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Salas Hamilton Hits Housing Roadblock

"We all know the machinery of government takes eons to grind,” says local landowner Salas Hamilton, who finally decided to cement his Montserratian roots by constructing a house on lands he has owned for several years at Mount Pleasant, a part of the subdivided Woodlands Subdivision, near St. Peters.

Mr. Hamilton, who was Chief of Staff in the Chief Ministers office until about 20 months ago, worked in a management position, but today finds that he is caught in a difficult situation where he has been asked to put his life on hold.

He applied for and received permission to build from the Physical Planning Unit of Montserrat and began construction on Monday of this week. This house would be the second to be constructed in a general area that is said to have been earmarked by the St. Peter’s community for a play field with the blessings of the government. An inspection of the area shows that other landowners have cleared property with a view to begin construction.

A very senior government official confirmed that moneys have been approved to purchase the area and supports the view of procrastination expressed by Mr. Hamilton, who now says that he had publicly addressed the issue last year. “As a father myself, I do not wish to thwart Government’s effort in developing a play area for the St. Peters Community, but it has been three years of waiting to build on the property.”

Senior government officials past and present, as well as those representing the St. Peter’s community, contend that the civil servant hierarchy is slowing down the process of acquiring the lands at Mount Pleasant.

Miss Rhoda Burns, just recently deceased, is one of the many who lost all she had, including her home, to the ravages of Soufriere Hills volcano and who had been "begging" shelter, but who finally built a home, unfortunately for her in the "disputed" area. It is full knowledge that this was a matter of concern to her, as she never moved into her new home, fearing that she would have to move once again, giving way to the demands of government who had expressed an interest of acquiring her property for "community purposes."

Mr. Hamilton told The Montserrat Reporter that he had been contacted again immediately after his contractor began construction this week and that even then, “no member of Government has officially, formally or in any way documented any offer to me.”

“On an island where housing is of paramount importance, this sounds very bad. I cannot speak for the other property owners in the area, one who has died, may God bless her soul, but we all know the machinery of government takes eons to grind, and the question is how long must we wait? No one has answered to this day,” Mr. Hamilton lamented.

Government is now planning to move quickly, according to sources, and plans to find out from the stakeholders whether acquiring the area is still viable as the cost has now escalated with buildings and other improvements having been made to the area. 

Airport Officer, Claude Hogan Clash over airport security

Airport Project Manager Claude Hogan was involved in an altercation with one of the airport duty officers last Saturday afternoon, which resulted in a vehicle belonging to the Public Works Department (PWD) being impounded at the heliport.

According to eyewitnesses, the altercation was preceded by an earlier incident in the morning, when some workers of the (PWD) went to remove materials from the secured area at the heliport.

The Montserrat Reporter has learnt that the security guard on duty informed the PWD workers that he had to take an account of the materials before they would be allowed to leave the yard. When they refused, the guard impounded the vehicle with the materials.

The workers reported to Mr. Hogan that the guard had impounded the vehicle, by which time the security officer had reported the incident to the airport duty officer.

Mr. Hogan reportedly went to the heliport in the afternoon demanding that the materials and the vehicle be released. The airport duty officer refused to comply with Mr. Hogan’s demands, citing the incident as a breach of security. The officer is said to have pointed out that “a report had to be made and forwarded to the relevant authorities, airport manager, Mr. Norman Cassell and His Excellency Governor Anthony Longrigg, whose responsibility includes national security.

The eyewitnesses further stated that it was at this point that Mr. Hogan became irritated and made untoward remarks about Chief Minister John Osborne and His Excellency Governor Longrigg.

“Hogan’s behaviour didn’t reflect well at all. Just because some people feel they have power, doesn’t mean they can abuse it,” the eyewitness said.

Following the refusal of the release of the materials and the vehicle, Mr. Hogan went to the Police station and made a report.

Minister of Communication and Works, Dr. Lowell Lewis, who said he was passing the area at the time and saw the group, told the parties involved that the “appropriate person (Permanent Secretary, Mr. Alrick Taylor, who was also on the scene) had the authority to give the necessary instructions to resolve the matter."

When contacted, Mr. Hogan said that he knows, “the Airport Site is available to the Airport Project Manager at any time, except for 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after any flight.”

“This has been an agreement taken within the National Aviation Security Committee, which was taken by the Governor, as of January 23 this year,” Mr. Hogan said.

He added that the altercation between him and the airport duty officer was a result of the officer confronting him. “He was expressing his position on the airport and he confronted me, and I reported the matter to the Police,” Mr. Hogan said.

Airport Manager Norman Cassell said, “In keeping with the aviation security procedures, I cannot divulge any information with regards to the incident that occurred at the aerodrome.”

When the Montserrat Reporter contacted the Permanent Secretary about whether the vehicle was still impounded, he said, “no comments.”

Pic in Printmaster\photos: Claude Hogan

EDITORIAL

"14 Independent Eastern Caribbean Newspapers Pledge to Honor Their Public Responsibilities"

The Montserrat Reporter joined 13 other independent newspapers in the Eastern Caribbean on January 25 as a signatory of the Code of Conduct promulgated by the recently established Eastern Caribbean Press Council.

The Code spells out the responsibilities and commitments of this newspaper and its cosigners to honesty, integrity and accuracy in seeking to serve their readers and the wider public interest.

The creation of the regional council was praised at that ceremony by St. Lucia Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony as making "far more sense" than individual national press councils, because, he said, it "offers a wider protective umbrella, but more importantly, it is somewhat removed from the local domestic passions."

Then Dr. Anthony declared an understanding of the press that too many readers, and particularly government officials and civil servants, fail or refuse to recognize.   

He said, "It can never be in the interest of our democracy, or indeed the public, for the Press and the Government to sleep in the same bed. Indeed, there is good reason why the relationship should be conditioned by mutual distrust. The Press has an overriding responsibility to jealously guard the public interest, that is the right of the public to receive accurate, honest and timely information."

"When defined ethical practices are adhered to," Dr. Anthony said, "everyone benefits – owners or publishers of the particular media enterprise, practitioners of the journalism profession, consumers of information, or the reading, viewing and listening public, if you like."

An abridged version of the ECPC code of conduct follows. A copy of the complete code will be prominently displayed at The Montserrat Reporter, for the guidance of our staff and the information of visitors to the office. 

ECPC CODE OF CONDUCT

CHILDREN -- Journalists are admonished not to interview or photograph children under the age of 16 on issues without adult consent unless it is demonstrably in the child's or the public interest, or to report on the private life of a child solely because of the family's notoriety or status.

GRIEF -- Enquiries in cases involving grief of shock are to be made with empathy and discretion.

PRIVACY -- Intruding or enquiring into an individual's private life without his or her consent, including the use of long lens photography to take pictures of people on private property without their consent, are barred unless clearly in the public interest.

LISTENING DEVICES -- Obtaining material by using clandestine devices, or publishing such material, is prohibited, unless justified by public interest.

VICTIMS -- Names of victims of sexual assault or their family, or material likely to lead to such identification, shall not be published unless there is adequate justification even though by law newspapers may be free to do so.

ACCURACY -- All relevant facts must be included and rumour and unsubstantiated statements must be avoided in the interest of accuracy and fairness. Where a significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distorted report has been published, it should be corrected promptly and with due prominence.

TRUTH -- Every effort must be made to publish all the main points of view or interpretations of an event or issue, regardless of whether or not the publication agrees with such views.

SOURCES -- Journalists have a moral obligation to protect confidential sources of information; sources must be chosen carefully and information presented must be thoroughly verified.

DISCRIMINATION -- Journalists will avoid: identifying relatives of persons convicted of crimes without their consent, unless properly justified; reporting details prejudicial to a person's race, religion, gender, colour, sexual orientation, nationality or any physical or mental illness or disability unless deemed pertinent to the story.

HARASSMENT --Obtaining or seeking to obtain pictures or information through harassment or intimidation is forbidden.

INTEGRITY -- Monetary offers, gifts or favours must not be accepted from any source seeking to influence publication or non-publication; or special placement of any article or photograph.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST -- Journalists must not be involved in politics, demonstrations, secondary employment or social causes that could be perceived to be a conflict or interest or are in fact a conflict of interest.

PROFESSIONAL RELATIONS -- Journalists must not: undermine colleagues and/or the media house by divulging information that is privy to the media house; use for their profit or pass on to others financial information they received in advance of its general publication; buy or sell directly or through others shares or securities about which they intend to publish.

RIGHT OF REPLY -- A fair and timely opportunity shall be given to individuals or organizations, to reply to inaccuracies.

PUBLIC INTEREST -- Public Interest is defined as detecting or exposing crime or serious misdemeanours, protecting public health and safety, preventing the public from being misled by statements or actions of public officials, Governments, political parties or any other organizations.

In any cases raising issues beyond these three definitions, the Eastern Caribbean Press Council will require a full explanation by the editor of the publication involved, seeking to demonstrate how the public interest was served.

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 or e-mail.

SCRIPTURE VERSE THIS WEEK

The Last Few Pounds –Read Luke 14:25-35

Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.- Luke 14:33 

Whatever weight-loss plan you choose, you’re bound to lose pounds-at least for a while. But most dieters reach a plateau before they reach their goal, and may get discouraged when the thrill leaves before all the weight does. Many give up and go back to their old ways of eating.

Something similar happens in our Christian lives. When we begin our walk with Jesus, we easily shed many of the sins that have weighed us down. We give dramatic testimonies about being freed from addictive behaviors. Then the attention shifts to another new believer, and we discover that “little” sins like jealously, resentment, and anger don’t drop away as readily as the “big” ones. Some of us get so discouraged that we lose sight of our commitment to Christ and go back to some of our old ways of living.

When Jesus talked about the cost of being His disciple (Luke 14:25-35), he wanted those who heard Him to realize that believing in Him and following Him involves more than starting something that is exciting. It means sticking with something that is difficult.

So whether we’re talking about weight loss or spiritual gain, the message is the same: What matters the most is not how we start but how we finish. –JAL

Onward and upward your course plan today,

Seeking new heights as you walk Jesus’s way;

Heed not past failures, but strive for the prize,

Aiming for goals fit for His holy eyes.- Brandt

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

In England, The Reporter Is a Home Town Paper

Dear Editor,

I must say all the way from England my husband and I enjoy reading our home town paper. We are from Montserrat living in England. Thanks for your hard work in publishing The Reporter.

Mr. & Mrs. Byam

Whatever Happened to Our Promised New Police Boat?

Editor;

What has happened to the new police boat?   Back in October, the governor told us that he was in negotiation with some group in the Virgin Islands for a new boat.  We are now 3 - 4 months later and there has been not one word about this new boat.  Has this gone by the boards?  Are we to wait another year or more for a proper police boat?  Or will the police use the rubber dinghy as the new search and rescue craft?  They should easily be able to run down drug traffickers with this vessel also.

Perplexed

Reader Finds Reporter "Way to Keep in Touch"

Dear Editor,

Although born in London UK, having being raised in Montserrat for many years, I have a special affinity with the place and find your publication extremely useful and informative. Great way to keep in touch...and keep up the good work.

As Arrow once sang, "Monsterrat, Montserrat still nice, Montserrat, always Paradise."

kdlaw01@aol.com

Gone Nearly 30 Years, Reader Plans to Return to Island Soon

Dear Editor,

My family's roots are in Montserrat, (grandparents were born there, also many, many cousins etc.  The first (and last) time I was in Montserrat was in 1975  and the volcano was just a small stream of sulfurous stuff to soak your feet in.  It is so sad that it has evolved and destroyed so many people's lives.  I hope to be coming back soon this year.  I've been an avid reader of the Reporter since I went online two years ago.  I applaud it!!!  I can keep up on what's going on on the island, and reading it actually makes me feel as if I were there.
What makes anyone think that any airport will do?  SAFETY SHOULD BE PARAMOUNT.  It seems to me that if the strip at Geralds will be too short, find another solution.
Keep up the great work of keeping Montserratians all over the planet informed.

rcsomerville@aol.com

Montserratian Abroad Echoes Recent Letter

Dear Editor,
I agree wholeheartedly with Gretna's letter to the editor. I left Montserrat as a child over 35 years ago and have been returning regularly since my parents retired and returned home. I've made it a point to learn more about the rock.
On one such visit I found that Mr. Osborne had been married to one of my relatives; that is and was not important to me. What was important to me was a speech made at the War Memorial by the CM during the Offshore Banking scandal regarding his trip to the UK and his desire to return to Montserrat with "two Rolls Royce motor cars." I was amazed by the response of the audience, many of whom I'm sure were not aware of the number of offshore banks chartered in Montserrat. It was at that time I realized  how self absorbed a man the CM was.
I think of the rock daily and include my family and friends in my prayers, because I continue to dream of returning home to live someday.
Dr lala

LOCAL NEWS

Car, Truck Crash On Lookout Road

Vehicle accidents continue to be a focus for the Traffic Department with the collision  late Tuesday afternoon of a Corolla licence number M1974 and a white dumper truck on Lookout Road.

The drivers of the respective vehicles were reported to be Ms. Inez Howe, an employee at the St. Augustine Primary School, and owner of the car, and Keith Roylloyd, employee at Wall W.L. & Company Ltd. / Wall Trucking, the driver of the white dump truck.

According to police reports, Ms. Howe claimed she received an emergency call on her mobile phone while on her way to the Lookout area, telling her that a family member had fallen ill and was on their way to the hospital in the ambulance.

After receiving the information she noticed the ambulance had passed her on the way, so she immediately decided to turn the car to follow the ambulance, after which the collision occurred.

The Montserrat Reporter was unable to get a direct report on what had happen from the driver of either vehicle.

A view of the accident scene show that the dump truck had rammed into the hillside on the left side of the road. The car showed damage to the front of the car and was seen at the rear of the truck.

The police are continuing the investigation.

Ryan Investments Ltd. to Build Geralds EC$1.67-million Terminal

Amidst the on-going controversy surrounding the building of an airport at Geralds, led by the Committee for the Re-development of Montserrat (CRM), and other citizens, the Government of Montserrat are proceeding to their new schedule of completing the airport.

Airport Project Manager Claude Hogan said the first phase, the contract for  construction of the airport terminal, has been awarded to local contractor Ryan Investment Ltd. and work is expected to begin on 24 February.

Architectural firm K J Cassell Consultants was chosen to design the terminal building, which was done by the Halcrow Group of London.

Mr. Hogan said that of the seven contractors who bid for the contract, “Ryan Investment Ltd. made the lowest bid, in the amount of EC$1.67 million.”

He said that the Public Works Department (PWD) has already started constructing the main platform for the building, adding that “the main contract, which includes the airstrip, tunnel, lighting and other facilities, is programmed to start on July 7 this year.”

On December 17, Chief Minister John Osborne and Mrs. Ann Skerritt, the oldest resident of Geralds, turned the sod for the airport site,.

Chief Minister Osborne reported at his January 21 press conference that after meeting with Secretary of State Clare Short, an agreement was made for the full implementation schedule of the Geralds Airport Project at a total cost of EC$42.6 million. The funds are provided by the British Government, through the Department for International Development (DFID) and the European Union through its Regional Economic Development Section.

Mr. Osborne said, “the Airport Project represents the largest financial output from the declining aid framework, which was given to Montserrat for the period 2001 to 2006.” He said that with the completion of the airport, expected in July 2004, “the airport facility would enhance our tourism product and provide reliable, safe, efficient and reasonable air transportation that could encourage business to come to Montserrat.”

CRM is leading the argument that the airport planned for Geralds will be unsafe and dangerous and will not enhance the economy and the future of Montserrat.

Ferry Baggage Mishap Still Awaits Explanation

Montserrat Aviation Services (MAS) has yet to comment on the incident on Monday, January 27, in which 12 to 15 suitcases belonging to passengers scheduled to travel to Antigua on the MV Opale Express fell overboard at port Little Bay.

MAS Manager Sarah Silcott said she could not divulge any information regarding the incident without the permission of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Works, Mr. Alrick Taylor.

When the Montserrat Reporter contacted Mr. Taylor, he said, “I do not want to give any statements, since the lawyers are dealing with the case.”

One of the passengers, Mr. Davendra Karam, a traveling salesman, had told The Montserrat Reporter that he had retained the services of lawyer David S. Brandt and was seeking some form of compensation from the Company, as all of his luggage was damaged.

Tourism Planner Many Ways For Montserrat to Draw Visits

Michael Buckmaster, a member of the British Executive Service Overseas (BESO), and a consultant in Tourism and Investment Planning, came to Montserrat in the 1960’s, as a guest of Administrative Secretary Mr. Sydney Meade, returned to Montserrat this week for a private visit.

Mr. Buckmaster said, “Montserrat has great potential in becoming a major tourist attraction, if the right steps are taken by the Government and the Private Sector to identify a product that is particular to Montserrat and to exploit it maximally.”

 “Through the provision of expertise, setting up of training programs and funding, there should be a development course and chart which would be of direct benefit to Montserrat’s development within the economic side, but particularly linking to tourism of all kinds and reinvestment by some of the individuals in the communities who have bought property in Montserrat.”

Among the areas from which Mr. Buckmaster believes Montserrat could benefit are: the Montserratian heritage (especially the Irish legacy); twinning of local areas to those with similar names in other countries (such as St. Johns, Montserrat to St. Johns, Antigua); cottage industry; research tourism (geologists, science students, researchers and academics using the volcano to study volcanology); using the ferry and helicopter to bring more people to the island, and encouraging yacht charters to come to the island. All of these, he said, “will give the right flavor of the Montserrat product.”

Mr. Buckmaster pointed to tours currently coming to the island as “evidence that Montserrat has a growing power of its own, in terms of image and mystique”, he said.

In terms of the cultural exchange, Mr. Buckmaster said that the Irish economy is one of the fastest growing economies in the European Union (EU) today and Montserrat could have numerous benefits by exploiting its own Irish legacy.

With respect to creating tax havens here and offshore banking, Mr. Buckmaster said this type of business calls for a level of sophistication and noted that Montserrat can have its own brand of tax incentives.

With offshore banking, he said Montserrat could tap into this by imaginative provisions “which could echo perhaps countries such as Barbados, St.Vincent, Grenada and the British Virgin Islands.

Mr. Buckmaster has worked in developing tourism in the islands of the Indian Ocean, Leeward Islands, British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean and other CARICOM countries.

Pic in New folder: Michael Buckmaster 2

Two Experts at Work Updating Local Laws

Law Revision Commissioner Neil Adsett of Australia and Miss Yolande Dash of Anguilla met this week with the local Law Revision Committee to change and clarify a number of laws.

Commissioner Adsett explained that he and Miss Dash have been working on consolidating the Montserrat Laws, most of which are over 30 years old.

“Parliamentarians are complaining that the Laws cannot be found, many have been amended, some are outdated and some not in print. As such the decision was made to have them consolidated and revised,” Mr. Adsett said.

“There are some Laws which have references made to Plymouth and, as such, more current references have to be used,” Mr. Adsett said.

He added that they are trying to make the Laws more user friendly; the revised versions will be available on CD Rom.

He said the compilation would be 10 volumes, consisting of 8,000 pages; “there are 300 acts, with a number of rules and regulations.”

The Law Revision Committee comprises six people: Mrs. Esco Henry Greer, Attorney General; Miss Susan Dickinson, Regional British Advisor; Mr. Claude Hogan, Government representative; Mr. Charles Kirnon, Opposition Representative, Mr. Jean Kelsick, representing the local Bar association, and Inspector Margaret Lee, police representative.

Mr. Adsett and Miss Dash began working on the Laws 18 months ago, the completion and publication of the revision of the Laws is expected at year-end.

Mr. Adsett, a specialist in revising laws, and Miss Dash, who does desktop publishing, have both done similar work in other British Overseas Territories.

Claude Hogan Tells Police David Brandt Insulted Him

Member of Parliament the Honourable Claude Hogan was involved this week in a second matter where he invoked the assistance of the police.

Police confirmed that Mr. Hogan lodged a complaint against Attorney David Brandt, alleging that Mr. Brandt had used insulting and threatening language against him.

Mr. Brandt admits that there was an exchange of words between himself and Mr. Hogan, but denies the use of any threatening or insulting language.

 “In fact the person who Mr. Hogan said overheard my threats confirmed to the police that I did not use the words Mr. Hogan complained of,” Mr. Brandt said.

The event arose out of a libel suit brought by Mr. Brandt, the former chief minister, alleging that MP Hogan defamed him in 2001. Just prior to the incident, which took place on Tuesday, Mr. Brandt reported he was successful in a pre-trial application hearing in the High Court, and upon meeting Mr. Hogan in the vicinity of his office greeted him teasingly.

Mr. Hogan has not been available to comment.

Revs. Seymour, Daley Ordained as Presbyters

The Rev. Elkanah Brian Seymour, Methodist candidate for the itinerant presbytery, and Reverend Florence Edna Daley, a candidate for the local presbytery, were ordained to the Word and Sacrament in St. Maarten on Sunday, January 26.

The Reverend Bruce Swapp, Connexional President, gave the charge, reminding the ordinands as well as the congregation what it really means to make sacrifices and to carry one’s cross.

He explained that these demands of discipleship are not superficial but realistic undertakings.

The other clergy officiating at the service were the reverend Selwyn Vanterpool, District President, and the Reverend Oral Thomas, Secretary, Leewards Islands District Conference.

The service was attended by delegates to the Conference, members of the St. Maarten/St. Martin Circuit and the scores of supporters for both ordinands.

Rev. Daly was supported by the attendance of many Montserratians, including His Excellency Governor Longrigg and Mrs. Longrigg, family members, and friends from New York, as well as friends from St.Kitts and Anguilla who traveled to St. Maarten for the occasion.

The service was broadcast live from St. Maarten to Radio Montserrat (ZJB).

Rev. Daley is currently serving the Salem Methodist Church.

Other highlights of the Conference included the appointment of a resident Superintendent Minister, Rev. Telford Matthew, to Montserrat, and the transfer of Rev. Daley to the St. Maarten/St. Martin with effect from September 1 this year.

Added to her pastoral duties, Rev. Daley will head the Leeward Islands District Resources Center, the vehicle set up by the conference for promoting growth and development in the circuit.

The 197^th Annual Meeting of the Leeward Islands District Conference was held from January 21-31 in the St. Maarten/St. Martin Circuit.

Government plans to revitalize commercial and industrial sector

 GIU -  Hon. Communications and Works Minister, Dr Lowell Lewis,  announced here this week that government is now making efforts to revitalize the island’s commercial and industrial sector.

 According to Dr Lewis, an outline of the government’s thinking in this area is contained  in a working document entitled: “Little Bay Development: Financial and Economic Impact Analysis.”

 Minister Lewis said that the government of Montserrat is currently engaged in negotiations to bring about the establishment of a rice mill - a facility that would produce animal feed, a cassava processing operation, a water bottling plant, a “gifts baskets” facility and other export oriented businesses at Little Bay.

 Copies of the document were shared with members of the Montserrat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) during a meeting involving the Hon. Chief Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Dr John Osborne, Minister Lewis and other senior government officials at the Grand View Hotel in Baker Hill on Monday night.

 At that meeting, government outlined in some detail plans for the development of Little Bay.  The meeting was called by the Chamber to hear first hand what the government intends to do with the area.

 The Chamber wanted to hear for example, about a definitive land use map of the area approved by the government.  Government was able at that meeting to show Chamber members a draft phase 1 plan of Little Bay with specific areas earmarked for commerce, industry, recreation and government buildings.

 Chief Minister Osborne and his team pointed out that the proposed development of Little Bay is still at a stage of project identification and therefore it was not possible to completely identify or measure the economic benefits that would flow from the project.

 Government is currently in the process of establishing a National Housing and Development Corporation –  and it is proposed that part of its mandate would involve management of the  Little Bay project.

 Government said it would consider offering packages to the private sector to help in the development of the future development of the area.

 Government plans for Little Bay include hotel and yachting facilities, middle and upper end housing and villas, commercial and industrial plants, port development and sporting and cultural facilities.

 According to the Communications and Works Minister, the proposed development of Little Bay project “ involves the implementation of several sub-projects and it is estimated that as much as $80 million would be spent in Little Bay during the first five years of implementation.”

 Most of the expenditure, according to Minister Lewis, would entail various forms of construction activity – road construction, marine works and recreational facilities.

 Construction is the second most important contributor to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Montserrat.  During the past three years, construction has contributed an average of 11%  to GDP. 

Airport project hopes to bring benefit to local contractors

GIU -  Government of Montserrat Airport Project Manager, Claude Hogan , is calling on local contractors and sub-contractors to position themselves strategically to ensure maximum benefits from the construction of the new airport at Gerald’s.

 Mr Hogan, a government member of Parliament in the Legislative Council, addressed a group of local contractors and heavy equipment owners during a meeting at the Training Centre, Government Headquarters Thursday night.

 The meeting, which was also attended by the Hon. Minister of Communications and Works Dr Lowell Lewis, was called to formally announce the publication of notice of tender for the main contract at Gerald’s Airport and to sensitize local contractors about the procedures involved.

 Also present were Dion Weekes, Public Works Department (PWD) Engineer and Assistant Resident Engineer (designate) for the airport project, Ken Cassell, architect and Halcrow representative,  Ian Young, UK Department for International Development (DFID) Engineering Adviser and  Mark Orme,  Ministry of Communications and Works (MCW)  Quantity Surveying  representative.

 “ The government of Montserrat accepts its duty to encourage the creation of employment and sustainable livelihoods as a major contribution to poverty reduction and alleviation,” Hogan said.

 He added: “ Faced with a drastic change in circumstances since the onset  of the volcanic activity in 1995, the Government of Montserrat has responded with the identification and implementation of priority measures to improve economic growth on the island.”

 According to Mr Hogan,  contractors are expected to appreciate the need for the fullest utilization of the potential of the local private sector, which is the source of wealth and job creation in Montserrat.

 “ The Government of Montserrat therefore endorses and reasserts through these tender documents for the Gerald’s airport at Clause 29.11.5 “ Local Labour and Subcontractors – The Tenderer shall include a statement explaining how he intends to make use of labour and subcontractors based in Montserrat.”

 Hogan further explains that “ the government of Montserrat will also give optimum regard to Clause 29.10.1, which calls for the Tenderers to list the parts of the works that he proposes to subcontract together with the names of the proposed subcontractors. The inclusion of these requirements should serve to encourage contractors to recognize the importance the government of Montserrat attaches to optimum use of local resources, labour, plant and machinery.”

 At the meeting, it was announced that local contractor  John Ryan of Ryan Investments Ltd – has been awarded to the contract to construct the airport terminal building at Gerald’s. Work on terminal is scheduled to begin on February 23.  Tenders will also be put out for the Fire and Maintenance buildings and the rehabilitation of the present heliport building.

 Mr Weekes indicated that the airport project will involve “substantial” drainage, security and landscaping works.

 Ian Young commended the government of Montserrat for organizing a meeting with the local contractors and heavy equipment owners ahead of the awarding of the main contract He noted that in most countries “ people cast their local contractors to fend for themselves in a contract of this size.”  The DFID Engineering official also noted that Hon. Chief Minister John Osborne has always been very keen to get the local contractors fully involved in the project.

 “ Although it’s a modest airport ( 600m airstrip), it will have a lot of engineering challenges,”  Mr Young disclosed.

 The airport contract stipulates that all works be completed in 392 days, with an EC$17,000 per day penalty fee for non-fulfillment of contractual obligations, according to the airport project manager.

 The notice of tender for the main contract has been advertised throughout the Caribbean and  in 17 countries of the European Union.

 DFID and the European Union  after extensive consultations with the government of Montserrat  have allocated $42.6 million (EC) for the Gerald’s airport project.

Montserrat Scores Big At Recent COTED Meeting

GIU:  Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Trade and the Environment, Margaret Dyer-Howe,  says the  14^th  meetingof the Caribbean Community’s (Caricom) Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), which she chaired, provided an opportunity for Montserrat to assume once again its seat as a regional partner.

 Minister Howe says “the current global developments and the inevitable participation of Caricom as a block forces Montserrat to pay attention to steps that must be taken by Caricom partners which are necessary to ensure not just economic survival but also ensure sustainable development.”

 She notes that Montserrat is a founding member of the community and the present move to ensure the survival of the community with the realization of the Caricom Single Market and Economy is vital  to “ the very fabric of the existence of the region and is of particular importance to Montserrat at this time.”

 “ Montserrat given the current rebuilding efforts has asked and has been given derogation until 2004 to institute actions and policies that will govern the workings of the Caricom single market,”  Minister Howes proudly disclosed following her return from the Guyana meeting.

 The need for the movement of peoples, services and capital between Caricom member states is integral to the realization of a single market.

 Specific areas such as the Single Market and Economy and the Common External Tariff (CET) are pressing issues that Montserrat has to address immediately,  said the local Trade Minister.

 Also featuring prominently in the COTED discussions was the perceived impact of the Free Trade Area of the Americas on the region, the compatability and conformity to the WTO  which serves as the basis for all trading agreements currently being negotiated.

 At the meeting, Montserrat was updated on the current developments within the region and the corresponding extra-regional developments – impacting on the economic survival of the Caribbean.

 Of particular note was the enthusiasm generated by regional partners as Montserrat took its seat at the Caricom table not only as a member, but assumed the position as Chair of the meeting.  This allowed for in-depth participation.  Montserrat had been away from the table for just over two years.

 The current projects being undertaken within the various sectors all relate directly to Montserrat and its current plan of development.  The penalization of the Caribbean Fisheries mechanism provides for continued sustainable survival of the fisheries sector within the region, and Montserrat on its current quest to develop this industry is positioned to benefit directly from this endeavor.

 The emphasis by Montserrat on sustainable development, the environment, and disaster management has allowed for Montserrat to actively participate in the regional programmes, which are currently being adopted, to ensure that with economic wealth comes a holistic approach to the quality of life in the region.

 The deliberations on trade and economic matters of the region brought together nine Ministers of the Community’s member states along with a number of senior government officials and representatives of the region’s private sector. 

Education Minister Attends UWI Meeting In Jamaica

Mrs. Idabelle Meade, Minister of Education, Health and Community Services, left here on Thursday to attend a one-day meeting of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Finance and General Purposes Committee being held in Jamaica at the Mona Campus on today.

Among the key issues to discussed are proposals for improvement in the Faculty of Medicine and the financial report for the various departments.

The committee, which comprises several senior UWI and government officials, will also consider in more detail a donation of US$100,000 from Dr. Paul Dishner of the United States.

The American medical doctor is keen to work with the UWI on the establishment of several chairs in the Faculty of Medical Science.   Dr. Dishner is trained in internal medicine and previously conducted research work at the UWI Mona Campus.

Mrs. Meade is one of three government ministers from the non-campus territories attending the  Kingston meeting.  The other officials are from St. Kitts and Nevis  and St. Vincent and Grenadines.

Before leaving the island, Mrs. Meade said that while in Jamaica she will use the opportunity to meet with the four Montserratian students currently engaged in full time studies at Mona.

Overseas Territories AGs To Meet in Turks & Caicos

The Attorneys General of the Overseas Territories will be hosting this years’ annual conference in the Turks and Caicos Islands.  This regular meeting of Attorneys Generals is slated be held in Providenciales at the Allegro Resort and Casino, which will commence Tuesday, February 18^th with an Opening Ceremony and run through Thursday, February 20^th 2003.

Visiting OT Attorneys Generals include Montserrat, which will be represented by Mrs. Esco Henry-Greer, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, St. Helena, and host country the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Domestic Violence Tops Local Reports of Crime

“Domestic Violence is the highest and most singular reported crime in Montserrat,” according to Superintendent Paul Morris, head of the Family Center and Domestic Violence Unit, who based the statement on the total number of reports made by victims during 2002.

“Last year there were 178 reported cases as compared to 137 cases in 2001 and 12 in 2000,” Supt. Morris said.

This increased rate of reportage, he said, is evidence that the program developed by the Community Services Department and the Family Center is working, “The program, which is more ‘victim focused’, serves to put the needs of the victim first,” he said.

He explained that through internal training and policy development, the concerned Units were able to “reflect on the needs of the victims, be insistent in dealing with the reports, educate the victims about the Domestic Violence Legislation Act and inform them of the options they have, such as restraining orders and prosecution by law.”

Mr. Morris stressed, however, that though there has been an increase in the reportage of the crime, more has to be done, and noted that "for January of this year, 20 cases have already been reported.”

Mr. Morris said that very few of these were first-time cases, and that he believes many of the people who actually come forward have in fact been abused not once or twice, but maybe more. “I believe that any victim of domestic violence is in fact a repeat case,” he said.

He reported that men also have been coming forward, in "double figures”, Mr. Morris said. Although in the minority, he said, many men have difficulties in coming forward since they are expected to exhibit the “macho stereotypical behaviour.”

"Every section of society is affected," he said."It’s not based on religion, ethnicity, nationality or status. People have a misconception that the more affluent you are, the better prepared or better able you are to deal with relationships.”

In their effort to continue encouraging abuse victims to come forward and report these crimes, Mr. Morris said they have embarked on a number of ways to help get the message across; mainly through education in schools and through members in the health sector, teachers and social workers.

He added that the Units have enlisted the help of 16 volunteers who will listen to the victim and give the Units feedback on the issues and problems they are encountering.

The reason for having these volunteers, Mr. Morris said, “is because most of the victims do not feel comfortable speaking directly to the Police.”

He said that this year the Units “will start a process of zero tolerance towards domestic violence.”

Pic in New Folder: Paul Morris

Lookout PTA Workshops To Aim at Parenting Skills

Parents and teachers from the Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) of Lookout Nursery and Primary Schools and the St. John’s Daycare Center are to benefit from a series of workshops, which will focus on positive parenting skills.

This program, called the Parent Educators Group (PEG), is organised by the Community Services Department.

Community Development Officer Bernadine Collins said, “The main objectives of the workshops, are to improve existing family relationships, reducing behavioral problems in the children, and stabilizing the various family structures in the wider community.”

Miss Collins explained that out of these workshops the PEG hopes to achieve a number of goals, including the formation of a parent organization which will form the umbrella for planning, organizing, implementing and supervising activities and programs related to parenting; formation of Parent Support groups and counseling for parents and children with behavioral problems.

Miss Collins said other social groups can benefit from the workshops, once a request has been made to the PEG.

Twenty professionals and non-professionals drawn from the local community will act as facilitators for the workshops.

Pic in New folder: Bernadine Collins 1

Scanned Pic: Group Facilitators

REGIONAL NEWS

Caribbean Star Looks to St. Kitts In EC$2-billion Stimulus Package

St. Kitts (CMC) -- The Antigua-based Caribbean Star airline is to relocate its headquarters to St. Kitts as part of an EC$2-billion (US$1.48-billion) investment programme aimed at stimulating the regional economy, Allen Stanford, business tycoon and Chairman of the Stanford Financial Group, announced late Tuesday.
St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas later told reporters after a meeting with a Stanford-led delegation that the plans calls for the establishment of a number of projects.
These include: Stanford Caribbean Financial Group Services; relocation of Caribbean Star; redevelopment of the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport; establishment of a Fixed Base Operation (FBO) at the airport to handle private jets, and creation of a subsidiary of the Caribbean Sun newspaper in St. Kitts.
Mr. Stanford told reporters the relocation of the head office of Caribbean Star would begin within 90 days and that construction of the EC$25-million (US$9.6-million) new head office building will also start within 180 days.
"Initially, the economic impact over the next 18 months will be in excess of EC$30 million (US$11.1 million) investment into St. Kitts," he said.
Mr. Stanford was full of praise for the St. Kitts-Nevis leader whom he said had "exhibited tremendous leadership."
"I have talked to a lot of people in the political arena before. This man has great vision, has great understanding of business, is a tough negotiator and sees the tremendous benefits this is bringing to the citizens that call St. Kitts and Nevis home," Mr. Stanford said.
He said the Stanford Caribbean Investment Fund would have EC$1.7 billion (US$950 million) in cash with a EC$300-million (US$111-million) non-cash commitment by regional governments "to bring a total to $2 billion of investments stimuli to the region."

CARICOM Meets Threat To New EU Sugar Regime

Guyana (CMC) -- The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries will draft a strategy to counter the Australia-Brazil challenge to the European Union (EU) sugar regime beneficial to economies of many regional states, an official CARICOM statement has said.
It said that technical studies and intensified lobbying would also be employed to blunt the test raised by the two large sugar-producing countries.
"In this context Ministers endorsed CARICOM's participation in the ACP Ministerial lobbying mission to Brazil to be undertaken by Ministers comprising the Enlarged Bureau of the ACP sugar group consisting of Mauritius, Fiji, Guyana and Swaziland on February 7, 2003," the statement, issued at the end of the Fourteenth Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), said.
The statement said that "if the challenge succeeds at the level of the global World Trade Organisation (WTO) that "would be disastrous for CARICOM Countries whose economies depend vitally on their sugar industries."
The COTED meeting stressed that the threat to the EU Sugar Arrangement would have a devastating impact on the social and economic situation within the region given "the inextricable link between these arrangements and the Sugar Protocol and the Special Preferential Sugar Arrangement (SPS) in terms of price and market access."
The Sugar Protocol is a preferential agreement of indefinite duration under which CARICOM and other African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries export sugar to the EU at guaranteed prices.
The Special Preferential Sugar Agreement introduced by the EU in 2001, allows the importation of additional quantities of ACP sugar at a price below the sugar protocol price, but above the world market price.
The Caribbean Ministers said that while CARICOM sugar producing countries produced less than 750,000 tons of sugar per year, and, together with the rest of the ACP producers, represented less than 5 percent of the world market, the disgruntled Brazil and Australia "produced more than 22,000,000 and 4,500,000 tons of sugar respectively."
The regional Ministers emphasised that CARICOM posed no threat to the trade interests of Brazil and Australia in sugar.
"Furthermore the role of sugar in the small vulnerable economies of the Region proportionately is of far greater importance than it is in the large more developed and diversified economies of Brazil and Australia."
"Sugar is by far the largest contributor to agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in many CARICOM countries and in some it is the largest contributor to total GDP and the largest single employer of labour," the statement said.

UWI Chancellor Tells Region To 'Speak Out' Against War

Antigua, CMC - The former secretary general of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Sir Shridath Ramphal, has called on Caribbean countries to make known their opposition to any war between the United States and Iraq.
Sir Shridath, who is also the Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), said that regional leaders need to "speak out" and insist that "war is not the way."
Sir Shridath is visiting a number of Caribbean countries as part of a series of lectures entitled " "The Chancellor's Forum."
"We cannot counter the development of war by military means or major diplomatic effort. We must stand up to be counted and be part of the voice of the conscience of the world. Our leaders must speak out. War is not our way," Sir Shridath told a news conference here on Monday
Washington has been seeking support for a military strike against Iraq, whom it accuses of stockpiling weapons of mass destruction.
However United Nations weapons inspectors have not been able to unearth these weapons that Washington and its partners, mainly Britain, insist exist.
Sir Shridath told reporters that because of the effects of globalisation, Caribbean people could not afford to pretend that war in the Middle East would not affect them.
"We saw what 9/11 did. Do not believe that the Americans are sending half a million forces and hundreds and hundreds of weaponry into Iraq for a couple weeks. We are in for the long haul. What will that war environment mean for the tourism industry, on which the Caribbean relies so heavily," he said.
Sir Shridath said he did not believe that regional countries would be bribed by the United States to support an attack on Iraq.

"I do not believe that the leadership in the Caribbean can be silenced in that way. We have not lacked courage in the past. We have spoken out clearly about the Cuban embargo and breaking the embargo against Cuba and we have done so on the basis of principle. I do not believe that they can be cowed into silence," he said.

CARICOM Emphasizes Single Market Deadlines

Guyana (CMC) -- The Caribbean Community's (CARICOM) Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) has urged member states to adhere to the various deadlines for implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
The Council, which ended its 14th meeting here last weekend, urged the Caribbean countries to accelerate the implementation of the key elements of the CSME.
An official statement issued here on Tuesday said that the meeting recognised that some member states, "were unable to implement decisions due to limited human resources and agreed on steps to assist those who were affected by this limitation."
"The affected member states were requested to identify their difficulties and the technical assistance required to overcome them and indicate to the CARICOM Secretariat and its CSME Unit in Barbados which has overall responsibility for overseeing implementation of the CSME," the statement said.
It said that the Secretariat, with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has also established a Legal Drafting Facility here to assist the Caribbean Attorneys-General Chambers with the drafting of the necessary legislation for the implementation of the CSME.
Trinidad and Tobago has offered to help other Caribbean states by providing technical assistance in areas requested, the statement added.
 During the COTED meeting, regional countries were urged to submit their offers on market access in the areas of agriculture, services, investment and government procurement, the statement said.
"Within the ACP-EU arrangements, the Council took note of the need to begin preparations for negotiations of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union," the statement added.
The EPAs are a feature of the Cotonou Agreement, which governs relations between Europe and the countries of the African Caribbean Pacific Group, which are principally former colonies of the European countries.

PM Lester Bird Opposes Unilateral War on Iraq

Antigua (CMC) -- Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Lester Bird said Tuesday that he does not support any unilateral strike on Iraq by the United States.
"I firmly feel that such a move ought to be approved by the United Nations, as such a conflict will have a far reaching effect on the world as a whole, especially the small economies of the Caribbean," Mr. Bird said.
His views echoed those of his Jamaica counterpart, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, who has also called on Washington to solve the conflict without bloodshed.
President George Bush has accused Iraq of not disclosing the whereabouts of its weapons of mass destruction, even though an investigation by the United Nations weapon inspectors has failed to prove otherwise.
Mr. Bird said the matter would undoubtedly be a topic to be discussed when the CARICOM Heads of Government gather in Trinidad next week for the 14^th Inter-Sessional Meeting, which takes place on February 14-15.
A special two-day meeting on "Alternative Forms of Regional Government" will precede the Inter-Sessional.

Two Reporters Dropped From Antigua PM's Suit

Antigua (CMC) -- Two journalists who were being sued by Prime Minister Lester Bird in connection with video taped allegations made against him have had all charges against them dropped, according to Mr. Bird's attorney John Fuller.
However, in an effort to clear his name, the Prime Minister is expected to continue legal proceedings against a 15-year-old girl at the center of the allegations, the Antigua Observer media group, which employed the journalists and produced the tape, as well as the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) for showing the tape at public meetings.
Legal sources say the Prime Minister may also call Barbadian broadcaster Julius Gittens and Canadian-born newspaper reporter Bettye J. Reed-Aitken as witnesses, after withdrawing the suits brought against them.
With a preliminary hearing into the matter now adjourned until February 7, Mr. Bird's legal team is expected to continue to cross examination of Mr. Gittens and Ms. Reed-Aitken, who is currently overseas.
In his lawsuit filed last May, Mr. Bird had accused both of conducting the interview with the minor without the presence of the minor's mother or guardian.
Mr. Gittens the decision to drop the charges against him and Ms. Reed-Aitken was vindication of their "efforts as professional journalists seeking to do our duty under very trying circumstances."
He said the media had an independent responsibility "in the detection of high crimes and misdemeanours and other infractions of the law".
Last October, a government-ordered probe cleared Mr. Bird of any wrongdoing, but the report said charges could be levelled against his brother Ivor Bird  for having an inappropriate relationship with the girl at the centre of the scandal.
To date, no charges have been brought against Ivor Bird.
The whereabouts of girl, who said she was born in Suriname on May 15, 1987. and carries a Guyanese passport, are also unclear. 

Regional Bank Officials At ECCB Statistics Seminar

 St. Kitts, CMC -- Representatives from Caribbean Community (CARICOM) central banks and officials from the Ministry of Finance from the sub-regional Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are taking part in a three-week seminar on monetary and financial statistics that  began here on Monday of this week.

Sir Dwight Venner, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), reminded the delegates of the need to understand the tools required to respond to the new financial services and markets. He called for an awareness of the importance of monetary and financial statistics at the levels of Central Governments, the private sector and the public at large.
Sir Dwight said he was thankful for the support given by the international community to the region's efforts at developing financially literate communities.
The seminar, sponsored by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Centre for Latin American Monetary Studies (CEMLA), will run until February 21.

St. Lucia PM Anthony Hails New Eastern Press Council

Compiled from dispatches

St. Lucia, CMC - St. Lucia's Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony believes journalists are public figures and as such, like regional politicians, must be held accountable.
He made the statement while addressing the recent launch here of the Eastern Caribbean Press Council (ECPC), involving 14 newspapers in the Eastern Caribbean and Barbados which have pledged to uphold ethical standards in regional journalism.

Signatories to the Charter, indicating their pledge to uphold the Code of Professional Practice, acted on behalf of newspapers in Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St.Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and St. Kitts and Nevis.

The member publications are: Antigua Sun, Anguillan, Advocate and Nation (Barbados); Chronicle and Sun (Dominica); Informer, Grenadian Voice and Grenada Today (Grenada); The Montserrat Reporter; Observer (St Kitts-Nevis), Mirror and Voice (St. Lucia) and Searchlight (St.Vincent).

Three other newspapers have also indicated their interest to be part of the ECPC's mission to foster and maintain ethical standards in regional journalism.

The St. Lucian leader called on the new body to assist in reducing the temptation to haul media practitioners before the court for making defamatory statements.
"The Press cannot crucify or behave as if they are without sin when some of them are guilty of breaching - personally and otherwise - the same standards they vociferously condemn," he told the gathering for the official launch in Castries.
"If the objectives of the ECPC are met, then it might help to reduce the temptation to haul media practitioners before the court for defamatory
statements," he added.
The St. Lucian leader hailed the ECPC as "a giant step towards shaping ethical standards".
"When defined, ethical practices are adhered to everyone benefits - owners and editors of the particular media enterprise, practitioners of journalism, consumers of information, or the reading, viewing and listening public, if you prefer." he told the gathering.
He called, however, for the ECPC to broaden its mandate to include the electronic media in the sub-region and throughout the Caribbean Community.
The seven-member Council, which will be based in Barbados, will be headed by retired Barbadian High Court judge Lady Marie Simmons and includes executive officer, Ainsley Sahai.
The three-man management committee chaired by President of the Barbados Nation newspaper, Harold Hoyte, also includes noted regional journalist Rickey Singh and Leslie Pierre, managing editor of the Grenada Voice.
Lady Marie praised the initiative, and promised to ensure that the Council would operate fairly despite what she called "contradictory roles," given in its mandate to protect press freedom while at the same time condemning malpractice.
"I would like to imbue it with qualities of authority, independence and impartiality." she said.

CARICOM Negotiators Face New Trade Issues

Jamaica (CMC) -- The former chief technical adviser of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery, Sir Alister McIntyre, currently chairman of the East Caribbean Currency Bank Tax Reform and Administration Commission, has said that CARICOM trade negotiators would have to think in broad terms in order to achieve what was best for the region.
"CARICOM negotiators have to think in three, possibly four dimensional terms, as they approach the overall structure and individual items of the post-Cotonou arrangements," he said in reference to a host of trade discussions now engaging the regional community.
The Cotonou Agreement, which was negotiated in 2000, governs the trade relations between Europe and the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. As the successor to four previous Lome agreements, the Cotonou Accord is due to come into effect in 2008.
Speaking at a workshop here, Sir Alister said that for the first time, negotiations with Europe were taking place concurrently with other trade talks.
The various negotiations, which focus on areas of special interest to developing countries, will come up for Ministerial decision in September of this year.
In addition, there are bilateral negotiations taking place on a new agreement with Canada.
Sir Alister noted that up to now, the principal areas of interest in CARICOM 's relations with Europe, had centred on safeguarding the preferential position of the region's major traditional exports, such as banana, sugar, rum and rice, as well as development assistance.
But he said that while the situation with regard to future preferences for these commodities was now well known, they would "continue to represent a major and integral part of our current and future trade relations with Europe."

PM Douglas Applauds New CIC Headquarters

St. Kitts – The substantial investment by the St. Kitts-Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce to acquire its own headquarters was called by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Denzil L. Douglas a symbol of the private sector’s faith, hope and confidence in the future of the twin-island Federation.

He was delivering the feature address at the official opening of the Chamber’s new headquarters.

Dr. Douglas said it was this spirit of optimism among private sector entities, including small and large businesses, that has propelled “our economy and has converted the opportunities created by sensible Government policy into real economic growth even in periods of global maladies and natural disasters of unprecedented frequency.”

He said businesses in St. Kitts and Nevis must begin to recognise that the adversary is not the business across the street, but the huge array of enterprises all over the globe that are bombarding our shores with competitive products that you yourselves are commercialising.

In congratulating the 54-year-old private sector body on the opening of its new headquarters, Prime Minister Douglas said he hoped that the occupancy of new, improved, and enlarged quarters signals the intention of the Chamber to become even more inclusive and to play an expanded role in promoting the interest of businesses and of the society at large.

He again gave the assurance that his Government will continue to welcome the representatives of the Chamber within the corridors of economic and social policy decision-making and to engage them, along with other social and economic partners, in a constructive dialogue.

St. Lucians Plan Protest Of C&W Rate Increases

CASTRIES, St. Lucia (CMC) -- Public protest against increases in telephone rates to consumers here were being planned on Tuesday, as interest groups in St. Lucia condemned what they described as the "predatory instincts" of the British telecommunications company, Cable & Wireless.
The National Consumer Association (NCA) said it plans to stage street demonstrations from next week to protest the new price increase that becomes effective from March 14, this year.
NCA President Andrew Antoine said his organisation is now holding meetings with other organizations to solicit their support for the march.
He said his organisation is concerned that the new rates, which the telecommunications company had published in the local media, were being introduced contrary to an existing agreement between Cable & Wireless and member states of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL).
"According to our information both parties agreed that in the intervening period between May 2002 and March 1, 2003, the two parties would negotiate price caps to determine the new rate regime for increases in telecommunication services," he said.
However, Mr. Antoine said that by advertising those rates, Cable & Wireless was telling consumers here that irrespective of what rates are negotiated with ECTEL,  "these are the rates St. Lucians will be required to pay."
An ECTEL statement at the weekend noted that Cable & Wireless had made the application for increase rates under the May 2002 agreement between the OECS Heads and the company.
The agreement calls for application to be made before the National Telecommunications Rates Committee within the required 30-day time frame prior to the expiration of the interim nine-month agreement.
The Ministers advised that work was ongoing on a price cap regime that would determine prices of telecommunications services.
Cable & Wireless last week announced increases in the domestic rates and a reduction in international rates to Canada, the United States and Britain. 

IDB Governors To meet in Italy

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CMC) -- Policies and programmes geared towards promoting the development of Latin America and the Caribbean will be discussed at the 44^th annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the Inter-America Development Bank (IDB) to be held in Italy, in March.
The March 24-26 meeting will also review the Bank's Annual Report, an official statement said on Monday.
The IDB meeting will coincide with the 18th annual meeting of the Inter-American Investment Corporation, a member of the IDB Group that supports small and medium-sized businesses with loans and investments.
Speaking at a news conference in Rome on Monday, IDB President Enrique V. Iglesias and Italy's Vice Minister of Economy and Finance Mario Bandasarri said among the issues to be discussed at the IDB Board of Governors' meeting, are ways to deal with the economic and financial crisis suffered by many countries of Latin America and the Caribbean last year.
The meeting will also discuss efforts to resume economic growth, new lending instruments, integration, technology, business competitiveness and poverty reduction in these countries.
Founded in 1959, the IDB is now the leading source of multilateral development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean. The Board of Governors is the bank's top policymaking body.
According to figures released here, the bank has approved loans totaling more than US$117 billion as of January 1, 2003, supporting projects with a total cost of US$281 billion.

New multi-million dollar hospital for St. Kitts

ST. Kitts, CMC -St. Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister, Dr. Denzil Douglas, has reiterated the need for regional unity to deal with the changing global environment.
Addressing the opening ceremony of a new EC 42 million dollar (US20 million dollars) hospital here, Douglas said that many countries including those in the Caribbean were joining forces to deal with the new environment and secure continued socio-economic development for their citizens.
 "The pattern is increasingly emerging. More countries are joining forces in dealing with global issues of health, trade and development. It is recognised that concerted effort through collaboration is more likely to result in greater benefits and faster responses to issues that especially impact small island developing countries like ours," he said.
He added that as individual countries and as a Caribbean Community, "we will continue to make our voices heard in the United Nations, and will continue to forge essential links whenever necessary that would redound to the benefit of our people."
The new state-of-the-art Joseph N. France General Hospital was funded by the European Union, the United States Government, the World Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank, the French Government, as well as a local business conglomerate, the Rams Group of Companies.
Among those attending the opening ceremony were delegates from Saba, St. Eustatius, Anguilla and Antigua.
A government statement said that the Governments of Saba and St. Eustatius have expressed an interest in signing agreements for their nationals to get specialised treatment and care at the new hospital.

CHA's Marketplace 2003 Reported a Huge Success

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- According to participating Buyers and Suppliers, the recently concluded Caribbean Marketplace 2003 was the Best and Most Productive MP they have attended.  

“I have seen more interested Buyers this morning than I did in all Marketplace 2002,” was a typical comment from suppliers interviewed on site to gauge delegate satisfaction.  According to the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), the event reflected a significant 12-percent increase in buyer participation, with the United Kingdom, the United States, and Germany registering the most significant increases in buyers.   Over 2000 more appointments were scheduled in the appointment run.

Suppliers were particularly happy with the number of appointments that had been scheduled, the authority level of the Buyers and Suppliers, and the lack of cancellations.  Meanwhile, Buyers stated that the Caribbean is a viable long haul destination from the USA and Europe.  “We are genuinely grateful to CHA’s partners and hosts of the event – the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, the city of San Juan, and the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association – who came to the table and helped produced a truly first-class event,” said CHA Director General Alec Sanguinetti. 

Trinidad Government says it will not interfere in BWIA plans

Trinidad, CMC - The Trinidad and Tobago Government says it has no intention of intervening in the restructuring plans of the financially strapped airline, BWIA, even as retrenched workers on Thursday participated in demonstrations outside the office of Prime Minister Patrick Manning.
Manning told reporters at the end of the weekly cabinet meeting on Thursday afternoon that he would not allow his administration to be drawn into the issue, that he has deemed was being made a political issue.
 "There are majority shareholders in that company who would be even more involved in the determination of the direction of the company," Manning said.
BWIA last month retrenched an estimated 617 workers as part of the new business plan it has instituted in an attempt to overturn millions of dollars in lost revenue last year and to make the airline, which was privatised in1995 more competitive.
But the workers, who were able to present the Prime Minister's office with a document outlining new strategies to deal with the airline finances, want the Manning administration to intervene in the operations of the airline.
They have also been calling for the dismissal of the chairman, Lawrence Duprey and chief executive officer, Conrad Aleong.
The Trinidad and Tobago Government owns 33.5 percent shares in the airline, but Manning told reporters that to avoid undermining accepted industrial practices, his administration would attempt to stay out of the dispute between the unions and management of the airline over the retrenchment.
"What is not acceptable is an attempt to move away from normal industrial practice in the country and to make it a political issue, whereby the Government finds itself negotiating with the workers of the company," he said.
"The Government is determined to resist that," Manning added.
The unions say the documents presented to the Prime minister on Thursday calls for the formation of a Technical Committee comprising Government and unions in order to formulate an alternative plan to the airline's new business model.
"We are asking him to meet with us, to hear our side and basically to set up a committee so that we can talk about BWIA and the services that BWIA can offer and still continue to maintain all the workers or most of the workers and not necessarily farm out all the work and get rid of everybody," Jagdeo Jagroop, president of the Communication, Transport and General Workers Union, told reporters on Thursday.

Trinidad Police investigating siege of newspaper offices

Trinidad, CMC -Trinidad and Tobago Police were on Friday continuing their investigations into the siege of a weekly newspaper by four Muslims, including the controversial leader of a little known group, that has been linked to possible terrorist threats against British and United States interest here.
olice and army officials stormed the offices of the "Mirror" newspaper late on Thursday, after the four men had held staff members hostage, while demanding a retraction for a front-page story.
The men, including Umar Abdullah, the leader of the relatively unknown Waajihatal Islamiyyah group, which gained some level of notoriety after the media here reported threats to British and United States interest, should Washington decide to attack Iraq.
The group had claimed that its members had amassed weapons and was involved in secret military training in several locations throughout the country.
Abdullah was described by newspaper reports last December as a "South-based radical Muslim" who wanted to establish an Islamic state here. He publishes a monthly newsletter that condemns US and British activities in the Middle East, Afghanistan and other parts of the Muslim world.
Staffers at the newspaper said that the men were demanding to speak with someone in authority, insisting that the front-page article in this weekend' s publication under the headline "Terrorist gets sound cutarse" was untrue.
 The article said that Abdullah had been beaten by four armed men in a rural village earlier this week.
"When I told him there was no one who authorise the retraction, the man ordered two of his men to guard the doors of the offices and announced that no one would be allowed to leave, unless a letter was drafted and signed by Mirror bosses authorising the retraction," senior writer Samuel McKnight told reporters.
McKnight, who is also an executive member of the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) said that one of the workers managed to alert the police, who within minutes were on the scene, together with members of the Defence Force.
The four men were searched and police said no weapons had been found in their possession. No charges have yet been laid against the four men.
"It was a scary situation," a Mirror journalist later told reporters.

Grenada opposition party calls for answers in Iraqi scandal

Grenada, CMC -The opposition People's Labour Movement (PLM) on Thursday called on the Grenada Government to inform the country how seven Iraqi nationals came into the possession of passports from this country.
PLM's external affairs spokesman and public relations officer, Wayne Francis, said the recent disclosure that the seven Iraqis had been denied entry into Barbados was "yet another embarrassment for the people of Grenada under the (ruling New National Party) NNP Administration."
Francis said that Prime Minister Dr. Keith Micthell, who is also the Minister for National Security ", must now address the people of Grenada and explain to all of us how the Iraqis became holders of Grenadian passports, especially as there is so much tension and possible war between Iraq and the United States."
Earlier this week, the Grenada authorities issued a statement, denying that the seven members of an Iraqi family were a threat to national security.
The statement, issued by the Office of the Grenada Prime Minister, said that the seven members of the Metika Stepho family had been granted Economic Citizenship by Grenada in 2001 and that they were of any "threat to national security in any way."
The statement reiterated Grenada's commitment to assist in the fight against terrorism in any way we can."
But the PLM said that "for a few or many more dollars, the NNP has sold our passports even after September 11th," and that " it seems that NNP are hell bent on causing Grenadians, who genuinely want to travel to the United States more problems with the US Administration."
It said that because of the same Economic Citizenship programme, Canada last year imposed Visa restrictions on Grenadians.
"We in the PLM feel that this is a genuine reason for the Prime Minister and Minister for National Security to address the Nation on this whole matter.
NNP must come clean and let us know whom they have sold our passports to, how much was paid for them and a reason why these people were sold our passports," Francis said. 

Grenada Celebrates 29^th Independence Anniversary

 Thousands of Grenadians converged at the National Stadium, on Friday for a National Military Parade and Rally, on the occasion of the country’s 29^th Independence Anniversary.

On what was an auspicious ceremony attended by many high level dignitaries, at home and abroad, much pomp and flair were added to the flamboyance and precision drills of the armed military personnel and other uniformed groups.

Addressing the gathering Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Keith Mitchell called on the Nation to spend this day reflecting on the strides the country has made in the past seven years.

He spoke of his Government’s policy of introducing modern technology throughout the entire social and economic landscape as the right decision and the catalyst towards a prosperous future.

Dr. Mitchell stated that the vision for Grenada’s advancement was a clear direction to improve the livelihood of all citizens when he embarked on a drive to improve the Nation’s road network, computerize schools, stimulate organic production in agriculture, improve health care with the building of a new hospital, organize a programme of job-training for young people, and support the liberalization of the telecom sector, among other initiatives.

He is also of the view that the World is noticing the country’s progress, as his Government moves aggressively to develop human resources.

In his words, “this Nation is undergoing transformation with respect to the provision of educational opportunities, our productive capabilities, our infrastructure, the enhancement of social services and our economic performance.”

He believes that the transformation is indicative to the Nation’s resolve of promoting economic growth through private sector investment and human development, which encompassed the theme for the celebration this year.

Grenada attained Independence from Britain on 7^th February 1974. 

Cable TV Expresses Frustration With Cable & Wireless, Files Complaint With Regulatory Body

ST. KITTS - After months of delay, refusal and frustration of its efforts to obtain interconnection with the network of Cable and Wireless as mandated by section 28 – 31 of the Telecommunications Act, 2000, The Cable has filed a complaint with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission against Cable & Wireless (St. Kitts and Nevis) Ltd.

 “The net effect of the frustration of The Cable’s attempts to interconnect is that it deprives citizens of the Federation of the ability to choose their provider for international telephone service,” The Cable said in a statement on Friday afternoon.

 The local company said it views the actions of Cable and Wireless, in relation to its efforts to enter into an interconnection agreement, “as a major impediment to the speedy liberalisation of the telecommunications sector in our Federation.”

 The Cable TV company said it will continue to work through the relevant regulatory mechanisms to secure the early execution of an appropriate interconnection agreement and to give the people of St. Kitts and Nevis “the ability to choose their telecommunications provider.”

 The action by The Cable, which has been granted a license to provide a telephone service, comes two days after Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Telecommunications, the Hon. Sam Condor said rate increases announced by the communications giant undermines the regulatory machinery put in place to facilitate the process of liberalising the telecommunications sector.”

CARICOM Emphasizes Single Market Deadlines

Guyana (CMC) -- The Caribbean Community's (CARICOM) Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) has urged member states to adhere to the various deadlines for implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
The Council, which ended its 14th meeting here last weekend, urged the Caribbean countries to accelerate the implementation of the key elements of the CSME.
An official statement issued here on Tuesday said that the meeting recognised that some member states, "were unable to implement decisions due to limited human resources and agreed on steps to assist those who were affected by this limitation."
"The affected member states were requested to identify their difficulties and the technical assistance required to overcome them and indicate to the CARICOM Secretariat and its CSME Unit in Barbados which has overall responsibility for overseeing implementation of the CSME," the statement said.
It said that the Secretariat, with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has also established a Legal Drafting Facility here to assist the Caribbean Attorneys-General Chambers with the drafting of the necessary legislation for the implementation of the CSME.
Trinidad and Tobago has offered to help other Caribbean states by providing technical assistance in areas requested, the statement added.
 During the COTED meeting, regional countries were urged to submit their offers on market access in the areas of agriculture, services, investment and government procurement, the statement said.
"Within the ACP-EU arrangements, the Council took note of the need to begin preparations for negotiations of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union," the statement added.
The EPAs are a feature of the Cotonou Agreement, which governs relations between Europe and the countries of the African Caribbean Pacific Group, which are principally former colonies of the European countries.
 

Caribbean Development Bank And Secretariat Sign Mou

The Commonwealth Secretariat and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on future collaboration between the two organisations. The agreement was signed by Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon and CDB President Professor Compton Bourne on 31 January 2003 at Marlborough House, the Secretariat's headquarters in London.

Areas covered by the MOU include: programmes for strengthening investment policy within member countries; measures to make Caribbean countries more attractive to foreign direct investment; export development, regional integration and co-operation; and co-operation in the context of regional and multilateral trade negotiations.

After the signing, Mr McKinnon said, "The Commonwealth Secretariat is committed to promoting and protecting the interests of small states, which make up more than half of the Commonwealth's membership. Given the kind of work the CDB is doing in the Caribbean region, it is only logical that we should collaborate. This MOU will helpfully serve to formalise the already solid working relationship we have with the CDB."

Professor Bourne said, "The MOU covers a broad range of possible collaboration between the CDB and the Commonwealth Secretariat through the sharing of experience and expertise in various areas. This could include projects in public and corporate governance, such as harmonising institutional and regulatory frameworks to improve the functioning of commercial relationships between the state, citizens and the corporate sector, and introducing a participatory element into policy decision-making.

"Another area in which we can collaborate is the upgrading of industrial estates and parks into technology parks, moving away from traditional manufacturing towards information and communications technology. The next step will be to work with the staff of both organisations to identify specific projects for implementation to complement those on which we are already collaborating."

Angela Strachan, Chief Programme Officer with the Secretariat's Special Advisory Services Division, said, "Through the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation, the Secretariat is assisting a number of member countries in the Caribbean in such areas as trade and investment promotion, export development, and economic diversification. This MOU will enable a productive sharing of
information and best practice, both on some existing projects and on new projects soon to be developed."

Grenada and Illegal Fishing

The Government of Grenada is establishing improved procedures to deal more aggressively with foreign boats engaged in illegal fishing in Grenada's Fisheries Waters.
The decision to intensify surveillance and other protective measures with respect to Grenada's marine resources, was taken this morning (Thursday, February 6) during a meeting with Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, Minister of Fisheries Claris Charles and representatives of the Fisheries Department, Customs and Immigration Department, the Coast Guard and President of the Southern Fisherman Association Inc. James Nicholas. It was agreed that whenever a foreign boat arrives for clearance at Customs and Immigration that the Fisheries Department would be immediately notified.
It was also agreed that steps will be taken to ensure Grenadian fishermen adhere to all safety regulations and have the required safety equipment on board.
Mr. Nicholas said his Association will continue to educate its members, but there is need for a strong, operational national fishermens' association to ensure that fishermen from all parishes cooperate with respect to safety requirements. 

Deputy Says Increases Announced By Cable & Wireless Undermine Regulatory Machinery

ST. KITTS – Recent increases announced by Cable & Wireless (St. Kitts and Nevis) Ltd undermine the regulatory machinery put in place to facilitate the process of liberalising the telecommunications sector, St. Kitts and Nevis Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of  Telecommunications, the Hon. Sam Condor said Tuesday.

 “The actions by Cable & Wireless (St. Kitts and Nevis) Ltd in announcing their intentions to increase rates for certain regulated telecommunications services effective March 1^st 2003 are a direct violation of the Agreement signed by members of the OECS Contracting States on May 20^th 2002 as well as the operating licenses I issued as Minister of Telecommunications to Cable and Wireless,” Minister Condor said in a two-page statement.

 He said he views with grave concern Cable & Wireless’ actions and “call upon Cable & Wireless to retract all public statements made in relation to changes in prices for regulated telecommunications services.”

 “All such retractions must be made on radio, television and in all other public media used by Cable & Wireless to convey” increases said the statement.

 Minister Condor said that as Minister of Telecommunications he reserves the “right to use all necessary tools at my disposal to ensure that Cable & Wireless is in full compliance with the terms of the May 20^th Agreement and the terms and conditions of any and all licenses issued to Cable & Wireless in accordance with the Telecommunications Act of 2000.”

 Last week, the giant British company announced increases for local and mobile calls, domestic and residential lines and directory enquires and a decrease in international calls in Dominica, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia. 

PM Douglas Welcomes Establishment Of Us$2 Billion Caribbean Investment Fund

ST. KITTS– St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas has welcomed the proposed US$2 billion dollar investment capital announced for the Caribbean region by the Stanford Caribbean Financial Group.

 Chairman of the Stanford Investment Group, Texan business tycoon Mr. Allen Stanford announced Tuesday the establishment of the Stanford Caribbean Investment Fund to stimulate investment in the region.

 “We hope that with the investment capital that is being brought into St. Kitts and Nevis and into the region by the Stanford Group of Companies there will be investment capital available to do a number of the developmental projects that we have identified for ourselves,” Dr. Douglas told the media on Tuesday.

He called upon nationals of the twin-island Federation to work hard “so that the investors can see the true potential of the Kittitian and Nevisian in this country.”

“With tourism taking a very firm grip in the development of the national economy and with other support economic activities, like what is being proposed by the Stanford Group, a lot of the economic problems would be receding into the background,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He said there are exceptional opportunities for development in St. Kitts and Nevis. “This is a stable country politically. We have a strong Government that has the full support to carry through its mandate from the people of this country. I hope that I will be able to renew that support and that mandate when the time comes,” said Prime Minister Douglas in response to media questions.

“The Government is open, transparent in doing business with developers, which gives an account to the people of this country for its actions it takes on behalf of the people of this country and because of our openness in doing business that also is an attraction to investors,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

“The country is clean, beautiful, naturally beautiful (and) holds a very high place in the destinations among the world and our people are highly educated boasting a 99 percent literacy rate,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He complimented the Federal Negotiating Team which comprised of Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hon. Dwyer Astaphan; Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Hon. Delano Bart; Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Cooperatives, Lands and Housing, Hon. Cedric Liburd and the Financial Secretary, Mr. Wendell Lawrence.

“I want to thank all these men publicly for their invaluable service that they have provided in bringing this particular negotiations though long, protracted and difficult to an end,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

Photo: St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas (l) and Texas billionaire Allen Stanford at Press Conference.

Saba Police to Escort Oversize Bucket Truck

THE BOTTOM, Saba (SGIS) – Local Chief of Police Lt. Governor Antoine Solagnier told the Saba Government Information Service (SGIS) that the police will escort the Gebe bucket truck wherever it is carrying out work assignments on the island.

Chief Solagnier said that the bucket truck is large for the island’s roads, so that motorist will have to exercise caution when driving.  The measure being taken is a preventative one to assure safety on the public road. 

Panday Shrugs Off Calls To Quit as UNC Leader

Trinidad (CMC) -- Basdeo Panday, leader of the main opposition United  National Congress (UNC), has dismissed a weekend poll that indicated  the majority of his own supporters wanted him to step down as leader of the party.
The poll, conducted by the New York-based, North American Caribbean Teachers
Association (NACTA) in mid-January, found that as much as 61 percent of UNC supporters were of the view that Mr. Panday, who served as Prime Minister here from 1995-2001, should step down following the defeat of the party in last year's general elections.
The pollsters, who solicited the views of 368 persons across the country, said that there was also support for Panday to resign his parliamentary seat.
According to NACTA, 53 percent of those polled said Mr. Panday should step down, while 26 percent said no, with 21 percent having no opinion on the matter.
However among UNC traditional supporters, 61 percent said the former Prime Minister should go, while 23 percent said no, and the remainder having no opinion.
But Mr. Panday, speaking on television here on Sunday, said that the polls represented the "opinions of a few people at a given time."
NACTA has accurately predicted the outcome of general elections in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana in recent years.
"Opinion polls are exactly what I always say they are. They represent the opinion at the time of a majority of people who are interviewed, the very few who are interviewed," he said, adding, "done scientifically it may prove a trend."
Mr. Panday said that while he had signalled to his party after the October general elections that he was prepared to step down, he has had a change of heart and was willing to continue in the post.

Terrorism on Agenda At CARICOM Summit

 Trinidad (CMC) -- Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders will consider the implication for terrorism at the February 14-15 Inter Sessional summit here, according to a specially established regional committee on crime.
The Regional Task Force on Crime and Security met here last week to formulate a number of proposals that would go before the leaders for the deliberations when they meet in Port of Spain later this month.
A statement issued at the end of the two-day meeting did not elaborate on the proposals agreed for submission to the leaders.
"These proposals include the causes and control of crime, illicit drugs linked to crime, border control and its implication for terrorism and illegal firearms," the statement added.
The Regional Task Force on Crime was established in July 2001 by CARICOM leaders to deal with the increased criminal activities across the region that many have blamed on the decision by the United States to repatriate Caribbean-born criminals.
The summit here will be preceded by a one-day consultation on "Options of Governance for Caribbean Regional Integration," on February 13.
Organised by the Trinidad and Tobago Government, the consultation "is envisaged as the start of a process of dialogue between all stakeholders in the Caribbean Regional integration Process."

Edwin Carrington Renews Call for Free Movement

Guyana -- CARICOM’s Secretary-General Edwin Carrington has again called for progress on the implementation of the free movement of skilled and professional workers in the Region, and a more structured relationship between the Council for Trade and Economic development (COTED) and the private sector.
He repeated the call as the 14th Meeting of COTED opened here this week.

Mr. Carrington noted that eight years ago, at the 16th Heads of Government Conference in the very same room, Leaders had decided on the implementation of free movement of university graduates around the Region. That was to be the first step in the free movement of CARICOM nationals.

“Eight years after that first decision and the final adjustment last year, to see this measure enforced by December 31, 2002, we are still awaiting its full implementation,” the Secretary-General lamented.
“This is just one example of our failure to match decision with implementation and promise with practice,” Mr. Carrington said.

One of the challenges of the Region is to establish a qualifying framework that would allow an individual to continue his education at different institutions in a progressive manner.
This would involve the establishment of National and Regional accreditation bodies whose function would be to establish a seamless internationally recognised system of post-secondary and tertiary education.
While the Amended Treaty of Chaguaramas provides for nationals to move around the Region and to provide goods and services, measures to facilitate these provisions are not fully implemented in all Member States.
The free movement of nationals is not limited to professionals, but is structured to include the self-employed who may want to create or manage an economic enterprise in other Member States. However such persons must meet the requirements for establishing businesses in that State. 

SPORTS

Youth Vibration

Presented By Tomeika Jeffrey 

Two Youth Ambassadors Back from Global Seminar

Montserrat's representatives at the Global Youth Network, Alicia Galloway and Jermine Wade, Ambassadors of the Caribbean Youth, have returned from the regional five-day training seminar which was held in Barbados in January.

The seminar theme was needs assessment programme planning, in which they were given first hand experience on visiting families and youths in need.

They were given a chance to interview persons having problems, propose solutions and find sponsors to fund proposals.

An overview on the drug and crime situation in the Caribbean was presented by Flavio Mirella, Regional Representative, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Mr. Salas Hamilton, Public Relations Officer, CARICOM Single Market and Economy.

Discussed Caribbean Youth -- Utilizing the opportunities available through the CARICOM single market and economy.

Other topics included health and family education planning, and the impact of music on drugs and crime.

Mr. Wade said they plan to share what they learned with other members of the Nation Youth Council in Montserrat, so they can assess problems within the community.

MSS Debating Society To Stage Fashion Show

The Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) Debating Society will be hosting a Fashion Show at the Good Life Night Club on February 15, 2003, to raise funds for the Leeward Island Debating Competition, which will be held in St. Kitts from February 26 - March 2.

The show is being organized by Ms. Yasmin White, English Language teacher at MSS, Ms. Cheverlyn Williams-Jarvis, Information Technology teacher at MSS, and members of the Debating Society.

Various lines of fashions will be displayed by members of the debating society and students attending the school. The outfits will be sponsored by the various stores in Montserrat, Len's Boutique, Betty's Fashion, Cassell's design and Arrow's Manshop.

The organisors have confirmed that the Good Life Night Club will offer the show free.

The money raised will be use to fund the cost for their participation in the 2003 Leewards Islands debating competition

Junior Calypso to be Part Of St. Patrick's Day Event

The Montserrat Teacher Union will be hosting the Junior Calypso Competition for St. Patrick's Day celebration on March 16, 2003.

This competition, the fourth of its kind, will feature 13 participants from both Primary and Secondary Level. Participants' singing will center on the theme HIV and AIDS, which will be promoting the Health Promotion Unit.

The competition was organized by Ms. Edith Duberry, principal of the Lookout Primary School, Mrs. Patrica Ryan, teacher at the Montserrat Secondary School and Herman "Cupid" Francis. Practice sessions will begin Saturday. 

FEATURES

Tourism Highlights

TIME CAPSULE

As part of tourism week of activities, which will be held around September/October this year, the Montserrat Tourist Board will be sealing and sinking a time capsule.  The idea of the capsule is to take artifacts representative of this era and seal them in a decay-resistant receptacle to be opened at some future date.

In preparation for this momentous occasion, The Tourist Board met with a wide cross-section of the general public to sensitize them on the idea and to gain feedback and suggestions as to appropriate items to be placed in the capsule.  So far, suggestion boxes have been placed in strategic locations such as the banks, St. Patrick’s Credit Union, Library and the Montserrat National Trust for persons to input their ideas.

Time Capsules are interesting for people of all ages and touch them on a world-wide scale.  These Capsules preserve the salient features of history and can serve as valuable reminders of one generation for another.

The Time Capsule will be buried for a period not exceeding 20 years after which time it will be exhumed. 

Quaternary

The position's no cinch it would seem

So assigning a neophyte's obscene

Vital decisions to make, the man starts to quake

And his wife all the media must screen

A sick headache he gets when confronted

With opinions that differ from his

And his knee jerk reactions to daily distractions

Prove he's far from a mental whiz.

When all has been said, I must further report

That upon this fair country he sits like a wart

One can only conclude, while it may seem quite rude,

That he's clearly the revenge of Claire Short.

A day at the beach should be fun

With sea, warm sand and the sun

But an unseemly sight, like a sheer suit of white

Could spoil it for every one.

Voyager

It Rhymes with Trump

Fifteen for bridge is too few

It takes just one more to make do.

So while it seems funny

You did pay your money,

Suggesting the dummy was you.

                          Cassandra

COMMENTARY

MAN FROM BAKER HILL

"WICKED AWFUL LIES"

Everywhere you go, you hear the myth "that Government can’t run business that the civil servants can’t manage." But what a big Lie!  And the lie is repeated day after day, year after year.  For years you believed it.  I too,  almost believed it. But last week I heard the statement once too often. It was mentioned as the reason why the Little Bay development should be given to members of the Chamber of Commerce to manage. That’s when I began to seriously question the expression.

I asked myself what institutions Government own.  I also asked who manage Government institutions.  And then the myth began to unfold.  It was then that I saw the lie for what it is.  It is just an acceptance of some fool’s opinion; an opinion that has no merit within our Montserratian experiences.

I have not seen any business on Montserrat that is as well run, or is more beneficial, or more efficient than the Montserrat Electricity Services or the Montserrat Port Authority. There’s no business that services the community more fairly than the Montserrat Water Authority or the Social Security Fund.

These institutions are quality employers with dedicated employees.  They provide services and opportunities to the Montserrat community -- service that is consistent and reliable.  Their rates for service are charged equally to the poor and the rich.  And the employees are almost free from fear of moody and despotic bosses.

These semi Government institutions are successful.  They are well managed.  They exist for much more than the profit motive.  And avarice is not the unspoken theme of their mission and vision statements.

In fact, show me any business that can boast of a better success rate or that has existed longer than the Health and Education Departments or the Post Office.

Even consider the Inland Revenue and the Customs Department.  Come on, compare with any local business the performance of the