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Steve Molyneaux Surrenders After Mother’s Urgent Plea

By Merrick Andrews

Accused Murderer Steve Molyneaux

Steve Molyneaux was arrested and charged with the murder of St. Lucian-born businessman Simeon Sealy and the kidnapping of a young woman after he surrendered to the police on Sunday morning.

Molyneaux, 37, turned himself in hours after his mother, Josephine Barzey, made a passionate and emotional plea on ZJB radio, asking him to surrender to the authorities who had launched a massive island-wide manhunt for him. Mrs. Barzey had journeyed from the United States after hearing of the search for her son.

Molyneaux, alias Jungle, surrendered to the police at about 8:50 a.m. Sunday, accompanied by his mother and attorney and former Chief Minister David Brandt, who later confirmed that he is Molyneaux’s lawyer.

Molyneaux, who is scheduled to appear in the magistrate court on Monday, August 19 could face a maximum punishment of life imprisonment, if found guilty.

Public mood of vengeance

Montserrat’s first murder in more than seven years has sparked a spirit of vengeance in its people whose general sentiments appear to be that Molyneaux deserves the hangman’s noose – even without standing trial.

However, the death penalty was abolished in the United Kingdom and all its British colonies on May 10, 1991, according to the Attorney General’s office.

“Any human being who wakes up and plans to kill someone and ends up killing someone does not deserve the courts. He deserves to be killed too,” said a high-ranking public servant. “There are other ways and means of solving our problems and disputes other than spilling blood and taking precious life.”

One businesswoman commented: “The death penalty should not have been abolished. People who kill people should die too. People will kill people without caring because they know that all that they will do is go to prison and live, eat, sleep and still get love from their families. It is just not fair.”

Investigations going well
Police spokesman Superintendent Paul Morris said the murder weapon has not been found and Molyneaux is not on record as a licensed firearm holder.
Supt. Morris said: “What we can’t do is go into the details; that is now a matter for the court. One of our responsibilities now is to ensure that a proper and just trial takes place and we don’t jeopardize that process in any way by disclosing information that shouldn’t be disclosed.”
He said, however, that he is pleased with the investigations, headed by Inspector Ezekiel Woodley.

“Things are starting to come together,” Supt. Morris said. “We are satisfied with all the investigations that are going on and we are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry that we hope could shed some light on a number of issues.

Supt. Morris said the police force is grateful for the assistance of Molyneaux’s mother and Mr. Brandt. “It was important that we minimized any risks to the officers and to the people – that was successful. We are confident that Steve Molyneaux will go before the court and he will be tried in accordance with the law and he will be there for the opening events of the courts.”

Molyneaux is accused of shooting Sealy at about 11:00 a.m. Aug. 7^th  in his office at Trans World Travel in Davy Hill, before kidnapping Sealy’s secretary, 21-year-old Miss Camille Gray, a Jamaican.

The businessman was pronounced dead on his arrival at the St. John’s hospital.

Mr. Sealy’s car, which the gunman allegedly used to kidnap the secretary, was found abandoned in the Judy Piece area, about two miles from the crime scene.

At about 5:30 p.m., police said, the kidnapped secretary managed to escape her captor, following the introduction of a helicopter in the search.
Police would not release any further information about her escape.

Police have not established a motive for the killing, but close sources suggested it might be because of squabbles over insurance money.

2001 Festival Queen gets send off on her prize trip

Montserrat’s Festival Queen 2001 Miss Leandra Hobson received a US$200 donation from the Montserrat Festival Committee (Monfest) as part of her prized trip to any Caribbean destination.
Ms. Elvira Lee, chairperson of the 2002 Queen Show sub committee presented the donation to Miss Hobson at a brief handing over ceremony at the Heliport in Geralds on Friday morning, August 16.
The 19-year-old queen, who chose Barbados as her destination thanked the festival committee for their support and contribution.
“I would like to thank the festival committee for presenting me the prize giving trip. I will be going to Barbados for my vacation, and I also than them for the monetary assistance they have given me. I appreciate it very much,” she said.
Chairman of Monfest Gregory Willock was also present at the occasion.
Earlier this year Miss Hobson received EC$1,500 to assist her in pursuing an accounting degree.

Thanksgiving Service For Simeon Sealy On Saturday

A thanksgiving service led by Father Kom of the Roman Catholic church for late businessman Simeon Sealy will be held at the Brade Pentecostal Church tomorrow, Saturday, August 17, starting at 2:00 p.m.
Mr. Sealy’s life was gunned down on Wednesday, August 7 at his office, Trans World Travel in Davy Hill.
His brothers, Mr. Andrew Sealy and Rev. Pirie Sealy will do a remembrance and prayer respectively.
Also attending are siblings of his wife MP Roselyn Cassell-Sealy – Shawn Cassell and Joseph Cassell.
Ms. Teresina Bodkin, D. Chedee, his sister Mrs. Meredith Sealy-Alexander, his wife Roselyn and Mrs. Annie Dyer-Howe, Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Housing, Land and the Environment, will deliver tributes. 

The staff of The Montserrat Reporter extends heartfelt condolences to the Sealy family in their time of bereavement.

EDITORIAL

"Constitution Review, Consultations, but no Education"

Guest Editorial By W Salas Hamilton

“In 1989 Montserrat received its first consolidated constitution…drawn up in the UK less than three months after the ravage of Montserrat’s worst known hurricane (Hugo). It was ready for implementation without any prior consultation…this was a shameless piece of autocratic action even in a colonial setting. The timing was strategic: thoughts and energies were concentrated on hurricane recovery and the discussion on a new constitution seemed an irritating distraction.”                       (Howard A Fergus; ‘Montserrat in the 20^th Century’ pg 17)

This month the Constitution Review Commission begins writing its report for submission to the Governor. This historic review represents an exercise whereby Montserratians are given an opportunity to make comments about our constitution.   So far we have heard the exemplary efforts of the Commission in allowing every person who wished to make a presentation to this body, having that opportunity. The Chairman, Sir Howard Fergus, publicly commented on the extensive meetings with civil society, groups in the Diaspora, some 15 organisations and more.

These efforts are commendable because though a small community our population became dispersed because of our volcanic crisis. The Commissioners also comment there is an apparent lack of interest by many Montserratians in the very important process. Commissioners quoted the priority of "bread and butter" issues as a possibility for poor turn outs at consultations. This may be true since in rebuilding a devastated island, one’s survival at the basic level is paramount.

However, one Commissioner publicly answered my question regarding the absence of a strategic public education programme whereby Montserratians are given the proper spin on information to perceive that they are stakeholders in this exercise and understand the importance. He said such a programme did not happen. However, though, pamphlets, radio programmes, classroom sessions, and other such efforts took place.

It is a pity that what clearly is a very important issue was overlooked. And it is noted that the terms of reference of the Commissioners do not include public education. That must have been an oversight. A strategic Public Education Programme aimed at different audiences, with a view to educate, sensitise and bring on board as many as possible, is different from consultations in a vacuum. Consultation means gaining information through discourse. In information gathering it is always prudent to gain input from an audience sensitised and aware of the subject. For example, when normal consultations are executed, a certain audience is chosen because of their knowledge of the subject matter. If the OECS Secretariat is having consultations on a Single Market within the sub region, certain key persons would be invited to the sessions because of their knowledge at the national or regional level and their ability to represent a majority.

It is a pity that the Review is now coming to a close without any analysis of the following questions -

a)                Are Montserratians more informed about the constitution than before?

b)                 Have they grasped the importance of a constitution and what it means for basic human rights?

c)                Can Montserratians better articulate how a constitution affects "bread and butter" issues?

Therefore making the issues attractive through public education is/was paramount. I give examples. Members of the Commission may not even be the best persons to implement the education exercise. Let us take the audience of average age 13 that limes at Little Bay each Sunday. An individual such as Montserrat’s international rap artist Culture Don may be the best medium for presenting some lyrics about the constitution through a mini rap session.

A theme about the Constitution can be presented via the local calypso competitions, be it the children's or adults' event. While a man is under his ‘waters’ at a bar, it goes a long way that he is singing the refrain from a calypso that focuses on the constitution. A trophy for the calypsonian who best represents the theme costs less than $1,500..

By piggy backing on such events we would be exploiting mass dissemination of the message. We can all sit back and say that Montserratians are not interested in the review exercise, but because of the importance, all efforts to inspire our imaginations must be exploited.

Using music as part of a public education programme is not a novel idea. In fact the spin-doctors for the British Monarchy latch on to the popularity of pop idols and their teeming audience of teenagers to enhance the work of the royal family and hence engender a love for the Queen and the royalty. It was no fluke that the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations had a pop concert shown via HBO all around the world. Which international audience would have watched two hours of the Royal family giving a speech about their benefits and why the British taxpayer should continue supporting them? But the world was willing to watch a two-hour pop concert. That analogy holds true for Montserrat. Seven persons may turn up at the Brades Church or a schoolroom to listen to Sir Howard Fergus speak about the constitution, but three to four thousand will pay to enter a calypso finals, and 200 are at Little Bay each Sunday afternoon. Capitalising on such audiences is strategy in a public Education Programme.

Even the use of radio and TV are critical to the review. I would be hard pressed to see certain sections of a population listening to a one-hour panel discussion. But a 30-second jingle sponsoring the news for six months will reach all persons.

A mix of public education initiatives carefully mapped out for the different audiences may have been the solution in making us feel like stakeholders. But at this stage we are wrapping up an important and key opportunity in our lives with the benefit of hindsight. The racist and totalitarian elements associated with our previous constitutions and its changes ensured that no Montserratian had a say in a document that governed our lives. We should ensure that never happens and all efforts made to educate us about this important document and let us more than anything else feel that it is ours.

Every effort must be made for us to want to brag and boast about a constitution because we created it; just like we all can quote amendments from the U.S. Constitution for example ‘we all plead the fifth’ that is enshrined in the U.S. laws. Is it too late to see the Montserrat constitution created by us in the school curriculum? How many school children know about the imperialist nature of the present constitution regarding national status? It is clear that we have carried out an exercise that still leaves Montserratians not that much more informed than we were three generations ago. Was this an oversight or can the Government take up that challenge?

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

Grant Me Your Mercy

But the tax collector stood of at a distance, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast, and prayed, "O God, be merciful to me, a sinner."  -Luke 18:13

In my younger years, I tried for a time to keep of the many great things I was doing for God.  In my prayer time, I would write out my list of accomplishments and bring them to God, hoping to make a good impression: I go to Mass every day, I say my rosary, I offer little sacrifices at meals, I smile at people I don't like, I am patient with my students.

               My lists were quite convincing, much like the Pharisee's list in today's Gospel.  Now that I'm older, and hopefully wiser, I realize I do not need to make lists or count prayers to impress God.  All I need to do is come into God's presence with empty hands, and say, "I really have nothing worthwhile, except what you gave me, and I have wasted a lot of that.  Grant me your mercy."

               With that simple prayer, I feel my empty hands and soul being filled to overflowing. 

-Sr. Ruth Marlene Fox, O.S.B.

Hosea 6:1-6,   Psalms 51:3-4, 18-21,    Luke 18;9-14 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Roger Wade, at Home Even Away from Home

Mr. Editor,

The policy of honouring citizens, however it’s done, must be extended abroad to deserving Montserratians.

None who has left our shores qualifies like Pastor Roger Wade, who virtually breathes our clean air and literally keeps our time on his watch, as he continues to link with his beloved island in very tangible ways. His weekly radio links on ZJB are a manifestation of a person driven by patriotism, selfless service and a burning desire to promote the positives of a recovering Emerald Isle. His actions consistently demonstrate that the affairs of Montserrat still matter and that there is much substance in consciously emphasizing that one’s roots hold eternal significance. In essence, the goodly pastor turned significant radio personality messages: to live without Montserrat is not to live at all!

His interviewees are well chosen and make that needed connection with the past and present that draw interest and offer hope. His delivery captivates. And his voice images a mixture of pain, concern and unfettered joy, as a good parent should, about a child that seems to be losing its way. And he does it with an easy and effective style.

At one minute he conjures up for the listener images of a British landscape and the next he provocatively compares our everlastingly warm shores and other attributes. One is impressed and drawn into analysis. The pastor, one reasons, is an extraordinary cricket fan influenced no doubt as a youth in Salem by the entrapping, real life imagery of that famous British commentator, John Arlott, whose alluring voice attracted a legion of fans.

Roger Wade is an example to us all of how to rise above self and to give and to do so plentifully. In this sense he straddles the past and the present. He, unlike many who forcibly left our shores, is determined to make a positive difference as he so frequently touches lives from across the Atlantic, with scriptural early morning messages, which my centenarian grandmother would not miss!  He stands alone in this regard and gives absolute credibility to his pre-volcanic involvement in radio evangelism. Sustainability equates to believability.

Roger Wade is especially special to Montserrat.  In many ways a phenomenon, as unique as the Oriole and one whose pace-setting reverberates with telling impact as an example of single minded dedication and commitment to country and it affairs.

We wish him well and may he find the strength to continue that important life’s work.

LOCAL and REGIONAL NEWS

Hustler calls for promotion of Montserrat

By Merrick Andrews

Local calypso king Hustler (pictured right) has called for more promotion of Montserrat after he discovered that the Emerald Isle was not invited to participate in the August 31 Caribbean King of Kings Calypso Monarch competition to be held in St. Thomas, British Virgin Islands.
An organiser of the all-stars event said Montserrat was not invited because they weren’t aware that the island was still vibrant with calypso and similar cultural events, according to Hustler (Earl Browne), who placed eighth out of 11 contestants at last Saturday’s sixth annual Leeward Islands Calypso Monarch competition in The Valley, Anguilla.
Hustler, 35, said the organiser told him he called Montserrat but did not get any reply.
“I did not follow-up or get more details from him because I was in to the competition (Leeward Islands Calypso Monarch)…I felt really bad. I asked him how could he make such a mistake…” he said.
Many Caribbean islanders still believe that Montserrat is totally devastated by the volcanic eruption because of negative publicity, he said.
Hustler, who recently collected his Crown for topping last year’s local calypso competition, said to counter bad publicity and avoid similar future disappointments, the local tourism officials and cultural organisations need to promote the island more – especially in culture/music.
He is determined however to promote Montserrat at the month-end competition despite tight scheduled commitments around that time. He will be performing at two shows for Montserratians in Boston and New York on August 24 and August 30 respectively.
“If I had the money I would go – to even come 20, I want to perform and show them that Montserrat is still vibrant, we kicking and we are getting better,” he said.

Other disappointments
Hustler said he was disappointed with the “poor judging” and the poor performance of the band.
“I believe I was poorly judged and almost all the other contestants thought they were not judged properly,” said Hustler.
He said the judges arrived at the champion decision too quickly. “They even said they would have announced the winner in five minutes…. They announced the winner in about 10 to 15 minutes but that was still too quick,” he said.
A panel of five from Nevis, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten adjudged the competition.
According to Hustler the band played poor background music, compared to the winner Lady Messenger (Soroya Richardson) of Anguilla, who had her own band.
Lady Messenger topped the competition with 790 points, two points ahead of the defending King, Socrates of St. Kitts. Pungwa (David Patrick) of St. Kitts placed second runner-up. ‘A Call for Unity’ and ‘Caribbean Ting’ were Lady Messenger’s winning songs.
The competition became a history making moment for Lady Messenger for whom the Leeward Islands Monarch crown became one of three that she had earned during Carnival week. Just three days earlier, she was crowned Calypso Monarch of Anguilla, becoming the first female to accomplish such a feat, and at 19 years was the youngest monarch ever on the island. Previous to the latter competition, she entered and won the Female Calypso Competition that was staged for the first time this year.

The Antiguan population was shocked when their reigning Calypso King, the Mighty Zero, came up empty in 10^th position. The Antigua Sun newspaper headline for that story was ‘Nothing for Zero’.
“To me he (Zero) performed better in Anguilla. I was looking for St. Kitts (Socrates), myself and Zero to place in the top three,” Hustler noted.
However, he thought the experience was good and he is hoping to pass on this experience to other young and upcoming local talents.
“It was a strong learning experience…. I am willing to put what I learnt to someone else here,” he said, adding that, despite the concerns with the overall competition, the contestants were treated well, especially with accommodation.
Also present were Flamingo of Nevis, Mighty Tall Man of Saba, Professah Melody of Tortola, King Private of St. Eustatius, King Pat of St. Croix and Whadablee of St. Thomas. 

Delta Petroleum Terminal Remains at Major Fire Risk

By Merrick Andrews

Damaged water pump at the Delta Petroleum terminal

The Delta Petroleum terminal at Carr’s Bay is under major risk if another fire should occur as the engine for the pump house, which mainly activates the emergency water sprinkler system, is still not replaced since it was destroyed by fire on July1.
Terminal Superintendent Basil Lee said a new fire engine is being sought, but he is unsure as to when another will be acquired.
“(Delta Petroleum authorities) are working on getting an engine here but we cannot shut down the plant because it’s the only one on Montserrat. We just have to operate it and be careful,” said Mr. Lee, who was speaking to The Montserrat Reporter in the absence of Manager Jeff Novoa.
“If a fire starts at the terminal we would not be able to control it with the sprinklers because the fire engine is burnt. We will have to try and put out the fire with fire extinguishers,” he added.
Several other pieces of equipment in the pump house station, which helps to activate the sprinkler system, including the main switchboard, were either damaged or destroyed by the fire of unknown origin.
Sprinkler pipelines are located around the LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) tanks and under the LPG loading shed.
A 24,000-gallon water tank, which provides water to the sprinkler system, was not affected by the fire, which was confined to the pump house station. The water tank delivers 750 gallons of water per minute.
Delta Petroleum officials are now dependent on fire extinguishers in case another inferno starts, said Mr. Lee. Four extinguishers, he said, are placed for the loading shed, one for the LPG tanks and several others for different locations on the terminal.
Mr. Lee said the authorities are still puzzled as to what caused the fire. He dismissed speculations that the fire was ignited by electrical faults or caused by foul play.

However, soon after the incident, a security guard was employed.
Mr. Lee could not estimate the damage and it is also unclear as to who will pay for the damage and for replacing the lost equipment. The fuel depot, which was built with Department for International Development (DFID) funds, is owned by the Government of Montserrat and leased to Delta Petroleum.

The depot is not insured, according to informed sources.

Relocation of Geralds Residents Not Linked to Airport Project

By Merrick Andrews

Gerald's airport site - hospital in background and affected houses in the foreground

Although money allocated for the relocation of people from Geralds Park was obtained just as construction of an airport is about to begin, the move has no direct tie to the airport project, according to Ms. Ann Marie Dewar, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land, Housing and the Environment.

She said the plan has been part of Government’s five-year Housing Strategy, so “clearly this is not being done just because of the airport project.”

Miss Dewar said the fact that the Government just obtained the approved monies is coincidental.

The British Government had approved £10 million for housing as part of their budget allocation to Montserrat.

The permanent secretary said the relocation process of a section of the residents is expected to take place between this month end and November. “We are trying to locate them as soon as possible,” she said.

Some of the residents will be relocated to permanent and temporary residences. The temporary residences, Ms. Dewar said, are substantially better than the shelters they are living in now.

In the course of one year, however, it is expected that everybody will own permanent accommodation.

Ms. Dewar said some of the people at Geralds Park have their own land and have access to the Self-Build Materials Grant Scheme. “Several of them are tradesmen and are working themselves…. Some of the people have land and have started to build,” she said. “Some of them, their houses are going to be ready fairly soon, so Government doesn’t actually have to find housing for all of them.”

“Government has always had an interest in relocating persons who live at Geralds Park and the government is at the moment considering the best ways of relocating them to accommodations which are greatly improved from what they have at the moment,” she explained.

She added: “Obviously the conditions under which the people are living, the Government has never been happy and the plan is to provide those people with a much better standard of accommodation than they have at the moment.”

She said all of the residents of Geralds Park were informed about impending relocations. “We are having consultations with all of the people. We have had consultations with the ones who are closest to the airport development,” she said, adding that people, who live closest to where the work will start are the ones who will be relocated first.

Some 12 homes in that immediate vicinity of the proposed airport construction will be relocated as already mentioned, “as well as some others who will also be relocated to other special housing facilities,” the permanent secretary said. 

Montserrat Meets KPMG Improvements, While Other Territories Are Far Behind

It may have taken nearly two years, but the British Overseas Territories have finally responded to a KPMG report on regulation. And despite the UK government's insisting it is pleased with the results, it is clear that key issues remain unresolved.
KPMG published a report in October 2000 on the Caribbean islands’ levels of compliance with international standards and best practice of financial regulation, and as a result the jurisdictions committed to three main areas of improvement.
But despite a deadline of September 2001 being set for compliance (as a matter of “priority”) many of the six jurisdictions still have problems outstanding – the worst offenders being Anguilla, the Cayman Islands and Bermuda.
 “While we accept there is still a lot of work to be done in the detail we are keen to point out that there have been some significant improvements – we are not trying to hide the shortfalls,” a Treasury spokesman told PI.
The territories made agreements to:

• establish independent regulatory authorities;
• introduce investigative powers to follow up enquiries by overseas regulators;
• establish comprehensive anti-money laundering frameworks.

Anguilla has only managed to sort out its anti-money laundering legislation, leaving the other issues ‘pending’. Bermuda has said its anti-money laundering rules are “under review” and its information sharing powers are not fully in place.
BVI is still working on its corporate laws (with a bill planned for 2003) and is struggling to staff its Financial Services Commission. The Cayman Islands has yet to set up an independent single regulatory body. Turks & Caicos has legislative holes in the areas of banking, insurance regulation, investments, companies, service providers and trust service providers.
Detailed reports released by the jurisdictions last month leave Montserrat as the only jurisdiction to have met all of KPMG’s recommendations. While all six complimented themselves on making significant moves towards fully implementing the guidelines, only one has actually done so.
In a statement describing the progress made as “impressive” Ruth Kelly, economic secretary to the Treasury, said: “We note that all the territories have set out ambitious plans to pass further legislation and adopt further regulation and we urge them to enact such measures speedily.”
Notably, an important test of regulatory strength will come with visits by the International Monetary Fund scheduled for the end of this year, which the UK government is keen to stress is the real deadline. Ms. Kelly warns the jurisdictions: “As a preparation for these visits we welcome the plans by the overseas territories to complete the necessary legislation and ensure it is implemented.”

Montserrat, Guatemala Sign Bank Understanding

Montserrat's Financial Services Commission has announced that on Friday, 9 August it signed two Memoranda of Understanding with the Guatemalan Superintendency of Banks.

The signing ceremony was held in the offices of the Superintendency of Banks in Guatemala City and was attended by Mr. John Lawrence, Commissioner and Miss Cynthia Farrell, Assistant Commissioner of the Financial Services Commission of Montserrat, and Mr. Douglas Borja,  Superintendent of Banks and senior members of the Superintendency, representing the Government of Guatemala.
The two memoranda cover regulatory issues and anti-money laundering reporting issues.

Montserrat has licensed three offshore banks, which have Guatemala-based shareholders and capital.
At the ceremony, Mr. Lawrence congratulated the Guatemalan Government in putting in place the memoranda of understanding and emphasised the importance of the memoranda, which would allow both regulatory entities to work together to ensure that the Guatemalan-based entities with a Montserrat banking licence are effectively supervised.

"It will be important to set up a programme as soon as possible which will allow for effective off- and on-site supervision," he added.
While in Guatemala, Mr. Lawrence and Miss Farrell visited the three banks for an update on their activities and to discuss other regulatory matters.

New Caribbean Website Will Serve UK, Europe

Jee-I Communications of Birmingham, England, have launched a web magazine, entitled aim4caribbean.com to cater directly for the Caribbean information resource needs of the United Kingdom and European communities.
The purpose of this website is not simply to provide individuals with tourism-targetted information but also  information relating to the Caribbean covering such areas as, investing, banking and finance, Caribbean history, West Indian cricket, travel , culture, jobs and employment, food, education, events and more.There is also a chat room, auction room and discussion forum available for user interaction.

There are several other components for users; an events listings, a  promotions directory and a business directory for both UK  & Caribbean businesses.

Also featured are Caribbean travel deals, packages and tours, real estate listings and investment bodies in the region. Furthermore, there is a profile of every Caribbean island that includes a listing of hotels, resorts and villas, places of interest, restaurants, entertainment venues, car rental agencies and other island specifics. www.aim4caribbean.com also features elements of the region’s rich heritage such as Caribbean music promotion and interviews with icons and personalities of Caribbean culture.

www.aim4caribbean.com  is based on a two-pronged approach: (1)  providing a direct access to the UK  & European Caribbean tourism markets for related businesses in the Caribbean, (2) the web magazine will also provide vital links for the largely migrated Caribbean population living on these shores, and furthermore, a direct medium that responds directly to the vast majority of non-Caribbean people who have an active interest in the region; either for travel, sports, business, real estate or whatever their individual interests may be.

Aim4caribbean.com, evolved due to the market research that was undertaken by the marketing department at Jee-I Communications.This market research critically highlighted the need for a dedicated European-based Caribbean website that will provide information and resources properly and in an organised fashion about the region, besides the cliched sun,sea and sand.

Jee-I Communications  prides itself on providing a service of quality and efficiency.

HMS Grafton Slated To Visit Montserrat

A British warship is scheduled to pay a courtesy call to Montserrat later this year.
The Royal Navy’s frigate HMS Grafton is expected off the shores of Montserrat the earliest September.
While on Montserrat, the ship’s company will entertain guests at a cocktail party on board, play sports, visit volcanic sites and have meetings with Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) and Emergency Department officials.
HMS Grafton is currently crossing the Atlantic to take up her duties as the Atlantic Patrol Vessel, formerly known as the West Indies Guard Ship.
The ship has a crew of 165 and its Commanding Officer is Richard Thomas, who is originally from Liverpool.
HMS Grafton is the second ship to visit Montserrat since the start of the year.
On March 27, the five-year-old HMS Sutherland arrived on the shores of Montserrat for a one-day visit.
The HMS Sutherland was responsible for the arrest of a merchant ship heading for the English Channel in December with suspected al-Qaeda terrorist support.

Guyana Rice Exports Called Fairly Secure

Guyana (GINA) -- Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Clement Rohee said on radio that Guyana's rice is exported to Europe and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and both markets are secured to a certain extent.
Interviewed on the Government Information Agency (GINA) programme "Information for Nation Building," Mr. Rohee said that 59 percent of Guyana's rice exports enter the European market on a preferential basis, requiring only 35 percent of duty.
"There is some security and we believe that there is potential for increasing our exports to Europe," Mr. Rohee said. "We are not only looking at Europe but we are looking at other places where we can export our rice. The problem with the European markets, however, is that in the Southern European countries, they produce rice too. So Europeans have some degree of protectionism."

He said about 36 percent of Guyana's rice goes to the two major markets within CARICOM, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.
"Here we have some degree of protectionism with the common external tariffs. Anyone who wants to import rice from outside of CARICOM, has to pay 25 percent duty. In that sense, we have a protected market. No one is free to import rice 'willy nilly' from outside the CARICOM, because there are producers, which are Guyana and Suriname - unless we cannot meet the quota," Mr. Rohee said.

Barbados Move to Benefit All Regional Credit Unions

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CARITEL - All credit union members in Barbados can now benefit from lower Internet rates.

Barbadian credit union members along with their colleagues in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are also being offered special discounts on telephone sets under a project involving the communications company, Cariaccess Ltd. and the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions (CCCU).

CCCU Chief Executive Officer Renford Douglas (pictured left) said Monday that this pilot project will set the stage for it to be extended to other regional member leagues and their individual credit union members.

“As Caribbean governments open their telecommunication markets, this alliance with Cariaccess will allow us to offer lower cost telecommunication services to our regional members,” Mr. Douglas said.

Anthony Pilgrim, general manager of the Barbados Co-operative Credit Union League, said that the Barbados Co-operative Credit Union League and other regional member organisations will benefit from sharing the revenue on the services.

“Cariaccess has agreed to share revenues it receives from members with the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Union, so there is an opportunity there as well for us to increase the Credit Union movement’s revenues,” he added.

The Barbados-based CCCU has members in 18 affiliate member countries,`  Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Tortola (British Virgin Islands); Trinidad and  Tobago and Suriname.

Cariaccess Communications, a leading Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Barbados, also operates a telecommunications company in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and   has a joint venture arrangement with a Grenada company to offer a range of telecommunication services and products. It is also on the verge of commencing operations in St. Lucia. 

BVI to Detail Customs For Marine Operators

ROAD TOWN, Tortola – The Customs Department is embarking on a strategy to strengthen control mechanisms at all seaports to reduce the incidence of vessels entering and leaving the British Virgin Islands without permission.

As a result of persistent illicit aquatic traffic, the Department has not been able to precisely monitor all boats and goods entering or leaving the territory.

Acting Comptroller of Customs Wade Smith told the Government Information Services (GIS) that many offenders have been penalised in the past, but some have tended to claim ignorance of the regulations.

Mr. Smith has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday, August 21, at Her Majesty’s Customs Conference Room to familarise operators with the relevant Customs regulations and procedures for vessels entering or leaving the BVI. All pleasure craft operators, as well as other interest groups, are invited to attend.

“It is intended to be an informative session for all boat owners and operators in the territory who frequent international waters,” Mr. Smith promised.

Both Customs and Immigration officials will attend the meeting. 

Antigua-Barbuda to Mark 21 Years of Independence

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua -- The National Independence Steering Committee has released the official theme for Antigua and Barbuda's 2002 Independence Celebrations from October 18^th to November 3^rd: “With Thanksgiving We Unite and Press Forward with Renewed Vigour…Reunion 21.”

Antigua and Barbuda gained political independence on November 1^st 1981.

Among the activities will be the annual Golden Memories concert at All Saints Anglican Church, which will see senior citizens entertaining each other as well as being entertained.

Concert Chairperson Cornelia Michael said the committee has a lot of surprises planned for the day.

Other activities will include the annual Youth Rally, which will feature callisthenics and other sporting activities, followed by Youth Activities Day; Business Heritage Display Competition, Food Fair, Kite Flying, Domino competition, Recreational Day for the Elderly, National Dance Festival, Marching Band Concert, Steel Band Fiesta Road show, Independence Re-Union Cricket Match, National Service, Patriotic Programmes in Schools, Theatrical Presentation of an historical event link to Folklore, other National Sporting activities, Junior Panorama competition and the Ceremonial Parade.

This year, the committee is planning to illuminate a number of government offices with a display of colourful lights. There will also be the re-introduction of the Miss Independence Pageant, which is coordinated by Talent Incorporated Ltd.

Executive Director of Talent Incorporated Gilbert Laudat noted that they have selected 15 contestants from nearly 30 applicants. 

Turks and Caicos, HMG Review Country Program

GRAND TURK -- Officials from the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Her Majesty’s Government began the two-day annual review of the Strategic Country Program (SCP) for the Turks and Caicos Islands on Wednesday, August 14^th.

The SCP is the main instrument of development cooperation and a partnership between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) and Her Majesty’s Government (HMG). The SCP appraisal allows a joint review of progress under agreed action plans contained within the SCP document. 

His Excellency, Governor Mervyn Jones said it has been 18 months since the last SCP sessions and that it was very important to commence these talks during the summer months, which is a more convenient time to link with the TCI annual budgetary process.  He further stated that as the TCI economy continues to proper, there is a diminishing program of assistance from the UK government.

Chief Minister Hugh Derek Taylor said the SCP process has been useful in coordinating relations between TCIG and HMG and remains fruitful and beneficial for both.  He said that the events of September 11^th 2001 continue to affect the TCI economy, which is still trending at the levels of two years ago.

Mr. Taylor said that the Strategic Country Program (SCP) has evolved over the years to improve development coordination between HMG and TCIG. He said that over the last ten years, "the TCI has moved from being extremely dependent on UK development aid to the situation where today, in line with the impressive economic growth the islands have experienced.  We are fully responsible for all of our recurrent expenditure and significant proportion of development expenditure programs.”  To that end, Hon. Taylor anticipates that both the TCIG and HMG will seek ways to ensure that their obligations and commitments met, and are effectively implemented with a common commitment to democracy and good governance.

Miss Petra Bryde, Head of the Caribbean and Bermuda Section, Overseas Territories Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, led HMG's team for the discussions.  

Dominica Sues 2 Banks In Trinidad and Tobago

ROSEAU, Dominica -- The Government of Dominica confirmed a report published in Trinidad and Tobago’s Sunday Express newspaper of August 11 that it filed suit against Citibank and the Royal Merchant Bank of Trinidad and Tobago.

The action taken by the government's attorneys argues that the two Trinidad and Tobago banks: took advantage, hid information, breached fiduciary duties and committed Dominica to onerous fees on two bond issues in 1999 totalling EC$125 million.

In recent correspondence to the banks, the Dominican Government referred to previous communication to them stating the Government’s decision to suspend servicing of the loan pending the hearing of the claims.
The Dominica Government pointed out to the bank that its suspension of the servicing of the loans did not constitute a decision to default on its loan obligations.

The Government is disputing the payments under the bond transactions. Therefore if these very payments are under dispute, the continued legitimacy of the payments can only be determined by a decision by the courts. Therefore in the view of Dominica’s attorneys, non-payment in the circumstances does not constitute a default.

The Government of Dominica emphasized its commitment to honour all its legal obligations but said it is satisfied from the facts and the law that very convincing cases have been made against the banks. 

Policy Makers, Scholars To Focus on Governance

The University of the West Indies has organised a major three-day conference at which government policy makers and some of the Caribbean's leading intellectuals and scholars will consider "The Governance Challenge--National, Regional and Global Dimensions."  The university's "2002 Academic Conference" will be held at UWI's Mona Campus in Jamaica from August 30 to September 1.

Dr. Denis Benn, the Michael Manley Professor of Public Affairs and Public Policy at the UWI (Mona), said that the intention is not only to identify the nature of the governance challenge facing the Caribbean and the wider international community, but also to identify "strategic options which could inform future policy directions in this important area."
There are current initiatives to foster a creative partnership between government, the private sector and civil society as an important precondition for effective governance in Caribbean societies.
Against such efforts, the organisers of the "2002 Academic Conference" hope to benefit from the expected stimulating contributions. They also plan on publishing a volume of the presentations for the benefit of the public at large on a most important and topical issue -- "governance in the age of globalisation".
Recognising the important role of good governance in the development process and in the fostering and maintenance of social stability, the organisers are persuaded that the three-day event would make a most useful contribution in helping to shape the Caribbean's future.
 

St. Kitts Celebrates Slave Emancipation

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts -- The Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park Society successfully held its sixth annual concert to commemorate Emancipation on Sunday, August 11.

It was one of several activities celebrating the freedom of Africa-originated slaves in the British colonies.

Larry Armony, Chairperson of the Emancipation Commemoration Committee, said that it was necessary to hold such a concert in order to draw attention to ancestors who suffered greatly during slavery.  He noted that it was significant that after four centuries of bondage the descendants of slaves have become a free and independent people. Participants in the concert conveyed the message of the African heritage, enslavement and freedom via music, song, dance and poetry.  Intrinsic cultural presentations included a performance by a masquerade troupe.

The house band was the Groovy Band featuring Mic Heyliger, and other performers included the Rising Stars, the Okolo Tegremantine Drummers, Vivace, Soul Sisters and Starshield.

 Local poet Mr. Laughlin Tatem performed a poem in which he described the plight of an African who was captured and brought to St. Kitts as a slave.

 Along a similar vein, cultural all-rounder Tamboura Kitwana performed a poem entitled “Babylon Freedom.”

 Other activities organised by the Emancipation Commemoration Committee included an Ecumenical Service, a walk through Wingfield, exhibitions at the public library and the St. Christopher Heritage Society and a lecture at the University Centre. 

Call Centres Antigua Insists it is Growing

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua -- The Board of Directors of Call Centres Antigua Ltd. (CCAL) has denied reports in a certain section of the Antiguan press alleging that the company will be closing.

“We are not closing and there will definitely be no layoffs,” Chairman of the Board Ambassador Leroy King said.

According to Ambassador King, the company which opened late last year will grow even stronger as the result of the establishment of a strategic alliance with Contact Management Centre (CMC); a Florida-based corporation whose principal has over 25 years' experience in tele-services.

CCAL presently employs 370 Antiguans and Ambassador King said that the alliance with CMC of Florida will pave the way for employment of more nationals.

Everette Jonas, an Antigua businessman, manages Call Centres Antigua Ltd..

BVI Acts to Get Rid Of Derelict Vehicles

ROAD TOWN, Tortola -- The Hon. Ethlyn Smith, Minister for Health and Welfare, announced this week that the Ministry of Health and Welfare signed a contract with Trinidad Extraction and Recycling (Ltd.) (TEAR), based in Trinidad and Tobago to remove unwanted bulk metal from the territory of the British Virgin Islands.

The contract, awarded at $240,000, was signed on May 9, 2002.

The Solid Waste Department is embarking on a drive to collect as many derelict vehicles as possible for processing and removal from the BVI. “The Ministry of Health and Welfare will be implementing the Derelict Vehicle (Disposal) Act 2000.  The act allows for legal action to be taken if necessary. A disposal fee will also be collected for each vehicle presently on our roads,” Minister Smith said.

Under the act, the Solid Waste Department will be empowered to serve removal notices on the owners of vehicles located on public and private property.  Failure to comply will result in their removal by the BVI Government.

TEAR will process on site the waste metal and other materials from derelict vehicles.  The process includes removing tires, plastics, waste oil from engines and compacting the metal.  The final product will be blocks of steel, which will be shipped off the islands to be recycled at a steel mill. 

BVI CM Criticises OECD Tax Project

BVI, CANA - Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Ralph O'Neal called last week on the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to be more inclusive in its harmful taxation project.
"If the OECD still intends its project to succeed, following the current hiatus, it must refocus not just its targets but its approach," Mr. O'Neal said. "From now on, the process must be clearly based on inclusiveness and co-operation rather than exclusiveness and confrontation,"
The BVI chief minister noted that only 10 out of a targeted 41 jurisdictions had signed up, hardly a ringing endorsement of the OECD's process.

Rhodes Trust Announces Special Award in the Arts

Students of the Humanities in the Commonwealth Caribbean will have a chance to

benefit from a new, prestigious academic award next year.

The prize will be awarded by the Oxford-based Rhodes Trust, to mark the centenary of the Rhodes Scholarships in the Caribbean, and in tribute to the late Prime Minister and founding father of modern Jamaica, Norman Manley, a Rhodes Scholar of 1914.

While the new award is earmarked specifically for the Arts, students in other disciplines will continue to benefit from the annual Rhodes Scholarships offered for any area of study. The scholarships, established in 1902 by the will of the English colonial statesman and businessman Cecil John Rhodes, are tenable at Oxford University.

Applications for the 2003 scholarships will close on September 30, and further

details, along with application forms, are available at www.rhodes-caribbean.com

Meanwhile, the Rhodes Trust, a rainbow organisation of scholars from 24 countries, has formed a strategic alliance with the Nelson Mandela Foundation of South Africa, establishing the Mandela Rhodes Foundation to facilitate “African solutions to African problems” for the development of that region.

The new Foundation will receive a benefaction of £10 million from the Rhodes Trust, and will focus on the areas of education, governance, healthcare, environmental protection, law and sport.

Mr. Mandela, a political prisoner for 27 years who later became South African President, is highly regarded for his fight against the racist apartheid regime, whilst Rhodes, a former Prime Minister of Rhodesia (today Zimbabwe) is characterised by historians as “the arch imperialist”.

“The linking of Mr. Mandela with Cecil Rhodes in symbolic partnership affirms once more the commitment to the reconciliation of different historical traditions that is so central to the new South Africa,” said Dr. John Rowett, Chief Executive of the Rhodes Trust.

He noted that Trust’s objectives of promoting international understanding, world peace, non-racialism and social justice, through education and shared experiences, are principles that Mr. Mandela has championed throughout his life.  

Guyana, India Agree On Technology Transfer

GEORGETOWN, Guyana -- Guyana and India this week became the only two Commonwealth countries to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the transfer of technology, paving the way for such cooperation in 365 possible areas.
The five-year agreement, geared to facilitate the transfer and implementation of commercial technologies, covers areas such as agriculture, mining, forestry, fisheries and information technology.
The MOU was signed by Mr. Clement Rohee, Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, and Mr. Prakash Joshi, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana.
The implementation of the agreement will be done between Guyana's Institute for Applied Science and Technology (IAST) and India's Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Other than transferring already tested technology in India to Guyana, the MOU provides for exchange visits of scientists from the two institutions.
IAST Director Mr. Roshan Habibullah said that the agreement can swing into action right away, as the available technologies that could apply in Guyana have already been identified.
He said that a compilation of some 365 technologies that can be transferred to Guyana has been made and circulated to private sector bodies to identify areas of interest.
The programme can make possible production ventures for such things as a mini rice mill, ginger powder, turmeric-curing and polishing, brick manufacturing, high-draught kiln, wood substitutes from red mud, coconut husk particle board, soil stabilisation of roads, lemongrass and citronella.

Two Kittitians Study Volleyball in Cuba

Two Kittitians are fine tuning their volleyball skills and upgrading their general understanding of the game during a 5-year course in Cuba.

Hans Richards and Kenneth Douglas are attending the School of Physical Education and Sports on a scholarship programme which was initiated through efforts of the Hon. Jacinth Henry-Martin, minister with responsibility for Sport.

The duo has just completed a mandatory five-month course during which they were taught Spanish, the country’s official language.

Mr. Richards, who has played for the national volleyball team on the junior and senior levels, told St. Kitts Nevis Information Service the opportunities for learning are tremendous.  He mentioned that Cuba has an excellent success record in volleyball and he is excited to have the opportunity to tap into the experience and expertise that exist. “Hopefully when I return, I will be able to share my training with players and coaches,” he said.

The volleyballer revealed that the course also covers physiotherapy and coaching for the relevant sport. Opportunities also exist to further studies in physiotherapy to become a trained medical doctor in sport.

“The accommodations are great,” Mr. Richards said. “Your mind is constantly at ease and you have access to the many sporting facilities located on campus.” He encouraged persons involved in sporting activities to consider enrolling to attend.

Mr. Richards and Mr. Douglas also have been able to interact with world-class athletes such as the world record high jump holder Javier Sotomayor.

Mr. Richards said that his hope is to use the knowledge he gains to propel St. Kitts and Nevis to the Olympic Games.

Sonya Young appointed as registrar of Supreme Court

Miss Sonya Young, Montserrat’s former registrar in the High Court was recently appointed registrar in the Supreme Court in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Miss Young, who was registrar in Montserrat since 1999 up to her resignation, was appointed with effect from August 8, 2002 in Tortola, succeeding Mr. Graham Farinha whose contract as registrar ended on March 31, 2002.
Senior Magistrate Clifton Warner was appointed to act as Montserrat’s registrar until a new registrar is appointed.
Prior to taking up appointment in the territory, Miss Young, a St. Vincentian, served as legal assistant attached to the family court in St. Vincent from 1996 to 1997; deputy registrar with the high court in St. Vincent from 1997 to 1998, and registrar with the high court in Montserrat from 1999 to 2002.

Miss Young has served on a number of Boards and committees including the National Council for Women, the Grievance and Violence Committee, the Management Board of the Marion House (a half-way house for women) and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl scouts.
She obtained the LLB degree with honours from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus in 1994, and the Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad in 1996. 

March Against Crime In Nevis

Charlestown Nevis (August 14, 2002) -- The Ministry of Youth and Sports in the Nevis Island Administration, on Monday 12 joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Youth Day with a march against crime and violence through the streets of Charlestown, culminating with a rally at Grove Park.

Premier of Nevis the Hon Vance Amory underscored the importance of the rally as he led members of his cabinet in solidarity with the Ministry of Youth and Sports by joining scores of Nevisians who braved the inclement weather, in the fight against crime and violence.

Others who participated were members of the Red Cross, Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinders, officials from the Tourism Authority, Nevis Air & Sea Ports Authority, Cadet Corps, Police, Lions Club, and church groups.  Youths from the Church of God Congregation (local and regional) who were on camp for the 10^th Biennial Regional Camp and Missions also took part in the march.

Speaking at the rally, Premier Amory said: “Under the guidance of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, we have made a decision to make a public stand against crime and violence, against drugs, against HIV/AIDS and all of those anti-social and negative debilities which are creeping into our society and causing untold harm to our people.”

He observed that the march was to give focus, not only to the young people but also to all concerned persons in the community, so as to create in all Nevisians a greater awareness of their responsibility to the fight against crime and violence.  He noted that the rally came hard on the heels of a consultation on crime which was held at the Pinney’s Conference Centre, where representatives from the stakeholders in society, from tourism, the police, the government and other organisations met to map out a strategy on how to deal with the escalation of crime.

Saying that there had been an alarming increase in crime in the last five years, the Premier Amory advised that, “we are not going to bury our heads in the sand and pretend that there is no crime on Nevis.  In an effort to pretend that all is well and in pretending that there is no violence, we have allowed the seed of violence to grow and to blossom unattended and we have seen what has happened in other countries in the Caribbean.”

The Premier stated that during the consultation, which was held in May, his government took certain serious decisions in the fight against crime and violence.   One of the decisions was to enlist all community organisations especially the church, “and one of the things, which we did, was to ensure that each church read a message from the government with respect to the assumption of responsibility to fight against crime.”

In closing, Amory noted that the theme, “One People, One Goal, One Solution” was something that had to be examined because, “this land is ours and the goal we have set is to fight against crime and eradicate it.  The solution is for each one of us to take a stance and to stand firm for right because if we do not stand firm for right, we shall fall on the side of wrong.”

Junior Minister of Youth and Sports, the Hon Laughton Brandy, commented that the time had come for Nevisians to wake up to the reality that as the world turned the challenges of keeping Nevis nice were becoming increasingly ominous.  “Challenging however it may be, it is a task which this generation must shoulder.  We must ensure that every one appreciates that the ugly boots of crime tramp the streets of Charlestown, Jessups, Cotton Ground, Gingerland, New Castle and everywhere across the landscape of Nevis.”

Brandy, who had organised the rally, said, “We will not sit in despair and twiddle our thumbs, we will not fold our arms and wither and die.  We shall engage the forces of crime and violence, head on.  The stakes are too high.  We have come too far and we dare not falter, we dare not fail.”

He noted that it was the responsibility of today’s generation to come to terms with the issues surrounding crime and to unravel its germination and growth process, to develop meaningful and effective strategic plan which target the infrastructure for growth and proliferation of crime and violence, and to put in place an implementation plan and put all hands to the plough and work the plan.

Professor Whitman Browne, and author of “The Christena Disaster” and “the Biography of Robert Bradshaw” was the featured speaker at the rally.  He suggested a number of ideas that would change the society and destiny of the island.  He noted that parents must continue to teach and discipline their children at home, the culture and history of St Kitts and Nevis and the rest of the Caribbean must be taught to the children.

One of the highlights of the rally was a number of Nevisian athletes who passed a hand-held torch from mile to mile around the island.  Olympian Kurvin Wallace, who recently returned from the Manchester Commonwealth Games, ran the final leg of the race and lit the standing torch as the rally commenced.  

Mr. Eric Evelyn, who chaired the function, observed that the younger ones were probably the most critical link if one were to experience a decrease or an end to crime and violence. He told the gathering that the challenge was theirs to help in the eradication of that type of behaviour.  The Director of Youth and Sports Mr. Jefferson Wallace gave the vote of thanks.

Pix caption: Olympian Kurvin Wallace holds the relay torch as other relay runners stand for the National Anthem, at Grove Park. Next to him is US-based sprinter Kevon Pierre.

Trinidad-Tobago Joins Bail-out for Dominica

The Patrick Manning government of Trinidad and Tobago has agreed to support an EC$20-million bail-out package for cash-strapped CARICOM member Dominica, which is in dire financial straits and unable to pay even public sector wages for the month of July.

The nation's Sunday Express newspaper reported that the funds were likely to be made available late this week at a special Caricom Heads of Government summit in St. Lucia. A formal request for financial aid was made by the Pierre Charles administration one month ago.

Trade and junior Finance Minister Ken Valley confirmed that the government has considered the Dominican request and was committed to providing help via a stabilisation fund to be managed by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

“We believe we have an obligation to assist,” Valley told the Sunday Express, adding that the issue of financial aid to OECS countries had been discussed at last month’s Heads of Government meeting in Guyana.

Swinburn Lestrade, Director General of Finance in Dominica, told the Sunday Express that the Eastern Caribbean island was trying desperately to reverse the downward slide and stabilise the economy.

He said the 2002-2003 budget reflects the Government’s financial troubles. Attempts to raise revenue to date have included a series of tax measures, among them a stabilisation tax of 4 percent on gross income of over EC$9,000. 

The stabilisation tax, however, has drawn the ire of trade unions and other interest groups in that country which had supported the Charles regime’s effort to resist IMF proposals to cut public sector jobs and slash salaries by 10 percent. 

The measure, aimed at saving jobs and keeping salaries intact, was initially supported by Dominica’s public sector unions but became widely unpopular after implementation.

Mr. Lestrade conceded that the Dominican Government was now “in a state of mea culpa and willing to do the right thing, hence the austerity budget and the IMF programme.” He said the government has been “persuaded to bite the bullet” and to continue the current belt tightening policies needed to pull the country out of the hole.

He placed the current deficit at EC$37 million. 

He said he was hopeful that the government could tap immediately into two soft loans to fund outstanding public sector salaries, which grew by an annual average of 6 percent in 1998-2000, reaching 62 percent of recurrent expenditure and 16 percent of GDP.

Dominica Sues 2 Banks In Trinidad and Tobago

Meanwhile  the Government of Dominica confirmed a report published in Trinidad and Tobago’s Sunday Express newspaper of August 11 that it filed suit against Citibank and the Royal Merchant Bank of Trinidad and Tobago.

The action taken by the government's attorneys argues that the two Trinidad and Tobago banks: took advantage, hid information, breached fiduciary duties and committed Dominica to onerous fees on two bond issues in 1999 totalling EC$125 million.

In recent correspondence to the banks, the Dominican Government referred to previous communication to them stating the Government’s decision to suspend servicing of the loan pending the hearing of the claims.
The Dominica Government pointed out to the bank that its suspension of the servicing of the loans did not constitute a decision to default on its loan obligations.

The Government is disputing the payments under the bond transactions. Therefore if these very payments are under dispute, the continued legitimacy of the payments can only be determined by a decision by the courts. Therefore in the view of Dominica’s attorneys, non-payment in the circumstances does not constitute a default.

The Government of Dominica emphasized its commitment to honour all its legal obligations but said it is satisfied from the facts and the law that very convincing cases have been made against the banks.  

BBC Weighs Options After Bird Libel Threat

Compiled from Dispatches
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) may be forced to broadcast a “positive” story on Prime Minister Lester Bird, who it accused of misusing more than $150 million of the country’s health funds for lavish parties and holidays, according to London's
 Guardian Newspaper.
The report stated that senior executives of the BBC have discussed showing a different side of Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister after he claimed to have been defamed by the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Mr. Bird has instructed a firm of London solicitors to sue the BBC after the news programme predicted an official inquiry would be highly critical of his behaviour.
According to the Guardian, the Prime Minister has denounced the accusations as false, and Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua’s high commissioner to Britain said a report by a commission of inquiry, published last week, had not substantiated the BBC allegations.
Quoting Sir Ronald, the Guardian said, “The inquiry has now published its report, and it certainly does not in any way, shape or form, mention that Lester Bird spent money on anything. It has no findings against Mr. Bird.”
 The Guardian said the possibility of a second Antigua piece, putting PM Bird’s side of the story had been privately discussed by BBC executives as an alternative to a straight correction if the corporation decides to settle the action rather than pay compensation or see the Prime Minister in court.
“However,” the Guardian continued, “the possibility of running a favourable story to satisfy PM Bird has concerned some BBC journalists who, if it was required to apologise rather than fight the case in court, would prefer a traditional apology.”
According to Sir Ronald Sanders, the Prime Minister is more interested in the apology, for them to say it’s not true.
 

BVI Unveils $7-million Sports Complex Project

ROAD TOWN, Tortola -- The government, after decades of delays, announced last week that it will break ground on a promised project to cover over the Road Town basketball court in October..
The government now plans to build a $7-million sporting and entertainment complex by the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds.
 Minister of Education and Culture Andrew Fahie said that because of more than 20 years of delays, the project has been put on a fast track, meaning that none of the work will be advertised to competing firms.
BCQS, the consulting firm advising on the new hospital, has been selected to manage the project. James Todman Construction, Ltd. will be the contractor. And Charles Cooper Computerized Architectural Drafting Services will provide the design.
The politics in the air around the project is palpable. It reached a pitch this spring when opposition contender and BVI Basketball Association president Elvis Harrigan canceled the summer league after tarrying and delays left the court uncovered for another year.
“Seven million is a ridiculous figure,” one opposition source said. “But they are hell-bent on getting this done by the election.”
The Legislative Council has not yet approved funding for the complex, but Mr. Fahie said money included in the 2002 budget for the original project will be used to get the expanded version underway.

Domestic attack increase seen

By Matthew Taylor The Royal Gazette

BERMUDA - Victims and counsellors joined forces yesterday (Sunday) to call for more to be done to stop violent attacks on women by repeat offenders.
And police said they have noticed a growing number of domestic attacks in recent weeks and said it was evidence of a “community in crisis”.
Spokesman Dwayne Caines said: “In recent weeks we have noticed a rise in the amount of domestic complaints.”
One teenage violence victim told The Royal Gazette she was attacked in her home by her brother soon after his release from a four-year jail sentence for a machete attack.
She said: “A restraining order can be broken in one minute. Women don't feel safe. People get a restraining order, make a complaint and press charges but what happens after that? You are on your own.”
She said prison wasn't working. “You lock someone up but if they are not getting help it will make them increasingly hostile.
Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister said Government had been proactive in this issue with the passing of the The Prison Amendment Act 2002 in June, which made attendance at prison programmes mandatory.
He said prisoners were assessed to see if they would benefit from sex offender, violent offender and anger management programmes.
“When that decision is made, attendance is mandatory, it isn't optional.”
Those that attend can qualify for early release on parole after one third of their term has been served while those who refuse will be made to serve their full term.
Mr. Lister said he met with the chairman of the parole board last week and said prisoners who were not complying were already being turned down for release.
It has also been claimed that police took a long time to respond to domestic violence incidents.
“When they finally get there they say they didn't see anything even though the evidence is all over your face so they don't press charges,” said the victim of violence.

Mugabe orders white farmers to leave

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has given a stern warning to white farmers that his government will stick to its policy of removing them from their land.
"We set ourselves an August deadline for the redistribution of land and that deadline stands," he said in a keynote speech, the first since an eviction order for thousands of white farmers came into effect.
Nearly 3,000 farmers had been told to leave their properties by last Thursday, and Mr Mugabe has repeatedly called for the issue to be settled by the end of the month.
He warned those who refused to comply with the government's demands that they would have to face the consequences.
And he said that the deadline would allow new owners of the land enough time to prepare and plant for the new crop season in October.
But he said that farmers who co-operated with the government would be able to continue farming.
"All genuine and well-meaning white farmers who wish to pursue a farming career as loyal citizens of this country have land to do so," he said, adding that "no farmer need go without land".
Mr Mugabe also attacked former colonial power Britain and Prime Minister Tony Blair, whom he labelled a gangster and said, had "gone insane".
His speech was to mark Heroes' Day - which celebrates victory over the old white regime.
The farmers have been anxiously awaiting a response from the president since they defied an order for them to leave by last Thursday.  

SPORTS

GUYANA FAVOURITES AGAIN!

By Peter Adrien

Canada and the University of the West Indies XI bowled themselves to victory in the first game of the 2002 Red Stripe Bowl on August 14 in Jamaica and St Lucia respectively, but Guyana are my favourites in the premier regional one-day cricket competition. The South Americans’ main opposition will be Jamaica, the leader of Zone “A.”

Following the commanding performances of the Guyanese players – Carl Hooper, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan -- against India and New Zealand, if I had any money in the bank, I would bet on the South Americans taking the coveted Bowl a second time.

My predictions were fairly accurate in 2001, when I wrote: “It’s the MDCs all the way! Yes, it’s either Guyana or Jamaica, in that order, for the Red Stripe Bowl. And should they lose their way, it's because of the 'glorious uncertainty of the game'." Even in a gem that because of its glorious uncertainty tends to make its forecasters look stupid, my informed forecast was fairly accurate. This year, my prediction remains the same – Guyana and Jamaica.

Guyana won the 2001 Red Stripe Bowl and confirmed that it is the most balanced team in regional cricket. At the end of the contest the scoreboard read, Barbados 221 for five off the allotted 50 overs, Guyana 223 for four off 46.5. The Kaiser stage was taken over by young Guyanese batsman, Ramnaresh Sarwan, who was voted the MVP of the finals, and “Sir” Carl Hooper, who reminded us of his authority and artistry in the latter part of the final game. It was really lovely!

Guyana and Barbados produced a memorable and entertaining exhibition of limited overs cricket at the Kaiser Sport Club, Jamaica, in the finals. Guyana, the most competitive and balanced team, excelled; Guyana was by far the best team in the tournament. Barbados proved its collective experience even if it had no world-class or champion player; Jamaica came short partly because of its managerial limitation; and Trinidad reflected its “softness” without the vintage Brian Lara.

The structure of the 2002 competition, as was the case for the 2001 tournament, could enhance the chances of stronger and more established teams and decimate the competitiveness of the less established and weaker teams, like the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands. While we recognise the opportunity that the expansion of the tournament provides for many youngsters to showcase their talents before the selectors, who will be using this competition as part of the selection process for the World Cup, the established and talented teams could outperform the new and inexperienced teams.

The South American team is a very well balanced with quality players in all departments. With the likes of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Travis Dowlin and Cush, as a bundle of talent, the experienced and multi-faceted West Indian Test Captain, Carl Hooper, who is matured, focused and on a mission of “self improvement,” would be a force to be reckoned with when one adds to that lot, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Reon King and wicketkeeper Vishal Nagamootoo.

Barbados, with talents like Ryan Hinds, Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore, and the host of Test or regional “have-beens” who have shown, in the past, that they could harness their collective talents and experience and create major upsets, and even dominate regional competitions, is definitely an upsetter, as they proved last year.

The Jamaicans will fill a formidable team including talented players like Chris Gayle, Leon Garrick and Wavell Hinds and other able players in Gareth Breese, Jermaine Lawson and Daren Powell. And with the former West Indies opening batsman Robert Samuels at the helm, they constitute quite a bundle of talents. In fact, they are championship material having won the 2002 Busta Cup.

Trinidad, with the world-record holder, Brian Lara, the talented Daren Ganga, and the pedigree spinner, Dinanath Ramnarine, it is not my favourite, even if they could create a major upset. But I am very much aware that, on their day, Brian Lara and Daren Ganga, together, could take the Red Stripe Bowl from their competitors.

The Leeward XI, with number of players including like youngsters like Colin Cannonier, Tonito Willett and Omari Banks could produce good performances, but is not expected to upset the balance of power.

The Windward Islands will be weakened, with St. Vincent and the Grenadines competing as a separate unit, and the remaining three islands competing as the Rest of the Windward. Last year the southern team participated as the Windward North (Dominica and St. Lucia) and the Windward South (Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines). Even with Devon Smith and John Eugene, in the absence of Junior Murray they don’t stand a chance of qualifying. The Windward Islands, who dominated and won the 2000 Red Stripe Bowl, never had a chance to defend their victory. And given the relative strength of the regional teams, they could be food for the “big boys.”

The Leeward Islands, one of the most competitive teams in regional cricket, will be represented by two teams – Antigua, the winner of the LIAT-sponsored Leeward Islands one-day tournament, and a Leeward XI. No one expects an upset from Antigua, even if they have the talented, Sylvester Joseph and Ridley Jacobs in their squad

We are in for some entertaining cricket, if we are fortunate to hear the commentary. 

PHOTO CAPTION: Captain Carl Hooper, a tactical leader. (Photo: Peter Adrien)

Peter Adrien is a Central Banker, an author, a syndicated sports commentator, and a freelance photographer. He may be contacted at www.adriensenterprises.com or at e-mail: info@adriensenterprises.com 

Softball Cricket Tourney Continues This Weekend

Action in the 2002 Softball Cricket tournament heats up again this weekend.
Tomorrow L&M Construction meet St. John’s at Salem Park and Lookout take on Cudjoe Head at Little Bay Ground.
On Sunday, Fire play Salem at Salem Park and Female Cricketers will face Police at Little Bay.
Cudjoe Head go into this weekend set of matches with the most points (four). They defeated Female Cricketers in their opening match at Salem and last week they were awarded full points after L&M Construction did not show at Salem.
Three other teams are on two points each – Lookout, Fire and Salem.

Last weekend results
Saturday, Aug. 10: Fire def. Female Cricketers at Little Bay by 9 wickets.
Scores: Female Cricketers batted first and was bowled out for 86 runs in 23 overs; Valerie Samuels top-scored with 34 runs.
Fire replied with 87 runs for 1 wicket from 8.5 overs to seal victory; Elbert Aaron made 54 not out.
The other game scheduled for Salem did not play, as L&M Construction was absent to contest Cudjoe Head, who was eventually awarded full points for being present.

Sunday, Aug. 11: Salem def. Lookout by 56 runs at Salem.
Salem batted first and was bowled out for 98 runs from 27.2 overs; Gary Barzey (20), Sylvester Greenaway (16) and Philip Chambers (15) are the top run-getters for Salem; Basil Chambers too 2 for 7 in 6 overs.
Lookout replied with a measly 42 runs; D. Bramble made 14 runs; S. Greenaway took 3 for 9 off 5.2 overs and G. Barzey snared 3 for 12 off 5.
The game between St. John’s and Police was not played as the police were occupied investigating the Simeon Sealy murder incident. The game will be rescheduled at a date to be announced.
 

Rules of the tournament
* Matches will be played at both the Little Bay and Salem grounds on Saturdays and Sundays, starting at 1:30 p.m.
* Matches will be of 30 overs duration in which no bowler is allowed to bowl more than 6 overs.
* Teams failing to show up before 2:30 p.m. for a scheduled game will forfeit points for that match.
* Teams will be awarded 2 points for a win and 0 points for a loss.
* Teams will share points (1 point each) for matches being abandoned due to in climate conditions.
* A match will be considered abandoned if both teams fail to bat a minimum of 15 overs.
* Both captains may agree to a reduction in the number of overs for matches being delayed/interrupted by rain. Each team must bowl a minimum of 15 overs.
* Teams will be penalized for bowling no balls and wides.
* Byes will be scored as extras, however leg byes will not be counted as extras.
* The LBW ruling will not apply. 

FEATURES

TOWARDS A VIABLE POPULATION

In our quest to achieve a viable population we must continue to look for enterprises, which can bring both people and economic benefits to Montserrat.

We already know that Montserrat has no raw materials and is therefore unlikely to be able to develop any industrial enterprise and enjoy a competitive advantage over our CARICOM neighbours. There are, of course, other constraints that militate against successful development of this sector.

In fact, it is our considered belief that for any industrial enterprise to be successful, certain conditions must apply:

1. It must have an external guaranteed market.

2. It would, most likely, be initiated by a foreign investor with such a market, which has an interest in also living in Montserrat for all the reasons of tranquility and security, which we mentioned before.

3. It must be an industry which does not rely on cheap labour, and one which can still be competitive with the higher operational and transportation costs associated with doing business here.

So whereas there may be some possibilities for industrial development, they would be much more difficult to attract and to establish.

We at the Montserrat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, therefore, have been thinking and saying that we need to put more effort into promoting and attracting projects that rely on other assets that we possess.  In this connection medical schools come to mind.
We are pleased, therefore, to learn that the Government of Montserrat has approved the establishment of the St. Mary's Medical School and the St. John's Medical School.

These two projects could only bring additional economic benefits to Montserrat, especially if they are required to establish a physical presence here in terms of the teaching facilities. We will get more people and increased consumption of goods and services. We will get villas rented and/or built. We already know the kind of impact these schools could have on the economy since we had the AUC here before the eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano.

Efforts to repatriate the AUC should now also be intensified, especially since we know that Dr. Thien is willing to re-establish here. Dr. Thien's concern about the existence of other medical schools should not be a valid issue. Whatever schools are set up here must meet international standards in order to get a licence.  Also, their faculty and curricula must be of the highest quality. All this would be necessary if they are to survive and be successful.

In fact other schools operating here could be a real asset to the AUC with their already recognised standards, and their record of producing graduates now working in the U.S.     and elsewhere.  The AUC could in fact find that they get transfers from these other schools.  So Dr. Thien really has nothing to fear and should be encouraged to re-establish here as soon as possible.  The Government should do all in its power to facilitate this development.  These schools will surely bring more people to live in Montserrat, thus expanding our consumer base and increasing economic activity.

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. 

Tourism Highlights

Tourism

Tourism is the science, art and business of attracting and transporting visitors, accommodating them and catering to their needs and wants.

Tourist 

A tourist (stayover) is a person who travels outside his usual place of residence for non-work reasons, staying for more than one night and less than a year. Some of these reasons include for leisure and recreation, study and health tourism and business and professional tourism.

Excursionist

An excursionist (day tripper) (same day visitor) is a person who travels outside his usual place of residence for non—work reasons, staying for less than twenty four hours.

Visitor

A visitor is a person who travels outside his usual place of residence for non-work reasons.

Visitors = Tourist and Excursionist  

There are both Domestic and International visitors.  

Domestic visitors travel within their own island or country of residence.  

International visitors travel outside their own island or country of residence which may involve visa, currency and language implications.

VOLCANO LIMERICKS

There's Always Snail Mail

When Cable & Wireless says, 'Get

The best we've delivered yet,'

That's no blanket warrant,

You must know they aren't

Referring to the Internet.

That's the Dog, I Think

It's Montserrat's ongoing battle,

And gunfire rewards those who tattle;

Guard those pets that you've got

If you don't want them shot,

But put up with untethered cattle. 

JUS WONDERIN

Jus wonderin if Brooke and Ricthe will come back together.

Jus wonderin why the Printing men work so hard.

Jus wonderin what is this number in the pocket.

Jus wonderin if jus wonderin could ever run out of jus wonderins.

Jus wonderin if the pattern will ever break.

Jus wonderin who wrote Jus wonderin saying they pregnant.
Jus wonderin which boss spying on he worker an he business a spwoil.

.Jus wonderin wha mek de consultants stick to Gerald’s Bottom so and talk bad bout de rest places.

Jus wonderin who was payin dem consultants and if they have to report their employer’s favour.

Jus wonderin when we will get one of them machines like we should have had to clean the ashes from the road, instead of impoverishing our limited resources.

Jus wonderin if anyone will ever be facilitated to go back to live south of Belham within the next three years even if the volcano never behave any worse than it is now.

Jus wonderin if these letter finders have been searching for a long time and what will happen now that they find.

Jus wonderin if the Hon. MP football manager thought the Montserrat football team was from Senegal or Brazil since he must be the only Montserratian who felt the team did Montserrat proud.

Jus wonderin if the MP can tell us if he ever manage a team that won and if losing is the only thing he can measure.

Jus wonderin if an airport at Geralds will really make a difference to Montserrat’s economy.

Jus wonderin how much money the British Government really putting into the airport.

Jus wonderin when they going to stop thinking of us like its the 1950’s and prepare for the 21^st century.

Jus wonderin why no one paying attention to the British White Paper, while the British only pay attention to certain parts and not the modernization of how they deal with territories especially in time of need.

Jus wonderin when we will get a real AG and the legal side of things spruced up.

Jus wonderin what will come out of the murder case.

Jus wonderin if any evidence and preparation will get foul-up on the prosecutor’s side like several other times and suggested not too long ago.

Jus wonderin which land the GOM eyeing next to build public cemetery or the CM will have his way yet as he said.

Jus wonderin if the GOM is speaking from example and putting their money where their mouth is when they encourage people to ‘shap’ on Montserrat.

Jus wonderin what will happen to the untidy food places.

Jus wonderin if all those who didn’t contribute to the writing of the constitution will be pleased when it is done.

Jus wonderin if everyone understand the importance of a constitution.

Jus wonderin if this government will really make a difference.

Jus wonderin if the mix is too out of whack.

Jus wonderin if the stress of the volcano crisis really more than we could bear

Jus wonderin if every Montserratian should all leave it for one day and night and see if they want to come back.

Jus wonderin if the island really half and half with nationals and non-nationals.

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