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The Islander - Thursday 10th August 2000

ASCENSION PETS TO QUALIFY FOR "PASSPORTS"

The Pet Travel Scheme, which allows dogs and cats meeting certain conditions to enter the UK without quarantine, is to be extended to cats and dogs from rabies-free islands including Australia, New Zealand, Cyprus and Ascension Island.

The scheme was launched on 28 February this year and has been a great success, with more than 5000 pets entering the UK without having to spend six months in quarantine. The scheme currently applies to 22 countries in Western Europe. The changes are planned to come into effect at the end of January 2001 but pet owners in qualifying countries can start preparing now so that their animals are ready to travel by next year, since the process takes at least six months to complete.

In addition, to widen opportunities for people to use the scheme, MAFF has approached all transport companies running scheduled passenger services into England to invite them to apply to join, to provide additional routes as the scheme develops.

In addition to extending the Pet Travel Scheme, the Government is also to launch a consultation on quarantine reform this September, to bring quarantine kennels' standards up to the best modern practice, and to introduce statutory welfare provisions.

Baroness Hayman, Minister of State at MAFF, said: "The Government was committed to extending the scheme to qualifying rabies-free islands by April next year and I am delighted that we will be able to do this ahead of schedule. "Feedback from the public shows this is an aspect of the scheme that has been eagerly awaited, particularly by service personnel stationed overseas and expatriates.

"The scheme was warmly welcomed by pet owners when it was introduced in February. Since then thousands of dogs and cats have successfully entered the UK using it. There are enormous benefits for both pets and their owners in avoiding the lengthy and costly quarantine that was required before this.

" Notes on the scheme:-

1. The 15 rabies-free islands to be included in the Pet Travel Scheme are: Ascension Island, Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Cyprus, Falkland Islands, Hawaii, Japan, Malta, Montserrat, New Caledonia, New Zealand, St Helena, Singapore, Vanuatu. Other islands may well be added to the list later.
2. To qualify for travel under the scheme there are several steps the pet owner should take. The pet should first be microchipped, then vaccinated against rabies, blood tested by a MAFF recognised laboratory and issued with a PETS certificate. The PETS certificate will be valid from six months after the blood test sample was taken until the date the pet's rabies booster vaccination is due. In addition, the owner needs to sign a declaration that their pet has not been outside any of the qualifying countries for the previous six months.
3. Details of treatments against other diseases and of companies approved to carry animals from rabies-free islands under the Pet Travel Scheme will be announced later.
4. The 22 countries currently taking part in the scheme are: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the Vatican.
5. More information on the Pet Travel Scheme is available on the MAFF Website at www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine. Or contact the PETS helpline on phone: 0870 241 1710 (8.30am-5pm Mon to Fri), fax: 020 7904 6834 for fact sheets and information. Or email pets@ahvg.maff.gsi.gov.uk.

1st Ascension Island Scouts

After two years of hard fundraising, the Ascension Island Scout Troop departed for the UK about 10 days ago for a one month trip to visit fellow Scout friends in Portstewart, N.Ireland. They will also be staying at Baden Powell House (the International Scout Hostel), London.

Many of the Scouts, aged between 11 and 16 have never left the South Atlantic Islands so this makes it quite an adventure for them.

We'll be putting their weekly reports on-line on the 1st Ascension Island Scout Group web site at http://www.scouts.org.ac . The first report has been published and the next few weeks should be interesting reading!

(P.S. don't forget to leave a message on the Scout's Visitor's Book!).

Father Keith Writes:

PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN.  ASCENSION ISLAND (Diocese of St. Helena) Parish Priest: Fr. Keith James - 6431 Church Warden: Mervyn Isaacs Church Warden: Cheryl Anthony

Dear Friends,

Some would argue that the church should stay out of politics. That may be true of Party Politics politics with a capital 'P' but it is surely the place of the church to speak up for what is right and for justice. This is why Bishop John Ruston set up the Citizenship Commission, why Canon Nick Turner has taken such an active part, and why our present Bishop John is so supportive

This last week I met someone wanting to advance themselves in the UK but unable to do so because they have no passport, despite this being an Overseas Territory. I was also introduced to a lovely little family where the mum works here but her year old baby and elder sister have to be looked after by Grandmother and her husband on St Helena.It is the sort of situation many of you are familiar with.

You are also familiar with a system where a job attracts two different salaries depending on whether you are allowed to be 'accompanied or not. Just imagine the outcry there would be in the UK if employers were allowed to operate such a system!!

Fortunately the Government in the UK, the Foreign Office and indeed our Administrator all recognise the need for change, and change will come about.

The direction of that change depends partly on what you want. You are the ones who work here and I believe that at long last you will be listened too. Slow the UK Government may be in granting Citizenship, but if it is to keep face as a World leader on Human Rights it has to act. I'm not in the business of 'taking sides'; only in justice. That's why, following last week's meeting at AIS with Bill Dickson and Geoffrey Fairhurst I have put my own views in a letter addressed to them. I may have got a lot wrong, but I urge you to let your views be known as well.

 

God Bless and Keep You,

Fr Keith & Ginny

LETTERS

 

Dear Editor,

Phew, the flacks flying from two sides !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I read the Administrators comments on my letter as published in 'The Islander'. May I through you paper hopefully calm things down. I have no desire to upset anyone but when you read an article as the one in 15/07/00's Daily Telegraph Travel News section one can only go on the written word. I accept Mr. Fairhurst did not meet the writer of the article as I am sure he would have corrected him on some items as written.

Yes it was a long time ago since I was there but never the less it does not alter the situation that Ascension is possibly one of the last 'fragile environments' we have left. One of the main things to emphasize is that it does not matter one jot who is on the Island , each and everyone is a 'privileged' visitor for the duration of their stay. Be it 8 months, 3 years, 6 years or 30 years. At the completion of their tour of duty they return to whence they came. Possibly in most cases, reluctantly.

Yes Mr. Fairhurst, you are there, I am here and I accept withoutquestion your observations of what is in need of repair. But, instead of this 'possible Casino', Candy floss, Kiss-Me-Quick hats, Ascension 'rock', beach beds and all that goes with a resort, could not your good word in the right ear at the FCO and MOD obtain the services of the appropriate specialists within H.M.'s forces to be tasked with renovation like they have in the past ?. It's done in all sorts of places all over the world.

I accept also that with the RAF tasking to the Falklands it has opened the door for the St. Helenean's to have access via those flights to and from UK. This was not allowed on the 'charter' flights that operated when I was there, even though you had at times maybe 10/20 people on a 300 seater aircraft. The only mode was the RMV St. Helena be it UK or to and from St. Helena.

Ascension has survived as an inhabited island since 1815'ish going through all it has. In the year 2000 it will continue to survive. If the RAF tasking to the Falklands stops tomorrow then charter services would take over and Ascension would remain a staging post through. Though I am informed from Ascension that, quote, " if the RAF stop flying to Ascension Island, which it seems is becoming more and more likely ", unquote. Parliment has stated the Falklands are 'not negotiable' so they have to be manned. Also Ascension has many other than UK organisations operating and they will also remain.

I repeat without apology, I was in Cyprus when it was an 'ecological' island. The war came then the money. Money is profit on return of outlay and takes no prisoners, Regardless of the intentions of whoever and whatever they maybe, if the destruction of whatever gives a return profit then it will be destroyed. And it will not matter who waves a banner saying 'NO'. Cyprus (in the south) was developed, and it was developed until it was ecologically destroyed.

Ascension does not deserve or need the commercialism that is being touted for it.

Regards

One of the Privileged
Pip Waller
PSA/DOE

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Change The Treatment

It appears that the authorities believe St Helenians have few views to make public on the contents of the Fiscal & Economic Report, simply due to the normal reluctance to speak openly on issues - even those which directly affect us. That casual assumption is misleading if the true reasons are known.

The report has a fair share of questionable proposals, recommendations, contradictions and time limits that could prove very costly to a public expected to help foot the bill; more so if flawed ideas are implemented. No one needs to be reminded of how costs and prices are simply increased without warning on Ascension under the present system. Few will be convinced that the proposed taxation system will stabilise and control this trend. We have already seen major ideas decorated to convince the community that it will be to our advantage to accept (as if there was a choice) only to discover the end result had quite the opposite effect.

People are interested, people have reservations, people are seriously concerned. However, judging by previous experience, does what St Helenians have to say really have any bearing or substance in the final decisions on fundamental issues that affect us? The citizenship issue is a prime example; it was taken away by the British Government without respect or responsible consideration for our people, followed by prolonged disregard towards our collective efforts to have it fully restored. St Helenians are constantly displaying their spirit of determination, especially our young people, in all possible walks of life. The positive thinking continues in defiance of political constraints. The questions of St Helenian apathy, complacency or fear may still continue, but the reluctant tendency to "speaking up" can be found in each glum answer - "What difference does it make?"

There is no doubt that these are interesting times for St Helenians. We have clear evidence of impending major changes for both islands and the inevitable introduction of democracy on Ascension. There have been official calls for local participation. If there really is going to be serious consideration for the public's opinions from those that govern, then we all indeed have a unique opportunity to help improve on the present for a better future and a responsiblity to influence decisions that will benefit ourselves and future generations. The authorities maintain that the public's voice is crucial to the overall process.

Let us put that to the test. We have an obligation to the islands and our children.

Cyril Leo

ASCENSION ISLAND:
FUTURE GOVERNANCE

I read with interest the Administrator's answers on Ascension's future prospects in The Islander of 31 July. I feel that there were some questions he did not entirely answer and thought perhaps you might like to have the views of the Governor of Ascension Island to complete the picture.

The answer to the question "Do you envisage Ascension being run on a day-to-day basis by a local Council or will it be governed more directly by SHG?" was one question I thought that was only half answered. My view is that SHG could become involved if that is what Saints on Ascension Island want. After the first transitional year I would expect to see AIS broken up with those parts of it that can be privatised taken over by the private sector. For example there is no reason why AIS or a local Council should be involved in running a launderette or the Guest House or even for that matter refuse collection which in many parts of the world is now done by private enterprise. Some of the local contractors on Ascension Island may want to become service providers so contracting out would, I expect, be on the agenda as well. I do however believe there to be one of two things that would be left to Government and not AIS or its successor (whatever form that takes). Those areas could include the hospital and the school.

That is where SHG might become involved. We already have a system whereby the policing of Ascension Island is carried out by a detachment from the St Helena Police Force. Similar arrangements are made for the Post Office, Savings Bank etc. It is a system that seems to work very well for Ascension Island and for St Helena. I know that the Police who rotate through Ascension Island look forward to their tours of duty there at various levels and it does mean that the two islands do not lose good public officers to either the Falkland Islands or the UK.

If the Saints on Ascension Island wanted their future tax money to pay for good education and medical facilities and believed that that should be an activity for Government then we could have a similar system with the hospital coming under St Helena's Public Health and Social Services Department and the school coming under St Helena's Education Department who would then provide staffing as required on a rotational basis.

Which brings me to another point. Ascension Island will need a fiscal regime to collect income taxes for example but also a customs regime. The island has no experience in creating a fiscal regime and I know that the FCO are trying to recruit a Business Adviser, but why not seek assistance from SHG's Finance Department who have run a fiscal regime for many a long year. On a payment basis, SHG could probably second staff to set up and run a fiscal regime and although this has been offered, the suggestion has not been taken up.

The other area where I hold fairly strong views is on the democratic deficit on Ascension Island. Geoff is quite right when he says "I have no doubt that ultimately we will introduce a democratic process here". The FCO leans towards some kind of Island Council but I question whether that can really be democratic given my knowledge of the operation of the Island Council on Tristan da Cunha which is heavily reliant on the Administrator. This is because Tristanians are very reticent about expressing views and comments, a situation not dissimilar from that which exists on Ascension Island. I feel that the two islands, which are inextricably linked, need to develop in tandem and economic development should proceed with political development. An alternative model, therefore, could be a combined Legislative Council (LegCo) and Executive Council (ExCo) for St Helena and Ascension Island. For LegCo, two constituencies could be created for Saints on Ascension Island so that they would directly elect their representatives rather than vote for constituency MLCs on St Helena. An extra portfolio in ExCo could also be created for Ascension Island chaired by one of its own MLCs which would operate in the same way as Council Committees operate on St Helena. One in every three LegCo meetings could be held on Ascension Island timed to fit in with the RMS schedule so that the people of Ascension Island would feel that their interests were fully taken into account by all MLCs. ExCo links could be by video conferencing until such times as Wideawake Airport is open to civilian flights and we have an airport on St Helena.

Which brings me to the final point. The Administrator rightly declined to comment on the relative merits of the SHELCO initiative for an airport on St Helena. However you may like to have SHG's position which was given in answer to a recent question in LegCo. (see next page)

I would stress that these are personal ideas and it is up to the people of Ascension Island to choose their own form of government. I would welcome responses to these ideas. In fact, I shall transit Ascension Island next week and should be happy to discuss future governance particularly with any Saints who wish to give me their views.

David J Hollamby
Governor

---

COPY of A LETTER SENT TO THE ACTING ADMINISTRATOR
BY Fr KEITH, August 1st 2000

Dear Bill

I felt that it was a big step forward in taking the Saint Helenians with you into the future, however unclear it might be. The lack of a plan or any information re what is actually going on is the cause of much resentment and distrust. At the end of the day most Saints are solely concerned about job security. Everything else is secondary. It is for this reason that most, when asked, will say that they want things "to carry on as they are". Having gathered my own thoughts together I had jotted down, before the meeting, what I saw as essential criteria for a way forward.

1. The Appointment of a Chief Executive
Preferably a former CE of a County Council or similar, but at least with the experience of running a large accountable organisation or multi-national company. Not an academic or even Civil Servant (!). A two year secondment paid for by HMG.

Brief: Acting with a view to taking over the infrastructure of the Island on 1st April 2001 and answerable to HMG
a. Examine existing practices
b. Plan a revision of structures into core groups - ie housing, roads, shipping etc
c. Form an Executive Council from the Core leaders
d. Prepare a Budget for 2001-2
e. Prepare a Development Plan including both indirect and direct taxation, the first to be implemented quickly, the second over a two-year phase in.
f. Prepare the way for a Democratic Island Council to whom a future CE would be answerable

2. The revoking of all Users rights as from 1st April 2001
i. All Users to operate under Government License as from 1st April 2001
ii. The Government License would be for a given period, say 5 years renewable
iii The License would attract a fee to reflect both number of employees and Land rent. The former consideration would reduce as Direct/Indirect taxation was introduced.
Iv The License would set out the Conditions under which Users could operate including the prohibition of the offering of single/ unaccompanied contracts. All existing employees would be allowed to claim accompanied status and bring their families on to the Island.
v. All non-commercial property on the Island would revert to the Crown and be administered (let) by the Chief Executive. Much of the unoccupied "single" accommodation would be converted to provide housing for families. A Government Grant should be sought to help with this as a priority in establishing an infrastructure that allows the basic human right of families to live together.Existing family "tenancies" would not be disturbed.

The "right to buy" is a secondary issue of little concern to Saints. However un-utilised commercial property, surplus to Users requirements, should also be administered by the CE and let out at small rent, short-term renewable leases, for the encouragement of private enterprise business.

The implementation of all of this calls for a strong and determined stance by the UK Government, bearing in mind that they have in my view been extremely neglectful of their duties to the Saints working on the island in the past. It would do much to halt the decline of the Island. It would restore confidence. It would establish human rights and correct the demographic imbalance of the present population.

It would cost money. It would necessitate a revision of existing travel arrangements and costs (the RMS & RAF charges are quite exorbitant)

It would create an environment that might attract investment in the Tourist trade; to talk of trying to increase tourism before any of this happens is at best a short-lived bubble and at worst a recipe for the loss of a lot of money by investors.

It would protect the present flow of money into St Helena I understand from answers given at the meeting that the appointment of a CE is possible; however we were not told what his brief would be, nor who would be paying.

None of the above rests on the opening up of Wideawake Airfield, although this must be an ongoing concern if tourism is to be developed.

I offer the above from a real concern for the people of Ascension; I suppose I am one of the few people on the Island who can take a non-political and unbiased view. I hope it may be helpful.

Yours sincerely,

Fr Keith

---

Following is SHG's position on the SHELCO initiative.Not very encouraging …..Ed.

Hon Mrs Bernice Olsson asked the Chief Secretary -

"Can this House be presented with the views of SHG with regards to the project presented by the St Helena Leisure Corporation Ltd?"

The Chief Secretary -

"The St Helena Government received a detailed conceptual appraisal in relation to the construction of an airport, five star hotel and two golf courses, from the St Helena Leisure Corporation. Prior to the receipt of this document, the current Chief Secretary met, at their request, representatives of the St Helena Leisure Corporation in London. During the week commencing 10 July, the Governor and the Chief Secretary held several meetings with representatives of the St Helena Leisure Corporation. In addition, the Chief Secretary delivered a lengthy and detailed response to the appraisal document. The meetings were business-like and productive and the Corporation's representatives expressed their appreciation of the co-operation and support that they had received from SHG whilst on the island.

The view of the St Helena Government is that the proposal is in its early stages of development and is at the conceptual stage of the process. As a conceptual appraisal, the document and presentations given by the representatives of the St Helena Leisure Corporation appeared to be substantive and worthy of further development. On this basis therefore the St Helena Government will look forward to receiving a more detailed proposal from the St Helena Leisure Corporation in the future. Their representatives accept that there is much to be done to develop the concept into a detailed proposal. Issues such as the impact on the environment need to be fully thought through.

SHELLS AND EARLY STEAMSHIPS

The Napoleonic Wars were a bad time for the French at sea, while their ships were acknowledged to be among the best afloat, the English fleet had a superiority of artillery, both in material and handling. In 1795 therefore, the French Navy began making experiments with shells fired from cannon, firstly at wooden butt targets at the Toulon naval base, and later at Meudon at a target built to represent a British ship of the line.

The 18, 24 and 36 pounder shells, were fired at ranges of 400 and 600 yards, and the results were sufficiently encouraging to justify provision of 36 pounder shells for the principal French ships. At the same time incendiary carcasses and hand grenades were developed, the latter to be furnished to the men in the fighting tops, in order that they should throw them down on to the enemy's deck when the ships were at close quarters.

The French persisted with their researches, in the hope of (at some time or other), neutralising the British supremacy at sea. Much of this work was done by a soldier, General Paixhans, who put forward some unusual but compelling arguments.

In the early 1800's the steam engine had been applied to the propulsion of ships, with varying degrees of success, and Paixhans was acute enough to see that the prospects of a steam warship held out special attractions to the French nation.

The steamship required none of this mystique of wind and waves, it was an engineer's ship, and could be competently handled without having to rely on tradition. Possession of a steam navy would therefore place the French, if not with an advantage, then certainly on a par with any other nation.

The next obvious step was to make an equally big improvement in armament, so that the combination of steam and armament would give the French a total advantage over the English fleet.

Since Paixhans appreciated that the day of the all steam navy, or fleet, was still some way off, he urged that his ideas on armament be adopted, mainly so that the system would have been tested and perfected by the time the steamship was ready for it.

His solution to the armament problem was the adoption of shell firing ordnance, allied to a rationalisation of calibres.

My thanks to all who have handed items in.

Cheers for now, keep safe

Bryn the SERCO armourer

AISPCA NEWS

sponsored by

A great week for all of us wanting to one day return/move to the UK. The announcement of Ascension Island and St Helena both being included in the Pet Passport Scheme is a huge leap forward. Don't start packing just yet however. For a start this inclusion does not take effect until the end of January next year.

We are still awaiting details on blood testing and parasite treatments. Also we need confirmation of Cardiff being an accepted port of entry and the RMS an accepted carrier. Once the protocol surrounding these has been finalised I will let you all know via this column and will publish exact details on how to get your pet a passport.

To make the week complete would be the news that the RAF is going to relent and allow pets on the flight. Even just to allow them on the freighter flight would be a fantastic leap forward. Ah well, it's good to dream.

Bon voyage and all the best to Toni Bendall who leaves for the UK this week. Toni has been voluntarily giving up her Saturdays to help at the clinic and has definitely been an asset to have around. She has a natural ability with animals and her common sense and no nonsense approach has certainly kept Stella and me in line!
All of us at the AISPCA wish Toni all the best for the future.

If there are any budding veterinary surgeons out there who would like to become involved with the AISPCA then please let me know. Preferably we would like people who are intending to remain on Ascension for a few years and don't mind working for nothing.

CLINIC

Clinic times remain, as usual, Saturdays 12 noon to 12.30pm. Should you be unable to make these times due to work commitments, you can make an appointment for an alternative. House calls will only be made in cases of emergency. Non-members will be charged £10 for all consultations or call-outs. Failure to turn up for an appointment for any reason will incur a £10 fee.

I can be contacted on 4622/work or 6836/home.

Thanks ,

Caz

 

 

Hash Trash

Hash number: #813 - 5 Aug 00

Hash Hash Hares: Fugitive & Ivor

Hash Hounds: Smallthing, Fugitive, Arsonist, Ma Bell, Warp Speed,Ivor the Engine,Thunderthighs, Crystal Tips, Wanna-be-first, Fit Guy, Beany Baby, Hong KongPhooey, Grasshopper, Mr.Tickle, Pants

As a crowd arrives at Springer's beach hut, the evidence points to another hash gathering. The strangest looking bunch of mongrels collected in one area ever seen, being spoken to by yet a worse pair of mutts. (And they said the Creatordoesn't have a since of humour.)

With the formalities out of the way, the On-on is sounded and off they go leaving Beany Baby to tend the fire. A back check takes the FRB's to parts unknown and puts the MRB's & KC's in the front.

An old set of RR tracks is a fine place for another stopping circle and a chance for the FRB's to FINALLY catch up. (No sheep this side of the island for UH to chase. Haha xo)

At last we reach the home arrow and plummet down to the refreshments while Mr.Tickle chooses to slide down. Silly boy!!!

Burgers and sandwiches along with copious amounts of liquid stuff is consumed quite rapidly. Very good show Fugitive and Ivor!!!

Next weeks hare: Smallthing from his place.

TTFN to BB, TB, UH, KG and X & O's to all.

Hash scribe - HKP

www.the-islander.org.ac

EDITORS - Ian Andrews
The New Islander Office, Fort Hayes, Georgetown, Ascension Island.
Tel/Fax 00 + 247 6327

E-Mail: editors@the-islander.org.ac

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Deadline for all contributions is 6.00pm on Monday

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