This past week the 125-year-old St. Augustine School celebrated for the first time an anniversary which ends tomorrow.

The celebration began with a church service on Sunday at St. Martin de Porres Roman Catholic Church in Salem, where a thanksgiving mass was celebrated with Bishop Donald Reece, bishop of the diocese of St. John-Basseterre, which includes Montserrat, as the chief celebrant.

The week of activities to celebrate the years 1875 - 2000, hailed as a long time, will roll to an end this Saturday night.

Each function this week proved quite interesting and the organising committee deserves much credit for putting together a program of activities that could involve at some point or other past and present members of the school.

The week continued Monday with the island tour conducted by veteran tour guide Cecil Cassell. The small gathering, mostly visitors, included past students and Montserratian priest Fr. George Fergus of St. Patricks, now a resident priest in Jamaica.

On Tuesday the international lunch and school historical exhibition was a hit, with many people in attendance sampling lunch of many varied dishes of Caribbean and Indian cuisine. The exhibition showed many books and records dating back to the 1920s. There was a framed slate and pencil, which today are replaced with exercise books and note pads. (All writing in those days was done mostly at school, even into the 60s)

The parade on Wednesday afternoon took place under the title of Cultural Explosion. It was for the most part a jump up from Bank of Montserrat through the streets down to the school in Woodlands. The current schoolchildren turned out in festival and masquerade costumes, while the older folks dressed in anything that fitted 'ole mass', bringing back memories of the New Years Day jump up of many a year in Plymouth.

Thursday night was a social evening under the stars at the St. Martin's church yard, followed on Friday night at the Vue Pointe Hotel where patrons were treated to Dinner, Cabaret and an Awards ceremony.

The final day celebration on Saturday night is to be highlighted with a Re-union Ball (Formal Dress 1875-2000 era) at the Pelican Room at the Vue Pointe Hotel. This is to be followed by a program of Community Service, which takes place beginning at 11.00 a.m. Sunday

Yesterday, Chief Minister David S. Brandt reacted heatedly to a press release issued by His Excellency Governor Anthony Abbott on Wednesday which accused the radio station ZJB of presenting inaccurate and misleading statements to the listening public.

The Governor explained his action in his press release.

He said, "It's is not normal practice for H.E. the Governor to respond to media comments about his office and those agencies under his portfolio. However, following recent broadcasts on Radio Montserrat, the Governor feels the need to correct inaccurate and misleading statements, which have been presented to the listening public."

The vacant post of manager for the radio station has been advertised following the retirement of station Manager Miss Rose Willock.

Clearly referring to the paid and vetted radio commentary by MAWU's general secretary Hylroy Bramble, which is broadcast on Tuesdays and Thursdays on ZJB, the Governor said, "Recent broadcasts have stated that there are no local staff members, other than support staff, working at the Governor’s office at Lancaster House. This is untrue as there are three well-qualified and competent established Civil Servants working in the Governor’s Office as an essential part of the Governor’s team."

He then referred to a very current issue, one that has been a source of grave discontent among residents, the frequent shortage of fuel on the island. He said that Radio Montserrat had reported that the Emergency Department, which comes under the Governor’s Office, owed Delta Petroleum Ltd. over $1 million for fuel brought to the island during the volcanic crisis.

"The disbursement of funds to pay for fuel is not, and never has been, a function of the Emergency Department," he said, continuing that all payment of fuel invoices is the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Montserrat."

The Governor then stated in his press release, "It is for these reasons, and because of a number of complaints received in recent months from persons who believe they have been subject to criticism on ZJB that H.E the Governor has proposed that consideration be given to undertaking a review of the whole ZJB operation."

It is well known that Hylroy Bramble in his radio program called "Labour Speaks" has in his commentaries addressed several issues and matters including those involving the Governor, the government and DFID. Mr. Brandt in his press conference, called specifically to rebut and refute the Governor's release, said, " 'Labor Speaks' hits the government every week, twice a week no one has interfered with him."

The Governor's commented in his release: "It is equally important that the right to freedom of expression and balanced reporting is protected as an integral part of any democratic society," following which he proposed establishing "a Board of Governors completely independent from Government; A Charter of Broadcasting Standards; The introduction of a Complaints Commission, and A Code of Conduct for journalists."

The Chief Minister tore into this, arguing: "I think it is a veiled effort to close down to radio Montserrat; before that let me say that I am shocked that the governor would make such an unwarranted attack on his own powerless civil servants."

He recalled that following the British's suggestion to publish government news and information in The Montserrat Reporter. "…they wrote to me to say that because the Reporter attacks the British government from time to time they are going to withdraw the publication…the money was coming out of our aid money and out of our aid the governor is publishing a newsletter. Therefore they want to close down The Reporter."

The Governor also said: "…in the interests of Good Governance and to keep the Montserrat community well informed, all realistic potential political parties or candidates should be given equal access to airing their views over the National Radio System."

To this The Chief Minister said: "in relation to Radio Montserrat, no one has complained that they do not have access to Radio Montserrat. I can remember one Saturday morning the Hon. Reuben Meade and John Osborne blasted the government on Radio Montserrat."

He further accused the Governor of having done nothing when " 'Labour Speaks' attacks the government, but because the Labor Speaks touches his department, that is the reason for this, and then he talks about freedom of expression."

Mr Brandt said that the freedom of expression "…is only for him and not for us…he is suggesting that we put Radio Montserrat under a Statutory body (which) in Montserrat are being asked even in this difficult time to raise their rates to pay their own way.  DFID has insisted that the rates for electricity must go up and that the rates for water must go up and that they will not invest in water any further, except we put up that rate…the governor is suggesting that we put Radio Montserrat in a statutory body; it means that radio Montserrat must pay its way."

In relation to the Delta fuel debt and payment, the Chief Minister acknowledged the debt, offering his own explanation of how the bill is paid. "The Emergency Department billed Monlec a little more than half of the value of the landed cost of the fuel … in such a case the Treasury could not pay because it did not have the money. The Accountant General is governed by rules and laws…To say that the Ministry of Finance is responsible for payment is disingenuous, and it shows an ignorance of the understanding of the rules."

He further explained how the crisis was averted: "Faced with that situation, and that was brought to my attention, I could not allow the people of Montserrat to be out of fuel; and I called the financial secretary and we managed to find some funds from another place so that the people of Montserrat could have fuel…The fact that the Emergency Department is supposed to charge the correct landing price rests at the door step of the governor."

At the beginning the Chief Minister called the Governor's press release, "an unwarranted and bitter attack on civil servants who are powerless, who cannot defend themselves. If they do, they have to do it with the permission of the Governor. This is wrong, I think it is my duty to defend them because I was elected to be their defender and that is why I called this press conference."

Last week's 'Man From Baker Hill' article "The Next Stage" was a deviation from his usual norm. He presented his arguments without the customary humour and joviality that characterise his discourses even when he is discussing a serious topic.

He is an individual who chats and makes fun with a lot of people, young and old, but this time it could be felt that he was almost angry as he tried to sum up for all who would read and listen that property tax, water rates, income tax, port dues, fuel tax, electricity rates, tax arrears, customs duties and consumption tax are all part of the same thing.

Understanding this would send a clear message to all civil servants that it is not just income tax that will pay 50 percent of their salaries at the end of each month. Their interest in the growth of the economy must be just as keen as every single person in the private sector and it is as such that they need to remember that their loyalty must be to the government of the day. But that is not the subject of discussion.

For the past several months, the Man from Baker Hill has been trying to sensitise people to the topic of taxes, their purposes and the need for them. But why is it that this topic seems to hold no interest for anyone other than writers in the Reporter? Why is it that the topic seems to be avoided like the plague among those who should be taking the lead in matters that affect the day-to-day concerns of Montserratians and for that matter all residents of Montserrat?

Maybe we need to know that the aid that we receive, not just from Britain, comes from the taxes that are paid by someone else, including our very own relatives and friends. We certainly need to understand this whole question now more than ever so that we can all discuss the 'next stage'. No one has to agree with the Man from Baker Hill, the Chief Minister or the Reporter on the position they take on this or any issue. From our standpoint, quite often it is hoped that the suggestions and thoughts can be taken and tossed and worked to bring understanding and answers to the problems bequeathed to us by our past and the volcano.

We spend much time finding fault with the few, the very few, who might venture to express some thought on a few issues and leave it to them to fail in their effort, but share in the successes. What is very clear must be that no one -- and certainly not the British politicians and civil servants -- will be interested beyond the job of work on hand as they come and go month after month and year after year.

They remind us all the time by their ignorance in managing a crisis such as the one we face, and neither will they ever see the need to understand what we feel and experience as a result of the crisis. We must understand these things to realise that it is we who must ignore when necessary, and heed when necessary, the things that will prevent us from buckling to the pressures of punishment in subtle and even direct ways for our disobedience.

It is not just the Chief Minister and the leaders of government who must face the fact that there is a real cost for living in Montserrat. We must all take time out to talk about it -- not just the task force(s), but all of us -- because even though we didn't think about it or thought we didn't need to think about it, we made the decision to remain on Montserrat.

There is much evidence to support the notion that if we had not, somebody else would have occupied the place anyway.  The only difference is it would have been a much nicer place to visit, many more would have been visiting, and in much greater comfort too.

Read 1 Timothy 4:6-16

Nineteen ninety-eight was the year I resolved to spend 20 minutes a day exercising. I eagerly arose at 5:30 for my first morning workout. I was disappointed in myself when I realized that I could find the energy to do physical exercise but could not find five minutes for quiet time with God. I decided to precede my physical workout with a spiritual one, through prayer. After the first week, I noticed a pattern: my prayers were always about 20 minutes long. In a subtle way, God showed me that just as we make time for physical exercise to benefit the body, we can also make time for spiritual exercise to benefit the soul. I have come to treasure my quiet time with God. Have you been neglecting your spiritual health? Just as with physical exercise, it’s never too late to start.

Prayer: Creator God, help us to realize that, in spite of our busy lives and hectic schedules, as we make time for you, we tap into the source of abundant life. Amen.

Healthy spiritual growth comes from regular time with God

Sharease Armstrong (New York)

Prayer Focus: THOSE DISTRACTED FROM GOD BY THEIR BUSY LIVES

Dear Mr. Editor,

Kindly allow me space in your well-read and informative paper to express my feelings over an issue of great concern.

I am hoping that someone can enlighten me as to how jobs are acquired in Montserrat. Is it on merit or simply by one's affiliation with people in certain positions? To be more frank, Ministerial positions?

Sir, can it be morally just that an individual who for many years has invested and still is investing unselfishly his time and talents in an effort to improve our cultural product be snubbed not once but three times for the position of co-ordinator of culture? A young man with insight and a vision as to where we should go and how we can go about returning our Emerald Isle to its cultural heydays. The place to be for Easter Monday or the greatest festival during the Christmas season.

Mr Editor, it saddens me to know how they've wasted people's time holding interviews and writing a 500- word statement on their vision for culture on the island when they knew all along the position will be given to someone emerging from total oblivion, or only becoming known under a most distasteful circumstance. Someone with relatively no experience when it comes to culture.

It appears, sir, that some people are only useful for voluntary service in this little country. I'm "jus wonderin" if it is whom you know that counts and not what you know.  Please prove me wrong, somebody.

Dear Editor

Congratulations to Joel Webb on winning the Caribbean Manufacturer's Award.
Hard work and dedication will always reap rewards.
I hope and pray that Mr. Webb can find a way to bring some portion of his business back to Montserrat, to help in the island's economic recovery.
In any event, he is a shining example to all of us and perhaps someone else can find the ideas and the capital to invest in something that will not only provide money to the treasury but much needed jobs to attract people back home.

Gerard Silcott

Dear Editor,

Montserrat Aviation Services has announced that the ferry service will return to the normal departure time that was in effect in the early part of the year. That is to say that the ferry will depart Antigua at 4:00 p.m. and depart Montserrat at 5:30 p.m.

Has any survey been taken to change the departure time from Antigua from 4:30 to 4:00 p.m.? And what are the implications for persons traveling to Montserrat?

The ferry departs Montserrat in the afternoon at 5:30 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. and arrives in Antigua at 6:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. respectively. On arrival in Antigua, a passenger is unlikely to be able to board a connecting flight.

When the ferry departs at 4:30 p.m., the extra 30 minutes goes a long way for persons visiting a doctor and shopping in Antigua and passengers arriving at V. C. Bird Airport hoping to board the ferry. It makes more sense for the ferry to leave Antigua at 4:30 p.m. or even 15 minutes later to accommodate passengers, because it is more beneficial to passengers traveling to Montserrat from Antigua. The extra 30 minutes can determine whether a person will have to spend a night in a hotel in Antigua, which is very costly.

It is very disheartening to see Montserratians having to buy bottle water when returning to Montserrat on the ferry after shopping on a month end. You may say that by selling bottle water the ferry operators are doing business and they don't see anything wrong with it. But it is very shameful for Montserratians to be buying water when there is so much water in Montserrat. If you were traveling on a LIAT flight to Dominica and needed a drink of water you would get a drink of water or a fruit drink free of cost. Why cannot the ferry operators fill some containers of water when the ferry arrives in Montserrat and place them on the ferry to enable passengers access to a drink of water?

On Tuesday a representative from the Europe Union (EU), Engineering Adviser Bonne De Jonge, His Excellency the Governor Anthony Abbott and the Honourable Chief Minister David S. Brandt signed another framework of co-operation.

Under the programme the 8^th European Development Fund represents EC$19 million made available for the redevelopment of the island.

The three signatories representing their various constituencies all shared the view there is a need for speedier delivery of aid.

Adviser Bonne De Jonge said he is pleased that the programme has finally been signed, but he also said too much time was spent on putting the programme together.

Governor Abbott called for the speedy implementation of programmes under the European Development Fund, mentioning that there is still some money left under EDF 7. This had been in existence before volcanic activity began.

The Chief Minister pointed out the three main areas are setting up of a policy regime that is conducive to private foreign investment and also encourages private savings; resettlement of displaced people; and human resources development in the area of tertiary education.

In response to a question, he said this new ED funding had nothing to do with the airport and transport development.

The government of Montserrat says it is not bankrupt, contrary to reports circulating on the island.

Financial Secretary Charles T. John said earlier this week that there is no truth to the reports, as the government is in fact operating in the black.

He also rebutted suggestions that the Government has not been paid its monthly claims by the Department for International Development.

The Financial Secretary insisted that all claims owed to the Government of Montserrat by DFID are on track and up to date. He said the August claim is the only outstanding amount, that being normal since it was only submitted in the middle of September.

Meanwhile, several Contractors and Petty Contractors on island are complaining that their payments for projects are long overdue, causing them embarrassment and credit problems with the banks and other creditors both locally and abroad.

Reports reaching the Montserrat Reporter early this week said that the tanker MV Ocean Courier arrived in Montserrat waters on Tuesday morning, but refused to offload until arrears are paid.

Radio Montserrat ZJB, who later came under Governor Abbott's fire, reported that the Emergency Department which comes under the Governor's Office owes Delta Petroleum Limited about EC$1.5 million for fuel brought to the island during the volcanic crisis.

Officials at the Emergency Department office at the time said that they did not actually make the payments but confirmed that the continued to order fuel for the island but money was in fact owed to the suppliers.

It was soon learned that the problem of payment surrounded the fact that Montserrat Electricity Services (MONLEC) had not been charged properly or sufficiently for fuel it receives and had owed enough to the treasury, which did not facilitate the payment to the suppliers.

But on Tuesday the island held its breath as the news spread but it was later learnt that another fuel shortage crisis was averted as Chief Minister Brandt confirmed on Thursday, the Ministry of Finance intervened and authorized the payment of half the money owed to Delta.

By Wednesday a seemingly irate Governor Abbott issued a press release which said: ", the Governor Feels the need to correct inaccurate and misleading statements, which have been presented to the listening public."

Governor Abbott complained, "On 26, September 2000 Radio Montserrat reported that the Emergency Department, which comes under the Governor’s Office, owed Delta Petroleum Ltd over one million dollars for fuel…" to which His Excellency replied that "the disbursement of funds to pay for fuel is not, and never has been, function of the emergency Department."

The Governor who did not deny that he headed the Emergency Department further stated that fuel invoices "is the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Montserrat."

This statement was undoubtedly one of several that infuriated Chief Minister David Brandt, who is also Minister of Finance and who immediately called a press conference leveling into the Governor, accusing him of descending into the political arena, saying further that it was wrong for him to attack his office and the citizens of Montserrat.

Royal Montserrat Police have confirmed that four officers from the London Metropolitan Police Force spent several days here this week, carrying out investigations into the gang related death of a 12-year old youth in London.

The information states that two Montserratian, 15 and 16 -year old youths who recently returned to Montserrat from England were interviewed in the Magistrate's Court at Brades yesterday as they might be able to provide assistance with the on-going investigation.

Deputy Commissioner Morson confirms, "the interview was done at court in the presence of the Magistrate, the Attorney General, the youths' parents and senior and junior police officers."

The Montserrat youths have not been accused or charged with any crime, and other sources said that an appointed attorney was afforded the youths, and he was also present at the hearing.

The metropolitan officers will return to London on Saturday. Meanwhile the youths have been asked to remain on Montserrat.

The preliminary investigations (PI) into the misappropriation of funds surrounding the issuing of passports and naturalization certificates has begun.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Simon Morson told reports this week that approximately 22 persons are expected to be called in the preliminary investigations which began last week.

He said some of the witnesses are overseas including Barbados, making it difficult to say when the preliminary investigations would finish. All witnesses called in the adjourned hearing so far are based in Montserrat.

During a preliminary investigation, the Magistrate listens to the evidence collected in order to determine whether the matter should be sent to the High Court.

If the PI is completed in time, and the Magistrate determines there is a case to be answered, it is expected to be heard in the next sitting of High Court carded to be opened in November. So far only one person has been charged in connection with the case, and she currently remains on bail.

The Montserrat Branch of the Red Cross received a cheque for over EC$11,500 to support a series of workshops they are to mount in AIDS/HIV education in the island's workplaces over the next 12 months.

The Montserrat National Trust (MNT), received a cheque for over EC$34,000. The donation is to fund one year's salary of an Educator as the MNT initiates their Botanical Garden's Project at their Salem headquarters. The Educator will work with local school children, farmers, restaurant owners and the general public about the flora and fauna of Montserrat. The donation also includes a small allocation to allow MNT to be represented at the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Environmental Forum being held in Gibraltar later this week.

At a short ceremony at the MNT this week, Governor Abbott planted a tree to initiate the commencement of the Botanical Gardens Project.

The Royal Montserrat Police Force ended its three-session seminar on Domestic Violence at the Vue Pointe Hotel on 28^th September, 2000. Earlier sessions were held on 13^th and 27^th September, 2000.

Mr. Karney Osborne, Acting Magistrate, cited lack of respect as one of the causes of domestic violence and described various forms of such violence. He recommended civil intervention as the best way to tackle this vicious cycle, with the count being the last resort.

Domestic violence and spousal abuse are criminal offences, according to Sergeant Langford Cabey, who listed different types of domestic abuse as physical, sexual, verbal, psychological and emotional, spiritual, financial, economic, and social.

WPC Sharon Lindsay gave a typical example of spousal abuse and the ineffective assistance given to an abused person by those who are expected to give support. Ms. Bernadine Collins of the Community Services Department outlined how professionals deal with and support abused persons:

1. listen attentively to victim;
2. do not tell victim what to do but give alternatives;
3. respect the decision of an adult victim and record information;
4. ensure immediate safety of victim;
5. be sensitive and give a positive response;
6. treat information from victim with confidentiality;
7. enpower victim by recommending areas which can be used to get out of abusing situations.

She stressed the need for parthnerships among various community groups in dealing with domestic violence.

The provision of a shelter was reviewed as a priority in assisting victims of domestic violence. After three days of considering domestic violence on the island, the ball was back in the court of The Royal Montserrat Police Force for followup. But according to Superintendent Moris, the reluctance of victims to report domestic violence is one of the major obstacles in this endeavour, prompting this slogan:

IF YOU ARE A BATTERED SPOUSE…. ITS TIME TO BREAK THE SILENCE!!!

The Department of Health has taken pre-cautionary measurers to guard against the possible outbreak of Dengue Fever on the island.

Montserrat’s tourism effort has received another boost.

A 10-page article about the island, including pictures, has been featured in the July 2000 edition of Caribbean Travel and Life magazine.

The article dubbed Montserrat Still Life with Volcano was put together by Bob Morris, with photographs by David Sanger.

It features several pre- and post-volcano pictures about the wildlife and nature spots, entertainment and food centres and sporting facilities among others.

A section of the article has been devoted to the newest hotel on the island Tropical Mansions Suites.

The article, "A symbol of Hope," is written by Ivason Galloway.

Dr. Pranlal Chunilal ("Bachu") Kothari, FRCSEd, OBE, former chief medical officer of Montserrat in the 1980s, died Aug. 7, 2000, at the age of 82.

Dr. Kothari made many friends all over the world during his travels. He leaves a wife, Asha; a son (a GP); and two grandchildren.

Persons traveling between Antigua and Montserrat by helicopter, the only international air-link for Montserratians since their fixed-wing airport was put out of commission by volcano activity, will from November 1 have to pay an average 10-percent increase in fares, the first fare hike in five years.
A US $5 donation per passenger towards the re-development of Montserrat's tourism industry will be included in the fare increase for passengers on the Montserrat route.
Caribbean Helicopters says this increase, which will apply to other destinations, is a result of the increased cost of jet fuel, along with other increasing operational costs. "Basically, up to this point we have absorbed the increases and maintained our current pricing schedule, but we are going to be increasing prices in the very near future," Cindy Fleming of General Manager of Caribbean Helicopters told CANA.

Following the threat on the weekend from hurricane Isaac, Joyce, which became a hurricane Wednesday, weakened into a tropical storm Friday and kept losing steam, with top sustained winds of 50 mph -- well below the 74 mph threshold needed to remain a hurricane.

But Joyce continued a steady march westward across the Atlantic and residents in the Lesser Antilles were reminded to watch its progress as the unusual looms with the hurricane later taking dead aim at Trinidad and Barbados just over 500 miles away.

``It could very well become a hurricane again,'' said Robert Molleda, a meteorologist at the center in Florida. ``It's right at that threshold.''

Late on Friday, Joyce was centered near 10.5 north latitude, 53.0 west longitude or about 480 miles east-southeast of Barbados. It was moving west at near 15 mph.

If it keeps its course Montserrat and the rest of the Leewards can spend a fearless weekend, but if it turns sharply north at any time in the next two days, the usual preparations could begin.

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CANA - St. Lucia has become the latest Caribbean territory to approve gambling in its jurisdiction, after the House of Assembly Tuesday adopted the gaming control bill introduced by Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony.
In piloting the bill through the legislature, Dr. Anthony said government had gone to great lengths to ensure that the gaming legislation made provision for strict control of the operation of the facility here.
He said that besides the fact that any investor seeking to obtain a casino licence would be required to develop a property with no less than 250 rooms, St. Lucians for the time being will not be allowed to participate in the formal gaming activity.
Dr. Anthony reacted angrily to opposition United Workers Party (UWP) charges of inconsistency and misrepresentation given the fact that while in opposition it swore never to support casino gambling when the UWP sought its introduction.
"I make no apologies to anyone on this matter a political party must have the courage and the will to change its previous positions if it is in the interest of the country to do so," he said.
Prime Minister Anthony confessed that the issue of whether or not to allow St. Lucians to participate in gaming was the most difficult one for his colleagues.
"We have thought about the implications of denying St. Lucians the right to participate in certain activities in their own country", he said. He promised that at the appropriate time he will propose an amendment that would give government the latitude, if it became necessary, to allow certain categories of St. Lucians to participate in gaming if they so wish.

Trinidad, CANA - BP Trinidad and Tobago has announced its largest oil and gas discovery in the history of exploration in the republic.
A statement from the company Tuesday said the well on Trinidad's southeast coast, off Galeota Point, indicates around three trillion cubic feet of gas and 90 million barrels of associated oil condensate.
"When considered on a 'barrel of oil equivalent' basis, the initial well results indicate an unbooked oil and gas resource of approximately 630 million barrels, making this the largest single discovery ever in Trinidad and Tobago's history," according to the statement.
This is BP's second major gas find offshore Trinidad this year and its fourth in the past three years, according to a BP statement.

Nevis, CANA - St. Kitts and Nevis, one of the countries in the Eastern Caribbean sub-region with a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, is against publicising the identity of sufferers, medical experts here have said.
National AIDS Co-ordinator of St. Kitts and Nevis Mavis Huggins, referring to a CAREC survey, said Wednesday that discrimination and stigmatisation were driving the HIV epidemic.
Ms. Huggins said that she knew of persons who boycotted the business of someone because the proprietor was an AIDS sufferer. She warned that if the attitude of the community towards HIV/AIDS sufferers did not change, confession would remain difficult.

And Nevis' Medical Officer of Health Dr. Patrick Dias said there needs to be greater community awareness about the stigma attached to the disease.
"Until we have that corrected, I don't think that it is going to serve any benefit to release names," he said Tuesday night on the Voice of Nevis (VoN), a privately run radio station.
Available statistics from the Trinidad-based Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) ranks the twin-island federation of St Kitts and Nevis as third in the region. Since 1984 when the first HIV case was reported here, there have been 72 AIDS cases, 188 HIV-infected persons and 49 deaths from AIDS.
"If people are told or people want to know and the attitude towards people with AIDS does not change, then the people with AIDS will never, ever want to come forward and they will just stay underground," Ms. Huggins said.
She told CANA Wednesday that as far as she was aware at the regional level, no Caribbean country has so far advocated publicity of the identity of HIV/AIDS sufferers.
The National AIDS Co-ordinator emphasised the importance of counselling if HIV persons are to understand that they could lead a normal life.
St. Kitts and Nevis is currently preparing to intensify its offensive on the disease by establishing a full-fledged broad-based unit to deal with prevention and counselling.
Public education and awareness are the only globally available options to grapple with the disease, since no cure or vaccine has been found.
There are 316,000 AIDS sufferers across the region, but experts say that since that figure represents reported cases, it might be only the tip of the iceberg.

Grenada, CANA - A national committee has been setup in Grenada to combat drug crime and money laundering, the government said Wednesday.
Legal Affairs Minister Elvin Nimrod is chairman of the body, which also comprises the Director of Public Prosecution, the Commissioner of Police and the executive director of the organization that regulates the offshore sector.
The 12-member committee approved by the Grenada cabinet on Monday is in keeping with the recommendation of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).
The committee will function as a supervisory authority on drug crime and money laundering and can set deadlines for ministries, departments and agencies to take action.

According to the release the committee will identify weaknesses and make recommendations for strengthening legislation to combat drug crime and money laundering.
The appointment of the committee comes as government grapples with a major scandal in the offshore sector triggered by the collapse of the country's largest offshore bank.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has a new Chief Executive Officer. Gregory Shillingford, a former cricket administrator who headed one of Dominica’s largest enterprises, will take up the top job from October 1.

Shillingford,, who has been actively involved in various facets of West Indies cricket since 1980, was the CEO of the Dominica Banana Marketing Corporation for several years. He had responsibility for marketing, production, organisational management, research and development functions of the corporation that is charged with marketing Dominica’s primary foreign exchange earner – bananas.

Shillingford’s career also includes four years as general manager of an agro-chemical company in Trinidad and Tobago and the position of project manager for a leading construction company in Dominica.

A former treasurer of the Dominica Cricket Association, Shillingford served on the board of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control (TTCBC) and held several managerial positions in the North Zone of the TTCBC in the 1980’s. He is also a former captain of the Crompton Cricket Club Intermediate Team in Trinidad, who also played for Trinidad’s Queen’s Park Cricket Club and still plays the game.

An agricultural engineer by profession, the new CEO has been extensively involved in the design, construction and maintenance of cricket pitches for local, regional and international competition. He has trained curators in Trinidad and Grenada in turf management and served as a consultant on the preparation of cricket pitches throughout Dominica and Grenada and at the Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad. His research on this subject has been published in the Journal of Sports Turf Research in the UK.

Shillingford , 52 holds a BSc degree in Agriculture and Agricultural Engineering and has undertaken post-graduate studies at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine. In addition he has attended marketing and production seminars in the United States.

The Trinidadian-born Dominican citizen is married and has five children.

WICB President Pat Rousseau commenting on the appointment said "The Board is very pleased to be able to attract someone of the calibre of Gregory Shillingford who has the blend of an excellent track record in the management of major enterprises as well as experience in cricket administration and development."

" We are also satisfied that we have found someone with the strong leadership and human relations skills that are so important for this position. We wish him a long and successful tenure with the WICB" he added.

You "ting" it easy! You "ting" it simple! If you think international sports and international competition is simple and easy, you are living in a storybook. The games that we play, the recreations that we participate in, the pleasures that we enjoy and the leisure activities that we feast on, are not simple activities planned by honourable men and women intent on reducing our stress levels and prolonging our lives.

No! Whether it is athletics, badminton, basketball, championship boxing, cricket, golf, netball or soccer; whether it is the Grand Slam or the PGA Cup; whether it is at Wimbledon, at Lord’s or at Las Vegas; whether it is the World Cup or the Olympics, the nations involved are actually at war and, to a large extent, the performance and output of the athletes and, by extension, the failures and successes of the competitors are ultimately influenced by the relative economic strength of the competing nations.

In the final tally, the weak is separated from the strong; the developing economies are separated from developed economies, poor nations are separated from rich nations, and metropolitan centres are separated from peripheral states.

The Economist of September 23-29, 2000, drew from a study on the economics of international sports that concluded thus: "…most of the differences between countries in the number of medals won can be explained by differences in their population and GDP. The authors assume that raw talent is evenly distributed around the world, so countries with a bigger population will, by definition, have more potential medal winners. The impact of GDP comes from turning the physical ingredients into gold, presumably through a combination of good nutrition, health care and education, better training facilities, the availability of sponsorship, and the ability to pay to get the athletes to the Olympics."

It is in this context, notwithstanding our poor management of sporting industries, that the efforts of the Caribbean athletes in international sports and, in particular, their performances in the current Sydney Olympic Games must be seen (analysed and criticised).

One must appreciate the Herculean efforts that athletes from the Caribbean and developing countries must make and the obstacles that they must surmount in order for them to transcend lower level to the higher level, and to make it into the big games. This emotional and stressful experience partially explains why we have not done very well in the other competitive sports, particularly soccer. In fact, the painful rebuilding process of West Indies cricket team is a reflection of the tremendous effort that is required to turn potential energies into competitive output in the Caribbean.

That is why we can appreciate why the Caribbean people are uncontrollably excited over even the smallest achievement of our Caribbean sports men and women. And the significance of the achievements of the athletes in Sydney must be seen in the context of the perpetual struggle for excellence – a reflection of the region’s independence.

An achievement at the international level by any athlete irrespective of country of origin is very significant for the region as a whole. First, it amplifies the statement that we have made in the fields of economics, literature and cricket: "we are not second class world citizens." Second, it says to the capitalists who ruin things: "If the ground is level, we can compete with anyone, anywhere at anytime." Third, it reinforces our jealously guarded national pride. Fourth, it confirms our resilience as a people.

In that light, although neither Trinidadian Ato Boldon nor Barbadian Obadele Thompson won the gold, having to be satisfied with the silver and bronze respectively (Maurice Greene cupped the gold in the 100 metres), and even if Kittitian Kim Collins finished seventh in the group of eight, they are still hailed as near-heroes. They produced top performances and reaffirmed the Caribbean's status as a world power in sprinting. And there is much to celebrate.

Trinidad and Tobago's Boldon ran 9.99 seconds and Thompson of Barbados snatched bronze in 10.04 as world champion and record holder Maurice Greene, Boldon's training partner, powered to the men's 100-metre gold in 9.87 seconds at the Olympic Stadium.

Trinidad and Tobago celebrated the success of Ato Boldon, and the government is ready to grant him his wish. Sports Minister Manohar Ramsaran said Boldon, who has reportedly asked for a sports complex in his honour rather than money, would be honoured by having one of the new stadiums built for next year's World Under-17 Football Championships named after him.

Barbados celebrated its first-ever individual medal at the prestigious Olympic games, that is, Obadele Thompson’s bronze medal in the men's 100 meters final. Thompson has been promised a parcel of land in recognition of his brave performance by capturing his country's first-ever individual medal at the prestigious Olympic games on Saturday, September 23, 2000. Sir Charles Williams of the Williams Group of Companies made the promise of the land hours after Thompson took the bronze medal in the men's 100 metres final. Thompson is expected to receive other incentive awards if he wins a medal in the 200 metres as well.

The people of the twin-island federation of St Kitts and Nevis celebrated with sprint star Kim Collins, even if he placed seventh in the finals. As a virtual unknown at the world level, he represented one of the smallest nations in the world and the smallest grouping of countries in international politics. As an underdog, he made his people proud, made the OECS proud, and made a statement for St Kitts and Nevis with her flag displayed for the world to see.

High-quality performances by disadvantaged people against the ruling elites on their own terrain, in events that are planned, organized and regulated by them, always evoke a sense of celebration by the victims of the white international establishment. The dispossessed aborigines of Australia made a memorable statement through their champion athlete, Cathy Freeman, in the 400-metre event. Cathy easily took the gold and, in the process, taught the world that her people are not inferior and can outclass anyone if afforded the opportunities to empower themselves. And by displaying both flags to the viewing world, she accepted the role of reconciliator, acting as the mediator for the brutish white Australians and the native aborigines, who have been mistreated, massacred and displaced since colonization in 1788. Cathy is a symbol of the healing of a nation torn by class and race.

The significance of the international events is no less profound for Caribbean athletes. Moreover, in the historical context of the Olympiads, the efforts of the Caribbean athletes have been commendable. That our sports men and women could ascend to such great heights despite our infrastructural, technological, social, economic and financial constraints is indeed amazing. And it is particularly miraculous for many of our athletes in the high-performance and competitive events like the 100-metre dash.

If there were ever an event that could guarantee the rise and fall of a sporting legend in a mere 10 seconds, it would have to be the 100-metre sprint. Considered the most glamorous event of the Olympics, this race will stop the world in its tracks to crown the world's fastest man and woman.

The legendary Jesse Owens, the much-revered Carl Lewis, Ben Johnson and the flamboyant Florence Griffith-Joyner have all ensured their places in sporting history by winning this event.

As many of our past athletes have done, one day one of our sons and daughters (of the new generation) will strike gold. But we are happy for Boldon, Thompson and Collins, who are the pathfinders.

In some of the Caribbean countries, the potential athletes have never seen a modern athletic track; have never been trained for any length of time by a technically equipped coach or technical team; must make-do with their limited or inadequate gears; cannot afford the requisite food supplements and recommended dietary menus; experience difficulties finding individuals or other athletes to train with; and oftentimes, have braved and endured the discouragement of employers who are not sports-friendly.

Fortunate for some of our more intellectually-inclined and fortunate athletes, fortuitous developments have enabled them to have access to the modern facilities of the metropolitan centres. These have been the more successful ones. Ato Boldon, Obadele Thompson and Kim Collins are prime beneficiaries. From that platform (as many of our female athletes have shown the world), if "the tracks are level," we could compete with the metropolitan centres and even defeat them.

The difference in performances of the athletes from developed world and the developing world reflects the differential in resource endowment.

And given the unequal global allocation, the David and Goliath share of physical resources will get more skewed.

Well-done, young men and women! Thank you for your altruism.

PHOTO CAPTION: Kim Collins, Kittitian star sprinter and number one international sports personality (Photo: Courtesy the Collins Family)

Do you remember "Many Happy Returns 2"? This outstanding open air concert was staged at Gerald's Park back in March 1999, and was enjoyed by all, as local and international musicians came together to thrill the large crowd who turned out for this exciting event.
Many Happy Returns sprang from the vision of a group of musicians who recorded at Sir George Martin's Air Studios here at Waterworks, back in the 1970's. These musicians thought it would be a great idea if they and others could get together to organize a free open-air performance here. This would encourage folks in Montserrat, who had endured so much during the volcanic crisis, at the same time providing much needed positive publicity and promotion for the island.
Out of this vision came the two high-profile Many Happy Returns concerts -- the first in September 1997, followed by the second in 1999, from which this CD is taken. These outstanding performances were the culmination of a tremendous outpouring of voluntary effort on the part of performers, technicians, airlines, musical instrument and equipment companies, and other donors.
Now a most enjoyable CD has been launched, showcasing highlights of the concert. Featured on the CD are several local musicians at their best, starting with Hustler who gets us in the mood with his views on calypso in "Jammin," and Cupid with his version of "One more river to cross" - cleverly adapted to our volcanic situation. Hero, always the entertainer, performs two songs, "No Assistance" and "Music Hot Mama," and this is followed by Muscovada with the still topical "Refugee in me own country."
Making the trip from Ireland especially for this occasion was the Irish band Kissing Stone, who had the audience tapping their feet as they performed in their own special style with terrific energy. On the CD the band performs "The Kesh," "Fanny Power" and "Ed's Hornpipe". This was a new and unusual experience for many locally, although local string band music is said to have some of its roots in music like this. This kind of music seems to have gained great popularity in the UK for parties and special events.
Next on the CD comes an evocative poem, "Montserrat, sweet Montserrat," written and read specially for the occasion by visiting artiste Andea Sugarblack.
Perhaps the climax of the concert was a stunning performance by the London Community Gospel Choir, led by Montserratian the Rev. Bazil Meade. On the CD four of their songs are featured, culminating with the final song, "Amazing Grace." This dynamic choir, many members of which have Caribbean roots, put terrific energy and feeling into their performance, taking the audience by storm, and this is reflected on the CD.
Montserrat's international soca star Arrow, along with his Multinational Force Band, made a strong appearance at the concert, and as always his stage personality captured the audience. The CD features his classic song "Hot, hot, hot," which has been adopted throughout the world in so many versions.
This is a CD with something for everyone and is sure to be enjoyed, as it brings back memories of the concert for those who were there, while giving a vivid glimpse of this very special event for those who were not. All proceeds from the CD go towards the Montserrat Music Fund for the benefit of musicians and music on Montserrat. The CD is available by mail order via the Internet at manyhappyreturns.com and is expected to be available by retail here shortly.

UNESCO did not only say that the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans was the greatest tragedy of modernity, it went much further and declared that it was a crime against humanity.

According to Doudou Diene, its director of Intercultural Projects, the crime has been compounded by the silence that has surrounded it for several centuries. And so we were gathered at the University of Tulane in New Orleans, in the deep slave South, to devise strategies and modalities in order to break the silence globally.

The International Task Force given responsibility by UNESCO to implement this project comprises historians drawn from all sides of the Atlantic where slavery was the basis of social and economic development.

The University of Nice in France, the University of Legon in Ghana, the University of Benin, the University of Sao Paolo in Brazil and the University of the West Indies are represented. In the course of the last week, we visited sugar, rice, cotton and tobacco plantations throughout the Mississippi Delta, where enslaved Africans worked and died in their millions.

We visited slave auction sites where merchants gathered to buy and sell Africans to the highest bidder, as they did cattle; burial grounds on and off the plantations; crossings on the Mississippi, where they drowned in their thousands in their efforts to escape bondage; snake-infested swamps, where they did as maroons and established temporary communities.

We also met families of prominent whites, whose fortunes were made from the labour of slaves; black descendants, who are making the best they can of this legacy; native Americans who embraced and interbred with Africans; and historians of all kinds, who are researching, lecturing and writing about this tragedy.

Everywhere we went in the South the experience was the same as it was in Africa and in Europe. There are cycles of shame and guilt, tragic loss and painful gains, defeat and triumph, death and survival, betrayal and deliverance. Historians, too, are divided to the soul on the evidence being presented in increasing abundance, and debates have been tense and awkward.

In general, we find that female historians, both black and white, seem to feel more deeply the significance of the evidence and are prepared to speak more frankly about its causes and consequences.

A younger generation of white historians is also on the rise and are speaking and writing with a new sense of clarity, intensity and professional honour. Their demand for full disclosure of the evidence has made historians of earlier generations uncomfortable. But the debate is very ongoing and considerable progress in the study of slavery and its impact on the modern world has been made.

But UNESCO has a predicament. All crimes must have criminals; criminals must be named and enclosed in order to prepare a path for forgiveness, reconciliation and progress. Many historians among us are determined to block this path. They believe that disclosure will harm, rather than help, the objective of the project, which is intercultural peace and cooperation. They accepted that the crime was committed, but wish to go no further.

Many governments, however, have willingly invited the scientific research on the International Task Force. The Italian government is funding an examination of the impact of African slavery on the Mediterranean. Britain is hosting a major workshop later this year, so too is the Government of Gabon in southwest Africa. Plans are afoot to hold major workshops on African slavery in India, China and other parts of the India Ocean hinterland. Spain and Portugal, the early pioneers of the slave trade, are still in a state of denial.

The view emerging from these discourses is that the issue of reparations is inevitable, and that when the matter reaches the General Assembly of the United Nations in the next few years, only the question of modalities of settlement will be contentious.

At the heat of the debate is the well-documented argument that the industrial countries of the North Atlantic were able to achieve sustainable development primarily because of their dependence upon the slave trade, slavery and the wider structures of the colonial system. Also, that the underdevelopment of Africa is linked directly to the forced extraction and dislocation of over 50 million of its peoples over a period of 400 years. Its political, economic and social structures are yet to recover from the horror of this holocaust.

The compelling moral and political case for reparations rests also upon the realisation that the balance sheet of modernity will continue to show a large deficit until this liability is accepted and dealt with. Reparations, of course, will not solve many of the problems of the global African community, but they will represent a start in a new moral direction.

The crime of the transatlantic slave trade has left a bleeding wound upon the global body politic that must be healed as a step towards sustainable, equitable human progress in this already very turbulent new century.

Jus wonderin, which of the ladies have to take back her chat.

Jus wonderin if it is a bad sign for the two ladies ending up with baby boys.

Jus wonderin why some young men ruin their character just to drive a car and a nice stereo

Jus wonderin why Montserratians (in Montserrat) always late for work and early for home.

Jus wonderin if another old retired would run the radio station.

Jus wonderin if the acting manager would adopt the pre-retired old ways

Jus wonderin if the Q.C made the others feel nervous and guilty.

Jus wonderin who is conducting their own business at the district clinics.

Jus wonderin if the foreigners are doing more so they get extra pay.

Jus wonderin all who caught up begging the right to national honours..

Jus wonderin if the farmer in the corner is waiting to declare his hands for the next election.

Jus wonderin if Planning will now function the way Port Plymouth did.

Jus wonderin if the great radio out house panelist will volunteer to begin to put back every stone in Plymouth as he proposed that Saturday.

Jus wonderin if the firing squad of the Big Man is ready to fire off at high office.

Jus wonderin if bush tea and exercise and one injection now and again would not cure cancer.

Jus wonderin if youth affairs are not much better suited to his office than hers.

Jus wonderin if I shout up the new honourable I will get some honourable fish soup for my X.

Jus wonderin why the editor gets cold feet on certain items that are indeed harmless.

Jus wonderin why Jim Allen’s rich source of cricket knowledge is not tapped.

Jus wonderin if dem pretty pretty cabbage dong de road gat in chemicals that could kill me dead.

Jus wonderin why the youth in a certain big car does hide when the big car pass up the road.

Jus wonderin if we should not say congratulations to the Big Man for doing it two in a row for the great man from rarrisses.

Jus wonderin if we should not begin to believe that the passport matter would go just like that.

Jus wonderin if buneeta and jacks only go in a the net dem once in a one blue moon.

Jus wonderin if C.M would punch below the belt like HE.

Jus wonderin which bayside store worker calling people thief like pot calling kettle black.

Jus wonderin who and which nationality need to know that Montserratians sometimes take a bath twice a day.

Jus wonderin if the new foreigner don't understand that you have to work for DFID to live like them and that is the more they will knock-about.

Jus wonderin if they think now they get their passport that will make them more suited than before.

Jus wonderin if the information office is past retirement age.

Jus wonderin if Monlec is only being charged 50% of the actual diesel cost, what will the proposal before the CM do

Jus wonderin if all the CM's are really smarter than HEs.

Jus wonderin all who bathe twice a day.

Jus wonderin if history will prove he to be the least capable of the lot.

It is notified for general information that Land Certificates in respect of the following persons have been reported lost.

NAME REFERENCE DATE ISSUED

John Alfred Osborne St. Peters - 13/19/11 30^th July, 1981

Unless any objection is received within fourteen (14) days of the date of publication of this notice, replacement certificates would be issued.

SUIT NO D13/2000

BETWEEN: PATRICK ADOLPHUS LEE Petitioner

AND: CHERON DELORES LEE nee’ MEADE Respondent

NOTICE

TO: CHERON DELORES LEE nee MEADE, formerly of Montserrat who was last known to reside at an unknown address in the United States of America.

TAKE NOTICE that a petition for divorce dated July 18^th 2000 has been filed against you in the High Court of Justice in the island of Montserrat by PATRICK ADOLPHUS LEE of 0394 Bergevin, La Salle, A8R 3MF Montreal, Canada

You are required within twenty eight days after the date of this advertisement to cause an appearance to be entered for you in the action in the said court and in default of your so doing the petitioner may proceed therein and judgement may be given in your absence.

You may enter an appearance in person or by a Solicitor by handing in the appropriate forms, duly completed at the Registry of the High Court of Justice, Brades Montserrat and serving a copy on the Solicitor for the petitioner.

If you enter an appearance then unless a Summons for Judgement is served on you in the meantime you must also serve an. Answer on the Solicitor for the Petitioner within 14 days after the last day of the time for entering an appearance, otherwise judgement may be entered against you without notice.

Dated the 29^th day of September 2000