5th Asean Para Games Kuala Lumpur 2009, 15-19 August 2009
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01 July 2009 - Malaysia will host the 5th ASEAN Para Games, the parallel sports event for the Southeast Asia
Games, in Kuala Lumpur from 15 to 19 August 2009 with the theme “ASEAN Moving Together.
The biannual multisport event will be participated in by more than 1,200 athletes and officials from 10 ASEAN
countries. The games aim to promote friendship and solidarity among persons with disabilities as well as to
rehabilitate and integrate persons with disability into mainstream society through sports.
Media accreditation is required for journalists/photographers/broadcasters who wish to cover the 5th ASEAN
Para Games.
Requests for accreditation forms and additional information on media services and facilities should be
directed to:
For general information:
Ms Darshini Selvaraj / Ms Zaria Mohd Nasri
Tel : 603 2694-1024 / 2696 2119 / 2696 2123
Fax : 603 2694-1021 / 2694-1022/ 2694-1023
Email : darshini@bernama.com / zaria@bernama.com
For accreditation/registration:
Ms Zabedah Yaacob / Mr Fadhullah Zainudin
Tel : 603 2696-2126 / 2696-2125
Fax : 603 2694-1021 / 2694-1022/ 2694-1023
Email : mediasec@bernama.com
Media representatives are requested to submit a letter of assignment endorsed by their respective agencies
and two passport-sized photographs together with their application forms at the following contact details:
Media Secretariat KL ‘09
BERNAMANA Media Relations & Event Management
5th Floor Wisma BERNAMANA
28 Jalan 1/65A, Off Jalan Tun Razak
50700 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603 2694-1024 / 2696-2123
Fax: 603 2694-1021 / 2694-1022
Email: mediasec@bernama.com or mrem@bernama.com
Deadline for the submission of application forms for accreditation is on 01 August 2009.
Each media organization is requested to appoint a representative to coordinate accreditation and
accommodation arrangements for its team members.
Media representatives bringing in equipment into Malaysia should complete Customs Importation Forms with
detailed inventory including model and serial number of the equipment concerned.
Accreditation badges and information kits will be available at the Media Secretariat as the Games draw nearer.
Accreditation cards must be worn at all times during the Games.
Additional information on the Para Games can be obtained from these websites: http://www.
aseanparagameskl09.org.my, http://www.bernama.com, http://www.paralympic.my. END
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Registration of Press Correspondents and Journalists for the 15th Nam Summit,
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, 11-16 July 2009
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The Permanent Mission of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the United Nations informed the Department of
Foreign Affairs of the registration of the Press Correspondents and Journalists for the 15th Non-Aligned
Movement (NAM) Summit to be held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 11-16 July 2009.
The Secretariat of the Summit will only be responsible for the registration of the Press Correspondents and
Journalists enlisted in the official delegations participating at the Summit. Contact details are +2 02-25762502
/ 25762503 / 25755291 / 25789590 (tel. nos.); + 2 02 25756884 (fax); and cairopresscenter@hotmail.com
(email).
Information for all Press Correspondents and Journalists who are not included in the official delegations
participating at the Summit should be communicated to the Egypt State Information Service, according to the
preparatory and logistic arrangements published on the official website of the Summit, www.namegypt.org.
END
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Visa Applicants to Saudi Arabia to be Photographed and Fingerprinted
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01 July 2009 – The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia informed the Department of Foreign Affairs that it will
introduce fingerprinting and full-face digital photographs for visa applicants in 2010 as part of its efforts to
strengthen its security, prevent identity theft, and combat terrorism.
On June 24, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for tenders from specialized international firms to set
up a network of centers to provide biometric services to people applying for visas to the Kingdom.
“This important initiative has been taken to strengthen the Kingdom’s security and improve services to visa
applicants,” Prince Khaled bin Saud, Undersecretary at the Ministry, said. He said authorized biometric would
receive visa applications on behalf of Saudi embassies and missions, adding that they would provide quick,
quality service at reasonable charges.
“These service centers will be established with the support of one or more trading partners and they will be
under the supervision of the Ministry and Saudi missions abroad,” he said. “The centers will not only receive
visa applications but also take fingerprints and full-face digital photos of the applicant,” the Saudi Press
Agency quoted the Prince as saying.
He said foreigners must provide their biometric data to obtain the appropriate visa to the Kingdom, adding that
biometric service centers would be established in major cities around the world from 2010.
The new move comes after the United Kingdom introduced the system for visa applicants. Subsequently, the
Council of Ministers instructed the Foreign Ministry to sign a memorandum of understanding with the UK to
facilitate taking biometric data of Saudis and expatriates intending to visit Britain.
The Cabinet also instructed the Foreign Ministry to hold talks with countries intending to introduce similar visa
regulations. The UK was the first European Union member country to adopt biometrics and has so far rolled
out the procedure at its visa issuing centers in many countries worldwide.
“It’s basically to make the process much safer for the individual traveler,” one expert told Arab News. “It’s going
to protect them against identity theft and against document abuse,” he added.
“Identity theft is a major growing problem globally. It helps terrorism and organized crime, and undermines
national economies,” the expert said. “The new system helps keep visa applicants and their families safe
from crime and terrorism. Visa applicants won’t be accidentally mistaken for another person with the same or
similar name,” he pointed out.
Saudi Arabia has already begun fingerprinting and taking digital full-face photos of foreigners coming to the
Kingdom on visit, Umrah and work visas. Foreign passengers are in long queues at airports and other entry
points to have their fingerprints and full-face photos taken. The new biometric system will get rid of the long
queues and delays at airports for fingerprinting. Prince Khaled did not give an exact date for introducing the
new system for visa issuance.
Maj. Gen. Salim Al-Belaihed, Director-General of the Passport Department, urged all foreign workers to get
their biometric data registered as soon as possible so that they can avoid snags in getting their re-entry visas
stamped on time.
“The fingerprinting process will take no more than five minutes. You should make sure that you do not have
any decoration (such as henna), or any cuts or other markings on your fingertips before having your
fingerprints taken,” one security source said. One should also make sure that there are no cuts or bruises on
his/her face.
The General Director of the Passport Department in Makkah Province Brigadier Salem Al-Zahrani said that
there is no need for the members of the families of Iqama holders to be fingerprinted unless those family
workers are also workers.
There are three fingerprinting centers in Jeddah. These centers are in Dalah Street in Rehab District, Saudi
Oger Company in the Corniche District and Abruq Al-Raghama District. Each center can serve 2,000 people
everyday.
The fingerprinting centers work in two shifts, the first is from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the second is from 4 p.m. to
10 p.m. There are also mobile fingerprinting centers which the Passport Department sends to hospitals and
large companies that have over 600 foreign workers. END
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Reports from Philippine Embassies and Consulates (As of 1 July 2009)
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Sydney PCG
* As of 23 June 2009, there are 2,857 confirmed flu cases in Australia.
* No report on Filipinos being infected by the virus.
Jeddah PCG
* The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a total of 45 flu cases.
* Among the new cases reported are two Filipino nurses in Riyadh.
Vientiane PE
* The Lao Ministry of Health has confirmed its third case of A(H1N1).
* None of the three cases were Filipino nationals
Prague PE
* Czech’s Ministry of Health announced that the country has a total number of nine cases of individuals
diagnosed with A(H1N1) virus.
* None are Filipinos.
Beijing PE
* The Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality reported to the Embassy that the
two Filipinos quarantined in a Beijing hospital, after being cleared of the virus on 12 June 2009, have returned
to the Philippines.
Doha PE
* The Supreme Health Council announced that the two Filipinos affected by the virus have fully recovered and
have been released from quarantine.
* Post also informed the Department that only Qatar’s Supreme Health Council is authorized to release
information on A (H1N1) and that only the Qatar News Agency is authorized to announce information to the
public.
Beirut PE
* Lebanon’s Ministry of Health announced on 24 June 2009 that the number of flu cases rose to 30 but that
most cases have been treated.
* All the diagnosed cases were brought to Lebanon by overseas travelers and there have been no reports of
local transmission.
* As of 25 June 2009, Post has not received any report on Filipinos afflicted with the flu.
Kuala Lumpur PE
* As of 26 June 2009, Post received confirmation of four more Filipinos who have contracted the virus.
* The Malaysian government will implement stringent checks to detect the virus from passengers arriving in
Malaysian airports.
Chongqing PCG
* Post reported that there are now two confirmed cases in the area.
* None of the reported cases are Filipinos
Shanghai PCG
* Two Filipinos were placed under quarantine by the Shanghai Inspection and Quarantine Bureau.
* The Shanghai Health Bureau reported a total of 74 flu cases, including the 39 people who have recovered
from the virus.
* The Chinese Ministry of Health issued a document that says in case of rampant spread of the virus in local
communities, it would switch to monitoring the “group activities” instead of closely tracking and quarantining
individual patients.
* It was also suggested that mass activities in communities could be suspended or canceled.
Honolulu PCG
* Hawaii reported that its A(H1N1) cases rose to 503 as reported by its Department of Health on 25 June 2009.
* There have been no reports of Filipinos being affected by the flu.
* Hawaii’s DOH issued a statement that after 25 June 2009, it will no longer issue updates on the number of
cases in the island but rather focus its monitoring on the spread of the flu virus in target groups, including
incoming travelers, those who suffer severe symptoms and people with underlying health problems. Updated
information may be obtained from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Coffee Table Book on Filipino World War II Veterans Launched at RP Embassy in DC
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01 July 2009 - Bay Area-based Filipino-American photographer Rick Rocamora launched his coffee table book
“Filipino World War II Soldiers: America’s Second-Class Veterans” in the Greater Metro DC area.
The event also included a book talk, book signing, and reception at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine
Embassy in Washington D.C.
“This collection of photographs – bound in one impressive book – gives us an intimate look into the struggle
of the Filipino World War II veterans and reminds us all of our duty – and our continuing responsibility – to
honor the memory of our veterans. I take this occasion to commend Rick Rocamora for taking on the
challenge of documenting our veterans’ long and arduous fight. These images – while silent - truly are
resonant voices from our past and our present that underscores our obligation to never, ever forget,”
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa said during the launching.
Ambassador Gaa presented a certificate of recognition to Rocamora for “his outstanding and meritorious
contributions in helping further raise awareness of and deepen appreciation for the Philippines and her
democratic history and legacy through the visual arts, particularly in photography, as demonstrated in his
coffee table book.”
The book talk, signing and reception was conducted by the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA),
KAYA-DC, National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equity (NAFVE), National Federation of Filipino American
Associations (NaFFAA), Philippine Arts, Letters & Media (PALM) Council in partnership with the Philippine
Embassy as part of the month-long commemoration of the 111th Anniversary of Philippine Independence.
END
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