Much planning and preparation is being made for the remote possibility of the need for a full-scale off-island evacuation. The planning seems to have entered top gear with the near completion of the 'emergency jetty' at Little Bay.

Mr. Richard Trevitt, the on-site engineer, says that the jetty will be completed in about three weeks, after which it will be handed over. At that time the jetty will be ready for use.

Mr. Trevitt suggests that while the jetty may be used by small vessels, it will require other facilities such as offices and storage buildings. He also said that the jetty is too high for most of the fishing boats in use in Montserrat, that may wish to use the facility temporarily when it is not otherwise in use.

Mr. Frank Black, who heads the Aid Management office, the new addition at the Governor's office, along with Mr. John Rooney who is the EMAD representative confirm the main purpose of the jetty, agreeing that while it can be used for commercial purposes, "it certainly will need some basic facilities." However Black says, that the any extended use of the jetty will be left to the local government to decide.

Black also pointed out that the name 'Overseas Development Aid' ODA has been changed by the new British Labour government, to Department for International Development, and headed by a minister.

The jetty is being funded by EMAD and the question of its extended use to allow small vessels to off-load cargo was put earlier to the Chief Minister at a press conference in view of the constant hazards faced by port workers in Plymouth.

"It was not designed for full usage by the other ships. It is to be used in case we have to evacuate the island or in case Plymouth Port was knocked out and ships bringing supplies would have to use it. Only if the port in Plymouth is no longer usable," Mr. Osborne responded.

He revealed that there were two consultancies in progress as well as physical planning to "determine the best place to put a port similar to that in Plymouth to cater for larger ships, in Carrs Bay or Little Bay." The other consultancy is studying the environmental impact of the area, the marine life, fishing, etc.

Mr. Osborne also remarked: "But if the time does come that we have to evacuate the island very quickly, it is part of the operations now being planned, a scheme being developed for off island evacuation in cooperation with Antigua and Guadeloupe in particular and other governments."

"No relationship, however valuable, will endure forever if taken constantly for granted and so your presence among us affords a moment of kindly renewal." Those were the words of Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, who chaired the summit at the opening session on Saturday between U.S. President Bill Clinton and the leaders of 15 Caribbean nations as it began to discuss trade, narcotics and law enforcement.

A report coming out of Barbados said of the one-day summit, the first held in the Caribbean to include a U.S. president, that it seemed designed as much to reassure the region of the United States' continued interest as to achieve tangible progress on the agenda.

Trade seemed uppermost in the minds of Caribbean leaders, who would like to have closer economic ties and trading terms equal to those under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Canada, Mexico and the United States.

In speaking of the region's desire for economic progress, Prime Minister Owen Arthur of Barbados alluded to Clinton's 1996 campaign slogan of "building a bridge to the 21st century."

"The people of the Caribbean wish to cross that bridge with you," Arthur said. "This is what our summit is about."

A Caribbean position paper prepared for the summit expressed, "There is a sense in which Caribbean leaders feel that trade enhancement legislation for the Caribbean has the lowest priority in U.S. policy."

The region argues it has already lost investment and market share to Mexico because of NAFTA, starting with the closure of 150 apparel plants.

U.S. officials suggested before the summit that giving the Caribbean terms equal to NAFTA was unlikely, but said they would seek to offer some trade "enhancements" at the meeting.

Clinton, for his part, sought to offer some assurance that the United States is mindful of the interests of the islands, and, noting the existence of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, views itself as an integral part of the region.

"We have to work on means to expand the quality of our lives by expanding trade, by helping small economies compete in a global economy," Clinton said.

"We must be committed to working over the months and years ahead for our people and our Caribbean community, and that is my commitment to you," he added. "This summit should be the beginning, not the end of this process."

The summit was held in a hilltop conference centre surrounded by palm trees and frangipani trees with red blossoms, around a horseshoe-shaped table with leaders from the 14-member Caribbean Community, an economic grouping mainly of former British colonies, and Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Among some of the actions taken at the summit, President Clinton and the leaders signed a 30-page declaration and plan of action covering security issues, agreements laying out plans to expand trade, improve the environment, create a scholarship program and deepen the fight against drugs, and pledges to cooperate in other areas such as disaster preparedness and telecommunications.

Caribbean leaders showed their irritation with Washington's diminishing interest since the end of the Cold War. Clinton, acknowledging the concerns, pledged "a deeper process of Caribbean cooperation."

Caribbean nations complained they have lost tens of thousands of jobs because of the benefits Canada and Mexico enjoy under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Clinton promised further to ask Congress for NAFTA-like tariff preferences on Caribbean textiles, leather goods and other products currently excluded from duty-free treatment under the Reagan-era Caribbean Basin Initiative.

Patterson expressed pleasure at the president's "firm and unequivocal commitment." But Clinton said, "All I could do was ask the Congress" for the legislation, noting that there is opposition in both parties to expanded trade. He said he believed Congress would be inclined to approve the legislation.

The president assured the leaders he was sensitive to their concerns but promissed no major policy shifts or costly programs.

In a CBU hosted program prior to the summit, several journalists and well known Caribbean figures participated in a discussion surrounding the summit that was due to begin the following day. The discussion took place against a background where, with the collapse of the Cold War, U.S. interest in the Caribbean waned as the region diminished in strategic importance. U.S. aid dropped from $225 million in 1985 to $26 million in 1996, and the regional U.S. aid mission in Barbados has closed.

With one-third of U.S.-bound cocaine and marijuana passing through the Caribbean, the United States has been pressing leaders here to crack down on drug trafficking and money laundering. Caribbean leaders complain the United States has not given them the resources they need.

It is in these areas that Clinton hailed the agreements with some of the Caribbean governments, which allows U.S. authorities to pursue suspected drug traffickers into territorial waters and airspace. He pledged to transfer Air Force C-26 surveillance aircraft to Caribbean nations to crack down on narcotics trafficking, gun-running and alien smuggling.

The Coast Guard also will make available as many as 10 patrol craft over the next two years.

Although Caribbean leaders expressed satisfaction at the outcome of their summit meeting with President Clinton in Barbados Saturday, saying they had won assurances of support on key trade issues, the summit did not, resolve the thorny question of U.S. opposition to the region's preferential banana export arrangement with the European Union. A meeting of all three sides has been set for later this year to try to find a compromise.

Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur, later told a news conference the meeting was "a great success."

Clinton said he was "fully supporting" the Caribbean's request for an expansion of products that can be exported to the United States duty-free under the Caribbean Basin Initiative as a step toward integrating the region into a proposed Free Trade Agreement of the Americas.

One reporter referred to the proceedings as a week of 'diplomatic gymnastics,' saying President Clinton today told Caribbean leaders with a long list of complaints that he desires "a deeper process of Caribbean cooperation."

On Tuesday last week, Chief Minister Bertrand Osborne, at a press conference, reported his own satisfaction at the outcome of the meeting, saying that Montserrat should benefit, although not directly, from the agreements made at the summit.

In a press conference he revealed that he made a presentation at a luncheon where he briefed the summit on three basic Government priorities. These were:

1. The provision of housing and adequate shelter for those who have been evacuated.
2. Developing programmes for youth, including counseling.
3. Adequate accommodation for the elderly.

Mr. Osborne reported that he came away with no firm commitments in this regard, but received an offer of "any assistance Montserrat may need at a time of emergency."

Asked what would constitute a time of emergency, Mr. Osborne replied, "such as in the case of an all island evacuation".

The banana issue was among those that left some disappointment, but the United States has agreed to finance programs to diversify the economies of the banana-dependent countries, and to meet in Brussels with the EU and the Caribbean to find a mutually acceptable compromise on the issue.

(Guest - Peter White)

Recent discussions of the issue of Independence or Self-Determination have brought to the fore the need for rational and logical debate on the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a self-determined entity.

The argument goes - let the people know what the advantages are for independence, what the disadvantages are, as well as, what the advantages are for remaining as we are and what are the disadvantages. To reasonable, logical and rational people, the above argument would seem to have some validity. But let us examine the reality of our situation and see if there is validity to this approach.

The approach as suggested presupposes that there are ways to measure self-respect, pride and confidence in oneself. To quantify the pleasure derived from having the ability to plan one's future and take the necessary steps to accomplish ones plans. Likewise, a measure for the disappointment in not having the means or the ability to implement the steps required to achieve one's dreams. One for the stress of striving for a secure life and style for the community of your choice, only to have it frustrated by natural disaster or otherwise.

Having quantified the above, one then needs to quantify the hallmarks of the colonial life style. The humiliation of having another coming into your place of abode and telling you what is best for you and your family. One must quantify the level of satisfaction one receives from the need to constantly ask for hand-outs, knowing full well that you will never be able to do without those hand outs because you are not making any effort to change the need to beg for them.

One needs to quantify the humiliation of constantly asking for assistance to do the things which one sees as beneficial to one's progress in life, only to be told that the assistance requested is not what you really need, but no suggestion coming forth as to what may be better. Further, if such a suggestion is made for an alternative, the required means to follow the suggestion is not forthcoming.

A logical and rational argument could be pursued, if one's feelings and emotional needs for a strong, healthy and caring community can be quantified. Having quantified them, place them against a common measuring stick, or place them on a scale and ascertain which is the greater to be desired.

My difficulty is that I have not yet heard of the instrument which has been designed to accomplish these measurements. We all need to examine ourselves and determine for ourselves whether or not we wish to continue to display the attitude we have developed, which is manifested in the many areas of our community life. Is this the attitude we would wish to visit on our generations to come?

Will we be pleased to see our children go hat in hand all the days of their lives to earn the bread on their table? Is this what we see as our future? Are we satisfied to see Montserrat become the home of the rich and famous from someone else's community, while some of us toil in their community to afford them this privilege, and others of us serve them in order to gather the crumbs left on their table for our community?

We must search within ourselves for the answers to these questions. We must all assess, according to the values we have acquired over our lifetime, the answers we have arrived at and state our conclusions. We must do for ourselves what we would wish others to do for us. Make our own decision. We must do for ourselves what I think must be done for the whole Montserrat Community.

We must decide to take our destiny into our own hands. We must decide to be a self-determined people and having decided upon this goal we must strive to achieve it.

At this point, we then look at the so-called advantages and disadvantages in a logical framework, to assess, not whether or not to be self determined but, what we must do to ensure that make the advantages work for us, and to see what it takes to overcome the disadvantages, to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves.

Dear Mr. Editor

Kindly permit me the opportunity, to publicly congratulate the Voices Choral group for their 'virtuoso cameo' at the Pelican Room, Vue Pointe Hotel, last Tuesday evening.

I must say that the superlative work of the group's leader, Ms. Ann-Marie Dewar, is conclusive evidence that Montserratians can, and should, be world-beaters at whatever we channel our energies into. Indeed, what distinguishes the performance of the group is not only their technical proficiency or precision, but their message of courage and hope that personifies the Montserratian spirit.

The cultural super nova is a national treasure that should be celebrated by all Montserratians. Finer ambassadors could not be found. Congratulations, and keep up the excellent work.

Dear Mr. Cassell

Thanks for your letter of 1 May, 1997, in which you expressed concern over a recent news item regarding the Montserrat Secondary School. I myself had some concerns. But first let me congratulate you on your sense of commitment to the school and to Montserrat.

I believe that all of the persons involved have an interest in the affairs of Montserrat, but we are all less than perfect and need to continually evaluate and learn from our actions. I trust that this is what will happen in this case. I am not in a position to apportion blame and I am not sure that that would achieve anything; but I would want to respectively suggest that when sensitive issues arise involving our youths, as far as possible, we act cooperatively and responsibly in an effort to find solution, especially as we negotiate this challenging and unprecedented period in our lives.

On the particular news item under reference the Principal has responded comprehensively on the local radio, and I am informed that excerpts were transmitted to Associated Press. And it is often useful to take the opportunity offered by criticism to carefully scrutinise the problem or alleged problem with fresh lenses to ascertain where improvement is desirable - Ideally we want the school to be above suspicion, but I agree with you that it is a society problem and not merely the school's. Very often someone in the Governor's position achieves more by quiet, moral suasion than by abrasive accusation. Please trust us to take this approach.

Dr. Howard Fergus

Acting Governor

Government back-bencher David Brandt and George Kirnon from the Attorney General’s Chambers, are currently representing Montserrat at a meeting of leaders of non-independent countries in Antigua.

The seminar organized by the United Nations runs from May 21 to 23.

It is organized to assess the situation in the non self-governing territories, particularly their constitutional evolution towards self-determination by the year 2000.

The seminar will also identify areas in which the international community could increase and enhance its participation in programs of assistance.

It will also seek to adopt a comprehensive and integrated approach to ensure political and sustainable socio-economic development of the territories concerned.

The non-self governing territories in the region are Anguilla, Bermuda, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, BVI and USVI.

The Antigua meeting is attracting representatives from member states of the United Nations regional organizations and leaders of non-independent Caribbean governments.

Methodists on Montserrat are gearing up for a big event this weekend.

The Methodist Society will celebrate Aldersgate or Wesley Sunday on May 25 with a march and a rally being the main events planned for the day.

The march of witness will begin at the Salem Primary School and end with the rally at Salem Park. The day will be observed under the theme, "The Joy of the Lord is our Strength".

President of the Panama/Costa Rico District Conference of the Methodist Church of the Caribbean and the Americas, will be the guest speaker at the rally.

Aldersgate Sunday is celebrated each year in memory of Methodist Founder John Wesley.

On Wednesday, 14th May 1997, following the report of an overdue local fishing vessel, M.V. Shamrock, under the command of Police Sergeant Pierre, put to sea to try and locate the missing craft, which was believed to contain two persons.

The missing vessel was believed to be in the Redonda area, and after searching for over an hour the missing boat was found in company with another local fishing boat 3.5 miles north-east of Redonda. The missing vessel was experiencing engine trouble and was taken in tow by M.V. Shamrock to Little Bay where the occupants were landed safely.

Officials say, it is regrettable that neither local boat had a radio to summon assistance, and in the choppy sea conditions, which existed at the time, both vessels could have found themselves in serious difficulties.

The marine section of the Royal Montserrat Police Force is constantly asking local boats that when fishing at a distance from the island to carry a marine radio as a basic safety precaution, and would renew that advice to all who engage in maritime activities.

Ten officers from the Royal Montserrat Police and Defence Forces have successfully completed a stress management workshop. The work was conducted over four sessions by guidance counselor and Principal Community Development Officer, Blondina Howes. The sessions were facilitated by the Community Services Department and Miss Howes hopes the participants will share their experiences with the other officers in their receptive forces.

It has been reported that the Caribbean Development Bank has approved loans totaling US$9.2 million in the three Caribbean islands.

The loans were approved for Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Grenada.

The Antigua and Barbuda Development Bank will receive $4.2 million to assist in the continuation of it's lending activities while Barbados will get $1.5 million for on-lending. Grenada on the other hand will received $3.5 million.

Chief Minister the Honourable Bertrand Osborne is in Canada for the 27th annual general meeting of the Board of Governor's of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The meeting runs from May 21 to 22 in Toronto.

The Chief Minister is accompanied by the director of the Development Unit, Angela Greenaway. Before traveling to Toronto, Chief Minister Osborne visited New York to hold discussions with members of the Montserrat Progressive Society of New York.

After the CDB meeting Mr. Osborne will travel to Montreal to meet with members of the Montserrat Association there.

The switch in volcanic activity has again exposed the vulnerability of Spanish Pointe.

Spanish Pointe is situated on the northeastern side of the volcano and has been ordered evacuated by the authorities. However, the residents, who are mostly expatriates, have steadfastly refused to move.

Montserratians who went to the United States and its territories as a result of the volcano may be facing difficulties staying there. This is due to a new immigration law, which came into effect recently. The law makes it difficult for people who are in the U.S. illegally, to remain in the country.

It also makes it difficult for those people to change their status from illegal aliens or non-documented immigrants to permanent immigrants. The law has caused concerns not only among the immigrant communities in the U.S. but in countries like Montserrat, whose residents depend on remittances from relatives.

The Eastern Caribbean States Export Development Agency (ECSEDA) is currently in the process of carrying out a comprehensive needs analysis and evaluation of the Organization of East Caribbean States (OECS), manufacturing/exporting sectors.

The results of this needs analysis will be used to reposition the organization to respond better to the needs of its clients, and to determine the type and levels of assistance needed by clients firms.

To effectively undertake this comprehensive needs assessment of the OECS, ECSEDA will conduct a series of national consultations in all members states.

The Montserrat consultation was due to start at the Vue Pointe Hotel today and similar exercises will be held in each of the other OECS member territories, namely Dominica, Antigua, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, St. Vincent and St. Lucia.

A press release from ECSEDA explains that it was established in 1988. It is an agency of the OECS. Its primary mission is to encourage, promote and develop export trade of companies based in the OECS member states. To accomplish this mission, it provides information, assistance, advice and training to OECS governments, organizations and entrepreneurs on matters relating to the development and facilitation of exports.

It is funded jointly by the European Union (EU), under the Lome IV Convention, and by OECS member states.

In a report coming out of Barbados last weekend, during their official visit to the Caribbean, Mrs. Hilary Clinton, wife of president Clinton, making reference to National Development Foundations (NDF) in a speech to several hundred entrepreneurs, volunteers and development officials, said: "There are many, many people being left behind."

The United States will make $2 million available to help small island nations cope with free trade by diversifying economies and strengthening social services and education, Mrs. Clinton said.

Some $500,000 will go to Caribbean development foundations to fund "micro-credit" loans that allow poor people to start businesses and improve their lives, she said.

"We are undergoing a very rapid and profound economic transformation," Mrs. Clinton said.

National Development Foundations have been in the Caribbean since 1981, beginning in Montserrat in 1988.

The report briefly spoke of the work of the NDF: Micro-credit loans are an alternative for the poor, who often cannot obtain even small sums - say $100 or $500 - from commercial banks.

Supporters say they are a human as well as financial investment. "Tying those loans to technical assistance and education is one of the best ways to inspire promising entrepreneurs, give them a stake in their local economies and strengthen democratic systems," Mrs. Clinton said.

The first storm of the 1997 Atlantic Hurricane season will be called Anna. The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) announced the names of the 22 storms that are likely to form in the Atlantic. Forecasters have predicted 11 named storms this year. Anna will be followed by Bill, Claudette, Danny, Erika, Fabian, Grace, Henri, Isabelle, Juan and Kate. The other names are Larry, Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor and Wanda.

It will be a more than average hurricane season with seven hurricanes. There will be 55 storm days, 25 hurricane days, 3 intense hurricanes, and 5 days of intense hurricane weather.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is being conducted at Carrs Bay. The area has been earmarked for major infrastructural development, including the construction of a new port.

To this end an environmental consulting and planning team from the OECS Natural Resources Management Unit (NRMU) visited the island last week. Its purpose was to lay the groundwork for an EIA assessment of Carrs Bay. Chief Physical Planner Alan Gunne-Jones says the first phase of the work is a scoping exercise. He also says that NRMU will work closely with a visiting team of consultants and local agencies on the project.

The exercise in Montserrat is a follow-up to a visit on April 21, to discuss elements of the fisheries work program here, which could be implemented in collaboration with the NRMU. The OECS - NRMU was established in 1986, to coordinate regional environmental activities on behalf of the secretariat of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.

Journalists on Montserrat are invited to take part in the 1997 Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Annual Media Award for Excellence in health journalism.

This year new special prizes have been added to those for excellence in print, radio and television. They are best coverage by a media house, best communication mass media campaigning in health, and best still-photograph on health or health-related subject.

The existing categories include best news story, best feature article or series print, best news story, best feature or documentary - radio and TV. The objective of PAHO Award, is the creation of a climate of public opinion favorable to health issues. In order to be eligible participants must be employed on a full time basis by a media production house, or must be a regular columnist or contributor to a newspaper, radio or television or production house.

Work must be published or broadcast during the period, May 1, 1996 to May 31, 1997. The deadline for entry is June 30. National and regional winners will receive their awards by September this year.

Montserrat is preparing for the 1997 Caribbean Conference of Churches (CCC) Fourth General Assembly, scheduled to be held in Cuba from July 19 to 24.

The Montserrat Christian Council (MCC) has been holding pre-assembly meetings aimed at sensitizing members of the church community, to the work of the CCC. During the sessions, persons are updated on the benefits that can be derived from the CCC, its ongoing projects and the goals and objectives for the future.

The CCC is an umbrella body of churches made up of thirty-three member churches in 34 countries in the Caribbean and the General Assembly is a gathering of delegates from member churches every five years to review the work of the organization and appoint new committees.

Montserrat is getting more assistance with the formulation of a National Youth Policy. Last year Montserrat received funds from the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) Caribbean Centre to begin the process of formulating the plan.

At their 1996 meeting, Commonwealth Youth Ministers agreed that all member country should develop an effective and specific National Youth Policy and Action Plan by the year 2000. Doctor Didicus Jules, the consultant assigned to Montserrat by the CYP, will pay a visit to the island next week. Doctor Jules will be holding initial meetings with the key persons involved in the development policy.

While here he will pay courtesy calls on the Chief Minister, the Minister of Health and Doctor Howard Fergus. He will also hold discussions with the NYC and members of the Interim National Committee responsible for formulating of the policy.

A team of experts from the United Kingdom says it will come up with a comprehensive off-island evacuation plan for Montserrat. The team, which included military and police personnel, says the plan is being fine-tuned in the unlikely event it will be needed.

The team is headed by Mr. Allan Mathews, a member of the United Kingdom's Emergency Management Logistics team. Speaking to ZJB news, Mathews says the off-island evacuation plan, though unlikely to be used, will be comprehensive and fool-proof. He says for the next three months, the British experts will examine existing plans for signs of weakness. Mathews also says they will be looking at several areas, including communications procedures and anything that relates directly to emergency procedures, such as the role of the West Indian Guard Ship.

The team will have responsibility to pull together all aspects of the plan, including overseas accommodation in neighbouring islands Guadeloupe and Antigua. The plan will also look at a post-eruption situation where Montserratians would get help to resettle in the region or further afield.

In a press conference, Chief Minister, Bertrand Osborne spoke about the evacuation plan in relation to the "emergency", jetty which, he stressed, will be used solely for emergency purposes primarily for off-island evacuation or in the case that the port at Plymouth becomes unusable.

Immigration to the United Kingdom on the Voluntary Relocation Scheme is approaching the one thousand mark. According to figures supplied by the Department of Administration, 993 Montserratians have left for England. 67 more persons are being processed including 29 who are scheduled to leave shortly. In all, 160 applications forms have been issued. Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that 18 persons who went on the scheme have returned to the island. Their reasons for their return to Montserrat are not known. As immigration to the UK steadily increases there are questions over possible changes in Britain’s immigration policy towards its dependent territories as it prepares to hand over Hong Kong to China. That question was put to director of the Americas Command Peter Wesmacott during his visit to Montserrat. The two-year relocation scheme is due to expire next year. Mr Westmacott is unable to say at this time if the program will be extended.

Montserrat Education officials are back from a successful meeting of OCES Education Ministers in Antigua. Which took place on May 8 and 9 at the Cortsland Hotel. Ministers approved the work plan for 1997/98, which include a revised format for the meeting of ministers of education, and implementation of the first set of initiatives under the Eastern Caribbean Education Reform Project. They approved the implementation of the Primary education project funded by the UWI and the British Development Division, and the completion of the harmonization of OECS Education Legislation Project. The Ministers also decided to establish National Education Reform Councils, and the use of harmonized class names for all OECS countries by September 1997. Permanent Secretary Joseph Daniel and Director of Education Oslyn Jemmotte represented Montserrat at this meeting. Minister of Education the honorable Adelina Tuitt attended the Education Ministers Forum on Wednesday May 7. The Forum centered on the time: Education for the 21st Century, the Role of Government.

The 1997 MABA basketball league ended last weekend with West Side Rebels, the team from Kinsale, winning the national title over last year's champions Montsars. The title game did not live up to the close encounter that most fans expected, but turned out to be one-sided affair with Rebels pulling away to win by a score of 84 to 57.

It was a fitting end to a league that promised so much up to the All-Star Weekend in late March, but which fizzled away into heaps of controversy. Much of the mayhem can be traced to intolerance and indiscipline, two of the traits that now threaten to consume the productive energies of our youth.

The league however was not without its high points and achievements. The All-Star Game drew the largest crowd of any sporting event since the volcanic crisis, and there was representation from all communities which means that basketball now has the largest player base of any sport in Montserrat.

The organizers, Beresford Tuitt and Raphael Evans, are to be given high praise for their work but in the end they were stretched too thin trying to referee, manage, play, and control a league that outgrew them each passing game.

MABA now switches its focus to preparing a team for the LIBA championship scheduled for Antigua in mid-July. The Montserrat Undertakers has not entered LIBA for the past three seasons and must now be eager to challenge for a trophy in sub-regional basketball. Montserrat's best years were 1991 when they had a record of 5 wins and 1 loss and placed second in the LIBA tournament in Montserrat, and 1994 when they placed second in OECS tournament in Dominica.

Left to Right: Lionel 'Douggie' O'brien, Leroy 'Wanza' Daley, Neville Bradshaw (captain), William 'Wiggie' Sweeney, Herman 'Cupid' Francis, Ivan 'Pocket' Hixon.

The Montserrat Golf team was again pushed out by the home team placing second 2nd in the recently completed 1997 OECS Golf Championships.

The tournament was held at the St. Kitts Golf Course in Frigate Bay last weekend over three days and 54 holes.

Outstanding performances over the three-day tournament, which began on Friday, May 17, came from Daley, Sweeney and O'brien. ‘Douggie’ O'brien shot the best individual round with a score of 75 on the last day for the team with ‘Wiggie’ Sweeney being the most consistent shooting 8 over par each day.

Daley meantime, who led the Men's low net over the first two days held on to first place in spite of a fall back on the final day.

The rest of the Montserrat contingent to the tournament was the Senior's team which comprised Vendol Moore, Kingsley Howe and Mike Joseph.

The teams, for the first time traveled under the full auspices of the Montserrat Golf Club which now takes on the responsibility of sending the teams to at least two regional championships, the OECS and the East Caribbean Golf Association (ECGA) championships.

One club official is pleased with the team's performance, citing the fact that unlike any of the other teams in the competition, it places in the top two spots each year, no matter where the competition is played, not only taking first place at home but doing so outside as well.

Austin "Jack" Warner, FIFA's Senior Vice President, has promised to back up his words with 'tangible' financial and technical support for the Montserrat Football Association (MFA), as it prepares to embark on a major development plan for the sport on the island.

Warner, speaking at a cocktail function in his honour, hosted by the Montserrat government in collaboration with MFA, has pledged some one million US dollars in development aid for the local governing body, to assist in acquiring land in the Olveston area, to establish an international standard football complex which, when completed is likely to also feature an international size athletics track.

The witty Trinidadian official, who is also president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association of Football (CONCACAF), said at the end of his first ever visit to Montserrat, that he was "very happy" with the development plans put forward by the local association.

"The presentation they (football officials) made to me in Antigua, during the first meeting was very professional-and the advance (money) they are asking for is just a matter of time," Warner said to rapturous applause from the gathering of football players and supporters at the Vue Pointe Hotel on Tuesday night.

Warner, who was accompanied by two other officials, including CFU General Secretary Harold Taylor, is already planning a return visit to the island in early July along with, as he indicated, "the person who I think will be the next president of FIFA."

The CFU boss noted that in the next few years, Montserrat will witness some developments in the sport of football, which will be "mind-boggling", noting that, "sport must be an arm of support for this country's hopes and aspirations."

Sports Minister Adelina Tuitt, in her brief response, said that she will be holding Mr. Warner to his promise of support for the development of football on the island.

"I am extremely proud to hear you say that we can lean on you, because we are not going anywhere,"an apparent reference by Mrs. Tuitt to Montserratians remaining at home to help in the island's future development in the face of its volcanic crisis.

Lennox Browne, president of the Montserrat Football Association, said the local governing body was delighted with the presence on the island of Mr. Warner and his delegation. Browne is confident that FIFA, the world governing body for football, will be forthcoming in its financial and technical assistance for the continued development of the game on Montserrat.

The highly professional local choral group 'VOICES' under the astute direction of Annie Marie Dewar rounded off the evening's gala with magnificent renditions of Montserrat and other Caribbean songs which the gathering including the visiting football dignitaries thoroughly enjoyed.

• Montserrat vs. Antigua - Antigua
• Nevis vs. St. Kitts - Nevis
• USVI vs. Anguilla - St. Croix

• Montserrat vs. BVI - Tortola
• Antigua vs. USVI - Antigua
• Anguilla vs. Nevis - Anguilla

• Montserrat vs. St. Kitts - St. Kitts
• USVI vs. Nevis - St. Croix
• Anguilla vs. BVI - Anguilla

• Montserrat vs. Nevis - Nevis
• BVI vs. St. Kitts - Tortola
• Anguilla vs. Antigua - Anguilla

• Montserrat vs. USVI - St. Croix
• Nevis vs. BVI - Nevis
• Antigua vs. St. Kitts - Antigua

• St. Kitts vs. Anguilla - St. Kitts
• Antigua vs. Nevis - Antigua
• USVI vs. BVI - St. Croix

• Montserrat vs. Anguilla - Anguilla
• BVI vs. Antigua - Tortola
• St. Kitts vs. USVI - St. Kitts

MCA Trims Training Squad

The Montserrat Cricket Association (MCA) named a new captain and the rest of an 18-man squad Monday to continue preparation for the 1997 LI Tournament which begins Thursday, May 29 against Antigua at the ARG. Devon Williams, the talented middle order batsman from Eastern has been named as captain for the first match as substantive captain Aurrell Kirnon continues to go through rehabilitation for a knee injury sustained during a grueling league campaign.

The rest of the team is made up of what is best described as a blend of youth and experience. Tyrone Greenaway, Zhuan Sweeney, McPherson Meade, and Naris Gerald, four of the five youth players selected to the Leewards Under-19 team have been called up along with Olson Murrain who played for the Leewards Under-15s in St. Lucia earlier this year. Oakland Greaves and Earl Hyman, two seasoned campaigners, have returned to Montserrat to join the team. Owen Roach, Lawrence Daley, and Oris Sullivan are recalled after missing last season but there is no room for Amon Aymer, the young opener from Cork Hill who made his debut last year.

The full team is: Devon Williams (captain), David Lane, McPherson Meade, Lawrence Daley, Owen Roach, Zhuan Sweeney, Trevor Semper, Gary Barzey, Olson Murrain, Oakland Greaves, Earl Hyman, St. Clair Thornhill, Angelo Bass, Tyrone Greenaway, Oris Sullivan, Naris Gerald, Lesroy Irish, Sammy Kirnon. Colin Riley will manage the team and Fitzroy Buffonge is the coach.

Training continues this weekend with intensive net sessions at Salem Park on Saturday and a one-day game at Lansen Park on Sunday. A 13-man team will be named by the selectors on Sunday, May 25 and will leave Montserrat on Wednesday, May 28 for the first match.

Fishing Competition in Antigua

Montserrat’s representatives in the 31st Antigua and Barbuda Sports Fishing tournament returned home with their only success being captain Danny Sweeney in the boat Jumping Jack.

He sailed away with a prize for the second heaviest King Fish. A special prize was also given to 6 year old Sarah Sweeney, for being the youngest angler in the tournament.

Montserrat’s other representatives in the annual Whit weekend event, was veteran Bruce Farara a regular prize winner at these events, in the boat Ko Ko Mo.

Montserratians mid-week were seeing the dome at the Soufriere Hills Volcano for the first time in about six weeks, following the lifting of the cloud cover that had blanketed the volcano. Most were in awe of sheer size of the dome which, has doubled in size since last September. The clear weather this week allowed scientists at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) to carry out a complete dome survey, the first in some time. The scientific announced that the dome now contains 63 million cubic meters of material and is growing at almost 4 cubic meters per second, the highest figure in months.

Earlier, over the last weekend's Whit holiday scientists and government officials raised the alert level from AMBER to ORANGE after activity switched from the southern part of the dome to the north-northeast section and intensified in the process. Swarms of hybrid earthquakes, which have continued all week, triggered increased rockfalls and small pyroclastic flows from early last weekend. This coupled with some clear days when the dome could be clearly seen prompted MVO scientists to recommend the increase. The switch in activity from the south to the north / northeast now puts several new ghauts in danger from pyroclastic flows. Already there have been rock falls over Tuitt's Ghaut and the Whites and Mosquito ghauts are also threatened.

Deputy Chief Scientist, Dr. Angus Miller, who has spent more time on island monitoring the volcano than any other scientists, told radio listeners mid-week that the dome is now simply too big for English's Crater and that major pyroclastic flows are imminent. The scientific community is also worried about the major ash build-ups on the flanks of the volcano at the tops of several of the islands ghauts, as these could lead to major mud-flows during periods of heavy rains.

Further worrying for scientists is the fact that gas pressures in the volcano seem very high. There have been reports for some weeks of high-pressure sounds like jet engines from the dome. This is thought to happen during vigorous periods of steaming and degassing, which is an almost continuos occurrence. The tiltmeter on Chances Peak shows movement during the swarms of hybrid earthquakes thought to be caused by magma and gas movement from within the volcano, and photographic evidence shows some bulging of the crater rim walls.

The recent clear weather allowed scientists to see from the helicopter the build- up of debris within the crater rim. They have reported that in the majority of cases it is filled to capacity- Several sections contain blocky material and there are several new spines close to the summit of the dome, which is now thought to be about 3,300 feet above sea level. Mid-week, the Acting Governor of Montserrat, Dr. Howard A. Fergus, went on air to dispel rumours than on off- island evacuation is imminent because of the volcano. The island Media Centre was inundated with calls from as far afield as Australia and Ecuador asking if evacuation was taking place, following international press reports that a major operation was in progress. Dr. Fergus told radio listeners that nothing was further from the truth and that scientists maintain that the north of the Montserrat was safe.

"There are two army officers and a police officer from Britain on island helping to fine-tune an off-island evacuation plan in the unlikely event that there would be a catastrophic eruption. However, it is only prudent and good common sense to have contingency plans in place", reported Dr. Fergus. Meantime residents have been reminded that Zones A and B of the risk map are extremely dangerous and should not be visited under any circumstances. And those persons visiting Zone C should have a rapid means of exist. Motorists are advised not to drive through the Central Corridor and everyone is urged to remain vigilant and stay tuned to ZJB Radio for regular updates on the situation.

We wish to point out that much of the statistics mentioned in these articles often may refer to the United States. Except where specifically mentioned, the references do not necessarily apply to the rest of the world.

Dr. Whitaker advises using a formula that is 80% estriol, 10% estrone, and 10% estradiol ("tri-estrogen") to rapidly alleviate most of the symptoms of menopause. Tri-estrogen and estriol creams, which are particularly effective against vaginal atrophy, are available by prescription from pharmacies that specialize in the custom compounding of natural hormones. Pharmacies providing this service are: College Pharmacy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (800/748-2263); Wellness Health & Pharmaceuticals in Birmingham, Ala. (800/227-2627); Women's

There are many natural, non-hormone-based remedies that are effective for relieving menopausal symptoms. Although many can be used on your own, you'll benefit enormously from working with someone who is knowledgeable about using nutrition, exercise, herbs, yoga and other non-conventional practices to relieve menopause symptoms.

To find an M.D., naturopath, chiropractor, or acupuncturist you can work with to design an "alternative" menopause program, call Women's International Pharmacy (800/279-5708), or Wellness Health & Pharmaceuticals (800/227-2627), and ask them for names of health practitioners in your area. Or contact the North American Menopause Society, 2074 Abington Rd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106, and request a list of their members (all categories of healthcare professionals), listed by state or province. Another referral source is your health food store.

The first thing to try is changes in your lifestyle. The basics are outlined in the 7-step Whitaker Program, but you may need some extra vigilance during menopause. In particular, limit your intake of foods known to exacerbate menopause symptoms, such as spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, sugar, dairy foods, and fatty meat. Also cut down on soft drinks, which contain large amounts of phosphates that contribute to osteoporosis.

For women going through menopause, Bonnie Minsky, M.A., nutritionist, with the Wellness Group, Northbrook, Ill., recommends soy products such as tofu, soy nuts and soy milk. Soy products are a mainstay of the traditional Japanese diet and menopausal symptoms are less common among Japanese women. Susan Lark, M.D., author of The Estrogen Decision (Westchester Publishing, Los Altos, Calif., 1994), says many of her menopausal patients do well on a diet emphasizing nutrient-packed foods like beans and peas, whole grains, raw seeds and nuts, certain fish, and lots of fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin E (400 to 800 iu daily) appears to be an all-around suppressor of menopause symptoms. According to Dr. Lynne Walker, homeopath/Chinese herbologist, and co-author of Breezing Through The Change (Frog Ltd. 1994), vitamin E not only is effective in reducing hot flashes but also in relieving breast tenderness and vaginal dryness.

Certain herbal preparations can also help with hot flashes. Janet Zand, the cofounder of McZand Herbal, recommends that women begin taking a formula of Chinese herbs in their late 30s or early 40s, and continue for two to three years after menopause. Chinese preparations for midlife often contain a mixture of herbs to help your body utilize the small amount of estrogen it still produces.

Zand's Changes for Women features the Chinese herb Dong quai and the western herb Vitex, both traditional womens' herbs ($12.95 for 60 capsules and sold in health food stores).

Relaxed Wanderer, Women's Journey and Quiet Contemplative, all made by K'an Herbs, are only available through a health care practitioner.

A topical lubricant made of vitamin E is all you may need to combat vaginal dryness. Two products which contain natural vitamin E are ADE ointment and KEY E suppositories, from J.R. Carlson Laboratories. You could also open a vitamin E capsule and apply the oil directly to your vaginal tissues. (Also, don't forget Dr. Whitaker's recommendation to take 3,000 units of vitamin C daily, as it is needed to support the health of your vaginal tissues.)

Dr. Christiane Northrup, author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom (Bantam Books, 1994), recommends Replens, an over-the-counter preparation to diminish the symptoms of dryness, or applying cold-pressed castor oil.

Herbs known to be effective against vaginal dryness and thinning include licorice and goldenseal root, taken as a tea or tincture. If you are prone to vaginal infections, Dr. Lark favors goldenseal (because of its antibiotic activity) and uva ursi, a urinary diuretic with anti-infection properties.

Vitamin B6, which helps keep you calm, may be depleted in women using HRT, as it is in women with PMS. If you are feeling down, moody, or anxious, you may want to increase your intake of vitamin B6 to 100 mg daily. (Do not take higher doses without the guidance of a physician).

If your depression is linked to hormonal imbalances, a Chinese herbal formula, such as Relaxed Wanderer, may lift your spirits within a few days, says Dr. Walker. Another option for relieving stress is a Bach flower formula called Rescue Remedy, sold in a liquid form in health food stores.

My personal choice would be a homeopathic combination remedy. Two good products are Hylaprim C#13 one-grain tablets from Standard Homeopathic (800/624-9659 or 213/321-4282; $5.59 for 250 tablets) and Menocare from Boericke & Tafel (707/571-8232; $6.95 for 100 tablets). One of the active ingredients is Lachesis, known to restore hormonal balance.

To reduce stress, try abdominal breathing, yoga, meditation, or a reliable standby-a brisk daily walk.

For a list of my favorite books on menopause, menopause support groups, and other menopause-related nutritional, herbal and homeopathic products, please send a long self-addressed stamped envelope to: Phillips Publishing, Customer Service-Midlife, 7811 Montrose Rd., Potomac, Md. 20854

Jane Heimlich, associate editor of Health & Healing, is the author of best-selling What Your Doctor Won't Tell You, and is the wife of the famous Dr. Henry Heimlich, inventor of the "Heimlich Maneuver."

This ends our presentation on the topic 'Menopause'. Next week our feature will be on 'High Blood Pressure'.

PART II

As part of her research on the subject 'Marijuana' the following document provided information. We hope our community might find it useful.

Mayo Clinic Family Health Disc 2.0 Copyright (c) 1995 IVI Publishing Inc. and Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Smoking (free-basing) cocaine creates a faster and more intense high. In this form, the drug can cause confusion, slurred speech, and anxiety. Crack cocaine is also smoked and has essentially the same effect as free-base cocaine. Both forms are extremely addictive. Crack is aptly named because it produces an intense high in a matter of seconds. Within a few minutes, a profound low follows that usually leaves the chronic abuser despondent and desperate for more. Short-term physical effects of crack are increased heart rate and increased blood pressure. Cocaine can overwork your heart, forcing it to beat too fast and too powerfully. As your heart tires, it becomes susceptible to irregularities in its normal rhythm, which can cause it to stop. Cocaine can also induce coronary artery spasm-a sudden narrowing of the arteries leading to your heart. Such spasms can cause a blood clot to form, even in otherwise normal arteries. If the spasm or clot completely blocks the flow of blood to your heart, it can cause a heart attack, dangerous heartbeat irregularities, or sudden death.

Injecting cocaine by means of shared needles increases the risk of exposure to AIDS and other communicable diseases that are passed by sharing non-sterile needles or solutions that are contaminated (see Central Nervous System Stimulants). If you have never tried cocaine, remember-your first "experiment" could be your last!

Hallucinogens.

Hallucinogenic drugs were widely used in the 1960s and early 1970s. The popularity of such drugs diminished during the next 20 years. Some observers report that there may be a renewed interest today in the use of hallucinogens, especially lysergic acid diethylamide (Hallucinogens were popular because they produced a vivid perception of changes in sensation, depth perception, passage of time, and body image. Some experimenters reported experiencing a mixing of the senses-under the influence of LSD, one could seemingly "hear" colors or "see" sounds. Also possible are powerful negative experiences, referred to as "bad trips," in which there is an overwhelming sense of fear, perhaps of being abandoned, going insane, or dying. In some instances, abusers have had no comprehension of their limitations and have died because they tried to fly out of windows or walk on water. An effect of hallucinogenic drugs is the production of sustained altered mental states that last for eight hours or more. Flashbacks also may occur days or weeks after the conclusion of the initial "trip," in which the user re-experiences previous effects even though he or she has not ingested any more of the drug. Other psychedelics, such as mescaline, increase heart rate and blood pressure dilate pupils, and cause loss of appetite, sleeplessness, and tremors. Death from overdose is also possible. It is not yet known whether all of the symptoms dissipate after LSD is no longer ingested. Heavy long-term use of hallucinogens, however, is known to cause impaired memory, abbreviated attention span, and a difficulty with abstract thinking (see Hallucinogens).

Young and Old

From the MVO new hope arises

For our lull in high-handed surprises.

With the Lynch known as Lloyd

Again filling the void,

Look for no unenlightened surmises.

Jus wonderin if the volcano is getting angry because the Amerindians skeletons are not yet returned to the graves at Trants.

Jus wonderin if is true that there is also an Amerindian grave at the office site of the contractors at Little Bay.

Jus wonderin if what is alleged at Her Majesty's Prison is true: that prisoners are being beaten by female warders and refused medical attention.

Jus wonderin if it is true that there is still fighting, and female abuse, in the shelters.

Jus wonderin why the caller during the discussion on independence, which was aired on ZJB, referred to Montserrat and Montserratians as a land full of beggars.

Jus wonderin if Montserrat does not really have any natural resources.

Jus wonderin if is true that drugs are being brought to the island at night by boats.

Jus wonderin how come so many school children hang out in Salem until the wee hours of the morning, especially on weekends.

Jus wonderin what subjects these school children are taking during those late hours.

Jus wonderin when sexual harassment will be addressed as a problem in the work-place.

Jus wonderin why only the female employees are asked to work overtime at a particular business place in Salem.

Jus wonderin why the on-island news media do not visit that special bar in Salem for news and hear the gossip.

Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: roachb@candw.ag

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