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GC Supports Global Park Defense in Komodo World Heritage Park
Nestled in the heart of Indonesia's archipelago lie the volcanic islands of Komodo National Park (KNP). Rolling green hills, dry savannahs, and white and pink sand beaches make up the park's 3 large islands (Komodo, Padar and Rinca) and a legion of other smaller islands, surrounded by clear blue water. Under the ocean's surface, manta rays, whale sharks, and over a thousand species of tropical fish thrive among an abundance of other species of animals and corals. On land, deer and buffalo roam beside the park's most famous animal: the Komodo dragon.
There is evidence that the evolutionary development of the Komodo dragon originated in Australia roughly 3.8 million years ago. They once lived across a huge range, spanning Indonesia's islands and Australia, but since the 1970s, KNP has been the only place in the world where they can be found.
It is unsurprising that these lizards are called "dragons": Often weighing more than 300 pounds, these giant lizards can grow up to 10 feet long, run as fast as 12 miles (19 km) per hour, smell blood from almost 6 miles away, and deliver a powerful bite with venom strong enough to kill a human. As the largest, most aggressive animal in the park, they are at the top of the food chain.
While they eat a wide variety of animals, ranging from rats to adult buffalo, their numbers have significantly declined. There are now fewer than 3,500 dragons left in the park due to human-caused habitat loss, illegal hunting, and climate change. Consequently, they are classified as Endangered on IUCN's Red list.
KSP team members and KNP rangers conduct a preliminary survey of KNP. Photo courtesy KSP.
KNP was initially established to protect the Komodo dragon and its remaining habitat in 1980. In 1991, due to the park's dedication to protecting its land and marine life, it was officially designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Despite efforts to protect the park and all life that relies on it, KNP has been and still is under threat of further human impact.
Our Global Park Defense methodology is critical to keeping KNP's wildlife safe.
Given the sheer size of the park, one of the main issues preventing effective protection is a lack of monitoring and reporting. Without access to the technology necessary to thoroughly survey the land, there is no way to ensure that conservation guidelines are being upheld and that there are no illegal actions taking place in the park. It also means that, even when human-caused impacts are discovered, there is often a lack of accountability for actions that intentionally or unintentionally impact the environment in illegal or negative ways.
The KSP team placing trail cameras in KNP. Photo courtesy KSP.
Given the beauty and impressive biodiversity above and beneath its oceans' surface, it is no surprise that the tourism industry thrives there. While prosperous for the local community's economy, tourism can be detrimental to the environment. Visitors bring in the funds that over 3.200 people living in the park and over 16,800 others living in the surrounding areas need to survive. However, because the only way to travel within the park is by foot or by boat, the more people exploring the islands, the more pollution from boats and the more foreign substances from visitors' shoes.
New KNP Command Center. Photo courtesy KSP.
In partnership with Komodo Survival Program (KSP), Global Conservation has funded and supported efforts to provide the technology and resources needed to more effectively protect KNP. This year, KSP has accomplished the following:
Park staff has been trained in SMART implementation, which is now being used during patrolling.
Fourteen dedicated young KNP rangers have been trained in ecological monitoring methodology.
624km of marine patrols and 175km of terrestrial patrols were conducted during June, July, and August 2021.
A terrestrial wildlife survey was conducted, focused especially on monitoring the presence of Komodo dragons and their prey.
After several coordination meetings with the director of KNP, KSP has been given a permit to renovate an unused building and use it as a command and education center, as well as the base camp for the KNP and KSP monitoring and patrolling team.
Conducted a preliminary survey on the west coast of Komodo Island to identify the areas of KNP that need to be monitored more frequently for threats such as deer poaching and burning of the savannah by poachers.
Purchased and installed a Portable Marine Radar and a large anchor to support and improve the floating ranger stations.
A new marine radar system has been set up in KNP.
While many of Indonesia's national parks have been using SMART technology to protect their lands, KNP has not, so implementing relatively user-friendly technology has been Global Conservation's leading priority in the current 6-month 2021 pilot project. Providing technology and rolling out Global Park Defense during this pilot has already proven to be extremely useful for increasing security capacity within this World Heritage Site.
Terrestrial patrol in KNP. Photo courtesy KSP.
The 2022-2025 plan that Global Conservation developed in collaboration with KSP involves increasing the frequency of monitoring and patrolling, as well as implementing all of the methodologies being set up during this year's pilot project.
Marine patrol boat in KNP. Photo courtesy KSP.
Next, with KSP, we plan to further implement the SMART monitoring and patrolling program not only for boat patrolling of coastal areas, but for all 13 ranger stations across KNP that also help to protect terrestrial areas.
A SMART patrol in action in another of our Indonesian project sites, the Leuser Ecosystem.
Additionally, preparations have been made to increase the frequency of surveillance patrols and monitoring of wildlife. In particular, KSP will help the park continue to conduct intensive surveillance and Komodo dragon monitoring programs on the west coast of Komodo Island and the two remote small islands of Nusa Kode and Gili Motang.
KNP rangers being trained in ecological monitoring and methodology. Photo courtesy KSP.
The success of the current pilot project will become a strong negotiation point for the park to request necessary funding from the central government for operational costs of monitoring and patrolling programs.
Despite the success of this year's project, more funds are needed to support even more surveillance patrols and monitoring, critical to effectively protecting this part. If you'd like to help protect Indonesia's Komodo National Park and its wildlife, please donate here.
Komodo dragon in KNP. Photo courtesy KSP.
Web Design Services — Direct Line Development


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The 4 Most Unanswered Questions about Services
August 3, 2017 Health Care & Medical Comments Off on The 4 Most Unanswered Questions about Services
Important Points To Learn About Charter Buses Charter buses are basically the best way of shuttling a big number of people from one place to the other. But many are wondering on what made these buses to be so popular? Would getting one is right for your group and would you be limited to only one kind of bus or get a chance to pick from several? Charter buses in simple terms is a kind of bus that's available for rent. On the other hand, this doesn't cover what it evokes as this definition is very broad. There are many people who envision a large and professionally chauffeured bus along with climate control and individual seating. You probably have passed a chartered bus before on interstate and might have even traveled in one without knowing it. When you rent a bus, you will be driven by a chauffeur who are highly trained and experienced and can quickly and safely react to any situation in an effort to make sure that the group will be away from any potential dangers. They're fully licensed in operating big vehicles and have extensive experience in handling the bus in various conditions.
The Ultimate Guide to Services
Charter buses most of the time are used by big group of people from fraternity brothers going on a spring break, school children on a field trip business owners going to conference, to sports team traveling to away game, which makes charter buses the appropriate option for sizeable number of people. Say for example that your group has more than what a single bus could hold, then charter groups will be more pleased to rent you with more buses to reach your destination.
How to Achieve Maximum Success with Charters
It could be a hassle and time consuming as well to organize big groups of people especially if everyone has a car of their own. Like it or not, it is inevitable that there is someone who will be late or lost and the risk is greater with a bigger group that someone would have an accident or encounter trouble. Basically, buses are safer and more reliable way to get everyone reach where they have to all at the same time. In addition to that, buses are more environmentally friendly and economical compared to having everyone arrange their own transportation. A very common misconception that a lot of people have in charter bus companies is that, they're only offering one specific kind of bus for rent. At the end of the day, getting top of the line, fancy Wi-Fi enabled buses for school children and likewise, it'll be underwhelming for business group to travel using a school bus will surely be a waste. These charter bus companies do offer wide varieties of buses that have different features and amenities to suit every client's needs.
dailypanchayat.com
See also Getting Down To Basics with Online
How I Became An Expert on Services
5 Key Takeaways on the Road to Dominating Experts

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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With tax season upon us, it's time to look at last year's numbers. Are you concerned about your small business's sales? If so, you're not alone. Research has shown that 35% of salespeople think closing sales is getting harder, and 71% of companies say closing more sales is a top priority.
To be clear: this doesn't mean your sales reps should aggressively pursue every lead they encounter. In order to make this your best sales year ever, the key is to work smarter, not harder. In this article, we'll cover 5 strategies to help small business sales reps close more deals, plus tips on how to leverage your QuickBooks-integrated CRM to make the process even simpler.
Imagine if someone showed up at your door out of the blue and tried to sell you something, with no greeting or preamble. You would feel pretty put off by that approach, right?
The same logic applies when interacting with a prospective customer. Avoid jumping right into a prepared sales pitch that paints your solution as the be-all and end-all. Instead, initiate a conversation with your lead.
Ask questions to learn more about their goals, their struggles, and what brought them to your company. By taking steps to build a relationship, you can determine whether your offerings are truly a good match for their needs. Your lead will also feel more comfortable doing business with someone who isn't pressuring them to buy.
Method:CRM users: Frequent communication is a big part of building relationships with potential customers. The Method mobile app makes it easy to stay connected and view lead data when you're on the go. You can even prepare an estimate directly from the app, without needing access to QuickBooks.
As much as we wish that every sales opportunity could lead to a sale, that usually isn't the case. Sometimes you have to accept that an opportunity isn't that promising. Maybe the lead doesn't really need your product or service, or they don't have the budget for it, or they're just not calling you back — the reasons go on and on.
That's why proper opportunity management is so important. By taking a step back to evaluate your sales pipeline as a whole, you can identify and focus on the deals you're most likely to win. As a result, the process of closing sales will become much more efficient.
Method:CRM users: Use the "Opportunity by Stage" chart to easily identify which opportunities are in the later stages of the sales process.
No matter how wonderful your product or service is, chances are your potential customers will have some concerns about it. Don't be caught off guard when these objections arise. Instead, work with your team ahead of time to brainstorm a list of common objections, plus strategies to dispel them.
For example, employees at a marketing agency could prepare a unified stance to address clients' concerns about maintaining their brand voice. When you can confidently address every challenge your prospect brings up, they'll be more willing to continue the sales conversation.
Method:CRM users: Save time when emailing leads by creating a custom email template that outlines your company's responses to common objections.
Don't be tricked into thinking that if a lead is interested, they'll keep the ball rolling. You are responsible for maintaining the momentum of the sales process. Each time you complete a step, make sure you you know what your next move will be.
This may be the next step in a well-defined sales strategy (for instance, an agency account manager may typically call a potential client the day after a pitch presentation), or it may be something more context-specific. In either case, planning and scheduling your next step ensures that you keep moving towards your goal of closing the deal.
Method:CRM users: Stay organized by scheduling a follow-up activity that is linked to a completed activity. Not only will the follow-up appear on your calendar, but it will display the notes from the completed activity.
After overcoming your lead's objections and convincing them of the value of your product or service, there comes a point where you have to ask for the sale. This may seem obvious, but sometimes salespeople are afraid to be direct because they're worried about being rejected.
Luckily, there are effective sales closing techniques, such as the "assumptive close" where begin the sales cycle assuming the prospect will buy from you and you subtly let your prospect know you're assuming they'll become a customer. Try different approaches and closing phrases until you find what feels natural to you.
Method:CRM users: After you close the deal, convert your lead to a customer by editing the lead details and unchecking the 'lead status' checkbox. The new customer will automatically sync to QuickBooks, along with any transactions already created for them in Method.
Like any skill, closing the deal requires practice and persistence. But with these tips under your belt, along with the power of a QuickBooks-integrated CRM, you'll be well on your way to closing sales left and right. Sign up for your free trial of Method:CRM today!


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Home / Interdisciplinary Studies / Appalachian Studies / Junaluska
Junaluska
Oral Histories of a Black Appalachian Community
Junaluska quantity
SKU: 9781476680170 Categories: African American Studies, Appalachian Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies Tags: Appalachian State University, Mennonite, North Carolina
Junaluska is one of the oldest African American communities in western North Carolina and one of the few that has persisted into the modern era. After Emancipation, many former slaves in Watauga County became sharecroppers, were allowed to clear land and to keep a portion, or bought property outright, all in the segregated neighborhood on the hill overlooking the town of Boone, North Carolina. Land and home ownership have been crucial to the survival of this community, whose residents are closely interconnected as extended families and neighbors. Missionized by white Krimmer Mennonites in the early twentieth century, their church is one of a handful of African American Mennonite Brethren churches in the United States, and it provides one of the few avenues for leadership in the local black community. Susan Keefe has worked closely with members of the community in editing this book, which is based on three decades of participatory research. These life history narratives adapted from interviews with residents (born between 1885 and 1993) offer a people's history of the black experience in the southern mountains. Their stories provide a unique glimpse into the lives of African Americans in Appalachia during the 20th century—and a community determined to survive through the next.
Susan E. Keefe is emerita professor of anthropology at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. She is the author/editor of four books and has published more than 40 academic articles and chapters.
The Junaluska Heritage Association was formed in 2011 to protect and preserve the historically black Junaluska neighborhood of Boone, North Carolina, and to collect, curate, and celebrate the cultural heritage of its residents.
Edited by Susan E. Keefe with assistance from the Junaluska Heritage Association
Series: Contributions to Southern Appalachian Studies
Henry Box Brown
Medieval Women on Film
Latino & Latin American Studies
American Indian Studies
Asian & Asian American Studies
Appalachian Studies
You're viewing: Junaluska $29.95


text:
<?php

namespace Doctrine\DBAL;

use Doctrine\Common\EventManager;

/**
 * Factory for creating Doctrine\DBAL\Connection instances.
 *
 * @author Roman Borschel <roman@code-factory.org>
 * @since 2.0
 */
final class DriverManager
{
    /**
     * List of supported drivers and their mappings to the driver classes.
     *
     * To add your own driver use the 'driverClass' parameter to
     * {@link DriverManager::getConnection()}.
     *
     * @var array
     */
     private static $_driverMap = array(
         'pdo_mysql'          => 'Doctrine\DBAL\Driver\PDOMySql\Driver',
         'pdo_sqlite'         => 'Doctrine\DBAL\Driver\PDOSqlite\Driver',
         'pdo_pgsql'          => 'Doctrine\DBAL\Driver\PDOPgSql\Driver',
         'pdo_oci'            => 'Doctrine\DBAL\Driver\PDOOracle\Driver',
         'oci8'               => 'Doctrine\DBAL\Driver\OCI8\Driver',
         'ibm_db2'            => 'Doctrine\DBAL\Driver\IBMDB2\DB2Driver',
         'pdo_sqlsrv'         => 'Doctrine\DBAL\Driver\PDOSqlsrv\Driver',
         'mysqli'             => 'Doctrine\DBAL\Driver\Mysqli\Driver',
         'drizzle_pdo_mysql'  => 'Doctrine\DBAL\Driver\DrizzlePDOMySql\Driver',
         'sqlanywhere'        => 'Doctrine\DBAL\Driver\SQLAnywhere\Driver',
         'sqlsrv'             => 'Doctrine\DBAL\Driver\SQLSrv\Driver',
    );

    /**
     * List of URL schemes from a database URL and their mappings to driver.
     */
    private static $driverSchemeAliases = array(
        'db2'        => 'ibm_db2',
        'mssql'      => 'pdo_sqlsrv',
        'mysql'      => 'pdo_mysql',
        'mysql2'     => 'pdo_mysql', // Amazon RDS, for some weird reason
        'postgres'   => 'pdo_pgsql',
        'postgresql' => 'pdo_pgsql',
        'pgsql'      => 'pdo_pgsql',
        'sqlite'     => 'pdo_sqlite',
        'sqlite3'    => 'pdo_sqlite',
    );

    /**
     * Private constructor. This class cannot be instantiated.
     */
    private function __construct()
    {
    }

    /**
     * Creates a connection object based on the specified parameters.
     * This method returns a Doctrine\DBAL\Connection which wraps the underlying
     * driver connection.
     *
     * $params must contain at least one of the following.
     *
     * Either 'driver' with one of the following values:
     *
     *     pdo_mysql
     *     pdo_sqlite
     *     pdo_pgsql
     *     pdo_oci (unstable)
     *     pdo_sqlsrv
     *     pdo_sqlsrv
     *     mysqli
     *     sqlanywhere
     *     sqlsrv
     *     ibm_db2 (unstable)
     *     drizzle_pdo_mysql
     *
     * OR 'driverClass' that contains the full class name (with namespace) of the
     * driver class to instantiate.
     *
     * Other (optional) parameters:
     *
     * user (string):
     * The username to use when connecting.
     *
     * password (string):
     * The password to use when connecting.
     *
     * driverOptions (array):
     * Any additional driver-specific options for the driver. These are just passed
     * through to the driver.
     *
     * pdo:
     * You can pass an existing PDO instance through this parameter. The PDO
     * instance will be wrapped in a Doctrine\DBAL\Connection.
     *
     * wrapperClass:
     * You may specify a custom wrapper class through the 'wrapperClass'
     * parameter but this class MUST inherit from Doctrine\DBAL\Connection.
     *
     * driverClass:
     * The driver class to use.
     *
     * @param array                              $params       The parameters.
     * @param \Doctrine\DBAL\Configuration|null  $config       The configuration to use.
     * @param \Doctrine\Common\EventManager|null $eventManager The event manager to use.
     *
     * @return \Doctrine\DBAL\Connection
     *
     * @throws \Doctrine\DBAL\DBALException
     */
    public static function getConnection(
            array $params,
            Configuration $config = null,
            EventManager $eventManager = null)
    {
        // create default config and event manager, if not set
        if ( ! $config) {
            $config = new Configuration();
        }
        if ( ! $eventManager) {
            $eventManager = new EventManager();
        }

        $params = self::parseDatabaseUrl($params);

        // check for existing pdo object
        if (isset($params['pdo']) && ! $params['pdo'] instanceof \PDO) {
            throw DBALException::invalidPdoInstance();
        } elseif (isset($params['pdo'])) {
            $params['pdo']->setAttribute(\PDO::ATTR_ERRMODE, \PDO::ERRMODE_EXCEPTION);
            $params['driver'] = 'pdo_' . $params['pdo']->getAttribute(\PDO::ATTR_DRIVER_NAME);
        } else {
            self::_checkParams($params);
        }
        if (isset($params['driverClass'])) {
            $className = $params['driverClass'];
        } else {
            $className = self::$_driverMap[$params['driver']];
        }

        $driver = new $className();

        $wrapperClass = 'Doctrine\DBAL\Connection';
        if (isset($params['wrapperClass'])) {
            if (is_subclass_of($params['wrapperClass'], $wrapperClass)) {
               $wrapperClass = $params['wrapperClass'];
            } else {
                throw DBALException::invalidWrapperClass($params['wrapperClass']);
            }
        }

        return new $wrapperClass($params, $driver, $config, $eventManager);
    }

    /**
     * Returns the list of supported drivers.
     *
     * @return array
     */
    public static function getAvailableDrivers()
    {
        return array_keys(self::$_driverMap);
    }

    /**
     * Checks the list of parameters.
     *
     * @param array $params The list of parameters.
     *
     * @return void
     *
     * @throws \Doctrine\DBAL\DBALException
     */
    private static function _checkParams(array $params)
    {
        // check existence of mandatory parameters

        // driver
        if ( ! isset($params['driver']) && ! isset($params['driverClass'])) {
            throw DBALException::driverRequired();
        }

        // check validity of parameters

        // driver
        if (isset($params['driver']) && ! isset(self::$_driverMap[$params['driver']])) {
            throw DBALException::unknownDriver($params['driver'], array_keys(self::$_driverMap));
        }

        if (isset($params['driverClass']) && ! in_array('Doctrine\DBAL\Driver', class_implements($params['driverClass'], true))) {
            throw DBALException::invalidDriverClass($params['driverClass']);
        }
    }

    /**
     * Extracts parts from a database URL, if present, and returns an
     * updated list of parameters.
     *
     * @param array $params The list of parameters.
     *
     * @return array A modified list of parameters with info from a database
     *               URL extracted into indidivual parameter parts.
     *
     * @throws DBALException
     */
    private static function parseDatabaseUrl(array $params)
    {
        if (!isset($params['url'])) {
            return $params;
        }

        // (pdo_)?sqlite3?:///... => (pdo_)?sqlite3?://localhost/... or else the URL will be invalid
        $url = preg_replace('#^((?:pdo_)?sqlite3?):///#', '$1://localhost/', $params['url']);

        $url = parse_url($url);

        if ($url === false) {
            throw new DBALException('Malformed parameter "url".');
        }

        if (isset($url['scheme'])) {
            $params['driver'] = str_replace('-', '_', $url['scheme']); // URL schemes must not contain underscores, but dashes are ok
            if (isset(self::$driverSchemeAliases[$params['driver']])) {
                $params['driver'] = self::$driverSchemeAliases[$params['driver']]; // use alias like "postgres", else we just let checkParams decide later if the driver exists (for literal "pdo-pgsql" etc)
            }
        }

        if (isset($url['host'])) {
            $params['host'] = $url['host'];
        }
        if (isset($url['port'])) {
            $params['port'] = $url['port'];
        }
        if (isset($url['user'])) {
            $params['user'] = $url['user'];
        }
        if (isset($url['pass'])) {
            $params['password'] = $url['pass'];
        }

        if (isset($url['path'])) {
            if (!isset($url['scheme']) || (strpos($url['scheme'], 'sqlite') !== false && $url['path'] == ':memory:')) {
                $params['dbname'] = $url['path']; // if the URL was just "sqlite::memory:", which parses to scheme and path only
            } else {
                $params['dbname'] = substr($url['path'], 1); // strip the leading slash from the URL
            }
        }

        if (isset($url['query'])) {
            $query = array();
            parse_str($url['query'], $query); // simply ingest query as extra params, e.g. charset or sslmode
            $params = array_merge($params, $query); // parse_str wipes existing array elements
        }

        return $params;
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
JYJ's Junsu collaborates with Epik High's Tablo for his title track 'Flower'
Unknown 3:44:00 PM Epik High, Flower, JunSu, JYJ, Tablo Comments
Following Dok2, Epik High's Tablo will be the next artist to feature in JYJ's Junsu's upcoming solo album.
C-Jes Entertainment revealed on February 17th,"'Flower' has been confirmed as the title track for Junsu's 3rd solo album, which will be released on March 3rd. The song that Tablo featured in, for which Junsu participated in the composing and lyrics writing, is an fantastic collaboration song".
The agency also released some of the photos of the two from the recording studio, raising the fans' excitement even more.
Tablo shared his thought,"I've always liked Junsu and it was good to be given a chance to work with him". Junsu also commented,"A good song was able to completed thanks to the rap that suits well with the title song. I'm big fan of Tablo's genius hip hop lyrics and I thought that he would be able to metaphorically express the lyrics of the song. I was thrilled when I received the rap lyrics. I'm very thankful".
Don't miss the release of 'Flower' on March 3rd.


text:
Sequestration Headlines – Plus the DorobekINSIDER 7 Stories
Emily Jarvis February 27, 2013
On the DorobekINSIDER:
Sequestration goes into effect on Friday and the quickly approaching deadline has feds asking a lot of questions. Like when will furloughs happen and for how long? We answer your questions with employment attorney John Mahoney. Click here for the full recap.
For the 12th year in a row human resources issues have topped the Government Accountability Office's High Risk List. Find out what progress is being made. Click here for the full recap.
The DorobekINSIDER sequestration reader
NYTimes: the federal government, the nation's largest consumer and investor, is cutting back at a pace exceeded in the last half-century only by the military demobilizations after the Vietnam War and the cold war. And the turn toward austerity is set to accelerate on Friday if the mandatory federal spending cuts known as sequestration start to take effect as scheduled. Those cuts would join an earlier round of deficit reduction measures passed in 2011 and the wind-down of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that already have reduced the federal government's contribution to the nation's gross domestic product by almost 7 percent in the last two years. The cuts may be felt more deeply because state and local governments — which expanded rapidly during earlier rounds of federal reductions in the 1970s and the 1990s, offsetting much of the impact — have also been cutting back.
National Journal:Is Anything Safe From the Automatic Budget Cuts? Yes, the across-the-board cuts in federal spending that will begin this week are blunt. And it's true they will affect many corners of the government. But big swaths of the government are safe.
The Hill: Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) is calling for new restrictions on congressional visits overseas that would ban House members from taking federally funded trips outside the United States unless members are visiting U.S. forces stationed in an active war zone.
The Hill: Senate GOP divided on own sequester plan. Two days before $85 billion in automatic spending cuts hit the government, Senate Republicans are divided over a bill backed by their leadership that would replace the sequester.
Federal News Radio: Before furloughs, agencies must negotiate terms with unions. Customs and Border Protection became one of the first civilian agencies to notify the union that represents their employees that they want to begin discussing the implementation of furloughs under sequestration.
Roll Call oped: The Wrong Way to Do Sequester. An increasingly likely outcome of the looming budget sequester is the prospect of all Pentagon programs being cut equally — about 10 percent — regardless of performance, potential or priority. The administration and Congress may actually allow this to happen, damaging successful and well-performing programs in the developmental pipeline while preserving failing or antiquated programs. Doing so would be a major mistake
Washington Business Journal oped: Ray Bjorklund: Over the edge in a cardboard barrel. Looking only at the president's budget, defense contract spending is slotted to dip about 8 percent during fiscal 2013. Factor in sequestration, set to kick in Friday, and that decline bumps to as much as 13 percent. Either way, contractors have to focus on stable or growing market segments. Fast.
The 7 Stories You Need To Know
Senate Republicans are on track to confirm several of President Barack Obama's key Cabinet officials, despite weeks of protests and grandstanding from the GOP. Yesterday the Senate broke the filibuster on Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel. He was confirmed 58-41. And Roll Call reports, at the committee level, senators approved the nomination of former White House Chief of Staff Jacob J. Lew for Treasury secretary and are set to consider the more controversial pick of John O. Brennan for director of the CIA on Thursday.
Washington Business Journal reports, a panel concluded that congress should change the way information technology programs are funded and provide agencies with more flexibility to tap a reserve when upgrades or changes in requirements are needed.
NextGov reports, The New York Times is the latest media outlet to liken the quiet standoff between the United States and China over cyber security to "a new Cold War." In a Sunday evening piece of news analysis, the paper's David E. Sanger wrote about "how different the worsening cyber-cold war between the world's two largest economies is from the more familiar superpower conflicts of past decades — in some ways less dangerous, in others more complex and pernicious."
Federal Times reports, agencies hosted or attended 767 large conferences at a cost of $268 million last year, according to new federal data released Wednesday by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Leading the list of agencies that attended or hosted conferences that cost taxpayers more than $100,000 was the Defense Department, with 295 conferences at a total cost of $89 million, according to the data. The Health and Human Services Department was next with 140 conferences at a cost of $56 million.
Federal News Radio reports, Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, head of theGovernment Accountability Office says GAO's staffing level will plunge to a near-historic low under sequestration. It will also trim employee benefits. The agency is already in emergency-management mode after losing a chunk of its funding and trimming staff to the lowest level in decades. It gets about 1,000 audit requests from lawmakers a year.
Federal news Radio reports, a new bill would make Congress fully fund the discretionary portion of the Veterans Affairs Department a year in advance. It already follows this practice for veterans medical benefits. Backers on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee say the bill would ensure VA has the money it needs for IT projects aimed at reducing claims backlogs. The bill is sponsored by Chairman Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) and Ranking Member Mike Michaud (D-Maine). VA's IT budget is around $3 billion annually.
And on GovLoop, if you are taking part in our Virtual Career Fair tomorrow, make sure you come prepared by downloading our free prep kit. You can get it here.
Water-Cooler Fodder
TheEconomist debate: Do most organizations adapt too slowly to change?
NBC: Her rightful place': Rosa Parks statue being unveiled in US Capitol. More than half a century after she sat defiantly on an Alabama city bus, Rosa Parks will stand in the U.S. Capitol.
Tags: 7, budget, cuts, DorobekINSIDER, Sequestration
9 Types of Rest for Managers
The Value of Self-Reflection
To Asian American Public Servants: How Are You Doing?
We Answer Your Sequestration Questions – The What, Why, When of Furloughs
Video of My Recent Ottawa Talk – Beyond Cats and Kardashians


The art of alcohol distillation can be traced back at least to 3.500 b.C. Sources indicate that it was actively practiced by ancient Egyptians and in China. Through the years, it then spread to all Continents. Depending on the geographical location, distillers were naturally inclined to utilise the raw materials readily available in their territory. Presently, we can find a series of distillates all around the globe, the most important which are listed below.
An extremely well-known and appreciated distillate is Rhum, obtained from sugar-cane. It is produced throughout the tropical and Caribbean areas; in fact, it would be hard to think of a good glass of this distillate without accompanying it with a cigar or fine cocoa.
In Brazil, sugar-cane is also used to make Cachaça, a favourite distillate of the population.
Tequila is indissolubly linked with Mexico. Created with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores, this distillate is obtained exclusively from the juice of the blue agave, a plant with long pulpy leaves and an unmistakable colour.
Closely related to Tequila, Mezcal is obtained from 8 different varieties of agave and undergoes a "smoking" process that makes it significantly different. In many bottles it is possible to find the famous gusano, a small larva that lives in agave plants and which is put in the bottle.
Deriving from the Anglo-Saxon tradition, in the United States one can find grain and corn distillates. Corn, for example, is used to make Tennessee Whiskey, Bourbon and Corn Whiskey. There is also Rye Whiskey, made with rye.
Also Canadian Whiskies are mainly produced with rye. On the other side of the world one can find Sake, a traditional Japanese beverage. It must be pointed out that saki is not a distillate, but a fermented rice beverage. However, in the last few decades excellent whiskies have been produced in the Land of the Rising Sun.
A real rice distillate is Choum, widely used in China and Vietnam, or Sura of Sri Lanka.
In the steppes of Central Asia, where little grows on the ground, they distil milk for beverages such as Aiven.


kind, and used in pottage, or in medicine.
and the bloody-veined Dock (Rumex sanguineus).
remedy to burns and scalds, and are used for dressing blisters.
Dock shall have a new smock.
a cultivated herb ill the kitchen-garden, known as Patience-dock.
the herb, or with other kindred docks, will become quite tender.
la passio, the passion of Christ.
curative of several chronic skin diseases.
grabs, Soursuds, Soursauce, Cuckoo sorrow, and Greensauce.
pleasant and agreeable. But of this enough, and perhaps too much!
lest while I write of salts and sallets I appear myself insipid.
and orange peel, and it was called Conserva lujuoe.
psoriasis), if taken steadily for several weeks, or months. Dr.
his hands almost a specific for psoriasis and for obstinate syphilis.
entangled with the thorny spines they fall helplessly to the ground.
(from sticking to clouts, or clothes), Clithe, Hurbur, and Hardock.
carbonate of potash abundantly, with nitre, and inulin.
tincture which is very useful (H.) is made from it before it flowers.
well as for scrofulous skin diseases.
Et Lapathi brevis herba, sed albo non sine Coo.


FRANCONIA, Va. — A day after seeking refuge at shopping malls and movie theaters, hoping the lights would be back on when they returned, 3 million residents faced a grim reality Sunday: stifling homes, spoiled food and a looming commute filled with knocked-out stoplights.
Two days after storms tore across the Eastern U.S., power outages were forcing people to get creative to stay cool in dangerously hot weather. Temperatures were forecast to top 100 degrees in many storm-stricken areas, and utility officials said the power will likely be out for several more days.
The storm was blamed for 14 deaths, most from trees falling on homes and cars. Meanwhile, Coast Guard officials say they have suspended the search for a man who went missing early Saturday while boating during the storm off Maryland.
From Atlanta to Richmond, temperatures were expected to reach triple digits. With no air conditioning, officials urged residents to check on their elderly relatives and neighbors. It was tough to find a free pump at gas stations that did have power, and lines of cars snaked around fast-food drive-thrus.
And power restoration was spotty: Several people interviewed said they remained without power even though the lights were on at neighbors' homes across the street. In Maryland, Gov. O'Malley promised that he would push utility companies to get electricity restored as quickly as possible.


Character Design for e-Learning App - "Mr. Brief"
DrXico necesitaba un nuevo diseño de botón o icono y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
We need a nice character to become "Mr Brief". "Mr Brief" is the teacher that guides the user trough a series of questions helping him to create an understandable Brief.
I'm developing an eLearning application for a Market Research Company. The app is about how to create a Brief. Their clients will enter the site and the Character "Mr Brief" will guide the user through the process.
In the main screen, the user will be welcome with six boxes that explain each process of the Brief. "Mr Brief" will be there pointing at each box showing with the Mouse Over Action a little explanation of each process.
In the inside, in each screen, "Mr Brief" will be in the right column with suggestions and one link to "Need more help?" which goes to a screen with more detailed information about that particular screen.
The Market Research Company is full of young hype people, they are trendy, techie and open in a conservative way. Their clients are usually young Market Managers in their early thirties.
They liked the character style used in the screen examples, although it looks like downloaded from Google Images.
- Downloaded from Google Images type of thing.


ptu team ask us to play monday at 21h00, tell me if its good for you, and if not (thats what i think), give me your aviability.
So when is match now?
a good session of training this evening , A regular time all around 1.04/1.05 and my best time on 1.03.69 .
i think we were nice yesterday evening.
our times on stadium were very good, no luck, them was better.
i applause all for the match !


Eateries & Leisure–I want to eat out (a lot) and go to the theater each now and again. If I am going with associates, they pick me up or I take the bus into metropolis to fulfill them. At night I've to observe the time, since my bus stops working at 9:30 or 10:00 p.m. If it's going to be late and I am with pals, they may give me a journey residence. If not, I depart early.
These two will not be solely used to offer a taste to your food. They produce different useful makes use of. For example, with ketchup, you possibly can remove tarnish from copper and brass cookware. Squeeze some on a material and rub it on a pan. Rinse it with warm water, dry it out and see the magic.
Beneath, I've compiled a listing of bridesmaid dress designers who provide a web site with the color altering characteristic. These are in no way the complete web sites available on the market, however these are those I've found most likely probably the most useful and person-nice.
I do all my Christmas shopping on-line. Find it irresistible!
Recipes usually require several substances. It is a good suggestion to evaluation your planned recipes utterly before heading off to the grocery retailer. There's an alternative use of this divine drink. You could clear picket floors and furnishings with it and produce their true shade to life as soon as more.
Many tales have particular products it's possible you'll solely discover there. These might dictate that you retailer at that individual store or not less than cease by there to pick out up the actual objects. I put this itemizing collectively in an effort to cut down your search time and enable you discover new and fun video games which you would have the benefit of with the PlayStation Transfer attachment.
Congrats on an amazing hub of the day!!!!
Respondents have been requested to resolve on attributes from the guidelines under that make a meals product a very good match for on-line shopping. They might choose multiple selection. Within the Victorian period, violets and pansies have been a extraordinarily in style decoration for china. After Seymour gives a rousing speech to the Crusaders, backtrack and speak to the Checkpoint sentry on the suitable for a Highly effective Bangle for Lulu (nice armor).
Scroll all the best way to the far proper as you might and pull the suitable edge over to around the 13-inch mark on the ruler. Relying in your present settings, likelihood is you may must play with this slightly. Do the same factor for the underside. Toggle once more and for between Design View" and Type View." My purpose is to not have both of the scroll bars being visible.
Irrespective of you could be efficiency oriented or motivated retailer who desires monumental success or seems to be lengthy lasting, to bring an efficient answer ecologically, you should take into consideration opting custom-made made reusable shopping luggage. They not solely entice your prospects however your enterprise moreover will get additional limelight than ever before.


text:
Q: readr::read_csv("file.csv", col_types = rep("c", times = 18)) gives Error: not compatible with STRSXP I'm trying to read in a fairly simple csv file, but readr is throwing an error when I try to specify the column types. Here's a small snippet of my data:
text <- "Item,Date,Time,SeizureTime,ET,OriginatingNumber,TerminatingNumber,IMEI,IMSI,CT,Feature,DIALED,FORWARDED,TRANSLATED,ORIG_ORIG,MAKE,MODEL,TargetNumber
3,10/31/2012,7:53:00,0:15,1:43,(123)555-1216,(123)555-5662,,,MO,[],,11235552511,,,,,(123)555-5662
4,10/31/2011,9:04:00,0:25,0:00,(123)555-0214,(123)555-5662,,,MO,[],,11235552511,,,,,(123)555-5662
9,10/31/2014,9:08:00,0:11,2:13,(123)555-8555,(132)555-5662,,,MO,[],,11235552511,,,,,(123)555-5662
12,10/31/2011,9:27:00,0:07,0:10,(123)555-0214,(123)555-5662,,,MO,[],,11235552511,,,,,(123)555-5662
13,10/31/2015,9:35:00,0:27,0:00,(123)555-0214,(123)555-5662,,,MO,[],,11235552511,,,,,(123)555-5662
16,10/31/2011,10:09:00,0:10,14:13,(123)555-1216,(123)555-5662,,,MO,[],,11235552511,,,,,(123)555-5662"

dat <- read.table(text = text, sep = ",", header = TRUE)

When trying to read in the actual CSV using read_csv("file.csv", col_types = rep("c", times = 18)) I get the error mentioned in the title. I've seen a couple SO questions regarding this error and they all seem to be related to C++ functions taking place in the background, but I don't know how to remedy it. If I strip off the col_types argument, the error goes away, but it doesn't parse the data correctly.

A: When you specified the columns you used rep("c", times=18), but that creates a vector with 18 elements. From the help for ?read_csv, the col_types argument takes a single string of column shortcuts like "ccccdc". So we paste the c's together to form one string:
read_csv(text, col_types=paste(rep("c", 18), collapse=""))
Source: local data frame [6 x 18]

   Item       Date     Time SeizureTime    ET
  (chr)      (chr)    (chr)       (chr) (chr)
1     3 10/31/2012  7:53:00        0:15  1:43
2     4 10/31/2011  9:04:00        0:25  0:00
3     9 10/31/2014  9:08:00        0:11  2:13
4    12 10/31/2011  9:27:00        0:07  0:10
5    13 10/31/2015  9:35:00        0:27  0:00
6    16 10/31/2011 10:09:00        0:10 14:13

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Senegal, Landmine Monitor Report 2004
Production, Transfer, Stockpiling and Destruction
Landmine Problem
Survey and Assessment
Mine Clearance, Coordination and Planning
Mine Risk Education
Mine Action Funding
Landmine Casualties
Disability Policy and Practice
Key developments since May 2003: A national Mine Action Plan has been drafted, including the creation of a National Mine Action Center, and is awaiting approval. In the second half of 2003, the Senegalese Army began mine clearance activities to allow displaced persons and refugees to return to their homes. The UN Mine Action Service conducted a mission to Senegal in March 2004 and concluded that the mine and UXO problem is "a clear impediment to resettlement of IDPs and development of agricultural resources." In 2003, Handicap International agents conducted 5,321 mine risk education sessions, and 322 volunteers carried out 5,366 sessions. In June 2004, Senegal reported that a domestic implementation law is being prepared. Senegal has not been transparent about an incident in which the Senegalese Navy reportedly intercepted a ship in its territorial waters in 2001 destined for Angola and seized antipersonnel mines, which it reportedly then destroyed in April 2003. In 2003 the number of casualties continued to decline. However, in the first half of 2004 the number of casualties increased, some of which were reported in areas declared cleared by the Army.
Key developments since 1999: Senegal became a State Party on 1 March 1999. It has stated that the existing penal code provides sanctions for violations of the Mine Ban Treaty, but also indicated in June 2004 that new implementation legislation will be prepared. Senegal reported that it has no stockpile of antipersonnel mines, even for training purposes. In August 1999, a National Commission was created to oversee implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. In 1999 and 2000, there were allegations that MFDC rebels were using antipersonnel mines in Casamance Province. Systematic mine clearance operations by the Army began in 2003. From the beginning of Handicap International's mine risk education program in 1999 until July 2003, a total of 19,821 village mine risk education sessions took place, in 899 out of 1,272 villages. Handicap International maintains a database of mine and UXO casualties in Casamance, recording 651 mine/UXO casualties since 1996.
After participating fully in the Ottawa Process, Senegal signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997. It ratified the treaty on 24 September 1998, and became a State Party on 1 March 1999. Since August 1999, the National Commission on the Implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty has been responsible for the mine issue.[1] There currently is no specific implementation legislation, but violations of Mine Ban Treaty provisions are said to be sanctioned by national constitutional law and the 2001 penal code.[2] In its June 2004 Article 7 report, Senegal stated that the National Commission had decided to draw up new landmine legislation.[3] According to government officials on 22 June 2004, "A new law will be introduced into the adoption circuit without delay."[4]
Senegal deposited its most recent annual Article 7 report on 2 June 2004.[5] It has submitted four reports previously.[6]
Senegal has attended all five Meetings of States Parties, and most intersessional meetings since their inception in 1999, including in February and June 2004. Senegal attended a workshop on Implementation of the Ottawa Treaty in West Africa, organized by Burkina Faso for ECOWAS member states with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in Ouagadougou, on 28-29 January 2004. It has attended other regional landmine meetings in Bamako, Mali in February 2001, and in Abuja, Nigeria, in October 2001. It also participated in the International Colloquium of the National Structures in Charge of the Mine Issue, organized by France's CNEMA (Commission Nationale pour l'Elimination des Mines Antipersonnel), in Paris, on 12-13 March 2004.
On 8 December 2003, Senegal voted in favor of UN General Assembly resolution 58/53 supporting universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. It has voted in favor of all annual pro-ban UNGA resolutions since 1996.
Senegal has not engaged in the extensive discussions that States Parties have had on matters of interpretation and implementation related to Articles 1, 2, and 3. Thus, Senegal has not made known its views on issues related to joint military operations with non-States Parties, antivehicle mines with sensitive fuzes or antihandling devices, and the permissible number of mines retained for training. However, in September 2002, Senegal stated that it would not allow transit or stockpiling of antipersonnel mines on its territory.[7]
Senegal is party to Amended Protocol II of the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW). It participated in the November 2003 annual meeting of States Parties in Geneva.
NGOs have been active on the landmine issue in Senegal. Witness and RADDHO (Rencontre Africaine pour la Défense des Droits de l'Homme) are completing a documentary entitled "Against the Tide of History: Anti-personnel landmines in the Casamance," which illustrates the urgent need for assistance for the psychosocial rehabilitation of landmine victims in the Casamance.[8] On 6 July 2004, ASVM (Association Sénégalaise de Victimes de Mines) organized several events, including a roundtable entitled, "For a Mine-Free Casamance."
In its Article 7 reports, Senegal has stated that it never produced, possessed or stockpiled mines, even for training purposes. Yet in 1998 members of its engineering corps asserted that the Senegalese Army possessed mines of Warsaw Pact origin.[9]
In 2003, Colonel Ousmane Sarr, the focal point for the mine issue within the Senegalese Army, told Landmine Monitor that the Senegalese navy had intercepted a ship in its territorial waters in 2001 destined for Angola, and seized antipersonnel mines.[10] In an interview in January 2004, Col. Sarr stated that the mines had been destroyed in April 2003, at his request, at the artillery battalion in Thiès, 70 kilometers from Dakar.[11] In follow-up discussions about the issue in Geneva in February 2004, Lt. Col. Moctar Ndoye of the Ministry of Defense said that detailed information on the origin of the ship and on the number and types of mines seized would be given in Senegal's 2004 annual Article 7 update.[12] However, that report gives no information about the mines or their destruction.
In a subsequent interview in Geneva in June 2004, Lt. Col. Ndoye, together with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, strongly denied any ship with mines on board had ever been intercepted, noting that "after the publication of that information in Landmine Monitor an investigation was conducted and no records appear to exist at the Maritime Forces, which would have been the case if the allegations were true."[13]
However, Landmine Monitor has seen the official records on the events, and was given photographs of the destruction of the mines.[14] When shown the pictures in Geneva, the officials said, "They could have been from any destruction following mine clearance."[15] However, mines cleared in the Casamance region are not transported to Thiès, near the capital, some 350 kilometers away, but are destroyed on the spot. Furthermore, the destruction took place in April 2003, while mine clearance by the Army only began in the second half of 2003. Senegal should provide comprehensive information to States Parties regarding this issue in a transparent manner.
Senegalese authorities claim never to have used antipersonnel mines in Senegal or outside the country.[16] However, it appears certain that Senegalese forces used antipersonnel mines in Guinea-Bissau in 1998, to support government troops against a self-proclaimed military junta.[17] Such use would have occurred after Senegal signed the Mine Ban Treaty, but before its entry into force for the government.[18] While mines were used in fighting between the rebel Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) and government forces, it is not clear if government forces used mines inside the country after signing the Mine Ban Treaty.[19]
In the Banjul Declaration of 26 December 1999, the Senegalese Army and the MFDC committed to not use antipersonnel landmines.[20] However Landmine Monitor reported significant use of antipersonnel and antivehicle mines by MFDC rebels in Casamance up until 2001.[21] Rebels reportedly also used improvised explosive devices.[22]
In 1999 the government stated the MFDC possessed mines of Belgian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian and Chinese origin. It was reported that mines had been available through the black market in Guinea-Bissau and from Gambia.[23]
There is also some reported use of landmines by common criminals such as cattle thieves and "coupeurs de routes" (literally "road-cutters" -- people blocking the road to attack and steal from those who happen to pass by).[24]
The landmine problem is largely the result of fighting in the Casamance region between the Army and the MFDC, particularly after 1997. MFDC has reportedly agreed to reveal information on mined areas as soon as peace talks are finalized.[25]
Although the exact scope of the mine problem remains unknown, the military estimates that about 1,400 square kilometers of land are mined or suspected to be mined: 80 percent in the Ziguinchor region of Casamance and 20 percent in its Kolda region.[26] Approximately 250,000 people are exposed to the danger of mines, representing 38 percent of the population.[27] According to Handicap International's mine clearance expert, the mine problem in Senegal can be characterized as "few mines, but a big impact."[28]
Mines can be found in almost all villages along the border with Guinea-Bissau; between the Casamance river and the border in the area between Oussouye and Samine Escale, including Ziguinchor, Niaguia and Niaguiss; in Kolda region in the perimeter between the villages of Saré Yoba-Medina El Hadj and Salikénié, specifically along the routes heading south; and finally along the border with the Gambia and the routes between Bignona-Bounkiling and Bignona-Séléti.[29] A distinction can be made between minefields with moderate density and areas with scattered mines. The Niaguiss sector, Niassya and Loudia-Ouloff south of Ziguinchor, constitutes an area with moderately dense minefields. The north of Sindian, south of Goudomp, south of Samine and the sectors of Saré Tening and Saré Boubou contain scattered mines.[30] During the rainy season mines often move because of the sandy soil. Witnesses have noted that mines have appeared on the surface, then moved toward the side of the roads.[31]
The mine problem seriously affects the economic development of the Casamance, having an impact on agriculture, fishing, transport of goods and services, and tourism.[32] It also has an impact on trade between Senegal and Guinea-Bissau.[33] It is estimated that landmines kill 20 livestock per week on average, which is a major problem, impoverishing not only the owners of the cattle, but the whole Casamance region, which used to be able to feed the rest of the country.[34]
In a study conducted by Handicap International in 2002 in the Diattacounda district of Casamance, 70 percent of those interviewed had indicated that their movement was restricted because of landmines.[35]
Over the course of the conflict, several thousand people were internally displaced, and thousands more fled to the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. By the end of 2003, advances in the peace process, including the death of rebel leader Sidi Badj and calls for peace from leaders of the MFDC at their annual conference in October 2003, had already inspired some 3,000 refugees to return home.[36] According to the Secretary General of a local NGO, the Association des Jeunes Agriculteurs de la Casamance (AJAC APREN), another 10,000 to 15,000 people are expected to return to their homes in 2004.[37]
As reported in January 2004 by Refugees International, "Many villages and their surrounding areas are full of landmines, making safe resettlement in some areas impossible."[38] Nonetheless AJAC, financed by the USAID Casamance Recovery Project, rehabilitated hundreds of houses without prior mine clearance. As a result, an increase in the number of mine incidents is considered more than likely.[39] Asked about this by Landmine Monitor, AJAC confirmed having rehabilitated over 100 houses in Mpack in the Niaguiss region and 490 houses in Bounaf, along with 60 water wells, 18 classrooms and five health posts between 2002 and 2003. AJAC denies that the sites were not secured before the rehabilitation, noting "the authorization for their intervention has been given by the government after they secured the zone."[40] However, in Mpack, three casualties occurred during reconstruction activities in April 2004 and one in May 2004.[41] Also, on 27 April 2004 a woman lost her leg when she stepped on a mine outside the village of Mpack when she was collecting cashew nuts.[42] That zone had been declared cleared by the Army.[43]
Children are reportedly the most affected by the Casamance conflict. They are underfed because agricultural land is mined and access to the bush to gather food is restricted. Also, landmines reduce the space available to children and slow down their psychological development due to the absence of free movement to play.[44]
In 2004, a number of Senegalese human rights organizations, including the Senegalese section of Amnesty International, criticized the lack of marking and fencing of mined and mine-suspected areas and the failure to prohibit access to the areas, in spite of the state's Mine Ban Treaty obligation to do so.[45]
A UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) mission visited Senegal from 22-29 March 2004. The final report was unavailable, but according to a one-page summary sent to Landmine Monitor, Senegal's mine and UXO problem is "a clear impediment to resettlement of IDPs and development of agricultural resources."[46] The mission recommended that the government and the UN, under the auspices of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), should immediately establish a mine action program that should "aim to be modest at the start with a focus on problem identification through a LIS (Landmine Impact Survey) by Handicap International and a limited number of clearance sections." [47] The mission opines that emphasis should be on national capacity building and that the program should come under a civilian body with policy and executive functions separated.[48]
Handicap International undertook an assessment in October 2004, with the financial support from USAID, the European Union and the UNDP.[49]
Humanitarian mine clearance was considered impossible without a peace agreement. However, in 2001 a "Program for the Revival of the Economic and Social Activities in Casamance (Programme de Relance des Activités Economiques et Sociales en Casamance-PRAESC)" was developed. Mine clearance, under the coordination of the European Union and UNDP, is an important component of PRAESC. In December 2003, the 2001 working document was updated, and in January 2004, a second report that specifically relates to mine clearance was completed.[50]
PRAESC calls for "a rapid reintegration of the Casamance population in a favorable economic and social environment and preparing for a sustainable long term development respecting the particularities of the region."[51] It has four components: mine clearance; demobilization, reinsertion and reintegration; local development; and reconstruction and rehabilitation of non-community infrastructure.[52] The report states that urgent humanitarian demining is a prerequisite for all socio-economic reactivation of the mine-affected regions. It also recommends the creation of a "national operational mine clearance center," together with the "drafting of a list of priorities, the conception of a general mine clearance plan and resource mobilization, and a call for specialized enterprises."[53] On 17 March 2004, Handicap International received agreement for future accreditation to conduct humanitarian mine clearance in the country.[54]
The Senegalese Army has developed a plan, with the support of the French military, to clear the Casamance region in three phases over a five-year period.[55] The annual budget for that plan would be CFA 60 million (US$113,207).[56] Priority for mine clearance would be to ensure safe agricultural production and distribution in the Casamance region.[57] In June 2004, Senegal announced that it had drafted a national mine action plan, which included a Mine Action Center in Ziguinchor.[58] Formal adoption of the plan by the government is pending.[59]
In the second half of 2003, the Army started some clearance operations in the Ziguinchor and Naguis areas, to allow displaced persons and refugees to go back to their homes. The localities of Boutoute, Djibanar, Gouraf, Kaguil, Mandina Makange, Mandina Thierno, Oupountoum, Soucouta, Toubacouta and a part of M'Pack have been cleared. Over 3.2 kilometers of the Mandina Macange-Mandina Diola road have been cleared, as well as the road between Oumpoutoun and Madina Thierno. A total of 607 mines were destroyed. Only St-Louis Mancagne, the sector of Barakas and a part of M'Pack were left to clear.[60]
Since January 2004, three mine clearance teams of the National Army have been deployed in the sectors of Oussouye, Niassya and Adéane. As of March 2004, they conducted mine clearance in and around the villages of Babandinka (destroying 35 mines), Basséré (50), Bofa (80), Boutoupa (49), Dar Es Salam (49), Efock (105), Etafoune (8), Fangott (16), Guidel (35), Kaguit (149), Kouring (14), Mandina Mangangne (1), Niadiou (14), Ponceau (4), Santhiaba Manjack (76), Sindone (5) and Soukouta (28).[61] Thus, the total number of mines cleared was 718.[62] On 22 March 2004, it was announced that three more mine clearance teams were being deployed.[63]
There is concern about the Army's capacity for systematic mine clearance consistent with international standards.[64] In 2003, over a three-month period, two mine incidents occurred in areas that had been demined by the Army.[65] Also in the first months of 2004, a number of casualties occurred after the military carried out clearance operations: in March two casualties were reported in Mandina Macange; in April two casualties occurred in Gouraf, one in Mandina Macange and three in Mpack, and another one in Mpack in May 2004.[66] Four out of the fourteen reported casualties occurred while people were engaged in reconstruction of their houses or villages.[67]
In 2004, Senegalese human rights organizations criticized the lack of humanitarian mine clearance, and insisted it needed to take place before any return of refugees. Some members of the Senegalese Association of Mine Victims (ASVM) decided not to return to any areas not systematically declared clear of mines.[68]
On 1 April 2004, the wing of the MFDC which is reportedly opposed to the peace process, attacked Senegalese government forces who were clearing landmines in the village of Guidel, killing three soldiers and injuring another five.[69]
Between 5 May and 13 June 2003, three Senegalese soldiers were trained at the regional mine clearance training center in Ouidah, Benin.[70]
Handicap International continues to be the main provider of mine risk education (MRE) in Casamance through its Mine Risk Education Program (PEPAM).[71] It provides MRE to people in affected areas through community and school activities. For community MRE activities, PEPAM works directly through agents or through community-level volunteers trained in MRE by the agents. In fifteen communities the volunteers are part of a larger "mine committee," which includes the village chief or other respected resource people. The committee's tasks include mine risk education and minefield marking.[72]
In 2003, 11 agents conducted 5,321 mine risk education sessions, trained 15 new volunteers and re-trained another 39, and 322 volunteers carried out 5,366 sessions.[73] Since the beginning of the program in 1999 until July 2003, a total of 19,821 village mine risk education sessions took place,[74] in 899 out of 1,272 villages.[75] MRE tools included image boxes, 200,000 folders, 3,000 posters and 60 banners. HI also provides MRE twice a week through two radio stations in Ziguinchor, and once a week on one radio station in Kolda.[76] HI plans to focus on the eight most mine-affected communities (Kabrousse, Loudia, Ouolof, Nyassia, Niaguis, Goudomp, Diattacounda and Tanaff).[77]
In 2002, 17 professional theater productions on the mine issue took place in the suburbs of Ziguinchor and the villages of Niaguis.[78] In collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, HI in 2002 trained 1,362 teachers in 288 schools to integrate MRE into the curriculum of all schools in Casamance.[79] In 2003, no new schoolteachers were trained.[80]
In July 2002, HI launched an evaluation of the effects of its mine risk education program in two districts of Casamance (Tendouck and Diattacounda). Based on the KAPB (Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Practices) method, the evaluation concluded that there is a need for more MRE, marking and clearance. When individuals were asked how they would respond when a child brought them an unexploded device, 53 percent described risky behavior. When asked how to recognize a mined area, 69 percent provided incomplete or wrong answers.[81] It remains unclear if or how this information has been used to modify MRE programs in the country.
In 2003, the Army budget for mine clearance was CFA 60 million (US$113,207).[82] In 2003, France provided €114,000 ($128,991) to Handicap International for mine risk education.[83] HI reported its total budget for 2003 for mine risk education and victim assistance was €681,386 ($770,988).[84] The United States reports it provided $500,000 in 2002 and 2003 for victim assistance and mine risk education.[85]
In 2002, the Army budget was CFA 6 million for the purchase of mine clearance equipment.[86] In 2002, France reported contributing $206,187 for mine-related activities in Senegal.[87] HI's budget for 2002 for MRE was $130,000.[88]
In 2001, HI Casamance's budget was CFA 100 million.[89] In 1999, HI received €300,000 from ECHO and FF 2 million from French Cooperation.[90]
In 2003, 19 new mine/UXO casualties (four killed and 15 injured) were recorded by Handicap International in the regions of Kolda and Ziguinchor. This represents a continuing downward trend from 78 new mine/UXO casualties reported in 1999 to 48 new casualties in 2002.[91]
Casualties continue to be reported in 2004. Through June, 15 people were injured in mine/UXO incidents; nine suffered amputations. Four casualties occurred during reconstruction activities of houses or villages.[92] In addition, five soldiers were injured when their vehicle hit a landmine at the end of March 2004.[93]
Handicap International maintains a database of mine and UXO casualties in Casamance, recording 651 mine/UXO casualties since 1996, including 147 killed and 504 injured. In addition, one mine casualty was identified from 1988, and five from 1993.[94] It is believed that the reported figures on casualties may not reflect the true number of landmine/UXO casualties in the region because of the influence of Islamic practice (burials take place as soon as possible after a death) and the absence of death registries.[95] In 2002, Senegal reported that 89 antipersonnel mines, 59 antivehicle mines, one "mixed" mine and four other types of ordnance had been victim-activated in the period between 1 January 2001 and 1 April 2002.[96] It could be supposed that this caused more than the 56 casualties reported in 2001. NGOs and other mine survivor initiatives in the region encourage the local population to report landmine incidents.
Landmine/UXO Casualties in Casamance – 1988 to *30 June 2004[97]
1988+1993
Due to a lack of national resources, assistance to mine survivors is limited.[98] Local human rights organizations acknowledge that Senegal does not have the means to support all mine survivors, but several criticize the fact that the government has no civilian survivor assistance program for which it could ask international support.[99]
The Ziguinchor regional hospital is the best-equipped institution in the mine-affected area; however, it reportedly lacks resources to adequately treat mine casualties.[100]
Military mine casualties are sent to the military hospital in Dakar, after receiving first aid.[101] The Senegalese Army has a mobile emergency medical service in Ziguinchor for military personnel providing first aid on the spot and evacuation by military plane of the most heavily injured. The two regional hospitals of Ziguinchor and Kolda lack mobile units and ambulances, limiting first aid interventions to the scene of the incident; however, both regional capitals have an airport to facilitate emergency evacuations to Dakar. Outside the towns of Ziguinchor and Kolda, the first aid and evacuation infrastructure is almost non-existent.[102]
Prosthetics and rehabilitation services are available in Ziguinchor and the Centre d'Appareillage orthopédique (Center of Orthopedic Appliances) in Dakar. In Ziguinchor, the regional hospital has an orthopedic department, directed by an orthopedic surgeon, and supported by Handicap International. The department has facilities for surgery, rehabilitation, an orthopedic workshop, and a mobile orthopedic workshop. The rehabilitation center treats about 350 people a month but reportedly lacks trained personnel. The prosthetic center fitted 410 orthopedic devices from 2002 to June 2003. It also has a mobile orthopedic workshop which reached 202 people between November 2002 and July 2003.[1]3 In 2003, at least five mine survivors were assisted.[104] The cost of orthopedic devices is often beyond the capacity of many mine survivors from rural areas.[105]
In Kolda, a new regional hospital center was inaugurated in May 2002 with facilities for prosthetics and rehabilitation. As of June 2003, the prosthetics and rehabilitation department had produced 98 devices and performed 511 consultations and 3,338 physiotherapy sessions; it was not reported if any mine survivors benefited.[106] The orthopedic unit was created with the support of USAID. However, the hospital is reportedly run down and poorly equipped; it has one general surgeon.[107]
HI supported the decentralization of the orthopedic surgery and physical rehabilitation services at the Ziguinchor hospital and the creation of two regional prosthetic centers in Bignona and Oussouye, the two chief towns of the departments, in 2002. HI also supports the ongoing training of orthopedic technicians and physiotherapists. HI's socio-economic reintegration program for persons with disabilities and their families includes income generation activities, sports, and support for associations of the disabled. In 2003, 18 people with a disability, including four mine survivors, received micro-credits for income generating activities, bringing the total number of people assisted since 2001 to 47, including eight mine survivors. In 2002, it paid the costs of prostheses, crutches, wheelchairs or tricycles for 50 mine survivors, and directly assisted 21 people with vocational training and equipment to start small businesses.[108] In October 2002, HI started a psychosocial support program for war victims. In 2003, it assisted about 60 people including ten mine survivors. Services are provided free of charge. The program was due to end in June 2004.[109]
From 1999 until February 2001, HI financed the KAGAMEN victim transit center in Ziguinchor, and provided survivors with prostheses and financial support for income generation activities. The program has now ceased activities.[110]
Metallic Carpentry of Ziguinchor, a private enterprise, produces and maintains wheelchairs with the technical and financial support of HI. Wheelchairs are also adapted for sporting activities.[111]
In 2003, forty people from various organizations received training in psychosocial support techniques, and specialists from the Fann hospital in Dakar spent four months in the region assisting those traumatized by the conflict.[112]
The Senegalese Association of Mine Victims was created on 24 June 1999. Its membership includes 160 mine survivors from Ziguinchor and Kolda. The association works to empower mine survivors and the families of those killed by mines to facilitate their social and economic reintegration. Women, who have been abandoned by their husbands because of their disability, receive special attention.[113] The association has received support from the World Food Program, HI, and local NGOs Rencontre Africaine des Droits de l'Homme (African Meeting of Human Rights), Conseil des Organisations Non-Gouvernementals d'Appui au Développement (CONGAG-Council of NGOs for Development Support), and AMA (Agence des Musulmans - Agency of Muslims) but it lacks resources to adequately assist its members. On 6 July 2004, the association organized a day of action and seminar to raise awareness on the mine problem in Casamance and the needs of mine survivors and the families of those killed.[114]
The Center for Child and Family Guidance (Centre de Guidance Infantile et Familiale), an NGO based in Casamance, provided psychosocial support for child victims of war and their families, including landmine survivors. The center organized sessions in schools on children's rights, in which child mine survivors shared their experiences. The center has been supported by OXFAM-UK and CONGAD. In 2002, however, the program was threatened with closure following a decrease in financial support.[115]
Senegal's Article 7 report for 2003 included information on mine casualties and priorities for assistance in Form I.[116]
A mine survivor from Senegal participated in the Raising the Voices training program in 2002.
There is no specific legislation protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in Senegal. A national policy has been elaborated which includes measures to enhance the socio-economic integration of persons with disabilities.[117] However, it would appear that no progress has been made on the implementation of the policy or any national law protecting the disabled in Senegal.
[1] Landmine Monitor Report 2000, p. 96.
[2] Article 7 Report, Form A, 2 June 2004. Articles 407, 408 and 409 of the penal code are cited as relevant sanctions for violations of the Treaty.
[3] Article 7 Report, Form A, 2 June 2004.
[4] Interview with delegation of Senegal to intersessional Standing Committee meetings (Lt. Col. Moctar Ndoye, Armed Forces; Abdoul Aziz Ndiaye, Director International Organizations; and Talla Fall, Counselor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Geneva, 22 June 2004.
[5] It covers the period 1 January-31 December 2003.
[6] Senegal submitted its first Article 7 Report on 1 September 1999 (for 1 March-30 August 1999), and updates on 27 March 2001 (for calendar year 2000), 22 April 2002 (for 1 January 2001-1 April 2002), 6 May 2003 (for calendar year 2002), and 2 June 2004 for calendar year 2003.
[7] Statement by Senegal, Fourth Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 18 September 2002, reported in Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 416.
[8] Email to ICBL (Jackie Hansen) from Hakima Abass, Program Associate for Africa and the Middle East, Casamance Project, WITNESS/RADDHO, 9 February 2004.
[9] Handicap International, "The Impact of Landmines in Casamance/Senegal," Exploratory Mission Report, August 1998, reported in Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 76.
[10] Interview with Col. Ousmane Sarr, Commander and Director of Military Engineering, Ministry of Defense, Dakar, 22 March 2003, reported in Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 416.
[11] Interview with Col. Ousmane Sarr, Ministry of Defense, Dakar, 20 January 2004.
[12] Interview with Lt. Col. Moctar Ndoye, Armed Forces, Geneva, 10 February 2004.
[13] Interview with Senegal delegation, Geneva, 22 June 2004.
[14] The information was provided to Landmine Monitor by Col. Ousmane Sarr, Ministry of Defense, January 2004.
[16] Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 78; Landmine Monitor Report 2000, p. 99; Landmine Monitor Report 2001, p. 138.
[17] Landmine Monitor Report 1999, pp. 78-79.
[18] Although the treaty had not entered into force for Senegal, the use of mines by a signatory can be judged a breach of its international obligations under Article 18 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
[20] Ibid., pp. 76-77; Landmine Monitor Report 2000, pp. 98-99; Landmine Monitor Report 2001, pp. 138-139.
[21] Landmine Monitor Report 1999, pp. 76-77; Landmine Monitor Report 2001, p. 430.
[22] Ministry of Economics and Finances, "Programme de Relance des Activités Economiques et Sociales en Casamance, Révision 2003-2004," December 2003, p. 25.
[23] Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 76. See also, "Des mines à profusion," Sud Quotidien, 17 December 2003.
[24] "Des mines à profusion," Sud Quotidien, 17 December 2003.
[25] Manuel Gonzal, "Commentaires de la CT Déminage sur le document de la PRAESC." Document provided to Landmine Monitor on 22 March 2004.
[26] Ministry of Economics, "Programme en Casamance," December 2003, p. 24. In its 2002 Article 7 Report, the government for the first time identified the types of mines found in Senegal: EXPAL, PMN, TM46, PRB ENCRIER, and K 35 BG; the EXPAL mine is hard to detect.
[28] Telephone interview with Manuel Gonzal, Senior Technical Advisor, Handicap International, 27 April 2004.
[29] Ministry of Economics, "Programme en Casamance," December 2003, p. 24.
[30] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Col. Ousmane Sarr, Commander and Director of the Engineers and Army Infrastructure, Ministry of Defense, 29 March 2004.
[31] Manuel Gonzal, "Commentaires de la CT Déminage."
[32] Interview with Jean-Claude Bassene, President, and Bakary Diédhiou, Secretary, Senegalese Association of Mine Victims, Ziguinchor, 12 March 2003; Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 431.
[34] Interview with Manuel Gonzal, HI, in an article by Madior Fall, "Une victime et 20 têtes de bétail toutes les semaines," Sud Quotidien, 17 December 2003.
[35] Handicap International, "PEPAM en Casamance, Sénégal. Evaluation des effets," September 2002.
[36] Veronica Zeitlin, "December 2003: RI Mission in Casamance," Bulletin of Refugees International.
[37] "Senegal: Time to support returns of the displaced in Casamance," Bulletin of Refugees International, 8 January 2004.
[39] Telephone interview with Manuel Gonzal, HI, 22 March 2004.
[40] Interview with Landing Diediou, President, AJAC, Ziguinchor, 30 March 2004.
[41] "Mine/UXO victims in January, March, April and May 2004." Tables provided to Landmine Monitor by HI Ziguinchor, 3 July 2004.
[42] "Woman loses leg after stepping on landmine in southern Senegal: hospital," AFP, 28 April 2004.
[43] Email from Handicap International Ziguinchor, 29 April 2004.
[44] Centre de Guidance Infantile et Familiale, "L'Impact psycho-affectif de la guerre en Casamance," Ziguinchor, 2001.
[45] "Dossier Victimes de Mines Antipersonnel, les oubliées de la paix en Casamance, application de la convention anti-mine: l'Etat du Sénégal pris en faute," Walf Fadjri, 6 April 2004.
[46] Email to ICBL (Susan Walker) from Jacqueline Seck, Treaty Implementation Officer, UNMAS, 10 May 2004.
[49] Telephone interview with Manuel Gonzal, HI, 27 April 2004; email from Anne Villeneuve, HI, 5 October 2004.
[50] The PRAESC working group is made up of members of the Ministry of Economics and Finances, the Ministry of Equipment and Transport, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Agriculture and Breeding, and representatives of the European Union, UNDP, USAID and the World Bank. See Ministry of Economics, "Programme en Casamance," December 2003, p. 12. The mine clearance report is entitled "Comments on the PRAESC Document," by Manuel Gonzal, Handicap International.
[52] Ibid., p. 22. Reintegration refers to not only former combatants, but as the document says "the transition of groups having become vulnerable because of the war (ex-combatants, displaced, refugees, etc.), towards a stable and promising civil live."
[53] Ibid, p. 32.
[54] Telehone interview with Manuel Gonzal, HI, 7 April 2004; interview with Abdoul Aziz Ndiaye, Director, International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Geneva, 23 June 2004.
[55] Interview with Col. Ousmane Sarr, Ministry of Defense, 22 March 2003, reported in Landmine Monitor 2003, p. 417.
[56] Correction of the figure published in Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 417, which was CFA 600 million (US$973,080). This figure is calculated using the average exchange rate for 2003 (US$1= CFA 530).
[58] Statement by Senegal, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 21 June 2004. See also, Article 7 Report, Form A, 2 June 2004.
[59] Interview with Abdoul Aziz Ndiaye, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2004.
[60] Response by Ministry of Defense, 29 March 2004.
[62] In its Article 7 Report, Form F2, of 2 June 2004, Senegal also reported that between 1996 and 2002, the Army had cleared and destroyed about 400 mines discovered during patrols or by villagers.
[66] "Mine/UXO victims in 2004," provided by HI, 5 July 2004; "Dossier Victimes de Mines Antipersonnel, les oubliées de la paix en Casamance : ces armes qui barrent la route du retour aux réfugiés," by Mamadou Pape Mane, Walf Fadjri, 14 April 2004.
[67] "Mine/UXO victims in 2004," provided by HI, 5 July 2004.
[68] "Dossier Victimes de Mines Antipersonnel," Walf Fadjri, 6 April, 2004.
[69] "Three soldiers killed and five injured in ambush in Senegal: Army," Agence France-Presse, 2 April 2004; "Attackers kill three soldiers in southern Senegal," Reuters News, 2 April 2004; "Après la mort de trois soldats dans une embuscade, l'Abbé Diamacoune Senghor à Dakar depuis hier," Sud Quotidien, 3 April 2004; "New Casamance Rebel Violence in Senegal," WMRC Daily Analysis, by Olly Owen, 5 April 2004; "Trois militaires tués en Casamance," Reuters, 2 April 2004; "Trois militaires sénégalais tués, cinq blessés en Casamance(armée)," Agence France-Presse, 2 April 2004.
[70] Information document on the Benin Mine Clearance Training Center, provided to Landmine Monitor by Thomas Adoumasse, Deputy Director, Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in Geneva, February 2004.
[71] Handicap International, "Rapport final narratif du programme Amélioration de la prise en charge des personnes handicappées par mines ou autres et mise en place d'activités anti-mines en Casamance," October 2003, p. 36. PEPAM aims "to reduce mine incidents, to prepare for future marking and clearance, and to increase the knowledge on the mine issue of several institutions in the region."
[72] Handicap International, "Rapport final narratif du programme Amélioration de la prise en charge des personnes handicappées par mines ou autres et mise en place d'activités anti-mines en Casamance," October 2003, p. 41.
[73] Activities took place in Kabrousse, Loudia Ouoloff, Nyassia, Ziguinchor, Niaguis, Goudomp, Diattacounda, Tanaff, Bounkiling, Tanghory, Tendouck, Sindian and Diouloulou.
[74] HI, "Rapport final Casamance," October 2003, p. 36.
[75] Email sent to Landmine Monitor (Boubine Touré) by HI, 21 April 2004.
[76] HI, "PEPAM en Casamance," September 2002.
[79] Interview with Doudou Fall, HI, 13 March 2003. HI, "Rapport final Casamance," October 2003, p. 42.
[80] Email from Handicap International, 21 April 2004.
[83] Article 7 Report, Form D, 11 May 2004; emails from Amb. Gérard Chesnel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France, 1 March and 10 June 2004.
[84] Emails from Anne Villeneuve, HI, 16 July 2004 and 27 August 2004. Donors included USAID, Foreign Affairs France, and Federation Nationale des Combattants Prisonniers de Guerre et Combattants d'Algerie (Tunisie, Maroc).
[85] Mine Action Investments Database.
[88] Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 418.
[89] Email from Cathy Badonnel, MRE Coordination, HI, Lyon, 4 July 2002. Donors included ECHO and USAID.
[91] "Victimes de l'année 2003." Data provided by Manuel Gonzal, HI, Ziguinchor, 22 March 2004.
[93] "Three soldiers killed," IRIN, 2 April 2004.
[94] Article 7, Form I, 2 June 2004; "Mine/UXO victims in 2004," provided by HI, 5 July 2004.
[95] HI, "Les Victimes de Mines en Casamance," November 2000, p. 21.
[96] Article 7 Report, Form C, 22 April 2002.
[98] Interview with the Director of Ziguinchor Regional Hospital, Ziguinchor, March 2000.
[99] "Dossier Victimes de Mines Antipersonnel, les oubliées de la paix en Casamance," Walf Fadjri, 5 April 2004.
[100] Presentation by Senegal, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 10 February 2004.
[101] Interview with Léon Sagna, Physiotherapist, Interim Director, Regional Hospital, Ziguinchor, 17 March 2003.
[102] Ministry of Economics, "Programme en Casamance," December 2003, p. 29.
[1]03 HI, "Rapport final Casamance," October 2003, pp. 15-17.
[104] Interview with Léon Sagna, Regional Hospital, Ziguinchor, 30 March 2004.
[105] HI, "Rapport final Casamance," October 2003, p. 18.
[106] Ibid., p. 17.
[108] Interview with Sophie Wyseur Gaye, Coordinator, Handicap International, Ziguinchor, 18 March 2003; email from Petra Schroeter, Handicap International, 11 July 2003; HI, "Rapport final Casamance," October 2003, pp. 23-35; Email from Philippe Martinez, Coordinator, HI Casamance, 10 September 2004
[109] Response to Questionnaire by Landing Badji, Coordinator-Psychosocial Program, Handicap International, Ziguinchor, 12 March 2004.
[110] Telephone interview with Sophie Wyseur-Gaye, Program Coordinator, Handicap International, Ziguinchor, 2 May 2002; email from Sophie Wyseur-Gaye, 8 May 2002; interview with Sophie Wyseur-Gaye, Ziguinchor, 15 May 2002.
[112] Presentation by Senegal, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance, 10 February 2004.
[113] Interview with Senegalese Association of Mine Victims, 12 March 2003.
[114] The Landmine Monitor researcher represented the ICBL at the event.
[115] Interview with Emile Diémé, Center for Child and Family Guidance, Ziguinchor, 12 March 2003.
[116] Article 7 Report, Form I, 2 June 2004; and attachment "Problemes, Plans, Progres, Priorites."
[117] Handicap International, "Landmine Victim Assistance: World Report 2002," Lyon, December 2002, p. 125.


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Two firefighters suffered burns while battling a small wildfire being called the Laguna Fire near Yuma on Friday.
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management says one firefighter suffered second and third degree burns, while the other suffered first degree (less severe) burns.
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text:
Shelter helps save seriously ill cats from euthanasia
Jayette Bolinski
There's no vacancy at Mai Britt's kitty compound in rural Dawson. Sixteen fat, friendly felines live in a five-room loft above the large garage and office space on her property.
There's no vacancy at Mai Britt's kitty compound in rural Dawson.
Sixteen fat, friendly felines live in a five-room loft above the large garage and office space on her property.
These are no ordinary cats, though. Most of them have feline leukemia, and a few have feline immunodeficiency virus, also known as feline AIDS. The diseases are highly contagious, so the cats cannot be around healthy cats, making their chances of being adopted into good homes slim to none.
Their prospects for survival, about 15 percent, also weigh against their chance of being adopted.
"They're just really dear. No one wants them," said Britt, who is a foster caretaker for the Animal Protective League. "Usually when a cat tests positive, they automatically put them down.
"My stance is you don't have to put them down because 15 percent survive and can have good lives."
Toby, Schroeder, Shannon, Dayton, Tweety, Colin, Charlise, April, Bo, Chumley, Lance, Cupcake, Skipper and the others know all about the good life. Not only do they live indoors and out of the elements, they have an abundance of food, water, litter boxes, toys, scratching posts, beds, cat towers, kitty treats and visitors.
Each cat is unique. Dayton drools when he's happy. Skipper has three legs and no tail. An orange cat that is a recent addition hasn't been named yet but is distinguished by his large paws — each of which has six toes.
Britt, a lifelong animal lover, and her husband constructed the loft with the cats in mind. It is divided into five rooms, each with a window, a storm door, sturdy floor and unfinished drywall walls.
Keeping up with the cats, all of which are APL fosters, is a lot of work. She and her husband spend about an hour and a half a day cleaning and feeding the cats. If they get sick or have problems, the care becomes even more labor-intensive.
"It's my passion," Britt said, noting that the cats have lived there three years. About 30 have lived in the loft over that period, and some have died. "Rather than seeing them (euthanized), I want to give them the life they can have," she said.
Rose Rebbe, executive director of the APL, said what Britt does is a huge relief for the no-kill shelter because most other shelters end up euthanizing leukemia-positive cats.
"There are some sanctuaries that take positive cats, but they're full, too. So when we get them here and have a place for them to go that's local, it's a huge relief," Rebbe said.
"They're usually so friendly and sweet that we just can't do it, so we're begging everybody to take one home. When she decided to take them, we were so grateful."
Britt said she has no plans to expand the loft or her feline menagerie.
"I'm full. We're maxed out," she said with a smile. "Everybody's happy with their situation, and I can't take care of any more."
Jayette Bolinski can be reached at (217) 788-1530.
Sick cat facts
* Feline leukemia virus is not a cancer. The highly contagious virus compromises a cat's immune system, making it easy for an infected animal to contract other infections and decreasing its chances of survival.
* There are vaccine, but nothing that offers complete protection from the virus.
* Cats can spread the virus to each other by sharing food dishes, mutual grooming, biting another cat and sharing a litter box used by an infected cat.
* The virus cannot be spread to humans or dogs, experts believe, although mother cats can pass it to kittens in utero.
* City cats contract it more often than country cats because of the higher number of cats they encounter outside.
— Jayette Bolinski


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