Saturday, June 19, 2010

Speech by His Excellency, Lieutenant-General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of Botswana at the Aviation Pitso, Maun

source: Republic of Botswana (6/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 6 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"

B1) 1/6/10: SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SERETSE KHAMA IAN KHAMA, PRESIDENT OF BOTSWANA AT THE AVIATION PITSO, MAUN

[Salutation]...Ladies and Gentlemen

1. It is slightly over two years since the establishment of the Transport Hub, amongst others to facilitate and support trade and economic development in Botswana as part of my Government's efforts to diversify the economy.

2. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to develop our country into a transport Hub for Southern Africa through several transport-related activities, such as improved roads, railway lines, Bridges, Dry Ports, the proposed Integrated Transport Policy and Government's intention to connect the Botswana transport network to others in the Region for trade promotion and facilitation.

3. Air Transport Services are in that regard, being enhanced to meet the needs of customers in view of recent developments in the local, and regional and international civil aviation industry. Significant among them is the birth in April 2009 of the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB).

4. The Government has found it necessary to convene this Pitso to consult you on various pieces of legislation that hinge on aviation safety and security to ensure compliance with international standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

5. In addition to legal issues there are numerous projects, which include Air Navigation Services and improvements at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, Francistown, Kasane, Maun, Ghanzi, Tsabong and Hukuntsi Airports.

6. Air Transport needs to significantly grow beyond what it is today in this country. The responsibility of Government therefore is to stimulate and facilitate opportunities for growth.

7. I am conscious of the fact that Aviation by its very nature must operate within a safe environment for which compromise on such is not an option, but at the same time we do not want or need unnecessary regulation or over regulation that frustrates the Aviation Industry.

8. I hope this Pitso will give everyone an opportunity to share ideas, concerns and make recommendations that the Ministry and the CAA will pay attention to.

9. I want to assure you that this Pitso is not intended to be a forum about us telling you what we are going to do, but more to do with what do you want us to do.

10. These are matters you have to consider even beyond this Pitso. You are free to make contributions in your group presentations and resolutions in this two day seminar. I therefore wish you fruitful discussions and declare the 2010 Aviation Pitso officially opened. Pula!

Opening Remarks by the President of the Republic of Botswana, Lt. General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, at the 28th High Level Consultative Council (HLCC)

source: Republic of Botswana (6/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 6 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"

B2) 27/5/10: OPENING REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA, LT. GENERAL SERETSE KHAMA IAN KHAMA, AT THE 28TH HIGH LEVEL CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL (HLCC):

Your Honour, the Vice President Honourable Ministers President of BOCCIM Private Sector Leaders Senior Government Officials Ladies and Gentlemen

1. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Twenty Eighth meeting of the High Level Consultative Council.

2. I am pleased to note that the Economy of Botswana has been able to weather the worst of the effects of the global Financial Crisis during the past year, through carefully considered interventions. Furthermore and as discussed before at this forum, Botswana's non-mining sector has performed reasonably well in areas of Agriculture, Construction, Personal Services, Transport and Communications during the period of the crisis. Mining and manufacturing for export did suffer the consequences of the crisis.

3. Global recovery is now apparent with the emerging markets leading the way. Botswana has begun to benefit from higher commodity prices and increased demand for rough diamonds as well.

4. However whilst the outlook is fairly positive, the broad stimulus budget which has played a part in the growth of the non-mining sector is not sustainable in the medium to long term. It is now timely that we refocus our efforts on aggressively pursuing the diversification strategies and development of the Hubs as contained in the Botswana Excellence Strategy. I am advised that the Hubs have made presentations to the private sector and that the private sector has displayed positive interest in participating in the development of the Hubs. Government is committed to the diversification programme of the Excellence Strategy, and Ministries are regularly monitored on the progress that is being made with their relevant Action Items.

5. I have also been informed that the Government Implementation Coordination Office, otherwise known as GICO hosted a brainstorming session titled "Gearing for the Recovery" last week involving senior civil servants and leaders from the private sector with focus on the Excellence Strategy. I understand that this interaction met with great enthusiasm and more of such meetings will be arranged by GICO. It has been decided that GICO who serves as the secretariat for this High Level Consultative Council and the Botswana Economic Advisory Council will not only be responsible for implementation and coordination but shall also take on the responsibility for coordination of the formulation of strategy, and shall henceforth be known as the National Strategy Office.

6. I would like the Ministries to also now methodically share the progress they are making on the implementation of the Excellence Strategy with their private sector counterparts at the HLCC Sectoral meetings. The private sector must play its part in the diversification of the economy and implementation of the Excellence Strategy.

7. The Government has conceptualised a further Economic Diversification Drive to benefit locally based Manufacturers. A major objective or thrust of the Economic Diversification Drive is to promote sustainable production and consumption of locally manufactured goods and services.

8. The initiative would identify economic opportunities in areas where citizens and locally based entrepreneurs have comparative advantage in order to diversify and grow the economy.

9. Ministries and Parastatals have been directed to commence implementation of the promotion of local procurement through preference margins and reservations on the basis of a turnover threshold. The Ministry of Trade and Industry is driving this initiative and will publicise further its modalities.

10. I look forward to seeing the private sector taking advantage of this opportunity of using Government's purchasing power to drive economic diversification. This initiative should foster the expansion and establishment of manufacturing operations with consequent increase in employment.

11. Companies which have been awarded tenders to manufacture products locally but instead import them will be blacklisted. I also look to the private sector to use its own purchasing power to buy locally manufactured products so as to help drive our economic diversification efforts, and look forward to any suggestions from the private sector as to how we could promote this concept.

12. I also expect that BEDIA will focus on encouraging expansion of existing ventures and new investment in manufacturing for local consumption. Such ventures should eventually graduate to serving the export market.

13. It is of great concern that there are some reports that retailers, and perhaps wholesalers, are using the recent 2% increase in VAT to opportunistically increase prices. This will not be tolerated and I would like the Consumer Protection Unit of the Ministry of Trade and Industry to investigate such reports in conjunction with BOCCIM.

14. I am pleased to note that some of the ministries have commenced holding "Pitsos" with relevant sectors. The findings from these Pitsos should be recorded and the progress of the resulting Action Items should be tracked by the relevant HLCC Sectoral meeting to ensure that there is proper follow up on Action Items.

15. I look forward to greater partnership between Government and the Private Sector in pursuing our goals of diversification and employment creation; I believe we have navigated well through the storms of the global financial crisis and even gained a few positives such as lower inflation and lower interest rates. Whilst we have to be vigilant of the so called double dip effects on certain economies around the world such as Greece, we also need to be agile and be able to take advantage of the economic growth of the emerging markets, and not miss out on new investment in the country to ensure sustainable development going forward. Thank you.

NB: In his opening remarks H.E. the President also went on to express his delight at Botswana Tourism's success in taking first prize through its entry of the Okavango at the World Travel and Tourism Conference Awards in Beijing, China.

The Minister Hon. D.R. Seretse during the General Debate of the Review Conference of the Rome Statute of the Int. Criminal Court Kampala, Unganda

source: Republic of Botswana (6/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 6 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


B3) 1/6/10 REMARKS BY THE BOTSWANA MINISTER OF DEFENCE JUSTICE AND SECURITY HONOURABLE DIKGAKGAMATSO R. SERETSE DURING THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE REVIEW CONFERENCE OF THE ROME STATUTE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT KAMPALA, UGANDA

1. Mr. President, at the onset, allow me, on behalf of my delegation, to express our sincere gratitude to the Government and people of Uganda for the warm hospitality and the excellent facilities they have placed at our disposal since our arrival in this scenic country. I have no doubt that this beautiful resort will provide a conducive environment for our deliberations in during this conference.

2. Let me also extend my commendation to you personally Mr. President, for presiding over such an epic moment in the history of the Court. 2010 is indeed a special year as many multilateral bodies, international agreements and landmark treaties are undergoing major reviews and reforms.

4. While the import of a review is generally understood to be an overwhelming desire to attain higher levels of performance and better results, our preoccupation during this Review Conference should be driven by a greater ambition.

5. This is the need to use the occasion as an opportunity to conclude the business that was left pending when the Statute was adopted in Rome in 1998. At that time, we had envisaged a Statute which, when fully completed, would be capable of fighting impunity and delivering justice to many victims of serious crimes. These would include genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.

6. At another level, this Review Conference presents a rare privilege of conducting an assessment of the work of the Court, and the examination of possible ways it could be further strengthened to respond to the present challenges.

7. The preservation of the integrity of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and the reassurance that the ICC remains impartial and fully independent in the delivery of its mandate should be the chief corner-stone of the present Review Conference. For this reason, Botswana's commitment is to ensure that the Statute is defended, safeguarded and promoted.

8. The Rome Statute gives us the opportunity to advance the common ideals of humanity, to which there is universality in the promotion of international peace and security, justice and respect for human rights. Whereas the efforts of the international community have gained both concert and momentum in the fight against anarchy and impunity, the mandate of pursuit of perpetrators of grave crimes that are of serious concern to the international community has never been so compelling.

9. The Court is undeniable proof that recourse to justice for victims whose States might be unwilling to prosecute in an ever-increasing borderless society is attainable. It is therefore incumbent upon all those who pursue the objective of peace in its various manifestations across many parts of the world to similarly cooperate with the Court.

10. As we have stated at successive meetings, Botswana is committed to playing her obligatory role of supporting the judicial activity of the Court and we also have faith in the deterrent value of possible sentences which help in the prevention of acts of serious crime as well as the promotion of accountability.

11. Mr. President, let me now turn briefly to Botswana's general position with regard to specific items on the agenda of the Review Conference. Botswana stands committed to addressing the plight of victims and fully recognises that equitable justice lays a firm foundation for lasting peace and reconciliation. Botswana will therefore, not support any initiative that could harm the integrity and independence of the Court. Consequently, we are ready to play our part in the collective effort of attaining peace and justice in the manner befitting humanity.

12. Botswana associates herself with those who have expressed the view that any proposed additions to the list of crimes already covered by the Statute risks overtaxing the Court and undermining its effectiveness. We therefore propose that attention should be given to a full discussion of the crime of aggression, as well as the implications of such a definition being included in the Statute.

13. Mr. President, Botswana welcomes the review of Article 124. My delegation shares the view expressed by other delegations that while the article may have served a useful purpose originally, this is no longer the case and it should therefore be deleted.


14. The success of the ICC is directly related to the willingness of State Parties to cooperate with the ICC. Botswana reaffirms her political will and commitment to supporting the Court.

15. Mr. President, to this end, I am pleased to inform you that Botswana is in the process of drafting a statute domesticating the Rome Statute of the ICC, and we expect such legislation to be in place by the end of 2010. Botswana acknowledges that the Principle of complementarities establishes the parameters of the role being played by the ICC in bringing justice to bear upon those responsible for serious crimes. We intend to complement these efforts by incorporating the necessary provisions in the statute we are working on. Let me conclude Mr. President, by reiterating Botswana's unequivocal support to the maintenance of the integrity of the Statute and the promotion of its universality. I thank you.

Opening Remarks by the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Hon. Dikgakgamatso N. Seretse at the Mutual Legal Assistance and Extradition Workshop

source: Republic of Botswana (6/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 6 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


B4) 26/5/10: OPENING REMARKS BY THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE, JUSTICE AND SECURITY HON. DIKGAKGAMATSO N. SERETSE AT THE MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND EXTRADITION WORKSHOP

[Salutations]...Participants and Distinguished Guests

1. It is an honour and privilege for me to be given this opportunity to officiate at this important and critical workshop.

2. I am informed that this workshop brings together representatives from a number of Commonwealth member Countries, in the SADC region, to examine issues related to extradition and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

3. I am further informed that the workshop's objectives are, amongst others, to:

- Share information on our countries' mutual legal assistance and extradition laws and procedures;

- discuss international best practice in the fields of mutual legal assistance and extradition; and

- Identify strengths, weaknesses and develop opportunities in current Mutual Legal Assistance and Extradition Legislation and Legal Co-operation frameworks.

Directors of Ceremony,

4. Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance are key tools in international legal cooperation. The workshop is intended to give our countries an opportunity to identify methods for improved legal co-operation and best practice in legal structures for Extradition Legislation and Mutual Assistance Legal Co-operation frameworks.

5. Central to the issue of extradition and mutual legal assistance is the phenomenon termed "transnational crime." Transnational crime has been a thorn in criminal justice systems of many jurisdictions all over the world. It has allowed criminals to find safe havens in countries where there are no collaborative efforts to stem the tide of transnational crime.

6. By its nature transnational crime knows no borders and hurts many economies as it finds root in neighbouring countries and countries afar. It is therefore, fitting and proper that legislative measures be put in place to curb and/or eradicate the phenomena of transnational crime.

7. Legislative tools such as extradition treaties and mutual legal assistance codes are a must in today's world if we are to holistically fight transnational crime.

8. It is my government's firm belief that collaborative efforts should be made by SADCC countries and others both in the region and indeed internationally to forge relationships in the fight against crime. Any loopholes in our various pieces of legislation and or non-cooperation would lead to the proliferation of transnational crime.

9. It is our duty as law enforcement agencies to seek ways to fight this type of crime with every resource at our disposal. Criminals should not at any point in time find a safe haven in our countries for if we let crime take root in our jurisdictions, the whole world will suffer.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

10. As you exchange ideas and educate each other about your various laws operating in your respective jurisdictions please try to find commonalities, and come up with a common model Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance Law.

11. This is just the beginning of a long journey of cooperation which in time will bear fruit. I have every reason to believe that with closer cooperation and understanding we would be able to fight the scourge of crime.

12. In trying to implement our laws with respect to extradition and mutual legal assistance we should not lose sight of our international legal obligations. International and regional laws play a central role in the way we handle extradition and mutual legal assistance issues.

13. The key factor in this area is for countries to forge close relationships and encourage dialogue between parties to iron out whatever hurdles we may encounter in implementing our extradition and mutual assistance laws. It is about trust and honesty in our dealings with each other for "united we stand, divided we fall."

Directors of Ceremony

14. I wish to thank, on my behalf and the government of Botswana, the Australian Government for having seen it fit to convene a workshop of this magnitude. When the Australian Government through its Attorney General's office approached the Botswana Government to co-host this important workshop and my government readily accepted, as this is an honour for us and would be a good starting point for future co-operation between our countries.

15. The Government of Botswana is thankful and appreciative of the Australian Government's efforts in providing financial and human resource support for this important workshop. Director of Ceremony, just a week ago there was yet another workshop hosted by Botswana and sponsored by the Australian government. This indeed is a welcome development and a sign of good things to come.

16. In conclusion let me once again welcome all of you to Botswana and wish you fruitful and productive deliberations. I thank and welcome you all.

President Khama to Travel to Cuba on a State Visit

source: Republic of Botswana (6/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 6 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"

C1) 3/6/10: President Khama to Travel to Cuba on a State Visit

His Excellency the President, Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, will leave Botswana to go on a State Visit to Cuba from 4 June 2010, at the invitation of his counterpart President Raul Castro Ruz, President of the Council of State and of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba.

Botswana and Cuba established diplomatic relations in 1977 and the two countries enjoy excellent bilateral relations at national and multilateral level, based on mutual respect and common understanding. This will not be His Excellency's first trip to Cuba, in June 2007, in his capacity as Vice-President; President Khama paid a friendship and goodwill visit to Cuba at the invitation of the Government of Cuba. His Excellency President Khama will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Honourable Phandu T.C Skelemani, the Minister of Health Honourable Dr. John Seakgosing, the Minister of Education and Skills Development Honourable Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi as well as Senior Government Officials.

Preceding the State visit to Cuba President Khama will stop over in London, where he has been invited to attend a Raisa Gorbachev Foundation dinner. The foundation is committed to the control and elimination of childhood cancer through investment in detection, treatment, control and welfare it aims to transform the young lives of those afflicted with cancer.

>From Cuba President Khama will proceed to Chicago, USA to attend the Conservation International Board of Directors meeting. Conservation International is a non - profit organization that seeks to empower societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature for the well - being of humanity. The board of directors, to which HE the President has been a member for over a decade, meets annually to carry out the mandate of the Organization. H.E. the President and his entourage are expected to return to Botswana on the 13 June 2010.

Joint Press Statement f.the Gov.of Botswana,the CKGR Residents' Committee and the CKGR NGO' Coalition on the CKGame Reserve Consultation Process

source: Republic of Botswana (6/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 6 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"

C2) 3/6/10: Joint Press Statement from the Government of Botswana, the CKGR Residents' Committee and the CKGR Non-Governmental Organisations' Coalition on the Central Kalahari Game Reserve Consultation Process

(Please find below original text Joint Press statement with further note on small correction to original text)

Following the CKGR Court Case ruling on 13 December 2006, where Justice Phumaphi stated that 'this judgment does not finally resolve the dispute between the parties but merely refers them back to the negotiating table', a number of activities have taken place with regard to finding an amicable solution through the CKGR consultation process.

Consultations had previously held with the Negotiating Team (a then-representative group of CKGR residents, supported by a group of NGOs). These had effectively been suspended by the court action instituted by the Negotiating Team in 2002. The court action had been brought as a result of the cessation of the provision of basic and essential services to the residents of the CKGR and the relocation of the residents of the CKGR to settlements outside the CKGR by the Government of Botswana.

On the 12 June 2008, a delegation of five Basarwa / San, led by Roy Sesana, met with His Excellency the President, Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, to request that the matter of the CKGR be dealt with by the Government. President Khama advised that the delegation return to their settlements and arrange for selection of representatives (of both former and current CKGR communities) so that consultations could begin between them and the Government. The meeting also agreed that local NGOs be enlisted to assist in the process.

On 26 November 2008, the first meeting was held between the two parties (Government and CKGR residents). The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the Residents' Committee to those members of the Government delegation with whom it would be engaged on the matter of the consultations about the CKGR and related issues. It was agreed at the meeting that there would be three representative bodies engaged in the consultation process, namely:

1. The Government of Botswana, represented by an Inter-Ministerial Committee comprising the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; the Ministry of Local Government; the Office of the President; the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security; the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Affairs; and the Attorney General's Chambers. The Inter-Ministerial Committee is chaired by the Honourable Phandu C. T. Skelemani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The Government Consultation delegation is led by the Honourable Onkokame Kitso Mokaila, Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism.

2. The Residents' Committee of the CKGR, which comprised of representatives (chosen from both the current and former residents of the CKGR) from the settlements of: Xere, Molapo, Mothomelo, Kikao, Gope, Gugamma, New Xade and Kaudwane. The settlement of Metsiamanong had chosen not to participate in the process. The Residents' Committee was chosen through consultative processes facilitated by a team of the CKGR NGO Coalition. The team comprised the First People of the Kalahari, the Kuru Family of Organisations and Ditshwanelo - the Botswana Centre for Human Rights.

3. The CKGR NGO Coalition, which comprised of the Botswana Council of Churches; the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations; DITSHWANELO (the Botswana Centre for Human Rights); the First People of The Kalahari; the Kuru Family of Organisations; the University of Botswana Research Centre for San Studies (formerly the UB/Tromsø Basarwa Research Programme); and the Working Group of Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa (Botswana Chapter). It was further agreed that the function of the CKGR NGO Coalition is to facilitate the process of engagement between the current and former residents of the CKGR and the Government of Botswana. DITSHWANELO serves as the Secretariat of the CKGR NGO Coalition.

On 11 September 2009, a second meeting was held between the Government delegation (led by Honourable Minister Mokaila) and the CKGR Residents' Committee, duly assisted by the CKGR NGO Coalition.

At this meeting, the ground rules and an Action Plan for the consultation process were drawn-up and agreed upon. The Plan of Action included a schedule and programme of consultation visits to be undertaken by Government officials to settlements inside and outside the CKGR. These were consequently undertaken on 28 September 2009; during the period of 5 - 10 October; and on 10 November 2009. Members of the CKGR Residents' Committee attended and participated in consultation meetings in their respective settlements, whilst the CKGR NGO Coalition attended all the community consultation meetings.

On 2 May 2010, a third meeting was held between the Government delegation and the CKGR Residents' Committee, duly assisted by the CKGR NGO Coalition. The aims of the meeting were:

(i)To consider the Government Officials' Report on the consultation meetings held with CKGR communities in September and October 2009. Members of the CKGR Residents' Committee present from specific settlements confirmed the accuracy of the reports concerning their respective settlements. The consultation meetings were held in Xere, Molapo, Metsiamanong, Mothomelo, Gope, Gugamma, Kaudwane and New Xade.

(ii) To agree on the next round of community consultation meetings planned for 3 to 9 May 2010. The meeting was informed that there had been requests made to the Government Officials from communities that Honourable Minister Mokaila should visit them to hear their issues directly. Honourable Minister Mokaila confirmed his availability for the scheduled community consultations for the period of 3-9 May 2010.

During the period 3-9 May 2010, community consultation meetings were held in Molapo, Xere, Metsiamanong, Kikao, Kaudwane, Gugamma, Gope and New Xade. Residents of Mothomelo met Honourable Minister Mokaila in Kikao, as advised by the Residents' Committee. Members of the CKGR Residents' Committee participated in and were present in their respective settlements.

On 20 May 2010, a report-back meeting was held in Gaborone, between Government delegation members who accompanied Honourable Minister Mokaila on the tour and the CKGR NGO Coalition. The purpose of the meeting was to consider the reports of both the Government and the CKGR NGO Coalition. It was also agreed at this meeting that a joint press statement should be released at the conclusion of Honourable Minister Mokaila's consultation visits, and be effected as soon as possible to inform the public on the CKGR consultation process.

It should be noted that all the parties are committed to transparency, integrity and trust with regard to the process, and to holding all discussions without prejudice.

NB: Since first issuing the Statement its Authors of the above statement have further informed the public that - "It is important to note that the decision to produce a press statement was taken at the meeting between the Government of Botswana and the CKGR Residents' Committee on 2 May 2010 and NOT at the meeting of 20 May 2010. This is an error which is in the second last paragraph.'

Press Statement by PERMANENT SECRETARY - MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, JUSTICE AND SECURITY - Members of BDF not paid less then Special Constables

source: Republic of Botswana (6/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 6 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


C3) 1/6/10: Press Statement by PERMANENT SECRETARY - MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, JUSTICE AND SECURITY - Members of BDF not paid less then Special Constables

1. The Telegraph News Paper of Wednesday 26 May 2010 Volume 2/ Issue 20, carried an article on page 9 entitled "It's about Time we Interrogate the Opposition Political Parties" by Dr Thapelo Otlogetswe. In that article the writer made a statement that there are members of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) who are "paid less than Special Constables in the Police".

2. The Ministry of Defence Justice and Security wishes to state for a fact that there is no member of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) who is "paid less than Special Constables in the Police" as alleged by the statement. Therefore the statement in the article referred to above is not correct and is misleading.

3. The lowest rank in the BDF including recruits is paid a salary/training allowance which is higher than that paid to Special Constables in the Police. Thank you.

Masisi - Consultations on poverty to end in July

source: Republic of Botswana (6/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 6 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


C4) Masisi - Consultations on poverty to end in July

GABORONE - Government has set July as the deadline to have wrapped up consulting with different stakeholders in devising identifiable and definable steps out of poverty, says Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi. He said in the past, the focus has been on poverty alleviation and reduction.

Mr Masisi, who is the Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, said poverty alleviation and reduction has long been overtaken by events hence the need to focus on poverty eradication.

Mr Masisi was briefing the media and trade unions on poverty eradication in Gaborone yesterday.

While cognisant of the fact that poverty eradication would not be achieved overnight, Mr Masisi said it nonetheless called for radical measures.

He said solutions that would be implemented would by no means be handouts as that would create a dependency syndrome.

Mr Masisi said a delegation would soon visit areas hard hit by poverty as a way of coming up with specifically targeted programmes at all levels.

Poverty eradicating has remained an elusive ideology for many years and there is still some scepticism as to whether this can be achieved. However, Mr Masisi promised Botswana would initially eradicate the severest of poverty in the shortest of time.

He said solutions would be tailor made for different groups within society and it would not be a one size fits all solution.

"As government we realise that the level of poverty for a young person differs with that of an elderly person, and the needs for someone working for government, differ with those of someone working for a parastatal or a private company and the principles of out of poverty must be out of a collective," stated Mr Masisi.

The permanent secretary to the vice president, Dr John Mothibi, said for a long time most government programmes had invariably been focused more on destitute persons.

Also, Botswana had been silent on wealth creation something that some countries had long adopted, he added.

Dr Mothibi observed that 80 per cent of the time when people talk about poverty, they refer to food poverty hence it was for that reason that government came up with the food basket to alleviate lack of food.

That, he said, was an interim measure since government had now come up with the idea of backyard garden which was sustainable.

Trade union members appreciated government's proactive move to consult them on some of its initiative, but advised that they be involved from inception to feel part of the process. BOPA

28/05/10: Botswana wins tourism award

source: Republic of Botswana (6/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 6 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"

C5) 28/05/10: Botswana wins tourism award

(BEIJING) - Botswana, through the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site (ODRS), is winner of the Destination Stewardship Award of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.

The award was conferred at the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Travel and Tourism Summit in Beijing, China on Wednesday.

Botswana beat other two finalists; Mount Huangshan Scenic Site of China and Ministry of Tourism of Montenegro owing to the unique ODRS plan.

The award is conferred in recognition of a destination, country or region with a network for tourism enterprises and organizations that show dedication to and success in maintaining a programme of sustainable tourism management.

The ODRS nominated by Botswana Tourism Organisation in recognition of its contribution towards its up-liftment of tourism and livelihood of not only people living around it but all Batswana.

It is a unique water and game rich area, which includes the Tsodilo hills (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Moremi Game Reserve, Wildlife Management Areas and community lands.
Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Mr Kitso Mokaila, who could not hide his excitement, said in an interview that the award was in recognition of the job that the country and other local tourism stakeholders were doing in the delta.

He said the bulk of programmes in the delta were geared towards conservation of the eco-system and that resonated well with investors who invariably want to be assured of a country's environmental conservation initiatives.

However, Mr Mokaila said the award should not breed complacency since there was a lot that still needed to be done for the country's tourism star to continue shining the brightest throughout the world.

Meanwhile, chairman of judges, Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, Mr Costas Christ, said they received about 160 entries after which intense selections were done until they remained with three finalists for each of the four awards that were up for grabs.

In addition, he said they went an extra mile by sending a team of judges to the bidding sites, adding that the judges also had the opportunity to conduct interviews with the communities and leaders as well as other stakeholders involved. "They did a sterling and comprehensive job." Mr Michael Singh who was assigned to the Okavango Delta said Botswana was an example of what other developing countries should do in terms of corporate governance.

"The Botswana government is doing a great job in developing the tourism industry especially the Okavango Delta since it is now a high end product."

Meanwhile, Mr Singh said the ODRS was a wonderful and well-conducted effort which also needed to take other players on board.

"More could also be done to bring the San into the product as people are more interested in their culture and as such they should be integrated into the tourism sector," he said. BOPA

27/5/10 Botswana Health Professions Council (BHPC) Clarification on Dr. Donald Milton Wells' Matter

source: Republic of Botswana (6/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 6 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


C6) 27/5/10 Botswana Health Professions Council (BHPC) Clarification on Dr. Donald Milton Wells' Matter

Dr Donald Milton Wells' registration to practice medicine was suspended by the Botswana Health Professions Council in May 2006 pending the outcome of investigations into the possibility that the documents he had used to obtain registration in 2002 were false or fraudulent. The investigations involved communication with multiple authorities in several countries.

Dr Donald Milton Wells filed an application with Francistown High Court case number MAH 000052/08.

The relief he was seeking was as follows:-

* Setting aside the decision of the Botswana Health Professions Council (BHPC) in suspending the applicant and or refusing to renew his practicing certificate as a medical practitioner in Botswana
* Ordering the respondents to renew his practicing license
* Ordering the respondents to reinstate the applicant as a practicing medical doctor in Botswana
* As well as payment of legal costs (which is standard).

The court as per Hon Justice Z. Makhwade on the 12 June 2009 ordered that:-

* The decision of the Botswana Health Professions Council in refusing to renew the registration of Dr. Wells be set aside
* That the respondents pay the applicants costs.

One must note that Dr Wells won the case on technicalities, not on the substantive issues; nevertheless the Council reinstated him in compliance with the court order, but continued with its investigations.

The respondents are awaiting the taxation of the applicant's bill of costs estimated at P15, 000 only.

Dr. Wells on the 17th day of December 2009 per Case number MAHLB 000797/2009 made another application at the High Court this time sitting at Lobatse before the Hon Mr. Justice L.S Walia seeking the following relief:-

* Reviewing and setting aside the decision by the Minister of Labour & Home Affairs cancelling the applicants Residence Permits and ancillary Work Permit NO 1404/04
* Declaring that the cancellation of the afore said permit by the Minister of Labour & Home Affairs was unlawful and therefore null and void
* Directing the applicant's aforesaid permit to be re-issued to the applicant
* Payment of legal costs

By consent, the High Court ordered the stay of the execution of the cancellation of the applicants residence permit pending review by the court

Pending the outcome of the review Dr. Wells was specifically prohibited from engaging in any employment in Botswana

The Court took this decision because of the overwhelming evidence of forgery and false documents presented by Botswana Health Professions Council in court.

Dr. Wells had sent a notice of intention to sue Botswana Health Professions Council in November 2009 for loss of earnings in the sum of P468 000 and general damages in the sum of P50 000; dating from the time of Botswana Health Professions Council suspension of his registration in 2006.

The statutory notice did not disclose the cause of action as required. Hence, Botswana Health Professions Council still awaits clarity from Dr. Well's lawyers and court process. There is no court order ordering the BHPC to pay Dr Wells any damages.

The Botswana Health Professions Council received information and later to be confirmed by an affidavit from Mrs. Suzanne Lofton Miranda de Cantu, Director of Foreign Student Affairs the Universidad Mexico Americano del Norte in respect of Dr. Wells that:-

* The signature and the stamp on Dr Wells certificate of completion of Internship document submitted to BHPC were forged
* He did not complete his internship in Mexico
* The pre graduate Internship conclusion certificate submitted to BHPC is a forgery, the so called internship having been done at a hospital that does not exist in Mexico.
* He did not complete his degree as a doctor. Therefore he is not licensed to practice medicine in Mexico.

Further investigations into to Dr. Wells's documents and collaboration with other regulatory bodies have revealed that:-

* Doctor Wells' certificate of examination from the American Board of General Practice submitted to the BHPC was a forgery.
* Evidence in BHPC possession clearly shows that Dr Wells is not ECFMG certified that is by Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates in USA and therefore not qualified to practice medicine in USA.
* The Medical Council of Tasmania informed the General Medical Council in London who in turn informed BHPC that the Medical License number J9436 used by Dr. Wells to apply for registration in Tasmania belongs to a doctor in Texas with similar names (Donald Thomas Wells) who was however born on the 1 November 1961 whereas Dr Wells was born on the 28 October 1943.
* The Certificate of Good Standing purporting to be from Texas Medical Board signed by a person, who ceased working in Texas Medical Board 4 years earlier than the date borne on the document, confirms yet another forgery supplied by Dr. Wells to facilitate his registration.

Based on the above overwhelming evidence as well as that received from the University of Mexico, The Botswana Health Professions Council Full Council meeting held of the 13 March 2010 ratified that Dr. Wells' registration be duly cancelled as per the unambiguous provisions of the Botswana Health Professions Act CAP 61:02.

BHPC has sent the letter to his last known address advising him of the cancellation.

Even if Dr Wells had not been deported from Botswana, it would have been very unlikely that any court properly guided with overwhelming and irrefutable evidence of his true "qualifications" would grant him damages for the 3 years that he was not practicing as a doctor, because Dr Wells is not a Doctor, he must refund all his employers in Botswana because his registration was obtained by falsified documents.

The Botswana Health Professions Council will continue to crack the whip on all Medical practitioners whose qualifications are falsified and therefore urges the public to help it with information to enable it to do a good job in this regard.

For further clarification please contact: Felicity Nteke Gochani- Sebeso, Acting Registrar (BHPC). Contact numbers: 3632823/3190749/3914672

Aviation Pitso 2010

source: Republic of Botswana (6/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 6 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"

C7) 24/5/10: AVIATION PITSO 2010

His Excellency the President Lt General Seretse Khama Ian Khama will, in June 1, 2010 grace the occasion of the first-ever Aviation Stakeholders' Conference branded Aviation Pitso.

The Aviation Pitso will be held at the Riley's Hotel in Maun from the 31st May, to 1st June, 2010.

Organized by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Aviation Pitso with the theme "Aviation Efficiency for Business Excellence: Towards Economic Growth", will provide a platform for stakeholders in the air transport industry to discuss and address issues pertaining to the impact of aviation on economic growth and diversification in Botswana.

According to the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Transport) Mr Lewis Malikongwa the "the Aviation Pitso will bring together operators, consumers, policy makers and regulatory authority to brainstorm and offer pragmatic solutions to challenges facing the Aviation industry in Botswana. Time has now come for us to explore turnaround strategies that can growth air transport industry."

As such, the Conference will look at issues of airline management and, in particular, managing an efficient, safe and sustainable aviation services. "Security and safety have remained issues that call for collective decision and leadership re-orientation across the industry, says Mr Malikongwa. The Ministry of Transport and Communications looks forward toward to working with our partners to come up with implementable resolutions. The need to liberalise the air space will also take centre stage during the conference as the Ministry is expected to give a status report on the Liberalisation of the Air Transport.

Participants to the conference will include airline operators, consumers, the regulatory authority (Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana), policy makers, financial institutions and some government departments.

The conference comes at an opportune time as the government is engaged in massive infrastructural development of the aviation industry to international level.

The Aviation Pitso will be officially opened by the Minister of Transport and Communications, Honourable Frank Ramsden on the 31st May, 2010.

Molefhi - Court never ordered water supply to CKGR

source: Republic of Botswana (6/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 6 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


C8) Molefhi - Court never ordered water supply to CKGR

It is not true that the High Court ever ordered government to supply Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) residents with water, lands and housing minister has said.

Mr Molefhi explained that, "the correct position is as indicated at paragraph two of the High Court Order of the December 13, 2006 which provides thus, "the government is not obliged to restore the provision of such services to the applicants in the CKGR".

"The services being referred to here include the provision of water.

It is abundantly clear that High Court never made such order," he added. However, Mr Molefhi said government allowed the CKGR residents to make arrangements to bring water inside the reserve for their subsistence needs.

Even in the light of the court order, he said, the CKGR residents were never denied the opportunity to bring water into the CKGR.

Mr Molefhi was responding to Lobatse MP, Mr Nehemiah Modubule, on behalf of local government minister, Mr Lebonaamang Mokalake.

Mr Modubule wanted to know whether it was true that government had not implemented the court decision to supply Basarwa at CKGR with water to-date. BOPA

Special Focus on the Hon. Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Admistrations Working Visits to China and Japan

source: Republic of Botswana (6/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 6 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"



D. SPECIAL FOCUS ON THE HON. MINISTER FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC ADMISTRATIONS WORKING VISITS TO CHINA AND JAPAN

>From 25/5/10 to 3/6/10 the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration the Hon. Lesego Motsumi was in China and Japan seeking partnership and investment, more especially in media and related technologies. While in china she also attended the Asia Media Summit. Press Statements from her tour are reproduced below.

I. MINISTER MOTSUMI IN CHINA

D1) 23/5/10: Minister Motsumi to attend Asia Media Summit, travel to China & Japan

(Gaborone) The Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, the Hon. Lesego Motsumi, will today depart for Beijing, the People's Republic of China, where she has been invited to attend and represent Botswana at the Asia Media Summit. While in Beijing the Minister is also expected to also explore potential partnerships with her Chinese counterparts, consistent with existing Sino-Botswana cooperation and the FOCAC (Forum of China Africa Cooperation) Process.

>From China Minister Motsumi will also be travelling to Japan for an official visit at the invitation of the Japanese Government. While there the Minister is further expected to explore ways of widening and deepening partnership between Botswana and Japan in the context of existing bilateral cooperation and the TICAD (Tokyo International Conference on African Development) Process.

The Minister is expected to return to Botswana on 4/6/10.

The Minister is being accompanied by the Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Ms. Ticky Pule, and the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Media in the Office of the President, Dr. Jeff Ramsay.

D2) 28/5/10: Minister Motsumi explores Chinese partnership and investment.

(Beijing) - The Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, the Hon. Lesego Motsumi, held a series of high level meetings in Beijing this week with Government leaders and top executives, in order to explore avenues of potential China-Botswana partnership through technical assistance and investment in the field of information and communications.

On Thursday she met with the Chinese Minister of the State Council Information Office (SCIO), H.E. Mr. Wang Chen, who assured her of his Government's mutual interest in assisting Botswana in building up its communications capacity in the spirit of South-South cooperation.

The State Council is the administrative nexus of the Chinese government, with the SCIO serving as its key "working organ" for media outreach. The SCIO is further responsible for promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Forum of China Africa (FOCAC) process.

During the week, Minster Motsumi also met with the senior managements of Xinhua News Agency, China Central Television (CCTV) and the China Radio and TV Corporation for International Techno-Economic Cooperation (CRTV).

During her discussions with the Vice President and Acting President of Xinhua, Mr. Zhou Xisheng, it was confirmed that the news agency was eager to open a bureau in Gaborone and was also interested in the possibility of forming partnerships with Botswana news organizations in the areas of human resource development, information sharing and online publishing, as well as broadcast and print media.

Programme sharing and potential technical assistance were also on the agenda during the Minster's meetings with senior CCTV and CRTV executives.

Minister Motsumi was in Beijing at the invitation of the Chinese Minister for State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), H.E. Mr. Wang Taihua, who hosted her at this week's Asia Media Summit.

In her meetings, the Minister was joined by resident Ambassador Naomi Majinda, Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Ticky Pule and the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Media, Dr. Jeff Ramsay.

>From China the Minister will be going to Japan, where she will be holding further discussions with her Japanese Government counterparts and executives of NHK, the Japanese Public Broadcaster. While in Japan the Minister is further expected to address members of the Japanese Business Council on opportunities in Botswana.

D3) 25/5/10: Asia Media Summit Open in Beijing

(Beijing) - Global media stakeholders converged in Beijing on Tuesday (25/5/10) to network and discuss development strategies at the Asia Media Summit, which is organised on an annual basis by the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD).

This year's gathering has attracted more than 800 delegates, including policy-makers, media professionals, scholars, and stakeholders of news and programming from the Asia-Pacific region, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

Among the VIPs present at the opening session was Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, the Hon. Lesego Motsumi. Also participating from Botswana at the Summit are members of the National Broadcasting Board (NBB).

With the theme "Creativity, Credibility, Rights and Responsibilities," this year's gathering will focus on such issues as declining public trust in the media, the need to strike a balance between media ethics and freedom, achieving universal content access in the face of growing commercialisation, digital migration challenges, and copyright issues.

In his welcoming remarks the Head of the Publicity Department of the Chinese Communist Party, H.E. Liu Yunshan, observed that the Summit's topics reflected growing concerns and shared challenges among international media stakeholders. He further expressed his hope that all countries would strengthen cooperation in news communication, information technology and business operations, and share resources on the basis of "equality, mutual benefit and mutual success."

Also speaking at the opening session, the AIBD President, Mr. Thoyyib Mohamed Waheed, expressed his hope that the gathering of media movers and shakers would offer new paradigms and insights in the fast-changing digital landscape to make digital broadcasting more responsive to developmental needs.

D4) 26/5/10 - Beijing Summit debates Media Ethics and Freedom

(Beijing) - What are the fine lines that separate legal, ethical and moral codes that ensure the achievement of the ideal of media freedom? And what administrative, corporate and community structure might be put in place to sustain a free and ethical media that serve to protect the moral integrity of media professionals and organisations from undue pressure by state, religious and/or commercial forces?

These were some of the big questions that exercised the minds of global media movers and shakers on the first day of the Asian Media Summit, which is being held this week for the first time in the Chinese capital, Beijing.

This year's Summit, which is organized on an annual basis by the Asian Institute of Broadcasting Development in major partnership with UNESCO, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the Global Media Centre for Development, has attracted over 800 delegates from six continents.

Batswana participating in this year's Summit include the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, the Hon. Lesego Motsumi, and representatives from the National Broadcasting Board.(NBB).

In his presentation to the Summit, the President of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation and former Secretary-General of the European Broadcasting Union, Dr. Jean-Bernard Munch, observed that universal principles of freedom of expression and information can be upheld in an environment that allows for effective co-regulation of the media industry on the basis of common codes of conduct, as well as self-regulation by individual media houses.

He noted that in Switzerland, mechanisms for co-regulation in broadcasting involve structures through which the Federal Minister responsible appoints an oversight body largely drawn from civil society.

Amidst calls for re-regulation of global media in the face of mounting evidence of a worldwide decline in public trust in news organizations, the concept of co-regulation found widespread acceptance among diverse Summit participants. As one participant noted regulatory mechanisms, along with guarantees of press freedom, should exist for the protection of the governed, not governments.

The Senior Editor of The Nation newspaper in Bangkok, Thailand, Mr. Kavi Chongkittavorn, however stressed the importance of grounding concerns about balance and objectivity in reporting in their situational context. In the light of recent events in his own country, he noted that the Thai journalists continue to be challenged in their reporting of domestic crisis situations, observing that human emotion as well as difficulties in accessing information understandably compromise editorial judgment.

Former head of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Dr. Mehdi Tabeshian, spoke on the difficulties of reconciling freedom of expression with respect for deeply held cultural and religious values. He nonetheless argued against abandoning concepts of universalism and objectivity.

The of balancing religion and freedom of expression was also taken up by senior Pakistani journalist and noted human rights activist Mr. Gazi Salahuddin in the context of his country's recent banning of Facebook and YouTube over their online publication of representations of the Prophet Mohammed.

Ambiguities about the issue were reflected in a snap poll in which a majority of the audience believed that such images should not appear online, but at the same time rejected the suggestion that universal guidelines could be put in place for the banning of such material from the internet.

Divisions also appeared in discussions over the reporting on child victims. In the context of widespread condemnation of the invasion of the privacy of a young Dutch boy, the sole survivor of the recent plane crash in Libya, many delegates condemned the hypocrisy of western news organisation's routine lack of similar concerns when reporting on child victims in Africa and Asia.

It was also pointed out that it was odd for senior broadcast executives to be now condemning the Libyan incident when their organizations had nonetheless carried pictures of the boy. The Summit continues.

D5) 31/5/10: Botswana adventure trumps Hollywood action in Beijing

(BEIJING) - Dreaming of an otherworldly setting with eye-popping flora and fauna that surrounds you living 3D? Looking for a luxury adventure beyond any 007 setting?

If so than the Okavango region is the place be according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), as well as the to remain nameless celebrities, royals and global movers and shakers who regularly slip in and out of Botswana's own garden of Eden.

In winning the WTTC Destination Stewardship Award in Beijing last week the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site, sponsored by Botswana Tourism, beat out some 160 other entries from around the world, most of which have benefited from far better financed media campaigns. This fact is clearly reflected in the award's two other finalists, which many considered to be more favoured given their high profile media tie-ins.

Besides having the home field advantage, China's already well marketed Mount Huangshan Scenic Site gained a windfall of additional publicity in recent months when it was identified as having been an inspiration for the CGI generated topography Pandora, the fantasy moon setting of the all-time blockbuster movie "Avatar".

Movie fans may also remember the recent James Bond movie "Casino Royal" as an embedded tourism commercial for second runner up Montenegro, whose "wild beauty" advertisements have become a fixture on CNN and elsewhere.

But in the end, with the world's cameras rolling the top prize went to the Botswana Tourism organisation for doing more with less. Perhaps the best news is that now that the prize has been won we can expect to see the Okavango and Botswana tourism in general being much more in the global media spotlight in the coming months.

The WTTC Destination Tourism Award is given in recognition of a destination, country or region whose local enterprises along with authorities show the greatest success in maintaining a programme of sustainable tourism management.

II. MINISTER MOTSUMI IN JAPAN -

D6) 1/6/10: Minister Motsumi's working visit promotes cooperation with Japan.

(Tokyo) - Japan is eager to explore possible avenues for increased technical cooperation, training and investment with Botswana. This is the message conveyed to Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, the Hon. Lesego Motsumi, in her talks with senior Japanese leaders and officials in Tokyo at the beginning of an intensive five day working visit, which will involve engagements with communications and broadcast industry stakeholders, aid agencies officials and senior members of the Japanese Business Federation, as well as high level Government contacts.

On Monday Minister Motsumi met with her Japanese counterpart the Hon. Minister for Internal Affairs and Communication, Kazuhiro Haraguchi, along with senior officials from his Ministry and NHK, the Japanese public broadcaster. Areas of discussion included potential support for Digital TV development and further cooperation between NHK and Botswana's Department of Broadcasting Services (DBS).

During the meetings the Minister and her delegation, which includes resident Ambassador Oscar Motswagae, the Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Ticky Pule and the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Media, Dr. Jeff Ramsay, expressed reciprocal interest in the prospect of forging a partnership framework with the Japanese, which could be open to additional participation by the countries' private sector and academic communities.

Earlier, on Sunday, the Minister toured the Panasonic Technology Centre and NHK Research Institute for Broadcasting, where she was briefed on the broadcaster's role in spearheading technological development and adaptation in collaboration with domestic and international partners.

In discussing investment opportunities, the Botswana delegation reminded their Japanese counterparts that while Botswana was a small country in terms of its domestic market, through its membership in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and various trade agreements it enjoyed preferential access to major global markets.

The potential role of the Innovation Hub and local Universities as cooperation catalysts was also raised.

Opportunities for investment and human resource development where further discussed during the Minister's meeting with former Japanese Prime Minister H.E. Yasuo Fakuda, who as a still active Member of Parliament has been in the forefront of promoting Africa Japan linkages. Mr. Fakuda, who has visited Botswana, has in the past been supportive of the Diamonds for Development campaign in Japan, which is the second biggest consumer of the gems behind the USA and ahead of the fast emerging Chinese market.

During the remainder of her stay in Japan, highlights of Minister Motsumi's busy schedule should include engagements with the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Tetsuro Fukuyama, the Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, leading Japanese jewelers and Science and Technology experts, as well as follow-up discussions with the President and senior management of NHK.

The Minister began her working visit to Japan on Saturday with a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Park, where she laid a wreath in memory of the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb attack, whose eyewitness horror was detailed by one of the nuclear holocaust's survivors and prominent peace activists, Mrs. Seiko Ikeda [pictures available on request].

D7) 2/6/10: "Okavango award sparkles in Japan"

(Tokyo) - Botswana Tourism's winning of the prestigious Destination Stewardship Award at last week's World Travel and Tourism Council summit in Beijing already has at least one Japanese business group smiling at the prospect of marketing synergies.

As part of its "Support Africa-SA Birth" marketing campaign, the Uchihara Group recently launched its "Okavango" line of fine diamond jewellery fashioned exclusively from Botswana diamonds, whose individual pieces retail from 27 thousand to just under 3 million pula .

In discussions with the visiting Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, the Hon. Lesego Motsumi, the Group's CEO, Mr. Ichiro Uchihara, confirmed that the tourism award could not have been better timed for the Okavango brand's launch in Japan, which is the world's second largest retail market for gem diamonds.

Okavango Brand brochures, printed before the award, feature lush images of the Delta as "A Heaven on Earth" to Japanese consumers. Inside the brochures is an accompanying message from resident Ambassador Motswagae extolling Botswana's breathtaking biodiversity with the affirmation that revenue earned from diamond sales goes towards the provision of education and health care to local communities.

For its part the Uchihara group has pledged that a portion of the revenues from Okavango sales will be donated to local conservation efforts.

The Okavango line of jewelleries unique designs evoke the winding patterns of the Delta's channels.

Promoting such win-win business opportunities ranked high on Minister Motsumi's agenda during her hectic 5 day working visit to Japan this week, which included engagements with broadcast industry stakeholders, senior aid agency officials and prominent members of the Japanese Business Federation, as well as high level Government contacts.

Topics of discussion raised during the visit included potential Japanese technical and financial support for Digital Broadcasting, educational television, and human resource development as well as energy and transport projects, such as the Kazangula Bridge and Morupule power plant expansion.

In talks with the Chairman of the Business Federation's Sub-Saharan Africa Committee, Mr. Dobashi, Minister Motsumi further focused on possible investment incentives for Japanese companies locating to Botswana.

While in Tokyo the Minister was also briefed on opportunities and risks in the Asian Diamond market by the management of Forevermark Brand.

The Minister began her working visit at Hiroshima where she laid a wreath in memory of the victims of the 1945 nuclear bomb attack at the city's iconic Peace Park.

D8) 3/6/10: Japan remains committed to Botswana partnership.

(Tokyo) - Japan remains committed to building stronger partnership with Botswana and the rest of Africa in the context of the TICAD (Tokyo Conference on Africa Development) process. This was the message conveyed to the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Lesego Motsumi, in her talks with senior Japanese officials in Tokyo on Wednesday, a day which began with the unexpected resignation of the country's Prime Minister, Yukio Hatoyama.

Hatoyama had been in office for less than nine months, having come to power in September 2009 in an election that saw his Democracy Party of Japan defeat the long ruling but fractious Liberal Democratic Party, which had ruled nation since 1955.

Minister Motsumi was just arriving at the headquarters of NHK, the Japanese public broadcaster, for follow-up discussions on potential cooperation, when the Prime Minister's announcement brought the morning routines to a brief halt.

The fourth Prime Minister to leave office in just four years, Hatoyama's resignation has raised concern in some quarters about the challenges of executive leadership in the world's second largest economy.

But, according to informed observers, the underlying stability of the Japanese political system and civil service is not expected to be affected, while the ruling party identifies a new leader in the coming days. Until then Hatoyama will remain in office as caretaker Prime Minister.

Hatoyama's fall came about after his Government reneged on a campaign promise to move a U.S. Military base off the Japanese island of Okinawa and what was otherwise widely considered to be a minor financial scandal.
Discussions at NHK were designed to further clarify partnership proposals in the fields of Digital Broadcasting and Educational Television.

These talks followed Minister Motsumi's Monday morning meetings with her Japanese counterpart the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communication, Kazuhiro Haraguchi, and other senior officials from his Ministry and NHK, in which the Japanese put forward proposals for a long-term partnership agreement, which will be further considered.

Besides early morning and working dinner discussions with the NHK management, the final day of Minister Motsumi's working visit included meetings with executives of the Japanese Business Federation and Forevermark Diamond brand.

At Forevermark, Motsumi emphasized the positive role played by diamond revenues in transforming the lives of ordinary Batswana.

During her visit the Hon. Motsumi also held substantive discussions with the Japanese State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Tetsuro Fukuyama, former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fakuda, and senior officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), all of whom expressed their personal interest and support for potential Botswana-Japanese cooperation in broadcasting and the promotion of trade and investment.

In her various discussions of investment opportunities during the visit, Minister Motsumi reminded her Japanese counterparts that while Botswana was a small country in terms of its domestic market, through its membership in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and various trade agreements it enjoyed preferential access to major global markets.

The potential role of the Innovation Hub and local Universities as cooperation catalysts was also raised.

In her meetings, the Minister was joined by resident Ambassador Oscar Motswagae, Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Ticky Pule and the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Media, Dr. Jeff Ramsay.

While in Japan, the Motsumi also toured the Panasonic Technology Centre and NHK Research Institute for Broadcasting. The latter's spearheading of technological development and adaptation in collaboration with domestic and international partners was seen as an example and potential partner for Botswana broadcasting services.

The Minister began her working visit to Japan on Saturday with a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Park, where she laid a wreath in memory of the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb attack, whose eyewitness horror was detailed by one of the nuclear holocaust's survivors and prominent peace activists, Mrs. Seiko Ikeda.

D9) 3/6/10: Motsumi finds potential partners in China and Japan

Tokyo - With over 1.2 billion viewers, in excess of 95% of its population, regularly tuning in to both radio and television for news, information and entertainment, China on any given day has more consumers of its broadcasting services than the combined totals for all of North and South America as well as Africa.

Serving this vast audience is a network of over 2000 combined radio and television broadcasters, along with several hundred stand alone stations, most of which though falling under the State Administration of Radio and Television (SARTV) exist as self-financing, commercially independent, operators.

Given the size and diversity of its consumer base it should come as no surprise that Chinese broadcasting services, delivered through cable, satellite and online as well as terrestrial means now cater to a wide range of tastes and social perspectives; a reality that might come as a surprise to some.

With over 400 million of its citizens also now regularly accessing the internet, media growth in China is consistent with the country's overall emergence as a globally competitive economic superpower.

Meanwhile in neighbouring Japan rapid advances in digital broadcast technology, including Super High Definition and 3D television, are fundamentally redefining the role of television both here and around the world, as a platform for interactive communication, learning and other, occasionally controversial, uses, such as surveillance. The long-term social implications of this technological transformation will only become clear in the fullness of time.

Advances in Japanese broadcasting have come about through a sustained commitment on of its Government and NHK, the public broadcaster, to work closely with private industry and academia in promoting innovation through applied research and development.

Given China and Japan's shared status as leading Global Information Age centres, the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Lesego Motsumi was happy to honour separate official invitations to come to both countries in to discuss potential cooperation and partnership in the field of broadcasting and associated services, for which she holds portfolio responsibility.

The Chinese invitation was further linked to SARTV's hosting of this year's Asia Media Summit in Beijing, which brought together over 800 industry stakeholders from five continents, providing a unique networking opportunity.

Throughout the Minister's working visits a lesson which emerged was that modern broadcasting services, even in small developing societies, can no longer afford to survive as passive recipients of other people's technology and programming.

There is, instead, an urgent need for countries like Botswana to build sustained global partnerships that combine technology transfer with system adaptation to local developmental needs and circumstance, along with a greater emphasis on co-production, content sharing for cost recovery and aggressive global outreach.

In such a process inter-government contacts can ideally lead to the forging of cooperative frameworks that will also come to incorporate civil society and private sector stakeholders as a catalyst for knowledge based economic growth and the wider and more efficient provision of public services.

An example of this potential is NHK's current collaboration with Al-Jazeera's Children Channel, which is being seen as a benchmark for similar NHK assistance in the anticipated launch of educational television services in Botswana.

Japan's readiness to explore additional avenues for increased technical cooperation, training and investment in Botswana media was confirmed in Minister Motsumi's talks with senior Japanese leaders and officials during her intensive five day working visit, which involved engagements with communications and broadcast industry representatives, aid agencies officials and senior members of the Japanese Business Federation, as well as Government contacts.

While in Beijing Minister Motsumi also held a series of high level meetings with Government leaders and top executives, culminating in bilateral talks with the Chinese Minister of the State Council Information Office (SCIO), Wang Chen, who assured her delegation of China's own interest in pursuing a bilateral cooperation agreement with Botswana for the two countries mutual benefit in the spirit of South-South cooperation.

The SCIO exists as China's key "working organ" for media outreach, being responsible for promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Forum of China Africa Cooperation or FOCAC process.

In Beijing, Minster Motsumi also met with the senior managements of SARTV, China Central Television (CCTV) the China Radio and TV Corporation for International Techno-Economic Cooperation (CRTV) and Xinhua News Agency, which confirmed its desire to open a bureau in Gaborone.

Botswana Diamond Exports +36% in April by Avi Krawitz for RAPAPORT

source: Republic of Botswana (6/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 6 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"

E2) 6/6/10: Botswana Diamond Exports +36% in April by Avi Krawitz for RAPAPORT

Botswana's exports of polished and rough diamonds in April rose 36 percent to $233.6 million, the bank of Botswana reported. The bank had reported exports of $171.2 million in April 2009.

The data showed that first quarter diamond exports grew 101 percent to $476.9 million but remained well below the average exports experienced in the same period of previous years. Botswana's diamond exports valued at $924.4 million in the first quarter of 2008.

In the its 2009 annual report, published separately last week, the Bank of Botswana said the country's exports of diamonds were "seriously affected by the global recession" during the year, with the decline impacted by reduced volumes and lower diamond prices.

Diamond exports, by dollar value, dropped 31 percent to $2.18 billion in 2009. Measured in the local Botswana Pula currency, diamond exports declined 26.7 percent to BWP 15.2 billion and made up 64 percent of the country's total export revenue, the same portion as 2008.

The annual report further showed that diamond imports, rough and polished, fell 17 percent to $451 million (BWP 3.14 billion) in 2009.

Botswana is the largest producer of rough diamonds by value in the world. Its total rough production is currently mined by Debswana, a joint venture between De Beers and the Government of Botswana. It also has 16 manufacturing companies operating in the country as part of its beneficiation program to develop onto a polishing and trading centre.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Speech by H.E. Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama - President of the Republic of Botswana and BDP Party President at the National Council

source: Republic of Botswana (21/5/10) TAUTONA TIMES for May 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"

B1) 22/5/10: SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY LIEUTENANT GENERAL SERETSE KHAMA IAN KHAMA - PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA AND BDP PARTY PRESIDENT AT THE NATIONAL COUNCIL:

[Salutation]...Ladies and Gentlemen

1. It is almost seven months since the General Elections were held. An election that saw the BDP returned to power with a significant increase in the popular vote. Our electoral success in the major cities has destroyed the myth which opposition parties were spreading around that our party survives on rural support only. The 2009 general elections proved, once more, that we are the only party that enjoys genuine national coverage - in both urban and rural areas - and that as stated in our election manifesto; we continue to remain the only party that Batswana can trust.

2. I wish to thank all our activists, some of whom are in this hall, for mounting a campaign to take our manifesto message to Batswana. I also wish to commend Batswana for having secured their future by voting for the BDP. I reiterate through you my pledge to our citizens that this Government promises to work hard for their benefit and welfare.

3. Fellow Democrats, Batswana have bestowed their trust in us. They have given us a mandate to run the affairs of this country for another five years. This makes us one of the few political parties in a multi-party system to be in government for nine consecutive terms. I am talking here about a multi-party system in its genuine and objective sense where you have free, fair and regular elections.

4. The responsibility that comes with this mandate is enormous. We must not allow ourselves to be blinded by the euphoria of victory. This five year term constitutes work in progress. Our development agenda is formidable. In our manifesto we promised accelerated implementation of all the Vision 2016 pillars. This means that we must complete the stock of all major on-going urban and rural infrastructure projects.

5. You will have realized by now that the fifth 'D', Delivery, has its roots in the promises we made to Batswana. The obligation to deliver is central to our pledge. I have made Delivery one of our priorities because I believe it can help us create an atmosphere within which improved delivery of services becomes an integral part of our work culture. Improvement of our work ethic is an imperative if we have to eradicate poverty, which we must, coupled with vigorous efforts to produce jobs and industry relevant students and will go a long way towards improving all our people, wherever they are, to deliver world class service. My administration has the five "D's" as its main beacons.

THE 2010/11 BUDGET

6. We went into the national elections against the backdrop of the worst economic down-turn ever experienced since the great depression.

7. Over the years we have used the revenues from our diamonds to fund some of the operations of entities created to empower citizens, provide nationwide infrastructure and significant spending on education and health amongst others, while at the same time building up sizable reserves as insurance to cushion the economy against unexpected disasters. This prudent approach has been the hallmark of our economic policy. It has served us well. Thanks to it, we had registered high rates of economic growth until the financial meltdown that occurred in 2008.

8. As usual opposition parties have been sceptical of our economic management strategies and have tried to punch holes in our policy. If we had not adopted a policy of building up our reserves during the good years the current economic crisis would have found us without anything to cushion its impact.

9. If we had exhausted our reserves before the crisis as the opposition parties had suggested, the economy would have collapsed. We would have had to halt all on-going projects in addition to retrenching civil servants. No retrenchments have occurred in the public service, and significantly few in the private sector as compared to other countries because we have managed the economy prudently. The BDP has established a tradition of giving Batswana factual information even when it may be painful and unpalatable. We are grateful that Batswana have appreciated the value of this tradition of honesty and transparency.

10. There is no doubt; we have to make painful choices in addressing this financial crisis. We have had to stretch our human and budgetary resources to the limit by among other things; freezing pay increases for public servants; introducing cost-sharing measures and most recently increasing our Value Added Tax (VAT). While a majority of Batswana may have been affected negatively by some of these choices, these have been necessary for the short, medium and long term economic stability of this country.

11. By voting us back into power and accepting the decisions we have made and restraining their own demands on the fiscas, Batswana have demonstrated that political expediency can never override prudence in the management of public resources. For this demonstrated confidence, we remain most humbled.

12. While I am pleased that the global economic recovery is under way, we are still not out of the woods yet. We must remain ever more prudent in our management of public resources by minimizing and paying close attention on Government spending. We must still pursue strategies that would ensure that our economic recovery is a durable one.

13. We have committed ourselves to a development programme that seeks to achieve that all Batswana live decent lives. We are aware that without education and life skills Batswana cannot reach their full potential.

14. We are also aware that education and skills development that is not tuned to an economy that creates opportunities for such skills to be employed would not help us develop.

15. I have asked the Ministers of Education and Skills Development and Finance and Development Planning to make presentations to this Council in order that you may be briefed in more detail on our activities in those two ministries. The Ministry of Local Government will participate in both presentations as they cover the same areas at the district level. On other issues I gave you all an outlook when I delivered the State of the Nation Address in November last year.

16. In my travels around the country, I have consulted with many Batswana of all walks of life. I am deeply concerned about the pockets of poverty that still exist. With some restructuring and some qualitative improvement in the management of relevant programmes we could eradicate poverty in our country. In this regard, I have caused the Ministry of Local Government to institute a Task Force on sustainable Rural Livelihoods. This Task Force has to come up with recommendations on how the lives of Remote/Area Dwellers can be significantly improved. We have committed ourselves to a development programme that seeks to achieve that all Batswana live decent lives.

17. I have just given you a brief report on what our government is capable of doing. Allow me to say that I expect our delivery levels to rise even higher. I say this because I know we can produce more than we have up to now. In order to do this, we must remember that during our campaign and in our manifesto we renewed our commitment to promoting A MORAL AND TOLERANT NATION. We pledged to defend and promote our culture and to be UNITED AND PROUD in its diversity and wealth.

18. We must maintain the alignment of our policies to the national will. Our policies must be an investment in the interests of all the major stakeholders in the economy. This is why we must actively promote development of Trade Unions and the welfare of workers. We have ratified ILO conventions and domesticated them in our labour laws in order to safe guard the interests of workers. The lines of communication between public officers and government remain open all the time.

19. There is still work to be done to improve relations between employers and their employees in the private sector. I must in the same note urge all Batswana to remember that economic success is dependent on all of us working towards a stable society.

20. My only concern with some of our Unions is when they sound more political than those in politics. The prime function of Unions is to protect the interest of their members whilst remembering that contracts of employment also exist to guide the employer/employee obligations. Unions cause us concern when they threaten political action since the rules governing their relationship with employers have nothing to do with party politics.

21. Fellow Democrats, it would be remiss of me if I did not express my concern at the recent figures showing the rate of new infections of HIV/AIDS. Our PMTC programme has been extremely successful but the overall rate of new infections has gone up from 17.1% to 17.6%. This means that Batswana are lowering their guard and this should not be allowed to continue.

THE PARTY

22. Consistent with the theme of the conference, let me now address myself to matters which in my view continue to affect the party and its brand. I do so ever mindful that things we do not say or take for granted may be the things that lead to our downfall or failure tomorrow as a party.

23. Past successes do not guarantee a future. It is what we choose to do both individually and collectively that impacts significantly on our future. And as we meet today to celebrate and reflect on our electoral successes, I would like us to pause and ponder on the following questions.

24. What is it that binds us as Democrats? Are we held together by a shared vision, common principles, values and beliefs or something else? The answers to these questions will determine whether we will continue to govern and deliver on the mandate given to us by the electorate.

25. I have also asked myself this question before and since it is still filled with vexation, I will ask it again. If Democrats cannot show compassion and tolerance for each other, if we continue acts that divide us, if mutual trust and respect for fellow Democrats continues to be illusive, what message are we giving to those that voted us into office? Even if I did not get an answer to that question I will tell you what will happen if we continue on that path. Batswana ba tla re thoboga.

26. When I traverse the length and breadth of this country what I often hear is that some of our members are missing in collective team spirit and mutual trust. What I also hear is that some members are promoting individualism over party interest and nudging towards opposition politics.

27. By our own conduct, we are increasingly inviting the public to view us with dissatisfaction. Within our midst, some have elevated factionalism and self interest so much so that nothing else matters. Debates on matters of national interest have become an excuse behind which to launch attacks on the party leadership.

28. Whist some may hope to profit from a public backlash against the party and its leadership, the dangers should all be too apparent - we succeed as a collective and fail as one too. If I may put it more candidly, the greatest threat facing us is one of indiscipline.

29. In a somewhat strange way, those that speak against indiscipline are roundly condemned as boot lickers and those that undermine the party and cause conflict from within applaud themselves as true democrats and party loyalists. This is unacceptable for democracy by its very nature presupposes that decisions are by consensus, that is, the views of the majority must prevail and be respected and not undermined by those whose views are in the minority.

30. For reasons best known to themselves, there are some, whose sense of self worth has blinded them to the fact that they are first and foremost BDP members. As part of a collective, they own their obligation and loyalty to the party. But if you point out this fact to them, it is to commit a cardinal sin against those opposed to the party leadership or those whose personal ambitions have yet to materialize.

31. It has now in fact become common practice for members to either buy newspaper space or give exclusive interviews to media outlets denouncing the party leadership as autocratic.

32. It is remarkable how we sometimes tend to forget that we share the same electoral fate. To democrats bent on undermining the party, either through collusion with the opposition or sponsored media editorials, therefore I say, be wary of those who seek to elevate your course for such is only meant to bring you into collision with your own party solely for the benefit of the opposition.

33. We should not seek to manipulate public perception by projecting ourselves as capable of standing up to the party leadership. A rebellion against the leadership is not a true measure of character or of principle. It is grandstanding.

34. The tendency among those not willing to work within acceptable party boundaries and structures is now to portray themselves as victims of a leadership that is irrational, intolerant and driven by unreasoning coercion.

35. The above strategy clearly designed to undermine the party leadership, has the effect of undermining the party as well. Such self-serving politics are detrimental to all and undermine party cohesion which is important in contributing to efficiency in government as well.

36. Let me end by stating that we should be a broad based and tolerant organization. We must be mindful that each phase of development or growth brings with it its own challenges. How we address these challenges can either make or break the party.

37. I am not adverse to criticism so long as it is done in an open, constructive and respectful manner. As a party leader however, let me emphasize that the party will not tolerate acts of indiscipline and sabotage by our own members. We will not applaud acts of indiscipline or shy away from taking action against wayward members, for to do so, would be abdication.

38. We must re-affirm our commitment to the party and accept and honour our responsibilities to it. This requires us to subordinate our personal ambitions to party interest and to always remain faithful to what holds us together.

39. We must always remember that no individual is greater than the party. We are strong only as a collective and weak in our individuality.

40. For my part I am deeply committed during my term of office to improve the lives of Batswana especially targeting the poor and less fortunate, by generally putting in place measures from which everyone will reap benefits from. I expect during this period to be supported by my party by backing me up in these endeavours rather than frustrating my efforts by bringing in turmoil.