Montserratians Breathe Sighs of Relief on U.S. Visas
A May 14 Government House press release said
Montserratians who obtain their new British Citizen passports after May 21 under
the British Overseas Territories Act will not need a visa prior to travel to the
United States.
The brief announcement said that this was confirmed by the U.S. Immigration and
Naturalization Service.
Also, approval has been given for British Overseas Territory Citizens (BOTCs)
who additionally obtain British Citizenship passports under the Overseas
Territories Act 2002 to hold passports in each status.
The developments come two weeks after The Montserrat Reporter published a story
that Montserratians, along with residents of other United Kingdom British
Overseas Territories, were unclear about the real advantages of obtaining a
British passport over their nationalized passport, most believing that there
were no advantages.
Opposition leader the Hon. Reuben Meade and former chief minister David Brandt had both spoken out on the uncertainties that existed. This week following the announcements Brandt commented that finally there was some tangible action to some of the things he had represented while he was chief minister. "All of what they are now saying is part of what I negotiated with them when I spoke on behalf the Chief Ministers of British Dependent Territories meeting in 2000. There was the question of reciprocity. "We should not have to stand in line once we become BCs and should be given full rights and privileges, the same as any British citizen... we should be able to travel to the U.S. like any other British citizen,” he said.
He took that opportunity to add: "We asked for the right for two or three times a year we should have a right to address the House of Parliament in England on matters which touch and affect us regarding our territories because our only route is through the Secretary of State and Foreign Commonwealth Office and if we wish to complain them we cannot complain (about) them to themselves."
This week's Government House press release added
that Montserrat nationals would be able to maintain their current BOTC/British
Dependent Territories Citizen passport as
well as acquiring a new British Citizenship one.
However, the current BOTC/BDTC passport will normally need to be submitted to
the UK Passport Service when applying for the new British Citizenship passport.
The release said applicants should bear this in mind when making travel
arrangements; no cross-referencing is required in either document.
The press release also confirmed that, for 12 months from May 21, holders of
BOTC/BDTC passports will be allowed to present their BOTC/BDTC passport as
evidence of Right of Abode in the United Kingdom – prior to obtaining full
British Citizenship passports.
The press release added: “Such BOTCs can, from May 21, make use of the
European Union (EU) channel when entering the UK. After 12 months persons will
be required to produce British Citizenship passports when using the EU
channel.”
However, the statement said those entering other EU countries on a BOTC/BDTC
passport may experience problems in establishing their status. The statement
advises individuals who wish to exercise their rights of free movement in Europe
to obtain and travel on a BC passport.
In a recent radio interview, Governor Longrigg said application forms for
British passports will be available at the Department of Administration,
Government Headquarters. “With your completed application form you will need
to submit your original birth certificate (which will be returned with your new
passport) and your Montserrat passport along with two high definition passport
size photographs,” Governor Longrigg said.
He added that the UK Government will charge about
EC$200 for the new British passport for adults, with a reduced fee for those
aged under 16. In addition, the Government of Montserrat will make an additional
small handling charge. These fees will be paid to the Department of
Administration in cash. He noted that a British Passport would be valid for 10
years.
Processing of application for a British passport, the Governor said, is expected
to take from six to eight weeks. No Montserratian who holds a British passport
will be able to hold a Montserrat passport as well, the Governor said.
The passport will be in the European Union (EU) format and will allow holders the same freedom of movement within the EU as afforded to any British Citizen.
There are still some information and instructions
that need to be forthcoming regarding these new developments and it is expected
that these will be publicised as soon as they are available.
Cast-out Cheddie Browne Says It Didn't Happen that Way
Former elected member of the New People’s
Liberation Movement (NPLM) Chedmond Browne has denied that he was disrespectful
to Chief Minister John Osborne at Carr’s Bay in a public incident on
Wednesday, May 1.
“There is a certain decorum that is accepted in the house of parliament; there
is another certain type of decorum that is accepted on the street. The Chief
Minister chose to reduce himself to the decorum of the street and entered into
an argument with me and I responded at the same level,” said Mr. Browne, now a
one-time backbencher of the party.
“It is not the first time we have had heated
exchanges, including just outside of parliament; the language used depended on
the company at the time and Carr’s Bay is a fishing village. I listened for
nearly two hours to the Chief Minister, whose car had blocked mine preventing me
from leaving, expounding to the men, until he turned his attention to me, and
referring to me as being an idiot in respect of the union matter. He surely
sucked me in there.”
Mr. Browne was expelled with immediate effect from the NPLM on Wednesday, May 8
by letter dated May 2, 2002 for making “openly abusive and disrespectful”
remarks to Mr. Osborne.
According to the Chief Minister, Mr. Browne hurled indecent language at him in
the presence of several non-politicians during a conversation about the
government Crown land and a pre-volcano court matter involving the Seamen and
Waterfront Workers Union.
Other sources have 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.
Mr. Browne, who initially declined to comment on the issue last week told The
Montserrat Reporter on Tuesday, he was not surprised that he was fired.
“It’s not a thing that wasn’t expected; I am surprised that he wanted to
use that as an excuse,” he said.
The letter of expulsion to Mr. Browne said he “did not attend or participate
in any activities held to mark the first anniversary of the NPLM election to
Government” earlier this year and “have been openly very critical of the
NPLM government and other parliamentary colleagues”.
Six members of the party, with the exception of John Wilson, also a party
backbencher and deputy speaker of the Montserrat legislative council signed the
letter. “We both spoke to each
other at the level that is accepted in the environment that we were in and he
chose to take the high ground after that and he told me that I was
disrespectful,” Mr. Browne said.
He added: “That’s his choice. But that’s not the way it happened. We had
an argument, he said things and I said things… We argued. It was no one-sided
thing where I started to berate him.”
Mr. Browne, who is member of the Constitutional Review Committee, is popular for
speaking out even against his own party government. He vehemently criticized the
government’s Budget Debate in Parliament in March of this year and was praised
by the public through the local media.
He has also opposed the issues of British Citizenship and airport, which he
firmly maintains. “There’s no way I can support them now to try and convince
the people of this country that we have no choice to take (construct) an airport
in Gerald’s. I absolutely refuse to support that it is as simple as that. I am
not going to do it, it’s against my principles.”
He said that the party told the people that they
would not support an airport at Gerald’s.
Chief Minister Osborne told The Montserrat Reporter that Mr. Browne has a right
to express himself, but not in the manner in which he did.
“I don’t want to have anything to do with Cheddie again – never,” Mr.
Osborne said. “I was cool because I didn’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.”
Minister of Communication and Work Lowell Lewis, who was one of the members that
signed the expulsion letter, had said: “[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.”
Well known for his stance on nationhood for
Montserrat, Chedmond Browne said that the Chief Minister had reneged on every
agreement he made with him when joined the party. “I even agreed, not to be
considered for any ministerial office or other office in the government,
provided the government would bring closure to a long-outstanding port matter
involving the seamen and waterfront workers (with whom he has been closely
associated and worked for many years), and that I would be free to pursue this
issue with some support. Instead I have been berated and called stupid and told
I do not know what I am saying by the Chief Minister.”
Mr. Browne responded to accusations that he was not attending functions and meetings of the party. “Yes I stopped going to the meetings, because they were fruitless, consensus did not rule. I attended five meetings of the party caucus and on each occasion the Chief Minister would disagree with everyone else and say that he ‘has the wisdom.’ Whatever he said is what he did, notwithstanding what everyone else agreed to. I could not be a part of that.”
Mr. Browne said that the Chief Minister had been under pressure to convince the British that he (Mr. Browne) did not speak for or on behalf of the government. “Note his use of the word dissociate, he had to get that out and he was anxiously playing for the opportunity,” he said.
His main concern is whether he will continue to represent the people is his position on the Constitutional Review team. I want to see if I will be allowed to remain there, not just as a government representative, but because of what I can bring to the commission,” he said.
"Now It's
Dual Passports, No U.S. Visas, But Montserratians Still Need Answers"
At first this week it appeared that the Government press release of May 10, which spoke of fulfillment of “a commitment in the 1999 Government White paper on Britain and the Overseas Territories, entitled ‘Partnership for Progress and Prosperity”, simple though it might appear to be, was "flying a bit in our face."
It might have been simple and satisfactory had the statement ended there, but it went on to say that “Montserratians will therefore be able to apply for their new British Citizen passports from 21 May onwards.” True, of course, but there was no promise to answer satisfactorily the questions being asked by Montserratians both at home and abroad about the advantages and disadvantages of their obtaining the British passport rather than retaining their Montserrat passport?
Well by Wednesday of this week it would seem that most of the questions and arguments put forward, many through this medium, were dealt with, and in a manner that could be considered satisfactory for Montserratians.
There then seemed to be a show of anxiety when, in quick succession came two more press releases. One briefly confirmed that Montserratians holding British citizen passports “will qualify for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program…(therefore will not need a visa prior to travel to the United States.) The US Visa Waiver form has many of the questions that usually appear on an application form for a Visitor Visa
The other press release practically reversed the more recent pronouncement of Governor Longrigg which said: “No Montserratian who holds a British passport will be able to hold a Montserrat passport as well.” We recall that the previous Governor had said this would have been possible. Now on Wednesday a release headed “Revised Passport Issuing Procedures,” said: Montserrat nationals will be able to maintain their current British Overseas Territory Citizen (BOTC)/British Dependent Territories Citizen (BDTC) passport.”
In addition, holders of these passports will be allowed “Right of Abode in the UK” and to use the European (EU) channel when entering the UK. (See text of releases)
There is, however, a catch, as not all of the foregoing will last forever. There is a 12-month period from May 21 after which persons “will be required to produce BC passports when using the EU channel and there is no guarantee that one may not experience problems in establishing their status. Not every immigration officer will necessarily be au fait with the requirements at a particular given time."
Questions answered and concerns addressed all of will serve to encourage Montserratians to rush for the BC passport. Whether Montserratians should be encouraged to do this, we do not now comment one way or the other. But there are still questions that need to be addressed and the time could not be better with a constitutional review under way. Serious participation is encouraged and as many persons as possible should find a way to familiarise themselves with at least the very basics of what is involved.
In the releases there is also the promise that arrangements will soon be announced on how the passport could be obtained. We hope that more than that will be done; and that they will clearly publicise all the ramifications involved in becoming a BC and obtaining a British passport. Once again we call on our elected government to lead the way in getting their citizens fully informed. To do this is not to say they are leading the way to "self determination," which they seem to be so shy of.
Also there was the promise that citizenship
arrangements would not allow for reciprocity, something that may be strengthened
or guaranteed in a new Constitution. Former Chief Minister Brandt will no doubt
feel somewhat vindicated with all the news as he sees his representations come
to some fruition.
Generally, Montserratians are now British citizens, but they can also formally renounce the British citizenship and they do not have to apply for the passport. We believe we can say that, but do most people even know that little? Or is that all there is to know?
The British Overseas Territories Act and
Explanatory notes are available for reading and these links are mentioned on our
web site at the following addresses: http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2002/20020008.htm and
http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/en/2002en08.htm.
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’s on your mind?
Letters, contributions, stories and commentaries
We wish to remind our readers, we welcome letters and commentaries.
Each submission must include the author’s name, address and daytime phone number to enable verification.
All submissions will be edited for libel, brevity, clarity, grammar and propriety. Commentary and other articles should be written at a maximum 750 words and letters to the editor at a maximum 250 words.
All submissions become the property of The Montserrat Reporter and each author should limit his or her submissions to one letter per topic.
Send your contributions to The Editor, The Montserrat Reporter, P.O. Box 306, Olveston, Montserrat; or e-mail: editor@montserratreporter.org or monrep@candw.ag.
Fax: (664) 491-2430. Tel. (664) 491-4715.
TO HAVE ONE, BE ONE
READ: John 15:9-17
A man who has friends must himself be friendly.
Proverbs 18:24
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Deuteronomy 10-12
All of us need at least one or two close friends. A small boy defined a friend as "someone who knows all about you and likes you just the same." Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature." Henry Durbanville made this observation about friendship: "A friend is the first person to come in when the whole world goes out."
Solomon wrote in Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times." We can't improve on that definition. To have someone who remains true to us under all circumstances is one of life's choicest blessings. The support and encouragement that only an intimate friend can offer is sorely needed when the burdens of life weigh heavily upon us. Jesus, of course, is the ultimate friend, for He laid down His life for His friends (John 15:13).
Proverbs 18:24 makes an important point and takes us beyond a description of what it means to be a friend. It says that "a man who has friends must himself be friendly." The implication is clear: Friendliness must begin with us. We must take the initiative in developing relationships with others. Let us be to others what we desire for ourselves. When it comes to friends, to have one you must take the initiative in developing relationship with others. Let us be to others what we desire for ourselves. When it comes to friends, to have one you must be one! -RWD
I went outside to find a friend
But could not find one there;
I went outside to be a friend,
And friends were everywhere! --Anon.
FRIENDS ARE SELDOM FOUND; THEY ARE MADE. --
Wentworth
US VISAS NOT REQUIRED FOR HOLDERS OF NEW BRITISH PASSPORTS
GOVERNMENT
HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
The
US Immigration and Naturalisation Service have confirmed that British Overseas
Territories Citizens who from 21 May 2002 obtain a British passport under the
British Overseas Territories Act will qualify for the US Visa Waiver Program.
Therefore Montserratians who have obtained their new British citizen passport
will not need a visa prior to travel to the United States.
GOVERNMENT
HOUSE
MONTSERRAT
14 May
2002
Revised Passport Issuing Procedures
Government
House Press Release
Approval
has been given for British Overseas Territory Citizens (BOTCs) who additionally
obtain British Citizenship (BC) Passports under the Overseas Territories Act
2002 on 21 May to hold separate passports under in each status.
Montserrat
nationals will therefore be able to maintain their current BOTC/British
Dependent Territoryies Citizen (BDTC) passport as well as acquiring a new BC
one. However, the current BOTC/BDTC passport will normally need to be submitted
to the UK Passport Service (UKPS) when applying for the new BC passport.
Applications should bear this in mind when making travel arrangements. No
cross-referencing is required in either document.
It
has also been confirmed that, for 12 months from 21 May 2002, holders of BOTC/BDTC
passports as evidence of Right of Abode in the UK (prior to obtaining full
British Citizenship passports). Such BOTCs can, from 21 May, make use of the
European Union (EU) channel when entering the UK. After 12 months persons will
be required to produce BC passports when using the EU channel.
Those
entering other EU countries on a BOTC/BDTC passport may experience problems in
establishing their status. Individuals who wish to exercise their rights of free
movement in Europe are advised to obtain and travel on a BC passport.
Individuals
who wish to apply for BC passports on or after 21 May are reminded of the need
to supply high quality photographs (800 dots per square inch) with their
completed application forms.
Government
House
15 May
2002
FBI Agent’s
Notes Speculated On World Trade Center Attack
The weekly U.S. publication Newsweek reports in its May 20 issue that despite FBI insistence that it had no advance warning of the September 11 terrorist attacks, internal documents suggest that FBI field offices were more concerned that the bureau has acknowledged.
One
FBI memo, written by a Phoenix agent in July 2001, warned about suspicious
activities by Middle Eastern men at an Arizona flight school. Last week, in
little-noticed testimony before a Senate panel, FBI Director Robert Mueller
referred to another internal document that may prove more explosive: notes by a
Minneapolis agent worrying that French Moroccan flight student Zacarias
Moussaoui might be planning to “fly something into the World Trade Center.”
Moussaoui faces charges that he was part of the 9-11 plot. Sources say the notes
Mueller referred to were written in early September 2001—days before the
attack. The author was part of a counter-terrorism team desperately trying to
figure out what Moussaoui was up to. He had been arrested in August on
immigration charges after a Minnesota flight instructor reported that he showed
a suspicious interest in learning how to steer large airliners. When agents
learned, from French intelligence, that he had radical Islamic ties, they sought
a national-security warrant to search his computer—and got turned down. From
his e-mail traffic they found he wanted to learn to fly a 747 from London’s
Heathrow to New York’s JFK. The agents held “brainstorming” sessions to
try to figure out what targets might be en route. One agent wrote that “one
possibility” was that Moussaoui might be planning to crash into the Twin
Towers. But the official said the agents were only “speculating” about
possible scenarios.
Antigua
Information Minister Boycotts Media Conference
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua -- Senator Guy Yearwood, Information Minister of Antigua and Barbados, announced last week that he will not attend the 5th annual Caribbean Media Conference (CMC) being held here beginning on Thursday, 16th May, because it is hosted by the Observer Group.
He
explained in a press release that his absence would be "in protest of
the participation of the directors of the Observer Group in the manufacturing of
a video tape that was designed to destabilize the government, while abusing the
rights of a child."
The
video tape contains serious allegations of sexual misconduct and drug
trafficking made by a 12-year-old girl against Prime Minister Lester Bird.
Mr. Bird
has ordered an independent investigation both of the allegations made against
him and of the origin of the video tape. He has rejected all suggestions that he
temporarily step down as Prime Minister until the investigation is completed.
Senator Yearwood said his absence from the conference "is not a reflection on other members of the regional and international media who will be attending.
"My
government continues to maintain its commitment to a free and vibrant media that
delivers objective public information for the benefit of our region, but we
believe that the regional media and regional journalists should be keenly aware
that the Observer Group does not subscribe to the cannons of journalistic ethics
that they so firmly uphold."
Party
Rallies to Lester Bird, UPP Shows Antigua Video
Compiled
from dispatches
ST.
JOHN'S, Antigua -- Ten elected members of the ruling Antigua Labour Party have
signed a document pledging firm support to Prime Minister Lester Bird and
condemning as baseless and untrue allegations made by a 12-year-old girl against
him and others in a much-publicized video
The three hour-plus video records a minor alleging that she was involved in a sexual and drug-related illegal acts with Prime Minister Lester Bird and other top government officials. It reportedly originated with the Observer Group, a communications company with press and radio facilities, and copied and distributed anonymously since by unknown persons.
Prime Minister Bird responded immediately, denouncing the allegations in the video and declaring he has never met the child.
The
issue grew even more controversial Thursday of last week when the
opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) and its leader, Baldwin Spencer,
showed the video at a public meeting in St. John's.
The
Prime Minister has since filed law suits against Winston and Fergie
Derrick, Directors of the Observer Group, the two employees (B. J. Reid and
Julius Gittens) also of the Observer Group, Attorneys at Law Harold Lovell and
Colin Derrick and Leader of the Oppsition, the Hon. Baldwin Spencer, for their
role in the recording and public showing of the video.
Mr. Bird
also rejected Mr. Spencer's demand that he resign or step down at least until
the investigation of the controversy is resolved.
Meanwhile, the thorough independent investigation ordered by Mr. Bird, will be led by Colin Warburton of the British Metropolitan Police, who said the investigation will be run along strict professional lines and politics will be completely out of the picture.
Mr. Warburton said he is satisfied that the men with whom he will work are men of sound integrity who will do a thorough job.
"This
is a serious investigation we're carrying out," he said.
In a
related development, the U.S. Embassy issued a statement denying rumors of U.S.
involvement in the creation of the video tape.
"There is no truth to the assertion that an official of the United States Government was in any way involved in this alleged incident. We do not view this as a matter for investigation by U.S. authorities," the statement said.
Several organizations and individuals denounced Mr.
Spencer and the UPP for capitalizing on public curiosity by publicly showing the
tape, calling it exploitation of a minor for political gain and indifferent to
its possible negative effects on the country's youth.
Clarence Pilgrim, Antigua and Barbuda's representative on the Caribbean Drug Abuse Ethic Epidemiology Surveillance System (CDAEESS), said the public showing of the video goes against the political declaration of the United Nation's guiding principles of drug demand reduction. He warned that this type of exposure could make the work of social workers, educators and care-providers even more difficult, because children with genuine drug-related problems may now fear to come forward because of possible public ridicule.
Jamaica
HIV/AIDS Fight Gets US$15-Million Loan
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS)-- Jamaica’s campaign against the spread of HIV/AIDS was strengthened on May 10, when the World Bank provided a loan of US$15 million to the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Project.
Minister of Health, John Junor, and Health Specialist at the World Bank, Patricio Marquez, signed the agreement on the five-year project, which will end in 2006. Its three main components are, expanding preventive programmes targeted at high-risk groups and the general public; strengthening treatment, care and support for persons living with HIV/AIDS; and improving Jamaica’s capacity to respond to the epidemic.
The Ministry of Health has also entered into an agreement with the National AIDS Committee and its four Regional Health Authorities.
Agreements with the various ministries and agencies will enable them to get financing for the development, implementation and evaluation of work plans on an annual basis.
As such, they will be able to carry out interventions related to the prevention and/or treatment of HIV/AIDS, as well as provide care and support for persons living with the virus.
Minister
Junor said that Jamaica spent 6.4 percent of its Gross National Product (GNP) on
the AIDS epidemic and that this cost is projected to increase by at least 35.4
per cent by 2005.
Dutch Caribbean
Airlines To Begin Drug Screening
PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Curacao-based
Dutch Caribbean Airline will begin screening passengers before they buy tickets
in an effort to stop drug smuggling on flights to the Netherlands, the justice
minister said.
The agreement signed Friday by Antillean Justice Minister Rutsel Martha and
Dutch Caribbean chief executive officer Mario Evertsz, lets the airline prohibit
passengers from buying a ticket who have previous drug trafficking convictions
or are otherwise considered suspicious by Antillean authorities.
It goes a step further than an April arrangement between KLM and the Antillean
government, which screens people just before boarding.
KLM began preflight screening on April 15 after chief executive officer Leo van
Wijk threatened to stop flying to Curacao because of problems with drug
smugglers. Last year, drug smugglers arrested as they tried to board
flights in Curacao were carrying more than 4,400 pounds of cocaine. KLM now
sends a passenger list to the police about an hour before each flight. The
police recommend which passengers to reject, and those rejected are given
refunds.
Mr. Martha said that since last week Dutch Caribbean travel agents have an
online connection with Ministry of Justice. The agents will provide daily
reports of each person that booked a flight and the ministry will recommend
which should be allowed to travel.
Dionne Warwick Faces Miami Marijuana Charge
Singer Dionne Warwick was arrested Sunday at Miami International Airport after security guards allegedly found 11 marijuana cigarettes stuffed inside a silver lipstick case.
She was stopped by baggage screeners while preparing to board a flight bound for Los Angeles.
The
61-year-old entertainer was charged with possessing less than five grams of
marijuana and was released after signing an affidavit promising to appear in
court.
She
was in South Florida to pick up a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American
Red Cross. She returned to Los Angeles on a later flight Sunday.
Ruth
Bowen, a theatrical agent and friend of Miss Warwick, told the Miami
Herald that the pot was "medicinal" to treat her glaucoma. "She's not a drug abuser," Bowen said.
Taz Westsiders Upset Fire, Rebels in Basketball League
There’s this belief that what starts fast slows
down later or what starts slow gets fast in the end.
A long/middle distance runner is a good example of this. The rabbit or
frontrunner in track and field, usually bullets off, setting the stage for a
world record, then run out of steam in the closing stages. Or, an athlete –
based on his form and experience – would lag at the back and burst to victory
at the finish.
Does this apply to the Montserrat Amateur Basketball Association (MABA) League?
Yes it does.
Fire and Taz Westsiders are excellent examples.
Taz Westsiders sent a shock wave through the heart of basketball fans last
weekend by winning for the first time – and defeating two big names in the
process.
No one thought that they would have won their matches against
top-of-the-table-teams Fire and Rebels.
Without a win in four matches, critics predicted that Taz Westsiders would go in
last week’s second round matches “hungry for success” and to “put on an
improved showing”.
That was more than the case: Westsiders embarrassed Fire, the Knock Out (KO)
champions, with a 76-70-overtime victory on Friday, May 10. The following day
they crushed Rebels 63-47. “Sometimes you have to lose in order to win,”
commented Bevon Greenaway, coach and player of Taz Westsiders. “The more they
lose the more determined they get.”
Bevon’s brother, captain and forward Holren Bobb said: “We thought we were a
unit, but we were not as strong mentally as we thought.”
On the other hand, the Fire team started out big time – winning four
consecutive matches including their KO title. But the wet road appeared on April
26, when Rebels clipped them 60-57; last week’s loss to Taz Westsiders reveal
that their form is deteriorating.
Saturday, May 10
Game 1: Taz Westsiders vs. Fire 70-76 in overtime after a 64-64-regulation time
tie and a 29-27 halftime lead.
Top-scorers: Taz Westsiders – N. Kelly 23 points, G. Williams 15, B. Greenaway
14; Fire – N. Weekes 36, E. Aaron 16.
Game 2: Rebels def. MSS Warriors 69-47 after a 33-22 halftime lead.
Top-scorers: Rebels – G. Green 23, C. Buffonge 16, D. Harris; MSS Warriors –
J. Skerritt 10, T. Roach 13.
Saturday, May 11
Game 1: Pitbulls def. MSS Warriors 97-46 after a 33-17 halftime lead
Top scorers: Pitbulls – R. Lewis 29, K. Ryan 16, R. Lee 12, R. Irish 12, J.
John 10; T.Tuitt 13, J.Harris 11.
Game 2: Taz Westsiders def. Rebels 63-47 after a 30-12 halftime lead.
Top-scorers: Taz Westsiders – N. Kelly 14, T. White 11, G. Williams 10, H.
Bobb 12;
Rebels – G. Green 16, C. Buffonge 10, D. White 10, B. Greenway.
Shernyl Burns – Montserrat’s Promising Young Cricketer
Maybe the bowler was amused when he saw
10-year-old Shernyl Burns on the cricket pitch to bat in a national senior
cricket league.
Earlier this year in his debut for St. John’s against Montserrat Secondary
School (MSS), Shernyl hit a ‘little impressive” 5 runs – not out.
Vice President of the Montserrat Cricket Association (MCA) Roy Greaves said
Shernyl is “possibly the youngest player in Montserrat ever to play in the
senior cricket league”.
Eyes are on the St. Augustine Primary fifth grader as a promising cricketer
based on his 5-runs debut and the interest he has shown in the sport.
He said his love for cricket began from his school’s sports curriculum. “I
started to go to the senior team practices to watch and drill with the national
team last year,” he said.
Mr. Greaves said Shernyl has a bright future in the sport. “At his age he is a
talent for the future,” he said. “He misses no cricket. He actually travels
around with the local team (St. John’s). He got one game…. and he field
well.”
Shernyl was one of the many MSS students who were sponsored to attend the West
Indies versus India Test match in Antigua on May 10.
He described cricket as fun and excitement. “I love it a lot and it’s quite
exciting, like you get to bat, bowl and make new friends,” he said.
It was observed at first glance, when The Montserrat Reporter visited his home
in Judy Piece on Monday, that Shernyl is a cricket fanatic.
He was tuned into the Test match and he wore a black T-shirt with a West Indies
Cricket Board emblem during the interview.
Shernyl does not point out a favorite local player: “I don’t have a choice
because I like all of them.”
However, he said his favorite international player is Jamaican Marlon Samuels
because “he fields and bowls fairly well”.
Although he thinks the West Indies is performing well, he believes they can do
better. “Their tail-enders need more practice, and they need to bat more
consistently – make 50’s and 100’s.”
Shernyl, who aspires to become a professional cricketer and businessman said
studies his schoolwork and play the sport in his spare time. “I plan to reach
to the West Indies team if I can make it,” he said.
If
you dare to make a choice, you must be willing to accept the responsibility.
Leaders must assume the responsibility for the choices that they make.
Caribbean
people must demand that leaders in public and private offices be held
accountable for their poor decisions particularly their irresponsible behaviour
while occupying positions of responsibility. We allow our leaders in the
domestic life, politics, religion and industry to do irresponsible things with
impunity and we seat aside and lament. On the other hand, society is very
punitive to the young people who are entrusted into its care to nurture and
develop. Our young generation is therefore confused by this mixed up moods and
attitudes.
But
I have good news for you. Did you know that Carl Hooper, the West Indies Cricket
Team Captain, by his admission at the post match press conference, made a bad
decision, assumed the responsibility for it, and sought to right the situation?
Yes, the soft-spoken Guyanese batsman, admitted to us in the post-match
interview at the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG), Antigua, May 14, 2002, that he
should have played a genuine spinner (Dinanath Ramnarine) instead of four medium
fast bowlers (Mervyn Dillon, Cameron Cuffy, Pedro Collins and Adam Sanford) on
the flat wicket, and therefore felt responsible for the fortune of the team.
Carl Hooper therefore accepted the responsibility for the poor decision and the
poor performances of the bowlers on the batting-friendly wicket and determined
to lead by example to change the fortune of the team.
After
India amassed 513 runs for nine wickets declared and had the West Indies team on
the back foot at 135 runs for the lost of 3 wicket (when Brian Lara was sent
back to the pavilion) with the team needing 314 runs to avoid the follow-on, he
strode unto the wicket to a thunderous applause that told him that the
peoples’ hopes and aspirations were dependent on him.
Like
a model leader (and Caribbean leaders need to learn a lesson from him), he held
his team together, rode his good fortunes, surmounted the difficulties, and led
from the front with a disciplined innings of 136 runs. By the time he left the
wicket, the team was in safety at 382 runs for the lost of four wickets.
His
leadership inspired the other batters who ensured that India remained in the
field until 4:25 pm on the fifth and final day when he declared the innings
close at 629 for nine wickets. There being no hope of a decision, the proceeding
ended. The fourth test match between India and the West Indies at the ARG ended
in draw, India 513/9 declared with VVS Laxman scoring 130 and Ajay Ratra 115 not
out. West Indies scored 629/9 declared with Carl Hooper scoring 136, Shivnarine
Chanderpaul 136 not out and Ridley Jacobs 118.
Like
Caribbean leaders, the management of the West Indies team had failed to learn
from the past performances. Knowing fully well that the ARG turf becomes a
batting paradise by the afternoon of the first day’s play, they opted to omit
the genuine leg spinner, Dinanath Ramnarine and played four medium fast bowlers
– Mervyn Dillon, Cameron Cuffy, Adam Sanford, and Pedro Collins. As expected,
by the second session on the first day, the Indian batsmen were having a field
day although they were batting too cautiously. The pitch allowed each team to
bat only once, both teams losing 18 wickets and amassing 1,142 runs including
five centuries.
That
is to say, five more centuries were added to the 32 centuries that had been
scored on that wicket since the inaugural test match in 19981. And among them is
the 375 highest test record scored there by Brian Lara in 1994 against England.
If
nothing had been done to change the nature of the turf; if nothing had been done
to make the pitch more responsive to seam bowling, the historical evidence
should have been respected. But Carl Hooper conceded that he had made an
incorrect choice.
At
last the requisite leadership that had been demanded from Carl Hooper when the
captaincy was given to him in 2001 is evident. He was always expected to lead
with the flashing blade and he is doing that now. And the effects are evident in
the high performances of the other players. The application and discipline of a
leader who claims to be driven by his newly found leader, Jesus Christ, seems to
be reaching the players. He is definitely appealing to that holistic response
from his players.
And
in so doing, Carl Hooper is slowly but surely re-establishing himself in the
forefront of international batsmanship, where he belongs. He has so far
accumulated the most runs in the current series, having amassed one double
century and two centuries in the current series. He has contributed immensely to
the three centuries that Shivnarine Chanderpaul has amassed batting at number
six. That is exactly what his
fellow Guyanese commentator, Colin Croft meant when he insisted, “Reputation
do not make runs but ability, form, determination and readiness.” And Carl
Hooper, since finding his root in his God has approached his game with a
discipline that was missing in his first coming.
They
are now doing battle in the fifth and decisive test match at Sabina Park, and
that same discipline is required to put the players to give a good account of
themselves.
Peter
Adrien is a Central Banker, an author, a syndicated sports commentator, and a
freelance photographer. He may be contacted Peter at e-mail: Adriens@caribsurf.com
or visit his website www.adriensenterprises.com
PHOTO CAPTION: Carl Hooper, the model leader (Photo: Peter Adrien)
Brother Thi to
Become Father Thi in Chicago
Brother/Deacon
Thi in another three weeks will achieve a long-time goal with his
ordination into the Divine Word Missionaries priesthood in Chicago.
It is an
unusual time in the history and changing times for the Roman Catholic Church as
be joins the priesthood. Deacon Thi leaves Montserrat to embark on what he and
his Vietnamese family, along with the Montserrat Catholic congregation, consider
a most joyful occasion. He is from Vietnam where he suffered communist
persecution while in the seminary where he began his priesthood studies.
Deacon Thi,
who became fluent in French and then English, was separated from his parents
when they fled their homeland to the United States to live in California. where
his father has since died. His mother, who has prayed to be at his ordination,
will have those prayers answered when she travels to Cheney, Chicago where
Deacon Thi will be ordained on June 3, 2002.
He will be
missed by a Montserrat congregation he joined six months ago, especially for his
sermons, one of which appears below at the request of parishioners.
Fifth Sunday of Easter Year April 28, 2002
Acts 6:1-7; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12
Dear People of God:
The gospel message today is clear. It says that because God is well beyond our
limited capacity, whatever little God can confide in us, it is never to our
understanding, but only to our trust that God does. Jesus said, "Trust in
God still, and trust in me!" Thomas complained: We do not know the way.
Jesus was reassuring: I am the Way to the Father. Philip followed: Show us the
Father! There Jesus turned stoic: You see me: you see the Father! No additional
facts, no further evidence, only a wealth of trust was called forth. Yes, it is
only in trusting that we can open ourselves to faith, to hope, to love.
Trust, in the church, is not only trust in God. The first reading from the book
of Acts witnesses to the struggle to build up trust among the faithful.
Sometimes this reading is understood as the institution of the ministry of
catering to the faithful community. But obviously there had been such ministers
before. Only, those ministers were not loyal to the communal trust, and the
community asked for, and was called upon to choose better
ones.
Brothers and Sisters! I wish I had not to talk about the evil that is now
rocking the Catholic Church in the United States to its deepest roots, to its
foundational bond of trust; about the huge sex scandals involving bishops and
priests and religious. Unfortunately, there is nowhere I can run away from that
painful duty. So here am I! But as I said last week, this is not only the
problem of the United States, nor of our Catholic Church. As a
result, thanks to the honesty and the generosity of the Catholic Church in the
United States in dealing with the crisis as it strikes her now, hopefully, we
all will come out much more informed, much better equipped to deal with our own
situation, in our own church, on our own turf.
Let me bring you some points from the official texts by church authorities
addressing the issue. They are by no means comprehensive nor exhaustive. Do read
those documents if you have a chance. I think we all need to know them, out of
our genuine love and concern for our church.
In his address to the cardinals of the United States, the Holy Father says that
"the sexual abuse of minors is rightly considered a crime by society, and
is an appalling sin in the eyes of God." He says that "people need to
know there is no place in the priesthood and religious life for those who would
harm the young." The Holy Father asks "Catholics to stay close to
their priests and bishops, and to support them with their prayers at this
difficult time."
In their communiqué, the cardinals of the United States commit themselves to
make every effort to bring about purification and reconciliation, for a deeper
holiness in the church in the United States. In their letter to priests, they
ask them to help in the effort to bring the healing grace of Christ to the
people thru their "humble and exalted service of the Catholic
priesthood."
Also his lordship Bishop Reece has a special word for the faithful in
Montserrat; he wrote: "Pedophilia, my dear people, knows neither gender nor
religion. To safeguard our young, innocent people, we must guard against any
inappropriate behavior, no matter from which quarters it comes."
Brothers and sisters! I feel desperately lost because the issue is too big for
me to deal with. On top of it, I do not know anything about criminal or civil
law, which has a lot to say in this matter. So, let me simply share with you
some of my very personal thoughts and prayers in the light of today's Scripture.
First of all, I really trust in Christ as the head of our church. He will bring
his church out, purer and holier, thru this humiliating but beneficial cleansing
and screening process.
Then, I think, by unambiguously calling pedophilia a crime, our church
leadership recognizes to all faithful, as individuals and as communities, the
full right to deal with it as they see fit, as is the case with many other
criminal acts. For example, all of us know driving-under-the-influence is a
zero-tolerance crime. Still the discretion is dad and mom's either to call the
police, or to wait and talk with their boy, as the lad pulls in at 2 or 3
o'clock in the morning after a wild party, completely intoxicated behind the
wheel. Our church leadership truly returned our trust! I believe our credibility
as church is sound, as long as that trusting communication still exists.
The first reading says that some disciples complain against some others. Do not
let the negative connotation of the word "complain" mislead you.
Rather, consider the universal access to the highest level of authority. I
believe that is what keeps the trusting communication going in our church.
Better than any other community I have ever known, you, Catholics in Montserrat,
enjoy a very special friendship with your bishop. It is not without reason he
calls upon you to safeguard the church and the society in Montserrat. He knows,
just like we do, that we are not totally without risk. Also he knows, just like
we do, that only we, as a community, can really keep the island safe and pure.
Yes, only us, not him, not any cardinal, not even the pope!
The Montserrat Reporter issue of Friday the 22nd of March carries a front-page
article by Merrick Andrews, with the title "Legislation in the Making
Against Internet Child Pornography." The article quotes Montserrat
Superintendent of Police Paul Morris as saying: "Child pornography is
circulated and received through the Internet system in Montserrat, now the
information is very, very good." Mr. Morris' assessment of the situation is
no less than ominous, he says, "When you have people who are interested in
looking at very, very young children in sexual encounters, then we have to be
very, very careful, that doesn't spill over to actual offences of child
molestation and so on." The same law enforcement officer concludes,
"We have to ensure that we have the relevant legislation to enable us even
to investigate and arrest for it," and "...very, very quickly."
Typical response of the law, isn't it? Investigate! Arrest! Prosecute! Kinda
"Bad boy! Bad boy! Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when we come for
you?"
Now, what does our faith have to say here? The same article reports a prophetic
witness in the person of attorney-at-law Warren Cassell. Mr. Cassell said,
"While [a legislation] is helpful it will not solve the problem. It's the
cause they need to address and not the effect." I guess we all agree with
him that the cause is in the minds, it is in the hearts, it
is in our faith, or, to be accurate, it is in our lack of faith. Mr. Cassell
went as far as saying that "enforcing existing laws such as abortion"
would help more. It may sound irrelevant at first, but I think it could not be
truer. Only the respect of the gift of life and of the human person, from their
very beginning to their very end, only that absolute and unconditional respect
can redeem the perverse greed for power and for sex that preys on
children and on the defenseless.
The issue of The Montserrat Newsletter published by the Governor's Office last
month carries on page 2 an article about the new commissioner of police being
sworn in. Both the outgoing commissioner, Mr. Alex Elder, and the incoming
commissioner, Mr. John Douglas, praised community policing. Mr. Douglas used
highly religious language, saying that he is "a firm believer in community
policing." Brothers and sisters, even the law is drafting the community to
help. Why then, in the matter of faith, do we abdicate from a ministry that has
always been ours: the ministry of supervising, that of caring for the well-being
of our church community? The early Christian community in the first reading did
not hesitate to elect Nicholas of Antioch despite the fact that he was a double
convert, from paganism to Judaism, then to the Christian faith. No authority
would dare such a move on its own initiative, but the community knows better!
Only a healthy and balanced community knows how to produce and promote healthy
and balanced ministers for itself, and ultimately for the church.
We are "the holy priesthood that offers the spiritual sacrifices," as
it is said in the second reading from the first letter of Saint Peter. At the
table of the Lord today, when the priest invites, "Pray, brothers and
sisters, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God the almighty Father,"
let us bring to God, on our open and trusting hands, the painful sacrifice our
sister church in the United States is going through right now, also our
own sacrifice as we commit ourselves to watching over, and guarding the church
of Christ here in Montserrat. Let us humbly pray that those sacrifices may be
truly " for the praise and glory of God's name," and also "for
our good, and the good of all God's Church." Amen.
THE CARIBBEAN TOURISM ORGANIZATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TRAVEL & LEISURE
Presents
THEME: “TOURISM, MY COUNTRY AND ME”
REGIONAL
SCHOOLS’ POSTER COMPETION
Students between the ages of 12 – 16 from CTO-member
countries (of which Montserrat is a member), are invited to participate in a
poster competition which must show the link between tourism and the rich diverse
culture/heritage of our Caribbean countries, and have a regional rather
than a national flair. It
must also incorporate the CTO Logo and the name “Caribbean Tourism
Organization”.
All entries for the Competition must be submitted
to the Montserrat Tourist Board by June 28, 2002.
Judging will take at the national level by July 12, 2002 and at the
regional level by July 31, 2002.
The regional winner of the schools’ poster
competition will receive US$500.00. The
first runner up will receive US$250.00 and the second runner up will receive
US$100.00. The participating school
from which the winning student comes will also receive $500.00 to go towards art
supplies for the school. (These
prizes will be given by CTO).
The winning poster will be featured in Travel
& Leisure magazine, a publication of American Express Publishing
Corporation. The poster may also be
used in conjunction with CTO’s Sustainable conference in 2003.
The posters of the finalists and winner will be
exhibited in a Poster Exhibition at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s
annual conference, CTC 2002, to be held in the Bahamas.
For more information about the Competition
including the Rules, please contact the Montserrat
Tourist Board in Salem or telephone us on 491 2230 or 491 8730.
Fax 491 7430 or email: mrattouristboard@candw.ag
(11.05.02)
He was a big man bigger than the metaphor
and with a name like Christ-opher he has a seat
reserved in higher climes though namesakes
like Columbus may have silted up the waters.
But if the mariner transgressed it was for a noble
cause. To float a drowning legacy with a seine
of lies and placate a frowning monarch,
is forgivable. Chris was well connected.
Also known as Chief and David he was naturally
head of the tribe, head and shoulders taller
than the rest and the drunken gods of pentecost
stood ever at his side lacing his words with power.
He could speak fire and brimstone, stock fare
of his faith. And though his voice was gentle
like an unbroken choir boy’s in a grey cathedral,
like another David his slingshots were no toys.
His gifts were prodigal like his girth,
his jacket extra large enwrapped a heart
of gold with just a squeeze. Monuments
to his munificence are many: choice graves
in an up-market lot at Brades, grounds to plant
a clinic in at Cudjoe Head, liberal curves to corner
killer roads at Fogarthy’s and a public rule
to sing a song for children in a proper school.
As Santa Clause he was unorthodox.
Without the mask and frigid coat his gifts
were red and warm like blood: choice cuts
of cattle as costly offerings to friendship
and pig to lard the liberal sacrifice
scraped clean (Charles Lamb would love it burnt).
Chris was kind but not indiscriminate.
His junkets were for friends who stayed in line.
Unlike another namesake, the burial garden
is his own and the rock-hewn tomb
prematurely opened as if to lie in state
for two whole days. It was a yawning wound
undressed, biding time to stake the final
claim on a big son of the soil. A forward man
like Christopher will not settle for corruption.
Will he cut a deal with Christ for a snap resurrection?
Howard
A. Fergus
Signs of the Times
The police find themselves on the spot,
With increasing road crashes a blot.
If they hope to succeed
In reducing the speed,
Posting speed limits might help a lot.
Buckle Up
Your safety is really the crux
Of concern, instead of ‘big bucks,’
Seat belts are recommended
Save for those undefended
Standing up on the backs of our trucks.
Jus wonderin which businessman like to sleep a he office and why.
Jus wonderin if he don’t have bed.
Jus wonderin what is the newspaper new recipe.
Jus wonderin why dem kind-o-men are getting so barefaced dese days.
Jus wonderin why dey don’t keep de bullishness to demselves.
Jus wonderin if they don't know what you worship determines what you become.
Jus wonderin if you know to handle a hard situation, try a soft answer.
Jus wonderin if one little act of kindness can have multiple results.
Jus wonderin if giving thanks is a course from which we never graduate.
Jus wonderin if the greatest blessing comes to the one who freely give and expects nothing in return.
Jus wonderin if anything really go so.
Jus wonderin if de people dem a Lookout no start pay by now.
Jus wonderin if dey really think is free living dey go get all de time.
Jus wonderin if love is a magnet that draws together believers and unbelievers to Christ.
Jus wonderin if people don’t know they have to hold loosely to what is temporal and tightly to what is eternal.
Jus wonderin if mothers are really getting the respect from children these days.
Jus wonderin if people knows faith sees things that are out of sight.
Jus wonderin if those with mothers are counting their blessing since their are some who don’t have.
Jus wonderin if mother’s knows it’s a blessing from de almighty to be a mom.
Jus wonderin if they are taking advantage to it.
Jus wonderin if they don’t know many people are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.
Jus wonderin where the honorable Chedmond Brown was born.
Jus wonderin on what boat aid he sail to London.
Jus wonderin how many passports has he given up since he arrived on Montserrat.
Jus wonderin why the legislator don’t give up de Trinidad passport.
Jus wonderin if our Caricom status will be lost when we get a new passport.
Jus wonderin when them paint the new shelter in Look Out them circus colors dey.
Jus wonderin why the head politician expel the political teacher from de politics school.
Jus wonderin why they didn’t follow the wise man’s decision and have a hearing before expelling the politics teacher.
Jus wonderin is the Meade man no part of the party too, jus wonderin why he no sign the paper and why his name wasn’t mentioned.
Jus wonderin who’s next to axed by the NPLM.
Jus wonderin if pastor christen he own picknie first by doctor can’t secure proper and efficient medical facilities and equipment first.
Jus wonderin how many more Mrat babies a go borne in Antigua, get Antiguan Birth paper, build up Antigua population when awe own a go dung.
Jus wonderin wha work de government a do?
Jus wonderin how they find de time to waste
quarreling inna public, and can’t find time to work together as a tem and
address all dem pertinent issues.
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