Queen's Knighthood Applauds Dr. Fergus
Sir Howard Archibald Fergus
The Hon. Dr. Howard Fergus OBE, CBE has been made a
Knight Commander, Order of the British Empire (KBE), the first Montserratian to
have received the award.
The award was among The Queen’s Birthday Honours announced
by Buckingham Palace on June 16 and read that day at Government House in
Montserrat.
The award by her Majesty the Queen recognises Dr. Fergus’
outstanding service to Montserrat, the Caribbean and the Commonwealth as a
whole.
Dr. Fergus has been Speaker of the Legislative Council since
1975, the longest serving Speaker in the Commonwealth. He has announced that he
will be retiring this year, but has been holding the post until his successor is
appointed.
Dr. Fergus has also periodically acted as Governor of the
island since 1976. He was a member of the West Indian Commission (1990-92) and
was a member of the British Virgin Islands Constitutional Commission in 1993. He
was Chairman of the Montserrat Electoral Commissions in 1996 and 2000, and was
Supervisor of Elections in 2001 and for all previous general elections since
1973.
He is still Resident Tutor, University of the West Indies in
Montserrat, and is an active and supportive member of the Commonwealth
Parliamentary Association.
Dr. Fergus "has served in all roles with utmost
distinction," says a release from Government House. "He has worked
tirelessly in the promotion of education and in upholding the principles of
parliamentary democracy. His impartiality, impeccable judgement and dedication
have rightly earned him accolades throughout the region."
He is a respected Historian and poet who has made an outstanding contribution to the arts in Montserrat and has played a leading role in the development of culture on the island.
Sir Howard Voices Gratitude for KBE
By Sir Howard Fergus
"On being asked to comment on the award of the
knighthood, the first thing that comes to my thought is that I did not work to
be honoured but I am nevertheless pleased that some worthwhileness has been
attributed to my life’s work. My
second thought is one of thankfulness to God who has guided and blessed my
career -- both my academic work and my involvement in parliament and governance;
to my wife who provided loyal and unstinting support and a domestic stability
which was indispensable to my saneness and whatever success I attained. I have
often leaned on her wisdom.
"There are so many persons to thank, but I
must not omit former Chief Minister Austin Bramble who, by appointing me
Speaker, initiated an entire adjunct career in public life. I am eternally
grateful to him, to parliamentary colleagues, including the other Chief
Ministers, who are responsible for my longevity in the Speakership -- especially
John Osborne, Bertrand Osborne and Reuben Meade.
"I have also been gifted with committed
staffs at the University and at parliament; and with friends like Mr. D.R.V.
Edwards, on whom I’ve leaned for many a year. My achievement has had a number
of important contributors, including my church fraternity. I would have
floundered without those prayers. The UWI deserves credit also for taking an
enlightened view about the public offices which I have held.
"Let me say, too, that such an honour is
socially useless if the honouree does not seek to help people lift burdens to
help solve problems, as one poet says: ‘To render less the sum of human
wretchedness.’ I hope I can do just that in the little day that I have left.
"Finally, I want to dedicate the award to
the ordinary people of this country considering where I am coming from -- not
just Long Ground. I hope this award gives hope and inspiration to the lowliest
of lowly. It is from there that I have come."
Ministry of
Communications Looks To Old Quaw as Temporary Airport
A memorandum coming from the Ministry of
Communications and Works, dated June 21, 2001, and signed by the Minister Dr.
Lowell Lewis, states, “There exists the possibility of an airport with similar
capacity at the Northern tip of Montserrat commonly referred to as Old Quaw. “
Dr. Lewis states that at Old Quaw, there is a
plateau with dimensions of 1,500 by 800 meters, and that “a dirt road has been
cut to the area with the kind permission of the owners of the surrounding lands
under the supervision and direction of experienced engineers of the Committee
for the Development of Montserrat. This
group has arranged to lease this area, and the Ministry of Communications and
Works will be assisting them in providing what may be a very important aspect of
our disaster management plan.”
Dr. Lewis noted, too, that the director of the
Emergency Centre has been asked to make enquires as to what is “required to
make the area suitable for landing by an aircraft such as the C130. I have also
asked the Manager of the Heliport to arrange quotations and orders for the
equipment needed to collect meteorological data.”
The Minister also states that the engineer of the
regional office of the International Civil Aviation Organisation based in Mexico
will be coming to Montserrat during second week of July to advise on the
likelihood of licensing for airports at bottom Old Quaw and Gerald’s Bottom.
The Executive Council members who have received
this memo, Dr. Lewis said, “will also be asked to approve the provision of
$40,000 for the purchase of meteorological data collection and to provide the
Committee for the Re-development of Montserrat, with up to $200,000 to enable
their organisation to survey and prepare this proposed emergency landing area
for larger aircraft."
This, he says, is because “the population of
Montserrat remains extremely vulnerable at times of severe hurricanes or major
volcanic action . . . since in the past, the ability to land a Hercules aircraft
at William H. Bramble Airport was critical to the provision of emergency
supplies and evacuation of large numbers of people.”
The memorandum concludes, “If the Government of
Montserrat chooses to adopt the Old Quaw initiative, then the appropriate
acquisition of lands, with compensation to the owners, should be considered. A
full proposal for design and construction of a temporary airport in this area is
being prepared and should be ready in time for the September deadline of the EU
Funding Agency.”
"A Queen's Knighthood Confirms Merit Long Known by Montserrat"
Over the past decade and even moons before that
many have received Queen’s birthday honours, and Dr. Howard Archibald Fergus
CBE has been among such award recipients on more than one occasion. But none of
those honours have made Montserratians more proud than Dr. Fergus’ recent
knighthood, for which he now has to travel to Buckingham Palace in London to be
ceremoniously and officially decorated.
Sir Howard's kind and humble nature will no doubt
endure continuing to be called "Dr. Fergus" until the new title comes
easily on the lips of those he meets ordinarily. It will not be for want of
respect or love that this will happen, because like many Montserratians he has
devoted his already long life in service to his country (and the Commonwealth).
Twice each year, at New Year and on the occasion
of her birthday, the Queen bestows honours, and some recipients cannot say that
they have not been challenged by their fellowmen as not deserving. The same
could not be honestly said of Sir Howard. There is no question as he stands out
for his service as acting Governor, resident tutor for the University of the
West Indies, and still serving after 25 years -- and despite his official
retirement -- as Speaker in our parliament.
Perhaps that role will prove most challenging for
those who succeed him, given the laudable example he set in the quarter century
of service for rectitude, fairness and nonpartisanship in his rulings from the
Speaker's chair, under chief ministers of every political stripe.
It is not that he has not been criticized --
perhaps not publicly -- but detractors and others have occasionally faulted him
for being silent on issues they believed to be of serious importance to
Montserrat. What they forgot in those instances is that this was a man who was
sincere and totally loyal to duties which did not allow him, because of the
positions he held, to be public about certain matters, particularly those of
state.
A historian, writer, author and poet, Sir Howard
has given all of us insights into his thoughts about many matters affecting his
environment and his country.
He has expressed gratitude to many and has
suggested that when it comes to success and achievements, it has nothing to do
with where you come from. He has also shown that no one can succeed on his own,
that each one of us depend on others, whether in or outside the home, to
achieve. He has shown that service is key in whatever the undertaking.
It is because of all this that he has received
this outstanding honour, on top of his many others before. He is undoubtedly
grateful, but as one person publicly puts it, “apart from that which he would
have earned when our Master returns, Dr. Fergus is truly a humble intellectual,
one who has made Montserrat proud and of whom all Montserratians should be
proud. He has inspired me greatly and has encouraged me in my own profession.”
That speaks briefly but eloquently for many
others who wish to join in thanking Sir Howard Fergus for his service so far and
wishing him success in his many endeavours still to come as he continues to show
that his ambition is tireless.
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.
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
An
Obsessive Fear of 'Evil Reports'
Happy
the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commands…
An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the
LORD. Psalm 112:1,7
I tend
to react with more than a normal aversion to criticism. Most of us are sensitive to criticism, but many can quickly
move on. I tend to dig in my heels,
become defensive and fail to learn anything useful about myself from criticism.
I must say that, indeed, I greatly "fear an evil report" about
myself.
I once thought that the more confident I was
about a course of action the less sharply I would react to criticism of it.
But I have found virtually the opposite to be true-the more certain I am
that an action, position or behaviour of mine needs no justification, the
sharper the sting when it is criticized.
I am not sure I fully understand myself, but these questions keep returning: do I act too frequently out of a subjective self-righteousness rather than out of objective righteousness based on trust in God? Wouldn't I be much less fearful of criticism if I had a deep "fear of the Lord"? Isn't it obvious that the self-righteous will live in fear of criticism because they are counting too heavily on their own resources?
James E. Adams
Reader Thinks Editorial
Misrepresented Governor
Dear Editor,
I don't know Governor Longrigg from Adam. I
also did not hear the interview on ZJB your editorial mentioned where he
spoke of the airport situation. I take my view completely from the articles
written in the Reporter. With that in mind, I confess to thinking your
criticism of what he said might be misplaced.
The conclusion of your editorial said, "It
is therefore very insulting of Governor Longrigg to consider
it 'absurd' that we make the point and discuss what is good for
us." Yet the lead article on page 1 quoted the Governor as having
said ".... and it would be 'absurd,' by various people insisting on
discussing things further, to lose that money." To me, the
Governor is saying it would be absurd to lose the money dedicated to a new
airport, not that it's absurd to discuss what is good for us.
My immediate reaction to the Governor's
statements were positive as I read them.... That's because I believe Montserrat
and Montserratians are in complete agreement when it comes to the airport
and what the island needs in the way of air transportation. All
discussion, the five consultancy projects, the delays, every reason why nothing
has been done to date have been initiated as attempts to sway
Montserratians from what they believe is the best alternative. Thus, if
the Governor is saying the time is now to end the discussions, then the Governor
is actually saying it's time for action on the part of our benefactors, and
he will do what he can within his powers to end delaying tactics
and begin action.
Let's not immediately create an
adversarial approach to the new Governor. We all agree:
Montserrat needs no more discussion when it comes to the airport. It needs
action.... Montserratians agree 100 percent on that and 100 percent on what
needs to be done.
Douglas Darby
Lime Kiln
Consultants Give Public Four Little Bay Options
By Helena
Durand
Consultants for the Town Centre in Little Bay,
Collin Buchanan and Partners and K.J. Cassell
Architects, met in discussions with government officials and the public
this week to make presentations on phase two of the project.
They offered reports on the progress and made
various options available to the people of Montserrat regarding the project.
They explained, in summary, the key issues and constraints, the strategic
opportunities and vision for Little Bay; proposed funding, and decisions which
needed to be taken.
With EC$2 million available for immediate use,
the consultants encouraged members of the public to choose one of four options
which they had drawn for the development of Little Bay. The first option, Tourism-Centred
Development, could have core uses such as general convenience shops, market,
restaurants and bars, banks and building societies, public park with war
memorial, post office, church, Cultural Centre, bus and taxi terminus, police
post, commercial offices for local businesses, liming spots, car parks and
hotel. It uses would also include tourist condominiums, craft shops and market,
duty free shopping, art gallery/museum, theatre/cinema, tourist office, water
sports centre, car hire centre, golf driving range, bowling green and clubhouse,
tourist hotel and catering training centre.
The second option, PDP
Model with a mix of Government and Civic uses Commercial and Business Facilities,
will also have the core uses but would include Government Headquarters and most
Government departments, Court House, NGO offices, with low density private
housing around the fringe.
The third option, Mixed
Development with Emphasis on Commerce and Employment. would have the core
uses, but also a full range of shops (including white goods) and businesses,
including light industrial, workshops, R&D ventures and a mix of private and
public housing.
The fourth, Mixed
Development with Emphasis on Housing, Recreation and Leisure, would
include the core uses and also a full range of shops (including white goods),
small businesses, private and public housing, crèche, community facilities,
nursing home, cinema, sports fields (football pitch, cricket ground, etc) and
allotments.
At the public meeting held at Brades Pentecostal
church to present these options and discuss the project’s progress, members of
the public present voted 77 percent in favor of the third option. Even so, more
discussions and consultations are expected to be held. The public and government
officials are given the physical copy of options and are requested to comment on
a blank page and to choose which option they feel is best suited for Little Bay.
Elected Montserratians In Post-election Seminar
By Helena
Durand
Members of the Legislative Council of Montserrat
are participating in a two-day Post Election Seminar which began on Thursday and
ends today.
Speaker of the House Sir Howard Fergus said the
event is to update the members on the Council of Parliamentary Procedure and
Practice, and Parliamentary Governance. Sir Howard said Parliament meets in
Montserrat “too infrequently”
and that after this seminar he hoped that would change. Among topics discussed
at the seminar were the fabric of constitutional government, critical aspects of
parliamentary debate, parliament and the media; and the role of the Presiding
Officer and the Public Servant. Participants also discussed the Budgetary
Process, The Legislative Council and other modules of Parliament, and the
enactment of legislation.
His Excellency Governor Anthony Longrigg, who
officially opened the seminar, said that there were three particular duties
which the Parliament had to perform -- the exercise of control of the Executive,
passing of laws, and representation by parliamentarians on behalf of the
electorate. “Members of Parliament” he said, “must be the crucial link
between the government and the electorate.”
Sir Howard told participants that he had secured
£500 from the Secretary of the Commonwealth Parliament Association to host this
seminar and expressed the hope that they would be able to host a Caribbean
Speakers Seminar in the very near future.
Sir Howard was congratulated by Acting Chief
Minister, the Hon. Lowell Lewis, on his knighthood. Mr. Matthew Roberts, Speaker
of the House of Assembly in St. Lucia since 1997, is serving as a resource
person at the seminar. “I will lead discussions on the role and structure of
the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association,” he said later.
Montserratian Tony Wade Donates His Book to Library
By Helena
Durand
Montserratian Tony Wade, who has lived in the
United Kingdom since 1954, has donated a hard cover copy of his book “How They
Made A Million” to the Public Library in Montserrat.
Chief Librarian Ruth Allen thanked him and
expressed the hope that his account of victory over seemingly insurmountable
obstacles would be an incentive to young Montserratians to strive for success.
According to Mr. Wade, when he went to the UK, he
was intent on pursuing a career in public administration and returning home to
Montserrat. He ended up, however, following a successful business career,
beginning as Credit Controller for the Smart Western Group of Companies. In 1968
became a partner in the now internationally known company of Dyke & Dryden
Ltd.
He and his colleagues, Len Dyke and Dudley
Dryden, built the young and emerging organisation, into the largest Black-owned
business in the UK. His work in Black business has won him many awards and great
respect in UK media, political and government circles.
During a visit to his homeland earlier this week,
Mr. Wade said that the secret to his success “is the privilege of serving
others and knowing that in some way, I have helped someone.”
In his book, ‘How They Made A Million” Mr.
Wade tells of how hard it was at first.
Dkye & Dryden manufactures everything from
hair care products to clothes, shoes and other items. Mr. Wade said, they began
the business of catering to Afro Hair Care in the UK because there was no one
doing it and it was a much-needed service. According to the Caribbean Times,
Dyke & Dryden is one of the largest, if not the largest, West Indian-owned
business in Britain today, with an annual turnover running into millions of
pounds.
ECSE Offers Workshop In Securities Certification
Representatives from prospective broker-dealer
firms in the Eastern Caribbean Securities Market (ECSM), will be trained at the
ECCB Headquarters in Basseterre, St. Kitts, during a ‘Representative
Certification Workshop’ on June 25 and 26 in preparation for the licensing
examination scheduled for July 13.
Persons who successfully complete the workshop
and examination will be eligible to receive a representative license, while
participants in the certification programme will be certified in the use of the
Securities Market System applications.
A release from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
(ECCB) states, during the two-day workshop, participants from ECCB Member
Territories and Barbados will be instructed on the rules and procedures of the
ECSM; Customer Account Management; Trading Market Principles for the ECSE, as
well as licensing procedures for representatives.
The workshop will be followed by a three-day
“System Certification Programme” from June 27 to 29, 2001, designed to
ensure competency in the use of Securities Market systems applications.
Sahara Desert Dust Blown to
Montserrat
The Emergency Department on Montserrat has
confirmed that the haze currently being experienced on the island is another
appearance of dust from the Sahara Desert.
The Department said the cloud of dust, which blew
off the coast of Africa last Sunday afternoon, extends from the coast of Africa
to the Eastern Caribbean and is over 1,300 miles wide from north to south.
It said that at the rate the dust cloud was
moving, it would reach the Western Caribbean Sea and southern Florida Peninsula
by yesterday.
The leading edge of the dust storm was
interacting with a weak tropical wave just crossing the Lesser Antilles, but no
tropical movement is expected.
Montserrat Workshop Eyes Health Insurance
By Helena
Durand
The Community Services Department hosted a Health
Insurance Workshop here on Tuesday June 19 in an effort to explore the options
for Social Health Insurance in Montserrat.
Ms. Maudline Sweeney, Principal Community
Development Officer at the Community Services Department, told the Montserrat
Reporter some areas for discussion included how the insurance scheme will sit
alongside other welfare provisions, how much could be paid in the form of
contributions, and how that should best be raised; who could be eligible to join
the scheme, who could be exempt from contributions and /or payment and what the
process could be at the point at which people receive medical care.
She explained that the workshop is an extension
of the Social Welfare programme which was set up over two years ago.
“It is very important to have a Health
Insurance Scheme here in Montserrat,” Ms. Sweeney said. She noted that there
are persons who have private insurance schemes because they work or are part of
a company such as Cable & Wireless, the Civil Service and the banks, but
that “there are many other persons who do not have health insurance and
Government through the Public Assistance programme have to help them. Some
persons have to go overseas and it becomes very expensive. We need a system to
cover everyone, a system which will not disadvantage those who do not have any
money.”
The campaign for health care, she said, is now
government-led, but whether it will be privatized is not yet clear.
“We stress to people that they too are
responsible for their health care and should become involved,” she explained.
Government’s budget statement on April 27,
2001, outlined policies to ensure access to healthcare, in that Chief Minister
John Osborne said, “The primary
aim of our health policy is to ensure that everyone has access to a reasonable
standard of health care regardless of his or her ability to pay.”
According to the Social Welfare Review Team,
immediately prior to the volcanic crisis a new hospital had been constructed in
Plymouth and health care was provided from that location and three local
clinics. User fees had been introduced in 1985 to raise revenue and constrain
demand. There were many exemptions.
Following the crisis, for a long time, charges
were not reinstated due to the developing nature of the healthcare available on
the new hospital site at St. John’s.
Ms. Sweeney said an action plan will be
forthcoming soon, though it may take some time, “I see the future of this
programme as positive.”
16-year-old Tutors In Parents’ Homeland
By
Helena Durand
Sixteen-year-old Tristan Bramble, son of
Montserratians Vernon A. and Gloriadine Bramble, is on island tutoring the
students of the Brades Primary School in English, Reading and Maths.
The young Bramble, who has done tutoring in the
US for the past two years, told the Montserrat Reporter that every year 11th
grade (fifth form) students in the US are encouraged to do community work and he
chose his parents homeland in which to do it.
“It felt good to come to Montserrat -- my
parents’ homeland. But I am amazed. From the videos I have seen, they are all
so negative. They give the impression that there is nothing left on the island
and that the few persons living here are really badly off. I thought the island
was totally devastated. This is a life-changing experience for my dad,” he
said.
Vernon Bramble, who accompanied his son to
Montserrat, said, “I left here 20 years ago for the United States, and only
came back in 1995. I left Montserrat just two days before the eruptions in 1995.
I cannot believe what I am seeing. The golf course is gone, I never even knew
there was so much land in the north. The only thing I knew of the north was that
we went there to take sea baths.”
Mr. Bramble said his wife, who was known as
Gloriadine Barzey before she got married is a former teacher of the Montserrat
Secondary School. Both were born and raised in Kings Hill. They have two sons,
Tristan and Girvan, who is 13 years old. Tristan said he is impressed with the
warmth and friendliness of the people on Montserrat, and hopes to return to
continue his community work next year.
“The children are very well behaved and
disciplined," he said. "Of course it could be because of the belt I
saw lying on the piano, but I don’t think so. They are so proud of who they
are. I liked that.”
The elder Bramble is Executive Vice President,
Operation, Finance and Administration, at Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic
(RFB&D) in Princeton, New Jersey. He
said RFB&D is making education accessible for the blind and dyslexic
children. “We convert text books to audio tapes. There are 20 different
branches in the States and we turn around thousands of lives every day. People
from our programme become teachers, lawyers and more. They have careers and make
meaningful contributions to the society.”
The young tutor said he will be majoring in law
when he graduates.
WINNERS
FOR ‘COLOUR THIS PICTURE’ COMPETITION
Chloe
George of the St. Augustine School and Keiyon Bertrand of the Brades Primary
School are the winners of the "Colour This Picture" Competition.
This
Competition was sponsored by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and was
included in the 2nd Bulletin of "Making Waves."
The
Montserrat Tourist Board (MTB) congratulates the winners of this competition.
Rotary Club Offers College Scholarships
The Rotary Club of Montserrat is offering
Montserratian students a full year scholarship for the academic year August 2002
to May 2003 in collaboration with the Georgia Rotary Student Program in the
United States of America.
The scholarships are for students between ages 18
(by August 1, 2002) and 25, according to Rotarian Doug Darby, and are offered
for study in the state of Georgia.
Each scholarship will cover all scholastic costs
for either undergraduate or graduate studies, including tuition, book allowance,
food and a college-provided room, plus US$200 issued twice per year to cover
incidental expenses.
Transportation to and from the United States is
not included.
The school to be chosen will be selected from 36
participating schools throughout the state. The selection and processing will be
done by the Georgia Rotary Student Program based on its suitability for the
student's course of study.
Mr. Darby said the Georgia Rotary Student Program
provided 93 scholarships last year to students from all over the world,
including 26 from the Americas and the Caribbean. He said though competition for
these scholarships is keen, historically, more than 25 percent of the applicants
have received scholarships.
Applicants will be asked to familiarize
themselves with Rotary and be willing to use the opportunities presented by the
scholarship to work for the advancement of international understanding and
goodwill at home and abroad. They should be willing ambassadors of Montserrat
and comfortable in public speaking.
Successful candidates who have not already done
so will be required to take SAT and TOFFEL exams if undergraduates, GRE or GMAT
exams if graduate studies applicants.
Interested students should get in touch with any Rotarian prior to July 31 or call 491-5902.
AG Praises Montserrat On Free Work Movement
By Helena
Durand
In July 1995, it was agreed by CARICOM Member
States that beginning in January 1996, CARICOM Nationals who are University
Graduates should be allowed to move freely in the Region for work purposes,
thereby eliminating the need for work permits.
The exceptions were The Bahamas, which decided
not to join CARICOM Single Market and Economy, and Haiti, which is in the
process of becoming a full member of CARICOM.
In 1996, free movement for work purposes was
extended to artistes, sports persons, musicians and media workers.
In order to give legal effect to this mandate,
Member States were to enact and proclaim the legislation. Information received
states that 10 Member States have completed the legislative process, but that
Suriname and Montserrat “must still enact and proclaim legislation, while
Trinidad and Tobago is yet to complete the process by issuing the
proclamation.”
Attorney General of Montserrat, Mr. Brian Cottle,
told the Montserrat Reporter that from 1997 “until last year, persons were
allowed to work in Montserrat without work permits. Not just skilled groups, but
all Caribbean Nationals. Montserrat did better than the rest. That was not done
anywhere else.”
He said a policy decision taken last year limited
the people who were allowed to work on the island without work permits.
“Given Montserrat’s situation now, it is in
an effort to help control immigration, but also to protect the job market for
the locals," Mr. Cottle said. "The policy clearly states if there are
skilled Nationals here, they should be given first choice to employment,
particularly in these hard times.”
The Attorney General conceded that income
generated by work permit fees bears some weight on the decision “but not
significantly.”
Barbadian QC Named Antigua
Inquiry Lawyer
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, CANA - High profile
Barbadian lawyer Dr Richard Cheltenham has been appointed to serve as attorney
to the Commission of Inquiry into the alleged fraud at Antigua and Barbuda's
state-run Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS).
A statement from the Governor General's office Thursday noted the name of the
Barbadian Queen's Counsel was one of four the 14-affiliate Coalition of
Non-Governmental Organisations (CNGO) had suggested to Governor General Sir
James Carlisle earlier this week.
The other three lawyers recommended were Antiguan Bernice Cole, Briton Geoffrey
Robertson and Barbadian Sir Henry Forde.
Dr. Cheltenham is expected to question witnesses on behalf of the commissioners,
who include ) Sir Alister McIntyre. former Vice Chancellor of the University of
the West Indies (UWI.
Sir Alister, who is currently Chief Technical Advisor to the Regional
Negotiating Machinery (RNM) of the 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM), has
not been named Chairman but heads the list of commissioners.
The other members are Queen's Counsel Dr. John Anthony Roberts, who has been
used by the British government to hold inquiries overseas, and Dr. Hayden
Thomas, Antigua and Barbuda's Ombudsman and President of the Caribbean Ombudsman
Association.
The three-man Commission, which starts hearings July 16, would benefit from the
consultancy expertise of Oscar Frederick, an experienced auditor who holds a
Master's Degree in Finance.
Meanwhile, the Governor General is said to be considering taking off Dr Hayden
Thomas from the list of commissioners following concerns that his appointment
might be in violation of Antigua and Barbuda's constitution and a possible
conflict of interest if anyone wishes to file a complaint in relation to the
MBS.
The terms of reference for the Commission of Inquiry are exactly those proposed
by the Coalition of Non Governmental Organisations (CNGO) -- a grouping of 14
labour, business, professional, religious and political organisations -- as
Cabinet on Wednesday endorsed them.
Prime Minister Lester Bird
announced on June 1 that he was back-tracking from his five-month old position,
which was that a Commission of Inquiry was unnecessary and putting the matter in
the hands of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Police
Commissioner were better alternatives.
The prime minister's eventual
support for a public inquiry followed the firing of three government ministers,
two of whom were found in a forensic audit to have exercised a lapse in good
judgement, and another who was overpaid a per diem from the MBS' coffers while
undergoing a medical check up in the United States (US).
Leaders,WIBDECO Agree on Restructuring
St. Vincent, CANA - Governments of the Windward
Islands and banana executives have agreed on broad areas of restructuring the
important banana industry, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalaves said here
Wednesday.
Dr. Gonsalves was speaking to the media on his return from St. Lucia where
leaders of banana-producing countries and executives of the Windward Islands
Banana Development and Exporting Company (WIBDECO) met to dicuss how to improve
earnings from banana sales.
The St. Vincent and Grenadines prime minister said "WIBDECO is going to
concentrate on marketing, reception and purchase of fruit, product management
and development; they are going to be instrumental in setting up an independent
certification authority and to move into research and development, those are the
central areas for WIBDECO's operation," Dr. Gonsalves said.
He said the company had to improve its institutional capacity to carry out its
new role in the entire restructuring exercise, which was the focus of the
one-day discussions.
Farmers have constantly complained that the company, of which they are supposed
to be part owners, has not been working in their best interest and Dr. Gonsalves
said the governments also had some frank words for officials of the company at
the meeting Tuesday.
"Many of us as leaders ... had a lot on our chest to get off in relation to
WIBDECO because it was made plain that WIBDECO was functioning as if it were a
sovereign government," the St. Vincent leader said.
"It is a creature of the governments, functioning as a sovereign
government, taking decisions affecting real flesh and blood people called
farmers without reference, indeed, to the governments even," he added.
July 2 has been set as the date when the management of WIBDECO would meet with
representatives of the various banana associations and companies in Dominica,
Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which are shareholders,
to work out details of the restructuring.
Implementation of the programmes outlined,
estimated to cost in excess of EC$140 million (US$51.8 million) were contingent
on WIBDECO demonstrating that it has the institutional capacity to carry out its
contents.
The governments and banana companies and associations representing farmers are
working to salvage the banana industry and place it on a competitive footing
ahead of open competition on the European Union market in 2006.
Dominica Goes to War Against Pink Mealy Bug
DOMINICA, CANA - Plant Protection and Quarantine
Officer Charles Pierre was scheduled left for Trinidad and Barbados to collect
parasitoids and predators to be released in areas infested by the pink mealy
bug, following the example of other Caribbean countries which have successfully
combated such infestation through biological control.
After seven years of preventive measures to keep out the pink mealy bug, the
Dominica Department of Agriculture announced on Tuesday that the pest had been
discovered on the island. Officials said the mealy bug infestation is isolated
and restricted to residential areas, with only indicator crops such as sorrel
and hibiscus so far affected.
The department said it had been promised parisitoids and predators from
Trinidad, Grenada and Barbados.
Acting Director of Agriculture Oliver Grell said
that short-term burning measures have already been implemented in infested
locations, and a quarantine, though physically difficult will seek to restrict
movement of produce.
The Department of Agriculture is launching a massive public awareness campaign,
and has already taken steps to sensitise persons. It expressed confidence that
the problem will be contained.
Antigua Puts Reef Damage By Tanker at US$8 million
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, CANA - The Antigua and
Barbuda government is preparing to
make a claim for US$8 million in compensation for coastal damage caused by the
Liberian-registered oil tanker, Knock Dun, when it ran aground last October.
"The matter is being handled through the Attorney General's office but we
are also going to secure the services of a legal expert in this kind of a claim
and we are discussing now with some firms overseas that are specialised in this
sort of claim," Environment Minister Molwyn Joseph told reporters on
Thursday.
Prior to the release of the 247-metre long vessel, the ship's principals lodged
a US$3 million deposit, binding them to conclude a settlement for the damage to
the coral reef located about 9.5 nautical miles northwest of St John's, the
Antigua capital.
Mr. Joseph did not rule out an out-of-court settlement of the claim, now that
the report of a government-commissioned assessment from the Miami-based Marine
Resources Incorporated (MRI) has been received.
"What's likely to happen is that the owners themselves will get their own
experts and sit around the table with the people we hired, our experts, and they
will discuss this matter and hopefully within a very short period of time we'll
get a resolution so that we can begin the process of restoring the reefs,"
he said.
Rousseau Presses WICB On $3-million Stock Loss
Jamaica, CANA - Former president of the West
Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Pat Rousseau, who is sticking to his guns after
resigning as the WICB boss earlier this month, implored the West Indies Board
last Sunday to reveal all the information regarding a failed US$3-million stock
market investment.
Despite a WICB press release on Friday rejecting Mr. Rousseau's charges that
there was an abuse of authority by two top officers, he still insists the
Board's chief financial officer, Richard Jodhan, made the investment without
WICB approval.
According to a report in Sunday's Jamaica Observer newspaper, the Board had lost
nearly US$300,000 on the investment by mid-May and this month agreed to
liquidate the portfolio, much of which was in high-tech stocks which have been
taking a beating on world markets.
Rousseau challenged the Board to produce the minutes of any board meeting or any
resolution approving the investment for a loan of US$2 million which was
acquired on behalf of the WICB, using the stock market investment as collateral.
The WICB said in its release made there was no evidence or even suggestion of
dishonesty regarding the transactions and rejected Mr. Rousseau's claims of
falsification of board resolutions.
CARICOM, Cuba Seek Stronger Ties
BARBADOS, CANA - After many rounds of
negotiations, the 15-member Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) has
signed an overall agreement with Cuba to promote trade and economic cooperation.
The pact was signed in Jamaica last week between Cuba's Ministerial
Representative for Foreign Trade, Ricardo Cabrisas, and CARICOM's Secretary
General Edwin Carrington. It seeks to advance the process towards eventual free
trade between the CARICOM group of countries and Cuba.
The Protocol covers provisions on a range of agreements, negotiated within
recent years to promote trade in goods and services, as well as cooperation in
economic sectors, CANA was told on Tuesday.
CARICOM was instrumental in bringing Cuba "out of the diplomatic cold"
in this hemisphere during the Cold War years with the establishment of joint
diplomatic ties with Havana in 1972 by Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados
and Guyana.
Since then relations have remarkably improved with Cuba currently having
diplomatic relations with all CARICOM states, including Haiti, which is
currently a provisional member.
A CARICOM-Cuba Joint Commission is already in
existence and CARICOM was also influential in securing Cuba's involvement as a
founding member of the wider 25-member Association of Caribbean States (ACS).
Cuba has also been accepted in principle for membership of the African,
Caribbean and Pacfic (ACP) group that is linked in trade and economic
partnership arrangements with the European Union.
But, as a direct consequences of pressures from the USA, as admitted by regional
diplomats and ministers, it continues to be excluded from the process of the
Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) being negotiated to come on stream by
2005.
Commercial relations between CARICOM countries and Cuba amounted to
approximately US$150 million for 2000 and this is expected to grow
significantly.
Secretary General Carrington said the Caribbean Community, now in its 28th years
of existence, would not have a truly region-wide dimension as long as the Cuban
archipelago and the Dominican Republic are not linked to it as member states.
War Games, Protests Resume on Vieques
Puerto Rico, CANA-Reuters - Anti-bombing
protesters played cat-and-mouse Tuesday with U.S. Navy security officers on the
Puerto Rican island of Vieques, slipping onto Navy property in hopes of halting
the second day of war training exercises.
But Navy spokesman Bob Nelson said the training resumed on schedule on Tuesday
morning.
Six members of the Puerto Rican Independence Party were arrested on suspicion of
trespassing at the Navy's Camp Garcia on Vieques early on Tuesday, bringing the
arrest total to 30 since early on Monday.
They sneaked into a restricted zone about 2:30 a.m. EDT (0630 GMT) and walked
for hours, emerging near the front gate of the base to be photographed by the
media as security officers arrested them.
The demonstrators said some two dozen protesters were still hiding on the
bombing range, hoping to disrupt the exercise.
During the night, a few small flares could be seen arcing over the range, lit by
the protesters in hiding to let the Navy know they were still inside, the
demonstrators said.
Under pressure from Puerto Ricans who blame the bombing for illnesses and
environmental damage, President George W. Bush said last week that the Navy
would stop using Vieques for war games in May 2003.
That was not soon enough for about 100 protesters who gathered in a makeshift
camp outside the Navy base, nor for those who tried to infiltrate the bombing
range.
In the latest exercise that began on Monday, the Navy planned to drop 1,500
unarmed bombs this week from aircraft assigned to the Theodore Roosevelt battle
group, made up of 11 ships and 10,000 sailors.
The Navy has used the 33,000-acre (13,360-hectare) island off the east coast of
Puerto Rico for bombing practice for 60 years, calling it the only place where
crucial training for simultaneous air and sea attacks can be conducted.
The Navy stopped using live ammunition two years ago after a civilian security
guard was killed when a bomb missed its target.
That death sparked widespread protests among Vieques' 9,300 residents, other
Puerto Ricans and environmentalists, who say the bombing contributed to high
rates of cancer and lung disease and shows a colonial attitude toward
Spanish-speaking Puerto Rico, a self-governing U.S. territory of nearly 4
million people.
Politicians and activists have tried unsuccessfully through lawsuits and civil
disobedience to halt the bombing.
The Navy said the pullout date was
set in two years because time was needed to find a new training site.
St. Vincent Prisoners Seem to
Be in Charge
ST. VINCENT, CANA - St. Vincent and the
Grenadines' National Security Minister Vincent Beache has accused some prison
officers of colluding with inmates to flout the law and prison regulations.
He said on a weekend television programme that even though police officers
conduct searches of the troubled male prison at least twice monthly, every time
a search is done, they unearth larger quantities of homemade weapons and items
such as cooking utensils.
"This tells that they are getting assistance, in my opinion, not only from
the public at large, but from prison officers themselves as well because (of)
the level of what is happening," Mr. Beache said. He said inmates cook in
their cells at night, another practice which suggests to him that "they
must have assistance from within."
The minister said over the next two weeks a range of measures would be
implemented to bring some measure of normalcy back to the institution.
Since disturbances at the penal institution in
July and August 1999, prisoners can be frequently seen on the roof of the
prison. Most recently, they have been shouting for the Acting Prison
Superintendent Leroy Latchman to be retained as prison boss.
Mr. Latchman, a retired police superintendent, has been acting prison boss on a
contractual basis since early last year on the transfer into the civil service
of the former superintendent, Bernard Marksman. His latest contract is due to
expire July 3 and there is speculation that it may not be renewed.
Mr. Beache said there was no doubt "that the
prisoners are in charge" at the jail.
Ten gangs with a maximum leader reportedly operate at the overcrowded
institution with gang bosses deciding who volunteers for work daily outside the
compound. They also determine what kind of punishment is meted out to those who
fail to bring back such loot as marijuana, crack cocaine or money when they
return at the end of the day.
Punishment includes the plucking of teeth using heated pieces of implements,
stabbings and the cutting off of pieces of ear.
One newspaper reported High Court
Judge Ian Mitchell, who visited the prison prior to the start of the June
Assizes, as saying that warders no longer patrol the internal prison yard either
by day or night.
"The warders can see when an inmate is having his teeth extracted with
pliers of a hammer and nail or his limbs broken with bed boards. They consider
themselves powerless to intervene," he said.
CARICOM on Track For Single Market Goal
ST. KITTS, CANA - The 15-nation Caribbean
Community and Common Market (CARICOM) appears to be keeping a year-end deadline
in removing restrictions to the establishment of the Single Market and Economy
(CSME).
"I would say, essentially, that we are on course," CSME Programme
Manager Ivor Carryl said on Tuesday.
"We have to work hard in the next four or five months to try and complete
the agenda for the removal of restrictions and then we would see the Single
Market and Economy coming into being," Mr. Carryl said.
Already lagging behind its original schedule by two years, the speedy
establishment of the CSME is seen as crucial if the region is to catch up with
negotiating schedules spearheaded by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the
Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
By next month-end, CARICOM countries are expected to begin three months of
negotiations on a plan to remove existing legislative, regulatory and
administrative restrictions on the free movement of capital, services and
skilled workers.
A single market for regionally produced goods is already in operation, except
for nine restrictions such as environmental taxes and the revenue replacement
tax.
In accordance with a decision taken in January 1998 by the Council for Trade and
Economic Development (COTED), Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
member nations have been allowed to retain restrictions on nine products until
2004.
St.
Maarten Reorders Development Plan
ST.
MAARTEN (GIS) -- The Executive Council recently discussed priority actions to be
undertaken as part of the comprehensive Economic Development Plan (EDP) for St.
Maarten.
In
the context of these actions, it has been proposed that the current tax relief
and exemption policy of government be reviewed and that the action program by
the local Chief of Police in connection with the labor situation be stepped up.
The
Executive Council is very much aware that the 2000-2001 tourist season did not
live up to expectations. After careful consideration and evaluation of what has been
taking place during the past months, the Island Government is looking at a
number of avenues to provide relief and stimulation for the local economy.
New IDB Projects Seek Greater Social Inclusion
WASHINGTON, CANA - The Inter-American Development
Bank (IDB) on Tuesday announced an action plan and new projects totalling US$250
million to advance development strategies with the broad inclusion of all social
groups.
The IDB said in a release they will also support opportunities for vulnerable
indigenous groups and persons of African descent.
"The issue of social inclusion is a critical issue for the development of
persons of African descent and indigenous peoples, and for Latin America and the
Caribbean as a whole," IDB President Enrique V. Iglesias said at the
inauguration of a high-level dialogue on race, ethnicity and inclusion at the
Bank's headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Mary Robinson, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, praised the
continuation of an initiative by multilateral organisations to focus development
with a basis in respect for human rights.
"There is a deep sense of pain and anger at the depth of discrimination,
lack of recognition and exclusion, compounded by coping with extreme
poverty" in many sectors of the population, she said.
Ms. Robinson welcomed the search for a shared vision on the development of Latin
America and the Caribbean, with the purpose of putting the fight against racism
and discrimination high on the international agenda.
"The costs of exclusion are high," Mr. Iglesias said. "Only by
utilizing the existing skills and capacities of the indigenous peoples and
persons of African descent can the economies of the region substantially
grow."
The IDB has included components that advance broad social inclusion in its
projects and recently has invested more than $1 million in research and
activities to promote that goal, such as training and the dissemination of
information on achieving social policies.
The new action plan focuses on combating social
exclusion for ethnic or racial reasons with specific projects that have the goal
of ending exclusion as a priority.
Mr. Iglesias said that governments should fulfill
a fundamental role in areas of education, health, sanitation, fight against
crime, and poverty reduction, and they must intervene when market mechanisms
fail and reduce economic efficiency, as in the case of discrimination in the
labor market.
The new social inclusion projects of the IDB embrace Bolivia, Brazil, Chile,
Ecuador, Honduras and Peru.
Technical cooperation projects include training for Costa Rican youth of African
descent and the recovery of basic productivity of Garifuna communities in
Central America.
OECS Congratulates ECCB's New
Knight
The OECS Secretariat sent a letter of
congratulations Tuesday to Dwight Venner, Governor of the East Caribbean Central
Bank, who was named a Knight of the British Empire (KBE) by Queen Elizabeth
II on the Queens 2001 Birthday Honours list.
Following is the text of the OECS letter to Sir Dwight:
"The staff of the OECS Secretariat join me in extending congratulations to
you on your attainment of the high honour of Knight of the British Empire (KBE).
"We are especially delighted, given the closeness of our institutions. We
have a special sense of sharing in the honour, given your own very supportive
role in the OECS family of institutions. "We consider the honour well
deserved, given your long and steadfast commitment to our Region and to its
economic and financial development.
"We wish you continued dedicated service to our Caribbean and the OECS
region in particular."
IS THE GESTATION PERIOD TOO LONG?
By
Peter Adrien
What is the cut-off point for
Shivnarine Chanderpaul? (Photo: Peter Adrien)
Are they different? Are they ready? Has the
military-styled camp changed their hearts and their heads? The West Indies
selectors have sifted 16 elite Test cricketers from a group of 22 players. The
cricketers chosen for the making of a future West Indies winning team are:
batsmen Carl Hooper (captain), Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle,
Daren Ganga, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, and Leon Garrick; wicket-keeper
batsman, Ridley Jacobs; fast bowlers, Cameron Cuffy, Mervyn Dillon, Reon King,
Corey Collymore and Colin Stuart; and spin bowlers, Neil McGarrell and Dinanath
Ramnarine.
Except for one of two concerns, I am very happy
with the team. But the conventional wisdom is that the players are not equipped
for the big game. “It is a question of application,” “the problem is in
their heads;” they have “the talents but the problem is their approach,”
the “youngsters need time to mature.” These were some of the responses of
West Indies cricket fans whom I interviewed at the Antigua Recreation Ground
(ARG) on the fifth and final day of the fourth Test match between West Indies
and South Africa on Tuesday April 10, 2001.
The issues raised by the interviewees constrained
me to pose the following questions: Is the West Indies team taking too long to
turn the corner? Are the West Indian players taking too long to mature as
internationally competitive cricketers? Are the young batsmen allowed too long a
gestation period? The term gestation is used here figuratively to refer to the
formation, development and maturity of a player into a high-value or
internationally competitive skilled bowler or batsman.
According to the conventional wisdom, a pedigree
or high-value batsman averages 40 or more; a pedigree bowler takes wicket
regularly and, in the process, takes a five-wicket haul periodically. It is
generally accepted that a quality batsman scores at least one century in every
five test matches, that is, in every 10 innings. These two gestation periods may
be useful as yardsticks for appraising the current West Indian young players.
Some analysts, however, contend that the output of the player must be seen in
the context of his technical skills, his resolve as a competitor and the context
in which he accumulated his runs. That is to say, there may be cases where the
player has not amassed 100 but have sufficiently developed to merit perseverance
with him.
The evidence, however, shows that the young West
Indian batsmen are repeating the same mistakes and are causing their downfall in
crucial times – in situations when they are often most needed. They are still
to master the art of managing stroke-play, and the art of tempering aggression
with application when those are most needed. Moreover, the tendency to lose
their focus, even after they have concentrated for long periods, continues to
cost them their wickets and to cost the West Indies team matches.
These weaknesses in the top order have made for
the inconsistent performances of the team. In fact the batters have only been
able to concentrate for long periods in the first innings, perhaps reflecting
the instant nature of Caribbean social life. The batsmen have faltered
repeatedly in the second innings. Test cricket demands five days of
concentration; five days of fight; five days of guts; five days of aggression;
five days of war; five days of attitude. And the more matured South Africans
seem to have developed that militaristic quality.
Make no mistake about it, the Caribbean people
are united in support for Carl Hooper and his young generation. The persistence
with the failing team reflects the social tie that binds the Caribbean society,
the pride that motivates and galvanizes the Caribbean people into collective
action, and moreover, the need to cling to something that gives meaning to a
people who otherwise are marginalized in the international scheme of things.
Sir
Vivian Richards, in a post-match interview at the ARG, cautioned, “Carl Hooper
is doing a good job and he is the right man for the job. Brian Lara is still the
best batsman in the world and they should be supported and should be treated as
men and not gods.”
But the West Indies strategy and the tactics may
require close examination to ensure that they are functional to the team’s
development. The important issue is whether sufficient attention is paid to the
gestation of a player and the likely returns from the investment in another
player. The decision to prolong with a player and to replace him with a talented
player is a delicate one. This decision could accelerate or retard the
development of the team. But how long should a team persist with players who
make the same mistakes and show no inclination to improve their performances?
The selectors’ preference for Leon Garrick over
Wavell Hinds is excellent. Garrick’s technical competence is beyond doubt. We
hope that he will grow to become a class batsman. Wavell Hinds may have scored
one century against Pakistan but it is evident that his technique and foot-work,
or lack of it, and his tendency to remain anchored in the crease and slash at
the ball are not the technical qualities of an opening batsman.
Why did the selectors persist with Shivnarine
Chanderpaul and exclude Ricardo Powell? Hasn’t Chanderpaul shown that he is
incapable of becoming a pedigree player at the highest level? Should the one-day
label be removed on Powell? Shouldn’t he be groomed into the devastating
middle order Test batsman that he is capable of becoming?
Mervyn Dillon has not yet convinced me that he is
Test material. He has neither the aggression of a match-winning fast bowler nor
does he exhibit the behaviour that is akin to the commitment and purpose
expected of a front-line bowler.
Conscious of the many factors which influence the
maturity of an athlete, would you determine the tenure of a player based on a
given gestation period? What would be your probationary period for a batsman or a
bowler? Has Chanderpaul taken too long to mature into a world-class batsman?
Rally ‘round the West Indies.
Professional Umpires About 8 Months Away
LONDON, (Reuters) - The International Cricket
Council (ICC) hopes to announce the names of the first fully professional
umpires within eight months.
"We will announce names later this year or at least by January or early
February next year," said ICC chief executive Dave Richards after a meeting
of the ICC executive board on
Tuesday.
"The report on the process of selection will be based on the captains' and
referees' reports over the last three or four years but we intend to judge
umpires over the longer term rather
than on a match-by-match basis."
An elite panel, probably comprising eight umpires, is due to be selected on the
basis of the current umpires pool but will see the gradual phasing out of older
officials.
The overall pool of umpires will increase from the current 20 to a two-tier
system of 33 in total, enabling two independent elite umpires to stand at around
80 percent of all test matches.
But the thorny issue regarding differing salaries throughout the various
test-playing nations -- a constant bone of contention for umpires -- may
persist.
Umpires will go on exchanges around the full, test-playing member countries as
well as the associate members to get a feel of umpiring in different climates.
ICC president Malcolm Gray said: "The whole of the rest of the sport, from
players to administration to team management, is professional and there is a
feeling that the regulation of the game is the one part that is not fully
professionalised.
"There is a view that this must now happen."
ICC Delays Decision On No-ball Cameras
LONDON, (Reuters) - The use of cameras to aid
umpires in calling no-balls will not be introduced for at least a year, the
International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Tuesday.
ICC chief executive Dave Richards said the ruling body's Cricket Committee,
Playing, which deals with such matters, had decided to leave no-balls decisions
in the hands of umpires for now.
There have been calls to make use of new technology to help umpires after
television replays showed four England batsmen were wrongly given out to
no-balls in the second test against
Pakistan in Manchester on June 4.
"The Cricket Committee, Playing looked at technology and there was an
almost split decision so the feeling was that there should be no change at the
present time," said Richards.
"We will come back to it in 12 months' time, by when the use of virtual
reality technologies will have been looked at in practice on a long-term
basis."
Global
Crowd Control Ruled Out by ICC
LONDON, (Reuters) - A global regime governing
ground security at cricket matches is not practical, the International Cricket
Council (ICC) said on Tuesday following disruption of the triangular one-day
series taking place in England.
Pitch invasions by supporters have marred the series being contested by England,
Pakistan and Australia, prompting fears about the safety of players and
officials.
But ICC president Malcolm Gray said on Tuesday the diverse nature of the
cricket-playing nations meant the ICC could not lay down a global set of
regulations concerning crowd control.
Australia captain Steve Waugh took his players off the pitch when their match
against Pakistan at Trent Bridge on Tuesday was disrupted by a firework thrown
onto the pitch.
On Sunday, England conceded their match against Pakistan after a steward was
hurt in a pitch invasion at Headingley.
The ICC did say in a statement that it could play a "co-ordinating
role" in helping its member countries deal with unruly crowds.
"Ground security is primarily the concern of the home board but the ICC has
requested that all members supply a detailed report covering local regulations
in force at each of its
international venues, by the end of July," the ICC said.
"This will assist ICC in playing a co-ordinating role among member
countries."
By Justin ‘Hero’
Cassell
(Agricultural Development Officer)
“EAT
FROM THE LAND, NOT FROM THE CAN”
Requests
for Molasses
Livestock Producers who wish to order the feed
supplement Molasses are asked to register their requests with the Veterinary
Division of the Department of Agriculture immediately.
Seeds Wanted
Households are asked not to discard seeds after
consuming fruits. The Forestry Unit
will greatly appreciate these seeds for seedling propagation in preparation for
Tree Planting Day.
Two Major Agriculture Projects Approved
The Ministry of Agriculture is happy to announce
the approval of the Irrigation Development and Extension Projects.
Both projects will improve the capability of farmers to increase food
production and hence enhance their individual livelihoods.
Road Maintenance Commences
Maintenance work on the Duck Pond and Upper
Blakes roads began this week. Grading
of a section of the Upper Blakes road was completed and all the drains at Duck
Pond have been cleared. Further
maintenance work is planned for these roads.
Rain at Last
The recent June showers were a welcome relief to
farmers. A total of 2.33 inches
fell over the past three weeks.
Fisherman’s Day
June 28th is Fisherman’s Day.
The Fisheries Division of the Department of Agriculture has a number of
activities planned to commemorate Fisherman’s Day.
These include a special edition of Farmers Corner next Thursday evening
at 8:00 p.m. on ZJB.
Bajan Occasion
Paid tickets 3 weeks in advance
To prevent a sad happenstance;
Night before, the phone rings,
'Trouble here,' the voice sings;
Assured flight turn into 'Fat Chance!'
'Policy Review'
When 'Labour Speaks' fails to be heard,
A 'trust us' is slightly absurd;
Right out of the blue
Came a so-called review,
So why had no notice occurred?
Jus wonderin why de lawman use foul language on
the pensioner.
Jus wonderin who on the breezy could talk to awe
about family life or birth control.
Jus wonderin why they nar practice what they
preach.
Jus wonderin why de officer cannot decide who at
lookout he looking out for.
Jus wonderin when jus wonderin going to reveal
all its jus wonderin sources.
Jus wonderin if the #1 little man feel he too big
to attend post election seminar.
Jus wonderin how to congratulate our first sir.
Suffice it to say we’ll settle for a big “WELL DONE!”
Jus wonderin why school children have so much
holiday and there is so much holiday in general.
Jus wonderin if it matters when no wuk dey fu do.
Jus wonderin in Ministry of Education have some
special summer camp planned this year
Jus wonderin when de girl at the printing place
go admit she love de barber man at de salem.
Jus wonderin what will happen if prices keep
going up here.
Jus wonderin if is true Dominica have Pink mealy
bug.
Jus wonderin if is because of foot and mouth
disease why chicken so expensive.
Jus wonderin if our government say no foot and
mouth disease here, why a we no eat dem cattle wey damage dem people dem garden
Jus wonderin if dem cattle owners cannot sell
beef cheap to depopulate the cattle dem
Jus wonderin when people go realise God made Adam
and Eve not Adam and Steve
Jus wonderin who jus wonderin a go tackle next.
Jus wonderin why people complain ‘bout jus
wonderin when that is de first thing they read when de paper come out
Jus wonderin if de pappy show man dead, what go
happen.
Jus wonderin if becarse since dem go de a englun
if dem get wa dem want fu demself and now gan safta.
Jus wonderin wha mek dem want to mek enemy with
de media.
Jus wonderin if de newspaperman nar cum back.
Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: editor@montserratreporter.org
This site is maintained by West Computer Works. Please read Disclaimer.