Quote this week – “There is no right way To do a wrong thing”
HE Takes Host of Questions At His Final Press Conference
EDITORIAL
Governor Longrigg Closes Three-year Stay With a Rain of
Laurels, and a Few Brickbats
SCRIPTURE
VERSE THIS WEEK
Free To Come Back
LETTERS
Someone Wasn’t Thrilled By PM and H.E. Lovefest
NEWS
Basic Needs Trust Fund Holds Poverty Reduction Workshop
Rotary Club of Montserrat Explains Dearth of Scholarships
in Georgia
Falkland Islands Red Cross Gives Chapter Here £5,000
CRM Plans Series of Village Meetings To Solicit Ideas for Redevelopment
Edward Lee of Harris Becomes Island’s 4th Living Centenarian
New World Book Encyclopedia Donated to Montserrat Library
Nine More Families Relocated From Geralds to Drummonds
SPORTS
FEATURE/OPINION
THE DOMINICAN OPINION
A View From the Outside - # 28
POEM – JUS WONDERIN
VOLCANO
LIMERICKS
In Absentia
Antigua Revisited
TOURISM HIGHLIGHTS
OUR ENVIRONMENT, OUR LIVELIHOOD
FLASHBACK 2003
"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)
HE Takes Host of Questions At His Final Press Confeence
At this moment,
my thoughts are, “Friday morning when I sit on that helicopter there will
be one large sigh of relief and, as I said last night, being a governor is tough,
but departing for a governor is tougher.”
Those were the sentiments of His Excellency Governor Anthony Longrigg on Wednesday,
March 31, at his last press conference two days before he and Mrs. Longrigg
left Montserrat by helicopter to begin retirement.
Mr. Longrigg addressed a number of issues during the long session, focusing
especially on the country’s need for greater economic development, strengthening
civil service, the importance and future of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory,
the Governor’s relationship with the police force, and the future of portions
of the Day Time Entry Zone currently open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For a development program, Mr. Longrigg said the key target is population growth.
“What’s hard is encouraging Montserratians to come back. If you’re
going to get the economy to grow, you need a larger population. Four to five
thousand is too small . . . so you must get Montserratians to come back if you
can. If you don’t you have to get your growth from somewhere.”
“I think the government is looking at areas of how you attract Montserratians
to come back, what you can do to get them to come back,” he said. “They
need housing, jobs, they need to know that they’ll get their children
educated, they need to know that it’s healthy and that they’ll be
looked after, if they come back as pensioners, the type of health care here.”
He emphasized the need for jobs, but reminded his questioners that “Montserrat
has been losing population not just because of the volcano, but for over 50
years, and you’ve got to expect modern world globalisation and so on,
because most likely you wouldn’t have much facilities to keep young people
here.”
Mr. Longrigg pointed out that much remains to be done, “obviously with
Little Bay. There are a lot of things that need to be done to the airport to
have it running.” Hr said the proper use of the airport is essential “to
the development of the economy in tourism and everything else.”
The Governor pointed to a thorough review of the civil service now underway.
“I would like to think that, that review is going to happen quickly,”
he said. “It needs to look at how involved people will be in the civil
service, what’s the right number of people to have, how you’ll find
the right qualities and, when you find them, how you’ll keep them.”
He said a serious assessment is being made of how many vacancies there are.
The review must first decide what is a real vacancy,whether it should be filled,
and if there are candidates qualified to fill it.
“A lot of the permanent secretaries,” he said, “are finding
that, with the new tasks they have been given, they haven’t got off the
heat. So this is a quite complex issue.”
When questions turned to the future of the MVO, Mr. Longrigg said, “It’s
always been my policy and the policy of the government of Montserrat that there
should be the closest possible cooperation between the MVO and the SRU in the
West Indies. We’re trying to keep the contacts in good shape. At the moment
the MVO is . . . running under a contract, which was signed in April last year.
It’s a five-year contract and is being reviewed . . . at the end of next
year; whereby BGS will provide staff for the MVO here, experienced staff, which
is what the island needs.””
He said the MVO’s primary purpose is to provide good advice to the government
and the govenor. “We’re actually talking not just about science,
but also about the safety of the population on Montserrat.”
He said, “BGS had been talking to the SRU about recruiting scientists.
“There’s no reason why the Caribbean can’t provide scientists
to monitor volcanoes. . . . We already have one job becoming vacant now, which
I hope is going to be filled very soon by a Montserratian.”
”If the volcano stops,” he said, “obviously new options have
to be looked at. It would still need monitoring, even when it stops. The relationship
with SRU can develop in various ways in the future.”
Turning to the police force, Mr. Longrigg said, “First, let me say I’m
very glad to be able to have a Montserratian police commissioner. Let me also
say what I’ve told him (Police Commissioner John Douglas) and now I’ll
tell everybody that I think he’s done a wonderful job.” He added
that he hoped the tradition of having a Montserratian police commissioner might
be maintained, but said that is a decision for his successor.
About the future of the DTEZ, the Governor said a great deal of thought has
been given to “what to do with the areas currently in the exclusion zone,
may it be open, what is anyone going to do to encourage people to go back and
live there 24 hours.a day, if it’s safe to do so.”
He pointed out that if and when livable areas of the DTEZ are opened to reoccupation,
it will create increased manpower problems for the Royal Montserrat Police Force,
requiring at least additional staffing at the Salem Police Station and possibly
a general increase in the force.
Mr. Longrigg was also asked why he had not held more news conferences during
his tenure as governor, to which he replied, “If people had been pressing
me to have press conferences, maybe we would have had more. . . . I didn’t
do it, not because I didn’t want to do it, or I didn’t do it more
often because I didn’t really want to do it more often. If somebody had
said to me ‘Can we have a press conference?’ I would have said fine.”
On July 1, 2003 Buckingham Palace announced the appointment of Mrs. Deborah
Barnes-Jones as the successor to Longrigg as Governor of Montserrat.
Mrs. Barnes-Jones will make history by becoming the first woman to serve as
Governor in a British Overseas Territory, at least in the Caribbean.
Until recently she was Britian's Ambassador to Tbilisi, Georgia is expected
to arrive in Montserrat to take up her duties about May 17, according to the
Governor's Office.
 (Longrigg departs) Caption: Governor Longrigg saying his last goodbyes |
 (Gov & Mrs. Longrigg…) Caption: Governor and his wife Jane remained people persons to the end. |
|
.JPG) (Gov. Longrigg at Last Press Conference:) Caption: Governor Longrigg speaking at his last press conference |
||
Psalm
31:22
I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before Your eyes.”
When I first acquired an adorable puppy named Dolly, she filled my days with
frequent trips to the backyard. Then she began using these occasions to explore
places I didn’t want her to go.
By offering her a reward, I was able to teach her to respond to my command,
“Come!” But eventually, the rewards weren’t enough to get
her to come back to me.
So I bought a leash on a reel that gives Dolly a safe amount of freedom, but
gives me the option of “reeling her in” when she ventures too far.
This reminds me of God’s dealings with a drug-addicted man named Derek.
Longing to break his addiction, he stayed in our home, where he became God’s
child.
He overcame his habit but he still battled with temptation. One day he gave
in, ran away, and used some drugs.
Then guilt overwhelmed him as he sat despondently on a park bench. He felt like
the psalmist David (Psalm 31:22) and said to himself, “I’m cut off
from the Lord. I’m finished.” But the long leash of God’s
love tugged on his heart.
Immediately, Derek asked for the Lord’s forgiveness and made his way back
to us (Psalm 32: 3-5).
If you’re going the wrong way and feel cut off from God, remember, you
can return. Respond to the tug of His forgiving love on your heart and come
back to Him today.
O lord, return me to Your power
That once by grace I knew;
Forgive the sin that grieved Your heart,
And help me to be true.
True repentance turns from the wrong and returns to the right.
Someone Wasn’t Thrilled By PM and H.E. Lovefest
Dear Editor,
Neva me here such stuff. Bossie chat such stuff at H.E. mekkin him feel good
to go. H.E. chat such stuff bak at em how he so enjoy his time here. Dem both
chat dung. Wha Bossie luk for, Ambossiedor to Lundon from Monsrat? Wha H.E.
luk for, dem not fire him before he retire?
Me tired here such crap, sumbudy tell trut for change.
Discuraged
Basic Needs Trust Fund Holds Poverty Reduction
Workshop
The Basic Needs
Trust Fund (BNTF) held its fifth Programme during a two days workshop on March
30-31 at the MS Osborne Conference Centre at the Vue Pointe Hotel.
The BNTF Programme, is now otherwise referred to as “CDB Flagship Poverty
Reduction Programme” has as its mission: “To provide service to
poor communities in order to improve access to basic public services and enhance
employability, which could reduce beneficiaries’ economic and social vulnerability
to risks that impact on incomes and employability.”
The programme’s objective is “the reduction in vulnerability, in
a sustainable and gendersensitive manner, of poor people living in deprived
communities,” through the expansion and conservation of the stock of social
and economic infrastructure…; the improvement of the human resource base…;
and the promotion and strengthening of the capapcity of community organizations
to initiate and manage change.
The workshop in Montserrat was part of and fulfils CDB’s commitment made
in October 2001, to hold individual Project Launch Workshops in each of the
BNTF participating countries.
CDB claims that previous programmes “have achieved significant success
in addressing the problems of underemployment and unemployment,” but argues
that “the occurrence of frequent natural and other disasters” and
other mitigating factors “require that the most vulnerable BMCs continue
receive CDB support that will promote broad-based growth.”
The fifth BNTF programme is now in 10 beneficiary member countries and will
provide approximately US$69 million, US$32million from Caribbean Development
Bank (CDB) SDF V. US$24million (Canadian $38million added by Canada, and US$13
million in counterpart funds from the 10 Governments.
Between 1979 and 2003 CDB and USAID contributed US$105 million funding 1,347
sub-projects 796 of which were funded in BNTF 4 alone.
In comparison, the fourth Programme provided US$27.6 million, while BNTF 5 will
provide approximately $US69 million made up by $32 million from CDB, $24 m and
$13 m from the 10 participating governments.
Rotary Club of Montserrat Explains Dearth of Scholarships in Georgia
No student from Montserrat has been chosen to receive a scholarship under the
USA Georgia Rotary Student Program for the 2004-2005 school year.
Although there were more than 300 applications this year, only 76 students were
granted scholarships by Georgia Rotary Scholarship sponsors. This number was
less than in previous years but some of the reasons for this were that not only
students failed to take the necessary SAT tests they needed for admittance into
the schools in Georgia but also there was a general decrease in the numbers
accepted.
According to officials administering the program, it was evident that although
many excellent candidates had applied, all could not be accepted. They added
that the lower acceptance level this year did not necessarily reflect the academic
unworthiness of students. They expressed their regret that this year there were
a limited number of scholarships.
The Montserrat Rotary Club has had two successful students in both the 2002-2003
school year and the 2003-2004 school years.
The Rotary Club wishes to let youngsters interested in applying for these scholarships
know that the requirements are becoming very strict and that the taking of the
SAT test is a must. The tests must be completed by October 31 each year.
Falkland Islands Red Cross Gives Chapter Here £5,000
The Falkland Islands Branch of the British Red Cross has made a donation of
£5,000 to its counterpart branch in Montserrat.
Russ Jarvis, Head of the Governor's Office in Montserrat and former Deputy Governor
of the Falkland Islands based in the South Atlantic, presented the cheque to
local Red Cross officials on Monday April 5.
Mrs. Lystra Osborne, head of the local branch, said in accepting the cheque
that late last year the Montserrat Red Cross had requested of the British Red
Cross (BRC) funds to help former shelterees to move into their new homes at
Lookout. BRC reported that they were unable to help but passed on the request
to their Falkland Islands Branch, who responded favourably.
Mr. Jarvis, who had close ties to the Red Cross in his Falklands days, said
during the presentation ceremony that there were very many similarities between
the two branches and islands. "They are both used to adversity and both
share a love of humanity which motivates them to help others," he said.
The monies donated will be used to help in the purchase of home packs for needy
people moving from shelters into new homes.
 Photo (Red Cross receives donation) caption: Mr Jarvis makes presentation to Mrs. Osborne and Mrs. Browne of MRC |
CRM Plans Series of Village Meetings To Solicit Ideas for Redevelopment
The Committee for the Redevelopment of Montserrat (CRM) announced on Monday
this week that it will be holding a series of Village meetings throughout Montserrat,
which began on Wednesday night at 7:00 o’clock at the Salem Primary School.
A last minute announcement however, postponed this first meeting to a date to
be announced.
The group was formed just over three years ago and championed the case of the
lack of safety that the proposed airport at Geralds
presents.
The CRM said in its announcement that “it is recognised that the ideas
and vision of the masses as related to the economic and social development of
Montserrat are not taken into consideration, hence CRM is on a hunt so to speak.”
As their goal at these meetings, the Committee spokesperson said: “We
want to hear the ideas and opinions of the people which we hope to collate and
take forward with the hope that the powers that be would recognise the valued
input of the community with regard to the social and economic transformation
of this country.”
The CRM comments further, as it invites people to participate, “it is
sad that while we have a government that claims to want to empower the people
believe (they) that they can do it all by themselves without the input of the
wider community. We need your ideas and your vision, so come out and play your
part for you are important to the overall development process.”
Edward Lee of Harris Becomes Island’s 4th Living Centenarian
Another Montserratian, Edward Lee, resident of the Golden Years Home, celebrated
his 100th birthday Sunday, March 27, to become one of four centenarians currently
living on the island.
Mr. Lee was born in 1904 in Harris. He worked as a bus driver and as manager
at Ways plantation during his younger years.
In 1999 he moved to the Golden Years Home, where he has been living.
At the birthday celebration Mr. Lee was joined especially by his eldest son,
Christopher King Lee, Project Manager of Montserrat Basic Needs Trust Fund,
and His Excellency Governor Anthony Longrigg and Mrs. Longrigg.
Governor Longrigg presented Mr. Lee with a birthday card from Her Majesty the
Queen, and gave a brief speech.
The Governor congratulated Mr. Lee for his accomplishment, along with all the
other centenarians living on Montserrat.
Mr. King Lee describes his father as a “jack of all trades,” and
claimed that apart from his father’s youthful appearance in spite of his
age, he has a fantastic memory, with all five senses at work.
Explaining his father’s youthful appearance, he said that he eats a lot
of local produce, mainly sweet potatoes, pumpkin, tomatoes and other ground
provisions.
Mr. Lee told The Montserrat Reporter that he never expected to live for such
a long time. He thanked God for allowing him to reach this milestone and bragged
about how loving his children have been.
The centenarian remains a loyal cricket fan.
Caption: Edward Lee – all his faculties operate at top gear |
New World Book Encyclopedia Donated to Montserrat Library
Two weeks ago a set of books was donated to the Montserrat National Library
by the Alliouagana Library Friends.
A 12-book set of the World Book Encyclopedia, 2004 edition, were given to the
Alliouagana group from the Long Island Chapter Caribbean Tourism Organization,
and were handed over to the Montserrat library by Charles Kirwan, President
of the Alliouagana Library Friends.
Alliouagana Library Friends is a local support group established to help the
Montserrat National Library in aid development projects that the library might
be working on through fund-raising activities and other donations.
Nine More Families Relocated From Geralds to Drummonds
The permanent resettlement of families who previously had been evacuated to
Geralds and housed there continues, with nine more of these families receiving
the keys to their new homes at the Drummonds Housing Scheme.
Airport Project Manager Claude Hogan said the houses at Drummonds have been
financed by the Government of Montserrat to the tune of $900,000.
He said an additional sum was also allocated for infrastructural support.
This resettlement of the 42 households became necessary in order to facilitate
the building of the airport at Geralds.
MP Hogan said the units, which are gifts from the government, are better than
the structures they replace.
Antigua and Barbuda PM Spencer Sets Parliament to Meet Weekly
ANTIGA -- Prime Minister W. Baldwin Spencer and his Cabinet agreed this week
to weekly meetings of Parliament, the appointment of the first female Cabinet
Secretary and the launching of a review into the give-away of more than 1,000
duty-free concessions by the previous administration during the lead-up to the
last general elections.
The announcement was made by Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro, Junior Minister of Information
in the Office of the Prime Minister, at the second weekly post-Cabinet briefing,
which was established a week earlier.
In a break from the past, where both Houses of Parliament met only periodically,
the new practice calls for weekly meetings of either the Upper or Lower House.
Mrs. Eusalyn Lewis, former Chief Establishment Officer, was appointed and seated
as the first female Cabinet Secretary. Mrs. Lewis has been a teacher, Principal,
Senior Education Officer, and Deputy Chief Education Officer. Mrs. Lewis also
served as Perrmanent Secretary in the Ministries of Education and Health. She
replaces former Cabinet Secretary Lounel Stevens, who resigned effective March
31st, after serving since 1976.
After discussing the more than 1,000 duty-free concessions which were passed
by the previous government in the weeks leading up to the March 23rd General
Elections, rhe Cabinet decided that all the concessions would have to be reviewed.
Minister of Finance Dr. Errol Cort will issue a statement on the matter.
A week earlier, Prime Minister Spencer settled into his new position as Antigua
and Barbuda's third Prime Minister after his United Progressive Party broke
the 28-year rule of the Antigua Labour Party by winning 12 parliamentary seats
to four in general elections on Tuesday, March 23
First off, Mr. Spencer briefed staffers in the Office of the Prime Minister
on the expectations and plans of his administration and held his first meeting
with members of his Cabinet. At his office briefing Mr. Spencer said, "You
will see some new faces as we move along, and once you are prepared to do your
work in a professional manner, things will go smoothly."
On March 29th four Senators were sworn in by Governor General Sir James Carlisle
as Ministers and Parliamentary Secretary: Senator Collin Derrick as Minister
of Social Transformation; Senator Aziz Hadeed as manager of the government’s
construction of the Caribbean Festival Park project in the Perry Bay/Donovan’s
area; Senator Joanne Massiah as Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture
and Fisheries, and Senator Lenworth Johnson as the new Parliamentary Secretary
in the Ministry of Finance and the Economy.
At the first post-Cabinet briefing on March 29, Dr. Quinn-Leandro, said that
Prime Minister Spencer had confirmed that all political appointees to State
boards, Corporations and Statutory bodies were expected to tender their resignations
with immediate effect. and that political appointees to other state agencies
and Ministries should have already complied with the universal convention. Sir
Ronald Saunders, UK Ambassador under the previous administration, promptly observed
that Convention and was first to do so,.
Dr. Quinn-Leandro said an inter-ministerial team comprising Minister of Works
Daniel, Minister of Finance Cort and Minister of Social Transformation Derrick
was named for the reconstitution and appointments to State Boards.
 Photo: Gov General and members of Antigua Parliament Caption: Governor General, Prime Minister and members of Antigua Parliament |
 Photo: Antigua Cabinet Caption Members of Antigua’s new cabinet |
Montserratian Shirley Kirwan Creates New Educational CD
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS -- Special Education Teacher Mrs. Shirley Kirwan of Montserrat
has launched an educational compact disc (CD) aimed at encouraging children
to learn sounds which are imperative in helping early or beginning readers acquire
skills necessary for reading.
Mrs. Kirwan began her teaching career in 1980 and over the years completed studies
at the Antigua Teachers College and the University of Newcastle and University
of Nottingham in England. She has a Bachelors Degree in Special Education and
a Masters in Education with a concentration in Speech and Language Disabilities
and has worked in the field in Montserrat and in London.
She has been living and working in the British Virgin Islands since 2001, when
she was recruited for the BVI High School’s Pre-Vocational Centre.
“ABC,” the CD created by Mrs. Kirwan, was released on Tortola in
December 2003. The CD targets children from infancy to 8 years old, but young
people up to 18 might find it useful. The CD exploits in particular children’s
responsiveness to music and rhythm, by translating the lessons into sing-alongs..
“Despite the swarm of the market with reading based educational tools,
there is none that is as user friendly, straightforward and more effective than
this product,” Mrs. Kirwan said.
“Just put it in your CD player at home, in your car or at the beach and
let your children learn the sounds while they have fun. . . . For the last 10
years, I’ve been working with children . . . with modern learning difficulties
in main stream schools and I have observed that the main problem stems from
the inability to read…My conviction is catch them early when they are
at a more impressionable age and later problems will be eliminated.”
Other productions in the making by Mrs. Kirwan include a Letter sound booklet
and CD’s and booklets dealing with diagraphs, blends, onset and rhyme
and syllables.
Copies of this educational CD can be bought in Montserrat at Arrow’s Manshop.
For further information, contact Mrs. Kirwan at 1-284-494-5026 in the BVI
 Photo: Shirley Kirwan Caption: Mrs. Kirwan has been in the teaching profession for nearly a quarter century |
Antigua’s PM Spencer Briefed By CRNM Director-General
ANTIGUA -- Director-General Richard Bernal of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating
Machinery CRNM) held brief discussions with Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer during
a courtesy call at the Office of the Prime Minister onTuesday..
Mr. Bernal updated Mr. Spencer on the operations of the CRNM, as well as the
status of negotiations involving the World Trade Organization (WTO), the European
Union (EU), the African Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) and the Free Trade
Area of the Americas (FTAA).
He assured Mr. Spencer that the CRNM is to help Antigua and Barbuda to articulate
any of the country's needs. Mr. Bernal pointed out that as a member state, Antigua
and Barbuda contributes to the positions which the organization formulates.
He said he had every reason to believe that the country will play a positive
role in the scheme of things, noting that there are professionals from Antigua
and Barbuda who have been working with the CRNM.
He mentioned Permanent Secretary Colin Murdoch in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and Senior Economist Elliot Paige in the Ministry of Trade, commending them
for their efficiency and professionalism in dealing with the CRNM.
T&T Gold-medal Swimmer Bovell Amasses Medals on Way to Athens
TRINIDAD -- George Bovell III is the first swimmer from Trinidad and Tobago
to set a world record.
In his quest for Olympic Gold in Athens 2004, just months away, Bovell established
a new world record last month, returning a time of 1:53.93 in the short course
200-metres individual medley (IM). He also won multiple gold at the National
Collegiate Amateur Association (NCAA) 2004 Championships.
In February this year, Bovell won Gold and Silver at the World Cup Swim Championships
in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
At 20, Bovell holds over 50 national records and has become Trinidad and Tobago’s
greatest swimmer, according to Shastri Roberts, his Piranha Aquatics swim club
Director.
In 2001, Bovell placed 4th at the world championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Later
that year, he won multiple gold at the Carifta, Caribbean Invitational Swim
Championships (CISC) and the Central American and Caribbean Age Groups Championships
(CCCAN).
Bovell sustained and overcame injury in 2002, but was unable to compete at the
Commonwealth Games and Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC).
In 2003, at the US Open Record 200-yards individual medley (IM), he swam the
fastest time ever in the history of the event (1:42.66) and became the 2003
NCAA Champion, representing Auburn University.
In late 2003, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee named Bovell Male Athlete
of the Year 2003.
OAS, 3 Regional Nations Join In Geothermal Power Research
ST.
KITTS -- St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and St. Lucia are involved in a regional
project seeking the commercial development of geothermally fueled electric power
plants.
The announcement follows discussions in Basseterre between an OAS technical
team and St. Kitts and Nevis Deputy Prime Minister Sam Condor, officials of
several government ministries and non-governmental organizations, including
the Brimstone Hill Society National Park and the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber
Industry and Commerce.
Kenneth Parker, Director of the Office of the General Secretariat of the OAS,
said the regional sustainable energy initiative is primarily funded by grants
from the Global Environmental Fund and the French Development Agency, together
with managerial support from the OAS.
Mr. Parker said the OAS assistance includes establishing a US$10-million drilling
risk fund and providing a multi-million-dollar technical assistance aid grant
to the three nations.
“This support is being designed to enable countries to attract quality
developers to provide hundreds of millions of dollars in regional project geothermal
investments,” Mr. Parker said.
Mark Lambrides, OAS Project Manager for the Geo-Caraibes Initiative, said the
major purpose of the project is to maximise the potential for geothermal development
of low-cost, environmentally sound energy for multiple uses, and to enable the
governments to attract and manage investment by proven geothermal developers.
While in the Federation, the OAS team made field visits to potential geothermal
sites in both St. Kitts and Nevis.
Three CARICOM Leaders Chat With New PM Baldwin Spencer
ANTIGUA -- Prime Minister W. Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda held informal
meetings last weekend with three CARICOM heads of government who were in-transit
in Antigua.
On Saturday morning, Prime Minister Spencer met Prime Minister of St. Vincent
and the Grenadines Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and Chief Minister of Montserrat John
Osborne, who were on a stop over in Antigua following the CARICOM Heads of Government
Meeting in St. Kitts.
During their informal discussion, Mr. Spencer, who was unable to attend the
CARICOM Summit, was briefed on a number of the issues that were discussed at
the meeting, including Cricket World Cup 2007 and Antigua and Barbuda taking
up the Chairmanship of CARICOM.
Prime Minister Gonsalves said that although Mr. Spencer has just assumed the
position of Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, he is confident that he will
play a major role in the direction of the Community because of his experience
and ability.
Prime Minister Spencer said that chief among the issues that his government
will be addressing within the Community would be the transformation of LIAT
to make it into a profitable regional airline.
Later that evening, Prime Minister Spencer hosted an informal dinner with President
Bharat Jagdeo of Guyana.
Anguilla Airport Expansion Given 8 million Euros
More
The European Commission is providing 8 million Euros under the 9th European
Development Fund (EDF) to Anguilla for the development of the island’s
air transport sector. The balance of previous unspent EDF funds of 0.29 million
Euros will also be available for this project.
The money will go towards expanding the Wallblake Airport, with the extension
of the runway from 3,600 feet to 6,000 feet, expansion of apron parking, upgrading
of the terminal, navigational, communication, rescue and fire facility equipment.
In Anguilla for the signing was Ambassador Tincani, the Head of delegation for
the European Community for the Caribbean, who is based in Barbados.
Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming described the signing of the agreement with
the European Development Fund as historic.
Mr. Fleming told the EU official that the government and people are very grateful
for the contr0ibution to Anguilla and he hoped the cooperation will continue.
For his part Ambassador Tincani said he was pleased to be in Anguilla while
he visited several countries following up on the work of his predecessor.
On completion the Wallblake Airport will be able to accommodate aircraft up
to the size of the Boeing 737 commercial jet, most private jets and the ATR
72 aircraft, which American Eagle plans to introduce this year to replace the
smaller ATR42.
A release from the EU noted that Anguilla is the last remaining premier upscale
tourism destination in the Caribbean which is required to upgrade its facilities.
The Anguillan government is pursuing a tourism led economic model focusing on
the development of luxury tourism facilities for the affluent tourist.
With tourism directly and indirectly employing 48 percent of the working population
and American Eagle, the principal carrier of tourists from the U.S. market,
informing the Government of its intention to withdraw the ATR42 during 2003,
it was necessary to take steps to safeguard the industry, the EU release said.
Economic Partnership Agreements to be Set Next Month Between EU and CARICOM
Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the European Union and CARICOM
are scheduled to be launched on April 16 in Kingston, Jamaica.
The EUs team at the launch will be led by Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy and
Development Commissioner Poul Nielson, while the Caribbean team of Ministers
will be spearheaded by the region’s Lead Ministerial Spokesperson on EPAs,
Dame Billie Miller, Barbados’ Senior Minister for Foreign Affairs and
Foreign Trade.
At a recent meeting of the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development
(COTED) held in Belize, COTED affirmed that a regional EPA must make a meaningful
contribution to development. COTED also noted that the Caribbean Regional Negotiating
Machinery (RNM) planned to accelerate the region’s technical preparations
for EPA negotiations.
A series of technical consultations are scheduled to be convened, including
a meeting of trade and development experts in June this year. A number of technical
studies in this field will also be undertaken. These technical preparations
will culminate in recommendations to COTED, which will provide guidance for
further action.
EPAs are free trade agreements between the EU and African Caribbean Pacific
(ACP) sub-regions and in the stance of the Caribbean they are similar to the
FTAA or any other Free Trade Agreement. However, there is difference, as EPAs
are instruments of development, where assistance is to be provided for regional
integration, improved governance, social development, regulatory upgrading,
environmental sustainability, and trade negotiation capacity building.
EPAs come with measures to prepare ACP regions, such as CARICOM/CARIFORUM for
trade liberalization, most notably in the form of the financial protocols (the
European Development Funds) included in the Cotonou Partnership Agreement.
Sweeping British Police Raids Net 8 Suspected Terror Plotters
ENGLAND — A sweep by hundreds of British police officers through London
and parts of southeastern England on Tuesday led to the arrests of eight men
suspected of preparing a terrorist attack, and the seizure of 1,000 pounds of
ammonium nitrate fertilizer, which can be used to make explosives.
The fertilizer was found in a commercial storage locker near central London,
the police said.
Peter Clarke, chief of the antiterrorist branch of the London police and national
antiterrorism coordinator, said at a press conference that the eight had been
arrested "on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation
or instigation of acts of terrorism."
But exactly what the men were planning, their connections to one another and
to the storage locker, and whether they were acting alone remain unanswered.
One suspect was said to be 32, the seven others between 17 and 22.
Unidentified sources said that all eight are British citizens of Pakistani origin
and that some had been under surveillance for months.
Mr. Clarke said the raids were "part of continuing and extensive inquiries
by police and the security service into alleged international terrorist activity,
and I must stress that the threat from terrorism remains very real."
"The public," he said, "must remain watchful and alert."
The police made no statements about any affiliation the men might have with
known terrorist organizations or networks. Mr. Clarke said the operation was
"not linked to either Irish Republican terrorism or to the recent attack
in Madrid."
Police officers from five jurisdictions took part in the dawn raids, and the
arrests and searches were made in towns and villages on the commuter lines that
radiate out from the city.
Anticipating possible criticism from Britain's large Muslim population, Mr.
Clarke said, "We in the police service know that the overwhelming majority
of the Muslim community are law abiding and completely reject all forms of violence."
But, he added, "we have a responsibility to all communities to investigate
suspected terrorist activity."
Mr. Clarke added that police officials were holding discussions with leaders
of the Muslim community to address their concerns.
Appearing before Parliament on Tuesday, the home secretary, David Blunkett,
said, "While it is for the appropriate authorities to decide what action
is taken against those individuals arrested today, the fact that such action
was felt necessary is a timely reminder that the U.K. and its interests abroad
remain a target."
A
View From the Outside - # 28
By Ken Walter
Sales & Marketing:
I have always thought it curious that in the United States we say “sales
and marketing” when in fact it should be the other way around. Hearing
as much as we have recently about the programs that are currently in place,
and new ones to be implemented in the future to promote tourism and commercial
development, it seems appropriate to review these key “marketing”
and “sales” topics.
If you are endeavoring to sell a product or service, unless you properly identify
your prospective market your sales efforts will be for naught. While marketing
and sales are interrelated they are two completely separate and different functions.
Simply put you cannot develop a sales plan until after you have completed your
marketing research.
Marketing seeks to identify who will be your sales prospects. A prospect is
a potential customer who fits a demographic profile. What you are endeavoring
to do is identify and target those customers who would be interested in purchasing
your product or service. Basic factors that might be considered are income -
ability to afford the purchase, need or desire (central heat would be of no
interest in the Caribbean), gender (men are not good prospects for a new brand
of lipstick), etc. The list goes on and on, from these basics to the very complex.
Historically one of the greatest mistakes made in developing a sales plan is
not to appropriate sufficient time and resources to marketing. Many times this
happens when those people directly involved with a product become so enthusiastic
that their objectivity becomes clouded and they lose sight of the fact that
the actual market may be very different from what they envision. The Ford Edsel
automobile is the classic textbook example of this kind of error and Ford recently
repeated this error in misjudging the market with the re-introduction of the
Thunderbird. I could foresee Montserrat making a similar mis-judgement last
year when it was touted that tourists would be eager to visit this island to
experience the volcano with only a visit to the MVO and Jack Boy Hill.
Let’s continue to use tourism on Montserrat as an example. We already
know that Montserrat is a unique holiday destination. Unique in that not now,
or in the future, will Montserrat be a direct flight destination from either
North America or Europe, it has no casino gambling, no “all inclusive”
resorts, no profusion of white sand beaches, etc. Thus there is no need to spend
sales promotion dollars in advertising to that segment of the holiday travel
market. If Montserrat practices “due diligence” with its market
research, it must take into consideration the future of tourism in the Caribbean
and particularly the long-term impact of Cuba on this market. There is no doubt
that when the market is fully researched, what will emerge is an equally unique
group of prospective “Eco” and Adventure Tourists, where the expenditure
of sales promotion resources will yield both positive and profitable results.
When the comprehensive marketing research is completed, the development of a
sales plan and accompanying action plan can go forward.
Here again there is the need for constant “reality checks;” most
importantly the understanding of who your customers/consumers are and their,
not your, expectations. For example, what will be the SOP [standard operating
procedure] and assistance package offered by MAS to that tourists who, due to
no fault of their own, have missed a connection and are stranded in Antigua?
Or will they be simply told “sorry for any inconvenience” but left
to their own resources? In this very competitive marketplace such indifference
to a consumer’s need is unacceptable. As these consumers exit the Montserrat
Arrivals building, will they feel they have been sincerely and warmly welcomed
by the Immigration & Customs officials or will they be talking about “those
surly government employees”? First impressions are critical, so if the
“powers that be” are of the opinion that visitors are being greeted
properly, but the tourists themselves feel otherwise, then Montserrat will have
failed another “reality check”!
Books and more books have been written on this topic; this has been no more
than a primer on marketing and sales. Whether you the reader are a government
official or employee, business owner or prospective entrepreneur, understanding
these principles is imperative, but more important are implementation and ability
to eventually acknowledge “goals accomplished.”
These “Views
From the Outside” are presented as motivational food for thought. As an
entrepreneur and business veteran with over 35 years of hands-on management
experience, I feel I can speak with some authority. My goal is to hopefully
generate some of the sparks that kindle the desire to act proactively - now,
not reactively after opportunities are lost.
Immigration is a difficult thing to handle anywhere in the world. But in our
little country it is even more difficult to handle. We need people. We need
a bigger population. But how will we control all that is coming with it? We
are such a tiny population.
If we hear that five people have AIDS we will all panic and start to count up
how many relationships we had. If we hear that the police find one pound of
cocaine we will panic even more and begin to wonder why our next door neighbor
acting so strange all of a sudden.
But for some reason when we have real proof of child molestation, when we know
our government and police have real proof of prostitution and up right under
your nose bribery, we hear no outcry. I don’t want to beat up the Churches
on Montserrat for honing in on gambling and trying to stop it from happening
here. All that is well and good. But it is not enough. Why don’t I see
them with their placards out in Caricom Village and down by the Festival Village
saying no more prostitution, no more fighting, and we don’t want that
here?
Folks let me enlighten you, maybe remind you, as to what is going on here in
Montserrat. We have prostitution. Not just a little prostitution. We have really
big prostitution, aided and abetted by really big men. I want you to go around
the country late any night. I want you to go see which big men car park up where.
I want you to go see just who is very pregnant and I want you to go see who
for. I want you to ask which wife losing her hair and her marbles because her
fine upstanding husband spending all his nights and all his money where, when
and on whom.
It is difficult to tackle these issues out in the public without someone jumping
down your throat and telling you about how is we own Caribbean people who we
giving a hard time. But that is just an easy response to a really big problem.
Families are being destroyed. Children are not being given their monthly support.
Sexually transmitted diseases, I hear, are on the rise. It is said that any
‘school child’ and some policemen can show you which house is a
house of ill repute. It is said that there are members of the ruling party who
are being called out of their homes at night to break up fights between some
the Santo population. This I hear too, but I am being told that non-nationals
are telling us right up in our faces that we cannot send them home because they
have legal resources behind them. And they even adding broken English expletives
to add insult to injury.
What are we going to do about this growing foreign population and its growing
problems? My friend tells me not to call them foreigners, but that is what I
am going to call them. I am going to call them that because some of them bringing
in values that are foreign to our society. They bringing in crime and prostitution,
they bringing in fighting and home wrecking problems. I reminded my friend that
we had two wars here a long time ago when Montserrat men couldn’t handle
the foreign policemen and the African men messing up their good thing. It is
time that the women, children and good church people put their foot down. It
is time that all Montserratians demand a new day. Our society will soon be like
any other crime ridden Caribbean society if we let the private sector and the
government continue to foist all these foreign ills upon us, especially with
gambling along with it.
Oh yes, I know not all of this is all together new, but let me just say that
not all men disrespect their womenfolk. Some of us have morals and scruples
and some of us respect our health and our bodies. Some of us want to set real
examples for our children. We must be bold and brazen. We must tell our hapless
Gang of Four that we don’t want any more prostitution. We don’t
want any AIDS. We don’t want any more Santo on Santo fighting in the streets
at nights. We don’t want any more broken homes and destitute children.
And most of all let us tell our Government that we cannot and will not have
this level of unchecked immigration where all and sundry can just waltz into
Montserrat and mash up our safe, moral and happy society. Tell them that we
want to talk openly about what this is doing to our country. Our preachers should
be shouting from the pulpits and our teachers should be challenging our government
from the lecterns about the increasing immorality and prostitution. Our wives
and mothers should be banging down the door of the office of our hapless 7-percent,
nonetheless Minister responsible for Community and ecclesiastical affairs and
letting her know about the destruction of the family unit. They should tell
her about the increase in the AIDS potential and why she should care. Our fine
upstanding citizens who care so much about the introduction of gambling should
be challenging the police and legal profession to root out every house of ill
repute and take legal action against the pimps and johns who aid and abet these
whorehouses.
Come on people, our country is being bombarded on every side by sin, shame and
spiritual wickedness in very high places. It is time to put an end to all this.
We are fast approaching the point of no return. And we know that we are almost
there when foreigners can get right up in our faces and tell us that we cant
@#$%^&*! put them out of our own country no matter what they do because
they’ve got the whole legal and legislative profession and process behind
them.
Father God, we pray, help us all!
With the loss of a knee-jerk reflex
The island has grown less complex;
Many waited a while
But now they can smile
And happily talk of ‘His Ex.’
Baldwin Spencer took over the nation
With a post-landslide celebration;
He must have been swayed
As John Osborne brayed
Out his ‘warmest congratulation.’
Jus wonderin why some people think that the new Governor will be any different
from the than last on.
Jus wonderin if the Governor’s going away party sweeten den police officers
mek dem having another party this Saturday night.
Jus wonderin why de lil schoolgirl don’t know that all that come with
the territory why she fighting with the fire boyfriend.
Jus wonderin if the agricultureal exhibition will be as good as last time, considering
the July 12 ash fall last year.
Jus wonderin how long it going to take them to fix that road by the new wall
in Cudjoe Head right on the corner.
Jus wonderin if delta can refuse to have a watchman because they cutting back.
Jus wonderin why the radio covering up why the CM gone away for so long.
Jus wonderin who then payin for the trip for private business.
Jus wonderin if is because they know how badly off things is with them that
there were no public love and money celebrations now that the three years gone.
Jus wonderin if is more elderly voters in Montserrat that they tryin to cover
over the poor old people eyes.
Jus wonderin if things still so bad that the CM so really feel the need to suck
up to the British by openly saying he don’t really care about the people
of Montserrat with anything the Governor do with the volcanic crisis.
Jus wonderin if the Governor feel the same way about dem.
Jus wonderin if we going to see a new party when the CRM bounce up again.
Jus wonderin what the real reason why we not getting the smaller ferry for less
money when the report say the ride is just as good in the rough waters.
Jus wonderin if the relationship between Montserrat and Antigua will be like
before with the new Government.
Jus wonderin when de Government will review the Secondary school system.
Jus wonderin if is true Government looking into the story that some teachers
using this old system to spite some students.
Jus wonderin is de Government don’t see that other CARICOM countries changed
their system to let all the secondary school students could have a chance to
write CXC.
Jus wonderin if they don’t know some child basic human right that each
child have the right to an education.
Jus wonderin what the Governor mean that there ‘ought to be someone to
take over’ from the present Commissioner of Police.
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PROVIDENCE ESTATE in St. Peter’s FOR SALE
PROVIDENCE ESTATE in St. Peters: a completely renovated historic
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The floors
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on pool patio. Five acres of lush, landscaped gardens with many exotic plants
surround the villa. An additional 5 acres available (info on request). This
property is not subject to restrictive covenants and can be used as a private
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famous when Paul McCartney and family lived in it while recording at the famous
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17,000 gal cistern, fully furnished and equipped. Asking US$ 895,000
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