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
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