Delta Begins
Managing Carr’s Bay Fuel Terminal
By
Helena Durand
The Government of Montserrat has awarded the Bulk
Plant at the Carr’s Bay fuel terminal to Delta Petroleum in a move to
privatize the facility.
Winston Cozier, General Manager of Delta
Petroleum in Nevis, said Delta Petroleum is no stranger to Montserrat.
“We were working on a similar operation at
Lover’s Lane years ago which was destroyed by the volcano. We actually lost
about US$2.5 million. Even then, we have continued to service Montserrat with
all their fuel requirements, and cooking gas when all the other international
companies turned their back.
He said he believed that continued support won
Delta the award of the bulk plant.
He said there would be no changes in the normal
operations of the fuel plant. His management team, which includes Jefferson
‘Jeff’ Novoa, Manager/Accountant, and Basil Lee, Terminal Superintendent,
are in the process of upgrading the plant.
That upgrade will include construction of a
150,000-gallon storage tank for diesel and conversion of existing diesel storage
to gasoline for a total of 90,000 gallons.
All employees of the Emergency Department will be
retained, he said, and “we will take on additional staff to facilitate the
expansion.”
He gave the assurance that they would maintain
existing prices “for as long as the global market does not affect any changes
to the price of oil.” Because of the increased storage, he said he cannot
foresee any fuel shortages in Montserrat in the foreseeable future.
He said management also is seeking a site for a
gas station in Salem to serve those persons who have to travel to buy petrol at
A&F Service Centre at Sweeney’s, the island's only station since the
volcanic crisis
CM Details Three Aims of London Visit
By
Helena Durand
Hon. CM John Osborne and The Rt Hon. Clare Short
Chief Minister John Osborne, who recently
returned home from a working visit to London, reported that his strategically
timed mission there had a three-pronged purpose.
In an address to the Nation he said, firstly he
took the opportunity of being in London to update and hear from Montserratians
living in the United Kingdom. Secondly, “we engaged in useful dialogue with British
Government representatives at both the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the
Department for International Development (DFID) headquartered in London; and
third, we participated in several programmes involving a number of key political
figures, including the minister for International Development, the Hon. Clare
Short.”
He called his meeting with Montserratians
inspiring and revealing. “Indeed, there are quite a number of them who said to
me that they would come home tomorrow if they could have been provided with the
security of a home and employment in Montserrat.”
He said he has given them every assurance “that
they can return home whenever they wish and that this NPLM Government will seek
every opportunity to ensure their future inclusion in the relevant development
and housing opportunities on the island.”
His main agenda with the FCO, he said, surrounded
his long-held view that the UK Government has a moral and general responsibility
to the people of Montserrat. Discussions there included the proposed airport, on
which it was mutually agreed to "await the soon to be completed Italian
Review report on the project. "
"I can assure you," Mr. Osborne said, "that our case was well put
in respect of the safety issues surrounding an airport at Gerald’s and the
necessary studies that we feel must be completed to guarantee a safe and
economically viable airport. Again
at the very highest level at the DFID Office in London, our case was put, not
only in respect of the airport, but the deleterious social and welfare
conditions emerging from ongoing mode of operations of DFID Montserrat.”
He said issues in the coming months will be to
maintain the amicable and good working relations being fostered with the British
people. “You cannot bite the hand that is feeding you, nor can you be
imprudent with your own people’s tax and insurance monies,” he said.
Chief Minister Osborne said his delegation,
including Minister of Communications and Works Hon. Lowell Lewis and Member of
Parliament Claude Hogan, “was proud to join in a Sunday campaign with the hon.
Clare Short in Birmingham. She has proven to be a fountain of support for the
Montserratians in Birmingham” he said. He said he sensed in her a willingness
“to support our reasonable needs here in Montserrat.”
He concluded by saying, “I am happy that we
have started a bridge between the political and diplomatic divide in the UK that
have hampered Montserrat for years. I invite all Montserratians to join in the
programmes for housing, welfare, agriculture, health and education for which we
now have firmer guarantees. I am not saying it’s going to be all smooth
sailing from here, but a positive course has been set by your NPLM Government.
Let us try to work together. Remember, Montserrat is our future, our home and
our heritage.”
MP Chedmond Browne Denies He's Pursuing His Own Agenda
By
Helena Durand
An article about a
statement made by Member of Parliament Chedmond Browne at the recently held UN
Decolonization Seminar in Cuba seems to have some Montserratians up in arms.
The article, on the
UN Website, is entitled "Montserratians reject British citizenship and
desire to be administered by UN?" The title, Mr. Browne said, does not
reflect the statement he made at the UN Seminar in Cuba. He admits, however,
that although the writer snipped the statement into bits, most of what he is
quoted as saying he really did say, but not in the context created by the
writer.
He agrees to the
following in the article:
"Chedmond Browne, Member of Parliament
of Montserrat, said the Government and people of his territory were not pleased
with their colonial condition and the activities of its administering Power, the
United Kingdom…The administering Power now proposed to give the remaining
colonies British citizenship, thereby integrating them in the British kingdom.
The people of Montserrat would not accept that manufactured integration.
They did not wish to remain a colony of the English. …"
“Those are my exact
words” Mr. Browne said. “There is nothing wrong with that. I have said
nothing there which is improper or out of place or not in keeping with the
desires of our people to eventually become an independent country.”
However, in a radio
link-up between Montserrat’s ZJB and the BBC in London on Monday, the issue of
the British passport came up. Some Montserratians residing in London, and even
some here including the Chief Minister, were concerned as to the exact status
they held because their passport, purporting to be British and also British
Dependent Territory, did not allow them into certain countries, including
France.
Mr. Browne said that
is a deliberate prank by the British and a trick. “What the British did is
this,” he said. “They said they were going to give citizenship. That’s
what the White Paper said. Now if you give us, it is not that we accepted an
offer. Having said that they were going to give us, they then said they would
give us if we passed the Homosexual Act. It was tied together.
"All the
colonies refused to pass the Homosexual Act. So in reality every colony gave
back to the British the offer of citizenship by rejecting.
The British went ahead and passed the law on us anyway. They imposed the
law on us. Now everybody is demanding if you impose the law, what happen to the
second part.”
He believes that is
just the reaction the British Government has been waiting for. “So now they
don’t want to impose citizenship. They want to make it appear now to the
international world that it is the citizens of the territories who are demanding
to be made British citizens.”
He said he is not
against the people of Montserrat wanting to be citizens of Britain, “They just
do not understand the dynamics involved. If people are going to opt for
passport, that should not negate our rights to maintain to our rights as a
self-determined people. That should not be used as a foundation in the UN for
having Montserrat taken off the list of remaining dependent territories, or
colonies.
"I’m not
saying we’re supposed to have independence now, tomorrow or next year. I’m
saying British citizenship should not deny us the right, any time we desire, to
move towards becoming a self-determined country if that is what we desire.”
Having said that, Mr.
Browne noted that he was to have traveled to New York Thursday to attend the UN
meeting there as a follow-up based on his presentation in Cuba. But, “based
upon negative responses and pressure from Montserratians and the Internet, and
internal forces who are claiming that I am pursuing my own agenda as opposed to
taking up a position in the best interest of Montserrat and Montserratians, I
have declined the invitation to attend.”
He said he believes
his not attending the UN meeting will be the island’s loss “because
traditionally, the British Government never allows people from the colony to go
and speak for themselves. When they send a request, the British Government will
send an answer saying people of the colony are not interested in attending.”
He maintains that
because he is such an active person, and has a profound interest in these
matters, “I know every year the times when these meetings are held and the
parts of the world that they are held in. I was the only government
representative at the Cuba meeting.”
Mr. Browne’s view
of the British and his country’s relationship brings to mind the situation
between Mainland China and the Republic of China on Taiwan. Decades later,
Mainland China is adamant that Taiwan, which it considers one its territories,
is simply being defiant, even if there is democratic governance in that country.
China is currently being accused by the world on Taiwan’s behalf as Taiwan
wages diplomatic battle to be a member of the United Nations.
"Will
Helping Clare Short in Birmingham Really Brighten the Outlook on Montserrat?"
There is a saying, "Different strokes for
different folks." Supposedly, that is the answer one would get if the Hon.
Chief Minister John Osborne were to be challenged for not making himself
available for questions following his address to the nation on 16th
June 2001.
The Chief Minister was reporting on a delegation
he led "on a strategic mission to the United Kingdom." Very well
meaning and perhaps most urgent, but the general feeling was that it was very
badly timed, since it was during the climax of British Government general
elections. But reports are that the honourable gentleman was hoping to woo
Montserratians' eligible to vote to do so for the Labour lady, Clare Short who
is in charge of DFID.
So there was no secret in the strategy and it
would seem that the Chief Minister is taking up from where his more recent and
short-lived namesake chief minister left off. He will not be the first Chief
Minister or leader of a Colonial territory to try strategy and diplomacy to win
favour of the British Government. Perhaps it is his own experience of the '80s
that is forcing him down this road. We wish him the very best; he will become
famous if he succeeds.
Surely he reported with pride that his delegation
joined "in a Sunday campaign with the Hon Clare Short in Birmingham."
It would be nice to hear a report from someone in England who witnessed this
proud occasion. According to the CM's report, "she has proven to be a
fountain of support for the Montserratians in Birmingham."
The CM and his team need to be reminded that
those of us living here believe that Montserratians there, though not without
problems, are in many ways better off than those of us remaining. Therefore the
report we need is for the action in Montserrat. But then isn't that what he is
trying to achieve?
The question, though, is for the CM to seriously
tell us exactly what it is we are trying to achieve. In his address he said:
"It does not take a wizard to understand that the Government of Montserrat
can only exercise its fullest authority if it has the confidence of the people
and its members are above repute in respect of the handling of government
resources and finances. After all
we are dealing with people and you cannot bite the hand that is feeding you, nor
can you be imprudent with your own people’s tax and insurance monies."
Does this suggest that Montserrat gets enough
support from Britain, but only has to be prudent in its use of the resources it
gets? Does this suggest mishandling of resources by Montserrat?
The CM claims to realize that there are a number
of issues which we will need to tackle. We beg the CM not talk to us in a
vacuum, we can only "join in the programmes . . . for which we now have
firmer guarantees," if we have the specifics. Further we will have to see
some genuineness on all sides of our own government.
Our parliamentarian who ran into all sorts of
bother, to the point of turning down the invitation to address the United
Nations on Montserrat's colonial status, did not need the hassle from
"inner circles" where he was called names. It is hypocrisy to pretend
that this is not an issue for Montserrat. We know that will not get us anywhere.
If that is the "extraordinary action to get Montserrat moving forward
again" that we are going to use, we will only move backwards. Firmness and
not pretense is what we must practise.
Is the CM going to get Clare Short to rescind her
statements about "golden elephants" and suggesting that they have
spent "too much in Montserrat"? Will he get her to stop comparing
Montserrat on a pro-rata basis and to claiming that ours "is nowhere near
the worst crisis of recent years"?
Will he get her to admit, in the words of their
own parliamentarians, to "sloppiness in their handling of this ongoing
crisis?"
Will he make a move to get redress to the
survivors of the 19 lost lives on June 25, 1997 in this volcanic activity? Her
government, and specifically her ministry, immediately condemned the Coroner's
verdict regarding those 19 deaths, in which he found the British and local
governments were found accountable for the deaths.
We acknowledge and are pleased that this John
Osborne government realizes that there are "a number of issues…we need to
tackle." One of the them is immediate relief to an inactive economy. We do
not believe it is as simple as writing these words, but surely some issues are
more urgent than others and visible signs will most certainly bring some relief.
Guaranteed, answers to questions are much more
meaningful and informative to the people served, than carefully written spins of
statements and reports, and pandering will only get proven results.
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
Avoid Hearts Hardened By Grief
She went and told His companions who were
mourning and weeping. When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by
her, they did not believe.
Mark 16: 10-11
This passage serves to warn me against letting
grief, depressing moods, sadness -- and formal religious duties, too -- so
dominate my life that I become incapable of taking to heart any unexpected good
news.
According to Jewish religious custom of the day,
the disciples apparently were in mourning. Formal mourning practices, such as
ceremonial weeping and wailing, tearing garments and sitting on the ground,
lasted seven days after burial, with other practices lasting up to 30 days. At a
parent’s death, children were to avoid attending any joyous event even for a
full year!
Now comes Mary of Magdala not even three days
after Jesus’ burial with news that He was alive. It’s almost as if the
others were responding with, “Can’t you see we’re busy grieving? How dare
you interrupt our sacred duty to grieve with your fantasies.”
We know the wisdom of proper grieving and of not
denying the bitter reality of loss. Yet the message of the gospel is that we are
never to let any sadness so trouble our hearts that we close ourselves to the
unexpected blessings God may be offering us.
James E. Adams
Acts 4:13-21; Psalm 118: 1, 4-21; Mark 16: 9-15
Ministry
of Education Gives No Free Choice
Mr Editor:
The Constitution of
Montserrat gives to the people such rights and freedom as life, freedom of
thought, of expression, assembly and association. However it seems the
abridgement of the fundamental rights of people in Montserrat is becoming very
commonplace. It would seem that
dictating to people, not giving people the freedom to make their own decisions,
is definitely the order of the day here.
Back in the early
'60s I started school at what was then the Cavalla Hill Primary School, and
there were children from Barzey’s and Davy Hill attending that school. When
Brades Primary School opened in 1966 it was the same thing.
There were children from Banks who attended St. Peters School as near as
Brades School was in proximity. The
school a child attended is the school that the parent(s) decided was where they
wanted their child to go.
No person has a right
to dictate to any parent what school they should or should not send their child
to. Every person in this country has a right of free choice. The Ministry of
Education is acting in a very autocratic and dictatorial manner when they are
insisting that all children north of Carr’s Bay Bridge and north of Cannes
River attend either the nursery school or grades 1-3 at Lookout. It is ironic
that while parents are not free to choose the school of their choice, and are
being told they have no choice in the matter, there are people who work within
that ministerial system who exercise their rights as parents and send their
children to St. Augustine School. Are
we living in 21st century slavery? When any man does not have the right to
decide for himself, when others dictate to him and tell him what to do because
they are in positions of authority, this is slavery.
It is my
understanding that grades 1-3 comprising all children from the areas mentioned
would have to go to Lookout for school. There will be no head teacher at that school.
Therefore, as far as I see it, this school is only an extension of the
Brades Primary School. Yet ministry officials are insisting that the uniform be
changed. In these hard times parents who have already bought uniforms for Brades
School now find themselves having to be buying another set of uniforms. This is
not right. This is not democracy.
I would argue that St
John’s had a school and, like every other community where children excelled
academically, St John’s was proud of its educational standards. The school was
taken away and converted into a hospital. If they want to do something
meaningful give back to the St John’s community a full fledged school, with
classes from grade one to grade six and not a half way school.
Something has gone
dreadfully wrong in this country and it needs to be corrected now. People must
be free to make their own choices. People must not be dictated to. In essence
peoples’ rights must not be abridged, but rather, must be respected and
upheld.
Thank you for
allowing me this space to air my views.
Hylroy L.
Bramble
Return Airfare Scheme Extended
to May 2001
The British Government has recently announced
plans to extend the operations of the Return Airfare Scheme to May 31, 2002,
after which the scheme will end.
Head of DFID office in Montserrat said the Return
Airfare Scheme is an undertaking of the Montserrat Community Support Trust
(MCST), CA. The trust is an NGO made up volunteers, and is used to help people
who want to return to Montserrat.
The Return Airfare Scheme he said is not for
visitors. “It is for people who want to return full time to Montserrat.”
According to an MCST release, applications must
be received by February 28, 2002, and all travel must be completed by May 31,
2002.
New Meals on Wheels Is Feeding the Needy
After years of inactivity, the Meals On Wheels
programme, now formally introduced as the Meals On Wheels Foundation 2001, began
a weekly schedule of providing hot meals to the aged and less fortunate persons
here on Monday.
There are approximately 40 needy persons in the
programme so far.
At Monday's formal introduction of the re-named
programme, the keys to the DFID-sponsored van were handed over to Minister of
Education, Health and Community Services Hon. Idabelle Meade by Rotary
representative and Chairman of the Management Committee of the Meals On Wheels
Foundation 2001, Mr. Kenneth Scotland.
It was announced that the insurance company
NEMWIL has given one year's free insurance coverage of the vehicle, whose
volunteer drivers were recruited by the Rotary Club.
Other major sponsors include the Government of
Montserrat, the Montserrat Foundation, Help The Aged International, The Old
People's Welfare Association and the Governor Office.
Fisherman’s Day Celebrated
Today
Montserrat joins the rest of the region to
celebrate Caribbean Fishermen’s Day today.
Each year, June 29th is dedicated to
fishermen, and usually coincides with the feast of St. Peter, the Patron Saint
of Fishers.
The regional theme chosen for this year is
“Fight Hunger to Reduce Poverty.”
However, a release from the Ministry of
Agriculture states that local emphasis will be placed on issues relating to
safety at sea, because the observance falls at the beginning of the Hurricane
Season, a period during which fishermen tend to suffer severe losses.
Activities organized by the Fisheries Unit will
include a radio programme and interviews with fishermen.
Officers of the Unit have also been holding educational discussions in
primary schools.
The Fishery Unit's John Jeffers said, “We
decided to go into the schools (because) it is very important that our children
know about the environment. There are lots of misconceptions and people have the
opinion that a lot of fish (are) out there, and fish cannot finish. It is not
so. What we are seeing is that the fish population is getting smaller and
smaller every year. It is also important that we teach our children about
conservation at an early stage."
He said it is important that children know what
to look for and how they can make their contribution to protecting the
environment.
Montserrat
Customer Calls Cable & Wireless 'Fabulous'
“Cable & Wireless has lived up to our
expectation as a good corporate citizen. Any
competition would have a hard time entering the market,” says a Montserrat
customer in the February Cable & Wireless Voice of the Customer survey.
This year, Montserrat achieved an overall rating
of 88 percent among its residential customers, earning them a “Best In
Class” award in the region. To quote another customer surveyed, “Cable & Wireless
is fabulous.”
Asked how this was possible during the volcanic crisis and the current recovery
period, General Manager Neville Dublin said, “It has not been easy.
We have had to remain focused on the quality of service customers were
accustomed to and we would not settle for less.
With local teamwork and the strong support from regional business units,
we were able to pull it off. Our
customers' voice, and satisfaction with our service shows Cable &
Wireless’ strength to survive in any environment and to continue to maintain
good service.”
Every year customers of Cable & Wireless are
called and asked specific questions to determine current levels of customer
satisfaction, and the perceived value and benefit of the changes suggested by
the respondents in the survey. For
Cable & Wireless Montserrat, the responses have been quite good over the
last seven years.
Customer Service Executive Joseph O’Garro attributes the high rating of customer satisfaction to the one-on-one relationship the company has with customers, “We actively cultivate personal relationships with our customers. Our employees are highly trained to respond to all customer queries and concerns, find solutions and act on them. Our aim is to focus on those areas that are most important to the customer.
The
“Voice of the Customer” is a new approach to customer research by Cable
& Wireless that allows customers to give feedback on the products and
service the company provides.
Service Memorializes 19 Claimed by the Volcano
Approximately 100 persons gathered at the Brades
Pentecostal Church on Monday afternoon in remembrance of the 19 Montserratians
who lost their lives in the pyroclastic events of June 25, 1997.
Among those present were the Chief Minister and
his Cabinet, Sir Howard Fergus, and members
of the Clergy.
Mrs. Adelina Tuitt read a Biblical text, Pastor
Abraham Riley offered the opening prayer, and Pastor Ruth Allen delivered the
dedication. Sir Howard recited one
of his poems and Mr. Theodore Matthew, accompanied by Andre West, sang a
commemoration, particularly for his mother, Claudette Celestine, better known as
"Selena," and aunt Isaline Lewis, who perished in the event.
The church was quiet as he sang
"Loneliness" in remembrance of his loved ones and the others who were
swept away. He expressed in song the hope that one day they would all spend
quality time together to make up for the time that had been lost.
In her sermon, Rev. Joan Delsol Meade likened the
rebuilding of the island after the volcanic crisis to the plight of the Prophet
Nehemiah, who went before the King of Persia seeking permission to return to his
homeland to rebuild what had been broken down. Like Nehemiah, she said, there
are Montserratians abroad who are waiting for the opportunity to come home and
rebuild.
Emerald Singers Ready 3-week Tour of London
By
Helena Durand
For three years, the Emerald Community Singers of
Montserrat have been raising funds and preparing for a tour of London.
That time is finally here, and they leave
Montserrat this coming Wednesday, July 4th, for a three-week tour.
Technical Engineer and Tour Director Richard Aspin said that before leaving, the
group will perform at the Vue Pointe Hotel tomorrow and Sunday, at 7:30 p.m.
He said The Emerald Community Singers of
Montserrat, more commonly called The Emerald Singers, now in their 30th
year have been performing Caribbean folk song and dances and have long been
considered the leading exponents of this art form in the region. At the time of
their foundation in 1971, it was recognized that most of the traditional folk
songs, stories and dances were fast disappearing from the island as the older
folks passed on. The objective of the group, therefore, was to research,
preserve and present as much as possible this folk heritage.
In the intervening years, the group has performed
throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America and the United States,
presenting their collection of folk songs and dances. They have appeared at many
CARIFESTA Art Festivals, the Festival of Music in Cartagena in Colombia, the
Seeds of Change Exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.,
USA (celebrating the 500th anniversary of the voyages of discovery of
Christopher Columbus), and a host of other festivals. In addition, they have
appeared in many of the leading hotels in the Caribbean region and on a wide
variety of visiting cruise ships. They have recorded five albums.
In the last 30 years, Mr. Aspin said, 250
different people have performed with the group, including Arrow, Bennette Roach,
Dr. George Irish, Sir Howard Fergus and Dr. Vernon Buffong.
“Nobody in the group has received any money
personally for singing in the group," he said. "Money raised is plowed
back into the community activities, and or musical instruments."
Mrs. Cathy Buffonge Issues Volcano Book 4
Mrs. Cathy Buffonge's "Volcano Book 4,
98/99," is just off the press. The core of the book, especially about 1998,
is based on a series of articles written by the author for regional newspapers.
Mrs. Buffonge said because the volcano has caused
such radical changes to life on Montserrat, “virtually no aspect of life has
been untouched. The theme of this book is Montserrat Looks to the Future and the
Road to Recovery, and I hope that this theme is discernible in between all the
positive and negative events and issues of 1998 and 1999.
"I have tried to weave in as many as
possible of the diverse aspects of life with the volcano, hopefully giving a
picture of a country rising from the ashes in spite of adversity.”
The book, interspersed with photos and maps, is
published by Montserrat Printing and Publishing.
Service Memorializes 19 Claimed by the Volcano
Approximately 100 persons gathered at the Brades
Pentecostal Church on Monday afternoon in remembrance of the 19 Montserratians
who lost their lives in the pyroclastic events of June 25, 1997.
Among those present were the Chief Minister and
his Cabinet, Sir Howard Fergus, and members
of the Clergy.
Mrs. Adelina Tuitt read a Biblical text, Pastor
Abraham Riley offered the opening prayer, and Pastor Ruth Allen delivered the
dedication. Sir Howard recited one
of his poems and Mr. Theodore Matthew, accompanied by Andre West, sang a
commemoration, particularly for his mother, Claudette Celestine, better known as
"Selena," and aunt Isaline Lewis, who perished in the event.
The church was quiet as he sang
"Loneliness" in remembrance of his loved ones and the others who were
swept away. He expressed in song the hope that one day they would all spend
quality time together to make up for the time that had been lost.
In her sermon, Rev. Joan Delsol Meade likened the
rebuilding of the island after the volcanic crisis to the plight of the Prophet
Nehemiah, who went before the King of Persia seeking permission to return to his
homeland to rebuild what had been broken down. Like Nehemiah, she said, there
are Montserratians abroad who are waiting for the opportunity to come home and
rebuild.
Farmer Says: 'Half Getting Hell, and Half Getting Well'
By Helena Durand
Some welcome rain showers recently sprinkled
Montserrat’s parched earth after a six- month dry spell, but farmers are not
optimistic about their future.
Farmers discussing problems
One of the more than 40 active agricultural
farmers of the Montserrat Farmers Association (MFA), Ms. Lillian Edwards, said
“farming is very bad. There is nothing growing, and the rain's not too
regular.”
While the farmers pray for more showers,
officials of the Department of Agriculture have mixed feelings in this regard.
Mr. Easton Farrell, Agriculture Officer, said “the little showers have helped,
they were a welcome sign of encouragement, and I hope the dry spell is broken.
However, if the rain continues it will foil our plans.”
These plans, he said, include the implementation
of the irrigation programme and the construction of some 10 dams to facilitate
it. “We have in fact identified the sites and are hoping that within the week
or so the engineers will look at them and determine whether they have holding
capacity or whether we will have to line them.”
He said there are 10 mini dams designed for areas
that will offer more than one farmer access to water.
Ms. Edwards, however, declared, “there is no
excuse. They should have built it in the dry season. We had six months of it. We
have no food, not a soul is helping us. They treat us poor; half getting hell,
and half getting well. That is not fair. “
Mr. Farrell explained that while funds for the
project may have been available, it had not been approved. Now it is and the
Department can only hope to make the best use of the intermittent showers to get
the construction of the dams underway.
Notwithstanding the good news of the project's
online status, farmers have many concerns which they say no one seem interested
in addressing.
Farmer John Keller said, “We suffer from a lack
of support from government agencies --specifically the Agricultural Department
-- damage inflicted by loose livestock, lack of irrigation, lack of access to
suitable farming lands, and lack of secured land tenancy.”
He said the farmers get “just promises” and
they would like to hear less talk and see some “support and cooperation from
these agencies.” Out of a need to protect themselves, he said, the farmers
have banded together, which “allows us to have a unified voice when we speak
on matters of interest regarding funding resources. It has allowed us to import
seeds, fertilizer and other needed supplies on our own.”
Some farmers are particularly concerned about
predial larceny. (Ed. Note: predial larceny is theft of land or its products.)
“I have a large grounding” one farmer said,
“and I can never come in time to harvest my bananas. Somebody is always
stealing them. I have complained about it and nothing happened. I caught a man
with my bananas one time and took him to the police. The police went to speak to
him without me and he told the police that he got it from another ground. I
would have liked him to show me the ground.”
“There are predial larceny laws," Mr.
Keller said, "but no one is enforcing them.” Another problem which the
majority of the farmers face, he said, is that having relocated from the south
and southeast, their tenancy is not secure. Although he personally has a secured
tenancy, he said he believes that the farmers have must have leases with longer
terms.
“The lands being made available to us are not
suitable. When farmers lease land for just one year that is expensive. The
farmer has no incentive to develop or care for the land. He simply plants and
harvests. However, if he has it for a longer term, he can plant and harvest and
prepare it to plant another crop. But right now we plant and fertilize the land
and as soon as we harvest, the year is up they take it give it to someone else
and then they offer us more unsuitable lands.”
Farmer Lillian Edwards added, as if that was not
enough, “We buy ginger at $2 per pound to plant. But they soak them in poison
because they say it is just for us to plant. We cannot even take a piece to eat.
What I cannot understand is if we buy our ginger we can use it any way we want.
If we eat it, then we cannot say they did not give it to us. I find it unfair
that after I buy my ginger, I still have to buy ginger in the shop to eat. We
are all farmers, there should be no favorites.”
She said some farmers were being given seeds while others were not, or that they were told they could not get more than one particular crop at a given time “while others getting more than one.”
Caribbean Residents in U.S. Laud Supreme Court Ruling
NEW YORK, CANA - Representatives of the
Caribbean community in New York are hailing the U.S. Supreme Court's rejection
of automatic deportation for some immigrants.
"This is great news," said Dr. Marco Mason, associate executive
director of the Brooklyn-based Caribbean Women's Health Association, in a CANA
interview.
He was reacting to a ruling bringing relief to immigrants who pleaded guilty to
crimes committed before the imposition of two immigration laws in 1996.
"It's certainly a triumph for jurisprudence. "It will guarantee and
ensure that people have their day in court. You shouldn't just take people and
ship them home without a hearing."
He said that though some immigrants may still be subjected to deportation, the
highest court in the land has made it clear that they should be accorded due
process.
"It's a tremendous
relief to the receiving countries in the Caribbean, which have been burdened
over the years by criminal aliens being deported," said Vaughan Toney, the
Vincentian chief-of-staff for Belizean Councilman the Rev. Lloyd Henry,
representative for Brooklyn's 45th Councilmanic District.
Antigua, Britain Look
At 'Operation Exodus'
Antigua, CANA - Antigua
and Barbuda is studying a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from Britain
on the evacuation of neighbouring Montserrat if there is a major volcanic
eruption that will affect life in the safe zone.
Permanent Secretary of Antigua and Barbuda's Foreign Ministry, Colin Murdoch
said on Tuesday that this country's Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Defence
Force were studying the draft.
"I think that Antigua and the British government cooperated very well over
Montserrat during the volcano crisis they had and after that the British came
and said we had good cooperation," Murdoch told the Caribbean News Agency
(CANA).
"But we did it in (an) ad hoc kind of a way and we would like to have an
agreement so that everything is laid out and we know who have responsibility for
what," Murdoch added.
Outgoing British High Commissioner to Antigua and Barbuda, Gordon Baker, earlier
this week spoke of the need for the two countries to sign the accord on
evacuation and other procedures regarding any future disaster on the British
dependent territory.
The Foreign Ministry and the British High Commission here were not in an
immediate position to provide details about what would be Antigua and Barbuda's
role under the MOU. Antigua and Barbuda, Guadeloupe, and St. Kitts are listed in
an evacuation plan called "Operation Exodus," in the event that
violent volcanic activity takes its toll on the safe northern zone of Montserrat
where the remaining 5,274 persons live and work.
The operation includes the deployment of high-speed ferries from Guadeloupe to
get residents off the island to Antigua and St. Kitts, an air medi-vac component
for casualties who cannot travel on the ferry, and the treatment of injured
persons in Guadeloupe.
As a result of a fiery explosion in 1997 that killed at least 19 persons, over
half of the then 10,600 persons fled Montserrat to places such as Antigua where
they were accommodated in private homes and shelters.
Many Montserratians still reside in Antigua, St. Kitts, the British and United
States Virgin Islands, the US mainland and Britain.
Scientists say the northern zone of Montserrat, a 39.6 square mile island, is
still safe for residents and visitors.
Japan Agrees to Train Antigua's Fishermen
The governments of Japan and Antigua and
Barbuda have entered into an agreement which will open up training opportunities
for local fishermen.
This was made possible during a recent
visit by Motoki Fugii, Project Specialist for the Japanese Preparatory Study,
and Yasuhiro Yoshizuka, Japanese Consultant attached to Antigua Fisheries
Limited.
Minister of Agriculture Vere Bird Jr.
says it is an excellent opportunity for fisheries personnel to improve their
knowledge and technical skills.
Training programmes will be offered in
Capture Fishing Technology, Seafood Technology and Market, Fisheries Resource
Management and Marine Engineering.
Both countries are now party to a
Memorandum of Understanding called the Regional Technical Cooperation Promotion
for Caribbean Countries.
Antigua TV Program
To Recall Late V.C. Bird
A special programme chronicling the life
of the late Sir V.C. Bird of Antigua will be aired on ABS Television next
Monday, V.C. Bird Day.
It will reflect on all of his struggles
and those of his colleagues to bring people from subjection and poverty to
independence and prosperity.
The programme will also highlight
tributes paid to Sir V.C. Bird by regional leaders at the Caricom Heads of
Government meeting in July two years ago.
It will evaluate his contribution to the
attainment of universal adult suffrage in 1951 and his involvement in a national
policy of 'free education for all'.
Grenada's
PM Mitchell Wins Argentine Support
BUENOS
AIRES -- Grenada Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, on the second of a four-day
Official Visit to the Argentine Republic, laid a wreath Tuesday at the monument
of General José San Martin, the national hero of Argentina, and was presented
with the Keys to the City of Buenos Aires.
After
the ceremony, the Prime Minister and his delegation arrived at the Office of
President Fernando de la Rua, where working discussions were held. The Argentine
officials indicated that they had already approved seven projects submitted by
Grenada in the areas of agriculture, sports and education. They also indicated
their willingness to provide further support to Grenada in tourism and health.
Prime
Minister Mitchell extended an invitation to President de la Rua to pay an
Official Visit to Grenada, which was accepted.
Both
leaders agreed on the need to strengthen relations between Grenada and the
Argentine Republic. The importance of Argentina establishing closer relations
with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was also stressed.
Grenada Archbishop Faces Trial in Teenager's Murder
Grenada, CANA - A Baptist archbishop in Grenada has been
committed to stand trial in the murder of a 16-year-old girl.
Archbishop Edmund Gilbert, 59, will be tried during the October Assizes on
charges that he murdered Robbie Ann Jeremiah in February this year. He is
currently on remand at the Richmond Hill Prison.
The preliminary inquiry into the case, which started in February, wrapped up on
Tuesday with about 10 witnesses giving evidence.
The teenager's death by strangulation sent shock waves across Grenada.
The case has generated a lot of publicity because the accused archbishop was the
government's top tax collector and a key campaign activist of the ruling New
National Party.
WI
Cricketers Win Anti-drug Award
The West Indies
Players' Association has received the Serge Sotiroff Memorial Award for
outstanding contributions to international drug control efforts.
The award consists of a $1,000
prize and a citation, which were presented in a brief ceremony this week in
Bridgetown (Barbados).
The West Indies
Players Association is the Caribbean institution behind the "Cricketers
against Drugs" campaign, which promotes signature of a written pledge to
lead a drug-free
lifestyle. All the West
Indies Association players have signed the Pledge and actively promote it.
These athletes take their responsibility as role models for young people
seriously and inspire young people to take up
healthy alternatives to drugs.
The award was
established to commemorate the outstanding contribution of the late Serge P.
Sotiroff in the field of international drug control. At the time of his death in
1976, he had spent 30 years in the service of the United Nations.
The Fund was set up by Mr. Sotiroff's friends and colleagues and is
governed by an independent board made up of UN staff members.
Abandoned Yacht Found Off Antigua, No Captain
Antigua, CANA - A United
States-registered yacht that recently left Trinidad was found abandoned on the
coast of Antigua, but the whereabouts of the captain are unknown, police said
late Wednesday.
Assistant Police Commissioner, Rolston Pompey said there was no trace of Thomas
Lee Olchefske, 60, of Minnesota, USA, since the discovery of the vessel several
miles off the coast line in Johnson's Point a week ago Wednesday.
Asked why the police took so long in reporting that the MV Tropic bird was found
in Antiguan waters, Commissioner Pompey said that authorities were "making
some discreet investigations. The Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force has
since contacted law enforcement authorities in the United States but has had no
response.
A local police statement said Olchefske's American passport and a Trinidad and
Tobago port clearance form indicated that the 39-foot vessel departed Trinidad
on June 7 for St. Maarten en route to St. Lucia.
Despite the reefy nature of the area, the yacht was not damaged, suggesting that
"it was skillfully maneuvered and then abandoned either by the skipper or
by persons though unknown who are familiar with the coastline," police
said.
The MV Tropic bird has since been towed to a place of safety.
Antigua to Celebrate UN Anti-drug Day
Antigua and Barbuda will join the rest of
the world in observing International Day against drug abuse and traffic
eliciting.
The day was set aside by the UN General
Assembly in 1986 to express its determination to strengthen action and
cooperation to achieve an international society free of drug abuse.
This year's celebration will be held
under the theme "Sports not Drugs.
St. Vincent Opposition Calls Job Cuts Totally Political Alleges Political victimisation:
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CANA - St. Vincent and the Grenadines' Opposition
Leader Arnhim Eustace accused the new government last weekend of firing workers
who support his party.
Mr. Eustace, who last month took to Parliament a motion calling for the
reinstatement of such persons, again raised the issue of job losses during a
meeting his party held at the Market Square here.
"I can't understand how (Prime Minister Dr Ralph) Gonsalves and the rest of
his cabinet can sleep when they are taking the bread away from so many people in
our country," Mr.
Mr. Eustace said a total of 569 people have been
fired by the new government "for no other reason than they supported the
New Democratic Party". He said that he anticipates there may be in excess
of 1,000 people on an unemployment list being completed by his party.
The new government has rejected claims of victimising opposition supporters,
saying that jobs were cut because there was no money in the treasury to support
them or because they were simply meant to be temporary.
As he did during debate on the motion in Parliament last month, Mr. Eustace
dealt a tongue-lashing to the media, the Christian Council and the Human Rights
Association, which he accused of remaining silent while people are being
victimised.
IADB Announces Third Microenterprise Contest
WASHINGTON, CANA - The Inter-American Development Bank announced Tuesday it
will hold the third annual competition for its Inter-American Awards for
Microenterprise Development.
The awards recognise the outstanding achievements, innovations and leadership of
institutions and individuals who help low-income businesspeople in Latin America
and the Caribbean.
The contest will be open to formal financial institutions and non-governmental
organisations involved in microlending, as well as to institutions that provide
business development services to microentrepreneurs.
A special category of the awards recognises the work of individuals who combine
a strong social commitment with sound business practices in the promotion of
microenterprise and community development.
The award ceremony will be held on November 15 in Santo Domingo, Dominican
Republic, as part of the November 14-16 IV Inter-American Forum on
Microenterprise.
Caribbean Court Awaits Two-Nation Referendum
Antigua, CANA - Leaders of the
Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are likely to discuss whether
there is still need for a same-day referendum in Antigua and Barbuda, and
Grenada about whether the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) should be the final
appellate court.
Colin Murdoch, Permanent Secretary of Antigua and Barbuda's Foreign Ministry,
said Tuesday that sub-regional leaders were returning to the drawing board
because the latest legal advice was that only his country and Grenada required a
referendum based on their
constitutions.
Originally, the six politically independent members of the OECS said they
required a referendum. At that time, the idea of having the referendum on one
day was designed to avoid the
outcome of the poll in one territory influencing the other.
In the case of Antigua and Barbuda, Prime
Minister Lester Bird said it was possible to hold a referendum on the
relationship between the Privy Council and this former British colony at the
same time during a general election.
But he declared that it would be "ludicrous" for CARICOM member states
to take regional trade-related disputes to the British Privy Council.
The British government is said to have given the green light for its dependency
of Montserrat to accede to the CCJ as the final court to settle disputes related
to the Single Market and Economy of the 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
and its Treaty of Chaguaramas.
At their 22nd annual CARICOM summit in Nassau, The Bahamas from July 3 to 7,
leaders are expected to consider a progress report on arrangements to bring the
CCJ on stream, with them being updated on identifiable funding sources of some
US$21 million for the first five years of operations of the regional court.
11 Haitian Migrants Die In Bahama Waters
BAHAMAS, CANA-Reuters -- Eleven Haitian
migrants died and six were trapped on Tuesday in the hull of a wooden sloop that
was shipwrecked in shark-infested waters off Rum Cay in the Bahamas, officials
said.
The victims were among a group of more than 90 Haitians who crowded on to the
30-foot vessel in a bid to reach the United States from their impoverished
Caribbean country.
Bahamas Immigration Director Vernon Burrows said tiger sharks circling the boat
prevented rescuers from getting to the partly submerged sloop.
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force has sent a ship to the remote isle in the hope
of finding the trapped Haitians alive.
Burrows said 76 illegal immigrants survived -- 68 men and eight women.
The overloaded vessel
apparently hit a reef, capsized and then split in half early on Sunday morning.
Most of the victims were believed to have drowned.
June and December are the two
months most favored by illegal immigrants fleeing Haiti because they believe the
seas are calmer.
By
Peter Adrien
Who will win the
triangular Coca-Cola Cup series involving India, Zimbabwe and the West Indies?
Reflecting my respect for the glorious uncertainty of the game, I will not
venture to predict a winner in this abbreviated, vulgarized, unorthodox,
unpredictable and commercialised version of cricket. But I am sufficiently
informed by the available database to give an informed opinion with respect to
the tournament favourites.
India is my
tournament favourites. Brian Lara’s withdrawal from the West Indies team on
its tour of Zimbabwe because of a persistent hamstring injury could be a
blessing in disguise, as the master Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar argued.
Lara's sudden
exit makes nonsense of the military-style training camp which preceded the tour
and the over-emphasis that was placed on fitness as a basic criterion for
participation in the tour. Lara was allowed to join the team if, by his own
admission, he could not participate in the cricket section of the pre-tour camp
in Trinidad for more than one day.
This development
reflects the lack of transparency and accountability that characterised the
modus operandi of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), the management team and
the selection team. And this cancer will be very difficult to remove because the
WICB is incorporated as a private enterprise, and the governments who often use
our hard earned monies to finance or subsidize certain activities for one reason
or another do not have the political will to intervene in the interest of
economic security or national pride.
Like the young
cricketers did against Zimbabwe and Pakistan in the 2000 Home Series (under
Captain Jimmy Adams), they have a golden opportunity to take up the challenge,
mature in compressed time and establish themselves in the team. After all Lara
has carried the West Indies batting for most of his career.
The young batsmen
are very talented even if they are raw. Some could mature into pedigree batsmen
with the right temperament and application.
In fact, the
evidence of this hope was seen in the West Indies' 27- run victory over Zimbabwe
in the opening match on June 23.
Opening batsmen
Chris Gayle and Daren Ganga put on 113 for the first wicket and No.3 Wavell
Hinds, playing only because of Lara's absence, provided the necessary
acceleration with 37 off 44 balls and a new sharpness in running between the
wickets.
The opening
partnership was an extraordinary performance, as many of us would never have
opted to have Ganga open the batting in the makeshift version of the game.
Well, the
dominant partnership allowed the two most experienced batsmen, Captain Carl
Hooper and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the freedom to attack in the last third of
the innings.
India, however,
will pose the real test. And the West Indian resolve and mettle will be tested
when they meet Tendulkar and his friends on June 30.
The two top teams
are obviously India and the West Indies. Just like the absence of Andy Flower
through injury has almost crippled Zimbabwe, the absence of Brian Lara could be
costly to the West Indies. The entertainment content of the tournament could be
decimated as a result of the absence of the two star batsmen. But the little
master, India’s Sachin Tendulkar could have the locomotive effect on the
triangular tournament.
There is no doubt
in my mind that the West Indies and India are most likely to meet in the finals.
But to ensure that berth, the West Indian openers will have to give consistently
good starts; captain Carl Hooper and his fellow Guyanese batsman, Shivnarine
Chanderpaul (the two most experienced middle order batsmen in the team) will
have to bat consistently well; and Cameron Cuffy and Reon King (my two most
trusted quickies) will have to bowl with impeccable accuracy and economy. If
not, Tendulkar will murder our lacklustre bowling.
India seems hungry. In their opening match
against Zimbabwe on June 24, India were highly impressive. After bowling Zimbabwe
out for 133 at Harare Sports Club, they cantered home by nine wickets. Despite
Ganguly's poor international form, the little master craftsman, Sachin Tendulkar
was too much for the Zimbabweans.
Zimbabwe had no answer to
Tendulkar, as on a sluggish pitch he drove boundaries with perfect timing,
despite Zimbabwe's attempts to seal his leg-side shots. Several straight
drives were effortless and magnificent. He was partnered by Hemang Badani,
promoted in place of the injured Laxman. The small target put them under no
pressure and the enthusiastic crowd was able to enjoy a classic exhibition by
the Indian master. When the end came, with almost half the overs in hand,
Tendulkar had 70 and Badani 52, reaching his 50 with a pull for four off
Strang to win the match.
India seems the likely champion. But rally
‘round the West Indies!
PHOTO
CAPTION: Captain
Carl Hooper will have to lead from the front (Photo: Peter Adrien)
Her Majesty’s Birthday and Awards: A Perspective
By Claude Gerald
Another Queen’s
Birthday. Another list of local honoured recipients.
This ritual, no doubt, will continue for a long
time. It creates more than passing interest among some observers, whilst others
view it with passivity and disinterest. But despite the feelings on the issue;
no matter the composition of the awards list, analyzing and evaluating the worth
of the exercise in time and space is imperative. And the citations often
generate critical analysis given knowledge of the social context that gives rise
to the experience.
As the Queen’s birthday nose dives in
importance, so too do the ‘honours’ that accompany it. There are diehards
who will disagree, but the fact remains that as Great Britain loses its pomp and
grandeur and as it accepts more of a glorified Third World posture and status,
anything gratuitously associated will continue to lose substance with the
passage of time.
One often wonders about the process that informs
the awards. Who decides on whom? What are the criteria on which judgment is
made? How transparent and objective
is the process? After all, one has been conditioned into believing and accepting
that when Her Majesty recognizes you on the occasion of her birthday, which is a
traditional cause for celebration, you are singularly special and worthy by
virtue of your unselfish acts to your society; your telling and significant
contribution to the development of the character of the Nation’s people; your
devotion to using your God-given talents to promote a society with the highest
values; you are, in short, part of the crème de la crème of your world and
this planet to an extent.
Have our awardees gotten close to that benchmark
up to the present? The jury is out on this but I submit that the event borders
on mockery, is meaningless and is often a travesty of justice. This is because
social standards are rapidly declining and we have become in this society
individuals who promote and accept the mediocre time and time again.
We are not concerned with the growth and
development of the man, the being, and the substantive. We do not regard or
honour such. Rather we give succour
to those who have historically promoted themselves, those who do not encourage,
motivate, interest or inspire others, even if their calling says they should. We
magnify those who adore their prominence but who remain prominently silent on
every important issue. Theirs is to go along to get along, to perch on the fence
as it were, from which they hide and glide, whilst simultaneously snaking a
camouflage to their continued benefit. The Universe is their world---alone. Once
all is well with themselves and they continue to influence the gullible, then to
hell with all else.
And we use Radio Montserrat as a poppy show
medium to express gratitude for the significance of the insignificants. The
quality of our honourees reflects the quality of our souls in large measure.
Shock, wonder and amazement aptly describe a high ‘honour’ bestowed last
year on a virtual non-entity, whose background and credentials are questionable
and who powerfully huffs and puffs in victimizing Public Servants not of the
same ignorant ilk. But one who has entered, notwithstanding, through the
hallowed portals of Her Majesty’s domain. How outrageous?
How much local input is there? Is there a
committee and who comprise it? Could folks bargain for honours as if picking a
cricket team and with knowledge of the system manipulate it to their benefit? Is
there an ‘old boys club’ with a ‘back me for this’ this time attitude,
no matter how undeserving. And then ‘you next time’? It seems hanky-panky,
and if it is not, there is not a way under God’s heaven how some people could
qualify even to be dishwashers in their own homes. Something is amiss and a
‘Funky-Man’ structure that served for decades to honour local citizens at
all levels is required to advise Her Majesty, if what is meant to be meaningful
is not to become even more meaningless. Honours that are given and accepted
without sufficient local input rings very hollow indeed.
The 1970’s were great years for people
development on Montserrat. Two names jump at you robustly as everlasting models
through dedication to country and work. Their deeds were pivotal and continue to
influence greatly after three decades. One, Dr. George Irish as Resident Tutor,
amongst other callings. The other, Percival Austin Bramble as Chief Minister.
You cannot in a lifetime touch their contributions to education and culture on
the one hand and socio-economic development, through politics on the other. Both
are icons, plain and simple. Through their combined actions, independently but
complementarily most times, Monserratians exited our shores to occupy the UWI
and other institutions like never before. Montserrat had up to recently the
highest number of tertiary education graduates per capita in the Caribbean.
George Irish showed the way, selflessly, with vigour and vitality and a
tremendous sense of nationalism.
Dr. Irish, the revered, but dishonoured national
prophet, remains unrecognized, in a widening Diaspora whilst disabled imposters,
whose only claim to fame is their claim to fame, line up year in year out,
waiting for the best crumb to fall from the golden plate of Her Majesty's table.
Dr. Irish laboured to replenish the soil that nurtured him and culturally swept
this landscape with stormlike force, hauling every hidden talent, from every
nook and cranny, to positions of social importance and esteem. It was a
revolution like no other. We were awakened.
Our confidence grew. We were becoming. Nation building was nascent. The
positives of a George Irish, the celebrated, are what a proud people should
emulate and a Queen, if she were to know, would be proud of on her big day.
Austin Bramble paved the way for social and
economic growth with peerless policies and meaningful actions. His programs are
legendary as they impacted and filtered down to all and sundry. His watchwords
promoted the highest values and his leadership proffered respect, decency and
responsibility in public office. There is, it is sometimes argued, none as
dedicated to his people and as politically shrewd as Austin.
These two gentlemen, most revealingly craved no
attention, sought no accolades, and no glory whilst setting impeccable standards
with far-reaching positive and sustained implications for the growth of a
people. They stood for something! Such is the hallmark of great men whose life
and times should serve as the distinguished model, and in these morally bankrupt
times, the spirit of these men should guide us in the selection of those we seek
to honour nationally. We must see, feel and experience the work of those we
honour and such work must expand the frontiers of our development.
We do not need to nominate each year. As things
go the list may well be exhausted. And the Queen’s awards may well be spent in
some instances too, so that those who are ambitious and may wish to add to their
already embellished list could now perhaps embrace the Vatican, for the much
more difficult to acquire honour of Sainthood. Egoism and its counterpart,
egotism knows no bounds. Our society is now impoverished by years of inbreeding
and the time for a new dispensation is ripe, to add colour and glee to a dying
local dynasty that centers on the whims of a few.
If only Her Majesty should know what occurs in
her name, she may well experience avoidable indigestion, even as she dines on
the most hallowed day in the Palace.
Claude
Gerald is an agricultural economist, with an abiding interest in the
socio-political development of Montserrat.
E-mail, ceegee15@hotmail.com
By
Cathy Buffonge
A
mini theatre festival comprising three short Caribbean plays was staged recently
at the Vue Pointe Hotel. CARIPLAY is a new association of Caribbean drama
directors, with the mission to develop theatre craft within and beyond the
region, with emphasis on newer work. It was formed after last year's CARIFESTA,
in a bid to expose the dramatic work of various islands to a wider audience. The
programme here ran for three nights with two plays being shown each night.
"The
Confession," a play from Barbados, tells the story of Michael, a young man
condemned to die for murder. Michael insists that his killing of a drug dealer
was done in self defence, while his lawyer, his priest and his mother in turn
try to persuade him to confess to murder in order to save his life. Truth has
become very important to Michael, who refuses to change his story with tragic
results.
The
play was written by Peter Laurie and directed by Merle Niles, who is a founding
member of CARIPLAY. This is a starkly straightforward story, with the action
taking place in Michael's barred cell and ending chillingly with his execution.
The acting by 17-year-old Khama Philips as Michael and Icil Philips as his
mother was especially noteworthy and moving.
Unfortunately
the habit of audiences laughing at the tragic parts of the play was in evidence
here (although this may in fact be a way to release tension), especially at the
end when the hanging is heard and seen in silhouette. It might have been more
effective if the play had ended simply with the silhouette of Michael with the
rope around his neck followed by silence and darkness.
This could have avoided the excessive laughter which came with the
"noises off" of the actual hanging.
"The
Light and the Dark" is a play from St. Lucia dealing with Obeah or the
occult. Aunt Gertrude, a country woman, is convinced that her female neighbour
is trying to bewitch her, while her nephew Amos, a modern and educated young
man, tries in vain to make her see that her beliefs are just superstition with
no basis in fact. The play culminates with a dramatic and tragic end for Amos,
leaving the audience wondering.
Anthea
Octave gave an outstanding performance as "Aunt G," a woman whose
whole life is wrapped up in superstition and suspicion. There was a good
performance by Richard Ambrose as Amos, while the cameo performance by Nathaniel
Reynolds, as Aunt G's fisherman friend, brought his part of the story vividly to
life. The play, written by Stanley French, was directed by Kendel Hippolyte.
French Creole is interspersed into the dialogue, making it convincingly St
Lucian.
The
third play, "Ash," is well loved in Montserrat, and now through
CARIFESTA and CARIPLAY is getting exposure to a wider audience. As always Chadd
Cumberbatch and A-dZiko Simba showed amazing versatility as they made the rapid
change from one character to another in this satirical commentary on life with
the volcano.
These
performers, who also wrote most of the skits, act with their whole bodies and
especially with their facial expressions, as they assume their many and diverse
roles: A-dZiko portraying anything from a jaded "shelteree" to an
over-enthusiastic TV presenter; Chadd ranging from a householder swamped with
relocated relatives, to an overbearing DFID official.
Between each act are interspersed radio announcements and other clips of
voices and music, keeping up the continuity and setting the tone for the next
skit. Anne Marie Dewar is the producer and also takes small parts.
The
three plays have already been shown in St. Lucia and Barbados, with plans to
visit other islands. CARIPLAY is a great idea which has taken off to a good
start. The directors, producers, actors, and stage crews deserve every
encouragement to continue.
By Justin ‘Hero’
Cassell
(Agricultural Development Officer)
“EAT
FROM THE LAND, NOT FROM THE CAN”
Fisherman’s Day 2001
Friday
29th June 2001 has been designated as Caribbean Fisherman’s day.
Fisherman’s Day usually coincides with the feast of St. Peter, the
patron saint of fishers, and is celebrated on 29th June in most
Caribbean islands.
The
theme for Caribbean Fisherman’s day 2001 is “Fight hunger to reduce
poverty.” However, because
Fisherman’s Day falls at the beginning of the hurricane season, coupled with
the fact that fishermen tend to suffer severe losses during this period, the
Department of Agriculture has decided that emphasis be placed on issues relating
to Safety at Sea for Fisherman’s Day 2001.
Activities
organized by the Fisheries Unit of the Department of Agriculture for
Fisherman’s Day 2001 include educational discussions in the primary schools, a
radio programme, and interview with fishers.
The Future of Pipers Pond
The Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Land,
Housing and the Environment,
Mrs.Annie Dyer-Howe, hosted a meeting of
technical resource persons on 25th June 2001 to discuss the proposed
development of Pipers Pond. Present
at the meeting were the Hon. Minister of Communication and Works, the Permanent
Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, and representatives from the
Montserrat National Trust, the Montserrat Port Authority, the Department of
Agriculture and the Physical Planning Unit.
In
recognition of the value of Pipers Pond as a natural wetland habitat it was
declared a Wildlife Reserve by Executive Council on the 11 January 2001 under
the Forestry, Wildlife, National Parks and Protected Areas Ordinance of 1996.
The
aim of the meeting was to discuss the merits and demerits of retaining the area
as a Wildlife Reserve versus its development as a safe harbor for fishing
vessels. Following in-depth discussions, and in keeping with sound economic and
environmental management principles, the meeting decided that the way forward
would best be informed by a feasibility study. The Natural Resources and
Management Unit of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States will be
requested to facilitate this exercise.
Alternative Airport
Old Quaw, we are told, rhymes with cow;
It's a site picked out to show how
Her Majesty's heralds
Are wrong to push Geralds;
Then CM says, 'Wow! But not now.'
Rise, Sir Howard
Dr. Fergus enjoys his award,
Aglow with the island's accord;
With a knighthood he's blessed,
Which is surely the best
Way to be put to the sword.
Jus wonderin who is bugging who.
Jus wonderin what is wrong wid de wife and dem
why de husband dem a seek other help.
Jus wonderin out loud what is wrong wid dat
officier from lookout, he look like fish outa water.
Jus wonderin what is wrong wid de live stock
farmers dem, wha mek dem no tie dem d…cattle.
Jus wonderin if me got one woman and ten more out
dey love me off wha fe do, left dem lone or go crazy.
Jus wonderin when jus wonderin a go mek one movie
about some jus wonderin.
Jus wonderin about de young Montserratian gal dem
it look like dem finally a get tame now-a-days.
Jus wonderin which of these PLM stand for, Please
leave Montserrat; People Love Money; Please Leave Me or Plenty Living in
Montserrat or Plenty Lovin in Montserrat.
Jus wonderin about de particular male and female
officers, wha dem got in common.
Jus wonderin why Montserrat do getting award for
no crime.
Jus wonderin about one female officer, if she
still a go marry dis man.
Jus wonderin if only de crazies and dem a do de
crime now-a-days.
Jus wonderin if who de cap really fits, you can
tell with de look pan dem face and de mood dem in.
Jus wonderin why de happen to the newly young
married couple dem mek both a dem must run ‘bout so.
Jus wonderin if jus wonderin can please ge me one
pen fe rite wid.
Jus wonderin if they do not have anything better
to do than carry news.
Jus wonderin since when talking to somebody means
that you are involved with them.
Jus wonderin if they really know talk is cheap
but the actions speak louder than words.
Jus wonderin why jus wonderin does cool and quiet
some people so.
Jus wonderin if think before you act is enough
words for the unwise.
Jus wonderin who de cap fits if they will put um
pan dey head and hide dem face.
Jus wonderin when awe ago get de new airport.
Jus wonderin what the parents plan to do about
this long holiday which school children are getting.
Jus wonderin fer true when awe a go eat dem
cattle dey wey a destroy awe land.
Jus wonderin wha is wrong wid de price controller
dem.
Jus wonderin if dem tink money grow pan tree.
Jus wonderin who dem a try fer please, DFID, play
or de false prophet.
Jus wonderin if de dog and cat mek friend, wha de
cat and mouse a do.
Jus wonderin if one is for de money, two fer de
show, what is get ready and who must go.
Jus wonderin de fan gone pan holiday or if he
sick.
Jus wonderin why de fan can’t get wha other
people a get.
Jus wonderin why de radio lek dem stap play more
local songs.
Jus wonderin if dem new sports car ya a catch de
eye of dem school gal or jus de money in a de wallet.
Jus wonderin who else a tek notice of dem school
gals behaviour.
Jus wonderin if jus wonderin concerned about who
tantalizing the school gel dem.
Jus wonderin if de printing man go tell awe why
he go wey so long and when and where e a go again.
Jus wonderin if the printing
man tink bout living in a de London wid dem others.
Jus wonderin if de MP say we nah want british
passport wha mek we so vex wid he.
Jus wonderin wey de MP back bone go dat he no
fight back and speak up, mek dem understand.
Jus wonderin why so little bit people come a de
memorial service.
Jus wonderin if one man can jus wonder too much.
FOR SALE
One lot in Nixons
One lot in Manjack
Lots in Olveston
Call Neville Bradshaw Agencies TODAY for
details…
Make A Deal. Call Now.
Tel: (664) 491-5270 or (664) 491-5235
Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: editor@montserratreporter.org
This site is maintained by West Computer Works. Please read Disclaimer.