An Airport at Geralds Must be Wrong
By Bennette Roach
In one of his press conferences the Hon. Chief Minister David Brandt told reporters that Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain promised that he would ensure that Montserrat get an airport. (The Chief Minister claims that the picture shown here was the handshake following the promise.)
In the sixth draft of the Sustainable Development Plan, a document outlining the Montserrat Social and Economic Recovery Programme - a Path to a Sustainable Development, the topic ‘Airport’ receives the following attention:
"Air access is a crucial part of the development of the island in terms of business generation and trade and will be a key factor in encouraging tourism and people returning to the island."
It outlined five key issues facing this sector and these were the first three:
Poor air access to the island.
Inadequate air traffic and meteorological facilities.
Large capital investment in a new airport requires substantial external funding.
Then followed the strategy, "to ensure safe, regular and efficient air transport into and out of Montserrat whilst encouraging airport operations to be cost effective and sustainable," mentioning that "a feasibility study for an airport is underway."
It is obviously against this background that Britain’s top civil servants are giving the ultimatum of an "airport at Geralds with a playing field thrown in as enticement for acceptance or use the £75 million pounds to fund it elsewhere."
When one listens to the Hon. Minister Rupert Weekes, under whose Ministry this sector falls, he seems to be disagreeing with the idea of an airport being located at Geralds, whilst seemingly on the other hand defending the British Government (BG) officials’ arguments that Geralds is the best option.
The feasibility study put out by GIBB shows three options, whilst a fourth involves the use of WH Bramble Airport. The Minister, in a taped press conference this week, denied accusations that our government had signed agreement to an airport at Geralds. He said, "No decision has been taken as to which site will take the new airstrip." But from his approach to the questions it seemed clear that even if they have not yet signed, there is some leaning towards accepting the Geralds option.
However, the Minister promised to organise meetings to discuss the matter with the Montserrat public. He says he is doing this to give the people of the north, as well as the people of Montserrat at large, a chance to express their feelings on the matter.
Minister Weekes says that the study "was presented by GIBB consultants and studied together by DFID officials, government ministers, officials and technocrats, members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, General Secretary of MAWU and members of the public sector."
The Minister was convinced that the British officials’ preference would be Geralds. He said, "based on the presentation made by GIBB at the said meeting, from the British point of view would be Geralds."
Answering questions and suggestions from the press he said that the decision and preference was obviously based upon nothing more than money and the cost of one site against the other. But he said, "from the Government of Montserrat stand point, the financial aspect is not the only issue that should be looked at. There are many other issues."
Asked about the financing of the project, he said there were funds already available. An amount has been set aside from the European Union to the tune of EC$43 million. He did not know at the time the cost in figures for the various options, but said that the Thatch Valley sum was several times that of Geralds.
These figures are presented in the box on the front page.
One member of the private sector made the point that Thatch Valley which is the best option for the future baring the immediate monetary requirement, suggested a hold on the matter with a view to building towards this said he got no support whatever from the government side.
The Minister admitted that the Thatch Valley option offers the best for the future of the island, but cannot ignore the huge costs involved. But when all is said, the Blakes option monetarily and otherwise must be the best compromise
Sources close to government has informed us that offers have been made to assist with the construction of an airport at Thatched Valley for what seems to be very reasonable exchange. Unfortunately it is not the first time that what seems to be reasonable offers are ignored for reasons only best known to those who have the final say.
Simulation of Operation Exodus
The Emergency Department is simulating 'Operation Exodus' in an exercise on Saturday, August 1.
Operation Exodus is the name given to the process of evacuating residents from Montserrat in the event that increased volcanic activity makes continued habitation of the island next to impossible.
The plans, which are available to the public at the library, the University Centre and the Governor's Office in Montserrat and the Montserrat office in Antigua are in several sections.
The various sections of the plan have been tested before, during the life of the volcano, but this will be the first time that the plan in its entirety has been tested. In addition, a resident's guide to Operation Exodus has
distributed throughout Montserrat.
Some 200 residents on request, have volunteered to travel to Antigua to test out parts of the plan which include loading the evacuation vessel, documentation, crowd control and parking in the area of the port. It is thought that around 150 persons will be involved in the execution of the simulation exercise and this will include police, defence force, search and rescue, health officials, Red Cross, PWD and utilities staff.
The Emergency Department in St John’s will be the command centre for the operation and this centre will house the Governor, Chief Minister, Commissioner of Police, Commanding Officer of the Defence Force and Emergency Department staff.
There will also be an activation of the media centre and local journalists are expected to play an active role.
Earlier this week a joint release from the Governor’s Office and the office of the Chief Minister stated as follows: "Saturday, 1st August, the emergency services are staging a rehearsal of Operation Exodus, the off-island evacuation plan.
Operation Exodus was first drawn up at the beginning of the volcanic crisis to ensure a safe and rapid evacuation of the island in the unlikely event that this became necessary. The plan has been subject to several revisions and Saturday’s exercise is aimed at testing the emergency response. It must be emphasised that this is only a practice run and it is hoped that there will be no disruption of normal activity. However, the understanding and cooperation of the general public would be greatly appreciated. Celebrations for Cudjoe Head Day will continue and there is every indication that both activities can be mutually beneficial. "
The Montserrat Reporter sought clarification on the part of the statement that said the plan was "first drawn up at the beginning of the volcanic crisis." It was explained that the plan had been tested from time to time even though the public had not been advised about it. Supposedly it always existed but has never been finalised and has been changing as the crisis continued.
A spokesman from the Emergency Operations Centre says: "It is known that the Emergency Department has been anxious to practice the plan for sometime but have had to wait until all concerned had reviewed the Operation Exodus plans and approved them."
The exercise on Saturday is scheduled to run from 5 a.m. to 12 noon from the "emergency jetty" which was built originally for the unlikely event of an emergency evacuation at Little Bay.
It is no news that we have insisted and shown throughout this crisis that the British Government (BG) always maintained a plan to rid the island of its residents. This was always denied by our Governors, even though one British MP had admitted this to be the case.
It is also no news that we asked the authorities many times for details of the evacuation plan. One Chief Minister had even said that he did not know of such a plan. Then it was the Hon. Bertrand Osborne, while still Chief Minister on June 18, 1997, who said he would seek it out and make it available to the public.
But it was the captain of HMS Liverpool who first gave us an insight into the plan and we believed then that some plan existed. We were never able to understand why the plan was never shared with the public at any stage until now.
Although many people feel that the exercise will have little effect now, Montserrat must show the way to the rest of the Caribbean islands, who are at risk of similar destructive events befalling them.
It is reported that even though the Chief Minister has spoken of his support for the exercise, not all the ministers care for the event. One minister was heard to openly express lack of interest in it.
The Emergency Department obviously had to find a way to entice people to take part in this exercise at this point of the crisis and so far is coming out with flying colours.
"When Will we Resist Britain's 'Take it or Leave It'?"
The question must be asked and it seems sure to be a good point for debate. It will be surely featured in any General Elections campaign this little half-sized-island will have sometime within the next three years. That is if the current trend does not end.
The question is when will Montserrat through its elected representatives (or otherwise) begin to take the responsibility for its future as we crawl out of the worst crisis this country has faced (according to scientists) in the last 300 to 400 years. It must be remembered that the call from this corner has always been not to wait till the volcano has completely gone to sleep to prepare for the next time, to begin planning for our future.
It is beyond discouraging to believe that in every instance we seem not to make a move except it is initiated by the British Government, yet when the issue is raised, the response is always in favour of considering independence or some other positive form of status for Montserrat with Britain.
It doesn't require serious thought to realise that although only some decisions are made without our 'consultation', it is hardly consultation which says in the end, "you were part of the decision," never mind that all we were able to do is voice an opinion which still leaves us with NO CHOICE.
It is not clear if the construction of an airport is a serious issue with government, but at least there is an appearance that such is the case. But when Minister Weekes was asked if we were to refuse the Geralds Airport option (even with the playing field), how that would affect the issue and related monetary matters, he did not think it would matter. He was careful to point out that government had expressed that finance should not be the only factor in considering the location of the airport. What the Minister did not tell us is that the British officials had made it clear that if we wanted anything other than the cheapest, we will have to find the money elsewhere, in the first instance out of the £75 million, pledged for the next three years.
We should not forget that Governor Abbott had made clear also that any funding other than those discussed at the time the pledge was made will either have to come from the said pledged money or from other sources. Then he was careful also to say that there was no one out there waiting to support our cause. Could it be that our government is brain washed into believing this, forcing them into the submission that "he who pays the piper, calls the tune"? Does this cause an impotence and a numbness that prevents our government from leading the call for toughness and a perseverance to a brighter future than the one the British officials wish for us? We should not forget that we were reminded from time to time that the Montserrat standard of living was too high!
Note carefully the joint statements. Are we to believe that our Chief Minister could not persuade his masters not to carry out this weekend Exodus exercise when a parish function is being planned, not to mention that it is taking away much needed monies from Montserrat?
The Minister must be commended for calling the meetings to discuss the matter. The people must respond and turn out in numbers and hear the various pros and cons regarding an airport, then voicing their honest opinions. It is time we face the facts and seek change to our own attitudes.
by Pat Ryan
What is this nonsense about people "who are not Montserratian born’’and " foreigners’’? The word foreigner seems to have taken on a new meaning , embodying all that is despicable and undesirable in a human being. I am all for free speech, speaking one’s mind, and above all identifying oneself when doing so. But at the very least, strong statements which call people’s actions into question and stir up feelings of resentment among the misinformed, should be backed up with evidence of prior research.
So who is a ‘foreigner? Is a belonger by marriage to a foreigner? Is a naturalised Montserratian a foreigner? Is a foreigner ipso facto a bad and undeserving person? NO! NO! NO! to each of the preceding questions, There are many persons who were born outside of Montserrat and who for variety of reasons have chosen to settle on the island. They have made it their home and they love it at least as much as born Montserratians. They live here pretty much as they might have lived in their country of birth. They serve Montserrat in a variety of ways and make a valuable, in some cases priceless, contribution to a country they regard as their own.
Do we now have to set up a T-shirt industry so that these people can separate themselves against attacks regarding their status and their right to fair treatment?
Sample 1. I was not born here but I was a legally registered Montserratian.
Sample 2 . I was not born here but. I was a belonger by marriage
It is not right to cry people down because we are not happy about the way things work out/do not work out for us. It is not right to make assumption about people’s status. When our words reach out to local and regional audiences, we have to be careful that we are not cutting a whip for backs of fellow Montserratians who have become (by our very narrow definition)’’ foreigners"in other countries .No one should be expected to apologise for loving Montserrat or even for simply preferring to make a home here. The only time a resident of Montserrat, whatever their citizenship status, should being to feel uncomfortable and apologetic, is when they take stock of themselves and realise that they are not making a positive contribution to society or worse, that they have become parasites, feeding on the country’s meagre resources ( now largely foreign-funded from taxes paid by foreigners). That kind of situation is foreign to any claim of good citizenship.
Evacuation Simulation Evacuates Needed Finances
by Shirley Spycalla
Guess most everyone has heard by now about the Off-Island Evacuation Simulation Exercises slated for Saturday, August 1.
Sadly, the Powers That Be (PTB) probably thought that response from possible participants to take part would be slow in coming, so they dangled a carrot before the Montserratians and, boy, did the Montserratians ever come out of the woodwork! The carrot? That the first 400 who came forward to participate in the evacuation exercise would have a free return trip to Antigua for the carnival. Get it? The Exercise on Saturday, carnival that weekend.
Granted, these exercises are important. Yes, they should be in place in event of a real catastrophe. And, yes, it would have been wonderful for Montserratians to come forward willingly. However, the PTB know our people. We eat carrots -- they dangle 'em. I wonder when the next simulation exercise will take place. Perhaps in December to coincide with the St Kitts festival, or maybe next year to catch the Dominica carnival? Whatever, all they have to do is dangle the carrot!!!
About a week ago in a brief, informal chat with the Hon. Minister of Communications & Works we talked about re-instituting the departure tax out of Montserrat. In pre-crisis times we used to pay EC$25 (US$10). Now, because of the volcano crisis, this had been waived. With the crisis already three years old and things slowly getting back, we are still "traumatized" enough not to have to pay a departure tax (even of EC$10), yet they go over to Antigua frequently to shop, play at the casino, lime, etc., every weekend.
Picture this -- Antigua's departure tax is EC$35. Our 400 carrot eaters will go over there for the carnival weekend and, at departure, pay to the Antiguan Government EC$14,000 ($35 x 400).
Picture this -- if each of the bait biters take a minimum of EC$100 with them (and you know they'll take more than that), the Antiguan coffers will be further fattened by EC$40,000. WOW! (I could buy a lot of shoes with that.)
Well folks, at this rate I think all the other islands will be lining up to offer their carnivals/Christmas festivals/jazz festivals, etc. to the PTB for future off-island evacuation exercises. And why not? The hand-out habit is hard to break. I must be awfully stupid, but I expect nothing, and will take nothing from anyone unless I've given that person something to put up for me.
I love the people of Montserrat and have lived among them for 28 years, but, by jove, my respect for some of them has taken a nose dive.
I had suggested to the Hon. Minister that a departure tax of at least EC$10 should be charged at the port and heliport. Further, that all persons bearing non-Montserratian passports should pay a departure tax of at least US$10 (EC$25). Come on, guys, that's dirt-cheap. Antigua's is EC$35, Grenada's and Trinidad's are EC$40, St Maarten's is US$25, etc., etc., etc. Montserrat needs money. Montserrat needs to "earn" money and stop freeloading off the rest of the world. Wake up! We're NOT the only country with a catastrophe!
CCMS Director Gets New World Bank Post
Executive Director of the Caribbean Centre for Monetary Studies (CCMS), Dr. Laurence Clarke, left the Centre on July 31 to take up a new appointment as Head of the World Bank’s Resident Office in Lusaka, Zambia.
Dr. Clarke, who assumed office as CCMS Executive Director in August 1995 under an IMF Technical Assistance Programme, spearheaded the redirection and modernization of the region's premier institution of research, training and data-base building in money and finance, following a major restructuring by the centre’s oversight management in 1995.
Financed by the eight Central Banks of the Caribbean Community, in collaboration with The University of the West Indies, the CCMS in recent years has worked jointly with the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, the Inter-American Development Bank, the CARICOM Secretariat, CDB and a number of regional private banking and other financial institutions, in the production of practical research material in various areas of money and finance. These have included work on CARICOM financial innovations, the history of banking and finance, commercial banking efficiency, mergers and acquisitions, financial liberalization, secretaries markets and monetary policy and practice in the region. Several specialists training courses were also conducted by the Centre for regional personnel, while major data bases in commercial, central banking and capital markets were also constructed and are now available. A new building to permanently house the Centre’s activities at the St. Agustine Campus of the UWI is also to be completed in a few weeks.
Dr. Clarke, a Guyanese national, was Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Botswana between 1991 and 1995 and had earlier served in various financial and investment capacities in the World Bank and International Finance Corporation between 1978 and 1991, both at its Headquarters in Washington D.C. and its Nairobi, Kenya, field office. Before that, Dr. Clarke served for some 10 years in commercial banking in Guyana.
Ms. Patsy Russell, a Research fellow at the Center, will act as officer-in-charge of the Center, until the appointment of Dr. Clarke’s successor as Executive Director.
Broken Main Disrupts Water Service in North
Two days without water earlier this week were due to a broken main in the North. Officials in the Montserrat Water Authority assured residents that the problem would be fixed within days.
The water shortage ended Thursday after men from the MWA worked to amend the problem in the Lookout Area.
Annie Dyer-Howe, manager of the MWA, said significant amounts of water were drained from one of the reservoirs due to the broken pipe, aggravating the water rationing already effecting people in the area.
"The problem started with a broken main," Mrs. Dyer-Howe told reporters. "As we started working on the problem we discovered that there were several breaks. This will end in the morning
Meanwhile work on further installation of major water mains in the North continues and is expected to finish in mid August.
"The project is progressing very satisfactorily. We are working on a six-inch main that will replace the older four-inch main. We have not yet begun to upgrade the reservoirs, which is expected to guarantee a more reliable supply of water to the North. We will be able to pump water rapidly and we would not have that many breaks in the system any more."
Plenty Plenty Yac YaYa To Perform 'Ash' in Nevis
The drama group Plenty Plenty Yac Ya Ya expects to travel to Nevis to stage its satirical drama, "Ash," during the Leeward Island Drama Festival to be held there from August 5.
Officials from the group told The Reporter that they are expected to present "Ash" on two nights of the festival
Speaking to The Reporter Chadd Cumberbatch, one of the actors and organizers of the group, said he is confident of the quality of the play, which sold out twice last year in Montserrat.
Chadd with two of his creations
Plenty Plenty Yac Ya Ya is made up of writer/dramatists Adziko Simba and Cumberbatch. Actor Daniel Lee will also appear in the show. Anne-Marie Dewar is producer, while Hodge Daley is musician and Steve Ryan operates the lighting effects.
The cast of three will present the show's series of sketches that cut across all segments of Montserrat society.
Cumberbatch said the satire presents sketches united by the common theme of people coping — each in his or her own way -- with the volcanic crisis. A parody of local radio programming will provide the structural framework of the show.
The trio will create characters of all ages, colors and genders. The audience is expected to see thinly disguised local politicians and musicians, evacuees who have left the island, and those who have
relocated to live with relatives or in shelters.
"If you belong to any of the above groups, leave your thin skin at home and come prepared to laugh a lot and cry a little as these folks come alive on stage," the production's advance release said.
A commentator who reviewed last year's performances of "Ash" wrote "Anyone who has seen Ad-Ziko and Chadd perform before will not be surprised at their amazing ability to create characters of all ages, colors, and genders. And they do this sheerly by their own creative versatility -- relying on minimal props and costumes. Irreverent and sassy, with keen eyes and ears, they capture the essence of each character they portray."
The Montserrat group is scheduled to open the drama segment of the Nevis festival.
CM Brandt Comments On Operation Exodus
Chief Minister David Brandt this week in a radio broadcast told residents to remain calm and cooperate with Operation Exodus, a simulation evacuation exercise that will be enacted Saturday.
"The main aim of this plan is to make all residents ready to deal with the unlikely event that we have to leave our beloved homeland," CM Brandt said.
In responding to questions about the staging of the exercise simultaneously with Cudjoe Head Day celebrations, CM Brandt said there are no conflicts.
"Many have expressed the concern that the coinciding of the testing of Operation
Exodus and the annual Cudjoe Head Day celebrations, but I would like to say the they can be mutually beneficial," CM Brandt said.
To facilitate the exercise police are expected to coordinate several activities so as have smooth flow of activities. Commissioner of Police Christopher Burgess said this would include alerting the public, maintenance of security and safety of the public, maintaining law and order during the evacuation, traffic control and search and rescue. He added that there would be some alteration of the normal flow of traffic at St. Peters.
Strange at it sounded, the Commissioner added: "Everyone will be expected to go up on the right hand fork to go up from Cheap End to St. Peters and come down on the left," he said.
The conclusion drawn by a few persons is that this must be a test of the traffic department's ability handle the confusion that such a change is bound to create.
The exercise is also meant to identify any weakness in the plan.
Britain Aids Montserrat’s Development
By GIS
The Government of Montserrat has welcomed the latest grant of British aid totaling £1.8 million for two housing projects.
£1.22 million are earmarked for the second phase of the Self-build Housing Grant Project and the remaining £643,000 are to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade and the Environment in housing and land policy and management.
The second phase of the self-build project allows 120 persons to receive vouchers of up to EC$33,700 for a one-bedroom house, EC$41,390 for a two-bedroom house, and EC$ 50,800 for a three-bedroom house.
The new aid will also go towards establishing a Housing Unit, the strengthening of the Lands and Survey Department, and the land Development Authority to manage and maintain Government’s Housing Stock.
Chief Minister the Honourable David Brandt says acquisition of this new aid is further evidence that the Government of Montserrat is fulfilling its pledge to the people of Montserrat to provide housing for those who have been displaced by the volcanic crisis.
According to him "the task of rehousing Montserratians is a daunting one but assistance such as that demonstrated by the British Government, other friendly governments and organizations is helping us achieve our goal."
Housing remains the government’s number one priority. It is anticipated that a further 180 housing units will be completed by the end of the year. This will free up schools, churches and other public buildings, allowing them to return to their original functions.
Montserrat Delegates Attend FIFA Congress
Two executive members of the Montserrat Football Association witnessed the first match of the recently concluded World Cup while attending a Federation International Football Association (FIFA) meeting in France.
Lionel Nanton, vice president of the MFA, and Vincent Cassell, treasurer, were delegates to the FIFA congress. Nanton and Browne were privileged to attend the opening world cup match.
FIFA sponsored one of the delegates, while the other was sponsored by the local association in collaboration with the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean of Football (CONCACAF).
The Reporter learned that the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) sponsored accommodations of the Caribbean delegates to stay and support the Reggae Boyz in their opening match against Croatia.
The delegates from Montserrat, who said they learned much from their first FIFA meeting, are now attending a CFU meeting in Trinidad
Major US Internet acquisition establishes Cable and Wireless as a world-leading Internet provider.
Sweeneys--Cable & Wireless announced last week, it has agreed to acquire MCI's US Internet
Communications business -- one of the largest in the world -- for $1.75 billion in cash (approximately £1,070 million). In association with this purchase there will be a share placing to raise approximately £887 million net of expenses.
The deal dramatically enhances Cable and Wireless' position in the booming US Internet market, forecast to grow at overall rates of between 50 and 100 per cent each year.
This exceptional package of assets became available at short notice from MCI only to expedite the MCI WorldCom merger. It includes a substantial corporate customer base, making a more complete and valuable business..
The business and approximately 1,000 specialist employees to be transferred from MCI will be integrated with the Cable and Wireless Group's existing operations in the United States and its extensive international networks. This acquisition positions Cable and Wireless as one of the most powerful integrated data, voice and Internet businesses in the world.
Cable and Wireless already has leading Internet businesses in the Asia Pacific region and a strongly growing position in the United Kingdom. It is a major carrier of Internet traffic to the United States.
Cable and Wireless Chief Executive Richard H Brown said: "This is a tremendous opportunity for Cable and Wireless. It would take years to build a business like this.
"The Internet is the future of communications. Cable and Wireless now has an unmatched global position in Internet and Data Communications, in this explosive sector. We will now be able to combine, for the benefit of our customers. a strong U.S. position with a major presence across the world."
Details of the transaction
The transaction is forecast to bring Cable and Wireless some $650 million of revenues in the year to 31st March, 2000.
The elements of the acquisition are:
1. U.S. nationwide Internet backbone -- the backbone, comprising all 22 domestic nodes, 15,000 inter-connection ports, more than 40 ongoing peering agreements, routers, switches, modems, e-mail servers and other equipment dedicated to its support. The network features high speed dedicated access as well as toll-free nationwide and local dial-up access from more than 300 points across the United States.
2. Dedicated Access Customers -- Cable and Wireless will gain 3,300 major dedicated Internet access corporate customers.
3. Internet Server Provider (ISP) Customers -- Cable and Wireless will acquire approximately 1,300 ISP customers. including 130 International Directly Connected Customers (IDCs) in more than 75 countries. ISPs contract with business and mass market users to provide Internet, billing and customer services.
4. Dial-up business -- this business provides nationwide dial-up Internet access for more than 250,000 consumers and 100,000 business users.
5. Web hosting and managed firewall services -- these businesses include over 100 corporate accounts and associated servers.
6. The terms include non-compete agreements for transitioning accounts of 24 and 18 months for wholesale and dedicated retail customers respectively.
The Internet backbone services business and its ISP customers (items 1 and 3 above) were the subject of an agreement between Cable and Wireless and MCI announced on 28th May, 1998. Today's new agreement includes the transfer of MCI's retail Internet customer base.
Cable and Wireless companies world-wide are major players in the rapidly growing market for Internet services. Hong Kong Telecom is the largest ISP in the Asia Pacific region, with 235,000 customers. Optus is a major carrier of Australia's wholesale Internet traffic. Cable and Wireless Communications in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong Telecom are pioneering the use of Internet technology for digital entertainment television.
The U.S. operations will be led by Carl Grivner, who was recently appointed Cable and Wireless Chief Executive, Western Hemisphere. With a technical, marketing and management background in IBM and Ameritech. Mr. Grivner was previously Chief Executive of Advanced Fibre Communications of Petaluma, California, which designs. develops and markets leading-edge telecommunications equipment. Rich Yalen, Chief Executive of Cable and Wireless USA will report direct to Mr. Grivner.
Cable and Wireless USA is a leading provider of long-distance and international communications services, serving approximately 100,000 business customers in 50 states with a range of voice, data, messaging and Internet services. The company has annual revenues in excess of $1 billion and 2,200 employees. Cable and Wireless will take on approximately 1,000 people who are currently MCI employees.
The announcement of this transaction follows the outcome of deliberations by the European Commission and U.S. Department of Justice on the competition implications of the MCI/WorldCom merger.
Completion of the Cable and Wireless acquisition from MCI is conditional on the closing of the MCI/WorldCom merger and certain regulatory approvals. In addition, either Cable and Wireless or MCI can pay a break-up fee of 15 per cent of the amount of the purchase price to terminate the transaction before completion.
The business will be acquired on a debt-free basis with assets of approximately $100 million. For the year to 31st December, 1997 it had turnover of $244 million. It is expected that the EBITDA margin for the year ended 31st March, 2000 will be approximately l0 per cent.
Details of share placing
Caxenove & Company and Hoare Govett Limited have agreed to subscribe or procure subscribers for 112 million new ordinary shares of 25p each of Cable and Wireless plc. These shares are being placed with institutional shareholders at a price of 800p per share to raise approximately £887 million net of expenses.
The placing is conditional on the admission of the new ordinary shares to the Official List of the London Stock Exchange becoming effective. It is not conditional on the completion of the Acquisition. In the unexpected event of the Acquisition not being completed, the funds raised will in the short term be used by Cable and Wireless to repay indebtedness and will enhance the company's ability in the future to take advantage of growth opportunities.
The new ordinary shares will, when issued, rank pari passu in all aspects with the existing issued ordinary shares of 25p each in the capital of the Company, except that they will not rank for the final dividend of 8.5 pence per ordinary share in respect of the year ended 31 March 1998, approved at the company's Annual General Meeting on 26 June 1998. Cable and Wireless existing shares will be marked ex-dividend in respect of this final dividend on 20 July 1998.
Current Trading
Since Cable and Wireless' last financial year end, the Company has continued in its quest to lead the world in integrated communications. Cable and Wireless continues to secure new customers and grow revenues and the Directors. having considered the difficult economic conditions in some of the Group's principal markets, are confident that the Group's major businesses are will positioned to match the Directors' expectations.
Cudjoe Head Holding Its Ninth Special Day
The ninth celebration of Cudjoe Day takes place Saturday, August 1, and Charles Kirnon, one of the organizers, said that everyone should support the scheduled cultural activities.
‘It is one of the days that have stood the test of time," Mr. Kirnon said. "We have to keep our heritage alive. One would not want to see it die just because of outside influences."
His remarks reflected his displeasure with government’s scheduling for the same day a simulation evacuation exercise, Operation Exodus, that will take hundreds of Montserratians off the island for the day.
A jump-up session and road race are among the activities planned for Cudjoe Head day.
The Rev. Joan Meade Heads Christian Council
The Reverend Joan Meade has been named new chairperson of the Montserrat Christian Council. She replaces Father Victor Peters of the Anglican Church, who served for four consecutive years, although the position typically is rotated every year.
Father Peters expressed thanks for public assistance during his tenure and encouraged all to lend support to the new chairperson.
Speaking to The Reporter, Father Peters said the council has had its greatest support among its seven members in the volcanic crisis.
"Montserrat has been commended for the unity among the members by other Christian Councils in the region. Maybe it takes the crisis for us to cooperate," he said.
Father Peters came in for high praise from his counterparts for his outstanding work as leader of the organization.
The council was instituted to uphold Christian standards and speak out on relevant moral issues in the community. It has served as a conduit for channeling aid to Montserratians during the crisis. Christian Aid, a charitable organization in Europe, used Montserrat Christian Council to help crisis stricken Montserratians in Agriculture, building and food.
Another Good Performance For Local UWI Students
Results reaching Montserrat from the UWI Campuses in Barbados and Jamaica reveal that in spite of the difficult circumstances under which they studied, Montserratian students performed extremely well.
Of 20 subjects written, there were 18 passes of 90 per cent, including three A grade passes; four B pluses and 6 Bs.
Outstanding performances were recorded by: Delena Lynch with an A in Cost and Management Accounting and a B+ in Introduction to Computers; Veda Duberry with an A in Principles of Management and Industrial Relations and a B in Mathematics for Social Sciences; Norman Cassell with an A in Mathematics and a B in Introduction to Computers.
Elvetta Chalmers, Steve Foster and George Skerritt each gained a B+ and a B. Chalmers and Foster are the first Montserratian students to register for the Bachelor of Science in Management Studies through the distance education model. This means that they can remain in Montserrat and complete their degrees at least in theory.
The University Centre attributes this success to the dedication of the students and the support of the local tutors. The tutors for the second semester were Mrs. Geraldine Cabey, Mr. Philip Chambers, Mrs. Rachael Ryan, Mrs. Claudette Weekes with Miss Cheverlyn Jarvis.
The University also expressed its gratitude to the government of Montserrat for financial assistance and to Cable and Wireless for housing the distance teaching equipment.
Jamaican Throngs Cheer Castro Visit
L to R
President Fidel Castro and Prime Minister P.J. Patterson
Reuters -- Castro was feted in Jamaica on Wednesday and treated by his host Prime Minister P.J. Patterson to a forthright denunciation of the U.S. economic embargo against his communist-ruled island.
Cheering crowds waving Cuban and Jamaican flags packed Montego Bay's quaint old colonial square to see the legendary revolutionary at a public ceremony after his arrival on the first leg of a Caribbean tour which will affirm Cuba's growing ties with its island neighbours.
Both leaders in speeches paid tribute to their shared history of slavery, colonialism and independence struggles and to their African and European heritage. They also spoke of the need for closer cooperation between the small nations of the region.
But it was Patterson who most roundly attacked the United States,
Castro's long-time enemy, which has maintained an economic embargo on Cuba since shortly after his 1959 revolution.
"The shadow of Cold War hostilities continues to haunt us in this hemisphere. . . . We are implacably opposed to the blockade of Cuba, which is morally wrong," he said. "No one is going to cause us to ignore that we are close neighbours, Jamaica and Cuba, in the Caribbean Sea."
Patterson also lauded Castro -- denounced by his many enemies as a tyrant and dictator -- as "one of the great leaders of the 20th Century, a true friend of Jamaica, a leader who history will record as a freedom fighter, a brother in the struggle against racism and imperialism."
The Jamaican leader also referred to recent claims that Castro was suffering from a rare brain disease, saying he was pleased to see he was in good health and excellent spirits.
Castro, dressed in his trademark olive fatigues and peaked cap, lapped up the praise.
He was presented with the keys to Montego Bay, Jamaica's main tourist center just 90 miles (145 km) south of Cuba, by Mayor Arthur Gilchrist in Sam Sharpe Square, named for the executed leader of an 1831 slave revolt during British rule.
The 71-year-old Cuban leader looked tired when he stepped off his plane at Montego Bay airport to a full ceremonial welcome, complete with 21-gun salute and honour guard.
But he became animated during a 35-minute improvised speech in the square, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd.
He made no reference to the U.S. embargo, but he slammed developed nations for polluting the world, commandeering resources and destroying nature while using Third World countries for their own ends.
"We (developing nations) are rich, not in economic rates or consumer spending but in ideas, in our aspirations for justice and equality," he said.
Castro, whose trip flies in the face of U.S. efforts to isolate Cuba, called for Caribbean solidarity.
"Our task is now made more difficult. . . . Together we need to face the challenge. We need to know what will be our place in this globalized world. We see how some people are forgetting us. We need to fight for the Caribbean people and all the people of the Third World. Our strength cannot be ignored."
Castro said Cuba's growing tourist industry could learn from Jamaica. He appealed for cooperation, not competition, in tourism and urged Jamaican businessmen to participate in the development of the Cuban tourist industry.
Cuba and Jamaica grew close in the 1970s when then Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley took his country down a social democratic road and courted Havana, to the annoyance of the United States. Castro made a triumphal visit in 1977.
But Manley was defeated in 1980 elections and the winner, Edward Seaga, cut ties with Havana.
Manley died of cancer in March 1997. Castro attended his funeral, and on Friday paid tribute at his tomb in the National Heroes Park in Kingston.
Castro's five-day Caribbean swing also takes him to Grenada -- a battleground between Cubans and American troops during the 1983 U.S. invasion -- and to Barbados.
Golden Years Home Nears Opening Day
Golden Years Home nearing completion
Elderly people in cramped shelter conditions and with little interaction with the wider community will soon have a better life with increased choices in the Golden Years Home at Brades.
Rose Arnold, a Crisis Corps specialist supplied by the Peace Corps, said the 50-bedroom facility will soon be providing a service intended to beef up the quality of life the elderly are experiencing.
"Right now the elderly are living in the shelters in cramped conditions and little space to move around. They do not interact with the community while before they experienced the freedom of living in an extended family," Ms. Arnold told The Reporter.
She said the newly constructed million-dollar facility will cost over $700,000 a year to operate the 24-hour, 7-days-a-week service.
"They will be getting three meals a day, which will include special diets for hypertensives and diabetics," Ms. Arnold said. "There will also be an active recreational program. Volunteers from the community are working on preparing the land for the elderly to do some gardening. Even the handicapped will be involved because the land will be terraced to accommodate them."
Aerobics, dancing and arts and craft are other activities Ms. Arnold said would be added to the daily program at the facility. She said volunteers from the community would be asked to help.
"Montserratians have gone through a lot and at this point of rebuilding the whole community need to come together to help the elderly. This should be a community project," she added.
When asked how the facility would be funded, Ms. Arnold said she is unsure.
"Some people who can pay will be asked to contribute and the government will also make some contribution, but I really don’t know where the rest will be coming from,’ she said.
Delay time for the equipment to arrive in Montserrat is what the organizers are awaiting before opening the home. The Red Cross will be sponsoring a fundraising benefit dinner Friday August 7, in the dining room of the building in Brades. The dinner begins at 7:30 pm. Tickets can be obtained at the Red Cross Headquarters in Woodlands.
Employment vacancies also exist at the institution. Persons who are interested can contact the Red Cross for positions of administrative manager, caregiver and aide, gardener, recreational coordinator and administrative assistant, cook and assistant cook, handyman and laundry help.
Ms. Arnold said the facility is scheduled to open before the end of August.
Her six-month stint includes training staff to work in the plant.
Barbados, CANA - The regional airline LIAT has appointed Briton Raymond Sayer to the post of chief executive officer.
Sayer's appointment is the result of a global search undertaken by the airline after the resignation of Giles Filiatreault in August 1996.
"During this interim period, the management was led successively by Captain John Murray, followed by Fred Jarvis, and currently by Dr. Vincent Richards," Board Chairman Senator Aziz Hadeed announced last weekend.
Employment Opportunities MontserratMontserrat
The Government of Montserrat’s thrust towards the sustainable development of the island has signalled an increase in economic activity in some sectors. The construction sector continues to grow in strength as various public sector projects are implemented. As a result, employment opportunities exist for masons, carpenters, labourers and equipment drivers, certain professional and management positions both in the public and private sectors.
The government welcomes individuals from its CARICOM neighbours who would like to contribute to the development process. However, the acute housing shortage mitigates against the free flow of persons at this time, thus the following immigration and work permit directives must be adhered to:
- Proof of suitable place of accommodation in Montserrat;
- Money, sufficient to meet financial obligations, for at least two (2) months;
- A police certificate of character from the originating country, valid for not more than six (6) months;
- A medical certificate valid for not more than three (3) months.
The Government of Montserrat has waived all work permit fees for other CARICOM nationals until December 31, 1998, when this would be reviewed. However, it should be noted that a processing fee of $ 50.00 is payable by all other applicants.
Temporary or provisional work permits may be granted, where absolutely necessary, by permission of the Minister Responsible for Labour. The Labour Department upon consultation with the Minister may extend a short term permit up to a period not exceeding sixty (60) days.
In addition to those persons exempted by law from paying work permit fees, the following category of persons are also exempted:
- Nationals of Antigua and Barbuda;
- Nationals of St Kitts and Nevis;
- Regional Entertainers.
All non-belongers, except those persons exempted by law, must obtain work permits before taking up employment - gainful or otherwise - on the island.
Complete application forms for work permits accompanied by :
- Proof of offer of employment in Montserrat;
- Police Certificate of Character;
- Medical Certificate;
- Treasury Receipt;
- Applicant’s Passport number
- EC$ 1.00 local stamp.
- A processing fee of EC$ 50 payable by cheque / money order to the Accountant General.
Should be sent to:
Fax:(664) 491-6941; Tel: (664) 491-4010The Labour Department St John’s Montserrat
Nevis/St. Kitts Approach Precipice of Separation
After 18 years of political union, the Twin-island State of St. Kitts/Nevis is engrossed in a battle of separation and secession.
A referendum date, August 10, has been set for citizens of Nevis to express their wishes about separation from their sister island St. Kitts.
Vance Amory
Writing in the April issue of The Parliamentarian, a journal of parliaments in the Commonwealth, Vance Amory, Premier of Nevis, argues that development of Nevis is seriously hampered under the present constitution.
"We are resolute in our confidence that independence is the only way forward for Nevis, given the historical relationship between the two islands and the recent attempts to override and dilute the efforts of the Nevis Island Administration," the article said.
Lack of sufficient legislative control, inability to negotiate with foreign governments for growth and development, and federal attempts to control offshore financial services are reasons Amory cited why "all representatives in the Nevis Island Assembly gave their unanimous support to the bill for independence."
"Under the present system the people of Nevis are required to pay the salaries of teachers and health professionals. Our hospitals and schools are maintained from our own resources without any support from the federal government. Despite this, we have no legislative authority over education or health," he said.
Amory indicated that the representatives from Nevis are not consulted on matters relating to education at the federal level. He also pointed out that offshore banking legislation was enacted that would serve to "break the economic backbone" of the island.
"Our attempts to have a meaningful resolution of these problems proved fruitless. We opposed the introduction of the offshore legislation into the federal parliament. Despite our efforts the legislation was introduced. In the face of this onslaught we proceeded to invoke Section 113 of the Constitution, which sets out the procedure of the separation of the two islands," Amory said.
With a buoyant economy and necessary infrastructure in place Nevis is ready to take its rightful place among the "community of nations," Amory said.
President of the Twin Island State, Dr Kennedy Simmonds, is not convinced that the separation is in the best interest of both islands.
Addressing the nation over Voice of Nevis (VON) Radio, Dr. Simmonds said the devastating social implications are not being considered.
"Secession is not just about separating two islands for their administrative convenience. It is about tearing families apart, it is about creating barriers (where they do not exist) to the unrestricted movements and social and commercial intercourse of individuals and families. These concerns should take precedence over considerations of mere political expediency and perceived partisan political advantage," Dr. Simmonds said.
Dr. Simmonds said there have not been enough efforts to search for alternatives to secession. He said the leaders in Nevis did not present it as an issue in the 1995 pre-election debate.
"The Nevisian leaders identified the financial arrangements between St. Kitts and Nevis and the direct relationship of Nevis to foreign governments and regional and international organizations, particularly those involved in aid programs as issues they felt needed to be re-examined," Avery said.
Dr. Simmonds questioned the rational for invoking the secession provision in the constitution.
"Why has our nation strayed so far from the course of unity since 1995? Is it because there has been a failure to come together and search in good faith for an alternative to secession?" Dr. Simmonds asked.
He said the people of Nevis, while exercising their rights to vote in a referendum on secession, should consider an alternative that will offer hope of "unity as families, as a people and as a nation."
He said that together there are better prospects of achieving social and economic progress.
"We have been shown before that as a people together such progress is possible. The world today is more challenging and it is not kind to small nations. Even together we are small," Dr. Simmonds told the listening audience on his July 24 VON broadcast.
Commenting on the issue, Dr. Everson Hull of Nevis said the issue of secession has nothing to do with separation but "maturation."
Writing in the July 18 issue of The St. Kitts/Nevis Observer, he said the referendum has "everything to do with the maturation of a people and a country that is seeking to take control of its destiny."
He pointed to "a solid 15-year track record of managing its own internal affairs under the limited autonomy granted under home rule" as evidence that Nevis deserves to "built a new nation."
He said there is no rift between the two people and the coexistence, which has spanned hundreds of years, will not be threatened any more than that of French St. Martin and Dutch St. Maarten or New York and Connecticut.
"Each of these territories has established implicit or explicit friendship treaties that recognize the mutual benefit to be derived from the preservation of strong family ties, the freedom of movement and the unimpeded flow of commercial activity," Dr. Hull said.
Meanwhile a constitutional commission assessing possible secession by Nevis from St Kitts, has warned of serious implications for the Caribbean Community should this become a reality. As Nevisians prepare for the referendum on August 10 to endorse or reject secession, the commission draws attention to the "consequences of separation". It is emphasising the necessity and urgency for Nevisians to be properly informed about the central issues involved.
But Scientists' Evaluation Is Still Being Reviewed
by Bennette Roach
As the Soufriere Hills Volcano maintains its current course of inactivity, with no new magma coming to the surface, all in Montserrat await the latest evaluation from scientists who have served or still serve at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO).
According to the MVO, all former chief scientists and some visiting scientists (from France, USA, Britain and the Caribbean) attended the Montserrat evaluation session in mid-July. It is hoped from a Montserratian point of view that their report will give the green light for an early return of occupancy by Salem residents.
Questions abound as to why it is taking so long for the report to be announced, but scientists say that different parts of the report are written by different people. Then the complete report has to make the rounds for confirmation. Of course, it is well known that the "honchos" in London have to add their marks of inflation or deflation before it is released to the public.
Meanwhile the scientists predict that ash falls are still likely for as long as the massive dome remains unstable. Depending on the wind direction, ash may fall anywhere on the island and beyond.
They also report that a deep scar has been cut into the Tar River side of the dome, created by the July 3 collapse which included the disappearance of the magnificent spine from atop the dome. There are many expressions of sadness at this loss, as it was hoped that the mountain would solidify and keep the spine as a landmark for years to come.
The good news, however, is that there is no new growth. One scientist happily explains: "There hasn't been any growth since early March and after the 3 July, 98, with the release of all that material, there would have been a degree of depressurisation and in the normal circumstances, when the dome is growing, you'd expect new material to arrive at the surface pretty soon after this. But there has been nothing and this is obviously good news."
The scientists also hope to be able soon to release information on whether the current measurements of earthquakes and other seismic are the same as those recorded prior to the eruption that began on July 18, 1995.
The Report for the period 5 p.m. 29 July to 5 p.m. 30 July 1998 read: "The volcano was quiet again today. Nine rockfall signals and six volcano-tectonic earthquakes were recorded over the 24 hours."
Work Crews Begin Salem Area Cleanup
The announced cleanup of Salem has begun. Work is underway in several areas, including Friths, Hope, Glebe and Salem proper, cleaning gutters, drains and trenches of the ash and debris that have accumulated since the area was evacuated. This work is intended to allow rainwater to drain properly along the roads.
Workers will next begin to clear debris up to the borders of people's properties.
Trucks were used to haul away the potentially dangerous material, although the crews appeared to be unsupervised and were not wearing masks. This was unexpected in view of the perceived danger expressed by governing officials who earlier said they would import medical staff to assist with the cleanup.
On July 7th, 1998, Mrs. Mary White, "Aunt Mary"
celebrated her 90th Birthday. "Come celebrate ninety year of life and
love," the invitation read. I admire her energy and love of life.
At her home in Dyett Street there was often some kind of celebration -- Thanksgiving, Christmas, her birthday, relatives visiting from abroad. Some years ago there was a grand reunion of the Herbert family and Aunt Mary was very much involved in organising and seeing to it that all went well.
Aunt Mary was always ready to go to a concert, to the beach or just for a drive. She kept herself busy sewing, cooking and gardening.
She is not one for sitting around so when she relocated to Olveston and it was no longer possible for her to make her weekly visits to her home in Dyett Sreet, she decided to go to the USA. I am pretty certain that she will share those thoughts with us in the near future.
Pat Ryan.
AIR A FORGOTTEN NUTRIENT
By Dr. Charles McWilliams
Of all the resources available to us in God's splendor are the fresh ocean breezes, starry nights, and the earth's freshest air. We on Nevis are always thankful, having returned from travels abroad from city's with polluted air, stale hotel rooms, and musty airports.
But having enough air does not mean our bodies are able to use it. Headlines and books are popping up about oxygen therapies for the treatment of all kinds of disorders. The successes of these therapies are due to what has now become all too common -- futile breathing. We have become a world of shallow, thoracic - chest - breathers, neglecting the primary muscle of respiration - the diaphragm. Most of us do not use the diaphragm the way it was intended to be used, many scarcely use it at all.
Rapid, shallow breathing, punctuated often by sighing, yawning, or gasping, is due to erratic breathing leading to oxygen starvation. Futile breathing is the process where only the upper spaces of the lungs' airways are used. When we breathe in properly, the diaphragm contracts and descends, making more room for air and expansion of the lungs. In proper diaphragmatic breathing, when the diaphragm contracts, the abdomen protrudes. That's why some refer to this type of breathing as belly breathing.
Futile breathing is the act of pulling in air just into the upper parts of the lungs. This results in the body rejecting the air very quickly. The amount of air pulled in can be adequate, but the blood supply for absorption of oxygen is greatest in the lower parts of the lungs. When these areas fail to get adequately ventilated air, we end up with under-oxygenated blood, leading to a widespread spectrum of ills.
Diaphragm muscle: descends upon inhalation, relaxes upon exhalation. A poorly used muscle in most people.
"This has profound effects on many bodily functions," writes Dr. L. C. Lum, in an important paper in The Chest, Heart, and Stroke Journal,"and frequently results in chronic ill health."The symptoms of those suffering from futile breathing," Dr. Lum added, "are not trivial; on the contrary, many have such severe disabilities that they are thought to be suffering from serious illnesses such as heart disease, epilepsy, or intestinal disorders, to name a very few of the misdiagnoses commonly applied to this condition."
A more recent publication in the Journal of Royal Society of Medicine notes that few physicians recognize these breathing disorders and points out the symptoms as follows:
* chronic or intermittent fatigue
* chest pains and palpitations
* dizziness and faintness
* tingling and numbness in the extremities
* muscular cramps
* heartburn, stomach upsets, and gas
* panic attacks and anxiety
* sleep disturbances, night sweats
The editorial points out that once recognized, the problem is easily cured by a program of "breathing retraining and relaxation."
Breathing is unquestionably one of the most important acts you do in your life. The 2,500 gallons of air we breathe daily comes through the nose to give oxygen to the blood, vital for every life process. Breathing right gives you endurance, the ability to better concentrate, more energy, and better immunity.
To reap the full benefits of oxygen, we need to ventilate the lower lungs. Try this simple exercise and see if you are breathing properly. To do this you will have to obtain a good size book, preferably one you've read (try the Good Book ).
This exercise will give you a sense of what diaphragm breathing is all about. Lie down and place a heavy book on the upper part of the abdomen. The edge of the book should just be touching your lower ribs.
Try to be relaxed and calm as possible. Your goal is to push up the book as high as you can as you inhale through the nose.
Now, let the book sink down as far as you can as you exhale. In this exercise you are using your diaphragm to push the abdomen into your belly, making more room for your lungs to inhale. Your chest should expand somewhat, even when you breathe correctly, but this expansion occurs towards the end of expiration.
The proper rate for this exercise should be four to six breaths per minute (complete inhalations and exhalations).
This exercise should be done for about 10 minutes daily, right when you get up, and just before bed should you wish to continue. Almost from the beginning, this exercise will make you feel better. As you become aware of diaphragm breathing, begin by applying it in real life situations, during times of stress. You'll begin to sense just how powerful a tool breathing really is as you begin to master difficult situations.
Microsoft, Netscape Scramble To Close Security Holes
By Michael Moeller and Christy Walker
The following article, under the above title of interest to E-mail users, is recommended by a member of the Electronic Evergreen and is taken from PC Week Online
Separate security loopholes recently uncovered in Windows NT and in Internet-based e-mail clients from Microsoft Corp. and Netscape Communications Corp. could provide hackers with access to users' computers and resources.
The Windows NT loophole -- known as a "privilege elevation attack" -- is enabled via a program called sechole.exe, written by Prasdad Dabak, Sandeep Phadke and Milind Borate, a group of programmers based in India.
Posted to the Internet last week, the program enables non-administrative users who are logged on to the network locally to gain debug-level access on a system process. With such access, they are then able to run arbitrary code in the system security context and grant themselves local administrative privileges.
The program does not work over a remote connection, thereby limiting attacks to users who have internal access privileges.
Microsoft, Netscape fight back
Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) posted a fix on Monday for Windows NT 4.0 Server and Workstation, both on X86 and Alpha platforms, on its Web site. A fix for Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server Edition as well as fixes for 3.51 versions of NT will be posted "shortly," according to the Redmond, Wash., company.
According to Dabak, the program also works on the beta version of NT 5.0. Microsoft officials were unavailable for comment about NT 5.0
On the e-mail front, researchers at Oulu University's Secure Programming Group in Finland have discovered a hole in Microsoft's and Netscape's (Nasdaq:NSCP) Internet-based mail applications through which malicious code can be launched.
The breach affects users of Microsoft's Outlook Express 4.x and Outlook 98 as well as Netscape Mail Versions 4.05 and 4.5b1.
The malicious code needn't be contained in an e-mail attachment; rather, the tags that identify the attachment contain the code, according to Russ Cooper, owner and moderator of the NTBugtraq
mailing list, which is dedicated to security breaches and bugs in NT and is operated out of Lindsay, Ontario.
Outlook Express users and Outlook 98 users who are installed with an Internet Mail Only configuration or with an Internet Mail service in a corporate/workgroup configuration are at risk. They can be affected when malicious code is sent in a message and they highlight the name of an attachment, right mouse click on it and then move the mouse over the attachment, Cooper explained.
For Netscape Mail users, malicious code can be launched by simply highlighting the message -- without launching the attachment or opening the message -- and then accessing the File menu, Cooper said.
"This is very dangerous. Any person sending you an e-mail could send a program and have it run on your computer. They could run code on your machine, and it would do anything you normally could do," said Cooper, who added that the code is not detected by a corporate firewall or gateway because "it's not abnormal ... it's not trying to do something that is not allowed by this protocol."
The solution: patches from Microsoft and Netscape.
A patch for Microsoft Outlook 98 is available at support.microsoft.com/support/downloads/LNP499.asp. The patch for Outlook Express is at http://www.microsoft.com/ie/security/oelong.htm.
For Netscape Mail users, a fix will be included in Communicator Version 4.06, which is due on August 7, according to officials in Mountain View, Calif.
In the interim, Cooper said, Netscape Mail users should be wary of messages with attachments from unknown users. He recommends that users delete such messages and close the program directly with the
"X" button rather than exiting the program through the File menu.
The Microsoft and Netscape e-mail holes were discovered in June by researchers at the Finland university.
Infernal Medicine
We must prescribe this bitter pill
From Belham south to Richmond Hill.
Mud flows are now the threat,
So we won't clear you yet,
And heaven knows how soon we will.
Soufriere So Good
With volcanoes, it has to be said,
Fascination must overcome dread;
The Emerald Isle's glories
Must eclipse horror stories,
If tourism's to butter our bread.
Jus wonderin if the Afternoon Lady at ZJB is ever going to play anything other than a "selection . . . "
Jus wonderin, says the former Long Ground resident, how a Salem resident was able to get a house at Lookout before him and his wife.
Jus wonderin if the Chief Minister will publish his findings following his investigations into the housing allocations.
Jus wonderin which one of the Ministers expressed such lack of interest in the Simulation Exercise due to take place on Saturday.
Jus wonderin who is fooling who with the availability of £75million to be spent in the interest of Montserratians in the next three years.
Jus wonderin if DFID is sending any signals with the matchboxes they are using.
Jus wonderin if those most important figures on the airport should not be confirmed by a second opinion.
Jus wonderin whether all those DFID funds promised over the past three years but not yet spent must also come out of Britain’s magic new £75 million bottom line.
Jus wonderin why Cudjoe Head Day could not take precedence over the Governor’s Exodus which at this time could not be an urgent exercise.
EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTRAL BANK
VACANCY
Applications are invited from suitably qualified citizens of the OECS member territories and Anguilla to fill the post of Research Officer, Financial and Enterprise Development Unit at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.
Applicants should:
Have at least a Masters degree in Economics or Business Administration (Finance concentration)
In addition to being computer literate, have skills in effective communications, project administration, and implementation, research methodology or information management.
Have at least two (2) years experience in an area which allowed exposure to the applicant of the Principles of Monetary Economics, Banking or Finance.
Experience in finical markets development regulation and /or operations will be an asset.
DUTIES
The Research Officer will be directly responsible to the Senior Director, Finance and Enterprise Development Unit, Governor’s Office, for the proper performance of his/her duties which will include
1. Providing research, and analysis, and undertaking initiatives to develop existing Financial Institutions or operations including Development Finance institutions, Social Security Scheme, and Government Treasury operations.
2. Promoting, researching, developing and implementing various financial instruments, institutions and markets for the development of the Money and Capital Markets in the ECCB Area.
3. Consulting with all the potential players in the Money and Capital Markets and assisting in the implementation of the Bank’s Financial Markets Education Programme.
4. Assisting in the preparing and development of the proper legal and regulatory environment to facilitate the orderly functioning of the Money and Capital Markets.
5. Promoting marketing and encouraging the development of the Money and Capital Markets via various media and mechanisms.
6. Carrying out other related duties and special projects as assigned by the Senior Director, Finance and Enterprise Development Unit.
SALARY
An attractive remuneration package will be offered.
Applications stating qualifications and experience with the names and addresses of two (2) referees as well as certificates should be forwarded to:
The Bank Secretary Eastern Caribbean Central Bank P O Box 89 BASSETERRE St. Kittsto reach no later than 21 August 1998.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements indicated above will not be acknowledged.
Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: roachb@candw.ag
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