Work in pipeline
By MICHELLE COOKE - East And Bays Courier
Last updated 05:00 26/06/2009
The east and bays area has three major water projects in the pipeline.
The water supply at Remuera and Mt Wellington are currently being upgraded, while work on the Hobson pipeline is continuing in preparation for the tunnel to open next year.
Auckland city councillor and finance and strategy committee chairman Douglas Armstrong says water prices have been comparatively low over the last 10 years and an increase in the coming year is inevitable to meet the community’s water requirements.
Watercare says that construction of the Orakei Domain Pump Station, which will pump water through the Hobson pipeline from Orakei to Parnell, should be finished by September.
In December, the tunnel and pump station will be ready for a final overview and assessment, and in July 2010, the ageing above-water sewer pipe will be demolished.
The total cost of the project is $118 million.
Watercare is halfway through replacing two Remuera pipelines, built around 1910, that were discovered to have route intrusion and corrosion.
The first stage, which focused on the pipeline from Saint Kentigern School to Sonia Ave is complete, and work is under way on the pipeline from Burwood Cres to Spencer St.
Senior engineer Maurice Lubbock says Watercare is using a cured-in-place process because it will have minimal impact on the community.
A resin-saturated tube will be pulled into the sewer pipe and heated.
The heating expands the tube creating a tight-fitting and corrosion resistant replacement pipe.
It will be secured to the sides of the older pipe so removing it is not an issue.
If the older pipe had to be removed it could cause major disruption to the properties that run above it, Mr Lubbock says.
The cured-in-place pipe will extend the life of the sewer by 100 years and comes at a cost of $1.6m.
Watercare is upgrading water supplies to cater for the growing population, in particular the Stonefields development in Mt Wellington.
New pipelines will be put in place along St Johns Rd, College Rd and Merton Rd. Other watermains in St Heliers and Orakei will be upgraded or relocated.
Upgrading of the St Johns Reservoir pipework has already been completed as part of this ongoing project.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Friday, July 03, 2009
The week
Monday, fielded a question on the pilot 'birtual cpourts', where the defendant appears over a video link from a police station at a distance to the magistrate's court in London. The Minister confirmed that the defence solicitor would be also be at the police station. The system no doubt saves money on transport and escort costs, and in 75% of the cases dealt with so far, the defendant was pleading guilty.
Tuesday, a supplementary question on the strengthening of legislation on the trial of war criminals living in the UK. The Minister couldn't say whether i would apply to those alleged to have taken part in the Rwanda genocide. Attended a fascinating presentation by Yousif al-Khoei on Shi'ism, under the auspices of the UK Iran All-Party Group. Historically, there has always been separation between the clergy and the state in countries with a Shi'a majority, and what has happened in Iran since the revolution is an innovation. Dinner with much-traveled dear friend Phil Krone, who stayed with us overnight on his way home to Chicago from a tour of Yemen, Syria and Egypt.
Wednesday, final session of EU Committee to agree the draft report on money laundering and terrorist financing.
JW has gone to Spain for a week. Before he left he scored another 2-0 win at ping-pong, making it 121-114. Either he's getting better or I'm deteriorating, though most of the games are very close.
Tuesday, a supplementary question on the strengthening of legislation on the trial of war criminals living in the UK. The Minister couldn't say whether i would apply to those alleged to have taken part in the Rwanda genocide. Attended a fascinating presentation by Yousif al-Khoei on Shi'ism, under the auspices of the UK Iran All-Party Group. Historically, there has always been separation between the clergy and the state in countries with a Shi'a majority, and what has happened in Iran since the revolution is an innovation. Dinner with much-traveled dear friend Phil Krone, who stayed with us overnight on his way home to Chicago from a tour of Yemen, Syria and Egypt.
Wednesday, final session of EU Committee to agree the draft report on money laundering and terrorist financing.
JW has gone to Spain for a week. Before he left he scored another 2-0 win at ping-pong, making it 121-114. Either he's getting better or I'm deteriorating, though most of the games are very close.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
At the press conference to launch the publication of the Turkish translation of the 'Blue Book' Uncensored Edition, The Treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire; documents presented to Viscount Grey of Fallodon by Viscount Bryce, edited and translated by Ara Sarafian. There was a lively discussion, centring on the attempts made in 2005 by British Parliamentarians to engage in a dialogue with Turkish MPs on the authenticity of the documents in the Blue Book, which the Turks had invited us to repudiate. When we wrote to the Turks inviting them to debate the issue, none of them replied, perhaps unsurprisingly considering that hardly any of them could have read the Blue Book. Now that its available to them in Turkish, we have renewed our challenge on their doorstep, and await their reply. Photo by kind permission of Gagik Karagheuzian.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Ankara
Just back from Ankara, helping to launch the Turkish translation by Ara Sarafian of the Blue Book of 1916 on the Armenian Genocide, see www.milliyet.com.tr/Guncel/HaberDetay.aspx?aType=HaberDetayArsiv&ArticleID=1111294&Kategori=guncel&b=mavi
Also from Hurriyet:
TURKISH TRANSLATION OF 'BLUE BOOK' OUT DESPITE CONTROVERSY
Hurriyet
Jun 26, 2009
ANKARA - The Turkish and uncensored edition of the book "The Treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, 1915 ?xC4;~^ 1916," which was earlier criticized by the Turkish authorities for being a wartime fabrication, has been released in Turkey.
The book, also known as the "Blue Book," was originally published in 1916 in English by the British parliament, and delves into the 1915 and 1916 incidents that resulted in the expulsion of many Armenians from Anatolia. The central thesis of the book was the argument that starting in 1915, Armenians were subject to a policy of mass
annihilation in the Ottoman Empire.
The inauguration of the Turkish version of the book was held Friday in Ankara with the participation of Lord Avebury from the House of Lords and Ara Sarafian, a British historian of Armenian origin.
"Years ago, the Turkish Parliament demanded from the British side to withdraw the book but the British parliamentarians asked for dialogue with the Turkish side on the issue. No response came from Turkish Parliament. The publication of the Turkish edition of the book is a milestone in a historical sense for Turkey and I believe a new era for dialogue will be created after this book," said Avebury.
"The Armenian genocide is the only issue that couldn't be acknowledged and solved in the world history but I am sure the book will contribute to the solution of the issue."
Book creates controversy The book, compiled by British politician Viscount James Bryce and historian Arnold Toynbee, has been criticized by the Turkish authorities for being a compilation based on forged documents. In 2005, Turkish Parliament likewise sent a petition to the British parliament, asserting the book was a wartime fabrication and had no supporting documentation. The publisher, Turkish Pencere
Publications, which published the first Turkish version of the book in 2005, was also ruled to pay a fine.
Coming to the conclusion that Turkish Parliament was not properly informed about the book and wasn't entirely aware of the content of the book, the British parliament initiated the publication of its Turkish version and the Gomidas Institute published the Turkish translation of the uncensored edition of the Blue Book in an effort to launch a new dialogue process between the sides on the issue.
Sarafian said with the book the Turkish official thesis on the issue had been opened for discussion.
"The Turkish edition of the book is such an exercise in an effort to re-engage the Armenian issue within a more democratic and open Turkey," he said. "I hope that at least some deputies of the Parliament will reconsider their collective position on the Blue Book and distance themselves from it."
The book was also sent to all deputies in Turkish Parliament and the necessary permission was taken to distribute it to the bookstores in Turkey.
While there we also had useful discussions with the Turkish Human Rights Association (IHD) and the Democratic Society Party (DTP).
Also from Hurriyet:
TURKISH TRANSLATION OF 'BLUE BOOK' OUT DESPITE CONTROVERSY
Hurriyet
Jun 26, 2009
ANKARA - The Turkish and uncensored edition of the book "The Treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, 1915 ?xC4;~^ 1916," which was earlier criticized by the Turkish authorities for being a wartime fabrication, has been released in Turkey.
The book, also known as the "Blue Book," was originally published in 1916 in English by the British parliament, and delves into the 1915 and 1916 incidents that resulted in the expulsion of many Armenians from Anatolia. The central thesis of the book was the argument that starting in 1915, Armenians were subject to a policy of mass
annihilation in the Ottoman Empire.
The inauguration of the Turkish version of the book was held Friday in Ankara with the participation of Lord Avebury from the House of Lords and Ara Sarafian, a British historian of Armenian origin.
"Years ago, the Turkish Parliament demanded from the British side to withdraw the book but the British parliamentarians asked for dialogue with the Turkish side on the issue. No response came from Turkish Parliament. The publication of the Turkish edition of the book is a milestone in a historical sense for Turkey and I believe a new era for dialogue will be created after this book," said Avebury.
"The Armenian genocide is the only issue that couldn't be acknowledged and solved in the world history but I am sure the book will contribute to the solution of the issue."
Book creates controversy The book, compiled by British politician Viscount James Bryce and historian Arnold Toynbee, has been criticized by the Turkish authorities for being a compilation based on forged documents. In 2005, Turkish Parliament likewise sent a petition to the British parliament, asserting the book was a wartime fabrication and had no supporting documentation. The publisher, Turkish Pencere
Publications, which published the first Turkish version of the book in 2005, was also ruled to pay a fine.
Coming to the conclusion that Turkish Parliament was not properly informed about the book and wasn't entirely aware of the content of the book, the British parliament initiated the publication of its Turkish version and the Gomidas Institute published the Turkish translation of the uncensored edition of the Blue Book in an effort to launch a new dialogue process between the sides on the issue.
Sarafian said with the book the Turkish official thesis on the issue had been opened for discussion.
"The Turkish edition of the book is such an exercise in an effort to re-engage the Armenian issue within a more democratic and open Turkey," he said. "I hope that at least some deputies of the Parliament will reconsider their collective position on the Blue Book and distance themselves from it."
The book was also sent to all deputies in Turkish Parliament and the necessary permission was taken to distribute it to the bookstores in Turkey.
While there we also had useful discussions with the Turkish Human Rights Association (IHD) and the Democratic Society Party (DTP).
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Wednesday
This morning our EU committee examining money laundering and the financing of terrorism met for two and a half hours, completing its examination of the first draft of our report. Its a good committee, with Members from different Parties working together well.
Obviously I can't say what's in the report until its published in a few weeks' time, but when you look at an issue like this where the maximum cooperation is necessary across frontiers, you do wonder how anti-Europeans think we could manage without the EU.
Layer, I joined in a question about teenage school dropouts, asking the Minister whether she had any new ideas about reducing non-attendance by children from the Gypsy and Traveller community, which damages their chances in adulthood. Surprisingly, when the GRT community suffers disproportionately from low secondary school attendance, the subject wasn't in the Minister's brief. She promised to write to me.
Disaster at the ping-pong table! JW beat me 2-0 yesterday in two hard fought games, the first time that's happened for weeks. With a 1-1 draw last Sunday, he's now five games ahead at 119-114.
I'm signing off now until I come back from Ankara on Sunday.
Obviously I can't say what's in the report until its published in a few weeks' time, but when you look at an issue like this where the maximum cooperation is necessary across frontiers, you do wonder how anti-Europeans think we could manage without the EU.
Layer, I joined in a question about teenage school dropouts, asking the Minister whether she had any new ideas about reducing non-attendance by children from the Gypsy and Traveller community, which damages their chances in adulthood. Surprisingly, when the GRT community suffers disproportionately from low secondary school attendance, the subject wasn't in the Minister's brief. She promised to write to me.
Disaster at the ping-pong table! JW beat me 2-0 yesterday in two hard fought games, the first time that's happened for weeks. With a 1-1 draw last Sunday, he's now five games ahead at 119-114.
I'm signing off now until I come back from Ankara on Sunday.
Poppy cultivation in Afghanistan
www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldhansrd/text/90623-gc0001.htm#09062370000073
Tuesday: debate on steps the Government are taking to assist farmers in Afghanistan to move from opium poppy cultivation to a sustainable alternative livelihood. Clearly, wheat is becoming relatively more profitable than poppies, and there is a window of opportunity. With 20,000 more NATO troops, it should become a lot harder for the terrorists to coerce farmers into growing the poppies and taxing them to finance their operations. But this year there has also been a new upsurge in the use of IEDs against our forces, and last Friday Welsh Guards Major Sean Burchill was killed by one of these fiendish devices. The Americans are spending $4 billion on coimyer-IED technology, and we need to be assured they're sharing the results with us.
Tuesday: debate on steps the Government are taking to assist farmers in Afghanistan to move from opium poppy cultivation to a sustainable alternative livelihood. Clearly, wheat is becoming relatively more profitable than poppies, and there is a window of opportunity. With 20,000 more NATO troops, it should become a lot harder for the terrorists to coerce farmers into growing the poppies and taxing them to finance their operations. But this year there has also been a new upsurge in the use of IEDs against our forces, and last Friday Welsh Guards Major Sean Burchill was killed by one of these fiendish devices. The Americans are spending $4 billion on coimyer-IED technology, and we need to be assured they're sharing the results with us.
Seminar on human rights in Bangladesh with Abbas Faiz
22 June 2009
PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE
Bangladesh war crimes: set up enquiry commission
No one, in Bangladesh including all the political parties, disagreed on the issue of war crimes trial, but the process must fair and accountable. And as a first instance a Commission of Enquiry needs to be set up to ensure the evidence compiled supports the allegation made, that no one involved in the war crimes slips through the net and, equally important, no one is victimised under the pretext of war crimes trial, said Abbas Faiz of Amnesty International at a seminar in the British House of Lords on 22 June 2009, chaired by Lord Avebury, Vice Chair of UK All-Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group & Chairman of International Bangladesh Foundation.
Amnesty International researcher Abbas Faiz had visited Bangladesh for a month in April - May 2009 and was reporting on his findings. He described the current human rights situation and answered questions. Abbas Faiz said that the continuing extrajudicial executions and deaths in custody was still a concern, though there was no visible politicisation, the independence of the judiciary was still some way to go, while BDR mutiny killers must be brought to justice human rights of the accused must be respected too.
Representatives of the major political parties of Bangladesh were invited to the seminar and took part in the Q & A session.
Contribution from the floor included UK Awami League’s chief Advisor Sultan Sheriff, Freedom Fighter Koyas Chowdhury, Chowdhury Hafiz of AwamiAinjibi Parishad, UK Awami League’s Vice President Zalal Uddin, BNP’s International Secretary Mohidur Rahman and M A Maleq amongst others.
Lord Avebury in summing up the discussion said that the BDR deaths in custody can not be all attributable to natural causes, and the government needs to give far more details about the inquiry into the deaths by a senior civil servant. With regards to CHT he said as the government is committed by its election manifesto, and by statements made by the Prime Minister to the Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission in February, to full implementation of the 1997 CHT Peace Accords. It would be good to know what specific measures have been taken, or are to be taken before the end of 2009, to this end.
On war crimes Lord Avebury said, the process shouldn't be speeded up at the expense of legitimacy, and the government should consult international experts on war crimes before deciding what amendments are necessary.
Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Allama Siddiki said Bangladesh government was committed to human rights of all its citizens and was determined to complete the trial in a transparent and accountable way to seek justice for the victims of Bangladesh War of 1971. The Deputy High Commissioner also said his government had already sought assistance from and were seeking further assistance from the international community including the UN, US and the UK.
In his final remarks Lord Avebury acknowledged the Bangladesh Government’s initiatives and said, “The new government has formidable tasks in their hand, which may need substantial help from the international community. As friends of Bangladesh we would be pleased to help”.
End
PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE
Bangladesh war crimes: set up enquiry commission
No one, in Bangladesh including all the political parties, disagreed on the issue of war crimes trial, but the process must fair and accountable. And as a first instance a Commission of Enquiry needs to be set up to ensure the evidence compiled supports the allegation made, that no one involved in the war crimes slips through the net and, equally important, no one is victimised under the pretext of war crimes trial, said Abbas Faiz of Amnesty International at a seminar in the British House of Lords on 22 June 2009, chaired by Lord Avebury, Vice Chair of UK All-Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group & Chairman of International Bangladesh Foundation.
Amnesty International researcher Abbas Faiz had visited Bangladesh for a month in April - May 2009 and was reporting on his findings. He described the current human rights situation and answered questions. Abbas Faiz said that the continuing extrajudicial executions and deaths in custody was still a concern, though there was no visible politicisation, the independence of the judiciary was still some way to go, while BDR mutiny killers must be brought to justice human rights of the accused must be respected too.
Representatives of the major political parties of Bangladesh were invited to the seminar and took part in the Q & A session.
Contribution from the floor included UK Awami League’s chief Advisor Sultan Sheriff, Freedom Fighter Koyas Chowdhury, Chowdhury Hafiz of AwamiAinjibi Parishad, UK Awami League’s Vice President Zalal Uddin, BNP’s International Secretary Mohidur Rahman and M A Maleq amongst others.
Lord Avebury in summing up the discussion said that the BDR deaths in custody can not be all attributable to natural causes, and the government needs to give far more details about the inquiry into the deaths by a senior civil servant. With regards to CHT he said as the government is committed by its election manifesto, and by statements made by the Prime Minister to the Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission in February, to full implementation of the 1997 CHT Peace Accords. It would be good to know what specific measures have been taken, or are to be taken before the end of 2009, to this end.
On war crimes Lord Avebury said, the process shouldn't be speeded up at the expense of legitimacy, and the government should consult international experts on war crimes before deciding what amendments are necessary.
Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Allama Siddiki said Bangladesh government was committed to human rights of all its citizens and was determined to complete the trial in a transparent and accountable way to seek justice for the victims of Bangladesh War of 1971. The Deputy High Commissioner also said his government had already sought assistance from and were seeking further assistance from the international community including the UN, US and the UK.
In his final remarks Lord Avebury acknowledged the Bangladesh Government’s initiatives and said, “The new government has formidable tasks in their hand, which may need substantial help from the international community. As friends of Bangladesh we would be pleased to help”.
End
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
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