, with more than a third coming from the new Dodge Durango, which had its best month since being intrcxluced last fall. ·

"Our sales continue to be robust," said James P. Holden, executive vice president of sales and marketing. 'With two good months behind us, we are beginning to look fOtWard to a very good year."

Honda MotorC.0. and Toyota.Motor Corp. reported February sales gains of 8 percent and 6 percent, respectively_ a new February record. for both automakei:s. But Nissan Motor Corp. reported a 28 percent sales drop oompared to February of 1 W7. ·

The 15 automakers who reported results Tuesday said U.S. sales were up 2 percent collectively last month.

"It looks like the overall rnarlu:t is going to be OK again," said David Bradley, an analyst with J.P. Morgan Securities. "The cyclical slow down that people think will haprenjustdoesn'tseem to happeIL"

Chrysler's figures were ootterthan theflatsalesanalystsexpecte<i "That shows Chrysler's going tohaveapretty goodmarlretsharepickup,"Bradley

'sai~ .

Cluysler's car sales fell 9 percent, despite the high-profile introductions of the all-new Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid .

The Concorde sold briskly last month, but the new Intrepid is suffering from a lack of awareness, said spokesman Jeffl.eestma.

Chrysler hopes to boost car sales with new LHS arid 300M cars later this sununer.

Honda posted record light truck sales in February, with sales of the CR­Y sport utility vehicle more than doubling those from a year ago,

Toyota posted a 5 percent decline in car sales last month, but a 32 percent gain in light truck sales.

Nissan's shaip sales drop followed a 25 percent decline in January. TheNo.3Japaneseautomakerannouncedlastmonththatitwasrepla~g

three top U.S. executives, and eliminating the job of another, in an effort to tum around irs sluggish American performance.

In other repo1ts, Volkswagen said sales grew 26 percent for its best February in IO years. Audi posted I 4 percent increase for its rest.February since 1986. . ·

New ... Continued from page 8

striving to do pep talks and pre­sentations at each of the schools prior to March 28. not only to promote the Walkathon, but also to promote volunteerism and the Red Cross in our community," said Guerrero.

Walkathon forms can be picked up at IT &E Overseas, Inc. (proud

sponsor of the American Red Cross '.Valkathon) or by calling 234-3459.

Registration will begin at6a.m. and all walkers may begin imme­diately following their registra­tion.

All walkers must collect a mini­mum of $10 to participate in the event and only those funds turned in on or before the day of the event will qualify for the prize program.

COMMONWEALTH PORTS AUTHORITY

PUBLIC NOTICE The Commonwealth Ports Authority (CPA) will sell on March 9, 1998 thrnugh March 13, 1998, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the following used and damaged materials from airport renovations.

Toilet Bowl w/fank Urinal Bathroom Wall Window Glass Door (Double Pushlocking) Window (7' 4" X 80")

Bathroom Sink Bathroom Paper Towel Holder Glass Door (Double)· Ventilation Window Window (7' 4" X 47")

The above materials are located at West Tinian Airport. For more information call Mr. Edward Sanchez at 433-9296 during regular working hours.

The above mnteria/s will be sold "as is" and all sales are final.

ls/CARLOS H. SALAS Executive Director

Is it • • • Continued from page 14

So what happens? In terms of the labor situation, it's a zero sum game, we trade gannent workers for hotel workers.

Either that, or the economy stag­nates somewhere around the 1990 level. If you don't accept my rough estimates reduce them by JO to 15 percent and the results are still signifi­cant in terms of hotel rooms, invest­ment capital and workers that would be required. For those that don 'tagree - make your own analyses and show it tome.

I happen to believe that the Asian economies will straighten out in a year and one half or so.

Their workers are highly skillc!d and productive, they have enonnous capital invested in every thing from ship buildingtoelectronicsand, in the case of Korea, the interest of the U.S. armed .forces and thus the United States GovemmenL

But always the matter of an ad­equate labor force arises.

One must legitimately pose the question: Why should an indigenous population - one which has endured for centuries in relative isolation; coped with the devastation of ty­phoons; been destroyed by war; sur­vived the colonial administration of the Spanish, Germans, Japanese, the United Nations and the Trust Terri­tory Government not desire to retain control of its government?

One's cultural heritage strength­ens one against such forces and it is only natural to desire to protect iL

PIC . ... Continued from page 9

A graduate of the National Con­servatory of Music in Mexico, he has perfonned in numerous op­eras and concerts.

Fellow countryman and bari­tone Armando Gama also took part in Western Opera Theater's national tour of Carmen and stud-

China ... Continued from page 2

forms. Zhu has been promoting a

plan to pare down China's huge government bureau­cracy.

As premier and new head of the State Council, the highest government body, Zhu wants the abolition or merger of more than a dozen of the council's ministries and de­partments, according to re­ports in the Hong Kong press.

Some ministries may be changed into companies.

The streamlining is intended to reduce waste and to sepa­rate government from eco­nomic management in order to quell corruption.

The annual meeting of the legislature and a companion body of advisers, the Chinese People's Political Consulta­tive Congress, elicits a stream of proposals from dissidents each year.

Suggestions Continued from page 5

They can also provide assistance to visiting relatives of the patient whilst in the Philippines.

In addition they can also provide assistance to the patient in dealing with the Bureau of Immigration, the

ies both in Mexico City and Phila­delphia.

Soprano Karen Ferguson holds a master's degree from Southern Illinois University and most re­cently worked with the Chicago Lyric Opera's "Opera in the Neighborhood" program.

Tenor Norman Shankle, another veteran of the Western Opera Theater's national tourofCarmen, has, like his colleagues, perform-

This year many of the peti­tions have opposed making Li head of the legislature. In 1989, Li declared martial law, opening the way for a military assault that shut down the de­mocracy demonstrations in Tiananrrien Square. Hundreds of people were killed, and thousands were arrested. ·

In the run-up to this year's meeting, police have arrested at least three activists, and others around the country have been detained and interro­gated.

Another key demand of de­mocracy campaigners is for the congress to ratify the In­ternational Covenant on Eco­nomic, Social and Cultural Rights.

New Y ork-basedHuman Rights in China released a letter Wednes­day calling on the congress to ratify the covenant. It wants the legislature to take the unlikely further step of re-examining and changing laws and policies that restrict rights such as freedom of speech.

Bureau ofOJstoms and other Philip­pine Government agencies.

In all aspects a settling agent/com­mercial correspondent is more ben­eficial in tenns of expenses for the CNMI government since their fees and ancillary expenses will oo on a per 1eferral basis.

FREDDIE BENITEZ

ers many operatic and concept pieces across the country.

With the support of the Pa­cific Island Club and Conti­nental Micronesia, the concert is part of San Francisco Opera Center's Pacific Rim Cultural Exchange.

Under this joint effort, per­formers have been coming to the Marianas every year since 1993.

The Commonwealth Development Authority (CDA) of the Northern Mariana Islands is soliciting proposals from qualified A&E/Construction firms to provide professional services

and construction for the renovation on the existing Commonwealth Development Authority Building and Parking Area, Gualo Rai, Saipan.

Interested firms are requested to obtain a copy of the RFP package, [Scope of Work dated March 6, 1998] at the CDA office. All A&E/Constractors shall call CDA on Friday, March 20, 1998, between 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at 234-6245 to inquire if additional information and/or revisions to the scope of work dated March 6, 1998 are available for pick up.

A&E/Contractor shall submit one (1) original and four (4) copies of sealed proposals to the Commonwealth Development Authority no later than 4:00 p.rn., Monday, April 6, 1998.

A pre-submission proposal conference for this project will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 1998, at 2:00 p.m. at the Commonwealth Development Authority, Conference Room.

All inquiries regarding the scope of work shall be submitted to the CDA office in writing and addressed to Ms. Lydia M. Sablan, Acting Executive Director, no later than 4:00 p.m., Monday, March 30, 1998.

Fax or mail to: Commonwealth Development Authority P.O. Box 2149 Saipan, MP 96950 Fax: (670) 234-7144

ls/LYDIA M. SABLAN Acting Executive Director

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-37

US not ready for 2000 glitch By DARLENE SUPERVILLE

WASHINGTON (AP) -The CJ.inton administration still isn't moving fast enough to fix a computer problem that could disrupt U.S. government functions -such as distribut­ing benefits - at the turn of the century, according to the latest congressional update on the issue.

Rep. Steven Horn, chairman of the House subcommittee on government management, in­formation and technology, said that at the current rate of progress, only 63 percent of essential government com­puter systems at 24 depart­ments and agencies will be ready for the change.

"We have a long way to go and a short time to get there," Horn said Wednesday.

The issue involves computer systems that identify years with two digits, such as 98 for 1998.

Unless reprogrammed or re­placed, the systems will treat 2000 as 1900, which could disrupt functions such as mail­ing or electronically transmit­ting benefit checks, lawmak­ers say.

Jack Gribben, a spokesman for the Office of Management and Budget. which is oversee­ing the project, said the ad­m in is trat ion appreciated Horn's input.

"While some agencies are making good progress, others are not," Gribben said. "We w~ll continue to work with all the agencies, and with Con­gress, to ensure that the government's ... systems are ready for the year 2000."

0MB 's next quarterly report on the issue is expected in a couple of weeks, Gribben added.

The year 2000 computer problem also could affect plans by the administration to meet a congressional mandate to begin delivering most fed­eral benefit payments elec­tronically by next January.

That translates into fewer paper checks in the mail. Most federal agencies issue their checks through the Fi­nancial Management Service, which is a division of the Trea­sury Department.

But Horn's report gave Trea­sury a grade of D for its ef­forts to bring its computers -which the new electronic ben­efits system will depend on_ into compliance.

The department said it ex­pects to have only 60 percent of its computer systems up­graded by 2000 and doesn't expect to complete the project until 2001, the report said.

Horn's report, the third in a series using agency-supplied data, gave the Social Security Administration and the Veter­ans Affairs department A's for their progress.

He flunked five others: the departments of Education, Defense, Transportation, La­bor and State. They don't esti­mate completing the conver­sions until well after 2000.

OM8's report in December said officials were most con­cerned about the Education and Transportation depart­ments while State was making satisfactory progress, Gribben said.

PUBLIC NOTICE LET IT BE KNOWN THAT

TRIPLE J MOTORS WILL NOT SERVICE ANY NEW OR USED VEHICLES THAT DO

NOT COMPLY WITH U.S. SPECIFICATIONS.

TRIPLE J MOTORS CONSIDERS ALL NON-U.S. SPECIFICATION VEHICLES

UNSAFE AND A HAZARD TO THE DRIVING PUBLIC OF THE CNMI.

tu~~.,f!-~ WAYNE N. HUNT General Manager

Read with your_ child' everyday._

/ Assist your child in his'lter homework, I

Overall, J 5 of the 24 depart­ments and agencies surveyed were behind schedule.

Ten received C's and D's, including the departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, Treasury and Energy and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Horn also issued the first government-wide grade_ a D­minus.

President Bill Clinton cre­ated a council last month to help agencies cope with the multibillion-dollar problem, which is affecting computer systems around the globe.

ATTENTION

It could cost the U.S. gov­ernment alone some $ 4 bil­l ion to fix the problem.

The General Accounting Of­fice, the investigative arm of Con­gress, also said recently that many government agencies were hav­ing trouble meeting deadlines for solving the glitch.

CNMI EMPLOYEES and RETIREES

Individual Assurance .Company representa-

tives are now conducting Open Enrollment meetings for the CNMI Employee Group

Life Insurance Program. New and increased benefits are now available for Active

AND Retired CNMI employees.

Employees must complete a new enrollment card during the Open Enrollment

period which ends March 15, 1998. Your local representative, General Agent Don

Barcinas, along with IAC representatives, will be visiting your department to explain

the new program and benefits. They will assist you in selecting Supplemental benefit

packages in addition to the BASIC Group Life Insurance program that will best pro­

vide for the needs of YOU, and YOUR family.

In addition to the Open Enrollment meetings, Employees and Retirees may

also enroll at the American Pacific Insurance Agency, (APIA), office on Capitol Hill, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. You may also visit your Personnel Office for

further details and to fill out an enrollment card.

Take advantage of the opportunities provided ONLY during the Open Enroll­

ment perfod through March l S'h and fill out your enrollment card at:

• Your agency/department Open Enrollment meeting;

your Personnel Office; or

GROUP the American Pacfic Insurance Agency office on

Capitol Hill.

IAC, we put you, the "individual", FIRST!

COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF PUBLIC WORKS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS · DPW98-RFP-011 . MARCH 6, J 998

Governor Pedro P. Tenorio and Lt. Governor Jesus R. Sablan, through the Department of Public Works (DPW) and in conjunction with the Rota Mayor's Office, are soliciting sealed proposals for theArchitecturaUEngineering Design of the Public Library on the island of Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Sealed proposals must be marked "DPW98-RFP-011" One (1) original and five (5) copies of proposals must be submitted to the Office of the Director, Division of Procurement & Supply, Lower Base, Saipan, no later than 4:00 p.m. local time, Thursday, April 9, 1998.

The Scope of Work is available on or after Tuesday, March 10, 1998, at the DPW Technical Services Division, Lower Base, Saipan. Any questions/concerns must be submitted in writing to Mr. Andrew W. Smith, P.E., Director of Technical Services Division no later than close of business Monday, March 30, 1998.

Proposals must include the following: 1. Updated Standard Forms 254 and 255; 2. Design Approach and Methodology; 3. Project Schedule

Proposals will be evaluated by an Evaluation Committee and a selection will be made based on the following criteria:

1. Qualifications ofprincipal(s) and proposed staff (30%); 2. Experience on similar projects (30%); 3. Time frame for the design work (20%); 4. Completeness of the proposal (20%)

All responses to this RFP should include any and all taxes that will be charged to the proposer awarded a contract for the project, including excise taxes.

This project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department ofinterior, Office oflnsular Affairs at 60% of the cost, with 40% matching funds provided by the CNMI Government.

The Government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive any imperfections in any proposal in the interest of the government. All proposals shall become the property of the CNMI Government.

ls/JUAN B. CEPEDA HERMANS. SABLAN Acting Secretary of Public Works Acting Dir., Procurement & Supply

\ ·,

38-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-FRIDAY- MARCH 6, 1998

Judiciary ... Continued from page 1

On the other hand, the presid­ing judge said, Associate Judge F.clward Manibusan has two jury lri­alson Tinianscheduled forthe month of March.

Castro said theamentTmiancourt­room cannot accommodate a jury lriaJorevenprovideavenueforjuries to deliberate on a case.

The judge requested Deleon Guenero to investigate the possibil-

ity oflocating suitable office space on a temporacy basisfortheFarnilyCourt.

Castro also asked the director to assist Manibusan in the latter's efforts to secure such new space for the Tmian court.

Manibusan has already been in­vestigating potential lease space on Tinian to relocate the Superior Court and personnel from that island

Deleon Guerrero had staled that the opening of the multimillion Judi­cial Complex is facing uncertainty because of problems with its con­slruction and costly budgetforopera-

tions. Constructionofthecomplexstarted

in April 1995 and its target comple­tion date was Nov. 1997.

Woosung Construction Co'., Ud. said the delay was caused by at least 160 different changes in the designs which were not incorporated in the original plans.

Woosung is seeking $5.2 million in damages against the Department of Public Works as a result of the additional expenses brought by the changes in the construction.

Nam Kook Heo, Woosung gen-

COMMONWEAL TH UTILITIES CORPORATION

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS CUC RFP 98-0012 February 27, 1998

The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC) is requesting proposals from qualified firms for the supply of fuel for its power plants on Saipan, linian, and Rota. CUC is requesting two options: (1) supply for a period of two (2) years; (2) supply for a period of five (5) years.

The Specifications may be picked up at the CUC Procurement & Supply Office in Lower Base, between 7:30 a.m. to 11 :30 p.m. and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for Government observed holidays.

Offerors shall provide a certification signed by a principle of the company stating that the company has in the past, and is currently, in compliance with all applicable CNMI and federal labor laws. Should the company be unable to provide such certification, the company must provide a written explanation as to why, including a description of any violations of such labor laws and any remedial action taken. FAILURE OFTHE COMPANY TO PROVIDE SUCH CERTIFICATION OR EXPLANATION IS GROUNDS TO REJECT THE ENTIRE PROPOSAL.

Proposals will be evaluated and selections be made based on CIF Cost (60 points), and Reliability of Supply (40 points).

Payment terms shall be NET SIXTY DAYS FROM INVOICE DATE. Fuel to be supplied must be warranted to meet specifications.

Six (6) sets of the proposals and copies of the firm's CNMI Business License must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked CUC REP 98-0012 to CUC Procurement & Supply, Lower Base, P.O. Box 1220, Saipan, MP 96950, no later than Monday, March 30, 1998 at 3:00 p.m., local time. Late submissions will not be considered.

Discussions may be conducted with responsible offerors who submit proposals determined to be reasonably susceptible of being selected lor award for the purpose of clarification and to ensure full understanding of, and responsiveness to solicitation requirements. Offerers shall be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to any opportunity for discussion and revision of proposals and such revisions may be permitted after submission and prior to award for the purpose of obtaining the best and final o1lers. In conducting discussions, there shall be no disclosure of any information derived from proposals submitted by competing otterors.

CUC reserves the right to reject any or all proposals for any reason and to waive any defects in said proposals, if in its sole opinion to do so would be in the best interest of CUC. All proposals shall become the property of CUC.

TIMOTHY P. VILLAGOMEZ Executive Director

T~e Executive Dir~ctor of the Commonwealth Utillties Corporation is soliciting proposals from Architectural and Engineering Firms for the design of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation Building, Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Interested firms ~ay pick-up a scope of work at the CUC, Procurement & Supply Office during normal working hours and pnor to the deadline.

!nterested firm_s must submit five (5) copies of their qualifications, proposals, and updated Standard Forms 254 and 255 ma envelope 1dent1f1ed by the request for proposal no. CUC-RFP-98-0018 no later than 3:00 p.m., April 7, 1998, to the Procurnment & Supply Office, Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Lower Base, Saipan. The price proposal shall be submitted 1n a separate enveloped that is sealed and identified on the outside by the following: "CUC-RFP-98-001 a-Price Proposal."

Selection of the three highest ranked firms will be made by a committee based on the evaluation factors listed below. '.hereform, the three highest ranked_firms' price proposals will be opened and recorded by Procurement & Supply. The firm with the lowest prrce proposal will be awarded the project.

The Evaluation of proposals will be based on the following factors: 1. The firm's capability to perform the work within the time limitations (30 maximum points); 2. Qualification of Principal and proposed staff (20 maximum points); 3. Recent experience with projects of similar size and scope (20 maximum points); 4. The firm's methodology or project approach (20 maximum points); 5. Proposed energy saving features and innovative technology to be included in the design (10 maximum points).

Discussions may be concluded with responsible offerors who submit proposals determined to be reasonably susceptible of being selected for award for the purpose of clarification and to ensure full understanding of, and responsiveness to solicitation requirements. Offerors shall be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to any opportunity for discussion and re_vision of proposals and such revisions may be permitted after submission and prior to award for the purpose or obtaining the best and final otters. In conducting discussions, there shall be no disclosure of any information derived from proposals submitted by competing offerors.

Th_e Commonwe.alth ~tilities Co_r~oration Reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive any defects in the said proposals, 1f 1n its sole opm1on, to do so would be in its best interest. All proposals shall become property of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation.

TIMOTHY P. VILLAGOMEZ Executive Director

era! manager, in an earlier interview said the company had already spent $16 million in the project which they got for $10.3 million in the original contracL

Board • • • Continued from page 1

that new entrants would normally offer the same services at lower prices than the services offered by the existing players.

New air cargo fum, Asia Pacific Airlines,isflyingHonolulu-Pohnpei­Saipan-Guam rountrip route starting April 15.Salassaidthecompanywill ttansport mail and cargoes to differ­ent islands in the Pacific.

Asia Pacific Air will also deal with the shipment of fresh fish and other agricultural products from and to dif­ferent islands in Micronesia and in Hawaii.

Another airline, Marianas Air, has also proposed to service Saipan­Tinian route during the third week of the month, in time forthe grand open­ing of the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino. The air company is using Cesna aircraft.

Museum ... Continued from page 1

The law that established the museum had authorized the ap­propriation of $1.1 million "re­volving fund" for the project. Guerrero is asking the Legisla­ture to appropriate at least half of the "authorized fund" for this fis­cal year.

"The law is vague; it doesn't say if the fund is intended only for the museum's operation," Guerrero said. "We don't know if the salaries of the museum staff could be drawn from that revolv­ing fund."

Guerrero said he himself doesn't get paid for his work.

'Tm working on a voluntary basis," he said.

So far, only Guerrero and the museum's executive director,

Leaders. . . Continued from page 1

They also recommended the hiring of a former US trade repre­sentative for the consultancy job.

The Legislature made the 1ecom­menc.lations in the wake of the Clinton Ac.lministration 's tariff proposal con­tained in the federal budget package for fiscal year 1999. The proposal callsfortheeliminationoftheCNMI's duty-free privilege under Headnote 3(a).

Insular Affairs Director Allen Stayman earlier suggested that the Clinton Administrntion may allow the CNMI to keep such privilege if the garment sector meets the workforce requirement, it seeks to impose, which is 50 percent US citizens.

Local officials are worried the CNMI may not be able to meet the federal government's target as the Comrnonwealthdoesn 'thaveenough skilled workers to fill the positions in the grument industry.

'This is a serious mattercontn1ry to the Covenant," Manglona and Benavente said.

They are calling for an urgent ac­tion on their recommendations "be-

Deleon Guerrero said once DPW turns over the key for the complex to the Judiciary, the critical issue of operational funding comes into the picture.

New Zealand-based Coral lnter­national also proposed to fly Guam­Saipan roundtrip routes though the portsauthorityisyettoreceivefoimal proposal from airline management

Salas said the pull out of major ca.rrierKoreanAirandthedownsizing of operations of other air transport players in the Northern Mariana ls­lands have resulted in the dwindling revenues of the CPA.

During the firstquarterofl 998, the CPA suffered 359 percent net loss or atotalof$38 I ,284 in its airport opera­tions compared to the same period last year.

This was a result of a decline in enplanement by 16 percent, deplanement by 22 percent and aircraft landings by 44 percent. The pull out of Korean Airlines has resulted in the first quarter losses of 39,922 number of pas­sengers coming in and out of Saipan and 130 reduction of air­craft landings.

Paul Oberg, are actively working on the project.

The museum, Guerrero said, needs at least eight people includ­ing a curator, an administrative assistant and maintenance staff.

"We're hoping to be able to open it on July 4th," Guerrero said. "Right now, we're doing an inventory of the artifacts and other stuff for the museum."

Aside from the artifacts and jewelry collections gathered from the sunken Spanish galleon, "Concepcion," the museum has also acquired a collection of eigh­teenth-century paintings from a Tokyo company, for which the CNMI had paid $220,000.

The art collection consists of paintings by a French artist who lived in the Marianas during the Spanish period.

The museum occupies the old Japanese Hospital in Garapan.

cause the feder<ll budget process has commenced."

Noting that "Preston-Gates may need to redirect some of[its] efforts to improve on the results of [its] p1evi­ous strategies," the Legislature thus urged lhe ac.lministr&tion to "closely guideandmonitnr''thegroup'swork.

"It would also be appropriate to engage in talks with other top-flight public relations films to see what othercreativeideasoraltemativestrat­egies might be available to serve the Commonwealth's needs."

Preston-Gates was contracted by then Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio for $200,000 a month. Aside from the lobby group, the fonner governor had engaged in what· critics called "PR ploy" by inviting conservative think tank groups to the CNMI.

Tenorio, sources told the Vaiicty, is expected to "concur with the Legislature's recommendation."

In earlier interviews, he admitted that the CNMI shoulc.l continue to have friends in Washington, D.C., but addec.l that he is still looking into the contract of Preston, Gates.

Thefinn 's lobbying efforts in Con­gress are cn;dited for blocking die passage of legislation that wou Id enc.l local control over immigration anc.l minimum wage.

. 948. Square-Meter in Kobletville For more infonnation contact: 288-7646 leave a messa e

· .. ~ommetcial Space 11 : ·:._. ·For Rent·:; ~-;

~ . ' . ' . .. : ' '

• Unit Size 1,058 sq. ft • 4 Units available Located at tourist site of Garapan

•very reasonable prices

EVERGREEN PLAZA BLDG. Tel. 234-6789 or 322-5004

(,0.)L®'Jlflil.5111!' IF'@'.il ~~~-11I' ----------• 2 Bedroom (fully furnished) • 24 hour water ~ Back-up generator

I;VEAGREEtfAPARTMENTS , ·:-. ·• JNavy,HIII) ·•: ·.·

. 234-6789 • 322-5004

NEW in TANAPAG Main Road side • FURNISHED APARTMENT

2 Bedroom $750.00/mo. 3 Bedroom $900.00/mo. Studio $500.00/mo. 400.00/mo.

• SHOP (l.130 Sqf) $1,500/mo.

Pleasecall 322-6363; 322-2312; 235-0235

' . . .

:: HO.USE FOR RENT. ~:·:·,.; .. ~:,:~ ·- ·~. ·:·./. '

$850 I Month San Vicente Area

Call: Pacifica VIiia

234-7490

APARTMENT FOR RENT Studio Type $350.00-$400.00 per month, utilities not included, quiet, single or couple only, immediate move-in, in Koblerville Tel 234-1233 (Day); 288·2222 IEvenlngJ

APARTMENT FOR RENT Location: San Vicente· •1 Bedroom, fully furnished with aircon

• 24 hours water operation • with generator Contact Tel. No. 235-8843, ask for Wendy

HOUSE FOR RENT $430 PER MONTH

I Bro room, Bar, Range, Frig, 24 Hrs. Hot Water San Vicente Area Near Ocean, Safe, RoDlllntic Selti!1j:, Ideal for Secluded Confidential Semitive very Private Meetings. Ph, 23.S.3310 Aller 5:00 p.m.

FOR RENT 0 A Japanese Style (Kushiyaki) Restaurant and Coffee Shop

• Bar & Kitchen Equipment Furnished • At Tourist Belt Garapan • Call 234-6789 / 322-5004

Quiet Twf linf·~~~ft;foiioeo,J'spnis Court

·-~·-,i?f,;~-· .Nlfth .. _ .,,, ... -....... ,, ...... . !'!iiiil,.;;-t~1g!J!~ .... ~m ~.m1~~o.s.:<;5>1J~gE1> .,: •.·. ,,{.:o.·

235-5686 (8:30 AM lo 5:30 PM, Weekdays) 235-5849 (6:00 PM lo 9:00 PM, Everyday)

-·. AIDS PREVENTION . . · · easy.as A, B, C, .

-A= Abstain : B= Be faithful C= Condom use . . It's your choice~ . . .. Call 234-510'0 (24 hrs.) f~r free confidential

· · . . testing or .info. ·

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1998 -MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-39

El Nino gets lab funds flowing By JANE E. ALLEN

SAN DIEGO (AP) While this year's powerful El Nino rains mis­ery worldwide, it has blessed sci­entists with a laboratory for im­proving theirunderstanding_ and ability to predict_ long-term cli­mate trends.

And scientists say El Nino' s angry skies are creating just the right climate to keep much-needed research c.lollars flowing.

The ocean-warming phe­nomenon, the most watched and weighed ever, already has verified forecasts issued last summer when meteorologists warned that torrential winter rains could torment Califor­nia and southern states.

"This event is the first time that the scientific community and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administra­tion ... have gone public with the forecasts _ at consider­able risk in an area where we don't have that much past experience," said John Wallace, an atmospheric sci­entist at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Had their predictions fizzled, so, too, might their funding and credibility.

But, so far, with Texas, Mis­sissippi, Louisiana, Florida, the Carolinas and parts of California soaked and the Northern states having a mild winter, most of the continen­tal forecast is playing out.

Successful predictions "give more confidence in the money that's going to re­search," says Lisa Goddard, a climate research scientist at the University of California, San Diego's Scripps Institu­tion of Oceanography.

During the periodic phe­nomenon called El Nino, westward blowing trade winds weaken and allow a mass of warm water to expand east­ward across the tropical Pa­cific Ocean to South America.

The warm waters are like an engine, feeding heat into the atmosphere, disrupting atmo­spheric circulation and world­wide weather.

The result has ranged from drought in Inc.lonesia and northern South America anc.l below-normal rainfall in parts of sou them Africa to flood­ing in central-east Africa, northern Peru, Chile and southeastern South America.

El Nino science begins with instruments placed in the ocean and on satellites. About

70 buoys stationed in the Pa­cific measure sea temperature. Sate! lites bounce radar off the ocean surface to measure its height and the depth of its warmer upper layer. Other satellites take sea surface tem­perature reac.lings. And com­mercial ships are used to drop temperature sensors.

In La Jolla, the I ,090-foot­l ong (330-meter-long) Scripps Pier is an integral part of the institution's laboratory.

Climatologist Laurence G. Riddle, wearing a ·'Blame lt On El Nino" T-shirt, climbs atop a gray clapboard shack to point out instruments moni­toring temperature, humic.li ty and winc.l.

Inside the shack, he lifts a wooden hatch with a view of the waves lapping below, where scientists lower tubes to analyze the water. Radar measures sea surface height.

Back in their offices, me­teorologists use computers to compile and translate c.lata about this El Nino and its pre­decessors. Other climate sci­entists feed wind and wave data into supercomputer mod­els.

Riddle said San Diego rain­fall hit a milestone on Feb. I 7. The IO inches that had fallen since the official "wa­ter year" started Oct. l ex­ceeded the annual average and put San Diego ahead of its rainfall in the great El Nino winter of 1982-83.

Pulling up a multicolored graph, he said the 16-plus inches ( 40 centimeters) re­corc.led at the Los Angeles Air­port from Oct. I to Feb. 17 represent more than double the average for the period.

Shown the graph, Nicholas Graham, a climate scientist who used models of this year's El Nino to make climate pre­dictions, exclaimed with re­lief: "That looks good!"

By Feb. 24, the Los Ange­les rainfall was up to 20.7 inches (52.6 centimeters), more than 2 1-2 times the av­erage for the period.

Last summer, Graham ran several atmospheric models. The majority predictec.l above­normal California rainfall through the winter.

Graham directs the climate forecast div is ion of the Inter­national Research Institute for Climate Prediction. The joint venture of Scripps, Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth. Observatory in Pali-

sades, New York, and NOAA was created in April to pro­vide early warning of poten­tially c.lestructive weather pat­terns.

The warnings led to prepa­ration around the world, from clearing flood control chan­nels in Los Angeles to manag­ing water in South Africa in anticipation of c.lry conditions.

"It will be interesting to see how much that pays off," Gra­ham said.

Dan Cayan, a Scripps cli­mate researcher, predicts "in­cremental sorts of progress" from this year's El Nine,.

"I be! ieve these ki nc.ls of events _ big, big events like the Dust Bowl, the energy cri­sis and really colc.l winters in the eastern part of the country in the late 1970s, stimulate science," he says. "If all the mysteries were solved, we woulc.l quickly be out of busi­ness."

This year, scientists are con­ducting a special experiment in which they fly into the low­level jct stream that feeds tropical moisture into damag­ing storms that typically hit California in winter.

The instrument-laden plane crisscrosses the jet stream _ not to be confused with the upper-level jet stream that guides storm tracks_ at alti­tudes from 200 to 20,000 feet (60 to 6,000 meters), gather­ing readings on winds, tem­peratures, pressures and mois­ture that meteorologists can't get anywhere else.

El Nino gave those flying scientists a bonanza of storms to study this year, said NOAA 's Marty Ralph, who has been in Monterey since January as chief of the dlrs 2 million California Land-Fall­ing Jets Experiment. Scientists turned some infor­mation into real-time warn­ings. A Feb. 2 flight, for in­stance, led within hours to a flash-flood warning for Santa Cruz County.

Even models that fail have something to teach, says Steve Zebiak, a Lamont-Doherty cli­mate scientist who developed an El Nino model that was successful in the 1970s anc.l 1980s but missed this year's event. He learned that ocean temperatures were the miss­ing ingredient.

"It did sec a large El Nino in the future, but that's not good enough; you've got to get the right year," Zebiak said.

· Gave information of about crimes cornmi_!!sid: ~

Call 234-7272 (PARA)

40-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-FRIDAY- MARCH 6, 1998

Employment Wanted

ftli,till · Job Vacancy · Announcement

01 MAINTENANCE REPAIRER (RE­PA\RER)-Salary: $3.05 per hour Contact: MARGARITA S. CAMU dba JEM Enterprises Tet. 235-0484(3/ 6)F25592

01 COUNTER ATTENDANT-Salary: $3.05 per hour Contact: WINCHELL'S DONUT INCOR­PORATED dba Winchell's Restaurant Tel. 234-5566(3/6)F25594

01 COOK-Salary: $3.05 per hour 01 WAITRESS-Salary: $3.05 per hour Contact: MOM'S ROUND TWO, INC. dba Mom's Round Two Tel. 234-6930(3/ 6JF25596

01 ACCOUNTANT-Salary: $1,000.00-1,300.00 per month Contact: BIG DOG CORPORATION dba Big Dog Dive Station Saipan Tel. 322-2363(3/6)F25598

01 PURCHASING STAFF-Salary: $3.05 per hour Contact: BLANCO VENDE LTD. dba Kiosk Shop Tel. 322-3313(3/6)F25599

01 MAINTENANCE, BUILDING RE­PAIRING-Salary: $3.05 per hour Contact: FELIPE N. & AURELIA Q. BABAUTA dba Phillip's Enterprises Tel. 288-2128(3/6JF25600

01 COOK-Salary: $3.05 per hour Contact JIN APPAREL, INC. Tel. 234-3252(3/6)F25608

01 ASSISTANT MANAGER (MAINTE­NANCE-Salary: $3,000.00-$3,500.00 per month In liaison with Continental Micronesia, manages ground handlings. Should be lull authorize signatory according to JCAB and JAL's regulations. Inspects and ascertain the conditional airworthi­ness at the aircraft, carries inspectionfor departure in respect lo al\ technical point ol view. Must be holder of JCAB license (Aircratt-Maint. Course) Radio Op. Li­cense. Contact: JAPAN AIRLINES Tel. 234-6553(3/6)F70843

02 AUTO MECHANIC-Salary: $3.05-3.50 per hour 01 AUTO PAINTER-Salary: S3.05-3.50 per hour 92 AUTO BODY FENDER (RE­PAIRER)-Safary: S3.05-3.50 per hour D1 ACCOUNTANT-Salary: $3.50-5.00 per hour Contact: JOSE J. NELSON dba Joenels Auto Shop Tel. 235-4964(3/6JF25619

03 ACCOUNTANT-Salary: $3.35 per hour o·, PUP.CHASING MANAGER-Salary: S1 ,BOO.DO per month Contact: TRANSAMERICA CORPORA­TION Tel. 234-1629(3/13)F701060

03 COOKS-Salary: $3.05-4.00 per hour Contact: MARIANAS FAST FOOD, INC. dba KFC (3/13)F71059

01 SALES ENGINEER-Salary: SB.OD per hour 01 ACCOUNTANT-Salary: $1,350.00 per month Contact: JWS Air Conditioning & Refrig­eration Tel. 235-5572(3/13)F71062

03 FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, PILOT-Sal­ary: S1 ,200-2,800 per month Contact: PACIFIC ISLAND AVIATION (3/13)F71063

~--------01 HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHNIC­Salary: S5.95-5.25 per hour 01 HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR­Salary: SS.95-6.25 per hour 01 BUILDING MAINTENANCE (RE­PAIR)-Salary: $3.25-3.50 per hour 01 STEVEDORE 2-Salary: S3.05-3.25 per hour Contact: SAIPAN STEVEDORE COM­PANY, INC. Tel. 322-9240(3/13)F71069

02 FISHING MAN-Salary: $3.05 per hour Contact: SETIK A. ANDE Tel. 233-2255(3/6JF25601

01 ADMINISTRATIVE ASST.-Salary: $3.25-4.50 per hour Contact: MAR/NO PRODUCT/ON, /NC. dba Tahara Show Tel. 233-3255(3/ 6)25602

01 GENERAL MANAGER-salary: $3.50 per hour Contact: NAO MARINE, INC. Tel. 288-7251 (3/6) F25603

01 STORE/BOUTIQUE MANAGER­Salary: $3,000.00 per month 02 SAi PAN SALES ASSOCIATES-Sal­ary: $7.00 per hour Contact: CARONEL (SAIPANJ, INC. Tel. 322-8850(3/6)F70847

01 PLUMBER-Salary: $3.05-4.00 per hour02 HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERA­TOR-Salary: $3.05-4.00 per hour 01 ELECTRIC/AN-Salary: $3.05-4.00 per hour 02 CARPENTER-Salary: $3.05-4.00 per hour 01 CONSTRUCTION SUPERV/SOR­Salary: $1 ,000.00-$1,500.00 per month Contact: BLACK MICRO CORPORA­TION Tel. 234-6549(3/6)F70838

02 TOUR COORDINATOR-Salary: $800.00-1,600.00 per month Must be able to read/ write/ speak Japanese. Contact: TASI TOURS & TRANSPOR­TATION INC. Tel. 235-9373(3/6)F70861

02 SALES REPRESENTATIVE-Salary: $3.05-4.00 per hour Contact: SAIPAN ICE & WATER CO., INC. Tel. 322-4701(3/13)F71070

01 MASON-Salary: $3.05-3.20 per hour 01 MAINTENANCE (BU/LO/NG RE­PA/RJ-Sa/ary: $4.00 per hour Contact: NICANOR A. BOCAGO dba Bocago Enterprises Tel. 234-5232(3/ 13)F25663

04 WEDDING CONSULTANT-Salary: $800.00-1,700.00 per month Contact: FUKADA ENTERPRISES, INC. dba Fukada Wedding Service(3/ 13)F25664

01 INTERPRETER-Salary: $3.05 per hour 01 ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER­Salary: $1,500.00 per month 54 GARMENT WORKER-Salary: $3.05 per hour Contact: EUROTEX (SPN) INC. Tel. 234-5277(3/13)F25666

01 ACCOUNTANT-Salary: S4.75 per hour 01 MASON-Salary: $3.60 per hour Contact: PACIFIC EAGLE ENTER­PRISES, /NC. Tel. 234-7914(3/ 13)F25667

01 PHYSICAL THERAPIST-Salary: $3.05 per hour Contact: DRAGON RIVER INC. dba Lao Li Physical Therapy Tel. 235-5562(3/13)

01 ACCOUNTANT-Salary: $3.05-4.50 per hour Contact: MPB ENTERPRISES dba Re­tail Gen. Merchandise Tel. 235-1868(3/ 13)F25671

01 SUPERVISOR-Salary: $800.00 per month 01 BEAUTICIAN-Salary: $3.05 per hour 02 MASSEUR-Salary: S3.05 perhour Contact: MIRAGE CORPORATION Tel. 233-4137(3/13)F25673

01 CAMERAMAN-Salary: $4.00 per hour Contact: TOMAS S.P. BONDOC dba Marianas Pacific T.V & Video Produc­tion (3/13)F25675

01 BARTENDER-Salary: $3.05-3.55 per hour 01 BARTENDRESS, SENIOR-Salary: $3.05-3.55 per hour 03 CASH/ER-Salary: $3.05-4.38 per hour 01 CHIEF ENG/NEER-Salary: $3,500.00-5,500.00 per month 01 COMMERCIAL CLEANER-Salary: $3.05-3.55 per hour 01 CLEANER HOUSEKEEPING-Sal­ary: $3.05-3.55 per hour 01 COUNTER ATTENDANT"Salary: $3.05-3.55 per hour 03 COOK-Salary: $3.05-3.55 per hour 02 ELECTRICIAN-Salary: $3.05-3.55 per hour 01 GARDENER-Salary: $3.05-4.23 per hour 03 HELPER, KITCHEN-Salary: $3.05-3.55 per hour 01 HEAD WAITRESS-Salary: $3.05-3.55 per hour 01 RESTAURANT MANAGER-Salary: $4.50-7.09 per hour 01 (FRONT OFFICE) ROOMS DIVI­SION MANAGER-Salary: $3,500-5,500 per month 01 WAITER (RESTAURANT)-Salary: $3.05-3.55 per hour Ail positions must have hotel experi­ence Contact: HOTEL NIKKO SAIPAN Tel. 322-3311 Ext. 2020(3/13)F71073

01 AUTO BODY REPAIRER-Sa\­ary:$3.05-3.85 per hour Contact: TASI TOURS & TRANSPOR­TATION INC. Tel. 235-9373(3/ 20)F71031

01 STEEL WORKER-Salary:$3.05 per hour 04 MASONS-Salary:$3.05 per hour 05 CARPENTER-Sa/ary:$3.05 per hour Contact: BRIAN P. REYES dba BPR Professional Services Tel. 234-9127(3/ 20)F25757

02 SI NGER-Salary:$3.05 per hour 04 WAITRESS-Salary:$3.05 per hour Contact: WESTERN PACIFIC ENT., INC. dba Kimchi Cabana Night Club Tel. 234-6622(3/20)F25758

01 COMMERCIAL CLEANER-Sal­ary:$3.05-3.50 per hour 01 BUILDING MAINTENANCE (RE­PAIR)-Salary:$3.05-3.50 per hour Contact: M N D COMPANY Tel. 287-3300(3/20)F25754

02 COOK-Salary:$800.00-1, 100.00 per month · Contact: NIPPON GENERAL TRAD­ING CORPORATION dba Country House Restaurant Tel. 233-8223(3/ 20)F25755

01 WAITRESS-Safary:$3.05 per hour Contact: CAPITJ\L ENTERPRISES CORPORATION dba Capital Bowling Center Tel. 233-7899(3/20)F25756

01 ACCOUNTANT-Salary:$8.50 per hour Contact: WHITE, PIERCE, MAILMAN & NUTTING Tel. 234-6547(3/ 20)F71017

01 WAITRESS REST.-Salary:$3.05 per hour Contact: MR. BAIK, HONG SIK dba BJ Garden Restaurant Tel. 235-3008(3/ 20)F25760

01 SALES REPRESENTATIVE-Sal­ary:$4.50 per hour Contact: CONWOOD PRODUCTS, INC. Tel. 235-3501 (3/20)F71038

01 BEAUTICIAN-Salary:$3.05perhour 01 CASHIER-Salary:$3.05 per hour Contact: ROBERT J. BRACKEN dba Thailand Store Tel. 235-8603(3/ 20)F71039

01 TRANSLATOR-Bl-LINGUAL (KO­REAN)-Salary:S3.50-6.00 per hour Contact: SAIPAN SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CLINIC d_ba Family Den­tistry/Optical Clinic Tel. 234-6323(3/ 20)F25764

02 HOUSEKEEPING-Salary:$3.05 per hour Contacl: CAMACHO INVESTMENT CORPORATION dba Summer Holiday Hotel Tel. 235-0874(3/20)F25762

01 CONSTRUCTION-Salary:$3.25 per hour Contact: V & C ENTERPRISES, INC. Tel. 322-1840(3/20)F25763

01 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER-Sal­ary:$7.21 per hour 01 TEACHER-Salary:$425 per hour Contact: CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAS dba Little Angels Child Care Center Tel. 233-0720(3/20)F25766

03 SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR (ANA­L YSD-Salary:$32, 100-48.100 per an­num Contact: MICRONESIAN TELECOM­MUNICATIONS CORPORATION dba Telecommunications (3/10)25529

01 INSURANCE UNDERWRITER-Sal­ary:$1,300.00 per month Contact: PACIFIC BASIN INSURANCE, INC. Tel. 234-5860(3/20)F71109

01 ASST. ADV/SOR-Salary:$1,000.00 per month Contact: TANDEM SKYDIVE SAIPAN, INC. Tel. 288-5867(3/20)F71108

IN TIIE SUPERIOR COURI' OFTIIE COMMONWEALTII OF TIIE NORTIJERN

MARIANA ISLANDS

RODOLFO B. PABALE Plaintiff v-lKUD YAMASAN, WDI SAIPAN1 \NC.b HIROHARU SEKh DANTE RAYMON FLOJ.Q, and ISLANDS DEVELOPMENT CORruRATION dba DOLLAR RENT A CAR Defendants Civil Action No. 97-1027 B

SUMMONS

TO: DEFENDANTS IKUD YAMASAN (!KUO YAMASAKI) AND HIROHARU SEKI:

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and notified lo file any answer you wish to make to the Complaint, a copy of wltich is given to you herewith, within lwenty (20) days after service of this Summons upon you, and lo deliveror mail a copy of your answer to Eric S. Smilh the Plainuff's attorney, whose address is al Fourth Floor, Horiguch1 Building, P.O. Box 5133 Saipan, MP 96950, as soon as practicable after filing your answer.

You answer sliould be in writing and filed with the Clerk oflhis Court at Susupe, Saipan. It may be ~re~ and signed by your counsel and sent to ihe Cl,rk of this Court by messenger or by ma,t 11 1s not necessary for you 10 appear personally until further notice.

If you fail to file an answer in accordance with thissummons,judg_mcnt by default may be iaken '!gains! you for lhc rchcf demanded in the Complaint.

BY ORDER OF THE COURT. Dated: February I 0, 1998

JOVITA C. FLORES Clerk of Court

By: ls/Deputy Clerk

trffi.O,BiSIPEf:~f VERY LOW PRICE • Bass and Keyboard Amp. 0 24 Channel Mackie Mixer 0 100 ft. Snake Cable • Disco Turntable & Mixer • Wireless Microphones Call: 288-2078

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE

NORTI-IERN MARIANA ISLANDS

Saipan Shipping Co., Inc. Plaintiff, vs. The Diesel Powered Fishing Vessel M/V "NAGO II", about and cxiuiprnent in rem, and Similar Gear off the sister vessel "NAGO 15", in rem; ROSHE INTERNATIONAL, Defendants. Civil Action No. CV98-0009

NOTICE OF ARRF.ST

TOALLCLAIMANTSANDCREDITORS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

Thal process in the form of a Warrant For Arrest has issued from the above enlilled Court and was executed on February 27, 1998 by seizure by the U.S. Marshals' Service of the above in rem defendants, to· wit

Fishing vessel M/V"NAGO II" One container of its gear; One container of assorted gear off sister vessel M/V "NAGO 15" AND

THAT any and all claimants and creditors are required to file: Claim: Within40daysofFebruary27, 1998; Answer: Within 20 days thereafter,

Said claims and answers to be filed in the above entitled Court, with a copy served on· plaintiff's counsel:

Donald R. Hazlewood P.O. Box468 Saipan, MP 96950

Dated this 27lh day of February, 1998

Clerk of the Court ls/Alex R. Munson

FOR SALE Used Beauty Shop

Equipment & Supplies Contact: Vicki at 234-7490

. : Asia Marianas' .. · . Intemational·.J!tesou:tces is Recruiting Workers from Thailand

Please call: 2.14-5765 • 287-2842

' Location: ) Size:

Garapan, Hotel Street 20 ft. x 14 fl together w/ a built-in B.B.Q. room.

. Price: 1) lease: $2,000/month include power 2) sale: S12,000-$15,000-negotiable

Call: 287-1108 Serious Inquiry Only

LOT FOR SALE -- S;rn Viccntl'., 1581 sq.m. ---- Tutu ran . ."iX5 l .~q.m.

-- Capilol Ilill,3420sq.m. ---Contact: Frank Yuan

Tel: 1-626-588-3660 Fax: 1-626-588-3655 E-mail: frank@c-mc.com

PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY CNMI GOVERNMENT

L

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL RFP No.: RFP98-0042 FOR: POTENTIAL NON POINT SOURCES OF POUUTION

(NPS) PROJECTS

OPENING DATE: APRIL 10, 1998 TIME: 2:00 P.M.

GOVERNOR PEDRO P TENORIO AND LT. GOVERNOR JESUS R. SABLAN, THROUGH THE DIVISION OF PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY, ARE SOLICITING COMPETITION PROPOSALS TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS OR FIRMS FOR POTENTIAL NONPOINT SOURCES OF POLLUTION (NPS) PROJECTS. INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS OR FIRMS MAY PICK UP PROPOSAL FORMS AND SPECIFICATIONS AT THE OFFICE OF THE ACTING DIRECTOR. PROCUREMENT & SUPPLY. LOWER BASE, SAIPAN. DURING WORKING HOURS (7:30 AM. TO 4:30 P.M.).

/S/HERMAN S. SABLAN ACTING DIRECTOR. DIVISION OF PROCUREMENT & SUPPLY

"THERE'S NO HOPE IN DOPE"

··.: ··'

I

Garfield® by Jim Davis

i~I .• ··"'-= ((A))

))

PEANUTS® by Charles M. Schulz

STELLA WILDER

YOUR BIRTHDAY FRIDAY, March 6, 1998

By Stella Wilder Born today, you are not al­

ways the kind to do things by the rules, but most often you arc able to discover new, vi­able and profitable ways of doing things that can benefit all those around you. Occa­sionally, you may wind up in more trouble than expected, because, in your search for the novel and more effective method, you will have crossed the line and broken a rule that should only have been bent a little. Still, you are sure to be remembered for all the good you do and not for the mis­takes you make - provided that you learn from those mis­takes and do what you can to avoid their recurrence.

You have an adventurous spirit, and you 're not afraid Lo go into unchartered territory, in the true spirit of explora­tion and discovery. You enjoy testing the waters, but there will be times in which your

experimentation leads to a good deal of trouble. Use care!

Also born on this date are: L. Gordon Cooper, Jr., astro­naut; Ed McMahon, TV per­sonality; Rob Reiner, actor and director.

To see what is in store for you tomorrow, find your birth­day and read the correspond­ing paragraph. Let your birth­day star be your daily guide.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7 PISCES (Feb. 19~March

20) - You must be prepared to face a number of unexpected challenges today, and to weather a great deal of unex­pected influence as well.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) - Your personal life is likely lo undergo a change before the day is out, but it may be so subtle that no one notices it at first.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) - Your energy and drive are on the rise, but take care that you don't become overly aggressive and put others off. Try to remain in sync.

GEMINI (May 21-Junc 20) -It is essential that you main­tain your high level of self­discipline today. You arc likely to face one or two chal­lenges that require response.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)- You can put to use much that you have learned recently about your financial situation. Things can improve dramati­cally in little time.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -

Your spirits can be lifted to­day by working with many individuals who share your passions and ambitions.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) - Socializing today can pay off in ways you cannot imag­ine. Make yourself available to those who desire your pres­ence; you won't be sorry.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-0ct. 22) -This is a good day for plan­ning, but you must be as de­tailed and specific as you can be. Do not leave anything to chance at this time.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)- You may feel as though interest in your affairs is fall­ing off, but someone is ready to pledge a commitment that may take you by surprise.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) - You are getting more and more personal in your approach to your work. Take care that you don't make it impossible for others to be involved.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) - Increased pres­sures may have you wishing you had taken another road, but very soon you'll realize that you've done just what you needed to do.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) - This is a good day to revise your thoughts about work and career. Your moti­vation and inspiration may be changing at this time.

Copyright 1998, United Fea­ture Syndicate, Inc.

END Your Birthday 03-06-98

ACROSS

1 Tipper and Al 6 More secure

11 Didn't exist 12 SA

mammals 14 Angered 15 Plane (Fr.) 17 Baseball

term, for short

18 -Vegas 19 Type of

poem 20 Nahoor

sheep 21 Landon ID 22 "Kale&-" 23 Those over

there 24 Taken in by

legal means 26 Demi,

Dudley or MaryTyler-

27 - and cons 28 Travo/la's

"Face/Otr' co-star

29 -Quarter

31 Meals 34 "- to lhe

Chief" 35 Playthings 36 Wallach ID 37 Circle part 38 Actress-

Berry 39 "Bali-" 40 Therefore 41 -Vani//i 42 Foreman 43 indefinite

pronoun 45 Ta/lies 4 7 Full ol black

dirt 48 "Here's to a

good year," e.g.

DOWN

1 McRaney or Ford

2 Mine linds 3 Blushing 4 - garde 5 Wire-stitches 6 Playground

feature

Answer to Previous Puzzle

1-23 © 1998 United Feature Syndicate

7 -vera 8 Cooling

device 9 Prinler's

measure 10 Comedian

Gilda-11 Mrs.

Flintstone 13 Disgrace 16 Nullify 19 Singer -

John 20 Mall buys 22 "- showers

bring May flowers"

23 Roman garments

25 Relaling lo the eye

26 - syrup 28 Orchestra

member 29 - apso (dog) 30 Spelling and

Neville 31 Cylinder 32 Social­

gathering item

33 - cheese 35 Former

Chicago mayor

38 Clue 39 - d'oeuvre 41 Cow sound 42 - constrictor 44 I (Sp.) 46 O'Connor ID

HidS 0t 9 THERE ARE SEVEN THINGS IN p ..,. DRAWING "·A" THAT ARE MISS­ING FROM DRAWING "B." HOW MANY CAN YOU F1ND?

,---'--__ ----I@

11 YOUR CA.Rr5 AT AIJ5 GARAGE AG-AIN? NO wo-.iDER YOU C:>ET GOOD GAS MILEAGE. YOU'RE BEING TONED 13Y AL'5 TOW TRUCK I-IALF OF ii-IE ilME ! '1

C 1998 Un~e,d Fo.r.o.irc s,·no..ca:c, fnc: 1/f7

Tv'Vlll:lOOO 1311 MOS S,3188'v'8 'l:JOOO '8\1:) IX'v'l 'S3SS'v'l8 s.ava '1118 l:lv'llOO 'd'v':) S,A08 :sN\f

!~~wm~ [}={]~UJJ~~-Thu/Fri 4:00-8:00 • Sat/Sun 12:00-4:00-8:00 • Mon/Tue/Wed 7:00

ADVAN_C~ TICKETS ON SALE!. (DURING BOXOFFICEHOURS)

42•MARIANAS VARIETY NE\YS AND VIEWS-FRIDAY- MARCH 6, 1998

Lakers say Harris' job is safe By John Nadel

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) - The Los Angeles Lakers refuted reports Wednesday that coach Del Harris was about to be fired, and several players said emi;hatica!Jy no vote has been taken concern­ing their feelings about Har­ns.

The New York Daily News reported in its Wednesday edi­tions that the Lakers. coming off a disappointing 3-3 road trip, were about to fire Harris and replace him on an interim basis with assistant Larry Drew.

In addition, Fox Sports News reported the players voted I 2-0 calling for a change.

"We have no plans at this time to make any coaching change," public relations di­rector John Black said sev­eral hours before the Lakers faced the Indiana Pacers to begin a four-game homestand. "BeyonJ that, we 're not go­ing to comment on media speculation."

In addition, All-Star Shaquille O'Neal defended Harris, and said the slumping Lnkers "weren't in a desper­ate situation."

And as far as the reJJorted vote was concerned, 0 'Neal said flatly, "The vote didn't happen."

Kobe Bryant, Elden Campbell, Robert Horry and Corie B'::>unt said much the same thing.

"I have no idea where it (the story) came from," Campbell said. ·•If it did happen, it hap­pened without me. It never happened, nothing even simi­lar to that happened."

H:nris. 60. is in his fourth

Team 0

Continll_~_d from page 41 In the third inning Ken Kalen hit a two-nm imidi: the park homer whili.: Wilbur Ada hit a three-run inside lhe park homer.

In the fifth inning made Peter Camacho hit a sol; homer and

season as coach of the Lake rs and 13th as an NBA coach. His teams have an overall regular-season record of 528-448, and only 17 coaches in league history have more than his 528 victories.

"I doubt it," Campbell said when asked if he expected a change. "We're still one of the best teams in the league. Everybody is panicking,jump­ing off the bandwagon. It was getting too heavy any­way."

O'Neal wouldn't comment when asked if he thought there might be a change.

"I don't get into that, my job is just to play," he said. 'Tm just a drill sergeant. I'm not the president or the general of the team. We have to just play. I don't think about it.

"We have an organization that is being run by players that played the game and dominated the game," O'Neal said, referring to executives Jerry West and Mitch Kupchak ... And whatever Jerry and Mitch and (owner) Jerry Buss decide to do, I'm behind those guys because they run this organization and we just play for them.

"But personally, I like Del, He's a good guy:·

The Lakers opened the sea­son 11-0 but are 28-l 8 since, and have fallen into fourth place in the Western Confer­ence. They were just 5-7 since the All-Star break entering Wednesday night's game.

However they have been hampered by injuries, most notably to O'Neal, who missed 22 games due to a strained abdominal muscle, and point guard Nick Van Exel, who hasn't played since Feb. l S

Jerry Ayuyu, a two-run homer. Jerry Ayuyu was perfect four

for four, four runs, four homeruns and six rbis. Nick Guerrero of Norrhwest hit a two-run homer in the third inning.

Mike Wilson, Anton Iriarte, Vicente Salas and Ed Villanueva all were two for three.

199 8 o • • Co~tinued f~on:, pag_e_~4

March 14, ! 998 6:00 p.rn. Bencamp Adil Yakau vs KPS Saturday Corp. Mam ma Rhakka 's

7:00 p.m. Saipan Stevedore Starters vs R&C Tours lsland Girls

8:00 p.m. Mayor's Office Marauders vs Marpac Sakau

March 21, 1998 6:00 p.m. Adil Yakau 7:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

March 28, 1998 6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

Marpac Sakau vs Bencamp Saturday

R&C Tours Island Girls vs KPS Corp. Mamma Rhakka's Saipan Stevedore Starters vs Mayor's Office Marauders

Saipan Stevedore Starters vs Saturday Marpac Sakau KPS Corp. Mamma Rhakka's vs Mayor's Office Marauders R&C Tours Island Girls vs Bcncamp Adil Yakau

due to an injured right knee. Van Exel underwent diag­

nostic arthroscopic surgery last week and will be side­lined for at least two more weeks.

"For me, he (Harris) is a good coach," Horry said. "We've just been bad since the All-Star break.

It ain't his fault. It's up to the guys. I'm not going to sit here and point fingers at any-

body. I could point at me first. That's a bad thing to do -point fingers."

Harris shrugged off the re­port he was about to be fired, and said he hadn't talked to West in a week or IO days.

"I know that I'm doing the best that I can do and that happens to be a good job," he said. "It's not up to me to say what the future's going to be. I'm coaching until I'm not

coaching. What's going to be is going to be."

Harris said he was surprised to hear about the reports, add­ing quickly, "But nothing sur­prises me in the NBA."

Harris also said he was con­vinced a player vote didn't happen.

"There are not too many things in life I am sure of, that would be one of them," he said.

"9:,(N/ ~ skJ,n; fuu,U IJ,<Wll' p,w/-it' 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.

VINY.L 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 surf ace 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 to 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 ¥ 234 .. 927~ or Fax No. 234-9271.

I.

\ 'i

76ers 87, Bucks 80 PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ Joe Smith had his best game since being dealt

to the 76ers and Derrick Coleman had 19 points and IO rebounds Wednesday night as Philadelphia defeated the Milwau­kee Bucks 87-80.

Smith scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting with four rebounds in 26 minutes. Theo Ratliff added 13 points and seven rebounds for Philadelphia, which returned home after a four-game road trip.

Smith hadn't scored more than 14 points since being traded to Philadelphia two weeks ago. He had a 2-for- l O shooting night against Indiana and was l-for-12 against Denver.

Glenn Robinson had 21 points and eight rebounds, Tyrone Hill grabbed 18 rebounds, Ray Allen scored 17 points and Armon Gilliam added 14 points, includ-

ing l O in the fourth quarter, as the Bucks lost their third in a row.

Hornets 112, Timberwolves 102

In Charlotte, North Carolina, the Hornets extended their best winning streak of the season to six games as Anthony Mason scored nine of his 21 points in a fourth-quarter run that pushed Charlotte past Minnesota.

Mason added seven rebounds and three assists as Charlotte im­proved its all-time home record against the Timberwolves to I 0-0.

Charlotte's Glen Rice scored 22 two nights after having his franchise-record run of 135 double-figure scoring games snapped.

Kevin Garnett had 19 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for the Timberwolves.

Cavaliers 122, Raptors 88

In Cleveland, Wesley Person tied a career high with 33 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers reached a season-high point total in routing the Toronto Raptors 122-88 Wednesday night.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 21 points and 17 rebounds, and Brevin Knight passed for 17 as­sists as Cleveland won a second straight game for the first time in 30 days.

Rookie Derek Anderson had 13 points in 17 minutes in his return after missing 15 games with a knee injury. The Cavs were 6-9 without their 13th overall I 997 draft pick.

Person set a club record for a half with six 3-pointers in the first, sparking Cleve land to a 65-43 lead. Person hit five 3s in the second quarter, when he scored 20 of his 25 first­half points.

Agassi, Costa Advance at Templeton SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Andre Agassi admits to normally lax offseason hab­its, but says he worked harder this past year.

It's paying off. Agassi broke Nicolas

Lapentti 's service three times in the second set for a 7-5, 6-1 victory Wednesday in the Franklin Templeton Tennis Classic at the Scottsdale Prin­ces~ Resort.

That's his 13th match vie-

tory of 1998, one more than he recorded in all of 1997 when he was 12-12.

"It's a night-and-day differ­ence from last year," Agassi said. "There's no way to com­pare the way I'm playing now to last year."

In other action, second­seeded Albert Costa defeated Sargis Sargsian 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.

Meanwhile, two more seeded players fell in second­round competition.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitc_her Hideo Noma pitches Wednesday, during a pre-season game aga,snt the New York Mets and Nomo's fellow countrymen Masato Yoshii. The Dodgers beat the Mets 7-6. AP

Jan Michael Gambill beat fourth-seeded Nicolas Kiefer of Germany 6-2, 6-1 and Sjeng Schalken of the Netherlands defeated eighth-seeded Rich­ard Fromberg of Australia 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 .(7-0).

Costa and No. I seed Mark Philippoussis were the only two of eight seeded players to get through the second round of the tournament.

Costa broke S argsi an' s serve in a crucial 14-point game in the final set, the long­est game of the 90-minute match.

"At the. beginning of the third set I was a little con­fused, because it was one set all with a lot of chances in the second set," Costa said. "I was calm · and when I made the first break it gave me a lot of confidence to make another one."

Agassi needed only 62 min­utes to defeat Lapentti, Ecuador's top-ranked player. After opening slow against Lapentti, Agassi lifted his play late in the first set.

"Whenever you play some­one for the first time, it takes a while lo figure them out," Agassi said. "I needed to find out his game and see how he played.

"Towards the end of the first set I took my game up an­other level and he couldn't respond."

Agassi breezed through the second set in just 21 minutes.

Los Angeles Lakers' Shaquil/e O'Nea/ blocks a layup by Orlando Magic's Nick Anderson as Lakers' Eddie Jones looks on during their game in Orlando, Fla .. AP

Calling NMASA members and Coaches of Micro-Games teams THE REGULAR meeting of the NMASA has been post­

poned for March 12th at 6 p.m. All coaches have been asked to turn in their list of

prospective athletes for review and should be prepared to make a brief report of their training at this meeting.

The meeting will be held at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym Conference Room.

*** 5th Rota Blue Triathlon

The 5th Rota Blue Triathlon will be held on Saturday, April 11th, starting at 7:00 a.rn. at East Harbor on Rota.

Distances are 1.5km swim, 40km bike, l 0km run. Fo_r more information, contact Stuart Smith at 256-0292.

*** Taga Classic Body Building Championship

The Body Building Association has scheduled the Taga Classic Body Building Championship for May 9th.

Deadline for interested competitors is March 13th. The association has established a $25.00 annual membership fee.

The time and venue for the championship have not been determined yet.

For more information, contact Ty lzuka at 234-7514 or Abner Venus at 234-5911.

*** RGA April Ace Tourney

The RGA has temporarily set its April Ace Tournament on April 26 at the Rota Resort.

Participants will leave for Rota at 10:00 am of April 26 and return the next day at 6:30 p.m.

Players will stay at the Coral Garden Hotel. The tournament is open to the first 28 re<>istrants on a

first come first served basis. "' For more information about the tournament package, call

Tony Rogolifoi or Joe Lizama at 234-l 001. (P.T.Castro)

. ALCOHOLIC. ·ANONYMOUS

MEETS ..

Alcoholic Anonymous, a support group for those with drinking [or drugging) problems meets every Monday, ' Wednesday, an.d Saturday at 7:00 p.m., and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. at the Kristo Rai Church.in Garapan. For more information, call the HOTLINE at 234-5100 or Wolf M. at 234-6615 (and leave message).

1

1 -

~~--~~~--~----------------44-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-FRIDAY- MAllCH 6 1998

SPORTS 1997 SSA men's night league:

Team Budweiser upsets Pepsi SPEC, 14-13

By Priscilla T. Castro Variety News Staff

PEPSI Spec has been defeated again.

First it lost to La Familia, now to Team Budweiser.

In the last inning of the game, Payton Sakuma of SPEC went up to bat and hit a line drive in be­tween the second base and the first when Victor Dukor caught the ball to make the third out and the victory for Team Budweiser.

In the second inning both teams were tied by two runs, then in the third inning Team Bud was lead­ing by one run.

In the last inning, Team Budweiser lead by 14 runs while the SPEC still have rally runners to catch up.

In the bottom of the seventh inning the SPEC rallied seven runs needing a run until Vic Dukor caught the ball making it three outs.

Noel Ignacio made a two-run homer while in the fifth inning Poland Yamada hit a solo homerun.

In the last inning Ignacio hit another three-run homer.

Sherman Ngiraidong was three for four while Cowley Ngiraidong was perfect four for four and two triple, John Idechiil was three for four.

Game Two La Familia 6,

Tanapag Waves 5 It was another close game be­

tween La Familia and Tanapag Waves.

In the sixth inning Jess Angui hit a solo homerun while in the fourth inning Mario Aguon of Waves hit a solo homerun.

Sumang Riungel hit a two-run homer right after Aguon.

Game Three MTC Mongilk 14,

Sedi Kau 10 MTC ran in four runs with a

three-run inside the park homer by Dennis Okeriil and a solo homerun by Sky Omelau in the fourth inning. In the third inning Eric Kani hit a two-run homer:

Ray Saka was three for four while Poland Yamada was four

for four with Sy I Ada of Sedi Kau was three for four.

Game Four Bad Boyz 19,

Camacho Roots 8 The Bad Boyz only scored one

run in the first and rallied ten runs in the second inning with three­run homer by Jeff Diaz, two-run homer by Tom Torres.

In the fifth inning Bad Boyz ran in five runners with Harry Bianco's three-run homer inside the park.

Three-run homer Nick C. Leon Guerrero was also three for four and Jeff Diaz three for four.

Game Five Team Familia 22,

Northwest 8 Northwest played with only

nine players until the second and a half inning.

The restoftheirplayers showed up but the game was still shutoff in the fifth inning. · ·

In the first inning Jerry Ayuyu made a solo homerun, and in the second inning a two-run homer.

Continued on page 42

19·0·· s· ··c··-NM. · ·>. ·1··.·:.E·_:·t·····:·t····:1· .·.·.· ... ··E··_--:'-;:"·,_.-_::·.:..:··: .... . . .. -·_ .- -.. · .· .... · · .. · ·.·.·: .·.:-.-.·. :. ---··.-·- ./, .. : ...... ~··· ie·.--·, :,:-~.· :a·_·:···:{o,-: .. , .... , .. ,-.: .. e·.·-··.

.·Baseballstart~tornb~6W· By·Prlscllla T. Castro Variety News Staff

THE COMMONWEALTII of the Northern Mariana Islands Little League Baseball will kick .. off tomorrow at the San Vicente ._ Ele1TJentazy SchoolBaseballFleld . The Senior aQd -B.ig Leagues · ,

-wili foUow:~ · Sunday at the Tun Francisco Palacios Baseball Field in Susupe. · · ·

. . . ....

· Opening ceremonies on both days teams will be playing~~teach begin at 8:30 a.m, : . · · · other instead-of using. ~t -Year:'s

There~atotalof25teamspar~ format,<-.:':' ,.,. : . , . ticipating·in three separate: divisi6Qs·::, .·- . ·0Ac~oi:dmg··to C-IiM1: I;.itt1e and the number of yooths participat" -, ' teaguePublicl~~~oribfti~r. '. in . abou 400. . '· . . . .. . . ·- . :MikeEv~u-( lis theCNMILittle .. ~~µtt1e~eAssocla~ . . Lea~tih,i&eiirra,lias_fuo~-'t~~{ tion asked the Little.:4ague lfead::: . _ partiji~& ~- in t¥.PR?.YiClUs ·

·quarters. , in : )V'iHiamspo~; · /-year. . < ~ : -.. < .- /.: ., .· · - Pennyslvania tobe gratjted iiseof tlle' · · :: · Gamesm¢: schedul¢ .tri'.play¢d

divisional format waiye.r in which·au . · at 9 am., 1 l a.m. and 1-p.~ .·: ·: -~'·;;;,,::_: ··~.·-~-- ·· ... ·.· ..... ,. ..

Oleai School sole beneficiary of RGA Golf Tourney

By Priscilla T. Castro Variety News Staff

OLEAI Elementary School is the sole beneficiay of the Sid K. Peter Memorial Tournament sponsored by the Refalawasch Golf Asso­ciation (RGA) in cooperation with Pacific Trading.

The tournament is set to take place on Saturday, March 28, at the Marianas Country Club in Marpi.

The school is fundraising to­wards the acquisition of aircon units, computers and other multi­media equipment for the new classrooms that are nearing

completion. Strong support for this event is

coming from both public and pri­vate sectors.

The tournament which is lim­ited to 60 participants features six categories: Championship Flight, A-Flight, B-Flight, C-Flight, Se­niors and Ladies.

In the event that there are less than six partidpants in a flight, that category will be cancelled and entrants will be placed in an­other flight based on their handi­caps.

Check-in time is 6:00 a.m. and tee-off time is set at 7:00-9:30

t]l,f arianas ~rietr~ Micronesia's Leading Newspaper Since 1972

P.O. Box231 Saipan. MP96950 • Tel. (670) 234-6341 • 7578 • 9797 Fax: (670) 234-9271

a.m. A nonrefundable fee of$ l 25.00

will be charged which includes green fees and awards luncheon at the tournament site.

A Mitsubishi Mirage and one Hyundai Accent, both courtesy of TripleJ Motors, areare to br given prizes for the hole-in-one event.

Other prizes include trophies, round trip tickets and other golf accessories.

Registration forms are available at various golf courses on island.

For more information, please con­tact Tony Rogolifoi or Joe Lizama at 234-100 I or Jess Wabol at234-6 i 67.

'4,

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (8) drives against Minnesota Timberwofves guard Stephan Marbury in the second quarter in Minne­apolis. AP

~B 1-' 0 • c,," ;,1.·,·., ':i~;·i , ...... ,.,,,..,0',0,+§~. ,,, .. •·-···>-"' ·.'+·· :r.7.~ .. , "T" ·.,, , --- --- --

d Hyatt to host Doubles Tournament [j By Priscilla T. Castro \-,

f ~ Variety News Staff [ '.i HY A TT Regency Saipan will be holding the Hyatt Doubles

1

1 i Tournament at the Hyatt and American Memorial Park Courts on ,.l : : March 27-March 29. !j ! I t. ~

Hyatt Recreation Manager Chris Nelson said, "We are real excited about hosting this tournament.We are looking forward to

:, putting on a really nice event. We will be using the modified i round robin format called a compass draw, which guarantees : 1 each team who enters multiple matches during the weekend." t. Tue deadline to sign up for the tournament is Monday, March ; , 23. The draw will be posted at Club Elan Fitness Center on t - Wednesday, March 25 at 5:00 p.m.

' ' ' ; '

Interested teams can pick up entry forms at Club Elan Fitness Center or Las Vegas Golf and Tennis.

Entry fee is $20 per person. This includes a pass to the Club Elan Facilities. Teams from offisland may request for an entry form by fax.

For more information please call Chris Nelson or Jeff Race at 234-1234 ext. 25 or fax at 234-7745.

1998 SSA Women's Night League First Round Schedule

I. Mayor's Office Marauders 4. Saipan Stevedore Starters 2. Bencamp Adil Y akau 5. Marpac Sakau 3. KPS Corp. Mamma Rhakka's 6. R&C Tours Island Girls

Date . March 7, 1998 urday ·

Time Team 6:00 p.m. Marpac Sakau vs KPS Corp. Sat-

Mamma Rhakka' s 7:00 p.m. Bencamp Adil Yakau vs Saipan

Stevedore Starters 8:00 p.m. Mayor's Office Marauders vs

R&C Tours Island Girls

Continued on page 42

,, ~ +. -f: , ....... - -- ~---"·

~«~"j~~~U"

109 -=,"\ltv-ps85874,3 7691s01.47DMAR 06 )8 7 3 8 8 l,lt.lLEC c·poM S,t.lP.C.N MP 9 6 9 ~ 0

--------------- -----·----- ·--·--·---·-· --- --- ------ --·--- -- -----~---------, ~----·, ··~ .··>·:j\\'~ .... ft·:,:-'. :_i·.: