crest

Negara Brunei
Darussalam
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The British Monarchy
10 Downing Street
Houses of Parliament
BBC World Service
British Tourist Authority
Public Information Office
CfBT Education Services
British Council
The Commonwealth Secretariat
United Nations
Information from Britain
Consular / Visa   
Commercial   
Information   
Directory   
Defence   
Information

ARCHIVE

      - 12 December 1999 -

Welsh Festival Of Culture And Education
30 November - 4 December
Welsh Exhibition of Art and Craft

Welsh Exhibition of Art and Craft
 The Festival came to an end last week and was much enjoyed by all who took part.

The Exhibition of Welsh Arts and Crafts was opened on 30 Novemebr by Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Azizah binti Penglima Asgar Dato Paduka Haji Abdullah, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Speech
It will remain at Bubungan Dua Belas for the next two months and is well worth a visit. Why not take your children during the school holidays?

Exhibits


A large number of students visited the British Council's Education Fair at the Sheraton Utama on 2 December to hear at first hand about the opportunities for further studies in Wales.

During the week, many people were able to enjoy the musical talents of the Julie Murphy Trio, and Jemma Bogan and Daniel Jones of the Welsh College of Music and Drama. In addition to the concert at the International Convention Centre on 3 December, Daniel and Jemma also played at the opening of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition. All the musicians gave a concert at the High Commissioner's Residence on 4 December and took part in workshops in a number of schools.

Musicians


The Rugby Tournament on 3 December was won by the High Commissioner's Select Ten. Congratulations to them, and commiserations to the Commonwealth Ten and the Pirates. There is talk of making this an annual event, so there may be a chance for revenge!

So, it's a sad goodbye to the Dragon who became such a familiar sight around town. Suggestions please for an emblem for the proposed Scottish Festival next year. brithc@brunet.bn

Return of the Gurkhas

2nd Battalion, the Royal Gurkha Rifles have successfully completed their tour of duty in East Timor and will be returning to their headquarters over the next few days. For the latest information on the situation in East Timor visit www.mod.uk/news/easttimor.

      - 29 November 1999 -

Islam And The West In The 21st Century

A speech on the relations between Islam and the West by Foreign and Commonwealth Minister of State, Peter Hain MP, was delivered by Deputy Under Secretary of State, John Shepherd at the Wilton Park "Islam and the West: Common Values and Interests Conference on Monday 22 November. To view this speech in full, visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at www.fco.gov.uk.

Shaping A Pivotal Role For Britain In The World

British Prime Minister, Tony Blair MP, gave a speech about Britain's role in the world at the Lord Mayor's Banquet, Guildhall, London, on Monday 22 November. The full text of his speech can be found at www.fco.gov.uk.

The UK's International Reputation

The British Council organised a Conference on International Perceptions of the UK 'Through Other Eyes', held in London on Tuesday 23 November. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Baroness Scotland of Asthal, gave a speech at the Conference about the way the UK is seen by the rest of the world. The speech can be found at www.fco.gov.uk.

      - 20 November 1999 -

British Food Fair

Supa Save, one of the largest supermarket chains in Brunei, stocks a wide range of British products. Two of it's stores - Mabohai and Seria - are holding a British Food Fair from 3 to 16 December, to promote British products currently stocked and to introduce a selection of new ones.

The 1999 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)

The Commonwealth Heads of Government met in Durban, South Africa, from 12 to 15 November 1999. His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam was among the 47 Heads of State and Prime Ministers who attended the meeting, representing a total of 52 countries.

The Opening Session of the Meeting included an address by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth.

Heads of Government believed that their Meeting was highly symbolic, being their first meeting on the soil of a democratic South Africa, and recalling in this context the leading role which the Commonwealth had played in the global campaign to eradicate apartheid. They deemed it particularly appropriate that their meeting in South Africa should also mark the 50th Anniversary of the modern Commonwealth. They recognised the significance of the Meeting as one that would launch the Commonwealth into the next millennium.

The final text of the Durban Communiqué, reviewing the discussions over the whole weekend is available on the official website for the 1999 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at www.chogm99.org. This site is produced by the Commonwealth Secretariat in conjunction with the South African Department of Foreign Affairs. It also offers information on heads of government, the member countries they represent and provides useful links to further details about these countries.

Mr Don McKinnon has been elected to succeed Chief Anyaoku as Commonwealth Secretary-General for a four-year term beginning 1 April 2000.

The Government of Australia will host the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2001.

State Opening Of Parliament

On 17 November, the Queen opened the new session of parliament and announced the Government's legislative programme. The Queen read the titles of 28 new bills - 11 more than last year - during the lavish ceremony. Among the proposed laws, there are measures to curb paramilitary groups who organise in Britain but operate abroad. There are also proposals to update race relations legislation and extend freedom of Government information. Transport reforms are also high on the Government's agenda. It is the first State Opening of Parliament to take place without the hereditary peers. The peers have gone as part of the present Labour Government's programme of constitutional reform.

The full text of the Queen's speech is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth website at www.fco.gov.uk.

      - 8 November 1999 -

OBE for Defence Adviser

On Tuesday 26 October, our Defence Adviser, Captain Peter Haydn Jones OBE Royal Navy attended Buckingham Palace where he was invested by the Queen with his OBE. The honour, announced in the Birthday Honours List last June, was for meritorious service in the Royal Navy.

Third Report on Euro Preparations

HM Treasury published the Third Report on Euro Preparations on Monday 1 November, to coincide with the Chancellor’s speech at the Confederation of British Industry’s Annual Conference. The report focuses on communications activities and next steps; the extent of euro use in the UK; changeover planning activities; work of the Regional Euro Forums; and recent developments in “first wave” countries.

The text of the Report can be found at www.euro.gov.uk/theeuro.pdf. The Chancellor’s speech can be found at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk.

      - 29 October 1999 -

Millennium Bug - Brunei and UK current state of readiness
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office publishes 'country statements' assessing how prepared other countries are for the Millennium Bug, at www.fco.gov.uk. Here is the report for Brunei:

Brunei Darussalam

The following information has been collated by the British High Commission at Bandar Seri Begawan on the basis of information currently available locally. No guarantee is given as to its accuracy, and no liability can be accepted in respect of any actions taken, or omitted to be taken, on the basis of the following information.

GENERAL

The following is an assessment of the current state of preparedness in Brunei Darussalam to deal with the year 2000 computer problem in the sectors listed below. Both the Government and private sectors in Brunei are well aware of the potential problems and have taken steps to address them. The Government has set up a co-ordinating committee chaired by the Minister of Communications with the Deputy Minister of Finance as the Deputy Chairman. Many Bruneian companies have business continuity contingency plans in place and the Government has set up its Y2K Contingency Plan Operations Centre which will monitor activity and developments in critical sectors.

ENERGY

The producers and distributors of energy are fully aware of the potential problems which the Y2K bug might cause and are taking steps to deal with them. The main source of energy is electricity (based on oil/gas production). There is a limited piped gas system in Seria/Kuala Belait, but elsewhere bottled gas is used. The main producer of oil, Brunei Shell, set aside BND 25 million and established a full-time in-house team to check and modify as necessary all Shell's electronic equipment. The company is well advanced with the programme and is confident that all its vital operations will function properly at the change-over. The local electricity generating power stations are also working on their systems and will have made the necessary checks and changes by the end of the year.

FUEL

Brunei Shell (who hold a monopoly in Brunei) do not envisage any problems with petrol/diesel distribution in this very small country, although it remains to be seen whether all the pumps at individual petrol stations will work properly.

WATER

The water authorities are aware of the potential problems and are taking steps to deal with them. These authorities are regarded locally as being efficient and will do everything possible to minimise or eliminate any water supply disruptions.

COMMUNICATIONS

The Ministry of Communications is in the lead for Brunei on Y2K issues. They are taking steps to ensure that the telephone networks will not fail. Postal systems are not highly mechanised and there should be minimal disruption to services.

TRANSPORT

There is only one public transport service operator (a small bus company) in Brunei. There is no reason why the service should be affected. Similarly, taxis should continue to operate. We have been assured by the Government of Brunei and the Civil Aviation Department that most of the major air traffic control systems at the airport have been checked and certified as Year 2000 compliant. Work is well advanced on the systems still to be modified and these will all be compliant by the end of November. No disruption to air services or risks to aircraft safety arising from computer malfunction is envisaged. The port likewise should also continue to operate normally. There are no railways in Brunei.

ECONOMIC

The Government is assiduous in advertising the potential problems through regular articles in the press, radio programmes etc. and we may be confident that everybody is aware of the potential dangers. As expected, the banks have stated that they are all now fully compliant and envisage no disruption to the banking system. The Government has checked the Finance Ministry and Customs Department computer systems. There is no stock exchange or personal taxation system in Brunei. Smaller businesses have had their attention brought to potential problems by the committee mentioned above. There are many very small businesses in Brunei and it is not known how many of them will be confident of seeing Year 2000 in without problems.

HEALTH

The hospitals, which come under the Ministry of Health, have taken steps to ensure there is no equipment or power failure. We do not know the state of preparedness of individual doctors practising in the private sector.



The readiness assessment for Brunei prepared by the Government of Brunei may be found at www.brunet/gov/y2k.

Action 2000 have up-to-date information on the UK's state of readiness to deal with Y2K. This has been compiled from information gathered through the National Infrastructure Forum. The information can be found at www.fco.gov.uk/travel.

Britain to recall forces in Bosnia
Britain is to cut back its forces in Bosnia by over 900 soldiers as part of a general reduction in the NATO-led presence in the country. The reduction, representing about a quarter of Britain's involvement in Bosnia, will take place over the next six months. At one stage recently operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, the Gulf and elsewhere meant that a half of the army were on active duty. That has now dropped to a third.

Booker Prize
The South African novelist, JM Coetzee, has won Britain's prestigious literary award, the 1999 Booker Prize for Fiction, for his novel, 'Disgrace'. The book is a parable of life in the new South Africa, a society he describes as being terminally damaged by the evils of apartheid. Coetzee becomes the first author to win the award twice, having previously taken the prize in 1983 with the 'Life and times of Michael K'. He beat a field which literary experts considered to be one of the strongest ever, including the three-times Booker nominated, Anita Desai, and a rare novel by the notable playwright, Michael Frayn. Coetzee wins 30,000 dollars but with increased sales and larger advances, the award will probably make him a millionaire.

End of British Summer Time
British Summer Time will end at 2 am on Sunday 31 October, when clocks will be put back one hour to 1 am Greenwich Mean Time. As a result, the time differential between Brunei and the United Kingdom will increase one hour to -8 hours.

British Summer Time arrangements for the years 2000 and 2001 will be as follows:

     2000: Summer Time begins on 26 March and ends on 29 October
     2001: Summer Time begins on 25 March and ends on 28 October

      - 14 October 1999 -

East Timor - News, Background & Resources

The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have jointly produced a web site at www.mod.uk/news/easttimor, containing a wide range of information about the progress of Operation Langar, the name given to the UK's involvement in the East Timor Multi-National Force. It details the actions of the United Kingdom and partner nations in trying to resolve the East Timor crisis and offers background information on the situation. Maps, photographs and links to useful sources of information elsewhere on the Internet are also provided.

      - 30 September 1999 -

United Kingdom Offers Invitation For 2002 Commonwealth Talks
(HM Treasury Press Release Of Friday 24 September 1999)

Commonwealth Finance Ministers were today invited to the United Kingdom for their annual meeting in 2002 by Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Melanie Johnson.

Speaking at the Commonwealth Finance Ministers' Meeting (CFMM), Miss Johnson said:

'I am delighted to extend the United Kingdom's invitation to host the 2002 Commonwealth Finance Ministers' Meeting. I believe it is very fitting for the UK to host this important meeting in the same year as the celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee and the Commonwealth Games being hosted by the city of Manchester.

'The Commonwealth Finance Ministers' Meeting has a valuable role to play in the work of the Commonwealth and indeed, in the wider international community.

'It brings together decision makers from over 50 countries, developed and developing, from all regions of the world. And, it provides a unique forum for members large and small to exchange views and learn from each other on a wide range of issues of international importance.'

Commenting on the current meeting of Commonwealth Finance Ministers in the Cayman Islands, Miss Johnson continued:

'I am very pleased with the progress that has been made at this year's conference, particularly on the issue of heavily indebted poor countries.

'I echo the Chancellor's belief that this week is the most important week in the campaign for debt relief. Following his meeting with religious leaders on Monday, this meeting of the Commonwealth has taken the debate a step forward on the international stage at a very important time - on the eve of the G7 and World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington.'

Information On Britain

A series of informative and authoritative, high quality booklets, posters and CD ROMs, published by official British government sources, are available to order direct from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at low prices. Published in English, the range has something for everyone. These publications provide useful information on many aspects of Britain for schools and colleges as well as industry, media and governments throughout the world. For more information or to place an order contact:

www.informationfrombritain.com

Alternatively, contact Mary Intrigila at the British High Commission on tel: 222231; fax: 234315; or e-mail: brithc@brunet.bn.

First Sea Lord in Brunei

Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, the First Sea Lord, paid a short visit to Brunei from 23 - 26 September when he was hosted by Colonel (L) Pehin Jalil, Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy. During this very successful visit, the Admiral paid calls on General Pehin Shari, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the two Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Defence, Dato Alimin and Pehin Rahman Kani. The Admiral was briefed on the Royal Brunei Navy and proceeded to sea in KDP WASPADA. He also visited the Ampas 6 platform and the Brunei Museum where he was told about the recovery of artefacts from the offshore wreck.

The visit was part of a wider programme of visits by the Admiral to the region. He arrived in Brunei having been to the Philippines and Singapore and departed from Brunei to the UK via Malaysia.


Labour Party Conference

Texts of the main speeches at this year’s Labour Party Conference can be found on the Party’s website: www.labour.org.uk.

      - 23 September 1999 -

United Nations

The Rt Hon Robin Cook, MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs addressed the United Nations General Assembly on 20 September. The text of his speech is available at www.britainusa.com.

Statement By The Presidency On Behalf Of The European Union On The Situation In East And West Timor, 21 September 1999

The European Union welcomes the progress in the deployment of the International Force in East Timor. It shows the willingness of the international community to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the question of East Timor based on the self-determination of the people of East Timor. Fear is giving way for hope in East Timor.

We commend and continue to support the work of the Secretary General and the United Nations Mission in East Timor in pursuing the consultation process towards the independence of East Timor.

The European Union praises the contribution of those UN member States who have given troops and material support to the International Force. The participation of regional states is especially important for the success of the operation. We wish to pay tribute to those Asian and, in particular, ASEAN states who have contributed to the establishment of the international force. It clearly shows their interest in the maintenance of peace and security in the region.

In this context we commend the cooperation of the Indonesian Government with the international force. Complete and early withdrawal of the Indonesian armed forces from East Timor as well as rapid containment and disarmament of any paramilitary elements in the territory are crucial for the operation to achieve its immediate objectives, namely to protect the civilian population and allow an immediate and full-scale beginning of humanitarian assistance.

The EU remains gravely concerned over the humanitarian situation in East Timor and, particularly, in West Timor. The EU repeats its earlier appeals for allowing immediate safe access for international humanitarian organisations to both East and West Timor. Refugees in West Timor must be free to decide themselves whether they want to return to East Timor. Indonesian authorities remain responsible for their safety and humanitarian needs. The international community stands ready to help the Indonesian authorities.

The EU supports calls for establishing an international Commission of Inquiry to investigate cases in which international humanitarian law has allegedly been violated. Impunity for atrocities cannot be tolerated.

      - 15 September 1999 -

Humanitarian Aid For East Timor

Mrs Clare Short, the British Secretary of State for International Development, announced on 14 September that the United Kingdom will provide £3.2 million to assist the next stages of United Nations and wider humanitarian work in East Timor. The funding will serve three main purposes:
1) Restoring the functioning of the United Nations mission in East Timor: UNAMET has been severely depleted with many of its assets destroyed or stolen. It will be crucial to return it to functioning status as soon as possible and to establish conditions for the return and protection of civilians. United Kingdom funding will provide material and logistics support to facilitate this as soon as security conditions permit;
2) Getting relief aid to displaced Timorese: an estimated 300,000 people are internally displaced in East Timor and a further 200,000 are refugees in West Timor. Conditions are said to be worsening with food and water running out and health problems on the increase. The United Kingdom will offer assistance to the United Nations to conduct urgent needs assessments and follow this up by emergency relief through the International Red Cross, Non-Governmental Organisations and United Nations agencies. In addition, a small United Kingdom team stands ready to deploy alongside the British component of the peacekeeping forces to provide humanitarian assistance on the ground;
3) Helping to get the transitional administration started: it is important that the international civilian administration should be able to follow on promptly and efficiently from the multinational force. The United Kingdom is prepared to provide experts to the United Nations to help with the planning arrangements for the transitional administration and then to contribute financially (and possibly with short-term personnel) to the management of the in-country international presence.


      - 5 August 1999 -

Pet Travel Scheme
On 3 August, Baroness Hayman, the Agriculture Minister announced changes to Britain's quarantine rules for pets.

Pilot Schemes will be introduced by April 2000 to test the new arrangements, which will initially only apply to pets arriving from Europe at certain UK ports. Pets will have to have a blood test and be microchipped.

Full details are available on the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food website at: http://www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine

UK Passenger Service Charge (PSC)
Regular travellers to Britain may have noticed that UK airlines have recently introduced a Passenger Service Charge. This is not an extra fee.

UK airports charge airlines a fee to cover service charges, such as cleaning. The charge is set by the airports and varies from one to another. In the past, airlines have included this in their tickets, but have now decided to show it as a separate cost. This has caused some passengers to think that a new Government tax has been introduced, but this is not the case.

Second Annual Report on Human Rights
The second Annual Report on Human Rights was published on 22 July, produced jointly by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for International Development (DFID). It is available on the human rights pages of the FCO website.


      - 30 June 1999 -

UK Telephones: Changes to National Codes and Numbers
Did you know that from 22 April 2000, new codes will be introduced for six areas in the UK? The areas scheduled to change are as follows:

Cardiff: (01222) xxx xxx becomes (029) 20xx xxxx
Coventry: (01203) xxxxxx becomes (024) 76xx xxxx
London: (0171) xxxxxx becomes (020) 7xxx xxxx
London: (0181) xxx xxx becomes (020) 8xxx xxxx
Portsmouth: (01705) xxxxxx becomes (023) 92xx xxxx
Southampton(01703) xxxxxx becomes (023) 80xx xxxx

*Omit the "0" if you are dialing from outside the UK.

There will be also be changes to mobile and pager numbers. Full details can be found on the OFTEL website.
 
top