The Governor explained that the project was the result of the efforts of Sir George, who at the "now famous Music for Montserat concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 1997 raised a large amount of money which the Trustees of the Fund very quickly set about disbursing amongst many causes on behalf of Montserrtians, both in Montserrat and those relocating to the United Kingdom."

He said that it was from these funds that construction of the centre would commence. He modestly referred to a raffle organised by his wife Margaret to raise needed additional funds to help provide seating for the centre. He mentioned also the Government for a "major contribution, donating precious land at Little Bay…DFID and the British Government, the Galloway brothers, Ivason and Adrian, (and) the Montserrat Foundation, working on a fund raising event for February 18 via a show entitled "A Tribute to Fred Astaire."

 CM and Mrs Brant, Sir George and Lady Martin, HE and Mrs Abbott, Architect Iverson Galloway

He expressed the hope that the centre would be completed some time during 2002: "I can tell you I am looking forward enormously to the first inaugural concert, and I hope to see you all there then," he said ending his address.

Brades Primary School children's choir

A bit of entertainment was provided by the Brades Primary School children's choir, who performed Pat Ryan’s popular song Montserrat "Still Home Still Nice."

It has come as no surprise, so all minds, ears and eyes wait for the outcome after two of three subordinate ministers expressed insubordinate claims of dissatisfaction with the way their Chief Minister leads them.

The first open expression of dissatisfaction came when the honourable Minister of Education, Health and Welfare, Adelina Tuitt called a press conference to answer questions relative to her earlier "State of the Ministry address."

In that address she remarked that "while there were many challenges and key issues to deal with, much has been accomplished."

Soon after, the honourable Minister of Communication and Works, Rupert Weekes, publicly expressed his own discontent with the CM's methods.

Half of Mrs. Tuitts address itemized achievements, among them means testing for assisting the most vulnerable in the community; the new welfare program; refurbishment of MSS Salem campus; the evening institute; a limited provision for children with special needs; a hospital development plan; the appointment of a psychologist; focussing on the tendering process for building contractors; a training scheme for basic computer training, and job placements. The other half of the address dealt with her plans for the ensuing year.

At the press conference, she admitted that what she outlined would form the basis upon which she would conduct a campaign for re-election in the next general elections.

She was asked whether she was pre-empting the portion of the budget speech in which the CM as Minister of Finance outlined matters relating to her ministry. It was then that she began to express her displeasure with the way things were done by the Chief Minister. Generally, she said, there were things the chief minister did that did not meet her approval and that things could have been different. "There (are) styles in negotiation that I would really do differently," she said, adding that things have "not been the best."
Referring directly to the leadership, she said, "a leaders should lead, and followers should follow."

She said she felt that the rifts and disagreements had little to do with the fact she was part of a coalition government, since she believes it could work although there were things she would do differently.

Minister Weekes appeared even angrier when he told CANA reporters of his displeasure with the Chief Minister's announcement of government's willingness to have an airstrip constructed at Geralds, in the constituency where he (Mr. Weekes) was elected.

CANA quoted him: "The Chief Minister and I have been working together over the past three years but suffice it to say that I have had some concerns which I have voiced from time to time about the way government business is being conducted in terms of the decision-making process and I have not seen much improvement in that regard, so my concern still stands."
The minister reportedly accused the Chief Minister of usurping his portfolio of Aviation by agreeing with the European Union (EU) that it should go ahead with the construction of a fixed-wing airstrip at Gerald's Bottom.

While expressing his further concern over the decision, he said: "My own concern stems from the fact that when I raised my concern about the airport with the Chief Minister, the Chief Minister wrote me to say that it is a matter of economic development and, as Minister of Economic Development, he is leaning on this one."
Mr. Weekes was reported to have said that, "it seems that airport matters have been removed from my portfolio without my knowledge."

His position on the airport decision differs, however, with Mrs. Tuitt's, who said it was her understanding that a decision would only be made following studies that have been mandated to determine the viability of the area for an airstrip.

Minister Weekes's most serious accusation came when he reportedly said: "My difficulty lies in the fact that there are times that I do not feel that the feelings, the impressions, the concerns of ministers are fully addressed before decisions are being taken."

Chief Minister David Brandt, meanwhile, responded by saying that while he expects there to be differences and disagreements in any union or relationship, there has not been any change in his leadership style since he became Chief Minister in September 1997.

The question that has been on the lips of each Montserratian vocal enough to express it is only now: Why don't the dissenting ministers resign, why doesn't the Chief Minister fire them?

The honourable Minister Adelina Tuitt, in answering a question at her most recent rare press conference, recalled that this editor has reminded her from time to time that ministers of government should strive to work together. Of course it is an advice that has been made in the interest and welfare of Montserrat, and all ministers would certainly say the same thing. It is also a call that has been made from time to time in this very column of the newspaper.

Did things come to a head? Not really, or not yet maybe, it was just more of the same. In none of the comments made so far by the dissenting ministers has either of them told us how they have tried to correct or make a difference in what they both criticize as Chief Minister Brandt's "leadership style."

The Chief Minister, as he responded to reporters in a BBC program on the recent complaints, repeated what he earlier told local reporters "that in any relationship or union there are differences and things don't always go smoothly," admitting that he is aware of differences among all four ministers.

Member for Central the honourable Reuben T. Meade took the issue further in a broadcast on ZJB yesterday, when he said that the Chief Minister not only has these differences with his ministers, but with the Governor and the minister in Britain in charge of DFID. Put in that way, none of it, without the facts, necessarily puts the Chief Minister in a bad way.

Just over a week ago Thursday, when pressed to give examples of problems within the coalition government, Minister Tuitt said, "There are styles in negotiation that I would really do differently.... I said already that if I am to be honest, and I think I am, (it) has not been the best."

Shortly after that Minister Rupert Weekes was heard in a CANA newscast saying: "But suffice it to say that I have had some concerns which I have voiced from time to time about the way government business is being conducted in terms of the decision-making process and I have not seen much improvement in that regard."

Both of these cabinet ministers obviously do not consider the differences important enough to the welfare of the country, although it has been said time and time again that this is the very reason why much more is not achieved. The conclusion is also obvious that inaction on their part is only serving their personal interests. They could not claim that they are putting the interest of the people, first having come to the conclusions they have expressed.

By not being able to rate the government with a number between 1-10, even after saying that she is satisfied with her own performance and that she would have done nothing differently, Minister Tuitt suggests the opposite of her complaint.  So she contradicts herself in too many ways, when she cannot take an overall position in spite of the problems she has encountered.

It should be understood that the Chief Minister has to sign off on every project and is indeed the one responsible in the end for ultimately negotiating on behalf of his government for the financing thereof.  It means that he has to agree with any development in any ministry, and so, too, he has to ultimately be responsible for the failure of any development in a particular ministry.

It should be noted that other than moving in where he deems it necessary, Mr. Weekes reportedly said in his CANA interview, "the Chief Minister wrote me to say that it is a matter of economic development and as a Minister of Economic Development, he is leaning on this one," the Chief Minister has not openly expressed any dissatisfaction with his ministers.

Both Ministers Weekes and Tuitt conflicted on the issue of the airport. Mrs.Tuitt explained the position government took, acknowledging being part of the decision, while Mr. Weekes must have erred when he said the CM wrote to him, yet he still said: "airport matters have been removed from my portfolio
without my knowledge," pretending it seems that he has not been party to any discussion or decision.

In spite of the Chief Minister saying that his leadership style is no different to what it has been, and acknowledging that no relationship is without differences and/or problems, he should not ignore the fact that the country cannot function properly without a proper executive, and that the reason for this is because his ministers say they have difficulty working with him.

The people's call, however, is that he must get rid of them. It has been suggested to him that this has been the case, now he has heard it from them. Even then he may wish to bring them together, just like they did with the honourable Bertrand Osborne, when he (Osborne) was the Chief Minister, and either get them to recant their positions or dismiss them, which we believe will push the country into an earlier general election, due no later than March next year, since it becomes obvious that would virtually require his own resignation

General elections could be avoided at this time if he makes whatever alliances he can to keep the government at work. That means bringing two from among the honourables Reuben Meade, Bertrand Osborne and John Osborne. We know, also, that he can appoint nominated members ministers.

Yet any confirmation of the ministers' position will say that he has been an ineffective leader. Clearly his style would not have succeeded in doing for the country, that which was required of him, that is to unify a group that was made up of two independents, himself and Mr. Weekes, along with Brunel Meade from PPA (one of two elected members of John Osborne's party) and Mrs. Tuitt from MNR (also one of two from P. Austin Bramble's party).

They would all do honour to themselves and the country, even at this late hour, to resign, having come to the stage of expressing their dissatisfaction with the way they have been conducting themselves. Chief Minister Brandt, on the other hand, must bring some honour to himself and produce some visible change that would leave a mark for the future of the country.

The ministers, having publicly behaved the way they have, better find a way of explaining why the country should continue to meet their salaries, perks and allowances when they are not working at all times in its interest.

Read Deuteronomy 1:29-33

I know the one in whom I have put my trust.

2 Timothy 1: 12

When our 3-year old daughter fell and cut her forehead, my wife calmed our sobbing child while I tried to stop the bleeding. I saw that the cut would require stitches and prepared our daughter for a visit to the hospital emergency room. I explained what she could expect and told her that we would stay with her.

Carrying her to the car, I praised her bravery, saying that it was all right to cry if she wanted to. With a tremulous, sigh, she rested her head on my shoulder and closed her eyes. My wife murmured, "See how she trusts you!"

Instead, we may remain focused on our pain and ignore the comforting assurance of God’s unfailing wisdom, love, and power. It is natural to want relief from pain, but misfortunes are easier to bear when, with confidence in the love of God, we remember that we are being carried in the arms of one who loves us

Prayer: Thank you, God, for being near us when we need you most. Amen

Thought for the Day

God cares for us.

William T. Haes (New Jersey)

Prayer Focus: FOR CHILDLIKE TRUST IN GOD

Dear Sir,

I wish to air my views on the so-called rift in the government of Montserrat and the leadership style of the Chief Minister.

I heard the Minister of Communication and Works suggest that he was not involved in the decision to build the airport at Geralds. I find this strange. Whether or not one supports the airport at Geralds, it is hard to believe that the Chief Minister alone could have made that decision.

It is my understanding that the European Union (EU) will be hiring consultants to design the airport. Are we to believe that neither the Minister, his Permanent Secretary (PS) nor the airport manager in his ministry were involved? Aren't they the ones who deal with and see the terms and reference? And isn't there a tenders board anymore (in that ministry)? I always thought that the PS was a member of the tender's board and that he would report back to his minister. It would be interesting to hear what the other ministers have to say. I seem to remember the Minister of Education in an interview referring to the decision that "WE" made on the airport. And it was not even a decision but an acceptance under certain conditions, as the Education Minister agreed.

I can understand if the minister agreed to the decision before and now changed his mind. Some people in Montserrat support the airport at Geralds now with the hope of getting something better later on, even without knowing the full circumstances. Some of us do not. But if the Minister of Communication and Works was part and parcel of a decision to build at Geralds he must simply come and tell us that he now has changed his mind, even though it is late in the day to do that. But Ministers must accept responsibility for their actions.

I don't want to say if I believe we should take the EU money to build at Geralds or wait and try to find a way to make Thatch Valley happen. But what I do know is that it does not sound good, when government has already made a decision, for the minister to turn around and try to say he did not know anything about it. It makes us look like we don't know what we want. Whether or not everybody agrees with a government decision, Ministers should be constant and accept responsibility for it.

By the way, I cannot recall the Chief Minister or the Minister of Education saying that a decision was made to build at Geralds. I remember them saying that the decision was to hire consultants to find out if the airport in the area was safe and to determine how to build the airport. Then, based on their findings, an airstrip may or may not be build, so I do not know how the two of them are saying one thing and the Minister of Communication and Works is saying something else.

Thank you

Two weeks ago the club acquired and donated a 17-quart pressure cooker to the Salem Methodist Church to assist their outreach program to the community. Members of the church prepare and serve hot meals several days each week to needy persons in the Salem community.

The Rotary Club is also working closely with the Community Services Department to get a hot-meal program going for the wider community. Efforts are already underway to obtain a suitable vehicle to meet the needs of regularly distributing the meals fresh and hot to the needy.

Bennette Roach
Montserrat's travel problems to the outside world continue unabated, with a new twist.

Just over two weeks ago, the French-owned ferry MV Opale, Montserrat's main means of transport between Montserrat and Antigua, returned to Montserrat with passengers after it was unable to find docking space in Antigua.

On Wednesday this week, the problem presented itself once again, causing passengers traveling on to destinations beyond Antigua to miss their flight connections.

In mid-December passengers returning home for the Christmas holidays were left behind in Antigua when proper arrangements were not in place to accommodate a large number of people wishing to travel, most of whom were visiting from England.

Then the ferry had to cancel for at least a day because of poor weather conditions at sea.

Then two weeks ago, on January 10, the ferry returned to Montserrat about an hour earlier than scheduled in the afternoon. Passengers on the morning service had been forced to wait for over an hour before disembarking, after getting into Heritage Quay. Agents for the ferry said the disruption arose when the ferry was not given docking priority by the Antiguan authorities, because there were apparently a large number of cruise and cargo vessels at both Heritage Quay and the Deep Water Harbor.

After finally being given docking space, the ferry had to vacate it by 3 p.m., which meant that unsuspecting travelers were left in Antigua that afternoon.

That incident raised concerns that the since the ferry is a regular, established service, adequate arrangements should have been made to accommodate it.

Minister of Communications and Works Rupert Weekes, whose Ministry is directly responsible for the Ferry operations, took up the matter with the Antiguan Government to prevent a re-occurrence of the problem.

It was in response to this that Prime Minister Lester Bird of Antigua chastised port officials and reportedly called for an official explanation about the ferry. News out of Antigua reported the Prime Minister to have said also: "we need the cruise ships yes, but we are not going to allow our brothers and sisters from Montserrat to be treated in any second class manner."

Minister Weekes reported that contacts with government ministers and officials in Antigua guaranteed action to prevent another such occurrence; on Wednesday morning, however, exactly two weeks later the problem was repeated.

Mr. Percy Arthurton of Carib World Travel, well known Montserrat travel agency based in Antigua, manages the services and arrangements for the ferry operations in Antigua. He was contacted in Antigua on Wednesday and he concludes that Montserrat will only find a solution to this problem, which he thinks will be repeated, by establishing its own berthing facility in Antigua.

Mr. Arthurton explains that the Antigua government, customs, immigration and other officials have worked hard and sympathetically to prevent problems arising with the ferry. However Mr. Arthurton says "it’s the operators on the ground who cause the problems to occur."

He said the problem was known beforehand and everything was put in place to deal with it; but it came down to having a tug removed from one of the docks, when one boat official would not act until an engineer could be found. Mr. Arthurton said most of the problems occur at that level, even when the full cooperation of the port board chairman and other top officials have put all the necessary instructions and preparations in place.

Some of the problems, he explained, arise because the ferry is not equipped with the type of gangway that would allow it to dock at lower and smaller docks, or even to allow off-loading to a smaller boat of those passengers with urgent needs, such as making a connection out of Antigua by air,

Montserratians have been blessed with the services of Dr. Dorothy Scott and her husband Glenwood Scott, who have been coming to Montserrat for over 30 years. Dr. Scott is an ophthalmologist and has been conducting free eye care clinics for years on island.

She and her husband, along with a group of over 30 volunteers who take turns to assist the eye patients, have been conducting clinics for the past two weeks in the newly renovated Cudjoe Head Health Centre.

Anjella Skerritt, Family Nurse Practitioner, said that the services of Dr. Scott, her husband and the team of volunteers have been a tremendous boost to the local health department. She said that not only are the eye clinics are conducted freely, but also the equipment used, airfares and accommodations, the prescribed glasses, along with other things, are all donated free of cost to the government and the patients.

Dr. Scott said, "I am very concerned about the follow-up treatment to the patients that we treat and other persons who may require such medical treatment Many of them have cataracts, glaucoma, pterygiums and other eye problems which need the attention of an ophthalmologist."

She has trained two nurses here on Montserrat to continue seeing patients in her absence, and Salem District Nurse Moinnodeen will conduct follow-up service every second Tuesday of the month at the Cudjoe Head Health Centre.

On this visit the Scotts brought with them a number of white canes donated by the Lions Club of Ligonier Pennsylvania, for the blind and other patients

Partners of the Americas (POA) has launched a major Drug Education & Awareness Programme, "Cultural Highs not Drug Related Highs," which will present its anti-drugs message through the island's cultural groups, music, musicians and calypsonians.

The new effort is a cooperative one, with the Royal Montserrat Police Force, the Ministries of Health and Culture, and the cultural community. It will augment POA's DARE anti-drug programme already working in the island's schools.

A typical programme package was presented at the Miss Teenage Pageant Show. This some package, including a skit, will be presented today in the two primary and secondary schools. Teachers will wear "Say No to Drugs" T-shirts and all students and teachers will wear "Say No to Drugs" badges. T-shirts will be presented to those students chosen to be Ambassadors for the "Say No To Drugs" project.

The same package is expected to appear in community centres around the island, with venues and schedules still to be named

For St. Patrick’s Day the theme will continue, in Collaboration with the Teachers Union. The Student taking part in the Junior Calypso Competition is expected to sing one song on Drugs.

It is hoped that the project will be beneficial to the whole community, reducing drug use among the youth, while helping them to build self Esteem.

The Governor’s office is to be thanked for funding this campaign, coordinated by the local branch of POA, with support from calypsonians ZJB Radio, The Emerald Community Singers, musicians and others.

The "Say No to Drugs Jingle" by Justin (Hero) Cassell, being aired on Z.JB, is part of the initiative.

The American University of the Caribbean (AUC) has announced plans to rebuild a campus in Montserrat offering an alternative medicine program.

Students and faculty will he recruited worldwide, especially from Asian countries.

The alternative medicine program is designed for the medical students to learn both western medicine and eastern medicine (Chinese medicine ) at the same time, which is the trend of medical care in this new century.

For this program, clinical facilities, which will serve the whole region and the continent of America, must be established for both western medicine and eastern medicine.

Dr. Paul S. Tien, the founder of AUC, is in the process of purchasing 12 acres of oceanfront land located at Woodlands for the new campus construction.

The announcement said Dr. Tien is always trying to help Montserrat economically and is very confident that this new medical program will help to make Montserrat booming and prosperous in the years to come.

Pictured: Old AUC Campus in Amersham, severely damaged by the volcano and deep inside the exclusion zone

 For the first time in its history, Cable & Wireless has named a Caribbean person as the Chief Executive Officer to manage the Cable & Wireless operations in the Caribbean.

He is Jamaican Errald Miller, who is currently President & CEO of Cable & Wireless Jamaica.

Mr. Miller has worked in the telecommunications industry for over 30 years,. He holds an MBA degree from the Nova Southeastern University and has undergone extensive management training in Jamaica, Sweden and France.

At various times in his career he has been a part-time lecturer at the University of Technology (formerly the College of Arts Science and Technology) in Jamaica.

 Mr. Miller has served, and continues to serve on a number of boards in Jamaica, and has also received a number of awards, among them the prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award from Nova University in 1995—the first Jamaican to be so honoured.

He was also the recipient of the Award of Excellence for sterling contribution to Enterprise and National Development from the University of Technology. Mr. Miller is also a Justice of the Peace.

 In making the announcement, CEO Regional Businesses Robert Lerwill said, "I view this appointment as one which will help us deliver the state-of-the-art telecommunications services from a global company to Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean.

At its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, January 16, the Montserrat Football Association (MFA) elected its Executive for the next four years, 2001-2005. The following persons were elected to serve for the upcoming year:

• Mr. Vincent Cassell, re-elected President
• Mr. James White Jr., 1^st Vice President
• Mr. Val Pollidore, 2^nd Vice President
• Mr. Nigel Osborne and Mr. Kenneth Lee will serve as Floor Members/Directors.

Montserrat has been selected to participate in FIFA Goal, a programme for the development of better sporting facilities for football on Montserrat.

The MFA completed its transition to a full non-profit business entity when it was incorporated and registered under the Companies Act of Montserrat on 12 December 2000.

The national football team is currently preparing to participate in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Qualifying Competition of the Copa Caribe 2001 games to be held in St. Martin (Fr.), February 6-10, 2001.

Plans continue in London for the February 18 show at the London Palladium, "Fred Astaire, His Daughter’s Tribute," according to Montserrat Foundation Chairman D.R.V. Frank Edwards.

Under the aegis of the Montserrat Foundation, proceeds from the event are intended to support the new cultural centre, which was officially launched at the recent groundbreaking ceremony.

This project is an incredible challenge," said Foundation Vice-Chair Marcia Mitchell. "We are trying to raise funds primarily in the US for an event in the UK to benefit the people of Montserrat." She notes that organizing and producing the event is "a three direction effort as well."

Ms. Mitchell is working on logistics and patron solicitation from the States; Ava Astaire McKenzie, working from Ireland, has been responsible for inviting and organizing star appearances; and Lynda Trapnell of Musical Stages has been acting as the show’s producer, working in London.

Sir George Martin has been a marvelous help," Ms. Mitchell said, "Also Mike Kennedy, who has helped so much with the patron solicitation -- as well as other details on the London scene." She noted that Foundation Development committee members Jim Brumbaugh and Robert Barker, and secretary Fern Walmer, have been assisting as well.

A large and enthusiastic audience is expected to attend the event, which will feature both live and film performances, tributes from Astaire’s friends and performers from the world of film, and a new composition by Elmer Bernstein, who will be the guest conductor for the BBC Big Band.

"As with any charity show, an early commitment to participate sometimes changes, but then someone new joins in, so it is rather breathtaking until the curtain goes up," Ms. Mitchell said. "A new shooting schedule means Jack Lemmon cannot be with us, but at the same time, Leslie Caron called Ms. McKenzie to say that she plans to join us."

Both Ms. Mitchell and Mike Kennedy have noted that the Palladium event is a "show," and not a concert. Mr. Kennedy said, "The show will be fantastic and the event glamorous, indeed, Lots of media, famous people, and great London stage cast."

Major newspapers and prominent television interview and talk shows have booked Ms. McKenzie for advance appearances.

The fundraising event has two goals, reminded Mr. Kennedy. "We want to raise funds to help support the new centre, but we also want people abroad to realize that Montserrat is still here and still visible. It’s a public relations event as much as fund raising event."

Ms. Mitchell commended the famous Savoy Hotel for its support of the project. "The Savoy and its wonderful staff have been absolutely great. They are providing rooms for our visiting celebrates and have given discounts to audience members." A luncheon for the show's patrons, which include a number of local people, will be held at the Savoy. Aer Lingus is helping with special guest travel from Los Angeles, and American Airlines is doing the same from New York.

"Veuve Cliquot Champagne is a sponsor, and Brian Turner, the TV chef and owner of Turner’s fine French restaurant, is also offering generous assistant." Ms. Mitchell said.

Higher-priced tickets are already gone, and a sell-out audience is expected according to Ms. Trapnell.

Mr. Edwards expressed appreciation to everyone involved in the Astaire show. "It’s been a difficult task, and we are grateful to Ms. McKenzie and all of those who have given so much time on our behalf," he said.

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts -- The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank has begun circulation of a new family of notes with enhanced security features to help combat counterfeiting.

The $5 and $20 denominations have now been issued in Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Among the additional security features to be aware of are the following:

• A security gold foil at the top right hand corner of the note. On the $20 note this is highly reflective The gold foil is in the shape of a butterfly. On the $5 note the shape is that of a shark.
• A new security watermark with a portrait of the queen is on the front left of each note, but can be seen on both sides. A watermark highlight, which reads "ECCB," can also be clearly seen when the note is held up to the light.
• An upgraded security thread running through the note from top to bottom and appearing on the surface of the paper at intervals. When the note is held up to the light, text in the thread become visible. This text reads ‘ECCB’ and can be seen from both the front and back of the note.

The $5 and $20 notes will be followed by upgraded notes of all denominations, throughout the currency union.

A brunch held in the new Natural History Centre January 13th launched a seven-day workshop for the Montserrat National Trust. The Programme Planning Workshop will provide a complete five-year plan that focuses on the Botanical Gardens now under development at the Oriole Complex.

Sara Cross of the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum and Colin Clubbe of KEW Gardens England were welcomed by the Governor HE Anthony Abbott, PS Ann-Marie Dewar, Sarita Francis, Stephen Macnamara of the Trust, and a small group of Trust supporters. Details of the workshop that will help the Trust prioritise its projects for the next five years were presented to the Executive Committee after the Brunch.

Crispin Sorhaindo, chairman of Dominica's Agricultural, Industrial and Development Bank (AID), is lobbying for more support from government and development agencies to expand the private sector investment in the productive sectors.
The appeal from was made at the institution's annual general meeting on Monday.
His call came against the background of figures for 2000 which showed that of the nearly EC$25 million (US$9.25 million) loans approved, only about EC$11 million (US$4.07 million) went directly to the productive sectors.

"I am looking at the whole agricultural situation of the country and when you have natural resources being damaged, in this particular case the fishing industry is at risk of losing part of the environment; when we have mangrove areas and coral reefs being destroyed you are destroying the natural habitat for young fish that would eventually populate the seas again," said Mr. Ollivierre, a farmer and trained agriculturist.
A release sent from the Government Information Service last week stated that 120 persons from the United States military were engaged in constructing the Coast Guard sub-base, which is being funded jointly by the U.S. government and the government of St. Vincent.

Three weeks after American Eagle suspended flights to St. Vincent on a directive from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) there is still no word of what led to the suspension or whether flights would resume.
A government spokesman said that neither the Minister dealing with aviation, nor the Ministry of Communication and Works, had received any official communication from the FAA.

The financially troubled regional airline LIAT (1974) Ltd. says it is paying landing and navigational fees to regional governments after successfully asking them to reschedule long-outstanding debts.
LIAT's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gary Cullen spoke about the deal. He also rejected suggestions that the airline faced difficulties in recent times flying to Tortola and Dominica.
Mr. Cullen said each of the shareholder governments was told last summer that the airline was not immediately in a position to pay its debt that has accumulated since 1995.
"But we will make every effort to be current from here forward and that is what we are doing to the greatest extent possible."

Meanwhile LIAT announced on Wednesday a reorganisation of its management structure, with the appointment of a manager for daily operations and the splitting of the commercial department in two.
Mr. Cullen said the new portfolios approved by the Board of Directors were part of the overall strategy to ensure LIAT became a profit-making entity while consolidating its alliances with three smaller carriers and BWIA International, the Trinidad airline.

Opposition claims plot to poison President - MPs laugh:
Trinidad and Tobago government MPs are treating light-heartedly an opposition parliamentarian's claim on Tuesday that there is a plot by the ruling party to poison the country's president, Arthur Robinson.
"I want to warn Trinidad and Tobago that it has come to my attention that inducements are being paid ... offered to persons to poison the president," Hedwige Bereaux, a member of the People's National Movement (PNM), alleged.
Bereaux's accusation drew much laughter from the government side. Government MPs wanted to know whether the report was made to the police.

Meanwhile Army chief knows nothing of coup allegations:
Head of the Trinidad and Tobago army, John Sandy, said in an interview published Wednesday he does not have any knowledge about a plot to overthrow the government, as alleged by Prime Minister Basdeo Panday.
Chief of Defence Staff Sandy said the first time he heard about the alleged plot was during the prime minister's statement to Parliament on Tuesday.

Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Basdeo Panday said Tuesday the country's delegation was embarrassed at last week's Caribbean Community (CARICOM-Canada) summit when President Arthur Robinson violated convention and protocol.
"In a singularly improper action last week, the President wrote directly to the Heads of the Caribbean Community, calling for their support for the International Criminal Court (ICC)," Mr. Panday said in a statement to the parliament on a national security matter.
"Such an initiative comes properly from government to governments, not from a Head of State to heads of government. The Heads of the Community therefore correctly did not give any consideration to the President's communication."

On Thursday the Prime Minister said he issued a "wake up call" to the nation Tuesday when he made a statement to the Parliament about the prolonged stand-off with the President and a plot to topple his government.
_ "Should the nation be left to move to what could inexorably be social eruption, the country would inevitably be thrown into instant and deep crisis," the prime minister said Thursday while addressing an International Labour Organisation (ILO) seminar.

Guyana's controversial December, 1997 general election, which gave victory to the People's Progressive Party/Civic, was declared null and void last Monday.
Justice Claudette Singh issued the ruling on an election petition filed by private citizen Esther Perreira on behalf of the main opposition People's National Congress (PNC).
The judge found that an act of Parliament in 1997, which made a specially produced voter identification card the only means by which a qualified elector could vote, was unconstitutional.

Justice Singh stated that the purpose of the petition was not to put any party in office and she noted fresh elections are already scheduled for March 19.
Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran, who represented the respondent, former President Janet Jagan, said the petitioner's case did not succeed.
"The elections have been set aside (but) the judge has not ruled that the government is illegal. She has ruled that the elections were not held in accordance with law," Mr. Ramkarran said.
But lead counsel for the Petitioner, Senior Counsel Rex McKay disagreed.
"Factually, the petitioner won and legally and constitutionally the petitioner won, because all the factual issues were determined in favour of the petitioner," Mr. McKay said.
PNC leader Desmond Hoyte said, "The judge has ruled that the elections are null and void and this means that Janet Jagan was never constitutionally and legally the President of this country and consequentially also that (President Bharrat) Jagdeo has never been constitutionally and legally the President and that this PPP/Civic government in place, is illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional. So, we are facing a constitutional crisis."

He added that the PNC wants nothing to upset plans for the upcoming March 19 elections.
AFG leader, Dr. Roopnarine, said the ruling will have profound implications and that now more than ever, Guyana needs a political solution.

The incident occurred late January 10 at the residence of Asot Michael, chief of staff in the Office of Prime Minister Lester Bird.
"The incident was primarily as a result of a freak accident when the soldier inflicted two gunshot wounds to his chest," the statement said. "Normal investigations in a matter of this nature are being carried out by the authorities."

Change the selectors! Change the selection policy! Developments since 1995, when we formally lost our international supremacy (with the home lost to Steve Waugh’s Australians), strongly suggest that the selection process for the senior cricket tournaments is seriously flawed. The evidence confirms (a) an absence of a requisite intellectual capital stock on the selection panel and, (b) a lack of a coherent selection policy.

The first is reflected in a persistent repetition of selection blunders, if not "selection madness." First, the musical chairs involving the wicket keepers Junior Murray and Courtney Browne was really unproductive. But the recent decision to recall Courtney Browne for the disastrous Australian tour just to get paid as a passenger was unpardonable. The selectors opted to leave Junior Murray in Grenada, even if he was the only centurion and the MVP in the Red Stripe Bowl. They even dared to carry Courtney Browne Down Under in preference to young and talented Wayne Phillip, when they were very much aware that the Barbadian was really excess baggage. In an era of financial and fiscal difficulties, we cannot allow these men to mismanage our scare resources with impunity.

Second, the decision to carry only a limited number of batsmen on our most difficult tour in the history of our international competition was a reflection of poor judgment. After all, the selectors are fully aware that our perennial problem has been poor batting. They opted to send only one world-class batsman (Brian Lara) and a number of inexperienced and immature bowlers, thereby leaving the team without the capacity of bowling the formidable Australia team twice. The bowlers’ job was made much more difficult with the failure of the batsmen.

Third, the honourable selectors opted to leave the most effective fast bowler in the longer version of the game – Cameron Cuffy – in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and opted for Nixon McLean, who is still to learn how to control the ball, how to swing the ball and how to vary his delivery after a fairly long sojourn.

Fourth, the selectors persisted with Jimmy Adams as the captain and leader of the team to the Australia – "the Mother of all tours" - when they knew very well that Adams was a temporary insertion resulting from the departure of Lara and, that he (Adams) had made himself no reputation on the devastating English summer tour. Obviously Findlay and company do not understand the importance of leadership as a factor of production of they are just "damn right disrespectful of the general will."

The selectors have also committed many sins of omission, which have cost the team many matches and have cost us our national pride and our international competitiveness as a Caribbean region. For example, they have contributed to the destruction of our spin bowling and our slow bowling craft. They have perpetuated the foolish and flawed notion that the current West Indies team could dominate international cricket with its four-prone pace attack. We all know that notion is mere fantasy and the reflection of a dysfunctional nostalgia.

We do not have the quality pace bowlers that even come close to those of the era of the "fearsome foursome." The age of "pace-like-fire" is gone; the "age of terror" is past. We now need a good mix of spin and pace.

By refusing to give our spinners a long run the selectors have impeded our ability to develop the craft and the craftsmen. For example, they retarded the growth of Nehemiah Perry (the off spinner) and Dinanath Ramnarine (the leg spinner). And they are in the process of doing the same to the talented Mahendra Nagamootoo, who is also a very good frontline batsman.

Space would not allow detailing the litany of mistakes or blunders made by Mike Findlay and his henchmen, from persisting with mediocre players to ignoring quality players, particularly from the small islands, apparently because they have no influential traders. My interviews across the region strongly suggest that the people want a change and they want it now!

For the South African tour -- the Cable and Wireless 2001 Series -- we need to change the selection policy and the selection methodology. There is a strong case for the administrators and selectors to divorce one-day cricket selection from test cricket selection, and one-day cricketers from test cricketers, as most cricketing nations have done (particularly Australia) so successfully. As I have argued elsewhere, the evidence suggests that some West Indian players are not suited to the big game, and some are not material for the orthodox or classical version (test cricket).

The performance of the touring team was dismal, to say the least. In the one-day games, the team hardly got teams out fully, and in the test matches, the opposition made enough runs, batting only once to win by large margins. The bowlers were obviously not capable of getting the results quickly enough to restrict the flow of runs, and the batters were not capable of doing enough to alleviate the pressure on the bowlers.

The mix of players was wrong and the result was under-performance, a demoralised team and consequent failures. One did not have to be a test cricketer to appreciate that. How could the selectors have sent Cameron Cuffy, who cannot hold a bat, to join the one-day team -- when he was omitted for the test series where he belonged -- and leave players like Carl Tuckett in Nevis? That was madness! Since the Australians are suspect against genuine off-spin, why didn’t the selectors opt for Nehemiah Perry?

If we must give credit (and we must give credit where credit is due) to Findlay and company for the vision concerning Marlon Samuels, can we rationally argue that to call Romel Currency and Shane Shillingford will not be a stroke of genius?

It has been reinforced over and over again that some players are not suited to all contests, that is, for all the versions of the game. Some players can fight the war better on specific terrain. In fact, when these cricketers play true to form, these calypso or fete-match cricketers (at least some of them) could out-perform even pedigree cricketers at their game.

As I have suggested elsewhere, batsmen like Philo Wallace and Junior Murray have definitely confirmed themselves as one-day cricketers, having projected the one-day mentality by their approach to the game. Stuart Williams has performed creditably at the one-day level, but even if he has failed at the test level he, like Carl Hooper, seemed to be making a clear mission statement in 2001: "I am back and I am better than before."

So what is the prescription? First, the selectors, as they did so successfully against England during the 1998 home series, must give players their rightful place in the rebuilding process. Batsmen Philo Wallace and Junior Murray should be utilised only for the one-day competitions.

Second, batsmen like Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Carl Hooper, Stuart Williams, Wavell Hinds, Marlon Samuels, and Brian Lara should be retained for both versions of the game.

Third, batsmen like Chris Gayle, Ricardo Powell, Ramnaresh Sarwan, and Sylvester Joseph are retained as test specialist batsmen. The other test batting reserves should include Narsingh Deonarine, Romel Currency, Azemul Haniff and Runako Morton.

Fourth, the test bowling stock would include pacers like Reon King, Cameron Cuffy, Goldwyn Prince, Franklyn Rose, Collin Stuart, Kerry Jeremy and Mervyn Dillon. For the one-day version, Laurie Williams and Carl Tuckett would be priority; Franklyn Rose, Collin Stuart, Kerry Jeremy and Mervyn Dillon would be included for the batting abilities.

Fifth, Rawl Lewis, Mahendra Nagamootoo and Dinanath Ramnarine would earn places for themselves on both the test and one-day teams.

It is time for action. It is time to do something differently and rationally.

PHOTO CAPTION: Stuart Williams is ready to open the batting (Photo: Internet)

The Australian Cricket Board has claimed that Mark Waugh would be dropped from the national team if he carries on refusing to be interviewed by anti-corruption investigators.

TENSION

Living in a stressful society subjects us to incredible daily assaults. Oppressive working conditions, problems at home, transportation hassles and concern for our physical safety can cause frustration, anxiety, anger and fear. When our minds become tense our bodies also becomes tense.

Emotional tension occurs in persons ill at ease or baffled by problems seemingly too difficult to solve. In some cases the person knows, at the level of intellect, what he should do, but is deterred by his emotions from acting due to fear, love or hate.

In other cases, moving in a sensible direction would require him/her to forfeit some cherished desire, so emotional pressures build up while the solving of the problem is delayed. Emotional tension causes many functional symptoms such as headache, pain in the leg, and stomach aches. These may all be due to over-contracted muscles, which can be so severe as to restrict breathing and slow or even cut off blood supply by squeezing the vessels shut, actually limiting our strength and sapping our energy. So we must find a way of releasing our tension. It may be:

• Walking or running off the irritation or anger;
• Taking a long swim at the beach;
• Playing indoor or outdoor games with friends;
• Boogie-ing until you feel satisfied, but this must have personal limitations;
• Punching a pillow until you are exhausted;
• Listening to some soothing music.

Whatever it is, you must let go by relaxing every muscle in your body one after the other. Even imagining yourself in the most beautiful of all beautiful places may help greatly.

Jus wonderin if Cable and Wireless could do a body search to see who is straight or crooked.

Jus wonderin how come some top Civil Servant get holiday in early January.

Jus wonderin why dem shopkeepers no learn to give back de customers their receipts, and when de wrong price will stop at the cash registers in some de small super markets.

Jus wonderin if school 'buss' knows that his bus is so big not even the best driver could drive it.

Jus wonderin what de girls promise de morning show host wid that song this morning by them long time Bajan singers.

Jus wonderin how many more young man will be put to shame by the law and order.

Jus wonderin if the chamber can’t take him off the high stand.

Jus wonderin when PWD will get good vehicles to transport their workers.

Jus wonderin why the Warders have to walk to work in the night now.

Jus wonderin why is now change up time is drawing near them two Ministers now see the light to speak on their leader.

Jus wonderin why she can’t have a 100% relationship with him.

Jus wonderin if the Two Ministers just put their foot in their mouth and dem neck roap one time.

Jus wonderin why some Government Minister’s shop for turkey and ham overseas.

Jus wonderin if them two Ministers protecting they big pay check and if that’s why they still won't resign.

Jus wonderin what part the leader playing in protecting the ring of unfair pay.

Jus wonderin if history just repeating its self where ministers collecting pay when we not getting their full cooperation and when we could expect anything different.

Jus wonderin if we should start to build boats to go overseas .

Jus wonderin why we are having so much problems in ANU with the Ferry.

Jus wonderin if that Vincey going clean out de man dry.

Jus wonderin which one dem so nosey and won’t stop chat out de police business.

Jus wonderin if the Super is on the going home list for DFID.

Jus wonderin if its because he loves too much brown chocolate.

Just wonderin why the failing calypsonians making so much noise about money.

Just wonderin if he lost it somewhere around Gerald’s Park.

Just wonderin why the Minister did not have Christmas Party for the sick and shut ins and how many of the singers from UK will come back to vote for her.

Just wonderin what suddenly ailing our agriculture minister.

Just wonderin when will be the next election.

Just wonderin why the hotel took back the bar.

Just wonderin if the former chief leadership style was any better.

Just wonderin why dem don't sound ideas like the genius surgeon.

Just wonderin who will form the next government if we could really expect any better. 

Jus wonderin which of the politicians coming not jus coming for the money too.

Jus wonderin if de ministers not putting us in danger of not having a good chance to get de best, and jus strategizing on us

Jus wonderin if DFID had any input in the calypso.

Just wonderin why personnel all around are so afraid of Jus wonderin.

Just wonderin if it is true that DFID did not want Simple Simon as part of the assessment team.

Just wonderin which one of the x chiefs encouraging people and businesses to increase prices.

Jus wonderin who complainin about sexual advancement.

Jus wonderin if de cos is on holiday on learning.

Just wonderin if it is true dem foreigners not behaving on Montserrat.

Just wonderin if them calypsonian who love to sing on other people no tek de plank from dem eye.

Jus wonderin if the hotel dem no really to see people making money.

Jus wonderin if every single thing will not cost more and how much.

Jus wonderin who going to look out for us

^{ADVERTISEMENTS}

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

PROBATE DIVISION

NOTICE is hereby given that an application has been filed by Florabelle Allen for an Order that Letters of Administration of the Estate of  Kalem Delford Allen who died on the 16^th day of June 2000, be granted to Florabelle Allen the Administratrix.

ALL persons claiming to be beneficially interested in the estate are requested to send written particulars thereof to the undersigned within 14 days from the date of this Notice.

ANY person objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court not later than 14 days from the date of this Notice.

Dated this 25^th day of January, 2001.

Kelsick & Kelsick

Solicitors

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for the position of Forestry and Environmental Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environment.

To optimize economic and environmental benefits derived on a sustainable basis from Montserrat's forest and natural resources through their judicious development, conservation and management.

• Assist the Director of Agriculture in the development of strategic plans and delivery of policy advice for the Forestry and Environment Sub Sector.
• Facilitate stakeholder involvement in decision making on the management of forestry and natural resources.
• Protect and manage key watersheds and wildlife habitats through designation of protected areas, preparation and implementation of management plans for these protected areas and enforcement of legislation to regulate activities within these protected areas.
• Manage and conserve biodiversity both inside and outside protected areas, monitoring of key resources and habitats and facilitating research to develop a better understanding of forest ecosystems.
• Contribute to the sustainability of agricultural land uses by promoting the integration of trees and soil conservation measures into agricultural systems and advising on agricultural land use planning.
• Contribute to the improvement of opportunities for low-income groups to develop natural resource based livelihoods by supporting agro-forestry within backyard farming systems and facilitating equitable access to traditional and non-traditional forest produce.
• Address the problem of loose livestock both inside and outside protected areas, through efficient management of the animal warden service and development of community involvement to tackle the issue.
• Development of forest trails, camp sites and interpretation facilities in partnership with local NGOs to promote a diversified tourist product.
• Support the development of local forest management capacity within the Forestry and Environment Division and amongst natural resource user and NGO interests.
• Improve public understanding issues pertaining to forestry and the natural environment through appropriate education programmes using the local media in conjunction with other local agencies and organisations.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

The applicant should possess:

• At least a first degree in Forestry or closely related discipline from a recognized institution.
• At least five years experience in management of forestry and natural resources at a senior level, including supervision of staff and responsibility for control and management of budgets.
• Awareness of public service management procedures.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to produce, analyze and appraise reports and proposals.
• Computer literacy in word processing and spreadsheet use.
• Ability to interpret and consistently apply relevant legislation, policies and guidelines.
• Excellent interpersonal and team-building skills.

Salary would be in the scale M 19-13, that is, $38,064 - $46,200 per annum

Travel allowance is at the rate of $700 per month.

Applications should be accompanied by full curriculum vitae, certified copies of relevant certificates and two (2) original letters of reference and addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Administration, Government Headquarters, Brades, Montserrat to reach her no later than 28th February 2001.

Interested persons should submit their CV to Kelsick & Kelsick, P. O. Box 185, Montserrat .All applications will be treated with complete confidentiality.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

PROBATE DIVISION

NOTICE is hereby given that an application will be filed by Cecilia Tuitt, the lawful attorney for Richard Piper, for an Order that Letters of Administration of the Estate of Mary M. Piper, who died on the 16^th day of April 1997, be granted to Cecilia Tuitt, the lawful attorney for Richard Piper, the natural son of the deceased and the only person entitled to share in the Estate of the said deceased.

All persons claiming to be beneficially interested in the estate are requested to send written particulars thereof to the undersigned within 14 days from the date of this Notice.

ANY persons objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court not later than 14 days from the date of this Notice.

Dated this 26^th day of January 2001

BRANDT & CASSELL

Attorney-at-Law for the Applicant

It is noticed for general information that Land Certificate in respect of the following person have been reported lost.

NAME REFERENCE DATE ISSUED

Mary-Ann Augusta Farrel Greenaway 14/04/071 18 – 09 – 89

Unless any objection is received within fourteen (14) days of the date of publication of this notice, replacement certificates would be issued.

GOVERNMENT NOTICE

IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 54 OF THE PROPERTY TAX ORDINANCE NO.3 OF 1988, THE FOLLOWING PROPERTIES WILL BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC AUCTION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INLAND REVENUE.

Claims to ownership of lands have been received from the following persons listed in the Schedule below.

Any objections to these claims must be lodged in writing to the Land Registry, Palm Loop, Woodlands, Montserrat within six weeks of the first publication of this notice:-

Catherine White, Adelia White Parcel 6, Block 13/14. Land at St. Peter’s. Bounded

Veronica White Kelvin White as follows:-On the North by parcels13/9/15

Wilhelmina Hewitt) 13/9/14 (Llewellyn West). On the North East by Parcels13/9/14 (Llewellyn West), 13/9/13(Lorine S. Warner). On the South East by parcel 13/14/2 (Isabelle Greenaway, Rosaline Joseph, John FrederickGreenaway). On the South by parcel 13/15/5 (The Crown). On the West by parcel 13/14/4 (The Crown).

Clement Allen, Austin Daly, Parcel 42, Block 14/16. Land at Cat Ghaut.

Irene Prospere, Mary Ryan, Bounded as follows:- On the North East by Parcels

Samuel Fenton, Margaret Kirwan, 14/16/15 (Sarah Joseph), 14/16/29, (Mary R.O’Garro)

Randall Greenaway, Richard Harris On the North West by parcel 14/16/8 (Elizabeth Dowdye). On the East by Parcel 14/16/41 (Valerie Daly & Hodge Daly). On the South by parcel 14/16/46 (Blakes Estate) On the West by Parcel 14/16/49 (Unclaimed).

16^th January 2001