Changes to Sauti za Busara festival line up

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Busara Promotions makes two announcements concerning two artists scheduled to perform at Sauti za Busara 2012. We are confident all other artists as announced on our website www.busaramusic.org will perform as scheduled.

Lady Jaydee will sadly not be able to perform at Sauti za Busara 2012 due to health reasons. Her eagerly anticipated return to Sauti za Busara since 2006 was scheduled for Thursday 9th February. Festival organisers wish Lady Jaydee a very swift recovery and will soon announce who will take to the stage as headline artist.

A statement from her manager Gardner G. Habesh was received today: “As much as Lady Jaydee wanted to be a part of this year’s Sauti za Busara, I regret to report that she is sick and her doctor advised that she must have a bed rest for not less than three months before she resume her daily activities. Lady Jaydee will not be seen on any show for the said period.”

Yusuf Mahmoud, Festival Director, responded: “We wish Lady Jaydee a speedy recovery back to health. Lady Jaydee is one of Tanzania’s best loved artists. We and our audiences will miss her greatly at the opening night. Of course she is irreplaceable, but we hope soon to announce who will headline for this night.”

Busara Promotions is deeply shocked and saddened by passing on of Seven Survivor band leader Juma Mpogo a.k.a. General Lupozi. Juma died Sunday 22nd January. He is survived his wife and two children. He was lead composer, vocalist and keyboard player for the band. Seven Survivor is one of Dar es Salaam’s leading exponents playing mchiriku, a style of music that has been extremely popular around disadvantaged areas of Dar es Salaam, Coastal and Morogoro regions for more than twenty years. The band has confirmed their participation despite the absence of their deceased band leader and will battle Jagwa Music Saturday 11th February at the festival for the best mchiriku group title popularly known as Nani Zaidi?

Sauti za Busara provides a platform for local musicians to experience music from other parts of Africa, whilst introducing East African music to the visitors. In any society this kind of interchange is vital to the health and development of musical styles. Sauti za Busara Busara Promotions PO Box 3635 Zanzibar, Tanzania +255 24 223 2423 +255 784 925 499 +255 773 822 294 [email protected] www.busaramusic.org provides an example of an event designed to develop, for locals and visitors, an appreciation of the uniqueness, wealth and diversity of music from the region. It shows there is beauty in our traditional music, with employment and income to be gained in sustaining it.

Artistic and technical workshops and seminars have been a key element of Busara’s activities, aimed for musicians, media professionals, arts managers, technicians and cultural workers from the region. These workshops have helped to build knowledge and skills for the long-term cultural benefit of East Africa.

Sauti za Busara music festival, 8 – 12 February 2012 is powered by: The Norwegian Embassy, HIVOS, Mimeta, Roskilde Festival Charity Society, Grand Malt, Toyota, Commercial Bank of Africa, Goethe Institut, US Embassy, African Leisure Centre, fly540, Memories, Zanzibar Grand Palace Hotel, Maru Maru Hotel, SMOLE II, Zanlink, Azam Marine, Embassy of France, ZanAir, fROOTS, Times FM, Multi-Color Printers, Ultimate Security, Tabasam Tours, , Emerson Spice, Monsoon Restaurant, Southern Sun Dar es Salaam, Mercury’s, Archipelago Restaurant, Stone Town Café, www.zanzibar.net

More Information: www.busaramusic.org

Contact: [email protected]

World champion water polo team joins UN conservation effort

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Italian water polo team. Photo: Giorgio Scala

The world champion Italian national water polo team has become the latest advocate recruited by the United Nations in its effort to raise international awareness about water conservation, the world body has announced.

The Italian squad, also known as the azzurri (blues), have become the most recent promoters of ?The Future We Want: Drop by Drop? ? an information campaign spearheaded by the UN Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC) which invites Europeans to create a slogan inspiring others to preserve water.

?For the third year running we have reached out to creative Europeans to help us spread the message, this time with a view to the Rio+20 conference For the third year running we have reached out to creative Europeans to help us spread the message, this time with a view to the Rio+20 conference and on the crucial issue of water.and on the crucial issue of water,? said UNRIC Director Afsan? Bassir-Pour.

The ?Drop by Drop? campaign is part of a larger effort at sensitizing the public to environmental issues ahead of Rio+20, the UN conference on sustainable development, which will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June.

Noting that people with easy access to water ?tend to waste it,? Ms. Bassir-Pour said that the campaign encouraged Europeans to design a newspaper ad for the UN emphasizing the importance of water as ?the most precious of resources.?

Lorenzo Ravina, head of the Italian delegation, also embraced the newfound cooperation between the Italian team and the UN.

?We are proud for having been chosen by the United Nations to represent this awareness campaign on water preservation,? he said, adding that the Italian Swimming Federation has ?always encouraged the culture of water and whatever, not only sport-wise, is linked to it.?

Mr. Ravina said he was confident that through the Italian delegation?s ?humble contribution,? the UN was ?set to win its challenge? of spreading awareness about the value and importance of water throughout the world.

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Ban spends second day at UN-backed Cyprus reunification talks

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Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) greets his Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, at Greentree Estate in Manhasset, New York. UN Photo/Eskinder DebebeSecretary-General Ban Ki-moon is meeting again today in New York with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in their latest round of talks aimed at reunifying the divided Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus.

The talks at the Greentree Estate on Long Island between the Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Dervis Eroglu, got off to an ?intensive? start yesterday with Mr. Ban making it clear to both parties that he expects them to make progress during the current round of the process, which began in 2008.

?The Secretary-General made his expectations clear this morning that he is looking for the leaders to make decisive moves,? his Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, told reporters last night.

?He also reminded the two leaders that they must keep the big vision of a united Cyprus in their sights,? said Mr. Downer.

The focus of yesterday?s deliberations was on three of the core issues in the negotiations ? the executive, property and citizenship. ?There is clearly still ground to cover in order to make for a successful outcome for this meeting,? he said.

In 2008, both sides agreed to work towards ?a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant Security Council resolutions.? The partnership will comprise a Federal Government with a single international personality, along with a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, which will be of equal status.

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Cyprus: Ban calls for decisive steps towards final settlement after intensive talks

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Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre) joins hands with Greek and Turkish Cypriot Leaders Demetris Christofias (left) and Dervis Eroglu. UN Photo/Eskinder DebebeThe latest round of United Nations-facilitated talks between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities aimed at the reunification of Cyprus have ended in New York after ?robust and intensive? discussions, Secretary-Ban Ki-moon said today, calling for a decisive move to reach a final agreement.

Mr. Ban, who attended the talks between Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Dervis Eroglu, on Monday and Tuesday, said ?limited progress? was achieved during the meeting.

He also reminded both parties that the process is Cypriot-owned and Cypriot-led.

?The UN is not here to impose solutions upon the sides,? MrI have proposed that the sides complete the exchange of data on property within the next two weeks to which they agreed.. Ban told reporters at UN Headquarters, adding that the two sides had come to the meeting to make an effort to resolve the main challenges in the process ? the issues of the election of the executive, property and citizenship.

?In terms of next steps, I have proposed that the sides complete the exchange of data on property within the next two weeks to which they agreed,? said Mr. Ban, whose Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, will brief the Security Council later today on the talks.

?I will be providing a report to the Security Council on the status of the negotiations at the end of February [and] at the end of March I will seek a review of the process from my Special Adviser.

?If his report is positive, consistent with relevant Security Council resolutions and following consultations with the two sides, I intend to call a multilateral conference in late April or early May,? said the Secretary-General.

He stressed that, at this stage of the talks, even maintaining the momentum and continuing negotiations in an intensive manner is not sufficient. ?I have urged the leaders to make decisive steps to move to a final agreement,? he added.

?The United Nations remains convinced that it is in the interest of all Cypriots to reach a durable settlement,? he said.

In 2008, both sides agreed to work towards ?a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant Security Council resolutions.? The partnership will comprise a Federal Government with a single international personality, along with a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, which will be of equal status.

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UNESCO urges maritime restrictions for World Heritage Sites in Italy

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Venice and its Lagoon. Photo: UNESCO

The United Nations agency tasked with safeguarding the world?s cultural heritage called on Italy today to restrict maritime access to its most culturally and ecologically sensitive areas, including the lagoon city of Venice.

In the wake of the recent Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) urged the Italian Government to quickly develop alternative plans for seafaring traffic around the World Heritage site of Venice.

The Northern Italian city is a renowned tourist destination and is visited by almost 300 large cruise ships each year.

On 13 January, the hull of the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia was torn open after it ran aground off the coast of Tuscany?s Giglio Island. According to media reports, 15 people died and at least 18 are still missing. The ship was also carrying a reported 2,400 tonnes of fuel, prompting widespread concerns about a potential environmental disaster.

?The tragic accident reinforces longstanding concern over the risk that large cruise liners pose to sites inscribed on UNESCO?s World Heritage List, particularly the Venice Lagoon and the Basin of San Marco,? wrote Francesco Bandarin, UNESCO?s Assistant Director-General for Culture, in a letter to the Italian Ministry of the Environment.

Mr. Bandarin, who was writing on behalf of UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, also expressed the agency?s condolences for ?the tragic loss of life? caused by the accident and praised the efforts of rescue teams and the local population in dealing with the disaster?s aftermath.

The regular cruise liner traffic in Venice has contributed to damaging the fragile structure of the city, according to the agency. The massive ships cause water tides that erode the foundations of buildings and contribute to polluting the natural environment of the surrounding lagoon.

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UN maritime official calls for probe into cruise ship incident off Italian coast

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IMO Secretary-General-elect Koji Sekimizu. Photo: Imo.un

A senior United Nations official today called for a thorough investigation into the incident involving the Costa Concordia cruise ship that ran aground off the coast of Italy over the weekend.

?In the centenary year of the Titanic, we have once again been reminded of the risks involved in maritime activities,? Koji Sekimizu, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), said in a speech to the agency?s Sub-Committee on Stability, Load Lines and Fishing Vessel Safety.

Mr. Sekimizu expressed his condolences to the families oI would like to urge the Flag State administration to carry out the casualty investigation covering all aspects of this accident and provide the findings to the IMO.f those who lost their lives in the tragic incident that occurred on Friday near Giglio Island.

Six people reportedly died and at least 16 are missing after the Costa Concordia?s hull was torn open after it ran aground. A total of 4,200 passengers and crew were on board the vessel, according to media reports.

?Causes of this accident are still not yet established,? noted Mr. Sekimizu. ?We must wait for the casualty investigation and should not pre-judge or speculate at this stage.

?I would like to urge the Flag State administration to carry out the casualty investigation covering all aspects of this accident and provide the findings to the IMO,? he added.

Mr. Sekimizu voiced his appreciation to the Italian Coast Guard for their rescue operations over the night of the accident, adding that the IMO must not take this accident lightly.

?We should seriously consider the lessons to be learnt and, if necessary, re-examine the regulations on the safety of large passenger ships in the light of the findings of the casualty investigation,? he stated.

The IMO, based in London, is the UN specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.

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UN tribunal welcomes arrest of former member of Serb paramilitary forces

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Radovan Stankovic, a former member of Serb paramilitary forces. Photo: ICTY

The United Nations war crimes tribunal for the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s welcomed the arrest of Radovan Stankovic, a former member of a Serb paramilitary unit who faces multiple charges for crimes against humanity.

Mr. Stankovic was arrested over the weekend in Bosnia and Herzegovina, more than four years after he escaped from prison in May 2007.

?Today?s apprehension of Stankovic is significant for the victims of the grave crimes he has been convicted for,? said Serge Brammertz, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

?I hope that this arrest reflects an increased commitmenToday?s apprehension of Stankovic is significant for the victims of the grave crimes he has been convicted for.t of the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to support the process of bringing to justice those responsible for the grave crimes committed on their territory in the early 1990s.?

Mr. Stankovic was first indicted by the ICTY, which is based in The Hague, in 1992. He was then transferred by the Tribunal to Bosnia and Herzegovina in September 2005, where he was convicted to 20 years in prison by the State Court for war crimes, including the rape and enslavement of Muslim women and girls. However, he escaped from prison in Foca two years after his sentencing.

Since then, the ICTY had repeatedly called for his arrest and emphasized the importance of apprehending him to make progress in bringing those responsible for war crimes in the region to justice.

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UN-facilitated talks between Cypriot leaders begin in New York

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Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (back to camera) greets Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders Demetris Christofias (centre) and Dervis Eroglu (right) at Greentree Estate in Manhasset, New York. UN Photo/Eskinder DebebeSecretary-General Ban Ki-moon met today with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities as they began two days of United Nations-facilitated talks on reunifying the divided Mediterranean island nation.

This is the fifth time that the Secretary-General is present at talks between Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Dervis Eroglu, as they continue the negotiations begun in 2008.

Ahead of the talks, Mr. Ban said he looked forward to ?a productive meeting and concrete progress? during the two-day session being held at the Greentree Estate on Long Island.

The UN-facilitated talks are aimed eventually setting up a federal government with a single international personality in a bi-zonal, bi-communal country, with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot constituent states of equal status.

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Ban looks forward to �concrete’ progress at upcoming meeting of Cypriot leaders

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Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias (left) and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu (right). UN Photo/Eskinder DebebeSecretary-General Ban Ki-moon is looking forward to ?concrete progress? when the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders meet in New York next week to discuss reunifying the divided Mediterranean island nation, his spokesperson said today.

The meetings on Monday and Tuesday between Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Dervis Eroglu, will be the fifth time the Secretary-General will be present at the United Nations-facilitated talks.

?The Secretary-General looks forward to a productive meeting and concrete progress,? said a statement issued by his spokesperson, which added thHe believes that with political will and firm commitment the two leaders can and should reach a much-needed settlement on Cyprusat the UN chief has conveyed his expectations to the two leaders.

?He believes that with political will and firm commitment the two leaders can and should reach a much-needed settlement on Cyprus,? it added.

The UN-facilitated talks began in 2008 with the aim of eventually setting up a federal government with a single international personality in a bi-zonal, bi-communal country, with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot constituent states of equal status.

Earlier this month, the Secretary-General?s Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, told reporters in Nicosia that Mr. Christofias and Mr. Eroglu will continue to make efforts to reach agreement on core issues, including governance and power-sharing, property rights, territory and citizenship.

The UN has maintained a peacekeeping mission (UNFICYP) in Cyprus since 1964 after an outbreak of inter-communal tensions.

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Greece, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia wrap up UN-mediated talks

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Matthew Nimetz, Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for the talks between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. UN Photo/Paulo FilgueirasRepresentatives of Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have wrapped up two days of United Nations-mediated talks on the dispute over the official name of the latter country, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General announced today.

Matthew Nimetz said the discussions in New York were helpful and focused on the optimal way to move the process forward in a constructive manner. He added that he was given firm assurances that each Government is sincere in its interest in finding a solution and that they fully respect the UN process.

A UN-brokered interim accord in 1995 details the differences between the two countries over the name of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It obliges both Athens and Skopje to continue negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General to try to reach an agreement, but so far they have not succeeded.

Mr. Nimetz met separately with Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis of Greece and Ambassador Zoran Jolevski of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over the two days. Both sides presented the positions of their respective Governments on the name issue as they stand at the present time.

He said he will consult further with the representatives regarding arranging a visit to the two capitals to continue the discussions.

?As we move forward, I have asked the parties to demonstrate their commitment to the resolution of their difference by promoting a positive atmosphere through their actions and public statements,? he stated.

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