Rastas Cry Foul After Armed Carrs Bay Raid
Jahlis Enterprise; Ital Cook-shop, located at Carrs Bay
Police officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) raided several premises in Carrs Bay, St. Peters and Salem on Friday afternoon a week ago, searching for the illicit substance cannabis sativa (marijuana).
One of the buildings raided was Jahlis Enterprise; Craft and Ital Cook-shop, located on the main road at Carrs Bay.
The owners, Glasford Corbett and Jahlis Farrell, told The Montserrat Reporter, “About 20 to 25 heavily armed officers barged into our business establishment at around minutes to four, looking for marijuana.”
Miss Farrell said that after thoroughly searching the building and finding nothing, one of the officers forced her to sit on a chair and when she refused, one officer, whom she identified as PC Williams, hit her on the side of her mouth with a gun butt.
“At the time, when the police barge in the building, my pot was on the fire, they tell me to sit on the chair. I refused because I wanted to continue my cooking … they shoved me on the chair, one (officer) even put her foot on my belly,,” Miss Farrell said. She said she went to Dr. Sonia Meade, and is now awaiting a medical report.
A visibly angry Mr. Corbett, who said the same officer threatened him before, added what was worse than the Police not finding anything was that “they did not produce a search warrant before entering the building, until I asked for one.”
Mr. Baptiste Wallace, who was at the cook-shop at the time of the incident, said that he too was abused by the police.
“When I questioned them as to why I was being held without cause, “three officers held on to me and ripped my shirt off and we ended up in a scuffle.”
Police Commissioner John Douglas confirmed to The Montserrat Reporter that the CID team carried out several searches on people and businesses.
He said, “One man, Mr. Rodney Rolle of Carrs Bay, was arrested and charged on two counts for the possession of cannabis sativa.”
Commissioner Douglas said there was no evidence to support claims that the officers got out of control.
Eyewitnesses on the scene said the officers were “armed to the teeth, in bullet proof vests and automatic weapons. In a country like this, nobody down here fighting any war, this is not the right way, they are supposed to be peace officers,” one man said.
Despite the Commissioner's assertion, Member of Parliament Hon. Chedmond Browne documented his first hand view of the incident in a signed letter, addressed to His Excellency Governor Anthony Longrigg and the Honourable Chief Minister John Osborne.
In the letter, which was shown to The Montserrat Reporter, Mr. Browne stated: “There were five police officers armed with loaded semi-automatic rifles held in the ready position, another eight officers armed with pistols displayed in holsters, another armed with a pistol and one with a baton.”
“I saw three female officers hold a resident of Montserrat while another pulled a pistol from its holster and brandished it before re-holstering it…I saw female Police officers forcefully restrain the cook-shop owner (Miss Farrell) and continually harass her even though she was handcuffed.”
“I saw the police in general, using an overwhelming display of force, harass and terrorize Montserratians,” Mr. Browne said.
Mr. Browne also said that the police demanded that two citizens who were filming the incident stop immediately.
Commissioner Douglas explained that whenever police go to do searches for drug-related matters, “authorised firearm officers are issued with weapons.”
He said that "intelligence reports suggested that there was an increase in the use of drugs in that area."
Acting Attorney General Kosala Wijayati said, “according to the police’s version of the story, the woman (Miss Farrell) swallowed something, and the police were trying to get it out of her mouth.” He said that he also had been told that the people in the area created a commotion.
Commissioner Douglas said he is asking for the public’s support, as the use of drugs is prohibited and the police "will do everything to stamp it out.”
The incident provided new fuel to complaints by many Rastafarians about the treatment they get from the Police. They called the incident unfair and complained that they feel constantly targeted by the Police and discriminated against. “The White Paper states that we cannot be discriminated because of our religion and this is exactly what is happening.”
“When the White Paper was made public and was on the air, we were told to accept it, like it or not, and now we have the Commissioner of Police saying they will prosecute those who are found with cannabis sativa,” one eyewitness said.
He said that the Rastafarian community is not protected like ordinary citizens. “This is cultural discrimination; raids are done based on rumors and many times search warrants are not produced until we ask for it.
The police are allowed to do whatever they want to do, as regards to us,” he said.
One eyewitness said the entire police operation may have lasted half an hour.
Miss Jahlis and Mr. Corbett have retained the services of lawyer Mr. David S. Brandt.
CM Lauds CARICOM Aid, Says 'Not Now' on Independence
By B Roach
Chief Minister John Osborne, speaking at the recently
concluded the 14th Inter-Sessional summit that ended in Trinidad last Saturday,
said that Montserrat, devastated by a volcano that began erupting in 1995, was
thankful to the efforts of fellow Caribbean states in the restructuring process.
He said that 15 houses had been built under a CARICOM Housing Scheme to provide
25 houses for Montserratians. "We appreciate what we've got from them," he
added.
He also extended appreciation to the British Government for their assistance in
the rebuilding exercise, adding it would take "a number of years to reach a
satisfactory level of life."
Dependency on Britain
Mr. Osborne said that the volcano eruption had severely
dented hopes of his island becoming an independent state in the near future.
"Unfortunately that has to stop. We are not in a position to talk about self
determination, we are dependent on the British for almost everything," he said.
"Right now the public in Montserrat would not support a move to independence,"
he added.
But he said Montserrat was insisting that it be allowed to "take its rightful
place" within CARICOM, adding, "you can't have a real CARICOM Community with
some of the people outside."
Montserrat, an original signatory to the Treaty of Chaguaramas, establishing the
CARICOM Community, has however to rely on Britain even to sign the revised
treaty, Mr. Osborne said.
He said that size should not be a consideration for treating Montserrat within
the Community, noting Montserratians should be looked upon as "West Indian
people living on an island."
Independence Not Ruled Out
But the Newsday newspaper in Trinidad on Sunday, February 16, headlined, "Osborne: Montserrat not giving up on independence." The article by Clint Chan Tack said, “Montserrat has not abandoned hope of gaining independence from Britain despite the numerous hardships inflicted upon it by the Mount Soufriere volcano.”
It reported CM Osborne as saying, “We have not lost pride to be an independent nation. I have to admit that it’s not the situation that I would like in CARICOM. CARICOM, OECS (Organization of Eastern Caribbean States) nor the British Government should do anything to deny Montserrat its rightful place in the CARICOM community.”
According to the newspaper, Mr. Osborne praised Montserratians who remained on Montserrat. “They are very resilient people. Despite all the difficulties there are people who will not leave Montserrat under any circumstances whatsoever, ” Mr. Osborne was reported to have said.
Mr. Osborne then expressed the opinion that CARICOM “were as prepared as they could be for any natural disaster.”
European Commission Tells Of Major New aid to Region
Barbados will be among several other Caribbean islands to benefit from a 57-million euro (US$60 million) financial aid package being made available under the ninth European Development Fund (EDF).
Ambassador
John Caloghirou, head of the European delegation to Barbados and the Eastern
Caribbean, told regional journalists, (who included Bennette Roach of The
Montserrat Reporter and Herman Sergeant of Radio Montserrat,) of its plans for
the region at a one-day Information Session on Tuesday at PomMarine Hotel in
Barbados.
He said the signing of the agreement would take place in St. Lucia on March 1. It will coincide with a joint ACP/EU Trade Committee meeting at which the European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy will address Caribbean trade ministers.
Mr. Lamy will also speak to members of the private sector and the regional media.
Under the national disbursements of the ninth EDF, 2.4 million euros (US$2.5 million) have been allocated to improve human resource development, particularly tertiary education in Antigua and Barbuda.
Barbados's health sector is in line for 6.5 million euros, while 3.7 million euros will support road development in Dominica.
Grenada’s tourism industry will receive 3.5 million euros for education, while St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will each receive 4.5 million euros for their health sectors.
The Dominican Republic will also benefit as a member of CARIFORUM.
The European Commission is also to sign a new financing agreement for 8 million euros to support sustainable tourism in the Caribbean in the coming weeks.
The European Commission boasts that it is “by far the biggest donor to the Caribbean in terms of grants.”
That is supported by a recent World Bank review which suggested that over 30 percent of the aid to the OECS countries comes via the European Commission.
Montserrat and the other British Overseas Territories are not listed since their aid from or through the Commission is affected by its dependent association with the United Kingdom. Their allocations have to be agreed to and confirmed with and through the British government.
"Idea of Independence for Montserrat Must not be Thoughtlessly Dismissed"
When one considers how long ago it was decreed by the United Nations, to whom everyone now looks to avoid or decree war against Iraq, that all people and States should seek to be independent and free; and how most seek to free themselves from colonial status, it is disappointing to witness the pride with which some of us so readily, boast little or no interest in attaining political independence.
It is not that this issue has not been on the lips and minds of Montserratians. It has been so for at least 20 years now and there was a time early in this time span when, if asked, Montserratians would have responded, yes, but…
Today, and especially more recently, the question is asked of us quite often, but it is perhaps not so much on our minds as our existence and economic livelihood seem to leave us little time to deal with issues as heavy as independence.
Yet if tackled seriously, it is doubtful that most would not agree that independence for Montserrat is more desirable and beneficial. It seems so easy to see the issue purely from an economical point of view only, but it is from that view mostly that the desire for independence should be strongest.
It is this very strong feeling of dependence (on Britain) that is too easily misunderstood --and too easily and glibly expressed -- that needs to be questioned or studied. When it is said that we cannot balance our budget, should we not then ask ourselves, “Who does or who could?”
The answer should cause minds and thoughts to immediately shift into gear and move towards achieving or seriously looking at what the benefits of independence might be. It is doubtful, if this question were seriously put, that the answer would be the same as repeated too often by officials and ministers whose pronouncements are the ones that get published.
The statement: “We are not in a position to talk about self determination, we are dependent on the British for almost everything. . . . Right now the public in Montserrat would not support a move to independence,” needs direction and consultation. We should ask our Chief Minister to seriously seek the guidance of his people, and all Montserratians should be answering this question saying the same thing, not just what we believe but a position that we are all comfortable with.
This acquiescence to sole dependency on Britain is an expression of antiquity and needs revision. That thought should worry the colonial masters, who have offered that they will not try to hinder or get in the way of those who wish it. Expressions of no interest, even at the moment, have to be wrong. It should always be that we are striving towards it rather than not thinking about it at all.
We have said already, aid is what every island in this Caribbean depends on; which of us can survive without it? The problem is, because of our ties we cannot share in much of the aid that flows around us, and in the meantime we have to make do, having to grovel most of the time.
Let us look at the problem more holistically and not just keep shoving the issue under the carpet because it seems the easier way to go. It is more the result of ineptness on the part of some than the desire that we share.
We need only look at most of the British associated islands and see that there is a lot of dusting off that needs to be done. Compare developmentally even those islands still states or dependencies in the Caribbean and we cannot avoid wondering where and how we have all gone wrong.
Down But Not Out – Read: Psalm 88
The peace of God will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus -- Philippians 4:7
The 18th century author Samuel Johnson was noted for his wit, sensitivity, and encyclopedic knowledge. He found solitude depressing, so he often took in the poor and homeless so that he could be surrounded by people. He also confessed that he had a deep fear of dying.
An Encyclopaedia Britannica article, however, speaks of Johnson’s “zest for living.” It characterizes him as “Christian moralist” with a strong conviction of the reality of sin and of the redemption provided through faith in Jesus Christ. It also says that “his faith prevailed,” for when he knew he was dying “he refused to take opiates because he had prayed that he might render his soul to God unclouded.”
The article concludes, “Few men have left finer examples of the art of living than Samuel Johnson.”
I have known many believers with a disposition like that. Most of them went through repeated cycles of joy and gloom. And when they were down, merely quoting Bible verses helped little because they were already aware of them. But they kept living for God and praying, and their faith prevailed. The “peace of God” filled their hearts (Philippians 4:7). That’s good news for all of us, especially for those who go through times of doubt and despair. -- HVL
Wherever darkness grips your soul and you are tempted to despair,
Remember Christ’s unfailing love, and trust His faithful, tender care.
When Life is Filled with Shadows, Face the Sunshine of God’s Love.
Offshore Reader Wants Renewed Discussions
Dear Editor,
I really enjoy the Montseratt Reporter. I left Montserrat when I was 8, now I'm 21. I never really knew anything that was going on in Montserrat except what I heard from others. But this keeps me in tune to what’s going on in the island. It almost feels like I'm there. I got tickled when I was reading one of the articles and I saw my cousin's name (Dione Weekes) mentioned, that was the coolest.
Keep up the good work. But how Long will it be until the discussion forum will be up and active again?
Charles Kirnon Attends PROMALCO Workshop
The Government Information Unit (GIU) in Montserrat, under
the leadership of Keith "Stone" Greaves, reports that Charles Kirnon,
representative of the Small Business Sector in the Programme for the Promotion
of Management-Labour Co-operation (PROMALCO), is attending a workshop for local
Task Force officials in Trinidad this weekend.
The meeting will seek to co-ordinate the activities of PROMALCO for the next
year and provide a networking opportunity for regional Task Force
representatives, according to a press release from the Labor Department in the
Ministry of Education, Health and Community Services.
The PROMALCO Task Force, launched here in Montserrat in October 2002, is the
national focal point for the grouping and is tripartite in nature.
The local task force is made up of representatives from the government, labor
unions, Chamber of Commerce and Industry and non-governmental organizations --
National Development Foundation (NDF) and the local representative of the
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).
Labor Commissioner, Elijah Silcott said the preparatory work for the
Port-of-Spain meeting was finalized at a recent meeting in Jamaica, which he
attended, and involved regional government, labor and private sector officials.
Mr Silcott said the local body is currently looking at a revision of the work
permit policy and also developing a population policy for Montserrat.
Funding for the PROMALCO project has been provided by the United States Labor
Department through the International Labor Organisation (ILO) Caribbean Office
based in Trinidad and Tobago.
PROMALCO is initially a two-year project, which started on 1 January 2001. It
is expected, however, that an extension of the programme by, at least, another
two years will be approved.
Early Childhood Development Unit Planned by Local Group
Plans for the establishment of a local Early Childhood Development Association are steadily moving ahead.
Local
educator Lady Eudora Fergus, one of the key persons responsible for the
establishment of the local arm of the regional body, spoke to The Montserrat
Reporter about the Association.
She explained that it was formed as a result of a meeting held between the Ministry of Education and other interested community leaders, where they identified the need for having an organization that would concentrate on children from birth to age 8, the age group defined internationally as early childhood.
Lady Fergus emphasised that an Association of this nature would have many positive effects on our children.
She highlighted the fact that research findings have shown that attention given to children in this age group is more effective, as the benefits are longer lasting, and a collective effort by those interested in serving children are greater than when it is done separately.
She said that most importantly, a Montserrat Early Childhood Association (MECA), would benefit from membership in the Caribbean Early Childhood Association (CESA).
“Presently Montserrat is not entitled to contributions which are given by international financial institutions such as the Inter American Bank (IDB), because it is a British Dependent Territory,” she said.
She explained that as a member of CEDA, “ Montserrat would be able to get more information for research, additional funding and resources, which on its own, it would not get.”
Among the objectives of the MECA are: Promoting the total development of all children; assisting parents to acquire effective parenting skills; encouraging high standards at early childhood centers; facilitating improvements in the professional practice and working conditions of early childhood educators; becoming an advocate group; improving public understanding support and funding for high quality programs in homes and in all centers and organizations that serve children and their families, and building and maintaining links with regional and international associations which serve children.
The Planning Committee for the formation of the MECA are: Violet Browne, Cathy Buffonge, Bernadine Collins, Eudora Fergus, Desreen Silcott, Zelma Tuitt, Rose Willock, Roy Greaves and James White.
Membership is open to individuals and groups, particularly teachers, caregivers, nurses, parent teacher associations, non-governmental organizations and church groups.
Cupid Serenades Seniors In Valentines Day Event
Herman ‘Cupid’ Francis serenaded more than 100 senior citizens from across the island at Lookout Community Centre on Valentine’s Day.
Cupid’s love medleys produced happy smiles and some senior citizens even joined in singing the old love songs; jumping to their feet and swaying to the musical accompaniment provided by the One Man Band.
The songs included "Sad Movies," "Dream of Me," "If he brings you happiness," and more.
Cupid told the Montserrat Reporter, “I felt honoured to sing to them and to hear them sing as well. I am sure that when I become a senior I will still be singing.”
Cupid’s love medley was preceded by performances by Lookout Primary School students who, among other things, did a "Be My Valentine" skit, followed by a foot-stamping, waist-swaying gospel medley by Acting Chief Minister Hon. Annie Dyer-Howe.
In her opening remarks Rev. Florence Daley said she was especially happy about the fact that the social event would serve as a bridge over the chasm which exists between senior citizens and the young.
4-week Doctoral Research Visit to Montserrat is Over
Mr.
Graham D. Fisher left Montserrat this week after a four-week Doctoral Research
visit.
The theme of the Research was “The Potential and Limitations of Post-Compulsory Education In The Overseas Territories.”
Mr. Fisher defined the term Post-Compulsory Education (PCE) as “Any form of education occurring after the school leaving age, either within the territory or via external institutions.”
The Territories covered by the Research were Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Falkland Islands, Montserrat, St. Helena and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The aims of the research included critically evaluating the current policy and practice relating to the provision of PCE in the UK Overseas Territories; examining the physical and human constraints upon the expansion of PCE in the Territories and exploring the potential for the further expansion of PCE in the Territories.
He explained that though interest in the Research has been expressed by the Department for International Development (DFID), Governments of the Overseas Territories, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the University of Bristol, where he is employed, “The research is a piece of independent, doctoral research which is funded in part by the UK Economic and Social Research Council, but largely funded by myself.”
He told the Montserrat Reporter that the Montserrat Government has been supportive and encouraging in providing data and helping to arrange the visit. He said “the research required no financial commitment from the Montserrat Government nor DFID.”
The research findings, he said, will be sent to Montserrat and he hopes that they will be of some interest to the island. He said he is aware of the recent extensive consultations on PCE here.
While doing his research, Mr. Fisher said he and his wife found opportunities to holiday on the island. Of Montserrat he said: “We have lived in many beautiful countries over the past 30 years, but we are agreed that Montserrat is the most beautiful and her people the most welcoming.”
Chamber Delegation Plans Fact-finding Visit to Denver
Kenny Cassell, President of the Montserrat Chamber of Commerce (MCCI), and a four-man delegation, comprising Joseph Cassell of Cable & Wireless, Mrs. Angela Greenaway, the Permanent Secretary of the Development Unit, and Rudi Page, the Chambers’ UK-based consultant, are expected to visit Denver, Colorado, from February 23-26, at the invitation of the mayor of Denver.
Kenny Cassell, President of the MCCI Rudi Page, the Chambers’ UK-based consultant
Mr. Cassell explained that Mr. Page made the trip to Denver possible, as he worked with the head of the Denver Trade Office in London, Miss McMahon.
A later press release from the local Chamber of Commerce stated that Miss McMahon said in a letter of invitation in January, “I believe the following connections between Denver and Montserrat warrant a visit to Denver.”
According to the release, “Denver has two newly created towns; Lowry and Stapleton, both of which have won numerous U.S. and international awards and are good examples of good practice strategies that may be useful to Montserrat.”
As such, “Denver can be of assistance to Montserrat in accomplishing its goal to implement an international marketing strategy through e-commerce,” the release stated.
Mr. Cassell said in an interview with The Montserrat Reporter that apart from tourism, which is Montserrat’s economic mainstay, Information Communications Technology (ICT) is a major focus for the future, moreso because Montserrat has no traditional natural resources.
“We definitely have to get into service-oriented industries of which ICT is a major component,” Mr. Cassell said.
He added that in pursuance of this objective, the delegation is going to “get a first hand look at the operations of the ICT sector and try to develop a program where industries which feature companies that provide internet/software products, such as distance learning and e-commerce; and telecommunications, which include large companies offering infrastructure development, networks, and service providers, can be developed in Montserrat.”
Mr. Cassell said the Chamber would also be looking into the areas of financial services such as offshore banking, insurance companies, international business corporations and Fund Management.
Festival Queen Off to Mustique
Accompanied
by her chaperone, Mrs. Eslyn Samuel, Festival Queen 2002/2003 Maudella Daley
left Montserrat on Wednesday to visit Mustique, where she will meet with her
sponsor Mr. Basil Charles.
Mr. Charles is the proprietor of Basil’s Bar in Mustique, a small island in the Grenadines. His sponsorship of Miss Daley came through the unwavering efforts of Ms. Jadine Glitzenhirn, Product Development Officer at the Montserrat Tourist Board.
Miss Daley told the Montserrat Reporter that during her practice sessions as a contestant, she had been encouraged to do her best to win because her sponsor had a surprise prize for her if she won.
Upon Miss Daley's winning the coveted crown and capturing almost all of the trophies, Ms. Glitzenhirn called Mr. Charles to relay the good news. Mr. Charles happily informed Ms. Glitzenhirn that he wanted to see his queen. Final preparations were made for the trip on Monday.
Miss Daley said her reign has been good so far and “It’s fun just knowing that I am the queen.”
About the trip, she said she is excited and apart from enjoying the island, which she will be visiting for the first time, “my main objective is to meet my sponsor.”
Ms. Glitzenhirn is also excited about the trip and says “it just goes to show that if each person does a little bit, it can be a great deal which can take Montserrat forward.”
She said she believes that this is an open door through which Montserratians can step to approach sponsors overseas “and not just the few local business places here which we depend on for everything.”
She also believes this is encouragement for future Festival Queen contestants.
CM OSBORNE NEXT CHAIRMAN OF OECS AUTHORITY
BRADES, Montserrat (GIU): Montserrat's Chief Minister, Dr
the Hon. John Osborne, will assume the chairmanship of the Organisation of
Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Authority at a meeting in Antigua tentatively
scheduled for late April.
The announcement followed an emergency caucus meeting of the regional leaders
held on February 15, during the final day of the 14th Inter-sessional Caricom
Heads of Government conference in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
Chief Minister Osborne will take over the reigns OECS Chairmanship from the
Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Denzil Douglas.
Dr Douglas chaired the 36th meeting of the Authority held in Basseterre in June
last year.
During the Port-of-Spain meeting, the leaders of the sub-regional grouping
approved the appointment of a new Director General of the St Lucia-based
Secretariat, appointments of OECS Ambassadors to Geneva, Brussels and Ottawa.
The status and role of British Dependent Territories in Caricom, Crime and
Security in the region and a new price cap regime for the Eastern Caribbean
Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL), were also discussed by the OECS Heads.
Dr Osborne, 66, is one of the longest serving parliamentarians in the
Commonwealth Caribbean. He has served as Chief Minister of Montserrat for three
terms between 1966 and 1991. He returned for a record fourth term as head of
government
CM Osborne Explains BVI, Anguilla Boycott
TRINIDAD (CMC) -- The British Virgin Islands and Anguilla will
not attend further meetings of the Caribbean Community Heads of Government,
unless they are afforded the same level of "respect" given to leaders of the
independent states within the region.
Montserrat's Chief Minister John Osborne told a news conference on Saturday that
the leaders of the two British dependent territories had felt scorned at their
treatment at a regional meeting in Guyana last month.
He said he had been asked by the leaders of the two islands to raise the issue
at the 14th Inter-Sessional summit that ends here tomorrow.
"They objected to the treatment they received in Guyana and they have indicated
that unless the matter is improved they will not return," Osborne said.
The leaders of the dependent territories that have observer status within
CARICOM are asking that they be properly placed among the CARICOM leaders at the
Inter-Sessional meetings or the annual Summits.
Informed sources say that CARICOM Secretariat has agreed that adjustments would
be made at future meetings.
St. Kitts Says Rain Helped To Raise Vegetable Output
ST. KITTS -- Agriculture officials in St. Kitts are attributing the increase in vegetable production last year to increased rainfall, a high level of enthusiasm among farmers and an improved extension support.
Director of Agriculture Dr. Jerome Thomas said the Department of Agriculture saw increases in major vegetables including cabbage, carrot, sweet pepper and tomato when compared with 2001.
“Sweet pepper production more than doubled from an estimated 18,100 kg in 2001 to 39,900 kg in 2002, while carrot production increased by 57 percent, from 64,200 kg to 101,000 kg. A marked increase was also recorded for tomato, from 73,000 kg in 2001 to 119,000 kg in 2002,” Dr. Thomas said.
With regards to food crops, production of white potatoes declined to 111,000 kg during 2002 from 130,000 kg the previous year.
The Director of Agriculture reported a doubling of yam production in 2002 from 11,000 kg in 2001 to 22,000 kg in 2002, but that pineapple production declined sharply to 5,000 kg from 20,000 kg in the previous year.
ILO Hosts Workshop On Industrial Relations
TRINIDAD (CMC) -- Officials from six Caribbean employers'
organisations are expecting to benefit from an industrial relations workshop
being hosted here by the Trinidad and Tobago-based International Labour
Organization (ILO), Caribbean Office.
The February 18-21 workshop, with the theme "The Role of Employers'
Organizations in Collective Bargaining, Negotiation Techniques and Conflict
Avoidance/Resolution," brought together officials from organisations in Bahamas,
Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.
An ILO statement said "the workshop is being held at the request of these six
employers' organizations to enable them to obtain some of the requisite
knowledge and skills of general industrial relations principles and to become
better equipped in addressing industrial relations issues in their respective
countries."
The General Secretary of the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), George De Peana,
and senior specialists and officers of the ILO Caribbean Office and the ILO's
Programme for the Promotion of Management and Labour Cooperation (ILO PROMALCO)
were among facilitators at the four-day workshop.
Newly appointed ILO Director for the Caribbean Office, Grace Strachan and Linda
Besson, executive secretary of the Caribbean Employers' Confederation, were
among those addressing the opening ceremony.
Participants explored experiences and practices in industrial relations as well as the tools and strategies that are available for its proper application.
LIAT Seeks Immediate EC$25-million Assist
ANTIGUA (CMC) -- Gary Cullen, Chief Executive Officer of LIAT
(1974) Ltd., confirmed Wednesday that the airline was severely short of cash and
needed an immediate injection of EC$25 million (US$9.25 million) if it is to
remain in the skies over the next three months.
"Not being alarmist, we need some of it to start coming through by the end of
this week and we would need more next week. The 25 million needs to be put in
place within two weeks, but we do need some within the next few days," he told
the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).
"Otherwise, I will have to start cutting back the size of the operations and
start to ground some aircraft,"
His comments come on the heels of separate media statements issued here on
LIAT's future by Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Lester Bird, whose
government is a major shareholder in the airline, as well as St. Vincent and the
Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who has lead responsibility for
aviation matters within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Mr. Cullen said while he was encouraged by the commitment expressed by Prime
Minister Gonsalves towards ensuring that LIAT remains operational and to seeing
the airline past another rough patch, Prime Minister Bird's comment had
triggered a run on the company's operations by concerned creditors.
He said the statements had also caused grief for the airline's 660 employees,
now worried about layoffs and closure of LIAT.
Speaking Tuesday night on state run ABS Television, Mr. Bird, who had just
returned home from the 14th CARICOM Inter-Sessional Summit which dealt with the
troubling situation at the cash-strapped regional airline, said liquidation was
facing LIAT "plum in the face."
At the end of the summit, the Antigua and Barbuda leader, along with his
Vincentian counterpart stayed on in Trinidad for an extra day on Sunday to deal
specially with the LIAT situation and to meet with the airline's Board of
Directors.
Mr. Bird later reported that Caribbean heads had just about had it with LIAT,
and according to him, one CARICOM leader has made it clear that he was prepared
to give up his government's shares for nothing as he wants nothing else to do
with the airline. He did not name the government.
The Trinidad and Tobago-based BWIA is the majority shareholder in LIAT with 24
per cent of its shares, while Antigua and Barbuda holds 22 per cent. Other
shareholders in the airline include the governments of St. Vincent and the
Grenadines, Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad, St. Lucia, Guyana, Jamaica, Dominica
and Montserrat.
St. Kitts Boasts Annual Beef Production Increase
ST. KITTS – Beef production in St. Kitts has “increased by 17 percent, from 57,700 kg in 2001 to 67,500 kg in 2002,” according to Director of Agriculture, Dr. Jerome Thomas.
Comparing this sector of the Department of Agriculture in 2002 with 2001, Dr. Thomas said the increased production appears to have resulted mainly from the beef marketing initiative that was introduced in September 2001 to process and market boneless beef.
"An estimated 23,290 kg of boneless beef valued at $142,147.92 were produced in 2002. The beef was processed from 146 cattle that were owned by 56 farmers. The impact of the beef marketing initiative can be seen by the marked increase in production when compared with the period 1997 to 2000. Since the year 2000 annual beef production has doubled and there is greater penetration of the domestic market,” Dr. Thomas reported.
Sheep and goat meat production continued to be low despite a high demand for local mutton. Sheep meat production declined from 11,200 kg in 2001 to 10,200 kg in 2002; goat meat declined, from 8,700 kg in 2001 to 8,600 kg in 2002, while pork production doubled from 27,000 kg in 2000 to 54,000 kg in 2002
The seven active local egg producers met local demand for the first 11 months in 2002, and limited importation was permitted during the month of December to meet the seasonal increase in demand.
Top photo - Cattle in holding pen ready for butchering at the Basseterre Abattoir
Middle photo - Pigs with the marking of their owners ready in the holding pen at the Basseterre Abattoir
Bottom photo - Goats in the holding pen at the Basseterre Abattoir
Jamaica Unions Fight Trials Of 20 Medical Technologists
JAMAICA (CMC) -- The umbrella Jamaica Confederation of Trade
Unions (JCTU) is preparing public protests of a decision by government to take
court action against medical technologists who were recently engaged in
industrial action.
Over 20 medical technologists, who were among a group of 80 who took industrial
action last month, are scheduled to appear in court next Monday to answer
charges of breaching essential service regulations, after they were served with
summonses last week for disobeying an order issued under the Labour Relations
and Industrial Disputes Act (LRIDA).
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Kent Pantry was asked to make a ruling
after the medical technologists defied the back-to-work order.
If found guilty in court, the technicians could be fined a maximum of J$50,000
or US$1,000, with an additional fine for each day the strike continued.
JCTU Vice-President Dwight Nelson has expressed regret at the action taken by
government and that the dispute was allowed to reach that stage.
"On the day they are scheduled to appear in court you are going to see one of
the largest gatherings of trade union members outside the courthouse because we
are going to show our displeasure in no uncertain way - at least in numbers,"
said Nelson.
The action by the medical technologists was protest against Government's
refusal to increase their salaries in line with those of scientific officers.
Despite the resumption of duties, the two sides are yet to reach an agreement on
the matter.
The threat of protest action by the JCTU follows last week's announcement of
boycott of all meetings called by the Ministry of Labour to show its disapproval
for what it says is the failure of the Ministry to adequately deal with
industrial disputes.
Jamaica Opposition Ends Cooperation with Patterson
JAMAICA (CMC) -- The main opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)
has withdrawn all cooperation with Government and said it will embark on a
campaign to bring down the P.J. Patterson-led administration.
Opposition Leader Edward Seaga made the announcement, in which he accused Prime
Minister Patterson of failure to address corruption in government.
"The Opposition will now pursue a course to oppose, oppose and oppose this
regime until we bring it down," Seaga said.
He said the decision was made in the wake of what he calls the "arrogant
dismissal" by the Government of the conduct of Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies
who has admitted to financing public work projects last year because it was an
election year, despite being faced with unplanned rehabilitation expenditure due
to flood rains.
The JLP Leader said that Mr. Davies' decision had left a hole in the budget that
would lead to massive taxes and user fees being introduced during presentation
of the new financial package in April.
Prime Minister Patterson, as well as other key members of the Jamaica cabinet,
have come out in defence of Davies, with Mr. Patterson stating that he retains
full confidence in the Minister.
As the Prime Minister was heading off to Malaysia for a summit of the
non-aligned movement in Kuala Lumpur, the JLP announced its intentions to
withdraw from any form of cooperation with his government.
"Now that every appeal to reason and justice has failed, it is the only course
available to see relief from mismanagement and corruption, which is wrecking all
hopes for Jamaica's future," Mr. Seaga said.
He emphasised that the JLP was not considering any overthrow of the
democratically elected regime.
In responding to the statement, Information Minister Senator Burchell Whiteman
said the JLP's decision was "disappointing and regrettable" and had little to do
with the reasons articulated by Seaga.
He suggested that Mr. Seaga was now grasping an opportunity to do something he
has long wanted to do.
The withdrawal means a freeze on Government and Opposition talks, which have
been taking place here over the past few months, on a joint approach to fighting
crime and oversight of the police as well as for the implementation of
mechanisms to ensure a fairer distribution of state benefits.
New Trinidadians Nabbed In Miami Cocaine Drug Bust
TRINIDAD (CMC) -- A third Trinidad and Tobago national has
been arrested in Miami in connection with a multi-million cocaine drug bust that
has already led to the arrest of a female flight attendant and a former male
colleague at the national airline, BWIA, media reports said on Thursday.
The reports said that US Customs authorities have filed a criminal complaint
against Gregory Oral Lakhan in Florida for importing cocaine with intent to
distribute.
Mr. Lakhan is the first person to be charged in the matter involving the alleged
importation of 15 pounds of cocaine, valued at over US$4 million. He was
arrested at a gas station on Monday as he was about to take possession of a
suitcase brought in by the flight attendant.
The media reports said that a fourth person, possibly still in Trinidad, has
been implicated in the drug bust.
The flight attendant told US authorities that she was asked to bring the
suitcase to Miami for a friend and denied knowing there were drugs in it.
However an X-ray examination of the suitcase revealed several unusual dense
packages inside, the US authorities said.
All three Trinidadians are still in police custody, the media reports said.
American Eagle to Start Daily Flights to Nevis
ST. KITTS – American Eagle is to launch a new service from the Luis Munoz International Airport in Puerto Rico to the Vance Amory International Airport in Nevis on May 15, according to an American Eagle news release from the St. Kitts and Nevis Tourism Office in New York.
“Our customers in Nevis were asking for this service,” said Gary Ellmer, president of American Eagle in the Caribbean.
He said the “new service demonstrates our commitment to the island and the people of Nevis. We appreciate the confidence that the Government has put in our service, and we are happy to contribute to the Island’s economic growth.”
The airline will offer one daily flight to Nevis using the ATR42 aircraft with capacity for 40 passengers.
Flight 5110 will depart San Juan daily at 1:00 P.M. arriving in Nevis at 2:18 P.M. departing Nevis at 2:50 P.M. and arriving in San Juan at 4:03 P.M.
Grenada Wins Appeal On Two Deportations
GRENADA (CMC) -- The Grenada government has won its appeal of
a recent judgement handed down in a deportation matter, involving a British and
Swiss national.
Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, also Minister of National Security, and Chief
Immigration Officer and Commissioner of Police Fitzroy Bedeau had brought the
case against Sharon Nettlefield and Beat Wild, who are citizens of England and
Switzerland respectively.
The two arrived in Grenada on visitors' visas in June 1998 and and applied for
extension before the expiration of the visas, which was granted until September
1998. During this time, they applied to the Ministry of Labour and obtained work
permits.
On August 17, 2001, the Minister of National Security deemed them to be
undesirable persons pursuant to Section 26 (2)(b) of the Immigration Act and had
deportation orders served on them. They were taken into custody and deported on
August 18, 2001.
They challenged the deportation order grounds that the deportation order was
made in breach of their rights to a hearing before they were deported, that they
had a legitimate expectation not to be deported from Grenada without an
opportunity to be heard by the Minister, and that it was in breach of their
constitutional rights, even though they are not citizens of Grenada.
Justice Othneil Sylvester, who was an acting judge of the High Court, ruled in
their favour and ordered damages to be paid by the State amounting to more than
EC$50,000 (US$18,518).
The state appealed the decision, which appeal was upheld by the Eastern
Caribbean Court of Appeal, presided over by Chief Justice Sir Dennis Byron, in a
judgement delivered on January 28, 2003.
The Court overruled the findings of Justice Sylvester and held that that the
Minister of National Security acted within the law. It also overruled the award
of $50,000 granted by Justice Sylvester and ordered they pay the Government
approximately EC$24,000 (US$8,888) in costs.
Caribbean Court of Justice Foreseen as Reality in 2003
ST. KITTS – Leaders of the CARICOM Community have agreed that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will come into being later this year.
St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Denzil L. Douglas told a post meeting press conference in Port of Spain, Trinidad, “We have decided that this Court should come into being by 2003 – sometime later this year, in the second half of this year]."
He described the just concluded 14th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government “as land mark,” saying that the status of the non-independent territories of Montserrat, the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands as associated members was also discussed.
Dr. Douglas said, “We have Montserrat, which is a full member of CARICOM, but Montserrat continues to be a dependent territory of the United Kingdom. We have Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos, which are Associated Members, but they are all dependent territories of the United Kingdom.
“So the question was how do we view the role, function, status of these countries within the framework of the Caribbean Community? Do we encourage them to full membership of CARICOM; those who are not yet full members and Montserrat, which is a full member?"
Caribbean leaders were pleased to receive the report from the President of the Caribbean Development Bank that the Board has agreed for the Bank to access the international financial market to find the necessary capitalisation of the Fund that is required to finance the Court.
“This to me is a clear demonstration of our seriousness in advancing the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) which we have again decided should come into being by 2005,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
Dominica Reports Agriculture Now Showing Signs of Growth
DOMINICA (CMC) -- Agriculture Minister Vince Henderson said
Monday that the agricultural sector is on course for growth and expansion,
following a period of instability resulting from declines in the vital banana
industry.
"We believe that the key signs indicate the sector is now solidly on a growth
path, having experienced a modest but promising 0.5-percent rate of growth in
2002," he told a news conference.
Following declines recorded for the four-year period 1997 to 2000, the Minister
said, banana exports have stabilised at about EC$20 million (US$7.4 million).
He said he also expects a significant increase this year, due a number of
initiatives being undertaken by the Department.
These include the dissolution of the debt-ridden Dominica Banana Marketing
Corporation; the establishment of a banana unit within the division of
Agriculture; the establishment of a Banana Industry Trust; improvement of credit
access to growers through the Rural Credit Facility and implementation of an
irrigation project to be funded by the European Union.
The Ministry also commenced an Organic Banana Production and Integrated Pest
Control Management project, with assistance from the Organisation of American
States (OAS) in 2002, at a cost of EC$252, 921 (US$93,092).
"Under the project, tissue culture banana plants have been introduced, a
demonstration plot has been established and a number of training activities have
been held," Mr. Henderson said.
He said his Ministry also managed to hold non-banana crop exports up to the
level of EC $16 million (US $5.8 million) and, according to him, when
agro-processed products are taken into account, exports actually exceeded levels
attained in 2001.
"Current efforts involving pineapples, hot pepper, root crops, bay leaf
marketing and agro processing are expected to further raise export levels," he
said.
Dominica Exploring Ways Of Reducing Expenditures
DOMINICA (CMC) -- The Dominica Government says it is exploring
a number of recommendations to further reduce the expenditure on salaries and
wages in the public service and statutory bodies.
An official statement said "this examination is necessary in assisting the
country in implementing the measures agreed to in the Stand-by arrangement with
the International Monetary Fund (IMF)."
"That IMF stamp of approval has allowed this Government to attract resources
from the international donor community as well as friendly Governments around
the world," the statement added.
At the end of February, the IMF will conduct a six-month review of the program.
Discussions have already been held between unions representing public servants,
the police and the teaching profession.
"At the meetings, it was pointed out that the proposals were in the nature of
recommendations before the Cabinet and that Cabinet had taken no decision on
them. The unions made meaningful suggestions and offered possible
alternatives," the statement said.
The main proposals put forward by government for discussion include a system of
mandatory time off without pay for all employees during which time there is no
replacement of staff or responsibility allowance paid.
The Charles administration is also proposing an eight-day furlough be applied,
constituting pay reductions of two days for each month for the period March to
June 2003. The furlough will apply to all public officers and employees of all
statutory corporations that receive 100 percent subvention from Government.
In addition, Ministries will examine their structure, programmes-services and
staffing levels and propose areas of reduction, with particular focus on
temporary and hourly-paid workers.
The statement said that An Overtime Task Force has been mandated to continue
working with relevant departments to achieve a 35 percent reduction in overtime
at the Customs and Excise Departments and within the rest of the Public Service.
The Government proposals also call for an analysis of potential savings to be
realized from non-replacement or replacement two levels downwards of officers
who will retire during 2003.
At least one trade union here, the Dominica Public Service Union, has given
government until Monday next week to respond to its objections to the financial
measures or face the possibility of street demonstrations.
Grenada Off Blacklist For Money-launderers
GRENADA (CMC) -- Prime Minister Keith Mitchell on Monday
welcomed the decision by the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an
international money laundering watchdog, to remove Grenada from its list of
Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories (NCCTs).
"As we stated prior to being placed on the list, we will continue to do
everything in our power to improve the jurisdiction, as part of our efforts to
modernise and diversify our economy," the Prime Minister said.
"We will continue to strengthen the supervisory and investigative capacities of
our institutions with respect to money laundering and terrorist financing," he
added.
The FATF, in announcing the removal of Grenada from the NCCTs list, said the
decision was as a result of the implementation of significant reforms by the
country to its anti-money laundering system.
Grenada was placed on the list in September 2001 but has since improved the
supervisory capacity of the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Royal Grenada
Police Force and the Grenada International Financial Services Authority (GIFSA).
Grenada has strengthened the legislation governing GIFSA and the Money
Laundering Prevention Act, as well as introduced the Proceeds of Crime Act, the
Financial Intelligence Unit Act and the Exchange of Information Act, among
others.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the only Caribbean country which remains on
the list of non cooperative jurisdictions published on Monday. Other countries
included on the list are Cook Islands, Egypt, Guatemala, Indonesia, Myanmar,
Nauru, Nigeria, Philippines and the Ukraine.
Presented By Tomeika Jeffrey
MSS Debating Society Presents Fashion Show
The Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) Debating Society hosted their first Evening of Fashion last Friday evening, at which the audience was welcomed by Miss Yasmin White.
Vice Principal Sylvester Browne conducted the show and Ms Steffinella Semper was master of ceremonies for the fashion display.
The show consisted of a variety of entertainment and fashion, by students of the school.
Among these were a song by Camille Skerritt, a rendition by the MSS Glee Club, and a dance by Camille Winspare and friends.
The show displayed a variety of men's and women's Jean clothing, Casual clothing and Formal wear, from the various boutiques: Lena’s Fashion Boutique, Johnnie’s Mecca Fashion, Arrow’s Manshop, La Colage, Karishma, Betty’s Fashion and Kassel’s Design.
Students form the school modeled the different lines of clothing; some of which was from personal collections of the students.
Ms. Williams-Jarvis, one of the organizers, said, “The Fashion show was a success, and I think that students were exposed to different types of experiences and as a result of that, they gained confidence, and it was fun for them.”
“Quite a bit of persons supported it," she said, "even though we would have liked to see more, and those who weren’t there missed a great show.”
Girl Guides CelebrateWeek At Church Service, Exhibits
The Girl Guides week of celebration opened with a church service at the Brades Pentecostal Church last Sunday morning, attended by parents and special invitees.
Among the special invitees were: His Excellency the Governor and Mrs. Longrigg, Sir Howard & Lady Fergus, Hon. Financial Secretary John Skerritt, and Hon. Minister of Health, Mrs. Idabelle Meade.
The service marked the beginning of the celebrations of the organization's existence; the week celebration also honored the birthdays of the founders of the organisation, Lord and Lady Baden Powell, birthdays on February 22.
After the church service the celebration resumed at the Good Life Night Club later that day, followed with an art and craft exhibition at the Lookout Community Center on Tuesday, where the Guiders organized exhibits, which were viewed by the public.
Exhibits were displayed from St Peters Browne, Cudjoe head Brown, Salem Girls Guide, Cudjoehead head Guiders and St. Peters leaders.
Among the exhibits were, Tie-dye rap skirts, Tie-dye recycled T-shirts, Pottery and flowers, Paintings and Food Towels.
The week of celebration continues from Wednesday to Saturday.
According to Mrs. Angella Skerritt head of the Girls Guide, “Everything is going according to plans, the exhibition was very good but we hoped we had more parents at the exhibition and at the Annual General Meeting.”
Le Levant Visits Montserrat
Le Levant, a small cruise ship carrying 64 passengers and a crew of 52, called into Montserrat on Thursday, February 20, at around 12 noon. This is the first ship to call in Montserrat in more than a year. Le Levant is part of a fleet of two ships belonging to Compagnie Des Ilses du Ponant based in France.
This ship, which was built in 1998 is 100m in length and was chartered by Noble Caledonia Ltd., in the UK. The ship cruised the Caribbean for two weeks, starting in Barbados. According to the captain “we believe in a high standards of quality, the clientelle wanted to experience a different kind of destination, not just the sun and sea, hence our decision to visit Montserrat”.
Two members of the Tourist Board met with the captain and some crew members who later paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Chief Minister before visiting the Montserrat Volcano Observatory.
The ship’s stop in Montserrat lasted just over 10 hours. Several passengers on board came ashore for tours during the day and evening entertainment on board was provided by Small Beginnings under the tutelage of Herman ‘Cupid’ Francis.
There are no more calls planned for Montserrat for this ship for the year, however, they will consider Montserrat as a future stop following overall reports from their clients about this trip.
Trade Impasse Persists Between ACP and EU)
BRUSSELS (CMC - Representatives from the African Caribbean and
Pacific (ACP)
states and the European Union have ended their latest round of negotiations here
without being any closer on a number of issues.
The third Ambassadorial Negotiating meeting on "Negotiation of ACP-EU Economic
Partnership Agreements" underscores the persistent divergence on the issues to
be discussed, an official statement said.
It said the meeting failed to bring the parties closer on either the list of
issues to be discussed during the 1st phase or on its outcome.
The statement said that there was still a bone of contention between the two
parties as it relate to the "place dedicated to Agriculture in the agenda of
negotiations."
The ACP want the agricultural "and fisheries agreements" sector to be one of the
six themes of discussion, besides market access, trade in services,
trade-related issues, issues relating to development, and legal issues.
They emphasized that Agriculture which accounts for over 50 percent of some of
their member-states' GDP and over 45 percent of their export revenue, had still
not been accorded special treatment in the Lome-Cotonou process and that this
should not happen again under the new arrangements..
The European negotiators are maintaining that Phase1 of the negotiations should
only serve as a phase for the "clarification" of positions.
The position of the Europeans to the issues have cast some doubt over the
September 2003 deadline for the launching of phase 2 of the negotiations.
The next Ambassadorial Negotiating meeting will be held on Monday, 24 February
in Brussels, preceding the ACP-EU Ministerial Trade Committee to be held on 1
March in St. Lucia.
by Montserratian at Heart
We can not seem to get past what is called politics in this country. We seem doomed to wallow in the murky fog of untruths, half lies, misrepresentations, oneupmanship and plain old political pandering.
Montserrat is in a bad place. And it is there because we chose a cadre of leaders who are incapable of addressing our very real needs at this time. This is really not the fault of our leaders. Before we elected them we knew of their capacity, their character, their experience and their intellect. Yet we chose them. And so we must live with them for the next three years. You see a country deserves the leaders it elects. And even if the current leadership make-up fell outside your selection, in the process of democracy, majority rules. And so the citizenry must live with the sitting leadership.
Two weeks ago, the country’s airwaves were permeated with the vilest form of political twaddle known to men, masquerading under the guise of leadership and performance. It was impossible to think that anything could top that. Yet again, over the past week the ugly gremlin of contemptible politicking reared its ugly head.
Everyone desires a salary increase. But not every one deserves it. Anyone who works in the private sector understands that a raise in pay is preceded by an increase in productivity. Workers in the private sector understand and appreciate that a hell of a lot more than mere attendance at work is required. Workers in the private sector understand what it is like to work often without a salary, much more a salary increase, for well over five years. And business owners know what it is like to receive monthly dunning letters from the Inland Revenue. They know too, what it is like to make a choice between an increase in pay for staff and a token payment to the Inland Revenue.
And so it sticks in the craw when one is prevented from traveling by some high-handed myopic bureaucrat who delights in slinging chapter and verse of government regulations at the heads of every broken and impoverished businessman. And it is even more foul-tasting when these very token payments may be utilized to pay monthly increases the size of the business’ total pay packet for the year.
And how can such actions be made acceptable? By the double speak of politics. By spinning the general public a yarn about the divisibility of one’s pay packet. And, by ratcheting up one’s importance. Way above that of foreign servicemen in one’s midst.
When logic fails and man’s injustice to man is pellucid, then one must resort to name calling and hurling charges of deceitfulness. And this behavior is very obviously defensible. Peers trip in their haste to support the unsupportable. Pearls of disingenuousness drip from mendacious lips. Pay hikes are required in the face of unfilled positions and ridiculous consultancy fees. And if that explanation fails then blame the past. It is easier to cast aspersions than to take responsibility for one’s own inaction, duplicity, greed and asinine behaviors. This you see is the very essence of political smoke-and-mirrors. When one is publicly caught with one’s hand in the cookie jar and lacks the sleight of hand skills of a magician, then one can do nothing but resort to shouting through a megaphone. Perhaps the sound and the fury would distract the citizenry. And perhaps in another day or two, apathy would return.
Is it any wonder that the young are disinterested in the Youth Parliament?
Please Mr Speaker, we beseech you, lead them not into temptation.
Institute Report: Video Games Degrade Women
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- More and more video games depict graphic
violence against women, says a report on the industry’s most popular games. In
the current best-selling game, "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City," players are
rewarded for kicking a woman to death.
The U.S. National Institute on Media and the Family, the nation’s leading
resource on the effects of video games on children, released their Seventh
Annual MediaWise Video Game Report Card recently in Washington, D.C.
David Walsh, PhD, president and founder of the U.S. National Institute on Media
and the Family, presented the 2002 MediaWise Video Game Report Card with U.S.
Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-Connecticut) and Representative Betty McCollum
(D-Minnesota).
"I am outraged that millions of children are playing video games that include
such graphic images of violence. This is fantastically inappropriate," said Dr.
Walsh. "Video game violence is now an epidemic ... Rewarding players for having
sex with, and killing [a woman] is a frightening example to set. This failing
grade is a wakeup call for everyone: manufacturers, retailers, and parents."
Dr. Walsh was enthusiastic in his praise of the legislators endorsing the
MediaWise Video Game Report Card.
"As in previous years, the presence of these distinguished Members of Congress
underscores the importance of this issue. Congressional support for this issue
is crucial in getting the message out to parents, many of whom have an enormous
knowledge gap when it comes to these games. Allowing children access to such
potentially psychologically damaging material is patently irresponsible."
The Seventh Annual MediaWise Video Game Report Card gives its first ever overall
failing grade. Areas of special concern include: violence against women; growing
levels of video game addiction; inaccuracy of ratings; parental lack of
awareness regarding content; and the failure of many retailers to restrict
children from Mature-rated games.
The MediaWise Video Game Report Card also analyzes recent research, showing that
violent video games are linked to aggressive, violent behavior.
Were those Uzis and Glocks on Valentine's Day?
There were no guns at all some others would say.
There was also no grass
But you could lose your (head)
Shucks folks, 'twas only Carrs Bay
This time
Medea
Little scientist on the hill
Standing by his window sill
Saw some water running by
Down on Belham's floor.
"Help me! Help me! Quick!" he said
"Before the mudflow kills me dead!"
Silly scientist, the water's clear
It's Der Wolf you have to fear.
Euripides
Gross National Plaint
Our hard-working leaders of state
Think they now deserve a new rate;
What seems to be giving them fits
Is their pay's not on par with the Brits;
Why is that inappropriate?
St. Valentine's Day Massacre
The fourteenth once was for lovers
But a dark cloud now over us hovers
And until the Boys
Figure out their new toys
The rest of us better take cover!
Jus wonderin if our favorite scientist is back.
Jus wonderin if we no longer need the donkey that kicks up for every volcanic event.
Jus wonderin why the manager trying to push for car if is because his girlfriend is learning to drive.
Jus wonderin if is because our chief wasn’t feeling important at the international meeting that’s why he jump up and say he’s the chief of Montserrat.
Jus wondering how many other meetings he does do that at.
Jus wonderin if he recognize it’s a signal from the international community that he must make a quick exit.
Jus wonderin if we boys in blue feel they fighting war, that’s why they showing off with them big guns.
Jus wonderin if it’s not wise for the price controller to check the supermarkets and make stuffs that are the same in each shop is the same price or at least close.
Jus wonderin if the C.M is collecting some Johnnie Mack Browne salary figures.
Jus wonderin if a sideline Political Party is in the planning.
Jus wonderin if the new building Plaza at Brades should be a shopping mall like Courts.
Jus wonderin if the cruise ships is to only help the ones on top.
Jus wonderin if the political soap opera will end anytime soon.
Jus wonderin if the politricians ain’t know that we tired of them and they nonsense.
Jus' Wonderin how come Nostradamus didn't predict GW.
Jus' Wonderin or did he?
Jus' Wonderin why did police allegedly raid a small cookshop at
Carr's Bay last Friday.
Jus' Wonderin what did they find, or didn't find?
Jus' Wonderin why did police allegedly use machine guns and bullet-
proof vests during the raid.
Jus' Wonderin did they, or did they not?
Jus' Wonderin why it wasn't in Jus' Wonderin'.
Jus' wonderin if the White Ras will ever drop sleep under the tamarind again.
Jus wonderin what news dem 3 journalists bring back from Barbados and Trinidad.
Jus wonderin if any of our officials were the ones seen sleeping at the CARICOM meeting in Trinnidad.
Jus wonderin if PTV can borrow the footage so we can all see what happen sometimes out there.
Jus wonderin if them officials don’t think there is evidence and cause for suspicion and doubts.
Jus wonderin what is the problem about showing the proof. of the matters.
Jus wonderin if they know, or may they forget who take claim to be the best liars in Montserrat.
Jus wonderin if the volcano and the wind will continue to behave as long as he is away so we can believe there is a new day…
Jus wonderin if it is really worth the while to pay all those property owners the huge cost involved now for that play-field at Mount Pleasant.
Jus wonderin if that is in the people’s interest or politician interest.
Jus wonderin why the officials who believe it don’t make sense don’t tell the politicians so.
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