Sarote ma kaunohoagta returned home at the end of last month to enable Emmanuel and Andrew to make it back to school on time.They certainly enjoyed their short stay with me over the festive season and it was equally sad when I had to bid them farewell on their departure. I have been following the Rotuman news on the website with great interest. In fact it is so good to be able to learn what other members of the Rotuman community are doing worldwide.

It has been about five months since I assumed command of the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) and in this region where religious, cultural and ethnic conflict and violence has been endemic for centuries, the passing of each day could be described as very 'interesting' indeed.

Since its inception UNIFIL is still trying to implement United Nations Resolutions 425 & 426, adopted on the 19th March 1978 following the first Israeli Defence Force invasion of Lebanon, which mandated the Force to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from South Lebanon, restore international peace and security in its area of operation, and assist the government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area.

Mounting Israeli casualties over the last couple of months as a consequence of increased Islamic resistance (mainly Hezbollah--party of god) attacks against continued Israeli occupation of South Lebanon has resulted in Netanyahu's government being pressured by the opposition and a substantial section of the Israeli community to pull its forces out of the 'Lebanese quagmire'.

UNIFIL is now the biggest and perhaps the most complex and difficult peacekeeping operation worldwide and I feel very honoured and priveleged to be commanding it. There are fifteen different nations represented in the military and civilian component of the Force which has a total strength of about 5000 personnel.

To date about 230 members of the Force have been killed in the course of duty and since assuming command, I have unfortunately lost another two soldiers (a Fijian and a member of the Polish Logistic Battalion). In terms of peacekeeping, UNIFIL's casualty rate is considered unacceptable and the most difficult part of my job is keeping all personnel under my command safe and well at all times as we endeavour to keep the Israelis and the different Lebanese and Palestinian warring factions apart.

Due to the latest political, but more importantly military, developments in the Middle East (breakdown in the Israeli/Palestinian peace process and now the US and Allied forces buildup in the Gulf for a possible military strike against Iraq), the overall security situation in this entire region could be assessed as very explosive. Within our own area of operations there has been no change to the status quo, the situation remains very unpredictable, extremely volatile and highly charged.

There are about 30 of our Rotuman servicemen who are presently serving on peacekeeping duties in the Middle East. The majority of our men are serving under my command with the 1st Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment and the rest are with the 2nd Battalion deployed with the Multinational Force and Observers on the Sinai - Israeli/Egyptian border). I can assure you that there are many times when we all long for the peace and tranquility of our home island of Rotuma.

Despite the dangers, risks, frustrations and other numerous problems which are normally associated with peacekeeping, everyone is in reasonably good spirits and no doubt fully committed to our thankless and most difficult task of restoring and maintaining peace in this so called 'land of milk and honey'.

Recently I have been very much involved in 'shuttle diplomacy' between the Israelis and Lebanese in our collective search for the ideal solution, which hopefully would result in a comprehensive and lasting peace for South Lebanon. It is going to be an 'uphill slog with very little light at the other end of the tunnel' but we will continue trying.

As Force Commander I have yet to lose my sense of humour, but there are times when I am more than convinced that fishing and gardening in Rotuma would have been a better option to being the 'meat in the sandwich' for continuously being caught in the crossfire.

I will try and keep you updated about our 'plight' in this part of the world and humbly request that you include this hanuju in your next update of the Rotuma news.

Please remind all the kainaga and friends to spare us a thought and remember us in your prayers. Cheerio for now and God bless. Jioje.

The Tefui Club of Hawai'i held a campout at Malaekahana Beach Park over the President's Day Holiday weekend. As usual, it was well-attended and we had a grand time singing, dancing, laughing and eating a lot. We had our monthly meeting at the camp and discussed plans for the upcoming wedding of Tifäre Sosefo and Nani Keanu on 11 April in Hauula, on the north shore of Oahu. Nani is Part-Hawaiian and will add to the Rotuman-Hawaiian mixture that characterizes our group. She has a son, Kamaka, age 6, who has been warmly adopted into the community.

Mr & Mrs Nofaga Fesaitu, Children, Grandchildren and In-laws would like to sincerely express their gratitude and appreciation to all relatives, friends in Fiji, Rotuma and abroad for their prayers, kind assistance, floral tributes and condolences during the sad loss of their beloved son, brother, uncle and in-law who was called to rest on 30th January, 1998.

Special thanks to Doctor John Fatiaki, Doctor Welby F Korwa, Doctors, Staff and Nurses of CWM Hospital, Fekau Atalifo, Fa Hua'ta Fesaitu, Hon Paul Manueli, Churchward Chapel Choir,Nadawa/Nadera MYF, Police Traffic Dept., Kaurot ne Kinoya, Atalifo's family, Hensasiga Club,Rosarina Eugene family, Tigarea family, Mojito Rejieli Mua & Miki Konrote family, Tausia Mere family, Mafhanua Clan, Isireli Luisa family, Hensasiag ne Nadi & Lautoka, Maka Elenoa family,Muaror family, Ö'hön Nonu Titatu, Sopapelu Irava family, Rigamoto Emeli family (Vatukoula), Titifanua Makereta family, Ö'hön Emeli Kauata family, Ö'hön Fonmanu Samisoni family, Marseu Kaituu family, Visoni Luisa family, Ö'hön Fauoro Akata (Nadi), Ö'hön Vamarasi Pesamino (Lautoka), Makrava Clan, Fesaitu Clan, USP Finance Dept., neighbours and all those who assisted us in generous ways.

May God Bless You All. Please accept this as our personal acknowledgement.

The cable-laying ship Pacific Guardian left for Fiji last Wednesday, February 4. This was after a long stay in Sydney--since October last year. They were berthed at Darling Harbour, which is right in the city. The city skyline and harbour views served as a great backdrop for the many social activities held by the predominately Rotuman crew--New Year's Eve and Australia Day celebrations, complete with fireworks, in particular. They were due to arrive in Fiji on February 10, and after a week will sail on to Rotuma where they will stay another week.

We would like to wish the large Rotuman crew a happy reunion with their families in Fiji and on Rotuma. Last month I was honoured to be invited to a dinner onboard at which the Captain officially announced the promotion to bosun of Savea, son of Tarepea & Fot'agkaurira of Lopta.

To date there have been more than 6,500 clinically presenting cases of Dengue Fever. Some of these cases have shown signs of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF), a more serious form of the disease. There have been eight deaths due to suspected DHF to date, all reported from CWM hospital in Suva. The most recent death occurred in an eight year old boy on Monday, 26 January at the CWM Hospital after he had been admitted for four days. This brings the death toll to eight. There have been two additional deaths suspected as being dengue, but they are not yet unconfirmed.

Viti Levu is currently in the midst of a massive and serious Dengue Fever epidemic. CWM Hospital Medical Superintendent Mary Schramm reports that CWM has treated over 3,000 patients with suspected Dengue Fever. Hospital records show that 2,323 cases were seen between the 13th and 27th of January, with 162 admissions in the same period. Accurate outpatient data prior to the 13th January was unavailable at the time of this release, but there could have been at least 1,000 clinical cases seen prior to that date at CWM. This would indicate that at least 5,000 cases have been seen in the Central and Eastern Divisions since the outbreak began (roughly 6% of the population has been affected).

Here is the latest official press release on dengue fever from the Ministry of Health in Fiji.

To date there have been nearly 11,063 clinically-presenting cases of dengue fever. Some of these cases have shown signs of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), a more serious form of the disease. There have been eight deaths due to suspected DHF to date, all reported from CWM hospital in Suva. The most recent death occurred in an eight year old boy on Monday, 26 January at the CWM Hospital. Rotuma has reported 5 cases to date, all outpatients.

It appears that dengue fever cases are on the rise, and are widespread. Lautoka Hospital has noted a surge in outpatients seeking treatment for suspected dengue fever in the past few days. The epidemic can be expected to continue and worsen unless members of the public act quickly and decisively to destroy mosquito breeding sites in their areas, and in areas under their responsibility.

Dr. S. Veitogavi, Divisional Medical Officer, Central Eastern Division, warned that school children were the latest victims of the dengue epidemic, with increasing numbers seen in area health centres since schools re-opened. Health inspectors found that many of the schools in the Division had not implemented clean-up measures, and mosquito larvae were found. He urged schools not to waste any more time in implementing clean-up measures, fearing the trend in infected school children would continue to increase.

There have still been no reports of tourists or visitors to Fiji being affected through the media or through rumours, and while the epidemic appears to be widespread, it still seems to be limited mostly to areas where most visitors are unlikely to go - peri-urban areas, rural villages and settlements, school and government compounds, industrial areas and remote outer islands. Visitors are advised to take normal precautions against day-biting mosquitoes, and to avoid the above-mentioned areas. The risk for the average visitor appears to be low.

To date there have been at least 15,916 cases of suspected dengue fever, with 805 admissions presenting at Ministry of Health Facilities. It appears that weekly suspected case levels are declining, particularly in Viti Levu, but this is not an indication that the epidemic is over.

There is still no room for complacency - this epidemic has taught us the need for long-term vigilance. The Dengue fever problem will not go away unless the public takes the disease seriously, and makes a concerted effort to keep their living environments free of mosquito breeding sites.

Declines have occurred in case loads at CWM Hospital over the last two weeks, with less dramatic declines observed in the Western Division. The most recent death occurred on 14 February at CWM Hospital, bringing the current death toll to 10, with all victims coming from the greater Suva area.

At least 2% of Fijiís population has been affected to date (not counting those who may have sought treatment from private doctors). However, in Suva, the attack rate since the beginning of the epidemic in mid-December is nearly 7%, with an overall rate of 4.5% in the Central Division - the most heavily affected area. Attack rates are less than 1% >in the Western Division (0.64%), the Eastern Division (0.67%) and the Northern Division (0.3%). If current rates persist, and if the epidemic has in fact peaked in the most heavily affected and populated areas, then it is doubtful that overall prevalence rates will exceed 5% nationally, and 10% in the Central Division.

The case fatality rate stands at 0.6 deaths per 1000 cases, compared to a case fatality rate of 8.1 per 1000 during the 1989-1990 epidemic. This is believed largely to be due to the hard work of hospital staff to identify and manage serious cases, and with technical assistance provided by the World Health Organization. Four of the 10 deaths have been autopsied. Autopsy reports indicate that two deaths were highly compatible with a diagnosis of dengue (one tested sero-positive), while two were inconclusive.

The Eastern Division [which includes Rotuma], has a combined population of roughly 50,000. The islands so far account for a little more than 2% of the total cases reported to date, and an overall attack rate of < 1%.]

David Saunders, Ministry of Health, Fiji