Chedmond Browne Axed by the NPLM As 'Disrespectful'
By Merrick Andrews
Hon Chief Minister John Osborne wants nothing to do with Cheddie again - never;
Hon Chedmonde Browne will sit on the opposition benches
Chedmond Browne, the outspoken backbencher of the
ruling New People’s Liberation Movement (NPLM), was expelled with immediate
effect from the party on Wednesday for allegedly making “openly abusive and
disrespectful” remarks to Chief Minister John Osborne in public at Carr’s
Bay just over a week ago.
The letter of expulsion added that Mr. Browne “did not attend or participate
in any activities held to mark the first anniversary of the NPLM election to
Government” earlier this year.
Six members of the party, with the exception of John Wilson, also a party
back-bencher, signed the letter. The
members who penned their signatures are Party Secretary Eloise Irish; Minister
of Communication and Works Lowell Lewis; Minister of Agriculture, Land, Housing
and the Environment Margaret Dyer-Howe; Minister of Education, Health and
Community Services Idabelle Meade; Chief Minister Osborne and back-bencher
Claude Hogan.
The letter of expulsion added: “You have not attended any recent meetings of
the Party’s caucus, and have been openly very critical of the NPLM government
and other parliamentary colleagues. Your conduct is totally unacceptable to us a
Political Party, whose members must have respect for each other and the general
public. As a result of your behaviour, the other elected members of the Party no
longer wish to have any further political association with you. You are
therefore expelled from the NPLM with immediate effect.”
Mr. Browne, otherwise known as "Cheddie" declined to comment on the
matter on Thursday.
Chief Minister Osborne said Mr. Browne hurled indecent language at him in public
on Carr’s Bay on Wednesday, May 1.
The Chief Minister said it was during a conversation with several persons in
regards to the government, Crown land and a pre-volcano court matter involving
the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Union, when Mr. Browne became disrespectful.
“I don’t want to have anything to do with Cheddie again – never,” Mr.
Osborne told The Montserrat Reporter in a telephone interview Wednesday night.
“I was cool because I couldn’t even raise my voice, because as Chief
Minister I can’t be down there associating myself and arguing with someone
with that kind of language.”
The Chief Minister added: “I believe something is wrong with him because I
never knew he could have behaved liked that. I will never associate with him
ever again in life. His behaviour as an elected member is disgraceful and I
don’t want to be part of that.
Mr. Osborne however said Mr. Browne has a right to express himself, but not in
the manner in which he did.
Other sources said, however, that Mr. Osborne started the quarrel and the
hurling of derogatory statements against Mr. Browne when a heated argument
ensued with Mr. Browne subsequently defending himself.
A source said: “Mr. Browne should have not been fired, neither should he have
been disciplined. The Chief Minister should have enough respect for Mr. Browne
as a member of his cabinet and as a member if his party and as a human being.”
In light of the incident, political critics have suggested that the NPLM is on
the “road to self-destruction,” moreso with the expulsion of Mr. Browne and
the fact that elected member John Wilson did not sign the letter of expulsion.
However, the Chief Minister said he is confident that the NPLM will still thrive
and strive without the forthright Cheddie. “How would it be the end of the
ruling Party if one person misbehaved?” asked Mr. Osborne, “that can’t be
the end of the party…there’s no problem there.”
In regards to Mr. Wilson's being the only elected member not to sign the letter,
Mr. Osborne commented: “We wrote the letter and John Wilson don’t sign it,
but five of us signed the letter and we decided that we don’t want to
associate with him…so if John Wilson wants to go with him, that’s his
business.”
Hon. John Wilson - improper procedure; Hon Lowell Lewis - bad to be in limbo
Mr. Wilson, also deputy speaker in the
Legislative Council, said he believes that Mr. Browne should have been given a
hearing before he was dismissed. “I felt that it was wrong (for Mr. Browne to
be expelled). I think we should have followed a procedure of hearing him and
then hearing what the charges are, and in the body of our membership we make a
decision.”
He added: “My position is very simple really: I am not determining anybody’s
guilt by any sense, I am not saying somebody is lying or somebody is telling the
truth, all I am saying is that we should have used a certain procedure.”
Mr. Wilson said his decision not to sign the letter is not portrayal of
“disloyalty” to the Chief Minister but “simply a question of a procedural
way.”
The Chief Minister holds on to his belief that Mr. Browne should not have given
a hearing. “They (the NPLM) don’t have to give a hearing because I am
reporting to them and they don’t expect I am going to come and tell them lies
….I am reporting to them as Chief Minister as to what took place,” said Mr.
Osborne.
“I have the right to decide who I want to associate with and I have taken that
decision; and my colleagues also have the right to decide who they want to
associate with and they have made that decision,” he added.
Minister of Communication and Work Lowell Lewis, who also signed the expulsion
letter, commented: “[I understand that] they had a horrible argument… This
happened because he and Cheddie had a disagreement down at Carr’s Bay. The way
I look at it there’s nothing worse than people behaving in a limbo and people
need to know where they stand, it’s either you are with or not with somebody.
He has been unhappy because of certain things not being done and he had stopped
involving himself with the party and you cannot have a hearing when someone does
not attend. I also feel that it is disrespectful to use foul language to the
Chief Minister in public and that was my main reason for signing the letter.
“I believe that people can choose to
dissociate themselves. I think there’s nothing worse than people having
bitterness inside them…”
Billy Darroux Acquitted Of Charge of Wounding
By Merrick Andrews
Lawyer Kharl Markham and Billy Darroux
Several hours – even minutes – before
the verdict was read he looked cool as a cucumber, confident, laughing and
talking with his friends as if he was not the one in the hot seat.
Like a prophet gifted with foresight, he seemed to have known the end result.
Billy Darroux, the policeman who was indicted for the wounding of John Semper,
walked out of the Montserrat High Court a free man on Thursday after the jury of
one woman and eight men found him not guilty in a unanimous verdict.
“I feel great that the system has done its job again,” Mr. Darroux, 34, told
The Montserrat Reporter. “It’s been eight months that I have been looking
forward to it, so I am really excited about it.”
He said he never had any doubts. “It’s just unfortunate that the incident
had to happen anyway,” said Mr. Darroux, who was represented by legal counsel
Malcolm Markham.
The presiding judge was Ola Mae Edwards, presiding for the first time in the
Montserrat assizes, while the prosecutor for the Crown was Eugene Otuonye, who
is on loan to the Attorney General’s chambers here from the Turks and Caicos
Islands.
Judge Ola Mae Edwards and Crown Counsel Eugene Otuonyeon
Mr. Darroux was charged with wounding John
Semper with a baseball bat in Lookout on September 28, 2001, while off duty. He
was subsequently suspended from the police force and was indicted on April 23.
Mr. Semper received injuries to the left side of his head and face.
The sworn evidence of Adidus Allen, the prosecutor’s witness who was in the
company of the virtual complainant Mr. Semper, could be considered to be the
highpoint of the case.
Adidus came to the stand on Wednesday, the first day of the trial, and said that
he was giving evidence “on his own” because the statements he gave in the
Magistrate Court last year were “bogus” because he was backing Mr. Semper.
He told the court that he had come to tell the truth because his conscience was
riding him every day he saw that “Mr. Darroux was out of a job.”
A soft-spoken Adidus told the court that Mr. Semper used indecent language at
Mr. Darroux, while picking up a rock in the process. Adidus added that the
officer went inside his house and came out with a baseball bat, which he later
used to hit Mr. Semper.
Mr. Semper, who looked very still and reserved throughout the two-day trial,
told the court on that he never used any indecent language towards the officer.
He denied having any argument with Mr. Darroux on arriving at his house to
collect money owed to him by Mr. Darroux's wife, Joy.
He said he was standing between the car fender and the door talking to Adidus
when Mr. Darroux hit him from behind with the baseball bat.
Mr. Darroux, who chose to take the witness stand to be cross-examined, said he
told Mr. Semper to leave his yard for using indecent language.
The officer said he hit Mr. Semper with the baseball bat in self-defense,
because he and his family felt threatened when Mr. Semper took up the rock. A
rock much bigger than a man’s fist was exhibited in court after Mr. Daroux had
presented it to the police, alleging it to be the one picked up by Semper on his
premises.
"What
Once Was a Question of 'Morality' Now Worsens Strain on Island's Economy"
A few weeks ago we featured a story about
prostitution in Montserrat which became much talked about and drew many varying
reactions and comments from the community, both at home and abroad.
The reaction came from all quarters, which
suggested to us that the issue was one that, contrary to what some believed,
needed to be brought into the fore.
Among the comments and the complaints was that
this matter of prostitution was perhaps the oldest business in the history of
mankind and that it was nothing new or unique to Montserrat. But while all that
may be the case, if only because Montserrat is devastated
from the ravages of serious and deadly volcanic activity, it is no excuse
to indulge further into the social and moral evils of the world.
It was surprising that in some instances people
were in denial, even though they were being exposed to the evidence of the type
of prostitution, which of course in the cases highlighted was not the type where
solicitation is done on the streets, like it is known in big cities.
There were those who tried to justify the matter,
citing the fact that the unusual situation existing today finds Montserrat with
more men than women, creating a demand for more sexual partners. A fact, it is
agreed, that lends itself to the prominence of sexual child abuse and domestic
violence.
Prostitution is even legal in some countries of
the world, but one would find it very much still illegal in countries that
consider themselves "religious" or where Christianity is practiced,
and that is viewing the matter quite simply. Prostitution is a matter of
economic survival for some who practise it, and for others it is merely another
business and a means of making quick, plenty and easy money.
In Montserrat, while admitting that it is nothing
new, done in the commercial manner that it had become known to be, it became
quite a matter of economics. The stories were that in any given weekend, a
single woman visiting Montserrat can take away from the island anything up to
US$5,000, just for the weekend. Add multiples of that to weekly expatriation of
at least US$10,000 to the region by workers in Montserrat. Add to that also the
support sent by parents and relatives. to evacuated Montserratians overseas.
And there is also another side; local women are
complaining, the men aren’t bringing home their pay-check anymore; add that to
an already high cost of difficult living.
That may seem crude in its presentation, but the
economic angle is not the only concern. When the matter is discussed, also
mentioned is the fact that prostitution is practised at nearly all levels of the
society. The openness itself almost gave sanctity to the activity and to those
who practiced it in their own homes or privately. All that made the morality of
base sexual behaviour appear to be quite normal, thus giving the completely
wrong picture to the very young, many
of whom are much faster learners than their seniors, if for no other reason than
that they are maturing physically faster these days than in the past.
There were also health concerns, the spread of
the deadly AIDS, communicable and sexually transmitted diseases. Sources
revealed that admitted prostitutes promote themselves as protecting themselves
and their patrons, but that leaves the rest, who may very well outnumber the
"obvious" ones. Thus the concern in this area must be substantial and
consequently frightening.
So is this a matter of concern that should be
dealt with? It seems that there is an easy unequivocal yes. And who should be
dealing with it? The entire community is responsible. The police, in
collaboration with Community Services, have been visibly working on domestic
violence, while they express difficulty in pulling in prostitute offenders.
There is a hotline for domestic abuse complaints.
There is no question that it is time for the
churches to speak openly on the matter and for clubs, societies, schools,
government and organizations, in their programs of activities for discussions,
to take the moral issues in the country seriously. The trend needs to be
reversed since the matter of prostitution, domestic violence and child abuse is
not just a moral or social one. It is already having serious economic
repercussions.
In Montserrat we have to be undergoing a profound
rethinking and reconstruction. In numerous ways we should be taking note of
something the Secretary General of UNESCO said: “Now, even more so than
before, imagination, innovation, vision, and creativity are required…a quality
that requires a willingness to frame bold questions instead of depending on
conventional answers.”
Serious thought will lead us to realize
that the power of all this lies in all our hands to deal with and take action.
Except for the editorial, opinion articles expressed in these pages are
not necessarily those of the Montserrat Reporter editors, employees or advisers.
Readers are encouraged to submit commentary articles.
All viewpoints, unless libelous, in poor taste, or anonymous, are
welcome. Send your contributions to
The Editor, P.O. Box 306, Olveston, Montserrat, W. I., e-mail: editor@montserratreporter.org
or monrep@candw.ag. Manuscripts
will not be returned unless accompanied by a return stamped envelope.
The Montserrat Reporter is a privately owned independent newspaper.
Jus Wonderin items
may be called in at telephone 491-4715 or Fax 491-2430
WHAT FAITH
IS AND DOES
READ:
Hebrews 11:1-6
Faith is
the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Exodus 35-37
When I was in m mid-teens, I sometimes wondered
if my faith was real. I had
sincerely placed my trust in Jesus Christ, yet the injustices in society and
writings of unbelievers raised doubts in my mind.
I didn't dare mention this to anybody.
However, I repeatedly committed myself anew to Christ and to His
teachings for my life.
Since then, many have told me that they are
troubled by the description of faith in Hebrews 11:1.
To them it defines faith as absolute intellectual certainty -- something
they do not always have. But in its
context, this verse explains both what faith is and what it does.
It affirms the certainty that comes as we continue in our commitment to
trust Jesus and His Word. As we do,
we become assured of the reality of God and the heaven that awaits us.
To test the validity of this statement, consider
the steadfast faith of elderly believers who have continued trusting Jesus
through great trials, sorrow, and pain. They
will tell you that Jesus has become so real and precious to them that they are
absolutely sure of Him and the truthfulness of His promises.
Don't let times of doubt discourage you.
Keep trusting and obeying the Lord Jesus and His Word.
As you do, your confidence will grow.
-HVL
There can be those times when our minds are in
doubt,
When we ask what our faith is really about:
We can believe Him, we know that He cares
For our God is real, as the Bible declares. -FITZHUGH
FEED
YOUR FAITH AND YOUR DOUBTS WILL STARVE.
Cable TV
Late Fee Called Unfair, Illegal
Dear Editor,
I am asking you as champion of the common man’s
cause to put your legal mind and resources toward addressing the announcement by
Cable TV of Montserrat that it will impose a late fee charge, for it just does
not seem right to me.
The reason I am asking is that it would appear as
if no one else is looking out for us and that the Government of Montserrat has
saddled ordinary people with more burden in this green guava crop of an economy.
How can they, the elected members on both sides
of the house, allow Cable T.V. to levy this fee without asking the people who
voted for them or even passing a law to permit Cable TV to levy such a charge?
It is that Cable TV is a law unto itself in this country, with more power
as a monopoly than Monlec or the Water Authority. Cable is now more important
than electricity or water!
Can you imagine if Monlec or Water Authority were
to put a "notice" in your paper like Cable TV did in the May 3, 2002,
issue all the things the "Heavy Roller" would have to say about how
the government is doing? A lot of people, especially the Minister of
Communications and Works, would have to hide for the licks they would get.
Isn’t his silence deafening? Do you wonder why, or do you already know?
Well it is my view, and I don’t really know
much, that Cable TV has no legal authority to unilaterally levy this fee which
is tantamount to charging interest at the rate of 22 percent to 40 percent on
the monthly bill when late, depending on the "package" to which you
subscribe.
It is not part of the agreement with present
subscribers nor -- and I would put my neck on the block on this -- is it in the
agreement the Government of Montserrat signed to allow CableTV to operate here.
Added to the above is the question of whether this "charge/interest"
is to be “tax exempt”. Government will need to have its lawyer look at the agreement
it signed to verify that the "fee/charge" is outside the scope of the
agreement and therefore both illegal and subject to tax.
Remember when they tried to increase monthly
charges without government approval? Is this another way of trying to have their
way with no respect for the lawmaking body?
Such things should not be allowed in this country and we turn a blind
eye!
Jon
Bardis
MAPS Thanks All Those Who Helped Fund Raiser
Dear Editor,
The Montserrat Animal Protection Society MAPS is
in the process of raising funds to build a shelter to house rescued
animals. The first MAPS fundraiser was held at The Vue Pointe Hotel on Saturday
evening April 27th.
Many people were responsible for making the
evening so successful. Not only were the funds raised for a good cause, but a
wonderful evening was had by all. Special thanks to the talented Mr
Richard Hermany for his most enjoyable musical revue, as well as Mr.
Trevor Stephenson, the extraordinary Auctioneer. Thanks also to the Vue Pointe
for
a welcoming venue and the Vue Pointe staff, always friendly and helpful.
Further thanks for their generous donations are due to: John and Marcia Punter
of Ziggy's Restaurant, The Montserrat National Trust, Romeo's Wayside Store, BBC
Radio & TV, Seawolf, Montserrat Stationery Centre, Arrow's Manshop, Lee's
Pharmacy, Bruce Farara, Dutcher's Studio, Harriet Peakes, David Lea, Tropical
Mansion Suites, Mariet's Gourmet
Gardens, Cable & Wireless, Tradewinds Real Estate, Jean Kelsick, Carol's
Corner, Maureen Hodd, Beryl Chadwick, Annie Laurie, Bev Kleeb, Roy Frederickson,
Loek Bumbera, Joan Rice, Debby Darby, Tracy Burk, Nancy Burke, Ingrid &
Harry Rapuano, Dr. Erica Gibbs, Roy Frederickson, and Georgia Frink.
And to all those who attended and bid so generously, we appreciate your
contributions! We plan on having the next MAPS Annual Auction in February
2003.
The Montserrat Animal Protection Society (MAPS)
MAPS was registered in Montserrat as a friendly society in November 2001. It is a non-profit organization, which is run by volunteers. Among MAPS objectives are:
Illegitimacy
Strictures Punish Child, Not Father
Dear Editor,
As I mentioned in a previous letter, a number of
years ago I discovered that on Montserrat, the government noted that persons
born out of wedlock were all listed as being illegitimate. Their illegitimacy
was noted on the travel documents they use when they do not possess a passport.
Also it is noted on their birth certificate.
Through my limited investigation I discovered that if the father of an
illegitimate child dies without leaving a will specifying that his illegitimate
child should inherit from his estate, only his legitimate children could inherit
but the illegitimate child would receive nothing.
I also discovered that the illegitimate child could not use his father's name
but must use his mother's name as his only legal name. What I could not discover
was if the illegitimate child could even inherit from the mother if she had
other legitimate children, in the event that she should die without leaving a
will.
One of the most demeaning things about the legal position of a child born out of
wedlock was that the child became the property of the mother. How the country of
Montserrat, whose population descended from slaves, could maintain a law which
determines that a person is the property of another is incredible.
In my career, I have had to provide copies of my birth certificate innumerable
times. I know for a fact that there still persists in the minds of many people
who believe that people who were born out of wedlock are less worthy and capable
than people who are born legitimately. I know that these people who hold this
belief would discriminate against any one whose birth certificate noted that
they were illegitimate.
It is my understanding that this sharp distinction between legitimate and
illegitimate birth started many centuries ago to safeguard the royalty of
England from having one of their illegitimate offspring being able to claim
rights of succession. The need for these laws may still be necessary to protect
the members of the Royal Family in England, but try as I may, I can find no man
on Montserrat who has the nobility to require his being protected from
acknowledging his offspring and providing all of his children with an equal
share of his estate.
Truly, the sins of the father are visited on their children, and the laws of
Montserrat insure the children will suffer all of their lives for their father's
sins.
Montserrat has some of the most draconian laws I have ever seen. For example,
the newest laws regarding drugs. When will Montserrat review and change the
social laws regarding illegitimacy, child support, spousal abuse, child abuse
(sexual, physical, emotional) and the many other social laws of Montserrat that
require, no demand, review and rewriting?
If the people of Montserrat do not demand that these archaic, outrageous, and
stupid laws be repealed or rewritten, the people, particularly the children,
will continue to suffer. Without the demands and support of the people,
discriminatory laws will continue to be the law of the land of Montserrat.
Thomas E Mowry
Chedmond Browne's
Dismissal Discredits NPLM, Not the Man
Dear Editor,
John Osborne's dismissal of Chedmond Browne from
a non-existent political party is a meaningless gesture. It's apparent Mr.
Browne distanced himself from NPLM long ago. However, it does provide
further insight into where the priorities of the members of this mirage
political party rest. They are obviously more concerned with loyalty to each
other than loyalty to the
people whose interests they are supposed to represent. At least there is
no question that Mr. Browne's top priority is the best interest of
Montserratians. It's actually quite fortunate that this
"official" severance can only serve to further enhance his reputation
as a man of and for the people. For Montserrat's sake, I can only hope
that their topsy-turvy priorities will not extend to removing Mr. Browne from
the Constitutional Review Commission.
Sylvia White.
Black Gold Writes
To End 'Confusion'
Dear Radio Listeners,
Greetings in the name of The Most High Jah
Rastafari who judgeth righteously and without partiality.
Now it has been brought to my attention that a
ZJB news item on Friday 26th April 2002 referred to certain matters
of a case in which I was the plaintiff and a certain entertainer was the
defendant. Not having heard the
report I cannot say for certain what was reported, but it appears that many
people are confused about the facts of the matter.
In the interest of clarity and fairness to all of my fans and
well-wishers I believe it is my duty to throw some light upon the whole matter.
I presented a case to the court that the
defendant called my home at about 10:00 a.m. on January 1st from
Montserrat requesting that I come and sing in the street parade and jump up
because, he said, "No one in the band knows your song."
Based on the promise from him for me to sing for his band, which had no
singers, I subsequently left what I was doing and performed from about 2:30 p.m.
until 11:30 p.m. that night.
Since monies for the Festival are not paid out
until the closing ceremony I waited to present the bill. On January 5th
the defendant called my home and made another request for me to sing the by now
popular Big Truck at the jump up. Again based on his demand for me to sing I
performed from Festival Village down to the port and back.
After jump up I presented the defendant with a bill for $300, $150 for
the street parade and $150 for the jump up on January 1st.
These are the facts of my case, none of which be denies.
The defendant made a counter claim by saying, yes he did call me but it
was never his intention to pay me for performing or in legal jargon he claimed
he had no intention to enter legal and binding relations of contract with me.
He said no other calypsonian that he called sang
with the expectation of being paid. He
claimed he thought I was competing for Road March Title: and he didn't look at
the bill. Now in law there are 5 basic requirements for there to be a valid
contract:
1. There must be an
offer.
2. There must be
acceptance.
3. There must have an
intention to create legal & binding relations in the agreement.
4. You must be of legal
age i.e. not a minor and
5. That consideration
i.e. something of value must pass.
The courts decided that four of the above
requirements met and only one upon which there was any uncertainty. The court
found that there was an offer acceptance, legal age and consideration but no
certainty as to intentions. You listeners can now decide for yourself and from much more
enlightened opinions of the matter. All
calypso fans know that Big Truck had not been released until after 3:00 p.m. on
the Jevon West Boogie Man Show on December 28th, 2001.
Prior to that, the only time Big Truck was played was at the Soca Party
Monarch Competition in which I played, next to last and received $300 for.
How could any reasonable person assume that I was competing for the Road
March Title? Further, no one knew that a prize would be given for Road March,
none was announced before hand, and none had been given out for years prior to
January 5th, 2002, so his whole argument in my humble opinion is,
pure Poppy Cock. Whoever heard of a
time that in three days could win the Road March Title, even if there had always
been a Title, and why is it that after he put a notice on ZJB for St. Johns Day
and Old Years Day to get in touch with him that I didn't sing for those jump
ups? Or even Salem Day, which all
qualified as Road Jams that would be judged in any Road March competition if one
had been advertised?
Secondly I could not be put in a class with other
calypsonians. Everyone knows I do not compete in the Calypso Monarch
Competition. They all know I play my part by producing cassettes or CDs for
Festival and perform at one or two shows. Only
once have I participated in a Road March Competition and that was in 1993-94, my
last year in the arena. Also, with my CD out just (3) days before last lap, how
could I honestly expect to beat Dangerous with his hit Push Back Batty?
Either I would have to be dishonest or unreasonable. None of which I
ascribe to. Road March Title is decided on number of times played on the street
and, according to the defendant, air play, hence whether or not the other
calypsonians, all of whom competed in the Calypso Monarch Competition, expected
pay has nothing to do with me as an entertainer. They all get paid for competing, I get paid according to CD
sales or performing.
Lastly I feel it very dishonest and vane-man like
for the defendant to counter that he didn't know it was my bill when I told him
it was the bill. Neither do I think
I was unreasonable, since in 1998 the defendant worked two hours as MC for the
closing Ceremony and billed me in my capacity as Chairman of the Montserrat
Festival Committee $700 and was duly paid.
Everyone knows that this is the normal procedure in Montserrat for the
Festival Committee to ask you to perform and then pay based on either your bill
or amount of profit at the gate. We
do not usually write contracts or agree to a set price in certain circumstances.
The custom is to work first then bill later. When the Festival Committee asked me to be a part of the
sideshow, we signed no written document or made a prior price, but I was paid.
I hope the case would put on notice all those who
like to have work done but not pay. And
I take this opportunity to thank all my fans and well-wishers for their support
and encouragement.
Sydney
Galloway - (Black Gold)
Note: The foregoing was intended to be a
paid broadcast on ZJB radio but is published here at the request of the author
because ZJB on advice did not accept it for broadcast.
Permanent
Heliport Idea Gets a Reader's Attention
Dear Editor,
Last week’s editorial proposing the need for
additional research into the viability of a permanent
(an underutilized word on island, you know, the opposite of “temporary”)
heliport as an alternative to an airport at Geralds struck a chord. Though my
opinions might be based on insufficient information, it seems obvious this is
something that needs serious consideration given, if for no other reason, the
information brought forward at the last open meeting on ZJB on the Geralds
airport. During that meeting, it was disclosed that to fulfill the
plan to build an airport at Geralds the existing heliport would have to be
relocated. In other words, the cost
of building an airport at Geralds includes
the cost of building another temporary heliport.
Thus, it is not only intuitive that building a heliport, even a
permanent, fully compliant one, would cost less than building an airport, it’s
apparently a given. Additionally,
given the extraordinary demands on land for alternative uses, shouldn’t a plan
to minimize the land dedicated to air travel have a high priority?
From what I understand, helicopters exist today
that not only have comfortable, 19-seat capacity, but also the capability to
haul substantial amounts of freight as well as luggage, something essential to
developing business prospects on island. Most importantly, though there exists
today a gap in maintenance and running costs for a helicopter vs. an airplane,
technology is demonstrably narrowing it quickly.
Much of the discussions concerning building an
airport on Montserrat seem to center around the requirement to do what can be
done within the confines of the existing budget, one that is inadequate to
provide the airport that is desired ideally.
Assuming no strings are attached to the available funding that would
preclude its use toward this end, why not consider building and operating a
modern, safe and compliant, full-capacity (19-passenger) heliport and helicopter
service and use the monies saved in construction to subsidize the costs of
helicopter travel for a specific period of time that could possibly allow for
tomorrow’s technology to eliminate the operating cost differentials that exist
today? Wouldn’t this approach
create a required construction budget far below $41 million and allow the
substantial savings to be utilized to keep fares for helicopter service
competitive with airplane fares? Wouldn’t this also minimize the safety hazards and noise
pollution concerns created by runways requiring air flight over or near
hospitals and newly developed residential lands and allow for greater usage of
the land at Geralds for cultural, athletic or other needs required of a newly
developing community?
Jus thinkin’
Douglas Darby
Letter Arrives After 21 Years Of 'Safekeeping' in Antigua PO
By Merrick Andrews
Levon Watts of Olveston received
mind-boggling news on Thursday, May 2, when his daughter Simone Laborde handed
him letters collected from the post office hours earlier.
On that historic day Mr. Watts received a letter sent 21 years ago – March 4,
1981.
The
letter was addressed to Mr. Watt’s grandmother, Ellen Peters, who died in 1995
at age 101, from her daughter Helen Peters in Montreal, Canada.
Clipped to the airmail envelope was an apologetic note from the Antigua
postmaster.
The note read: “We have been advised by the Postmaster General of Antigua and
Barbuda that the mail bag containing the attached postal item(s) was recently
discovered in a strong room at the General Post Office in Antigua. It had been
placed in the strong room for safekeeping and was inadvertently overlooked. It
has only now reached our administration. On behalf of the Postal Administration
of Antigua, and on our own behalf, I apologise for any inconvenience this
oversight may have caused.”
Now, Mr. Watts, 59, is planning to contact the Guinness Book of World Records
“as soon as is possible”.
“My grandmother was very dear to
me. I will cherish this letter from my daughter to her,” said Mr. Watts,
adding that his 79-year-old mother, who still lives in Canada, has scant memory
of what she wrote in the letter.
The letter has become a treasure for Mr. Watts, owner of Soft Freeze Ice Cream
Parlor at Brades. “There isn’t a vault here anymore; unless I would put it
in the vault. This wouldn’t go in the garbage – period. I’ll probably keep
it in my briefcase,” he said.
Mrs. Laborde, 30, an employee of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), said
she was shocked. “I was wondering if the date was wrong,” she said.
However, for Sylvester Dublin, 55, a longtime friend of Mr. Watts, a similar
surprise would have prompted scrutiny.
“I would have been as shocked as
he is… I’ll find out why is it in a vault and why it took 21 years to be
released.”
Governor Makes Temporary Appointments
The Governor has borrowed a Senior Crown Counsel
from the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) to work in Montserrat.
Eugene Otuonye is here acting as Principal Crown
Counsel until next week Tuesday, May 14, when he is scheduled to leave.
Mr. Otuonye, who is a Nigerian, arrived in Montserrat on Sunday. He said he has
been working in the Caribbean region since 1996.
The Governor has also appointed Charles Ekins as Attorney General.
His appointment was effective from March 26 for six weeks.
Mr. Ekins served as Attorney General for two years before he was succeeded by
Brian Cottle who resigned earlier this year, saying that he felt unable to
remain in his post after statements that members of the government were no
longer prepared to work with him.
Professor Sir Howard Fergus has being acting as Governor since April 28 in the
absence of Governor Anthony Longrigg.
Mr. Longrigg attended the UK Overseas Territories Governor’s Conference in
London about two weeks ago before taking a leave.
CM Osborne Departs Today For Overseas Business Trips
Chief Minister John Osborne leaves the
island today for North America and London.
The Chief Minister told The Montserrat Reporter that while in North America, he
would meet a number of Montserratians. He is scheduled to meet with the
Montserrat Progressive Society of New York and the Montserrat Association of
Toronto.
The Chief Minister will be accompanied on the North American trip by his
Permanent Secretary, Sarita Francis. |
At the end of this leg, he will go to London, where he will meet with officials
of the Department for International Development (DFID) and also with members of
the Foreign Office.
In London, he will also discuss matters relating to the development of
Montserrat and UK citizenship for Montserratians.
U.S.
Graduate Fellow Here on Volcano Project
By Merrick Andrews
An American fellowship recipient is currently on the island as part of a project on volcanoes.
Adam R. Goss, 23, who arrived on Monday, April 29 is here completing his project titled, "Scornful Mother: The Active Volcano as Cultural Nurturer and Destroyer," out of which he plans to produce a book.
Mr. Goss, who visited volcanoes in Italy, Philippines, Costa Rica, Chile and Nicaragua, said Montserrat is the final leg of his journey before returning to the United States in about one month’s time.
He is from Hopedale, a small village outside Boston, Massachusetts, with a population of about 4,500. He said he plans to complete the project by the end of summer, before starting work on a PhD in Geology at Cornell University in Ithica, New York.
Of his experience in Montserrat so far, Mr. Goss said: “The people seem very proud of their country… They’re not willing to quit so easily. I think if some other smaller communities in larger places had the type of eruption that this place had, I think people would have given up a lot easier.”
He called Montserrat a “test tube” in which economic, agricultural, and tourism changes caused solely by a sustained volcanic eruption can be thoroughly examined. In his project proposal, he stated that culturally, Montserratian musicians and authors “have recently incorporated the hardships endured by Montserratians into the island’s folk singing and story-telling traditions”.
Having obtained his degree in geology from the Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, he was one of 50 recipients of the postgraduate one-year Watson Fellowship.
He said the spark for his project was his experience in Caviahue, a small tourist village in the heart of the Argentine Andes. He spent two days in Caviahue, Argentina, collecting water and ash samples from the Copahue volcano for his geochemistry honors thesis.
A section of his project proposal to the Foundation read: “Looking up at the smoldering volcanic cone, the residents of Caviahue… congregated in the town plaza to listen to the foreign scientist speak in broken Spanish about the fate of their community. In the distance, the indigenous Mapuche community could be heard pounding drums, celebrating the return of their fire god. Clad in ornate masks and playing flutes they sang to him and begged for his mercy."He noted the scientist's lack of any previous knowledge of the native people’s religions or the controversial politics behind the monitoring of their volcano.
In his project proposal, Mr. Goss said that in order to put into effect volcanic hazard recommendations, such as emergency evacuations, it is essential for the volcanologist to put the volcano into its cultural context.
Through his project, he told The Montserrat Reporter, he hopes to find out, among other things, whether people in general trust the advice of the technology-wielding scientists or if they believe the volcano is a mystical force bigger than human understanding; the role of the active volcano in the economic growth and development of the communities at risk from volcanic hazards; how religion, education, and politics aided or interfered with prediction and monitoring; and how colonialism and missionary work has suppressed, supported, or changed local cultural responses to active volcanism.
Specifically for Montserrat, he is exploring the responses of the government, civic and religious leaders, teachers, children, volcanologists, NGO’s, relief groups, and tourists, when disaster strikes.
2 Wounding Incidents In Sweeney’s, Salem
Two separate incidents
of wounding occurred in the last several days across the island, police said.
On Monday, May 6, a fracas left one man nursing injuries and another being
sought by the police.
Thomas Douglas received injuries to his neck and leg in Sweeney’s, allegedly
inflicted by a cutlass.
In Salem on Saturday, May 4, police charged a man for seriously wounding
another.
Lionel Ryner was charged for occasioning actual bodily harm after he allegedly
inflicted serious injuries to the right elbow of Joseph Buffonge, police said.
Police reported that the men had an argument at around 4:30 p.m. when Buffonge
was allegedly hit with an object on his elbow.
In light of the incidents, Commissioner of Police John Douglas advised calm.
“By and large the crime rate is pretty low at this point in time, there is no
need for alarm,” he said.
Local Branch Celebrates Full Week for Red Cross
by Bennette Roach
The Montserrat Branch of the British Red Cross
Society, like many others worldwide, this week celebrated Red Cross Week with a
number of activities.
Those activities began with a church service at
St. James Anglican Church, Salem, followed by an enrollment at the Montserrat
Secondary School and Brades primary school on Tuesday and Wednesday,
respectively.
Other activities included a radio link-up with
overseas Red Cross colleagues, First Aid Demonstrations in workplaces and
support from the Nurses Association, which carried out blood pressure checks
today. Tomorrow the local society will visit with the elderly and the week will
end with a Togetherness Show and Raffle at the Good Life Night Club in Little
Bay.
On Tuesday members of the local branch met with
the Constitution Review team in conjunction with the Catholic community at St.
Martin de Pores church in Salem.
At the enrollment ceremonies of the Junior Link,
which took place following the morning assemblies at both schools, Mrs. Camilla
Watts and Mrs. Lystra Osborne officiated for Red Cross bringing the children
on-board.
Over the two days some 15 students made the pledge: “I promise as a member of the Montserrat Branch of the British Red Cross to serve God and country, to join with others all over the world and to help the sick and suffering.” The pledge was greeted by the applause of their fellow students and teachers.
Left: MSS
students receiving their badges - Right: Brades students receiving their badges
Mrs. Watts thanked the persons who worked with the children and expressed the society’s pleasure at having both schools’ children showing an interest. Lady Eudora Fergus, Executive member told the children, “You have done a very important thing, because you have assured us that there will be continuity of the life of the Red Cross in this society…which has served us well.”
MSS Students
being congratulated by their principal after their enrollment
Carol Osborne,
Frank Delisle Get Regional Tourism Honors
Mrs. Carol Ann Osborne of Montserrat and Frank
Delisle of Antigua will be among 50 people to be honored with awards for their
contributions to tourism at the 50th anniversary awards banquet of
the
the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) on May
31 during Caribbean Week at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City
Mrs. Osborne, long known to guests at the Vue
Pointe Hotel, and Mr. Delisle, who played a leading role in bringing aviation to
Montserrat, are among 17 regional honorees chosen by the CTO. Thirty-three other
honorees were selected by CTO member governments for their outstanding
achievements in their respective countries.
Portions of the CTO biographies released in
conjunction with the honors follow:
CAROL ANN OSBORNE
Carol Ann Osborne, who was born in Wellesley,
Massachusetts, moved to Montserrat in April 1972, when she married Cedric
Osborne, Montserratian owner of the Vue Pointe Hotel.
Mrs. Osborne worked with her husband Cedric in
various aspects of the hotel business, primarily marketing and overseas
promotions and was particularly concerned with maintaining a high quality
product to ensure guest satisfaction. She assumed the role of Hotel Manager in
December of 1989,
after successfully repairing and reopening Vue
Pointe Complex from the damages caused by Hurricane Hugo that September.
In July 1995, when Montserrat was surprised by
the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano and the hotel was once again forced
to close, Mrs. Osborne volunteered her time as the St. Augustine Roman Catholic
Primary School, which had lost many of its staff due to the volcanic evacuation.
There, she spearheaded a drive and raised sufficient funds to ensure the
continuation
of the 125 year old school.
She has served as a Director of the Montserrat
Tourist Board since 1992. She is Vice President of the Montserrat Chamber of
Commerce and Industry and is a strong advocate of the establishment of a model
capital to replace Plymouth. She is confident that Montserrat will once again
regain a
solid economic base and the high quality of
living that has made it so attractive to visitors and residents in the past.
FRANK DELISLE, O.B.E.
Frank Delisle is credited with having first
introduced regionally based aviation to the Caribbean with Leeward Islands Air
Transportation (LIAT).
Mr. Delisle became involved with aviation while
doing agricultural work in Anguilla. His
time in Anguilla coincided with the peak of German U-Boat activity against
Allied shipping, especially around the waters of Anguilla and the Anagada
Passage. The United States had
established an air base on St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., to track and attack these
submarines and Mr. Delisle became
actively involved in the reported sightings.
A rough airstrip was established on Anguilla and Mr. Delisle managed to
persuade the US Marine Corps to let him ride with them on their submarine
patrol.
In 1945, Mr. Delisle accepted an agricultural job
in Montserrat where there was only boat transportation at the time.
Fired by his enthusiasm for his new found passion for flying, as well as
a dislike for sailing, he went to the United States to obtain his pilot's
license. He acquired a two-seater
aircraft and cleared a 250-foot landing strip in Montserrat.
Mr. Delisle spent the next several years trying
to establish a suitable site for an airport on the island.
His obsessive search, accompanied by two like-minded close aviator
friends, proved fruitful. Within a
short time, and after many sorties, they felt confident that the right site was
located on the northeast coast, bordering the waters in an area called
TrantsSubsequent to receiving the respected Governor of the Leeward Islands, Sir
Kenneth Blackburne, he finally won over the Colonial Office.
That airport, appropriately named Blackburne Airport, (later W.H.
Bramble) became a success and served theisland admirably for 40 years.
This experience gave birth to LIAT.
In 1956, Mr. Delisle founded LIAT, again with Sir Kenneth Blackburne's
support. The company was based in
Montserrat and had a license to operate out of Antigua.
With the quickly growing demand, BWIA's cooperation for funding and
permission to fly small planes between the islands, Mr. Delisle was able to form
a new airline company. After
several years of extensive daily commuting to and from Montserrat, Mr. Delisle
moved his family to Antigua in December of 1960.
In 1972, Mr. Delisle launched Carib Aviation.
As a result of his exceptional track record, he was invited to start
service in Nevis, quickly followed by St. Kitts and Anguilla.
After flying throughout the Caribbean for over
four decades, Mr. Delisle retired in May 1998.
In addition to his founding of LIAT and his significant role in the
development of Blackburne Airport, he played a major role in establishing
Jamaican Air Services, Jamaica's internal airline company.
Man Sentenced To Four Years For Burglary
A man who pleaded guilty to incidents of
burglary was sentenced to a total of four years imprisonment when he appeared
before the High Court on Tuesday.
Court records show that Alton Aaron pleaded guilty to two burglary offences in
September and November 2001.
In September Mr. Aaron committed burglary by entering the Bank of Montserrat in
St. Peter’s by trespassing, court records show.
In November, Mr. Aaron committed burglary by entering the dwelling house of
Atsumi Kani in Woodlands as a trespasser with the intent to steal, according to
court records.
For each offence he received two consecutive years.
Man Fined $600 For Burglary
A man was fined EC$600 for burglary in the court on Tuesday.
Patrick Dyer was fined for attempting to break into the Cockpit Bar in
Gerald’s with the intent to steal, according to court records.
Mr. Dyer, who paid the fine and spared himself three months imprisonment, had
pleaded guilty.
Browne Sentenced To Two Years
Curt Browne was sentenced to two years in prison for committing burglary.
Court records show that Mr. Browne committed burglary by entering the dwelling
house of Jacqueline Yearwood earlier this year.
Mr. Browne pleaded guilty to the charge.
St. Maarten
Expects Better Cruise Season
GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) – Theo Heyliger,
commissioner of Economic & Tourism Affairs, who is awaiting statistical
information from harbor authorities pertaining to the upcoming cruise ship
summer season, said it is expected to be better than the season of 2001 based on
preliminary reports that he has received.
Mr. Heyliger told the Government Information
Service (GIS), that everything must be done to safeguard the island’s economic
mainstay – tourism.
“I have been informed that due to visitor
harassment and crime in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Carnival Cruise Lines has
decided to remove St. Croix from its itineraries until June 2003," he said.
“This will mean a great loss for that island. It has been estimated that
the Carnival pullout will cost St. Croix US$34 million."
“In the past two months," he said,
"Carnival Cruise Lines guests and crew have been exposed to muggings and
robberies. Reports were filed with the Virgin Island authorities, however,
incidents continue to occur, and due to this persistent problem, Carnival has
decided to discontinue calling at St. Croix and look for alternative ports.”
Commissioner Heyliger said, that everyone needs
to be vigilant and to report any visitor harassment or suspicious activity to
the authorities in order for them to deal with the problem swiftly and
appropriately.
Anti-Bird
Video Tape Rocks Antigua; PM Says He'll Sue
Compiled from dispatches
PM
Bird addressing (red shirts) crowd at Labour Day Parade
ST.JOHN'S,
Antigua -- A political storm erupted here this week after in the Observer
newspaper wrote about a surreptitious video tape, reportedly copied and
circulated among Antiguans, on which a
12-year-old child alleges Prime Minister Lester Bird used her to
acquire illegal substances, here and abroad.
Prime
Minister promptly denied it in a long public broadcast, ordered a thorough and
independent investigation, both of the allegations and the origins of the video
tape, and set deadlines both for the Observer and Opposition Leader Baldwin W
Spencer to apologize publicly or be sued for defamation and libel.
Mr.
Bird wrote to Wrenford Ferrance, head of the Office of National Drug Control and
Money laundering Policy, insisting that he mount “a full investigation into
allegations made on a video tape” by the underage girl.
“You
are hereby free to investigate this matter as it relates to me and other
government officials,” the Prime Minister wrote, and "to proceed
according to law without fear or favour” against the Prime Minister and other
government officials, should he find that the allegations made in the videotape
are true.
On
Tuesday, one of the interviewers on the videotape, Julius Gittens, a former
employee of Observer Radio who is now in Barbados, issued a statement in which
he denounced the distribution of the tape. He said he was ordered to participate in its making by his
employers, the Directors of the Observer Group. Mr. Gittens said he “never intended or supported the
distribution of the videotape.” He
claimed that he had provided the finished tape to the Directors of the Observer
Group on the understanding that it would not be published unless further
information was received supporting the allegations of the girl who was
interviewed.
In
his letter, the Prime Minister also advised Mr. Ferrance to find the producers,
composers and distributors of the videotape and to proceed against them
according to law in the event that the allegations contained in the tape prove
to be false.
Mr.
Ferrance and the Office of National Drug Control Policy have been given full
authority to use whatever personnel are required to satisfy fully their
inquiries. It is expected that,
among the personnel will be a senior British Metropolitan Police investigator
who is now in the country as an adviser to the police.
Of
the Observer, Prime Minister Bird said, "I
fully expect them not to retract the libelous story or apologise. On the
basis of Julius Gittens' statement, the directors of the Observer clearly
orchestrated and funded the making of this outrageous videotape. The libel
in their paper (Tuesday) is a further step in the reprehensible and odious
tactics that they have adopted."
Mr. Bird wrote a separate letter to Mr. Baldwin,
denouncing the Opposition leaders call for the videotape to be telecast so
people could know its contents.
”It
is clear," he wrote, "that you and senior members of your Party had
knowledge of the videotape and its outrageous contents and instead of drawing it
to the attention of the law enforcement authorities, you chose to peddle it to
innocent members of the public in a vain attempt to lure people to your (Labour
Day) rally. . . . Even though the chief interviewer on the videotape, Julius
Gittens, himself repudiated the videotape as mere scrap-book, with unconfirmed
and uncorroborated assertions, you wish to (air) what the journalist repudiated
as misinformation. You wish to give such destructive statements the status of
fact. It makes you look pathetic. Take heed."
The
letter included the terms of reference the Attorney General has set for the
investigation:
1.
To conduct an in-depth investigation into the allegations contained on the
videotape recently circulated within Antigua and Barbuda and overseas.
2.
The investigation is to be made with the intention of determining whether the
allegations made against the Hon. Prime Minister, Ministers of Government and
officials named in the videotape are true.
3.
The circumstances surrounding the making of the videotape, the chain and custody
of the videotape including its distribution.
4.
The circumstances surrounding the conduct of an interview of a minor by adults
employed by the Observer Radio.
5.
The circumstances surrounding and/or including the involvement of the Directors
of Observer Radio Ltd. and Observer Publications Ltd and in particular Mr.
Winston Derrick and Samuel Fergie Derrick in the making and/or distribution of
the video.
6.
All of the circumstances to determine and advise whether or not there is prima
facie evidence of any criminal offence including criminal libel and conspiracy
arising out of the making, publication and distribution of the videotape and the
allegations contained therein.
7.
The investigative team will have access to all witnesses who possess information
relevant to the investigation.
8.
The investigative team will have an appropriate budget allowing a complete and
thorough investigation to be completed.
9.
At the completion of the investigation the Senior Investigating Officer will
submit a full and complete report with regard to the conduct of the
investigation and the findings.
Cricket
Hero Richie Richardson to run for Labour Party
West
Indies and Antigua Cricketing Hero, Richie Richardson, has declared that he is
running in the next general elections for the Antigua Labour Party (ALP).
The
announcement came on Friday May 3 jointly from the former West Indies Cricket
Captain and Prime Minister Lester Bird.
Mr.
Richardson said, "I am proud to join the Labour Party team under the
leadership of Lester Bird. I intend to bat for the Labour Party with the
same diligence and fervour with which I served the Antigua and West Indies
Cricket teams.
The
Prime Minister revealed that he intends to appoint Mr. Richardson to the Senate
immediately. "Richie will be made a Senator in the Upper House within
the next few days, and he will be a Labour Party candidate in the next
election," Mr. Bird declared.
The
Antigua Labour Party leader remarked, "I am delighted that Richie has
joined our team and I look forward to the contribution I know he can make to our
work for the people of Antigua and Barbuda. Just as he has filled us with
joy on the cricket field, I expect to see him make us proud in the cause of our
country's development."
Neither
Mr. Bird nor Mr. Richardson gave a clue as to which constituency the former West
Indies batsman will be contesting.
Mr.
Bird said, "Certain procedures have to be satisfied within the Labour Party
before a decision is made on a constituency for Richie. An announcement
will be made when consultations have been held and the procedures
met."
Both
the hierarachy of the Labour Party and the rank and file are expected to
be exhilarated by Richie Richardson's decision to represent the party.
St. Kitts,Nevis
PM Foresees Healthy Telecom Economy
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts
- Liberalisation of the Telecommunications Sector in St. Kitts and Nevis
is expected to have an important impact on the Federation's economy, according
to Prime Minister Dr. Denzil L.
Douglas, who says competition is likely to result in reduced rates.
At a ceremony last week at which licences were awarded to two local companies --
The Cable and CariGlobe -- for the provision of telephone and cellular/mobile
services in St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr Douglas said that for many years the
majority of telecommunications consumers have been crying out for better rates
and the development of new businesses in this field is likely to bring about
reduced rates and attractive products that would
work to the benefit of consumers.
"For some time, OECS governments have indicated strong interest in
establishing an Informatics Sector, but this has been hindered by uncompetitive
telecommunications rates, and related issues," Prime Minister Douglas
said.He pointed out that the industry in St. Kitts and Nevis has already begun
to see trends in preparation for new companies entering the field and helping to
create the kind of competition based upon price, based on service quality and
product capability.
St. Maarten
Applicants Seeking Hurricane Passes
GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) – The application
process for a Hurricane Mobility Pass for the upcoming 2002 Hurricane Season is
moving ahead and business persons are picking up application forms, a
representative of the Office of Disaster Management told the Government
Information Service (GIS) on Tuesday.
Applicants for a Hurricane Mobility Pass
are advised that the following: businesses can request one personal pass that is
valid for the first hours after the disaster to check on damages to their
business property.
The process started May 2 will conclude on June
1, 2002.
The Hurricane Mobility Pass system was introduced
as a measure to maintain public order during an emergency situation. Once
the Lt. Governor has assessed the damage after a disaster has occurred, he can
impose a curfew if the situation poses a threat to the safety of the community.
At that point, activation of the mobility pass comes into play.
Vincentian Woman
Marks Birthday 107
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent -- Campden Park resident
Wilhelmina Roberta Charles reached a remarkable milestone Monday by celebrating
her 107th birthday.
Ms. Charles, who lives with her 78 year-old
daughter Jermaine, still sees and hears well.
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves visited her
congratulated her on her remarkable achievement.
Ms. Charles says her long life has been due to
blessings from God.
The Prime Minister promised that steps would be
taken to ensure that Ms. Charles is well taken care of.
Delta, Air
Jamaica Offer New Flights to Antigua
ATLANTA -- Delta Air Lines has announced it will
begin Air Jamaica codeshare service between New York (JFK) and Antigua three
times a week, beginning June 20.
"In the past several weeks, Delta has
aggressively enhanced its Caribbean service, adding four new customer travel
options through our codeshare partnership with Air Jamaica," said Arnaldo
Ruiz, general manager - Alliances - the Americas.
In addition to the codeshare service to Antigua,
Delta also announced flights to Curacao (beginning May 21), operating four times
a week, to and from Air Jamaica's hub in Montego Bay.
Both routes will operate using Air Jamaica aircraft.
Delta, with partner Air Jamaica, offers customers
56 daily flights between five U.S. gateways (Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles,
Miami, and New York's JFK International Airport) and 13 Caribbean destinations,
including Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Curacao, Grand Cayman, Grenada,
Kingston, Montego Bay, Nassau, San Juan, St. Lucia, and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin
Islands.
Air Jamaica, founded in 1969, provides daily
service connecting islands throughout the Caribbean from 12 North American
destinations, as well as London. The carrier offers more than 350 weekly flights
with its fleet of 16 modern aircraft.
New Antigua Hospital Will Need More Nurses
ST.
JOHN'S, Antigua - Norman "Gus" Thomas, Press Attaché to Prime
Minister Lester Bird, revealed Tuesday that the government of Antigua and
Barbuda may be forced to ask Cuba for more help acquiring nurses to work
here when the new Mount St. John's Medical Centre opens its doors.
He also
said Havana may be asked to extend the tour of duty for the present group of
nurses now working in the country.
The
revealed came during a brief meeting between Cuba's Ambassador to the Caribbean,
Mr. Lazaro Cabezas (pictured
left), and Prime Minister Bird.
Mr.
Thomas said both men discussed at length a decision by the governments of the
United States and the United Kingdom to recruit more nurses and other
professionals from the region and the effect such a decision is having on the
region as the brain-drain continues.
Cuba also provides assistance to Antigua and Barbuda in a number of other areas, such as agriculture and sports.
St.
Vincent Volcano Is Center of Attention
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent
-- Vincentians were urged Monday to learn as much as possible about the La
Soufriere Volcano
Selmon Walters,
Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, said at the launching of the
Volcano and Earthquake Awareness Exhibition, that Vincentians must not be
complacent but become more aware that they are living with a very real threat.
He said the only way
to ensure safety in the event of an eruption is to be prepared, and preparation
can only come about with correct information.
While applauding the
local seismic unit, Mr. Walters said that the Government has begun upgrading the
La Soufriere’s monitoring system at a cost of EC$280,000. This includes two
additional seismic stations for measuring earthquakes, a new rope for easier
descent into the crater and a new jeep for easier mobility for the monitoring
crew.
New housing quarters will be constructed at the
Belmont Observatory to house local staff and visiting scientists.
The Seismic Unit in
the Ministry of Agriculture is commemorating the 100th anniversary of
the eruption of La Soufriere with a week of activities.
Antigua
PM Acts to End Impasse over Used Car
ST.
JOHN'S, Antigua -- Prime
Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Lester Bird has moved swiftly to resolve an
issue that has developed over the importation of used cars into the country.
Having received a petition on the matter, Mr.
Bird reviewed the decision of the Finance Ministry to place an arbitrary
estimate on the value of a number of used cars and to apply duties at the
estimated rate.
The Prime Minster has decided that since licences
were issued by the Ministry of Trade for the importation of these used vehicles,
the Government should honour those licences by allowing the importers to take
possession of the vehicles.
He said that the Government would set up a team
of persons to value each vehicle. The team will me made up of two persons from the business
community and a customs officer.
In reaching this decision, Mr. Bird said that he
recognises that many of the importers acted on the strength of licences that
were legitimately obtained from the Trade Ministry.
“In the circumstances, the Government must honour what amounts to an
obligation,” the Prime Minister said. “Therefore
the cars will be allowed into the country and duty will be set on the values
determined by the team,” Mr. Bird added.
Mr. Bird pointed said it is clear that the value
of many of the cars has been understated and this is not only fraudulent but
would result in a considerable loss of revenue to the Government.
“While
I intend that the government should honour the licences that were issued to all
the parties involved, definitive decision will be made by Cabinet concerning the
future importation of all used cars based on the effect that such importation
will have on government revenue, the business of car dealers and on the medium
term impact on the environment of cars that will be scrapped sooner than newer
ones,” the Prime Minister declared.
Perry Christie Sworn In As New Bahamas PM
NASSAU, The Bahamas (BIS) ---Progressive
Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Perry Christie was sworn May 3rd
as The Bahamas’ third Prime Minister since independence, pledging that
“integrity, competence and devotion to service and to duty” would be the
watchwords of his administration.
The PLP won 29 of the 40 seats in the House of Assembly, parliament’s lower
chamber, to unseat the Free National Movement government, which won seven seats
in the May 2nd general
election. The remaining four went to independent candidates.
Mr. Christie succeeds former Prime Minister and Free National Movement Leader
Hubert A. Ingraham, whose government had held office since August 19, 1992.
John Bell
Resigns Leadership Of Caribbean Hotel Association
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – John H. Bell, director
general and CEO of the Caribbean Hotel Asssociation (CHA), has announced hi
retirement after 28 years with CHA and almost four decades working in the
Caribbean hospitality industry.
“John Bell’s departure is a huge loss to CHA
and the Caribbean hospitality industry at large,” said Ralph Taylor, president
of CHA. “John has done a truly
outstanding job helping to build the association from its early years - his
commitment to the industry is simply unmatched.”
The resignation is effective December 31st, 2002.
Mr. Bell joined CHA in 1974 as its first
executive and chairman of the Small Hotels Advisory Council. Since then, he has
helped the membership of the association grow by over 300 percent.
Over the past 28 years, he has helped create subsidiary companies to deal
with the association's activities in training, publishing, culinary, environment
and real estate development.
Most recently, he was successfully urged CARICOM
to convene a Caribbean-wide Tourism Summit, which was held last December.
As a result, CARICOM took the unprecedented decision to match CHA’s
private sector marketing trust with a $4 million cash contribution, and called
upon CTO to encourage its non-CARICOM member
governments to support the program with a further $4 million.
A Search and Transition Committee under the
chairmanship of President Taylor will screen candidates for the position of
Director General and CEO.
'Taste
of the Caribbean' Scheduled for October
SAN
JUAN, Puerto Rico – The Caribbean Culinary Federation (CCF), an arm of the
Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), has announced its regional culinary
competition, 'Taste of the Caribbean 2002,' will be held October 16-19, 2002, at
the Renaissance Jamaica Grande Resort, in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
National
culinary teams from across the region will compete during the four-day event
that showcases the Caribbean food and beverage industry.
The event also includes seminars, workshops, demonstrations and a trade
show with exhibitors focused on easing access to state-of-the-art products and
services for Caribbean hospitality professionals.
In
keeping with CCF tradition, the program will culminate with the presentation of
the Caribbean Food and Beverage Awards of Excellence, the highest honors
conferred on members of the Caribbean food and beverage industry.
Over
the past year, CCF has undergone a comprehensive organizational strengthening
process and is now managed internally in CHA, led by a new board of directors.
This group of chefs, suppliers, hoteliers, entrepreneurs, and
academicians from throughout the Caribbean lends its collective guidance and
expertise to the organization in its strategic efforts to promote Caribbean
cuisine as a world-class product and contribute to the formation of a strong
class of Caribbean nationals dedicated to food & beverage.
The new structure allows strengthened linkages with CHA and CHA's other
subsidiary companies, such as the Caribbean Hospitality Training Institute and
the Caribbean Alliance for
Sustainable
Tourism.
For
additional details and sponsorship information for Taste of the Caribbean®
2002, or for information about the Caribbean Culinary Federation, contact Nitza
de la Cruz, at CHA, 1000 Ponce de León Ave., 5th Floor, San Juan, Puerto Rico
00907; telephone 787.725.9139 x252 /
fax 787.725.9108 / email: ncruz@caribbeanhotels.org
National Training Football Squad Named
The Montserrat Football Association Inc. has
selected 22 players for its training squad in preparation for an international
friendly against Bhutan.
Of the 22 players, 10 will be selected for the final team with the remaining
five places taken by Montserratian players from the United Kingdom, a press
release from the football association said today.
Five officials will accompany the team comprising two coaches, two medical
personnel and a logistics co-ordinator.
The members of the training squad are:
Julian Wade, Willix Antoine, Joseph Morris, Kurt Phyll, Jermadine Farrell, Kurt
Joyce, Macpherson Meade, Cecil Lake, Ottley Laborde, Courtney Rodney, Clayton
O’Donaghue, Tequan Roach, Marcelin Cassell, Claymont Agard, Kanjie Francis,
Charles Thompson, David James, Crenston Buffonge, Michael Henry, Francis James,
Kelvin Ponde and Elton Williams.
The national team will leave in mid-June to allow for acclimatization and match
practice in Bhutan, before the friendly on June 30.
The release adds that President of the football association Vincent Cassell will
meet the team in Bhutan, when he returns from the World Cup.
Photo caption: Athletes in action at the Methodist Church, Montserrat Circuit Church & Community Sports Day, held at Salem Park on Monday, May 6. The organisers are planning to make the meet an annual event.
.jpg)
Basketball League Resumes This Weekend
The Montserrat
Amateur Basketball Association (MABA) League resumes play this evening with the
second round, beginning at 7:00 at the Brades Court.
Bottom-of-the-table Taz Westsiders match skills with Fire in the first match,
while MSS Warriors take on Rebels at 8:00 p.m.
Both matches are scheduled interestingly as the two teams occupying the last two
places in league, Taz Westsiders and MSS Warriors, take on top-of-the-table
teams, Rebels and Fire.
Taz Westsiders, without a win in four matches, will be coming out hungry for
success this evening against Fire, who will now find every match as important
having tied in first place with Rebels and Pitbulls.
But Fire is favoured to win this game, while Westsiders are expected to put on
an improved showing.
In the other game, MSS Warriors is a very competitive and an unpredictable team,
and thus should never be underestimated. MSS Warriors, like Westsiders, are
coming into this evening’s match as underdogs and so should have less pressure
on them. Rebels are running hot, having ended Fire’s unbeaten run (60-57) in
the last set of matches, and are expected to win this game.
Saturday, May 11 Games:
Pitbulls vs. Warriors at 7:00 pm
Rebels vs Taz Westsiders at 9:00 pm
GAME STANDINGS
TEAMS
PLAYED WON LOST
PITBULLS
4
3 1
REBELS
4
3 1
FIRE
4
3 1
MSS WARRIORS
4
1
3
TAZ WESTSIDERS 4
0
4
Montserrat
Football Scores New Attention
(Editor's
Note: The May 6 issue of The New York Times contained a report written by Paul
Gains about Montserrat football, entitled "The Team Under the
Volcano." The following is
excerpted
from that report.)
With
less than a month remaining until soccer's World Cup begins, most of the
attention centers on defending world champion France and whether South American
powerhouse Argentina can overcome its domestic economic crisis, not to mention
the infighting among its European-based millionaire players to offer any sort of
a challenge.
Half
a world away on the tiny Caribbean island of Montserrat, the ragtag group of
players who make up the national team train twice a week on an uneven patch of
turf barely half the size of a regulation field. An assortment of police
officers, construction workers and office clerks, they can only dream of one day
reaching the World Cup finals, especially after the disaster that struck the
nation nearly seven years ago. . . .
Thousands
of Montserratians were displaced. Indeed, many of the national soccer team
players were among the thousands of people who headed to Britain Montserrat is a
British protectorate). Some were forced into temporary shelters until housing
could be built on the north side of the island, away from danger. Everyone was
affected to some extent, including the team's captain, Charles Thompson. . . .
Thompson
is a member of the Royal Montserrat Police Force and plays for the police soccer
club, which has won the last four consecutive domestic league championships. . .
.
But
things are looking up for a team that has occupied the basement of the
international ranking since 1996, when it became a full-fledged member of FIFA,
the sport's world governing body. FIFA has 203 members, and Montserrat is ranked
No. 203. A new stadium has been built and the players, heroes to the 5,000 who
remain on Montserrat, chip in wherever possible. One practice was interrupted
when the players were commandeered to help lay the drainage pipes. And when the
turf arrived by ship, they helped deliver it.
The
stadium, which officially opened April 2, is called the Montserrat Football
Association Complex and is the result of a FIFA initiative to help soccer's
have-nots. . . .
The
team's most celebrated player, Wayne Dyer, who scored Montserrat's only goal in
World Cup qualifying - a 3-1 loss to the Dominican Republic on March 19, 2000 -
lives in Birmingham, England. . . .
Despite
what is clearly an extraordinary way of life, the players are optimistic that
with their new stadium will come a new lease on life. A Dutch company is
sponsoring a match between the two teams on the bottom of FIFA's world ranking,
Montserrat and Bhutan, No. 202. They will play in Changlimithang Stadium in
Thimphu, Bhutan, on June 30, the day of the World Cup final.
By
Peter Adrien
The selectors changed
the team but missed the point! Yes, Michael Findlay and his fellow selectors
changed the opening batting pair by replacing Nevisian Stuart Williams with
Jamaican Wavell Hinds, but they failed to address the root of the batting
problem in the top order.
The decision-makers
may have taken the right decision in changing the opening batting firm, although
some could perceive them to be a bit intolerant. The choice of replacement is
certainly not informed by the need of the team. Wavell Hinds, who has opened the
batting before, would have been chosen on the basis of his recent dominant
batting exhibition against the touring Indians at the Bonsejour Cricket Ground (BCG)
in St Lucia, and the failure of the reinstituted Stuart Williams against the
same bowling attack. Moreover, the selectors prefer to invest in young players.
Whether influenced by
the negative flow of adrenaline or the inability to cement himself into the team
because of its group dynamics, Stuart Williams failed to bring out the dominant
form in the 2002 Busta Cup that forced the selectors to recall him to the
highest regional service. His output was below his capability; his techniques
exhibited no change; his good fortunes were few even if his class remains
unquestionable.
These are the
characteristics of the game of cricket that we cannot predict. We had no way of
knowing that both Stuart Williams and Junior Murray would have returned to West
Indies team after prolific seasons only to register their final exit. As
players, they would most like remain on the periphery of West Indian cricket.
And the respective territorial selectors would do well to change their
development policy accordingly.
But what is the
batting problem that the selectors were expected to address? What is the
solution that the selection policy should have provided? Except we get that
diagnosis right, we will continue to replace one batter with another batter to
no avail. What is required is a strategic approach to the batting problem of the
improving West Indies team. Unless the selectors have the knowledge base and the
moral base to do the kind of management which demands identifying the weakness
of the batting order, correct the defect with the available strength of the
batting pool, the batting problem at the top order of the batting line up will
continue to plague the team.
What the West Indies
team needs is a pair of openers who can give the middle order an excellent
platform to build upon whenever the batters come into bat. But unfortunately,
because of the poor techniques of the openers who have been tried, the team has
suffered many defeats. This is why it was thought that the inclusion of the
experienced Stuart Williams would have solved that problem.
According to great
cricketers and batsmen like Geoffrey Boycott, Michael Holding, Sir Garfield
Sobers, Sir Vivian Richards, Sunil Gavaskar and so on, the batters who are fit
men for the opening role would have exhibited mastery over defense both on the
front and back foot, the commanding offense required, be discreet in the
corridor of uncertainty, show a positive attitude and a great sense of
occupation, and not easily intimidated but tending to be intimidating.
Evidence has confirmed
that neither Stuart Williams, who was discarded, nor Christopher Gayle, who was
retained, can be described as an ideal-typical opening batsman. They both lack
the requisite technique and skills that this position demands. Stuart is limited
on the front foot, while Chris Gayle is limited on his back foot.
But the new opener,
Wavell Hinds, is equally handicapped. He is limited on both fronts. Gayle and
Hinds are magnificent players on true pitches. They would murder the Indian
bowling on any flat wicket which offers little lateral movement. Both of them
are suspect against the genuine swing bowler. That is why they will find the two
Indian left arm swing bowlers, Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra very tough
customers.
The selectors have
not, therefore, properly diagnosed the problem and have failed to make the right
choice. While the evidence has strongly suggested that the candidates for the
opening positions are few, there are three young opening batters who have
surfaced. In order of technical strength, they are Trinidadian Daren Ganga,
Grenadian Devon Smith and Jamaican Leon Garrick.
If the selectors wish
to develop a solid opening firm, they will have to invest in the batters who
exhibit the qualities to excel and give them a chance to mature, as was the case
for Vivian Richards, Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes.
Meanwhile, the
improving West Indian team showcased exceptional bowling and batsmanship at the
Kensington Oval Barbados to defeat the Indian team by 10 wickets in the second
test match. It was an exhibition of sustained seam bowling and disciplined
batting, the kind that we thought that we had lost completely.
Even the occasional
questionable decisions in the game did not distract from their clinical
performances. Against my predictions, and with a depth of character which many
thought was beyond them, the West Indian cricketers played four days of
high-value cricket and we are proud of them. Congratulations are in order.
But in changing one of
the top order batters, the selectors have decided to go for current form rather
than proven substance.
And in so doing they
missed the point.
PHOTO CAPTION
Wavell Hinds, not an ideal opener (Photo: Peter Adrien)
Peter
Adrien is a Central Banker, an author, a syndicated sports commentator, and a
freelance photographer. He may be contacted Peter at www.adreinsenterprise.com
or at e-mail: info@adriensenterprises.com
Irish
Government Aids Tourism Strategy Study
A strategy study for the tourism sector,
commissioned by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Trade, with
the support of the Irish Government, is seeking to reposition Montserrat as a
tourism destination, which will allow the island to be a major catalyst for
sustainable, economic and social development.
The CHL Consulting Group, based in Ireland, is a
specialist tourism project management consultancy practice with extensive
regional and international experience of preparing and implementing strategic
plans. It was chosen to facilitate the tourism strategy document for the sector
in the short, medium and long term. The
experts have already completed similar projects in Dominica, Saba, Suriname,
Barbados and Curacao as well as in a number of countries in Europe, Africa and
the Pacific.
The consulting staff who will prepare the
document comprises Dr. Maria T. LaVille Bellot, Mr Robert Bowman, Mr David
Gorman, Mr John Robinson and Dr Philip Heneghan, all of whom have direct
knowledge of Montserrat, having undertaken an identification study of tourism
development needs in 1995 as part of an OECS Tourism Development Plan.
The ground work for the study will commence here
May 13, 2002 and the document will be completed within a 12-week period.
All stakeholders within the tourism industry are
asked to lend their support to the team who will from time to time need to
discuss various aspects of the tourism product for the project.
By Rachel Collis
Prior to the
September attacks the Middle East had been the Caribbean’s biggest competitor
for the tourist dollars. Countries like Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey were
projected to experience top growth in the industry over the next 10 years,
achieving over 10 percent annualized growth in travel and tourism-related demand
(World Travel & Tourism Council, 2002).
It can be assumed that not many people would now want to fly to those areas. A
strong PR campaign, therefore, portraying the Caribbean as a safe and relaxing
place, would be a strong and positive marketing strategy which could turn the
current debacle to its advantage. One nice touch was recently used by the
Government of St Kitts & Nevis when it offered free holidays to
firefighters, rescue workers and police involved in the search and cleanup in
New York and Washington, DC. St Lucia has also offered free vacations of up to
one week to rescue workers.
The September attacks
also can serve as a wake-up call for Caribbean tourism. Even before September
11, cracks had begun to appear that seriously threatened the sustainability of
such a volatile industry. Strong
competition was becoming a factor as cheaper destinations such as the Middle
East and Malaysia began to command their fair share of the market. Drugs and
drug smuggling through the islands were also presenting a real threat to the
survival of the industry. With the attacks, Americans are showing a reluctance
to travel so far abroad so soon. It is therefore
possible that the Caribbean, which is relatively close by and regarded as
safe, could experience a quick pick-me-up of visitors from its nervous neighbour
from the near north. Sound travel decisions and astute marketing should be
poised to capitalize on this event occurring.
Another way toward
survival is self-reliance. For too long the Caribbean has depended on the North
American market to provide the material well-being of the tourists who come to
its shores. As a result very little effort is being made to take advantage of
the wide variety of foods grown in the region, instead showing a preference for
imports which come from as far away as Asia and Latin America. To survive
regional tourism must begin to place emphasis on cultivating a dependence on
what it grows and produces, and less on what it imports.
Strong focus must be
placed on training and the assumption of tourism in its proper place on the
schools’ curricula. A prime example is Sandals’ Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart’s strategy of adopting
schools in the vicinity of his hotels and resorts in Jamaica. From early,
youngsters are taught the value of involvement in the hospitality industry,
which leads to the creation of jobs and production of trained future employees.
Training must also be extended to the preparation of locals for top managerial
positions in hotels and travel- and hospitality-related businesses.
Hoteliers in the
region are encouraged by the small signs of life which the tourism sector has
been showing. While it is agreed that business volume would not reach those
attained in 2000 until the next two to three years, nevertheless they are
heartened by the conservative numbers which have been arriving on account of
poor weather in North America. Booking activity is showing signs of returning
and there is confidence that the travel market will rebound, with travel agents
playing the important role of guiding consumers to make sound travel plans.
Despite much advice against rate-cutting, Caribbean hoteliers have been
supporting their travel promotions with heavy discounting; after all, good
values and the right price have always stimulated travel. Even the major
airlines are practicing yield management, and as travel websites such as
Expedia, Priceline and Travelocity have shown, any seat on an airline can be had
at bargain price.
Caribbean hoteliers have also taken the important
decision to implement a new regional tax on visitors arriving by air and sea,
which is expected to raise $30-$40 million. This would help to offset the cost
of a $16-million marketing and television advertising campaign, dubbed “Life
Needs the Caribbean,” which had so far netted $8 million. Pledges of $4
million each from the CARICOM members and hotels have also been made. Some
hoteliers are optimistic that business would begin to pick up by late May, but
others are more conservative in their forecasting. All, however, do agree that
the travel market will only recover if strong emphasis is placed on guiding
consumers to make travel choices that favour the Caribbean. As Allan Chastanet,
Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Air Jamaica, puts it, “We cannot
continue to talk in superlatives, we have to measure tourism in dollars.”
The WTTC has forecast
a massive rebound for the travel and tourism industry with record growth in
2003. It is anticipated that this process will see the creation of some 6.8
million jobs, replacing most of those businesses and jobs lost in the extended
wake of September 11. WTTC research shows a strong upward trend for the tourism
industry over the next 10 years with long-term annual growth at 4½ percent in
real terms for the global industry. By the end of 2002 the United States would
have suffered decreases in travel and tourism demand of US$92.3 billion. Given
that the Caribbean’s share of this is 8 percent, it remains to be seen how
much of the projected 4½ per cent would be captured in the region. Any attempt
at penetration and retention of this market must be fueled by the compelling
thought of how much the economy of the entire region is dependent on this
occurring.
Rachel Collis is a Tourism Consultant with a
Masters Degree in Tourism Management & Marketing from the George Washington
University in Washington, DC.
Five years
ago:
President Clinton signed modest drug-fighting and trade agreements with
Caribbean leaders in Barbados. Lebanese of all faiths welcomed Pope John Paul
the Second on his first visit to their country. A powerful earthquake in
northeastern Iran claimed at least 24-hundred lives.
One year ago: The
U.S. House of Representatives voted to withhold some back U.N. dues until the
United States was reinstated on the U.N. Commission on Human Rights.
1940 Churchill
becomes prime minister