World Press Freedom Day Raps On Governments’ Media Suppresion
by Bennette Raoch
On Sunday this week the world celebrated World Press Freedom Day, which seeks to recognise the sacrifices made in the struggle for freedom of the press and to pressure governments that continue to deny their citizens this basic human right.
The date marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of principles drawn up by African journalists in 1991, calling for free, independent and pluralistic media on that continent and throughout the world.
This day was commemorated by journalists, publishers and media managers from around the region in Jamaica, where they had been meeting at the lovely Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston under the theme "Caribbean Media: Freedom and Understanding."
In saluting the day, Harold Hoyte, president and publisher of the Nation Publishing Company in Barbados, said, "While some governments were committed on paper to the concept of freedom of the media their actions sometimes suggest they were uncomfortable with the idea imparted and they wanted to be in control of all information at all times."
Mr. Hoyte in an address to the seminar examining regional developments in the media as well as areas of concern to the profession, said the future looks good, "but there is evidence that all is not well in all of our countries."
He referred to the action taken by the Trinidad and Tobago government in not renewing the work permit of Julian Rogers. He said there was a need to guard against intrusions, "from even those who feel it is their right to determine what's responsible journalism and what's not. We must not be fooled by their words, for Trinidad and Tobago is the only country which guarantees freedom of the press as a stated right of citizens in its constitution, yet it is most callous in interpreting that clause."
Mr. Hoyte did not ignore shortcomings of the Caribbean media and called for the re-establishment of regional organisations so that media workers and managers can work together for the common good. "The media should also recognise the need to uplift the profession by appropriate hiring and training, and examine the ownership structure to ensure wider participation," he said.
Alain Modoux, director for Freedom and Democracy at UNESCO, Paris, also spoke. He said his organisation is concerned about crimes against journalists, especially those that go unpunished. He said that in 1997 alone, 26 journalists were assassinated in 14 countries, nearly half of them in Latin and Central America. In addition, about 150 journalists are currently in jail in about 25 countries. Mr. Modoux said violence was perpetrated against journalists to discourage them from doing their job, not only because of the risk of exposure of corruption in government, but also because of corruption of the ruling public representatives and Mafia-type activities such as drug-trafficking,
Oliver Clarke, president of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA), said that there are reasons to be optimistic regarding the support that the IAPA has received from governments in its struggle for freedom of the press and of expression.
He said that IAPA strongly supports its recommendations for the creation of a special rapporteur for press freedom, created by the OAS Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). "IAPA hopes that IACHR will be given the independence and autonomy needed to work efficiently and effectively," he said.
Mr. Clarke also expressed the hope that other steps, such as the resolution which would commit the UN's 186 member countries to adopt the principle of not permitting the statute of limitations to expire on crimes against a person when they are perpetrated to impede the exercise of freedom of information. That, he said, would grow into major advancements in the protection of press freedom and the public's right to information.
Trinidad and Tobago Condemned For Barring Veteran Journalist
The first Caribbean Editors meeting, which took place at the Wyndham Hotel, Kingston Jamaica, saw participants from Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Cayman Islands, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat and Trinidad and Tobago. They discussed a range of issues, including journalistic trends and ethics.
At this meeting the editors condemned The Trinidad and Tobago government's decision to refuse the renewal of the work permit for Bajan broadcaster Julian Rogers.
Mr. Rogers, who worked in Trinidad
since 1993, is a very well-known broadcaster. He worked in Montserrat on more than one
occasion with the Radio Antilles, which operated from studios in Plymouth and O'garro's.
He has worked as well in Antigua and Barbados and is a well-known Caribbean broadcaster.
Mr. Rogers returned to Barbados on Thursday, and joined the media meeting in Jamaica,
where he was available to comment on the action against him.
Mr. Rogers told The Montserrat Reporter that he is not aware of any wrongdoing that would have prompted the Trinidad and Tobago action, nor is there any thing that he would do differently in his profession as a broadcaster.
One gentleman in Barbados says: "The Rogers Affair is really the story of Basdeo Panday vs. CCN. The merits/demerits of Mr. Rogers are insignificant once his boss is Ken Gordon, Head of CCN, Panday's perceived enemy. Mr. Rogers' nationality simply provides the Trinidad government with both an opportunity and a palliative."
In a statement, the editors deplored the action against Mr. Rogers, despite the Trinidad and Tobago government's commitment at a CARICOM meeting, "to free movement throughout the region of media persons." This, they said, is "another incident in a continuing pattern of hostile attitude and action against the free media of Trinidad and Tobago."
The meeting preceded a two-day conference of regional media bosses, which took place on May 1 and 2 under the theme "The Caribbean Media: Freedom and Understanding."
They witnessed and welcomed the signing on May 1, 1998, of the Declaration of Chapultepc, which seeks to guarantee freedom of the press in the America.
The editors called on other regional governments to "follow Jamaica's example and to sign this important press freedom declaration as soon as possible".
Barbados' Prime Minister Owen Arthur, reacting to the Rogers affair, was quoted as strongly objecting to the Trinidad and Tobago government's treatment of Mr. Rogers. He hinted that Barbados may take reciprocal action. It was "a very, very sad day for the Caribbean," he said, and that the refusal to renew Mr. Rogers' work permit amounted to "a savage breach" of regional conventions pertaining to freedom of movement for media workers.
At the end of the conference on Sunday the Caribbean Media, in one of several resolutions, urged the "Government of Trinidad and Tobago to change its regrettable decision" and grant a work permit to the Barbados journalist, "and so avoid reciprocal restraints by other regional governments."
Freedom of the Press was the Focus of Jamaica Seminar
By Bennette Roach
Last weekend I attended a seminar in Kingston, Jamaica, on "The
Caribbean Media: Freedom, and Understanding." Invitees to the seminar were from the
entire CARICOM region and included Haiti and Cuba.
The seminar, described as a "Self Analysis for Media Development and an Appreciation of UNESCO's Culture of Peace Programme," was held at the Jamaica Conference Centre on May 1 and 2, 1998, and my attendance was sponsored by UNESCO. It was put on by the Media Association of Jamaica, the Caribbean News Agency (CANA) and the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) together with UNESCO.
On Friday, May 1, a first of its kind Newspaper Editors Meeting was held at the Wyndam Hotel in Kingston, chaired by Harold Hoyte, managing director of "The Nation," Barbados. I also attended this meeting.
Jamaica Signs Press Freedom Pact
The meeting broke to witness the very important occasion of the signing of the Declaration of Capultepec by the Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica. This nation became the first English-speaking Caribbean country to sign the declaration, which was done before the gathering of regional journalists, editors and publishers.
The declaration, promoted by the Inter American Press Association (IAPA),
outlines 10 principles for a free press in the Western Hemisphere.
These are based on the concept that "no law or act of government may limit freedom of expression of the press, whatever the medium."
"The signing is more than a token gesture. It is an expression of our determination to recognise the transcendental value of freedom of expression as a fundamental pillar of our democracy," Patterson said in his address on the topic.
Before signing, Patterson said: "I sign the Declaration of Chapultepec in the confidence that the spirit of freedom of expression and freedom of the press will flourish, as we seek to enhance democracy and promote freedom throughout the hemisphere."
The 10 Principles of the Declaration of Chapultepec
No people or society can be free without freedom of expression and of the press. The exercise of this freedom is not something authorities grant. It is an inalienable right of the people.
Every person has the right to seek and receive information, express opinions and disseminate them freely. No one may restrict or deny these rights.
The authorities must be compelled by law to make available in a timely and reasonable manner the information generated by the public sector. No journalist may be forced to reveal his or her sources of information.
Freedom of expression and of the press are severely limited by murder, terrorism, kidnapping, intimidation, the unjust imprisonment of journalists, the destruction of facilities, violence of any kind and impunity for perpetrators. Such acts must be investigated promptly and punished harshly.
Prior censorship, restrictions on the circulation of the media or dissemination of their reports, arbitrary management of information, the imposition of obstacles to the free flow of news, and restrictions on the activities and movements of journalists directly contradict freedom of the press.
The media and journalists should neither be discriminated against nor favoured because of what they write or say.
Tariff and exchange policies, licences for the importation of paper or news-gathering equipment, the assigning of radio and television frequencies and the granting or withdrawal of government advertising may not be used to reward or punish the media or individual journalists.
The membership of journalists in guilds, their affiliation to professional and trade associations and the affiliation of the media with business groups must be strictly voluntary.
The credibility of the press is linked to its commitment to truth, to the pursuit of accuracy, fairness and objectivity and to the clear distinction between news and advertising. The attainment of these goals and the respect for ethical and professional values may be impose. These are the exclusive responsibility of journalists and the media. In a free society, it is public opinion that rewards or punishes.
"A Free Press Is Unwelcome To Governments It Criticizes"
Freedom of the Press is vital not only to editors and publishers, but also to every single human being.
The press and media operate on the principle that the public has a right to information and a right to know. It is the vehicle through which people learn about the news of their fellow humans, their communities, their environment, their nations and their world.
Montserrat is one of those places where the press may boast that it enjoys freedom of speech and of the press. But the question may be asked, why do we see so few people openly expressing their opinions and views, and why so often those opinions are expressed anonymously.
The Declaration of Chapultepec takes its name from a castle in Mexico, which was the site of the Hemispheric Conference on Free Speech on March 11, 1994. At that meeting, Oliver Clarke, managing director of the Gleaner Company, who chaired the signing ceremony, said a free press was fundamental and vital to democracy. "It serves as a bulwark and an antidote to any abuse of authority . . . . It is our life blood," he said.
As was pointed out, this declaration ignores national borders and belongs to everyone.
Many media houses, broadcast houses and publishers pay dearly, often with their lives and livelihood, to carry out and practice these rights, which are sometimes very easily agreed to by governments, but ignored at any whim and fancy when it seems not to suit their questionable interests.
The President of the Barbados Nation Publishing Company said: "While some governments are committed on paper to the concept of freedom of the media, their actions sometimes suggest they are uncomfortable with the idea imparted and they want to be in control of all information at all times."
Right here in Montserrat, this only newspaper has struggled to continue in the face of very difficult circumstances, recently only with financial support from those who saw the absolute necessity of its importance and continuity. It was seen as a necessary and legal instrument that supports even the legal structure of the country and offers a voice to those who wish to use it as a means of expressing their opinions and desires. It is available to anyone who is straightforward and does not wish or try to slander or libel anyone.
Unfortunately that support has been substantially reduced, and it is evident that the reason is that we are often too critical of the actions of those directly responsible for the management of matters impinging directly on our lives in Montserrat. This same source explains that is for these same reasons why people died rather than being provided the facility to receiving the full education of the killer hazards and certain aspects of the volcano via television.
It is important that we do not surrender to the notion that freedom of the press is a right granted out of the benevolence of the government of the day.
Important also, is that we understand who, what, where and how is our Government! We need to open our eyes in all quarters to see that there is much hypocrosy and the coninuance of the status quo. Until we do that let the cap fit who wishes to wear it.
Even Among Scientists, Some Say What Paymaster Demands to Hear
To the Editor:
We on Montserrat have been inundated by what 'The Scientist Says.' Our lives have been disrupted, homes damaged, business and social lives destroyed by Scientist Says.
Let us consider, what is science and what is a scientist.
Science is a method of thinking, nothing more. Its goal is to discover truths about the world we live in. The method is direct observation. Originally only the five senses were available – sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Additional information could be gathered by instruments that extended our senses, such as microscopes, telescopes, seismographs, etc.
What is a scientist? A scientist is a human being who uses this method to gain knowledge. But there is more. He/she is expected to know what others have discovered in a chosen field and he/she must be able to interpret the data presented by the instruments.
Right there are two sources of major errors, (1) inadequate background and experience and (2) mistakes in the meanings of instrument data. The greatest source of error lies in the fact that scientists are human beings and subject to all the strengths and weaknesses of the species. Scientists may be brilliant or dull, accurate or sloppy, dedicated or indifferent and, most important of all, honest or dishonest. Many are dedicated to the search for truth. Others distort or even invent findings to gain other goals, such as money, fame, job security or Caribbean vacations.
The volcanologists have made many errors and distortions. Careful to hide behind the screen of volcanoes’ unpredictability, they nevertheless have predicted many disasters – most of which didn’t happen.
We were threatened with hot mud flows. We got cold, muddy water. Red hot rocks might crash through buildings. Pumice floated down. Searing surges might wipe out Salem. None surged. And there was the warning of a dread ejection column collapse, enough to make the bravest man shudder.
Some predictions may have been honest error, perhaps the non-happening collapse of Galloways Wall and its tidal ripple. (What was inexcusable about that incident was the MVO’s refusal to allow the French scientists to review the data. Any honest scientist welcomes other scientist’s interest and opinions. The MVO released the data only after pressure from Paris and London. This violates the very foundation of scientific integrity.)
We have seen aircraft flying over Montserrat, including jets. An ex-pat who works for a major airline noted that the caution to planes must have been lifted. He asked a member of the MVO, "Did you lift the caution to the airlines?" She replied, "Yes we did, on March 30." In the April 18 interview Dr. Aspinall was asked about this. He feigned ignorance and said it must have been an administrative mix-up. Jets are not sent out on administrative mix-ups.
Every volcanic event has been interpreted by the scientists as a disaster, the very worst case scenario. On the basis of death-and-destruction "maybes" the government, for the good of the people, you know, orders people to move to situations of intolerable living conditions, near non-existent sanitary facilities and rife with the very real possibility of disease epidemics.
There is little reason to hope for any change in policy from the MVO. They are ordered to advocate a No-Risk policy, no matter the cost or stupidity. No matter how much we regret and resent their improbable predications, at least we know this is ordered. They are like Hired Guns.
Beverly Kleeb
Montserrat Credit Union Receives Donation from Irish Counterpart
The Montserrat Credit Union this week received an initial grant of US$70,000 from its sister organization in Ireland. Two representatives of the European organization were on hand to make the donation at a handing over ceremony.
The Reporter understands that a total amount of US107,000 will eventually be donated to the local credit union. Roselyn Cassell-Sealy, director of the local branch, received the donation on its behalf.
Scores of People Join Massive Salem Cleanup
Salem received a major facelift Monday as scores of islanders volunteered to join "Salemites" in an effort to rid the village of litter and piles of ash.
More than six truckloads of bottles, tins and ash were carted out of Salem as a result of the efforts of nearly 70 persons.
Organizers of the cleanup told reporters they were very pleased with the outcome. Some said they feel Salem should be re-opened for occupation. It was evacuated and declared unsafe last August.
Clarence Greaves, one of the organizers, said: "I am very pleased to see the turnout today of 60 to 70 persons. Everybody has picks, shovels and wheel barrows cleaning up the place. The next thing I think we should do is clean up the park so that people could go down there and play, especially with the low level of Olveston, Old Road Beach and other places.
"We cannot continue to depend on the British and the government. We have to do something for ourselves. We cannot continue in this crisis mode all the time. We have got to move on; we have a country to build."
The Honourable Reuben Meade, Parliamentary representative for the area, also expressed his appreciation for the effort. He said there are plans to clean the park and host a competitive game in the near future.
Montserrat Christian Council’s New Office Soon To Be Finished
The Montserrat Christian Council (MCC) will soon move into permanent headquarters in St. Peters.
The wooden structure, which is being erected by the Montserrat Defense Force and funded by the Department For International Development and its loal Aid Management Office, is nearing completion. The unfinished structure is at present being used as a temporary shelter for visiting volunteer teams from California.
The building is also designed with a storage area and is expected to be the administrative office of an agricultural project, which is expected to begin soon.
U.S. Student Volunteers Arrive to Help Montserrat
Twelve students from Pacific University in California arrived in Montserrat Monday to help in community efforts.
They have been helping with the volley ball and basket ball programs and are expected to participate in the UWI Sacred Concert Saturday night.
The concert, part of the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the University of the West Indies, will be held at the Brades Pentecostal Church. Matt Browning, leader of the student group, will deliver the sermon.
The group also will take charge of the Sunday service at the Wesleyan Church in Virgin Islands.
They will also be available to help any interested group or organization. Interested parties are invited to call Claude Browne at 491-4864. Mr. Browne is the Program Manager of Emergency and Development Aid.
Road Resurfacing Begins From Hilltop to Hospital
The Public Works Department, under the leadership of Minister the Honourable Rupert Weekes, is holding to its promises to improve roads in the remaining 12-square-mile section of the island.
Work began Tuesday on resurfacing about five miles of roads. A grader began work on the steep and twisting sections of Fogarty Hill and tar-laying machinery start resurfacing the road from Hilltop to the hospital.
Crews have included weekends on their working schedule, and will continue building curves and gutters.
Health Department Promises Move to the New Dump Site
The refuse dump will be removed from Little Bay to a new site in New Windward, according to the Department of Health.
A topographical survey to determine the best layout for the site will be the first step in developing the new dump site. Some of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory's equipment will be used to expedite the work.
Many have condemned the present dump at Little Bay, immediately below the Davy Hill development, as unhealthy and unsightly.
Food Voucher Program Gets Nod of Satisfaction
Rosalind Armitage, representing the American Desk of the British Red Cross in London, voiced her approval Tuesday of the food voucher program for evacuees in Antigua. Speaking to The Montserrat Reporter, Ms. Armitage said, "I have been involved in the program since November and I have come to see what the program is like on the ground. From what I see it has gone extremely well."
She said she is consulting with the Antigua Red Cross to see what further assistance might be beneficial. She gave no details of what might come from such discussions.
Ms. Armitage said many members of the Montserrat community appreciate and praise the program. "This is a first time food voucher program," she said, "and the feedback we have gotten from the sponsors is that they are very pleased."
The last of 10 distributions was made this week, bringing to 9,500 the number of $75 food vouchers distributed.
Delay of Small Business Program Disappoints Evacuees in Antigua
Hundreds of crisis-fatigued Montserratian evacuees in Antigua are disappointed by the delay of a promised small business program.
The program was announced by top level officials in London as a replacement for the recently concluded relocation packages. It did not start at the end of April as expected.
A flyer put out by Trinidadian consultants of Small Business Company Ltd. simply announced the benefits that will be available when the program starts on June 1.
The flyer included no contact address or telephone number, nor did it explain details of the program.
Scores of frustrated people flocked to the Montserrat information office and DFID headquarters for more information.
The Reporter was unable to reach Heather Tull, chief executive director of Small Business Co. Ltd. Douglas Houston, head of DFID, promised to make more information available by the end of this week.
Attorney General Charles Ekins arrived on island on the 19th
February to take his appointment effective the 18th. February, 1998.
He practiced law in the UK for just under 20 years, during which time he had a successful professional career and served as a judge part time.
Mr. Eakins speaking to Bennette Roach of the Montserrat Reporter said that after nearly two decades in private practice, when the opportunity arose, "to come to Montserrat as the Attorney General, it seemed to me it would be an honour and a privilege to do so."
He said that to say that the volcanic situation in Montserrat didn't feature as a consideration would be unrealistic. "The volcanic activity had received fairly considerable publicity in England, so it would not be a decision I think that anyone would take lightly," he admitted.
He is accompanied here by his wife and they have no children, but once the potential to come to Montserrat had arisen, "we made enquiries of people who had been here. We received frank assessments from them about the tragedy caused by the volcano, the disruption that the volcano causes, the discomfort that on a day-to-day basis it could cause when the wind is in the wrong direction and there is a quantity of ash falling, the difficulties everyone on island faces in terms of living," he explained.
The new Attorney General who replaces Mrs. Gerthel Thom, said he had heard some kind things. "What we also heard was that despite the tragedy Montserrat remained a very beautiful island; that despite what we might have read in the newspapers in England, there was a life and a very good life in Montserrat; and above all what we have heard was that the people of Montserrat were amongst the warmest, friendliest and most resilient people."
Asked whether there have been surprises or disappointments, he responded: "Of the assessments given to us by the people we had spoken to, they were all extremely accurate. The nicest surprise I suppose, if one can put it like that, is that other than the first two weeks we were on island when there was some very light ashing, the volcano has appeared at least for the time being to have quieted a bit and that has been a very pleasant surprise."
Mr. Ekins finds the work, "very different to the work in which I was principally engaged in the UK. The enormous breadth and variety of the work an attorney general has to undertake is to that extent a very real contrast to life as a private lawyer."
He said that the work was unfamiliar and extremely hard work to start with at first. But upon the arrival a legal draftsman, "he has been a very valuable assistant.
"But above all," he said, "it has been my staff who have, I am glad to say eased me into the job." He poured praise on his staff and said that he finds the job extremely challenging, very varied and extremely interesting. He has a one-year contract, but asked if he would stay for an extended period said: "I can say unequivocally at this point in time, and I speak for my wife, if the opportunity arises to extend we will."
The Reporter wishes the very best to the new Attorney General and his wife Julia.
Statement by H E the Acting Governor, Dr, Howard Fergus
Rumours abound and wishes and statements are made, so the discussions are
strong and most favouring the return of residents particularly to Salem following the
quite period being reported at Sourfriere Hills.
In addition to a joint statement by His Excellency the acting Governor Dr. Howard Fergus and the honourable Chief Minister David Brandt, The acting Governor recorded a statement at ZJB which has been aired several times over. It first appeared on May 6, 1998, and spoke firstly to the Labor Day clean-up of Salem centre.
Dr. Fergus statement which was actually an appeal for patience and adherence to authority, while asking people not to re-settle in Salem, continued:
"The leaders might be congratulated for their initiative. And if the actions were carried out in a different manner, it would have to be regarded as a noble act and model social action. In fact, I am sure that many of the participants rendered their services in very good faith, and I congratulate those persons.
But there are other principles, such as the rule of law and the adherence to regulations laid down by duly constituted authority, and these principles are vital for the preservation of civil society. With this in mind, I have some concern that the decision to take large numbers of people into Salem was taken without proper consultation with the authorities, and contrary to existing regulations, even though the people were doing a good deed.
Some persons have even criticized us for allowing it, but I take responsibility for the compromise. I did so to avoid confrontation, which at this particular time would not have achieved anything positive. It was not weakness, and I will do whatever I think is prudent in a given circumstance. Let that be very clear. I am, however, concerned even more that the trek into Salem does not give the people of Salem the wrong idea, and send the wrong signal to Salemites at home and abroad. Although Salem is likely to be the first district to be reinhabited when it is ascertained or judged that the volcano has taken a definite downturn, it is premature to move now, based on the advice of the scientists and on the recent scientific review which took place in the United Kingdom.
I therefore appeal to the law-abiding people of Salem and indeed Cork Hill to refrain from resettling there unless they are duly authorized to do so. And on this note, I wish to appeal to those persons who are going into Trants and Long Ground to desist, because those places are still legally out of bounds.
As a Montserratian I am one of those persons who would like to return to Olveston or Richmond Hill, but I do not wish to be in breach of the regulation, especially when they are based on the best technical advice available to us. And I must warn that the announcement of a cricket match at Salem is premature and wrong, to say the very least. I have stood alongside three chief ministers during the governance of this crisis, and from the outset the watchword, the slogan, yea the guiding and overriding principle was to err on the side of caution. It has always been said that the people’s safety was paramount. Let me say that this has not changed, and government still has the solemn and onerous responsibility to protect the life and limb of the people while an inferno is still active underneath those unsuspecting mountains and a menacing dome still towers above us.
It is with this in mind that I issue this warning and request your patience. All of us have been schooled, chastened and hopefully disciplined by what this volcano has done. I am speaking to you not in some theoretical manner but out of the crucible of experience. Some of the actions I have taken in the past to have people escape danger based on scientific advice have been strongly criticized, and on two occasions in particular, the volcano itself – and let me say, unfortunately – answered those criticisms with fire and death. I have these incidents well documented.
I hope the volcano is losing steam. Personally, I am cautiously optimistic, but I do not want to be proved right in a wrong way, in a destructive way. In this case, until the wolf is killed or rendered toothless, I would rather cry wolf even if nothing happens. I appeal to all Montserratians for your cooperation. Let us work together for the common good and for the safety of all. Thank you very much."
GOVERNMENT HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
The Acting Governor, HE Dr Howard Fergus, CBE, and the Chief Minister, Hon David Brandt, issued the following joint statement Wednesday:
"The Senior Scientists associated with monitoring the Volcano on Montserrat met in Nottingham, England a few weeks ago to review the December 1997 scientific assessments of the likely course of the eruption and the hazards it posed for the population. Attached to this statement is a summary of the key points to emerge from the Nottingham meeting. The scientists believe that it is too early to conclude that the volcano is in decline and it is probable there will be further significant eruptions. They point to the fact that the "Boxing Day" collapse was the largest event of the eruption so far. They therefore recommend against any change in the present zoning arrangements. However, should the volcano remain quiet they suggest that the next scientific review be brought forward from October to mid-July when they will be able to better judge the significance of this period of inactivity. We call on those wishing to return to their homes in the Exclusion Zone to be patient. The Government of Montserrat is keenly aware that people are anxious to resume their normal lives at the earliest opportunity but their safety must be our paramount concern.
The Government will keep the situation under constant review and when it is safe to do so, assuming the present lull in activity continues, will aim to allow former residents of Salem/Old Towne daytime access, under controlled conditions, to clean and repair their properties. However, to do this we will need to be sure that arrangements for the rapid evacuation of the area are in place in case there is a dangerous increase in activity (this could happen with little or no warning). The Emergency Department, working closely with the other lead agencies, has now drawn up a plan to cope with an immediate evacuation of areas south of Lawyers River. This plan will be made available to the public this week together with a guide to residents.
We are concerned that more people are entering the Exclusion Zone, in particular areas south of the Belham Valley, without permission. Although the volcano is quiet at the moment there is, as we have said, still a chance of a rapid resumption of dangerous activity. It is possible that further devastating events might occur and during heavy rains there is also a danger of hot mud flows. There are no grounds at present for changing the Exclusion Zone boundaries or the rules of entry. People with a justifiable need to enter the Exclusion Zone must apply to the Police.
Residents are reminded that if at any time the sirens sound this indicates that volcanic activity is increasing and that everyone must listen to radio or TV for instructions. The sirens will be tested every Wednesday at 3 p.m.
We repeat, the situation will be kept under review and the public informed immediately of any changes."
New Playing Field Underway at Carrs Bay
The Sports Department is leading the way in reviving sports on Montserrat.
The Department, under the leadership of Sports Officer Fitzroy Buffonge, is developing a new playing field in the north of the island.
Due to the volcanic eruptions that began in July 1995, 95 per cent of sporting facilities in the south of the island are either destroyed or inaccessible, including Sturge Park, the main sporting arena in Plymouth.
Following concerns about the lack of sporting and recreational activities in the safe north of the island, the Government of Montserrat purchased an area of land at Carrs Bay to be developed as a new playing field.
The site is adjacent to the fuel storage facility and will be used primarily for football and athletics.
Sports Officer Fitzroy Buffonge said he is impressed with last weekend’s response by the public to the grassing of the field. Mr. Buffonge issued a similar appeal to sportsmen, sportswomen, and members of the general public to continue the grass-planting exercise on Saturday, May 9. He said getting the ground ready in the shortest possible time requires a national effort.
Gerard Gray, Chief Environment Officer, is supervising the project. He said devil grass will be used to give the field a lush, green, even look. Mr.Gray said he expects the field will drain well, and does not anticipate any erosion problems.
Long-term plans for the area include the erection of floodlights, bleachers and changing rooms.
There are plans for other sporting centers in the North.
Noting the importance of sporting activities and physical exercise for health and recreational purposes Chief Minister the Honourable David Brandt announced in his 1998 budget that two volleyball centers will be constructed at Brades and Little Bay. He also announced that a netball court will be built at Brades.
Police Invite Public to Check Stolen Goods They Recovered
Since the evacuation of Plymouth and surrounding areas, there have been numerous complaints of burglary, theft and vandalism of homes in the Exclusion Zone on Montserrat. On April 29, 1998, the police executed a search warrant on the premises occupied by a couple in Virgin Islands, St. Peters.
Several truckloads of property were taken away and are on display at the St. Peter's and Cudjoe Head Police Stations, where the general public have been invited to visit these stations to make any positive identifications.
Police report that to date several items have already been identified. Among those making identifications have been at least two major businesses that operated in Plymouth. Police also confirmed that among the items are some obtained from earlier recoveries.
Following the raid, three persons were charged with burglary. They have been remanded in custody for one week, following appearance before Acting Magistrate Collin Meade on April 30.
Police say they are continuing investigations into the thefts.
Barbados, CANA - In a move that's good news for the Caribbean travel trade, the Caribbean News Agency is today joining forces with US marketing and consulting company LFL International Inc. to launch a Caribbean News and Travel Information Channel on America Online and its African-American subsidiary, NetNoir. America Online is the largest Internet Access Provider in the world, with over 11 million users, boasting more subscribers than the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today and LA Times combined. "There isn't a better opportunity for Caribbean Tourism in the North American market," said CANA's General Manager, Trevor Simpson, yesterday.
Jamaica, CANA - Cuba's Ambassador to Jamaica, Elvina Santos, has said that her country will not accept any interference in its internal affairs in order to draw closer to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Santos comments, as reported in the Observer newspaper follows a regional journalists resolution last weekend calling on CARICOM governments to make freedom of the press a condition for including Cuba in the grouping. The resolution followed assertions by the leadership of the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) that a free press is non-existent in Cuba.
Guyana, CANA - Foreign Ministers of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are to discuss Haiti's participation in the Single Market and Economy when they meet in Suriname next week, a spokesman said yesterday. CARICOM Secretariat spokesman Leonard Robertson said that now Haiti has settled on a prime minister the government would be in a better position to discuss participation in CARICOM's various customs and trading regimes. The Single Market and Economy is the name of a proposed economic link of CARICOM member nations.
Jamaica, CANA - A former junior minister in the National Security and Justice Ministry Carl Miller has been appointed to head an anti-harassment tourism programme, Tourism Minister Francis Tulloch said Tuesday in parliament. Tulloch, speaking during the annual sectoral debate, said Miller would be asked to liaise with a variety of agencies to contain visitor harassment. The activities of pimps, touts, prostitutes and hustlers who frequent Jamaica's north and west coast resort areas attempting to sell visitors any and everything including sex, drugs and trinkets, constitute a huge threat to the island's billion U.S. dollar tourism sector, industry leaders say.
Barbadian drug trafficker jailed
Guyana, CANA - A Barbadian woman caught attempting to smuggle 862 grammes of cocaine through a Guyana airport was jailed for three years Monday after she pleaded guilty. Acting Chief Magistrate Paul Fung-a-Fat also fined Coreen Braithwaite, 25, of Church Village, St Phillip, Guy10,000 (US70) dollars. Braithwaite begged to be deported because she has a two-year old child and the magistrate advised her to petition the Minister of Home Affairs for an early deportation.
by Thomas E. Mowry
'Shanty Town' at Geralds Park
For the third time I toured most of the shelters being used to house those people forced to evacuate from the southern half of the island. I first visited the shelters in November of 1996, the second time in August of 1997, and again just recently.
Aside from there being fewer people, as so many people had left intolerable conditions in the shelters for neighboring islands and Great Britain, I could discover few if any substantive improvements. Conditions continue to be appallingly bad. No official from Britain who has visited the shelters has found anything positive to say about the shelters. Even Robin Cook said the shelters were "unacceptable."
What a pathetically weak description for the conditions of the shelters, and he did not even see conditions in the worst shelters. He probably did not know about the continuing lack of sufficient garbage and trash containers; about the lack of government supplied cooking gas, forcing shelter occupants to purchase their own gas or charcoal, or gather wood for cooking; about the lack of privacy, which forces a family consisting of a grandmother, a mother, a father, and three female children from the ages of 13 to 17 to share the same open room with two single men not related to them; about vermin-infested cook shacks with bare plywood counters that soak up meat and chicken residue to become breeding grounds for salmonella.
Robin Cook, apparently like the Montserrat Health Department, might shrug these off because Montserratians have no reason to expect the same stringent standards that would be not only demanded but also enforced in Britain and other developed countries.
But conditions in shelters visited by people like Robin Cook, His Royal Highness the Duke of York, and others are nothing in comparison to conditions in a development I call the Gerald's Park slum, created by government officials only a 60-second walk from the heliport where people like Robin Cook landed.
To call it a government-sponsored slum is putting too positive a name to it. Apparently this development cannot be called a shelter, even though people living in these houses had to move from the south and are no different than the evacuees from the south living in the "recognized" shelters. Only the worst kind of bureaucratic hair-splitting could allow this distinction to exist. This slum is as much a responsibility of the government as the recognized shelters. Even though the conditions in recognized shelters are "unacceptable," there can be no question the people in Gerald's Park deserve at least as much as do those living in a recognized shelter.
Nevertheless, if people in Gerald's Park want electricity, they have to pay for it. If they want cooking gas, they have to purchase it. They do not receive the government allotment of chicken, meat, and vegetables that goes to people living in official shelters. They do receive $20 to $40 extra a month, but anyone with two brain cells to rub together knows this additional money could in no way pay for the amount of food, cooking gas, electricity and other items that are provided free to people in recognized shelters.
In this government slum there are 40 houses, which have been moved here from the danger zone. I have been informed that even more houses may be moved here from the danger zone; that these houses do not meet the minimal requirements for houses on Montserrat; that there is a minimal size requirement, which these houses do not meet; that houses must have flush toilets, which these houses do not have.
Has the Legislative Council passed some type of bill setting aside the laws of Montserrat? If not, why are the laws of Montserrat knowingly being subverted?
Does this mean that people being housed in this government slum do not deserve equal protection under the laws of Montserrat? Yet, even beyond the law, why are officials involved in the development of this shameful slum?
I could discover only three standpipes where the approximately 60 occupants of this government slum could collect buckets of water for their use. I could find no trash/garbage barrels. I could find only four chemical toilets. From the smell I cannot believe that chemical water is being provided for these toilets, although I was informed the government is quite good about pumping out these toilets.
There were 10 shower stalls for the use of these people. No cook shacks, laundry tubs, gas stoves or refrigerators have been provided. According to the people I spoke with, most of them cannot afford to purchase cooking gas, so they must cook over wood fires.
But to save the worst for last, there are 40 pit toilet enclosures provided for the people. For some reason, 11 of these have been permanently closed. In light of the lack of other facilities, one might ask why so many pit toilets stand all in a row over one long, shallow pit.
During the first evacuations, when the Royal Marines were here, these toilets were installed in Gerald's Park at a time when it was expected that the entire population might be evacuated off island. The Gerald's Park area was intended to be used for only two days as a staging area for a full-scale evacuation. The expectation was that there would be many thousands of people moving through this staging area and that many toilets would be needed to serve them.
Because these toilets were only to be temporary, the pits were not dug deeply. Three years later, these same "temporary" toilets are still being used to serve the people in this government-sponsored slum. When there is a heavy rain, the pits of the toilets fill up with rain water and the contents of the pits float out all over the ground. As one of the inhabitants of the Gerald's Park slum so succinctly put it, "When it rains, you got to walk through it, to do it." These government-built toilets are the responsibility of the government, yet according to the people forced to use them, never, to their knowledge, have these pit toilets been pumped out nor has anything like lye powder been provided to try and lessen their smell. The filth and unhealthy condition of the toilets are so intolerable that many of the people go into the bushes to relieve themselves. Naturally, this increases the probability for diseases like cholera becoming a permanent part of the Montserrat ecosystem.
I have been informed that the government agency most responsible for overseeing this slum is the Community Development Department, which is under -- would you believe? – the Health Department, which is under the Ministry of Health and Education. Is it not the obligation of the Montserrat Health Department to eradicate unhealthy, disease-producing conditions? Possibly it is because they are, in a sense, the slum landlords that the Montserrat Health Department has not required the government, which is ultimately responsible for these conditions, to change them.
I do not know what other agencies or individuals are responsible, be they the EOC, the Governor, or others, but in my opinion the Health Department should meet its responsibilities as a Health Department and stop being a slum landlord. It should give government officials above them an ultimatum that the conditions in the Gerald's Park slum must be improved immediately. It should give the government one week to build sufficient flush toilets for the inhabitants of its Gerald's Park slum or, at the end of one week, the Health Department should destroy and fill in the pit toilets.
Of course, that would be expecting a government agency to act responsibly, to fulfill its moral, if not legal, obligations rather than compliantly going along with a situation that is, in my opinion, inhuman. It would be expecting that government officials responsible for the Gerald's Park slum would never have allowed such conditions to exist in the first place. One cannot help but become disgusted with any government, be it British, Montserratian, CARICOM, or whatever, that sits around and allows these conditions to exist.
I have spoken to individuals who have some responsibility for this slum. They have told me of some of the causes for the problems that exist in the slum. These same individuals have informed me there are improvements "in the pipeline." Just how long is this pipeline? Just how many years will this government slum continue to deteriorate before such "improvements" finally dribble out the end of the pipeline?
These individuals also informed me that there are plans for returning Gerald's Park to its original purpose for playing cricket and football. No one could argue against the need for a place for the people to participate in sports. However, in addition to moving the heliport, this would mean that the Gerald's Park slum would also have to be moved. To where? Will the conditions be improved, or will they be even worse? For that matter, could the houses survive another move?
It does not matter one whit what the causes for the problems are. The results are that people are being taken advantage of, being forced to live in disgusting conditions. Possibly this is asking too much. Possibly this is asking for a Golden Elephant? The answer can only be no, and I can only beg those responsible to stop giving reasons and excuses for doing nothing. Don't make excuses, change the conditions. Change them now!
Sadly, however, the evidence shows that nothing has been done to improve the conditions in the shelter that Robin Cook visited and found to be "unacceptable." I can only believe that those people responsible for the conditions of the shelters, the Gerald's Park slum in particular, have no intention of improving those conditions. I can only conclude that the officials responsible for the shelters, and who have made almost no improvements in the shelters, should long ago have resigned in shame because of the shameful conditions they have so shamefully allowed to exist.
By 'Man From Baker Hill'
To understand why Montserrat continues to struggle with itself during this volcanic crisis, I searched for and pursued common sense vigorously.
Common sense entertained and enlightened me. Common sense explained to me that in spite all the help and goodwill given to Montserrat over the past three years we have become confused and without focus. We are inflamed with a passion to make money out of the crisis rather than to pursue a realistic hope, that is, an expectation of things possible though not yet achieved.
Common sense said that it is the pursuance to achieve a realistic goal which all of us believe in that will help Montserrat to survive this crisis. That realistic goal is to share and enjoy with each other what is left of Montserrat in a fair and orderly way. Common sense dictates this goal can only be achieved through "Land Reform" and the equitable system of land redistribution; which would guarantee property rights for generations of our children.
Common sense, therefore, is the essence of all human endeavors. It is embodied in survival, and the realisation of hopes and goals, national and personal. Common sense is seen in obedience, in kindness, in friendliness and in good manners. It is also seen in the general effort to understand the basic needs of one another and to help each other fulfill those needs.
The lack of common sense is displayed each time we blame someone else for not doing enough to relieve us from the pressure of the volcano. None of us has done nearly as much as we could have done in this crisis. Common sense requires that leaders of Montserrat, political, commercial and social, create and put in place structures and systems that will allow all Montserratians to fulfill hopes and goals, structures that we may not be able to appreciate today, but which are good for us. We may not have been able to appreciate the structures because we are unfamiliar or inexperienced or because we do not understand how things are done. Structures that would create urban development for the permanently displaced persons. Systems of financial services which would turn vast sums of money circulating in Montserrat into wealth.
Leaders with yesterday's vision are only good for the twilight hours, and we have gone way past noontime in our development. Yesterday's vision that everybody must own a piece of land cannot help us in this volcanic crisis. As a matter of fact yesterday's vision cannot help us to survive tomorrow. The truth is that leaders with yesterday's vision will not be willing to change or to learn new ways of doing things.
Common sense says that by not making land reform the issue, we lost the opportunity to impact ourselves on the children of Montserrat. We also lost generations of our children and possibly the opportunity for our own survival.
Common sense therefore declares that it cannot be business as usual with free enterprise the sale of land. Because privilege of property rights will be sold only to the man with the money who is waiting to purchase land for speculation. Common sense dictates that Montserrat put in place structures and systems for land reform. We must change from the old ways of creating rights to property. And if we do not understand how to create the structures and systems we must seek help in a humble way.
Truly, it is common sense that sets apart an otherwise simple, successful and wealthy people from educated, unsuccessful people with money.
By the Editors of Men's Health Books
Relationships are hard work. We know, we've been down that road a few times ourselves. We've even taken breaks on the side of the road, sitting there shaking our heads in disbelief over the last thing our woman did or said. That was before we dug up the reasons why she does the things she does. (If you haven't already, may we recommend you follow each week the flip-side for those very answers we've discovered.)
You may also think that women are intuitively better at being lovers. They seem to just know (at least more than we do). Well, chances are she hasn't cracked the code entirely. In fact, we've caught more than one woman repeating the same word over and over to herself: "Men!" (Followed by an exasperated sigh.) Like us: "Women!" (Head shake. Sigh.)
That's why the editors at Men's Health Books developed this section. We wanted you to know exactly what questions she asks about you. Sneaky editors that we are, we crept up close to hear our own wives and girlfriends talking about us on the phone when they thought we were in the next room watching the ballgame on TV. We squirreled ourselves away in the dark corners of the local pub while women at the next table gabbed away about their relationships. (It was quite the sacrifice to be trapped in a bar for hours on end, we know. But we willingly did it for you, our loyal readers.) We even pulled out our mailbag of letters written by women (these are your women, you realize) and took informal survey of our female co-workers.
And now we give it all to you. Their queries, complaints, and perplexities over the infuriating things men do. But not to leave you hanging, we explore the answers to their questions and give you experts' tips, our research, and sometimes just experience from (gasp) our mistakes with women -- to help you with your own relationships. So that you know what to say the next time she does that sigh/head shake thing. Or when you overhear a group of women exclaim, "Why does he do that?" you can sidle up and say, "Well actually, ladies..."
In the coming weeks the Montserrat Reporter will feature articles following the above introduction. We will discuss such things as Fear of Flunking, The Manly Way of Opening Up, Learn to Last Longer, Give and Take, and Communication.
And we will not leave the Ladies side out of this equation.
In the end every guy has probably had moments of profound sympathy for old Dr. Freud, when he muttered those famous words:
"The great question, which I have not been able to answer despite my 30 years of research into the feminine soul, is, what does a woman want?"
Well, maybe that's the wrong question. (At least, that's the wrong question for the average guy simply trying to make a relationship work, not aspiring to become the Father of Modern Psychology.) That's because she's already telling you what she wants.
Eh? Come again? "I have never had a woman clearly spell it out for me before," you're thinking. So what gives? For starters, you have to pay close attention to her actions, read her body signals, listen to her talk. Her reactions to what you currently do (or don't do) for her are already telling you what actions you need to take to satisfy her. If you're like most guys, you've never quite been able to figure out why she does the things she does. And since you can't figure her out, you certainly won't be able to figure out how to give her what she wants. That's where we come in.
We start with the question and go from there. We've discovered that you can ditch good ol' Dr. Freud's theories on women. (Nice try, Siggy.) In our humble opinion, asking what do women want is really just a way of avoiding the only question that really matters: Why does she do that?!
If you can figure that out, you're golden.
By Psychiatric Nurse Donoghue
The condition of being chronically dependent on alcohol or of harming oneself or others by a chronic alcoholic intake.
There are no one clear criteria for alcoholism, but people are usually considered to be alcoholics if their drinking impairs their health, their work, or their relations with others, particularly their immediate family.
Some alcoholics do not drink every day, but indulge in sustained bouts from time to time.
The Gamma Alcoholic: Loses self control (in addition to having increase tolerance and withdrawal symptoms on quitting).
The Delta Alcoholic: Does not lose control but develops withdrawal symptoms as nausea, sweating, anxiety, irritability, tremors (the shakes) and depressed mood. Chronic heavy drinking people develop tolerance to alcohol and require larger doses to obtain the same effect.
The trap Questionnaire:
Answering "Yes" to one or more questions indicates that alcohol Abuse is likely
Need Help! Please call 491-3879.
In last week's (May 1, 1998) front page story , it was the intention to include the photographs of all members of the Legislative Council present at the budget debate.
The photograph of the Hon. Bertrand B. Osborne, former Chief Minister was omitted in error.
Apologies are accordingly offered to the honourable gentleman and our readers. Readers familiar with the process of production, especially apart from the difficult circumstances of production when the Editor is not on hand to see the final output before printing, will understand how easy it is to commit these errors.
Other pictures omitted were the Hon. Attorney General Charles Ekins, whose picture was unavailable at the time, and the Hon. John Osborne, who did not attend the Council meeting.
In the April 3, 1998 edition of The Montserrat Reporter there was an article "Dump Those Abandoned Cars In The Sea? .... ." The text contained two inaccuracies concerning SEA WOLF DIVING SCHOOL and Wolf Krebs as follows:
1: Sea Wolf Diving School, previously located in Plymouth, continues to operate from Woodlands. The operation of the dive shop was never interrupted.
2: While it is true that Mr. Krebs is trying to set up a veterinary practice on Montserrat, he was not attached to the Ministry of Agriculture at the time.
After volunteers tidied up Salem,
What did they think t’would avail them?
Our pro tempore Gov,
In an act of tough love,
Promptly went on the air to bewail them.
This week Government House released 9 key points arising out of the Soufriere Hills Volcano Scientific Re-Assessment of the Activity and Risk analysis.
We asked the Montserrat Volcano Observatory Scientists a few questions to which Dr. Willy Aspinal kindly responded on the key points presented here for you. We feel that the answers are sometimes a bit technical and will seek further explanations later.
Point 2. Since early March, the dome has no longer been growing perceptively and the level of earthquake activity has been very low. However some ground movement and some small scale seismic activity continue to be recorded.
Question: How does "some ground movement and some small scale activity" compare with pre-July 1995 monitoring?
Answer: The "small scale SEISMIC activity" which has being recorded through late March-early April was at a level higher (in terms of average numbers of events per day) than would be generally expected from the long-term experience, prior to the present eruption (although there were occasions in the very recent years leading up to the eruption when short-term swarm activity, peaked at higher levels than that currently being seen). It is fair to say that the present level of activity, i.e. of order 10 volcano tectonic earthquakes in 24 hours, would at any other time have been sufficient to cause the Seismic Unit to take particular interest in the situation; this would be the case if such activity levels were now to be seen occurring at a volcano on another Eastern Caribbean Island, for instance. As extensive exact measurements of ground movement were not made over a long period of time before the present eruption started in Montserrat, it is not possible to make direct comparison with past behaviour. As a consequence, the existence of detectable current movement has to be regarded as a possible indicator of continuing volcanic unrest and hence potential hazard.
Point 3. It is premature to conclude that the eruption is in decline after only a few weeks of repose. Observations suggest that internal pressures in the volcano may still be high. The dome remains very unstable and ground deformation continues. Many dome eruptions on other volcanoes show periods of repose alternating with periods of heightened activity.
Question: If "observations suggest that internal pressure in the volcano may still be high," what is the source of those observations, sight or instrumentation?
With the dome still unstable, what other than rock falls, giving the consequences therefrom, could have serious consequences. Elaborate on what would lead into "heightened activity."
Answer: The suggestion that internal pressure in the volcano may remain elevated at the present time is drawn from a number of strands of suggestive (positive and negative) evidence: observations of continued but fluctuating de-gassing, occasional episodes of so-called "hybrid" seismic activity (which have been linked to previous pressurization episodes during the present eruption); slight inflation of the volcano; the absence of general diffuse "relaxation" VT seismicity around the volcano (such as has been observed at other volcanoes in definite decline); but, most compelling, from actual experience at similar dome-building eruptions elsewhere. That experience shows that physical and mineralogical processes can proceed in the magma stored within a large dome (effectively sealed in by a carapace or skin of colder solidified magma), which quite often lead on to subsequent vigorous or explosive destruction of the dome. Thus, a dome the size of the present one on the Soufriere Hills can easily contain a significant volume of gas-rich magma with the potential to produce an outburst perhaps similar to the intensity of the Boxing Day event. If it re-pressurizes sufficiently, such an event could be provoked by a resurgence of magma intrusion from depth, by crater wall failure (e.g. the heavily loaded Gages Wall), or even by a large nearby regional earthquake (say a repeat of 8 August 1974 Leeward Islands earthquake). Again, experience elsewhere indicates that sequences of dome growth/dome destruction episodes during prolonged volcanic dome-building eruptions such as this, are common. The heightened activity being referred to in this context is such sudden dome- destroying events. However, it is also possible that future activity, if there is any, could take the form of quieter renewed dome growth.
Point 4. The scientific team consider it more probable that there will be further significant eruptions of the volcano, than that the volcanic activity is now in a period of permanent decline. The threat from the major hazards of explosive activity and dome collapse remain, particularly on the northern flank of the volcano.
Question: Why does the probability favor further ‘significant eruptions’ or explosions; and why is the activity more hazardous to the northern flanks, other than it would be of concern to life if people occupy areas closer to the volcano?
Answer: The team considered it slightly more likely that there would be further significant eruptive events than not, principally on the basis of global experience of such eruptions. Another way of putting this is to say that such reactivation of our volcano would come as no surprise to a volcanologist. The mention of the threat posed by further eruptive activity on the northern flanks is to make it clear that an event similar to the Boxing Day eruption cannot be precluded from other sectors of the volcano where significant dome loading and old crater wall weaknesses may exist (e.g. Gages Wall, or the section of crater wall above Farrells) - given the present population distribution, it is only an outbreak of this type in this particular direction which would pose any risk to life and limb, and is therefore of specific concern for the civil authorities at this time. This is not to say there cannot be a repeat surge or flow out to St. Patrick’s or down Tar River, but their potential for endangering life outside the exclusion zone is regarded as negligible.
Point 5. Even with no further eruptions the volcano will remain hazardous over the next six months to two years from volcanic mud-flows, landslides triggered by non-volcanic processes and volcanic dust in the southern parts of Montserrat.
Question: Does this posit that the area south of Belham Bridge will be officially inaccessible for two years? What factors control the timing in this regard other than the last sentence in Point 3?
Answer: On this point, the scientific team draw attention to the potential hazard; it is up to the Government to determine official policy in respect of accessibility. The time reference)"over the next 6 months to 2 years") is included to give decision-makers some feel for the time-scale for which they need to plan — envisaging a serious risk of mudflows for at least the next two hurricane seasons, for instance. Of course, circumstances might change within that time frame, and it is much more difficult to provide meaningful guidance on the very long-term outlook.
Point 6. The scientific team recommends a cautious approach. They do not recommend an immediate change of the risk zonation map. The revised risk analysis gives only a modest decrease in risk levels. It is not sufficiently different from the analysis in December 1997 to justify any change in zonation.
Question: If the revised risk analysis shows only a modest decrease in risks from those foreseen in the December report, is this new risk analysis the scientists’ consensus view or one reassessed by the chief scientific adviser?
Answer: The April Keyworth risk assessment comprises an "update" of the Antigua assessment (rather than a "new" analysis), taking into account the latest observations, behaviour of the volcano in the intervening period, and new research results. The updating is done by a combination of open discussions amongst the scientists of issues and structured elicitation of their expert opinions, by which the probabilities used for the risk analysis are adjusted in the light of the latest information, including, for instance, changes to population numbers and their distribution on Montserrat. On this occasion the updating has not been passed through the HMG Chief Scientist Adviser before submission to the two governments. It is also worth clarifying that the MVO documents reporting the Antigua hazard and risk assessments were the work solely of the MVO team and did not incorporate any contribution from the CSA — he presented his own view separately, after a briefing by the Antigua group.
Point 8. Any re-occupation must be planned with the awareness that a volcano of this kind can commonly erupt again after months or years of repose and that escalation to dangerous levels can take place very rapidly.
Question: If this volcano "can commonly erupt again after months or years of repose," which Caribbean island is a model to which we can look to find how long it will be before timidity gives way to a rational acceptance of risk and a return to a more normal way of life?"
Answer: The only well-documented recent historical precedents in the Eastern Caribbean are the quite similar episodes in Martinique 1902-03 and 1929-1932, and the somewhat different eruptions in St. Vincent 1971-72 and 1979, where water from a large crater lake was implicated in the later explosive eruption mechanism. Work is under way to investigate how many other well-documented dome-building eruptions might be available from elsewhere to give guidance on this aspect of the future behaviour of our volcano.
Question: Will the more detailed report to issue shortly be similar to the three-part report of December or will it be a single report in which all differences of scientific opinion will be homogenized to conceal any meaningful debate?
Answer: The "more detailed report", to be finalised shortly, will be a much shorter document than either of the two (not three) MVO reports produced from the Antigua meeting (the Keyworth meeting was only two days, compared to more than a week in Antigua). As noted above in respect of Point 6, this latest report will present the updating of essential views and assessments, rather than any substantial new findings.
There were a couple more comments/questions to which answers were given. These will be presented and discussed at a later date.
Jus wonderin, with regards to the following statement, "The last five months since the December 1997 assessment in Antigua have seen the volcano at its highest level of activity this century, and included the major destructive eruption of 26th December 1997." Looking at EVERY MVO report since January 1, 1998, and there are only two days, February 26 and February 28, with over 100 combined earthquakes, not including rock falls, where do they get highest level of activity?
Jus wonderin, if Martinique had been a British dependency in 1902, would the devastated St. Pierre have been reoccupied and rebuilt before 1935?
Jus wonderin why permission is necessary to enter the exclusion zone, when it is not being denied except when the desire is to remain for extended periods.
Jus wonderin why civil servants are encouraged to return to Montserrat when only five houses are being made available to them.
Jus wonderin where the jobs are that the civil servants on no pay leave are to come back to.
Jus wonderin when the next Electoral Boundaries Review will take place.
Jus wonderin who was criticising and encouraging the Speaker to stop people from beginning to clean up Salem.
Jus wonderin how many of us know about the scathing attack on Dr. Ambeh’s management style by the British posse and that a Governor wanted to declare him persona non grata because he refused to toe the British line.
Jus wonderin which was more foolhardy and unsafe, for volunteers to clean up Salem and even play a quiet game of cricket (softball), or for Government to take a group across the pyroclastic flow plains of Trants and Spanish Pointe to get a few head of cattle out of Long Ground.
Jus wonderin why one of our governments is renting Rita’s guest house and keeping it closed when people are still suffering the indignities of shelter life.
Jus wonderin if they could not at least have left Rita’s open for the tourist business or use it to house some of the returning nurses, dislocated junior civil servants still living in schools and churches, or even to house young mothers with little babies to get them away from the shelters.
Jus wonderin if we are not beginning to see some of the social fall-outs and problems in our schools, caused by the extreme lack of concern to Montserratians’ social welfare and economic livelihoods in the guise of preserving lives.
Jus wonderin if the scientists’ volcano report was brought forward because two more months of very low activity would make it very difficult to deny that a major change has occurred in the volcano.
Jus wonderin it is possible we will see another iron gate built close to Rams Emdee supermarket.
Jus wonderin who will be prepared to bear the responsibility...
Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: roachb@candw.ag
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