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Quote this week – “There is no right way To do a wrong thing”
Montserrat-bound Ferry Operations Under New Interim Management
Montserrat National Dress Officially Launched at MNT
Overseas Territory Meeting Dashes Hopes of Many CMs

EDITORIAL
Just Beyond This Joyous Season Lies A Time to Look Back and Then Ahead

SCRIPTURE VERSE THIS WEEK
A Promised Gift

LETTERS
St. Peters Petrol Station Raises Safety Concerns


NEWS
Longriggs and Many Others Left To Watch Ferry Leave Antigua
Rotary Club’s December Filled With Activities for Community
CARICOM Team Visits To Discuss Single Market
New Public Cemetery to Be Put Next to Salem Anglican Church
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Upgrades its EC$20 Currency
‘Night of Royalty’will Honour Former Calypso Monarch Tabu
New Sport Fishing Company Reels in 150-lb. Blue Marlin
Pat Ryan’s Song ‘Chewing Gum’ Wins UNISONG ‘Entry of Merit’

REGIONAL
St. Kitts to issue work permit ID cards to non-nationals from January 1
Caribbean states seeking to overturn Privy Council ruling on death sentence
No evidence of rupture in relations between CARICOM and US, says Carrington
Antigua MP After Wounding With Intent Formally Charged With Murder
Caribbean States Most Vulnerable In Food Security, Says Senior CARICOM Official
Jamaica Opposition MP Is Charged with Assault
Jamaica Prepares to Activate Access to Information Act
ECTEL and Cable & Wireless Agree to Dominica Rate Freeze
Germany Aids CARICOM Fight Against HIV/AIDS
Whitehall Selects Englishman As Bermuda's New Chief Justice
Nevis Premier’s 5-year Plan Is EC$76.5-million Package
Cash-poor BWIA Ordered to Pay Millions to Retrenched Workers
Barbados PM calls for swifter decision making within CARICOM
Antigua/Barbuda PM Bird Invites Election Monitors
After 8 Months at Large, Saddam Is Captured without a Shot Fired
Two Trinidad Men Free on Bail In Multi-million-dollar Drug Bust
Trinidad Businessman, 42, Kidnapped a Second Time
Court Adjourns until March Case Against Basdeo Panday
Jamaica Seeks to Restore Calm After Drive-by Gunmen Kill Six
Grenada Publisher Proposes Castration as Rape Penalty
The Bahamas to Require Fingerprints for Passports
Commissioner Heyliger Says Caribbean Tourism on the Rebound
Haiti Nears 200th Anniversary, Calls for Restitution by France
St. Maarten Commissioner Sees 2003 Tourism on Rise
UWI Chancellor Wants Young People To Interact M0ore Across the Caribbean

SPORTS
Montserrat’s Golf Team Continues to Score Despite the Island’s Lack of a Home Course

FEATURE/OPINION
The Chief Minister's Christmas Message 2003
Christmas Message From Hon. Margaret Dyer-Howe, Minister of Agriculture
MAN from BAKER HILL
We See What We Believe!
Christmas Is For Stories, Friends And Pigs by John Allen


POEM – Glad Tidings of the Season
Tourism Highlights - Christmas Lighting Competition Kicks Off!
Managing Your Gift Expenditure During the Holiday Season
Dr. Lewis Presents - Draft Petition

VOLCANO LIMERICKS
The News from London
College Quiz

Jus Wonderin

FLASHBACK 2003

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Thought for Today: "The history of the world shows that when a mean thing was done, man did it; when a good thing was done, man did it." -- Robert G. Ingersoll, American lawyer and statesman (1833-1899)

 

Montserrat-bound Ferry Operations Under New Interim Management


Ferry Operations to Montserrat out of Antigua have seen a change in management since the beginning of December as Mr. Percy Arthurton of Carib World Travel, who said he was “led to the door,” chose not to continue the services which were provided under contract scheduled to end in March 2004.
The new handlers of the ferry operations in Antigua, Caribbean Forwarders, are shipping agents, customs brokers and destination service providers. According to Miss Sarah Silcott, Manager of Montserrat Aviation Services, they are providing the services on “an interim basis,” until March next year.
Ms. Eileen Winters, assistant manager of Caribbean Forwarders, is the person in charge of the same staff that operated under Carib World Travel. She spoke to The Montserrat Reporter on Saturday,
Ms. Winters said that their plan is to improve the facilities especially geared to the comfort of passengers, but they will first need the approval of the port authority in Antigua. “We will improve the seating, provide a telephone and an information center. We will set up a refreshment area, which will be limited to finger foods, coffee and beverages; but this being a port we will need permission to provide these enhancements,” she said.
Some seating had already been in place and here in Montserrat, the honourable acting Chief Minister Idabelle Meade “applauded the generous contribution of a local businessman in providing four benches to be placed at the Deep Water harbour in Antigua for use by passengers using the ferry service to Montserrat,” the Government Information Unit reported last Thursday
The GIU said that “Mr. Rupert Isles, owner/manager of Selsi Ltd., a sand mining operation on Montserrat, did not hesitate to follow up on his promise to provide the benches.”
Mrs. Meade had further disclosed, “the owner of the City View Hotel, in the Antiguan capital St John's, has also promised to assist in the provision of seating for Montserrat-bound ferry passengers.”
Ms. Winters, who pointed out that her boss Ms. Heather Labadie, manager of Caribbean Forwarders, is also open to suggestions, said that another area of concern to them is flexibility of the ferry’s departure time, which has its share of problems. She cited “docking problems in Montserrat at night,” and, sharing a concern also cited by the former managers, “the need of passengers traveling out of Montserrat, making onward connections in Antigua.”
The flexibility of departure times is required, especially at this time of year when hundreds of returning Montserratians, visitors and other tourists arriving from the U.S. and the U.K. reach Antigua in the afternoons, at times not suitable to connect with the scheduled ferry departure time from Antigua.
Permanent Secretary Sarita Francis in the Chief Minister’s Office confirmed that since last year, Citizens and Friends of Montserrat have been engaged to assure Montserratians and other travelers to Montserrat smoother passage through immigration and customs at V.C. Bird International airport on their way to catch the ferry.
Mrs. Francis said that last year “we got Janice (Panton of the Montserrat office) in England to get green tags (issued to travelers), and as soon as you see the green tags (Citizens and Friends) they push things through to avoid any delay at the airport . . . and I experienced this myself, when they are there waiting with cards inviting travelers to Montserrat to check with them for assistance.”
Mrs. Francis, however, could not understand how the Governor and many other passengers from England arrived at the Deep Water Port only moments after six o’clock on Wednesday last and watched the ferry pull away from the docks leaving them stranded for one night.
Overall, Mrs. Francis said she was impressed with the simple changes made for the convenience of passengers at the Deep Water harbour, which includes the use of a small office to serve checking-in passengers.
Change Over Disputes
Meanwhile the changeover in the management of the ferry services in Antigua has not been as pleasant, even though there aren’t any resulting strained relationships.
Mr. Arthurton said he has “always operated on letters of appointment, for which I am an appointed agent,” and claimed that he was “led to the door” when it was made difficult to continue under terms of contract.
Mr. Arthurton said: “With less than a year to go, they have suddenly decided that I must be on a Contract,” the terms of which, “I point out to them these things are not applicable. The terms make sound as if I am a Government Revenue officer, subjected to financial instructions which include rules.”
Manager Silcott concurs that there is no rancor between Montserrat Aviation Services (MAS), who bears the responsibility through its board the appointing operators in Antigua. She said, “we were negotiating the contract, but they refused to go any further and decided to quit,” which forced MAS to find new operators from 1st December.
It was also at this point that some disappointment arose for other Montserratian businesses in Antigua, who sought to obtain the contract for management of the operations there.
MAS board of directors said that Caribbean Forwarders was #2 in line of those whose tenders were favourable, so that when Carib World Travel backed out, it had to take action immediately. It added that there are certain rules that must be followed in Antigua and that the particular Montserratian businesses in Antigua did not meet other requirements, including being the business of shipping agents and an established place of business to qualify for the position. These were rebutted by the travel business in Antigua, who claim “we had satisfied all the requirements, including presenting letters of having an established place of business in Antigua.”

Montserrat National Dress Officially Launched at MNT


It is now official, Montserrat has a National Dress, bringing to an end the Search for a National Dress, whjich “began through the Division of Culture in 1996,” Miss Anne Marie Dewar reported this week.,
The search was halted after just a few weeks, due to disruption caused by escalating volcanic activity. Miss Dewar reported that “the idea was put to the public” and followed by enthusiasm and positive response.
A Search Committee developed a process and rules for a competition. The idea got encouragement from Government, followed by “a number of activities aimed at encouraging as many Montserratians to submit ideas for the National Dress for men and women,” she said.
Major sponsorship from Bank of Montserrat Ltd. aided the launch of the search 12-13 July, 2002, seeking design submissions from Montserratians everywhere.
An independent panel of eight judges was appointed, who short-listed 14 best designs (nine female and five male), which were displayed at the public library for viewing; this followed by public selection by ballots, collected on March 13. The designs were modeled at the National Dress Search and Cultural Show on the same date, where the judges then selected the top three designs each, male and female wear, which agreed with the top designs voted on by the public.
Finally, after adaptations by the judges, together with the Search Team, the top designs were arrived at and in collaboration with the Montserrat National Trust on Monday, Dec. 22, the official dress was publicly launched at a mini-fair held on the Trust Grounds in Olveston.
There was a formal ceremony, opening with a prayer by Pastor Melroy Meade, brief remarks. Mrs. Sarita Francis, the Trust president, chaired the event.
The report of the search was delivered as briefed above by Miss Dewar and Miss Rose Willock. The dresses were worn and paraded by Messrs. Randall (Randie) Greenaway, Anderson (Andy) Kirnon, Master Jervian Boatswain, Mrs. Christobelle Danielle and Misses Silvena (Candy) Malone and Tiffanie Skerritt.
Brief entertainment was provided by the dress wearer Tiffanie, a short cultural song; Randy, Andy and Candy in song commemorating the occasion.
Lady Eudora Fergus, Director at the National Trust, said: “Another national symbol at this time in the form of a national dress is most welcome, it will help to preserve our identity, it is so important for us and our children to see ourselves as the people of worth and dignity.”
The Minister of Agriculture, Housing and Environment, Mrs. Annie Dyer Howe in her brief remarks thanked and encouraged the respectable audience, “I wish to thank all those who have worked so hard to bring us to this day. . . . I commend it to you ladies and gentlemen and ask you to wear it with pride on every occasion that you can.”
There were many persons, businesses and organizations worthy of thanks, offered by Mr. Chad Cumberbatch, member of the Search Committee, in closing thanked the audience “for taking time out to join us for this launch ceremony,” and invited them to stay and take part in the mini-fair where there were eats and items available for purchase.

Overseas Territory Meeting Dashes Hopes of Many CMs


News coming out of London following the three-day meeting where our Chief Minister John Osborne conferred with other OT Chief Ministers is that of disappointment among some of the Chief Ministers at the outcome of the discussions.
Chief Minister Osborne has gone to the U.S. to have prostate surgery and was not available to us for comment, but Dr. Lowell Lewis, who attended the meeting for one day, reports, “It was quite clear that the UKFCO have no intention of responding to any of our efforts to modify the powers of the Governor.”
He expressed his disappointment at the outcome of the meeting with respect to Montserrat and its continued participation in CARICOM: “I was very disappointed with the outcome for Montserrat, who is now likely to lose its full membership of CARICOM if the entrustments needed for us to sign the Revised Treaty are not given.”
The Montserrat legislator said that it would appear “the FCO are using their own consultant's grossly overestimated report that our membership will cost £1million per year, as reason for delay.”
On Tuesday last week at the end of the three-day meeting Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said ‘Britain cannot keep giving Overseas Territories an “ever-increasing degree of autonomy” or London will not be able to meet its international obligations,’…“For as long as the territories want, the UK will maintain our firm commitment to our partnership and the obligations that go with it.”
“The role of governors is at the heart of this,” he said. “They both protect the British Government’s obligations in the territories, and serve as their territory’s advocate to London.
“I welcome the good relationships governors have with you and I’m delighted that they were able to take part in this week’s meetings.
But Dr. Lewis, repeated a position he has enunciated before: “I have made it clear to my supporters that I will take the opportunity to introduce a bill to create an Independent Legislative Advisory Council that represents Civil Society, to advise the Governor on matters to do with elections, governance and the judiciary.”
But as if with some finality, the report coming out of Britain has Jack Straw saying further and stressing goals from the 1999 White Paper: “We set out in the strategy how we aim to promote quality of life and long-term development in the Overseas Territories. And we also said we would expect the territories to observe high standards of probity, law and order and good government, and to observe international commitments to which they are bound by virtue of their relationship with the UK. We have an ambitious agenda for taking our relationship forward. Delivering it will mean the Foreign Office working more closely across the whole of government. And it will mean continuing to work in partnership with all of you.”
Overseas Territories Minister Bill Rammell said he accepted that the territories did not want to see an enhanced role for governors, but “it was necessary for them to intrude in areas which impacted them.”
He said he accepted that not enough consultation had taken place in the past, and he undertook to remedy this in the future, particularly in the relation to international treaties and conventions, where overseas territories had been excluded from the consultative process.”
Meanwhile Dr. Lewis wrote to fellow OT legislators saying: “I wish you good luck, as you and your political colleagues join us in the struggle for genuine parliamentary democracy in the British Overseas Territories.”
The territories represented at the three-day meeting were Anguilla, Bermuda British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cyprus Sovereign Base Areas, Falkland islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, St. Helena and Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and Turks and Caicos.

Rotary Club’s December Filled With Activities for Community


December has been a very busy month for the Montserrat Rotary Club.
Starting with the 33rd annual Charter Night Dinner, held at the Vue Point Hotel on Dec 3rd, the members of the Club have been active in the Community. The Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) art teachers were asked to oversee a Rotary Centennial Art Poster project, and the winning entry was created by Tyler Foote of Form 2A. His art teacher is Mr. Chadd Cumberbatch. This poster has been sent away to compete in the
District Competition.
On Sunday Dec. 21, The Rotary Santa traveled around the island distributing toys and candy to all the children.
But the highlight of the month, and perhaps even the entire Christmas Festival, is the
Rotary Festival Day held at Salem Park on Friday Dec. 26th, Boxing Day. The
festivities start at 3 p.m. when masqueraders, calypso singers, steel pan music, games for children, drinks and food fill Salem Park, not to mention the raffles, toys, and Bingo with a $1000 grand prize.
All funds raised by the Rotary Club go to Community Projects.

EDITORIAL

Just Beyond This Joyous Season Lies A Time to Look Back and Then Ahead


Once again it is that time of year when Montserrat, like many Christian countries, celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. In Montserrat over the years, church ministers have at Christmas time preached reminders to their members and others that they should not get so caught up in the festivities that they forget the real meaning of Christmas.
That is usually because in Montserrat it is the time when festivity is the order of the time as we celebrate our own carnival, which we call “festival.” For about two weeks, which usually incorporate about five holidays, now celebrated on working days, it means that over the two-week period there are effectively only six working days.
With this festive season as is expected at Christmas there should be cheer and good will among all, both materially and spiritually, and the winner at this time is he or she who could practice both.
Yet it is also the time, as the New Year rolls around, when we are also expected to reflect slowly on the year that for some has too quickly passed by. We reflect, whether as government, business or individual, on accomplishments or lack thereof. Some of us, as we prepare for the new year, set new goals and reflect on how successful we have been with those goals we set at the beginning of the year.
For the past eight years Chrismas time for many came and went like any other time of the year, and for a year or two there was no official festival. In some countries, like the U.S., businesses flourish, and certainly in Montserrat, merchants in particular look forward to their best business turn around for the year.
This is usually in spite of the difficulties of losing business to neighbouring Antigua and St. Maarten, only possible if resident workers have been able to accumulate enough to make their shopping a difference.
This year as we reflect, it should come home quite noticeably that the volcano, in addition to doing what nature or God has ordained, never came to destroy Montserrat. This had only to do with the perspective of the people who determined to remain here and keep the island as a country intact. Did we do a good job at it? It depends again on how honest and discerning we are! Did we make use of what the volcano had to offer? The same answer applies to the fact that we have been referred to both internally and externally as “resilient.”
The volcanic event of July 12 this year was one of the major events of the eruption and it is hoped that it was the last this time round. But what that did for us was to bring us the quickest sum of money made available for spending right here in Montserrat. No other project has made available to the pockets of a wider section of residents than this one, and the fact that perhaps more than half of the workers will send much of their earnings to their families across the south of the region.
It did make for record numbers to go over to Antigua to shop, and that is most unfortunate. But it is here that the Chamber of Commerce and other business people in Montserrat should really take stock rather than lamenting the problem and hoping that Government can do something about it. Oh no, it is for the businesses to seek whatever assistance they need to correct the problem. The majority must get up and be counted and let the others who are comfortable as they try to push them off the “road” that they claim only for themselves.
From this seat we can see the problem, and the solutions are simple but require a change in the attitude of how we do business in Montserrat, with one another. We must only begin by thinking about it, individually and then together.
Looking back we think of three major events that qualify as progress (or none) for the island. And lest it is felt that the little ones are ignored, some may not even agree with our suggestions. There have been several that can and should be counted:
• The beginning of construction of the airport was always thought of as the event that would bring economic activity to the country.
• The July 12 volcanic dome collapse, and how we believe that has impacted us one way or the other.
• As of now it appears that the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) talks and actions, as well as Constitutional arrangements for Montserrat, are in limbo, and the prognosis as of right now does not look good.
Again, whichever way we look at these events, they have to do with how this country is governed by those elected to lead and how the people react and behave in every single sphere of life in Montserrat. It is so important that we truly analyze and understand the issues, and on that last point we must remember that agendas individually are not necessarily and in fact most times not in the interest of Montserrat as a whole.
As we reflect we see a problem that has plagued us in that we pay far too little attention to very critical but small matters. It is time that we realize that in every sphere of social, spiritual and material life, for the advancement of Montserrat, its recovery and progress, it is the attention given to the small guys, the small seemingly unimportant events, our dealings with one another, business and otherwise, that all count to complete the big picture.
We wish everyone a holy and joyous Christmas as the year folds – that we may use the joys to outshine the sadness wherever it exists and look with great hope to our continuance.


SCRIPTURE VERSE THIS WEEK
A Promised Gift

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given. Isaiah 9:6
I read several years ago about a woman who hurriedly purchased 50 Christmas cards without looking at the message inside. She quickly signed and addressed all but one, and then dropped them in a mailbox.
Just imagine her dismay when later she glanced inside the one unmailed card and read these words.
This little card is just to say
A little gift is on the way.
No doubt there were 49 people wondering what had happened to their presents. How different was God’s promise to us! Many years before the Saviour was born, the Lord spoke through the prophet Isaiah, saying, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14).
And in verse 6 of chapter 9 we read, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.” Did God keep His word? Indeed He did! Galatians 4:4 states, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son.”
On this special day, as we commemorate the birth of Christ, let us thank God that He meant what He said. He not only promised, but He also gave. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corintihians 9:15).
On Christmas morning long ago
Into this world of sin and woe
The blessed Saviour come;
God’s wondrous gift of love was He,
God’s gift to lost humanity-
Oh glory to His name!
-Staples

LETTER

FEEDBACK

NEWS
NATIONAL

Longriggs and Many Others Left To Watch Ferry Leave Antigua
While the new management of ferry operations into Montserrat has received compliments for enhancing travelers’ passage at Antigua’s Deep Water Harbour as they wait to board the ferry, Governor and Mrs. Anthony Longrigg and about 40 other passengers would like to forget their experience last Wednesday night.
Mrs. Sarita Francis, Permanent Secretary in the Chief Minister’s office told us the following day that she also suffered the bitter experience.
Plans had been in place since last year to avoid unnecessary over-nighting in Antigua by delaying the ferry’s departure time to Montserrat to accommodate passengers arriving in numbers from the U.K. and U.S. on their way to Montserrat, particularly for the festival and Christmas season.
Governor Longrigg said he arrived at the Deep Water Harbour on Wednesday evening only to watch the ferry as it pulled away from the dock, leaving him, his wife and many other passengers having to stay in Antigua and find accommodation for the night.
The ferry departure time was set for 6 o’clock, as it has been for the season. It was known that at least two flights would arrive from the U.K. with passengers bound for Montserrat, and that the Governor and other government officials would be among them.
There was a discussion about the ferry departing between the captain and the operators. A dialogue ensued, which involved the ferry agents in Montserrat. Just moments before six o’clock two angry Montserrat immigration officials boarded the ferry acceding after they were told that the Governor’s flight had just landed at V.C. Bird airport.
Passengers from some U.K. and U.S. flights had made it just before 6 o’clock and boarded the ferry, but it was later learnt that the flight in question had arrived at the airport at 5.15 p.m. and that Citizens and Friends representatives at the airport, who as Mrs. Francis advised have been in place to facilitate smooth and quick passage to the ferry. These persons had in fact advised the ferry operators that the passengers were on their way.
Governor Longrigg said that he was told the following day the immigration and customs official had said they could not wait any longer and so the ferry departed. Other passengers said they were told there were restrictions regarding turn-around time and surges at the port in Montserrat.
Over the years plans have been put in place to avoid the stay-overs in Antigua which results in economic loss to Montserrat. It has been calculated that many have to spend close to or over $300 in taxi fares, accommodation and food, especially if they get to the ferry docks and then have to make it back.
Since Wednesday’s incident the ferry has been arriving from Antigua as late as near 10.00 p.m. on occasion and, according to sources, for different reasons other than late arrival of flights into V C Bird with passengers bound for Montserrat. Last Saturday was one such occasion, when it was reported that more than 190 persons left Montserrat that morning for Antigua, the majority of whom were scheduled to return later, but many of whom up to 7.00 p.m. had not reported back to board the ferry to Montserrat.
In an effort to speed up the whole process, immigration officials have been traveling to Antigua to check in passengers to Montserrat, leaving the passengers only to deal with the customs officers who have had their share of complaints in dealing with the large numbers of passengers.
Entertainment for visitors is also distraction for others
A senior customs officials has pointed out that the entertainment being provided as a welcome to the returning Montserratians and other visitors has made their job of interviewing passengers quite difficult as the music is being played just a few feet from where their task is being conducted. It is what the tourism director Miss Ernestine Cassell calls “meet and greet” when they provide different forms of entertainment and issue, among other material, festival programs, “so people are aware if what is taking place so they make their plans accordingly.”

CARICOM Team Visits To Discuss Single Market


A two-member delegation from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat has ended a two-day visit here discussing the proposed CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) to be established by 2005.
The two officials, Steven McAndrew and Ivor Carryl, held discussions with government and private sector officials on the various categories of the CSME, including programmes for the removal of restrictions in services, capital, approved categories of skills and facilitation of travel.
Mr. Carryl said the discussions also centered on the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and that an important aspect of the visit here was to work with the government so as to allow it to implement the provisions of the CSME without creating too much difficulty for the island.
"Hopefully within two or three months we could come to a practical programme which is going to express precisely how Montserrat is going to discharge its responsibilities," Mr. Carryl said.
Mr. McAndrew said the revised Treaty provides for selected categories of skilled workers who will be allowed free movement within CARICOM.
"Furthermore, the revised Treaty provides for the movement of university graduates, artistes, musicians, sportsmen and women and media workers. Those are currently the categories which have the right to freedom of movement."
"If you don't belong to one of those categories, you will still have to go the traditional route, which is to obtain a work permit if you want to work in another member state," he said.

New Public Cemetery to Be Put Next to Salem Anglican Church


After a minimum three-year search for a public cemetery, His Excellency Governor Anthony Longrigg has signed a proclamation clearing the way for the Government of Montserrat to have a public cemetery in Salem, on lands next to the Anglican Church. The Hon. Acting Chief Minister, Mrs. Idabelle Meade made the announcement Thursday. Mrs. Meade, who is the Minister responsible for Education, Health, Community Services and Labor, told the Government Information Unit that the proclamation by the Governor is welcome news given the problems associated with the shortage of burial space at the Carrs Bay cemetery.
She said the Ministers of Government have been working tirelessly over the last few months trying to find a suitable area for a public burial ground.
Government's attempt to secure a public cemetery at Blakes ran into legal difficulties when the owners of Blakes Estate challenged the location chosen by government for the cemetery, on the general grounds that it interfered with the development plans for the Estate.

Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Upgrades its EC$20 Currency


The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) announced last Wednesday that an upgraded EC$20 dollar (US$7.4) note would be put into circulation from Monday, Dec. 22.
The ECCB serves the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis and Anguilla.
The bank said that upgrades have been made to the security thread and the filigree foil in the note.
It said the new notes carry a highly reflective silver filigree foil on which the value of the note is evident. The letters ECCB, as well as the denomination, are visible in fine print around the foil, which, having been overprinted with intaglio, a special banknote process, has a unique "raised" feel.
The current notes remain legal tender and will be replaced by the new notes gradually over time, as the older notes are withdrawn from circulation.

‘Night of Royalty’will Honour Former Calypso Monarch Tabu


In an event billed as a “Night of Royalty,” the Government of Montserrat and the Department of Culture plan to stage a special show to honour Kelvin “Tabu” Duberry, who is celebrating 25 years of involvement in the calypso art form on the island.
The Government Information Unit reports that the show, scheduled for Christmas, will be held at the Bitter End Bar and Restaurant--Moose's nightclub at Little Bay starting at 9.30 p.m., immediately after the annual Carol Singing event at the Salem Primary School.
Tabu, a former calypso monarch, is also one of Montserrat's leading graphic artists and painters.
An array of local calypsonians spearheaded by Justin “Hero” Cassell, himself a former Monarch and the Swordman Wallace “Rhadyo” Fenton will perform on the special show honouring the People's King -- Tabu.
Also in the line-up: Culture Don, Prince, Lazer Man, Dr. Lumba (Road March King of Montserrat -- the Lick e Ting Man), Ras Ipa (of Montserrat and Boston, USA), Randy, Candy and Andy, Ras I Adon of Logwood All Stars, Bronx, New York, Rosetta West and Rachel Collis.
MC's for the show : Alvin Greaves (Al G), former Radio Montserrat announcer, and Earl “Accident” Blake.

New Sport Fishing Company Reels in 150-lb. Blue Marlin


Dear Editor,
Having set up a sport fishing company here on Montserrat, Lance and Natasha Buck have been trying to catch a variety of different species commonly found around the shores of Montserrat. Last Monday they caught the first blue marlin to have been caught in our waters for five years. At 150 lbs. it lends hope to the fact that the fish are again returning to our waters. They have also noted an increase in the number of whales and dolphin that have been passing our shores as they make their way south. It is common at this time of year to see a marked increase of these but it has been sometime since the whales have come so close to the Island, according to many of the local Montserratians.
Robert Judd

Pat Ryan’s Song ‘Chewing Gum’ Wins UNISONG ‘Entry of Merit’


Mrs. Patricia A.N. Ryan, affectionately called Pat (Belonger) Ryan, has received a Certificate of Achievement in an international song contest known as UNISONG.
Acknowledging the Certificate, Mrs. Ryan, a teacher at the Montserrat Secondary School and well known as a song writer, said: “While I did not win a major prize, I was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for ‘Chewing Gum’ (English version).”
The Certificate declared “the song Chewing Gum” an “Entry of Merit” in the 2003 UNISONG International Song Contest.
Mrs. Ryan’s song, according to the Certificate, “placed in the top 10 percent out of over 4,500 entries from more than 50 countries.”
Alan Roy Scott, Unisong Co-Founder, told Mrs. Ryan in a covering note with the Certificate, “This is quite an achievement (and) you should be very proud of . . . your obvious talent as a songwriter.” He encouraged her to keep the certificate “in a strategic place as a daily reminder of her talent”.
Grand Prize winner this year in the contest was Chrisie Santoni from New Jersey, with other winners from Australia, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, USA and the Caribbean.
“There’s certainly songwriting talent around the world to be discovered and nurtured,” The Unisong Co-founder told Mrs. Ryan. “You are part of that group.”
Mrs. Ryan has produced a CD named Bilingual and Basic which contains the song ‘Chewing Gum’ both in English and French.

REGIONAL

St. Kitts To Issue Work Permit ID Cards To Non-Nationals From January 1


St. Kitts, CMC - Work Permit Identification (ID) Cards are to be issued to non-nationals employed in St. Kitts, the Ministry of National Security has announced.
An official release issued on Friday said the ID cards will be implemented from January 1, 2004 and it will become mandatory that each work permit holder applies for the ID card at a cost of EC$50 (one EC dollar = 37 US cents).
The Ministry said that on approval of the work permit, the employee must complete the application form which the employer must return to the Ministry along with the work permit fee and the passport for the employee.
The Ministry will then advise of the time and date that the employee should report to the Inland Revenue Department to pay the ID fee of $50, append his/her signature to the conditions on the ID and have a photograph taken.
Information circulated to the employer said the employee will then be advised to collect all documents at the Immigration Department on a specific date.
The Ministry advised employers that an ID expires with the corresponding Work Permit, must be carried by the holder at all times and that there is a EC$75 fee for the replacement of the ID.

Caribbean states seeking to overturn Privy Council ruling on death sentence


Trinidad, CMC - Three Caribbean countries are appealing a ruling by the London-based Privy Council that the mandatory death sentence is unconstitutional.
Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica are contesting the ruling by the Privy Council, their court of last resorts.
The matter is expected to be heard from March 22 and will last at least four days. Instead of the normal five-member panel, seven judges will sit on this appeal.
On November 20, the Privy Council, in a majority ruling of 3-2, ruled that the mandatory death sentence in the case of a convicted Trinidadian murderer, Balkissoon Roodal, was unconstitutional and recommended sentencing hearings for persons found guilty of murder.
"We welcome the opportunity to present our arguments before the larger board. The Roodal decision is far too important in terms of its potential consequences for us not to make absolutely certain that the Privy Council had fully considered all of the relevant matters in arriving at its decision," Attorney General John Jeremie said on Friday.
"While the Government adheres to the rule of law, we are also committed to the principle that the law should be certain and logical in its application," he added.
Last week, Barbados Attorney General Mia Mottley went before the Privy Council to argue for the retention of the death penalty for persons found guilty of murder.
At that hearing, the law lords asked that representation be made by Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica at a joint hearing.
Following Mottley's presentation, the Registrar of the Privy Council wrote to the State asking for submissions to be made on the death penalty and has consolidated the Barbados case with a Jamaican case and the Trinidad and Tobago appeal of Charles Mathews.
Mathews, 60, was convicted and sentenced to hang for the murder of his ex-common law wife Louise Gittens on December 3, 1999.
Gittens was shot and killed in 1994 after Mathews showed her three bullets and said they were for her, her new husband and himself.

No evidence of rupture in relations between CARICOM and US, says Carrington


Guyana, CMC - The Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Edwin Carrington, says he sees no evidence of a "rupture" in the relations between the region and the United States.
"It is true and it remains true that the region did not endorse the (US) approach to go to military action in Iraq and I don't think anything has changed their position on that but sovereign countries differ on fundamental issues at times," said Carrington, during an end of year news conference here on Thursday.
He was asked to elaborate on the status of US/CARICOM relations, in light of the Iraqi war, as well as opposing positions advanced by the US and some CARICOM states over support for the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Washington suspended military aid from a number of Caribbean countries earlier this year for refusing to enter into bilateral agreements to exempt US nationals from the jurisdiction of the international court.
Article 98 of the Rome Treaty that established the ICC imposes a general obligation upon parties to cooperate fully with the court in its investigation and prosecution of crimes within the jurisdiction of the court.
At their recent summit in Jamaica, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government agreed to allow member states "to negotiate bilateral 'non-surrender' agreements with the United States if they are advised by their legal authorities that any agreement into which they enter is consistent with their obligations under the Rome Statute".
Since then, at least three CARICOM States, including Antigua and Barbuda and Guyana, have concluded such an agreement with the US.
Carrington said those governments have recognised that "legally it is not incompatible for someone to subscribe to the court's instruments and to sign the non surrender agreement".
He therefore does not see their signing of the exemption agreements as a weakening of the position taken by CARICOM in support of ICC's establishment.
On the Iraq war, the Secretary General noted that Canada had also differed with the US on the same issue, yet, he said, they remain very close allies, engaged in "1.2 billion dollars worth of trade every day"
"That does not stop them differing on this particular issue," said Carrington, concluding that the region may have been reading too much into the differences and the implication of the differences on the Iraq issue.

Antigua MP After Wounding With Intent Formally Charged With Murder


Antigua, CMC - An independent member of parliament here was Wednesday formally charged with murder in connection with the death of 22-year- old Tessa Barthley.
The young woman died in local hospital on Tuesday after she was shot during an alleged struggle with Sherfield Bowen, who is also an attorney at law.
The incident occurred outside Bowen's law office on December 16. Barthley, who was said to be stalking him for several months, reportedly jumped from behind a fence and attacked Bowen.
During the ensuing struggle, his gun went off and she was reportedly shot in the neck.
Barthley, who had been on a life support following the incident, died after going into cardiac arrest, her doctors say.
On Wednesday, a city magistrate upgraded Bowen's charge from shooting with intent to commit murder to murder, following the woman's death.
Meantime, the 44-year-old MP, who is an outspoken critic of the Prime Minister Lester Bird and his government and who resigned from the governing Antigua Labour Party last June, is currently out on bail.
Bowen was at first denied bail but was released on EC$75,000 bail Saturday, after he was charged with seriously wounding a young woman who he said had been stalking him.
High Court judge Justice Ian Mitchell had issued the order for Mr. Bowen's release from prison after he spent Friday night in jail having been denied bail by Magistrate Maureen Payne-Hyman, who formally charged him.
In October, Ms. Barthley allegedly held Mr. Bowen hostage at knifepoint for several hours in his home, police said. Mr. Bowen said he told police Ms, Barthley was stalking him but she was questioned and released.
Under Saturday’s bail terms, EC$20,000 was required in cash, while Mr. Bowen was asked to turn over his travel documents to police and report to the police station in his home village of Freetown, in the eastern section of the Island, three times weekly and provide the court with two sureties.

Caribbean States Most Vulnerable In Food Security, Says Senior CARICOM Official


Guyana, CMC - A senior official of the Guyana-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat says the vulnerability of the Caribbean is most evident in the area of food security.
Assistant CARICOM secretary general Byron Blake told reporters that the recent 24 million Euro (US$28.8 million) deal signed with European Commission to benefit the rice industries of Guyana, Suriname, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, is part of the overall strategy to preserve "the region's increasing vulnerability in the area of food."
Blake said that the region, once a net exporter of food, now spends an estimated US$3 billion annually importing food.
In addition to the high food import bill, Blake said what is of concern too is that "about three per cent of the regional population is under-nourished."
Adverse weather conditions, particularly hurricanes and floods, were also another worry for the region in its food production drive, Blake said.
In countries like Guyana and Suriname, encroachment by the sea into the land is a particularly challenging phenomenon.
It is estimated that US$100 million is needed annually by the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) countries to repair damage done by hurricanes and floods.
"These severe adverse weather effects, negatively impact on the economic and social development of the countries of the region," CARICOM Secretary General Edwin Carrington said at the weekend signing of the 13.7 million Euro (US$16.4 million) pact with the European Commission for the Regional Project Radar Weather Warning System.
The funds will enable the Caribbean to establish a Regional Radar Network to provide early warning and monitoring of hurricanes, tropical storms and other severe tropical weather, "which cause risks to life and property and which threaten the sustainable development of the region," Carrington said.
The new radars will be located in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize and Barbados.
"This project is a clear demonstration of the will of the people of the Caribbean to unite and cooperate to face common challenges and of the EU to assist them in so doing," Carrington said.

Jamaica Opposition MP Is Charged with Assault


JAMAICA (CMC) -- Jamaica police have arrested and charged an opposition parliamentarian with assault arising out of a motor vehicle accident earlier this month.
Everald Warmington, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Member of Parliament for South West St. Catherine, was accused of injuring a mini-bus driver following the accident three weeks ago.
According to the police, on Dec. 5 Warmington is alleged to have hit the mini-bus driver in his face resulting in the driver’s seeking medical treatment for his wound.
Mr. Warmington was arrested and charged over the weekend.. He is due to appear in court on January 13 to answer the charge.

Jamaica Prepares to Activate Access to Information Act


JAMAICA (CMC) -- Information Minister Burchell Whiteman announced on Thursday
that the Access to Information Act will come into force on January 5 and seven government ministries and agencies are ready.
Mr. Whiteman has presented the five members of the appeal body with their instruments of appointment.
The members of the appeal body are chairperson, Dorothy Pine-McLarty, who is a member of the Electoral Advisory Committee; former government ministers David Coore and Dr. Oswald Harding; journalist John Maxwell, and president of the Jamaica Council of Churches, Rev. Phillip Robinson.
According to the Information Minister, the legislation presents the opportunity for the creation of a culture of openness and transparency.
Meanwhile, Cabinet secretary Dr. Carlton Davis has warned of challenges not only to operate the provisions of the legislation and called on the media, which he says will play a critical part, not to trivialise the process.
The body was established to hear appeals concerning perceived breaches of the law. The access to information act essentially enables all Jamaicans to access official documents.

ECTEL and Cable & Wireless Agree to Dominica Rate Freeze


DOMINICA (CMC) -- The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL), which is the main regulatory body in the sub-region, and former monopoly provider Cable & Wireless have agreed on a rate freeze on certain services until March 2005.
These services include monthly line rental, local and fixed to mobile telephone calls on Cable & Wireless' network, network connection and network re-connection.
A statement from ECTEL said the agreement came as the two parties continue discussions on Cable & Wireless' dominance in the telecommunications market and on the establishment of a price cap regime to regulate prices.
The National Telecoms Regulatory Commission (NTRC) in each ECTEL member state launched public consultations in October to determine the telecoms provider's dominance in certain services in the sub region's market.
However , the talks were suspended the following month to allow ECTEL and Cable & Wireless to discuss pertinent issues.
ECTEL says a decision to continue the consultations will be taken by March 15 next year.

Germany Aids CARICOM Fight Against HIV/AIDS


GUYANA (CMC) -- Germany is providing six million Euros – EC$19.4 million (US$7.2 million) to help the Caribbean combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General Edwin Carrington and Hilge
Jahn, Director, Central American Division, German Development Bank
signed an agreement on Friday, with both parties indicating a commitment to reverse
the steadily growing HIV/AIDS figures in the region.
Mr. Carrington said the German authorities were "satisfied that CARICOM is seriously fighting this disease," as the German official hinted at the possibility of further assistance to the region.
"We are happy that we can finance this programme through CARICOM," Mr. Jahn said
at the signing ceremony.
Germany is supporting similar programmes in 30 other countries, and Friday's deal to help the region's initiative is its first venture with the Caribbean.
Jahn said the German Development Bank was also supporting similar initiatives in Africa. Cuba and the two regional countries with the highest incidences of HIV/AIDS, Guyana and Haiti, will also benefit from the US$7.2-million German help.
Guyana and Haiti are also beneficiaries of the Washington US$15-billion global fund against the deadly virus.

Whitehall Selects Englishman As Bermuda's New Chief Justice


BERMUDA (CMC) -- Government House announced on Thursday that Englishman Richard Ground is to be Bermuda's new Chief Justice.
Mr. Ground, currently Chief Justice of Turks and Caicos, beat out Jamaican-born Norma Wade-Miller for the US$145,000-a-year post. He will replace 67-year-old Barbadian Austin Ward, who has been in ill health and decided not to seek a new contract.
Mr. Ground, a former puisne judge here, was Governor Sir John Vereker's choice for Chief Justice but Premier Alex Scott said he wanted Mrs. Wade-Miller – a naturalised Bermudian who was once married to late Progressive Party leader Frederick Wade -- to replace Mr. Ward, who is approaching the cut-off age of 70.
Overseas Territories Minister Bill Rammell, who would normally make the decision, passed it on to British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw because Bermuda's protests against the Governor's choice of a non-Bermudian had been so forceful.

Cash-poor BWIA Ordered to Pay Millions to Retrenched Workers


TRINIDAD (CMC) -- The Industrial Court here has ordered the cash-strapped airline BWIA to pay more than TT$5 million (US$830,000) in outstanding severance benefits to 57 workers before January 31, next year.
Judge Gregory Baker ruled on Wednesday that the payments are to be paid in three tranches beginning on Dec. 22, when TT$4.1 million (US$683,000) would be paid out to the workers.
The money will be paid out to former employees owed sums totaling TT$100,000 (US$16,600) and less.
A further TT$1 million (US$166,000) will be paid out on Dec. 29, with the remaining debt to be liquidated before the end of January.
The union goes back to the Industrial Court on Jan. 13 when the issue of interest payments will be heard.
According to an affidavit filed in the Industrial Court on December 12 by BWIA, the airline said the action was reported internationally "which had the effect of eroding confidence of the marketplace and elevating the risk to suppliers and vendors of doing business with BWIA".
"These factors combined had a significantly negative and immediate impact on the company's cash flows and viability," it added.
ILFC owns most of the BWIA fleet. Its A340 aircraft were seized for non-payment of a TT$25-million (US$4.16-million) debt.
The affidavit said the seizure further set back the airline through the suspension of all credit arrangements with vendors and immediate requests for increased security deposits by credit acquirers of US$5 million for risk.
BWIA said that in addition, because of the increased risk profile of airline, ILFC refused to make a second A340 aircraft available which was "critical" to the efficient operation of the London route, which had been identified as the most lucrative of the airline's routes and pivotal to turning around the current financial woes.
"The negative publicity resulted in a cancellation of bookings and reduction of market share," the affidavit said.

Barbados PM calls for swifter decision making within CARICOM


Barbados, CMC - The man who has lead responsibility for the implementation of the Caribbean Community Single Market and Economy (CSME) is calling for swifter decision-making within the CARICOM.
Barbados' Prime Minister Owen Arthur has further lamented what he said is an enormous gap between the taking of decisions by CARICOM governments and implementation.
Arthur believes that the structure of the regional body needs to change.
He was addressing the final session of a three-day symposium at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, which examined nation building and the regional integration effort.
Arthur told the audience of mostly academics that the Caribbean must either now integrate or perish, adding that it was the only effective means by which the region can mitigate the vulnerabilities of individual nation states and undue political pressures in the global arena.
The Barbadian leader further underscored the need to revisit national sovereignty and how it has infringed on progress towards regional integration.
"We have to begin to look at sovereignty in this Caribbean, where it really begins and ends, how it may be pooled and the degree of super-nationality that should be incorporated into the institutions that we must now create to carry forward the regional integration movement," Arthur said.
Arthur also stressed that fundamental progress must be made to ensure economic integration by 2005.
He said there were a number of specific proposals before CARICOM Heads for a new regional governance and said they must be exposed to public scrutiny so as to arrive at a consensus and an immediate mode for implementation.
"I cannot think of anything that should be more fiercely engaging the attention of the University of the West Indies and civil society at this time," Arthur said.

After 8 Months at Large, Saddam Is Captured without a Shot Fired


Compiled from dispatches
Eight months after the fall of his government, former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was captured by U.S. forces near his hometown, Tikrit, where he was hiding in a farmhouse cellar, U.S. officials said Sunday.
The arrest, which was carried out without a single shot being fired, was a major victory for the coalition, which has been battling an insurgency for months, and for President Bush, who has fended off criticism for failing to find him for almost as long.
Saddam had evaded capture and assassination attempts since the U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq on March 20, and inspired anti-U.S. insurgents even as the coalition sent out thousands of soldiers to search for him.
Addressing the nation from the Cabinet Room, President Bush promised that "the former dictator of Iraq will face the justice he denied to millions. In the history of Iraq, a dark and painful era is over. A hopeful day has arrived."
In Baghdad heavy gunfire celebrated the capture and forced shop owners to close their doors to avoid risk. In Sunni areas, however, angry crowds shouted of their continued loyalty to Saddam.
Despite the long-awaited capture, bombing incidents against coalition forces and Iraqis working with them continued throughout the week.
In Trinidad, meanwhile, Former Trinidad and Tobago President Arthur N.R. Robinson said the former Iraqi leader should be tried by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a statement, Mr. Robinson, one of the main architects of the ICC, warned against the United States or "the countries of the occupying forces" conducting any trial of Hussein, suggesting that it would be "another Nuremberg type trial".
Mr. Robinson said that the capture of Hussein by the United States rather than his execution provided a great opportunity for justice. He said a fair trial within an independent judicial process would provide the opportunity for his accusers to make their accusations supported by evidence and for the former Iraqi leader to provide for his defence in a manner free from fear, open and subject to scrutiny.
He said that the requirements of justice and peace in Iraq and in the world demanded a court that was truly independent, permanent, not ad hoc, that is constituted by existing law and internationally acceptable rules.

Two Trinidad Men Free on Bail In Multi-million-dollar Drug Bust


TRINIDAD (CMC) -- A magistrate on Tuesday granted bail to two men arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with a street value estimated at TT$2.5 million (US$416,000).
Derek Cadore and Satnarine Boodooram were granted bail in the sum of TT$400,000 (US$66,000) each when they appeared before magistrate Busby Earle in the Port Fortin Court, south of here.
They were arrested Thursday, Dec.12, after police said they had intercepted the car in which they were travelling.
The men are due to re-appear in court on December 24.

Trinidad Businessman, 42, Kidnapped a Second Time


TRINIDAD (CMC) -- For the second time this year, a 42-year-old central Trinidad businessman has been kidnapped and worried relatives say his abductors have not yet contacted them.
Kenneth Kanhai was taken by two armed masked men on Saturday night, Dec. 14, near his home in St. Helena, central Trinidad.
Relatives said that Mr. Kanhai, a father of three, had attempted to run when the men shouted "we come for you" but was cornered in a garage and bundled into a waiting car.
On March 14, Mr. Kanhai was kidnapped in a similar way, while going into his driveway, by gunmen who confronted him, dragged him out of the car and shot him in the left calf.
After holding him for three days, the abductors, who were paid an undisclosed ransom, dropped him off at a cemetery.
Police said Monday they had no motive for the latest kidnapping, which has
pushed the total so far this year to 48, as compared to 29 last year.

Court Adjourns until March Case Against Basdeo Panday


TRINIDAD (CMC) - Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls has adjourned until March 22 hearing of the three criminal charges against former prime minister Basdeo Panday.
Mr. McNicolls agreed to the adjournment during a brief sitting on Dec.15 after Mr. Panday's lawyers indicated that they were awaiting judgment on a constitutional motion challenging the charges. The motion was heard last month in the High Court here and Judge Maureen Rajnauth-Lee reserved her ruling on the motion.
Mr. Panday, 70, is accused of failing to declare to the Integrity Commission a London bank account jointly held by himself and his wife, Oma, between 1999 and 2001.
He was charged under the provisions of the Integrity in Public Life Act 1987 and each charge carries a penalty of two years’ imprisonment and a TT$20,000 (US$3,333) fine.

Jamaica Seeks to Restore Calm After Drive-by Gunmen Kill Six


JAMAICA (CMC) -- Fresh attempts were being made all week to restore peace to the communities of Job Lane and Ellerslie Pen in the central parish of St. Catherine, following two drive-by shootings on Friday, Dec. 12, that have left six persons dead and four injured.
The Head of the local Peace Management Initiative (PMI), Bishop Herro Blair, said a team was visiting the troubled areas to hold talks with community leaders.
The two communities remained tense following the attacks on Friday night and police and soldiers maintained a heavy presence in them.
In the first incident, which occurred shortly after eight at night, 28-year-old Howard Greenwood was among a group of men in Ellerslie Pen when he was approached by two gunmen in a car. Greenwood tried to escape but was chased by the gunmen who shot him several times.
In the second incident, which took place on Job Lane, gunmen travelling in a white car opened fire on nine men while they played dominoes at a shop.
Three of the men died on the spot while the other six were taken to hospital where two died and the others were admitted.

Grenada Publisher Proposes Castration as Rape Penalty


GRENADA (AP) -- A prominent newspaper publisher in Grenada urged legislators to consider making rape punishable by castration Monday following the rape of a 93-year-old woman.
Leslie Pierre, owner and editor of the Grenadian Voice weekly, made the suggestion in a statement distributed to journalists, saying the Dec. 6 assault on the elderly woman shows the Caribbean country needs harsher penalties.
"I want to call for castration to be the punishment for this dastardly act and ask the government as well as the opposition to warm to this idea and seek to implement it as soon as possible," Mr. Pierre said. "It is time to get serious in dealing with these culprits."
The government has not responded to the publisher's proposal, which he has suggested previously.
Currently rape is punishable by up to 16 years in prison.
Tony Curtis Thomas, 35, was arrested the day of the crime and is awaiting trial.
Police said Thomas dragged the woman from her bedroom onto her verandah
and assaulted her. He allegedly fled when the woman's great-granddaughter came home, but the young woman cried out for help and residents caught Thomas and beat him before turning him in.
Thomas was not required to enter a plea at his arraignment Friday. He was denied bail and is due to appear in court again Dec. 29.
Police in the former British colony of 90,000 people reported 160 sexual offenses last year, including 29 rape cases.

Nevis Premier’s 5-year Plan Is EC$76.5-million Package


NEVIS (CMC) -- Premier Vance Amory has presented an EC$76.5-million (US$28.3-million) budget to the Nevis Island Assembly, outlining a series of taxation measures designed to stabilise the island's finances over the next five years.
Mr. Amory said that recurrent expenditure was estimated at EC$75.9 million, with a projected recurrent surplus of EC$1.58 million (US$550,000).
"The estimated increase in recurrent revenue is mainly due to the implementation of policies to improve revenue management and collections, and anticipated spin-offs from investments in the economy," he told legislators.
Mr. Amory, who is also Finance Minister, said the five-year development plan was designed to reduce the debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to below 60 percent by 2009.
In delivering the fiscal package entitled, "Surmounting Today's Challenges for Brighter Tomorrow," Premier Amory said "there has been a weakening in the fiscal position of the Nevis Island Administration over the past five years because of exogenous factors."
He said in order for the five-year plan to be successful, the government would have to generate surpluses on recurrent account of about 1.5 percent of GDP in each of the next three years and 1 percent of GDP in subsequent years.
He told citizens as a result, they should be prepared for tougher economic measures in 2004, including increased taxes on properties, where a new system of property valuation from imputed rental to market value would be implemented by June 2004.
The Tourism Development Levy will increase from one per cent to two per cent from June 2004 and the tax base will be expanded by applying the accommodation tax of 7 per cent and the Tourism Levy of two per cent to the rental of villas.
Amory also said that his administration was exploring the possibility of imposing an excise tax of EC$1 dollar on the price of gasoline to replace the gasoline levy, while a fuel surcharge will be added to the
price of electricity.
"Government will discontinue the policy of granting exemption from consumption tax," said Premier Amory.
"Churches, taxi operators and other beneficiaries of tax concession will be granted exemption from duty only. The customs service charge and consumption tax will be payable."
Ancillary Services in the Tourism Industry will be required to register with and be certified by the Ministry of Tourism, and the fees collected for the registration would be utilised to regulate these businesses and promote tourism, he said.
The Assembly was told that Nevis' debt now stands at EC$160 million including a government overdraft facility of EC$30 million (US$11.1 million).
He said the debt service payments as percentage of revenue increased from 18.3 per cent in 2001 to 28 per cent last year, while the debt service ratio as a percentage of recurrent expenditure increased from 17 per cent to seven per cent in 2002.
Debate on the budget will begin on Friday.

Antigua/Barbuda PM Bird Invites Election Monitors


ANTIGUA (CMC) -- Prime Minister Lester Bird last Monday formally invited the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Commonwealth to send observer teams to monitor upcoming general elections.
Mr. Bird issued letters to both organisations following charges from the leader of the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) Baldwin Spencer that the government was opposed to international observers.
In a statement, the Prime Minister said he was never approached by the UPP leaderr to seek observers for the forthcoming general elections.
"I was astonished at the lengths to which Mr. Spencer is prepared to go to deceive people inside and outside of Antigua and Barbuda," Mr. Bird said.
The UPP had recently claimed that electoral malpractices had caused the ruling Antigua Labour Party (ALP) to remain in power and said that it was not prepared to allow any irregular practices in the conduct of the election this time around.
"The United Progressive Party will intensify our petitions to the world community for international observers during the remaining registration exercise, and for all stages of the electoral process leading up to Election Day," Mr. Spencer said.
In response, Mr. Bird said his ruling Antigua Labour Party (ALP) has always been committed to free and fair elections.

The Bahamas to Require Fingerprints for Passports


THE BAHAMAS (CMC) -- The Bahamas government has disclosed intentions
to issue a new national passport that will require applicants to be fingerprinted.
The disclosure came from Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell as he addressed the new security measures being implemented by the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently announced that most visitors traveling on visas to the United States will have two fingerprints scanned by an inkless device and a digital photograph taken by immigration officials upon entry at U..S. air and seaports effective January 5, 2004.
U.S. officials have explained that the measures, which will be implemented at 115 airports and 14 major seaports next year, are intended to enhance security and expedite legitimate travel.
Mr. Mitchell said the Bahamas has been exempted from the new requirement but he disclosed that recent communication from U.S. authorities has suggested that they will have to comply with the new procedure.

Haiti Nears 200th Anniversary, Calls for Restitution by France
HAITI0 (CMC) -- The Haitian government this week said that economic restitution by former colonial power, France, could catapult Haiti from its current state of poverty.
Through a government press release, the Jean-Bernard Aristide administration announced that the celebration of the country's bicentennial anniversary of independence in 2004 would be marked by demands for restitution and reparation from the French.
"Haiti's claim for restitution from France is morally correct and legally justified. It is a logical remedy to issue from the 2001 French legislation recognising slave trade as a crime against humanity, as the indemnity paid by Haiti was for the ill-gotten gains of the illicit trade in slaves," the statement said.
Restitution, it noted, "will allow Haiti to invest in its people. Schools, hospitals and roads -- long victims of the onerous indemnity payments – will be built and renovated."
And in the words of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, "restitution will allow the country to move from misery to poverty with dignity".
When Haiti defeated Napoleon Bonaparte's army at the end of 1803, Haiti became the first republic to end the human rights abuse through a successful slave revolt and as a result, France lost its most prosperous colony that had accounted for some one-third of the French foreign trade.
Since then, the economy has shrunk significantly and this year a further significant decline in GDP, a measure of economic growth, is expected unless a political agreement with donors is reached on economic policy. Suspended aid and loan disbursements totaled more than $500 million at the start of 2003.

Commissioner Heyliger Says Caribbean Tourism on the Rebound

St. Maarten Commissioner Sees 2003 Tourism on Rise
ST. MAARTEN (GIS) - Commissioner responsible for Economic and Tourism Affairs Theo Heyliger, says that Caribbean tourism is on the rebound.
In 2002, the Caribbean tourism winter season recorded a decline of approximately 10 percent, with the U.S. market contracting noticeably.
The first quarter of 2003 has seen a 7-percent increase in tourism arrivals to the region.
The rebound in Caribbean tourism has to do with intensified and targeted marketing by regional tourism destinations. There is also redirection of European visitors from the Middle East/Asia Pacific to the Caribbean.
"The Caribbean is now perceived as a safe and secure destination from terrorists threats and attacks. St. Maarten can expect a good winter season this year when we look at all the factors and analyze them together,” Mr. Heyliger said.
"Once again we have gone through a hurricane season without receiving any damage and negative publicity. Our island has recently received multi-million dollar publicity on the CNN Larry King Show, NBC Access Hollywood, as well as the infamous ABC Bachelorette/Trista & Ryan's Wedding. . . . I am confident that we can expect some business coming our way out of the publicity that we received,." Commissioner Heyliger told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Monday.

UWI Chancellor Wants Young People To Interact M0ore Across the Caribbean


BARBADOS (CMC) -- The newly-appointed Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Sir George Alleyne, believes the UWI has a greater role to play in promoting interaction among Caribbean young people and in fostering regional integration.
Addressing his installation ceremony here last Saturday night, which was attended by various regional government leaders, leaders of the public and private sectors and other distinguished guests, Sir George also vowed to improve the standing and reputation of the regional institution of which he is an outstanding product.
The former director-general of the Pan American Health Organisation said his love for the institution would govern his actions.
"This love is of course, sprinkled with nostalgia and laced with sentimentality. But it is also hardened by the deep and sure conviction that the actual and potential energy of our university, that light from the west, represents one of the best and surest hopes for illuminating a Caribbean future that is brighter than our Caribbean presents," he said.
In his address, Sir George also promoted a rationalisation of higher education systems across the region.
"The University of the West Indies will not seek hegemony, it acknowledges that it cannot and should not be the sole purveyor of specialized information in this age of knowledge, but instead must assist our countries in rationalising their efforts to increase the numbers of Caribbean young people who can have access to tertiary education," he said.
Sir George also stressed that the regional university to which he commits should foster the spirit of Caribbean Community (CARICOM). He added that a mechanism should be found to ensure that there is more interaction among young CARICOM citizens.
Sir George also credited the university with playing a significant role in the re- shaping of Caribbean identity.
"We have had an impact in politics, economics, culture, education, health - indeed, in every sphere of Caribbean life."
He also addressed the issue of globalisation, noting the University's pledge was to deal with the issue head on.
Sir George said that the nature of the intuition has changed over the years, both physically and academically, in that, " there were 90 of us in my graduating class and there were 6,000 in enrollment this year and the enrollment of twenty-eight and a half thousand increases every year".
Sir George, a Barbadian national, is the fifth Chancellor to be inducted at the university. He succeeds Princess Alice, Sir Hugh Wooding, Sir Allen Lewis, and Sir Shridath Ramphal.

SPORTS

Montserrat’s Golf Team Continues to Score Despite the Island’s Lack of a Home Course


Maintaining consistency, the Montserrat golf team continues to show its standard in OECS tournaments, taking the first low net position in the OESC annual tournament held in Antigua one month ago.
The tournament was held in Antigua in conditions affected by heavy rains. Four OECS teams competed in the event: Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and Montserrat, during which time the Antigua Annual Open was also played.
Antigua took first position in all three categories, Ladies, Seniors and Men in the gross section, while St. Lucia took first Net place in the Ladies and Seniors, while Montserrat came away with the Net place first position.
In the Antigua Open tournament, there was no team event, but individually Montserrat still stood out, with Leroy Daley taking 1st place gross in the B Division of the Men’s category; George Underwood - 2nd place in the Super Seniors Gross category, and Bennette Roach, 1st place low net in the B division of the Seniors category.
The Montserrat Men’s team comprised Ivan (Pocket) Hixon, Leroy (Wanza) Daley, Herman (Cupid) Francis, Alford (Fowl) Lindsay and Lionel (Dougie) O’Brien. The Seniors’ team comprised George Underwood, Jill Granger and Bennette Roach.
Government sports officer Mr. Fitzroy Buffonge told The Montserrat Reporter, “Golf still has an important role to play in our overall economic development thrust. The Department looks forward to the day a golf course can either be built or rehabilitated on Island.”
Earlier this year Montserrat competed in the other of two the regional tournaments in St. Lucia, that being the ECGA (East Caribbean Golf Association) tournament. That competition was rained out on the second day. Ivan Hixon played in the qualifying rounds for the OECS tournament, placing 2nd earning a position on the OECS team for the Hoermans Cup tournament, which was played in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Montserrat government has continued to assist the Montserrat golf team financially to keep its presence in the East Caribbean and OECS competitions, and the team meantime continues to make Montserrat proud in spite of Montserrat’s complete lack of golf facilities.
The sports officer commenting on his department’s support for golf said: “The Sports Department will continue to provide support for golf as we have done for other sports on the Island.”
“What is most significant is the fact that our local golfers, without an area to practice have still been able to compete at a high standard in regional tournaments,” Buffonge said further.
He ended with compliments for the golfers, “…compliment the guys for their hard work thus far and all the best for 2004 and beyond.”

FEATURES

The Chief Minister's Christmas Message 2003


It is with a profound sense of pride and honour that I address you fellow Montserratians and visitors to our wonderful island at this special time of the year.

We all have a lot to be thankful for. We continue to make significant strides in our re-development programme and we have triumphed over many obstacles brought about by an act of nature. But through it all, we have shown the rest of the world- with God's help - that we are a determined and resilient people.

The major volcanic eruption on July 12 dumped a significant amount of ash over the entire island but that did not deter the spirit of our people. They cleaned up and moved ahead. As a Government, we continue to
strenghten our partnerships and linkages with the Private Sector and Non Governmental Organisations.

Government cannot do everything. We all need to work together to promote economic prosperity while at the same time sharing the risks and benefits.

As head of Government, I wish to thank those individuals and groups who have collaborated and continue to support the work of the many Government Departments as we collectively serve the general public.

I am pleased to announce that the single most important project on the island - the Gerald's Airport Project - is proceeding very well and everything seems on course for its official opening by October 2004.
Also work on the Port Development Project is winding down and shortly we will have another key public infrastructure fully operational.

We expect that flowing from these two major projects will be an increase in trade, investment and tourism and by extension increased economic activity, growth and development.

On behalf of the Government and People of Montserrat, I wish to once again express gratitude to Her Majesty's Government through the Departments of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development for their continued support over this year. We look forward to further dialogue and collaboration as we seek to find solutions to the many challenges created by the ongoing volcanic activities.

I understand that for the second year in a row, huge contingents of Montserratians and other visitors have joined us on the island for the annual Christmas Festival. I wish to extend a special welcome to all
who have come to celebrate with us during this season. Let me commend the Montserrat Festival Committee and the many individuals, businesses, and groups both on and off island who have contributed to our Festival.
The Government and People of Montserrat appreciate your contribution as we strive to develop and enhance Culture and Tourism on Montserrat.
I also want to thank all the members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, the Public Service, the Statutory Bodies, Local, Regional and International organisations, who have been working with us to re-develop our paradise island.

Finally, on behalf my family, the Staff in my office and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, I wish everyone a Blessed Season and a Healthy, Productive and Prosperous 2004. May you enjoy the best that the season has to offer. I encourage you to share the joy of the season with your family and friends and those who are less fortunate our in society.

May God bless Montserrat.

Dec 18, 2003

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM HON. MARGARET DYER-HOWE,
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND, HOUSING & THE ENVIRONMENT


As we enter the Christmas season, and come to the end of another year, we cannot but reflect on what has been a most challenging year for all of us. In particular, the volcanic activity of July 12th dealt a severe blow to our agricultural sector, and hugely impacted the entire Montserrat community.
The task of redeveloping our beautiful island is not an easy one, and faced with setbacks such as this, seems even more difficult. But once again, working together, our people have demonstrated their dedication and determination to rise from the ashes, and we have made significant progress this year, despite the setbacks.
Our farmers have strongly rebounded, and we have all seen the lovely, fresh, local vegetables on the market in recent months. Our farmers, backyard gardeners, livestock producers and fishermen have benefited from training and materials to enable them to increase their productive capacity. In the housing sector, we have seen over 75 new homes constructed this year, and we have begun the servicing of some of our land, so that more of our people can acquire their own homes very soon.
So as we look back over the year, we cannot help but give thanks to God for His blessings on us, and for the strides He has enabled us to make. Montserrat is still one of the best and most beautiful islands in the world, with a people full of faith and purpose.
Christmas is always a special time of the year when we look forward to giving and receiving gifts. It is a time for family and friends, for reflection on what really matters in life. From my outlook in life what really matters is our relationship with God, helping others and recognizing that within each one of us there is something unique and of value that can be developed to the fullest. There are several service organizations among us that need our help. Try to include in your New Year resolution your participation in an NGO, whether in the church, School, at work or in the community. Montserrat needs all of us at this time.
I take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your contribution to the redevelopment of Montserrat. I send you all my warmest wishes for a very happy, joyful and blessed Christmas, and for a most successful, fulfilling and happy 2004.
Margaret Dyer-Howe

MAN from BAKER HILL
WE SEE WHAT WE BELIEVE!


Yes, you believe what you think about. And ultimately, what you think about you will experience, and will create.
Sounds like a bunch of hogwash, eh? But the truth is, we create our environment from our thoughts and from the mental picture we carry with us.
Montserrat is now an unkind environment of doubt, distrust and lingering fear. We think scarcity always. Deep inside our minds we believe that there will not be enough for all of us to get a fair share. As a result we do not support each other in person or in business; instead we want every dollar for ourselves. This unkind environment is a result of our collective thoughts.
And sadly, we are not aware that this desire for money and more money has dominated our focus so much. We are prepared to yield even our cultural heritage for the sake of personal wealth. These days we hardly care whether there are Christmas celebrations, as long as we have ash money. It seems as if as long as we have our pot of gold, the volcano and its ash, all else can go to hell.
Despite the worldwide help that we received since Hurricane Hugo, we will not accept that help always comes to those in need. Daily we hustle and bustle in confusion, praying for the volcano to go away, but to always send more ash -- please.
Despite the one-billion-dollar volcano aid money received from Britain, the quality of our lives leaves a lot to be desired. There is not enough quality social interaction. There is no meaningful sustained economic activity. We continue to think lack and scarcity; and no matter how much volcano money is put into the economy, we will hoard it. We shall build our personal bank accounts only. We will not spend it with each other. In fact, we prefer to send it to Japan to buy used big trucks rather than using the money to create integrated enterprises or to strengthen those businesses we have here.
Take the block making plants as an example. We are presently importing thousands of concrete blocks because the plants are unable to keep up with demand. Here we should be strengthening the local block making enterprise by investing in it.
You may not accept my opinion; but since the onset of the volcano Montserrat received everything necessary to rebuild itself. As a matter of fact, we have everything we need to survive. We have it within our minds and bodies. But it’s just the way we think that keeps Montserrat rooted in ash money. We see the problems at every bend on the road forward away from the volcano.
But if we want to move on from the volcano, we must think solutions. We must not think of lack or scarcity. There is enough here for each of us. We must think about a prosperous Montserrat with a beautiful commercial and social environment.
Yes, we are what we think about. We believe what we think and eventually we create what we believe.
So to rebuild Montserrat, we must change the way we think.
We must not think scarcity if we want prosperity. We must not think only of personal wealth if we want sustained commercial activity. We must think service. We must support each other’s enterprise. We must think of a commercially viable Montserrat, with people willing to buy and sell service. We must think of a balanced society.
In a balanced society people are usually satisfied to perform the task for which they are trained. In addition, the level of compensation for each profession should be reflective of the skill and training required to become that professional.
But today, we cannot find a plumber or an electrician. They are out scraping for the ash. We cannot get a carpenter or a mason. They prefer to be driving truckloads of ash.
Oh my God, what are we thinking about? What have we done to ourselves?
When a skilled carpenter prefers to shovel ash, a mere laborer’ task, because it pays more, our standards are in reverse. What task in the ash cleaning process commands a salary of $30,000 a month?
Certainly, things have gotten out of hand.
When the job of the chief minister pays less than the job of the ash-cleaning manager, something is terribly wrong; our collective thinking needs overhauling. It is not OK to pay the British ash worker $30,000 to watch us pick up and dump ash.
Please stop and think about it.
We will not achieve social balance when an “ash cleaner” is paid more than a school teacher.
We cannot get sustainable economic growth, when individually we think scarcity or grab and hoard.
We cannot achieve social unity when we think confusion and selfishness.
But we will begin to see a positively vibrant, economically active and socially balanced Montserrat when we embrace the responsibility for creating it.
We now know the traffic nightmare and the limitations of a commercial centre at Brades road. So let us begin to visualize a modern social and commercial centre at Little Bay.
Go on -- see the new Montserrat. Believe what you see and create it in your mind.
Just remember that what we want for Montserrat must first be created in our minds. And if we strongly believe what we think about, we will eventually create it physically.
We can make it happen. We can remove the spirits of scarcity, doubt, distrust, fear and hostility from the Montserrat environment.
Surely, what the Montserrat mind can conceive, the Montserratian can achieve.
Come on. Let us change the way we think.
Let us see in our minds what we believe...
And let us physically create the Montserrat we all deserve.
MERRY CHRISTMAS IN A MILLION WAYS,
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL WHO CARE.

Christmas Is For Stories, Friends And Pigs by John Allen


I always loved pigs. As a result I raised many of them, and being a generous man I gave several piglets as gifts to my friends.
I no longer keep pigs; but this Christmas I want to share with you some of my experiences with friends and pigs.
Once upon a time, I gave a friend a pig to rear. She reared the pig until she decided to slaughter it at Christmas. She then sent a small piece of the meat for me. Honestly, I was truly appreciative of what I thought was her gratitude. But a couple days later she asked for her money. She said, “I sold you three pounds of meat and I need my money now”.
In utter disbelief, I reminded her that I gave her the piglet free of charge- and that I did not expect her to sell me the nip of meat. To which she replied. “You gave me a very small pig; but it was I alone who looked grass and hog food for it until e come big”.
Reluctantly I paid her. And even today, I still reflect on the matter.
I wonder… if that’s what some friends are for, when it comes to pigs and Christmas money.
Another friend who received a pig from me free of charge- wanted to show gratitude.
Believe me, I am accustomed to pigs. The pig is an untidy animal. Pigs wallow in filth so when you consider eating their meat you ought to be mindful. I know; I have slaughtered many of them. So I know the parts of the pig that are difficult if not impossible to clean properly.
However, my friend after slaughtering her pig, sent me a bowl of souse in absolute gratitude for my gift. But when I took the first dip into the bowl, the nostrils of the pig came up. When I took the second dip – it was the ear bag of the pig. And on the third dip up came the hoof…
Yea, that’s what friends are for, when it comes to pigs and souse.
Here is the one that stopped me from rearing pigs…
You heard it; I loved pigs!
But I had to leave Montserrat for five months; and I did not know what to do with my treasured sow.
As God would have it, though, a very good friend wanted to borrow some money from me.
I told him that I had no extra money, but that I had a sow pig that was ready to give birth – and that it usually had a dozen piglets each time. His eyes popped. He saw more money in the pig than he wanted to borrow from me. I promised to lend him the pig for the five months. The arrangement was for him to care for the sow until I returned. And that he could sell as many of the piglets as he liked. He gleefully agreed. He took the sow. I left Montserrat.
When I returned and asked about the sow, he laughed at me. He said, “I asked you to lend me money, not a hog. So I sold the hog to get the money”.
I went hopping mad over my beloved sow.
But he stared at me as if in shock. And then he said, “Missa Allen, I couldn’t wait until the piglets were born to get the money. You rear pigs; and you know that some hogs eat their piglets at birth. So I decided to cut we losses and sell the whole hog with the pigs inside”.
You hear story…
Yes, that’s friends and pig stories.
And that’s what friends are for.
Still, Christmas is for friends, pigs…and stories.

POEM

Glad Tidings of the Season
By J. Donald Brandt

You remember last year we’d been moved once again,
Assured we’d return but with no inkling when.
Those October evictions were cruelly quick,
Boulder-blocked roads made our exclusion stick;
Although many had hastily left things behind
Their pleas to retrieve them were flatly declined.
But protests at last made officials relent
With daytime returns of limited extent;
Even those were expanded, but not overnight,
So you still had to sleep at your alternate site.
And then in July, an event we now savor,
The volcano did all of us quite a big favor;
The highest dome ever collapsed as foretold
But the peril predicted failed to unfold;
Instead white hot flows avalanched to the east,
Sending tons of debris where its harm would be least;
Ash clouds billowed aloft while most folks were asleep,
And blanketed homes with deposits quite deep,
Boding backbreaking work for a homecoming crowd,
But in August all cheered when return was allowed.
Though cleanup continues we’re back round the clock
As the mechanized clearance proceeds block by block.
The volcano, meanwhile, has been pleasingly still;
Though it’s not gone to sleep, still we hope that it will.
This holiday season finds us more full of cheer,
So warm wishes to all for the upcoming year.

TOURISM HIGHLIGHTS
Christmas Lighting Competition Kicks Off!

Once again the Montserrat Tourist Board is holding its annual Christmas Lighting Competition. Interest in the competition remains high with over 30 registrations. Homes and business places alike are all taking part and everywhere we can witness signs of this, as lights and decorations are strewn throughout the island.

Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:

- Most creative lighting design - house
- Most creative lighting design - business
- Most creative lighting design - Home/Property

Judging will take place from December 23 - 29, 2003.

This competition has been in existence for three years and shows signs of becoming even bigger and better.

The Montserrat Tourist Board wishes to thank all those who have participated in this event over the years and wishes this year's participants the very best.

Managing Your Gift Expenditure During the Holiday Season

The following article was submitted by the ECCB as part of the Financial and Economic Literacy Campaign currently taking place in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.
Gifts are among those extra expenses that when added together can throw a budget way out of line. People tend to buy gifts on impulse, and fail to do comparison-shopping.
Here are some tips on how to reduce the amount spent on gifts.
5. Place a limit on the total amount of money you plan to spend on gifts.
6. Using the total dollar value on gifts as your limit, identify the number of gifts that you plan to purchase and the amount that can be realistically spent on each gift within the identified budgetary limits.
7. Look for bargains. By shopping ahead of major holiday seasons and gift giving events, you will be able to find quality gift items at reasonable prices.
8. And finally incorporate your skills into gift-giving ideas. If you are skilled in baking consider giving a cake as a gift, or if your hobby is gardening consider giving someone a potted plant.

Dr. Lewis Presents
Draft Petition for Repeal of Crown Land Title Act 1998

We the undersigned belongers of the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat wish to record our objection to the Crown Land Title Act 1998 which extinguished the right of any person to claim land under the provisions of the Land Adjudication Act 1978 after a specified date.

This date was prescribed as the 1st Day of February 1999 by S.R.O No 5 of 1999,
Then postponed to 31st December 2000 by the Crown Land Title Act Amendment 2000, and then further postponed by the present Government to 31st December 2003
This petition seeks to obtain a further indefinite postponement of the enactment of this Act.

The following facts form the basis of this petition :-

1 The act was introduced in 1998, 1 year after about two thirds of the islands population was forced to migrate, either because their property became part of the exclusion zone, or because they lost their livelihood and had no choice but to abandon their homes and move overseas.

2 As a result of this migration, many persons were not able to exercise their rights under the Land Adjudication Act 1978. In addition , Government has not made adequate arrangements to inform the Montserrat Community abroad, that their rights to ownership of properties to which they are entitled, will end irretrievably on 31st December 2003, and no arrangements have been made to assist those persons who cannot afford to exercise their right to claim lands.

3 The Crown Title Amendment Act No 1 of 2000, in addition to setting the date of enactment to be 31st December 2000, provided for all claims to be “accompanied by a survey plan of the Land claimed which is acceptable to the Registrar of Lands.”( An expensive undertaking). It also required claims for land in the exclusion zones to be entertained for no more than 1 year after a declaration that the area is no longer within the exclusion zone. This Act also gives excessive powers to the Registrar of Lands and restricts the rights of the courts. Section 8(3) states “No court shall entertain such action or other proceedings relating to a dispute as to ownership or to the boundaries of registered land arising from a claim under this Act, unless the matter has been determined as provided in this section.”

4 The Government of Montserrat has recently sought payment of property taxes
from 1989, for properties claimed recently. Some of these lands are isolated,
have no access or services, and have not produced any revenues for owners
for many decades. It is unreasonable for government, having forced owners
to cover the cost of completing their claims, to now impose back dated taxes.
Taxes should only be paid from the date of registration of title.

We believe that the actions prescribed by the Crown Land Title Act 1998 and its amendments are unconstitutional, and should be subjected to a judicial review.

VOLCANO LIMERICKS
The News from London

There seems to have been an adjustment
In just what our misguided trust meant.
Single market and economy?
Jack Straw says enough autonomy;
So much for that promised entrustment.

College Quiz
Construction material’s arrayed
Along both sides of that grade;
The soon to be college
Is meant to give knowledge,
So where were those concrete blocks made.?

JUS WONDERIN
Jus wonderin if HMP is not a happy meeting place for people anymore.
Jus wonderin how inmates get time off to go and bad mouth and even make mischief on people who work there.
Jus wonderin who connected person received such insults when questions were asked about terms and conditions from the authority at this happy meeting place.
Jus wonderin what things going turn to be and what is next after the funeral meeting place.
Jus wonderin when the acting allowance be paid to people who work for it or is it overseas travel is the reward.
Jus wonderin why happy meeting place people keep their meetings at gas-stations, festival city and after funeral meetings.
Jus wonderin if the rain will cause any defects to the festive season.
Jus wonderin wha awe woulda do without July 12 volcano crash.
Jus wonderin if awe or dem or all awe together who get most o de ash money.
Jus wonderin how much of the money goin be spent in Montserrat.
Jus wonderin when people will stop going to Antigua and spend the money in Montserrat.
Jus wonderin if the editor going to talk about the ferry problems dem.
Jus wonderin if dem gat something gainst the governor why dem call the ferry to leave when it should wait for passengers who getting in few minutes.
Jus wonderin wha de governa and de other officials dem do when he see de ferry leaving in front they eyes.
Jus wonderin who really is de cause for that.
Jus wonderin why two inexperience PCs are so close directing traffic on the Brades road.
Jus wonderin if it needs a person to come back all the way from England to organize the shows.
Jus wonderin what happen to them people who a get de money in a dem pocket.
Jus wonderin if them kind o judge’s decision always should be final so.
Jus wonderin what did the prince and de boone do wrong in their eyes.
Jus wonderin if a because de way she wine up she self-mek dem pass e.
Jus wonderin how many people get the drift of some of dem songs.
Jus wonderin a who a thief people ram goats in a Cudjoe head.
Jus wonderin when dem thief and sell dem meat a who buy know dem a tief too.
Jus wonderin if more people than before will smile this Christmas.
Jus wonderin if the ash cleaners are getting bonus pan tap.
Jus wonderin whey he a go find reporters fu satisfy he.
Jus wonderin wha role DFID playin in Montserrat these days.
Jus wonderin if DFID and HMG think is time yet to take things in their hands again.
Jus wonderin what happen all-o-sudden to the Lookout Housing scheme Phase II and how much money the break cost the government.
Jus wonderin if we should all wish ourselves merry, happy, holy Christmas.
Jus wonderin what will happen to Montserrat with CARICOM.
Jus wonderin if the concerned persons care enough to even seriously understand what should be done.
Jus wonderin why they don’t try and work in the common interest and good.
Jus wonderin if this crop can really deal with the harvest involved or field will just rot.
Flashback Jus Wonderin
Jus wonderin why some construction companies complaining about the loss of labourers to ash clean up and if its cause dem under pay de people.
Jus wonderin why EVERY department can blame ANOTHER department for the Exclusion Zone signs not being down two months after the fact when they were put up lickety split.
Jus wonderin why some people look each other in the eye and say, and say “I do” to these things.
Jus wonderin why the government keeps putting person who are well off in the houses in Look Out, and leaves those persons whop are really in need.
Jus wonderin why all dem secondary school children always dress down fu go study an a Saturday and how many of them actually going and study and how many going to pick up dem walks.
Jus wonderin if we will hear a different tune at ZJB now we have a new manager.
Jus wonderin if de 80’s culture back in greater style or we still climbing.

FLASHBACK - 2003
January 24, 2003
CM Says London Visit Won Vows of New Aid
“I have been advised by the Secretary of State for International Development, Miss Clare Short, that she is in the process of revising the aid framework for Montserrat for the next three years,” Mr. Osborne said.
He further stated that he expects this money to be in the region of an additional EC$20 million per year for the next three years.
“In the interim, she has already allocated an additional EC$3million up to the end of this month. A further EC$7 million will also become available to carry us through to the end of the UK financial year ending March 31, 2003, which will allow the Government to consider options for land tax relief as of this new financial year,” he said.
Regarding the implementation schedule for building the Geralds airport, Mr. Osborne said, “The Airport Project will be at a full cost of EC$42.6 million; the advanced contract for the terminal building will be awarded for commencement on January 22 this year and the other components of the project, including a fire station, refurbishment works for the airport office complex and a fire tender.”
He noted that the Airport Project represents the largest financial output from the declining aid framework, which was given to Montserrat for the period 2001 to 2006.
Mr. Osborne explained that much of the money that should have been spent before 2001 was not spent, because of a combination of issues, including a lack of confidence in the previous administration.
… listing the proposed seaport and airport facility as two projects, which he said, “will enhance our tourism product and provide reliable, safe, efficient and reasonable air transportation that could encourage businesses to come to Montserrat.”
He emphasised that he and his team proved to Minister Short and her advisers that they knew the way, “but didn’t have the means to return Montserrat to full productivity and as a result, she has pledged her support,” he said.

January 24, 2003
Brandt Under Attack from Osborne and Hogan
“They (British politicians and officials) made no bones about it, that if certain people were in authority, and Claude would confirm this, (yes they said, if David Brandt was in authority), this money would not be forthcoming,” said the CM.
I have achieved more in a year and six months than the previous government achieved in four years,” he said.
“Clare Short did not hesitate to say that that she froze the development aid during the last period of the last administration. She said so to me and Claude.”
The CM sought (as he did repeatedly) confirmation from the MP who answered in the affirmative.
Threats of Calling Election
Mr. Osborne said if provoked he would call a new election, “maybe in election time, when I am provoked, I will say further if they provoke me. Let them watch me- if they continue to annoy me, I will call a new election and let the people decide if they want me again or some other people. I am not afraid to go to election again. I told Claude, if they continue to annoy me, I will ask the Governor to dissolve Parliament and go back to the polls again”.

February 14, 2003
Clare Short Undercuts CM Shot at Brandt
Reports reaching Montserrat this week from the UK have said that the Honourable Clare Short, Secretary of State for International Development, has reacted negatively to Honourable Chief Minister John Osborne’s assertion that the honourable lady froze aid
from Montserrat because of Montserrat’s former chief minister.
But local DFID officials have confirmed yesterday that during a radio programme the DFID press officer in London, with reference to CM Osborne’s assertion, issued a statement from the DFID Secretary of State which said: “This is absolutely untrue. We would never cut the money for the people of Montserrat because of a Chief Minister. It is true that we now have a good mutually respectful working relationship with the present Chief Minister and his Government, and had a very difficult relationship with the previous administration.”
David Brandt, former chief minister, reacted to the onslaught by the Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Claude Hogan that was directed at him during the said press conference in January. He appeared on television and issued a statement …admitted that there was no love lost between himself and Ms. Short.
“After all it was I who took her before the House of Commons for her unfortunate remark about Montserrat. Because I was so relentless in my fight to find benefits for all of us whose lives were turned upside down by the volcano she made her infamous statement: ‘What else are they going to ask for next, golden elephants?’ ” Mr. Brandt said in reference to his relationship with the DFID boss, Secretary of State Short.
“John Osborne will no doubt tell you he is sucking up to the British because if they like you they will treat you better. “Nonsense! That is the position of a weak and ineffective leader, which he obviously is … If you have a good case and if you could put your case well, and if the weight of history and justice are on your side, all the hatred in the world cannot prevent you from prevailing …”

February 28, 2003
CM Osborne to Face No Confidence Motion

March 7, 2003
Lowell Lewis Ousted, John Wilson Raised
Chief Minister John Osborne moved quickly and decisively to snuff out a challenge to his leadership by Dr. Lowell Lewis, the deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Communications and Works, reporting to outside news media CMC that “party delegates objected to the way Dr. Lewis had acted and agreed that disciplinary action would be taken against him.”
However reports from the Government Information Unit state that the Chief Minister said Tuesday that “a Party Committee at a caucus meeting Monday night had advised Dr Lewis to tender his resignation to the Government leader by midday on Tuesday.”
Just after mid-day Tuesday, Deputy Speaker and member of the Legislative Council John Wilson, was immediately sworn in as Dr. Lewis’s replacement during a short ceremony at the Governor’s office in Olveston.
The resignation/firing of Dr. Lewis came following a week of several high-powered caucus meetings of the NPLM party, a caucus which Dr. Lewis takes credit of putting together less than a month after the announcement of general elections in 2001.
It is little secret that despite the pledged support and loyalty of Dr. Lewis to the Chief Minister, whom he joined to contest the 2001 elections, that he has hinted his own dissatisfaction with the leadership of Mr. Osborne and that he expected the Chief Minister to step down, as he had promised, from the leadership.
It was widely known that the Chief Minister, prior to and after the 2001 general elections, had announced that he would relinquish the leadership of the government after only a short period in office, at times mentioning six months.

Lewis Quits
Dr. Lewis, who received the most votes just under two years ago in the 2001 general elections, told The Montserrat Reporter that he resigned also as a result of the pressure from his supporters, who are ready to march in support of him and who said they prefer him to serve in the legislature as an independent rather than a backbencher in the NPLM party.
He said further about the reason for his eventual resignation from the party, “my priorities and programs for the development of the country are not receiving any priorities from the party.”
Mr. Osborne had said also in the letter of request to Dr. Lewis that the party caucus had also voted overwhelmingly and affirmed his position as leader of the party.
In a statement following his letter of resignation as a Minister of Communications and Works dated March 4, Dr. Lewis had admitted that he “had considered supporting a vote of no confidence, because it was my belief that a change of leadership would be in the interest of the people of Montserrat and because of my mistaken belief that several other members of our party held the same view."

EC$4.5-million MVO Is Officially Dedicated.
The new EC$4-million Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) building and helipad at Flemings, funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), was officially opened last Thursday.
Dr. Gill Norton, acting director of the MVO, said the “new MVO building is a facility of which all Montserrat can be proud of. . . . I am certain that the it will soon be even more firmly established as a world leader in volcano monitoring organizations. Already the sciences of volcanology, seismology and geophysics have benefited greatly from the work here on Montserrat.”
Dr. Norton pointed out that a major volume on the activity of the Soufriere Hills Volcano has recently been published, and over “80 peer reviewed scientific papers and over 200 conference presentations on work at the MVO is testament to the quality of the monitoring work achieved at the MVO.” she said.
… call for "closer collaboration" between the MVO and regional institutions, and pointed out that the Government of Montserrat, as a member of the Council of the University of the West Indies, recognizes the support of the Seismic Research Unit (SRU).
“They must play an even more critical role in volcano monitoring on Montserrat. Closer collaboration with the SRU is of great importance to our economic survival and the regional integration process," Mr. Osborne said.

Montserrat Plays Host to Its First Law Enforcement Meet
For the first time in its history, the 2003 Law Enforcement Conference, hosted by the Royal Montserrat Police Force (RMPF) opened in Montserrat on Tuesday at the Police Training Headquarters in Brades.
It was attended by 29 delegates from Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean, including four United Kingdom Caribbean Overseas Territories (UKCOT) and Bermuda, and senior officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the Overseas Territories (FCO-OTD), the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT).

Simeon Sealy’s Killer Draws Life Sentence
Eight months after fatally shooting local businessman Simeon Sealy, 38-year-old Steve Molyneaux was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment on March 14 by Her Ladyship Justice Ola Mae Edwards at the Brades Court of Justice.
Miss Sheree Jemmotte, Acting Registrar of the Supreme Court and Registrar, said that the defendant had pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder when it was read against him on March 3.
Attorney General Mrs. Esco Henry-Greer prosecuted the case for the State whilst lawyer David S. Brandt represented the accused at the beginning of the trial.

LIAT an abyss, says St. Lucia's PM
ST. VINCENT (CMC) -- The St. Lucia government will not be pouring any more money into the cash-strapped regional airline LIAT, Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony has said here.
Complaining that the country was owed the second largest amount by the carrier in terms of landing and navigational fees, Anthony told CMC that he had already made his position known to his fellow Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders.
"LIAT is an abyss," Dr. Anthony said, adding that "the government of St. Lucia would not be pouring anymore money into it".
While acknowledging that LIAT has served the region well over the years, the Prime Minister said "things have changed" with the Antigua-based carrier.
He said LIAT was now at a critical juncture "at which the shareholders will have to make some hard decisions if it is to survive".

Evacuees’ Suit Seeks To Enjoin Governor
After submitting their historical petition to the Rt. Honourable Jack Straw at the Foreign and Commonwealth office in London, the residents who were forced last October to evacuate their homes in Old Towne, Isle’s Bay and areas surrounding the lower Belham
The Governor was served with a Writ, which joined him to the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, seeking an Injunction, which complains among other things that the residents’ rights were infringed on several counts.
They complain to the court that the “applicant’s fundamental constitutional right to protection from inhuman treatment as guaranteed under Section 54 of the Montserrat constitution of 1989. … the r