.

Evacuation Of Belham Valley Flanks

On Wednesday, October 9, Governor Anthony Longrigg announced that he had signed a Proclamation “declaring the area which we have been evacuating for the past two days part of the Exclusion Zone.”

He referred to Isles Bay, Waterworks, Happy Hill, Lower Friths and Old Towne.

This announcement followed a packed public meeting in the Methodist church building on Monday evening at which the evacuation was announced. The main speakers were the Governor, the honourable Chief Minister, John Osborne, Director of the MVO Dr. Peter Dunkley, and Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) director Mr. Horatio Tuitt, were the main speakers. That meeting was chaired by the Honourable John Wilson, legislative member and deputy speaker of the house.

After brief presentations the public was allowed comments and questions; one of the chief complaints was that there was an apparent lack of information all around involving the affairs of the volcano and the announced evacuation.

Evacuation Announcement

The Governor reported that they had agreed unanimously that in order to ensure the life and the safety of the population the areas that defined in parts are at risk and should now be evacuated. These areas are defined in the residence guide, which had been circulated to residents in the area.  “Evacuation will begin at 9:00 o'clock tomorrow and will go on for two days,” he announced.

The Chief Minister reacted negatively to a question about the economic hardship that will result from the evacuation, which was foisted suddenly on the official number of 300 residents in the affected areas, with less than 36 hours to evacuate beginning at 9 a.m. the next day. He dodged the issue and commented that the meeting was specifically called to announce and explain the necessity of the evacuation.

Governor Longrigg later said that he was surprised at the complaint about lack of information, referring to at least four releases and other documents which warned that the evacuation might be necessary, starting with the preliminary statement from the Scientific and Hazards Assessment  dated 6^th September, 2002.

In an interview with Miss Rose Willock on Family FM radio on Monday morning, Dr. Dunkley gave no hint whatever that he was going to advise the Volcano Executive Group (VEG) that the risks were high enough at the upper reaches of the Belham Valley to suggest the evacuation of the areas, effectively making them part of the Exclusion Zone. It is not be the first time these areas have become part of this zone; in 1997 the line was drawn as far north as Nantes River.

NO Lateral Blasts Expected

Significant parts of Salem and Upper Friths have been left out of the zone this time and scientist Dr.

Dunkley explains that on the previous occasion the concern had to do with lateral blasts from the volcano, while this time it had to do with the “possibility of pyroclastic flows, possibly reaching as far as the sea, and accompanied by surge clouds that could affect areas along the margins of the Belham Valley.”

According to the Governor, this formed part of the report studied by the VEG, which it said was the result of the speedy and continued growth of the dome on the northern side which has increased the hazard level since the last assessment prior to that of 6^th September. That is when it was first explained that this would become necessary as “growth on the north and/or northwest could induce a sufficiently large collapse that pyroclastic flows move down the Belham Valey and reach the sea."

More Praise for Lewis

Dr. Lowel Lewis, then acting chief minister, and parliamentary representative Reuben Meade, himself the chief minister at the beginning of the crisis, took to the air waves to discuss the issue of possible evacuation for the people in Salem and the flanks of Belham. Later, in a radio interview, Dr. Dunkley advised Montserrat residents not to listen to "rumour mongerers." It was reported that VEG officials were unhappy with Dr. Lewis’s appearance on the radio to talk about the issue and that Dr. Dunkley’s reference was directed at him and Mr. Meade. But later at the meeting on Monday night, residents of the area praised Dr. Lewis for his efforts to keep them warned and informed.

The announcement came suddenly but in the end did not surprise many. The "hijacked" meeting, as it was popularly referred to, at which the evacuation was announced was supposed to be a meeting which was requested by Dr. Lewis and Mr. Meade at the said radio discussion and call-in program. Its intended purpose was to involve the MVO scientists where they would have explained the risks. This was somewhat averted, as explanations were brief, while information regarding the evacuation rules and procedures took precedence.

The Lead-Up

Last Friday, October 4, the official scientific report from the Montserrat Volcano Observatory Analysis of the seismic data suggest the onset of pyroclastic flow activity and a sustained dome collapse continued for a six-hour period. Low energy pyroclastic flows were observed reaching the sea on Tar River flanks throughout the collapse, with ash clouds blown to the northwest. Heavy falls of ash were experienced downwind in the residential areas of Salem-Old Towne-Olveston, with thickness of up to 9 mm being recorded. Subsequent observations revealed that this collapse was confined to the eastern flanks of the volcano.

On 30^th September the VEG issued a press release when it was agreed that “there was no need for any action at present. However, while the dome is growing in the current direction the situation could change rapidly.”

The release further stated that an “evacuation would be ordered if:

“a) the new lobe causes material to spill into Tyres Ghaut as far as the upper reaches of the Belham Valley;

b) a tropical storm or hurricane warning is announced for Montserrat.”

So far none of these factors have been reported and on the said morning, minutes before the decision was made, Dr. Dunkley was telling residents via Family FM radio’ “there was substantive ash fall over the past few days…there has been relatively quiet and moderate levels of activity in terms of seismic activity. And yesterday we saw the dome for the first time for a week or so very, very clear and there was… build up on the northwest side there are lots of thing we are concerned about and watching at the moment.”

Surprise

Residents were quite taken by surprise when the announcement was made only a very short time later, that the meeting which was planned to provide information and discuss the possibilities was now to receive information instead about an evacuation.

At the meeting information as to the possible end of the threat that induced the evacuation could not be given, although it was said that a collapse of the dome not occurring on the side where the build-up is at the moment may still not remove the threat.

Dozens of residents were reluctant to go, but officials threatened to arrest anyone who didn't leave by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, said James White of the Emergency Department.

According to a regional report on Thursday, Chief Minister Osborne warned that time was running out, as he reported that at least five families had refused to obey an evacuation order issued for the Belham River Valley, located on the northwestern flanks of the dangerous Soufriere Hills volcano.
 

CM Instructs Police

He reportedly had therefore instructed the island's police chief to do whatever was necessary to remove them from the volcano danger zone.
"My advice to him (Police Commissioner) is to use his persuasive powers to go and talk to them finally and tell them that they must move (and) if they don't move, you would just have to arrest them," the Chief Minister said.
According to the report, however, the Chief Minister said several persons have opted to remain in their homes in defiance of the order and were putting their own lives at risk.
Warning that no one was above the law, he said once government was satisfied that lives were at risk it would do all in its power to move persons to safety, even if it meant  forcibly removing them.

One resident in Old Towne publicly declared he would have to be arrested because he was not evacuating. He argued that Horatio Tuitt had said on Monday evening that he had added a buffer to the line already with a buffer set by the scientists; since he was just inside the line he believed he was not in any danger.

Many of the 300 people in the danger zone left for the homes of friends or family, but some went to government shelters, where each family is given a room. These shelters had been abandoned by their previous occupants, who have since been relocated to housing of one kind or another. While still considered to be unacceptable by some, their conditions are said to be superior to what they were over the years. But even then, some residents appeared at the shelters, and with tears in their eyes returned to their homes with hope of finding something better.

"I can't believe I have to leave everything behind," said 73-year-old Claris Skerritt, who returned to the island from London when she retired and bought her yellow painted house.

"I've put everything into this house," she said.

Like other evacuees, Ms. Skerritt covered her furniture, plates and clothing in plastic, and boarded up her windows. Fine silt from ash spewed by the volcano for days blanketed nearly deserted neighborhoods.

Evelyn and Joseph Irish had to abandon their second home to the volcano. In 1995, they were evacuated from the south side of the Soufriere Hills. Wednesday, they headed to a government shelter, but had to abandon their dogs because it didn't allow pets.

It has been reported that some people, particularly non-Montserratian nationals, have taken up the opportunity to move to the shelters even though they were not in the affected areas.

On Friday Chief Minister Osborne appeared at a press conference recorded and broadcast by People’s Television (PTV). He downplayed criticisms that the shelters were still not up to standard. He based his assessment on EOC Tuitt’s report that the shelters are in good condition and denounced David Brandt’s broadcast on Thursday night in which he called on the government to provide good accommodation for the evacuees. He said that he will not forget that Brandt was the one who caused the people to die on June 25, 1997, when he encouraged them to go and harvest their crops. 

Volcano Update

Reports of major activity at volcano in Montserrat exaggerated, officials say:

The Monsterrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) on Monday dismissed international media reports that there had been major activity at the Soufriere Hills volcano over the last weekend.
International media reports on Sunday said a large chunk of the hard lava broke away from the volcano and tumbled into the sea, raising alarm.
But MVO officials told CMC the reports were a gross exaggeration of minor activity that occurred at the Soufriere Hills over the weekend.
The MVO said that activity at the volcano resulted in rockfalls and small pyroclastic flow events, which are common occurences at the Soufriere Hills
"Most of the rockfall activity appears to have been concentrated into Tuitt' s Ghaut and the Gages Valley. The largest event during the reporting period
was a small pyroclastic flow down the north side of the Tar River Valley on the morning of 13 October" the MVO report said.
Fears of major activity at the volcano which first erupted in 1995, surfaced last week after scientists advised the Government to evacuate some 300
residents from the Belham Valley area.
The scientists say the dome of Soufriere Hills volcano which continues to grow and collapse at the top, is now bigger than it has ever been and could collapse at any moment sending huge and deadly pyroclastic flows of red hot rock, ash and gases, down the north western slope and into the valley before heading out to the sea.

EDITORIAL

"If Evacuation Could Not Be Avoided, All the Confusion Should Have Been"

After seven years into this disastrous and tragic volcanic crisis, the sudden announcement of the evacuation of areas surrounding the flanks of Belham Valley, and the misunderstandings that arose, should not have occurred.

Since August 1995 all evacuation plans have been discussed and undoubtedly approved. This particular evacuation, announced on Monday, and the declaration signed by the Governor Longrigg on Wednesday evening declaring the areas of Isles Bay, Waterworks, Old Towne, Happy Hill and Lower Friths part of the Exclusion Zone, was not without much complaint and even some confusion.

As usual there was opposition to the evacuation order. But this far into the crisis, only those acting on their own assuredness, based on scientific information, would remain in harm's way when asked to move from an area suggested to be in danger.

On 11^th September, the government, through its Volcano Executive Group, which includes the governor, said that it was likely to order an evacuation of the said areas should certain conditions become evident. Minister Lowell Lewis, in his capacity as acting chief minister, invited a former chief minister, and current parliamentarian, Reuben Meade, to join him in a call-in radio program to discuss the issues of a possible evacuation for part of Salem.

They were referred to as "rumor mongerers," but their requested public meeting with scientists was to take place the very night at which the evacuation was announced instead. How the "hijacking," as it was referred to, came about is not publicly known, but there were definite attempts to deny that the evacuation was imminent, and that is confusing.

When the announcement was made, the scientist, governor and chief minister were on hand to explain that the circumstances of the northern end of the dome had changed significantly enough to trigger the precaution against possible loss of life.

That is very honourable, but what was deplorable is that although it is a month since the threat was realized, people’s livelihood and social conditions had not been taken into account. The chief minister makes no bones about his own mortal fear of the volcano, a fact that should exclude him any decision process regarding these matters. He should have been stepping up to the wicket to tell residents of his concern for their livelihood and how he intends to prevent any undue hardship and suffering.

It is no excuse to tell people that this is a crisis which he knew nothing about. Once he is told about it, there are others who will look about the evacuation procedures. But he must ensure that the measures put in place for the people are adequate and painless.

He reported on Friday that only then had he been assured that the shelters are adequate. It is far from sufficient, having sprung the sudden news on people, to tell them to join the queue at Community Service and get on the system to obtain social welfare assistance.

The authorities were accused of not providing good and proper information, for the left hand not knowing what the right hand was doing. That is hardly likely. Although releases had been made from 6^th September onwards as to the possibility of the need to evacuate some areas, when Scientist Dunkley did not tell people on Monday morning what he was about to advise the VEG, it leaves everyone to wonder just what went on. Has the British government just found a very culpable and gullible government to continue to carry out its plan, which could not be to alleviate poverty as they proclaim?

Whatever affects the livelihood of a small few in this island with its very impoverished economy, affects every single one, not only those residing here, but also those whose heart is no where but here. That being a reality, the Chief Minister cannot afford to be so one tracked even when he fears so much for his own safety. On Monday night he should have been promising and sympathizing with the social and economic issues raised rather than being impatient that they were being raised. He should have gone there prepared for that. Accusing anyone of politicizing when they seek to address the welfare of people is hypocritical. By definition as long as one involves or speaks of government and people, that is politics. That has nothing to do with party politics. To criticize one’s action in an effort to improve his/her behaviour especially if he/she is a member of our governing body is politics and does not show favour of one political ideal or the other.

For our friends outside and even right here, those who keep sending out to their friends and family inaccurate and misleading information, Dr. Dunkley quite accurately  explained that in spite of the inconveniences and discomfort of the ash, it is merely the result of the wind blowing in our direction as the volcano has never stopped coughing ash. We just never notice until it blows our way. The rocks are always falling, and as long as there is growth up there they will continue to fall and produce pyroclastic flows and ash clouds. When it falls on us, in Antigua, St. Kitts-Nevis, USVI or Puerto Rico, it is not a sign of new danger, the same dangers are always there.

It is here that grave and constant attention must be paid so that pure and accurate  information flows to people so they do not continually go away with or send away misleading information. Misinformation will only continue to hurt our efforts to sustain life on this rock.

SCRIPTURE VERSE THIS WEEK

Think, Then Speak

Read James 3

Encourage one another daily.

Hebrews 3:13 

Mr. Mac believed I was good at math, "said Dave, at a class reunion last summer. "I didn't matter whether I was or not.  That he thought I was good made a big difference in my life."  Dave also spoke of a music teacher who asked him to step out of boys' chorus, and then after listening to the group sing without said, "That sounds better.”

"  I don't like than man to this day," said Dave. If you think words are not important, stop and listen to people recalling their youth. Most of us can member destructive criticism from decades past. The Bible warns us about the harm words can do. The writer James tells us that the tongue "corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell   

On the other hand, God's word also reminds us again and again that by our words we can build up each other and the church. We don't always express ourselves in a Christlike way but we can pray for God's help and practice using words that build up rather than tear down

Prayer: Thank you, Father for encouraging us by your word. Help us to pass on that blessing to others today by speaking carefully. Amen

Thought for the day

Words are powerful and help or harm.

Bernice Karnop (Montana

Prayer Focus:  THOSE WOUNDED BY THOUGHTLESS WORDS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A Peace Corps Veteran Recalls His Island Home

Dear Editor,

My name is Barron Cheatham, former Peace Corps Volunteer to your lovely island (1976 -1979).  I met my wife there while she was teaching Spanish at the then Plymouth Secondary School. I taught woodwork at the then Plymouth Junior Secondary School. When I left Montserrat in 1979 it was like leaving home, and I wondered then when I would be afforded the opportunity to return.  Never in my life did I expect 23 years to pass and I not set foot back on the land that is so close to my heart.

What was so unique about my Peace Corps experience was the fact that I was a black American and not many in those days ventured into the Peace Corps. I guess I was like most Americans leaving home for the first time to explore other regions of the world. I had a very stereotyped view of others as seen on television and in books. Simply put, I was dumbfounded when I discovered things were different. Not only were people well educated, warm-hearted, and industrious but down to earth/sincere. I learned so many valuable life lessons while living there and I thank God daily for allowing me the opportunity to live in Montserrat.  In fact, I credit Montserratians for teaching me how to be a humanitarian. I deeply treasure all that I've learned in Montserrat and every year since the day I left, I talk about Montserrat in the school that I teach in and show slides of what it looked like back then. I really felt at home in Montserrat; it made me feel so very special and proud.

So as I keep in touch via technology and the Montserrat Reporter. I can't help but think of all the people who made an impression on my life and whatever became of them since the volcano destruction.  I pray that they are safe and well wherever they may be. There is one lady that I would like to know if she's well, and her name is Alfreda Allen (she's possibly married by now). Alfreda was such a dear friend and just knowing that she's safe would put my mind at ease. She worked for a while at the then Plymouth Police station and also at Radio Antilles.  I would appreciate any information regarding her locating. Bobby Martin is the other very dear friend I wish to locate. Bobby lived up in Parson's and some years ago he and his wife were in a bad auto accident I believe.  Bobby was a member of the Bahai Faith and he was well known in Montserrat and Antigua.

To the people of Montserrat I sat:  keep strong and stay united.  In spite of all that your country has endured, you are so blessed to have such a beautiful island to call home.

Peace and Love until,

Internet Readers Ask For E-mails from Isle

I am a born Montserratian who is interested in knowing what's going on back home.

Please write to me via my e-mail address and let me know, especially for Christmas. Thanks

Janbram2@aol.com

Hi. I'm Joanne and I would like to tell you we are doing a newspaper in school about Montserrat.  I was wondering if you could give me any tips about the place

<smith_j@bbhs.suffolk.sch.uk>

ZJB Listener in Guadeloupe Detects Worsening Quality

Dear Editor:

Am I the only person to have been amazed by the cheek of last week's orgy of self-congratulatory coverage by ZJB, for ZJB?

I am an Englishman living in Guadeloupe and have been tuning in to Radio ZJB, primarily because of its slugs of BBC World Service.  I switched to ZJB because, while the larger radio stations in Antigua and Trinidad have FAR better production values, their news coverage is often all too reflective of the fragile and fading democracies that those countries are becoming.

At least Radio ZJB, even in its "home-produced" news, has inherited the BBC's doctrines of fairness and independence.  BUT, today, I could not believe that the lunchtime slot - the pretty good BBC Caribbean Magazine - has been replaced by the atrocious 'OECS News'.

I live on the northern tip of Guadeloupe...I can see Montserrat from my pool terrace...but I could barely understand a word on the OECS news programme; whose production values serve to set a new low for Radio ZJB Montserrat.

Radio ZJB Montserrat is THE key face of Montserrat, and English-speakers who listen to the station immediately form an opinion of whether yours is an island they would like to visit.  With more prayer programmes than a Texas evangelical channel - is everyone on Monserrat either a priest or a minister in the Government? - and now worsening news coverage, ZJB is sending out exactly the WRONG message about your island.

Good local coverage is obviously important, but if Radio ZJB wants a growing overseas audience - and the advertising that this attracts - then it seriously needs to pull up its socks.

Yours faithfully,

FEEDBACK

Comments: You people are doing a very good job, informative. Keep it up. I really do think you should give the forum another chance hopefully our people would cherish a good thing.

blackjee@aol.com

From: Astrid Walker
 

Volcano news
I am surprised not to see any updated news on the site for the last few weeks. I am the wife of a Montserratian and my daughter lives in Montserrat with her grandmother in Olveston. I visit the website frequently to get updates on the island especially the volcanic activity. I heard about the recent activity with the ash fall near Belham last week, i am sure other Montserratians' abroad would share my view to continue to see the latest information on the volcanic activity and the island on a whole.

merliciaw@hotmail.com

Comments: I am quite impressed with your site. I think it is quite informative and very well presented.

All the best in the future. 

LOCAL and REGIONAL NEWS

Second Seminar Offered In Mortgage Underwriting

In an effort to improve the quality of mortgage underwriting among lending institutions, ECHMB has established a partnership with the Real Estate Institute of Canada (REIC) and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to conduct training in Mortgage Underwriting for financial institutions in the subregion, including Barbados.

The Programme offers three courses designed to strengthen participants involved in the day to day operations of mortgages. It is geared toward earning a professional accreditation – “Certified Residential Underwriter,” which is recorgnised internationally, especially in the United States and Canada.

The Programme is expected to bring participants up to the internationally accepted standards within the home mortgage industry.

During the week of October 14 – 18, ECHMB and REIC will hold Module 2 of the Certified Residential Underwriter Programme at the Frigate Bay Hotel Conference Centre, St. Kitts. Module 2 will focus on “Technological Applications in Appraising Residential Mortgages.” It is expected that about 20 mortgage lenders from institutions operating in the ECCU and Barbados will attend, as a follow up to Module 1 that was held in St Lucia in April 2002.

Productivity Enhancement Said to Need New Approach

Mrs. Idabelle Meade, Minister of Health, Education and Community Services, said at the opening ceremony of Montserrat’s Productivity Enhancement Workshop that “We are not only affected by the impact of globalisation but we have the added nuance of dealing with an active and seeming endless volcano. In all this we are being called upon to do more with less as our benefactors, DFID and the British Government, reduce the aid allocated to us.”

The workshop was held on Wednesday at Tropical Mansion Suites hotel following a ceremony where brief addresses were given by Dr. Andre Vincent Henry, Mr. Joseph Cassell, representative of the Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Hylroy Bramble, representative of Montserrat Allied Works Union.

Dr. Henry is the director of the Programme for the Promotion of Labour Management Cooperation (PROMALCO). He expressed pleasure and satisfaction at the work that has been done in establishing a PROMALCO local task force in this country.

He said that there is reason for the region to engage in fresh thinking, which usually includes a discourse on the various vulnerabilities of our region…”but this is not necessary in Montserrat. The realities of the last seven years have made it clear in no uncertain terms that the people of Montserrat need to approach the issue of economic development differently from the way it was done before.”

Dr. Henry was heard by a small audience which included his Excellency the Governor, the Hon. Financial Secretary, Ministers, permanent secretaries and other heads of government and a few private sector employers. He told them, “The circumstances of Montserrat make it clear that (there can be) no one approach to development…These circumstances make it clear that the people of this country need to take stock of their environment. In this exercise no enterprise, no individual citizen can be viewed as the enemy or the competition; every citizen of Montserrat is a valued and scarce resource that must be carefully and creatively leveraged for the development and the reconstruction of Montserrat.”

His words were echoed by those who spoke after him of the need for social dialogue and joint problem solving, pooling of all available resources for the common good. Dr. Henry did warn that this is not an easy task, but a necessary task.

Mr. Elijah K. Silcott, acting labour commissioner following the retirement of substantive holder of the post, Mr. Joe West, was the master of ceremonies for the occasion. Following the lady minister’s feature address, he introduced the local task force members, which was eventually strengthened by the end of the workshop. These are: representing the NGOs, Ms. Jennifer Meade, National Development Foundation

Mr. Charles T John, Eastern Caribbean Central Bank; DFID Mr. Ian Young; Government representatives, Mr. Elijah K. Silcott, Labour Commissioner (Ag.), Labour Department, Ms. Maureen Estwick, Statistics Department, Ms. Kathleen Greenaway, Principal, Montserrat Secondary School, Mr. Errol Irish, Ministry of Communications and Works, Ms Lindell Greer, Department of Administration; Union/Workers Representative, Mr. Hilroy Bramble, Montserrat Allied Workers Union, Mr. Eastern Farrel, Montserrat Civil Service Association, Mr. Calvin Riley, Montserrat Union of Teachers, Mrs. Cheryl White

Cable & Wireless, Ms Beverly West, M.S. Osborne Ltd, Diane Cabey, Social Security Fund; Chamber of Commerce representatives, Mr. Joseph Cassell, Major Accountant Executive, Cable& Wireless, Ms. Rachael Collis, Mr. Levon Watts; Media, Mrs. Julia Jn Baptiste, The Montserrat Reporter and Mr. Herman Sergeant, ZJB Radio.

AT the invitation of Mr. Silcott, task force members other interested persons attending the ceremony were invited to join the one-day workshop which followed.

EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE BY 38 LOCAL UWI STUDENTS

The local University of the West Indies office at Manjack has expressed pleasure at the performance of its tertiary level students during the 2001-2002 academic year.  The students followed courses leading to the Certificate in Public Administration, The Certificate in Business Administration, BSc Management Studies and BSc Level I Accounting. 

A total of 38 students wrote among them 128 subjects and achieved 102 passes or 79.6 percent.  This is outstanding by normal standards but when one considers that these persons are in full-time jobs, the results are even more impressive.  Among the current batch, five persons have satisfied the requirement for the UWI Certificate in Business Administration.  These are:  Alex Ackie, Yvette Irish, Julia Jno Baptiste, Jessica Sweeney and Joycelyn Tuitt.

The results were qualitatively as well as quantitatively creditable.  From those in to date, there are 17 As, 15 B pluses and 23 Bs.  Julia Jno Baptiste was the most outstanding of those who have qualified for the Certificate in Business Administration, with two As, three B pluses, two Bs and one C.

When these results are coupled with the fact that we have had our first UWI graduate who combined one year on campus with two years of local studies, it is evident that the local UWI unit is making a telling contribution to tertiary education in this country.  It is all the more heartening when one considers that the learning environment is less than ideal.  The excellent results are a tribute to the commitment of students and local tutors and most certainly to the quality of the learning materials, which the Distance Education Centre is producing.  The local UWI office, and Mrs. Delena Mason in particular, also deserve credit for facilitating the work of the students.

The University Centre expresses its appreciation to the Ministry of Education for its valuable support as well as to the Department of Administration. 

A Look at Costs of Living In Montserrat and Region

By Norman Ryan

Over the years I have heard a lot of complaints about the cost of living in Montserrat in relation to Antigua and other OECS countries.

As a result I decided to do a little research to get something more official than the rumours to see just how much more expensive things were in Montserrat in comparison with other islands.

My findings are presented below.  The prices shown were taken during the week of June 3 – 8, 2002.

Of the table, the one thing that stands out is chicken: $18.00 in Montserrat and St Lucia and further investigation shows that the duty on Chicken in Montserrat is 8% Service Tax, 5% Duty, and 11% Consumption Tax.  In Antigua it is 5% service tax only.  This does not account for the full difference but it does tell you that tax makes a big difference.

We must remember however that we have no industry in Montserrat.  The volcano has destroyed what little we had, and revenue must be collected to run the county.  If taxes are not collected public services cannot be carried out and civil servants can not be paid.  There is just no other source of income.

So when you are tempted to send elsewhere to buy your chicken, remember you could be shooting yourself in the foot.

Lowell Lewis, Lester Bird At OECS Economic Session

Compiled from Dispatches

Acting Chief Minister Lowell Lewis and Philip Chambers left Montserrat and Prime Minister Lester Bird left Antigua Wednesday for St. Kitts for a two-day special meeting of Heads of Government from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) about economic issues.

OECS Chairman Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas of St. Kitts and Nevis presided at the Conference Room of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Headquarters in Basseterre.

The OECS Secretariat in Castries said that Thursday's session was to review and consider recommendations for the major sectors of the economy, including Tourism, Agriculture, and Manufacturing, as well as the potentially viable Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) sector.
OECS private sector representatives joined the Heads on Friday October to present their own specific proposals to lifting the economies of the sub-region from their current downturn, and strengthen the partnership between the public and private sector.

Montserrat was represented by Dr. Lewis because Chief Minister John Osborne, who had been scheduled to attend, was obliged to cancel his participation after events surrounding this week's emergency evacuation of areas flanking the Belham Valley required his attention.

Guyana Opposition Calls For Jagdeo's Resignation

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC - The main opposition Peoples' National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) called Thursday for the resignation of President Bharrat Jagdeo, accusing him of mismanagement of the economy and the crime situation in the country.
"It is pathetic that even at this hour, he still seeks to put the blame for our difficulties and the responsibility for its solution everywhere else but where it belongs, that is, on his weak and uninspiring shoulders," said PNC/R parliamentarian Deryck Bernard.
Stating that the country must have leadership with consensus, Mr. Bernard also called for the resignation of Minister of Home Affairs Ronald Gajraj.
The call came two days after the umbrella Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) called for the resignations of Gajraj, the Director of Public Prosecutions Denis Hanomansingh, Commissioner of Police Floyd McDonald and Supreme Court Registrar Sita Ramlall.
Mr. Bernard accused government of squandering away gains made by the former PNC administration. He said that in 1992 when the ruling People's Progressive Party/Civic took over power "Guyana was poised for serious economic takeoff."
He charged, however, that "under Bharrat Jagdeo's management of the finance portfolio, the PPP/C embarked on a spending spree that has now ballooned to over US$700 million in new external debts, principal alone, and more than GY$50 billion in domestic debt."
On the issue of crime he said many persons in high office and in protected and favoured businesses have had a hand in this destructive crime wave, which he blamed on the government. 

Guyanese Group Demands 2 Day Shut Down of Nation

An anonymous group calling itself “Unite Guyana” has called on all members of the Private Sector, fellow citizens, and all "decent minded and patriotic Guyanese" to join their action for a Total Two Day Shutdown.

“Unite Guyana” has lashed out in full-page advertisements at both the Government and the Opposition for failing 93 percent of the Guyanese people.

Stating that the Government has failed to address what they call the most pressing problem in our society – the safety and security of its citizens, the group demands that

• The political parties and Government must accept that the country is in a crisis.

• That all political parties come together to resolve the situation immediately without any preconditions.

• The Security Forces must take more proactive and direct action to resolve the crime situation and explain to the citizens of Guyana why they have failed to uphold the fundamental rights of all civilized societies which is the security of its citizens.

Unite Guyana said that failing to meet these demands will result in continued action.

Meanwhile, the Government  and Opposition have remained mum on the pending situation.

ECCU to Promote Financial Literacy

Member Governments of the East Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) have agreed to designate October as "Financial Literacy Month," in recognition of the need to increase understanding of financial matters throughout the region.

An ECCU release says: “The objective of the Financial Literacy Month, which forms part of an ECCU financial literacy programme coordinated by the East Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), is to begin the process of educating the islands’ populations about financial matters and to generate ongoing discussion about related issues.

A series of activities have been planned to include: visits to work sites by officials from branches within ECCB to give presentations on savings and investing; art contests in schools centered around the theme “Savings and Investments – The foundation for personal wealth”; Live TV and radio panel discussions and call-in programmes; and the launchh of an ECCU Awards Program in financial and economic journalism (print, radio and television.)

The hope is that these initiatives will serve as springboard to boost financial literacy efforts in the Currency Union and the entire region.

Manning Wins Mandate In Trinidad and Tobago

Compiled from Dispatches

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - Fourteen ministers of the 25-member Patrick Manning cabinet were sworn into office here on Thursday, following Monday's general election, a day after Mr. Manning was sworn in as Trinidad and Tobago's seventh Prime Minister on Wednesday afternoon

The election outcome became clear just before midnight Monday, when the People’s National Movement (PNM) clinched victory by a 20 -16 majority over Basdeo Panday's United National Congress in a keenly contested race.

The PNM again made a clean sweep of Tobago and maintained solid support in its strongholds, in holding on to the reins of power. 

Newcomers Citizens Alliance (CA) and the Democratic Party of Trinidad and Tobago (DPTT) failed to make any significant impact.

Early Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Patrick Manning told supporters at Balisier House that the party had sacrificed a lot to pull off the victory.

“We worked hard in the wilderness in the days between 1995 and 2001. We fought a formidable enemy. Today we take our victory directly from the people of Trinidad and Tobago so that we can no longer be accused of being a selective government but we are an elective government.” He thanked supporters but urged them to be disciplined in their celebrations.

“We fought a hard battle on both sides. But that battle has come to an end. Let us put the election differences behind us and move forward as one country.

“Remember we all must live here together. Let us do nothing in our celebrations that would cause pain to our brothers and sisters.”

Meanwhile at Rienzi Complex, UNC leader Basdeo Panday was talking of quitting politics.

He said he would not be accepting the role of Opposition Leader.

“The party will choose the Opposition Leader...I had enough.”

He said he would remain a Member of Parliament until he decided to quit “in about three years”. 

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) reported a high voter turnout yesterday in what was the country’s third consecutive election in as many years.

Chief Election Officer Howard Cayenne told the Express more than 569,000 voters cast their ballots- some 68 percent of the electorate compared to 561,993 or 66 percent last year.

Appointment of the remaining 11 ministers is expected to take place ahead of the reconvening of Parliament next Thursday and the October 23 budget presentation.

Mr. Manning, who took the oath of office as Prime Minister on Wednesday, has re-appointed Glenda Morean to the post of Attorney General, which she held in the his previous administration.

Seven successful PNM candidates were also appointed ministers but their specific portfolios are still to be announced.

Indigenous Banks to Discuss Critical Operational Issues

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Indigenous banks in the Caribbean will meet Nov. 17 to 22 to discuss issues that are critical to their continued operation in their respective countries.

The 2002 Caribbean Association of Indigenous Banks, CAIB, Conference is to be held in St. Kitts next month to provide persons from the banking community who attend the event with information to be created from discussions at the event.

The theme of the conference is, “Defining the Future of Indigenous Banking.”

Among issues to be discussed are: Have the Indigenous Banks fulfilled their mission? Globalization and its Impact on the survival of small banks; Managing Risk in Commercial Banks; How Secure is our banking system?

Other issues to be looked at include: The New Regulatory Requirements – Implications for Indigenous Banks; Mergers and Acquisitions in the Financial Services Industry; Disaster Preparedness and Business Recovery; The future of Indigenous Banking and Undertaking Financial Services in the New Environment.

Hosting and organizing the 2002 CAIB are the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank Ltd., the Bank of Nevis Ltd. and the Caribbean Credit Card Corporation.

Further information can be obtained from the CAIB web-site for the conference : /www.sknanb.com/Caib2002conference . The main CAIB web-site can be reached at : www.caibinc.org.

 BVI Ready to Proceed With Runway Extension

ROAD TOWN, Tortola -- Extension of the runway of the airport on Beef Island has reached a stage where major reclamation can start.

To reclaim the extension, the contractor Philipp Holzmann will bring in dredging equipment from February 25.

The intention is to bring in a pipeline in one piece 350 metres long towed by a tug.  At the same time a pontoon towed by a tug will arrive from Trinidad

This equipment will arrive the last week of February and will be parked mainly on the north side of the runway of the airport.

The Dredger “Nautilus" will arrive at the end of the second week of March after the installation of the pipelines.  The reclaim work will take about five weeks, with the dredger working day and night.

From the last week of February tugs, survey vessels and pontoons will be working at a position between Trellis Bay and Marina Cay to install the necessary pipeline and connection point.

All vessels are asked to be alert to this work and monitor channel 16 VHF, and follow instructions of the dredge master. 

Nevis Secondary School Accelerates 21 Students

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis -- Charlestown Secondary School will introduce a form 5^A3 class at the beginning of the 2003/2004 academic year, and has selected 21 students who will pioneer the new class.

These students, who would have sat the National Certificate of Education Competency (NCEC) examinations, in May/June 2003, will be accorded the opportunity to sit five subjects at CXC/CSEC examinations in May/June 2004. It means that Charlestown will have more subject entries in 2004 at the general and technical proficiency levels.

School Principal Mrs. Jennifer Hodge expained: “We recognised that a number of children who were in 3^A3 had the potential to do some CXC subjects and rather than allowing them just to go into 4^A3 or 4^A4 classes and then do the NCEC, we thought we would give them the opportunity to advance themselves and do some CXC subjects.”

The 21 students were picked from forms 3^A3 and 3^A3¹ classes of the 2001/2002 academic year. Having looked at their performances at the last promotional examinations, the school found that the students could comfortably sit five subjects at CXC, given the right atmosphere and the proper motivation.

Charlestown Secondary School, which this year produced the best CXC/CSEC examination results in the region, with a 90.2-percent pass rate, has been presenting for the overseas examinations at CXC ‘O’ level, students from only forms 5^A1 and 5^A2 classes. 

Scotland Yard Detectives Sworn in for Antigua Work

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua -- Two Scotland Yard Investigators, here to assist Director of Public Prosecutions Cosbert Cumberbatch, were sworn Monday by Commissioner of Police Truehart Smith QPM.

Detective Sergeant Elaine Malone and Detective Constable Dominic Matthews are to help Mr. Cumberbatch determine whether certain named persons in the Medical Benefits Scheme Commission of Inquiry Report should be charged with fraud or infringements of criminal laws. They arrived on the island on Sunday accompanied by Chief Inspector Richard Woodman, who will oversee their transition and finalise their Terms of Reference.

Chief Inspector Woodman said that their first task will be to gather all the materials that have passed through the Commission of Inquiry so that they can actually start to examine the people concerned and any offences that might have been committed.  He said that following that process, the detectives would then employ the services of the Royal Police Force to compare the material with local laws and determine what offences apply.  Woodman said once that is done the investigators, along with the Director of Public Prosecutions, will agree on a final strategy in partnership with the Royal Police Force.

The Scotland Yard Chief Inspector also noted that the DPP has assured him that the detectives will not be subject to any outside interference. 

The duration of the investigation is still uncertain.

The Government of Prime Minister Lester Bird has pledged to provide the DPP with the necessary resources, which he deems necessary to conduct the investigations. (End)

U.S. Act May Threaten Antigua Internet Games

ST, JOHN'S, Antigua -- Junior Minister of Finance Asot A. Michael convened a special meeting on Monday with stakeholders in the Internet Gaming Industry to consider the U.S. Leach LaFalce Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which has been referred to Senate Committee after being passed by the House of Representatives.

The Act seeks to outlaw payments to Internet casinos allegedly because U.S. law enforcement officials have identified Internet gambling conducted through offshore jurisdictions as a significant money laundering vulnerability.

It means that the Industry here and elsewhere would not be able to send payments to punters in the United States if they have winnings, which will cut off the significant U.S. Market from the Industry.  It will result in the downsizing of operations here and the loss of jobs and revenue.

Minister Michael said the U.S. Enforcement Act poses a threat to over 800 jobs here and  is not something that the government plans to take very lightly.  He noted that the meeting considered ways in which Antigua and Barbuda may respond positively to the initiative taken by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Co-Chair of the proceedings Sir Ronald Sanders said that the Government has retained the services of two prominent attorneys in the Internet Gaming field to lobby over the next six months on Capital Hill in Washington to convince Senators that Internet Gaming does not pose a threat to the security of the United States.

It was pointed out that the Act has to go before the Senate before it becomes law, and the government is optimistic that the Senate will not pass the Bill Sir Ronald noted that the efforts of Antigua and Barbuda have a good chance of succeeding considering that our jurisdiction is well regulated and supervised.  He said that the capacity for terrorism financing and money laundering through the Gaming Industry here is very close to impossible. 

SPORTS

BLOOD AND FIRE

by  Peter Adrien

It is blood and fire at Mumbai! After six hours of painful watching, I was convinced that the Indian cricketers are on a special mission; they are on a national mission. One could not help but notice that the Indian cricketers bring a peculiar warlike approach to the cricket game against the West Indians. The spirit that pumps the adrenaline in the East Indians, and the manner in which they go about executing what I perceived as the revengeful demolition of the West Indies cricket team in Mumbai on October 9, 2002, reminded me of Niney’s 1970 hit song “Blood and Fire.”

            Responding with an apocalyptic response to the oppressive socio-economic system, Niney’s reggae pictures the executive judgment by blood and fire on the oppressive economic interests in Jamaica. He prophesized the end of the era of mercy was, and the awning of the day of vengeance in the inegalitarian society. 

Well, at the end of the first day’s play, with India at 278 runs for the loss of two wickets, it appeared to me that that judgement day had come for the tourists. The rising Indian star batsman Verender Sehwag had already crafted an explosive 147 and, as if to remind the West Indians that there is no rest for the weary, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid were well anchored in the wickets, seemingly set to ensure that India would bat only once.

And should the two world-class batsmen fail to deliver the goods, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman were still sitting in the pavilion. The way seemed hard; the contest seemed one-sided; and the future appeared hopeless. The only basis for hope left was the mental comfort that cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties.

               What is motivating the Indians in the first test match against the touring West Indians? It is the spirit of revenge for the 1-2 loss in the Caribbean in the first quarter of the year, and more importantly, the low placement of the Indian team or the Indian nation in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Championship Table. They are determined to thrash the West Indians mercilessly for the beating they sustained at their hands earlier this year; and they are fired-up by the prospects of improving their standing in international cricket.

Did you know that the opening Test match in Mumbai between India and the West Indies brings together the sixth and seventh placed teams on the ICC Test Championship Table?  Yes, India will be defending one of the most impressive home records in world cricket, which has seen it win four and draw two of its last seven Test series.

The West Indies, on the other hand, will be looking to turn the corner on an away record of six losses and one win in its last seven series, which includes 20 lost Tests and just two wins during that period.

Victory in the three match series for the Indian cricketers will move India above the West Indies into sixth place on the table. A drawn series would maintain the current status quo, while a win for the West Indies would consolidate its sixth position and take it closer to England, which is currently in fifth place.

The current table is headed by Australia, followed by South Africa in the second position, New Zealand in the third spot, and Sri Lanka at fourth. Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh occupy the eighth, ninth and tenth place respectively.

Captain Ganguly must prove to the cricketing world that India is a competitive team and, must prove to the cricketing loving people of India (a country where cricket is a religion) that the successes of the Indian team in the last few months have not been mere flashes of brilliance but are indeed reflective of the transformation that the talented team has undergone.

Moreover, the players are bent on proving to the cricketing public that India is a champion team and a team that is capable of ranking with the best in the game. They want to prove to the world that they deserve a higher placement in the ICC Test Championship Table.

West Indies must prove to the cricketing world that they are indeed turning the corner after more than one decade of rebuilding, and that they can deliver the goods without the star batsman, Brian Lara. Captain Carl Hooper must win or draw this series to consolidate his team’s standing in the ICC Test Championship table.

Moreover, should he lose the series, the rebuilding process will become more painful, and the Caribbean people will call for his head.

But the Niney’s fire seems to be coming from the East Indians. And the Indian seems to be the ones serving blood for water.

The prospects look bleak; the way seems hard.

Peter Adrien is a central banker, an author, a syndicated sports  analyst and freelance photographer. He can be contacted via ww.adriensenterprises.com or E-mail: Adriens@caribsurf.com

COMMENTARY

An Exercise in Etymology For an Island's Nomads

By J. Donald Brandt

Today, class, we are going to see how many new synonyms we can create in our project thesaurus for the word DUPLICITOUS.

Consider this: Take a man who has recently moved British employees about like pawns on a chessboard. Soon thereafter he stands before a crowded meeting in a church, seeking to convey the biblical "if it be thy will let this cup pass from me," and tells people that 12 hours later they will be expected to evacuate their properties on the basis of "last-minute scientific advice."

He piously tells the crowd that "no one in this room" wanted it to reach this point.

This is the same man who was appalled, on arriving in Montserrat, not only to find residents contentedly living in Isles Bay but also work underway to restore reliable water service, electricity and telephones to the area.

He made it clear then that had he been here earlier, all that would not have happened. Apparently, he would not have been unhappy to have "it" reach this point even then.

Let's have a show of hands if you think we have an acceptable synonym.

Very well. Our first synonym for DUPLICITOUS is LONGRIGG.

Now consider this: A public servant responsible for safety procedures in times of natural disasters receives from trained scientists at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory a map outlining their recommended boundaries defining areas bordering the Belham Valley to be evacuated.

This man, with no scientific expertise in this regard, takes that map, on which the scientists presumably created boundaries to allow for a comfortable margin of safety, and arbitrarily adds his own further margin of safety, separating the "safe" from the "unsafe" by the width of a road.

It is on distinctions drawn that fine that lives are unaffected or totally disrupted.

Let's have a show of hands if you think we have an acceptable synonym.

Very well, but to avoid confusion on an island where there are many Tuitts, our second synonym for DUPLICITOUS is HORATIO.

Consider yet another. A man Montserratians have long looked upon as a leader takes to radio to rebut his critics. The most recent action to evacuate was not taken in haste, he declares, and denounces those who say it was. He agreed on the move, he says, only after giving the scientists time to persuade him of the need. Only then, he says, did he agree to an order to begin evacuation an unhasty 12 hours after it was publicly announced.

Again, a show of hands.

As you wish, but on an island where the name Osborne crowds the telephone directory, we must be precise. So our third coined word for DUPLICITOUS is JOSBORNE.

At our next class, you will be asked to evaluate DFID's Clare Short, the mother hen of the world's poor, if they have not been impoverished by a volcano.

Your task will be to agree on a word that best describes the strategy with which she managed to persuade Chief Minister John Osborne that he has Ms. Short right where she wants him.

Class dismissed. 

IT IS TIME TO TAKE BACK YOUR COUNTRY

It is time to take our country back.  We have done it before. And we can do it again.

I rarely disagree with Labor Speaks but this time I have to vehemently take him to task. I cannot give any plaudits to the Lady Ministers because they deserve none!

We have seen before how a Minister of Government dragged a senior civil servant through the mud even as the civil servant seemed to be following directives and intentions of the Executive Council. And now on radio we have two Ministers calling in to a national radio program to take their civil servants to task again for what is the government's own inability to govern and manage its programs. And Mr. Labor Speaks, you want us to applaud this kind of slipshod and ignorant behavior? You want us to seek to discipline these civil servants? Sir, go re-examine your issues!

Civil Servants, for the most part, do not determine policy nor do they take unilateral decisions of the kind of magnitude we were talking about here, unless they were given this authority by the political directorate. There are only two exceptions to this rule and we know full well who these two civil servants are and why they are aided and abetted and by whom they are aided and abetted. Sending people to casualty and denying people access to shelters was and is and will always be the domain of the political directorate. It is long ago we have heard tell of Ministers saying that the shelter population must be kept down and must decrease. Which civil servant made that decision? And which civil servant has discretionary powers to circumvent this mandate given by the political directorate?

And while we are at it, I say we cannot and must no longer tolerate these Ministers of Government going on the radio, in the Parliament or any other place, to belittle and shame and shout down civil servants. These Ministers know that the civil servants cannot violate General Orders and cannot defend themselves against this onslaught of abuse. So let’s all put a stop to this tomfoolery and cease and desist from giving these Ministers pats on the back for their poor behavior.

I say to every civil servant, yes even those two, it is time to take our country back.

Let's talk about moving people out of Salem. See my temperature and blood pressure going up? Yours too? How could it not? Who are these people to whom we have given the authority to manage this country? You see the kind of disrespect they show us? Salem get full of ash. You don’t hear even a peep from the esteemed leader of government. No little word of encouragement. No little words of comfort. Lord, how we wish our Ex-Chief Minister was in charge at a time like this!!

Then the Opposition Member has to force the political directorate on national radio to commit to holding a meeting for Salem residents. Then the Queen's representative and our esteemed leader coldly inform unprepared residents that they must move next morning. The rest of the population was not privy to this information. Was it really  a sudden decision or just a poorly guarded secret? No little words of comfort and no encouragement. Nothing about how the political directorate is going to work with us to let us cope under the renewed stress. Just a lot of the usual talking down to and shouting at residents and the usual political haranguing.

And then next morning, Radio Montserrat is directed to cut off the world news because residents must not hear from BBC before the Queen's representative tell us how the government is mistreating its residents!  But it is all right for the rest of the world to know before we do about our own evacuation. You see Mr. Labor Speaks? You see the kind of directorate you want us to applaud?

We must no longer put up with this kind of ineptitude and mismanagement. We must take our country back even as we understand some of our leaders' fear of the volcano. We sympathize with them and we should encourage them to go live in London in the house that we understand they and their family have already bought and paid for.

We have seen clearly after over a year of constipation, mistake after mistake, and more incompetence followed by more inability to grasp basic management and fiscal issues, that it is time to call on the political directorate to remove themselves from office.

We know that no one who so hungrily grasped the reins of power will willing leave the seat of money and power. But we have no choice but to unseat them. Whether we live on Montserrat or not depends on their departure. And as the gentleman said at the meeting in Salem, we cannot let the last seven years of our life, sweat, toil and blood be wasted. It is not our fault that there are people too scared to live with our volcano and who show no signs of competence or interest to make the right decisions on our behalf.

I say, cast them aside. We have caused this to happen before. It is clear that it is time to do this again.

YES, MONTSERRATIANS, IT IS TIME TO TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK!

Tourism Highlights

Tourist Board Duo Take Part in Antigua Workshop

Two persons from the Montserrat Tourist Board benefited from a four-day workshop from October 1-4 at Jolly Beach Resort in Antigua.  The workshop, which was funded by the Organization of East Caribbean States (OECS), under the 7th EDF, was executed by CW Partnership.com limited., incorporated in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, with representation in England, Germany and Canada; DOT New Media, Lewes, England and E-Site Marketing, USA. 

CWPartnership.com limited provides in-house capabilities for project management, marketing consultancy and web design; DOT New Media works with some of the world’s largest and smallest organizations to design and develop exemplary web sites and new media applications and E-Site Marketing specializes in creating Internet Marketing solutions for the hospitality industry.

The main objectives of the workshop were to:

·                  Strengthen the institutional capacity of OECS Tourism Offices in the area of Internet and other tourism-related Internet technology.

·                  Develop the capacity, via improved IT systems, to access special interest and niche markets more effectively.

·                  Improve the technical ability of OECS technical personnel. 

·                  Increase or create opportunities for direct bookings to small hotels and tourism service providers.

Prior to the Workshop, an audit was taken of all tourism-related Internet sites of the participating OECS member countries by the E-site Marketing Group.  The facilitators of the Group then used the workshop to give advice and training relating to usability, layout, graphics, information, and style, of each site and how to gain maximum benefits from having a well-built Internet site.

Radio Broadcast to the Nation by David S. Brandt  (Paid Insertion)

My dear people of Montserrat

These most recent developments with the volcano have been the cause of great concern and distress to all of us here in Montserrat, especially those of us who live in Salem, Friths and the surrounding areas.  We had begun to hope that this long, horrible nightmare was nearing its end. We had begun to imagine the enjoyment of brighter days. We had begun to look forward to a long period of normalcy. And this harsh return to some of our worst days and some of our worst fears is almost too hard to bear. But we have come too far now to weaken. We have come too far to give in to despair. So as a man who has had the challenge and the opportunity to lead this country through some of the toughest days of this volcanic crisis, I am here to say, fear not. This too will pass. This too we will find a way to triumph over. As a leader with some experience, I consider it my duty to make a few comments and suggestions to the Governor, to the Government, to residents of the areas being evacuated, and to the public at large. 

First of all, I want to say to those who have been asked to relocate, forget how difficult and inconvenient and stressful it may be – relocate and relocate quickly. If your present location is as risky as the scientists say it is, then you should obey the order by the Governor and the Government to relocate, and to do so as swiftly as possible.  We know how dangerous the volcano is and we must not allow it to claim any more lives. In the early days we knew nothing about surges. We now understand the impact that a surge can have on life and property if a pyroclastic flow were to come down the Belham River Valley. So I urge you to be responsible and to protect yourselves from danger. Take care of your safety and the safety of your family first. After that we will attend to all of the other serious matters that confront us.

Let me say to you that I feel that the Governor and the Government have made a serious mistake in waiting until the last minute to rush people out of their homes into uncomfortable and inadequate shelters in the North.  In fact, I find it surprising, to say the least, that after all we have been through, the best the Governor and the Government can now do is to force our brothers and sisters into an abandoned prison and into those rough army barracks. Why do they want to put people in these rough, makeshift, wooden buildings in the middle of the hurricane season without food? What sense does this make? Every single one of us who continue to live here deserves better than that.

I am therefore asking you to join me in asking that proper accommodations be found for all those who have had to relocate. The Governor and the Government need to find the money to pay for decent accommodations for those poor people who are now being made to suffer once again. To ask them to return once again to the conditions of the shelters is unconscionable. Some of you will remember how hard my Government and I fought to get people out of the shelters. It pains my heart to hear that after that struggle, and after the suffering that so many people experienced in the past, this is the condition that they are being asked to return to again. The Governor and the Government must provide proper accommodation for the people. This is the very least we must ask for.

And we are compelled, further, to ask this question: when did the Governor and the Government know that an evacuation was necessary and couldn’t they have done better than to come to us a 7 o’clock one night to tell us the move had to be done at 9 o’clock the next morning?

Didn’t they have enough advance notice of danger to talk to the people and to make adequate arrangements for them to evacuate? Could this mad rush to push our people back into shelter conditions not have been avoided?

I say to you that all of us, and particularly the evacuees, have a right to expect better treatment without any of these excuses that are now being given. And I say further that evacuees must not only be provided with suitable accommodation but with safe and adequate storage of your furniture, your personal effects and your valuables.

We all know that in the past, many people moved only with their suitcases, never to return to their original home. We cannot move houses, but we can move furniture. Therefore, the Governor and the Government must provide proper storage free of cost where people can put their goods and know that they are safe. If you can’t go back to Salem and Friths, you will have to start all over again. If you have to do this, at least you would have your furniture. This is why my administration provided containers in the past – to make sure that people had a place to store their goods.  This is what must be done again.

I also understand that no provision has been made to provide people with monetary assistance or food. So, if you have to be evacuated, it means you don’t have a house, but yet, you can’t get assistance.  How could this be? I call on the Governor and the Government to provide food and assistance to our brothers and sisters who are so badly in need of it.  Life is difficult even when you are living in your own house. It is going to be even more difficult now.

Dr Lewis said on radio that there was high unemployment in the country. He said that the level of poverty is underestimated. He even said he will provide money for young ladies to pound stones to make a living.  So if they are not working, where are they going to get money to buy food? I expect the Government to say that there is no money to pay rent or give monetary assistance. We are now British Citizens and should be treated as such.  Let us see if this new citizenship means anything.

But again, as you well know, when I was in Government, we were able to provide evacuees with assistance. So I know it can be done if they have the will to do it. I am therefore calling again on the Governor and the Government to pay the rent for the evacuees to live in proper accommodation. I am calling on them to find the money to provide proper storage for their goods, and I am calling on them to give the people enough monetary assistance to help them in this time of difficulty. 

And, indeed, if there is not enough money in the budget, then they must go back to the British and put the case to them. This is an emergency for those people who have had to evacuate and emergency funds are needed. As a former Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, I know it can be done, and we the people must call on the Governor and the Government to make sure it is done.

Another point I want to make is this. As a result of all the ash that fell in Salem people had to use a lot of water to clean up the area. Up to now they are still cleaning. I call on the Governor and the Government to negotiate with the Montserrat Water Authority a significant discount on water bills for this month. These are hard times and good government must be mindful of the sufferings of its people and find ways to provide relief. It would be a welcomed relief for government to reduce the water rates for October.

The final point I wish to make is this. Many of the people who are being relocated have already paid property taxes during this year. I think the government ought to consider whether, in all fairness, it should not grant a rebate on those taxes.  After all, they would not have had full use of their house throughout the year.

And so in concluding, let me summarise. We are asking:

1.                That the Governor and the Government place people in suitable accommodation and not in unsafe and uncomfortable barracks.

2.                That the Governor and the Government pay the rent that is necessary to obtain proper accommodation for the evacuees.

3.                That the Governor and the Government provide the evacuees with safe and adequate storage for their furniture and other valuable items.

4.                That the Governor and the Government provide the evacuees with adequate monetary assistance and food for those placed in the Prison and the Barracks.

5.                That the Governor and the Government request emergency funding from the British Government to deal with the situation.

6.                That the Governor and the Government ensure that the people of Salem, Friths, Old Towne, Olveston and surrounding areas obtain a special reduction in their water rates for the month of October.

7.                That Government grant a rebate on taxes to those property-owners who now have to leave their property behind and find a new place to live.

8.                That the Governor and the Government be honest with the people of Salem and let them know now whether other areas will have to be evacuated soon.

My dear people, we have been through worse situations before and we have survived. We can continue to do so if we have strong leadership. We must all urge the Governor and the Government to show good leadership and implement the recommendations I have outlined.

I thank you all for listening.   

Towards A Viable Population

CONCESSIONS FOR VEHICLES

If a citizen of Montserrat has lived continuously abroad for at least five years immediately prior to his/her return, owns a vehicle for his/her personal use, or for the use of his/her immediate family (spouse and children), and is returning to live permanently in Montserrat, the Comptroller of Customs could admit the vehicle, provided that it is accompanied by the person importing it, or is imported within three months before or after the person’s arrival in Montserrat, or within a period of time as he deems reasonable. This vehicle would be exempt from duty if it is accompanied by the person importing it, and is not sold, lent, hired, exchanged or otherwise disposed of for a period of three years from the date of importation into Montserrat. Only one vehicle per family should be granted this exemption.

Of course, certain conditions must be met to satisfy exemption:

• The vehicle should be owned by the Returning Montserratian and be accompanied by a copy of the title from the country of origin.

• The Returning Montserratian must be 18 years or older and be a holder of a valid driver’s licence in the country of origin.

• The vehicle must be cleared from Customs within six months after the arrival in Montserrat from the country of origin of the Returning Montserratian.

• The vehicle may be shipped to Montserrat and cleared from Customs within one year prior to or following the shipment of the family’s total personal effects. An earlier or later shipment could be allowed, provided that the Returning Montserratian could certify to competent authority that this was occasioned by the process of returning and preparing for permanent residence on Montserrat.

The vehicle may be cleared from Customs prior to or at the same time when the personal effects of the Returning Montserratian are being cleared. Clearance is subject to the terms and conditions under which a vehicle is allowed duty-free importation concession.

Contravention of the terms of the concession could result in the Returning Montserratian being ordered to pay the full duty and taxes due on the vehicle, on demand.

We suggest that the vehicle must be imported into Montserrat or purchased locally within one year of the applicant’s return to Montserrat. The type of vehicle could be a car or a jeep of 4,000cc or less. It must be owned by the applicant and registered in his/her name in Montserrat.

What is the nature of the concessions allowed?   We are suggesting that persons receive 75 percent discount on the import duty and consumption tax payable on the purchase or importation of the qualifying vehicle; that a Customs service charge of perhaps 2.575 percent be payable in full; that the grant of the concession be applied to persons whose vehicles are imported on or after a given date; and that the full amount of duty become payable if the vehicle is sold within four years of the grant of the concession.

An alternative, as suggested by a knowledgeable tax technician, can be an offer to Returning Montserratians, based on the Barbados returning nationals policy. This allows for the importation of household and personal effects, and two motorcars, whether old or new, which are free of all duties and taxes.

We end by looking briefly at tools of the trade. Tools of the trade are defined as "that type and amount of instruments, tools, equipment, devices and machinery as would be usually used in normal course and scope of a person’s profession, trade or occupation without utilizing additional labour." Whether used or new, we are proposing that tools of trade be admitted free of taxes and duties.

All applications for concessions must be made to the Comptroller of Customs, who is legally authorized to grant the concessions, and to qualify persons.

Previously we suggested that an office for Returning Montserratians be set up. This can be staffed by one person, but must have an e-mail address which will allow easy access to nationals living abroad. 

VOLCANO LIMERICKS

Have a Nice Visit Anyway

You've come at a time episodic,

Our volcano can be sporadic

If you'd stay for a while

On the Emerald Isle,

Prepare for a life that's nomadic.

Remember the SRU?

Reuben says Seismic Research

Should not remain in the lurch;

They were first on the isle,

But then HMG's guile

Pushed Ambeh right off his perch. 

JUS WONDERIN

Jus wonderin how the port at little bay does not have a water breaker like the one in town.

Jus wonderin if any officer is checking speed limits and a other officer approach him/her in their private transport with speed if they will be reported.   

Jus wonderin if they go by pets and favorites or pull them over as if their reporting them and which is there just warning them because of friendship.

Jus wonderin how many people think that ZJB is doing a good job.

Jus wonderin how many former announcers will say thank God for ZJB.

Jus wonderin how many pass throw that places and move on and now famous all over the Caribbean.

Jus wonderin if they were still here if those who are their now could have ever step foot in that building.

Jus wonderin what was wrong with those awards.

Jus wonderin why some the programs like the ever popular Request Show was so short.

Jus wonderin if the VEG really followed all the scientists plan before ordering evacuation.

Jus wonderin if the activity switch back and the growth start again on the south if the people will be allowed to go back home.

Jus wonderin if people not allowed to take the small 1-10000 which might be even smaller risk and stay close to the boundary line.

Why do we keep hearing about lockin-up people and nothing about the welfare of those who end up without jobs.

Jus wonderin if the rumour of moving the line further north will materialize jus like the rumour about moving at all.

Jus wonderin where the crisis was that created all the rushin and the politicing.

Jus wonderin why block with boulders the roads to the exclusion zone when people could walk to their house on foot any way and which would even be more dangerous if the unlikely were to REALLY happen.

Jus wonderin if this thing wid MAS and trip to St. Maarten is really true and if that not seriously going to hurt the economy.

Jus wonderin why the government don’t work out something with the merchants so they can bring in the stereo, fridge and other small items to sell people at reasonable prices.

Jus wonderin when they will do something to ease the burden on the economy.

Jus wonderin how many people evacuate OFF-ISLAND since Wednesday.

Jus wonderin if everything bove board wid dis evacuation.

Jus wonderin when they will do something to counter the wrong news that go out of the Island.

Jus wonderin who reporter sendin

Jus wonderin why they don’t use the one website that hundreds of thousand people go to every week to look for information.

Jus wonderin jus having a web site is no guarantee that people see it and  if they don’t know that they should advertise their web site there so people could go and get the information.

Jus wonderin if they don’t know it cost money to do public relations and that will bring much more in return.

Jus wonderin if they jus tryin to deny the Reporter business.

Jus wonderin if they know how many people them employ.

Jus wonderin wha mek the newspaper no publish for two weeks now.

Jus wonderin why the Montserratian out there who want to export bottle water never got the response for so long

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