Sounds all too familiar Geoff,
I HATE! going to customs as its always a struggle - lunch money, as I call it say, is actually the only way to get things done - there is a real power struggle going on between the Asian and Western Powers here in the Pacific for influence - the countrys know that if they go to a Western one for aid money for example, and get it refused on the grounds usually that it doesnt meet criteria, then they put a long face on and say sadly well we will just have to try the ******** instead - that suddenly changes everything and aid is usually forthcoming.
I experienced it in action just yesterday I went to see one of the health directors in one of my countries about some essential procurement funding - I had an aid agency employee with me - the moment we started the meeting, the directors face became long and drawn as he explained there was no money they were broke, didnt know how the health service was going to survive etc etc - read Hint Hint) he forgot to mention to the rep that he has had three overseas trips funded by the Ministry since July and the only reason we were seeing him was that the Secretary was away for a three day trip also paid for by the Ministry and I have just finished an imaging project that came in $117,000 under the allocated budget. If it werent so frustrating it would be laughable. The difference with me is because I live here and adopt local custom and culture and have a genuine love for the people here in my countries, they refer to me as a local, which is flattering, so I get to see the true situation.
