.

Consultants Suggest: Obtain New Ferry, Hike Copter Fares

By Helena Durand  

Consultants from Roughton International, who are on island reviewing the ferry and helicopter services here at the request of the Department for International Development (DFID), say Montserrat is spending too much of British aid funds on these services.

At a public discussion at the Brades Pentecostal Church on Wednesday evening, Team Leader Kenneth Grundey may have confused the public with the complexity of subsidies and deficits. He said annual figures show that spending on the ferry totals EC$8,171,147 and on the helicopter amounts to EC$4.6 million. Despite ferry revenues of EC$2,184,389, the ferry is left with a deficit of EC$5 million. For the helicopter, despite passenger revenues, there is still an annual deficit of EC$2.9 million.

The consultants then suggested possible alternatives for each service.

For the ferry, they presented five:

1. Maintain current use of the ferry and keep losing almost $6 million annually;

2. Stop use of the ferry altogether, which would inconvenience travelers but would allow $6 million to be put to other uses;

3. Negotiate reduced charges, and save about EC$2 million annually;

4. Government purchase a (the) ferry, an option the consultants considered as a last resort;

5. Charter a new ship that is most likely to give best value for money. 

The consultants chose number five, saying the Opale Express, which is currently being used, was hired for an emergency in 1997 which no longer really exists.  The ferry has a carrying capacity of 302 passengers, they said, but seldom carries more than 20 persons at a given time.

For the helicopter they offered six alternatives:

1. Maintain current situation;

2. Keep helicopter, but eliminate passenger service; have patients and/or government pay for medivac services, and reduce the MVO’s 40 hours of helicopter use a month to the designated 30 hours;

3. Offer no passenger service and provide little time for search and rescue;

4. Offer passenger service, search and rescue, medivac and MVO use;

5. Same as four, but increase helicopter fare from EC$178 to EC$275 round trip;

6. Same as five, but with subvention.

The consultants said they favor number five. 

Some members of the public expressed concern that the consultants made no mention of expediting the airstrip process so as to negate the costs incurred by both the ferry and helicopter.

Eugene Skerritt, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, said the date 2004 has been targeted for the completion of an airstrip for the island. Until that time, he said, arrangements must be made for traveling to and from Montserrat.  

Cheddy Responds

Hon. Chedmond Browne has noted his displeasure with an Internet article captioned, ”Montserratians reject British citizenship and desire to be administered by UN?’

The article, which The Reporter mistakenly attributed last week to the UN website, is a writer’s interpretation of what Mr. Browne said in his statement at the UN Decolonisation Seminar in Cuba in May 2001.

The full text of Hon. Chedmond Browne’s statement follows.

Statement presented to the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization Seminar, May 23-25, Havana Cuba

by Hon. MP, Chedmond Browne 

Mr. Chairman, let me first take this opportunity to thank the people and the government of Cuba for hosting this meeting.

Mr. Chairman, I have been an Anti-Colonial agitator for some 30 years now. The fact that I have only now, for the first time, gotten the opportunity to speak to this honourable gathering, to me, is an indication of the power, or an indication of the lack of concern or interest, that the administering power for Montserrat has for the Committee of 24.

Mr. Chairman, when the government of Montserrat inquired to the Governor as to the reason why the invitation to this Decolonisation seminar was not forwarded to us for a response we were told that the British government is not in favour of its colonies attending those type of affairs.

So Mr. Chairman, the Governor declined the invitation in the name of the government and people of Montserrat. To my mind Mr. Chairman, the Governor has contravened the protocol involved in the process, and usurped a decision that should be made the government of the day.

Mr. Chairman, the fact that Montserrat is the only Caribbean colony represented here by the government of the day, should be a clear indication that the governors of the Caribbean colonies have made decisions for those colonies that is not in keeping with the spirit of the decolonisation process. Mr. Chairman, I wish that I could have presented to this honourable gathering, a positive and progressive report as the one presented by the Honourable Chief Minister of Gibraltar. Mr. Chairman, the administering power for Gibraltar and the Caribbean colonies are the same. However, there is a huge contradiction in how the British government treats the two groups. When asked to explain this contradiction, a former Prime Minister, (Mrs. Thatcher) told us that there was no comparison between these colonies as the occupants of Gibraltar, the Falklands, etc. were kith and kin. The apparent conclusion that we are forced to draw is that the Caribbean colonies are former slaves and the master/servant relationship still holds sway.

For this reason, Mr. Chairman, I must endorse the papers presented by the speakers from Anguilla and Bermuda. Their positions, Mr. Chairman, reflect closely the position of Montserrat. Mr. Chairman, in 1989 the British government presented a constitution to the people of Montserrat. This was done with very little input or consultation with the government and people of Montserrat. To my mind, Mr. Chairman, this is an illegal document that grants all authority for the governance of Montserrat to a Governor. A Governor, Mr. Chairman, who is not elected by the people of Montserrat, but rather appointed by the British government.

Mr. Chairman, in 1999, British government presented to the international community a white paper on its relationship with its remaining colonies. In it there was mention of bringing the colonies in line with international standards on human rights, the granting of citizenship and a plan of partnership.

Mr. Chairman, every colony in the Caribbean refused to pass the Homosexual Act proposed by the British government so, the British government imposed by decree the act on its colonies. Mr. Chairman, the passing of the act was tied to the granting of citizenship. Logic demands Mr. Chairman that if the colonies refused to pass an act in return for the granting of citizenship the colonies have in fact rejected the offer of citizenship. Still, Mr. Chairman, the white paper and the British position is that the colonies do not want to change their present relationship. It could be Mr. Chairman, that the British are mixing up the responses it receives for its Caribbean colonies with those it receives from its kith and kin colonies.

Mr. Chairman, the government of Montserrat is newly elected. On April 2, 2001, we were given a mandate by the people of Montserrat to represent them at all levels. Mr. Chairman, our manifesto and platform included self-determination and constitutional reform.  Mr. Chairman, I want it clearly documented here for the record that the people of Montserrat are not happy with their colonial position. Mr. Chairman, I also want it clearly understood here that the people of Montserrat are not in favour with the British government's attempts to manufacture our integration into their empire through making us British citizens. Mr. Chairman, it should be abundantly clear that this citizenship will not change our present colonial position and may in fact devolve further what little administrative authority the elected government has. Mr. Chairman, we view this as a way, by the use of papers and documents, to circumvent decolonisation and remove us or to use the terminology, delist us. Mr. Chairman, we do not want to be delisted until we have attained our rights to be a self-determined people.

In conclusion Mr. Chairman, I would like to draw some attention to the options available for colonies.

1. Full self-government. The fact that Montserrat has only recently become a participant in these seminars should be a clear indication that the British have done little in the past 40 years to help us attain this option.

2. Associated Statehood. The British government closed this option of Associated Statehood in 1979. Its position as far back as then was that those colonies who had not opted for it then were not interested in changing their status.

3. Integration into a state of choice. This option is presently being manufactured for us by the British in an attempt to delist us. So far neither the spirit or the protocol involved in such a choice has been explained or debated. If this paper trick is used we are already on record that it must not be for the purposes of delisting us.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to make a few suggestions. The process by which the colonies are invited to these seminars needs some closer attention. If the objective is the eradication of colonialism, then the colonies themselves must have input. Mr. Chairman the Committee of 24 have been given a 10 year extension. Given the fact that after 40 years, colonies still exist, I would like to suggest a fourth option.

If colonialism cannot be totally eradicated in the next 10 years, Mr. Chairman, I submit that those colonies should be given the option of removing themselves from their administering powers and placing themselves in the care of a United Nations body until such a time as they can enter a family of nations as full self-governing countries.

Mr. Chairman, I thank you for this opportunity to speak for the government and people of Montserrat.

Chedmond Browne

Cable & Wireless Tells Region's Journalists What Lies Ahead

By Bennette Roach

Cable & Wireless gathered senior journalists from across the Caribbean last Sunday at Jamaica's Half Moon Golf, Tennis & Beach Club for the company's annual two-day media conference, followed by the annual forum for its public relation staff, which continues until tomorrow.

Recently appointed Chief Executive officer Errald Miller told participating journalists at the opening of the conference that his mission is "to build Regional Synergies, across products and geographies, so that Cable & Wireless (West Indies) Limited, becomes the premier value creator for customers through impeccable customer service and its delivery of quality, price competitive and efficient solutions, thereby creating value for its stakeholders."

"This vision drives all my decisions and actions," he said, "since I firmly believe that, operating as one Company across the region will realize transnational learning, accelerated and more cost effective product rollout, and long-term viability of the Company's operations in the region."
He said Cable & Wireless hopes to ensure that customers are better served as it works with governments and regulators to create a smooth transition to liberalisation of its long monopolised markets.

As regional governments embrace liberalisation and regulation, he said, the "company's operations landscape is increasingly difficult."

CEO Miller said tremendous progress has been made in Jamaica, Barbados and the OECS against Cable & Wireless' 100-year background in the region, during which it has been "a major enabler of economic activity and growth; played a major role in the development of the social fabric through the strong belief in our corporate social responsibilities."

Mr Miller conceded that Cable & Wireless  "has blown its own whistle on the many worthy cause its has supported throughout the years." He said he believes that "we are the #1 corporate citizen in the West Indies if not the world," mentioning their corporate sponsorship in all the countries they operate in, ranging across support for sports, health, Caricom Initiatives career expositions, educational programmes adoption of schools, providing personal computers and Internet  access, and certainly not omitting their continued sponsorship of WIndies cricket to the tune of EC$21.5 million over the next three years.

Other matters of which the company spoke were  "implications of the new regulatory environment, new resources technology and the practice of journalism.

Barbara Gloudon, Communication Consultant and a popular talk show host in Jamaica, gave a presentation on the challenges and opportunities facing the practice of journalism in the Caribbean today.

Other presentations were mostly made by Cable & Wireless resource personnel.

There was much media interaction and question and answer periods and the conference was rounded off with a tour of Cable & Wireless Montego Bay Call (Contact) Centre.

Invitees from Montserrat to the C&W Media Conference were Miss Athema Daley, ZJB news editor, and Bennette Roach, Editor of The Montserrat Reporter. 

EDITORIAL

"While Our Policy Makers Huddle, A Young Visionary Speaks Out"

As the New Peoples Liberation Movement (NPLM) that swept into power with a seven-to-two victory on April 2, 2001 grapples with the functions of running a government totally dependent on outside aid and a dead economy -- or at best an inactive one -- the #1 ingredient seems to slipping from the mix along the way Although there is not too much by way of answers, one can easily get the sense that there is a lack of cohesiveness among inner circles.

In the era of the David Brandt "coalition" government, Ministers spoke mostly to issues relative only to their respective ministries. It was a rare occasion when one heard a supporting voice for the chief minister on any general issue. That was a big problem and led easily to a lack of growth and success in many areas. It was either that we had convinced ourselves that every single issue depended on British government intercession, or we had accepted the imposition.

One of these issues was the airport/transportation issue that is still floundering very much today. In this instance different people are giving different "vibes," all because despite the existence of $10 million, the sad state of the economy offers an excuse for moving ahead with a most crucial project that three years from now could prove to be our final undoing. We are being forced to succumb to the wiles of another nation.

That said, while our political leadership struggle to deal with issues of most unfamiliar territory, it can easily be forgotten that there are other matters that require urgent attention.

This past week the Montserrat Secondary School held what is well known among us as “Speech Day." This year the Valedictorian Speech was given by Master Royden V.O. Greaves of Salem. The young man recapped his educational life, speaking on behalf of his fellow students, and had some searching reminders, most of which are recaptured below because we think them most worthy of note.

"In my opinion, education is the key, the foundation and chief cornerstone to our long-term development. Hence, we need a well-trained, highly skilled and thoroughly educated work force.  That’s because I do not believe that a fifth form education is sufficient to adequately qualify a student for the world of work in this new millennium. The re-establishment of the sixth form and technical college is extremely essential to the re-development of Montserrat.

"Since there is no sixth form or college on the island, students aspiring towards tertiary education would have to travel abroad at the end of fifth form, whilst still at a tender age. This means that we will be losing our brighter students every year. The resulting brain drain will negatively impact the island in the years ahead.  Further, one or both parents are forced to relocate with their children for sixth form studies overseas. This will further depopulate the island. In instances where the parents lack the finances to send their children to institutions of learning abroad, the students may be left to suffer as they may lose out on gaining higher qualifications. The sixth form problem needs to be rectified speedily!

"… (M)y island home, your home, Montserrat, is at the crossroads. It is still adversely affected by a volcano, over which we have no control. As students and adults, we have suffered great losses, many set backs, deprivation, humiliation, pains and sorrows not to mention psychological anguish and frustration… Through faith in Almighty God, and the indomitable spirit of our people we have already started on our way to a new and brighter day. Despite this fact, I believe, more emphasis should be placed on rebuilding the economy. Yes, I agree that one must be patriotic; I also accept that Montserrat is still recovering from the volcanic crisis but at the same time, I believe more effort is required to encourage people to stay and to contribute to the development of the island.

"As students, we realize that the government, opposition and all the people of Montserrat need to work together for the survival and improvement of our island. A united effort is our best hope of achieving these goals. Let us remember that a divided people are a weak people.

"I am only a student but in my mind’s eye I see a Montserrat with well-paved roads, luxurious hotels, an airport, a modern town in the north, a sports stadium, cruise ship docks at Little Bay, a yacht marina at Carr’s Bay, multi-story government headquarters complex, an 18-hole golf course and housing development at Blakes.

"I foresee Montserrat as a centre for Offshore Banking and e-Commerce. I see a Montserrat with all our workers gainfully employed. I see a Montserrat in which all our leaders and elders are given the respect and honour due them. I envision a Montserrat where we love and revere God and practice charity towards all. This is why I say again, “let us work together to rebuild our country."

Oh yes, if we never listened, we should listen now. 

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 

SCRIPTURE VERSE THIS WEEK

Be Grateful For The Good You Do

So by their fruits you shall know them. Matthew 7:20

People recognize us by the quality of our thoughts and actions. These are the fruits that define who we are. The quality of the fruit varies, but I think it is important to be grateful for the good fruit we produce. The Scriptures often invite us to do this. We need to be mindful of the beneficial actions God enables us to accomplish so that we can give God adequate thanks for them. Our faithfulness to God and the positive things we do for others are all a part of the good fruit of our lives. When we remember the good and give thanks, we see more clearly how God’s powerful love enlivens us. And we humbly acknowledge that without God’s power working within us, there would be no good fruit at all.

We could also extend our thanks toward those who have offered good fruits to us. Our lives have been richly blessed by the caring of others. We know the love of our parents, relatives and friends by the way they share their lives and energies with us. This is a good day to express our gratitude.

Your power makes good fruit possible, Lord. Thank you for what you have helped me to accomplish.

Fr. Kenneth E. Grabner, C.S.C.

Genesis 15: 1-12, 17-18; Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9; Matthew 7:15-20                                                                                                 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A Few Facts to Counter Peter Adrien's Selections

Dear Editor,

It is exciting to see young people stepping up to the plate as Peter Adrien is doing in writing the sports column. I do enjoy reading his point of view, though not always sharing it.

I disagree when Mr. Adrien asserts in " IS THE GESTATION PERIOD TOO LONG?", "According to the conventional wisdom, a pedigree or high-value batsman averages 40 or more" and then goes on to write, "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?" one who knows the facts must come to the conclusion that this subject was not researched.

Some facts:

Of the 240 players that have represented the West Indies in 10 or more test matches, there are 21 players with an average over 40. The 22nd highest average is Larry Gomes' 39.63, followed by S. Chanderpaul's 39.31. There are only two current West Indian players with higher averages, J. Adams at 41.26 and B.C. Lara at 47.68.

G. Logie with 35.79, Carew with 34.15, and Camacho with 29.09 have lower averages. International players: M. Artherton 38.46, J. Langer 39.04, G. A. Stewart 39.48, W. Cronje 36.41, and H. Gibbs 34.43, Now had you known the above facts, I am certain you would not have admonished the selectors to drop the best batsman on the current team.

Sincerely,

Lester Rogers

New York 

Reader Grateful to Read How Montserrat is Doing

Dear Editor,

As a long time resident of Montserrat displaced by the volcanic activity (house on Foxes Bay), it is so refreshing to still be able to keep up with what is happening in this little place in my heart.  I only wish I knew when I might be able to return to my house.  There seems to be little talk of trying to revive business on the island, in which the cottage industries and rental homes played a major part. Where can I go for more information?
Thanks

jimmicito@aol.com 

LOCAL and REGIONAL NEWS

Judge Georges Presides At July Criminal Assizes

His Lordship Judge Ephram Georges is presiding over the July Criminal Assizes, which began here on Monday.

Cases being brought before him include Attempted Murder, Burglary, Arson, Indecent Assault, Unlawful Wounding and Wounding with Intent.  A young man also faces the High Court charged with two counts of rape.

So far, Rexford Davis has pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Jermaine Bramble, whose case was brought up from the November Assizes where he had been ordered by the Court to perform 40 hours of community service, was discharged after Court concluded that he had completed the service.

There were three not guilty pleas, while two defendants withheld pleas pending the attendance of Council.

John Allen pleaded not guilty to Unlawful Wounding and Wounding with Intent but on conviction by the jury was sentenced to six years in prison.

George Farrell pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of unlicensed ammunition and was sentenced to two years imprisonment.

The case against David Hixon, who was also facing a charge of unlawful possession of unlicensed ammunition, was discharged.  

Nathan Galloway, who pleaded guilty to unlawful and malicious wounding, was to appear for sentencing today. 

Patrick Dyer was to have been arraigned on the charge of attempted burglary, and the case against Devon Greenaway for Indecent Assault, will continue today.  Three witnesses have been called in the Greenaway case so far. 

CARICOM Heads Get Dr. Lewis' Message

Minister of Communications and Works Hon. Dr. Lowell Lewis represented Chief Minister Hon. John Osborne at the 22^nd CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting on Tuesday in the Bahamas.

Dr. Lewis could not address the assembly, however, since only the Heads of Governments are allowed to speak. Montserrat's Chief Minister had been expected to deliver an address, being the most recently elected head of state in the organization. In the absence of Mr. Osborne, the privilege was passed to St. Vincent's recently elected Prime Minister, Dr. Gonsalves.

The Montserrat Deputy Chief Minister's prepared speech, however, was circulated among CARICOM Heads and their representatives.

In it Dr. Lewis expressed pleasure for the continued support of CARICOM, and noted that although the government and people of Montserrat were grateful for the assistance of the United Kingdom, “We would prefer dual citizenship rather than British citizenship, when the later is offered later this year.”

He said that despite an allocation of £150 million over the past five years, which “in our opinion has not been spent appropriately,…we are still without a suitable seaport, airport, government buildings or housing for all those who wish to stay in or return to Montserrat.” 

Dr. Lewis said Montserrat is being led from Dependent Territory or ‘Colony’ status to that of a British Overseas Territory, by a process of economic inducement, rather than by popular choice or constitutional change; and that although the proposed white paper is supposed to preserve the principle of self-determination for peoples of island cultures, “yet the constitutional requirements for British Overseas Territory Status may deprive the local community of independent legislating authority.”

That, he said, “restricts our ability to respond and contribute to agreements and partnerships as speedily as we would like, and returning to British Grant in Aid has resulted in budget restrictions that will reduce our participation at regional meetings. “

He cited Montserrat’s full CARICOM membership in urging the Community partners to raise the island’s issue whenever they make contact with the British, “to ensure that we retain our right to self-determination, and get the level of assistance necessary to become economically viable.”

"We remain committed to the regional integration movement," he said. "Despite our troubles, an increasing number of CARICOM brothers and sisters have come to our shores to find work as we rebuild, and our work permit rules have been relaxed in order to accommodate workers and their families. I am personally proud to be the bearer of a CARICOM skilled persons permit which allows me to live and work in Barbados.”  

OECS Health Ministers Urged to Tackle AIDS

By Helena Durand

Minister for Education, Health and Community Services Hon. Idabel Meade called Wednesday upon Health Ministers of the OECS to “tackle” the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

She told those attending the two-day 4^th Meeting of OECS Ministers of Health in Montserrat at the Vue Pointe Hotel that if the spread of HIV/AIDS is not contained, the region would be significantly set back.

She said the disease can be tackled effectively through, “ongoing political commitment. "In Montserrat we have that; involvement of all sectors of society, strengthening the national capacity, including prevention and care strategies and improved health care infrastructure; efficient, reliable and secured distribution system, additional funding commensurate with the health challenge posed by HIV and investment in research and development.”

She said of the OECS, “As a grouping we face similar challenges in health, such as high incidence of diabetes, hypertension, as examples of chronic non-communicable diseases.”

Research has shown that Caribbean countries, along with many other regions of the world, are experiencing an epidemic of obesity and non-communicable diseases that are causing significant illnesses, death and economic hardship for the people. 

Among presentations given at the Conference, the OECS Health Sector Reform Programme: Financial Agreement, sought to highlight the resource mobilization efforts of the Secretariat to support the implementation of the OECS Health Sector Reform Programme. It also provided a suggested framework to involve key stakeholders in the programme at the national and regional levels.  

Royden Greaves Speaks As MSS Valedictorian

Royden V. O. Greaves, Head Boy of the Montserrat Secondary School and the valedictorian at the graduation ceremony for school leavers on Tuesday, thanked God, his parents and the many teachers who moulded him into what he is.

Competition from his classmates, he said, also helped him to realise that good things don’t come easy.

Being a Seventh day Adventist, he said, has given him the opportunity to “grow spiritually, socially and academically.” He said in his opinion education is the foundation and chief cornerstone to long term development.

"We need a well-trained, highly skilled and thoroughly educated workforce,” and he considers a fifth form education inadequate to " qualify a student for the world of work in this new millennium."

The island's lack of tertiary education facilities, he said, has resulted in the relocation of families overseas. More relocation he noted, “will further depopulate the island. In instances where parents lack the finances to send their children to institutions of learning abroad, the students may be left to suffer as they may lose out on gaining higher qualifications. The sixth form problem needs to be rectified speedily!”

He said he foresees also, Montserrat as a centre for Offshore Banking and e-Commerce. “I see a Montserrat with all our workers gainfully employed. I see a Montserrat in which all our leaders and elders are given the respect and honour due them. I envision a Montserrat where we love and revere God and practice charity towards all. This is why I say, Let us work together to rebuild our country.”

Royden Greaves aims to further his education, because, “the little that I have achieved so far is only the foundation, the platform, and the building blocks for far greater accomplishments.”  He plans to pursue courses in Computer Technology and Civil Engineering, so that he can come back and make a significant contribution to the development “of my people and the re-development of our country.” 

Another Youth Work Award Honors Patricia A. Farrell

An award for outstanding youth work and commitment to youth development in the Caribbean was presented last week to Ms. Patricia Farrell by the Caribbean Federation of Youth (CFY).

The presentation was made during the CFY Congress and 15^th Anniversary Reunion held at the Maho Beach Resort in St. Maarten, with the theme "Youth Empowerment: The Foundation of Caribbean Development in this Age of Globalization."

Awards were presented to the nine past Presidents of the Federation, as well as individuals and organisations.  Membership certificates were also presented to National Youth Councils (NYC).

Ms. Farrell was the second female President to serve the Federation. She has served as Secretary, President and Youth Advisor of the local NYC. She also held the position of CFY Vice President-Northern Zone for two consecutive terms from 1993 to 1996, and CFY President from 1996 to 1997. Ms. Farrell has also been involved in youth, church and community work for more than 20 years and held several executive positions both locally and regionally. 

Montserrat Sends Two To St. Kitts Workshop

Montserrat was represented at the 2^nd Regional Tourism and Health Sensitization Workshop in St. Kitts from July 26 to 29 with the participation of Mrs. Donna Mae Tuitt, Product Development Officer with the Montserrat Tourist Board, and Mrs. Anjella Skerritt, Family Nurse Practitioner.

The workshop brought together technicians from health and tourism.  Its main aim was to sensitize the people of the region to the importance of promoting sustained development of tourism while protecting the population and the environment.  The increasing rate of infection with HIV/AIDS and communicable diseases were highlighted as important concerns.  Ultimately, training will be conducted nationally to inform and update all stakeholders in health, tourism and the entire community.

Participants attended from Antigua, Anguilla, Dominica, the British Virgin Islands, Montserrat and St. Kitts.  Country teams were formed and plans were made for training activities to be undertaken over the next year.  These include radio, tourism awareness and vector control programs, as well as workshops.  

10-year-old Montserratian Wins Essay Competition

Ten-year-old Opal Skerritt of the St. Augustine School is this year’s finalist for the 2001 “My Caribbean” Essay Contest for her topic, “If a visitor was coming to your country for the first time, what would you suggest they see and do?”  

As winner, Opal will represent Montserrat at the Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-25) in the Bahamas in October this year. The competition was sponsored by Conde Nast Traveler, in co-operation with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation and American Airlines.

The fifth grader at the St. Augustine School said,  “I feel happy and lucky about winning.  Out of all the good essays entered, they chose mine.”

Her class teacher, Manelva Greenaway, said, “I am very proud of her. She is a hard-working student at school, well behaved, keen about performance and aims at excellence in all areas of her school life.” 

CATHY BUFFONGE’S VOLCANO BOOK FOUR

By Dr. Howard A. Fergus

Volcano Book Four is another very valuable gold mine of information on events and occurrences in Montserrat during its revolution by catastrophe, 1995-2000.  Perhaps I should say a storehouse and not a gold mine, since as a metaphor the latter suggests the need to dig and to process.  This is precisely what Cathy Buffonge has done for us.  She has presented us with the activities of the volcano in chronological order over a period of years.  What a valuable source for historians now and in years to come!  It is a kind of national diary of the volcanic era.  Although the events she has recorded have occurred in my time, I find her books to be valuable references in my own writing and I feel pleased when my bibliography shows a Montserratian writer of a Montserrat book.

The book is not just about the volcano.  It is a comprehensive chronicle of life in Montserrat in spite and because of the volcanic eruption.   If you are studying the economy of the period, there is contextual material, whether it is the sustainable development plan or development aid or the plain re-establishment of businesses in the North.  It is also rich with social events -- concerts, celebrations, book publications, the work of the National Trust, night clubs, health hazards and the Christmas festival.  So both the economist and the sociologist will find the book a worthwhile companion.

The book is essentially descriptive (It is reportage par excellence) but it captures political episodes – the controversy about the which and where of the proposed airport, the Defence Force Demise.  It provides ideas for analysis and provides leads for research and inquiry.  It allows the casual researcher to bypass the newspaper and other sources while cluing the serious scholar on which issues of the newspaper might be the most fruitful for his or her purpose.

Book Four like the others, may not be essentially analytical (that was not the intention) but perceptive readers can glean valuable insights into a society that is endeavouring to cope in the midst of a volcano that has haunted a people like a recurrent sorrow for over five years.  These gaps fill an important space in our national archives.  They paint the human face of our sorrow, and a defiant face to boot.  Posterity and the present populace owe a debt to Cathy Buffonge, the health worker-turned-journalist.  Writers can be developers too.     

A Week in the Garbage Tip Reveals Recycling Potential

The Montserrat National Trust and the Solid Waste Committee worked with the Environmental Health Department to audit the waste dumped at the New Windward Site on Montserrat at the beginning of June.

This audit was done to determine the potential of recycling and composting, two activities highlighted during the Environmental Workshop held at the Montserrat National Trust in May of this year.  The audit showed that 50 percent of the garbage was glass, with paper/cardboard and organic waste tied at 11 percent each; 72 percent of land fill could be recycled, given the public will to do so. 

It is amazing that almost three-quarters of the garbage deposited at New Windward could be recycled.  Future generations would not have to seek a new dumpsite or have to pay to send their garbage off island. Recycling is up to the public, not the politicians or non-government organizations.  So use your voice and recycle on Montserrat!

The Montserrat National Trust and Solid Waste Committee will launch a public and school campaign this summer to educate all on the advantages of keeping your island clean and recycling.  Thanks to the generous donation from DFID’s Small Grant Scheme, administered by the Governor’s Office, this important exercise was completed in one week. 

C&W Joins CARICOM's Call for Free Staff Mobility

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, CANA - Cable & Wireless has joined the call for free movement of workers within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Cable & Wireless has been restructuring its operations with a focus on operating as a single company across the region.
Errald Miller, Chief Executive Officer of Cable and Wireless Atlantic and Caribbean Region, said Monday he was soliciting the help of journalists to achieve this goal, in light of plans to establish call centres in Barbados, Jamaica and Anguilla to improve the company's delivery of customer service.
 "With the regional focus, we envisage the free movement of staff to give them opportunities for development and networking," Mr. Miller said.
He said there were a lot of benefits for the company, including training, which was described at an annual media forum here as an integral element of Cable & Wireless' regional strategy.
He said the media could help push the idea. "To a certain extent it is happening. But we want to see it happen much more," Mr. Miller added.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has been working on lowering barriers to the movement of its people within the region. This has major implications for immigration and employment.
CARICOM has been considering allowing some regional professionals as well as graduates of the University of the West Indies (UWI) to be allowed to travel and work freely within the common market grouping, but the issue of movement remains unresolved after several years.
The decision by Trinidad and Tobago to refuse regional broadcaster Julian Rogers a work permit after he had worked in Port of Spain for several years brought the issue into sharp focus.
Mr. Miller said that it was important for "succession planning" that staff of Cable & Wireless be allowed to work in different countries in the region. 

Banana Constraints Squeezing Dominica

By Helena Durand

Dominica’s over dependence on bananas has made it one of the hardest hit countries in the Caribbean since the World Trade Organisation  (WTO) ruled against the preferential treatment given to Caribbean farmers under Lome.

In an effort to stimulate a flagging economy, Dominica’s Finance Minister Hon. Ambrose George recently presented what he called a tax-free budget.  In his budget address, a BBC correspondent reported, the Finance Minister said government workers’ wages had been frozen and that the island is to look beyond bananas for its revenue.

He outlined a number of tax relief measures to boost the private sector, which included cutbacks on duties on software and raw materials for small manufacturers.

Mr. George highlighted plans to promote Information Technology, the Financial Offshore Sector and Tourism as Dominica’s main economic earners. He acknowledged that the island was suffering through difficult times and focused government’s efforts on cutting costs.  The budget does not provide for any increase in wages for civil servants and announces a freeze on creations of new positions in the Public Service.

Opposition Leader of the United Workers Party, the Hon. Edison James, said the budget was too vague and ignored a number of key sectors.

Meanwhile, Former Prime Minister Dame Eugenia Charles, who has been advocating agricultural diversification for years, said she is in the process of securing markets in both Antigua and Barbados for Dominica’s citrus products.

Dame Eugenia is currently trying to get some cows from Antigua/Barbuda whose manure her Private Charter Company can use as fertilizer. “Our farmers are complaining about the type of fertilizer they are getting,” she said.  

Dame Eugenia said she is not concerned about the cows from Antigua being plagued with the Foot and Mouth disease because, “these are animals which came from Great Britain a long time ago. There is no threat.”  

Justice John Renwick Mourned by OECS

Officials and staff members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) expressed deep sadness and shock this week at the death of Justice John Barrymore Renwick.
Justice Renwick served from 1984 to 1997 as OECS Legal Drafter and Legal Adviser.  He pioneered the setting up of the Legal Unit at the Secretariat and was instrumental in the development of a harmonised approach to legislative reform in the sub-region. 

He also served the sub-region with distinction and held a number of positions, including that of Attorney General, in various Member States.  He was also a former Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. In recent months he had lent his support to critical legislative initiatives undertaken by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.
The OECS extended heartfelt sympathy and prayers to his wife Mrs. Hermione Renwick and other members of his family.

CARICOM Looks Ahead To Single Market, Economy

Dr. Edwin Carrington, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said Tuesday, that Heads of Government must grapple with equal skills and vision to meet the threat posed by HIV/AIDS, and the promise of a Caribbean Single Market and Economy.

He spoke at the opening of the four-day, 22^nd Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in the Bahamas, which, he said, was seeking to respond to some of the most pressing social, economic, political and security issues of our times.

“Of them all,” he said, “none poses a greater threat than HIV/AIDS and none promises greater opportunity than the establishment of our Single Market and Economy. Heads of Government need to grapple with both.”

His call for crucial decisions was made to 11 Prime Ministers, two Presidents and a Cabinet Minister representing CARICOM Member States at the meeting.

Supporting Dr. Carrington’s call was the Rt. Hon. Owen Arthur, Prime Minister of Barbados, and outgoing Chairman of the Conference of Heads of CARICOM. He urged regional leaders not to be intimidated by the prospect of creating a Single Market and Economy.

Dr. Carrington said that colonialism may have provided an excuse for Caribbean leaders to indulge in an indigenous passion to doubt themselves, and to revel in the failure and under-performance of their institutions and societies.

“The people of the Caribbean” he said, however, are tired of failure. “They wish to live in, and help develop, a successful region. We must stop doubting ourselves. We must simply go on. We must find a way through.” 

Financial Onus Lifted For 3 Regional Nations

The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) has announced that the Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Panama have been removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) list of Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories issued in June 2000.

Executive Director Calvin Wilson said in a press statement that the FATF move in respect to countries that have met the technical criteria set in February 2000 should help reduce speculation about the objectivity of the FATF process, which can only be positive for anti-money laundering efforts in the move forward.

“It is particularly satisfying that three of the four de-listed countries are CFATF members, and I dare say standards have been set that are a good example for FATF and CFATF members alike” Mr. Wilson said.

The economic, political and social well being of the Caribbean Basin Region requires that all nations of the region work together to ensure adherence to obligations they have undertaken, the release stated.

The CFATF is an organisation of 25 states of the Caribbean Basin, which have agreed to implement common countermeasures to address the problem of criminal money laundering.  In June 2000, six CFATF members were placed on the FATF list as non-cooperative jurisdictions. These were Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Panama, St. Kitts/Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Following their listing, the six CFATF Members enacted appropriate legislation and moved towards its implementation.

Castro 'Still Well,' But Points to Raul

HAVANA, CANA-Reuters- The normal topics of conversation for Cubans -- fishing, the price of beans, or baseball -- were thrust aside at 11:22 a.m. on Saturday June 23. At that moment President Fidel Castro, who for 42 years has maintained an image of invincibility in front of his own people, briefly collapsed from heat and exhaustion in front of 70,000 supporters and millions of television viewers.
Castro was resuscitated in an ambulance and back on his feet within seven minutes, but the incident shocked the nation, emphasized his human mortality, and broke taboos over open discussion of the future of Cuba after ``El Comandante''.
The two big talking points that Cubans were often hesitant to discuss openly before June 23 are how long the 74-year-old Castro will remain in power and who will replace him, once he goes.
"There was a lot of anxiety, and even panic, in our street when we saw him falling on television, because the camera changed and we didn't know what was happening," said a teenager out for a stroll with his girlfriend. "People were relieved when he came back, but everyone's talking about what will happen next time this happens, and it's more serious."
Castro, probably embarrassed by all the international and domestic fuss, has typically sought to wrest the initiative from the situation.
Within minutes of slumping over, he reappeared in front of the crowd to reassure them he was "fine" and was again leading an anti-U.S. rally of 40,000 people less than a week later.

After that demonstration, Castro held a lengthy chat with journalists in which he gave some of his most candid reflections to date about his mortality and the future of the Communist society he will bequeath to Cuba.
He gave the strongest nod to date to his brother Raul, head of Cuba's armed forces and No. 2 in the political hierarchy, as his successor.

Theories on Cuba's future after Castro may be manifold -- ranging from predictions of civil strife to assurances the ruling Communist Party will ensure a smooth transition and anything in-between -- but most tend to agree Raul Castro, 70, will figure prominently in the immediate post-Fidel scenario.

Anguilla Constitution Due Year-long Review

A major review of the Anguilla Constitutional and Electoral System is soon to get under way.

Areas of the constitution that will be reviewed include Fundamental Rights and Freedoms; the Composition and form of the  Legislature; the Composition and form of the Executive; Belonger Status and citizenship; the Civil Service and Ombudsman; the electoral process and the attendant legislation and the Appellate court system.

In a wide-ranging radio address Wednesday, David Carty, Chairman of the Constitutional and Electoral Reform Committee and a former Parliamentary Secretary, said a Constitutional and Electoral Reform Committee was now established to be the nerve centre of the process.

The  Committee comprises Mr. Carty – Chairman; Miss Bernice Lake, Q.C.; Mr. Colville Petty, OBE; Mr. Franklin Connor, OBE; Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks; Mr. Davon Carty; Mr. Timothy Hodge and Mr. Alex Juan Richardson.

Senior Crown Counsel Mr. Stanley Reid is Executive Secretary to the Committee, while Mrs. Louise Hazell is the Executive Assistant and Recorder.

Mr. Carty says the Committee is not mandated to prescribe or tell the people of Anguilla how the Constitution should be changed or what it should contain in the future.

The Committee's first step will be to examine the various subjects step by step and suggest options for change, and then to explain the issues and suggested options as simply as possible so that most persons can grasp their implications.

The review of the Anguilla Constitution and Electoral System is expected to take some twelve months to completion. 

Airline Profits Fade To Fuel, Labor Costs

ell Siglo/CICOM

The slowing of economic growth, high gas prices and increase in labor wages threaten to end airline profits.

United Airlines topped the list of the top eight airlines in the US that registered first quarterly losses since 1993. Meanwhile, in Europe and Asia the main airlines forecast a reduction in profits for the entire year.

In addition, due to the economic downturn, industries and businesses have slashed commercial travel budgets, depriving airlines of business class passengers who pay as much as 10 times more than a coach class passenger. 

Summer Program Back For Anguilla's Children

Between 50 and 60 children in Anguilla from 5 to 16 will benefit from this year’s annual children's library Summer Programme from August 13 to 24.

This year's programme, organized by the Anguilla Library Service, will carry the theme “Treasure from the Sea."

The programme aims to familiarize participants with the importance of some of Anguilla's marine resources and the need for their protection. It will again be facilitated by A-dziko Simba, a storyteller, writer, dramatist and performer from Jamaica.

Activities geared to encourage learning will include field trips, art and craft, storytelling and drama. 

St. Kitts Sugar Output Up Slightly over 2000

ST. KITTS, CANA - St Kitts and Nevis' sugar production showed a slight recovery in 2001 over last year's performance, even as authorities consider the possibility of closing the industry.
Joseph Alfred, General Manager of the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Company (SSMC), said the production target for this year was 20,517 long tons, while actual production was 22,486 long tons, from 211,656 long tons of cane.
Last year 18,050 tons of sugar were produced, down from the target of 20,000 tons.
Earnings from the domestic and export markets were not yet available, with the company expected to make the final shipment by next week.
Mr. Alfred attributed this year's improved output to better weather conditions but he feared that the present prolonged dry spell would adversely impact on re-planting.
 Of the 900 acres of available sugar-cane lands, only 128 acres are being planted as the company seeks to cut costs and keep the industry alive at least for the time being.
A senior Agriculture Ministry official told CANA that a decision had been taken to reduce the acreage under cultivation to produce an average of 20,000 tons at a cost of EC$50 million per year.
 The closure of the industry by 2002 or 2003 is one of the major options on the table but the big question for government is the fate of the estimated 4,000 workers.

Curtly Ambrose Weds Long-time Sweetheart

Antigua, CANA - Retired great West Indies pacer Curtly Ambrose married his long-time sweetheart Bridgette Benjamin at the Spring Gardens Moravian Church Wednesday.
In a simple but significant ceremony, Ambrose said "I do" to Ms. Benjamin, a physical education teacher in the Ministry of Sports and a netball player.
The newlyweds dined with family and friends at the Royal Antiguan hotel before leaving on their honeymoon.
The couple has two girls -- Tanya and Chloe -- who were attendants during the ceremony.
Ambrose's ex-Windies fast bowling partner Courtney Walsh, as well as former Test bowlers Winston and Kenneth Benjamin, shared in the occasion.
Also present were Antigua's sports minister Guy Yearwood, President of the Antigua Cricket Association (ACA), Enoch Lewis, and Leeward Islands team manager Hugh Gore.   

Social Security Board Aids Anguilla Sports

The Social Security Board in Anguilla is continuing to contribute to the development of sports on the island.

Its latest contribution is a direct sponsorship cheque of EC$250 to the Anguilla Amateur Basketball Development Committee to go towards the purchasing of uniforms for the Senior National Team.

The senior and junior national teams will be traveling to St Maarten to compete in the 2001 Leeward Islands basketball tournament from July 11 to 15. 

Women Lead Men For Online Travel

Women come out on top in a new Travel Bulletin survey into Who Researches Holidays On The Internet.

Lunn Poly, who did the research into British Internet booking trends, reported that 64 percent of holiday research online was done by women.

“This goes against the gender split for all Internet use, which research has shown stands at 58 percent male and 42 female,” the Travel Bulletin said. 

Trinidad Opposition Leader, PM Reach Legislative Accord

Trinidad, CANA - Trinidad and Tobago's Opposition Leader, Patrick Manning, has strongly defended a deal brokered last week with Prime Minister Basdeo Panday on measures designed to return some level of dignity to the House of Representatives, saying that it was in the best interest of the country.
Speaking to party supporters over the weekend, Mr. Manning criticised members of the People's National Movement (PNM) whom he said were "hell-bent" on taking the party along a path of destruction and sought to explain the reasoning behind a three-pronged agreement reached with Mr. Panday last Friday.
The deal has resulted in the re-instatement of opposition member Dr. Keith Rowley to the Parliament following his suspension in May for "disrespecting the Speaker's Chair."
Government has also agreed not to pursue the matter concerning opposition Chief Whip Ken Valley before the Privileges Committee for making certain statements in Parliament regarding the prime minister.
The lone dissenting voice so far in the public domain over the deal is Dr. Rowley, who claimed over the weekend that Mr. Panday was now running the affairs of the opposition party. Dr Rowley unsuccessfully challenged Mr. Manning for the leadership of the party in 1996 and is said to be making another bid to topple him in the party elections later this year.

St. Vincent Ex-PM Awaits Pension Pay

BARBADOS, CANA - A controversy is brewing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines over the non-payment of gratuity and pension benefits to former Prime Minister Sir James Mitchell and five ex-cabinet ministers since the change in government in March this year.
New Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves was unavailable for an explanation but Sir James confirmed to CANA that he and five former cabinet ministers have not received any payment as gratuity or pension benefits to which they are entitled.
The 70-year old Sir James, who has been a parliamentarian for some 35 years, and was a consecutive three-term prime minister, said he and three of the unpaid former parliamentarians and cabinet ministers were entitled to both gratuity and pension payments as they were over 55 years. Two others, he said, are entitled to at least gratuity benefits.
Prime Minister Gonsalves has been advised about the due payments by the relevant division of the public service but neither Sir James nor any of the others has been offered any explanation as to when they will receive either gratuity or pension benefits.
CANA was informed that the problem was expected to be discussed in caucus at this week's CARICOM Summit in The Bahamas when a report on the last general election in St.Vincent and the Grenadines was given and the relative issue of 'governance' emerged for discussion.

St. Lucia Gets Leg Up In U.S. Financial Link

St. Lucia has attained another milestone in its quest to make its financial services sector competitive and compliant with internationally accepted standards.

The island has joined a list of 40 other countries to receive Qualified Intermediary (QI) status from the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Reacting to that announcement Monday, Phillip J. Pierre, Minister responsible for the International Financial Services Sector, said the newly acquired status means that the island’s financial services systems are adequate to facilitate business with the IRS.

“The systems in St. Lucia are adequate for the IRS and they can accept information from partnerships, companies and individuals that are trading in the financial services sector,” Mr. Pierre said.

Meanwhile, he disclosed that St. Lucia was not included on a recent black list of non-cooperative countries and territories as far as money laundering is concerned. He said the island’s money laundering and prevention systems have been approved by the OECD countries. All efforts, he assured, are being undertaken to guarantee that the island remains a clean jurisdiction.  

Barbadians Hoping to See Tiger Woods at Sandy Lane

BARBADOS, CANA - The world's top-rated golfer could soon be on the greens in Barbados.
Word making the rounds in local golf and hotel circles is that Tiger Woods is being invited to Barbados to open the world-class course at Sandy Lane Hotel.
Reliable sources told the Weekend Nation newspaper that Mr. Woods was a friend of one of the billionaire Irish owners and it was a matter of when he could fit his first trip to Barbados into his busy schedule.
The 25-year-old golfer became the first man to win three back-to-back majors and has also rewritten several chapters of golfing history.
Last year, he became the youngest to complete the sport's Grand Slam -- winning the Masters, United States Open, British Open and PGA Championships -- and only the fifth player to do so.
In recent years, he has visited Jamaica on a number of occasions, and apart from testing the greens, also enjoyed the night life in Montego Bay.
"If you can get someone like Tiger Woods, that would be a major boost for the destination and the golf product," said Earlyn Shuffler, former president of the Barbados Tourism Authority.
Chief executive of the newly-refurbished Barbados Golf Club in Durants, Christ Church, Shuffler said with the new Sandy Lane course, the island now boasts four courses of international standard which place it in a position to attract international championships.

CARICOM's Host PM Will Bow Out of Politics

BARBADOS, CANA - Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said Sunday he will be giving up active party politics within the next 13 months, whether or not his governing Freedom Party (FP) wins the next general election due by August 2002.
The 54-year-old Ingraham made that statement Sunday in a CANA telephone interview before he Tuesday  began hosting the 22nd annual Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit and assuming the chairmanship for the next six months.

Mr. Ingraham's FP came to power for the first time that year after more than two decades in government by the Progressive Labour Party (PLP), under the leadership of the now deceased Sir Lynden Pindling.
 It committed itself in its manifesto for a prime minister to be "limited to two full consecutive terms or 10 years.". The Prime Minister said there was no point in his opponents in the PLP "getting excited in reminding me about that pledge. They should know that I will honour that manifesto pledge."
 The 58-year-old leader of the PLP, Perry Christie, a law partner of Ingraham, has been claiming that the prime minister was engaged in manoeuvres to seek a third term in office.
 But Mr. Ingraham explained that at the request of his party's executive, he had agreed to stay in office until the next general election--- on the precise understanding that "win or lose, I am out of leadership of government.
 While new election is constitutionally due by August 2002, Mr. Ingraham said he could not rule out the possibility of one being held before then. Some local political observers feel a snap poll is a "real possibility".

St. Vincent Gets Tough On National Insurance

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CANA - The St.Vincent and the Grenadines Parliament passed legislation last Friday to tighten the enforcement aspects of the government-run National Insurance Scheme and introduced stiffer fines for breaches.
The National Insurance (Amendment) bill was presented to Parliament by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who said that employers continue to ignore their statutory responsibilities under the NIS.
He said there were employers who falsified records, under-reported the number of workers they employ, and refused to register their employees within the prescribed time.
They also deducted money on behalf of their workers but did not pay it into the scheme and in some cases even deducted from the workers' pay package the contributions employers were supposed to make themselves.
The scheme requires that the workers contribute 2.5 percent of their earnings to the scheme, while the employers pay 3.5 percent.
"It is my painful duty to report that there are arrears of over EC$2 million to the NIS, some of them going as far back as 15 years," Dr. Gonsalves told members of the House of Assembly.
He said one employer owes the scheme as much as EC$135,000. 

Antigua's PM Bird Nixes Salary Cuts

Antigua, CANA - Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Lester Bird has instructed that salaries and wages of non-established workers in the public service should not be reduced.
Mr. Bird sent this instruction to the Ministry of Finance from The Bahamas this week, where he was attending the 22nd Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government Conference.
"There must be a more creative and sustainable approach to the reduction of government expenditure," the Prime Minister said.
"Reducing the salaries and wages of non-established workers is not sustainable over time and is not the kind of permanent solution that is required."
"The country and the economy needs greater productivity from the public service at this time, and reducing salaries and wages will not encourage such productivity," the prime minister declared.
 "When I return to Antigua, I will revisit this matter personally with the Union". 

CARICOM Welcomes WTO's Serious Hearing

Jamaica, CANA - Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) trade ministers came out of a World Trade Organisation conference at the Half Moon Hotel in Montego Bay a week ago more confident that their concerns were being taken seriously, but still anxious for tangible proof.
The vulnerabilities of small economies like those of the Caribbean and the need to have special mechanisms to assist them in adjusting to new global trading rules were high on the meeting's agenda, and WTO officials indicated that they would not be ignoring
the region's concerns.
WTO Deputy Director General Miguel Rodriguez Mendoza said that although the CARICOM ministers had suggested that the WTO create a special category for small economies to more effectively deal with their specific concerns, such a proposal would not be easy to implement.
He said there would be difficulties in defining such a category, and that there would probably be political opposition to the creation of a special grouping.
Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Trade, Anthony Hylton, said the region got a chance to convey its position on the possibility of a new WTO round, but said that although the environment for a new round of global trade talks is improving, the region still has
serious concerns.
CARICOM wants more technical and financial assistance to help developing countries successfully implement WTO agreements, and has called on the multilateral financial institutions to give more help in that regard.
The issues of concern to the region are on the agenda at the CARICOM heads of government meeting in the Bahamas this week.

SPORTS

CUFFY VS TENDULKAR?

By Peter Adrien

What is the nature of the contest this weekend? What or who will determine the outcome of the Coca Cola Cup between India and the West Indies at Harare, Zimbabwe? Will the better team on July 7^th be determined by a clash of experience or the battle between bat and ball?

I believe that Cameron Cuffy is the hope of the touring West Indian team at Harare this weekend. If the 6-footer can find the ballistic missiles to cut the great Tendulkar asunder, the West Indian cricketers might have some hope in the crucial game.

But what gives me that conviction? The Little Master seems unstoppable. In the fourth match against the West Indies, Sachin Tendulkar won his 40th Man of the Match award in the 271^st match. And Cameron Cuffy has been a revelation; he has been bowling superbly. He has troubled every batsmen of note. And he is the only one capable of stopping the pedigree Indian batsmen – Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid.

The tall Vincentian fast bowler has been the epitome of economy and control. But his counterparts have been simply erratic. Against the Zimbabweans, in the fifth match that qualified them for the finals, Cuffy bowled out his 10 overs for 30 runs and two wickets while the rest of the West Indian attack was quite innocuous.

Tony Cozier confirmed Cuffy’s critical role thus: “The unfolding Cameron Cuffy story is one of determination and resilience not common in the carefree lifestyle of the Caribbean of the 21st century."

At the age of 31, at a time when selectors have sifted through a host of "possibles" as replacements for the irreplaceable Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, Cuffy has emerged from the distant past to again take his place in the West Indies team.

He has immediately established himself as the key bowler for the special demands of the one-day game, and in two Tests in the recent home series against South Africa restrained the batsmen with his control and troubled them with his bounce.

Cuffy has at last appreciated, as others haven't, the value of line and length to compensate for a lack of extreme pace. His height of 6 feet, 7 inches is a further advantage that prompts steep lift in favourable conditions.”

In contrast, the Indian bowling attack is definitely more skilled, more experienced and more consistent. Mohanty's figures of 10-1-18-3 equalled the most economical figures by an Indian medium pace bowler in a 10 over spell against West Indies. He equalled India's Kapil Dev's figures of 10-3-18-2 in the Hero Cup final at Calcutta on November 27,1993.

At the end of this match, he had a tally of 50 wickets from 35 games in `away' matches with an average of 25.18 and a strike rate of 30.92. Interestingly he has taken only six wickets in seven matches on home soil with an average of 49.00 and a strike rate of 55.00. Mohanty thus became the 11th Indian to aggregate 50 wickets in a career in `away' matches. Only Manoj Prabhakar (33) and Ajit Agarkar (33) have completed 50 wickets on foreign soil in lesser matches than Mohanty. However, Mohanty now holds the Indian record of being the fastest to capture 50 wickets on foreign soil (1,546 till the end of this match) The previous record for India was held by Manoj Prabhakar who had bowled 1,700 balls for his 50 wickets.

But the evidence strongly suggests that the pendulum is swinging India’s way. India has been on a run of success in this triangular tournament, completing a third successive triumph against the West Indies (her competitor) and ensuring an unbeatable berth into the finals. India defeated the West Indies by six-wickets.

The Indian seam bowlers have exploited the perennial weaknesses of the West Indian batsmen – their ability to play swing bowling and the tendency to remain anchored in their crease. Chris Gayle (0) was out in the second over, trapped back on the crease without footwork and leg-before-wicket to Harvinder Singh (recalled to the Indian team after a long absence). Daren Ganga (2) followed, caught in the covers off a leading edge to Debashish Mohanty. As was the case in so many previous batting line-ups, the West Indies was reeling at two runs for two wickets, with the bowlers finding a good amount of swing on rather sluggish pitch.

Wavell Hinds and Shivnarine Chanderpaul struggled against good bowling, most of their runs coming in quick singles. Eventually Hinds (9), frustrated, lashed out at Mohanty and gave Reetinder Sodhi his second catch in the covers. Chanderpaul (10) followed a ball from Harvinder that moved away, edged to the keeper, and at 26 for four West Indies appeared virtually out of the match. Mohanty's opening spell of seven overs cost just eight runs for two wickets. India never really lost their control, and West Indies finished on 169 for seven.

Cameron Cuffy was the only one who put the brakes on the Indian batsmen, particularly Tendulkar. India began their reply quietly, scoring just 24 without loss in the first 10 overs. The West Indian bowling was not particularly threatening but it was accurate enough to restrict the scoring, especially Cameron Cuffy, and Sachin Tendulkar was again surprisingly restrained; he did not reach double figures until the 14th over but had less than his share of the bowling. Although Cuffy completed his 10 overs for just 20 runs, taking one wicket, the master craftsman, weathered the storm and reached his 50 off 86 balls. He then opened up and the West Indian hopes faded. With a score of 81, he remained until victory was completed without pressure and with more than six overs to spare.

Can our captain, Carl Hooper, the most artistic and best all-round batsman in the international arena, rise up and take his place in the absence of Brian Lara, as Sachin Tendulkar, arguably the best batsman in the game and the most dangerous batsman in the current tri-nation tournament will be going out to do for India? 

PHOTO CAPTION: Cameron Cuffy, West Indian’s hope (Photo: Peter Adrien) 

FEATURES/OPINION

The People We Meet  By Helena Durand

This week, meet a young man, experience his pain, dream his dreams; mee. Theo Matthew.

Theodore Matthew -- more commonly known as Theo -- was born in the Commonwealth of Dominica on June 22, 1972. However, when he was barely one month old, his mother, Claudette Selena Celestine, migrated with him to Montserrat.

He grew up in Cork Hill, where he attended the Cork Hill Primary School and the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Primary, after which he was graduated from the  SDA Secondary School.

While at the Technical College to study plumbing and electrical work, his teacher’s death in 1989 forced him to send out job applications. Two organisations -- Gem Radio Network and the Fire Service Department -- responded favorably. He chose the Fire Service, for which he was formally trained in Search and Rescue in England and where he served was one of two fire officers from January 1992, until June 1997.

In June 1997, his mother returned to Montserrat, after three years abroad, to celebrate his 25^th birthday, for which his party was held Sunday, June 22.

On Monday, he went to work as usual at the Fire Service Department. His mother, who was living with him at Cork Hill, went to see friends whom she had not seen or heard from over the past three years.

“While I was at work the Tuesday," he said, "my mother came to see me. We spoke about nothing in particular, and she told an officer who was there at the time, to look after me for her. I never thought that would be the last time I would see my mother alive.”

That evening, he said, before going to bed his called from her room and told him to wake her early in the morning, because she had to go out to help her sister in the garden. The next morning, Wednesday, he said he called her from his room to wake her but she told him she was already up.

“I left for work without seeing my mother," he said. "The only thing is that she called out to me that she would see me later when I got home from work. That was it.”

Theo spent most of the morning repairing a fire truck at the Public Works Department. Some time later an explosion was heard. 

“Me and some guys at public works got real excited because there was all that fire in the sky coming from the mountain, it was really beautiful. But in all my excitement, I suddenly remembered that my mum had said she was going up there this morning. I abandoned work on the truck and drove at breakneck speed to the police station to tell the Commissioner that my mum was up there and we had to go to get her.  He said ok. I along with fire officer Wade went in a Search and Rescue vehicle and went towards Cork Hill. “

He said they drove to as far as the Golf Course in Belham and couldn’t go any further, “because it suddenly got pitch dark and even with the headlights and search lights on, we could not see in front of us."

After returning to the police station, Theo and some more officers proceeded up to the Lees and Dyer area but were barred by the heat from the explosion and molten material on the road around the Dyer Adventist Church. They then proceeded to Cork Hill, asking the people they met whether they had seen his mother and aunt, but no one seemed to have seen them.

Theo said, “I took it upon myself along with one officer and went out to the Water Works area to see if we could find our way over to Farrell’s Level area. We walked for almost an hour and I’m thinking to myself, suppose my mum died, what would I do.”

Using his hand-held radio he called police station to learn that his uncle, (his aunt’s husband) was down at the station, out of the unsafe zone. He was also told that his uncle said his mother and aunt had left safely before the road where they were became blocked. That news he said brought with it some measure of peace.

He slept alone at home that night, believing his mum to be one of hundreds in a shelter somewhere. Early the next morning, he was called to duty at the heliport to join other Search and Rescue officers on further searches for missing persons.

His worse fears were realised at the heliport when he noted the absence of his mother’s name on the list of survivors they had brought in from the unsafe zone. One officer advised him not to go on the search because of how he might find his mother. He was placed in a tent under the supervision of a nurse. “Every time the helicopter came in” he  remembered painfully, “I jumped up, eager to go and see if she was there, but afraid in case she wasn’t there.” 

The day was almost over when he finally realised that his mother and aunt were dead. Even in his state of shock, he realised that he could not look at his mother’s burnt out remains. The funeral took place that Friday and he never saw her. At the funeral everything went well until they came to lower his mother’s coffin into the ground. “I don’t know what happened” Theo said, “I just suddenly realised this was it. I was losing the most important person to me. I was never going to see her again and wanted to go with her.” He dropped to the ground, but three officers restrained him.

“I still cannot believe it” Theo said four years later. “She came for my birthday, and she died. Just like that, I lost my mother. She was everything to me. She was both mother and father to me. She brought me up well. Her death is a great loss. I love and really miss her.”

After the funeral, the grieving son went to the US to convalesce, where he again took up the singing he had begun as a very small boy. His first album, "Ease The Pressure," has done well, and he says he is on his way to producing another. 

At the memorial service held on the anniversary of the death of the 19 people who perished in the 1997 pyroclastic flow, Theo sang a song to his mother entitled "Loneliness." He is here visiting from the US where he works doing plumbing and electrical work.

“I hope to return home to Montserrat for good soon. Right now I am just trying to get over everything, get back on my feet.” 

Theo is expected to leave the island some time next week. 

FARMERS’ CORNER

By Justin ‘Hero’ Cassell

(Agricultural Development Officer)

 “EAT FROM THE LAND, NOT FROM THE CAN”

Prevention of the Entry of FMD (Foot & Mouth Disease) into Montserrat

The financial losses suffered abroad due to Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) are into the several millions.  An FMD outbreak in Montserrat could completely wipe out all our livestock.  The Department of Agriculture has therefore taken a number of initiatives to prevent FMD entry into Montserrat.

Further to the radio discussions already aired, a workshop addressing every aspect of FMD prevention will be held on July 10^th.

Selection of  Suitable Tomato Varieties

In recent years it has been observed that the traditionally grown varieties of Tomatoes -- i.e. Calypso and Indian River -- have become very susceptible to the ever-increasing number of pests and diseases.  Farmers are therefore encouraged to plant other varieties such as Heat Wave, Gem Star and Heat Master, rather than the above mentioned varieties.

Tractoring Tip

Farmers are urged to avoid having their farm plots ploughed too deep.  The practice of inverting the topsoil results in poor yields.

Pen Manure Use A Must

The recent soil survey has shown that the majority of soils in the northern belt lack organic matter.  Organic matter enhances the structure and fertility of soils.  Farmers should add pen manure to soils to realize these benefits.

Available at the Brades Nursery

• Cabbage Seedlings

• Sweet Pepper Seedlings

The following seeds are now available at seed supply stores

• Okra                                        

• Cucumber

• Watermelon

• Squash

• Carrot

• Tomato

• Sweet pepper

• Cabbage

VOLCANO LIMERICKS

Consultancy

The ferry is costly per wave,

The copter loss is quite grave;

If you all stayed right here,

What's persuasively clear

Is the tons of money we'd save.

Rostrum Closed

CARICOM Heads meet to hear

One of their own speak each year;

Send someone in your place,

He'll be treated with grace,

If he stays mum but sincere. 

 JUS WONDERIN

Jus wonderin when the overseer of education concerns is going to enroll in a remedial english program so they could improve on their grammar.

Jus wonderin if the two nosey ladies (Mr. Let them know) who has a problem with everybody’s business should make sure that their “Montserrat Electronic Information” should be accurate and factual and not mischievous.

Jus wonderin if they don’t know that the man is getting his naturalization now because he already has his permanent residence status.

Jus wonderin what is really her toothache with the young spring chicken lady from New York.

Jus wonderin if the two female civil servants don’t have anything else to do than to go on the internet and make themselves idiots.

Jus wonderin if they really exposed their true identity by making that mistake sending the mail to someone who don’t use that address anymore.

Jus wonderin which one took up MCW vote book and took it to the previous department.

Jus wonderin who is being treated as an untrustworthy civil servant.

Jus wonderin way all de work gone that the white man had to do so and now he say he no have nothing to do.

Jus wonderin if the CM office walls have ears.

Jus wonderin how the lady from Works and Checking depts. got to know about the other worker application for a transfer.

Jus wonderin if it is not better to BORROW than to steal than to have the Mr. Let Me Know have something derogatory to put on the Internet.

Jus wonderin if having the GUESTBOOK removed from the REPORTER was frustrating to them seeing that they found another link-up.

Jus wonderin if they don’t know that all of us have baggage in some way or the other.

Jus wonderin if now they know that somebody on to them if THEY WILL IMPROVE ON THEIR DIRTY WAYS.

Jus wonderin which transferred officer wants to run the EOC as well as the top.

Jus wonderin why de gal call police when she know a e own child father thief she bag.

Jus wonderin what the girl have to say about the child look like the boy with the green truck.

Jus wonderin if it is because the computer man have wha e have why the girl from the second government office could not have bambino, but now she is having bambino.

Jus wonderin if they are going to renew the contract at the hurricane and disaster office when other business is done at the office

Jus wonderin if British officials spouses on Montserrat are enemies of our
country.

Jus wonderin what the CM meant when he said he does not know where the money will come from to build our new airport.

Jus wonderin if the CM made the Minister of Communications and works look stupid at the airport site at Old Cow.
Jus wonderin if all is well with this new government.

Jus wonderin if the MP will be or is the government PRO.

Jus wonderin why they do not keep the CM away from the media.

Jus wonderin if is because of unwillingness why the entry officer seem to give certain arriving sexes so
much trouble for staying on island.

Jus wonderin if any of the deputies still misbehaving.

Jus wonderin why some people think that jus wonderin belong to them alone.

Jus wonderin if plenty love and money is still in the bank.

Jus wonderin when the economy is going to turn around.

Jus wonderin which of them Caribbean people think that Salem belongs to them.

Jus wonderin what qualifies persons from the UK to get awards on island.

Jus wonderin why we always need British consultancies to tell us what is
good or bad for us.

Jus wonderin who told us what is good or bad for us before the volcano
crisis.

Jus wonderin if we were the ones who built AUC, Government Headquarters, hospital in
Plymouth and all the beautiful buildings on Montserrat before the volcano.

Jus wonderin if the political waters on Montserrat will soon get rough.

Jus wonderin why things are so expensive on Montserrat.

Jus wonderin why some supermarkets do not like to give receipts from the cash registers.

Jus wonderin if that MP is still fighting for a ministry.

Jus wonderin if them wey  lost in the last election, if dem tongues cut out by the government.

Jus wonderin if only 19 persons died from the volcano. 

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