The British Want to Marry Business Loans with Housing Allocations
by Bennette Roach
"We are not asking for luxuries. If to take people out of shelters in conditions that are sub-human are termed gold by others, they want their minds examined." David Brandt.
The Hon. Chief Minister David Brandt hosted a
press conference at his office on Wednesday during which he briefed the local press with a
fairly lengthy summary and report of his recent trips to Bermuda, London and the Bahamas.
The detailed manner in which he presented himself in his opening remarks and answered subsequent questions permit us to present most of it in its entirety.
Click here for the full text of Mr. Brandt's speech delivered at DEPENDENT TERRITORIES ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE in London on 4 February 1998. (will open in a new page)
First, About Bermuda
"I was invited to Bermuda," he said, "by the Premier of Bermuda to discuss strategy, along with other Chief Ministers, as to how to deal with the British Government, especially in relation to the letter which we received from the British Government and which we published, and which we invited panelists to discuss with members of the public, and to which we responded in writing to the British Government.
"We discussed several matters, including the fact that in many instances, laws are imposed upon the Overseas Territories without their consent and against their wishes. And the increasing tendency of British officials and the British Government wanting to impose their will upon the dependent territories. We discussed that in this new era that practice should cease."
Mr. Brandt said that he was elected unanimously at the Bermuda meeting to be the spokesman at their meeting with the British government on the subject of consultation.
He expressed some satisfaction at having gone: "I’m glad that I went, because at that meeting we agreed to have a closer relationship with each other, and on all the matters in which we are asked to act by the British Government, we will consult with each other in advance and as far as possible to have a common approach to them."
He said that one particular gain was that they recognized the possibility for the British Government to write one thing to one territory and that territory to answer in a particular way, and then come to the others and say, "Well, this territory has already agreed."
The London Meeting
He had been asked to deliver to the meeting of the Dependent Territories Association in London a paper on the subject, ‘What Rights Should the Dependent Territories Have’. He reported, "I published a summary of what I said in the Montserrat Reporter, and this week I will submit a flyer to the Montserrat Reporter of the full text of my presentation. (See flyer enclosed).
Mr. Brandt said: "The subject of my thesis was that if they (the British Government) subscribe, which they do, to the concept of self-determination, that it is for the people of a specific country to decide what kind of constitution they want, who they want to govern them, how, and that even though we have a partnership with the United Kingdom, and we recognize that they would have a part to play in our relationship with them, that the paramount part should rest with us. That we should treat each other and deal with each other from a point of mutual respect, and that should be demonstrated in fact and not only by words.
"It is my view that no longer should Britain impose legislation on the dependent territories against the wishes of the people. There are times when Britain subscribes to international conventions, and merely to fulfill their obligations of the conventions, they want to impose certain laws on us which we feel are reprehensible.
"They discussed the question with me of making homosexuality legal in Montserrat, and I told them that under no conditions would this government be passing laws in our Parliament to make that so. And that they have the legal right to do it, but if they do it will be met with resistance.
Sources of Aid
"We feel that dependent territories should have an unimpeded right to approach any aid donor and to seek aid on their own behalf. That Britain should make that known. Whenever we apply for aid from other countries, we have received the answer, ‘We have to deal with the sovereign power.’ "
Mr. Brandt gave a recent example of how Montserrat can be left in the cold because of its colonial status, referring to the time, "when Mr. Bertrand Osborne was chief minister, he attended a meeting of CARICOM in Barbados to meet President Clinton, who did not want him to be part of the CARICOM delegation. The Prime Minister of Jamaica told me that he told Clinton, ‘You have to take my delegation as it is, and if you’re not talking to my delegation as it is, you can’t talk to me.’ "
He gave another instance, where Mr. Reuben Meade was chairman of the OECS when there was a request for representations from the OECS to go to America to discuss President Reagan. He said, "All the others went or could have gone but Mr. Meade could not go. And Mr. Byrd in Antigua said we shouldn’t have Montserrat as chairman of the OECS if there is a matter on what we want OECS to represent us and the chairman is impotent."
"Of course," Mr. Brandt added, "if I were the chairman, I would have gone, because having given me the dispensation, even though they are responsible for foreign affairs, having through a treaty given me the authority to act in that area, I would not have gone back to them for any permission whatsoever, because freedom once given cannot be recalled."
Mr. Brandt reported that there were other issues, including citizenship, "which I discussed with them, on a non-reciprocal basis." There were also matters of education, and health, "but as I was in London I also held meetings with Baroness Symons and I held meetings with George Foulkes."
About the Business Loan
Mr. Brandt revealed some stunning information on the long-awaited business loan when he said:
"In the first meeting we discussed the question, because just before I left Montserrat I received a letter from him stating that they had approved £450,000 for Montserrat and £410,000 for Antigua."
He went on: "They were not going to disburse the money except we agreed that the people from Salem who now dwell in the Salem Secondary School would be given priority in the 50 houses that are being built. And they were going to use some of the lots for self-built housing."
This apparently infuriated him as the news must have all of us.
"Firstly," he said, " told him (Mr. Foulkes) I did not understand the logic that they would give the businessmen in Montserrat £450,000 and those in Antigua £410,000. And when I argued with him he told me that that was only an indicative figure and when that is about being drawn down, we will get extra. I will keep him to that."
On linking the loan to housing those in Salem Secondary School, Mr. Brandt later confirmed: "That was their proposal and we argued with them and they have abandoned that proposal. I said under no conditions whatsoever will I do that."
Priorities on Housing
Above: Closeup of a house at the Davy Hill site
Below: one of the houses at the Lookout site
"Second, I told him that it is the belief of the Government of Montserrat that those who lost their houses and those who came out first from their houses with an overnight bag, and special cases, will go into those 50 houses, because even though I understand that they want to move people out from Montserrat Secondary School, that those people have not yet lost their houses. We had already told the people that it was on this basis that we are going to distribute the houses. And that if they wanted to do that, I will not do it and that they will have to send their own people down to do it, and they would not get a good reception.
"I also told them that they promised to give 250 houses, and if I agree for self-built houses to be placed on those 250 lots it would mean that houses of a different quality would be close to houses of another quality, and that cannot work.
"I told them that we have lost 27,000 acres in the unsafe zone and all they have purchased so far is 90 acres in the safe zone. And I will want them to purchase additional land and service those lots so that those who are landless would be able to build a house of their choice on these lots, because in the north several of the lots are not serviced. I also argued with them about they already have agreed to give us 250 houses, why is it that they are giving us in traunches of 50, and every time they’ve got 50 there is a delay. I let that be known to them and also to the British press, and also in the conference, on the conference floor, when I was putting the case for Montserrat.
"When that first meeting ended in impasse, they arranged a meeting with me two days later and they have agreed for the other 50, and they have agreed to release the sums of money for the businessmen."
Unexpected Surprise
Mr. Brandt went on to speak about the another pressing problem of the soft-mortgage scheme.
"But then we had a further problem, because when I went to London last year, Mr. George Foulkes agreed that they would have given a soft loan to Montserrat to be operational in October.
"I said to him, ‘In order for my word to mean anything, and your word to mean anything, we have to deliver.’ "
"In the meantime, there was a project written up from Montserrat, in agreement with the local aid office, and in that program there was provision that for the first three years, people would not pay any interest at all. In the fourth year they will pay 11/2 percent until they reach 91/2 percent in the tenth year.
"Now that agreement went up to London since last year, and earlier this year, I think about two weeks ago, Mr. Teuten came, and without discussing that with us, Mr. Teuten had discussions with the Bank of Montserrat, the local aid office and himself, and put up a different proposal. And then called us back to say he would need a letter from the Central Bank to say that the Bank of Montserrat would carry out the scheme. He did that because when they asked the Central Bank, it said they would only give the letter to the Government of Montserrat, they wouldn’t give it to the Bank of England.
"So when I went to London I found out that what Mr. Teuten did instead was to arrange with the Bank of Montserrat to borrow the money at 10 percent interest, and then they would have subsidized 5 percent up to seven years.
"This meant that the borrower from the very beginning would have to pay 5 percent, something that was totally contrary to what we had agreed. I told them that if that’s what they are asking, we don’t want the money, because they told us in the beginning that it was a soft loan, and that the Bank of Montserrat never came into being when we were discussing that arrangement.
"I went to the Minister and said, ‘What kind of man do you have coming down here? Behind our backs he came down here and did not tell us that he changed the proposal.’ So if the Central Bank had given them the letter directly, they would have gone and approved something which we never saw or which we never discussed.
"It is at this stage now where the Central Bank says, the Bank of Montserrat has over $60 million here, but in this crisis people can call for their money at any time. You cannot go and lend that money on a long-term basis. So they suggested instead that the Bank of Montserrat administer it at a fee, just as they do when they get money from CDB. They said that the Treasury is saying that they must write to other institutions on Montserrat to see if they could lend the money, and then if they can’t they would have to deal with that. There isn’t any institution on Montserrat going to lend money like that.
"So I asked them when, and they said within three weeks. So even before the three weeks, tomorrow I’m going to call the Ministers and ask them what steps have been taken so far."
"No’ to Building Society
Mr. Brandt began speaking about Montserrat Building Society and Mr. Cook’s suggestion during his visit here last week that they will be doing little to help.
"My response," the Chief Minister said, "is that I will have to talk to Opposition members of Parliament in England, and I will make sure that all the broad-sheets in England know about it. Because this position is indefensible. There is no difference between them helping a man who has lost his house from helping a man who has lost his money. All of them are assets, so it would seem logical for that. All we have to do is be reasonable in our requests and be persuasive in our arguments."
Mr. Brandt said that in an effort to assist the Building Society "we will apply to other regional institutions. We talked to CDB, we have spoken to the Central Bank already. We are seeking other avenues but we believe that in this situation where we have been devastated, and that people have lost money through no fault of their own, that Britain should help. They are talking about they don’t help private institutions in the United Kingdom. I know that private institutions in the United Kingdom have been helped by them. But even on a higher ground, which private institution in England is going to suffer this loss by virtue of a natural disaster like a hurricane? It would be very, very remote."
How Many Houses?
On the question as to whether 250 houses can, in fact, meet the housing needs of Montserratians, and Mr. Cook observed, Mr. Brandt replied: "Mr. Cook has been misinformed. A report from their own housing experts shows that we need over 400 houses, and some groups were not included in that number."
Mr. Brandt was asked: "Are you of the impression that the British Government is delaying and that they are uncertain? Do you know what these uncertainties are?"
"I don’t know what these uncertainties are," he replied. "I think you read in the papers that even the International Committee that dealt with Montserrat is in fact disappointed in the action of the British Government in relation to us and how slow they have been in the distribution of aid, and in the areas of the distribution. And we have seen in the Times where Robin Cooke and Clare Short would be summoned again before the committee, and that the committee is infuriated as to how DFID has dealt with us, even after their report."
It was pointed out to Mr. Brandt that there was now committed for Montserrat some £55 million. It was suggested that the Government of Montserrat seems not to be satisfied with this. "Where is it you want the money to be spent?" he was asked.
"First of all," he responded, "I have ordered an audit. I want to know what the money has been spent on, because I’m sure Mr. Cook came and that he wondered, if £51 million was spent in Montserrat, how is it that we have 508 people in shelters? How is it the roads are in such condition? How is it the hospital is in such condition? How is it that we have to have children in porta-cabins? These are matters that concern people, so I want to know where the money is. This money is spent directly by them. So I want to know where the money is. I want to point out that there is a difference between commitment and that of spending on the ground. What I would like to see is that the money is spent on the ground to alleviate firstly the hardship of the people and then to deal with these other matters.
"I am thankful that they are funding the air transport and the sea transport, and the scientists, and all that is necessary. But what is more important is people and how people live. Mr. Cook was shocked when he saw the conditions under which people live. Human beings should not live in such conditions at all, much more coming up to three years."
Concession of Errors
Mr. Brandt commented on the recent admission of the the British Government in its response to the Select Committee’s report, that it had, in fact, made mistakes and had failed in some respects to handle the situation here in Montserrat. He was as asked, "Having accepted this, do you think they will move with a bit more urgency on a number of projects?"
"It is a contradiction," he said, "because they are saying they accepted that. But since when was the report? Wasn’t it last year? And having accepted that, and giving us these problems with the building loan and the housing, it is not their failure I am interested in, it is what they do. So can one hand say that you admit that you made mistakes, and yet do nothing about the mistakes, and do things that could be perceived as increasing the difficulties? They are not consistent with each other. I am interested in action."
One journalist asked, "Do you think that the report that they sent carries much clout?"
"I frankly would not want to say I know what they will do," he said, "having regard to what they have done in the past."
As to what he wanted out of the debate, he said, "I want them, as I’ve said over and over again, to treat Montserrat as an emergency case. Stop treating us as if life is as normal. Do not use the rules you used to use before the volcano to approve projects. Deal rapidly with the situation. That is what I want to come out of it. . . . Bread and butter matters, and matters that deal with housing, and our children and health."
Informing the Public
Mr. Brandt was asked why the recent leaflet advisory distributed by the Governor says that it was distributed by the Government of Montserrat and why a meeting of residents of the buffer zone to discuss relocation was identified with his government.
He said: "Let me say that the Government of Montserrat is for dissemination of information concerning the volcano and that we feel that every Montserratian should know what the risks are. I’d like to reiterate that it is my position that except in the case of little children, people are in the position to make their own decisions.
"The Government of Montserrat never published any pamphlet. It is true that the Governor sent copies of the prepared thing to Ministers of Government, and I know that they were distributed before any comment was made by the Ministers. I have to say in my own case that I was off island, so I had to discuss with my deputy Minister. She said that she did not know of the notice. I later learned that a copy of the notice was sent to my office yesterday afternoon by letter, which I subsequently saw.
"However, I raised the matter with the Governor, and the notice will now say that it is a meeting to discuss with the people of the buffer zone the dangers of the volcano and if they want to leave at their own volition, voluntarily. There is no suggestion that the government is making or has made any order that people should evacuate."
He repeated his position regarding people living in the buffer zone and encouragement to leave when there is no imminent danger. It was also suggested that the very silence of the scientists in this regard suggests that as well: "What of the suggestion, when you are encouraged to leave, to go where, sir?"
His response was: "Were the scientists to say we’re going to have an imminent eruption now, and you see that the volcano starts to move some way, and you see the signs that are usual, then nobody’s going to have to tell you to move. You are going to run. Then if you have to go in a shelter, you have to go in a shelter. But if the danger is not imminent as read by the scientists, clearly there must be some place available to tell you to go. That is my view.
"I support the view that the scientists would want to tell people about the danger so that they cannot say that they did not know; neither can they say the government did not distribute the information. Maybe in the beginning a lot of people did not know about the hazards of the volcano, but I would say at this point that we have so many scientists in Montserrat that a lot of people understand the volcano very well. I am saying that except the scientists convince me that there is an imminent danger, people will have to leave at their own volition. But as I said, we have to protect life, we have to protect limb, and if that comes down to it, it would be irresponsible of us not to act."
An Evacuation Plan?
Mr. Brandt spoke on the question of evacuation. "I think it is very interesting that under the Constitution of Montserrat it is the Governor who is responsible for that. You recall that when Hugo was about to come, that Gov. Turner himself went on the horns and went all over to tell people. After Hugo it was Turner who sat down and was responsible for the rehabilitation."
"An evacuation plan is being prepared," he said. "I myself, when Gov. Savage was here, I said to publish the plan. I am going to see to it that whatever stage the plan is in, that it must be published, and that it should quickly be completed and that people should have access to it, and that there should be several radio programs and village discussions and we might even reach the stage where we have a simulation exercise. Not that we are going to say people are going to leave, but sometimes you hear something and you believe you know it, but when the bell rings you have confusion.
"Still I feel that especially in this buffer zone and Salem that we should intensify the siren and warning system and that it should not be that you have to call the police and the police ring something. It should be somewhere central that it is done at one time so that people would be able to move."
Insurance Settlements
Mr. Brandt spoke seriously to the insurance issue: "And by the way, I am very disappointed at the rates in which they have been settling claims. I understand companies like Sun Alliance have not been paying. I am going to be making representations to them, because people insure for a time like this. The government has bent over backwards and given them permission to go into the unsafe zone and to value these properties, and we expect that there should be an expeditious settlement of these properties. That is why you insure. And I would leave no stone unturned to put pressure on them to make sure that they pay people expeditiously."
On his government’s plan forward, he said:" The centerpiece of my government’s development plan has not been absolutely formulated as yet¸ because this government would like to consult with people. . . .
"I want to hold discussions with businessmen and other groups in the society to find out what can the government do in its budget in order to make life easier for you and to make this economy grow. In the past there has been a cloak and dagger situation that the government wants to formulate its budget in hiding. I feel that an effort to formulate a national plan, a national approach, involving everybody, that a budget is so important a vehicle that people should participate and .give ideas as to how to make the plan."
He said further: "I have already spoken to some people in the community to perform what is called, for the lack of a better word, ‘a think tank’. something like that, so that ideas can flow.
"I will take it to Executive Council, so that they will have the authority to talk to civil servants. We are so close to the crisis, there is no way that four people can run a crisis like this. I’ve already spoken to some people where we would want to implement something like that."
Sources of Information
Concern was expressed to Mr. Brandt about inaccurate information going out of Montserrat reportedly under the auspices of the Government Information Office. "Do we have two such offices?" he was asked.
"The government," he said, "has one information officer at this time. The emergency unit has an information officer that works under the Governor. I’m going to make it straight from now on, that when information comes from that office it says from the Governor’s Office and that when things come from the Government of Montserrat it says from the Government of Montserrat."
Mr. Brandt was asked about the composition of the various delegations that had accompanied him on his three trips..
In response, he said: "The one to London. As I told you the primary purpose was to discuss constitutional matters. If you recall, when we received the letter from England about the citizenship, we set up a committee to discuss that with members of the public. Mr. Kenneth Cassell was part of that committee, Mr. Reuben Meade was part of that committee. In terms of constitutional matters, whether it’s independence or otherwise, in constitutional advancement the Opposition is always involved. Because Mr. Kenneth Cassell was part of the committee I took him along. And because Mr. Reuben Meade was the only Opposition member that comes to Parliament, I took him along as well.
"It is quite normal for that to happen. Of course, we only have four ministers. Mr. Austin Bramble came as well as part of the Government side in case of a backup.
"The delegation to Bahamas. I went, Mr. Austin Bramble, and Claude
Hogan went. You know that Mr. Claude Hogan is
working out of my
office now. I’ve made arrangements with CARICOM for him to work out of this office
for two years, and he should be starting sometime in April. He is a young man with vast
experience, and I’m very impressed by him. CARICOM is loaning him to us at this time,
we are very grateful for that. We are looking to see if we could find other Montserratians
who are outside Montserrat who would come back and play their role at this time."
The last question to the Chief Minister dealt with the ‘gold’ matter: "Where have you been giving the impression that we want such fancy things that it looks like gold?"
His quick response was: "All my pronouncements and all my requests are made publicly. The International Committee, in its report in Parliament, by implication they are saying that my requests are reasonable. When Cook came he was struck by what he saw. We are asking just for a chance to start over again. We are not asking for luxuries, and if to take people out of shelters in conditions that are subhuman are termed gold by others, they want their minds examined."
"Admissions are Useful in the Healing, But the Delivery is Still Important"
This past week has seen in Britain more pressure being applied to Miss Clare Short where she was summoned before the House of Commons International Development Committee to answer claims that they are shirking their responsibilities for of Montserrat.
What that does is cement our argument that much of what progress is achieved here in making Montserrat viable for life to go on depends on Clare Short and that there have been deliberate plans to frustrate that progress.
DFID, which is Clare Short’s responsibility, has made much about the funds that have been committed and spent on the crisis and the rehabilitation and future development of Montserrat. But as we pointed out last week, Robin Cook must have had a very heavy heart as he boarded the helicopter to return to the UK after spending a brief five hours trying to figure out on what and where the £36 million he was told had been spent.
The Governor explains that every single drop of water and volt of electricity should be included in all that, plus the ferry and helicopter and just about every facet of life forMontserratians. But is that really so? Had it not been for the British, we would not have these things?
We too are asking to see a breakdown of those figures and now the Hon. Chief Minister has taken up the call. The question must be asked, "How come he is placed in that position of having to make demands?" What kind of treatment is being handed down that he is not kept fully up to date about the expenditures on our behalf? What is he continually thanking the British for on our behalf?
Let’s take a brief look at the figures we are told are being spent on 250 houses to take people out of shelters and those of us being asked to consider moving into. This week DFID hastily announced that the sums committed had been raised to £55 million, with the addition of £4.8 million to complete the 250 houses. That brings the total of money for housing up to £11.5 million. That is equivalent to EC$197,800 per house. Of course that is supposed to include infrastructure etc., at least so we believe. We also know that the contractors were offered $80,000 to construct one of these houses at Lookout.
Robin Cook announced 10 computers will be given to our schools at a cost of £25,000, a cost of EC$10,750 each. We know that about $3,000 for an up to date computer is a more than reasonable figure, especially for the purposes intended.
Something is not right about some of these figures and expenditures. We know also that quite large sums are being expended for British personnel on island, and we realise that the helicopter and ferry only came on stream last July. We are also aware of the cost of the jetty and the delays in making that into a slightly better place of business.
Then George Foulkes, Under-Secretary of State for International Development, told the House of Commons that Montserrat, whose population has now shrunk to 2,850, was now getting as much British aid as Bangladesh, with 100 million inhabitants. He also said, "I hope this will end once and for all the notion being put around for some that we are trying to depopulate the island. We are committed to the people and the island of Montserrat and as long as this government is in office we will continue to maintain that commitment."
After they have successfully caused the reduction of the island from about 8,000 people to the figure stated above (which we however suspect to be incorrect), he wants the world to believe that now they are not trying to depopulate Montserrat. Maybe he should ask the chief scientific advisor about his plans and where they came from.
Chief scientist Ritchie Robertson tries very hard to explain those complicated probabilities knowing very well that we cannot challenge them, especially since most of us will not bother to try and understand them or even care to.
If members of the House of Commons in England feel their response, referrred to have been "clumsy", what are we here supposed to feel, being the ones getting the end of it?
We need to state once again that while we are indeed grateful for the effort, however clumsy, it is their obligation and what we cannot appreciate, is the effort to make the world believe all is well while we struggle not to have to tell the world it is not so. Much, much damage has already been done and after all the clumsiness, after all the planning, which may have backfired, since the result might not achieve the desires, much, much more will be needed to remedy the situation. It will be up to them and a lot from us to put the recovery in place.
Horizons Int. Helps Locals with Insurance Claims
A New York based insurance company, which deals exclusively with property evaluation, has offered help to residence on the island to file their insurance claims.
Three representatives from Horizons International Group Ltd. were here this week to look into helping the government to prepare its insurance claims.
President of the company John Morinjello says his company is also quite willing to help the people of the disaster-hit island.
"We want to see if we can be of any assistance to the people and government of Montserrat in preparing their insurance claims. Our firm has been known to many corporation, government agencies and individuals filing claims. Our role is to evaluate damages, prepare a claim and then make that presentation to insurers and hopefully bring forth successful settlement on behalf of the policy holder," Morinjello said.
Morejello said his company, which has had experience in preparing and settling claims in the region, is willing to give individuals free service.
UWI Cave Hill Campus Assoc. Gets New Executive
A new executive was recently installed at the Cave Hill Campus of University of the West Indies Montserrat Association.
Joy Ponde was elected to presidency with Randolph Hiles as vice-president. Vanessa Lewis was instituted as treasurer and Careen Edgecombe was elected as secretary. Chelsea Thomas secured the position of public relations officer while Lyndona Lambert and Samuel Joseph are the floor members on the executive.
The new executive, of the Montserratian association, was voted in on the February 12.
On Thursday the East Caribbean Central Bank announced here, the release an upgraded Eastern Caribbean hundred dollar note which is in circulation. Antigua and Barbuda received the first shipment of the new note, which has enhanced security characteristics to guard against counterfeiting. It will gradually be circulated in the other ECCB member territories.
The note features a see-through thread manufactured into the paper and micro-engraved with the letters ECCB. Other fraud deterrent attributes include a flower-shaped design know as an intaglio (pronounced in-TA-glio) on the front right hand side, and increased fluorescence. All previous issues of EC hundred dollar note continue to be legal tender.
CDERA Implements Disaster Response Project
Montserrat will be one of the beneficiaries of the a Caribbean Disaster Response Agency (CDERA) recent project.
CDERA has established a system to speed up the response to disaster-hit Montserrat and other territories in the region. This program, which has the backing of the US government, has been formulated to eliminate major problems in responding to disasters in the region.
Some US $500,000 material supplies will be stored in Barbados, Antigua/Barbuda, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. These areas will be focal points to respond to disaster in the CDERA grouping.
According to CDERA this is a benchmark in the efforts of the region to beef-up its capacity to deal with disasters in the region.
The US government has agreed to transport the supplies to the various locals and also to train personnel in warehouse management, prior to the 1998 hurricane season.
MWA to Build 100,000 Gallon Water Storage Tank
Montserrat Water Authority has been contracted by construction firm Brown and Root to build a 100,000 gallons water storage tank at Dick Hill. This, it is said, will increase the water storage capacity at Dick Hill to 140,000 gallons. The new tank is expected to serve the new housing project at Look Out along with surrounding areas.
Brown and Root, a European based construction firm was contracted to fast tract the home building process July 20, 1997. They have so far completed fifty houses at Davy Hill and is in the next phase of building another fifty at Look Out.
Recent news indicate that another fifty prefab houses will be built to accommodate persons from the Central Zone.
Weekes and Cassell Represent at Tourism Conference
Minister of Communication and Works, Rupert Weekes and Director of Tourism Ernestine Cassell left island this week for a meeting of tourism and transportation ministers organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
The Barbados based meeting will be considering recommendation of public and private agencies relating to issues of air transportation, investment and tourism resources, cruise tourism and regional marketing.
The meeting also looked critical issues in regional and international air transportation and their likely impact on regional tourism.. The status and impact of impact of functional cooperation between regional air carriers, investments in Caribbean tourism development and the future of regional marketing initiatives were some of the other issues discussed.
ECCB To Host Credit Union Forum
"Credit Union Integration and Market Efficiency" is the theme of a one-day forum to be held Feb. 27 to discuss the implications of consolidation for the Credit Union sector in the OECS.
The forum, which will be sponsored by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, is scheduled to take place at the Fort Thomas Hotel in St. Kitts. It will bring together more than 80 representatives of Credit Unions, Credit Union leagues and ministries of cooperatives to share their experiences.
Among the organisations will be the Council of Credit Unions, the Inter-American Development Bank, National Association in the USA and the Caribbean, the Jamaica Cooperative Credit Union League, and other institutions in Trinidad, St. Lucia and Dominica.
Among the organisations invited to attend the forum are the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions, the World Council of Credit Unions, the inter-American Development Bank and the International Labour Organisation. The ECCB has provided extensive technical support to the Credit Union sector over the past six years, which has resulted in greater efficiency and improved financial management.
Chief Minister Seeks Accountability for British Aid
Montserrat’s Chief Minister David Brandt this week called for an investigation of the monies spent on Montserrat by the Department for International Department since the volcano crisis started in 1995.
"I want to know what the money has been spent on, because I am sure Mr. Cook wondered, if millions of pounds have been spent on Montserrat how is it they have 508 people still in shelters. How is it the roads are in such conditions? How is that we have to have our children in porta cabins? How is it that our hospital is in such condition?
"These are matters which concerns the people. So I want to know where the money went," he said.
Brandt was careful to note the difference between "commitment and spending on the ground."
"What I would like to see is the money being spent on the ground to alleviate the hardship of people," he explained.
Speaking to reporters CM Brandt registered his appreciation for the development "air and sea transport." However he said that people and their comfort are most important.
DFID Withholds Package Payments from Some Evacuees
Unconfirmed reports indicate that some 12 persons have had their relocation packages withdrawn or frozen, because they were not present in Antigua during the payment period.
One 72-year-old woman who returned to see family and friends in Montserrat stayed longer than Department for International Development officials thought was necessary to do so. Her payment was withdrawn until "evidence that she has relocated to Antigua could be shown."
Speaking to the Montserrat Reporter, Douglas Houston, head of DFID Antigua/Montserrat, said the package was specifically given to help persons who have moved to other regional territories. He said that a person who is effectively living on Montserrat cannot be considered as having relocated. He added that not only is it unfair to British taxpayers but also against British Government policy to issue payment to such persons.
Houston said he is not against persons making short trips to Montserrat, but that working and conducting business in Montserrat over a long period of time do not qualify one to be an evacuee under the current scheme.
He said a couple of days per week on Montserrat will not disqualify someone.
A printed reminder given to persons for their next payment includes this warning:
"To be eligible for subsequent payments you must prove that you still reside in the Caribbean region (outside Montserrat) at the time that payments are due. Failure to comply will lead to delays in payments."
Montserrat Red Cross Needs Volunteers
The Montserrat's Red Cross remains extremely active in the continuing volcanic crisis on the island. But with limited resources, both human and financial, there's a limit to what its hardworking Director, staff and volunteers can achieve. More volunteers are urgently needed, especially in the area of first aid, but also to help out with the running of the many programmes of the branch.
A recent visit by Red Cross officials will help the local branch to chart its way forward. Paul Anticoni, deputy head of the British Red Cross international aid department, says that even though the remaining population is small, the volcanic crisis has placed Montserrat in 'an absolutely unique situation, with unique needs and humanitarian requirements'. But, he says, 'the answers to the challenges faced by the Montserrat Red Cross cannot be found by people from outside'.
His visit has helped local staff and volunteers to focus on the things they think the Red Cross should be doing, and where the priorities lie. He gave an assurance that the British Red Cross stands ready to support the local branch, but more involvement from the community, and increased numbers of volunteers, are also needed in order to achieve meaningful results.
Strictly a branch of the British Red Cross, the Montserrat Red Cross also has links with regional Red Cross societies, which it now has the opportunity to strengthen. Also visiting Montserrat was Marja Naarendorp, Director of the Suriname Red Cross, who is on a six month assignment with the Caribbean Regional Red Cross Delegation, based in Kingston, Jamaica.
Marja's visit here was aimed towards a process of greater integration, whereby the Red Cross branches in the British Dependent Territories (now to be renamed British Overseas Territories), while remaining part of the British Red Cross, can at the same time benefit from greater integration into the activities and programmes of the regional movement. .
Marja (pronounced Maria) explains that the Regional Delegation forms a part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which has been in existence for nearly 80 years. Each country can only have one Red Cross Society, hence the Dependent Territories being branches of the British Red Cross, since they are not independent countries.
Marja points out that the Red Cross is often thought of as an agency that simply hands out donated goods, but that this should not necessarily be its main function. She points out that there's a need to reduce the vulnerability of the target groups, rather than simply handing out food and other items, which can make people even more dependent. (see end of article). The regional Red Cross movement, she says, strongly supports development initiatives rather than merely 'handing out'.
The Montserrat Red Cross branch, under the leadership of its volunteer Director Lystra Osborne, is engaged in a host of functions, chief of which at present is the building of the Golden Years Home for the aged. This task was taken on in response to the increasing numbers of dependent old people, as the relocations and evacuations from the volcanic area took their toll.
With many folks relocated in evacuation shelters or homes of friends, families became less able to care for their older members in a home setting. To address this situation, the local Red Cross set up the two shelters for the elderly at St Peters and Cavalla Hill, which after two years are still in use. The new Golden Years home when completed will accommodate these old folk in a more convenient and permanent setting.
Red Cross outreach officer, Nurse Mary Cooper, assesses the needs of vulnerable community members, including those recently moved into new housing, who are without basic household items. The 'home pack' project is a response to this. She also assess the needs of the elderly and handicapped in the community. The branch has also been assisting with books and uniforms for school children.
First aid and mass casualty response is another important aspect of the work of the local Red Cross branch. With many first aiders migrating, it will be important to enlist and train new volunteers in this field, especially with the possibility of a volcanic mass casualty event. Volunteers are urgently needed to replace those who have left the island.
Currently the local Red Cross inevitably finds itself in the position of packing and distributing donated food and other goods, which continue to come in. Although grateful for the gifts, it's felt both locally and by the visiting officials, that the Red Cross needs to get away from its 'handing out' role. Instead, donors need to be informed as to what items are actually needed, rather than deciding for themselves what to send.
This would save unnecessary expense on shipping and make sure that scarce funds are spent to best effect, as well as conserving volunteers' time for more essential functions. The Montserrat Red Cross Branch is always in need of additional help, and donations (preferably monetary) are gratefully accepted, so that they can continue their work.
Before sending in-kind donations, it's advisable to check on what is needed. Adult disposable diapers (large size) for the elderly, for example, are always needed, whereas some other items might be better purchased locally, thus helping to strengthen the economy .For overseas readers, enquiries and donations can be directed to the Director, Montserrat Red Cross, PO Box 61, Montserrat, telephone 664-491-2699.
With the help of the visiting officials, local volunteers and staff have been able to identify other areas where, with outside support and the assistance of additional volunteers locally, the local Red Cross can make its mark.
The third Red Cross visitor was Jo Baker, International Finance Manager at the British Red Cross. Her main role has been to assist with the accounting aspect of the Montserrat branch, so that it will be easier to know exactly where assistance is most needed.
The Pink Mealy Bug in Montserrat
Pink Mealy Bug in Cheap End, St. Peters
Several weeks ago, the Department of Agriculture announced the presence of the dreaded 'pink mealy bug' in Montserrat. The pests latin name is Maconellicoccus hirsutus and is also known as the hibiscus or grape mealybug. It is found in tropical Africa, South-east Asia and northern Australia and according to a CARDI leaflet on the bug, was first identified in Grenada in October 1994.
When the bug was first suspected to be in Montserrat a few weeks ago, a ban was put on its announcement until it could be factually confirmed following the sending of samples overseas for confirmation.
Since the confirmation of the mealy bug's presence in Montserrat, the Agriculture Department set about a serious effort to exterminate the bug.
According to Director of Agriculture Claude Gerald, there has been relatively good success in their efforts. He said that they had set up a task force to deal with the extermination and that they used the 'slash and burn' method immediately followed by biological control, described by CARDI as, "the only effective, safe and sustainable way to control this mealybug."
Gerald said that they imported insects to carry out this exercise and that when there is no more pink mealy bugs to be had, the insects will feed on other mealy bugs, which are of lesser concern.
Gerald said, "The bugs were localised to the Cheap End area and had not spread," adding that they had complete control of the pests.
He also said that efforts are under-way to re-open trade with Antigua who as a result of the pink mealy bug-finding in Montserrat had banned all trade with the volcano troubled island.
Damage Symptoms of the Mealy Bug
The pink mealybuy will feed on the soft tissues of most plants, injecting a toxic saliva which causes the primary symptoms of curling and pleating leaves. As infestation increases the deformed leaves form rosettes, often throughout the whole plant. Young shoots respond by curling and twisting, shoot tips develop a bushy appearance and the plant growth is stunted. Stem internodes shorten and buds may not flower. On some plants the above symptoms occur without any signs of the pink mealybug. This can be causing for the lay person and so it is important to seek expert advice for identification.
The Government of Montserrat plans to improve the safety of ships docking at Port Little Bay. Funds have been secured from British Government to place fenders at the pier, which was constructed by the British Government primarily for emergency purposes.
The Aid Management Office says the fenders will be placed at the Port to secure the safety of ships which dock at Little Bay to deliver cargo. Floats will also be used to protect bigger ships. Currently the lack of protection, prevents ships laden with the cargo to dock because of rough seas. Additionally a study will be carried out to explore the possibility of putting break water at Little Bay. There is another study focusing on general development of the temporary port including the installation of basic facilities such as electricity.
Caricom Village to be a Reality by August
A technical team from the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) arrived in Montserrat on Tuesday to further review plans for the Caricom Village during this week.
Captain Martin Rickman and Lieutenant-Colonel Sadler of the engineer section of JDF were the JDF men, who along with a Caribbean Disaster Response Agency (CDERA) Deputy Coordinator Miss Audrey Y. Mullings arrived on island.
Miss Mullings said her visit was to look over the overall coordination which CDERA is responsible for.
She offered the explanation that the CARICOM Village was conceptualise as an input from the region to support the Montserrat rehabilitation effort towards providing long term shelter for residents of Montserrat who are unfortunately living in shelters."
Miss Mullings pointed out that they project was to build 30 houses, 25 of which have been purchased in Cuba with the other 5 being donated by a firm in Jamaica.
"CDERA is providing the coordination support in terms of mobilising the Defence Force which is part of the responsibility of CDERA as a part of its response to disaster efforts in the region," she said.
Miss Mullings also said that CDERA is not looking only at the JDF, but also mobilising personel from other Defence Forces, "although the bulk will come from the JDF who are the lead in this particular effort."
"We are hoping that the village will be seen as a model for the region," she said in conclusion.
On , 6th January, 1998 the JDF conducted an assessment on the project here. At that time Captain Rickman, was accompanied by Sergeant Major Smalling and Sergeant Mullings, (no immediate relations with Miss Mullings.)
Lieutenant-Colonel Sadler explained their purpose for the second visit.
"We call this visit a ‘confirmatory recky’. In our earlier visit we looked at the Davy Hill site and subsequent to our visit there was a change in location. We needed to go to the new site at Lookout to confirm arrangement there. We are pleased with the site, it is a better site, and the infrastructural work has already started by Brown & Root."
The Lieutenant said that it was possible now to firm the administrative and logistical arrangements and mentioned the importance of the CDERA presence.
The plan is to have the 30 concrete prefabricated houses completed within six months. The men revealed that some 30 military men with a minimum of 21 from Jamaica will involved in the project, the other nine coming from other Defence Forces in the region.
Later in the press conference held at ZJB studios Captain Rickman confirmed his earlier announcement that confirmed that there will be a turnover of personnel when the first set of men will be replaced by another.
"We are very pleased with the visit so far, as the support that we need is either in place or will be in place in time for us."
The party expressed that the village will be complete as it will be "a turn key project", done at a very high standard. They added that the houses are being built to meet the acceptable standards in this part of the region and with hurricanes and earthquake specifications.
Miss Mullings revealed that "already the University of the West Indies (UWI)has indicated its interest in providing support in looking at the social planning issues."
To the question as to further development of the village, it was also revealed that the village will form part of a bigger plan which will include other community facilities.
Miss Mullings said that they were able to overcome all the challenges of getting the Caricom Village from an idea to a state where they were almost ready to begin the construction, stating that the houses were ready to be shipped from Cuba once the shipping arrangements can be satisfactorily concluded, so they can be ready before the hurricane season.
Miss Mullings in giving a very brief history of CDERA said the organisation started in 1991. It has a small staff and is funded by the Caricom governments with support funds coming from UNDP, the British, the Canadians and other international bodies. The Japanese has actually assigned a person to CDERA, which is part of a Japan/Caricom encounter.
Next month a volcanic emergency planning workshop will be held in Antigua which will take in a visit to Montserrat to look at first hand knowledge of what happens in a volcanic emergency.
Cricket - Batting Will Decide Series - Lara
By Ezra Stuart
Port of Spain, Trinidad, CANA - West Indies’ captain Brian Lara says batting will decide which team wins the six-Test 1998 Cable and Wireless series which is now locked 1-1 after England won the third Test by three wickets at Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago, this week..
"We got three test matches left and I think the better batting team is going to win. We are trying as much as possible to improve in our batting," Lara told reporters after the game.
"We got the bowlers to bowl England out and they have the bowlers to bowl us out but the team that improve more in their batting will win the series," added Lara, who suffered his first loss in three full matches as West Indies’ captain.
He said a victory target of 225 was defendable but praised the batting of England’s captain Mike Atherton and Alec Stewart who put on 129 for the first wicket — their third century stand against the West Indies.
"On a Trinidad pitch, it was a total you could defend but this is a game England wanted to win badly and Mike and Stewart put on a very good foundation.
"We had a few dropped catches but these things happen in the game and they (England) went on to win. On another occasion, I would have still backed West Indies to win," said Lara.
He also lauded efforts of veteran pacers Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose, who bowled their hearts out in a losing cause, delivering 38 and 33 overs respectively in the second innings.
"Special praise for Ambrose and Courtney, who took the ball up since yesterday (Monday) and have not put it down yet. They tried their best and of course, you will be disappointed not to win but I think we have come away with a lot of positives in this game," Lara said.
England’s captain Atherton was a relieved man, 10 minutes after lunch when Mark Butcher and Dean Headley, two players with West Indian parents, scrambled a bye for the winning run.
"It was one of the tensest games I’ve played in a Test match for a while. The importance of the game was massive for us. To go two-nil down would have been a little difficult to come back from, particularly bearing in mind that both games, we felt we had a good chance of winning," said Atherton.
Atherton said England were always confident about reaching the victory target but praised Ambrose and Walsh for outstanding bowling.
"We fancied our chances of getting the runs but the way Ambrose and Walsh bowled together, made it tough for us. They did not deliver a single bad ball between them," said Atherton.
The England skipper also hailed the performance of their bowlers.
"Our bowlers bowled magnificently both times to keep us in the match. Myself and Alec also put on a good start and we were confident of winning from there," said Atherton.
Looking ahead to the fourth Test, which starts in Guyana on Feb. 27 and the other two Tests, Atherton said they are very confident.
"We are well in the series. It is 1-1. We competed well both times. We felt we had a chance of winning both games so our confidence is high with three games to go," said Atherton.
Apart from Guyana, the fifth Test will be played in Barbados, March 12-16 and the sixth in Antigua, March 20-24.
How Linda Gissanheime Solves Very Tricky Cooking Problems
from Bottom Line/Personal
When people find out what I do for a living, they often ask me for ways to solve their tricky cooking problems. Here are some of the biggest problems. . .
Problem.
Rice that comes out pasty—or undercooked.
Best way to cook rice: Boil rice in a pot large enough to let the grains roll freely in the water. Simply add rice in a steady slow stream to the rapidly boiling water so that the water continues to boil. Boil uncovered for about 10 minutes, and then drain.
Problem:
Homemade tomato sauce that comes out too watery.
Solution: Simmer uncovered until the sauce reduces and thickens with rich flavor. Generally, two pounds of fresh tomatoes or four cups of canned tomatoes take 30 minutes. If you think your tomatoes are not at their best quality or not in season, add a few teaspoons of canned tomato puree or tomato paste to the sauce.
Problem:
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts that dry out when cooking.
Solution: Heat two tablespoons of olive oil on a high flame in a nonstick skillet until smoking. Add the chicken breasts, and sear about two minutes on each side. They should be golden brown. With the heat at medium, cover with a lid. Cook another four minutes—for an average-size chicken breast. Remove from pan immediately.
Problem.
Cake that sticks to the bottom of the baking pan.
Solution: Before cooking, cut a piece of parchment paper or foil to fit the bottom of the pan. Spray the pan with oil spray, place the paper in the pan and smooth it out. Then spray the paper. Next, lightly dust the pan with flour, shaking out any excess.
To turn the cake out of the pan, loosen the sides with a spatula and tip the cake upside down onto a rack. The paper will come out with the cake. Carefully peel the paper off the bottom.
Linda Gassenheimer is executive director of (Gardner’s Market, a chain of gourmet supermarkets in Miami. She is author of Dinner in Minutes Memorable Meals for Busy Cooks.
Simple Secrets of The Power of Confidence
Confidence is an essential quality in determining our degree of success.
Confidence helps us approach the people we want to meet...and need to meet...and helps us ask for what we need and for what we deserve.
Confidence is not the same as self-esteem, although the two are related. Self-esteem is an inner attitude—it refers to the way we regard ourselves.
Confidence is the ability to project this positive self-regard when in public situations. It comes across as poise —even when we are feeling under pressure. Though confidence may seem like something you’re born with, it can be acquired. Shy people can acquire it, too. Simple strategies for projecting confidence...
Always focus on the other person. It’s hard to seem poised when you’re worrying about how you look or whether you are saying the right thing. In order to lose this debilitating self-consciousness, focus your attention on others instead of on yourself.To accomplish this quickly, use the four-L technique:
Try it. You’ll find it’s impossible to be lethargic, distracted or preoccupied with yourself when your body language shows animation and interest in others.
Whether you’re at a party, a conference or a job interview, it’s very hard to resist a genuine smile.
That word genuine is important. Many people think they’re smiling when their face is actually set in a grim mask of anxiety.
If you remain concentrated on your fears—such as "I hate talking in front of a large group"—those fears will show up on your face, even when you try to smile.
So change what you tell yourself. Try, "What I’m saying will help people to do their jobs more efficiently"—and you will appear open, receptive and confident.
To get over this fear and build instant connections, ask for help—or offer your help to others.
Because our culture prizes self-sufficiency, asking for help may not sound like a good way to create confidence. Yet people love to feel needed— we’re all yearning to make a difference in the world.
When you ask for help or offer help, you’re empowering both yourself and the person you’re asking help from or assisting. You’ll come across as someone who is friendly and outgoing, which translates into confidence.
Don’t worry about a clever opener. Just smile warmly, introduce yourself and add a line about what you do or where you live.
Taking the initiative works especially well at luncheon meetings, where groups of eight or 10 near-strangers are seated around a table.
Example: People are invariably grateful when someone says, ‘We’ve got about 20 minutes before the program starts, and we haven’t had a chance to meet each other. Why don’t we go around the table and introduce ourselves?"
This initiative won’t be perceived as overly aggressive or inappropriate because you’re not grabbing the conversational ball for yourself. People wind up exchanging useful information, sharing ideas and showcasing their expertise— thanks to your act of confidence.
Example: "I’m a loan officer at a bank" is flat when compared with "I meet with small business owners and help finance their growth."
Confident people take thoughtful risks—but don’t beat themselves up when things fail to turn out as they had hoped. They see mistakes as lessons, not failures. They’re self-coaches, not self-critics. And they focus on the future, not the past.
by the Silent Observer
The house is silent now. There are no footsteps in the corridors. No sounds of laughter coming from any of the open doors. Just the whirring of the refrigerator as it makes ice cubes that probably will never be used.
The cobwebs hang from the roof like chandeliers in an ancient cathedral.
The domestic help that used to remove the cobwebs has joined the exodus off island, hoping that somewhere out there is a better place than the shelters; there are jobs which will pay more than the domestic help salary here.
The toilets have to be flushed to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. In the kitchen there are no smells of sailfish or frying bacon because the women and children are gone. The incentive to leave was always more than that it was to stay. The tinge of regret that they have gone still lingers, but during the reign of pumice rock and ashes, there is joy in my heart that they did not have to endure it.
There are many houses in Montserrat that are like this, but this is a lucky house, it has at least one occupant.
For some families the separation from each other was more than could be endured. So fathers and mothers who swore they would never give up Montserrat, or that they would see the terrorizing volcano grow into a tired old man and go back to sleep, eventually opted to join the others who left earlier. The beaten track to the evacuation office became a blessing after one year stretched into 18 months and the volcano showed no intention of relenting.
As the population was pushed further North along with the pressure from the EOC and MVO, not to mention the persistent ash clouds and heavy media coverage on the danger of silicosis, others decided to jump rather than be pushed.
The information overload, the emotional tug-of-war, the personal conflict and the endless questions to a casual, easy-going set of people were more than words could explain. An explosion in the night would bring one fully awake wondering if it was a dream or was it the final blast one was told to expect?
As the stress increased so did the exodus. The ash from the volcano hid a lot more than what was really known, for up to this point no one seemed to know the true story — if there is a true story.
What is known is that in a country which recently had a high unemployment rate now there is a shortage of labor. No, it was not brilliant planning by some astute job creation programmer. It was a combination of several tragedies that have yet to be reconciled. The bill for these tragedies is still waiting to be paid.
The British still talks about a bill, the bill of 42 million pounds that has been spent on Montserrat. Yes the 42 million pounds we keep hearing about. Never do they tell us what it has cost in the currency of lives. No one talks about the emotional price people have to pay. Yes there is talk about the conditions of the shelters, but this is done only to point fingers. Who knows the psychological damage that is done by staring at too many 40,000 feet ashclouds?
Everyday we hear about people that we knew, who are stranded in London or some other English city, unable to raise the ticket money to return to Montserrat. We are not sure of the numbers, but we know of those who call us personally and say so.
It is hard to say "I told you so." The poor people did not have a chance against the brainwashing techniques, and the information overload they were subjected to for two months prior to launching the evacuation scheme. They never knew exactly what they were signing up for. They were taken by surprise by the concerned "British Government." While searching for a better life in London, their houses are empty — or should I say housing spiders.
Cooper Cautions Against Possible Eye Damage During Eclipse
Acting Director of Health Ronnie Cooper this week called on residents to adhere to current warnings to avoid looking directly at the sun during the once-in-a-lifetime Feb. 26 solar eclipse. This he says could cause irreparable damage to the light-sensitive part of the eye, the retina.
"The time that it is dangerous to look at the eclipse is really during the partial phase, which is between 1:04 p m and 2:30 p m and also 2:33 p.m. as the eclipse goes away," Dr., Cooper said.
He mentioned that persons, who should be very careful, can view the actual three-minute eclipse. "During the three-minute window between 2:30 and 2:33 p.m. you can, if you are careful, look at it with the naked eye because it is supposed to be something very beautiful. But the important thing to bear in mind is that as soon as this three-minute window is gone then the sun begins to reappear and damage to the eye can occur," he said.
Cooper said the damage is done by dangerous solar rays which penetrate the eye and destroy the sensitive image-making layer of the eye, the retina.
This, he said, is called a retinal burn.
"All visible light can trigger a sensitive reaction within this sensitive rod. If very high intense light or infra-red rays are shown directly at the back of the eye, the light-responding function of these cells can be become impaired. Depending of the extent of the damage, one can either get a temporary or a permanent loss of visual function," Cooper explained.
He also said this can occur easily since there are no pain-sensitive nerves at the back of the eye.
"This is all painless so it may be days before you recognize that your vision is not what it used to be," Cooper said.
Solar filters are available from the tourist board. All are strongly advised to protect their eyes during the eclipse by wearing these filters.
The Montserrat Tourist Board has been making solar filters available to residents to facilitate the safe viewing of the eclipse and Dr. Cooper is encouraging residents to properly secure the solar filters until the time of use Feb. 26.
"If these filters are damaged, scratched or pricked they will lose their efficiency, and if you look through a damaged filter you can in fact do damage to the eye. It is important to all the people who have received the solar filters that they keep them in a safe place," the doctor said.
Safety Viewing
Subscribed by Dr. Roy Bishop in an Adaptation from the Observer’s Handbook 1998 of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, he offers:
"The total solar eclipse of February 26, 1998 is the last such eclipse visible from the Caribbean in our lifetimes. This is a wonderful opportunity, but it is essential that potential viewers be aware of the visual dangers associated with the partial phases of a solar eclipse.
The safety rule is simple, but is not appreciated by everyone, especially children: Never look at the dazzling surface of the sun, either directly with the unaided eyes, or through binoculars or a telescope. To do so one risks permanent partial blindness, and this can occur almost instantly in the case of telescopic viewing, Viewing our Sun is just as dangerous on any clear day, but a the time of an eclipse people have a reason to want to look at it - and often resort to dangerous methods.
A direct view of the sun is safe only if a suitable filter is used in a proper manner. In the case of binoculars or a telescope, the filter must be one that attaches securely to the front end of the instrument, never one that attaches to the eyepiece and (the heat developed near the eyepiece can shatter such a filter).
Filters specifically designed for solar viewing include aluminized mylar, and glass filters plated with a slightly-transparent, metallic film. Such filters may be purchased at telescope supply stores. For direct viewing (not using binoculars or a telescope) shade #14 (no other shade) rectangular welder’s glass may be used, and may be purchased for a few dollars at welding supplies shops. All of these are commercial items and cannot be duplicated with ordinary household items. For example, layers of photographic colour film, coloured glass, stacked sunglasses, crossed polarizers, smoked, glass, or photographic neutral density filters must never be used. Although one may devise a combination which dims the visible sunlight to a comfortable level, such a filter may be quite transparent in the infrared part of the solar spectrum, and this invisible radiation will damage the retina of the observer’s eye. For the same reason, one must never rely on clouds or heavy atmospheric haze to dim the solar image when using a telescope. The layers of fully exposed and developed, silver-based, black-and-white photographic film provides adequate protection, but many modern films including all colour films and based on dyes that do not provide protection in the infrared. Thus it is best to avoid using filters made of photographic film.
One of the simplest and safest ways to observe the partial phases of a solar eclipse is the relatively unknown technique of pinhole mirror projection. Take a small pocket mirror and , with masking tape, cover all but a small section of the mirror’s surface. The shape and size of the small opening is not critical, but a square about 6 millimetres on a side works well. Prop the mirror up on a sunny window still (a lump of modeling clay makes a good, adjustable mount), and orient the mirror so the reflected sunlight shines on the ceiling or a wall of the room -but not directly into anyone eyes. The spot of light on the viewing surface will be a pinhole image of the solar disk. The mirror has a great advantage over the usual "pinhole-in-a-box arrangement" in that the image can be aimed across a substantial distance to a convenient viewing screen. The greater the projection distance, the larger, but dimmer, will be the sun’s image. The size of the mirror aperture should be adjusted for the best compromise between image brightness and image sharpness. With this simple device, the progress of a solar eclipse can be viewed in complete safety by a group of children in a darkened room.
A sharper and brighter image of the solar disk may be projected onto a white viewing screen placed 30 or 40 cm behind the eyepiece of binoculars or a small telescope (the telescope aperture should be stopped down to about 50mm in order to limit the intensity of sunlight passing through the instrument, and the viewing screen should be shielded from direct sunlight). However, one must not look through the instrument when aiming it, and, especially if children are present, a physical barrier should be used to prevent anyone attempting to look into the eyepiece. If the telescope has a finderscope it should be either covered or removed.
For those fortunate enough to be within the part of totality on February 26, during the priceless couple of minutes of totality no filters are needed at all!"
O'Garros is Among the Best Sites
The last land-based sites from which to watch the eclipse are over the Leeward Islands of Guadeloupe, Antigua and Montserrat and a few smaller outposts. Once again the center of the eclipse track misses land, passing down the middle of the Guadeloupe Passage.
Cloud conditions are not so favorable as those along the north coast of South America, but fine enough to present a good opportunity to view the Sun at the critical moment.
Montserrat lies within the shadow path, on the north side of the center line. At Plymouth, the capital, eclipse duration is 2m 57s. A road heads south from Plymouth to St. Patrick’s, about 3 km away to the south, and actually goes beyond that, close to the south tip of the island. The eclipse duration here is 3min. 3sec., or a mere 14 seconds less than the duration on the center line.
A volcano in the Soufriére Hills at the south end of island erupted in early 1995. It will add an extra challenge to eclipse observers if it remains active.
THE WEATHER
Sunshine statistics are not available for Montserrat or Antigua, but weather should be very similar to Guadeloupe. Mean cloud falls within the range of 40 to 50 percent with local statistics favoring the higher number. This may not represent actual conditions too well, since the higher elevations on these islands are often necklaced with clouds, which must be included in the amounts reported by ground observers. This will tend to make official reports appear more cloudy than is actually the case at the best coastal eclipse sites. Still, there is no doubt that cloud cover on the Leeward Islands is heavier than farther west along the South American coast, but if eclipses on sandy beaches with overhanging palm trees appeal to you, then the Leewards are a choice location.
There has been ongoing discovery/exploratory activity in North Montserrat for New, exciting and interesting attractions. Our major attractions which we enjoyed over the years in the Southern Part of the island, no longer exist.
Our most recent Hike started at Jackboy Hill and ended at Shell Rock. A moderately challenging trail with beautiful vistas of varying shades of green down the valleys and up the mountain slopes.
You may be lucky to see one of Montserrat’s three species of amphibians - the mountain chicken. The National Bird,- the Oriole, and other birds can be seen on this trail.
Views of Long Ground Village, (still very green), devastated areas of Tuitts, Bethel, Spanish Pointe, W.H. Bramble Airport, Trants, Paradise and the untouched portion of Harris’ Village, make the hike worthwhile.
Just a few more days before the spectacular Solar Eclipse speeds across the Caribbean Sea overshadowing Montserrat at 2.30p.m on Thursday February 26, 1998. Here are some additional ECLIPSE EYE SAFETY precautions:
DO NOT VIEW SOLAR PARTIAL ECLIPSE WITH THE NAKED EYE
IT IS NEVER SAFE TO WATCH WITHOUT EYE PROTECTION
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER ATTEMPT DIRECT VIEWING
FAILURE TO USE APPROPRIATE PROTECTION WILL RESULT IN "ECLIPSE BLINDESS" OR RETINAL BURNS
PARENTS MUST MONITOR CHILDREN CLOSELY
YOUR SAFETY IS OUR CONCERN.
Jus wonderin whether the 98-percent complete hot-mix plant was commissioned, as announced, two weekends ago and whether the first batch of hot mix is anywhere near 98 percent ready to be used as a start on repaving Montserrat’s necklace of potholes.
Jus wonderin whether any of the Montserratians long relocated to London have heard the slang expression "Nookie Cookie" and whether they can tell us what it means or who it is.
Jus wonderin why the two 8 bed room buildings built by Tuitt are not yet occupied.
Jus wonderin why voucher funds are being paid directly to children below age 18 and not to the parents.
Jus wonderin how many computers 25,000 pounds can really buy.
VACANCY
MANAGER’S SECRETARY
Avacancy exists for the position of Manager’s Secretary Bank of Montserrat Ltd.
Prospective applicants should submit an application along with a resume and two (2) references to:
The Manager Bank of Montserrat Ltd. P O Box 10 St. Peters MONTSERRATTo reach No later than 15th March, 1998
The successful applicant will:-
Provide secretarial duties as required to include the supervision of the Bank’s Administrative Procedures.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Five (5) GCE O’Level or CXC passes, including English Language, Mathematics or Accounts.
A good knowledge of Word Processing Packages including Word for Windows and Excel is required.
Preference will be given to applicants with previous work experience in a confidential environment.
Ability to write in short-hand will be an asset.
SALARY
Bank of Montserrat Ltd. Is seeking to fill the following vacancies:
Customer Service Representative
Qualifications:
Office Attendant:
Qualifications:
Applications should be submitted along with curriculum vitae to:
The Manager Bank of Montserrat Ltd. P O Box 10 St. Peters MONTSERRATTo reach not later than March 15, 1998
Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: roachb@candw.ag
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