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Dr. Lewis Proposes Regional Disaster Institute in Montserrat

By Merrick Andrews

L to R: HE Gove Longrigg, Jeremy Collymore and Roger Bellers

Acting Chief Minister Dr. Lowell Lewis has proposed that Montserrat become a host and location of a Caribbean school or institute for disaster preparedness and management.
Dr. Lewis was speaking at Wednesday’s National Hurricane Preparedness Conference, held at the Emergency Department in St. Johns.

He was supported by Coordinator of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) Mr. Jeremy Collymore, who said in his feature address: “I heard the Acting Chief Minister put some proposals on the table and we at CDERA are certainly keen to examine a concept paper along this line that can guide the consultative process….”

Dr. Lewis, who is really the Minister of Communications and Works said Montserrat has the “ingredients” to make such a proposal.

He said Montserrat has “a very experienced, highly motivated and efficient fire and rescue services and a police force with years and years of experience” to make this concept a reality.

“I also thank CDERA in advance for supporting our proposal for Montserrat becoming a host and location of a Caribbean school or institute for disaster preparedness and management.”

He also proposed that Montserrat set up a variety of training courses, seminars and workshops in disaster preparedness and management or contributes to postgraduate research programmes in volcano monitoring here.

He added that local students could be experts at disaster planning, relocation and evacuation exercises, search and rescue techniques, disaster management techniques, maintenance of disaster management equipment and facilities and communication skills for disaster management.

Dr. Lewis said Montserrat is “the centre of excellence for disaster preparedness and management as we have many veterans of hurricane passing and volcanic eruptions. And we are gradually putting in place the equipments and facilities that will match their experience and expertise”.

The minister noted that with the Montserrat Volcano Observatory scheduled to open in about two months time, in addition to the already opened fire station and the almost completed police station, Montserrat “will have a large proportion of its infrastructure financing invested in facilities in emergency personnel”.

“We have to prepare for all eventualities if we are to rebuild this country. We need to safeguard the lives and works of people who have to go into the Day Time Entry Zone
and the Belham Valley area,” he said, also thanking the Department for International Development (DFID) for financing the facilities and the Public Works Department for guiding the establishment of the facilities.

Dr. Lewis said recently he was asked if all these resources would have been wasted if another hurricane didn’t pass and the volcano halts activity.

His answer was no! “All that we have done is prepare for all eventualities”.
The minister ended his remarks by sharing his hurricane experience in 1989 through a poem titled ‘Elastic Cupboard’ because he saw it as an “appropriate way for setting the scene for this conference on hurricane preparedness”.

Meanwhile, the CDERA coordinator Collymore stressed on the topic of comprehensive disaster management, which he “chose because I believe it sets a framework for the integrative and collective dialogue that we need to foster as we seek to develop a disaster management agenda within the region”.

He said authorities in the Caribbean especially Montserrat must work to ensure “that we never have again an experience where we have documented scientifically acquired and presented hazard information, such as the work of the scientists and mapping of the risk of the Montserrat volcano, not being reflected in our development decisions”.

CDERA is a regional inter-governmental agency established in September 1991 by an Agreement of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to be responsible for disaster management. There are presently 16 Participating States within CDERA’s membership, including Montserrat.

Also at the conference, brief sectoral reports were presented in a closed-door meeting. The reports were presented by the various heads of main departments, businesses and organizations in the private and public sector, on their preparations for the hurricane season.

Also of significance was the commissioning of projects: warehouse, siren system, communications building, 5000 watts transformer, FM antennae and a tower at the EOC compound in St. John’s.  

CSA Says Job Cuts Will Depopulate Island

By Merrick Andrews

Vice President of the Civil Service Association (CSA) Mr. Easton Farrell (pictured left) said any cuts in the Civil Service will only decrease the population – even though he does not envisage any job cuts.

“Once you start cutting (jobs) it means the standard of living in Montserrat will go down and there are people who will say well it doesn’t make sense staying here again,” he said.
Mr. Farrell’s comments come as a cloud of confusion hovers over Montserrat and its Public Service for the past month about ‘rumors’ of job cuts in the Service.

In the July 5 issue of The Montserrat Reporter, President of the Chamber of Commerce Mr. Kenny Cassell said that one of the ways to pump more life into the economy over a period of time is to increase the population and job opportunities.

“I know that Government might be in a squeeze but I think there are other ways and means of raising funds other than cutting the service,” said Mr. Farrell.

Ex-chief Chief Minister and attorney-at-law Mr. David Brandt (pictured right) echoed the same sentiments saying that Montserratians now have options to go to Britain or the US to live. “I think that the electorate voted for the Government to provide jobs and security of tenure in their present jobs and for them to be told by the said Government to be planning to put people put of jobs in this guava season, is unthinkable,” said Mr. Brandt.

Acting Chief Minister Dr. Lowell Lewis on Wednesday declined to comment on the matter, while he noted that Chief Minister John Osborne, who is off island, will address the nation on the topic soon.

Dr. Lewis however stated that no decisions have been made to cut staff in the sector.
He said arising out of consultancy meetings between the British and the local Government are recommendations to save money and cut expenditure to balance the budget as subsidy from the British Government decrease significantly over the next five years.

The British Government’s budget to Montserrat for 2001-2002 is £24.4 million. This will decrease sharply by £7.4 million to £17 million in the period 2002/3.

Monetary aid for the next three years indicates: £13.6 million (2003-04), £9.5 million (2004-05) and £7.5 million for 2005-06.

Among those recommendations, the Government said are cuts in the Civil Service, especially the Royal Montserrat Police Force.

In regards to the Force, His Excellency Governor Anthony Longrigg have said that nothing is official but cuts or recruitment freeze are likely to occur, justified by the relatively low crime rate on the island and the earnest to cut expenditure.

Commissioner of Police John Douglas and HE Governor Anthony Longrigg

However, Commissioner of Police John Douglas have publicly said he needs all the officers to carry out is Mission Statement and there is a lot of work to be done.

Even though admitting that some departments are overstaffed, while noting that others are understaffed, the CSA vice president said “revenue alone is not going to be the issue – we have to get business going”.

He added: “We have to start seeking out people with capital to come in and invest. We have to sell Montserrat. Montserrat is safe, safe for business, and get people to come in and do business.”

He noted that tax cuts would be a no-no: “A large percentage of tax is actually coming from public servant wages and if you cut then you are going to further cut your own revenue and human resource.” 

EDITORIAL

"Montserrat Should Always Support Questions in Parliament With Information"

It is not the first time that a member of either the House of Lords or the House of Commons in the British Parliament has asked questions of Her Majesty’s Government  (HMG) in the interest of Montserrat and its people. Neither will it be the last time as long as we are prepared to show an interest in maintaining an existence of our people on this island, considered to be still nice and still paradise.

It is no secret that nearly every member of government has expressed fear at the state of the Montserrat economy and if anyone believes that there is any pretense the very hard truth is that people are not returning while others are still leaving our shores and running away not because of any fear of the volcano.
The records of the House of Lords of July 4 show that the Lord Morris of Manchester, the uncle of the current UK Minister of Education, Estelle Morris, has asked questions directly relating to the economy of Montserrat.
The gentleman, by his questions, shows his wisdom and understanding that the sea port and airport are crucial to any economic development and he shows also the importance and relevance of Montserrat’s continued involvement and relationships in the region with CARICOM and the OECS.
As experienced by this medium having initiated the asking of questions, it is crucial that when questions are asked in the British parliament all the relevant information must be available to the presenters.
This is necessary so that Ministers who give responses that are, untruthful, sarcastic and evasive could find difficulty in so doing – giving responses that are sometimes damning and which leave the presenter unable to follow-up. 
We do not know what fear exists why we do not seem to endear ourselves to those in the British parliament who show interest in our well-being and our development. But in the not too distant past we have not done this as if there would be some serious reprisal. We can suspect how these questions came about if they originated here; it’s been done before. It is not that our leaders (or most of them) are not aware of the seriousness of the looming disaster, which lies waiting, but none of the speculations make sense, not even that of selfishness.

Chief Minister John Osborne last year at a press conference acknowledged his party’s miscalculation in believing that it was possible for Montserrat to be on its own two feet in a very short time. He expressed doubt that it could happen within five years with the way HMG was treating Montserrat financially.
We know that His Excellency Governor Longrigg has the honourable desire, that when his term of office ends he departs Montserrat on a fixed-wing aircraft. However when he takes a team to Antigua to meet with the Director of Civil Aviation (DCA), after the Minister responsible has already met with him (the DCA), and all he can report is that there is an agreement between “himself, the Government of Montserrat and the DCA would keep in close contact as the airport project develops,” he has reported no progress whatever and he has achieved zero. The Governor might disagree as the Government House Press release mentioned,  “the respective responsibilities of the Governor and the DCA were discussed…”
Was that in an effort to by-pass the DCA in Antigua and go elsewhere to get licensing approval when the time comes and there is an airstrip at Geralds or elsewhere for that matter, which does meet specific requirements such as safety and suitability?
We thank him for the information that “the DCA operates under the delegated powers of the Governor,” but we also know that the DCA reports to the Minister of Communications and Works.

It is understandable that HMG’s ministers would feel justified to set up a reducing scale of budgetary support to Montserrat following the sums of money they had allocated to the sustenance and revival effort of Montserrat. But that is all theoretical and what they need is an independent report on what actually took place on the ground. They have had some and they have all been unfavorable, but one wonders if they are ever briefed truthfully. Then one wonders what our own ministers do about it.

HMG has again miscalculated as they have for day one when this crisis began and as uncharacteristic as we know it is for them, we have to do more than hope and do all we can to ensure that the answers Lord Morris’ questions will bring some positive action to the suggestions therein.

The thrust to increase tourism will bear little or no fruit if we continue to allow British stubbornness to thwart the necessary development required. The whole airport ‘debacle’ which it is now began because someone decided they would only spend a certain amount four years ago without ascertaining what was in fact the best way forward.
The plan to return to Bramble was not a bad one, but for the volcano, which again is not our fault. Who wants to blame us for wanting to stay on Montserrat in areas considered safe by the experts and proven so, should desist from wanting to make those who stayed suffer.

We hope that the correct and proper information will be given to members of HMG and it is up to our leaders to ensure that the relevant information is not tampered with by civil servants who have no other interest but ensure their own financial welfare. 

Correction

The July 5 issue of The Reporter reported incorrectly that new Superintendent of Police Steve Foster joined the police force as a Constable in 1994. Superintendent Foster actually joined as Constable in 1984. We regret the error.

Except for the editorial, opinion articles expressed in these pages are not necessarily those of the Montserrat Reporter editors, employees or advisers.  Readers are encouraged to submit commentary articles.  All viewpoints, unless libelous, in poor taste, or anonymous, are welcome.  Send your contributions to The Editor, P.O. Box 306, Olveston, Montserrat, W. I., e-mail: editor@montserratreporter.org or monrep@candw.ag.  Manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by a return stamped envelope.  The Montserrat Reporter is a privately owned independent newspaper.

Jus Wonderin items may be called in at telephone 491-4715 or Fax 491-2430

SCRIPTURE VERSE THIS WEEK

Rejection

Read Mark 6:1-6

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested 

-Hebrews 4:15 (NRSV) 

As an interracial family, my husband, daughter, and I have Definitely know our share of rejection.  In fact, if we had ignored the positive in our lives and focused only on the negative, we could have easily become hopeless outcast; our family could have even been destroyed.

Jesus also was no stranger to rejection.  While he was teaching in his hometown, those who knew him could not see beyond the Jesus whom they knew only as the carpenter, the son of Mary. After Jesus arrest, even his followers left him and denied him.  Our Lord was mocked, beaten, humiliated, and finally crucified.

Christ understands the pain of rejection, and yet, despite being rejected by so many, he was beloved and fully accepted by God.  When we feel rejected by people, we can remember that Christ understands and reaches out to us, reminding us that in God we too are accepted and loved.  God's great love will never let us go.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, help us to know that you accept us.

Remind us of the power of your love for us at all times and in all places.  Amen.

Thought for the Day

God's acceptance of us goes deeper than the sting of human rejection.

Wilma Kindle (IIIinois)

Prayer Focus:  THOSE WHO FEEL REJECTED

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

It is Time to Change the Rules for Sexual Offences

Mr. Editor,

I learn with distaste of the acquittal of a man who apparently had a thirteen year old girl ensconced in his apartment for two nights while the mother searched frantically for her daughter.

I have to confess that I don't claim to know all the facts in the case but the message that is being sent to the other young men who have sexual liaisons with minors, is frightening. Too many men are committing this crime, and of those who are caught and prosecuted, far too many are walking out of court as free men. Too many are being told that they have done nothing wrong as was the case of this latest defendant.

I have a few questions to ask.

1. What kind of society are we creating when this kind of crime goes unpunished? How can we wonder about the break down of morality and discipline? How can we wonder about teenage pregnancy?

2. What kind of judicial system do we have that enables this kind of crime to go unpunished?

3. What could have gone wrong and what kind of jury was that which could, given the undisputed facts in the case, free a person for doing what he did? It's sad to think that this jury represented the society.

4. I wonder about the decision of the prosecutor to file only one charge against the man. I mean, if the evidence is so insufficient to support a charge of rape, then why wasn't he charged with statutory rape? Why wasn't he charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor? Why was he not charged with everything possible. I mean, I am no lawyer but I believe I have common sense and know that if you throw the kitchen sink at him, something must stick. When I hear the Police Chief speaking about being tough on this type of crime, then I am tempted to think that the first thing he needs to do is to champion the cause of judicial reform and then to re-think the policy of filing a single charge against these defendants, which opens for door for easy acquittal.

Perhaps we should stop prosecuting this type of case until we change the rules which could allow this type of crime to go unpunished. The three men who were arrested the other day for having sexual intercourse with a minor should not even be taken to court if they are going to be tried under the same rules and policies.

We need to change the rules in order to save our society from itself. Perhaps the first thing to do would be to inter-change the attorneys. Let the defense attorneys be the prosecutors and vice-versa..

School Outraged.

LOCAL and REGIONAL NEWS

Search On For National Dress

The St. Patrick’s Day Organizing Committee, as part of its 2002 activities, has announced the launching of a National Dress Search for Montserrat.
A press release from the Committee said “the search will culminate in a competition, aimed at establishing a definitive National Dress as a national symbol, and for cultural distinction of our men and women.”

All Montserrat nationals are invited to submit designs for a National Dress.  The designs, the press release said should reflect “our African, Irish and Caribbean heritage, Montserrat past and present, and our sense of distinctiveness in being Montserratian.”
Designs should be attractive, and suitable for wear by persons of all ages and sizes. A designer may submit up to three designs. These can be for either male or female wear, or for both.

According to the press release a national dress provides a sense of identity and national pride; sets a country/nation apart from others as a unique entity, with a cultural distinction; provides a strong familial tie with all the persons of the same nationality; provides a meeting point for all the various strands of cultural expression and creates a sense of history, harmony and of belonging.
A panel of judges will determine the winners in a cultural show scheduled to be held in late December 2002.

Montserratians Gain High Honours At UWI

Montserratian students have continued to turn in outstanding performances at the University of the West Indies. Results reaching us indicate that at least three students attained Upper Second Class Honours degrees at the June 2002 final examinations. These are Dawayne Riley, in Media and Communication, Daniel Joseph (pictured right) , in Mathematics and Computer Science, and Sarah Silcott (pictured left) , in Management Studies.

The local University Centre is particularly pleased with the results of Miss Sarah Silcott, the manager of Montserrat Aviation Services Ltd. She has made history by graduating after spending only one year on the Cave Hill Campus. This is because Miss Silcott completed the first two years of her degree in Montserrat. This is a tribute to her diligence, commitment and capability for independent study, but it also underscores the value of the tertiary educational services provided at the local UWI Centre. Miss Silcott is, in effect, a graduate of both the local Centre and Cave Hill. To have graduated after one year on campus would have been an achievement worthy of celebration. To have gained an Upper Second Class degree, using largely the distance education mode, is a double achievement.

Miss Silcott has been an exemplary student of the University Centre and the UWI Distance Education programme. Before pursuing the Bachelor’s degree in Management Studies, she had completed the UWI Certificate in Public Administration.

The UWI Centre salutes Miss Silcott and the other graduating students and is pleased with the contribution it is making to human resource development in Montserrat. There is no substitute for campus education, but by utilising the distance mode, students can continue to earn while they study at home. The economy of the scheme is obvious. This is why more and more students are seizing the opportunity for local university education.

In other news from UWI, two Montserratians, Dena Kirnon and Leslie Meade, have qualified as medical doctors, with Dr. Kirnon going on to postgraduate studies. Finally, Mrs. Desreen Silcott of the Health Department has completed the UWI course that leads to the Bachelor of Nursing degree. She also holds the Certificate in Public Administration, which she gained through the Distance Education programme.

Promotion Exercise at Lookout Primary

Students from the Lookout Primary school show off their various certificates

In a well-attended event, a Promotion Day Exercise for Lookout Primary school students was held at the Judy Piece Methodist Church on Thursday.

The exercise was used as a substitute for a graduation as the school doesn’t have a sixth grade.

The Exercise saw students collecting certificates for distinctions, honours and merits. Teacher in Charge, Miss Edith D. Duberry said 74 percent of the students scored 50 percent and above in their end of year examinations.

For the whole school term, she said, 55 students received Distinctions, 52 got honours and 50 received merits.

Distinctions are given to students who average 90 and above; Honours are given to those who obtain between 80 and 89 and students obtain Merits for scoring between 70 and 79.
Students also received awards for obtaining top averages in their respective grades. The top three students for Kindergarten are Christine Marin (98.3%), Sandani Tuitt (97.0%) and Clarensia Piper (95%).

For Grade One are: Shenella Moore (98.5%), Christum Weekes (97.9%) and Allson Walters (92.8%).

For Grade Two: Davisha Tuitt (96.4%), Edmond King (90.5%) and Vonroy Allen (89.1%).

For Grade Three: Lee-Anne Wade (94.4%), Sharmaine King (93.2%) and Sheneza Moore (92.7%).

In her address, Miss Duberry said: “We want the children entrusted to our care to strive for excellence as we have adopted the motto ‘The Top Is Reached By Striving’”.
She said apart from the end of year test, the school did a half term test, which took place three times for the year.

Training Centre Conducts Managerial Workshop

A five-day Managerial Leadership Workshop was held at the Government Training Centre in Brades from July 8-12.
The workshop was delivered by the Institute of Business of the University of the West Indies (UWI-IOB), St. Augustine in collaboration with the Training Division, Department of Administration.
The contents addressed at the workshop were: establishing the Strategic Framework, Montserrat Public Service in the 21^st century, providing effective leadership, leading for results and leading in the changing environment.
The learning objectives of the workshop were: align ministerial and departmental objectives with the overall developmental strategy for Montserrat, review the environment context in which strategies must be pursued, review the role and importance of leadership in effective public sector management, analyze their own leadership competencies and develop plans for their personal developmental, review the impact of management styles on employee performance, craft strategies for achieving superior performance and results that contribute to economic and human resource development in Montserrat and to develop action plans to pursue the strategies in their respective ministries and departments.
Clerk of Councils Mrs. Claudette Weekes, who said that the human element should never be lost in the quest for establishing rules, delivered the feature address.
“Rules will change from time to time,” she said. “Where I work laws are repealed and decisions rescinded from time to time. Our relationship with our fellowmen must never be sacrificed on the altar of a chance for upward mobility for example.
“Rather, I trust that this workshop would provide the platform for finding and documenting a balance in understanding the concepts and in adopting useful approaches to managerial leadership.”
Chairman of the proceedings and statistician Mrs. Katrina Ryan said the workshop will provide participants, with among other things, a better understanding of today’s changing environment and how it has impacted on the rule of the leader, some knowledge about the theories of leadership and management skills in the areas of planning, human relations, communications and time management.
“On the whole the workshop is aimed at providing its participants with the managerial and leadership capabilities that will lead to the transformation of a new public sector into the 21^st century,” she said.
 “A manager with leadership qualities but no managerial skills will have an empty vision; without the necessary power the vision can not be turned into reality. As you may realize there is leadership in management, that is the motivational part and management in leadership, the implementation part.”
Chief Training Officer Miss Daphne Cassell was the facilitator, while Mr. Curt P. Wellington, facilitator of UWI-IOB, did the overview of the programme.
The IOB was established in 1989 and evolved as a result of a demand by the business community for the St. Augustine campus to develop programmes more attuned to the needs of the business community.

July is Literacy Month for Rotary Clubs

by Susan MacLeod Edgecombe, Rotary Club of Montserrat

Rotary Club literacy children at ZJB

We live in a world where having access to books and being taught to read is not a given. Illiteracy lies at the root of poverty. An estimated one billion people, three fifths of them women, do not have the literacy and numeracy skills needed to hold a job or get a better one. Although 98 percent of the world's illiterate live in developing countries, more than 1/3 of the adults in industrialized countries cannot read well enough to do basic tasks.
In 1985, Rotary International declared basic literacy to be a fundamental pre-condition to the development of peace. To this end, Rotary Clubs around the world were urged to address a range of literacy projects. From developing programs in South Africa, Morocco and Thailand, to donating books to the libraries in Uganda, Rwanda, and Montserrat, Rotary Clubs are helping fight illiteracy
In the Rotary International Calendar, July is designated as "Literacy Month". This is an appropriate time to emphasize reading and literacy skills, as many children who are on their summer vacations do not stray far from the television remote. Listen for the Rotary-sponsored messages on Radio Montserrat this month, featuring many of our primary school youngsters expressing their views on reading.
As parents, it is our responsibility to encourage our children to read. It should be an activity to look forward to, indeed, even a privilege. It should not ever be used to punish. Have your child set aside short periods each day to sit with a book. Perhaps going to bed 15 minutes earlier and reading or being read to could be arranged. Maybe another 15 minutes after lunch, or before dinner, can be "reading time." Little ones or children who are not good readers will still benefit from this designated time to look through books, picking out individual words, and even just enjoying the pictures. Soon your child will look forward to these quiet times, and 15 minutes may creep up to 20 or 25 minutes without parental interference.
Older children can read to younger ones, or to grandparents who are not able to read with ease.
The local Library at the BBC Complex in Brades has a good selection of books for all ages. It is open from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each weekday, and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
on Saturdays. Encourage your child to visit the library with you, take out a book to read, and show him that care must be taken to return the book in the same condition.
There is a library programme for children on Saturday mornings between 11 a.m. and 12 noon. Let your child participate. And if you would like to help, please do! Volunteers are needed to assist in the programme, reading, playing games and singing songs. High School students - what about volunteering an hour or two per week this summer? Speak to Miss Ruth Allen at the Library.
Reading is not only necessary in our day-to-day lives, it is also a source of tremendous enjoyment and satisfaction. It opens up new worlds and ideas.
One can escape for a while in the latest novel, learn about other countries and cultures, read a recipe, learn a skill, and so on. So before turning on the TV, pick up your book and read a few pages. It may be addicting!

Students Research Borehole Sites to Better Predict Volcano

By Merrick Andrews

Geophysics and Geology students and professors

A group of 30 students and three professors, majoring in the geophysics and geology sciences, were earlier this week exploring areas around the island where three proposed borehole sites could be drilled and monitor equipments installed to better predict the behaviour of the Soufriere Hills volcano.

The contingent represented 10 different nations – Brunei, China, Colombia, El Salvador, Germany, Indonesia, Oman, the US, UK and Trinidad and Tobago.

Former Director of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) Dr. Simon Young (pictured left) and geophysicist Prof. Charles Ammon from Penn State University, US, were involved in investigating the borehole sites.

Prof. Jurgen ‘Locko’ Neuberg of the University of Leeds in the UK said Dr. Young is also employed by Borehole Consortium to organize the logistics of drilling the boreholes.
The Borehole Consortium is a group of US and UK universities that combine their funds to drill these shallow holes in countries with active volcanoes.

These holes are installed with equipments such as strainmeter, seismometer, and tiltmeters. These can detect any changes in ground motion associated with volcanic activity.

Prof. Neuberg, who is a German, said of the new method: “It will clearly improve the actual monitoring of the volcano… they are such sensitive instruments, which we will try to deploy in the boreholes. It will really help Montserratians to live with a crisis because we can detect tiny changes and can give good warning should the volcano becomes more active again.”

Prof. Neuberg has been involved with the MVO since 1997 and is a member of the risk assessment panel for the Montserrat and UK Governments.

The group carried out the geophysical investigations and has helped to identify Woodlands, Lover’s Lane and Trants, as the areas where the borehole sites are suitable to be drilled.

Drilling and equipping the holes is scheduled to begin in November at a cost of about US$1.2 million, covered by the Consortium. Data from investigations will be made to the MVO through a Memorandum of Understanding.

Apart from the fieldwork, which is also an avenue of training, the students explored the fun of Montserrat, through hikes, tours and swimming. His Excellency Governor Anthony Longrigg on Thursday evening held a reception for the contingent at his residence.

Amir Haji-Sabli, an undergraduate (second year) geophysicist student of the University of Leeds said the activities gave him the opportunity to further “study and understand” the nature of volcanoes and their eruptions, which he described as “one of the most destructive events”.

“Of course it gives me a lot of benefits in terms of experience [and] teamwork…” said the 21-year-old Brunei national.

Trinidadian Keisha Sylvester, 23, an Earth Science graduate student from the University of the West Indies, Mona, said her experience here was interesting because she got to apply Geology in a different setting.

She added: “The experience is very interesting in that I have never being exposed to geophysics before. So, it was a first for me being around the equipments and procedures and it helped me in that I think I have more direction now in terms of where I want my career to go”.

The students also explored Belham Valley for water borehole sites covered by volcanic material for the Montserrat Water Authority and deployed a multi-parameter geophysical station above Lee’s Yard and on Gager’s Hill to monitor ash venting at the dome and to see if the flank of Gager’s mountain move.

The project is part of a European-funded project called Multimo, which is coordinated by Prof. Neuberg. 

Rev. Dr. Galloway visits

By C T John

He was a teacher – first at the primary school and then at secondary level.  He was a lay preacher par excellence.  However, he had a vocational call to theological education that propelled him to leave Montserrat for North America in search of fulfilling that calling.

He is now the Rev. Dr. Lincoln Galloway, Associate Professor of Homiletics at the Claremont School of Theology in California. Along the way he taught at the Candler School of Theology and the Interdenominational Theological Centre in Atlanta. 
Dr. Galloway also earned several prestigious awards along the way. 

He was the recipient of the John Owen Smith Preaching Award, the John Rustin Award for Prophetic preaching and the John and Alice Slay Award for outstanding academic performance.  He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and a member of the American Academy of Religion.

Dr. Galloway holds a concern for communities that struggle against great odds for basic survival. He is concerned about peoples and countries that are seeking to overcome the problems associated with under-development, oppressive regimes and colonial power domination; people who must endure dehumanization and victimization, and for whom many religious institutions have no concerted or authentic response.

Dr. Galloway preached his first Sermon at age 16. He remembers his early training and spiritual nurturing at his mother’s feet, and the many activities/organizations, which contributed to his faith development as he grew up in the Judy Piece Methodist Church.

He returned home during the week of 7^th July as (what is usually called) ‘Missionary Deputation’. In that capacity he delivered addresses in all three Methodist Churches (Judy Piece, Salem, and Cavalla Hill) during the week.  He was electrifying.  His tone…his diction…his logical development and presentation… the depth of his theology… he is truly a Professor.  He is a Theologian about whom Montserrat can be immensely and emotionally proud.

We thank Dr. Galloway for coming and giving us a glimpse of his current capability. We know that an individual of that calibre will not remain stagnant, and our best wishes will be with him as he continues his walk. 

Billy Darroux Take Up New Duties in Barbados

Constable Billy Darroux on Tuesday, July 9 took up duties as an instructor at the Regional Police Training Centre in Barbados.
His new duties will span two years in the first instance.
Commissioner of Police John Douglas described Constable Darroux, who will be promoted to Acting Sergeant while at the training centre, as “an intelligent and highly motivated police officer”.
Constable Darroux could be promoted to Sergeant if there’s a vacancy for the position when he returns.
The 34-year-old officer was acquitted in the May criminal assizes of the High Court for a charge of wounding Mr. John Semper with a baseball bat in Lookout on September 28, 2001.

Festival Committee Calls For Queen Show Participants

The Montserrat Festival Committee Queen Show Sub Committee is encouraging young ladies to participate in the 40^th Anniversary Festival Queen Show.
A press release from the committee said participants will receive attractive prizes this year including cash prizes of EC$3,000 for the winner, EC$2,000 for the first runner up and EC$1,000 for the second runner up.
Last year’s winner Miss Lyandra Hobson has received an EC$1,500 scholarship to assist her in pursuing an accounting degree, the press release said.  
Miss Hobson is currently doing a two-year Business Management Course with the US-based on-line Professional Career Development Institute.
Miss Hobson has recently chosen Barbados as the destination for her major prize: a trip to a LIAT destination of her choice.
The 19-year-old who plans to open her own business says her reign has been “a good experience” so far.

St. Lucia’s PM calls for Non-partisan NGO’s

St. Lucia's Prime Minister, Dr. Kenny Anthony has called for a non-partisan approach in the operations of the Non - Governmental Organization's (NGO's).

 Dr. Anthony made the call during the just concluded 23rd Meeting of the Heads of Government which took place in Guyana.

 "This is a new age characterised by new types of engagement between Government and Civil Society and we must strive to enhance the region's political culture....."

 The St. Lucia Leader pointed out that the NGO's who are all part and parcel of Civil Society, must ensure that the business of their respective communities is not subject to partisan political agendas and suggested that the rate of progress, and the level of public acceptance of initiatives, aimed at strengthening communities would have been much more advanced had the NGO's been engaged earlier in matters, and on a more non-partisan political position.

 The Heads welcomed the involvement of the NGO's via Civil Society and Guyana's President, Bharrat Jagdeo, noted that the great involvement of the NGO's via Civil Society - women, young people, the business community and others is needed for the achievement of the goals of the community but like his St. Lucian colleague, cautioned that there must be a non-partisan method of operation if success is to be achieved.

 Photo: St. Lucia's Dr. Kenny Anthony and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves discussing the NGO's and Civil Society. 

New Programme of Cooperation with French Territories

The OECS is pursuing a new programme of greater cooperation with the French Caribbean territories.
The programme, called "Interreg III" will involve support from Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guyana in several areas including tourism integration, transport and cultural enhancement.
The first planning meeting for the programme was held on July 2nd in Basseterre, Guadeloupe, with participants from the regional and general Councils of Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guyana, The European Commission, and the Secretariats of the OECS,  CARIFORUM, and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).
The meeting established a Steering Committee to work on the internal procedures for implementing the programme.
The European Commission approved Interreg III in May 2002 for the period 2000-2006 in the sum of 24 million Euros. 

OECS Soca Monarch Competition

The 2002 OECS Soca Monarch competition will be made available to the region and beyond via web-cast.
The show on Sunday July 14th will be carried live on the OECS Radio Network site:   http://204.188.168.22 starting at 8:00 pm. OECS Communication Officers Raymond Okeiffe and Kendol Morgan will join the Radio St. Lucia commentary team for the special broadcast.
Leading soca artistes from all nine OECS Member States along with Barbados will meet on one stage in a show of regional solidarity.
Following is the list of participants:

• Anguilla: Wayne "Porkyman" Hodge
• Antigua: Mervyn "Sleepy" Edward  from Da Bhann Fete
• Barbados: Anderson 'Andy' Armstrong Bandanna
• B.V.I.: Reynold 'King Paido' Phillip Hasn't decided yet
• Dominica: Derrick 'Hunter' St. Rose Ah feeling to
• Grenada: Foster 'Super P' Straker Peeping
• Montserrat: Andy Kirnon Party Vibes
• St. Kitts & Nevis: David 'Pung Wa' Patrick Hasn't decided yet
• St. Vincent: Cornelius 'Poorsah' Williams Hairy Bank
• St. Lucia: Giles 'Gillo' Stephen Proper Pork
  Invader Wire Weya
  Sanders U Eh Hearin
  Trish Zoom Zoom Zoom
  Black Pearl Bouche Yo
  Papa Pops Jumping
  Plus the Soca Monarch if they are not in this list
  Radio Stations who wish to may carry the to their respective national audiences, while individuals may also follow the show on their personal computers.
  The OECS Soca monarch, now into its second year, is held as part of St.Lucia's carnival activities, with endorsement from the OECS Secretariat. 

Pm Bird Instructs Uk Lawyers To Sue BBC For Libel

Antigua PM Bird speaking to the press

Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister the Hon. Lester Bird has instructed the legal firm of Charles Russell Solicitors in London to sue the BBC for libel.

The alleged libel was contained in a broadcast on the "Today" programme on one of the BBC's domestic radio channels, Radio 4 and was repeated by BBC World Television worldwide and on the BBC's website on the Internet last Friday, 5th July.

The Prime Minister's London lawyers consider the BBC introduction to the Radio 4 story by its reporter Fergal Parkinson and the story itself to constitute a most serious defamation.

In introducing the Parkinson report, the BBC presenter reportedly said:

"A Royal Commission set up to investigate corruption on the Caribbean island of Antigua has found that the Prime Minister Lester Bird has spent more than 200 million dollars of the country's health fund on parties, presents and foreign trips for his friends and colleagues."

The Public Relations Department(PRD) of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda in a news item on Wednesday  relates “the fact is that the Commission of Inquiry, headed by Sir. Alister McIntyre, was not set up to investigate corruption on Antigua; it was established to inquire into the operations of the Medical Benefits Scheme.  Further the Commission has not yet written its report and has published no findings whatsoever.  Therefore, the BBC is wholly inaccurate by claiming it has made any findings of any kind concerning the Prime Minister.

“It is also significant that, at no time, was the Prime Minister a subject of the Commission's Inquiry.  He was not sent a Salmon Letter requiring him to appear before it, nor was he asked to appear before it at all.

The public of Antigua and Barbuda, who watched or listened to the live and recorded television and radio broadcasts of the Inquiry as it transpired, are also fully aware that at no time was any allegations made that the Prime Minister "spent more than 200 million dollars of the country's health fund on parties, presents and foreign trips for his friends and colleagues."

“Apart from the defamation contained in the words of the BBC presenter, who introduced the Parkinson report, the story itself is riddled with libel.  In essence, it claims that the Prime Minister caused the death of many children in Antigua and Barbuda by spending money that should have been spent on their health care to fund parties, presents and foreign trips for his friends and colleagues.

It is noteworthy that, in his evidence to the Commission of Inquiry, Paediatrician Dr. Thomas Martin made reference to only one child whose life he thought could be saved by appropriate action by the Medical Benefits Scheme.  At no time did he suggest that money that could be used to save the child was used by the Prime Minister to fund lavish parties, presents and foreign travel.  In the event, other witnesses contradicted his testimony regarding the one child.”

Meanwhile at its regular sitting on Wednesday 10^th July, 2002, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda approved the payment of the fees of the firm Charles Russell Solicitors of the United Kingdom in the litigation against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

The Cabinet made the decision after considering various publications by the BBC of a story by its reporter, Fergal Parkinson, and the introduction thereto, as published separately on the “Today” programme on BBC Radio 4, BBC World Television and the BBC’s Internet website.

In a GIS report it stated that the Cabinet also decided that while the libel pertains specifically to the Prime Minister, the wider implications of the false allegations in the BBC publications adversely affect the reputation of the entire government of Antigua and Barbuda and the image of the country. 

EMS BETTER Positioned to Serve With More Ambulances

Antigua - The Emergency Medical Service (EMS) is now better equipped to provide emergency response services to the nation, with the arrival of two more ambulances.

Health Minister the Hon. John St. Luce outlined that two ambulances returned to the country last week following repair work in Miami, bringing the EMS fleet to seven.

He outlined that the improved emergency response fleet will ensure that ambulance service is available to the entire country within thirty minutes from strategic points.

“There are two ambulances that have been sent to Florida about two years ago after being sent back to Miami because of transmission problems.  They are now repaired and sprayed over and are now functional,” said Minister St. Luce.

“I was able to solicit an ambulance, which we got, then I got on to the Medical Benefits Board and they purchased two new ambulances for us.  So we have those five ambulances, plus we had two or three before.  My idea is to ensure that no patient who is in need of an ambulance is more than thirty minutes away.  As a result we will have most of the ambulances in St. John’s and we are going to base one at the Johnson’s Point Clinic and another at the new All Saints Clinic which will be ready in the next few weeks,” he added. 

Asphalting of Nevis’ Island Main Road is 95 percent complete

Nevis - Work on the Island Main Road is coming to an end, following the asphalting on Wednesday of the last link at Morning Star. With only two very short sections left, over 95 percent of the work is complete, and in full use by motorists.

Project Manager in the Nevis Island Administration, Mr. Denzil Stanley, who was on hand to supervise the asphalting by the Irish firm of Lagan Holdings Limited, told Government Information Service that with the completion of the section at Morning Star, the company was excepted to move its earthmoving equipment to Bowrin Bridge, next to Ebenezer Church.

Observed Mr. Stanley: “Asphalting of the road works has resumed after a lull in operations that was due to a fault at the asphalt plant. Now that we have gotten that rectified, the asphalt operation has resumed. So far I estimate that 95 percent of the road has been asphalted meaning that there is only another 5 per cent to be done.”

The outstanding sections are both in Gingerland, at Bowrin and Market Shop bridges. He mentioned that the Bowrin Bridge section was ready for asphalting, while the Market Shop Bridge section would take a few days to make it ready, and he was of the opinion that asphalting at Market Shop Bridge could be done by next week.

He however pointed out that finishing the asphalting of the road surface did not mean that the job was complete. “The contractors are looking at completing substantially the works by the end of July – there will still be some outstanding work to be done, some accommodation works, access and so forth. By the end of July hopefully all major components of the project should be completed,” said Mr. Stanley.

After the Government certifies that the road has been completed to the agreed specifications, a certificate of completion would be issued. The project manager observed that they would  “go out for inspection, and once we are satisfied with the works as presented to us, then we do issue the certificate of completion. Generally the product is satisfactory.”

He went on to say, “We must note here though that there are some defects that need to be corrected before that certificate of completion is issued. Most of those defects have been pointed out to the contractors already, so they know where they are and should any more come up, those too will be pointed out to them and have to be corrected before the certificate of completion is issued.”

The section of the Island Main Road that is being constructed by Lagan Holdings Limited, from Market Shop through Charlestown to Cotton Ground, covers a distance of about 7 ½ miles. The section from Cotton Ground to New Castle Airport, covering about 3 ½ miles, constructed by Professional Technologies Inc (Protech), was completed on March 21 and a Certificate of Completion issued a week later.

Project Manager, Denzil Stanley, (right) looks on as the final link at Morning Star was asphalted on Wednesday.

A section of the Island Main Road at Jones Bay – constructed by Protech.

The intersection of Island Main Road and Pump Road/Long Point Road – constructed by Lagan Holdings.

A section of the completed Island Main Road at Cottle Long Path – constructed by Protech.

 Johnson to Approach UN on Constitutional Situation in Dutch Kingdom

 THE BOTTOM, Saba (SGIS) – Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs Will Johnson says that he is planning a second trip to the United Nations (UN) in the coming months before his term of office ends.
 The Leader of Government plans to meet with the UN Decolonization Committee concerning the present constitutional situation with the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

 Johnson says that he would like the UN Decolonization Committee to re-instate Holland’s reporting to the aforementioned committee on an annual basis concerning the socio-economic development of the Netherlands Antilles.

 Commissioner Johnson told the Saba Government Information Service (SGIS), would also like to discuss the new Dutch Governing Program with respect to the right of self-determination.

 “The Dutch Governing Program should not be in conflict with concessions that were made by the Dutch Government in 1983 where each island was given the right of self-determination.

 “This decennia suppose to be the last for colonialism. Saba has no problem remaining in a colonial relationship with Holland but not under the present constitutional structure,” Johnson said.

ECCB Deputy Governor Stresses Adequate Debt Management

St Kitts - Errol Allen, Deputy Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) Headquarters on Monday morning said adequate debt management is essential if countries are to use external resources efficiently in an increasingly complex financial environment.
Mr. Allen was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Secretariat/ECCB sponsored workshop on the Commonwealth Secretariat Debt Recording and Management System2000+ (CS-DRMS 2000+) on Regional Debt Management Workshop Underway.

Mr. Allen noted that the rising burden and the greater complexity of debt have combined to place greater onus on the authorities in debtor countries to manage their external indebtedness through appropriate macro-economic policies. This, however, would need to be supported by an effective external management system to record and analyze debt transactions.

A release from the bank stated that the workshop was being held to train participants in the use of tools with which they could assist their governments in budget preparation, cash flow management, and analysis and verification of debt.

Facilitator of the workshop José Maurel, chief programme officer, Debt Services at the Commonwealth Secretariat, noted that his organisation had developed the CS- DRMS in the 1980s as part of an advisory programme in debt management, in response to the debt crisis. It was now being used in 45 Commonwealth countries and 7 non-Commonwealth countries as the official debt recording and management system. He said development of the CS DRMS 2000+ was expected to provide user countries with a more modern, up-to-date and flexible system.

Speaking also at the opening was Dr. Garth Nicholls, director of the ECCB’s Research and Information Department who pointed to the emergence of a debt problem in the region, partly reflecting the vulnerability of small states to external shocks, natural disasters such as hurricanes, and a fall in the availability of development financing. He noted that in an effort to address this, the ECCB was working with the Ministries of Finance to develop stabilization programmes to assist the countries to restore fiscal balance. The CS-DRMS 2000+ training workshop was one of the means of addressing the fiscal and debt problems.    

Participants from regional governments and central banks are attending the workshop, the fourth in a series of six regional workshops organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat since the start of the year, as part of the release of the CS-DRMS 2000+.

Caribbean Countries To Get Drugs At Reduced Cost To Fight Hiv/Aids

“Apart from this significant development in giving those patients who are living with HIV/AIDS an opportunity to enjoy a better quality of life, an opportunity for them to increase their productivity so that they can assist their own families, the Partnership has been very successful in putting forward our own Regional claim and application to the Global Fund that has been organised through the United Nations, in order to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.” - Dr. Denzil Douglas

An article in today's (Sunday) edition of the Guyana Chronicle Newspaper written by Shirley Thomas, states that Caribbean countries is to shortly sign an agreement to facilitate the cheaper procurement of drugs to fight HIV/AIDS from pharmaceutical companies.

This movement in the fight against HIV/AIDS, which is having a devastating effect on the region, is part of efforts being made at the level of the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS coordinated by CARICOM and signed in Barbados on February 14, 2001.

Getting the drugs at a significantly reduced cost - some 70-90 per cent cheaper - is seen as a major accomplishment to date.

The agreement is to be formally signed in Barcelona, Spain, within a few days. The historic signing is to take place at the International HIV/AIDS Conference scheduled for July 7-11. Signing on behalf of the Pan Caribbean Region will be the Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, whose portfolio within CARICOM includes Health and Human Services. He is also Chairman of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.

Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, and Secretary General of the Comonwealth,  Mr. Don Mc Kinon

Members of the media were brought up to date with the region’s progress with respect to stopping the march of HIV/AIDS at a press conference Dr Douglas hosted at Le Meridien Pegasus Friday during the third and final day of the 23rd Conference of the Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean, hosted in Georgetown.

“I should say that though this Regional Negotiating position has finally come to an end, we have had several companies that have been privately negotiating with the pharmaceutical companies,” Dr Douglas said.

Citing countries such as Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, Barbados and the Bahamas which have been doing their own negotiations for reduced costs of pharmaceuticals, he said: “Apart from these bilateral negotiations that have taken place over the last few months, on behalf of the Pan Caribbean Partnership, on behalf of the Regional Negotiating Mechanism that has been put in place, we have successfully reached to the point where an agreement is to be signed with the Pharmaceutical Companies and the Pan Caribbean representatives of the Region.”

More specifically, he said, the signing is not only in terms of the anti-retrovirals that are essential in helping to give those who are suffering from HIV/AIDS an improved quality of life, “but they are also working with us to build the capacity in the Caribbean Region, in order to help manage such patients, not only in terms of treatment, but in managing them generally,” Dr. Douglas reiterated.

Dr. Douglas noted that the Pan Caribbean Partnership includes the core group of donors, especially those traditional donors, who have assisted as head in the Caribbean Region over the years. It also consists of National AIDS programmes, Civil Society, the Private Sector, and generally the donor communities - all coordinated by the CARICOM Secretariat.

He credited the Pan Caribbean Partnership for having created a model that has been recognised for the engagement of other entities on the issue of HIV/AIDS.

Acknowledging assistance received in putting together their negotiating team from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UN/AIDS, the Head of State lauded the significant role that the CARICOM Secretariat itself has played together with the Ministers of Health from around the Caribbean Region.

Reflecting on the progress made to date, Dr. Douglas reported that following the signing of the Pan Caribbean Partnership in Bridgetown, Barbados in February, last year, the Region has been focusing its attention mainly on accelerating access to care and treatment of people who are living with HIV/AIDS.

This is in keeping with provisions of the Partnership which are to increase access to, and provision of appropriate support and care to persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

“I want to make it clear to you that we have now established a definitive path forward in realising some of the goals of the partnership.”

“Apart from this significant development in giving those patients who are living with HIV/AIDS an opportunity to enjoy a better quality of life, an opportunity for them to increase their productivity so that they can assist their own families, the Partnership has been very successful in putting forward our own Regional claim and application to the Global Fund that has been organised through the United Nations, in order to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria,” he contended.

Stressing that the Partnership has successfully put together the first Regional plan to obtain assistance from the Global Fund, he said that in September, the CARICOM Regional Movement would be having its final round of discussions.

“ …And we are very hopeful that we would receive the necessary assistance from this fund, so that the Pan Caribbean Region, would be able to access about US$50-$60 million that would now be available to us in our fight against HIV/AIDS,” stated.

Photo: Prime Minister Douglas of St. Kitts and Nevis (left)  and Secretary General of the Comonwealth,  Mr. Don Mc Kinon discussing HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean.

Douglas Praises Manning On "Generous" Oil Offer

- T&T To Link The Region With Natural Gas?

The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Denzil Douglas has praised his Trinidad and Tobago colleague, Prime Minister, Mr. Patrick Manning, for his "generous offer" to share his country's vast natural gas resources in a partnership deal with member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

T and T, Prime Minister, Mr. Patrick Manning, and Prime Minister Denzil Douglas of St. Kitts and Nevis

Mr. Manning made this proposal while addressing the opening session of the Community's 23rd Summit which was held at the National Cultural Center under heavy security in Georgetown last week.

His natural gas partnership proposal calls for, initially, the expansion of gas pipelines from Trinidad and Tobago to the countries of the Eastern Caribbean, including Barbados, over a three-year period and would involve their ownership, once they agree to the proposed project.

Manning said the technology being developed for compressed natural gas would make it possible for his country to extend the "gas partnership" arrangement also to Jamaica, Guyana, Belize and The Bahamas.

Douglas was asked at a news conference Friday at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown what he felt about this proposal by Manning.

"Mr. Manning's proposal has been a very generous offer to the Caribbean countries in attempting to resolve one of the most serious and pressing issues of the Caribbean region today, which is the economic situation as it is unfolding", he said.

He pointed out that the Eastern Caribbean countries over the last few years have not seen a fiscal situation as it is being seen today and Manning "did put that within the context of not being able, I believe, to give us silver and gold but to give us that which he has. And that is the reserves of natural gas which they have recently discovered in Trinidad and Tobago."

"...and so he is talking about a pipeline that would allow the various member territories of the Caribbean Community to benefit from this very important facility of having a pipeline with natural gas brought into their very territory."

According to Douglas, this is a very important development because fuel cost is one of the important areas that "we continue to spend quite a bit of our own revenue on and so we believe that this is an offer that must be taken in its full context to help ease the burden that we are bearing at the moment with regards to the fiscal problems that we are experiencing."

The `Trinidad Express' newspaper has, however, reported that the much anticipated oil boom could be in jeopardy as BHP Billiton's announced billion barrel find is at least 25 per cent less than initially thought. 

SPORTS

POWER TO OUR WOMEN!

By Peter Adrien

She is young; she is strong; she is powerful.
That is what Serena Williams is.
The muscular young female athlete walked though the valleys climbed unto the mountains and now stands at the summit. This is what pride, self esteem, and positive family values can do for black people who refused to be crushed by a racist and class society, and who are prepared to take the “shit system” (just to use the words of the late Jamaican moral teacher Peter Tosh) head-on and to excel against the odds.
And Venus her sister, whom she defeated to win the 2002 US Open is a model of black endurance. 
The Wimbledon champion Serena Williams officially moved up to No. 1 in the WTA Tour rankings Monday, following her defeat of her older sister on Saturday July 6, 2002.
The 20-year-old Serena is the 11th woman to lead the computer standings since they started in 1975. She replaces Venus, who's had three stints at No. 1 for a total of 11 weeks since February.

Serena has won the last two Grand Slam tournaments, beating her sister in the finals of Wimbledon and the French Open in June this year.  She's 36-3 with a tour-leading five titles in 2002, and is currently on a season-high 19-match winning streak.

And added to that the Williams sisters became the first siblings at 1-2 in the rankings after the French Open, where Serena reached a then best of No. 2. As long as they stay 1-2, regardless of the order, they will continue to be placed on opposite sides of tournament draws, meaning they could only face off in finals. The sisters have played for the title at three of the last four Grand Slam tournaments, and a Williams has won seven of the past 12 majors.
It was on September 27, 1999 that Serena Williams won her first US Open and became the first black female to win the Championship since the last one did so in 1958 (some fifty years earlier). Black Americans looked on with pride as she won the U.S. Open singles title to become the first Black female to win the championship since tennis pioneer Althea Gibson in 1958.With style, grace and power, the 17-year-old, put on a spectacular display of mature tennis with an all-court attack as she beat the No. 1-ranked Martina Hinges of Switzerland, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4). She hit 36 winners, 29 more than Hinges, and walked away with $750,000 for winning the prestigious title.
Overjoyed and overcome by development, she placed both hands on her chest and mouthed the words, "Oh, my God, I won, oh my God." Some people remarked that Gibson wanted to see another African-American win a Slam before her time was up.
Serena's sweet victory was even sweeter because it came in the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, named after the 1968 U.S. Open champion and the last Black to win a major--Wimbledon in 1975. Ashe's widow, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, was among the more than 23,000 tennis lovers in the stadium. Mrs. Ashe said, “I wouldn't have missed it for anything,"

Serena's proud father and coach, Richard Williams, said, "Serena just went out there with a lot of confidence like she's been taught to do all these years. She didn't think she could lose."

But did you know like, Arthur Ashe, the legendary black Tennis player that the Williams sisters have had to battle against the racial slurs and hateful outburst of a society divided along racial and class lines?

Richard Williams, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, told USA Today his family was booed and taunted by a racist crowd at the Indian We]Is tennis tournament in California in 2001.

He and his daughters were harshly booed while Serena, 20, defeated Kim Clijsters in the final. She said: "When Venus and I were walking down the stairs to our seats, people kept calling me nigger." One guy said, `I wish it was '75; we'd skin you alive.' That's when I stopped and walked toward that way. Then I realized that (my) best bet was to handle the situation nonviolently. I had trouble holding back the tears. I think Indian Wells disgraced America."

Charles Pasarell, director of the Indian Wells tournament, told the paper he was "cringing when all that stuff was going on. It was unfair for the crowd to do that." Recalling the racial-slurred match, Williams said, "All I could think of was my child out on that court by herself in front of all these ignorant people. If I were Venus or Serena, I'd never play Indian Wells again. Whether they go back again is up to them.”
           The white-driven society never enjoys it when black people have defied the odds and excel in the wilderness that passes for society.
           But black people have always excelled against adversity. And Afro-Caribbean women understand that perfectly. They have championed against economic deprivation, social degradation and sexual inequality to reach the apex of a Caribbean society that is still to given them their worthy place in the economy.
          Serena is a champion tennis player; an symbol for all women; and more importantly, a symbol of resilience for all women of African descent.
          Power to the women of society!

Peter Adrien is a Central Banker, an author, freelance journalist and photographer. He may be contacted at www.adriensenterprises,com or adriens@caribsurf,com.

PHOTO CAPTION: Serena Williams, a role model (Photo: Internet)

Peter Adrien

July 8, 2002

10 Questions With Basketball Star Nichon Weekes

By Merrick Andrews

Nichon Weekes was the toast of the recent closing ceremony of the 2002 basketball competitions.

It was no surprise when the 23-year-old Fire star received the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the second straight year after consistently scoring the top figures in the League.

He netted a total of 341 points to take the award for the most points and he also took home the award for the most steals (43) and the most rebounds (200).

Outside of the basketball courts, the soft-spoken 6 1ft., 175-pounder, who lives on Davy Hill, is a junior fire fighter. All members of the Fire team are employees of the Fire Station.

On the court he fights fire with Fire – netting almost 50 points in one game.

However, his team failed to capture an all-victory performance in the competition. After defeating Pitbulls to take the Knockout crown, they lost the League title to defending champions Pitbulls, who, virtue of winning the first two matches did not have to play a third to make it a best-of-three finals.

Rebels, who Weekes represented last year, copped third spot.

Before joining Rebels he represented Northern Snipers for three seasons. However, like what happened to several teams over the years, Snipers crumbled out of competition due to the migration of players.

Weekes is one of a dozen players who were selected by the Montserrat Amateur Basketball Association (MABA) to participate in the Leeward Islands tournament in Antigua from July 17 to 22.

It will be his first time confirming to travel and play for Montserrat. In 1999, he said he was selected in the final team, but opted to stay home because of “other engagements”. He has also represented the Montserrat junior team in recent times.

The Montserrat Reporter recently met Nichon Weekes at the Fire Station in Brades and asked him 10 questions:

Merrick Andrews: Were you surprised at your performance this season?

Nichon Weekes: It didn’t come as a surprise to me because my aim was to win the championships.

MA: What’s your goal for the remainder of the season?

NW: My goal is definitely straightforward: to win the Leeward Islands tournament.
MA: Why do you love basketball?

NW: Basketball is very interesting – sometimes difficult, sometimes easy. Winning is the most interesting part of the game.

MA: How did you get into the sport?

NW: It started from a long, long time ago. I started playing basketball in grade four at Bethel Primary and I started playing competitively in 1992.  It was Gregory Willock who first introduced me to the game. I see guys playing all the time but I wasn’t interested.

MA: How was your first competitive basketball game?

NW: My first good game was in 1992 when I (representing Wings) played against Westsiders in a Knockout game. It was interesting. I wasn’t scared because the crowd was on my side. I scored eight points.”

MA: How did you feel after playing your first competitive game?

NW: After the game I felt good in a sense. At that time you didn’t have guys my age from school making the big league. So when I made the league everybody wanted to become a big leaguer.

MA: What are your favorite style/moves on the court during a game?

NW: I like to entertain the crowd. You will do one of every little thing – like dunking – to put some excitement in the crowd.

MA: Who is your favorite NBA player and why?

NW: Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics). He knows the game and could play. Every time he comes out on the court he gives a 110 percent. Originally my team was the (Chicago) Bulls but the migration of top players including Michael Jordan took them off my list.
MA: Who are the players you admire locally?

NW: I admire the talents of Rudolph Lee, Bevon Greenaway, Holoron Bobb, George Greene, Elbert Aaron and Krenston Buffonge. These guys put in maximum efforts into their game because they want to win.”

MA: Where and how do you see yourself in the next five to 10 years?

NW: Five to 10 years from now I will be coaching. You never know what could happen between now and 10 years.

PHOTO CAPTION: Sir Vivian Richards, must act now! (Photo: Adapted)

Peter Adrien is a Central Banker, an author, a syndicated sports commentator, and a freelance photographer. He may be contacted Peter at e-mail: Adriens@caribsurf.com or visit his website www.adriensenterprises.com 

Montserrat Participates At Commonwealth Games

Montserrat will be represented at the Commonwealth Games in England.
Gavin Lee, who is presently on an athletic scholarship at the Delaware State University in the US, is one of four persons who had registered in track and field to represent Montserrat in the Games. 
The other participants had to withdraw for various reasons.

Manager of the Montserrat team, Mr. Stephen Mendes will compete in the high jump category.
Chef de mission Bruce Fararra, long associated with track and field here had to withdraw at the last minute because of a serious accident in the family.

Montserrat Bridge Association received an invitation to participate in the games, but in the absence of team players declined the invitation. 

Cricket Festival for Primary School Cricketers

The sports department has organized a cricket festival for primary school cricketers.
The Festival will be held from July 15-16 at Salem Park starting at 10: 00 a.m. daily.
Also, the sports department will be conducting a lawn tennis training camp for children from age eight upwards.
This will be held from July 17-26 at two venues.
From the July 17 – 19 this will be held at Lookout, starting at 9 a.m., from the 22-26 this will start at the Salem tennis courts at the same time.

Netball Action: Antigua Visits Montserrat

A touring party of 20 members of the Antigua & Barbuda Netball Association (ABNA) national netball training squad will arrive here tomorrow, July 13, to play an exhibition match against a Montserrat team at the Brades netball court, a press release said.
Action starts at 4:00 p.m.
The visit is being organized by the Pacesetters Sports & Cultural Club, which invited the ABNA to come here.
The press release said Acting Chief Minister Dr. Lowell Lewis would throw the first ball.
Following the match the visitors will leave on the late ferry for Antigua. The Pacesetters have combined with the Montserrat Amateur Basketball Association (MABA) to provide the evening’s entertainment. The basketball team is busy preparing for the Leeward Islands Basketball Championships in Antigua and will battle a ‘Rest Team’, the press release said.
There will also be a dunk and shooting contest, and scramble three-a-side and shooting games for children.
The school bus will be picking up schoolchildren to attend the activities. The bus will leave Salem at 3:00 p.m. and Lookout half hour later.
According to President of the Pacesetters Ms. Rachel Collis, it is hoped that a once rich tradition of netball exchanges between Montserrat and Antigua would resume. She is also hoping that the visit of the ABNA would rekindle the island’s love for netball.

FEATURES/COMMENTARY

A Key Element For Good Government & Governance

By Jeevan Robinson

It’s nearing 3:00 a.m. and for most of the evening I have had this desire to write.  The truth is, it’s a tug of two choices really; do I obey my urge to write or do I get some zzs? I chose to write.
It’s has been quite a few months since I last contributed to this publication. Quite frankly, my recess from contributing to The Reporter was a personal one borne out of sheer frustation.
Like many Montserratians abroad, I find The Reporter a wonderful means of keeping in touch with events as they unfold back home but I must admit that my weekly, (sometimes fortnightly) update of such events seemed more often than not to reek of a stagnant repetitiveness that I found most disheartening.
Having left the island in 1997, what I was seemingly still witnessing was a laborious deliberation by politicians, on both sides of the divide, about issues that dominated the agenda even back in ’97, in what now seems like eons ago! In essence, it just appeared that minimal or no progress was being made on key issues. It is true that the island has witnessed political change several times throughout our situation, but at the same time, Montserrat has also had to endure the constant flurry of enforcers -- sorry, diplomats -- from the FCO to ensure that we stuck to the script; well, Whitehall’s version of it anyway.
Throughout the entire duration of our crisis, many persons have cried that we have been deficient in effective leadership. While this theory may have irrefutable bearing in some regards, I do think it circumnavigates an all important dilemma.

Let’s recant; we have had Mr. Reuben T. Meade, Mr. Bertrand B. Osborne, Mr. David S. Brandt and now Mr. John A. Osborne as Chief Ministers since the advent of the volcanic crisis. Despite what personal views some may have towards any of the afformentioned gentlemen, it has to be said that these men are by far not ignorant of the political process, and moreso, not uninstructed in the resounding task of leadership. Their individual and collective political portfolios speak volumes about their capabilities.

So the question that I am forced to consider is, how is it that we have had leaders of note to pursue our cause, yet look at Montserrat’s situation today? I have been thinking for some time now about that question and a justifiable explanation in response. While I, by far, will not pretend even closely to have the answers to a complex and diverse issue such as Montserrat’s, surely like so many other pundits, I will attempt to speculate and incite discussion.
It is my assertion that for sustainable governance and good government, especially in a time of national crisis, there is a delicate balance between having men capable of steering the ship through perilous waters and the support cast they have to help them stay clear of immiment dangers. The effective workings of any team of  government in a time of crisis, more than before, should take precedence over any domineering personalities or in-house conflicts that may transpire.
No-one needs to be reminded that one man alone cannot do the job, no matter how good his credentials or strategies employed to win an election. A unified front is the key to the wholesome achievement of goals and aspirations that are embarked upon for the good of the people and country.
President Bush, with all his executive powers, could not have declared and embarked upon a successful war in Afghanistan witout the united front of the House and Senate. So too, Tony Blair, with all his usual charm offensive, could not have embarked upon radical National Health Service reforms without his team of government ministers standing firmly behind him.
Re-examining all of the aforementioned leaders of Montserrat that I highlighted, can we honestly say that they had the best support possible to do their jobs effectively? I’ll leave you to ponder the response to that, but what I will say is that good government and governance will always eventually affect meaningful change.
At this time what Montserrat needs and what the international community should be seeing is a unified team. There are those who come to power because of their perceived "good names" and other such trivialities. The foreboding questions we should ask when looking at future political parties are, do they constitute a good team together? What are the similarities in opinions and policies that have brought them together? What is their collective vision?
It does not bode well to hear our leaders having street squabbles and the like. Frankly, I do not know when it was announced that Montserrat’s life expectancy has been shortened, but there are still quite a few of us who harbour hopes of returning one day but who would first like to see that all-inspiring and aspiring team of government working for all our collective good. 

TOURISM HIGHLIGHTS

Rebuilding a country

MONTSERRAT DELEGATION LEARNING FROM GIB EXPERIENCE 

From The Gibraltar Chronicle

By Alice Mascarenhas

Finance and tourism sectors in Gibraltar have met with the delegation from Montserrat,  - currently being hosted by the Gibraltar Government, Ernestine Cassell, Director of Tourism Montserrat, and  Sarita Francis, Permanent Secretary Office of the Chief Minister Montserrat, yesterday met with Tourism Minister Joe Holliday, and were shown round the cruise and ferry terminals, they went on board the cruise ship Van Gough which was on its inaugural visit to the Rock, and also met with the Hotel Association. The short visit is a packed programme of meetings and events as the delegation is here to learn from the different local sectors, - using the Rock as a role model to rebuild Montserrat. The cruise industry and the product development strategies used locally are especially being studied in detail by the delegation.

Sarita Francis and Earnestine Cassell with Tourism Minister Joe Holliday

Director of Tourism Montserrat, Ernestine Cassell, stressed these were crucial because they are the key areas they need to rebuild and get Montserrat moving again.

"It will be quite difficult to get back on our feet again because there are some resources - such as human and financial, where we are still lacking but we want to put things in place so that by the time we get these restructures in place we will be well set to have tourism as a viable industry once again in our country," she said.

Sarita Francis, Permanent Secretary Office of the Chief Minister Montserrat,  spoke of how Montserrat can learn from Gibraltar.

"We want to see what you do locally in the financial and tourism sectors and how these services have become so successful. We want to learn from your experiences and to see what we can incorporate into these sectors in Montserrat. We are here for advice and to see how you can help us - to learn from and use as examples for Montserrat."

Prior to the volcanic eruption 30,000 tourists visited Montserrat annually. This fell to 4,000 in 1997 - today it is back up to 14,000.

"We are now almost half way to where we were before in terms of visitors but we want to attract a lot more people into the island because tourism is the economic pillar," said Ernestine Cassell.

A Memorandum of Understanding and discussions earlier this year between the former Chief Minister of Montserrat David Brandt and Gibraltar's Chief Minister Peter Caruana lead to this working visit to the Rock.  After so many years of volcanic activity and the major eruption in 1997 Montserrat lost not just three quarters of the population but only a quarter of the original land space remains. Montserrat used to be 105 square kilometres in size. Before the crisis the population of Montserrat was twelve thousand people today there are just around 4,800 people.

So still in a crisis, it completely lost its airport and seaport in the eruption and the government has had to start from scratch to rebuild the country. Life there is pretty tough - housing is a problem with people living in shelters. As a British territory the British Government has given them assistance and they have been able to advance in trying to improve some areas.

"We still need a lot of help from a lot of people to rebuild our infrastructure because we have to build a new airport and seaport, we do not have a town as it was destroyed and we have to start again. The British Government has been helping with the infrastructure development and hopefully within the next few months we should be able to get an agreement on a new airport, " explained Sarita Francis who admitted that many of the few that remain in the country are overworked and overstressed but are determined to keep going to rebuild Montserrat.  

“It has been very helpful because the delegation includes people directly involved with the finance and tourist sectors, and they are learning a lot of what Gibraltar has done with a small population and in a small area. How you have coped and managed to develop successfully in these areas.”

The Director of Tourism spoke of how Gibraltar had done so much in such little space.

"This is the lesson we are taking back home that you have managed to develop with all the limitations and we can look at Gibraltar as a role model."

Both women emphasised their gratitude to Gibraltar Government for all their assistance and the welcome they had received locally - "it is going to take us decades to get back on our feet again because we have lost all our infrastructure the development is slow. We want to thank the Government here. It is really good to see another overseas territory reaching out to a smaller and less developed territory." 

They both acknowledged that what they are taking back with them is  concrete information which they can work with. Models that they can implement.

"We have real examples of how tourism can really work. When you think of Gibraltar's size working with the millions of tourists every year it is amazing - we thought we had lost our tourism because we had lost so much land but we still have a lot that we can offer and we are hoping to use your examples as a bench mark to target our industries. “Gibraltar's cruise industry for example is very well known throughout the world and we want to use the same network that you already have to re-launch ourselves and get people interested again in Montserrat.”

 The delegation leave the Rock on Thursday. 

Equal Right and Justice

By Ja Fire-Red

Blessed love in the name of our God and King, Holy King Emmanuel.

I Selassie I Jah Rastafari to the black royal nation in Montserrat and where ever they were scattered throughout the four corners of the world.

I feel it's about time we as a people exchange words to each other about things and matters that concern us and our future development and position in this world, survival of the fitness and most intellectual people, in failure to survive you will die!  And one thing I want you as a people and a race to remember if you think any single individual can solve this world problem by himself, take that thought out of mind.  Unity is strength and that's how we are going to over come.  So in my own words which were spoken already maybe not in the same way by the holy prophets before and it's still repeating it's self now, nothing new under the Sun, the world it's round so when it spins, where it starts it finishes it's cycle in the first position, so what goes around comes around. We nee equal rights and justice now!  I write this statement knowing it has world support in saying the way how our world leaders and local governments conduct their nation works over the years and still we see the position the world over is in and little Montserrat present position, I know we ask our self what does the future have instore for us and what executive and administrative position the black man is going to hold.  Are we going to be always dependent? Does not history tells the truth of our position in the world as the first humans beings to civilized the world and were living in humane conditions and holding a independent mind set for themselves not leading on no other person or race understanding.  Can't we not think for ourselves? Can't we not build for ourselves?  I don't want to hear no or we can't do it, because that's not acceptable enough, not after what I saw and still see since the slave trade even to this point in world history where you see so much development which we have work hard to put in place.  But when all finished our statisco, still been in the second position and still not having direct control over our internal affairs.  That's part of my reason why I make these statements and put out a petition for the people of my race and nation. Is because we need to wake up and stop living in the spirit world without understanding the physical because they both work hand in hand and the spirit can't be recognized without that physical living tree or animal   and human being.  Making a long story short is by getting straight to the point.  It's been more than 100 years since Britain have control over this country.  Even now when they have the lease numbers in the country to make up the population they still are holding that position which I or any other black man need to hold if they are thinking of eternal progress.  (See http://www.hawaii-nation.org/1514.html.) We need total control over our affairs internally and externally and that means executive power, such position like the governor need to be a local Montserratian sitting in place for the people of Montserrat if they were to be really looking out for our interest.

This governor can override our local government in any matter they may come to argument with each other for the benefit of the people.  What if, that's what the people want for themselves and if they don't decide to speak or stand up for what is right.  We will be really powerless. We need to start to trust ourselves first or we will always will be deceived!  Now that we have but still survived that holocaust in the slave trade and we have keep out heads from going under and moving forward up the redemption ladder and still seeking altermate freedom for the nation.  We see that we still have a problem because the people who have trespassed against us in the past is not holy giving us the right to build for ourselves without their interference, which is only because they feel they are lending a hand in the funding field, the money. Which I feel they should do without any quarrel and only bring them to remembrance of the slave trade crimes, still there to be answered to; and right there compensation will be part of the judge verdict because evidence is clear to show? So why when our government want to put certain development in place for the benefit of the people and you see or hear plans and if not in your interest or your own  way we must suffer until we give in to your demand which is unfair and no way trying to help our country on the road to recovery even to point of independence.  How many people can say that they saw or even read the white paper to even tell you the context of this document.  I have read it and I feel it's a modern form of slavery!  Why?  It's a document of dictatorship which don't give you the choice to choose, only accept what they bring forward or suffer.

The passport also is another form of slavery in the way that it's been put forward to the people.  And the treating remarks by the British government saying, I quote.  And 12 months if not carrying E.U. passport you will have a status problem or identification; and might have problem coming in their country or even travelling an a whole and even coming back to Montserrat as a child of the soil it's going to be a problem after a year is pass, once you don't use the E.U. channel.  One small quote from white paper.

1.4 Britain's mutual relationship with the Overseas Territories must be seen in this context: within the overall framework of modernization and reform, and within Britain's new international role.  As participants in the new global order and the new global economy, the Overseas Territories themselves must embrace reform and modernization.  And in its relationships with the Overseas Territories, Britain must ensure that its structures and the Overseas Territories needs to be effective and efficient, free and fair.  It needs to be based on decency and democracy.  Both Britain and the Overseas Territories have much to contribute to each other.  They have done so in the past. They must continue to do so now, and in the future.

 And last but not least, the government of Montserrat and people and church along with the remaining territories rejected this homosexual Act, which is against the law's of nature.  To every male there is a female, when that cycle takes place we have eternal life that's action and reaction = life continuation.  When two men go together it's like getting a maths sum wrong which is 1+ 6=7 but 1+6=9x but my point is action and reaction and there is no life so that concept is just dead and we all refuse such a act in our humane society and these people still passed the act which is very wrong on a international level and with fair judge, how can we lose such a case when the facts are clear, majority rejected this act and we were still found guilty with this shameful acts in our law book.  Barbaric action from any human being in these action is not right.  And still they are the ones pushing us to align ourselves with new modern partnership but still look at their examples, many identified Human rights violation from our partners who do not respect the voices of the people.  So what is their real motive?  it can't be fair to keep would peace and let justice be served which is due since 1834-1 Aug. when slavery was abolish and the shackles came off £20 million sterling was laid down, Queen Victoria laid down for suffering slave children but was never given to us. Where is this partnership going? Who is giving to profit from this partnership?  And what position would we be holding in the race of survival of the fittest race.  Every man looking out for self!  So what are we putting in place for next generation, what slaves or leaders, controlling our destroy or die out like Indians and be put on reservation.

It's our time now and the lord is on our side it's been years that the black man have been carrying the cross and been put on the same cross, bearing the 5 bleeding wounds.  Let's control our own destiny and future and bless the generation to come with a vision in place with some place to go and lay a foundation so we can have continuation of life for even more and accept no less.  The love we are looking for is in our self the strength it's in ourselves as individuals and when put together in one harmony, great and the most impossible things will start to happen when we start trusting ourselves.  Unity is strength! Let's come together to make a better world because if blacks or Africa is not free the world will never see peace!

Peace will be when the blackman government is properly set up in Africa with total control to him internally and externally for him to rule his own faith and then the rest of the world we see us as equal and human being by showing every other nation we can organized for the betterment for ourselves.  Mind of our own, let’s show that history has the truth, seek and you will find.  Knowledge is power, get it.  Better to know and try and not know and die take it from I it's no lie, shoe fly so I say buy till we speak but remember I say seek and you will find.  Justice now, once salvation stand Jesus of Nazareth .  Holy John M. I Emmanuel I Selassie I Jah Rastafari.  Bless mother of creation.

Hon. Prophet

or Alaric Lynch     

VOLCANO LIMERICKS

Round Robin (1998)

The aid Clare Short curtly extends

And Britain snailpacedly spends                 

Needs shrewd planning, of course,                

To flow back to the source           

And attain undeclared DFID ends.

Crisis du Jour (1999)  

Clare Short is once more on her way,

To find spots for DFID to pay.

Aiding Kosovar needy

Relegates us to greedy;

Volcanoes this week are passe. 

JUS WONDERIN

Jus wonderin if de tension ease up in de Police force now dat tings could get back to normal in de force

Jus wonderin if who no study expect to pass de exam.

Jus wonderin Y de _PC nah stop peep pun de man in other people car.

Jus wonderin if de Communication worker feel good bout de choice in his life.

Jus wonderin who throwing stones and hiding them hand.

Jus wonderin which deputy was told of a plan and why he just says yes and did not consider, read or understand what was actually going on.

Jus wonderin what was the real reason why they call in the junior, if it is really because he did not say good morning.

Jus wonderin if you have to pledge that allegance when you swear in.

Jus wonderin if the population will increase and who will mek dat so.

Jus wonderin if they think is babies or sponges running the force.

Jus wonderin why the public is so disappointed with the cop now.

Jus wonderin why the public all of a sudden so interested in me promotions this time.

Jus wonderin if anyone confessing now.

Jus wonderin if your outward appearance is included in the criteria.

Jus wonderin if having the tools and no productivity, what it is worth.

Jus wonderin how can they motivate them now.

Jus w