The Correspondent, February - March 2002

Afghanistan Revisited China and theWTO Beijing 2008 vs the Press

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Kate Pound Dawson Fimt Vice President -Jim Ray Rudowski, Second Vice President (Hon Sec.)

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Correspondeût Member Governors Paul Ba1,fìeld, Tllomas CramPton, Hubert van Es, Luke Hunt, Aliko Kato, Mark Landle¡ ArthonyJ Larvrence,

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Associate Member Governors Kevin Egan, David Carcia.

Martin Nlerz, Marilyn Hood

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Finauce Comittee Conanot: Içate Pound Darvson (Treasurer)

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Professional & Entertaiment Comittee Conrenor: Thomas CramPtot

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FCC Photographer of the Year Awards

Club Speakers Wine Tasting 15 Jancis Robinson and Mike Moore 16 Supachai Panitchpakdi

Constitutional Committee Con,uenor:

I(etin Egat

True Believers 18 Benny Chia, Ng Kau and Cpthia Liu or Cultural Backwater?

Membership Comnittee Conaenot': Hubert van Es

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Ho6e/F&B Comittee Convenor: David Ga rcia I

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Freedom of the Press

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General Manager Gilbert Cheng

Book Reviews

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24 Todd Crowell's Tohryo: City on the Edge 25 Mark Amdur's Irena: The lrena Hatf'eld Story 26 Arthur Hacker's ABC of Dogs 27 -fed Thomas' IWas Misquoted

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Hong Kong: World City

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The Correspondent O The Foreign Correspondents' Club

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China and the WTO:

19 Alkman Granitsas Beijing 2008 - Can they Handle the Press?

- WaysJournos Age Ten 20 Eric Weiner Wig & Pen 21 Sue Lavender The Order of the Boot 23 Ewen Campbell-

Comittee Huttert van

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Media

tnor : Fr an cis Moriarty

Co-conaenor:

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Tales from Afghanistan Searching for al-Qaeda

Photography

Muketing Comittee Conaenor: fim Latrte

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Terry Duckh am

Dave Garcia

Editorial Editor: Saul Lockhart Tel: 2813 5284 Fax: 2813 6394 Mobile: 9836 1210

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Production Asiapix Print Services -fel:2572 9544 Fax; 2575 8ô00 E-mail: asiapix@hk.linkage net

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THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-MARCFI

On Flying Post Nine Eleven

Around The FCC

E-mail : lockhart@hkstar.com

Impress Offse t Printing Factory Limited

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4

New Year's Eve Party Chinese New Year Staff Party

Christmas Buffet and the Chinese Restaurant's lstAnniversary Social and Bert's

Prot"ssional Contacts FCC Faces

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David Handley Cover Photographed by Alisha Rytt

hired securitl to escort These Afghan gunmen, seenfronr the inside of Ali,sha Ryu's ca¡ uue the good guls rhe coilesponãent from Kand,ahar to KabuL, a ueeh beþre she uûs stoþPed. at gunþoint. (See story, þage 8)

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From George W Russell #4959

While it was nice to see a picture of our postwedding celebration (Around the FCC, Comespondent, Dec. 2001Jan. 2002), I should emphasise that my wife, Economic Reuiew's correspondent in Hanoi, retains the name she was born with and writes under, Margot Cohen. As indeed, do I.

Hats are back for men Arthur Hacker celebrates the change in the Dress Code

From Bill Blessington Outdoor Editor, The now defunct Anchorage Times Thanks for that great piece about Kate Webb

The Foreign Journalists Club of Cambodia (FJCC)

is currently researching the history of foreign correspondents in Cambodia and would welcome

for

in Melbourne. Polite and, I fancy, admiring smiles greeted it. How about a little Deng-style (super-ficial) reform at the FCC? Hats on!

any contributions. Please contact Luke Hunt on kh

The President resþonds: Jonathan may be gratifled to knou that the next time he comes to Hong Kong, he may wear his

From Paul F. Savage #6394

hat. The Boo.rd of Goaernors onJanuary 26th uoted to rescind the 1982 Dress Code Regulati,on barring any and all headgear for men. Members are reminded of course to exercise restraint

afþ cambodi.a@bigþ ond. com.

I was pleased to read in the Dec 2001-Jan 2002 issue of The Corresþondenf that the FCC is proceeding with the enhancements of the Health Corner. I can tell you that based upon my experience with Hong Kong Clubs in general and the Kowloon Club in particular, having an appealing and useful gym facility is a great marketing tool for attracting new members, and a source of pride for existing members, whether or not the members avail themselves of the gym. For many people, the fact that a club has an attractive exercise facility will be the deciding factor (for) member(ship). The reason is that, while not all of the members who join because of the gym actually use it, they all have good intentions to use it. When we did renovate, the Health Center at the Kowloon Club, there was a signifrcant increase in the use of the facility. Another reason for having a gym is that when a club is trying to build a respectable list of reciprocal clubs, one of the key facilities other clubs look (for) is an exercise facility. If any FCC Board members are interested in seeing the Kowloon Club gym, I would be pleased to arrange a visit. I look forward to continuing my use of the Health Corner but I know I will enjoy it more once the renovations have been completed.

From Jonathan

Mirsþ

#6043

I was recentþ in Hong Kong for two days and found time for breakfast on the Verandah. The Club looked great and the staff were as welcoming as ever' Imagine my surprise when I was asked ever-so-politely to remove my hat. Now this is a respectable, 25 year-old, spotlessly

white, old-fogey slouch-hat, deeply beautiful and much loved by this old fogey. It was 8:30 a.m. and besides my host, Francis Moriarty, there was only one other guest smoking a reeking cigar, about which I said nothing, -although I coughed a bit hoping for sympathy. Can there really be an anti-hat rule? Thongs, whether foot or bum, I understand. Shorts, OK. But hats? I had just worn mine in the most expensive Japanese restaurallt

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Corresþondenl (Dec 01Jan 02 issue). Having known her

tlte Far Eastern

From Luke Hunt #6789

in

and good taste. Ifor one uill object to backward-worn baseball caþs and motorqcle helmets u)orn on þremises.

From PJ O'Rourke to Dave Garcia

Bravo

for the Israel piece in

The Corresþondent

job than I did. Any let me know. Of switch careers want to time you be a problem since if anyone that could course, me might get a metal from they hear.y ordered have busy as a oneDef Lepard...I been of delivery camp since 9/11. in a boy scout bishop eyed imagine and I've my tour as you can book Scrambled lor Atlantic dispatches on situation to two had write Monthþ. (Later) I'll be headed overseas to cover whatever it is that will be going on from someplace or the Stans, Paki, Middle East.Just don't know other Do yet. you have any contacts in Carjackistan, (Aug-Sept 2001). You did a better

Absurdistan, Umbrellastan and so forth?

From Frazer McGilway Executive Directo¡ International Marinelife Alliance

It was with great interest I read the article "Life Below the Waves" (The Corresþondenf, Aug-Sept 2001) about Robert Delfs' superb underwater photos...Delf's description of the state of the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacif,rc is very true, they are indeed facing increasing pressure from human activity.

However, it is not strictþ accurate to highlight that a "significant percentage" of the snappers and groupers caught on these reefs are caught with cyanide. While cyanide f,rshing is still a problem in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, many of the frsh that supply

the market in Hong Kong and China are from mariculture. Consumers would,be advised to ask if a fish is cultured or wild-caught next time they choose one from a restaurant tank, thus reducing the pressure on the region's coral reefs.

THF, CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-MARCH

2OO2

those those responsible and to prosecute them to the

fullest extent of the law.

long time myself, I can account for her "cool under fire" in a few areas. When she was at the IJPI bureau in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA), she handled my feed from Kent State, Ohio, where National Guardsmen shot student demonstrators making their point over the invasion of Cambodia and Nixon's war policies.

It was a great pleasure to introduce her to Alaska, where I've been hiding for the last 30 years, when she left Af'P. And if I can keep the BS flowing well enough, we can get her back to Talkeetna so she can win the Wilderness Woman crown for chopping wood, cleaning frsh, fixing dinner and impressing the snow shoes off a bunch of bearded dog mushers, moose chasers and mountain climbers. Fits right in. Then we'll take her into the Arctic. a

Mistreatment of Journalist in Macau The Hon. Edmund Ho Chief Executive, Macau SAR Dear Mr Ho,

The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Hong Kong (FCC) wishes to express its concern regarding the actions taken by Macau security officials against journalists who were on their way to cover the visit by the chairman of the National People's Congress, Mr Li Peng.

We trust you will pursue a complete and honest investigation of this affair, which risks harming Macau's international image.

There can be no justification for the beating of reporters and photographers who are carrying out their duties. Neither can there be any excuse for

forcibly preventing them from covering

finnouncement$ The following oþen letter to the gouørnment rf the Islamic Reþublic of Pahistan was issued from Dubai on behalf of the International Association of Præs Clubs of which the FCC is a founding member The l¿ttn was clrafted b1 Francis Moriarty,

Conuenor of the FCC's Press Freedom Committee

The International Association of Press Clubs (IAPC) wishes to express its deepest condolences to the family,

friends and colleagues of Danny Pearl, a Wall Street Journal reporter who was murdered by kidnappers in

events

unfolding in a public place, nor for detaining them or damaging their equipment. We note that police have denied that beatings occurred or that they damaged cameras, but the photographs of what transpired and the first-person accounts of those present call into question those denials.

We are also concerned that a reporter for tl:'e South China Morning Post was told that materials which insult China are against the law in Macau, and on this pretext

had his newspaper clippings temporarily taken from him. The FCC would like to know what particular law defines this transgression.

Again on behalf of the FCC, we call upon you as Chief Executive to initiate a full and transparent

Pakistan.

We also urge the government of Pakistan to put all

investigation.

available resources into bringing to justice those who were behind Danny's killing, as well as those who carried it out.

H.E.Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Bangkok

The brutality of his murder and the callousness of those who videotaped their repugnant actions have shocked people around the world.

That Dannywas innocent ofanywrong doing has been obvious from the start, and no one should be confused as to the reason why he was murdered: Danny was killed simply for who and what he was a reporter trying diligentþ to dig behind the headlines- and learn the rruth.

To the culprits, kidnapping and killing a foreign journalist offered a publicity opportunity. It is for this

cold-blooded reason, not his nationality nor his

religion, that his life was taken.

Those who plotted and enacted this murder were not being selective; any reporter seeking to carry out his or her professional duty to probe beneath the surface of events might have served their purposes just as well.

There is no motive that can possibly justi$r their actions, which have caused immeasurable harm to the international image of Pakistan.

The IAPC reiterates its plea for Pakistan's

law

enforcement agencies and judicial system to find all of THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY.MARCH

2OO2

On the Proposed Expulsíon of Journalists

Your Excellency,

The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Hong Kong (FCC) wishes to express its concern and protest the action taken by the government of Thailand over the blacklisting and threatened expulsion ofjournalists.

-Ihe Far Eastern Economic Rniaa's Bangkok bureau chief, Shawn Crispin, 33, an American citizen, and correspondent Rodney Tasker, 56, a British national, received letters from the Immigration Police notifying them their visas had been revoked. Threatening journalists with expulsion utterþ contradicts Thailand's long tradition as a bulwark of freedom of expression in Southeast Asia. Such actions severely damage Thailand both in reputation and in its attractiveness to the foreign investors your government seeks so hard to attract.

On behalf of the FCC, we call upon you to eliminate the black list and revoke expulsion orders on these two journalists. By rescinding the expulsion order, the government of Thailand would demonstrate its commitment to freedom of expression

rn the President

of Kazakhstan is another place seeking to attract the

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an (Crown Prince Sheikh aktoum), this tinY Patch of a rather unlikelY Place to ity.

enient air connections to direct flights between India in December), Dubai has point for hundreds of tensions, as well as those ia Islamabad'

ime Minister Mrs. Benazir using Dubai as a Place ations on conditions in n a massive building sPree, before all its oil money

h its spacious new facilities s, CNN and the Middle East set uP shoP there' The nternet city" is home to software develoPment and lnesses.

notably among them.

Dubai has long been known for the bargains to be had at its international airport. One promoter waxing

hich this Club President quicklY embraced: The

now determined to build something new for the

donal Association of Press

Clubs or IAPC'

lil',fr*î on to. the :o:u',ï't*t::::"i"::::' *"å'ä; pi.'''to' ."l ti9i;j::ïf,î:^lllTii; g.: iï"."" ":;;-r""1a'qi1 ::ï:::'*":":: :î:i: p'T Eu' ,I-J, y'rctttta :iiffi -"I*:i:: :T1l:iï of the IAPC are support "?::; who have tlpt:' ;sed -,,

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arñ,r-/r in Almaty! club i-

Rrrr the rhe capital canital But

he annual Club championship was held at the Kau Sai Chau course in December and with 34 players, was one of the largest gatherings we have e'r'er had. The day started -fbadly. We met at Queen's Pier for pick-up by bus and

had arranged sandwiches and Bloody Marys for decided he did not like us drinking on his bus despite the fact that we were incredibly well behaved.

Before we realised what rvas going on, he had turned the bus around, pulled in and stopped, turned the engine off and was making frantic phone calls back to his office. The FCC's own crack squad of UN-trained diplomats, headed by Terry Duckham, then entered negotiations and eventually he was persuaded to start again. FIe was not a happy camper, however, and drove very slowly resulting in us missing a ferry.

Some opinions were expressed.

The weather was not too good with light drizzle - nonetheless some for much of the day but there was - Takemoto, Suzanne Dueno, excellent golf. Isamu Jeremy Glen and Colin Cohen came joint fourth. In joint third place was Richard Castka and Noel Smyth.

Takashi Akioka with a magnificent gross 74 was in second place. But the 2001 Richard Hughes Champion by one point in a closely fought match was -Stephanie Downs who despite a mixed front nine - hit her best ever score on the back nine for a superb finish.

At the other end of the spectrum, yours t.rty hud 1y"t again) one of the less successful rounds in his life to scrape home with l0 Stableford points and take the wooden spoon.

the IAPC's fr.rst announcernent) THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-I\'{,\R(IH 2002

ri"nát

The Charlie Smith Seniors Trophy was won by u

by Takashi with Ray 'Cuddles' very wide margin Nearest the pin was won by Cranbourne runner-up.

Isamu and the on his 50th birthday no less

-

longest drive by guest Simon Chapman.

During the day we had managed to ensure that we would be met by a different bus driver to take us home.

As a result, we had a perfect trip back ably assisted

by FCC barman extraordinaire David Wong, who was on board to serve the cold beer. We were able to make it back without incident. Then we had a superb buffet in the Verandah. Many thanks to Club manager Gilbert Cheng and staff involved

in this

event for making

such a successful day.

Julian Walsh Convenor

j þw als h@j pu a ls h c o. co m

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Pool tournament awards Winner Feng Chi-shun (centre) w¡th runner-up Stephan Logren received their trophies from Board member Paul Bayfield

2OO2

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banquet after a harrowing day on the links

;"1

'a censorship free' zone in Dubai."

Well Maybe. For a country, like others in the Middle East, where there are no elections to speak of and newspapers are generally promotional vehicles for government policy, developing Dubai as a "censorship free zone" will be a remarkable accomplishment.

THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-MARCH

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Trophy from Terry Duckham with convenor Julian Walsh looking on

:

Middle East

Jim Laurie (See þage 3 for

The champion: Stephanie Downs receives the Richard Hughes

breakfast. Everything was going fine and we were en route to Sai Kung, but for some reason the bus driver

rhapsodic about the new "Media City" on the Gulf declared that "having created a duty free zone, we are

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the l\atru'o' ^'""- ^ ,n.iiäåi"ii..,,cr"¡.i"i.i*î:,:::î1f:*:"::i :ss club' You probably missed t1'^,-.*

rv!u----the Kazakhstan znd and tlrc

will bring together news directors and journalists from Asia, Europe and the Middle East to discuss the news environment in the wake of September 1lth and the war in Afghanistan. The organiser is none other than the daughter of the long-time President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

As to our participation in the International Association of Press Clubs, there is no financial commitment, apart from a nominal US$300 a year subscription fee. The Dubai Press Club will serve as the headquarters of the Secretariat of the Association and do all the gritty administrative work.

The point of the exercise is to develop better communications and more exchange among as many of the world's media associations as possible. A miniconstitution was drafted calling on the association to "uphold the ethics of journalism and free access and distribution of information..." The IAPC will also develop and publish journalism contact lists and reciprocal club arrangements.

The newly formed IAPC board of directors voted in the head of the Press Club of France as President and yours truly as Vice President. The French club volunteered to host a meeting of interested press club Presidents and Executives in Paris in early 2003. It was agreed that the IAPC would work to expand its membership and that representatives of the world's press clubs would try to meet once a year.

We hope the IAPC will prove useful in forging relations with clubs around the world and prove a benefit to correspondents in need of resources outside our region. There also may be some positive influence from the IAPC in the gradual pursuit of press freedom in places not known for it: Dubai and Kazakhstan

iss out on new media rri, Executive Manager of has been busY courting nd west' And Ms. Al Marri

Others

interest of international journalists.

Much to my surprise I was invited recently to attend the First Eurasian Media Forum scheduled for April in Almaty. The conference is being organised with the assistance of FCC member Maria Ronson of APTV. It

Richard Hughes Championship

Chess championships Undefeated Bob Behull (centre) became the FCC's "grandmaster" with Graeme Hall runner up (L-R) V G Kulkarni, convenor Chris Champion, Behull, Jessica Park and Feng Chi-shun

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Reality

PnisotilGn at the Ban days when God was a small bo¡ Richard the then doyen of the FCC and arguably the Hughes, regarded newsman in Asia, slyly advised highly mostly new column "must upset people" my that me said, a column was not fulfilling he otherwise,

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The fitness fanatics should be made aware that half or so on the treadmill a couple of times a week hour an no difference at all to their weight or their make will impressive bellies. They'd do better to cut down on the booze and carbohydrates than giving themselves a heart condition in the gym and expecting the majority of the FCC members to subsidise them in their folly.

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wedding invitation Narrow escaPe?

The Christian SPirit I bow to no-one is

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who looks best with his gear

attraction.

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The Perils of Teetotalism

It's becoming more and more obvious to me that the most awful thing that can happen to older

dismissed this authorisati "He has no Power her

released in January for the fourth quarter were preliminar¡ and will be revised (probably downward) in time. The first numbers out are based on incomplete data (in this case, October and November f,rgures). \Arhen December data are added in, the statisticians will issue the first revision. Later, when full hgures are in, there will be a second revision.

Several years from now there will be a "final" revision. If the accounting standards or other means of calculating some part of GDP are revised, the fìgures themselves will be changed once again. Oh, and when the base year changes, so, too, will the Q4 growth figures.

Timing is everything Does it matter? Sometimes it matters quite a bit, like when companies make plans based on preliminary statistics. Stock markets are notorious for

jumping and diving on every fìgure that doesn't

then the damage is done.

In February a year ago, the US government announced that GDP in the previous quarter (i.e., Qa 2000) was up I.l.% on an annualised basis from the third quarter. At the end of March, that frgure was trimmed to I7o, but has since been revised upward, to 1.97o. Economists expect such changes: the GDP growth figure for the hrst quarter of 1975 has been revised so much that the final (?) result barely resembles the first guess. Originall¡ that worst-oÊtherecession quarter was said to have contracted 5.67o,but four years later, it was put at just 4.8Vo.-len years after the that in the 1990 revisions of historical data - was changed to -3.8%, but the-latest number "adjustment" puts it atonly -2.4%, or only abott407o as bad as originally thought.

So, unless you're playing the stock market, don't believe everything you read.

I

Dauid O'R¿ar is a free-lance economist, author and pontif,cator

Nobody \Morks harder for you than PR Newswire and Thomson Financial. o,r, alliance off.r. th€ best in webcasting, premium IR lVeb Pages with First Call data, and now,r,. PR Newswire - First Call \Øire.

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Needless to say the sta was so considerablY Put o that we had no alternadve and drink our sorrows aw called the whole thing off

developing a universal reputation as curmudgeonly old bores.

Fitness Centre

I have ä;i-."ÎÌll;;.",, Oh dear. It appears rhar :fîtïIï:::;; in the srreet by ":'.:"';;.;.r.d -'"-' +hat he found the Fitness Centre again' I wâs :ia member that O".iä;;;'";hl.t", :i:î:ï of.Î',îi that use äi ;åÏi J ;':)' ;¡*"1 i;iï *ho dol :3 ¿ue

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One old geezer, who used to entertain us all by falling off his barstool regularl¡ has, since he took to sullenly drinking coffee, been boring to distraction.

Perhaps now's the time to ler,y a form of boredom tax by raising the monthly subs of any member who isn't doing his bit by drinking copious amounts of alcohol. Or perhaps we should just double the price of coffee. I THE CORRI,SPONDENT FEBRUARY-À4\RCH

2OO2

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your news is delivered to the

most comprehensive distribution of buy-side conracrs

members (of the FCC that is) seems to be going on the wagon, giving up drink. This inevitably leads to some of the Club's most entertaining characters suddenly

now."

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(barely) negative numbers, right?

MuÈ. so, but then again, maybe not. First, the data

hundred dollar bill.

must get

informed her that I had b Tung Chee-hwa, our gr

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by the "dangly bits", but I've no doubt. that the offending organs can be cunningly concealed by a carefully positioned pint of San Mig, o¡ in the case of the less blessed members, with a packet of fags or a

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Photographed bY the ente a preparation for mY next distuibed at the verY do

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off

catching on.

Not any more though'

Cultural

Two of the most entertaining distaff members of the FCC share a passion, and an overweaning talent for photograph¡ and they're both to see more of the members. I shall not be so ungentlemanly as to name the ladies in question, but regulars who spend time at the Main Bar will get the drift.

they're seeking to expose some of the more comely male members, and to my surprise the idea has the unreserved support of all who have heard of the project. This competition to elect the male member

sho

strid.ent old than a matriarch of the

FCC Members Uncovered

In the tradition of good tabloid journalism,

Christian, and the tran Cathedral offer a marvell search of solace. So much in mind to suggest to

in the

match expectations. If the "experts" predjct the number will be five, and the preliminary release says it is only three, the market will take a hit. Subsequent revisions may well push that number to five, but by

and financial media via the

most expansive global network available.

Reach investors, analysts and media confidendy with

Hong Kong Room 2301 - 2302, 23rd, Floor 148 Electric Road, North Point Hong Kong '[el: +852 2572 8228 Fax: +852 2572 l8O8 E-mai-[: asia@prnewswi¡e.com

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THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-MARCH

2OO2

Newfrre A'oc¡ation.

lnc , 2002

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F¡NANC|AL

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Tales fnom Alghanistan More than 2,000 journalists besieged Pakistan and Afghanistan to cover the War on Terrorism first hand. Al;isha Ryu, the Hong Kong-based regional correspondent for Voice of America, was one. Her story: t's too bad that P.f O'Rourke was not in Afghanistan during these past few months. He could have written a 72-volume sequel to his book, Holidays in Hell. I'm not sal,i¡t Afghanistan

was

all that bad. You cannot put 2,000

Western

journalists in one place at one time and not come away with an abundance of interesting, if notfun, stories.

Like the time some of the more desperately thirsty scribes went to the touristy Chicken Street in Kabul (established when Kabul used to have tourists and a lot more chickens) and bought Lrp every single can of beer they could find on the black market. They bought the equivalent of about four cases at the bargain price of US$15 per can. Only after they gratefullv polished off a case did they realise that the expiration date stamped on the beer cans read "1991".

Then, there was the infamous "NBC house"

incident. After Kabul fell to the Northern Alliance in mid-November, one of the first areas to feel the impact of the change was the former diplomatic neighbourhood called Wazir Akhbar Khan (WAK).

What happened essentially was that the al-Qaeda guys, who took over the diplomats' homes when they fled Kabul after the Taliban takeover in 1996, fled when the journalists starting coming into town in droves.

Incidentally, don't believe what you read. It tvasn't the bombs that dislodged al-Øeda from Kabul. It was

the real estate agents who went door-to-door, telling the al-Qaeda folks that they had to get out because they needed the houses to rent to a lot of rich, unsuspecting suckers from America and Europe.

Shortly after Kabul began celebrating the return of the city into the hands of the men who destroyed it before the Taliban, an NBC crew arrived from the Panjshir Valley and rented a furnished, well-appointed home in WAK. The real estate agent and the landlord assured them it was a steal at US$1,200 a

month. After in

paying a handsome deposit, the crew mot'ed immediately.

The next morning, a sharp knock on the door disrupted breakfast at the house. A serious-looking Western man stood at the door asking, "Do you people live here?"

When the NBC guys answered, "Yes," the man replied, "\A¡ell, I'd get out of here if I were you. NOW." The man, followed by a team of explosive ordnance experts, pushed them aside and rvent toward the back of the house. The EOD team gingerly opened a closet

doo¡ exposing an unexploded 500-pound bomb that had nose-dived into it. A collective "HOLY SHIT!" reverberated around the block. The real estate agent, of course, denied knowing about the bomb and promptly disappeared with the deposit.

Sometimes, events in Afghanistan became more surreal than interesting or fun. Like the load trip I took from Jalalabad to Kabul with another journalist, Steve Komarow with n

\-

É

USA Today

Four journalists had been killed by bandits on the same road a month earlier. But having safely spelunked the caves of Tora Bora with Geraldo Rivera in search of al-Qaeda and Al Capor-re, we were feeling quite brave when my wellconnected fixer, Sahel, informed me that we would not need to hire security to go back to Kabul. (Since the price of hiring gunmen for the road was set at US$1,000 per journalist, it gave us another good reason to listen to my fixer.)

Afghanistan beckons The VOA's Alisha Ryu can still crack a smile after being threatened al gunpoint

Road conditions were magnihcently awful as usual and 20 km outside of Jalalabad, I heard a noise that made my continued on þage I 1

THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-ùI,A.RCFI

2OO2

a,l-Qa,eda Catching Osama bin Laden is not quite like finding Elvis in a supermarket, but the differences rrlay not be that great as the AFP's Luke Hunt explains.

epetitive reportage can be a dull affair, but when

it

involves the world's biggest news story, adnauseam becomes part and parcel of the trade.

Kandahar according to reports fell a dozen times to US forces before it actually did.

Tora Bora was also in US hands before the Taliban and al-Øeda actually high-tailed it into the hills ancl now Osama bin laden is lying for the top spot of reportage governed by ifs, buts and maybes. The noose tightens around bin Laden. US closes in. Bin Laden evades capture. \Arhere is bin Laden? He's in Indian Kashmir. US Delta Force and British SAS troopers are searching. India denies claims about Kashmir. Allied forces are closing in. They are not closing in. It's a cycle of reporting that will continue until the world's most hunted man is caught.

President Musharraf denies bin Laden is in Pakistan!

As if he would know. Obviously nobody has bin Laden's current address, but you can stake your favourite Afghan rug that he made it into the mountains that straddle the Afghan,/Pakistan border by mid-Decembe¡ shortly after the release of his third video. \A¡hether he crossed the border into Pakistan is irrelevant because the region on either side of the border is ungovernable,

controlled by al-Øeda-friendly tribes. The

Beardless Can anyone guess which one is AFP's intrepid correspondent? (L-B) Morai AFP's driver, Luke Hunt, Yar Mohammad, AFP's cook, on the road in Afghanistan

is most likely to provide him with a fresh cup of tea.

The Gilzille are the Pashtu working classes as opposed to the largest Pashtu tribe, the Durrani, who are noted for being entrepreneurs, more moderate in

Islamic preaching and in rnarry cases favour Afghanistan's royal family. It was from the Gilzille that the Taliban drew the mainstay of its ranks and with whom bin Laden and his Arab colleagues found willing

accomplices. It's

in their

mountains, in winter and

JUnKJUnK Boat Trips . Parties . Water Ski . Wake Boarding

Aberdeen. Hong Kong

Elsie

.

9133 8303

^rea

stretches from north of Quetta in southeast Pakistan for a thousand miles and into Kashmir.

The UN placed much of the region off limits for aid workers in the mid-1990s, and considered the place more dangerous than the often-deadly Kabul frontlines that once split the Taliban from the Northern Alliance.

A few westerners make it in and safely out, and usually they're arms dealers. For locals, the region is tra't,ersed on horseback or donkey, and populated by 30-odd subtribes speaking five languages that live under a variety of ethnic umbrellas.

The most important is the Pashtoon, and for bin the Gilzille Laden the second largest Pashtu tribe

-

TtsIF, CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-N,Í,{RCH

2OO2

-

You, your family and friends...can all have the fun of a 'junk junk'boat trip. Ifyou want to have a go at wake boarding, scuba diving or water skiing.,.the choice is yours.

The 'junk junk'boats are based in Deep Water Bay/Repulse Bay, and are readily accessible.

From there, choose an itinerary and catering. We'll work it out according to your need to make it a real experience.

All of us on the 'junk junk' look forward to helping throw

a

party, use a speedboat, host a kid's party orjust enjoy an end-ofday relaxing event.

'1

among some of the highest peaks on earth, that

a

sanctuary beckons. Al Badar, a Quetta-based recruitment centre for Jihads in Palestine, Kashmi¡ Chechnya and Afghanistan, has run training camps there unhindered since the early 1990s.

unding partly stems from the

continued from þage

o o

heart leap into my throat. THUNK! crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch. The right rear shock absorber had apparently decided to commit suicide and was doing a dramatic death whirl underneath the car. Stopping the vehicle, my driver made a face that said, "Uh oh."

He said we'd soon be spotted.

The driver was only three minutes into the task of

À

À I o

c Y

ÍÍÊD

Pakistan

government which directly passes on a wealth tax to madrasas which contributes to logistic costs for hardline religious political parties like theJamiatUlema-Islami, who in turn send teenagers to these camps for military training through Al-Badar. An average day starts at dawn with tea, rice and mutton, followed by basic weapon instructions such as the use of an AK47 or grenade launchers, prayers, lunch (more mutton) and then heavy weapons instructions, tanks, howitzers and their ilk.

Finding bin Laden in this strip of daunting turf is not impossible. He could be taken out by a sniper or handed over without incident and for a fìstful of dollars either next week or six months from now. Or he could be already dead, but somehow I doubt it. He could also have shaved, hopped a boat to Australia, got a bit lucky

frxing the car when Steve and

machine guns. They were no doubt purchased recently with the money we journalists have been pumping into the local economy. Steve and I didn't miss the irony.

Afghan refugees Stand on a truck laden with their belongings after travelling for two days from Kandahar.

In rapid Pashto, my fixer, Sahel,

a_

@

3

o

Billboard The US lVarines express their opinions

opened my side of the door. He grinned a toothy smile and motioned with his AK for me to get out. I put my head down and sat motionless while Steve looked straight ahead. "Get out of the car!" he yelled in Pashto. I didn't move. His RPC-carrying friend came over and tried another tactic. He took the tip of

ô

the rocket and began drawing circles around my breast. I still didn't move. Meanwhile, Sahel was yelling, gesturing, and pleading with the rest of

left

Burkaless A young Afghan women waits with other women dressed ¡n traditional 'burkas' to get food in Kabul,

É

a

l o

the gunmen.

¡¡ o

Sahel came back to the car. FIe was smiling. He held out his hand and said, "Give me $100." Steve handed over the money and looked at him bewildered. Sahel gave the money to one of the men and we watched as the men got back in their cars and roared off in a cloud of dust.

"What happened? \Mhy did they let us go?" Steve

The insanity went on for over an hour. Finall¡

T

picture appears in a newspaper but the ability of the authorities to operate in this region has proved woefully inadequate.

Now, Indian police believe the Kandahar hijacker

who did the killing, Mohammad Afzal, was the mastermind behind the December 13 assault on India's

parliament which Delhi blames Pakistan for

Afghan security Personnel armed

augmenting. He is now part of a recently established

with heavy artillery and rocket launchers keep vigil at Kabul University

is

Azar. The reality is anyone who enters - only go with the personal blessings of this region can the local tribes and their escorts. The US military, CIA, Pakistan military boffins, and the assorted spooks and spivs who now sit on the sidelines don't have this. Bin Laden does. I

operated by

10

as two female

students (background) wail to sit an exam.

The action Being up front with the troops is what its all aboul

THE CORRESPONDTNT FEBRUARY-N4,{RCII

THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-MARCH 2OO2

joke?

One of the gunmen strolled over and casually

T T T J

Taliban blessing and despite promises by Islamabad to hunt him down, Azar has proved elusive. To the chagrin of India, he occasionally gives an interview and his

Former FCC Board member Luke Hunt uas the AFP bureau chief in Kabul in 1998-99. He is currently based in Cambodia but returned to Pakistan and the Afghctn borderfor a stint shortly after September 11. He is currently AFP's bureau chief in Phnom Penh.

began

negotiating with several of the men. He came back and whispered that the men wanted $2,000 to act as our securiq' back to Kabul. "I told them we didn't need security, but they say they'll kill us unless we hire them to protect us," he said breathlessly.

WIIAI???? Is this some kind of a weird Afghan

€

Bondi. But on a serious note, Maulan Masood Azar is a largely forgotten and underrated senior mullah who

Islamic outfit, the Jaish-e-Mohammad, which

I found ourselves

surrounded by two carloads of Afghans, armed to the teeth. They had a nice variety of weapons brand new AK-47s, RPGs, and Russian versions of the M-60

with customs and is now hanging out by the surf in highlights the enormity of the task involved with finding bin Laden amid the desolate mountains.

Azar was freed from an Indian jail shortly before New Year 1999. Islamic extremists had hljacked an Air India jet in Nepal and flown to Kandahar where they threatened to kill all passengers unless their demands were met. Rupin Katyal, on his honeymoon, was stabbed to death. Azar was sent to Kandahar and escorted into Pakistan-controlled Kashmir with a

I

2OO2

and I blurted out together.

"I simply used my head." Sahel replied proudl¡ tapping his right index frnger against his head. "I told

them you, Alisha, were Japanese and Steve was French and that you didn't have any money because you guys weren't Americans."

Thank God for smart fixers. I Alisha Ry joined VOA tuo )ea:rs ago after sþending 10 years as a tel.euision reþorter and producer for uarious netuorks, inch"tding NBC, CNBC, CNN, Reuters, and ZDF German W She sþedalises in conflict reþorting, hauing couered conflicts and uars in Ethioþia, Eritrea, Somalia, Zaire, Kenya, Comoros Islands, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Rwandq Burunrl| Haiti, the Phikpþines, and Afghanistan.

11

Capture the Changing World, Create the Professional Excellence.

The World Awaited Sensation

nlike some of his colleagues,

freelance

photographer Christian Keenan sounds not ih. l.urt bitter about being laid off by the Hong Kong iMail as part of the recent, media organisations' -,^-fo..¡r-rø round of cutbacks bylocal

"'ä-rnã corttrary. "They did me a favour," the young in Hong Kong, told The a¡ãr, a recent arrival receiving the top accolade at the iÏ-',o,^n.¿urt after FCC Photographer of the ::;;";;", for the f,rrst annual

and Leong Ka Tai who were joined by Peter Cook, Managing Director of PPA\Design, Sin Wai-keung, chairman, Hong Kong Press Photographers' Association, Donna Mongan, public relations manager, Hong Kong Tourism Board, and Robert Houston, publisher and editor of Action Asia magazine.

Said Duckham at the packed Award ceremony: 'What was supposed to be a day ofjudging turned into two and a half days of quite hard work. More than one judge feels that some of our runners-up should have been our winners, such was the standard of entries." The contest saw 54

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The new Nikon F5 is now here lo bring you inlo a

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World's Firsl - Cross Hanged

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In the end in the Photographer

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of the Year category, Keenan POYA Chairman, Lucy Leung, Corporate Manager of

Woo, lVarketing Manager of Cathay Pacific Holidays ñ^. ,i¡ \^/^ñ^ and V lzr rn Weng-kun Kuan ' t¡n \Á/¿nn rr rrvvu" David Wong ^^A JOrrrìòLdr Christian Keenan'

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Keenan described his work as a "social kind of people in their environment in photography strange places. I go to places andjust see how it goes.

I find my niche, my little story, once I get there." He does not include current hot spots like Afghanistan as among his next stories. "I don't really want to spend all my money going to places where there are hundreds of photographers already doing it. I'd rather go to some place a bit more obscure, spend quality time with the people and get (immersed) in their society as much as a westerner can and document their daily life." With this in mind, Keenan aims to head off to a country that many agree is woefully under-reported: Bangladesh.

Keenan's preference for steering clear of the media pack might well resonate with 13-year-old Darren Siu, who was present at the awards event to claim his prize as Young Perspective Winner. Siu, who took up THF, CORRE,SPONDENT FEBRUARY-MARCH

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I

tPnorocRAPHER Or Tnn Ynqn Awano

Who better to discuss the fruits of the grape than internationally known wine author, columnist and TV presenter Jancis Robinson, in town to promote her latest publication, The World Atlas of Wines.

Excerpts from her talk.

(Front row) Darren Siu and Edward Slokes (back row) Robert Delfs, Philip Nourse, Paul Hu, Cheung Ka-chun and Wong Lap-ki,

(L-R) Grace Lee, Director of Corporaie Support of HKTB, Wong Tsz-chun, Cheung Ka-chun, Anat Givon and Tsang Wailak

!:t ,"Ã

very time I mention the FCC to anybody...they say yes they do a lot of wine there...A lot of

people ask me how

''t ' j:r:l ?

a

-r':a Duckham

magazrne

Congratulates Marcus Oleniuk

publisher and editor, Robert

village of 45 people in the north of England and in an

area where it was very unusual for wine to be part of a household.

I wasn't really exposed to wine

(Left)ferry

Action Asia

I got into my job. I,

therefore, assume you might be interested and it might be a good place to start. I can tell you that I wasn't brought up with wine at all. I was brought up in

Brice Minnigh (left) and Norman de Brackinghe

Houston.

properly until I got to Oxford...In those days...the tutors would quite routinely offer you a glass of sherry at the beginning of your tutorial, which seems very odd, doesn't it? Especially

wine was so completely different from what it is now. In fact, that same boyfriend,

Paul Hu (left) and Joan Boivin.

(left) and Grischa Ruschendorf

Kenny Dominick of Helicopter Hong Kong (left) and Chan Wai-hing.

photography only a year ago as part of an exam course at the Island school, says he shoots pictures "other people wouldn't think of taking." And unlike some in the business, he doesn't take his photography too seriously. "I am more of a sports person really."

But the serious side of the trade was eloquently summed up by FCC First Vice President Kate Dawson, who said in her remarks at the ceremony that anyone who has carried 30 pounds of camera gear and sat in

the rain, the heat and the cold waiting for that one

moment knows it can be "bloody miserable. But it's so important. The photographer can help us ease human suffering, help motivate governments to free oppressed peoples, can entertain us and even open to us new ideas, like taking a trip to a country we have never been to before, or trying food we have never eaten before.

"All of these are critical to the idea of free expression, free media and free opportunities for artistic and literary development. So to the shooters of the world, thank you very much... " I

The FCC would like to thank the following sponsors for their support without whom these awards would not have been possible: Cathay Pacific Holidays o flong Kong Tourism Board . Colorsix Laboratories . Action Asia . Pentax o Canono Nikon o Crown Relocations . APPIe o Corporate Comrnunications Ltd. . RTHK 3 . Helicopter Hong Kong o flong Kong iMail'Apple Daily ' Fujifilm ' Agfa. Polaroid. Kodak Detaik of the FCC Photographer of the Year Awards 2002 will Edition ofThe Correspondent. Deadline Octobn 31, 2002.

14

be announced

in March and published in

the

Aþril/May

THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-MARCH

2OO2

terrible waste of a good education.

So I took a rather boring job for three years and then dropped out for a year. It was quite fashionable to drop out then. I went and spent a year in Provence, about one village

burgundy and I do believe this is because burgundy is often a

away

disappointment, but when it's good, it is ver¡ very good. And it's not cerebral...You don't have to work liking it (because) it just sort of sweeps over you. gave

him

a

bit

too much money and a certain amount of itwent to sort

of wining and dining me. I remember we went to a restaurant outside Oxford and ordered a bottle of Chambolle-Musigny les Amoureuses 1959. It was so delicious. Nowadays I know that I should have looked to see who was the producer. This is the crucial, crucial factor, but I didn't know that then. I was just fascinated by the pretty name. And it was just wonderful. You know, it had so many layers of flavour and was heavily scented, so easy to like, so gentle and sumptuous really, sort of velvety textured. I wouldn't say I got up from the table saying, right that's it, then I will be a wine writer.

But it certainly lit that flame.

I also had a friend there who was a friend of my old female colleague, who was in the very unusual position THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-MARCH

2OO2

remember, being

food or drink was dismissed as a

turned me on to the whole subject.

As so often is the case, it was a red

I had a bofriend then whose father

I

dismissed by his peers...because he cared about what he ate and drank.

Any talk of perhaps finding a job in

(since) sherry (which has an) alcohol level of about I9To...It was actually wines from old college cellars that were interesting. But there was...one seminal wine that Rose Magno

of having been brought up to drink wine in her household. She actually did study wine in a very, very cerebral way she would solemnly go and get two half bottles of similar wines and...compare them. Since I was also interested, she wouìd sometimes let me share this experience. That perhaps made me realise that wine can be quite intellectually challenging as well as a gorgeously sensual drink...\A/hen I left university, the whole attitude of the British towards good food and

from where Peter Mayle was to

do so, so much more profìtably...Of course, you only have to spend about three minutes in France to realise that far from being a frivolous subject, eating and drinking is what life is all about...So the minute I got back to London, I looked for a job in either food or wine. I actually didn't mind which. I did a series of short-term jobs and then I saw an ad for Assistant Editor of a trade rnagazine, Wine and Sþirits and applied.

I had an interview with the publisher who said, "We had a lot of applications for this job (and had)

diffìculty in choosing the right person because either continued, on þage 17

World Atløs of Wines (5th ed.)

By Hugh Johnson & Jancis Robinson Michell Beazley / O ctopus Publishing Group

rsBN l-84000-3324 IIB,352 pages, HK$525

b

on using local content and technologies up

Ghina and the wT0: TruG BEIICUGFS The FCC was honoured to have the present and future World Trade Organisation Directors-General, Mike Moore and Supachai Panitchpakdi, within one week of each other. Jonathan Sharp reports he highly

help to underpin the reform

Organisation (WTO)

will onl;' help the Chinese Ieadership to sustain the

newsworthy subject of China's entry into the World Trade

efforts of the past two decades. "It

momentum of the massive reforms far beyond the terms of the present leadership. . . China will

was addressed at FCC lunches by

two people who should know all about it: the current head of

have to present all kinds of

the WTO, Mike Moore, and the man who takes o'r,er from the New Zealander in September, Thailand's Supachai Panitchpakdi.

Understandably both men are true believers in the benefrts of the

world's most populous country joining the trade bod¡ and none more so than Dr Supachai, who has co-authored a book on the subject. FIe sees China's accession to the WTO as a boon to China on a wide front, and takes issue with also recentþ aired at the FCC - that the the view strains unleashed by \ArTO membership could result in the collapse of the Communist government. He acknowledges that doubts persist over whether China would be able to devote sufficient resources to abide by the commitments that accompany WTO membership,

but he has no doubts that the necessar)/ will on Beijing's part is fìrmly in place. And if there are violations by Beijing of the myriad undertakings that it has pledged to implement, he is confident that such missteps would not be by intention.

"It is a tremendous effort that China will have to put up. But by sheer intention, seriousness, determination,

I have seen from China's leadership that they are ready for this," Dr Supachai said, noting that understanding has to be shown when any country is subject to membership conditions. He added: "There might be a period wherein the economy would not, of course, be going through this purple patch as we are seeing the Chinese economy go through at the moment. So there might be unforeseen circumstances, but the determination is there, the intention is there."

Supachai also said that most of the agreements with the WTO would be beneficial in that they would 16

measures to several commitl-ees looking at all aspects of reform...on IP (intellectual property), on prices, on

agriculture, on telecoms. Various agreements that China has with the WTO will be subjected to a consistent assessment and following-up process for the next eight consecutive years. And frnally the performance of China will have to be submitted for review, for consideration by the General Council at least once every year."

Entry into the WTO would also help China save money from what Dr Supachai termed wasteful subsidies. "They can re-allocate the funds to be used in more productive projects that would create more employment because there will be dislocation of people, particularly in the agriculture sector." Others have argued that the "dislocation" in China's agriculture as a result of a reduction in subsidies and increased imports of food could result in enormous economic and social problems. But Dr Supachai disagrees. He says more imports of agricultural products will be a blessing, enhancing the freedom of choice for China's consumers and bringing about a more healthy trade balance with, for example, the United States.

He also saw WTO membership as hastening muchneeded legal reform in China, helping to bring the uniformity and transparency that foreign investors have long sought and often not found. Investors should

also be encouraged by the elimination of existing restrictions that discriminate against foreign producers, Supachai said. These include requirements THE CORRE,SPONDENT FEBRUARY-MARCH

to

prescribed levels and balancing foreign exchange costs and earnings. "There will be no discrimination against foreign producers at a77." He said China needed to reform its hugely debt-laden banking system "very quickly", and foreign competition would help this process as well. He said that in 2007 China would have to treat foreign banks on the same basis as local ones.

"It will mean that within five years Chinese banks will have to get their act together. It's a good thing that they know that if they are not going to get their act together, improve their management, credit analysis, data systems...they will lose out tremendously."

Finally, Supachai foresaw there would be "certain

2OO2

difficulties" in appþing such a host of reforms that could lead to disputes between China and fellow WTO members. He said it was his intention as the next WTO head to adapt the present dispute settlement mechanism, which he said was burdened by what he called over-litigation. He said the aim should be to resolve disputes before they reached the WTO's mechanism, which would not be able to cope with the flood of disputes as WTO membership increases. China already faced 450 cases involving alleged dumping of exports. "New ones will probably be forthcoming."

Supachai pleaded for s spirit of understanding and compromise in China's cases. "\Me should have a mechanism that keeps following up on what China has been doing and try to eliminate full-blown conflicts that should be prevented from the beginning."

Asked about the political risks that China is taking in entering the WTO, Supachai noted that many doomsayers had warned of tremendous pressures building up in China as a result of its economic reforms. But he said: "I would conhrm my belief, which is that whatever China has agreed to do with the WTO would be things that China would have to consider implementing themselves anyway. If China were to go its own way alone, single-handed it will be very difhcult and I think the doomsday prediction will materialise."

But this will be prevented by the benefrcial forces released by joining the world's trading mainstream. or his part, Mike Moore spoke of China's entry into the WTO as one of the defrning moments of economic history. "This is a remarkable achievement. Chinese leaders have said to me that this is the most important decision made in 50 years. I believe that the Chinese leadership wants this thing to work," he added. Thousands of universities were working on WTO matters and the country needed 200,000 more accountants and 300,000 more MBAs.

"China is trying to build up the public service

infrastructure to handle this. I believe that they are serious and they are committed to our process."

Moore said he told a Chinese friend that China would become the stronges[ economy in the world in 25 years, given the present growth rates. "He looked at me and said China has always been the strongest THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-MARCH

2OO2

Mike Moore

economy in the world except for the last 200 years!" He said Russia,- still not a member of the WTO, could join in the next 12-18 months although there were still enormous problems to be overcome in areas like agriculture.

Moore politely dodged a question on how quickly

China's entry into the WTO could lead to normalisation of relations between the Mainland and Taiwan. But he was certainly forthright about the experience of being head of the WTO in the face of the rising clamour of the anti-globalisation movement.

He said it felt like Muhammad Ali in the hrst few rounds of his fight against George Foreman in Zatre, leaning on the ropes and waiting to be hit. (Ali, of course, got his own back by knocking out Foreman).

He also recounted how in one demonstration, protesters carried pictures of him with a Hitler moustache. Not that Moore seemed unduly concerned.

"I wanted a copy for my office." I

Wine Tasting continued, from þage 15

we had to take a trained journalist and teach her all about wine, or we get a wine expert (and) teach her

how to write." He looked down at my application and said, "You of course are neither of these things.

But, nevertheless, you are the favourite for the job."... About a year later... I took him aside...I think it was a sort of staff Christmas part¡ and said, "Why did you take me on?"...He said, "It was because you had shown that you could organise the skiing site of Britain's largest tour operator and we thought, if you are a good organiser, you would organise yourself to learn about wine and about journalism."... But I did go on to learn a heck of a lot and I am still learning because the world of wine changes so rapidly. It has new vrntages every year, the people change, the people's interests change...

Wine is produced in beautiful places in a uice climate and it just tastes so good. So I can't believe that I have got this lovely job that I have now. I

Mnorn

Hong Kong: World City or Cultural Backwater?

er a,!

Benny Chia of the Fringe Club, Ng Kau of the Hong Kong Arts Festival and Cynthia Liu of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department discuss the softer side of the HKSAR. Jonathan Sharp reports hat well-worn jibe

Festival since 1994, said that Hong

about Hong Kong being a cultural backwater or desert came

under scrutiny at an

lunch from three

eminent

perhaps, deemed

the tag to

be

unfair.

This was not to say there was uncritical approval of Hong Kong's cultural and artistic scene and a number of ideas and Benny Chia proposals were aired about how its stature could be enhanced, not least concerning the role that could be played by private enterprise in a sector of the community's activities now dominated by the government.

Benny Chia, who took a short commute to the FCC Main Dining Room from next-door Fringe Club, which he directs, said the most overseas artists visiting his establishment thought of Hong Kong as a great city.

"But has anyone called Hong Kong a great cultural capital? Not by a long stretch of the imagination, I'm afraid." He drew sometimes unfavourable comparisons between Hong Kong and Sydney, for example between the Sydney Opera llouse and Hong Kong's muchderided, pink-tiled Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Kowloon, which he said had been designed by government architects who were "famed fbr their design of markets and public conveniences" and who had "forgotten to draw in the windows".

But Chia praised the government for doing an incredible amount of work on developing arts and culture in Hong Kong over the past 20 years. The downside was that the government controlled over g5% of the venues and fìnancial resources for the arts and there was little room left for private enterprise, whose participation was necessary for healthy growth. "Unless it takes positive and active steps towards privatisation, it will retard growth and incapacitate development." He said he didn't mean that the floodgates should be opened to private money, but added: "Hong Kong is a

ì

;

I t coulcl wel I -hen it ho I -.,r" tht.t I watch the g the Communist Party leadership

lìi::i,'å,i' I IU

Cultural off an im department in the past year, rebutting any suggestion that Hong Kong lacked cultural variety. On the performing arts side the department ran 15 performing venues and organised over 4,000 cultural programmes, 663 entertainment programmes, 26 large-scale carnivals and rwo major festivals. She also cited a list of initiatives due to be implemented, which included encouraging

the involvement of non-government bodies,

has ever seen.

- it spin the things Howwill China handle it? Howwill it doesn't want the outside world to see, like Falun Gong protests, a sports doping scandal involving Chinese athletes, the plight of the rural poor, enúronmental problems? The list goes on and on.

Remember that despite two decades of gradual opening, China is still uneasy about too much outside scrutiny or criticism. Every year around the June 4th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, for example, visa approvals for foreign journalists are just a little harder to get. Permission for foreign journalists to travel to Tibet or Xinjiang province is also never easy.

And, of course, the last time Beijing hosted a major the United Nations international 66¡¡fs¡6¡6s - Chinese public security \Momen's Conference in 1995 officials turned it into a public relations disaster. At that time, all protests were strictly curtailed, women's NGOs were banished to a distant suburb miles from the city, like Hillary Clinton's speech on human and criticism rights went unreported in local newspapers.

Will- things be any different this time around? The short answer is: yes and no. For one thing, China is changing. And, in seven years time, it will change some more. China is becoming more confident and more open.

I 2OO2

THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-ÑIARCH

and

enterprise in the arts?'"

Ng Kau, executive director of the Hong Kong Arts

performance, one exhibition each month. Try it! " THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUÀRY-N,IARCH

fl

time China-watcher with the Far Eastern Economic Rzuiew. "But given the present trends, the gradual

The nation's once tightly controlled press is just a little less controlled these days: stories about corrupt local officials are grist for the mill now, not so fìve years ago. Political commentary may still be on a short leash, but the mainland business press and certainly the has a great deal of latitude. sport press - have to go back to the Women's "You just Conference to see how poorly China has handled major international events before," says Bruce Gille¡ long

great capitalist capital. Why are we afraid of commercial

of us would feel better to go to one concert,

With more than 20,000 journalists expected to show up for the 2008 Olympics, Alkman Granitsa.r asks whether Beijing will be able to handle life in the limelight.

centre rather than as a centre of cultural vitality. "Hong Kong is way past the stage of cultural backwater. We may not have big names like the New York Philharmonic or the New York City Ballet, but in each and every art form the (Hong Kong) companies are very active and work r,ery hard." Ng was wary about privatising the arts sector. It may sound like a good idea, he said, but could be detrimental if it meant compromising standards. He explained: "I would be very worried if some of our major services are being put under commercial enterprises where the shareholders' interests would precede public interests."

Asked how he would spend a windfall of HK$1 billion to embellish the community's cultural scene, Ng said he would like to devote it to arts education because the public school system was so homework-based that children had no time for recreation. The problem extended to parents: they had to stay at home and preside over their offspring's homework instead of attending cultural performances.

shaping Hong Kong as a showcase for Chinese opera performances throughout the year.

Perhaps the last words should go to Chia: "I think all

I8

I J

Kong has suffered from its overrvhelming image as a shopping and entertainment

FCC

members of the territory's cultural community who, understandably

Action!

one

2OO2

loosening up of the media domestically, it's not such a great leap of faith to believe they will be able to deal with the foreign press in 2008."

And then, there is also the prestige factor: the 2008

will be the culmination of a two decadelong Olympic dream, and China has pledged to make it the Games

best Olyrnpiad ever. That includes a promise to welcome

with open arms the 20,000 foreign journalists that will be accredited by the International Olympic Committee. '"The Chinese government has said they are not going

accredited to the Arnold Zeitlin, director of the Freedom Forum in Hong Kong. "And I think you have to take them at their word, the Olyrnpics are very important to them."

to interfere with any journalist Olprpics,"

says

ut how far will Beijing go to put on a good show?

Sydney's Olympic organisers set up an alternative meclia centre for both accredited and unaccredited

E

journalists to write about things Australian. That included the touchy subject of aboriginal rights. The Athens Olympics may well showcase all aspects of Greek warts and all. political, economic and social life may not be much In China, old habits die hard. There but interference the press, there will still be overt with neighbourhood from old grannies on watchful eyes: watch committees to polite young security guards that gentþ steer foreign reporters away from sensitive areas or topics. Since 1995, China has learned how to corral undesirable guests with a light touch.

"Even though China is loosening up, there will still be a desire by the government that the foreign media report positive stories and not seek out the things the government doesn'twant them too," says Gilley. "China will make it as easy as possible for foreign journalists to report on sports, and as difficult as possible to report

on anything else."

I

19

T_

Fleet Street Runs Into The Strand

Ten Ways

Journos Ag" An observation by Eric Weinæ of National Public Radio, based in Tokyo. ka¡ so you're approaching

40-maybe

you've even surpassed this milestone and you're wondering: How long can- I keep doing this? How long can I keep covering upheavals and insurrections, currency crises and f,rnancial meltdowns? How long can I keep crisscrossing the globe? And, most important, how long can I keep stuffing my pockets with those little bottles of Johnnie Walker from the mini-bar? Don't fret. You are not alone.

Others have crossed this junction before you and survived. Thus, we present their collective wisdom in: The Ten WaysJournalists Age. (Oka¡ so we only came up with

Eight Ways but "Ten" makes for a better headline.)

"flow old did This option is the simplest. It requires no change of course, no soul searching. You just keep going. Just keep humping. On the upside, you avoid options 2-8, and can rest assured that continuous mental stimulation has been proven to aid in longevity. On the downside, you have to endure a perennial sense of deja vLr, not to mention snickers of "Gramps" from younger The Journeyman a.k.a.

you say you are?"

colleagues.

thinks you're a washed-up weenie. Oh yeah, one more drawback: neckties.

Columnist/Author a.k. a. "The Thomas Friedman" This is the primo option. The gold-plated Rolodex.

You leave the daily stuff to the young bucks. You are now a Big Picture Guy. You have long lunches with really interesting, powerful people. Then you write about these lunches and call it '.A Column". Or, alternativel¡ you have a year's worth of long lunches with really interesting, powerful people.. Then you write about these lunches and call it 'A Book." The upside is signifrcant: creative fulfilment, lucrative speaking engagements and the obvious enr,y of your colleagues. The downside? The grim possibility that you may run out of ideas after a dozen columns.

Professor a.k.a. The "Those who can do..."

Fed up with surly editors and unreasonable

deadlines you fìnd refuge in the Ivory Tower. You now have time to actually READ books (as opposed to skimming) and indulge your secret passion for tweed.

On the upside, you are contributing to the AND you get summers development of young minds

- most likely have an off. On the downside, you

Management a.k.a. "My office is bigger than yours."

This is the most popular option. Tired of crossing the globe, you settle into a corner office in New York (or London or Toronto) and direct a staff of young, eager reporters as they criss-cross the globe. criss-

Your ofhce is adorned with Persian carpets, exotic brica-brac and a picture of you standing shoulder-toshoulder with Arafat back in '84. You spend your day in meetings, and telling reporters in the field how much

better the business was when you were out there. You also dispense unsolicited advice about everything, including which drinks you MUST order at which bars.

Your vicarious life is supplemented by occasional now immersed in their phone calls to your old pals during which you reminisce own corner offices about the time back -in '86 when you almost got your asses shot in Gaza. On the upside, you now enjoy normal working hours. No more late night phone calls

from editors with inane questions. In fact, you now initiate such calls. On the downside, you no longer have the thrill of a byline to look forward to, and your staff

"inappropriate relationship" with one of these young minds (Most likely a l9-year-old coed named Suzie) and are forced to resign in disgrace.

PR a.k.a. "The sell out" option This is the most treacherous option. You're lured by the Big Office. The Expense Account. The "home by 6:00 p.m." lifestyle. On the upside, you may land a job

with UNHCR or some other

well-intentioned organisation. You may even get to travel to places like Rwanda and interview refugees. Just like a journalist.

But here comes the downside you know that in your-heart of hearts that you are just a flak.

Barfly a.k.a. The "They named a barstool after me" Your time is up in Bangkok (or Hong Kong or Delhi or Cairo). Head office says it is time to come home. You say no. Head ofhce says you are hred. You find work as a stringer for the National Enquirer and ensconce yourself at the local FCC, drinking yourself silly and conlinued, on þage 22

THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-MARCFI

2OO2

It was in the early twentieth century that London lawyers and journalists began meeting in the oldest building in The Strand. And thus was born the Wig & Pen. Associate member, solicitor Sue Laaender (Wig), Iooks at the modern club. t is not by chance that many lawyers are FCC associate members. During a recent visit to London's Wig & Pen Club, which accords FCC members reciprocal rights and celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2001, I was reminded of the ancient ties between the Fourth

Estate and the profession of law. Their complementary roles as guardians of individual freedom have continuing relevance today.

Moreover, they both share a mutual preoccupation with the written (and spoken) word!

Lawyers and journalists have "held court" in the Wig & Pen building since 1908, long before the present club was officially founded for these professions in 1951. Following what the Companion to London refers to as "a commercial logic which was stronger than tradition or sentiment", many newspapers have now moved

from London's "Street of Shame" to the anonymity of places like Docklands. This has removed many Pens from the location of the club where they used to meet with Wigs for a lively exchange of views over a convivial jar of ale. The Wig & Pen is therefore adapting to changing times and replenishing its traditional membership, as our own club has done.

The Wig & Pen stands symbolically beside the unobtrusive, almostinconspicuous, entrance to the

Inns of Court, opposite the Royal Courts of Justice and Temple Bar, traditionally regarded as the point at which London's seemingly incompatible districts of City and Westminster merge. The Companion observes, however, that "the two major products for which Fleet Street is famous are lawyers and the printed word" and perhaps the bonds between the press and the law provide some logic to this apparent fusion of opposites.

The club's building, dating from 1625 and standing on Roman ruins, is the only Strand building which survived London's 1666 Great Fire. Its walls are adorned with wigs, pens, original cartoons, historic front pages and images ranging from Hanging Judge THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-N,IARCH

2OO2

Drinks Sue Lavender (left) and friend at London's Wig and Pen Club.

to

Charles and Diana's wedding shots. An original wooden suspended staircase winds up from the Court Room Restaurant and main bar to rooms for interviews and press conferences. Famous interviewees are clandestinely ushered in through a

Jeffries

back entrance!

awyers provide a

useful adjunct to the is the Hong Kong reflected by the formation of

FCC's main focus on journalists, as

Wig & Pen (see box, page 22). The combined presence of the two professions makes the FCC a viable meeting place for the healthy exchange of views and reciprocal sourcing of information that the Wig & Pen in London has fostered through the years, and which is particularly valuable at times in this fledgling Hong Kong community when

freedom of speech and the rule may appear to face challenges.

o

f law

Though the Wigs and Pens of the FCC have each staked out their own territory at the Main Bar, there is nonetheless an exceptional amount of interchange as one would expect at one of the best watering holes in Asia. I 21

Hong Kong''s Wig & Pen "Wig & Pen" conjures up images of London's longstanding club for journalists and lawyers, but Hong Kong also has its own Wig & Pen group. The FCC's membership mix of many Wigs, in addition to its mainstay of Pens, prompted long-time FCC member Ted Thomas, CEO of public relations and marketing consultants Corporate Communications Ltd, to consider forming the group about fìve years ago. His idea was enthusiastically supported by Robertsons (Solicitors) partners Mike Lintern-Smith

and Chris Gordon Pen was born.

-

and so the Hong Kong Wig &

Jointly funded by Corporate Communications and Robertsons, the Hong Kong Wig & Pen now counts around 50 to 60 members. Together with approximately an equal number of guests, they meet in the FCC about six times per year to listen to a couple of speeches and exchange confidences over a drink or three. Speakers are usually drawn from among members of the judiciary, interspersed by the occasional barrister, and from the media, generally a well-known columnists or broadcasters. New corporate members are

welcome and additional information may be obtained from Ted on corþcom@hk.linkage.net.

Ten Ways Journcs Age continued from þage 20

relishing in club politics. On the upside, you're still in Bangkok (or Hong Kong or Delhi or Cairo). On the downside, you have become a parody of the washed-up hack gone local.

The oFden of the hoot In the wake of the spate of media sackings towards the end of last year, former SCM Post, Eastern Express and Hong Kong iMail employee Ewen

Bed and Breakfast a.k.a. The "Berkshires" In this option, you catapult yourself clear of the entire profession, landing safely in the Berkshires, or

Campbell has a question

Napa Valley or the Cotswolds. You buy an old handyman's special and turn it into a fine B and B. You change the rhythm of your life. You invite all of your old friends and even throw in a 20% discount.

On the upside, your blood pressure is lower than it has been in...well, EVER. On the downside, your pulse is way too low. You miss the excitement.

ormer Sun editor Kelr.in McKenzie is famously reputed to have sacked a writer of the UK tabloid's horoscopes column by sending her a lette¡ the opening line of which read: "As you will no doubt have foreseen..."

Very amusing, especially when it happens to

to ask...

someone else.

Sadl¡ this gallows humour has rung all too true for

Death

a growing number of Hong Kong media

This is, of course, the most extreme option. One that you do not choose. IT chooses you. On the upside, if you are cut down in the line of duty, you will most likely have a scholarship named after you, and all of your friends who found you insufferable will sing your praises.("TK just wanted to tell the story of the poor suffering people of Ugabugu. With TK, it wasn't about ego.") On the downside, you are, well, dead.I

who have been laid off, made redundant, downsized or had their priorities redirected over the past few months. It begs the question: Is there a "decent way" of sacking someone? IJnfortunately, it's like asking is there such a thing as a non-whingeing journalist?

The "golden parachutes" have been failing to open all over Hong Kong as dozens of people have been defenestrated from numerous newspapers, magazines and dotcoms. By far the most popular way of giving

employees

people the boot here is through the "self-fulhlling prophecy method", preferred by the SCM Post This begins with a whispering campaign in the offi.ce, canteen and local pub or club. It can be followed by a "leak" to another media organisation which publishes a

report of impending doom and gloom containing deliberately inflated frgures of the expected casualties.

The misinformation aspect has the double effect of "softening" the blow when the real numbers are released, while at the same time keeping the survivors on tenterhooks about a possible second wave of evictions in the near fulure.

The end-game is marked by the "handing out the envelopes" ceremony and here there are two scenarios

the party game and the funeral procession. In everyone gets an envelope to find out whether they will be marching on into a bright new, more focused, challenging future with a lean, mean

-the first,

I

a

fighting machine or whether they'll be marching out of the door.

The latter has a series of imminent ejectees being called into the boss's ofhce to receive the news f,rrst hand (if the boss has the guts) , or into the secretary's office to receive a letter (if the boss hasn't) . A third, even more cowardly option, is to bring human resources into play with some anonymous, "I'm only doing my job", recent college-leaver becoming the

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envelope dispenser.

Then there's "reception Russian roulette", although this only works for companies with swipe card security

Hong Kong Trade Development Council

22

THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-MARCH

2OO2

THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-MARCH

2OO2

systems. On arriving for work, the intended victim fìnds

that his or her card will not activate the turnstyle. The noise made by said sackee walking groin-first into immovable barrier, alerts the security guard who then checks his list against the offending card number and promptly hands over a dismissal letter.

But more in keeping with the times, there's the surgical strike as used by Hong Kong iMail in September when it jettisoned 90 staff. For this, a team of mercenaries (or IJPS couriers) is employed to deliver the coup de grace in a co-ordinated early morning assault. But they can only be deployed once special forces (the computer boffins) have spent the wee small hours doing everything to minimise collateral damage ie: cutting the cables on computers to prevent them being used for sabotage by victims returning to the office to pick up their personal belongings. llowever, someone always gets under the wire, either by being on day off, on holida¡ off sick, hungover, or having moved without informing anyone of the change of address. This can result in an early morning call on the other side of the globe.

"I said nobody should ring this number unless it's to say the paper has closed ... Oh!" Or worse still, reading about the layoffs in the Banghok Posl three days later while lying on a Thai beach. Do you head for the airport, order another Singha, or nip straight round to the Phuhet Gazette with your CV?

hat is surprising though, is how

few

companies have taken advantage of the Internet to carry out their dirty work.

One June afternoon four-and-a-half

years ago, Asia Times staff were busily tapping away on

their keyboards in Bangkok when a

simultaneous

"ping" from everyone's computer indicated the arrival of a global email announcing the closure of the paper.

Cue simultaneous expletives.

Finall¡ there's the newspaper journalist hired from the UK who got off the plane in Hong Kong to be told his job had been given to someone else and itwould be better if he just turned round and "went home". He

didn't, but 15 years on, and after stints on Eastern iMail, I think I've

Exþress, Asia Times and Hong Kong learned my lesson.

I'm thinking of setting up a media I

consultancy

called "Way to Go".

23

I

Boox Rnvrnw

I Wanna,Be

Home Away Fnom Home

A

Tbdd Crowell, a former senior writer for Asiaweek and a veteran FCC member, has just published his second book Tbkyo: City on the Edge

the Edge, was to find my way to the Yurakucho Denki Building, where the Tokyo FCC, as I'll call it for short, is located. I spent many pleasant hours in its excellent library. It is fair to say I could not have written the book without the reciprocal membership arrangement berween the rwo FCCs. The Hong Kong and Tokyo FCCs are the most venerable press clubs in Asia.

Our Club, as most members know, traces its ancestry back to war-time Chongqing, before it moved to newly liberated Shanghai and later, after the communist victory in the civil war, to Hong Kong. The Tokyo Club is almost as old, having been established in October, 1945, in an old, ding¡ but mercifully unbombed building on a Marunouchi district side street convenient to Gen Douglas MacArthur's Daichi Building HQ. The location is immortalized as No. 1 Shimbun (newspaper) Alley.

In many ways the two clubs still reflect the culture of their origins and surroundings. Our club still has a certain pukkah quality that one would expect of a former British colony. The Tokyo FCC still echoes the boisterous spirit of the post-war American GI. The clubs both have their picture galleries and icons. In Hong Kong, one proudly points to Hugh van Es' prizewinning 1975 photograph of Americans evacuating the embassy in Saigon by helicopteq probably the most famous picture from the Vietnam War. Tokyo too has its picture galler¡ of which the most interesting is the raising of the American flag over Mt Suribachi on Iwo Jima, the most famous image of that W\A|II conflict, signed by AP photographerJoe Rosenthal.

In Hong Kong we have our celebrities, such as the doyenne of foreign correspondents, Clare Hollingworth.

In the library of the Tokyo FCC, I occasionally spotted a particular hero of mine, movie critic and author Donald Richie, of whom the handle "Old Tokyo Hand" must have been specially coined. You have to have lived there at least since the 1950s to qualify. Another littleknown fact: Richard Hughes, whose bronze bust graces our own Main Bar, served a tumultuous term as general manager of the Tokyo FCC in the late 1940s.

It could easily be said, as it used to be said of our

24

Writer?

club when it was in Sutherland House, that the best view of Tokyo could be obtained from the men's room of the Tokyo FCC that is if the men's room - No matte¡ the dining room had awindow.

have a great affection for, and owe a considerable debt to, the FCC Japan. The very first move I made in writing my new book, Tokyo: City on

Co-auth

on this 20th story provides a marvellously

sweeping panorama of the Imperial Palace grounds and, of course, the Marunouchi District and Ginza shopping areas, and indeed the rest of the vast city spread out as far as the eye can see.

I didn't spend a lot of time in the club dining room, however. For one thing I don't like to fool with food chits. But more important, I left that department to myJapanese mother-in-law, who took good care of me during my research trips to Japan. She has the fixed idea that the Western stomach can only tolerate Kobe beef, and I never had the heart to disabuse her of that notion. In any case, I'm probably the only certifiable Japanophile who doesn't particularly like Japanese food. I owe the excellent chapter on that subject in our book entirely to my co-author, Stephanie Forman Morimura.

So on almost every morning while I was staying in Tokyo, I would board the commuter train from the family home in the suburbs, briefcase in hand like a million other salarymen, and alight an hour later from the train at the downtown Yurakucho station, which is convenientþ located across the street from the FCC. I repaired to the club's library, which, one has to admit, is

vastþ superior to ours. Need information about the commuter trains system or conveyor-belt sushi or the Soka Gakkai? The librarian will hand you a packet of clippings. It's hard to know how anyjournalist not fluent in spoken and especiallywrittenJapanese could function in.|apan without this institution. I know I couldn't. I Todd Crouell's Farewell, My Colony: Last Years of British Hong Kong is an excellent reference for anyone interested in that period. His third booh, Díscover Macau, a ualking guide, will

be

þublished, this year

or Mark Amdur tells the exciting story

behind lrena: riting a book. It's what journalists do when they grow up (who said old?). It's the same for ad writers.

To understand how lrena: The Irena Hatf.eld Story came to land in my lap you have to cruise back to the late Seventies. I lived in Melbourne and was in Sydney for a day or two, and as one does, I visited my Uncle Bill. All my attention that day was riveted on their other and we a storm in a C-cup, she was guest, Irena

-

became instant friends.

In 1983, after a parade of lovers, she married Christopher Hatfield, an aggressive, flamboyant butcher,/sailor with a Mr. World physique, and an eye for the ladies. Two years later Hatheld was shot dead as he lay sleeping in the living room of their Sydney home. Even though police had many leads, a thorough investigation yielded no conclusions and an AUD$50,000 reward was posted. Irena remained their prime suspect. Still, she got on with her not-sonormal life.

A dozen years later in 1997, the police arrested Irena for her husband's murder, based on a confession reported by a vindictive younger lover. After a month in prison, a three-year legal battle, and medía frenzy surrounding the more salacious aspects of her life, she

was fìnally acquitted. It's a saga, full of illicit sex, betrayal, injustice and more than a few laughs.

During the eight-week trial I followed the story online and although a long-distance friend all these years, on her acquittal Irena was excited by my offer to write her biography and make a feature film.

Working with Irena was like waltzing. We did 20 hours of taped interviews, duly transcribed, and I had a stack of research material about frve feet high, 44, phone taps, covert recordings, single spaced witness statements, forensics, press clippings and trial transcripts. It took six months just to get the research in order to start the writing. The most difficult part

in structuring the stor¡ not finding the words.

When you read the book it is Irena's speaking, and to author a book that had that was really the task her voice. I was

Irena:

The lrenø Hatfield, Story.

By Irena Hatfield and Mark Amdur.

HarperCollins, Australia ISBN: 0-73227035-l PB, 304 pages, HK$f 50 (Available at the FCC)

20 Years on lce Tuesday Aprit 30 Party time to celebrate the FCC's 20 years at the Ice House.

The Star Alliance guest artist is Chicago bluesman Eddy Clearwater.

962-7160-80-6

The Cuban band Son Xango

H.B,223 Pages, HK$f 52 (Available at the FCC) THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRIJARY-MARCFI

The lrena Hatf.eld Story.

With more than 10 hit albums to his credit, Eddy is recognised as a prime progenitor of V/est Side-style blues guitar. Eddy brings a wide range of influences to the pafty, from gospel, counffy, rock and deep-down blues and will be playing in the Main Dining Room.

Tbhyo: City on the Edge

By Todd Crowell & Stephanie Forman Morimura Asia2000, Hong Kong

ISBN:

rba,ck

2OO2

THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-MARCH

2()O2

will

be playing in Bert's. Book Early

25

lWas M

nBG of DoSs Author, desiqner Arthur Hacker has published

I

another of his mini-books, aimed at young and old alike. A group of Kennedy School Year Four students wrote what they like best about the book.

The greyhound because it's

Spinmeister Ted Thomas has updated his book I Was Misquoted.

Huskies are good winter hunting dogs. Brandon

fast' Jonathan

Huskies

Poodle and the Scottie. Jasmina Fido because he is good at hghting' Nicholas

-

Dalmatians Poodles

-

I adore

-

with the media when most of their waking hours are spent in that supposed nest of vipers

dogs. Erica

they have hair like whiskers. Madelene

that is the FCC? Well, time was when a smack in

the mouth was part of the warp and weft of socialising in the FCC, so I thought: \À/hy not risk a bit of on-the-

Husky because it runs very fast on ice, greyhounds because they run fast on land. Jennarong

COCOCABAIVA

Husky. I like the poetry. It brought memories back. Max

Greyhounds because they're drawn in a funny Chihuahua

way.

Jai

no dog was left owt. Philippa

-

I like how he decorates the dogs, the Chihuahua rhymes, colouring and drawings. Sagar Scottie. The design is so nice. It rhymes beautifully and is fwnny Traq

Dalmatians

lots of dogs

-

The bulldog

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your FCC membcrsbip card and' receiue a free Søngria uPon arriual 2869 9631 In'd"í'ø'q 2526 8889

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2869 -.^Lutstne C:ubdn

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7278

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it's furrny. Alex my favourites were the

Chihuahua, poodle and- retriever. Elaine

Dachshund

brash new proactive approach. I was also encouraged by my UK publisher, who told me that despite the fact that

the book's rhymes were funny. Anant

-

The underdog because

7l'e's cooler. Glenn

I liked the rhyrnes. Miten I liked the rhpning words. Joshua Chihuahua Dalmatian because it's sweet the retriever was funny. Natasha

The book was great

I first wrote a manual on dealing with reporters and media stars when I was a stroppy stroppy later something of a media star myself. reporter and first edition ol I Was Misquoted was still selling well The FCC, but the incentive for a new edition was at the me thrust upon when readers complained that I had the Internet which may have had not included do the fact that I knew very little something to with

and running the British government, if m¡' insider informants are to be believed, I felt it was time for a

Husky and retriever. I liked the colouring. Megan

I liked the squiggly lines

job training?

Truth is,

about it then.

There was also the fact that the cut and thrust of PR has been elevated to a near-hysterical level. With PR consultants now glori$,ing themselves as spindoctors

I didn't know. Nozomi

nice colouring and drawing. Kenton

-

-

Retrievers because they are gold and one of my best friends }ras one. Taylor

I liked the retriever because it is funny. Toyhiko I like greyhounds because my grandfather has one. Erik

it

was more than ten years since the first edition appeared, there was still no other book on the market in Britain that tackled this controversial topic. And it stands alone in Hong Kong too.

Yet prime examples of intelligent and sensitive handling of the modern media (and everyone else for that matter) were in short supply before September 11, 2001, when New York's Mayor Rudy Giuliani emerged on the world stage as a communicator par excellence.

The book sets this out in some detail, but it can be summarised as simply telling the truth while making sure that someone wise in the ways of media has a look

I liked the book because it has dogs I didn't know and the 4L class of

In other words how

to avoid the embarrassment of being misquoted. It goes on to describe some of the traps that wily reporters set [or unwary interviewers.

All good healthy stuff, and a lot of it fairly obvious, although you do not think very clearly or logically when reporters are banging at your front door and you are trying to smuggle someone who is better not seen out of a side exit. I

I

Was Misquoted

By Ted Thomas

Corporate Communications, Hong Kong PB, 120, HK$99 (Available at the FCC)

Looking for a souvenir of the Club?

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olders tags Keyiings

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PB, 56 pages, HK$45 (Available at the FCC THE CORRESPONDENT FEtsRUARY-MARCH

at how much truth should be told.

THE FCC SHOP

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thing in their own way. In Europe, I noticed that the guy looking at the screen for the x-ray bag check is now awake. In Italy they even have someone there.

Moscow is a nightmare: everything is torn apart, security is the excuse to find new ways to clip you for extra payoffs. Frankfurt has all the American carriers rounded up in one area with machine gun-toting guys surrounding them.

When PJ O'Rourke and I travelled to Eglpt in December, both of us had our nail clippers confiscated; his in Washington, mine in Hong Kong. Neither clipper had nail files on them. How exactly do you hijack aî aiîcraftwith a nail clippe¡ MacG¡,s¡| "Cimme this plane or I'll cut your toe nails off! " "Your plane, or your ear lobe will get snipped!"

PJ thought that we could add nail clippers to mud wrestling to make it more dangerous and exciting. My friend Tim, an airline pilot, recently reported for work in his uniform and had his nail clippers confiscated. \Arhat was he going to do, hijack himself.¡ "Gimme the plane, sucker, or I'11 cut your cuticles!"

The funny part was, they sent it back to him along with a few pocket knives and a pair of scissors for safe keeping on the flight deck.

Go figure.

I just came back from Seoul again. his time when we arrived, after immigration, they

had sniffer dogs checking everyone's hand luggage. The luggage was then x-rayed. We got to

0n TFauell¡ng By Air Daue Garcia reports how Nine Eleven changed his peripatetic existence o one can deny that the tragic events of

what, so they just put extra personnel everlwhere and spot checked and stared at everyone.

in a position to notice the differences

n Cathay Pacific I had my f,rrst meal with a plastic knife. \ÂIhat genius figured out that a metal fork is not a weapon? It is def,rnitely more dangerous than a butter knife. Guys are getting stabbed and killed on a daily basis in US prisons with sharpened or broken plastic knives. Maybe they should limit us to spoons.

I then got to thinking about all the things on an airplane which could be used as a possible weapon. You could break a wine glass and use it, even a broken water

September 11th changed our lives in one way or another. Being a frequent traveller, I frnd myself

more than most.

I

in the Seoul Hilton on the evening of the eleventh, glued to CNN. I had to double check to was

make sure I wasn't watching HBO. The whole scene was unbelievable. The US military uses the Hilton as a billet for senior officers and within ten minutes of that scene, telephones were ringing and up and down the hallways, doors were slamming and people rushing off.

The next morning there was a strong military police presence at the hotel and Seoul itself felt a bit tense.

When I arrived at the airport later that afternoon, the

military presence intensified and armed guys in camouflaged fatigues were ever) vhere. Going through the airport procedures was a drain. The Koreans knew they had to do something, but they really didn't know

28

glass is dangerous.

While waiting for the toilet near the galley I noticed the stewardess reaching into a drawe¡ which was easily accessible to anyone, containing carving knives. Knock down a size three stewardess, grab her carving knife, and you're armed.

Different airports seem to be taking the security IHE

CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-MARCH

2OO2

customs and the luggage was x-rayed again. OK, whatever makes you feel safe.

On departure, no sniffer dogs and only one normal hand luggage check. I guess you can take as many weapons out of Korea you want, just don't bring them in. Maybe they were worried we were going to hijack a

taxi to North Korea?

Airport security is a quagmire, what do you do?

Bozos with nothing better to do are jumping on planes with C4 in their shoes. I saw a report on TV which showed no matter how much you x-ray shoes, you probably cannot identify C4. But in the US, people are randomly chosen to have their shoes x-rayed.

The upside of this is that most of the shoes they are x-raying are these giant Frankenstein boots with 10 inch lifters on them. Maybe people, especially women, will stop wearing these butt-ugly things. Imagine what it would be like in Japan if they started these random Frankenstein boot checks. The airport security check could be tied up for days.

The bottom line is, I'm happy that security is increased and I hope they do manage to deter would be terrorists, but maybe all these knee-jerk reactions and inspections are to make people feel

SOCIETY OF PUBLISHERS IN ASIA Conceived to celebrate editorial excellence in both traditional and new media, and in recognition of the rising industry standards, the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) Awards for Editorial Excellence covers a broad range of categories reflecting Asia's vibrant and successful editorial scene.

The deadline is March 22,2002. Publications may submit entries in any category. Judging is done by a regional panel of editors in each category. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on June 6 in Hong Kong, For more information contact Peggy Lam, Tel: 2882 2555, E-mail: perfectp @netvigator.com Website: www.sopasia.com

Bring vour FCC membership curd und get u Søngriü eøch on the house at Rio with lunch or dinner B

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þilisn me ble., jq;r iusf i;lí ús, its enoughl Otherw-ìffiewoi:,'t stop f eedino vou-. Sundov to Thursdqv tqstV Portugúele ond Bra2ilion fqvorité,s f rom our A laCa?te menu is q must.

Bring your FCC membership curd for free u gløss af Mojito eøch -from Cubønü with lun dinner CUB

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Obviousl¡ if you are really determined to do harm on an aircraft, it's still possible. I TI-IE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-MARCH

2OO2

29

I\üew Year's Eve

Party with Cash McCall

Chinese New Year Staff Party

Cash McOall

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2002

THE coRRESpoNDENT FEBRUARY-ÌVÍARCH

2002

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31

Christmas Buffet

Seminars galore (Clockwise from top left)fea expert Vesper Chan explains the intrlcacies of Pu Er tea, US PGA-rated pro Andy Pang in full swìng at a golf clinìc (both of these were sponsored by Perrier) and Lucy Tsai and her Silex cooking

Another championship The 'World Spoof' competition in the Main Bar

demonstratìon,

Hongkongers

all

FCCers ìn

the Fragrant Harbour group in Sydney (L-R) Ken Keitman, Noel Quinlan, Peter Wight, visitor Bob Davis, David Bell, Peter Fox, Michael Pascoe, Andy Sloane, Mike Foote and John Kosh

Chinese Restaurant

Believe it or not Club raconteur Arthur Hacker with another whitebearded buddy

; l st Anniversary Happy Anniversary President Jim Laurie does the honours wilh (l-r) executlve chef Alan Chan (ce ntre), Chinese restauranl Chef Wong Kam-wah and Banquet and Events Manager Sandy Chan

Swan song AFP said goodbye to veteran Kate Webb in Hong Kong (above) and Jakarta.

assisting

^4,rrre

Wine & cigars dinner And a good time was had by all.

Al

...and (l-) Mark Henderson, Wink Pettis and Quyen Thien Dac Guest musicians Pqrcussionist Danny Aurebach....

32

THE CORRESPONDENT FEBRUARY-MARCH

2OO2

THE CORRTSPONDENT FEBRUARY.MARCH

2OO2

33

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THF, CORRIiSPONI)F,NT FI,BRUARY-NL\RCI]

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