Christian Council Reaffirms Its Opposition to Changes In Law on Homosexuality
By Bennette Roach
At the Annual General (AGM) Meeting of the Montserrat Christian Council (MCC) on Tuesday evening this week, one of the items on the agenda for discussion was "Response to the White Paper."
The Council was reformed, reverting almost to its structure of several years ago, having been formed in 1980. Rev. Joan Delsol-Meade became its new chairman and it was she who proposed the new structure. (see story in news section)
The Council revealed at its AGM that over a year ago, on February 13, 1998, it had written to the Governor and the Chief Minister on the homosexuality issue, along with abortion.
The letter referred to the "early reports dealing with the question of change of status of Dependent Territories" that were discussed in London, where "we hear that our laws would have to be brought in line with the UK laws, especially in the area of social legislation."
The Council warned that while it awaited for the question to be put before the nation, "as the Christian Council of Montserrat, we would raise objections if this means a change in our laws dealing with homosexuality and abortion…even at this early stage to notify you of our strong objection in this matter."
"We have no feeling from our people of a demand for a change in these laws. Indeed, we find it the opposite way," the letter concluded, hoping for more information and wishing God's blessing and wisdom on the whole discussion.
Although the Council complains that it has had no response from either the Governor or the Chief Minister, it is undoubtedly from this springboard that the Honourable David Brandt launched his confident position that the Montserrat Government would never pass legislation which the British Government says in the "White Paper" it would pass regardless of its newly named "Overseas Territories" position on the matter.
The full text of a new letter to the Governor and the Chief Minister is reproduced here for our readers.
Following the release of this letter the Council issued a press release, which advises the people of Montserrat of "its strong disapproval of the proposed introduction of new legislation dealing with homosexual acts between consenting adults."
MCC Tells Governor, Chief Minister ‘No’ to Homosexuality
The following is the text of a letter addressed to both H.E. Gov. Anthony Abbott and the Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt.)
Dear Sirs,
Further to our correspondence of February 13, 1998, we reiterate the position of the Montserrat Christian Council with regard to proposed changes in social legislation to be introduced for Montserrat and other British Overseas Territories.
Chapter Four of the Partnership for Progress and Prosperity, March 1999, refers explicitly to local legislation which outlaws homosexual acts between consenting adults in private. (4:10). The proposal further observes the absence of prosecutions in recent years. It notes too, that strong opposition to homosexuality obtains in some Caribbean territories, and that this objection is based upon firmly held religious beliefs (4:5)
The Council notes that the above is especially applicable to Montserrat, where the religious faith referred to is based on injunctions contained in the Holy Bible. The matter was therefore given serious consideration at the Annual General Meeting of April 22, 1999, attended by lay and clergy representatives of the Anglican, Methodist, Wesleyan Holiness, Roman Catholic and Pentecostal Churches. The Council's discussion is summarised below.
While the MCC recognises the difficulty of enforcing a personal morality, it observes that the proposed adjustment in legislation strongly suggests the legalisation of homosexuality.
Such a position would represent a serious violation of the cultural mores of our people, and could offer direction that we judge to be inimical to the development of our communal spirituality. The Montserrat Christian Council therefore uses this medium to register with you its categorical disapproval of this change in legislation as mandated in the Partnership for Progress and Prosperity. Such a position will be communicated to the general population by way of the communications media.
Respectfully yours
Joan Delsol Meade (Rev.)
Chair, MCC
Millennium Bug Advisers Give Pointers, Reassurance
By Bennette Roach
Mr. Alexander Borg was one of a five-man team visiting Montserrat for the better part of this week in connection with the Year 2000 Millennium bug (Y2K) problem.
The team spent four days on Montserrat and met with government leaders, top civil servants, officials and staff of the various utility companies, as well as members of the private sector. Mr. Borg included the Rotary Club of Montserrat in his campaign and stopped in to talk to the Rotarians at Woodlands Beach hut, where they meet for their weekly meetings.
On Tuesday morning he met with a small cross section of the public and private sector at the Pelican Room of the Vue Pointe Hotel, where he briefed them on the purpose of his visit, the Y2K problem and what its implications could be for the Caribbean and the world.
Very simply put, this Y2K problem cuts across all categories of computing, but its impact is not restricted only to users of computer technology. Mr. Borg stressed that it is wrong to assume that only people making use of computers or microprocessor-based technology will be affected.
He said: "It has pervaded all sectors of business and civil society -- Insurance policies, Salaries, Social benefits payments, Bank accounts, Hotel reservations, Electricity, Government, Infrastructure, Private enterprise, etc. etc."
But he reassured that Y2k will not be a major disaster or doomsday scenario with the whole world coming to a HALT.
More Next Week.
"People Who Needed Advice Stay Confused for Lack of It"
It surely comes as no surprise that there should be misunderstandings about DFID's month-old statement launching "The Evacuee Return Air Fare Scheme (ERAFS) which fulfils the pledge made in September 1997 by International Development Minister George Foulkes MP."
This matter not only affects people who relocated or evacuated to England but also those who went to other islands around the Caribbean. Ever since those people went they have been suffering in one way or the other.
Without getting into the details of the Assisted Passage Scheme or the Regional Relocation Scheme, as they were officially called, people were allowed a certain sum of money for a period of time and there were conditions which were quite often onerous for the people involved. There was, of course, the time when it seemed clear that Britain had planned or at least hoped that every single Montserratian would leave the island. And it should not be forgotten that those schemes just mentioned are still available, the former till May 31 and the other until April 30, at which time the ERAFS kicks in.
Why no surprise? The Government of Montserrat at no stage made an effort to assist in any way persons who opted to take the Evacuation Package. The reason, though not so obvious, was that although it could do nothing to stop the scheme, it did not really want to see Montserrat evacuated. This was so primarily because it was confident, to the point of being ridiculous, that it was not necessary for people to leave Montserrat.
That qualified as ridiculous because they did not believe at the beginning, in spite of advice from the scientists, that the volcano could impact the south the way it eventually did. Indeed the Chief Minister then said after June 25, 1997, that there was still the hope we would be able to return to Plymouth.
People were being offered $10,000 to settle in a Caribbean island. Others set off to the metropolitan countries, but no one took time out to advise these people about the changes that they were about to experience and how they should deal with them. It was all left to the British officials, who of course had one intention. Even when it was learnt that our people had been encountering problems and difficulties in settling, people were still leaving and others would be leaving, but they were left to sort out and learn their own lessons.
Offices of different kinds have been set up in England -- the Montserrat Government UK Office, the Montserrat Community Support Trust and other Montserratian community groups, staffed by Montserratians supposedly looking for the interest of Montserratians. In the Caribbean Montserratians set up offices, in some cases paid for by DFID, but always organised by the Montserratians themselves. The problem is that there are still endless complaints of deficiencies, especially in England.
Overall there has been a general lack of interest even now in the welfare of our evacuees and it all boils down to one huge problem, this apathy in obtaining and providing information. This being the case, should there be any surprise that when statements are made people become confused? Should there be any surprise that we seem never to be ready or equipped to affect positions British officials take on any matter where we have differing opinions, whether it be a project we have proposed or simply what kind of house they build in Montserrat for Montserratians.
Ten days ago in Parliament in England, Sir Alastair Goodlad asked Mr. Foulkes about information being provided to Montserratians and about the number of Montserratians who have returned. Foulkes responded: "The Government of Montserrat do not collect data on the origin of returning citizens. Information on citizens returning from the UK is not held by the UK Government."
Simple! It tells the story of a huge problem, for which we have not yet seen all the results. Hopefully it is not late, but if this situation does not improve our children will not remember us kindly.
Dr. Wolf Krebs Proposes Humane Control of Animals
At a recent workshop on loose livestock in Montserrat, I made the following remarks. I have sent copies of this text to the Governor, the Chief Minister and the Minister for Agriculture of Montserrat. As usual, I was not honored with a reply. I thought some readers of The Reporter might be interested in the topic.
After I sent the text to the authorities, I learned that Montserrat has some animal protection laws. However, they have been so efficiently ignored that even the legal experts of our administration are not aware of them.
In case you want to help the animals, please write personal letters to the officials mentioned above.
Yours sincerely,
Wolf Krebs
Animal Problems on Montserrat
A person keeping animals for companions or for livestock assumes responsibilities. The responsibilities concern the animals as well as other people. Domestic animals depend on man with their lives. Modern societies recognize that animals, like man, feel pain and that they suffer emotionally if neglected. Such societies regulate the way man interacts with animals by laws designed to protect the welfare of animals. In most countries shooting of vertebrate animals other than game is regarded cruel and it constitutes an offense. The same is true for abandoning of domestic animals.
Montserrat has not only no animal protection laws, moreover, during the past few years, our authorities have demonstrated a blatant lack of compassion towards animals. For instance, during the various evictions of people from exclusion zones in the south of Montserrat, people were advised by the authorities to let all their animals free. Many of these animals found a terrible death in pyroclastic flows. Others suffered serious injuries from contact with hot lava. During this time we heard repeatedly a government spokesman on the radio saying that it was perfectly all right not to water a cow for three days. Just for the record, in our climate, a cow needs approximately 45 liters of water every day! The government did nothing to help the suffering creatures. On the contrary, the Medical Director of Montserrat had given strict orders that, even in emergencies, no medicines could be purchased for treatment of animals from the pharmacy of the hospital.
Those animals who did not perish had to fend for themselves. They migrated north and they now are a nuisance to property owners and farmers. The abandoned dogs formed packs and they still raid the country. The problems created by these animals are compounded by some irresponsible animal owners who fail to properly control their livestock and dogs.
The suggested solution of the current situation is to shoot loose livestock and stray dogs. Besides being cruel, this solution is also very wasteful. Livestock constitutes a value. Cows, goats, sheep and pigs should be properly slaughtered and the meat should be made available for consumption. The shooting of dogs will almost certainly eliminate the wrong animals, namely those that are easy to get and that are still somebody’s pet. The following case might be telling: Recently, a dog was brought into my practice who was shot at by a police officer on the road in Salem or Olveston, while the owner of the dog was only 50 yards away. The dog had been hit at his front leg and the bones were fractured. Luckily the terrified owner could intervene.
I appeal to the Government of Montserrat to revise its policy regarding animals. The authorities should show by example how to deal responsibly with living creatures. Rules and regulations should be put in place that help to educate animal owners and force them to adhere to the principles of responsible animal care. If this could be achieved, the loose livestock problem will be solved. There are many agencies and organisations who would be eager to help.
Yours sincerely,
Wolf Krebs, DVM
SALVATION IS NOT FEELING, BUT FAITH.
He who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son -1 John 5:10
Many people seem to think that it's wrong to say we know we are bound for heaven. But the Bible tells us we can be sure.
Jesus said, "He who believes in Me has everlasting life" (Jn. 6:47). To question, therefore, whether one READ: has been redeemed after he has fulfilled God's requirement for salvation is to call God a liar! This is a terrible sin. How much better to trust God's Word, which says, "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God" (1 Jn. 5:1).
A believer once asked, "Do you feel that your sins are forgiven?" "No," was the reply, "I do not always feel that they are forgiven, but I know they are, because God says so in His Word!"
Paul did not say, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will feel that you are saved." He said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).
Not all people feel that their sins are forgiven the moment they put their faith in Jesus Christ and receive the gift of salvation, but they are saved nonetheless. The feeling may come later.
Even the faintest cry to God for salvation is heard and answered. Rest on the rock-solid foundation of the Word, not on the sinking sand of your feeling! -HGB
He died upon the cross for me, He bore the awful penalty,- And now I'm saved eternally - l'm Saved.' Saved.' Saved.' -Smith
Jamaica, CANA - Jamaica’s Prime Minister Percival Patterson is offered an olive branch to protestors who effectively shut down the country since Monday with roadblock demonstrations against a 30 per cent increase in a special consumption tax representing sharp fuel tax increases.
Patterson Thursday expressed a willingness to review the controversial tax saying a broad-based committee headed by Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) President Peter Moses would examine it and make appropriate recommendations.
Patterson said the committee would make its recommendations to government by Sunday so that cabinet could discuss it Monday.
"Simply put the question of a roll-back (of the fuel tax) is in the competence of this committee in terms of a recommendation," Patterson said in parliament in response to questions from the opposition benches about whether the government was preparing to roll back the special consumption tax on fuel.
Opposition leader Edward Seaga did not attend parliament and only two opposition members Delroy Chuck and Mike Henry were present.
On Wednesday Lloyd Williams reported from Kingston that at least five people dead from gunshot wounds and two dozen injured.
A 28-year-old pregnant woman was the first victim identified. Police said she was shot Tuesday by a private security guard fending off looters. Four other people suffering from gunshot wounds died in the past 24 hours at Kingston Public Hospital, according to chief executive officer Carlene Nugent. She said the hospital had admitted 23 people in that time, most suffering gunshot wounds and some in critical condition today. , including a police officer who was shot in the face Monday.
Police confirmed that a soldier who was shot in the Seaview Gardens area of the capital’s West end Tuesday died early on Wednesday morning.
In the wake of the shooting of the soldier, a 24-hour curfew was imposed on the Seaview Gardens area. The police also imposed a curfew in several inner-city communities late Tuesday in a bid to establish control following violent demonstrations of protest. The Jamaica Defence Force called out all members of the National Reserves from April 20 to April 30 as the security forces struggle to contain the disturbances which have effectively locked down the country.
The protests caused a number of airlines to cancel scheduled flights into and out of the country. Practical examinations scheduled by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) were postponed.
On Wednesday, Trinidad and Tobago’s BWIA International today cancelled flights to Jamaica for a second straight day, owing to the disturbance there. BWIA’s Manager of Corporate Communications Pat Ganace said BWIA which operates a daily flight to Jamaica will monitor the situation day by day before it flies into the island. "We have a crew in Jamaica. They have not been able to go to the airport because of the blocked roads. That essentially is the reason why we have taken a decision to cancel flights," Ganace said. The six crew members, all Trinidadians remained in their hotel rooms following the riots which media reports said claimed three lives and virtually shut down the country.
(Yesterday evening, Montserratian law student Warren Cassell studying in Jamaica, spoke to Herman Sergeant of Radio Montserrat said the situation had calmed down, but there were threats that if the new taxes had not changed or reduced, the protests would resume.)
Christian Council Fights Law on Homosexuality
The Montserrat Christian Council advises the people of Montserrat of its strong disapproval of the proposed introduction of new legislation dealing with homosexual acts between consenting adults.
The change suggested by the Partnership for progress and prosperity, more commonly referred to as "the white paper," strongly suggests the legislation of homosexuality. Such a position would be a Serious violation of the cultural mores of our people, and could offer a direction that we judge to be inimical to the development of our communal spirituality.
Montserrat Christian Council Has Busy 18-Year History
The Montserrat Christian Council (MCC) is a representative grouping of six churches in Montserrat. It was formed in 1980 to provide a means by which Christian organisations may take counsel together; to study the problems and opportunities which challenge the Christian way of life; to promote where possible co-operative action on a common policy among Christian organizations in serving the spiritual, moral, educational, social and economic of the island; and to make clear by public statement the spiritual issues involved in island problems in the light of Christian ideals and standards.
The MCC has had its own share of problems with the onset of volcanic eruption in Montserrat, but has played a useful role in providing material aid and a leading role in providing moral support, counseling and guidance to the community. It is full knowledge that all church buildings in the designated safe zone since the boundary was at Belham, were used as shelters at one time or another.
As stated in a report presented to its first annual general meeting since its reformation in October last year, involving more the laity: "the period 1997-1998 proved to be the period of greatest social disruption as the designated safe zone shrank in size and many residents sought refuge overseas. This presented a great challenge for the MCC, who had to respond to the challenges posed by the crisis and also build its own capacity to respond."
The MCC as early as 1996, following a visit by the Montserrat Aid Committee (MAC89), began its drive of soliciting and obtaining support for the crisis, thereafter formulating its emergency and developmental program.
The plans became reality when in 1997 Christian Aid and the Caribbean Conference of Churches visited Montserrat and concretised them. From here Christian Aid through major support from the Department for International Development (DFID) of Britain, began supporting the MCC.
The Council had continued to hold its annual Ecumenical Services along with Thanksgiving Services of one kind or another throughout the period. One such service followed the passing of Hurricane Georges, and during the service a collection picked up was sent to St. Kitts Christian Council to assist with their relief efforts after St. Kitts suffered damage from the hurricane.
The MCC conducted and supported varying programs, such as a Single Parent Program; building its own office buildings in St. Peter's from funds received from DFID; through a program of funds from Action of Churches Together (ACT), supplied assistance in areas of food, hygiene, agricultural, educational and housing needs to the community, as well as meeting part of the salary of a new programme officer. They initiated an Agricultural Rehabilitation Project and administered the East Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) Project. Another project involved the fire victims at Manjack and there is a Counseling project, which is being funded from funds provided by Bishop Donald Reece, the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of St. John's - Basseterre. This project will be conducted in collaboration with the Red Cross.
The MCC has played a pivotal role by its involvement and participation in many consultations, its members serving on several committees, which included the Volcanic Management Committee, Social Welfare Review Committee, Golden Years Foundation, the Strategic Development Plan and, among others, CIDA's Human Resource Development Programme for Economic Competitiveness (CPEC).
Reverend Fr. Victor Peters had been the chairman of the Council for the year leading up to the reformation in 1998, when Rev. Joan Delsol-Meade took over that role and was the one who proposed the current structure of the Council, where each denomination submitted representatives to serve on Committees namely: Renewal, Development, Finance & Emergency, Family life and Counseling, and Children and Youth affairs.
At the AGM held this past Tuesday evening the Council members present reviewed and accepted the organization's financial statements.
DFID’s Return Package Offer Confuses Many Here, Abroad
By Bennette Roach
In the March 26 issue of the Reporter we included a piece in the front page story under the subhead DFID'S RELEASE ON MONTSERRATIANS WISHING TO RETURN HOME. This past week the Reporter received several calls enquiring about the 'unreasonableness' of the DFID offer and accusing them of wanting Montserratians to remain like prisoners in England.
Some of the callers were enquiring on behalf of their folks in England, some of whom, like their folks here, seemingly misunderstood the offer from DFID. The main concern was the requirement that to receive the return package, a successful applicant must not "have savings equivalent to more than EC$44,000, approximately £10,000."
Persons contacted in England said that in general, people basically think either that it does not offer much, or there is a catch to the offer. "A lot of (persons) I speak to are very suspicious of the British," one person said.
Another comment was that "DFID is out of order by stating that an individual must not have more that $44,000 in savings in order to get the free ride back," adding that it is the exception that anyone would have that kind of money.
But although people were not angry, questions were being asked, such as: "How come so much is being given to Kosovo, who are not British, and we had to beg, scratch, and get insulted for what little we got?"
The release from DFID on March 26 had said, "The Evacuee Return Air Fare Scheme (ERAFS) fulfils the pledge made in September 1997 by International Development Minister George Foulkes MP."
The offer will be good for an initial period of two years and was good to any Montserratians who had relocated either to the UK or other Caribbean countries because of volcanic activity, who were in need and wished to return to Montserrat, when conditions allowed.
Eligible applicants will be provided with a one-way non-transferable economy class ticket from their current place of residence to Montserrat, plus an additional air freight allowance, travel costs to the airport of embarkation in the UK and overnight subsistence costs in Antigua, where required, but the following were applicable to benefit from the scheme.
CONDITIONS
Applicants will need to: demonstrate that they were resident on the island on 18 July, 1995; provide an address on the island where they will be able to live upon their return; show that they have been relocated for a period of at least six months; and, provide written certification they do not have savings equivalent to more than EC$44,000 (approx. £10,000).
The release had also indicated that, "With the introduction of ERAFS, Britain will end the Assisted Passage Scheme, which enables Montserratians to move to the UK, and Regional Relocation Scheme, which helps Montserratians relocate within the Caribbean region. The Regional Relocation Scheme will end on 30 April and the Assisted Passage Scheme on 31 May. Applications received after 1 May 1999 will not be considered. People applying for the schemes must travel by 30 April and 31 May 1999 respectively."
Montserrat Red Cross Holds Workshop on Disaster Tracing
In a continuing drive to increase training opportunities for its members and other individuals, the Montserrat Branch British Red Cross, in collaboration with the Dominica Red Cross, this week provided Disaster Tracing Training to 17 persons.
Mrs. Kathleen Pinard-Byrne, Director General of the Dominica Red Cross, facilitated the two-day workshop April 19 – 20. It provided participants with the necessary skills for setting up a Tracing System to process tracing requests. Participants included members of the local Red Cross, the teaching profession, health staff, Immigration Officers, Disaster Preparedness district chairpersons, EOC personnel, Montserrat Water Authority, Golden Years Home for the Elderly and members of the wider public.
Disaster Tracing is an activity traditionally undertaken by the Red Cross for the purpose of reuniting family members who have lost contact as a result of displacement following disasters.
In a brief ceremony at the end of the workshop, the participants received certificates. Mrs. Pinard-Byrne thanked the participants for taking part and invited those not yet members to become members of the Red Cross Society. "Participation in the Red Cross is a very rewarding one," she said.
ECCB Area Trade Negotiators Take Part in St. Kitts Seminar
Permanent Secretaries in ECCB area ministries of trade and senior professionals are among persons who attended an April 20-22 seminar in St. Kitts on advanced strategies for international trade negotiations.
The seminar, held at the Ocean Terrace Inn in Basseterre, took place under the auspices of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and the Trinidad-based Business Development Unit of the UWI's Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences.
The interactive seminar was aimed at identifying techniques in trade negotiations and recognising the differing needs of parties within the negotiation process. The program featured an international panel of experts from the University of the West Indies and George Washington University in the United States.
Thirty-four educators, comprising practising teachers, lecturers from Community Colleges and Universities, and other specialists from across the region, met at the Caribbean Beach Hotel, Barbados, from April 12-16, 1999, to develop seven new syllabuses in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).
CAPE is an advanced-level examination developed by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), in collaboration with Caribbean educators, to provide adequate and relevant post-secondary certification for work or higher education, in keeping with manpower needs of the region. Its courses, which are modular in design, are divided into one or two units. This allows for flexibility in the options available to students who can take a mix of one- and two-unit courses. A one-unit course consists of 120 contact hours., while a two-unit course consists of 240 contact hours, and is equivalent to an "A" Level course.
The syllabuses drafted at the Barbados Workshop, fall under phase three of a four- phased development programme, and are scheduled for implementation in the year 2001. They are Art and Design, Computer Science, Economics, Geography, Geometrical and Mechanical Engineering Drawing, Law and Management Business. So far, 17 of a protected 30 CAPE syllabuses have been developed, and the first Open Examinations in seven subjects -- Communication Studies, Caribbean Studies, Functional Spanish, History, Information Technology, Mathematics and Statistical Analysis -- are scheduled for administration in May/June 1999.
At the five-day workshop, participants from 10 territories met to develop rationale, objectives, content, and assessment criteria, for the new subject areas. Following this exercise, the syllabuses will undergo a series of reviews and revisions by teachers, students, subject specialists, and Ministries of Education across the region. This consultative process used by CXC, has ensured the development of high-quality syllabuses.
In implementing CAPE syllabuses, teachers will receive orientation in workshop sessions and individual assistance through site visits, from selected resource persons.
Local and regional umpire Basil Morgan, as he climbs to pinnacle of umpiring in a test match, was called up to officiate in four of the seven one-day internationals currently being played between Australia and West Indies.
Basil has so far stood in the two matches played in Trinidad and will officiate in the last two in Barbados beginning this weekend. Popular Gem Radio personality Kevin Lewis who watched Basil in action in Trinidad, said: "It was a great pleasure to watch our very own Basil Morgan in action here in Trinidad over the weekend as he officiated in the two One-Day Internationals, Australia vs The West Indies.
Standing alongside Jamaica's Steve Buckner (perhaps the number one umpire in the world today), Basil was like a rock, a credit to proud and capable Montserratians everywhere.
Our great cricketers (Jim Allen, Alf Corriette and others) were denied, or never got the opportunity to write their names in the annals of top West Indies cricket history.
However, Basil is well on his way."
Meanwhile in the 5th Cable and Wireless One-Day International match series, history was rewritten at Bourda in GEORGETOWN, Guyana, when an accurate last over by Keith Arthurton enabled the West Indies to snatch what appeared to be a nail-biting one-run victory over Australia in a rain-reduced yesterday.
But match referee Raman Subba Row determined that the result should be a tie despite Australia failing to complete a third run to level the scores after a pitch invasion by hundreds of spectators. Chasing 174 runs for victory in the 30-over contest, Australia, led by captain Steve Waugh's courageous unbeaten 71, made a gallant bid to reach their target.
GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
Government Publishes SRO to Ease Hardships Brought on by Volcano
In an effort to relieve the burdens of resident Montserratians, brought on by volcanic activity, the Government of Montserrat has published a Statutory Rule and Order to take effect immediately.
The Customs Duties and Consumption Tax (Exemption) Order, made by the Governor-in-Council, under section 17 (2) of the Customs Duties And Consumption Tax Act (no. 8 of 1995), makes provisions for concessionary measures to be granted to persons importing specific or similar tools of trade and equipment and household appliances.
As far as the exemption is concerned, the order states that any person who was engaged in a trade or business prior to June 1, 1997, may, if he is presently engaged in or intends to resume the said trade or business, apply to a special committee comprising the Comptroller of Customs, and a member each from the Department of Community Services and the Montserrat Christian Council.
The Specialized Items Exemption Committee will then recommend the application to the Governor-in-Council to import, free from customs duties and consumption tax, same or similar such tools of trade and equipment, if any, as were employed in such trade or business prior to June 1, 1999.
And this would only be possible if:
(1) the said items were destroyed or rendered unserviceable by volcanic activity; and
(2) he/she can be specific about the description, quantity, quality and value of the tools or equipment so lost; and
Meanwhile, provisions have also been made for the replacement of destroyed household movables.
The Order states that any person who had been resident in or owned or had an interest in movable household property in any premises within Plymouth or within any areas south or east of Plymouth which were destroyed or irrecoverably damaged by volcanic action, may import movable household items up to a value of seven-thousand five-hundred dollars ($7500) EC free of customs duties and consumption tax -
The Statutory Rule and Order specifies that any person who satisfies the conditions that have been set out shall apply to the Specialized Items Exemption Committee for a recommendation of his/her application to the Governor-in-Council.
It further points out that no person shall be entitled to import any item under the exemptions granted by this Order if he/she has already received an exemption in respect of that item under any other regulation, nor shall he/she be entitled to any exemption under any other regulation if he/she has received an exemption under this Order in respect of that same item.
All applications for an exemption under this Order shall be made to the
Chairman of the Specialized Items Exemption Committee Department of Community Services Government Headquarters Brades, MontserratThese application forms can also be collected from the Department of Community Services, Government Headquarters, Brades.
The Specialized Items Exemption Committee shall submit its recommendations on each application to the Governor-in-Council.
It must also be noted that there won’t be any compensation and or refund for items lost during volcanic activity.
The Government of Montserrat has decided to rescind a decision to re-introduce the exit certificate requirement.
The decision was made at a recent sitting of the Executive Council.
The Exit Certificate or tax clearance was needed by persons leaving the island and was only issued by the Inland Revenue Department when an applicant is up to date on his or her taxes.
The exit certificate was suspended in 1996 after Plymouth was evacuated.
It was to be introduced after the Inland Revenue Department moved into suitable accommodation.
Hurricane tracker Out with Predictions
With the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season just around the corner, a renowned weather forecaster has released his revised predictions.
Colorado State University weather forecaster Dr. William Gray says this year’s pattern may mirror that of last season.
Montserrat and other Caribbean islands are located in the "hurricane zone" and are likely to be affected by these storms originating off the coast of Africa.
Hurricane Hugo wreaked havoc on Montserrat in September 1989, causing extensive damage.
Resident Montserratians, and others in the likely path, have been advised to take the necessary precautions against storm damage.
Dr. Gray predicts that there will be 14 tropical storms and nine hurricanes this year -- four of which will become intense.
In 1998, there were 14 tropical storms, 10 hurricanes and four intense hurricanes.
Dr. Gray calls an intense storm one which falls in the category of 4 to 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, and has sustained winds of at least 111mph.
The renowned hurricane expert said it is expected that the current La Nina’s above-average water temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific will continue through the 1999 hurricane season.
Dr. Gray also says this should be an enhancing influence on this season’s hurricane activity.
The renowned hurricane expert feels La Nina --- in conjunction with westerly stratospheric winds and expected above average Atlantic water temperatures throughout the June 1 to November 30 hurricane season --- may combine to create conditions favourable for storm development.
The pattern predicted by Dr. Gray and his staff compares favourably to storm cycles of the 1930’s, 1940’s and 1950’s.
The researchers term the active pattern an "Atlantic conveyor belt," which moves water north from the vicinity of the Caribbean to an area East of Greenland.
There, the current sinks to deep levels, moves south and flows into the southern Atlantic Ocean and beyond.
Local Farmers’ Produce: A Topic for Discussion
The Ministry of Agriculture has started a series of consultations with farmers and merchants to work out difficulties in marketing locally grown produce.
Director of Agriculture Claude Gerald says the first meeting was held recently to discuss the issue.
Farmers are concerned that they are not getting their produce into the supermarkets because of the importation of similar foods from overseas.
However, Mr. Gerald says the two main issues are those of pricing and supply.
He says because of uncontrollable circumstances such as the weather, it has been difficult for farmers to match supply with demands on occasion.
The Director also says farmers would have to sell their produce at competitive prices.
Several other meetings have been planned and Mr. Gerald is urging co-operation among all parties involved, including the farmers, merchants and consumers.
Montserrat Connection Soon Will Hit Airwaves
A new radio series, "Montserrat Connection," will hit the airwaves of some regional radio stations soon.
"Montserrat Connection" is a production of the Montserrat Evacuees Project, the CDERA/CDB initiative, which seeks to offer support to relocated Montserratians.
The programme is targeted at Montserrat’s relocated populace, mainly in Antigua/Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla, Dominica and the British Virgin Islands.
It will update the evacuees on events and activities at home, point them to available resources both in their relocated communities and at home, as well as provide other useful tidbits and information.
Montserratians who have relocated to the various islands have reported a deficiency in accessing information from home, in particular, and about what is happening generally, concerning their own existence and survival.
Montserrat Secondary School Receives Generous Donation
The Eastbourne Sovereign Rotary Club in the United Kingdom has made a generous donation to the Montserrat Secondary School.
The club recently donated several boxes of biology and physics books to the school.
This is the second such donation to the education system by the Eastbourne Rotary Club.
Last year it donated 30 books to the primary school at Brades.
The club has been raising funds as well. £500 of an overall sum of £1,000 have been donated so far for educational purposes.
Montserrat to Benefit From More CDB assistance
A three-member delegation from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) visited Montserrat recently.
They were Country Economist at the Bank Juliet Melville and consultants Basil Springer and Edward Cummings.
Their visit was a follow-up to a visit in November, when the CDB took part in discussions on the Country Policy Plan (CPP).
Ms. Melville says the CDB is committed to the redevelopment of Montserrat and has been developing a country strategy paper to chart its assistance to the island.
She says the CDB team met with government officials, including the Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt, to determine specific areas of assistance.
Meanwhile, CDB consultant on technical co-operation Edward Cummings says a number of projects have been identified.
He says it is now the job of the government of Montserrat to prioritize the requests.
New Sports Arena For Geralds Park
The Government of Montserrat is moving ahead with plans to build a modern sports stadium.
The proposed site for the new sporting facility is Geralds Park.
The Office of the Chief Minister, which has responsibility for Sports, has put together a committee to look at the project, and propose ways in which the facility can be developed.
The committee, which includes government and private sector representatives, met recently to determine the requirements for the development of a sports arena.
One of the issues that has emerged is finding a way to fit the proposed emergency airstrip into the plans.
It was determined that professional advice is needed on this matter.
The Department for International Development (DFID) has agreed to finance the consultation.
Reconnection Programme Proves to be in Full Swing
Fifteen-year-old Montserratian School girl Sasha Cabey is now back home after reconnecting with her father in St. Maarten.
Sasha was the first beneficiary of the Reconnection Programme, an element of the Montserrat Evacuees Project based in Antigua.
She was able to reconnect with her father, who relocated to St. Maarten in 1995, while Sasha herself was at the time relocated in Antigua.
Her reconnection trip took place April 3 to 10, and was made possible with the assistance of the Immigrant Project in St. Maarten.
The free air tickets to reconnect with families and loved-ones is just one component of the Programme.
This reconnection Programme allows Montserratians who have lost contact with relatives and loved ones, because of volcanic activity, to call 1-800-744-EVAC toll free and request information as to the whereabouts of such persons.
In the meantime, The Montserrat Evacuees Project in Antigua has stated that any persons interested in physically reconnecting with loved ones should contact the office in St. John’s at telephone number 1-268-462-4742.
Upgrading of St. John’s Hospital
The Government of Montserrat continues to make significant progress in improving the St. Johns Hospital.
Contractors have just completed another phase of the project to upgrade the facilities there.
Secondary Healthcare Manager Beverly Mendes says the pharmacy, the medical laboratory, Medical Records and the administrative section were scheduled to move into the completed wing on Thursday April 22..
She says contractors are now working on the kitchen, which should be completed in two to four weeks.
Work will start shortly on the casualty and X-ray block.
There are also plans to build a new operating theatre on the hospital compound.
The upgrading of the hospital began in 1998, with the construction of the male and female wards and a small obstetrics and delivery room.
After the completion of the St. Johns Hospital, attention will then turn to the renovation of several district clinic facilities.
Young Montserratians Form Association In Birmingham
Young Montserratians who have relocated to the United Kingdom have formed an association in Birmingham.
Jeevan Robinson, Delacey Riley and Lovrene Kirnon are spearheading the group.
Robinson says the "Montserrat Young Peoples Association" was conceived with the realization that a vast number of young people from Montserrat have resettled in the United Kingdom, and are now living in a country whose lifestyles and cultural norms are different from what they are accustomed to in Montserrat.
He says it is the group’s aim to ease the transitional period of adaptation and familiarization, and also to maintain the communal spirit that is commonplace in Montserrat.
The group is still seeking membership and is putting together a programme of activities to ensure its viability.
The ages of the group members range from 17 to 26 years.
(Week Ending April 16, 1999)
By Justin "Hero" Cassell, Agricultural Development Officer
"Eat From the Land, Not from the Can"
STRIDES MADE IN CONTROLLING THE LOOSE LIVESTOCK PROBLEM
The Ministry of Agriculture’s Technical Staff held a series of meetings to review solutions and recommendations coming out of the Conflict Resolution Workshop held in March.
An analysis of the availability of resources to deal with the execution of these solutions was carefully examined.
LOOSE LIVESTOCK RESOURCES ANALYSIS REPORT
Solutions and Recommendations
Solutions -- Reduction of excess animals, cattle, goats, sheep, dogs and donkeys
Recommendations -- The excess animals were classified into three categories as follows:
(A) Free Roamers with no owners -- These animals will become the property of the crown after being impounded for 48 hours.
(B) Free Roamers with owners -- To be processed in accordance with the Trespass and Pound Ordinance.
(C) Occasional Roamer -- Animals that have broken their tether. To be processed in accordance with Trespass and Pound Ordinance. NB. A & B are both subject to the Loose Livestock Pound and Trespass Ordinance and will be disposed of as per the pending amendments to the legislation.
(D) Free Roamers No Owners -- The reduction of excess animals is to come about by carrying out the following:
Local Slaughter; Capture of Animals; Shipment Overseas; Improved Animal Husbandry.
Local Slaughter -- Involves the sale of the animals to local butchers, to be slaughtered for fresh and ground meat.
Overseas Shipment -- Capture of animals. Three approaches are recommended:
(1) The use of animal wardens; (2) Impounding of animals by private individuals; (3) Organised raids with external assistance.
(E) Free Roamers with Owners – Capture same as above; repeated offence animals will become the property of the crown.
(F) Occasional Roamers --Animals impounded are very likely to remain on island. Disposal options include: (1) Shooting of animals; (2) Slaughter, carcasses sold as fresh meat locally; (3) Slaughter, carcasses processed as ground meat for export (private sector entrepreneur involvement.
Overseas Shipment (applies to Group A & B) -- Based on the available resources, overseas shipment seems to be the most feasible way of reducing excess animals more specifically cattle. Shipment of these animals will be handled by the Department of Agriculture or the private sector.
Minister Bramble announced that Government would provide, in addition to technical assistance, limited financial assistance to any private sector personnel engaging in the shipment of cattle overseas.
Improved Animal Husbandry
The decision was taken that persons without adequate fodder/land resources to practice proper animal husbandry will not be encouraged to rear animals. Such animal owners will be advised to cull, by doing so reducing the excess. The Agriculture Department will facilitate the introduction of an intensive system of animal rearing.
Donkeys
With the prevailing usage practices on island, all donkeys were placed in the category of Feral Donkeys.
Reduction of numbers will come about by:
Dogs
Feral Dogs - Reduction Methods are as follows: -
WSPA will be encouraged to engage in at least one more pet adoption shipment to the USA.
Feral Goats/Sheep
Due to destruction of these species by pyroclastic flows in the eastern, central and southern villages, excess numbers have been reduced considerably. In fact goat and sheep meat is hardly available on the local fresh meat market. The conclusion was therefore made that overseas shipment is absolutely unnecessary at this time.
The Department has undertaken to launch a series of educational programmes aimed at improving the animal husbandry practices as they pertain to these species. Shooting and impounding will take place, however, in areas where stray goats and sheep are damaging arable crops and watersheds areas.
Tagging and Registration
Tagging and Registration of all captured and impounded animals is to be carried out in the pound in the short term. This will be followed up with an island wide Tagging and Registration Campaign in the long term. It was emphasized that Tagging and Registration should be done simultaneously.
The implementation date of these two processes depends on the availability of funds, staff training and the procuring of the materials necessary. The Director of Agriculture is to order these materials.
Enforcement of Existing Laws
Recommendations
It was suggested that every effort be made to enforce existing laws. In this regard the following were recommended:
Farmer Education
Animal producers to be subjected to a number of educational programmes, to include:
We continue to present this feature of "KOSHER SEX," which is an adaptation from a presentation by Shmuley Boteach
Platonic friendship — the interval between the introduction and the first kiss. — Sophie Irene Loeb
Their libidinous reserve replenishes until, 12 days after they have separated, their love for each other reaches its crescendo, when their inner fire and passion, which have been escalating, leap out like the eruption of a volcano, and they unite together in fiery physical bliss. Like the time when they first married, they enjoy a monthly honeymoon in which they rediscover each other’s bodies.
Symbolizing this imminent rebirth, on the night of their reunion with their husbands, Orthodox Jewish women go to a "mikveh," a small ritual pool of water, where they immerse themselves after the 12-day separation. Emerging from the water pool is a symbol of physical regeneration and spiritual renewal, which leads a woman back to her husband, like bride to groom, reminding them of the enormous passion they experienced when they first discovered the pleasures of the flesh. It is a totally private affair. No one is present save for a female mikveh attendant, which reflects the beautiful feminine mystique and hidden charms of sexual eroticism.
Marriage is Meant to be Exciting
Couples who truly wish to become lovers but also best friends must develop these two antithetical dimensions of their marriage. Anything else is a recipe for regularity that snuffs out the excitement of marriage. People are living, animate creatures. If we were only cerebral, our lives would be fairly predictable; we are emotional beings, however, and therefore hate routine, which ultimately bores us. Too many couples try to make their marriages proceed along a straight line. They share a bed constantly, and wonder why their sex life loses its spark after a short while. They have sex several times a week, with no break, and wonder why it comes in short, forgettable spasms. In truth, people cannot proceed straight, but, rather, must tack like a sailboat between passion and intimacy.
This marriage pattern also helps in attaining harmony between the male and female libido. As mentioned earlier, male sexual desire thrives on novelty and newness. Men have a very short sexual attention span, and quickly tire of an available body that provides no adventure and can be conquered without a chase. The period of sexual abstention, therefore, provides a constant challenge whereby a husband lusts and hungers for his unavailable wife rather than chasing after his forbidden secretary. He will never tire of his wife’s body, because for two weeks of each month she remains outside his grasp, ever elusive, beckoning him for more.
Kosher Sex in a Nutshell
Kosher sex is carnal love that leads to knowledge and intimacy. Bertrand Russell wrote in "Love, an Escape from Loneliness": "Civilized people cannot fully satisfy their sexual instinct without love. The instinct is not fully satisfied unless a man’s whole being, mental quite as much as physical, enters into the relation." Sex at its best, therefore, is an act of capitulation whereby two strangers allow themselves to be carried away to a promised land of familiarity and togetherness. Casual sex, by contrast, is where the two participants stand their ground in the wake of that tidal wave of positive emotion that sex calls forth, remaining rooted and atomized in their own sphere.
Sex for pleasure is an end in itself. But kosher sex is a journey whose destination is a couple who feel joined not only by the same roof or children, but especially through the enjoyment and pleasure they constantly give each other. The fire of sexual attraction and sexual union in the bedroom leads to the closeness and intimacy in life outside the bedroom. Conversely, when sexual attraction is diminished within marriage, the marriage falters in other areas as well.
As Masters and Johnson write: "When things don’t work well in the bedroom, they don’t work well in the living room either." Conversely, a man who is not attentive and romantic to his wife outside the bedroom cannot suddenly expect her to perform inside the bedroom. So, romance and love leads to sex, and kosher sex continues the cycle by engendering continued romance and love.
The purpose of sex is to sew two distinct bodies together as one flesh. When you want to connect the sleeve with the body of a sweater, you take a needle and thread, put the needle through the two separate pieces, and even after you later remove the needle, it has become one garment. The same is true of sex. A man and a woman share a very intense, bonding experience that leaves them sewn together with emotional thread even after they separate. Sex is a supreme bonding process that has no equal. Kosher sex is where a man and woman share a most intense experience and thereby feel themselves to be connected after the sex is over. Movies today show people having great sex. Great sex makes you feel amazing and has you howling and swinging from the rafters together with your lover. But kosher sex is not measured during the lovemaking itself, but the morning after, when you can’t get your partner off your mind:
Great sex has you trying to remember your partner’s name.
Kosher sex has you remembering your lover’s name after the act.
Great sex has you focused entirely on the body of your partner. Kosher sex has you bound with the soul of your lover.
Great sex promotes physical exhilaration. Kosher sex leads to spiritual integration.
Great sex highlights the contours of the body. Kosher sex raises the personality up from
the confines of the flesh.
To be Continued
Montserratians & Friends Ireland Tour 1999
5 - 9 AUGUST
DUBLIN…………GALWAY…………LIMERICK
Day 1
August 5th - Flight from Heathrow to Dublin 5th E1155: 0955/1110.
Lunch and sight seeing tour of Dublin - Evening reception. Accommodation: Green Isle Hotel, Dublin.
Day 2
August 6th - Depart to Galway - sightseeing - evening reception. Accommodation: The Galway Bay Golf & Country Club Hotel, Galway.
Day 3
August 7th - Visit Feakle International traditional music festival - evening reception.
Accommodation: The Galway Bay Golf & Country Hotel, Galway.
Day 4
August 8th - Depart Galway for Limerick sightseeing - Accommodation: Morrisons Island Hotel, Limerick.
Day 5
August 9th - Return flight from Cork to H