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CM BRANDT BLASTS BRITAIN

His political opponents are embarrassed

By Bennette Roach

Towards the end of this week the prime focus of our attention in Montserrat, and the world about Montserrat, saw this report produced by the scientists: "...the main seismic signal from the volcano was that of a mudflow caused by heavy rain at about 2 o'clock this morning. Otherwise the volcano has been relatively quiet with a few rock-fall signals being recorded. It can be assumed that the dome is continuing to grow in the crater formed by the Boxing Day collapse."

One day before that, other than the assumption line, the report had this one line: "Overnight the volcano has been relatively quiet with a few rockfall signals being the only seismic activity."

On Tuesday of this week the Hon. Chief Minister David Brandt called a press conference and brought with him, the current chief scientist Richie Robertson, and the medical program officer Dr. Tim Carter.

In an opening statement, the CM addressed what he thought to be the most burning issues on Montserrat: He said, " The citizens of Montserrat have determined that they are going to live here. Maybe what (the British) are suggesting for us at this time is not right for us at this time. In my association with the British sometimes, it seems that they have grown accustomed to telling Montserrat politicians, 'This is what we have decided and you have to agree to it.'

"The time has come, and as far as my administration is concerned, we know what is best for us. They have their points and we are going to have to meet half way. We will not tolerate, because they are called the mother Country, that they must come and impose something on us from a distance."

The response has been generally applauded by the general public, but other elected members, Hon. Reuben Meade and, Brunel Meade were on the other end of the position the Chief Minister took when he said: " if they say they are interested in life, and the safety of the individual, clearly a matter like this should be dealt with immediately, and not be subject to any long delay - and I believe it myself -- that what the British Government is doing is that they are making things so difficult for Montserratians that we will have to evacuate.

"Because if they don't provide the money for instruments, they don't provide the housing for people, especially in this area where we have key people to the survival of the country, it means that if tomorrow we tell these people to leave, they're going to leave the island. And the island cannot exist without the kind of people who live in this area."

The opposition politicians were particularly critical of the CM's statement that he would support those people who would refuse any immediate order to leave the zone 3 without housing to move to in "the relatively safe north".

Anyone listening to the press conference at which I was present will know that the CM was making reference to the present time and responding to the recommendation made by the chief scientific adviser Sir Robert May to the UK Government.

Brunel Meade, in an interview with Owen Roach, accused the CM of throwing a 'power tantrum' at the press conference when he accused the British of delaying tactics and further aggravating the situation by requiring that all approvals must be made in London, removing any power from the Aid Management Office (AMO)here in Montserrat.

A Foreign Office spokesman of the British Government said in response to Brandt's accusations: "There is no hidden agenda to depopulate the island. Our aid to Montserrat is directed precisely at enabling those who want to stay to do so."

Another British Government statement said on Thursday, " "The government is absolutely committed to the future of all Montserratians whether they chose to leave or to stay, so long as that is safe."

There is not a single person resident of Montserrat except those who have no choice but support those words, who is likely to agree that the British Government is not very guilty in its delaying tactics, having put projects on hold and changing its mind as the days change. One government official says that studies are sometimes done and reports sent to Montserrat for consideration with the full knowledge that the proposals will not be acceptable to the local government, "forcing us back to the drawing board and more studies and reports, which of course is time consuming".

Mr. Frank Black, who was recently shifted to South Africa from his position here as head of the AMO, gave perhaps the best British Government's position when in a press interview on the eve of his departure said:

"Uncertainty is the key word, I think. When you are dealing with the volcano that is the word that comes up again and again. If you look at the most recent scientific assessment what strikes you most is how very unpredictable the volcano is. In those kinds of circumstances, I think it is necessary to be cautious.

COMMITMENT: A BAD-WORD

"The British Government has stated again and again its commitment to providing support for those who chose to remain on the island. But I think in fulfilling that commitment, the BG also has to be aware of the uncertainties, of the risks and of the need to provide for those who choose to remain, while at the same time for them to get off the island, those who wanted to leave.

"At the same time, the difficulty, perhaps, that the BG faces is what degree of support do you give that might encourage people to return to the island that is shrinking, when we know that half of that island is definitely not safe, and that there are elements of risk throughout the whole island. Some of them pretty minimal in the north, we know, but it is a difficult situation. It is not as cut and dried as people might want it to be."

As the CM later pointed out in his most recent press conference, "the word "commitment" has become a 'bad-word' in Montserrat." But, the British nevertheless continue to tout the word to the world while hiding behind phrases of "uncertainties", and "as long as the north is safe."

Mr. Brandt repeatedly said that the British promises are not followed by action and he has come not to trust them.

Chief scientist Richie Robertson for his part at the press conference, like on many previous occasions, did not seem to be too uncertain about the course of the volcano.

He said in an effort to show urgency with respect to the central zone: "The chance of the activity staying over Galways is probably lower than the chance of the (central zone) being affected by it. If it stays there it means that most of the activity will be down Galways. But I don't think that is something you really bank on".

Robertson admitted that collapses are as dangerous to surrounding areas as the dome gets higher. "When we say the most likely thing is for it to continue with very little change, that would take care of the fact that the dome will get bigger and that the collapses may get larger, so they may go farther afield._ When we say things remaining as they are we mean something not being one or two times larger."

Agreeing that with proper instruments (which they have requested from Britain) they can monitor the volcano's activity and not be surprised by its activity, he said: "If the monitoring system (were) at the level that we would like, we wouldn't be expecting a surprise."

But reflecting that they need to replace lost instruments, he also said, "We need to monitor the stability of the northern wall much more, "If the northern wall starts giving an indication that it is unstable, we're going to be much more concerned than we are."

Robertson was unable to say what the British response was to their request, and whether they were treating the matter urgently. It was supposed to be one of the matters to be discussed when the head man of the Montserrat Unit visited later in the week.

The Risk Assessments and Lives

Dr. Tim Carter senior health coordinator, making his first appearance at a press conference in Montserrat after addressing briefly the Risk Assessment report, was diverted into discussing the loss of life other than those of direct hits from the volcano.

He had this to say: "I've been at pains to point out to the Governor and the Chief Minister that while we need to respond properly to those assessments of risk we should be careful we don't create new public health problems in our responses. This is part of the difficult political and medical balancing act you have to go through in this. How do you minimize risk overall? Part of that is about clarity, it's about people knowing what's happening rather clearly.

"There is evidence of risk and unless a response is made to that evidence - and it has to be a rational response, whatever it is - there is a real difficulty that if something does go wrong, where does the blame lie?. A very important bit, which is making people aware as possible of all the information that's around." This, Dr. Carter said is so that people can make, "informed personal judgments as they possibly can on this information and on what actions they should take."

Both Dr. Carter and the head scientist agreed that it was necessary to involve the public more in understanding the risks and determining how to deal with them.

Dr. Carter revealed that part of his responsibility here is to report on areas of the Calman report that may require adjustments or further study. His response to this was borne out by Mr. Brandt's dissatisfaction with the fact that full secondary care was excluded from the plan.

FEW ANSWERS FROM TEUTEN

Mr. Brandt in his denunciation of the BG's inaction admonished the press to be vigilant in its quest for answers from visiting British Officials like they are sometimes with him.

He said that he is expecting Mr. Teuten, who heads the Montserrat Unit, recently set up at the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO), to bring answers and explanations of the BG's new position.

The local press corps expressed disappointment at the outcome of the press conference, expecting first of all an hour with Mr. Teuten, who before the start announced a reduction to 20 minutes. He was unable to or did not shed light on the actual position of various concerns held on the island.

The Chief Minister had raised questions on some major projects for which there were some concern, among which are housing, the home mortgage scheme, the small business assistance project.

Teuten, who only in November last year took up his position in the home office said that only one small matter was delaying the long awaited home mortgage scheme. He said , "I also hope to seek approval for the soft mortgage project, assuming that one outstanding matter relating to the participation of the Bank of Montserrat can be resolved next week."

He reported also that the small business program will be finally submitted upon his return to the UK.

Concern was expressed about the plight of the Montserrat Building Society (MBS) but even after being pressed on the matter, having said he will pass on the views expressed by the Financial Secretary to his ministers back in London, he said, "responsibility for advising the Foreign Office on the matter lies with the Bank of England and the Treasury, not with DFID."

Mr. Brandt's response to that is that it is still the Ministers who have authority on the matter and he expects that just as they are providing housing to those who lost their property, so, too, people's savings can be protected. "The problems at the MBS are not from dishonesty or mismanagement but a direct consequence of the volcano and should be treated in the same manner," he said.

In response to the delay problems affecting projects, Mr. Teuten admitted: "We accept that some things took a bit longer than they should have done, but that was not because of any plan on our part, mainly because of problems that were encountered."

At the beginning of the press inverview, Mr. Teuten said, repeating part of a statement issued by Governor Abbott the day before: " There is no HMG plan to depopulate the island. British Ministers reaffirmed last month their commitment to meet the needs of those remaining on Montserrat. As a demonstration of that commitment earlier this week Clare Short approved a further £440,000 for the refurbishment of the St. John's hospital, as well as funding for a legal grants person and registrar magistrate, and a study of a social welfare policy."

He focussed his visit to the island to progress on five key issues: Completion of preparation of the soft mortgage and private sector rehabilitation project; discussion on the composition of the next tranch of houses at Look Out; initial discussions on the draft Sustainable Development Plan and Physical Development Plan; and lastly preparation for the March budgetary aid review mission.

Although denying the removal of approval authority from the AMO, he said: " It retains delegated authority for life-threatening emergencies and for the extensions of ongoing projects. To meet the Government of Montserrat's needs for micro-projects, we are providing through budgetary aid EC$2 million to the Emergency Operations Center budget for small capital projects up to EC$50,000 This will enable them to provide not only nails, but quite substantial projects." He added that in the case of new development projects, "they have to come back to London for the moment."

Matters such as upgrading the port facility at Little Bay received no direct response and on an airport, Mr. Teuten said that an initial draft of the study has been shared with the Montserrat government, stressing that further work needs to be done to finalise the report in the next few weeks.

However government officials have said that the location recommended in the study for the airport is "totally out of the question".

Teuten had little to offer on Britain's position regarding Montserrat access to aid from other sovereign countries, saying he didn't see any difficulty on Britain's part. A week ago another British official said on the same issue, "I can see the potential for embarrassment."

On the same matter, the CM explained that any assistance sought from another country has to go through the BG or through Caricom on our behalf.

Mr. Teuton was asked how he would sum up his visit, whether Montserratians could feel any more hope for better times for moving things forward. He responded, "It would be presumptuous of me to make such a statement_but I sincerely hope that we've been able to move things along and facilitate our Secretary of State to come to a decision soon on my return."

EDITORIAL

We have begged and demanded. We have acknowledged and we have said thanks. We have been diplomatic and eloquent, but yet, unpredictability, uncertainties and 'as long as the North is safe' are now the catch-words that drive us to anger.

Of course, our spirit and our will are not yet broken, so they are quick to call us 'resilient' at every opportunity.

But are there really uncertainties? We would like to believe that our scientists are honest to their profession, for to do otherwise can be absolutely disastrous for us. They have from the earliest times of our erupting volcano, said that this volcanic eruption may go on for as long as five years. Perhaps they need to keep us so informed that it would not appear that every time the volcano climaxes into an activity, it happened suddenly and without warning.

They had as an aid to their early work the findings and predictions from the work of a 'Professor Wadge' whose report from the mid 80s we've heard much of; and whose report gathered dust on desks in Whitehall offices in London. The scientists have said repeatedly that Wadge was no less than 95% correct. So what are these uncertainties? Could it be that it is just their way of holding on to the cataclysmic scenarios jumped at back in August last year?

Nothing has happened since July last year to cause projects to be put on hold. Even now, to send the head of the Montserrat Unit out to discuss progress is merely another attempt at stalling. It takes time for reports to be filed and discussed. Meantime the evacuation scheme continues at full gear, with great success. It cannot be right to firstly suggest to people to abandon their country before it is ascertained that this is absolutely necessary.

Very early last year more than one top British official said we lacked the resources to write projects. They then sent out their own project writers. How come they never seemed to be able to write the perfect project? We remember also that the Aid Management Office was strengthened to speed up the approval process with local power of approval of about EC$3 million.

With the difficulties being encountered with the slowing down of aid, the success of overseas evacuation and the recommendations to clear the central zone, when there seems to be no imminent danger, which will result in more people (and key people too) leaving Montserrat, what we do not need is any action which makes it appear that we are divided on any issue whatever. More than ever this is tiresome.

We have blundered over and over again from the start of this crisis beginning, with the refusal to accept the scientists, predictions that the volcano would last for at least five years and that it could over-run areas up to Belham. If we had accepted that situation at the beginning of April 1996, and not continued the foolish hope up to June 1997, there would be no discussion today.

Salem was asked to evacuate exactly five months ago and to date there seems to be no imminent danger. It is inconceivable that any Chief Minister will say that he will lead an uprising against any British order to evacuate the central zone, "under any circumstance." He would have to be crazy to be advised that danger to the central zone is inevitable and yet tell people not to move whether there was available housing or not. Let him continue to make the point that housing is ever more urgent, and action and not stalls is what is required. If it seems he was misunderstood, he should clear the air on that matter.

It seems the opposition politicians were embarrassed at the CM's statement and seemed also to disagree with his position of blaming the British. The people of Montserrat understand that they (the British) are the ones coming up with the money and it is not surprising that they welcomed the CM's position that enough stalling is enough.

What can be so difficult about coming together to fight for our preservation during this most difficult period of our lives? Is it a 'Montserrat thing' or a 'politician thing'? We cannot afford to continue to assist in being the architects of our own retrogression and extinction.

It has not been the strong point of any previous government to listen to, much less accept criticism and suggestions, but if this government isn't we need to know about it, because as we have said before it cannot be 'business as usual'. That applies to all of us, not just the government.

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

3-Man DFID Team Visits

Head of the Montserrat Unit in the Department For International Development..DFID Richard Teuten arrived late Tuesday, supposedly for a one-week visit, accompanied by Senior Economic Advisor Paul Ackroyd, and Senior Government and Institution Advisor Bill Barker.

While here, Mr. Teuten and his team will meet Chief Minister the Honourable David Brandt, his cabinet, and their host officials at the Aid Management Office. It was earlier reported that among their objectives was to review the status of the Resource Allocation Review, and to discuss the small enterprise and soft mortgage scheme, the draft Sustainable Development Plan and Physical Development with the Government of Montserrat.

Sources have revealed that officials meeting with the three-man team are not too pleased with the message of the team. But in an interview Teuten and Ackroyd said, "we came to identify what the issues are that need to be resolved and agree with the Government of Montserrat what we will do to address them.

The DFID team will also review how future economic advice on island should be met, and look at outstanding policy issues relating to the regional relocation grant and its implementation.

Food Voucher System Works well in Antigua

Montserrat evacuees living in Antigua are full of praise for the bi-weekly $75 food voucher system that is being jointly operated by the Antigua/Barbuda and British Red Cross.

"I think it is a good thing that they are doing," Eric Martin told the Montserrat Reporter, while shopping with his girl friend in Val’s Food Center, one of five stores where the vouchers can be spent.

Lesroy "Bear" Morson, while being grateful for the system, says he feels that adults should be allocated twice the amount that children get.

"Antigua is a very expensive place, and $75 is finished in a flash. I feel that they should not give children the same as they give adults. Adults should get twice the amount - $150," Morson commented.

Officials at Old Parham Road, Red Cross headquarters, also had commendable things to say about the program.

"The program is running very smoothly. In fact we prefer this type of distribution to other methods. Most donors like to give food. Food is bulky and messy. Food spoil and insects get in them. But vouchers are easy and efficient to distribute," said Gerald Price, Director General of the Antigua/Barbuda Red Cross.

The EC$1.5M program, which is being sponsored by the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO), will last for five months.

Price made it clear that the voucher system, the first to be sponsored by ECHO, is administered under very strict guidelines. These guidelines, he said, have to be followed to the letter.

"At the end of every distribution we destroy all the excess vouchers. That has nothing to do with us. It is simply a requirement of the sponsors. I cannot come in here tonight and take up any voucher and give to someone," he explained

Food vouchers, valid for only three days, can be exchanged at Val’s Food Center on Long Street, Sammy’s Super Market and Market Pointe on Market Street, Time Rite Supermarket on All Saints Road, and By Faith in Hatton. According to Red Cross officials no other super market will accept them.

Information printed on flyers given to every one who receives a voucher says no one is allowed to exchange the vouchers for alcohol, tobacco products or electrical items. The maximum amount of change that can be returned after shopping with a voucher is $5, the flyer said.

To qualify for a voucher each person is required to be on the Department for International Development relocation package list. This is ascertained by Red Cross workers by looking for the DFID stamp in the person’s passport at the time of collection.

According to Ian Heigh, British Red Cross official in Antigua, they will accept persons who have legitimate needs, but who may not have qualified for the DFID relocation package.

"Persons who have a genuine need can come to me. We are here to serve Montserratians in this emergency in any way we can," Heigh told the Reporter.

Heigh said the program, which is successfully executed by the staff of the Red Cross, has had few or no attempts of fraud.

"The people are highly cooperative and everything flows smoothly during the distribution," he said. The distribution takes place at the Red Cross headquarters every two weeks, 8 am to 4 p.m. on a specified day.

This is the second food voucher program that the Antigua/Barbuda Red Cross is administering. The first, sponsored by the British government, was touted to be highly successful. It was this program that led the Red Cross to seek more help for the volcano-displaced Montserratians.

Tuitt Fills-In for Brandt in St. Lucia

Minister of Education Health and Community Services the Hon. Adelina Tuitt is attending the 29 meeting of the Organisation of the East Caribbean States (OECS) Authority in Castries St. Lucia, which began yesterday for two days.

Mrs. Tuitt is deputizing for Chief Minister the Hon. David Brandt who did not attend due to the visit of the team from DFID.

Mrs. Tuitt is accompanied at the January 15-16 meeting by Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Chief Minister Eugene Skerritt.

High on the agenda is the situation in Montserrat. There members have been urged to give more assistance to Montserrat.

Speaking on the first day of the conference, Mrs. Tuitt updated the Heads on the volcanic crisis, which has forced the evacuation of two thirds of the population, completely eroded the island's revenue base and key sectors of the economy, and forced mass resignations of key personnel from the public service.

Mrs. Tuitt told the leaders that lack of economic power will create further marginalization of Montserratians, hampering any efforts toward sustainable development.

She says the OECS Authority needs to concentrate its efforts to ensure that the socio-economic activity on Montserrat is given renewed impetus.

While recognizing that other OECS countries are facing their own economic problems, Minister Tuitt asked for more assistance "to improve the quality of life of Montserratians who have seen their life earnings evaporate, the family structure destroyed, and their future aspirations fade away."

The Minister listed Montserrat's most urgent needs as housing, health care, industrial development, and technical assistance in communication and other fields.

According to Mrs. Tuitt, Montserrat also needs assistance to develop self-sustaining programs, proper educational and health facilities, and job opportunities.

She thanked all member states, diplomatic representatives and the OECS Secretariat for their efforts in helping the island, which have gone "a long way in alleviating the problems of Montserratians."

Other issues on the agenda are progress towards OECS Single Market and Economy, issues concerning the OECS Business Sector, a proposal to strengthen National Planning Units in the OECS, and functional cooperation.

The banana issue, the Eastern Caribbean Farm Works Programme, and a proposal for OECS representation in Geneva are also up before the Heads.

Single Market Economy

Further reports from the meeting say that leaders of the eight-OECS memeber states ended the first day of the summit concerned about their inability to make significant headway towards a single market and economy.

OECS Chairman Lester Bird said one reason for inadequate progress was a failure of trade and industry ministers to meet for over a year. The Antigua prime minister said that it was, however, still possible to make Caribbean community of September this year.

Civil Service Managers Discuss Reports

Almost immediately after his return from the UK, His Excellency Governor Anthony Abbott and Chief Minister the Hon. David Brandt met with senior managers in the public service this week at Government House.

The aim of the meeting was to discuss the findings of the three recently released reports on the Soufriere Hills Volcano.

Governor Abbott, taking another jab at the slowly improving information process in Montserrat, reported that concerns have been expressed by Her Majesty's Government that the people of Montserrat are not kept informed about the risk they face.

He said each and every Montserratian should have access to the reports which have been widely distributed, including the Public Library, schools and service organizations.

According to the Governor, a program should start in schools to educate the children, and simplified versions of the reports will be produced and distributed in leaflet form.

It was suggested that a series of community meetings be held to discuss the reports.

A number of concerns were raised during the meeting. These include the large number of people who live and do business in the central or buffer zone and the lack of housing in the north of the island.

It was hoped that the completion of the government administrative center in Brades and the government's suspension of licenses for new commercial operations in the central zone would help reduce the number of people who occupy the area.

Disappointment was also expressed about the slow pace of housing construction in the north of the island.

Future of North - Focus of New PDP

Another draft of the Physical Development Plan (PDP) has been completed.

The plan, first introduced in 1995 by the Physical Planning Unit, is prepared to facilitate the development and rebuilding of Montserrat in the north of the island.

Its purpose is to map out land use, coordinate development by government, private sector and community, and to help instill confidence in the future of the island.

Among the key elements of the plan is a town center at Little Bay to accommodate the seat of Government, major cultural facilities, a business center, hotel development, and recreation facilities.

Other key elements covered in the document are housing, the development of community and commercial services, economic activities, infrastructure, and the environment.

The PDP along with the Sustainable Development Plan was discussed when government ministers met with a team from the Department For International Development this week.

Gov. Abbot Re-Confirms Britain's Commitment

Shortly after his return from a visit to London and the day after Mr. Brandt's lashing out at the British, His Excellency Governor Abbott issued the following statement, which was repeated in part by Mr. Teuten in his opening remarks to a press conference held on Friday morning.

"There has been much speculation in the media and elsewhere that HMG's policy is to "depopulate" Montserrat. The proponents of this theory argue that this is in order to save the expenditure necessary to develop the north of the island and point to delays in approving various al projects.

"I wish to reiterate that the British Government remains committed to supporting the community on the island for as long as they wish to remain and it is considered safe for them to do so. During the Chief Minister's visit to London in September last year the Foreign Secretary, The Rt. Hon Robin Cook MP, went on record saying "Both the Prime Minister and myself have assured Mr. Brandt that the Labour Government of Britain remains fully committed to the viability of the future of the island of Montserrat. We are determined that those who leave the island will be able to do so if they wish to do so but that those who wish to remain should have a viable sustainable future on the island and we are committed to making that a reality". This commitment at the highest level was clearly reaffirmed to me during my recent visit to London.

"Inevitably changing circumstances on the island have created the need to reappraise and adjust some aid projects and this has led to delays. However, I am totally confident that we shall soon see progress on the projects of most immediate concern to the Government of Montserrat. These include assistance to small and medium sized enterprises, a low cost mortgage scheme and, most important of all, the construction of more housing in the north. Much more needs to be done to develop the north and the work needed to achieve this will be decided within the framework of the Sustainable Development Plan (SDP). The Government of Montserrat has already submitted a draft SDP to the Department for International Development and officials have arrived on island this week to begin discussions on the draft. I am optimistic that the two sides will be able to reach early agreement on the way forward."

Many have seen the statement as a response to Brandt's remarks in his Tuesday press conference, which also drew responses from British officials in London.

The Reporter hopes to be able to speak with the Governor on matters relative to the statement and the week's several statements.

CM Leads Delegation to BDT Summit

Chief Minister the Honourable David Brandt will lead a Montserrat delegation to a summit of Britain's dependent territories in the Caribbean.

Included in the delegation are Minister of Agriculture Trade and the Environment The Honourable P. Austin Bramble, Financial Secretary C.T. John and former Permanent Secretary Kenneth Cassell.

Left to Right Hon David S. Brandt, Hon Austin P. Bramble, Hon Charles T. John, Kenneth Cassell

Chief Minister Brandt will be accompanied by his wife Mrs. Verna Brandt.

The January 21-23 meeting is arranged by the Bermuda Government, which is paying the cost of travel and accommodation for the delegations.

All the BDT's will be represented with the exception of the Cayman Islands.

The meeting comes prior to a major conference in London on February 4 when dependent territories will review of its relationship with the United Kingdom.

Subjects to be discussed will include British citizenship, constitutional status, nomenclature the Proceeds of Crime legislation, and diplomatic passports.

BDT Likely to Change to BOT

The British Government appears set to replace the term Dependent Territories.

According to reports in London, barring any last minute change of mind the term British Dependent Territories will be replaced by British Overseas Territories.

It is believed that the term British Overseas Territories will be accepted by most people, since any suggestion of dependency is demeaning. All colonies in the Caribbean, with the exception of Montserrat, are more than not economically independent of the United Kingdom.

The Government of Montserrat, in its response to the suggestion from the British Government, supports the change. However it feels the modification should also reflect substantive changes in the relationship with the BDT's.

The move by the British Government is part of a review of its relationship with its colonies.

Scientist Confirms North of Montserrat is Safe

British-born scientist Mr. Simon Young this week assured Montserratians that living in the North of their volcano ravaged island is as safe as living any place in the Caribbean.

"North of Montserrat, as defined as any place north of Lawyers Mountain, is at minimal risk from the volcano... People in other parts of the Caribbean are at risk from volcanoes and hurricanes and these are risks that go on in everyday life...We are pretty confident that the North of the island is safer from the volcano than it is from big regional earthquakes which can also damage the North," Young said.

Young, while admitting that the volcano is unpredictable, said the information that was put out by a team of international volcano experts in Antigua several weeks ago, is "the most positive" that has been issued about the safety of living in the North.

Removing government offices and businesses in the buffer zone (areas such as Woodllands and Olveston) Young says, is the advice of the MVO scientists to the government of Montserrat. This, he says, will help to reduce the population of these areas which are relatively less safe than areas North of the ridge of Lawyers Mountain.

"The ridge which comes down through Lawyers Mountain to the sea is a good barrier from the volcano. The area north of that is a lot safer than Woodlands, which in turn is a lot safer than the Salem area," said Young.

Senior Health Coordinator Dr. Tim Carter Tuesday revealed that persons living in the Salem, Olveston and Woodlands area may have their health threatened by exposure to volcanic ash. and volcanic activity.

"In areas such as Salem and Woodlands there remains a relatively high risks of damage from volcanic activity. Someone at the age of 40 has a 200% chance of dying next year from volcanic activity than someone the same age living in the North of the island. Someone in Woodlands has 20% chance less ," he told reporters.

Recommendations from the chief scientific adviser to evacuate residents in the buffer zone, has met some resistance from Government officials on the island.

"I would not feel comfortable in asking the people from the buffer zone to leave these areas and go and live in shelters at this point in time, said Chief Minister David S. Brandt."

"I feel that we have lived in shelters long enough and there is the urgent need for the building of houses which the British have promised over and over again. They have failed to pursue that promise diligently. If they want us to ask people to move, they are going to have to move very fast in building permanent housing in the North so my people can live,"Brandt said, speaking at a press conference on Tuesday.

REGIONAL NEWS BRIEFS

Increase in social security costs out-pace contributions

Roseau, Dominica, Cana - Benefit payments and administrative costs of the Dominica Social Security are growing at a faster rate than contributions being made to the scheme, Chairman Henzie Wilson has reported. Wilson said that as a result there are "less and less (resources) for reserves and investment". According to the 1996 annual report, the Scheme made benefit payments to claimants totaling EC$14.3 (US5.276) million dollars in 1996, compared to EC1.3 million (US479,704) dollars in 1995 but contribution receipts in 1996 totaled of EC22.2 (US8.191) million dollars, and EC21.1 (US7.785) million dollars in 1995.

Jamaica's perversion of justice case

Kingston, Jamaica, Cana - One of two policemen charged along with resident magistrate Norma Von Cork with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in Jamaica has been freed. Von Cork and the two policemen were charged last month in a drug trafficking case involving Brian Bernal, the son of Richard Bernal, Jamaica's Ambassador to Washington, and businessman Christopher Moore. Media reports suggest the freed man, Ron Mclean - Von Cork's orderly - may be used as a crown witness in the trial of Von Cork and the second policeman, constable Morris Thompson, in April.

Nuclear Shipment via Caribbean Sea - Greenpeace

Two environmental groups have called on the United States to bar Britain, France and Japan from using the Panama Canal to ship deadly nuclear waste around the world. They released what they called a leaked French diplomatic cable supposedly indicating plans to start shipping highly radioactive waste products through the Caribbean and the canal for the first time.

The Panama Canal connects the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean, and Greenpeace says that this route was chosen because it is the shortest and cheapest. "This controversial shipment will also be the largest ever of this deadly nuclear waste by the French plutonium company, COGEMA," the organisation said.

Greenpeace International and the Nuclear Control Institute, a Washington-based group that seeks to curb the commercial use of plutonium, said a Panama passage would create a dangerous precedent.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, United States Virgin Islands' Governor Roy Schneider said he thinks there are too many hazards in a nuclear waste shipment from France to Japan through the Caribbean this month. With a possible route being between the United States and British Virgin Islands he said, "We have had a barge stuck on a reef off the National Park and releasing cement into the sea for nearly a month. We cannot take such a risk."

Guyana to Explore Trade Possibilities with South Africa

Georgetown, Guyana, Cana - Guyana will be looking for opportunities in mining and agriculture with South Africa next month when a high-level delegation joins a Caribbean Community trade and investment mission later this month. Guyana Chronicle newspaper reported on Saturday that Foreign Minister Clement Rohee is expected to lead this country's delegation. The foreign minister said contact has been established with the De Beers mining company in South Africa to explore a business venture in the diamond industry.

Hoyte Pushing for Fresh Guyana Elections

Georgetown, Guyana, Cana - Guyana's Opposition Leader Desmond Hoyte, who has charged that last month's elections were rigged, says he told a Caribbean Community peace mission Thursday that his party wants fresh elections. The mission is in Guyana trying to broker a solution to the impasse created by the People's National Congress' rejection of the People's Progressive Party being declared elections winner. Hoyte said the team got an insight into "why it is we are holding firm to the view that the elections were rigged...".

Assailant Pleads for Leniency

Roseau, Dominica, Cana - A man has told a Dominica court that he assaulted a fellow villager because he suspected the man planned to conduct black magic with his dead mother's body. Pleading for leniency the assailant, Mitchell Ettienne, told the court Tuesday that he was depressed over the death of his mother and claimed that the victim, Linus Augustine, had failed to properly screw on the lid of his mother's coffin. The judge sentenced Ettienne to five years in prison and ordered him to pay EC$3,000 (US$1,107) dollars compensation.

Barbados' Defamation Act Could be Model for Region

Bridgetown, Barbados, Cana - Barbados' Defamation Act could be used as the basis for modernising the region's laws on defamation, Attorney General David Simmons has said. He said last Tuesday that this was one of the recommendations of a report by a consultant on the state of the region's defamation laws. Simmons said that most Caribbean governments were examining the legislation related to freedom of information, and some were preparing bills to provide for that freedom.

Regional Workshops in Dominica

The OECS Export Development and Agricultural Diversification Unit has schedule two very important workshops in Dominica from 20th to 23rd January, at Fort Young Hotel.

The first workshop entitled: "The Impact of Trade Liberalization on the Manufacturing/Exporting \Sector" has as its main objective sensitization of OECS producers, exporters and public sector persons on recent trade issues and developments, and their possible implications on the manufacturing/exporting sector in the sub-region.

Participants will be advised on possible actions which they can take, opportunities offered by these trade agreements, and make adjustments where necessary in their operations, in response to those trade developments.

The workshop seeks to improve the knowledge of persons who are actively involved in trade promotion, facilitation, manufacturing and exporting, on the relevant world trade issues and agreements.

The unit has secured the services of representatives of regional and international agencies who will make formal presentations and discuss issues on topics on relating matters with CARIBCAN, Free Trade Agreements, Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), World Trade Organisation (WTO), Association of Caribbean States (ACS), The CARICOM Single Market & Economy .

The second workshop will follow the first from January 21st to 23rd, and is entitled: "Export Market Entry Requirements." The workshop aims to improve participants to the skills necessary to allow them to respond quickly and efficiently to changes in the market place, in order that they may maintain their market share and take advantage of possible growth opportunities.

Several subject areas to be addressed include: Market Research, Procedures in identification of export, Product development Trade Promotion and Development of business relationships.

Theses two workshops are part of the main schedule of training activities in the Unit's Work Programme for 1998, and generally seek to improve the export capability of the sub-region's manufacturing sector.

Resource persons from University of the West Indies/Institute of Business (UWI/IOB), public and private sector institutions are being used to undertake the Workshops.

Over forty (40) firms from across the OECS Member States have registered to attend, representing manufacturers, exporters, Chambers of Commerce, Ministries of Trade, IDCs and trade facilitating Agencies.

Funding for the Workshop is being provided under the European Union facility of the Caribbean Trade Sector Development Programme, OECS Institutional support facility and the private sector.

The Hon. Minister for Trade and Marketing in the Prime Minister's Office is expected to deliver the Feature address at the Opening Ceremony, on Tuesday, 20th January, 1998.

FEATURES

Hot Mix Plant Saga

by the Silent Observer

When the last ex-Chief Minister returned from his now famous trip to London, he promised that when the hot mix arrived, which he hoped would be soon, he said we would get the Road to the North resurfaced, and that would get things moving. That sounded reasonable but we know that these are not normal times; but the hot mix plant did not arrive and the CM left office. The present minister took up the task and though the plant was on the high seas during this time, it was still long in arriving. Motorists were saying that it was lost at sea. The corners on the way to Little Bay were widened, then one day it appeared in the press that it was here and that it would be assembled. This is now 1998 and the plant is still not operating.

Last year Montserrat was abound with rumors that mostly turned out to be truth leaked deliberately. The rumor this time, according to the man in the street, is that the Aid Office is making two steps forward and one backward. This amounts to conspiracy, since the delaying tactics are sabotaging all the workers and those ministers of government who really want to see the end of shelter life. But what really rubs is done by people who live in luxury in other people’s houses, at the expense of the British tax-payers.

Before we point fingers let's look at what can’t happen unless the hot mix plant is working. No road from Forgathy to Carr’s Bay; no road to the government headquarters at Brades or Look Out or Davy Hill. When the elderly fall in muddy patches it is our responsibility not the Aid Office.

The point is - delay the road building and every other project is delayed. No road, no infrastructure, no city just a shanty town. Hence the delay of the airport, if ever.

Someone should ask these people how long they want to delay - maybe until Tony Blair leaves office so that they can go back to the old game known as Operation Exodus. The Chief Minister should ask the governor to send the lot back to England, if he can.

How many of these people were S A S men? They have a contingency plan for every situation. Every second lost is a second gained. There are just too many coincidences to claim bad luck or incompetence. That would not wash because the Voluntary Evacuation Office is too efficient; on the other hand they could be slowing down operation because of the nasty British weather, or the word around the office may be that the volcano is nothing to worry about - that is why they never looked worried when the volcano is exploding. Whatever the reason there seems to be no end to the plans they have, but the signs always say "SLOW."

The ministers of government and top civil servants are also included in the evacuation and Rav 4s are not included on this trip. Someone said the British nearly had 200 of them last week.

It is time to show some understanding for those who had the courage to refuse the one-way ticket to two years, internment without trial. Another British invention.

As for the other projects that will propel Montserrat into the 21st century? The promises of commitment are just that - promises. A mirage to a thirsty town planner. They are good singer too. They sing the tunes their pay-masters want to hear and add food for the egos of local politicians who want to feel good about themselves, which is only a time-wasting exercise.

Marriage Time

Wedding bells did not ring, but the organ and piano made music, so too the violin, while people sang and witnessed an exchange of vows.

The principals in the various settings were Miss Roselyn Cassell of Montserrat, who gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Simeon Sealy of St. Lucia.

This momentous event took place at Kingsgate United Church, Kingston, Jamaica on December 13, 1997.

It was a very simple but beautiful wedding ceremony witnessed by friends found and developed through the Credit Union movement, and who had become like family.

Chief Bridesmaid for the occasion was Miss Teresina Bodkin with Bennette Roach as father-giver and Trevor Charlemange of St. Lucia as best-man.

The reception organised by the same friends was impressive, held at the Terra Nova hotel.

The Reporter wishes this couple many long years of susccess and happiness together.

Montserratians Should be Employed First

Montserratians should be given top priority in job placement opportunities was the theme of the twice-weekly radio program Labour Speaks this week.

"There are qualified Montserratians who need jobs but cannot get one, even though they are available in their field of expertise," host Hilroy Bramble told his radio audience.

Bramble identified former Minister of Agriculture, Charles Kirnon, who he said has had 16 years of banking experience and training," but was not accepted for available positions in Bank of Montserrat Limited (BML).

"If we look in Bank of Montserrat we would presently find two newly arrived Trinidadians... and I understand there are more to come," Bramble announced.

He also pointed out that there is a "young lady from South who has been with the bank for more than five years and who has had several years banking experience before coming to the bank," who he feels was unfairly passed over for senior positions.

"It is time that she be promoted for she has the ability and the experience and she should not be left standing by marking time to the tune of every expat brought in," Bramble said.

Bramble reasoned that the rationale of bringing these people as consultants is only a guise to institute them as "permanent fixtures."

Bramble called on government, a major shareholder in Bank of Montserrat, not to allow such things to happen.

When contacted, manager of the Bank, Grenadian-born Gregory de Gannes, declined comment and referred the Reporter to Chairman of the Board of Directors Frank Edwards.

Speaking to the Reporter on the issue Edwards said the board, which is comprised of all Montserratians,"has the interest of Montserrat and Montserratians at heart. We have a commercial bank to run and we intend to run it as a business in the interest of the employees depositors and shareholders.

Edwards spoke of the time when the bank was almost destroyed through lack of proper management. The bank was almost totally destroyed because of extremely poor management. The only thing that saved the bank at the time was the innovative intervention of the East Caribbean Central Bank and the strong support of the then Chief Minister Reuben Meade and his government," Edward said.

He also pointed out that "all but one," officer in the bank in 1997 were Montserratians.

"This was only accomplished a fter considerable sums of money were invested in training. However, in 1997 13 of the 22 employees resigned their position including the Assistant Manager, Manager of Operations, Internal Auditor and Manager of Foreign Affairs and Investments.

"Two positions were advertised and we did not receive any applications for these positions. If any one has names of suitably qualified persons we would be happy to consider them."

Edwards took the opportunity to explain further: "The Board reviewed the position with senior management and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) to determine the way forward. Two positions were advertised, but we received no applications.

"Some internal promotions were made and four Montserratians were also identified from within and outside the bank to fill the four senior positions. Extensive training is required by senior bankers and with the ECCB's assistance we have employed two such persons from the region to fill these positions and train staff.

"We will eventually need to put in place a full time training officer to train at other levels."

Edwards points out that BML is still under the supervision of the ECCB and all major decisions affecting the bank are made only after consultation with the ECCB; and the employment of senior staff is done with their approval.

Using Bahamas as an example, Bramble explained the labor policy in that country.

"Once a Bahamian has an idea of what the job requirements are, whether or not he is qualified or competent, he is going to get that job over the person who was not born there even if that person is qualified. If someone, who is not a Bahamian, is lucky enough to get the job he is not entitled to the same benefits as the Bahamian," Bramble said.

Bramble said we need to adopt the "attitudes of other countries and look after our own first, and others after.'

"Government must step in and enact legislation to protect the rights of Montserratians and Monsterrat's labor force," he added.

Bramble admitted that additional labor is necessary at this time to help to rebuilt the country. He advised caution, explaining that the reshuffling and redeployment of people within the civil service could meet many of the labor needs we have.

Edwards gave a word of caution about speaking against the employment of Caricom nationals.

"We must remember that Montserratians are being presently employed all over the Caribbean and even further afield, and especially at a time when we are requesting our Caricom partners for special treatment to Montserratians," he said.

Conditions in the Mother Country Force Montserratian to Return

Montserrat was a happy sight for Margaret Thomas, who, fleeing the bitter experience of the Britain, swears "never again to go back to England."

"If I am riding on this boat and I learn that they have changed course and is headed for England I will find some way of throwing myself over board. I will never go back to England the longest day I live," the St. George's Hill young lady told the Reporter in an interview on the high seas between Antigua and Montserrat.

The long agonizing bureaucratic process, the unfriendly weather, the lack of freedom and a life-threatening illness developed in London, are reasons why Thomas decided to prematurely cut her stay in the mother country.

"No matter how cold it is you still have to go out in the bitter cold. No body gives you a ride, even if you are sick. Nobody says hello. The bus drivers are not very courteous, they don't wait until you sit to drive off," Thomas' Jerry-curled hair shook as she turned her head from side to side with a look of disgust on her face.

Thomas told the Reporter that she came down with an inexplicable illness after three months of being in England.

"I became paralyzed. For some time I just could not walk. The sole of my foot became soft and painful. My aunts told me it was because I did not protect myself properly form the cold, but how did they expect me to know what do. Nobody told me what to do. I used to wear ordinary socks. I remember going to an office where I had to wait four hours, standing. The cold breeze blowing across my neck made me so sick I could not move my neck for some time," she explained.

The offices, she said, are famous for shuttling people from one person to another and from one office to another.

"In fact after waiting for several hours at the office the lady told me she had forgotten me," she said.

She finally decided to pack up and leave. Leave for the Caribbean. After spending several weeks in Antigua her health improve and to the point she was able to walk around.

"I decided I will come home, look around and see what is happening here," she said. Conditions here will help her to determine the next move she wants to make, she said, a move that does not include returning to England.

Businessman Chalmers Forges Ahead

Driven by the confidence that Montserrat will regain its former glory, coupled with encouragement from his 22-year-old son Barry Chalmers, businessman Joseph Chalmers has erected another business complex in Cudjoe Head.

After being in business for over 24 years Chalmers is not about to let the volcano, which destroyed his recently built store in Plymouth, rob him of his entrepreneurial spirit.

He recounted his trying history in an interview with the Reporter.

"It started in 1974 when we bought an expensive piece of land in Old Chapel Street and having to build. Both the land and the building were quite expensive. We moved into that building in February of 1995. We used the building for five months and after that -- you know what happened. We lost more than half of our inventory in town. And what we did not lose through the volcano we lost through theft. That in itself would have caused some-one to give in and say 'forget it," he said, twiddling a small object on his desk.

Chalmers, however, did not have that in mind. He moved to Salem with the hope that he would be returning to Plymouth in a short time.

"After a time we realized that town was a write off -- we just couldn't go back there. Even moreso, we realized that even Salem that we moved to, and thought was safe, we had to pack up and leave there too," the Manager of BBC Radio and TV recollected.

The second relocation to Cudjoe Head still did not quell the ambition of the Salem businessman.

What fuels such persistence, in spite of the crippling financial blows dealt by the volcano and two relocations?

Fixing his glasses on his nose, the slender, experienced businessman replied,"I believe that Montserrat will be here for the next ... how many years. One key factor of my staying in business is Barry, my son. He is the inspirer. Even if I were willing to give up, he encourages me and he is the basis of my setting up all the buildings you see going up now. I also strongly believe, no matter how many people are leaving and going abroad, it is the people who get in on the ground work now who will be successful in the future."

It is on this basis that Chalmers says he is going to do all that is necessary to make a "presence in Montserrat" in the future.

Insurance and difficulty in getting financial institution to lend along with difficulty in getting workers are "set backs" which the businessman said he faces.

"But you cannot allow set-backs to keep you quiet if you really want to go forward," he explained.

How does he manage to face and surmount these intimidating challenges? He says it all depends on your perspective on the future.

"It is all based on how you see the future. If you believe that come February we are all going to leave this island, you would not make sufficient effort to do anything about it; if you believe that we are all down to 2,000 people and that all the people who are going to be here, then you will do very little to change that; but if you believe that over the next few months and years there will be a massive return to Montserrat then you will find some way to make those changes and do what is necessary to rebuild," he explained.

Chalmers based his optimism on his observation that people are slowly trickling back into the island.

"The trend is that some go and some come. I believe that there are two types of people -- those who go and those who come," he said philosophically.

Chalmers feels that the government should help business by easing custom duties to allow them to re-establish themselves.

"I don't think that they are helping in areas where we need it. I think they can help by easing custom duties for at least six months or a year. This will help us to avoid having to strain to come up with so much money at one time. However, they are doing something that I think is very important. They are liaising with some of the agencies to channel most of their business through the local business people. You would notice that the people in hardware and the people in house-hold equipment have been given some orders. I am not saying that they are not giving any help," Chalmers remarked.

He said he feels the British government should build houses in a more speedy manner.

"I believe that as homes are built and housing becomes available more people will return to the island," he said.

Air transport and places for tourists to stay are vital elements that should be established to foster the future growth of the island, he said.

The businessman's advice to others to others on the island is to use their initiative and avoid waiting on the government.

"If people would take on the initiative of doing more they would be the beneficiaries of their own efforts," he concluded.

Your History in Small Doses

by Dr. Howard Fergus

The University of theWest Indies

The University of the West Indies recommended by a Commission headed by James Irvine in 1945, got properly started in 1948 with 33 students. From that small beginning it has grown to over 9,000 with three campuses - Mona, Jamaica; St. Augustine, Trinidad; and Cave Hill, Barbados. In addition, hotel studies and tourism are taught at a Centre in the Bahamas. The Trinidad and Barbados campuses were added in 1962 and 1963.

Originally affiliated with the University of London, in 1962 the University became an autonomous institution granting its own degrees. In that year it received a new Royal Charter and Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone became its first Chancellor. The first Principal was Dr. Thomas Taylor but the St. Lucian, Dr. Arthur Lewis was the first Vice Chancellor in the new dispensation.

The Irvine commission recommended an Extra-Mural Department and this was implemented in the early 1950'; but there was one Resident Tutor for the Leeward Islands until the late 1960s. Dr. J.A. irish, the first Montserratian Resident Tutor was appointed in 1971/ his predecessors were Mr. Victor Josse, Mr. Rawle Jordon and Mr. Henry Williams. This writer has been Resident Tutor since 1974.

In 1978 an experiment was made with distance teaching and learning referred to as 'Challenge', whereby students studied at the local centre and sat UWI first year degree examinations. This developed into the University Distance Teaching Experiment (UWIDITE) which utilised teleconferencing in the teaching process.

Today the University is becoming a bi-model institution combining face to face teaching with a range of distance teaching modes. In this way it is more likely to meet its target of an enrolment of 18,000 by the year 2000.

It is not yet known how many Montserratians have been educated at UWI but it is well over 100 persons, many of whom have excelled. The first Montserratian to gain a First Class degree at the University was Miss Dorcas White who studied law. Prior to that she was a teacher and journalist.

School Children Comment About Their Situation

My name is Sherice Meade. I live in Harris' village, but I am now evacuated to St. Johns. I live in a home with three other persons. I like living in St. Johns. I can still do my home-work and other school work. I think the government should move us off the island to another island like Antigua, because it is not very safe here.

I am Jemma Weekes. I am from Webbs and I am living at St. Johns with five members of my family. I do not have any problems at all.

I'm from Davy Hill, but I live at St. Johns. I had to move, but the volcano has not affected me so much. I cannot ride my bike now, because my mother don't want me to go in the road. There is not enough space. I have more time now so my school work is better.

My name is Riffario Paddy. I used to live in Gages but I am living in St. Johns now. I live with seven people. Five of them are my family but two of them are not. My life has not changed very much since the volcano. Only that you cannot get any place to play. I wish that they take people off the island back to the country they are from. I am from Guyana.

Sheresnest Harris. I'm from Frith and I live in the Mongo Hill shelter. I do not like the shelter life, sometimes the people talk too hard and the lights go off too quick so I can't get to do my home-work. I do my school work in the mornings. I would like to get a house for my family. In the shelter if something happens in the bathroom they always blame it on the children.

My name is Ray Murrain. I used to live at Cork Hill, I moved to Salem Shelter. I don't like to live in the shelter because I can't ride my bike and play football. I can sleep and do my home-work.

Hey Britian - Listen Up

by The Independent Thinker

Well, it did take a long time. But it is happening. Montserrat speaks. At last, Montserrat speaks. We all know that "Labor Speaks". But for some reason Montserrat has been whispering since the Volcano began shouting. And, oh, how she shouts. What truths she tells. What pains she vocalizes. What injustices she reveals. What monsters she disrobes.

Thank you!. Thank you! Clarence Greaves for at last speaking aloud what every Montserratian has been whispering since we were wooed from our homeland with duplicity and falsehoods. Thank you for speaking up in no uncertain terms for every transplanted Montserratian in the United Kingdom who have been whispering their pain and discomfort in letters and telephone calls.

It is not that we were unaware that our children were being given a sub standard "British" education or that they were not being given the opportunity to take GCE exams. It is not that we were unaware that Montserratians in Britain had to make a choice between being on welfare or starving to death, even as they accepted menial and poorly paid jobs. It is not that we were unaware of how Montserratians were being sent into the "Outer Mongolia" of the United Kingdom to die alone and freeze to death in cold water council flats. It is not that we were unaware of the non-cooperative nature of the British Civil Servant. Hey! We work with them every day. Frank Black, they tell me, was an exception to the rule. Maybe that is why they took him away, waving the promotion flag.

We knew of all these things. But we have never heard them said out loud. We have never heard them spoken with such clarity, sincerity and passion. We knew them but we had not spoken them aloud. Yet even as we knew them we still allowed ourselves to be forcibly evacuated to the United Kingdom. But what choices did we have? None! We had no choices! No projects are being implemented. No 'houses' are being built. No finance is available. We could go to the United States or the Caribbean, but, we will not be given the same "Evacuation Packages" if we are foolish enough to make these kinds of wise choices. And, to ensure that we remain totally discombobulated and discomfited they continue to issue scientific and health reports that frighten us into believing that the "Grim Reaper" is right around the corner. We hear of Tsunamis, lateral blasts, surges and silicosis. All these we have to contend with as we struggle to live without adequate education systems, health care and shelter. To the most intelligent human being, Britain would seem the best choice. After all we are going to the Mother Country and every child expects his mother to care for him in his time of need. Wake up Montserrat! Nothing is further from the truth when your mother is Mother Britain. Maybe we should explore what Mother Africa could do for us!

We heard for the first time this week our Chief Minister going to bat for us. Hey, Mr. Chief Minister! It is about time. We saw the "delayed management" tactics. We heard the promises. We bore the brunt of the insults from Madame Clare Short. We balked at the insensitivity and inexcusable rudeness of Her Majesty's resident experts. We knew there was nothing coming our way. We saw nothing on the ground. We did hear of the millions of pounds being used to pay, feed, house and transport these same resident experts. But we never heard you go to bat for us. We say, Sir, it is time. It is time you and every Montserratian, wherever resident went on the war-path.

We say to you, Sir, it is time you go elsewhere, with or without the permission of Her Majesty's Government to get us the kind of assistance we need. We believe that assistance can be had elsewhere. We are not concerned about who may become embarrassed if you were to do so. Get us what we need by whatever means necessary.

Let us not be remiss. Let us thank Rose Willock for having the temerity to hold that interview with Mr. Greaves. Let us thank her for her insightful questions. Let us thank her for allowing Montserrat to speak.

Now that the Speaking has begun let every Montserratian never again hold his tongue.

SPORTS

Antigua to Help Montserrat Cricket

The Antigua Cricket Association (ACA) will help Montserrat prepare for the 1998 Leeward Islands Cricket Tournament.

The ACA accepted a proposal from the Montserrat Cricket Association during a meeting of the Leeward Islands Cricket Association (LICA) in Anguilla last weekend.

According to Secretary of the MCA Beresford Lewis, a Montserrat team could either take part in the Antigua domestic championship, starting at the end of January, or individual players could be absorbed into the league by joining different clubs. A final decision has not been made.

In other positive developments LICA will sponsor Montserrat’s participation in the 1998 sub-regional tournament, and Montserrat will play all its home matches in Antigua this year. This will provide some measure of comfort to the players since Antigua is home to thousands of Montserratians who have relocated there.

Montserrat played all its matches away from home in 1996 and 1997 due to the volcanic crisis.

Meanwhile Montserrat hopes to defend its Leeward Islands Youth title this year. The Montserrat Association made the announcement on Thursday without going into details, but most members of the successful youth team have relocated to the United Kingdom.

JUS’ WONDERIN’

Jus wonderin why no one has assessed the risks of one or more deaths in the next six months among Montserratians relocated to unusually stressful, natural and social climates.

Jus wonderin why ferry returnees carrying foodstuffs are delayed at Little Bay for Department of Agriculture inspection yet allowed to go an hour later if no one from Agriculture shows up.

Jus wonderin whether the DFID visitor to Chief Minister Brandt's office Didn't Find It Difficult.

Jus wonderin if the changing circumstances Gov. Abbott mentioned also led to delays in finally getting the new hot mix plant working before there are no road surfaces left.

Jus wonderin how the Royal Police Force would have managed all its busy marine activity of the past week if the 'unnecessary' MV Shamrock had already been sold.

Jus' wonderin' why the Minster forced the transfer of the Civil Servant from the EOC because of her political persuasion.

Jus wondering if it is not time for "Labor Speaks" to be called "I man speaks"

Jus wondering if "Labor Speaks" speaks with the workers before speaking on their behalf.

Jus wondering if it is true, why two local nurses were made homeless so that two foreign nurses could be housed in what was once the local nurses abode.

Jus wonderin if the time will come when we can hear an honest political speech of unity, one that is not riddled with selfishness and the other evils so associated with it.

Jus wonderin when we all see the disaster of revenge, jealousy and hate.

Just wonderin if all the ministers have lost their eloquence.

Just wonderin who will graduate first, the 'rookie' politician or the 'rookie' ministers.

Jus wonderin if the chief had a vision, and if so, he saw light at the end of the tunnel.

Don't just wonder to yourself call - 491-4715 or e-mail roachb@candw.ag and wonder aloud. Keep it brief.

ADVERTISEMENTS

Festival Committe says Thanks

The Montserrat Christmas Festival Committee,1997, wishes to thank the following individuals,groups, organizations, institutions and all thosewho in any way contributed to making the Festival the success that it was.

Without your generous support and effort the Festival would not have been possible:-

Visiting artists/hosts:

DONORS FOR CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL 1997

Gem Radio Caribbean

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