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CM, Governor At Odds Over Retaining AG

L -R: H.E. Gov Anthony Longrigg, Hon Attorney General Brian Cottle, Hon. Chief Minister John Osborne

Governor Anthony Longrigg's renewal of the appointment of the on-leave Attorney General Brian Cottle has prompted strong comments from Chief Minister John Osborne, who believes the Governor would be wise to consider his advice.

The Chief Minister said he was surprised to learn from the Governor of his action. Mr. Osborne had expressed disfavour with the Attorney General's performance about three months ago to Mr. Anthony Longrigg CBE, who took up duties here as governor around the same time as John Osborne became Montserrat's Chief Minister for a fourth time.

But it seemed there was some confusion over the reappointment. Mr. Osborne said he had reserved his opinion to the Governor when he suggested that the Governor speak to the Bar Association, whom Mr. Osborne understood also were not happy with the AG's performance.

The Governor later told the Chief Minister that he was of the impression that Mr. Osborne was in agreement after the reappointment had received the blessings of the Bar Association's President Kenneth Allen QC. Members of the Bar Association, however, including Mr. Allen, eventually met with the Governor to clarify their position, advising him that the opinion expressed to him by Mr. Allen was not that of the entire Association, whose members in fact had reservations about the reappointment. Reliable information  reported that the Governor informed them that the Chief Minister had said he had no objections, but that the Governor should check with the Bar Association.

At a press conference yesterday concerning the AG's appointment along with an appointment to the top Permanent Secretary post, the Chief Minister said: "Months ago I told (the Governor) he should make arrangements for another Attorney General, because we keep telling him that he is not as competent as what we are accustomed to with the other Attorneys General."

The Chief Minister was speaking on the issue after he and his cabinet ministers had met at Executive Council with the Governor, where, he said, he told the Governor again, "we’ve not been getting the best advise from him. We feel that he is not the same kind of material; and in this present situation we need somebody who can give us the best, and we do not feel that he is capable of doing that. That is our opinion. So we simply ask the Governor to get somebody else."

Making the Governor heed his recommendations, Mr. Osborne said, is almost impossible, since "I can’t dictate to him but I’ve made my position very clear, it is left to him to do that. He has the authority to appoint whom he wants,"  adding, "I was not satisfied with how the matter was dealt with… constitutionally the Governor has power to do what he is doing, and I don’t have the power to stop him from doing that. My power is with the people, and if the civil servants are as angry as they claim to be, then they have to do what they have to do."

The Civil Service is said to be quite angry over the appointment to the post of Permanent Secretary, Administration, believed to be someone presently working in a neighboring island. Mr. Osborne said of that appointment, "Government's position is simple. We feel that somebody who is in the Service, who stayed in Montserrat should have been given the opportunity to fulfill that post, that will cause additional promotion in the service…We feel that to promote somebody else who was not in the service at the time, would, in our opinion, demoralize the rest of the service."

The CM admitted that he feels the Governor was high-handed to a certain extent. "He did not properly consult me," the CM said. "He doesn’t have to take my advice. In most cases I feel that he would be wise to take my advice, but he is not bound to do it."
The CM was reserved as to what further action he might take, but said, "There is nothing that I can do other than certain actions that I am not prepared to get into right now." He said further that the Governor did not tell him whether he would rescind the appointments, and that "if the Governor finds it necessary to have further discussions with me, then I would be happy to discuss it with him."

The Governor presently has sole responsibility for the Civil Service. When asked whether this is a matter that can be fixed with the Constitutional Review currently underway, to give the Chief Minister more say in what happens on the island, Mr. Osborne responded: "I don’t know if we can fix it, but we intend to make such recommendations that the Chief Minister should have more say in the appointments of especially senior civil servants, such as permanent secretaries and heads of departments; that it should not be entirely up to the overnor to decide whether he takes our advice or not."

Domestic Violence Review Finds Attitudes Unhelpful

By Helena Durand

A workshop-style review of domestic violence and child abuse on Montserrat for 2001 was held Tuesday at the Salem Police Headquarters.

The Royal Montserrat Police Force, which recently carried out an internal account of their response to the issues of domestic violence and child abuse on the island, reported that although officers felt there was “a great sense of achievement, there was also an apparent need for further improvement.”

Superintendent/Development Officer Paul Morris said that statistics did not always paint a clear picture of domestic violence on the island, as many of the victims plead for anonymity and do not want the matter taken to court or formally investigated. He said the victims, most of them repeat cases, seem to have taken an oath of silence to their own detriment.

One participant suggested that this is a new challenge for police, as years ago domestic violence, as it is called today, was seen as a "man thing," and culturally correct. “A man could do what he wanted to his wife," the participant said. "Some women even felt that if their men did not beat them they did not love them.”

Most persons disagreed that violence of any kind should be seen as a cultural thing and that calling it such merely provides the abusers with an excuse.

“Everyone has a right to a life free of violence,” Superintendent Morris said.

The suggestion that one way to curb domestic violence was for the women to leave the abusive relationship triggered lively discussion. Many argued that it was not always easy for the victims to walk from an abusive situation.  Among reasons they cited were that some women did not want to grow old alone, others did not have the confidence to make it on their own, some saw walking away as a sign of personal failure, while others hoped that the matter would resolve itself.

It was agreed, however, that children of abusive relationships paid the greatest price of all.

It was reported that child abuse, like domestic violence, is escalating on Montserrat, and that the government needs to construct halfway houses to rescue the children even for short periods. The need for foster care was also seen as dire.

Mr. Morris stunned participants by stating that while the police have received reports of child pornography on the island, they cannot investigate the matter. The police hands are tied, he said; because the laws of Montserrat do not make pornography an offense on the island. All agreed that legislation should be quickly enacted to correct that.

The review/workshop agreed that educating the public is paramount; and proposed looking into the establishment of a family court; finalizing the victim support group arrangements at the Cudjoe Head Police station at the end of March; and studying why there was so much violence.

There is also plan to establish a Child Abuse Committee.

Attending the workshop were representatives from Community Services, CAFRA, Police, Youth, Victim Support Volunteers, Christian Council, Health Education, Community Nursing, Registry and the Montserrat Reporter.

EDITORIAL

"Montserratians Must Finally Eliminate 'Temporary' from the Island's Vocabulary"

It is still difficult to believe that HMG did not desire to clear Montserrat of all of its inhabitants after 1995, despite the fact that "world poverty alleviator" Clare Short and her Department for International Development (DFID) managed to spend more than £100 million on Montserrat, a huge portion of which never found its way onto the island. Much confusion remains, and there is enough proof to conclude that they still are not quite willing to live up to their promise to make the north of Montserrat home for all Montserratians who wish to live in Montserrat.

Undoubtedly it would have been much less a liability, and unquestionably more financially beneficial to Britain all round, to have the island cleared of its inhabitants, and perhaps would be so even now. This we can leave for future discussion, but HMG got lucky. After they successfully got our leaders and other officials to accept that the volcanic emergency crisis was over, and we bought into the strange concept we accepted called "Sustainable Development" nearly four years now, we still have yet to see development, much more sustainability.

On top of that we chose for ourselves with a government who successfully convinced most Montserratians that we are "beggars" who have no say, and thus we have no choice but to accept what is meted out to us by our "benefactor" (wrong word if we admit our right to be "looked after" by Britain).

It would be difficult to find a civil servant who doesn't believe this, even with some understanding of the budget, while there are some henchmen who make sure that this is understood and accepted.

In fact, Brown & Root officials dutifully built houses that were less than lasting because they knew that HMG did not feel they were spending good money when they truly believed that the volcano would annihilate the island, forcing everyone to abandon it. At the time, therefore, everything was temporary, and it is because of this temporary mode that many mistakes were made and continue to be made. Even now little is done that is not of a temporary nature and it is here that the confusion sets in.

Nothing is more profoundly indicative of this than the continued debate over the building of a "temporary airport," which began as an alternative to the ferry and helicopter, not to provide Montserrat with effective air transport to the rest of the world. An air airstrip was later conceived to be an "emergency facility," with a planned return to W.H. Bramble Airport.

Getting straight to the point here, after a four-year fight over a "fixed-wing" facility, we should really be sensible and stop talking about constructing a "temporary airport." The meaning of that must now be completely lost and it makes no sense. And if we consider ourselves not to be begging, then we must know that £10 million at this point is not right to build an airport for Montserrat, since temporary should no longer be a word in our vocabulary. Affordability should not be the issue, but reality about the future of this country if we are serious about making it the place once experienced and now dreamt of.

Worse yet, even the "temporary" project is now dubious as we count the days to the end of March. Flight operations expert Roy Marsden is currently overseeing test flights, which are gathering information to carry out wind studies of the Geralds site. One can't help wonder how much it would cost, and how difficult it would be, to carry out those same studies at Old Quaw or Blakes, just in case; except, of course, that this is all just a sham because "come what may," as our Claude suggests, an airport will be built at Geralds, no matter what.

Unfortunately not a single person is willing to give any thought to permanency and to stop the fears (according to Man From Baker Hill). Temporary can only breed fear because it means that it is a wait-and- see-what-will-happen move. Why do we need anything now that is temporary? What interim void is this to fill? What wait and see if - What? If it is because it will be done in a shorter time, why not just do it where the money invested will be already sound and well spent?

Why don't we plan and seek to find more than the 'wicked $10 million we are asked to find? Is this to make up the $41 million, or is this to be added? The Gibbs report should never have been accepted by our Government as it was presented. Those consultants admitted time and time again during their consultations with us in 1998 that their forecasts and figures were already wrong. Yet their report was allowed to stand, and that is the report on which all the other experts have been basing their own studies. It is, therefore, not surprising that when HMG decided to take their cheapest option figures from a proven erroneous report and go for Geralds, that Halcrow is now saying they may not be able to design the airport they are asked to create for the money being provided.

Four years is too long for something proposed to be temporary to be still considered temporary, especially when no one is prepared to put a time limit on "temporary." But then again, what is not temporary around us on Montserrat? Everything but the hardship we endure, and are bound to continue to endure, if we do not eliminate the word and start thinking seriously about permanency, instead of always looking back to see if anyone is serious about anything promised or "allocated." Lookout houses, which were supposed to be more of a permanent housing stock, are now suddenly at risk because they lie directly under the path of flights taking off from Geralds. It is now feared that the planes taking off will still be too low and too noisy for the villagers. Suddenly the status of those houses could also change to temporary.

We must hope that the "begging," the surprising deaths of so many since this crisis, the bad happenings to our youths, both here and abroad, and especially in England, are all temporary, like much of what we have forced to become accustomed to in Montserrat.  

Except for the editorial, opinion articles expressed in these pages are not necessarily those of the Montserrat Reporter editors, employees or advisers.  Readers are encouraged to submit commentary articles.  All viewpoints, unless libelous, in poor taste, or anonymous, are welcome.  Send your contributions to The Editor, P.O. Box 306, Olveston, Montserrat, W. I., e-mail: editor@montserratreporter.org or monrep@candw.ag.  Manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by a return stamped envelope.  The Montserrat Reporter is a privately owned independent newspaper.

Jus Wonderin items may be called in at telephone 491-4715 or Fax 491-2430 

SCRIPTURE VERSE THIS WEEK

The Roads of Cancer

Read Psalm 121 

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

Psalm 27:14 

My second battle against cancer required traveling 40 miles one way for the necessary radiation, chemotherapy, blood work, and tests. I rode propped up on pillows arranged for my comfort while my husband drove. I was nauseous and weak, so conversation was difficult. To help make the trips seem shorter, I played a game in my mind. As each car passed, I studied the letters on the license plates and tried to make a word without adding more than one additional letter.

One day, as we were moving into heavy traffic, a little blue car was traveling beside us. As it inched ahead, I read the license plate: PS2714. What word could I make from these letters? I realized that those letters and numbers could refer to Psalm 27:14.

As soon as we got home, I asked for my Bible and read the message: "Wait for the LORD; be strong." How beautiful!

Psalm 27:14 has become my motto as I travel the roads of cancer. They will continue to be difficult roads with sharp curves, dark tunnels, and deep valleys. However, at the end of the road will be a mountaintop.

How magnificent my view will be when I hear the words cancer free!

PRAYER: Thank you, God, for the love, concern, and support you give us through family, and others who help to make our roads a little easier to travel. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

God speaks to us in many different ways.

   Yvonne F. Hamer (South Carolina)

PRAYER FOCUS: Cancer patients

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Slow and Steady Wins Race for Better Roads

Dear Editor,

As one who has not hesitated to join the chorus of Montserratians and expats who heap scorn on things they find deplorable on this lovely island, I wish to startle everyone by sounding a positive note.

Conditions for travelers here have been growing slowly but steadily better, thanks to the Department of Public Works. While potholes in the roads still unavoidably exist, they are far fewer and more scattered than those all of us endured for far too long.

The current projects underway, again proceeding slowly but deliberately, promise to make driving even safer and more convenient when they have been completed.

Of particular note is the current road widening and stabilization project just below St. Peters. Equally promising is the new shoulder work being done between Woodlands and Runaway Ghaut.

Given the limited resources with which the Government of Montserrat has to work, such obvious efforts to provide steady improvement (and a little employment) for the Emerald Isle deserve a sincere salute.

J. Donald Brandt

Old Towne 

St. Augustine Safety Is Worse, not Better

Dear Editor,

I write as a very concerned parent and Montserratian about the way some outside influences negatively affect our society. There is a very serious situation at the St. Augustine School that may cause several children to be injured in a traffic accident.

St. Augustine School is located on the Woodlands main road, with a large gate at the roadside. Some time last year there might have been some close calls with accidents. Children ran onto the road from the schoolyard without checking for vehicles traveling on the road. Like all children, they may be playing and, forgetting, run out the gate. Sometimes drivers speed on that road, disregarding the signs that warn there is a school in the vicinity.

So the honorable Police Commissioner called a PTA meeting and demanded that the gate be closed despite the objection of some parents. He demanded that the children enter the school compound via the Palm Loop road instead of the gate on the main road. Since then the gate has been locked, and this is where the problem is.

The children who walk to school spend more time on the road because they must now travel all the way around the school compound to Palm Loop road before they can enter the schoolyard. After school they no longer wait for their parents or transport in the schoolyard. Instead, they walk out onto Palm Loop road and stand up on the side of the same main road to wait for their parents or transport. What madness, what stupidity. On any afternoon when you pass on that road you could see about 20 children standing on the side of the main road, sometimes waiting for over an hour.

What I want to know, which is more dangerous? The same children who would have been secured in the schoolyard are now standing on the roadside waiting. Are they not more vulnerable, can they not now run into the road more easily than when they were in the schoolyard? Where is the school PTA or Board? Is it because the British Commissioner demanded the change that common sense was thrown out the door?

To make the thing look twice as foolish, Wednesday was a very rainy day and the children were on the roadside, running to and from the school, trying not to get wet. Which is more dangerous, the protection of the schoolyard or the side of the road?

The same gate could be kept closed and the children be allowed to pass though it when entering or leaving the schoolyard. The powers that be must let common sense prevail before one or more children are involved in a serious traffic accident.

Concerned parent 

LOCAL and REGIONAL NEWS

Pacesetters Club Postpones Mothers/Daughters Pageant

The recently reorganized Pacesetters Sports & Cultural Club has postponed its Mothers/Daughters Easter Pageant due to the Club’s failure to attract sufficient mothers to participate.

According to a spokesperson for the Club, all the pieces were in place except the vital one of getting mothers to take part. While the young girls were excited about the Pageant, some mothers expressed reservations, mostly on their reluctance to perform before a live audience.

Most persons polled about the Pageant think it is a good idea.. However, while the feedback to the Pageant was very positive, registration was very skimpy, and few persons approached showed interest in participating. At a meeting held recently to finalize participation, only three mothers turned up.

“This is not going to dampen our spirit,” said a spokesperson for the Pacesetters. “We have postponed the show to later in the first half of the year, and will be organizing a replacement for Easter.” 

Lookout Backyard GardnerReaps 14-lb. Potato

Rupert Nanton, a backyard gardener residing at Lookout, has harvested a 14-pound potato from his backyard garden.

The potato, which he said was organically grown, was harvested six months after being planted because he had gone for medical attention during that period.

“It is the first time I have dug anything anywhere so big,” Mr. Nanton told the Montserrat Reporter on Wednesday.

Earlier this year, The Reporter showed off a 4-lb potato thought to be the biggest one yet. Agricultural technicians said then that there have been bigger ones in the past, but now say this one will be difficult to beat.

Mr. Nanton hopes that he will be able to exhibit it at the upcoming agricultural exhibition in April. 

Brades PTA Express Concerns about Bus

By Helena Durand

At a Brades Primary School Parents Teachers Association (PTA) meeting on Wednesday, parents expressed serious concerns about the mechanical state of the school bus that carries their children to and from the school.

Among problems attributed to the bus are that it is in the repair shop almost every week and that it is always driven overcrowded with students.

Parents’ fears of the possibility of children falling and hurting themselves, or of the faulty bus overturning at Fogarthy Hill, led them to write a letter to the relevant authority requesting that the situation be remedied immediately.

Failing that, the parents’ body says it will initiate a meeting with the same authority.

One parent said that Ministry of Education officials know about the poor condition of the bus and its overcrowding but are dragging their feet.

“There are about 50 or so children on that bus," a concerned parent said. "Some sit all over each other and others stand. If an accident happens, we don’t even have a proper medical facility to care for those children. The helicopter can only carry about 8 or 10 people. What happens to the others? We have to take care of that situation now instead of waiting to pick up the pieces. Our children are important enough for that!”

Also raised at the meeting were concerns about the dirt road leading to the nursery school at Brades because “when it is dry, the dust fills the school, and when the weather is wet, the children have to walk in puddles of water and mud to get into the school.”

Some teachers complain that when the dust becomes really unbearable, they are forced to close the windows, making the classrooms hot and uncomfortable, and the children restless and even ill. 

Agricultural Exhibition Preparations Underway

By Helena Durand

‘Grow It, Make It, Then Show It – Agricultural Exhibition 2002’ is the theme for the much awaited agricultural exhibition which is currently in preparation.

The theme was taken from the contest-winning slogan entered by Jerome Fergus in a competition in which several hundreds of primary and secondary school students participated.

The exhibition, scheduled for April 3 and 4 at the Brades Primary School and the Government Headquarters, is geared towards promoting further development in modern agriculture, to sustain livelihoods, improve the quality of life, and encourage the production of value added agricultural products.

It will also highlight the importance of agriculture, fisheries and other natural resources in national development; recognitise the efforts of farmers, fishermen and other natural resource users, and emphasize the need for proper presentation of agricultural produce for marketing.

Mrs. Margaret Dyer-Howe, Minister for Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environmentm, told the Montserrat Reporter she is looking forward to the exhibition.

“Agriculture is dear to my heart,” she said, but “ I feel for our farmers because over the years they have been experiencing much difficulties. If it’s not dry weather, it’s rain; and the government cannot provide the subsidy to get it to a viable level. If we were able to provide more assistance to them like some other countries, they would do more. Under the circumstances they do try and we have to encourage them.”

The exhibition, which was last staged successfully in 2000 for execution in 2001, had to be postponed last year because of early general elections.

This year, organizers are promising an even bigger event, with more categories, including that of animals.

The Chief Minister Hon. John Osborne said recently at the ceremony to proclaim Montserrat tick-free said recently that his government is committed to “strengthening its livestock development programme, so that we can become self-sufficient in local products and decrease importations of meats and dairy products; in fact we want to market our meats and meat products regionally.”

Director of Agriculture Gerald Gray told ZJB News the objectives of the exhibition include preserving and highlighting the island’s agricultural heritage; showcasing the development of the agricultural sector, encouraging national pride; bringing together and developing a closer relationship between the Ministry of Agriculture, non-government organizations and other stakeholders who share an interest in agriculture, education and the management of the island’s natural resources, including the environment.

The Ministry of Agriculture will present Jerome Fergus with a prize for his efforts at a yet to be determined date. 

Antigua Promises Space To Dock Opale Express

Following an unfortunate but recurring incident where persons traveling from Montserrat on the ferry were forced by a ship-crowded wharf to wait out at sea for more than an hour at St. John's harbor in Antigua, Dr. Lowell Lewis, Minister for Communications and Works, traveled to Antigua to discuss ways to prevent its happening again.  

Hon Lowell Lewis and Senator Asot Michael

Dr. Lewis said that a busy day at the port forced Antigua to make alternative arrangements for the Montserrat ferry (Opale Express) to discharge its passengers and then anchor out in the harbor; however, due to the small size of the ferry’s anchor, other arrangements had to be made.

Dr. Lewis met with Sen. Asot Michael, Minister Guy Yearwood and other Antiguan authorities, who committed themselves to ensuring that Montserratians and persons traveling from the island will have a smooth "going through" their ports.

“I expressed our thanks to them continuing to be our lifeline basically to the outside world because we cannot get out without going through Antigua," Dr Lewis said. "They say they are fully committed to ensuring that Montserratians are able to travel through Antigua without any difficulty,”

He said the problem on Tuesdays is that there are usually five cruise ships in the Antiguan harbor at a time.  The authorities, therefore, "in advance, make arrangements for space to be available at the Deep Water Harbor every other Tuesday when they expect to have the five big cruise ships in; so at least in the short term, there is a commitment from the Port in Antigua and the Government of Antigua to make sure that the ferry has a place to dock. We are also going to talk to the ferry owners to see if we can get them to do something about the anchor.”

On January 10 last year, and again two weeks later, 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, for the same reasons as this time.

Former Minister of Communications and Works Rupert Weekes took up the matter with the Antiguan Government to prevent a recurrence of the problem. At that Prime Minister Lester Bird of Antigua chastised port officials and reportedly called for an official explanation about the ferry. The Prime Minister said, "we are not going to allow our brothers and sisters from Montserrat to be treated in any second class manner."

Following this latest occurrence Prime Minister Lester Bird later repeated his position to Editor Bennette Roach, saying that there must not be anything confrontational between Montserrat and Antigua. He reminded that the ferry matter was discussed before and certain agreements and offers were made, but no action was taken on the matter.

It is understood that some offers were made, again including the development of a particular area at the port to accommodate the ferry at all times. It has been further reported, however, that proposals to the British to finance the venture had been turned down.

Residents on Montserrat travel to and from the island via the ferry or the helicopter, their only modes of transportation since W.H. Bramble Airport was shut down by the volcanic crisis in 1997. It is expected that these will remain the only modes available to Montserrat until a 'fixed wing facility' (dubious as it now is) is built no earlier than two years from now. 

MNT Receives New Funds To Continue Oriole Project

The Montserrat National Trust announced this week that funding for the Emergency Conservation Project for the critically threatened Montserrat Oriole has been received from the Environmental Policy Department at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. 

The Trust expressed its pleasure at being able to continue the project, which is a joint venture between the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Montserrat National Trust. 

During the volcanic eruptions on the island in 1996 and 1997, 60 percent of the species' hill forest range was destroyed. The wild population is now confined to 14 square kilometers of hill forest in the north of the island. Within this surviving forest, the population declined substantially between 1997 and 2000. 

In 2001, a major research programme on the Montserrat Oriole beganm, aimed at  discovering the cause of the recent decline in the intact forest, and to initiate conservation measures. 2001 was the first fieldwork season; the project will continue through the 2002 and 2003 breeding seasons.  

St. Maarten Trade Show Woos Local Participants

By Helena Durand

Montserrat's Director of Tourism Ernestine Cassell joined hoteliers, travel agencies, other tourism-related businesses and the media at the Vue Pointe Hotel last Friday to meet with organizers of the St. Maarten trade show.

Ms. Liesa Euton, chairperson of the St Maarten/St Martin Annual Regional Trade (SMART) Show, said what is to become an annual event will allow Montserrat and other neighboring islands “to showcase the best we have to offer in our tourism-oriented economy."  It is scheduled for April 27 to 27, 2002 at the Maho Beach Hotel & Casino, St Maarten.

Representatives of 14 regional destinations will meet 150 professionals in the Tourism Business at the St. Maarteen event.

Although the show was not planned with September 11 in mind, Ms. Euton said it is timely, since SMART's purpose is to heighten travel interest in the Caribbean Region.

She said, “St. Maarten is more affordable," since many of the region’s hotels are not chain related and cannot afford the costs of attending larger tourist promotional events.

Montserrat-born Brian Meade, Regional Sales Manager, North (LIAT), pointed out that special SMART travel packages put together with LIAT offer a “steal of a deal. We have to look after our brothers and sisters, keep the money in the region.”

“I always have Montserrat at heart," he said. "Even if I don’t live here, I will do all possible to assist Montserrat.”

Ricardo Blackman, President of JER Associates, also part of the visiting team, said of Montserrat, “Small can be beautiful, and this country has a lot of attributes to offer as a unique destination. The volcano can be turned into an asset. You can also capitalize on something the bigger islands cannot. That is personalized service. You have a lot going for you."

JER Associates (1996) Limited is a Barbadian based public relations agency servicing both SMART and LIAT.

Arrangements to attend the trade show can be made through the Montserrat Tourist Board.  

Caribbean Star to Add New Flights to the U.S.

Paul Moreira, President and Chief Executive Officer of regional carrier Caribbean Star Ltd., said in a press release its owners have planned to establish another airline called Caribbean Star Inc. from July 1 this year.

“Because of the regulatory environment in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS),” he explained, "Caribbean Star is not allowed at this time or committed at this time to fly into a U.S. destination, so we have filed with the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and we will start an airline out of San Juan called Caribbean Star Inc.”

Mr. Moreira said this was the first step in his company’s quest to operate international flights from a number of destinations in the United States.

“We want an indigenous carrier that strictly focuses on developing tourism throughout our region and it means flying to some of the key destinations like New York, Atlanta, (and) Boston, all those key areas to bring tourists,” he said.

He also announced that when this move is successful, the international version of Caribbean Star would establish Barbados and Antigua as it major hubs in the Caribbean.  

Antigua/Barbuda Gets Third Political Party

Antigua -- According to a Government Information release organizers this week announced the name of what is to become Antigua and Barbuda’s third political party – the National Movement for Change (NMC).

Making the announcement were two of the party’s organizers, Alister Thomas, former ACLM and UPP member, and Jameson “Kublai” Mannix, leader of last year's Old Road Village protest action involving the Carlisle Bay Development.

Mr. Mannix said that there is the need for change in the country and the Opposition UPP does not seem to possess the ability to bring about that change.  He said that the NMC has the capability. 

“It is time for Antiguans and Barbudans to take back the reins of power into their own hands and build a nation where justice is the common experience, where the entrepreneurial spirit is encouraged, not frustrated,” Mr. Mannix said.

Mr. Thomas refused to divulge whether the NMC has other members but said the party plans to break away from the traditional way of governance and has formed a working committee to go into the various communities and get the public’s advice on the structure of the party.

Although Mr. Thomas said that the NMC would inclusion work into its manifesto the suggestions of the people, he ruled out any dialogue with the nation’s two leading political parties, the ALP and the UPP, about how to solve the nation's problems.

Alister Thomas is a former member of the defunct Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement ACLM and was defeated at the polls by a wide margin by the ALP’s Henderson Simon in St. John’s City West Constituency in the 1989 General Elections.  He was also the former Public Relations Officer for the United Progressive Party UPP headed by Opposition Leader Baldwin Spencer.

Jameson Kublai Mannix is a former calypso writer who was one of the leaders in the Old Road protest over the re-development of a multi-million-dollar tourism project at Carlisle Bay.  The protest action on several occasions involved the setting up of blockades, damage to vehicles, confrontation with the police and the firebombing of the hotel. 

St. Vincent, Cuba Agree On Education Exchange

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent -- A Memorandum of Understanding was signed February 5 by the Ministry of Education and Sports of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Cuba.

This historic agreement is aimed at strengthening collaboration of both ministries and resulted from an official visit of a delegation to Cuba led by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves in September of last year.

The Memorandum of Understanding provides the framework for St. Vincent and the Grenadines to receive technical assistance and scholarships to enhance the quality of education.

Cuba has agreed to send to St. Vincent and the Grenadines six educational advisers in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Technical/Vocational Education, Information Technology and Environmental Education. The advisors are expected to arrive in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on March 31.

The understanding allows for 50 Spanish teachers from the Republic of Cuba to assist the Ministry of Education in achieving its objectives to have Spanish taught in all Primary and Secondary schools.

The agreement also provides for 100 Vincentian nationals to obtain scholarships to pursue a one-year Diploma Programme in the teaching of the Spanish Language.

1. Alister Thomas & Jameson "Kublai" Mannix 

Antigua Removed From OECD Tax Havens List, Montserrat Waits

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua -- Following two days of discussions in Antigua between teams representing Antigua and Barbuda and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) early this week, the OECD announced in Paris that Antigua and Barbuda will not appear on the its list of un-cooperative tax havens and the country will not be subject to coordinated defensive measures by OECD member states.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has committed to work with the OECD on the principles of effective exchange of information and transparency and the OECD has agreed that Antigua and Barbuda will participate fully in the Global Forum to discuss the design of standards for the implementation of these commitments. 

The nation's commitment was contained in a letter from Prime Minister Lester Bird to OECD Secretary-General Donald Johnston.

In June 2000, Antigua and Barbuda was found by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to be fully cooperative in the fight against money laundering.

Prime Minister Lester Bird said, “The OECD has considerably modified its original harmful tax competition initiative . . . so that we can protect our interests and ensure a level playing field in financial services, are important developments for us”.

The Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister disclosed that Antigua and Barbuda had shared the position it negotiated with the OECD with its partners in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.

Meanwhile at a press conference in Montserrat yesterday Chief Minister John Osborne told reporters that Montserrat not on any "black list." "We are just confirming in a letter…We've complied with the requests from the OECD to declare our intentions, we've just done that today," he said.

The Chief Minister expressed the hope that the island will be in the same position as Antigua and other OECS countries, "so that Montserrat will not be blacklisted."

Photo

Sir Ronald Sanders meeting with members of the Offshore Banking sector in Antigua recently on the OECD matter. 

Interior Design of New Airport Terminal Building

 THE BOTTOM, Saba (SGIS) - The Executive Council last week met with Assistant Head of the Department of Public Works Russell Thielman and Head of the Planning Bureau Robert Zagers, to discuss the interior of the new terminal building presently under construction.

 Commissioner Lisa Hassell, told the Saba Government Information Service (SGIS), that she is very pleased with the progress of the construction of the terminal building at the Juancho Yrausquin Airport, Flat Point.

 Hassell told SGIS that the meeting focused on the interior decoration of the terminal building as well as the furbishing of the various offices with furniture.

 The terminal building will resemble the traditional Saban architecture that is known throughout the island, red roofs, white-painted side-walls and green/white shutters.

 The area around the building was also a point of discussion in relation to landscaping, rock walls and planters. 

BVI Labor Minister Calls For Work Permit Limits

ROADTOWN, Tortola -- Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Julian Fraser continues his efforts to drum-up support for the draft Labour Code Bill 2001. On Monday evening, he told  local businesspersons at the Prospect Reef Hotel that it is important for Belongers and non-Belongers to rally behind the Bill.

He told the businesspersons present,“There are two things in this Bill that I consider to be of crucial importance to the BVI, and they are the provision for term limits and the tribunal.”

Section 29 of the draft Labour Code Bill 2001 provides for the Minister to appoint an Arbitration Tribunal to settle disputes and complaints he receives. At the moment, Mr. Fraser said, the process of dealing with disputes is time consuming and puts too much pressure on the Minister. Mr. Fraser said the proposal for a five-year limit on work permits is needed to cope with the situation where persons on work permits end up as residents. He gave statistics over the last five years that show a large percentage of persons deciding to stay in the BVI, after receiving work permits.

“Over the last five years we had a total of 802 work permits issued. Of those 802 work permits issued 334 people decided to stay on in the territory, which is 43 percent”, he disclosed.

Minister Fraser said he does not want to be a lone campaigner in pushing for the new Labour Code to become law, but he wants it to pass with unanimous support from legislators and the BVI population in general. 

Queen Elizabeth Hails Jamaican Independence

Compiled from dispatches

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II told Parliament Tuesday that as Jamaica prepares to mark its 40^th anniversary of Independence this year, it is fitting for the country to reflect both on its contribution to the strengthening of the Commonwealth, and its potential for further growth and influence.

“It is a very special pleasure for me, on the occasion of my Golden Jubilee, to address the Jamaican Parliament, the first of the independent Parliaments in the Caribbean,” she said.

The Queen said she was convinced that as the world faced the challenges of today, in particular the economic and social fronts, the Commonwealth remained one of the strongest pillars for the building of worldwide peace, growth and development.

She said the Jamaican Parliament has been one of the significant institutions for the fashioning and strengthening of its democratic society.

She told Parliament that both she and Prince Philip were delighted to be back on their sixth visit to Jamaica.

Syringa Marshall Burnett, President of the Senate, told the Queen it was a great honour for her “to visit our country and our Parliament in this special year when you celebrate 50 glorious years as a Monarch and 40 years of Queen of Jamaica under our Independent Constitution”.

 She expressed condolence to The Queen on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica on the recent loss of her sister – Her Royal Highness, Princess Margaret.

“We know that she was very special to you and this makes us moreso honoured that despite your loss, you have chosen to undertake this visit to Jamaica…” Mrs. Marshall Burnett said.

Later Tuesday, the Queen toured the Hugh Sherlock Centre and the Boys’ Town All-age school, which, she told Prime Minister P. J. Patterson she found very interesting.

That visit drew throngs of people who wielded colourful umbrellas, and waved scores of small black, green and gold flags as they waited for The Queen's arrival, which was greeted with loud cheers..

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrived in the island on February 18 for a three-day visit as part of a four-nation Commonwealth tour to commemorate her Golden Jubilee. She will also visit Australia, New Zealand and Canada. 

Antigua's Former AG Loses Case Against Government

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua – Government sources have reported that Justice Ephraim Georges on Wednesday dismissed the case brought by Dr. Errol Cort, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, against the government of Antigua and Barbuda, the Attorney-General, the Prime Minister and the findings of the Allen Joseph forensic audit report into the Medical Benefits Scheme.

The Allen Joseph report claimed that Dr. Cort had been paid over $1 million by the medical benefits scheme without following due procedures.

In an hour-long judgement, in the High Court Justice Georges agreed that some of the submissions made on behalf of Dr. Cort were “constitutional heresy”.

Justice Georges said that the proceedings brought by Dr. Cort were inappropriate in law, without merit and could not continue.

He also noted that the proceedings were brought under rules of the High Court, which no longer exist.

Saba's oldest inhabitant

The Bottom, On Thursday last Saba's eldest person Mrs. Mary Cassalene Dunlock celebrated her 99th birthday. Mrs. Dunlock celebrated her birthday on the island of Aruba amongst her children and some of her grandchildren. Her grandson Ronald Klaber traveled to Aruba to be present with her for her 99th birthday. Mrs. Dunlcok is the oldest citizen of Saba. She is presently on Aruba spending time with her family and will be retuning back to Saba later this year with the hope of spending her 100th birthday amongst the people of Saba. Mrs. Dunlock is well known to everyone on Saba. She is a firm member of her religion which is the Roman Catholic Church. Mrs. Dunlock is really a person that is happy and joyful. Mrs. Dunlock enjoyed her 99th birthday amongst her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. We spoke to Mrs. Dunlock on Aruba and she told us that she enjoyed her birthday and she is now looking forward in being able to celebrate her 100th birthday at home amongst her family and friends. She also told the Today newspaper that she feels good and she is in good spirit and looking forward to be back home soon in preparation of her big day.

She also send thank you to the many persons on Saba that sent her telegrams and called her via the telephone. 

ECSRC To Host Workshop

“The Fundamentals of Operating in the Eastern Caribbean Securities Market” is the theme of the third Certification Workshop being offered by the Eastern Caribbean Securities Regulatory Commission (ECSRC) for prospective principals and representatives in the ECSM.

The workshop, which will take place at the ECCB Complex from February 25-28, will be followed by an examination on March 1, 2002.

Participants from ECCB member countries and Trinidad and Tobago will be instructed on several topics including Understanding the Role of the Representative and Principal in the ECSM; Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange Trading Market Principles; Brokerage Operations and Customer Account Management, and Equity Portfolio, Management.

On completion of the workshop and success in the examination, participants would have satisfied the first phase of the licensing process.

They will then be required to submit applications for licenses to the Commission. 

New Japanese Ambassador Calls on Antigua, Dominica

Compiled from dispatches

Mr. Ryo Takagi, Japan's new ambassador to the Caribbean, this week presented his credentials to officials in St. John's, Antigua, and in Roseau, Dominica, on his way to serve as Head of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, which is responsible for the conduct of relations with the two nations.  

In Antigua, Ambassador Takagi, who was accompanied by his wife, presented his  credentials to H.E. the Governor-General, Sir James Carlisle, during the ceremony at Government House on Monday, after  which he met with Prime Minister Lester Bird..  

Ambassador Takagi thanked Antigua & Barbuda for its support and political cooperation in the international arena and Prime Minister Bird expressed appreciation for the various modes of assistance given by Japan to Antigua & Barbuda.

The PM stated that his Government was concerned over the health of the Japanese economy, because the world economy could not function effectively without the full participation of such a powerful economy. He urged the Japanese authorities to be more supportive of the small states’ agenda at the international financial institutions.

Mr. Bird pointed to the significant development assistance received from Japan in the fisheries sector and said these projects would anchor a major thrust in economic development for Antigua & Barbuda.

In Roseau, Mr.Takagi on Monday presented his credentials to the Dominica's President, His Excellency, Vernon Lorden Shaw, and paid courtesy calls on Minister of Foreign Affairs Osborne Reviere and Prime Minister Pierre Charles.

Prime Minister Charles told the incoming ambassador that the people of Portsmouth were eagerly anticipating the arrival of a technical team from Japan next month.

On a state visit to Japan last year, the Dominican leader was informed that a technical team would be coming to Dominica by March 2002 to look at the feasibility of building a fisheries complex in Portsmouth.

The Japanese have in the past given guarantees that on completion of the second phase of the Roseau Fisheries Complex, work on the US$14 million fisheries complex at Marigot would begin.

Diplomatic relations with Japan were established in 1978. Assistance to Dominica in the last five years has primarily been in the following areas: Grant Aid; Cultural Aid; Technical Cooperation; Training.  

Royal Castle Antigua Opens in New Complex  

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua -- Antigua’s newest fast food restaurant, Royal Castle in the Deluxe Entertainment Complex on High Street, began busy operations on February16. 

Max Fernandez, owner and managing director, said Royal Castle subscribes to the high standards synonymous with Royal Castle Caribbean and is providing employment to a number of nationals who received three weeks of intensive training in Trinidad in food handling and customer service skills.

He praised the government for concessions that helped get the project off the ground.  

Mr. Fernandez said that a number of enterprises on the island would benefit from Royal Castle, because some of its products will come from local suppliers.

Royal Castle Antigua is part of the expansion plans of the Deluxe Entertainment Complex, which will feature three cinemas.  The entire complex is expected to become operational by the end of February.  

St. Vincent, St. Lucia Sign Pact to Simplify Air Travel

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent --Prime Ministers Dr. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and Dr. Kenny Anthony of St. Lucia signed an accord here on Monday to establishment a hub at the Hewonorra International Airport in St. Lucia to allow easy air access to St. Vincent.

Earlier last week, Vincent Hypolite, chairman of the hub initiative, and members of his St. Lucian delegation held discussions with the Minister of Airports Vincent Beache on the operational model of the hub arrangement.

Mr. Hypolite said that under the hub arrangement, Vincentians and visitors traveling from anywhere in the world to Hewonorra International Airport would be processed by Vincentian customs and immigration officials stationed at the airport in St. Lucia. He said that on arrival at the E.T Joshua Airport in St. Vincent, there would be no additional requirement for persons to be processed by customs and immigration unless there are special circumstances.

Dr. Gonsalves had announced last year that discussions were to be held with Prime Minister Kenny Anthony of St. Lucia and Mr. Owen Arthur of Barbados about setting up hubs in those countries to allow easy air access to St. Vincent. 

Youth Coordinator Says Youth is Key Element in Planning for Peace Gathering

Youth Coordinator Wanda Connor says the inclusion of youth in the planning process of the UNESCO sponsored Caribbean Youth Gathering For Peace is a deliberate strategy geared at showcasing the abilities and development of youth in this Federation.

Ms Connor said the committee comprises a team of young people who have moved aggressively in hope of accomplishing a successful Gathering on April 19^th - 21^st , the scheduled dates for the event.

Additionally, youth in the Federation are being encouraged to contact the Department of Youth to volunteer for the Youth Gathering which needs as much assistance as possible.

Ms. Connor said that Minister responsible for Youth, Hon. Jacinth Henry Martin, a young person herself, is fully supportive of the concept of Youth being exposed to and immersed in this project . She said the minister is adamant that this occasion will be one in which the youth of the Federation will develop their skills at organizing projects of major national significance.

The events scheduled for the April 19 - 21 include an official welcoming ceremony, Peace Concert, Youth Conference, Song Festival, and Theatrical Night.

A farewell party is also being planned in honour of the delegates from participating countries.  

Countries Line Up Youth For Gathering in St. Kitts

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts -- Thirteen Commonwealth countries have already confirmed participation in the Caribbean Youth Gathering for Peace to be held April 19-21.

Claricia Richardson, country liaison for the UNESCO Youth Gathering for Peace, said that figure is expected to rise because of the enthusiasm expressed by other countries for the event.

Youth Coordinator Wanda Connor said she is pleased with the response to the event, which has at its core the empowerment of youth in the Region through the exploration and acceptance of common and diverse backgrounds.

Youth from the entire Caribbean Region, including French, Spanish and Dutch-speaking territories, will participate in the three day affair which is being planned by youth of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Scheduled events include an official opening ceremony and peace concert on Friday, April19; a youth conference and song festival on Saturday April 20^, and a church service and theatrical night on Sunday April 21. 

Powell Tells CARICOM U.S. Prefers Trade to Aid

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent -- The United Stated has declared that its interest lies in trading with the region instead of granting aid, Deputy Prime Minister Louis Straker reported after his trip to the Bahamas where CARICOM Foreign Ministers met with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Mr. Straker said that $25 million was granted to the region in aid, with a heavy emphasis placed on security and anti-terrorism measures. He said $25 million for all CARICOM countries is not nearly enough.

Among that total, $20 million has been directed towards fighting the AIDS epidemic; $1 million has been set up for a scholarship and Internship fund for students, $900,000 to assist in upgrading the security of airports, $600,000 towards disaster alleviation, and $45,000 to promote tourism and sustainable development.

Other issues dealt with included the introduction of technical assistance and private sector investments for production and development in the region.

On the issue of deportees from the United States, the regional ministers proposed that instead of notification of the deportees that a system would be set up to rehabilitate these persons into productive citizens. 

St. Vincent, Western Sahara Look to Stronger Relations

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent -- A joint communiqué was signed last week between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Sahari Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), otherwise known as Western Sahara.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Louis Straker signed the document along with Ould Salek, Western Sahara’s Foreign Minister.

The communiqué hopes to establish and strengthen diplomatic relations between Africa and the Caribbean. The country has already established relations with other Caribbean countries, except The Bahamas.

Minister Straker said that Western Sahara is a country rich in natural resources such as oil, phosphate, uranium and iron. Most of its food products are imported.

Mr. Salek said that this agreement recognizes the struggle of Small Nations States as they seek to help each other.

Nevis Opens New Hospital Laboratory

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis -- The Ministry of Health chose Valentine’s Day to honor the lab technicians and associates at Alexandra Hospital with the official opening of its new laboratory.

Minister of Health Jean Harris said at the grand opening that the Nevis Island Administration is giving top priority to ensuring the health and well being of the people of Nevis.

Ms. Harris complimented the hard-working nurses, doctors and lab technicians at the Alexandra Hospital.  To them and the public she said, “I want to say thank you for your patience."

The hospital was given a Clinitek Urinalysis machine from one of Nevis’ corporate citizens for providing free blood sugar and cholesterol checks.

Mrs. Joslyn Liburd, hospita administrator, accepted the donation. 

Grenada Appeal Keeps 3 Bishop Killers in Prison

GEORGETOWN, Grenada -- The Government of Grenada late last Thursday won a stay of execution of Justice Brian Alleyne's order for the release of  three prisoners convicted of manslaughter in the death of former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and others.

The Court on Thursday morning had ordered the release of Andy Mitchell, Vincent Joseph and Cosmos Richardson forthwith.

On Thursday afternoon The Government of Grenada filed for the stay,.which was granted by OECS Court of Appeal Judge Justice Satrohan Singh at approximately 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Justice Alleyne' had ordered the release of the three Richmond Hill inmates on the basis that their continued imprisonment was unconstitutional. The granting of the stay means the men will remain in prison pending the outcome of an Appeal by the State to have the Order by Justice Alleyne reversed. 

Antigua Weighs Ban On Driver Cell Phones

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua -- Traffic officials in Antigua and Barbuda are seriously considering banning the use of cellular phones while driving, an official from the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board told Antigua GIS OnLine News.

There are reports that the use of  cell phones while driving is the cause of a number of accidents and near-misses. Police here have confirmed that cell phones have played a major role in traffic accidents, but declined to give any figures.

"We are looking at this matter very seriously," the official said. ”One of the alternatives that we are going to suggest to drivers is the use of a hands-free device which allows the driver to converse while driving. Such a device leaves the hands free for the driver to manouvere while in traffic, or the best thing to do is park-up and use the phone."

Antigua and Barbuda has some 37,000 cell phones with 47 percent of those used with pre-paid cards.

While transport officials here are looking at regulating the use of cell phones in traffic, officials in Brazil are seeking to ban the use of cellular phones as reports from that country revealed that cell phones were used to co-ordinate one of the largest jail-breaks in the country's history. Prisoners reportedly pay up to US$2,000 to smuggle a cell phone into the prison in order to keep in touch with their accomplices on the outside.

"These cell phones have now become a serious threat to our security as drug barons use them a great deal," said a prison spokesman, adding that, government is now forced to take steps to correct and control the situation. 

Photo: Security Chief,  Dave Rose uses his cell phone from his jeep to communicate with his office. 

SPORTS

WHO ARE THE BOWLERS?

By Peter Adrien

We are currently experiencing a bowling crisis! Notwithstanding the clinical bowling performance against Pakistan in the final ODI on Monday, we have been in a prolonged bowling crisis since the departure of Richie Richardson, even if it had not been very evident because of the super performances of our two fast men - Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh.

The intention is not to bore you to death by the repetition but to re-establish that in spite of the fact that we are going through a very difficult period in the development of our West Indian batsmanship, recent developments strongly suggest that there is very little hope of our coming out of the bowling crisis. That became obvious with the departure of the two legendary fast bowlers, Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh. There is noticeable inconsistency in the bowling performances in our regional tournaments and the bowling performances in the test matches and the One-day Internationals. 

Our same bowlers, who destroy our batters with swing; guile, spin and deviation, too often fail miserably on the international surfaces on which their counterparts produce match-winning performances. Our bowlers are often out-classed by the opposing bowlers on the same surface and under the same conditions. When our bowlers are struggling to maintain line and length, to get movement and swing and to exploit the favourable conditions, the opposing bowlers would exploit the conditions and run through our batting order as if they were operating on surface. The difference is that they employ a different science that produces an exhibition of high-class performance. .

It is evident from our performances in Sri Lank and Pakistan that our art and science of bowling in this current period is woefully below the standard of our international competitors.  Our players are not just a touch below the class of our competitors but are indeed way below them. This is particularly true for the forerunners (the leading countries) in the ICC championship, namely Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Moreover, our present stock of bowlers do not compare favourably with those of India, Pakistan, England and New Zealand.

What is to be done? Are we going to continue to experiment with the flashes of brilliance as we have done in the past, or are we going back to some proven performers even if we have not always relished their off-the-field performances? We must be careful that we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past. We were so excited by Trinidadian fast man, Marlon Black that we quickly replaced Nixon McLean, even if the Windward Islander had nagging problems with line and length, and we refused to reconsider the Jamaican fast man, Franklyn Rose, primarily for his behaviour beyond the boundary.

When Marlon Black, playing against Kenya on August 6, 2001, destroyed the lightweight team, taking six wickets for 35 runs in the first ODI game, we flattered ourselves that the fat boy had proven that he was indeed the material for the big game. Some of us argued that that performance confirmed his mettle, since he had taken five Test wickets on his advent against an ICC championship front-runner.

But none of the new recruits -- Marlon Black, Colin Stuart, Reon King, Corey Collymore and Pedro Collins -- have lived up to expectations. Black has almost “blacked-out”; Corey is here and there; Pedro has a good action but lacks the left-hander’s “danger” ball – that is, the one bending back from off.

The spinning department is a gross disappointment. Leading spinner, Trinidadian Dinanath Ramnarine, is definitely not mettle for the international contest, and, that is even after he performed so creditably against England in the home series in 1998. Ramnarine did not even come near to the standards exhibited by the Pakistanis spinners at the Sharjah Stadium in the then just concluded test series, even if a sympathizer could argue that the tour management had destroyed his confidence by leaving him out of the first test squad.  

Who are the bowlers who are capable of competitive performances? Who are the bowlers who appear by their consistent performances to be of potential world class? Who are the bowlers who have exhibited the mettle characteristic of match-wining international players? But before we proceed to deal with the emotional issue, I would strongly suggest that we do as we did for discussing our batters last week.

Who are fast bowlers? The incumbent fast men are Merv Dillon, Cameron Cuffy, Pedro Collins and Corey Collymore. The speedsters in the pecking order include Colin Stuart, Reon King and Kerry Jeremy. The young and talented seamers include Kenroy Peters (Windward Islands), Jermaine Lawson (Jamaica) and Darrel Browne (Trinidad and Tobago).

The contending spinners include Dave Mohammad (Trinidad and Tobago), Mahendra Nagamootoo (Guyana) and Shane Shillingford (Windward Islands).

As at the end of the fourth round of the 2002 Busta Cup, the seamers who I would sift from the lot if I were selector would include Merv Dillon (Trinidad and Tobago), Cameron Cuffy (Windward Islands), Colin Stuart (Guyana), Pedro Collins (Barbados), Kerry Jeremy (Leeward Islands), Kenroy Peters (Windward Islands), and Reon King (Guyana).

The competing spinners would be the two mystery spinners -- Dave Mohammad (Trinidad and Tobago) and Shane Shillingford (Windward Islands),  

Subject to the cricketing developments leading up to the Indian home tour, my frontline seamers would be Cameron Cuffy, Merv Dillon and Kerry Jeremy (Jeremy is the star seamer of the 2002 Busta Cup). I would toss a coin for one of the two mystery-boys, Shane Shillingford and Dave Mohammad.

I hope that Mr. Mike is taking a good view from his bike. What do you think?

Peter Adrien is a Central Banker, an author, a syndicated sports commentator, and a freelance photographer. He may be contacted at www.adreinsenterprise.com or at e-mail: info@adriensenterprises.com

PHOTO CAPTION: Kerry Jeremy, is ready to bowl (Photo: Peter Adrien) 

FEATURES

Man From Baker Hill

'Feary Tales' and 'Fearies'…

"Feary Tales" are emotive expressions of improbable stories, designed to sway opinions through the use of fear. But "Fearies" are persons motivated by fear who constantly harangue officials. Fearies are also persons who attempt to instigate fear in others through the utterance of their opinions.

However, before I show you what I want to tell you about, let me make this point absolutely clear. If you look at something from a different perspective to mine, you will see the same thing differently to the way I see it. Okay?

Now let us get back to the issue of fear, Fearies and Feary Tales. Fear is an experience of the personality. Fear breeds anger, resentment, vengeance, disdain and hatred.

Fear leads to anxiety, and anxiety leads to depression, sickness and death.

It is therefore wise to control our fears, especially since we are challenged every moment of the day with the choice to experience life through fear and doubt, or through acceptance, appreciation and love. That in itself is a great challenge. But when the Fearies of Montserrat, with their improbable tales, try to instigate and motivate us through fear and doubt, the challenge to make a correct choice for healthy living is extremely difficult.

I’m not sure about you, but these are some of the Feary Tales, which I have become accustomed to hearing:

Suppose the plane's engine falls off, when the plane hits the runway… suppose the plane overruns the runway… Britain wants all of us to leave Montserrat… They come to take over…

Persons who make these utterances want Montserrat and Montserratians to continue to sail in a sea of fear and doubt.

They want us to live in discomfort and pain. They confuse us with Feary Tales in order to gain control from our fears.

So they speak no words of acceptance or appreciation; neither do they have any respect or love for DFID. Moreover, they want people who do not agree with the way they see things to feel guilty, or embarrassed, or to feel regret.

But Montserratians, be alert, we must never trust fearies. When people gain power by motivating others through fear and doubt, they will eventually lose the very power they clamor for; and then they become disdainful of the people they seek to control.

Now let us consider a real Fairy Tale.

Once upon a time, there was a tiny remote Island inhabited only by one resilient family. The family consisted of a proud mother and her three beautiful daughters.

One day, a rich handsome young black sailor came upon the island and fell in love with one of the girls. The young sailor considered marrying the girl and taking the family away with him. However, he was very impressed with the family's determination to continue living on their impoverished non-viable island. So he decided instead to return to his homeland to organise a team of helpers to modernise the island and to make it worthwhile for more people to want to live there.

Naturally after the sailor left the family was very happy at the prospect of-one of them getting married and having other people sharing their island with them. For a time they lived in great excitement and expectation. But alas, one day, "the bride to be" began to doubt that she could measure up to the foreign girls that her "husband to be" might bring to the island. She soon began to fear losing her husband to the foreign girls.

Her fears led to anxiety and her anxiety led to depression.

Before long, her sisters and her mother noticed her lack of excitement and asked what was the matter. She told them she was afraid of not measuring up to the standards of the foreign women and that she would lose her husband to one of them.

The other family members understood the fears of their sister. They too began to worry; they became anxious and depressed. Soon everybody developed long sulky faces etched with ulcers.

In time the young sailor arrived with his team of helpers. But by then the

family of beautiful ladies had become old and miserable with depression. They were unrecognizable. Awestruck, the sailor asked what had caused them to look that way. In unison, they told him that they were afraid of losing him because they doubted their ability to measure up to the standards of the foreign ladies from his country. They said they did not want to change from their ways of living. So they begged him to leave all the money which he brought and go away from them. The family said that they preferred to struggle alone to modernise their impoverished island. They said that they wanted all the

money in their pockets.

The young captain agreed to leave the money, the equipment and the merchandise with the family and depart their shores. But before he set sail with his team of helpers, he promised the mother and her daughters to return to help them if, in his travels, he came upon an island with people more resilient than they were.

That’s a Fairy tale for you!

Fairy tales are quite unlike Feary Tales. Fairy tales entertain and have a hidden meaning to them; only that you have to search for it. On the other hand, Feary Tales are propaganda used to obtain power and control over people. But there is no real power gained in spreading fear, or in any activity generated by the spreading of fear; even if that fear is supported by eloquent speeches. Clearly no lasting power is achieved by imposing a Feary Tale way of thinking upon others.

So here is my response to people who thrive on fear and doubt and who seek power through Feary Tale propaganda...

Any boat, manned by sailors who are fearful and doubtful, will have a rough time getting in and out of port, whether it is an airboat, or a sailboat or especially the boat called Montserrat.

So, let us give Montserrat a chance. Let us never allow people to say, "when they 'find people more resilient than we are, that they will return to help us."

Fellow Montserratians, I hope you understood what I tried to say. However, this article on fear would be incomplete unless I also deal with the matter of worry.

Montserratians, I beg you, wait to worry. Worry breeds fear. And like fears, worries are all about "maybe" and "what ifs" and "not yets." Worries and fears are about the future. This volcano is enough to be frightened about. Yet look at what we have allowed fear to do to us.

For the past five years we have been worrying and frightening each other about the British taking us all off the Island. What a waste of energies. Yes, in spite of the volcano here, and Ridgley Market there. All of us who are here, were here, and will be here; if it pleases God.

For the past three years we have been worrying and frightening each other about a plane crashing at Geralds when it takes off. What a waste of opportunities.

Now we are worrying and frightening each other about an engine falling off the plane at Geralds Airport when it lands. What madness!

And by Jove there is no airport at Geralds. No, not yet.

In fact, the probable airport is not even designed as yet. So what is there to fear? Montserratians, what is there to fear about an airport that is not even designed? For goodness sake, let us move this island away from destructive utterances of fear.

Let us try to rebuild our nation along principles of trust, love, acceptance, tolerance and humility. Yes, let us rebuild our nation with the desire to become socially and economically viable as soon as possible.

Of course there will be time enough tomorrow to worry about tomorrow’s worries. But today we need to unshackle our minds from Fearies and their frightening improbable tales of plane engine falling off…  and planes overrunning the runway.

Please Montserratians let us cut out the Feary Tales.

WHITHER GOETH THE PUBLIC SERVICE ON MONTSERRAT – Part 2

By Claude Gerald

A French saying goes, “plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose,” meaning the more things change, the more they remain the same.

It is official: a non-Montserratian with a negligible track record will be the next Permanent Secretary, Administration, in the Public Service. Against a minute and unimpressive backdrop, it may be difficult to find substance in what is our lot for at least two years ahead. So you have a different name, but the same old theme and scheme and the mud gets muddier.

Civil Servants' emotions range from anger to resignation to disbelief. This is the most you would get as the usually placid "servants," led by a lifeless executive, grumble and whisper in private about demonstrations and sickouts. Noble thoughts indeed; it is not probable, even though our tribes are scattered everywhere, that one of them could have walked into the Promised Land with such ease in another sister island, certainly not  Nevis, where our cricketers were recently met with insularity and perversity.

This therefore horrifies the imagination. Hence a blind search for a Moses to lead a complacent Emerald Isle from the continuing "in your face" of policy makers. Civil Servants have a golden opportunity to reclaim their island by fighting this stupidity. They correctly question the eligibility and competency of whom they are getting in that position. They have the entire Government’s support in whatever legitimate action they take. Yet the leadership meanders and dodges, gradually turning off a group waiting to show muscle at the Port of Entry, to shout, "Montserratians First!" Excuses follow excuses and we dutifully accept the unacceptable. Leadership is leaderless.

We are failing to own our decimated island and our inaction tacitly says that we are to be governed by anything and anybody. No one dares to stand against actions that clearly are not in the public good. It is known that the Government had made its position clear on its choice for that most important position. Convention declares that the Queen’s Representative, as the Head of the Service, acts in accordance with the wishes of the elected officials through the Chief Minister.

They represent the people with a massive majority. But with such massive doses of intrigue and manipulation, a person unfamiliar with the island’s culture may suffer nightmares in deciding things of this nature. Furthermore, it is reliably reported that the Public Service Commission (PSC) was split on the issue, with some members threatening to resign. What were the essential points in the decision-making process and how were they weighted? Failed candidates need to know for posterity.

The Government seems to have learned of the choice second hand, and when the Chief Minister was off island! To marginalize the Government in this confrontational way is disdainful and disrespectful. This is a classic case of distrust and disharmony in the seat of Government, with explosive potential.

Montserrat is unique in the world. Its diaspora per capita is better trained and more educated than most of its size. To choose much less than the best is demeaning to those who remain to face down the might of the volcano. Important top posts should be given to born and bred Montserratians on merit. Adopted Montserratians, through marriage especially, are at best self-seekers. Though, this is absolute. Take the case of a Spanish teacher, community leader, netballer, calypsonian, sports organizer and now an M.Sc., in tourism skills, just to mention some of her sterling assets to this island, who is indeed exceptional and should be the "pace setter" for Montserratians of all ranks to emulate.

But training is not the end all. Our people must have integrity and substance. They must be fair in their dealings. They must not "set up" friends and family ahead of country. They must fit people to jobs and not jobs to people. What are we looking for in the person who gets the job of Permanent Secretary, Administration? Are we lobbying for an incompetent person in the hope that inter-Ministry transfers will get our favourite in the Promised Land? Incompetence is incompetence and manifests itself everywhere. Playing games with serious issues and disregard the moral high ground hurt the country’s development adversely and permanently.

The prediction is: expect nothing from this shift in management personnel. A system is as good as its management. Dark clouds are ahead. Challenges will mount. Counter challenges will be met, not by brain but by delusions of power and grandeur. Our public service ship is sinking fast and lifeboats are rarely near. Let us unite and put some acting in our watching.

Claude Gerald is an Agricultural Economist, with an abiding interest in the socio-economic and political development of Montserrat.  Email-ceegee15@hotmail.com 

Poverty, Lamentation, Misery -- Empowerment?

By Progressive at Heart

Empowerment. What exactly does it mean? It’s a word that is being bandied about since the advent of our new government.  Maybe it has something to do with wiping out ignorance or with listening to the cry of the poor man. But then again it could be about “studiation” vs. education. Or maybe it has something to do with plenty love and money. But one thing it has nothing to do with is the alleviation of poverty. At least not here on Montserrat. On Montserrat empowerment is all about increased electricity and water rates. It is about increasing property taxes and increasing income taxes. It is about giving your own children economic opportunities to the detriment of any or all other business men who have stayed right here on Montserrat and continued to invest in this dying economy. It is about paying twice as much for the same diesel and gas from the same supplier who supplies our Leeward Island neighbors.

On Montserrat empowerment seems to mean disembowelment of the masses. On Montserrat empowerment seems to mean condemnation to poverty once you are neither family nor supporter.

But what are we to do? We are a laid back people. So all manner of deceitful matters will be devised against them that are quiet in the land.

What is to become of us? How are we ever to hold our heads up as a people? As a nation?

What does a country do when an elected Member of Parliament whose peers are always swift to remind us that they were given an overwhelming mandate by the  people to govern this country, gets on the Radio and hurls  insults at the very same folk who so elected him?

What is to be done when the very folk who could have abandoned Montserrat, like so many born and bred Montserratians have done, are roundly abused by a megalomaniac? How is the cause of Democracy and Empowerment of the People furthered when legitimate residents on Montserrat are asked to cease and desist from getting involved in the debate on Montserrat’s future?

I say a lot can be done! I say a lot must be done! I say let us demand public written and verbal apologies to all friends and residents of Montserrat! I say let us seek to diminish the ability and the opportunity to spout misused words, disjointed phraseology, misunderstood theories and misguided self-importance at the Montserratian public.

Spare residents from the insults of egotism and self appointment. We beseech you break the teeth, O God in their mouth; break out the great teeth of the young lion.

But then there is one ray of hope. Residents can finally own homes. More residents can now have access to homes as a result of this initiative.

Some of the DFID-funded homes are to be sold to occupants to reduce costs and raise additional housing funds. But at the same time it would seem that the occupants of these homes are being allowed to continue to pay the same rental charges until the agreed price for the houses are paid off. Tell me, can anyone have their cake and eat it too? Is it possible to sell a house to the occupant, accept a rental that is less than the cost of maintenance, reduce estate maintenance costs, allow the occupant over 30 years to pay off the mortgage and still raise money to give to other residents who are waiting for houses?

There will be no reduction of maintenance costs until ownership has passed. The landlord will continue to be responsible for the maintenance, and the insurance of these houses. There will be no funds to give other residents to build when mortgage payments are $150 and $350 a month.

So where is the political will? Where is the intestinal fortitude? Where, tell me, is the empowerment? I say empower all residents to pay fair and equitable mortgages. It is neither fair nor democratic that some residents should be allowed to pay interest-free mortgages for the rest of their lives just because there is no political will to do the right thing.

Perhaps it is time our Political Directorate empower themselves. If we fail to do so they shall soon be cut down like grass and whither as the green herb.

But then again, maybe that is what needs to happen. 

FARMERS’ CORNER

By Justin ‘Hero’ Cassell

(Agricultural Development Officer)

 “EAT FROM THE LAND, NOT FROM THE CAN”

Cable & Wireless Sponsors Backyard Gardening Competition

Cable & Wireless has responded promptly to the requests made by the Department of Agriculture for the sponsorship of prizes for the upcoming National Agricultural Exhibition, 3^rd and 4^th April 2002.

Cable & Wireless Manager Neville Dublin says that the company has keen interest in the promotion and development of agriculture on Montserrat, especially Backyard production.  Cable & Wireless is providing cash prizes for the competition amounting to EC$5,000.

Cash prizes will be awarded as follows:

1^st Prize            - $1,800

2^nd Prize           - $1,200

3^rd Prize            - $1,000

and five (5) consolation prizes of $200 each.

The Department of Agriculture is very grateful to Mr. Dublin and Cable & Wireless for the generous donation.

Backyard producers are reminded to register immediately with the Department of Agriculture on telephone numbers 491-2546/2075.   Judging commences on the 5^th and ends the 25^th March 2002.

Seedlings Available Next Week

The following seedlings will be available next week at the Brades Nursery.

• Tomato
• Cabbage
• Broccoli
• Eggplant
• Sweet Pepper

VOLCANO LIMERICKS

Dozing on the Beach

'Let's save our small builders some bucks,'

Turns out to deserve only yucks;

If GOM's so sure

That free sand's for the 'poor,'

Just where do they get those big trucks?

Winter's Cruel Sea

In rough seas the ferry demands

A great deal to reach foreign lands;

The poor souls who despair

As they try to get there

Are throwing up more than their hands.       

JUS WONDERIN

Jus wonderin when de female officer a go, go back to she normal wok.

Jus wonderin wha so sweet about old beef and pork.

Jus wonderin wha so good about all de back roads, old building beaches and dark corner, and wha in a dem so special.

Jus wonderin if stone stop fling pan house or de mad man and de krazy gal mek back up.

Jus wonderin if foot in a mouth still in or hands in de lookie gone sky high.

Jus wonderin when de ladies a go stop put dem hand inna de honey bowl and go back and grab de luv stick, awha , dem no luv dat part de no more.

Just wondering why the villagers complaining about the conduct of the nurse, so many men enjoying what going on.
Jus wondering if nurses no respect demself no more and if it is just a case of birds of a feather flock together dey jus a behave lek cooka neaga.

jus wondering if de condoms no fu wear fu stop pregnancy no more.

Jus wonderin how many valentine hearts were true on Valentines Day

Jus wonderin if Valentine’s Day lunches are set up to see who is taking who out.

Jus wonderin when that black car driver from lookout no stop the racket and why he no look after his house and stop lay people a run he family life.

Jus wonder why the Government charge the people out by lookout so much for the house a thief they want them to thief.

Jus wonderin why de boss civil servant demote one officer to messenger and promote the next one if is because she is parrot why she was place in a cage and the other birds have to be hanging on the branch.

Jus wonderin if she no the parrot carry out messenger from the coop along with the panakeet in training more than all messengers in all other department.

Jus wonderin if the cage will stop the suicide act and also the R.C on the bottom foot..

Jus wonderin wha go happen now the Blue Rav owner come now and who will go across the water for the Brown BMW or the white Corolla.

Jus wonderin if they know that praise worst than witch craft for the messenger pension whey dem a go have to drop, and all ou dem gat pickney and grand pickney in school.

Jus wonderin if she a go back to London to be the maid, when she leave office.

Jus wonderin and hope she na tell de boss to put de officers fuh drive and she could drive too. Hope dem stop being dark after leaving the hill so long.

Jus wonderin who is Buck and de Ewe don't want dat in Palm Loop.

Jus wonderin if de new police and fire station not temporary too.

Jus wonderin if it wasn't wise enough to build a temporary like those.

Jus wonderin if they will encourage their neighbour to get a face lift since she will be the odd one around.

Jus wonderin' if BoM knows being a shareholder owned company is supposed to mean reporting to shareholders.

Jus wonderin if the latest appointments in the civil service is causing a riff in the government.

Jus wonderin what the civil service will do about them.

Jus wonderin if the ferry problems will ever be solved.

Jus wonderin if the Antigua government know that Montserratians spend million of dollars their monthly.

Jus wonderin if Montserratians will be ever able to enjoy their civil rights under the British government.

Jus wonderin the CM now realize if you lay down with dogs you get up with fleas.

Jus wonderin when will he carry out the promise and let the rest run things.

Jus wonderin which of the boys are now working in the civil service.

Jus wonderin if the volcano is yet now taking a rest.

Jus wonderin what is happening for St Patrick’s Day this year.

Jus wonderin what is taking so long for the program to be published.

Jus wonderin why Water Authority is so desperate.

Jus wonderin if and why the government is not happy with the AG.

Jus wonderin if the CM getting at at log ahead now with the governor and this could be the begin of the light really shining for him.

Jus wonderin if the governor is now showing his authority.

Jus wonderin if she could have done a better job because of where she works.

Jus wonderin why we are pressured to pay more for every everything.

Jus wonderin if we think that just church can save us.

Jus wonderin who is responsible for moving the garbage collection bins in Lookout and if he didn't know better.

Jus wonderin when Montserratians will be given first preferences.

Jus wonderin why the scientists are looking for longer contracts.

Jus wonderin why they were laughing at the other cricket teams. 

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