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Committee Formed To Investigate Golf Course Feasibility on Montserrat

By Merrick Andrews

The destroyed Golf Course at Belham Valley

A six-member steering committee of private and public sector officials has been formed to investigate Mr. Robert Hunt's assessment of the physical and financial feasibility of re-establishing a golf course at the most preferred or optimum site here.

Mr. Hunt, Managing Director of PGA International, (pictured right) made his presentation during Monday’s second staging of the Strategy Workshop on the Repositioning of Montserrat’s Tourism Sector held at the Vue Pointe Hotel.

The committee is headed by Mrs. Carol Osborne, who is also a member of the Montserrat Tourist Board (MTB), manager of the Vue Pointe Hotel and vice president of the Chamber of Commerce.

 “We feel encouraged by his presentation and we want to investigate how much we can do to further this project,” said Mrs. Osborne.

The golf expert identified Waterworks and the Belham Valley as the two most suitable areas for constructing a golf course. He dismissed Old Quaw and Blake’s Estate as unsuitable.

Mr. Hunt, who drew warm applause from the gathering during aspects of his presentation, especially in the open forum/discussion, said Montserrat needs to have a golf course to drive the economy, and he used other countries as examples of the importance of this facility. “The whole strategy for the development of golf on the island of Cuba is now to invest in golf specifically because they know that they can’t move their two star tourism in into four star tourism without golf as a driver. And you see this across the world – in Spain, Portugal and Turkey,” he said.

 “If you really want to drive the economy, change it because it will involve significant social change. You need to then start to look at the very much larger schemes with phenomenal implications for a country,” Mr. Hunt said.

Director of Tourism Ernestine Cassell said she is confident that efforts to re-establish a golf course will bear fruit. “It is not a question of will it happen, it is going to happen. It is only a question of time and trying to get the adequate funding to make it happen,” she told The Montserrat Reporter.

“As we are all aware, golf in Montserrat has always played a significant role in actually bringing people to Montserrat. We have to be able to provide something for people to do other than just hiking, biking, sailing, snorkeling diving,” she said.

Minister of Communications and Works Dr. Lowell Lewis said the local government
intends to have a golf-playing facility here. “Last year we started this whole process and in fact, if we had the cooperation, we expected the golf course would have already existed in Belham,” he said.

He said he foresees no major roadblocks in re-establishing the golf course. “There are no roadblocks…we have been building the extension of the jetty to allow the export of sand and excavations {which} have been planned in such a way to—what the gentleman (Mr. Hunt) had described – create a way and a channel to prevent flooding of the golf course.”
Meanwhile, the CHL consulting team presented a review of Montserrat’s tourism development strategy and plan in their Framework Document.

The consultant team comprises Dr. Philip Heneghan, director of the CHL; Miss Maria LaVille Bellot, an independent tourism - management consultant and CHL associate consultants Misters Bob Bowman, David Gorman and John Robinson.

In formulating the strategy and action plan, extensive consultations were held with all stakeholders directly and indirectly associated with the tourism sector on Montserrat during the first fieldwork mission in 2002. In addition, a comprehensive product inspection programme was undertaken which involved visits to hotels, villas, guesthouses and nature sites among others. An important part of the study process was the convening of a tourism-planning workshop held on May 21 under the auspices of the MTB.
The Frame Work Document was divided into four sections.

Part I (Tourism Sector Review) focused on the socio-economic context; tourist facilities, services, activities and infrastructure; international access and visitor facilitation; institutional arrangements and regulations and marketing, HRD and capital investment.
Part II (Strategic Framework) covered tourism demand, recent trend and market position, product – market potential and vision statement and policy guidelines.

Part III (Development Programme and Action Plan) outlined action programmes; plan implementation and project costs and source funding.

Part IV (Annexes) outlined community groups on Montserrat, Saba and St. Vincent profile, details of proposed marketing and promotion action plan and tour guide training certification.

Having prepared the strategy, the next major step now is to secure the funding and technical assistance to implement the action programme, which will effect a repositioning of the tourism sector.  

Survey Says Montserrat Women Are Not Interested In Sports

By Merrick Andrews

Spectators at the July 13 exhibition netball match against Antigua’s national team and their under-23 side at the Brades netball court believe that women and girls on Montserrat are not interested in sports.

This was the result of one of two surveys administered by the Pacesetters Sports & Cultural Club about the reaction of the spectators to the need for more of such activities on the island, and greater involvement of girls and women in sports. The other survey was to test the visitors’ response to Montserrat.

The surveys were conceived and designed by Rachel Collis, president of the Pacesetters, who is also a tourism market researcher.

According to a press statement from the club, there was a unanimous agreement that women and girls on Montserrat were not interested in sports. Fifteen persons responded to the survey.

When asked how this could be rectified, the most popular response (43 percent) said that efforts must be made to start sports for girls in the schools and community groups, the statement said.

Some respondents (20 percent) felt that there should be incentives to encourage women and girls to participate in sports, while 13 percent felt that transportation should be provided for afternoon and evening sporting activities.

Other respondents saw the need to start educating girls at an early age about the importance of sports in their lives, to find good trainers for women’s sports and proper financing for sporting events and travel.

The statement said conducting the spectators’ survey was hampered in part by the rain, which fell just before the start of the netball match.

All respondents stated their love for sporting activities, and also thought that not enough sporting activities, like the visit of the netballers, were being held. However, all affirmed that they would attend these activities if more of them were held.

Some respondents stated their disappointment that there was no participation by a local netball team.

In the other survey, the Antigua contingent gave favorable responses; 14 of the 20 visitors responded to the survey in which 64 percent said they had visited Montserrat previously, but almost all respondents were visiting Montserrat for the first time since the start of volcanic activity in 1995.

Responding to whether they had been afraid to visit Montserrat because of ongoing volcanic activity, 64 percent said they were not afraid. The 14 percent, which said yes, said that they were afraid that the volcano would erupt while they were on the island, the statement said.

Almost all respondents (86 percent) said they were pleasantly surprised at what they saw, since they had heard and been led to believe that the situation and conditions were very bad.

Respondents were asked their opinion of the ferry ride from Antigua to Montserrat – 57 percent thought it was good, while 36 percent thought it was fairly OK. 

All respondents said they would return to Montserrat in the future, and also that they would recommend a visit to Montserrat to family and friends. That might have changed after the trip back to Antigua because of several persons falling ill.

The Antigua senior team had defeated the under-23s  41-15. The tour was expected to be a confidence booster for the senior members of the team who are currently preparing for the upcoming Caribbean Netball Association (CNA) competition from August 16-27 at the YMCA Sports Complex in Antigua.

EDITORIAL

"A Safe, ‘Suitable’ Airport Must Be The Springboard to a Viable Future"

There is an resurgence of thoughts being followed through private and other discussions and planned initiatives, all of which can serve to make the suspicious and discouraged believe there really is hope for a viable future for living in Montserrat.

Unfortunately the same vibes are not shaking down to our school leavers and university graduates, not a single one of whom is looking forward to beginning earning a livelihood in Montserrat. That adds to the complexity of making things work for the better. But from the sounds of things there are a few who recognize the problem and are prepared to continue the sacrifice to see it through to the end. The end we say, what is the end? The end here is just a goal to be set and aspired to.

There is finally the realization that for progress to get above ground, a full circle of minds must be brought to bear on planning. We need to be aware that despite the devastation we have experienced, there is still an opportunity to build anew from the ground up.  All we need is to take one step at a time, recognizing that no single sector of life can be so isolated that it receives all the attention of our efforts.

We have to be more discerning, know what we want and go for it, relying on our ability to know how to get it.

Baroness Amos may have disappointed us, and while we do not know how Lord Morris of Manchester took her answers, we are left to wonder why it took so long in coming.

The question is one that our government should not only ask but pursue ‘…, in the light of delays in constructing the airport and seaport in Montserrat, they will provide the additional funds needed to maintain the level of budgetary aid until 2005.” It is four years now since we have been talking about an airport for Montserrat. Prime Minister Blair personally promised it to Chief Minister David Brandt.

But look at the answer that took a long time in coming: “Subject to our normal processes of resource allocation and review, we plan to make available over £47 million for Montserrat during the period 2002–03 to 2005–06. This includes provision for airport development and improving port facilities. Budgetary aid levels are agreed jointly with the Montserrat Government on an annual basis, taking account of essential needs and the level of total available resources.”

For clarity we should note that this sum of money includes the cost of providing an airport and seaport and budgetary support till 2006, four years from now. Notice also the shrewdness of saying that our government has agreed to this.

Let us ask our government to tell us whether they had to agree or not. In that statement lies the dishonesty that practically nullifies the support that is promised. That answer should be the wakeup call for our Chief Minister, who should work harder now to find all the available resources, not what will cause residents to throw in the towel and take the undignified route already forced upon so many.

Of course it is going to require some sincerity and if it is not available the honourable thing must be done. Personal agendas are not good for this island. For example, having spent all one’s life building boats and plying the seas, it is natural to have no interest in flying on helicopters. It is wrong then, selfishly not to go ahead with any plan because of one’s individual lack of interest.

Then we must ask where are the several proposals that are sitting gathering dust in the Ministry of Communications and Works and in the ministers’ desk with regards to the alternative of having a full helicopter commercial service in and out of Montserrat. This matter should be put squarely before the people, just as the attempt to give us an ‘asphalted elephant’ at Geralds. We should do everything to remove the uncertainty that continues to exist over the provision of a ‘suitable’ airport for Montserrat. It needs only be remembered that suitability includes safety and a springboard, not just for the sake of fixed-wing transportation but the basis for the future development of this island. 

Except for the editorial, opinion articles expressed in these pages are not necessarily those of the Montserrat Reporter editors, employees or advisers.  Readers are encouraged to submit commentary articles.  All viewpoints, unless libelous, in poor taste, or anonymous, are welcome.  Send your contributions to The Editor, P.O. Box 306, Olveston, Montserrat, W. I., e-mail: editor@montserratreporter.org or monrep@candw.ag.  Manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by a return stamped envelope.  The Montserrat Reporter is a privately owned independent newspaper.

Jus Wonderin items may be called in at telephone 491-4715 or Fax 491-2430

SCRIPTURE VERSE THIS WEEK

DO YOU MIND? 

You shall love the lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

-Matthew 22:37

Throughout the London subway systems are signs that warn, "Mind the Gap."  They remind riders to pay attention to the space between the train and the platform.  In the United States I've seen signs along highways with the single word, "Think!"  The point of both is clear: In the midst of our daily routine, we often fail to engage our minds in what we're doing. 

               Could this also happen in our relationship with God?  When Jesus was asked to state the greatest commandment, He replied, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37).  Our minds are to be as fully yielded to God and as actively engaged in loving Him as our hearts and souls are.

               In a book on Christian leadership, William H. Danforth writes, "When it is so easy to get our thinking done for us, the big temptation is not to think."  Instead of engaging our minds as we worship and serve God, we follow familiar, predictable routines.  Instead of thinking fearlessly and creatively about ways to express our love for the Lord, we become content to say and do what we've always done.

               Thinking is hard work but loving god is the greatest privilege that deserves all the mental muscle we can put into it.  -DCM

PRAYER

Lord, I desire to love You with all my mind.  Help me to discover new ways to show my love for You in my thought life, in my worship, in my relationships.

TO GROW IN YOUR LOVE FOR GOD,

KEEP GOD IN YOUR THOUGHTS 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

LOCAL and REGIONAL NEWS

Montserrat Gets Into Action Tomorrow at CUT Champs

Montserrat will show off their talents tomorrow at the start of the ninth biennial Caribbean Union of Teachers Junior Track and Field Championships in Trinidad.
The team left the island here on Thursday in jubilant spirits for the two-day championships.
Participating for the second time, Montserrat will be represented by 15 students instead of 16, as one athlete could not make it because of problems with travel documents.
The team will be hoping to improve on a bronze medal at their first championships in Martinique in 2000.
President of the Montserrat Union of Teachers, Mr. Herman Francis, said the students will participate in the under-9, -11 -13 and 15 categories.
Mr. Francis, along with coach Winston Scotland will not attend the event because of unavoidable personal reasons.

Overcoming financial difficulties to send a team to the championships, the Union of Teachers president said he expects Montserrat to do their best. “I also hope that the exposure at that level will inspire them,” he said.
The overall cost of sending the team is about EC$15,000, however various sources such as the Brades Primary Parents’ Teachers Association (PTA), Chief Minister’s Office, coach Scotland and Superintendent of Police Paul Morris has sponsored monetary and sportswear to help the team. The team also received a kind 50 percent cut in ferry transport fare.
The organizers, the local Union of Teachers, garnered the most funds from a Junior Calypso competition held in March. The athletes also solicited funds through a sponsorship sheet.
The students were selected from the Montserrat Secondary School’s sports meet in December and the inter-house primary meets in March.
Full squad:
Officials:  Mr. Sylvester Brown, Ms. Mary Blake and Ms. Inez Fenton.
Athletes (boys): Starling Gerald, Jemel Fenton, Omarie Allen, Arlen Skerritt,
Ronell Piper, Darren Meade, Randy Fenton and Roscoe Sinclair.
Girls: Onieka Riley, Laurell Allen, Jussenyah White, Hafeeza Hintzen,
Michelle White, Nekisha Hixon and Naseeka Carty.                                                                                                                       

Governor Longrigg On Leave
His Excellency Governor Anthony Longrigg accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Jane Longrigg, left here on Wednesday for a period of overseas leave.
During Mr. Longrigg’s absence, Professor Sir Howard Fergus will act as Governor.
Mr. Longrigg returns to the office on Monday, September 2.
The Governor last took a leave in April. 

New Auditor General Appointed

The Government has appointed Miss Florence Lee as its new auditor general, who said her goal, is to conduct independent and objective reviews to ensure that there is more accountability and transparency in central government operations.
Miss Lee, whose appointment took effect on July 1, said he goal is “to keep in accordance with the good governance principles.
“In order to get that done I have to do that with the assistance of my staff,” she said.
She succeeds Mr. Lorenzo Cassell, who was on contract following his earlier retirement.
Miss Lee was the deputy auditor general since September 1999 before being promoted. She brings to the new post a wealth of experience and sound qualification.
She holds a master’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Birmingham and an upper second class honors BSc in accounting from UWI, Cave Hill Campus and a certificate in public administration from the UWI Distance Education Programme. She has done several short-term auditing courses.
Miss Lee previously held positions as assistant secretary and acting executive officer in the Ministry of Finance and senior clerical officer in the Ministry of Agriculture. 

Domestic Violence Victims Show Tendency to Rely on Police Station

By Merrick Andrews

Cudjoe Head Family Centre

Victims of domestic violence are still consulting the police station more than the recently opened Cudjoe Head Family Centre.

Superintendent of Police Paul Morris said, “It has been a very slow start but that’s what we expected. It’s disappointing about the numbers coming in but it is not devastating at this stage because we weren’t in a rush. We got the building so we opened it, but we haven’t got the infrastructures to support it.”

The police said the purpose of the family centre is to provide an environment that is conducive to people coming and making domestic violence reports.

The superintendent said, “It’s going to be a slow education process” but that he is confident things will work out over a period of time.

“What we want to do is [to let the victims know] that we accept and acknowledge the difficulties you are going through and also the privacy issue living on a small island,” he said.

“We are still happy to see them at the police station," he said, "but what we don’t want to do is to drive them away so they don’t come to the police station but over a period of time we want people to recognize that they can go to Cudjoe Head – [which] is a little bit more private and lot more confidential."

In a couple weeks time, the police will be contacting victims who reported their situation over the last six months to “make sure that everything is ok now,” Mr. Morris said, and "whether things have improved with their situation; secondly we want to see if there’s any additional support we can offer them; thirdly we want to know if the processes that we were using were appropriate for that particular case and at the same time we will be inviting them to attend the centre to talk out any issues that might be outstanding or that they might want to talk about now.”

Mr. Morris, who oversees the centre, said he will be seeking further assistance from the government, especially in regards to hiring a full-time victim support coordinator for the centre.

In related news, the Superintendent said he is pleased that more people on Montserrat, including men, are reporting domestic violence.

He said 94 cases of domestic violence have been reported since the first six months of the year. He said 137 were reported in 2001 and 12 the previous year.

The superintendent said people here are more confident in reporting domestic violence, but the increase in figures doesn’t necessarily mean that there is an increase in domestic violence incidents.

The police reported in April that the increase in reports was prompted more by basic educational programmes on domestic violence and the training of officers to be more receptive to the domestic violence.

Supt. Morris encourages victims of domestic violence to contact the Cudjoe Head Family Centre at: Tel: 491-4899 or fax: 491-9755

Crane Crashed Boat and Injuries Policeman

By Merrick Andrews

Damaged Police Launch at Port Little Bay

A police officer escaped a bizarre accident with only minor injuries on Monday when a Port Authority crane overturned and smashed the boat he was in.

Sergeant Joseph Chambers, who is assigned to the Marine Unit at Little Bay, received bruises to his head and leg, said Commissioner of Police John Douglas.

Commissioner Douglas and Port Authority officials said they have not yet ascertained why the crane overturned because it was always used to launch the boat at sea.

“The crane has always been used to maneuver the boat into the sea. It’s just one of those unfortunate incidents,” he said, noting that the same crane was responsible for an accident in St. John’s, October last year, which injured three men, one of whom, Mr. Thomas O’Garro, lost both of his legs.

Things took a scary twist about 2:40 p.m. at the port when the crane, driven by Mr. Garry Johnson was lifting the boat into the sea. The crane overturned and damaged the boat.
Sergeant Chambers dived into the sea and Mr. Johnson managed to escape from the crane unhurt before it and the boat went down. 

The officer injured himself while escaping.

Commissioner Douglas said the boat was being carried to sea to test its function because the boat recently underwent major repairs after one of its engines failed.

Four other officers from the Marine department were on standby to go in the boat when the crane crashed, the police said.

Commissioner Douglas said the boat, a four-year-old MV Shamrock 11 worth about US$75,000, was extensively damaged beyond repairs.

Now left without a usable boat, Deputy Commissioner Simon Morson said the Force is currently seeking alternative options to acquire a boat “by whatever means necessary” to continue the service.

He said the Marine Unit had two boats. Apart from the one destroyed on Monday, the other boat, he said, is undergoing extensive mechanical repair.

He could not say how long the replacement will take.

At the Commissioner’s Parade on Friday, June 28, the officers had vented their concern to His Excellency Anthony Longrigg, about the availability of a more suitable boat to execute more effective sea patrolling.

The Port Authority is also in a dilemma as the damaged crane, which fell into the sea, is the only that they have.

The Port Authority management has however declined to comment on what inconveniences they are facing without the use of the crane. 

Acp Countries Taking Two-Phased Approach To Cotonou Agreement

Jamaica -

 Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, K. D. Knight has said that the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries would be taking a two-phased approach to the Cotonou Agreement, which will be launched in September and completed by the end of 2007 and enforced by January 2008.

 The Cotonou Agreement is a Partnership Agreement with the European Union (EU) and the ACP. The Agreement provides for new World Trade Organisation (WTO) compatible trade arrangements also called Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA).  These agreements would be characterised by the progressive removal of barriers to trade between the ACP and EU.

 The Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister made these comments during his presentation to the 2002/03 Sectoral Debate in Jamaica’s House of Representatives on Tuesday July 23.

 He said that at a summit held with ACP Heads of Government last week in Fiji the consensus was that the negotiations should be held in two phases.

 Mr. Knight said the ACP group intended to support discussions and guide the decisions regarding geographical configuration for the negotiations of EPAs.

 The Minister said that so far, the ACP group has established an office in Geneva, which was opened in January this year.  At the regional level, a Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM) technical working group on ACP/EU trade was also established. This technical group he said will assist the CARICOM region in tackling some of the critical issues of concern to the region and to participating effectively in the negotiations.

 Giving an update on the fourth WTO Ministerial Conference which was held last year in Doha, Qatar, Mr. Knight said that an expanded negotiating agenda was adopted and a new round of multilateral trade negotiations had begun.

 He said the expanded negotiating agenda now included market access for industrial products, WTO rules in respect of subsidies, antidumping and regional trade agreements, as well as trade and the environment.

 The work programme of the WTO, he said, addresses issues of specific concern to developing countries, such as a programme on small economies and a review of the special and differential treatment provisions of the WTO agreements.  The Ministerial Declaration also focuses on technical assistance and capacity building for developing countries.

 Mr. Knight said that prior to the fourth Ministerial Conference, Jamaica, like other developing countries, was still grappling with the implementation of the agreements resulting from the previous round of multilateral trade negotiations, held in Uruguay.

 “The new round of multilateral trade negotiations, scheduled to end in January 2005, could see Jamaica taking on new obligations. The issues to be covered by the round could be further expanded at the fifth WTO Ministerial Conference to be held in Cancun, Mexico, in September next year, when decisions will be taken on negotiations in respect of investment, competition policy, government procurement and trade facilitation,” he said. 

Antigua Introduces Document Website

Antigua -- The newly established Information Technology Center has begun its Internet-enabled Document Management System.to manage a repository of documents related to Antigua and Barbuda.

These include history, statistics, culture, laws and regulation, and other information related to the country, according to Eban S. Thomas, Commissioner of Information Technology.

Anyone with an Internet connection can access and utilize the Document Management System.  Students can access historical information.  Investors can access statistical information. Residents can access government documents in one central location by simply using the Document Management Tool.

The Universal Client Internet Technology was created by the Information Technology Center in collaboration with the Digital Empowerment Group.

Anyone wishing to add documents or information about Antigua and Barbuda to the document repository can contact the Information Technology Center at 481-5300 or ambrowne@SiliconBeachAntigua.com. The Document Management application is available for download, free of charge, at www.SiliconBeachAntigua.com or www.actol.net.

Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Lester Bird is the CARICOM Head of Government with responsibility for the development of the Informatics Industry in the region. 

SPORTS

USA Tops World Junior Championships in Jamaica

Compiled from staff reports and news dispatches

Jamaica - The United States of America (USA) topped the ninth IAAF/Coca Cola World Junior Championships, which ended here on Sunday, July 21 with 20 medals – 8 gold, 5 silver, and 7 bronze.

Making up the top three are Kenya with 5 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze and Ethiopia with 3 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze. Thirty-seven Member Federations were listed on the medal table.

For the first time in the history of the championships, Antigua  (1 silver), Kazakhstan (1 silver), India (1 bronze) and Luxembourg (1 bronze) were listed in the medal table.

Going into the final night with one gold medal, three silver medals, and four bronze medals, hosts Jamaica lifted their count to a record 11 medals by winning the gold in the girls 4 x 100m relay, silver in the boys 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m relays.

No fewer than 83 countries had athletes competing in the finals.

The number of countries taking part in the championships was officially 159 and the athletes competing 1040 – 619 men and 421 women. Kingston 2002 is second only to Annecy 1998 in the list of editions with the highest number of countries participating. It tops the standings of participation nations in a World Junior Championship held outside Europe.

With a capacity crowd of 30,000 on the last day of competition, the Championships ended in tremendous celebration of athletics and international understanding.

A total of nine Championships records were also bettered in Kingston – four by the men and five by the women. The men were Darrel Brown of Trinidad in the 100m, Hillary Chenonge of Kenya in the 5000m, Louis van Zyl of South Africa in the 400m hurdles and USA in the 4x100m relay. The women were Lashinda Demus, Carolina Kluft, Floé Kühnert in the pole vault, Ivana Brkljacic in the hammer throw and Jamaica in the 4x100m relay.

Eight Continental records were also registered in Kingston and most impressively 73 national records.

The International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) said they are pleased with the results and technical level of the competition.

With a total of three World Junior records – and two more to be ratified by December 31 2002 – the IAAF has rated Kingston 2002 as the best Championships of the past decade.
Only Sudbury 1988 can claim a better record with four World junior marks established during that edition of the Championships.

In the opening edition of the World Junior Championships in Athens 1986, two world records were set as one per edition were established in Plovdid 1990, Seoul 1992 and Sydney 1996. No world records were registered in Lisbon 1994, Annecy 1998 and Santiago de Chile two years ago.

In addition to Lashinda Demus’s 54.70 in the 400m hurdles, Carolina Kluft’s extraordinary tally of 6470 points in the heptathlon and the US 4x100m quartet timed in 38.92, the 2002 edition will eventually be credited of the best junior marks for the men’s shot put and discus throw. The implement being lighter in both disciplines since 1 January 2002 following a decision of the IAAF Council, their marks will be officially considered as world records on December 31 2002 should they remain the best in the world by a junior this year.
 

Montserrat One of 72 Countries Playing in Commonwealth Games

Compiled from news dispatches

Terminally ill girl passes baton to Queen

A total of 72 countries including Montserrat are participating in the 17th Commonwealth Games.
Montserrat’s high jumper Gavin Lee is among some 5,000 athletes who are competing in events ranging from athletics to wrestling at the Games, which began on Thursday in Manchester.
Mr. Lee, who is presently on an athletic scholarship at Delaware State University in the United States, enters the men’s high jump with a personal best of 2.08 metres.
He will be in action on Sunday, July 28, when the qualifying stages of the men’s high jump begin at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Manager of the team is. Stephen Mendes and Chef de Mission is Bruce Fararra.
Montserrat has made two previous appearances at the Games, competing in 1994 and 1998. Since the volcanic crisis in 1997, many athletes have migrated to foreign shores but Montserrat still managed to send six athletes to the 1998 Games.

It is the biggest multi-sport event ever to be staged in the UK, with 14 individual and three team sports.
Among the Olympic gold medallists taking part are Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe and English triple jumper Jonathan Edwards.
Up to 500 million TV viewers across the Commonwealth watched Thursday's opening ceremony, which took place in the new £110-million City of Manchester Stadium.
The opening ceremony marked the end of the Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay, which has toured 23 Commonwealth countries over four months.
Kirsty Howard, a terminally ill 6-year-old girl, passed the baton to the Queen from the final runner.
Action heats up today when athletics take centre stage.
Manchester are hosting the Games, with Bolton staging the badminton and road race cycling, Salford the triathlon, the 20-km and 50-km walks, and Bisley, in Surrey, the shooting.
Drugs have been an issue in the build-up to the Games, with leading English pole vaulter Janine Whitlock missing out after failing a test for banned steroids.
This year will be only the second time that England has ever hosted the event, the last time back in 1934.
The Games themselves, though, originated in 1930 in Ontario, Canada, and have taken place every four years except for 1942 and 1946.
Only eight different countries have held the "friendly Games," as they have become known.
This year, for the first time in Commonwealth Games history, mountain biking, the triathlon, women's weightlifting and table tennis have been included in the programme. Also on the agenda will be events for disabled competitors, which count towards the overall medal table for the first time.
Police have mounted a major operation to thwart any security threat to the Games. Manchester was hit by a devastating IRA bomb attack six years ago, and this will be one of the biggest international events since the 11 September attacks in America. 

Zimbabwe Leave Problems at Home And Focus on Commonwealth Games

The Zimbabwe team has put their political problems to one side to concentrate on competing for medals at the Commonwealth Games.
The African country has been hit by political and economic chaos under Robert Mugabe's government.
Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth in March, but were still allowed to compete in the Games and have sent 22 athletes to Manchester.
Chef de mission Antony Mandiwanza has declared they are here to compete, not to comment on politics.
"We shall certainly not be addressing political issues because we are here to participate in the Commonwealth Games," Mandiwanza said. "We have no mandate and I have no interest to address political issues."
When asked if Mugabe had wished them well, Mandiwanza added: "That question will not be answered. It's not my mandate to talk about politics, only sportspeople who are here."
Despite the troubles back home, team manager Robert Mutauki said the athletes had no problems preparing for the Commonwealth Games and did not consider missing the event.
"Our sports persons have been committed and prepared as best as they can," Mutauki said. "We have not had any impediments at all."
Zimbabwe's best chance of a gold medal is in lawn bowls, with Roy Garden defending his men's singles title.
They also have competitors in squash, athletics, gymnastics, triathlon, boxing, judo and swimming. 

FEATURES

There are Pressing Issues That No One is Addressing

By Hajoft Navre^´s - ‘The Intellect’

Mum's the word regarding everything on Montserrat.  Montserrat has gone mute.

Then the Soufriere Hills Volcano annihilated the silence and detonated the foundation of two-thirds of Montserrat’s civilized structure, shook everything up and turned this tiny island’s world upside down.

Yet while a few things remain the same, most have steadily grown worse.  Ironically, in regard to its characteristic resilience, Montserrat is to be acknowledged.  Although, in some instances, Montserrat’s resilience shows forth more prominently in the ‘negative’ perspective than it does in the ‘positive’ perspective, Montserratians are still a resilient people.

Having said that, as a people, Montserrat challenges nothing, accepts everything and supports nothing.  It has become more evident daily that Montserratians’ regard and concern for each other are waning – almost to the point of extinction.  Besides, as far as one can gather, Montserrat may be a ‘dog-eat-dog’ world.

Montserratians remind yourselves that you are one people, and until Montserrat moves as such, Montserrat’s success will always elude it.

It is apparent that other people’s business is the pulse of Montserrat.  Be that as it may, one can’t help but wonder why Montserrat does not attend to its own business.

There are numerous issues in Montserrat of absolute precedence and require an address.  One is of particular concern for several reasons.  In less than four years, Montserrat will no longer receive ‘Grant and Aid’ from its ‘Mother Country’.  In short, Montserrat will have no choice but to stand on its own two feet, as far as financial matters and monies are concerned.

The bottom line is that Montserrat will be left to face this problem, INDEPENDENTLY.  This deadline is approaching whether recognized and addressed or not. The question still remains, what will Montserrat do when it finds itself staring down the barrel of this very imposing deadline?

Does anyone on Montserrat regard this issue as a ticking time bomb?

Why aren’t Montserrat’s elected government officials addressing this issue in detail?  Why is there not a systematic flow of ‘round table’ sessions regarding this issue?

Will one be considered presumptuous if one were to perceive the silence of Montserrat’s government officials as a symbol of their disregard to an issue they consider to have no importance, prcedence or relevance?

Perhaps, there is another issue of far more precedence!  One could only be anxious to receive enlightenment.

Has anyone considered viable and applicable solutions to this, Montserrat’s problem of economics?

There is no point in elaborating on the value of Montserrat to its people.  With the remaining one-third of the island, Montserratians challenge the world to find a better spot or even one worthy of comparison.

Montserrat, it is time to show the world you have an identity of which you intend to hold on to.  It is time to demonstrate your resilience in a more positive perspective.

To best summate this option one would choose two words – Free Association.  Here are the facts, free of political agenda.

Montserrat cannot afford to support its own existence on the current conditions and circumstances surrounding its governmental structure and economy.  Montserrat clearly indicates an aspiration for independence.  Britain says that it will accede to any expression of Self Determination from Montserrat.  There are three clear expressions of Self Determination:

• Outright independence;

• Free association; and

• Integration

With Britain recently granting full British citizenship, it is apparent that ‘Integration’ is the decision that has been made for Montserrat, once again – with no evidence of public consultation, contribution or feedback.

It is the opinion of some intellectual economists that for an economy, whether great or small, to be successful and strive independently, it must have the following elements available and systematically and strategically implemented:

• a path that leads to sovereignty;

• an internal autonomy;

• a balanced budget; and

• an adequate physical infrastructure;

Based on this information, Montserrat must have these items at its ready disposal as well as systematically implemented in order to be considered an independent people.

Montserrat, do you recall that old saying, where there is a will there is a way?

Here is a way.  The United Nations mandate on Decolonisation indicates a workable solution for Montserrat’s economical crisis.  Montserrat need only express its option of Self Determination to Britain, and everything else is clear cut and pre-established.  Montserrat’s ‘Mother Country’ becomes legally bound to provide assistance as described above.

Let me put the above in just two words?  Yes!  Free Association – a solution to Montserrat’s economical crisis, definitely worthy of consideration.

So how does Montserrat go about making its ‘Mother Country’ aware of the islands desire for independence or ‘Free Association’ towards independence?

One would normally place this responsibility on the elected government representatives of the people of Montserrat.  However, they have not performed or demonstrated accordingly, in respect to their elected roles, to date.

In retrospect, the Constitutional Review Commission is legally bounded to record all statements made as an official public record of the matter of Self Determination.  In addition, they have been given two years in which to address this matter – hopefully it will be enough time.

Therefore, it is recommended that the people of Montserrat attend the announced public meetings of the ‘Commission’ and announce your desire for ‘Free Association’ towards independence as your choice of Self Determination.

If you are unable to locate or attend a public meeting, you can write to the commission at the following address:

Being that Montserrat will be abandoned to face its economical crisis on its own in less that four years, it would behove the entire island to consider the information herewith contained in this document, challenge its contents.  The author of the document challenges Montserrat to prove the contents wrong.

One will only seal one’s fate to destruction when one turns away from help when offered.

A nation forewarned is a nation forearmed.

TOWARDS A VIABLE POPULATION

At four thousand eight hundred (4800) people Montserrat is not viable.  Our consumer base is much too small to sustain the economy and generate enough revenues to balance the budget at present tax levels.  To this end, Government will be hard pressed to maintain the infrastructure and the level of services to which our society has become accustomed.  Raising of taxes to right the situation is not an option.  This would only serve to depress the economy further.  The only available option is to grow, expand and diversify the economy.

It is therefore obvious that a fundamental step towards economic development and expansion is achieving a sufficient level of population.  This of course cannot be done overnight.  However, it is important that urgent steps be taken to increase our population level as part of the process of expanding the economy.  Jobs and housing are two other elements that need to go hand in hand if any success is going to be achieved.  This will be discussed later.

So we must develop a plan of action which, when taken all together, would provide the basis for expanding our population to a viable level.  The Montserrat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) is working on this.

It is an inescapable fact that we would need to allow into Montserrat people who weren’t born here.  Whether these be Caribbean people or otherwise is not the main issue.  The most important issue is that whoever we may decide to allow to live in Montserrat must first pass a comprehensive screening test to ensure that they would indeed be an asset to our community.

In making this statement we need to recognise one important fact.  Montserrat is still the gem of the Caribbean.  Montserrat is still the best place to live in the world.  This last statement might be considered subjective and an exaggeration but in reality the quality of life that obtains on Montserrat cannot be experienced in even most, if any, of our Caribbean neighbours.

We still have very little crime.  Hardly the sound of drugs problems and very little anti-social behaviour exhibited.  One feels secure!  No burglar bars on houses!  No regular break-ins of houses or robberies of individuals.  No fear of walking on the streets day or night.  In short there is a high level of security and we all feel safe and unintimidated by anyone or anything.

This scenario of safety and security is our most valuable asset.  This asset must be cherished and preserved at all costs and all or any suitable penalties and/or sanctions should be employed to ensure that no one, be it Montserratian or otherwise, be allowed to devalue this most important resource.

This is why it is difficult to agree ‘carte blanche’ to the freedom of movement of Caribbean peoples which is being introduced in most CARICOM Countries.  The ravages of the Soufriere Hills Volcano and lack of any comparative advantage to compete with other CARICOM Countries for industries, dictates that we must try and preserve our main advantage – peace, tranquillity and security.

It is against this background and backdrop that we will make proposals for population increase in Montserrat.

Please send your comments or suggestions to us at the Montserrat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Office. See Below.  We will be pleased to incorporate any relevant ideas that we receive in our recommendations.

Airport security hassles after  9/11 And what to do about them.

Adapted from the -- IPI Global Journalist Magazine

By Sherry Ricchiardi

Presented by Bennette Roach

Strict new rules at airport checkpoints have made it tougher for passengers and journalists to transfer high-tech gear through without a hassle.  Accounts of torturous waits, intrusive personal searches and belligerent security guards are becoming part of the foreign press corps' lore.  Some seasoned road warriors ponder ways to skirt the drill.

Veteran correspondent Jack Kelley of USA Today has earned a reputation among his peers as having nerves of steel when he heads into global hot zones.  The stories of his daring are legendary.  The reporter once fled Moscow under FBI protection after a run-in with the Russian Mafia.  Last August, he was 30 yards away when a bomb exploded in a Jerusalem pizza parlor and killed 15 people.

"It was a scene out of a war movie,” Kelley wrote in a front-page story.

Yet, there is a surefire way to rile the mild-mannered 41-year-old who is the furthest thing in the world from a Rambo.  Just mention " airport security" and duck for cover while Kelley recites a litany of how he has been detained at airport checkpoints for carrying equipment vital to his job.

I can vouch for the statement that since September 11, the reporter (and ordinary passengers alike have) found it "10 times harder" to get a computer, digital camera and cell phone past the watchful eyes of human monitors who, in an flash, can turn into pit bulls, barking orders to switch on laptops and take out tape recorder batteries.

"The pendulum has swung so far to the other side, it is ridiculous.  It is worse in the United States than any other place I have been," says Kelley, a Pulitzer finalist this year and winner of the 2001 Sigma Delta Chi foreign correspondents' award for his terrorism coverage.

There is no argument here for laxity by airport security.  Rather, it is the lack of professionalism among security guards that sets his temper soaring.  Earlier this year, Kelley was detained at a checkpoint in the United Airlines terminal at Boston's Logan Airport.

After a pat down, two security guards opened his bag and zeroed in on a digital camera.  Kelley describes the ordeal this way:  "One of them said he hadn't seen a camera like this before.  I showed him some pictures on a small screen on the back and explained that it was digital.  'How do we know it's a camera?'  the other one asked.  I explained again that the film was on a digital disc.

"They called their supervisor who ordered me to 'Take out the film, now!' I politely told him there was no film because the camera was digital.  He said that was impossible and warned that if I didn't cooperate, he would call the authorities.  'Take the film out,' he barked again so that everyone in line could hear."

Kelley removed the digital disc and watched in amazement as it was sent through the X-ray scanner twice and held up to the light.  Sensing the situation moving from bad to worse, the reporter sought help from a Boston police officer on duty nearby.

"He took one look and said, 'Oh yeah, we've got one like that down at the station.  It's one of those fancy-shmanzy cameras.'  He told the two guards and the supervisor to let me pass.  As we walked away, he whispered, 'You were lucky.'"

I’ve been through a similar ordeal and at other airports also. But a few weeks ago at the same Logan airport, I missed a flight because at the first point of security, where they check your travel documents, I was told that the computer bag that I carried upon my back for ease and comfort, (some laptops, with your camera etc. do get heavy for the shoulder) was too big to take on board.

I quickly asked for the supervisor to whom I repeated that I have been carrying this computer bag for two years now, that I am from the Caribbean and the bag fits under the seat of every type of aircraft, even the small islander, (he probably never heard or seen one) and that I had carried it through that same airport, several times before. He said the Government had changed the rules since June this year and I explained that I am now on my way back out having traveled in since June 11.

“Your bag is a computer bag and is not a computer bag,” he concluded finally, after I put the bag down and exposed its contents as proof of what it contained. Unsuccessfully I had to get a smaller computer bag which meant missing a 7 a.m. flight to a 4 p.m. flight on my way to Antigua via Puerto Rico.

Quite recently I was strongly challenged and almost had confiscated a ‘laser diode’ with maximum ‘output power <5mW’, which was finally okayed by the airline, perhaps only because the flight was bound for Jamaica.

Now, Kelley avoids carrying digital cameras and laptops through security at domestic airports unless it is absolutely necessary.  His experience at hubs like Frankfurt and Paris has been vastly different.

"Overseas, I have had no problem at all," he says.

Indeed, some foreign correspondents find the lax security in other parts of the world worrisome.  The Moscow bureau chief for the San Francisco Chronicle, hasn't noticed much change at Russian airports since 9.11. The biggest difference, she says, is the strict enforcement of a 5-kilo (11pound) limit for items carried on board.

Officially, sharp objects are forbidden.

"Yet this rule is not always implemented," says Badkhen, who had no problem carrying a Swiss Army knife onto planes when she forgot to check it on her way to Afghanistan.

"One lady who screened my carry-on told me that, 'Under the new rules, you are not supposed to take a knife with you.'

Then, she waved her hand." It's OK this time.'"  While she was talking to the agent, her husband, David Filipiv, Moscow bureau chief for the Boston Globe, walked into the passenger cabin without having his bags screened.

In March, airport security guards in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, simply waved her around the metal detector frame.  "They said,  'You're a journalist, so you're not carrying any guns, are you’ They told me to 'just board the plane’ even though they knew I was coming from A FGHANISTAN, A PLACE WHERE A Kalashnikov assault rifle costs about $100," the reporter recalled.  "The lack of airport security in this part of the world is definitely a problem."

Juliette Terzieff, a freelance writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, had a different run of luck at a Turkish airport a few weeks after September 11. A security guard destroyed a roll of film and broke her camera attempting to remove the battery.  On another occasion, a flak jacket and laptop caused a rukus as she attempted to fly from Turkey to Israel.

"They [security guards] were quite nice, but I never would have gotten through with out my American passport, press ID and letters from editors," says Terzieff.  She advises carrying as many photo identification cards as possible.

There are signs of improvement in the United States.  Some airports have upgraded the quality of security guards and streamlined search processes.  Instead of barking orders, there are requests:  "Could you please remove the batteries from this camera for me? One Monday at Washington, D.C.'s Dulles airport, passengers were greeted at checkpoints with "Good morning, how are you today?"

Jon Fortt, a technology reporter for the San Jose Mercury News, advises planning ahead to avoid stress when passing through airport security.  It helps to know exactly where technical gear is packed.  "If a security guard wants to examine a wedge-shape electronics item she might not have to unpack your entire bag if you can tell here exactly where the battery-charger is," says Fortt.

As the article suggests the following suggestions are good and ease delays.

The author says, "At checkpoints, I remove equipment from my carry-on and place it in a basket to be passed through the X-ray scanner.  That way everything from laptop to cell phone is visible and security personnel don't have to dig through the bag."

We agree and recommend the following as useful not just to journalists but the ordinary passenger also.

Fortt offers a final piece of advice: savvy travelers who, as a rule, avoid checking bags in an effort to dodge ling waits at baggage carousels might reconsider.  In today's security conscious world, collecting checked luggage might be speedier than getting digital cameras and other electronic paraphernalia past checkpoints.

Laptops pose a problem for X-ray machines.  Normally, X-rays show different items in different colors, but laptops are shown as many colors that they can be confused for bombs.

Film is safe; Modern X-ray machines do not damage film in any way.

Always have a form of ID that can associate you with a news entity.  It will help back up your argument for having the equipment you are carrying.

Your checked bags are examined too.  Just because you aren't carrying them on doesn't mean they aren't suspect.

Assume that the security staff knows nothing about what you are carrying.  If you assume too much, then you could be dragged into a longer security drill than if you just explain things thoroughly the first time.

Your items can be chemically examined in a few seconds.  A chemical-sniff cloth can be wiped across suspect items and placed on an analyzer to check for trace elements used in explosives.

Numerous items have been banned on planes.  Box cutters and sharp objects as well as golf clubs and other sports clubs should always go in checked baggage.  If your equipment resembles these items, assume that it, too, is restricted.

There are several types of security personnel at any given checkpoint.  Each is responsible for security in a different kind of way, and you may have to deal with similar delays over and over because the safety measures require it.  Until the system gets streamlined, be patient and answer all questions thoroughly.

Tourism Highlights

CTO and USA Today team up for Escape to the Caribbean

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the American Newspaper, USA Today have joined forces to promote the region to USA Today’s 1, 364, 223 subscribers in key feeder markets for the Caribbean.

CTO will produce a special insert called “Escape to the Caribbean” for the weekend edition of USA Today for Friday October 25, 2002.  The insert will be placed immediately after the popular weekend “Life” section of the newspaper that is distributed over three days from Friday to Sunday each week.

“This marketing initiative offers tremendous potential for all CTO member countries,” said Hugh Riley, CTO’s Director of Marketing for the Americas.

“USA Today’s readership represents a demographical match for countries of all shapes and sizes.  At the same time, we are targeting the traveling public while they are planning their fall vacation getaways”, added Mr. Riley.

The Marketing Director explained that CTO chose USA Today because its reach, as well as its readership is made up of people who have a strong propensity to travel on business and vacation.

“Through negotiated advertising rates, CTO members have the opportunity to reach the traveling public for a fraction of the published cost.  This creates a win-win situation for the members, USA Today and its vast readership,” Mr. Riley concluded.

The “Escape to the Caribbean” campaign will supplement the regional marketing campaign, which is scheduled to begin by mid-August.

The Production Company, Ground Zero has already filmed scenes for the US$16 million advertising campaign in the Bahamas and Dominica, as well as in New York.

The television campaign is aimed at reversing the current downward trend in arrivals from the US to the Caribbean.

VOLCANO LIMERICKS

Fore, Not Against

A visiting pro came to tell them

What locals weren't able to sell them;

He would vote for

Waterworks, or

They could build a golf course in Belham.

It's 'Wolf' Again

Seismic impressions can vary

From minor to downright scary;

Hey, the dome's indisposed

So the gate must be closed,

You simply can't be too wary. 

JUS WONDERIN

Jus wonderin if the silicone is now taking toll on the people that they are falling ill by the dozens and dying shortly after.

Jus wonderin which Pastor wants to control other people’s life without looking after his own.

Jus wonderin if the members are just the same.

Jus wonderin if men think that women are so stupid that they don’t know when they are having an affair.

Jus wonderin that man is such a good story teller.

Jus wonderin which  dfid personnel hates the daylight but loves the night

Jus wonderin who has forgotten the real reason for being here.

Jus wonderin if the black blotting out the white still going on here.

Jus wonderin what the politicians are hiding from the people.

Jus wonderin what lengths the great lady went to with de young man and the vehicle for midnight run.

Jus wonderin if all of us will have to migrate to England because of hard times.

Jus wonderin if it’s only the relocatees are to benefit in this country.

Jus wonderin what the volcano is planning to do next.

Jus wonderin how many more young men are molesting and taking advantage of the little girls.

Jus wonderin if its true they don’t know that people don’t have to study to pass.

Jus wonderin if he don’t know that the marker do what he likes

Jus wonderin what is goin on wid exam papers dese days.

Jus wonderin if they know everything, how come they don’t have the clue who is doing this to them.

Jus wonderin how all of a sudden plenty Police on de roads now.

Jus wonderin if Bajan jurors de same like here

Jus wonderin which officer getting the legal man involved with the administration injustice.

Jus wonderin if there is more to come.

Jus wonderin why some people don’t wake up and smell the coffee of british travesty.

Jus wonderin who and how they going to sue the unknown for jus wonderin.

Jus wonderin if congratulations is not in order for the Look Out school.

Jus wonderin if “jus wonderin” don’t print for a weekend, how would that affect the readers.

Jus wonderin why some people does pretend dem talking on dem mobile phone when dem no pay dem phone bills.

Jus wonderin if the closing of the day time zone, and the announced renewal of volcanic activity (one puff) is related to the renewal of the MVO's contracts in July.

Jus wonderin who brains fooling dem that dem can't remember.

Jus wonderin if they trying to get them act together for Hollywood.

Jus wonderin if stories about non bill payment  leaking out.

Jus wonderin why our basketballers failed us too

Jus wonderin if the two officers did not understand them acting appointment letters

Jus wonderin how come all of a sudden, de public so interested in dis yah promotions that gone so long

Jus wonderin who is really the rude one.

Jus wonderin if respect is earned.

Jus wonderin why we say we forgive and yet can't forget.

Jus wonderin who is the snake within.

Jus wonderin why they can't pick up the broken glasses as yet.

Jus wonderin if we need ma tornado to get us back on track. 

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