Uganda Rural Community Support USA

All the seven candidates vying for the 17 October
presidential election in Niger have promised to revive the national economy and
to restore dialogue with social partners and aid donors.

In their campaign messages broadcast on national radio and television this
week, the candidates agreed that “nothing works on the economic and social front
and that something must be done before it is too late”.

The country is debt-ridden, with external dues currently estimated at some
800 billion CFA francs (about 1.2 billion dollars). The country is in dire need
of resources and the state is hardly able to pay the salaries of the public
service workers.

The privatisation programme announced with pomp has failed to make
substantial progress as only three enterprises out of 12 earmarked for sale
between 1997 and 1999 have passed into private hands.

Since the assassination on 9 April of President Barre Mainassara, several
development partners have suspended aid to Niamey, pending return of power to a
government legitimised through free and fair elections.

The people would have to choose from seven candidates — Mahamadou Issoufou
of the Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS), Tandja Mamadou of the National
Movement for the Development Society (MNSD) and Moumouni Djermakoye Adamou of
the Alliance for Democracy and Progress (ANDP).

The others are former president Mahamane Ousmane of the Democratic and Social
Convention (CDS), Hamid Algabid of the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP),
Amadou Djibo of the Union of Independent Nigeriens (UNI) and Andre Salifou of
the Union of Patriots, Democrats and Progressives (UPDP.

All seven have promised to continue with the privatisation process but with
the country’s greater interest as the primary criterion.

They agree that this is the most viable way of mobilising internal and
external funds required to put the country back to work, and boost agricultural
production.

They also plan to clamp down on tax dodgers, corruption and fraudulent
practices which are increasingly undermining social and economic progress in the
country of over nine million inhabitants.

On the social front, the candidates are unanimous in saying that “social
dialogue has broken down”.

USTN, the main trade union confederation, asserts on its part that “there had
been no real negotiations with the government aimed at defusing social tension”.

For two years now, workers in Niger have repeatedly staged sit-ins and
strikes for better working and living conditions. Most of them are owed salaries
arrears of up to 10 months.

The conclusion of a truce with social partners is more than necessary to
create conditions for social stability and the continuation of economic
reforms,” the candidates said.

The presidential aspirants have also promised to consolidate national unity,
improve security and education as well as help reduce poverty and protection of
the environment.

Sixty percent of the people in Niger live under conditions of extreme
poverty.

Liberian President Charles Taylor Thursday
continued mediation talks with two Sierra Leone rebel leaders aimed at resolving
differences between them.

The talks, which began late Wednesday, are being held separately with Foday
Sankoh of the Revolutionary United Front and ex-junta leader Johnny Paul Koroma
of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council.

There has been no word on the issues of contention between the two groups
which formed an alliance when the latter was ousted from power in 1998 by the
west African intervention force, ECOMOG, to restore the government of President
Ahmed Tejan Kabbah nine months after he was deposed.

Koroma is contending his group was marginalised in the peace deal brokered
July in Lome which was signed by the Sankoh and the Kabbah government.

Since the signing of the accord, Sierra Leoneans and the international
community have been awaiting the arrival in Freetown of Sankoh and Koroma for
the implementation of disarmament, a crucial stage in the peace process.

Taylort told this week that he had contacted ECOWAS, OAU and UN to ensure
that all parties of the conflict are included in the Sierra Leonean government.

He also said Sankoh and Koroma and their delegations “will be accompanied
home (this) Friday,” but fell short of saying who would accompany them back to
the country where they wreaked havoc for eight years.

Taylor, however, said he has contacted Togolese President Eyadema Gnassimgbe,
the current ECOWAS chairman, to “finalise the arrangement” for the return home
of the two rebel leaders.

House minority party members have reconsidered their decision not
to attend sessions. Minority leader Alfred Tue said the decision followed an
agreement with majority party members. He said the majority party has agreed to
address the minority party members concerns at the next plenary.

Representative Tue said the majority party has also agreed to provide
clarifications on the two legislative delegations. The delegations are to attend
the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the African Caribbean Pacific conferences next
month. Last week the House minority members threatened to boycott sessions until
clarifications were made on the composition of the delegations.

* Several students were reportedly wounded yesterday when police tried to
break up a protest march. Reports say the police flogged students to vacate the
streets. The students reacted by going on the rampage and disrupting classes at
private schools in central Monrovia. But Police Director Paul Mulbah has denied
that students sustained injuries. The over 1.000 students were protesting poor
learning conditions at public schools. The students marched from a Monrovia
Sinkor suburb to the Education Ministry in central city. The students complained
of lack of chairs and educational materials. They said the lack of laboratory
and library facilities in public schools were impeding their studies. The
students said since schools re-opened, teachers have not reported to classes.
Students from five of the over twenty schools within the Monrovia Consolidated
School System took part in the demonstration. The Monrovia Consolidated School
System operates all public schools in the city. Education Minister Evelyn
Kandakai has appealed to the students to remain calm. She said government would
address their concerns.

* Students of Cestos High School in Rivercess County have complained of the
lack of teachers. The students said the absence of teachers was worrisome. A
students spokesman said they lacked teachers for basic subjects including
mathematics, science and social studies. Mr. Abe Sam said the situation was
especially serious for senior students. The senior students are due to sit the
West African Examinations next year. The students said the school authorities
have done nothing about the matter. Star Radio correspondent in Rivercess said
the County Education Officer confirmed the students complaint. Mr. James
Baryogar said plans were underway to address the matter.

* Nimba County Superintendent Yarlor Saywon has warned security personnel
against disrespecting local authorities. Superintendent Saywon said local
authorities have persistently complained of disrespect by the security. He said
acts of indiscipline by security officers reflect a negative image of
government. Superintendent Saywon gave the warning during a county tour to
improve relations between the security and civilians in the county. He reminded
securities that chiefs and other local officials represented the President in
their respective areas. Superintendent Saywon also observed that security
personnel visiting the county often disrespected the assigned local security. He
said security personnel must work with the local security in carrying out their
assigned duties. He said this was necessary to avoid constant confusions between
the local security and those on special assignments.

* Police have arrested a Senior Immigration Officer for the death of a taxi
driver. Deputy Immigration Commissioner, Henric Cassell was alleged to have shot
driver Papa George in the chest. The incident occurred last evening at the ELWA
junction, in Paynesville. Eyewitnesses said commissioner Cassell claimed the
taxi driver over took his vehicle. Police Director Paul Mulbah said Mr. Cassell
has refused to make statements until he meets his lawyer. Director Mulbah said
the accused would be charged and sent to court. He said the police have
requested for the conduct of an autopsy on the body. The body of driver George
is currently at the John F. Kennedy Hospital in Sinkor. Family sources said the
late George was a father of six children.

* The Sierra Leone rebel leader has held talks with President Charles Taylor
on the Lome Peace Accord. Corporal Foday Sankoh also held discussions with
several government officials and diplomats. Corporal Sankoh held discussions
with Vice President Enoch Dogolea and Acting Foreign Minister George Wallace
yesterday. Talks with the RUF leader were held behind closed doors. The RUF
leader also held discussions with the U.S. Ambassador and the U.N. Secretary
General’s Representative in Monrovia yesterday. They discussed how the Lome
Peace Accord would be implemented in Sierra Leone. Corporal Sankoh is to hold
talks with former AFRC leader Major Johnny Paul Koroma today. The two rebel
leaders are to hold further talks with President Taylor later today. Major
Koroma has been in Monrovia for nearly two months. President Taylor is expected
to also host a luncheon for the two rebel leaders today. Corporal Sankoh and
delegation are to depart Monrovia for Freetown Tomorrow.

* President Tejan Kabbah has sacked the Managing Director of the Sierra Leone
Postal Service. Mr. Kemoh Kanji Daramy was dismissed for corruption. President
Kabbah also suspended the entire Board of the country’s postal service. Sierra
Leone’s state department report said the Board members were suspended for being
complacent with Mr. Daramy. It said the Board members did nothing to halt Mr.
Daramy’s alleged corrupt practices. At the same time a Police constable has been
arrested in Freetown for bribery. Police Constable Mohammed was allegedly caught
while receiving a Le 200.00 bribe. He was arrested by a British expatriate
inspector general of Police at the Kingtom bridge in Freetown.

* President Charles Taylor has ordered the repair of the broadcast
transmitter of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS). LBS has not been
broadcasting for nearly two weeks because of transmitter problem. The Liberian
Broadcasting System has in recent times been faced with financial problems.
President Taylor said LBS needs equipment to meet the standards of state owned
radios in other countries. He directed the Minister of state to ensure that LBS
is provided a monthly fuel supply of 1,500 gallons. President Taylor gave the
directive yesterday when he met with officials of LBS and the Information
Ministry at the Executive Mansion.

* The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) will today hold a special session of the
Edward Wilmot Blyden forum. The session is part of programs marking the 35th
Anniversary of the union. A PUL release said the forum will take place at the
University of Liberia’s main campus in Monrovia. The Executive Director of the
Center for Democratic Empowerment, Mr. Commany Wesseh is to address the forum.
The theme for the forum is : WITHOUT A VIBRANT PRESS, IS THERE A WAY FORWARD?.

* A Foreign Ministry official says Liberian Embassies are in arrears of about
U.S.$30 million. Deputy Foreign Minister George Wallace said the arrears were
accrued for rental and utilities since 1990. Minister Wallace said the budgetary
allocation of 1.5 million U.S. dollars was not sufficient. He spoke Tuesday
during confirmation hearing for him and six other Foreign Ministry nominees.
Minister Wallace urged government to increase the budget of the Foreign
Ministry. He spoke of the need for government to increase funding to its foreign
missions. Minister Wallace also spoke against the continuous reports of armed
conflicts in the country. He said these reports scare away investors.

* NOTE FOR EDITORS: Star Radio is staffed by Liberian journalists and managed
by the Swiss NGO Fondation Hirondelle with financing from the U.S. Agency for
International Development through the International Foundation for Election
Systems. Non-commercial redistribution is allowed, providing that the source is
quoted and no editing other than reformatting is made.

STAR radio, Sekou Toure Avenue, Mamba point, Monrovia, Liberia. Tel: (+231)
226820 Fax:(+231) 227360; E-mail:star@liberia.net. Fondation Hirondelle 3, rue
Traversiere 1018 Lausanne, Suisse Tel: (+4121) 647 2805 Fax: (+41 21) 647 4469;
E-mail: info@hirondelle.org; Visit our World Wide Web site: www.hirondelle.org

Namibia’s top skier, Gary Knight, has been ranked
first in jumping and slalom skiing in Africa. He holds the first slalom position
jointly with Mark Heuer, South Africa’s top slalom skier.

Knight gained these positions after representing Namibia at the Daewoo World
Water Ski Championships held in Milan, Italy, from 13-19 September.

The 20-year-old Knight scored five buoys at 58 km per hour on a 13-line in
slalom skiing. He holds the 58th position in the world, jointly with Heuer.

“Gary did not have a good run and holds the 56th position in the world and
fourth position for tricks in Africa,” a statement from the Namibia Water Ski
Association said Wednesday.

The association said that Knight broke the All-Africa record with a jumping
measuring 50.8 metres and now holds the 39th position in the world. As a 3-event
skier, Knight is ranked 37th in the world.

Meanwhile, the Namibian water ski season has opened and all the skiers will
commence training to prepare for the All-Africa Water Ski championships to be
held in Harare, Zimbabwe in May 2000.

Zambia continued with their winning streak at the netball
World Cup in New Zealand yesterday beating Papua New Guinea 57-44. The
game, the last play-off pushed Zambia into overall top position in
Group “A” and “B”.

The two groups comprised teams that were fighting to be seeded from
17 to 28 in the world and Zambia has automatically qualified for that.
The game played at Westpac Trust Centre in Christchurch was described
as superb by Netball Association of Zambia (NAZ) president Veronica
Kamona.

After losing to Zambia in the opening game, Papua New-Guinea tried
the best they could to avenge but Zambia, playing with discipline
proved a hard nut to crack. Malaysia who lost to Papua New-Guinea in
the first play-off were left venting their anger on Scotland who they
beat 48-37.

Kamona said Zambia entered the tournament as under-dogs but the
performance they had exhibited at the games had left many countries
with praises. Kamona said the international netball organisers were
yesterday meeting to discuss how Zambia, Malaysia, Scotland and Papua
New Guinea could be seeded amongst the world’s top netball teaMs. She
said many delegates felt that they were being robbed because some
countries in the groups “A” and “B” were not good enough to be rated
amongst the world’s top best and should be demoted.

“There is an outcry here that some countries in groups “A” and “B”
are not good enough and should be dropped so that the good ones from
groups “C” and “D” are promoted,” Kamona said. She added, “some of the
teams in groups “A” and “B” have not won any game.”

The bowlers made the day for the non partisan fans
predominantly school children - yesterday for the better part of the
morning.

But Kenya’s batting order collapsed in such a fast pace that what
had been thought would be the highlight match of the week long
tournament turned into a mismatch.

An overcast sky and damp outfield favoured the Kenyan bowlers with
captain Maurice Odumbe marshalling them like soldiers on the march.
When India were 17 for 0 in 10 overs even the most hardened cricket
lovers guided by reason rather than emotion, appeared to crack.

They predicated India would collapse by 160 runs but they were 60
off the mark at the end first innings.

“If we had restricted them to less than 200 we would start our
innings with a physiological advantage,” said a local umpire Rocky De
Mello.

The fans, many of them who had taken day off warmed up with beer but
became furious as the day wore out.

Coach Sandip Patil who looked relaxed in the morning was in such an
uptight mood but there is little he could do to turn the situation
around during Kenya’s innings.

In the terraces students waving Kenya and India flags greeted every
wicket taken by Kenyans with similar enthusiasm they exhibited when
India hit a boundary.

One fan arrived at Gymkhana dressed in full Maasai regalia. He
admitted he was Kenya damu (blood) but was disappointed security would
not allow him in with a simi.

The Kenyan flag was going for Sh1,000 and Sh2,000 for India and
South Africa flags.

Talks of Kenya winning the match after restricting India to 220 for
seven dominated the lunch break. Most families preferred picnic lunches
instead of the exorbitantly charged food from the many fast food
outlets.

The poor turnout was blamed by officials on the prevailing economic
conditions. It would be suicidal to leave work for a day to go and
enjoy a sporting outing during a weekday, some reasoned.

Edward Tito, an elder brother of Odumbe was happy Kenya had greatly
improved in the fielding and bowling. But like everybody else he could
not understand the sudden collapse of the top order batting of Steve
Tikolo, Kennedy Otieno and Ravindu Shah in such a short notice.

While Kenya national cricket team was taking on the Gods
of cricket at home, a Nairobi club, Swamibapa, wound up its three-day
visit to Kampala with victory when they beat Uganda Cricket Association
(UCA) XI by 53 runs in a friendly game at Kampala’s Lugogo Cricket
Oval.

Swamibapa, ranked second in the Kenyan league, had earlier won two
cricket matches when they beat the UCA Under-23 team on Friday and the
Uganda Cricket Association Senior XI the day after.

In the Sunday match, Swamipaba, batted first and the Kenyans scored
213 all out in the 47th over.

Uganda’s star batsman Mohib was checked by Lameck Onyango in the
first over, without a single run and fellow compatriot Olweny could do
nothing to control the situation as the Ugandans went down for 160 all
out in the 42nd over. Onyango was 2 for 25, David Mboya 3 for 29 and
Nitin Gopal 2 for 30.

The visit by the Kenyan cricket side was aimed at giving the Ugandan
Cricket players a build up ahead of the forthcoming East and Central
Africa Cricket quadrangular scheduled for next month in Dar es salaam.

The Swamipaba team: George Obieno, Gabriel Bino, Felix Okello, David
Tikolo, Shahid Bwibo, Lameck Onyango, Edward Mboya, Andrew Mboya,
Shashikent Sanghani, John Mayeka, Tom Tikolo, Elvis Auma, Bernard
Owino, Dennis Angala and Nitin Gopal.

Lots of theories have been floated about South Africa’s
captain Hansie Cronje’s cricketing future, including rumours that he’s
quitting the post, but the 30-year-old skipper wants to remain focused
on the game.

Today, he faces hosts Kenya expecting a win than would take his side
through to the final of the LG Cup on Sunday, where the “Proteas” will
seek to make up for their dramatic World Cup semi-final exit.

Cronje is headed for a coaching job at English country side
Glamorgan later this season, but he doesn’t wish this to be interpreted
to mean that he’s not interested to lead South Africa into the new
millennium.

“That (rumour of quitting) is no true. I have a contract with South
Africa until April next year, and the selectors have named me captain
until the second Test against England in December,” Cronje said on
Tuesday night.

“I have decided nothing about my future and it is up to the
selectors to think about extending my term.”

South Africa recovered from an eight-wicket loss to India in their
opening match to hammer Zimbabwe by nine wickets. Cronje thereafter
said he was happy with his charges.

“For as long as I’ve been captain of this side, there’s never been a
case of players playing for themselves - it has been a team game”, he
said in reference to his team’s perceived star status.

“My job against Zimbabwe was to try and get the turn rate as high as
possible and that’s what we did.”

Lance Kluseners century against Zimbabwe, the first in the
quadrangular, set South Africa on the path of a comfortable victory
with Cronje also paying tribute to three-wicket hero, the traditionally
expensive left-arm spinner Paul Adams recalled to the side for this
tour.

Indian tyre firm, CEAT will tonight honour achieving cricketers and
teams at a city function to be graced by several legends of the game.

The firm runs a cricket rating system that ranks the world’s best
cricketers and teams on the basis of their performance in One Day
International and Test matches over a period of 12 months.

The rating system depends on advice by a panel of eminent cricket
personalities, living cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar, Clive Lloyd and
Ian Chappel.

Gavaskar is in the country doing television commentary for the LG
Cup Four Nations tournament and will grace tonight’s ceremony which is
being held for the first time outside India.

“In keeping with its tradition of being a path-breaker in the
cricket ratings, CEAT has this year introduced the CEAT International
Cricketer of the World Cup award - just another small step to rewarding
excellence in world-class cricket,’ the organisers said yesterday.

This year’s winner of the new award is India’s Rahul Dravid who is
touring with his country for the LG Cup.

Also to be garlanded tonight is South Africa’s Jacques Kallis, CEAT
International Cricketer for 1998-1999 and the South African team.

Meanwhile, Starlit Insurance Limited has also announced incentives
for the Kenyan team.

The firm’s chief executive Karim Jamal yesterday said players
hitting a century will get Sh50,000 while half century scorers will get
Sh25,000.

Players taking three wickets, like Maurice Odmbe did against India
yesterday, will get Sh25,000 while Sh50,000 will be dished out for any
five-wicket taker. Starlit Insurance will also give out about Sh200,000
to the Kenyan players in incentives promised for the World Cup in May,
Jamal confirmed yesterday.

India’s captain Ajay Jadeja just makes it to the crease as
Kenya’s wicketkeeper Kennedy Otieno keeps a close watch during their LG
Cup Four Nations cricket match at the Nairobi Gymkhana yesterday. India
won by 58 runs.

Kenya’s top order dramatically collapsed helplessly yesterday,
handing India a 58-run win in a tricky LG Cup fixture at the Nairobi
Gymkhana.

Against the backdrop of a sparse crowd that included a top Bollywood
movie producer, bespectacled 24-year-old Karnataka all rounder Vijay
Bhardwaj saved India with the bat and then attacked ferociously to
frustrate Kenya’s batsmen in the hosts’ second straight loss of the
tournament.

The win took India to the top of the Four Nations tournament with
four points from two games and as good as assured them a place in
Sunday’s final.

Kenya restricted India to 220 for seven off 50 overs with Maurice
Odumbe maintaining his traditional bite against the Asians, taking
three wickets for 51 runs in his eight-over spell that included a
maiden.

It is the Aga Khan Club all rounder who holds Kenya’s best bat and
ball figures against India, 83 runs and 3-15, a man-of-the-match feat
he achieved in Kenya’s 69-run win at Gwalior in last year’s Coca-Cola
Cup.

Put in to bat on a damp wicket, India laboured to their first 50 off
18 overs and 100 off 31 overs.

Bollywood movie producer Subhash Ghai, whose latest movie Taal is
hot property in the sub-continent box office, watched India wait for a
half-century fourth wicket partnership from skipper Ajay Jadeja and
Bhardwaj to get back into contention. Steve Tikolo Kenyan batsman Steve
Tikolo plays a defensive shot against India who won by 58 runs.

The Indian skipper scored 31 off 32 balls before he was run out by
Odumbe with Bhardwaj, promoted from the India ‘A’ squad a fortnight
ago, scoring an unbeaten 41 off 30 balls.

Opener Sadagopan Ramesh had laboured to a half century off 117 balls
before falling victim to Odumbe with medium pacer Martin Suji
responsible for the big wicket of opener Saurav Ganguly, caught on 21
by Thomas Odoyo attempting a cover drive.

India wound up at 220 and needing an astute bowling act to win it,
went for the jugular right from the first delivery, with opening strike
bowler Venkatesh Prasad sending opener Kennedy Otieno back to the
pavilion first ball.

This gave way to the demise of two of Kenya’s main hopes Steve
Tikolo for eight runs and Odumbe for five as Bhardwaj and Prasad each
took three wickets for 38 and 26 runs respectively with wicketkeeper
M.S.K. Prasad also having a good day in the office with four catches
and two stumpings.

It was Odoyo and Tony Suji who saved face, combining for a half-
century seventh-wicket stand that nonetheless saw Kenya fold to 162 all
out, their lowest total in ODI head-to-heads against India lower than
their previous total of 196 off 46.3 overs in Calcutta last year.

“It’s not always easy to get 220 against India but when you lose six
quick wickets, the first wicket off the first ball, you’re always in
trouble,” Kenyan coach Sandip Patil said.

His captain Odumbe was not the happiest of people yesterday: “We
gave away a few runs in the last 10 overs and paid the price for it.
The Indians bowled well - we don’t want to take anything out of them.”

Indian skipper Jadeja said their late charge helped them out. “Our
batting came off in a difficult situation and that gave us the
confidence - we had to change our game plan when we found a wet
wicket.”

Bobby Skinstad gets to make an immediate impact on World Cup
99 after being named as the first choice eighthman for the Springboks’ opening
match against Scotland on Sunday. Deon Kayser starts on the rightwing and Mark
Andrews will partner Albert van den Berg at lock.

It is a team, named on Thursday morning, without too many surprises for a
match that could be crucial in the Boks’ plans to reach the World Cup final in
Wales on November 6. If they finish top of their group, and New Zealand do
likewise, they will avoid their arch enemies - the All Blacks - until the final
game.

Beating Scotland will basically ensure the Boks finish top of their group, as
Uruguay and Spain are not expected to provide any serious threat to the big
guns.

Percy Montgomery, as expected, is the last line of defence, Pieter Rossouw
holds onto his left wing berth and Brendon Venter teams up with Robbie Fleck on
his outside as the centre pairing.

The three that carry SA’s main hope at this World Cup, Henry Honiball
(flyhalf), Joost van der Westhuizen (scrumhalf and captain) and Skinstad,
provide the link between the forwards and the backs.

Cobus Visagie, Naka Drotske and Os Du Randt make up the powerhouse front row
that should more than hold their own throughout the tournament. Coach Nick
Mallett will be hoping this side will be able to overcome the Scots, a confident
home side that see the tricky conditions as a big plus in their favour. Their
status as Five Nations champions will also give them a lift as they prepare to
take on the defending champs.

The match kicks off at 18h00 (SA time) at Murrayfield, Edinburgh, on Sunday.

Full Bok team: 15-Percy Montgomery; 14-Deon Kayser, 13-Robbie Fleck, 12-
Brendon Venter, 11-Pieter Rossouw; 10-Henry Honiball, 9-Joost van der Westhuizen
(captain);

8-Bob Skinstad, 7-Andre Venter, 6-Rassie Erasmus, 5-Albert van den Berg, 4-
Mark Andrews, 3-Cobus Visagie, 2-Naka Drotske, 1-Os Du Randt.

Reserves: Werner Swanepoel, Pieter Muller, Jannie de Beer, Ollie le Roux,
Andre Vos, Krynauw Otto and Chris Rossouw.