October 27, 2004 >> photo by Marlon Francescini The annual MUGGS Crib Tournament was won. by Leaf Thunderstorm defeating Rob Ardies (shown above) in honourable Crib combat this Oct. 22. Governing in the North py UNBC Researchers Host Seminar by Carolynne Burkholder >> Editor in Chief Governing the northern region can present quite a challenge, but with some new research being completed on local and regional governments in a northern envi- ronment, this should soon change. A new national study coordinat- ed by the University of Western Ontario and funded by the Social -Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada is looking at the unique problems that arise from governing in the north. A new national Study coordinated by the University of Western Ontario and funded by. the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada is looking at the unique problems that arise from gov- erning in the north. With the national study, a work- shop was held in Smithers over the past weekend, from the 23rd until the 25th of October. This information session marked the third annual Steelhead Seminar on Northern Governance. These sessions are hosted by the Political Science Department at UNBC and held in Smithers, a small northern community, which is representative of many issues that are discussed at these events. The study on northern gover- nance is currently looking at many issues involving different levels of government and focusing on how interactions between these levels can be improved within the con- ’ text of northern development. During the Smithers Workshop, local government officials and First Nations leaders from throughout northern _ British Columbia joined the researchers from Canadian universities, to look at key issues related to the north. The study is focusing upon ‘many issues that affect northern governance, particularly emer- gency planning, federal property, immigrant settlement, image building, infrastructure, and urban aboriginal policy. Dr. Gary Wilson and Dr. Tracey Summerville are two researchers at UNBC who specialize in north- ern politics. Within his research Dr. Wilson primarily looks at multi- level governance and intergovern- mental relations in northern Russia. ; Dr. Summerville is currently looking at issues of identity, com- munity, and citizenship within her research. She is specifically inter- ested in issues of provincial regionalism and public policy out- comes that affect the northern areas. Both these professors will be participating im the study, and will” be present at the information ses- sion. With the north becoming a focal point for much academic research, many students feel it is wonderful | to see that UNBC is'on the cutting edge of research in this'area. Mercenaries Hired to Overthrow Government Oil and money behind British plot to overthrow the Equatorial Guinean Government Sir Mark Thatcher is alleged to have con- tributed over $200,000 to the coup. Several other rich British businessmen have also been impli- cated in the pilot. by Charles Thrift . >> Staff Writer Former British Prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s son, Sir Mark Thatcher, was arrested in South Africa recently for allegedly financing a coup to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea, a poor African country with vast oil resources. He joins 64 foreign mercenaries arrested in Harare, and a 15 man advance party arrested in Equatorial Guinea who have been accused of the plot. Sir Mark Thatcher is alleged to have contributed over $200,000 to the coup. Several other rich British businessmen have also been impli- cated in the plot. The plot was discovered when a U.S. registered Boeing 747 landed in Harare, Zimbabwe. The pilot declared three crew and four cargo handlers, but offi- cials found the plane carrying 64 former soldiers recruited in South Africa who were waiting to collect weapons from Simon Mann, a well known mercenary and friend. of Sir Mark Thatcher, at the airport. Two days later, a group of 15 mercenaries were arrested in Equatorial Guinea. Several of the mercenaries involved in the plot worked for a “security” (ie.. mercenary) firm that did contract work for the British Government in Iraq. Two of the three owners of the security firm employed in Iraq were arrested, along with Simon Mann, an ex-SAS officer and friend of Sir Mark Thatcher, while wait- ing to load weapons onto the plane. They were arrested for attempting to buy 61 AK-47 rifles, 45000 rounds of ammunition, 160 grenades, and 1000 rounds of anti- tank ammunition for the coup. The mercenaries claim that they were on their way to the Congo to guard a diamond mine. Sir Mark Thatcher is not the only British citizen to be connected with the plot. Oil billionaire Ely Calil was named by the mercenaries as their primary employer. Lord Jeffery Archer, who in 2001 was convicted in Britain of perjury and perverting the course of justice, has also been implicated in the plot after $134,000 was deposited (in the name of JH Archer) in the bank account of Simon Mann, the mer- cenary arrested in Zimbabwe on charges of illegally attempting to buy weapons. Phone records have deepened suspicions of his involvement after it was revealed that numerous calls had been made by Lord Archer to Ely Calil in the days run- ning up to the coup. Recent evi- dence has suggested that Pentagon officials were also aware of the plot. Equatorial Guinea is a small country of 500,000 people border- ing Cameroon and Gabon in Western Africa. The country gained indepen- dence from Spain in 1968, and has been headed by President Obiang Nguem Mbasogo since he took over the country from his uncle in 1979. Though the country is suppos- edly a constitutional democracy, elections have been recognized by many as being fundamentally flawed. Equatorial Guinea is the 3rd largest producer of oil in sub- Saharan Africa. Since the coup attempt, Nigeria, an ally of Equatorial Guinea, has sent a war- ship to protect the country. News Page 4 Jago Nominated to be Citizen of the Year Dr. Charles Jago was nomi- nated for Prince George Citizen of the Year, recogniz- ing his role in establishing the Northern Medical Program and his involvement in many community organizations, such as the United Way and Theatre Northwest. Dr. Jago unfortunately did not win the honour, with it instead being awarded to Shirley Gratton, a longtime resident of Prince George known for her involvement with city beautification efforts ard the Communities in Bloom Campaign. Hanlon new President of Canadian Rural and Remote Health Association Neil Hanlon has _ been named the new President of the Canadian Rural and Remote Health Association, a non profit organization that works with individuals, orga- nizations and communities to create a, national network of information and, communica- tions. concerning rural and remote health issues. As President, Hanlon will raise the profile of the organi- zation amongst policy mak- ers, health providers and con- cerned citizens, as well as pro- moting the values and priori- ties of the Association through an integration of resear advocacy and communic activities. Women’s Studies — Lectures Celebrate — Women’s History: Month at UNBC Piecing Together the Past: Stories, Wisdom and Lessons in Women’s History is the last lecture in the October series of lectures to celebrate Women’s History Month. Piecing Together the Past will be pre- sented by Theresa Healy, an environmental planning instructor here at UNBC..< Healy is an ardent historian and one of the founding mem- : bers of the Prince George Oral History Group. She was also a part of the court challenge for same sex rights to marriage and was the winner of the Woman of the Year and Professional Woman _ of Distinction award in 2003. Piecing Together the Past: Stories, Wisdom and Lessons in Women’s History will be held on Thursday, October 28, at 4:00 pm in room 7-152.