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Radio Montserrat (ZJB) Marks Its Half Century

Radio Montserrat (ZJB) at the Groves Botanical Gardens in Plymouth -circa 1977

Radio Montserrat (ZJB) will be celebrating their "golden anniversary" with a week of activities starting on Sunday, September 22, with a thanksgiving service at the Salem Roman Catholic Church.
The anniversary will be celebrated under the theme, "Celebrating 50 years of Community Service."
“This is a great moment for not only ZJB but the entire Montserrat community,” said ZJB’s Acting Manager Herman Sargeant. “It is a significant achievement at this time. ZJB has been there through thick and thin, especially during Hurricane Hugo and the volcanic crisis. We continue to play a critical role in the development of this country and we will continue to strive to serve the community as best as we can.”
On Monday, Salas Hamilton will air the program "10 minutes of History."
Also starting on Monday, the programme "Back in Time" will have radio station pioneers putting on different shows each night from Monday to Friday at 8:00 p.m. The only time variance will be a show by exception of Bennette Roach, which will begin at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday.
The shows
Monday – Vernon Buffonge; Tuesday –DRV (Frank) Edwards; Wednesday – Mr. Roach with his music request show, followed by C.T. John’s radio play at 8:00 p.m., Oscar Wilde’s "Lady Windermere’s Fan"; Thursday – Ms. Dora Browne’s classical show and on Friday with Ms. Christine Carty-Nibbs’ show "Looking back with thanks, looking forward with faith."
Ms. Carty-Nibbs, a Montserratian now living in Antigua, was arguably one of ZJB’s top announcers.
The week of activities will also include radio quizzes on the history of the station, an anniversary linkup with past employees and a link up with other radio stations for brief periods of joint programming.
There will also be an appreciation day; a youth day, which involves the airing of, programmes focusing on youth for the entire day’s programming, and an awards ceremony on Saturday, September 28, at the Vue Pointe Hotel, starting at 7:30 p.m., to honour pioneers of broadcasting in Montserrat from the early days to the present.
Frank Delisle, a pioneer who also started LIAT airline services to Montserrat, established ZJB in 1952 at Olveston House.
One of the first radio stations in the Leeward Islands, ZJB began with the voluntary contributions of Bennette Roach, Frank Edwards, C.T. John, Cedric Osborne and Howell Bramble, among others. Major Vincent Brown was ZJB’s first chairman and John Ryan was the first manager.
The Government of Montserrat took control of the radio station in 1957.

Chief Minister’s Honda Scratched By Second Car Plunging into Ghaut

Hyundai at the bottom of Soldier Ghuat

A Guyanese man was lucky to be alive after his car went over the bridge at Soldier Ghaut – but not before scratching the Chief Minister’s Honda, which was being driven by his wife while he’s in Bonaire on Government business.
Police report that just before 4:00 p.m., Gordon Peters’ old red Hyundai car flew over the bridge’s embankment and plunged into the ghaut on its belly. Police said Mr. Peters, who was driving from the north, was in his car when it went over the ghaut. He received minor bruises. Police said the accident was caused by brake failure.
Investigations continue. 

MCCI Engages Consultant To Woo UK, European Input

The Montserrat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) have moved to establish a presence in the United Kingdom and the wider European community in appointing Mr. Rudi Page (pictured left) of Statecraft Consulting Ltd. to be its extension arm.
Mr. Page is a Cultural Knowledge management consultant who has specialized in the initiation and strategic direction of programmes, projects and events that influence the way individuals and organisations access, communicate and engage with and respond to education, health and cultural learning business and economic situations.
In conjunction with MCCI, Mr. Page will set up and direct “The Montserrat First Inward Investment Programme.” This programme is designed to attract inward investment into Montserrat by a targeted campaign in key sectors and markets.
This programme will initially target key Market Areas such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Gibraltar and the European Union.
He is a member of the London Chamber of Commerce and a Director of the NorthWest London Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Page’s recruitment and appointment has the agreement and support of the Government of Montserrat. This is in the context of the mandate handed to the MCCI that it should equip itself to be the engine of the economy. 

EDITORIAL

"Why Should an Economy-stricken Island Join Those Eager to Bring an End to Aid?"

On September 2, 1997, in a joint statement issued by David Brandt, when he was Chief Minister of Montserrat, and George Foulkes, Paliamentary Secretary of State, Department for International Development (DFID), they introduced a document known as the "Sustainable Development Plan" (SDP) of which all parties should now be ashamed.

Maybe the shame could be argued away by saying that all it was is what it said, "Sustainable”, since that may have been achieved. At least we are still resident here on Montserrat, and the island at the time of signing was being rapidly depopulated. The decline reached bottom and then climbed as CARICOM nationals began dribbling in until they now match the nationals remaining, while the latter, by the way, continued to dribble out.

At the end of the end of the executive summary of the document, however, it stated: “HMG is committed towards the economic development of Montserrat and the development of the island’s human resources. Substantial amounts of resources will be required to accomplish the objectives and activities outlined in the SDP. HMG has therefore allocated £75 million (1998/99-200/1) to assist with the financing of development activities on Montserrat.”

It stated also that the European Union (ECU16 million) and other donor agencies and financial institutions, through their regional programmes, “are expected to contribute to the realization of the goals set out in the SDP.”

The SDP and ensuing Country Policy Plans and other documents are all public documents and are available for anyone interested in understanding what needs to be done to avoid the extinction of Montserratians from their land.

In January this year, 2002, the SDP progress was to be reviewed and a new five-year SDP prepared. Government business plans were to be reviewed in August, and the CPP was to be reviewed in October, with a capital recurrent budget produced in November/December.

We have heard of the new SDP, perhaps more adequately referred to as the ‘Medium term Development Plan’ but to date have not seen or heard of its progress, just as we have heard nothing further on any of the other things. Only quite recently we know that the OTD head and DFID officials have visited and budgetary discussions have taken place. The question is how the private sector, the other sector, key to any progress, was involved in these budgetary talks. Not their business! Therein lie our continuing problems.

We need not dwell on the state of affairs; only the very, very few blinded by being crafty enough to have gotten in on the "deals" want nothing to change.

We should seriously review this proud feeling with which we have conned ourselves or, maybe more truthfully, allowed ourselves to be conned into; that is to see how quickly we can get out of "Grant-in-Aid." When we started speaking in these terms, it was reasonable for anyone to think that the SDP was a success, with a strategy that aimed to “set the economy on a path to social and economic recovery.” 

Please note that this was supposed to be that “dependence on aid (including budgetary aid) can be gradually replaced by an investment driven, private sector led economy.”

Note also that this economic strategy “initially required public sector investment," which was to be provided with the SDP.

There is no doubt that this has failed miserably. At the signing of the SDP Mr. Foulkes, in responding to the Montserrat Reporter’s question whether the £75 million would be enough to do what was envisaged, shook his finger at this editor and said, let’s see if we can spend it. Well spend it they did, or was it we who did?

Where is this government in giving us the answer? Where is the explanation and why don’t we realize that it is not a disgraceful thing, especially given our circumstance, to be in "grant-in-aid." We don’t have far to look. If we examine what it really is we will find that many of our neighbours all thrive on "grant-in-aid." Grants are nothing more than that and no one can get enough or too much of it.

What we need to do is gravitate more to that White Paper, obviously not well understood or taken seriously by us, reminding HMG about it at every opportunity, telling them that we cannot talk modernization and at the same time maintain half a century old financial rules and regulations when it comes to giving us aid. The consequence of that will be very much like the disease AIDS. 

SCRIPTURE VERSE THIS WEEK

A Parents Love

Read Psalm 103

The Lord says,"As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you."

Isaiah 66:13

I look at my 2-year-old daughter, who is fast asleep.  Her curly hair is tousled; her tiny hands are dimpled. I doze off and waken to the sound of her crying.  She soon takes comfort in my presence, and silence returns to the room.

Romans 1:20 says that we see God's nature by looking at the visible details of our lives.  Being a parent has enriched my understanding of God's parental love.

I used to think that I should be strong and fearless so that God would love me. Do I ask my daughter to be fearless?  Of course not.  She is fearful and weak, and I love her and treasure the fact that she needs me and reaches for me.  God does not require us to be strong and self-sufficient.  Our heavenly Father wants us to acknowledge our need and to take comfort in his presence with us.

Prayer: Dear God, let us take comfort in your strength. Knowing that your power is made perfect in our weakness.  With Jesus we pray, "Our Father which art in heaven.  Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come.Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen

Thought for the day

God loves us as we are and delights in helping us.

Angela Villajuan (Wisconsin)

Prayer Focus: CHILDREN WITHOUT LOVING PARENTS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

AUC Alumnus Yearns To Return with Family

Dear Editor:

I had the opportunity to live on Montserrat during my medical school training at AUC from Sept. 1981 through June 1983.  I consider my brief stay on Montserrat as one of the highlights of my life.  I am now an Infectious Diseases physician in South Carolina with a wife and three children.  I tell my children of the beautiful people and land of Montserrat and hope that one day soon I will be able to bring them back to your wonderful country.  I have followed with great interest and concern Montserrat's recovery from the devastating volcanic eruption that caused so many to flee their beloved country. 

I wonder where my Montserratian friends are now and how many remain on the island.  I had the honor of coaching the first women's softball team on the island and I wonder where my teammates are now (Mon, Blondina, Anne Granger, Dineen, Mary, et al).  Would you be able to publish this letter, with my e-mail address, so that I may be able to re-establish contact with them?  Thank you so much.

Four Reasons to Ask, Why a Geralds Airport

Dear Editor:

Wasn't the Government looking into extending the airport runway into Spanish Pointe before the volcano started up? Why in the world would they want to build one at Geralds where:

1. In the future they can't extend it.

2. It is right next to the present hospital where not only do the patients need peace and quiet to recover, but God forbid a plane should crash into it. 

3. Very near a very nice hotel. and

4. If the length can't even accommodate the emergency stop of a Twin Otter, then I guess the Dash 8 will never be able to land on it.

Are the Montserrat Government being pushed by the British Government into building an Airport at Geralds? Why would they waste all that money on something that will be unusable in the future? Please let the Government re-think this decision for the sake of our beautiful island and the future of it that they hold in their hands.

Voice from Boston Joins In Praise of Basil Chambers

Dear Editor,

Please allow me to join with Claude Gerald regarding Basil's impact as the morning man of radio.  I can say that for the time that I was able to receive the online streaming broadcast (I live in Boston), his joviality and exquisite sense of humor have always started my day on a positive high. I have often heard him being referred to as being blessed with the gift of gab.

Going back to his days at Radio Antilles, we all recognised that something almost miraculous happened when he turned the microphone on and uttered the first word of his daily show. I was actually present at one such morning program, and at one minute before his show time, the telephones started ringing incessantly. Even now not being able to receive the online stream anymore, I'm almost sure that his popularity can only be growing by leaps and bounds.

I am pleased to know that Montserratians have taken Basil in and treated him as one their own. My plea is for all Montserratians, from the princely to the pauper, to recognise the talents of this man, and remember that the Bible informs us, "the labourer is worthy of his hire."
Keep up the great work you're doing, Basil! "Don't let anyone pull you down, break you down or take you down!" (Forgive me if I've misquoted your mantra).

FEEDBACK

Comments:

Hallo Montserrat Reporter,
Your site has been very interesting as we look forward to our visit. It is a shame that the guestbook and forum are closed as we would have enjoyed meeting people on the net before we actually arrive toward the end of September.
But in any case your site - along with the others we managed to find, such as visitmontserrat, just make us even more keen to get to your island.

Best Regards
Mike & Ros

Comments:

I WAS VERY PLEASED READING YOUR DOCUMENTARY.
VERY INFORMATIVE AND STRAIGHT TO THE POINT.
KEEP  UP THE GOOD WORK.

charmstraker@yahoo.com 

LOCAL and REGIONAL NEWS

City & Guilds examination results

Nine students, three females and six males in the Prevocational programme, wrote Numeracy stage two examinations and six of them were successful, according to a press release from the Montserrat Secondary School.

Of the six students who were successful, three of them, Trisha Malone, Olston Barzey and Lawrence Ryan, obtained credits. 

Senior citizens move into better homes

At least 15 senior citizens have already moved into sheltered housing units at Lookout.
Authorities from the Ministry of Community Services said the moving process is expected to go on for at least another week.

The persons were moved from Geralds Park, shelters, residential homes and the hospital to the housing units, which are fully furbished, with some especially designed for the handicap. 

MOPA commemorates September tragic events

The London-based Montserrat Overseas Progressive People’s Alliance (MOPA) held a thanksgiving service on Sunday, September 15, to commemorate several tragic events that occurred in Montserrat in September.

Among the tragic events commemorated are Hurricane Hugo in 1989, a devastating flood in 1981 and the terrifying volcanic explosion in 1996.

MOPA was formed more than 20 years ago to serve overseas Montserratians, especially those living in the United Kingdom.

UK conference on Montserrat and migration

A conference was held recently in Leicester, UK, on Montserrat and migration.

Among the speakers at the conference were former Montserrat Volcano Observatory Director, Dr. Jill Morton and former Minister of Education, Health and Community Services, Ms. Lazelle Howes.

Among the topics were "Migration", "Montserrat and Transnational Identity" and "Montserrat and Multiculturalism."

The panel was held under the theme "The Science Behind Migration and Multiculturalism." 

St. Kitts-Nevis nationals pay one-day visit to Montserrat

Over 100 persons from St. Kitts-Nevis paid a one-day visit to Montserrat organised by West Agency in Nevis, which facilitates tours to neighbouring Caribbean islands.

The trip was made on Monday, September 16, National Heroes Day, which is a public holiday in St. Kitts.

The contingent came aboard the local ferry St. Kitts/Nevis MVC Hustler. 

Trio Charged with Rape Discharged by Magistrate

Three men, who were charged for allegedly having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old minor of the Montserrat Secondary School, were discharged in the Magistrate’s court earlier this week.
Senior Magistrate Clifton Warner presided over the case.
The court ruled that the decision was taken because the girl was not present for several hearings.
The men, who were arrested and charged in June, are between the ages of 20 and 23 from the communities of Davy Hill, Sweeneys and Lookout. The girl is from St. Peter’s.
Police reported that the girl came home late from school and was questioned by her mother about her whereabouts.
She eventually told her mother about where she had been and with whom. An argument ensued, during which she allegedly told her mother that she had a sexual relationship with three different men.
Her mother reported the matter that same day to the police.

New OECS Ease of Travel Raises Government Concerns

Authorities in Montserrat and other countries of the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) have expressed concerns about the easier access of criminals in their country under a particular condition of entry in the OECS Travel Facilitation move towards easier travel in the region.

This was stated by Burns Bonadie, consultant to the OECS Economic Union project, at a press conference held Wednesday at Government Headquarters in Montserrat to consult with local officials their progress and views on the Travel Facilitation. 
Mr. Bonadie said that Heads of Government have raised question about a condition of entry in the Travel Facilitation move whereby an OECS citizen, using a valid identification card (without a passport) at the port of entry, will be granted a six-month stay.
The ID cards that may be used are driver’s license, voter’s registration card, social security card and national ID card.

The Governments are questioning whether every person entering the any OECS country should be granted the six months.

Mr. Bonadie said, however, that the OECS heads are working on the points raised.

"Hopefully in our public relations we can let people know that you can’t just go into a country and just get a job," he said. "What we have discovered in a number of cases in the region, people come in and then look for the work permit while the law says that you should first secure the work permit before entry into the country, so we have to deal with that and explain to people what is really required of them.”

The OECS Travel Facilitation means that a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda; Dominica; Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique; St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines can use a valid passport or a valid identification card to travel to OECS Member States.

Montserrat is in the process of enacting the relevant legislation and will soon be part of the OECS Travel Facilitation initiative.

In the case of St. Lucia, reciprocity applies; therefore only nationals of participating OECS Member States may enter St. Lucia under this special arrangement.
The OECS Economic Union project is the broader economic integration project, of which the travel facilitation is one part.  

CM Osborne Heads Delegation To OCT/EU meeting in Bonaire

CM and Minister of Finance John Osborne; Director of Development, Angela Greenaway; Financial Secretary, John Skerritt

A Montserrat delegation headed by Chief Minister John Osborne is attending the annual Overseas Countries and Territories European Union (OCT/EU) Forum in Bonaire.
Financial Secretary John Skerritt, Director of the Development Unit Mrs. Angela Greenaway and Head of Montserrat’s Government Office in the United Kingdom (UK), Mrs. Janice Panton, accompany Mr. Osborne.
The meeting is being held under the OCT/EU Development Corporation Decision to bring together officials from the OCTs and the European Commission to discuss issues affecting their relations.
Discussions will focus on arrangements under the 9^th European Development Fund for the OCTs for the period 2001-2007.
Mr. Osborne is expected to obtain clarification of the new arrangement in order to make strategic plans to effectively utilize assistance under the program.
From Bonaire Mr. Osborne and the financial secretary will travel to London for two meetings.

Government Shows Appreciation To 16 or Retired Health Workers

An appreciation and retirement ceremony was hosted by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday evening at Good Life in honour of 16 retired health staff members.
Tributes were read on each of the 16 retirees, who also received certificates of appreciation and gifts.

Minister Idabelle Meade delivering a certificate

The retirees honored are: Julet White, who served for 45 years (1957-2002); Mary Irish – 41 yrs. (1961-2002); Jane White – 39 yrs. (1963-2002); Samuel Farrell – 30 yrs. (1972-2002); Olive Perkins – 29 yrs. (1973-2002); Elizabeth Semper – 28 yrs. (1974-2002); Hazel Locker-Tuitt – 23 yrs. (1978-2001); Bill Farrell – 22 yrs. (1980-2002); Ruth Chambers-Smith – 19 yrs. (1983-2002); Christiana Ryan – 18 yrs. (1984-2002); Eleanor Silcott – 16 yrs. (1986-2002); Eliza King – 11 yrs. (1990-2001); Reginald Ryan – 11 yrs. (1991-2002); Elvina Daley – nine yrs. (1993-2002); George Hixon – six yrs. (1996-2002) and Harry O’Garro – four yrs. (1998-2002).
Mrs. Idabelle Meade, minister of Health, Education and Community Services,
lauded the retirees. “Whatever capacity you served you served well, with heart in it and an example for others to emulate,” she said. “I hope sometime in the future it would be possible to give health workers and teachers a tax-free salary, that is how important we view your contribution.”
“Yes, it might have been hard for you at times, but I personally enjoyed the meals and clean surroundings whenever I had a stay in the maternity ward,” added the minister.
Chairperson of the ceremony, Ms. Marsha Meade, encouraged the retirees to continue to serve the community even though they have retired.
She said: “Retirees, we have no idea what it was like when you started this journey. What we do know is that your contributions over the years have taken us to where we are today.
“As you look towards your retirement, there is one key point that must be understood – remember that you are retiring from the service, and not from the community. So I ask you not to be mere onlookers, but to still be active participants in Montserrat’s development.”
Pastor Abraham Riley delivered the prayer; Mrs. Ruth Smith made a brief response on behalf of the retirees and Mrs. Beverley Mendes, secondary care manager at the St. John’s Hospital, gave the Vote of Thanks. 

Joseph and Alice Skerritt; died within hours of one another

By Gloria Negri
Boston Globe

BOSTON, U.S.A – During their 43 years of marriage, Joseph A. and Alice E. (Pond) Skerritt survived the death of a toddler daughter, the loss of their home on the Caribbean island of Montserrat after a volcanic eruption, and the recent deaths of a daughter-in-law and grandchild.
But they had been able to face the tragedies in their lives, as well as sharing their joys, because of their closeness, their daughter, Geralyn Fagan of Dorchester, said yesterday.
On Sunday, that closeness followed them in death.
Within three hours of each other, first Alice, terminally ill, died at their Dorchester home. Then Joseph, suffering painful neuropathy in his feet and living in the Goddard House in Jamaica Plain, died, unaware his wife had predeceased him.
''It's sort of like a love story, both not knowing of the other's death,'' Fagan said. ''Their spirits just met. Although this is a very sad time, my brothers and I feel they are happy together and are kindred spirits.
''They were loving parents, family-oriented and very religious. When they made their [wedding] vows, they became not just one in words but in spirit.
''After mother died on Sunday, we were going to Goddard House to tell our father, but just before we did, at 6 a.m., Goddard House called to tell us he had died. It is beyond explanation.''
Alice Skerritt was 66; Joseph Skerritt was 65.
The Skerritts had never expected to live out their lives in Boston, though their children were here, and planned to return to Montserrat, the island where they were both born.
They had visited the United States before and came here in 1995 to attend Fagan's graduation from a master's program in education and management from Cambridge College.
In Montserrat, the Skerritts were a prominent family. He was well known as an electrical engineer and celebrated in a calypso song by The Mighty Fisher about people at the top of their profession. ''Joe Skerritt was the boss of electricity,'' the song went.
She was a well-loved teacher. On one of their trips to the United States in the late 1980s, Alice Skerritt graduated from an early childhood education program in Oswego, N.Y.Joseph Skerritt was born in Happy Hill, Salem, Montserrat, attended local schools, and graduated from English Electric in London with a degree in electrical engineering.
Back in Montserrat, he became supervisor of the island's first electrical plant and was instrumental in the first lighting system for Montserrat's airport approach guidance system. He was also involved in the design of the fireworks display for the visit of Queen Elizabeth in the 1960s, and attended conferences in Geneva relating to satellite and fiber optics issues for the Caribbean.
In Montserrat, he was active in St. Augustine Church and his tenor voice was treasured as a member of its choir, just as it was here when he sang with the choir of St. Matthew's Church in Dorchester.
Mrs. Skerritt was born in St. Patrick's Parish on Montserrat. She taught at Infant Jesus School, Corkhill Nursery School, and Kinsale Nursery School, where she retired as principal in 1992.
After the volcano destroyed their home, the Skerritts stayed in Dorchester with their children.
Last April, the couple endured another blow. Myrna Skerritt, wife of their son Dalton, and their granddaughter, Jaelle, were killed in a car accident on Cummins Highway in Mattapan.
''Their deaths hurt our parents very much,'' Fagan said.
Besides their daughter, Geralyn, the Skerritts leave two sons, Eugene of Montserrat, and Dalton of Hyde Park; and six grandchildren.
Mr. Skerritt leaves five sisters and two brothers. Mrs. Skerritt leaves five sisters.
The couple's daughter, Theresa, died at 2 of pneumonia.
A funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Matthew's Church in Dorchester. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Hyde Park.

Montserrat Formally Asks Gibraltar To Help Promote Financial Services

A formal request has been submitted to the Gibraltar government to assist Montserrat in setting up its promotional office for financial services.
Kenny Cassell, President of the Montserrat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), said Montserrat has asked for “a well-rounded, well-experienced individual to be with us for a minimum of six months to help us do this”.
Mr. Cassell said the person from Gibraltar would develop the plan and strategy for financial services promotion and also train a suitable counterpart from Montserrat to take over the running of that aspect of the service here after he/she leaves.
In addition, the Montserrat government has asked Gibraltar to help identify at least two service providers in financial services.
This, the MCCI president said, could be the fastest way to have financial services established in Montserrat on a “sound footing and would help to broaden the scope of the services Montserrat now offers through a couple of its lawyers.”
He could not say how long the process will take but said “we hope for a favourable response to these requests.”
“The Chamber of Commerce, although it accepted the mandate of the government to deal with the promotion of offshore businesses, we don’t have the personnel nor the expertise to do the job,” said Mr. Cassell in explaining the reason for requesting the assistance.

He continued: “So that’s why we need somebody with know how to come from Gibraltar, to train a local person among other things in order to improve that particular job.”
Mr. Cassell and four other local officials visited Gibraltar from July 7 to 11 under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding to Montserrat signed last March, which followed upon discussions between former Montserrat Chief Minister David Brandt and Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Peter Caruana.
The delegation said they were impressed by Gibraltar’s financial services, which Mr. Cassell described as “well organised, equipped with well-trained and experienced human resources and possession of up-to-date technology to facilitate the process of monitoring, regulating and promoting the industry”.
 Bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference centre.

Examination Council Lists Top CXC Awards

Hrishikesh Suhas Joshi of Charlestown Secondary School, St. Kitts and Nevis, is the most outstanding student in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) May/June 2002 examinations.
Sir Keith Hunte, chairman of the Caribbean Examination council (CXC), made the announcement this week at CXC' s headquarters in Barbados.
Mr. Hrishikesh achieved Grade I at the General Proficiency in 11 subjects – Biology, Caribbean History, Chemistry, English A, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Spanish and Typewriting, and Grade I at Technical Proficiency in Information technology.
One hundred and seven students satisfied the criteria for the awards for overall outstanding performance and had at least eight Grade Is. Of these, students came from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Barbadian student, Melissa Taylor from the Lester Vaughan School submitted the best three-dimensional work (Decorative Craft) in Visual Arts. She produced a chest piece to be worn in a Carnival band with the theme "Colour Splendour."
From St. Johns College, Belize, Rishi Cummins obtained the award in the Humanities. He achieved Grade I at the General Proficiency in the Caribbean History, English A, English B, Geography, Mathematics, Social Studies and Spanish and Grade II in Biology and Visual Art.
Three top awards went to the candidates from Trinidad and Tobago. The award for Business Education went to Jadgesh Ramjit from the Barackpore Senior Comprehensive School. He achieved Grade I in Information Technology, (Technical Proficiency) and Grade I at General Proficiency in Office Procedures, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, English A, and Integrated Science. He achieved Grade II in Typewriting and mathematics.
The award for Technical and Vocational subjects went to Kristy-Jo Sebro of Bishop's High School (Tobago). He achieved Grade I at General Proficiency in Electrical Technology, Information Technology, Technical Drawing. Biology Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics and Grade II in English A.
Eden Bissoon of Gasparillo Composite School obtained the award for the best 2-dimensional piece submitted for Visual Arts. He used silk screen printing to design and produce on fabric, a pattern entitled "Peacock Feathers".
Candidates from Guyana obtained the awards for Science and the best short story. Kilieri Williams of Queen's College received the science award. She achieved Grade I at General Proficiency in Agriculture Science (Double Award), Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English A, English B, French, Geography, and Mathematics.

Tropical Storm Isidore gathers hurricane strength as it moves through the northern Caribbean

MIAMI, CMC – Northern Caribbean islands were bracing for more adverse weather late Thursday, as Tropical Storm Isidore gathered strength as it moved away from Jamaica and headed towards Cuba, becoming the second hurricane of the 2002 Atlantic season.
AT 5PM EDT, the center of Hurricane Isidore was located near latitude 20.6 north, longitude 82.0 west or about  95 miles (150 KM)  southeast of the isle of youth. Forecasters say Isidore was moving toward the west north west near 8 MPH(13 KM/HR) and this motion was expected to continue for the next 24 hours.
“On this track, Isidore will pass over or  very near to the Isle of  Youth early Friday,” forecasters at the National Hurricane Centre here said.
Maximum sustained winds are near 75 MPH (110 KM/HR) with higher gusts.
Additional strengthening was expected before the center reaches the coast of Cuba, with hurricane force winds extending outward up to 15 miles (30KM).
An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft visited the center of Isidore on Thursday afternoon and reported the system had reached hurricane strength.
Hurricane warnings are in effect for western Cuba from the provinces of Matanzas, Ciudad de la Habana, La Habana and Pinar del rio, including the isle of youth.
The neighbouring Cayman Islands have also issued a tropical storm warning, with schools and government offices across the three islands of Cayman Islands, Little Brac and Grand Cayman closed on Thursday.
Heavy rains also continue to pelt several sections of Jamaica although Tropical Storm Isidore has moved away from the island.
Forecasters say a tropical storm watch has also been issued for the lower Florida Keys.

Scores of residents evacuated in Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - Scores of residents in parts of central and western Jamaica have been forced to evacuate their homes as a result of the impact of Tropical Storm Isidore, which has since reached hurricane strength.
The system dumped heavy rains and winds on the island on Wednesday and Thursday as it moved across the Northern Caribbean.
Disaster officials say from a preliminary assessment of damage, the central parishes of St. Catherine and Clarendon were hardest hit, with several communities flooded out.
Opposition Jamaica Labour Party spokesman Olivia 'Babsy" Grange lays blame squarely at the feet of the government, saying that the state agency with responsibility for cleaning drains has failed to do so resulting in gullies being blocked with debris and this has led to the flooding situation.
Other areas affected by flooding included Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland – areas that were also hard hit by flood rains earlier this year.
No deaths or injuries reported but disaster officials said they continue to receive reports of landslides as well as fallen trees and a cut in electricity supply in several areas.
The rains forced the closure of several schools and businesses on Wednesday but on Thursday while the business places re-opened most schools, especially those in the corporate area were closed soon after they opened, as the rains continued.
The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) said emergency shelters have been opened in sections of the corporate area as well as in the western parish of Westmoreland.

BWU stages picket of Pepsi Cola plant

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The powerful Barbados Workers Union on Thursday launched industrial action against a soft drink company here over non-recognition of the union and the sacking of four employees.
As a small group of about 20, including unionised employees and BWU officials, picketed the Pepsi Cola (Barbados) compound, just outside the capital, Union boss LeRoy Trotman warned that the action against the company could intensify.
He also called for the immediate reinstatement of the workers as well as for the company to “unconditionally” recognise the union as the workers bargaining agent.
However, up to mid afternoon management was yet to respond to the union’s demands.
Senator Trotman said the company has refused to recognise the BWU as the official bargaining agent of the workers even though about 18 of its 29 employees were unionised.
The union also charges that four posts, from which workers were earlier dismissed because of increased mechanisation at the Pepsi plant, were subsequently filled.
The BWU also responded to threats by the company to the leave the country over its dispute with the union, accusing the company of “anti-worker, anti-union” sentiment and of disrespecting Barbadians.
On Thursday, port workers slowed down the handling of Pepsi Cola consignments in a show of solidarity with workers at the soft drink company.

UN Secretary General welcomes Belize-Guatemala Treaty Agreement

BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC - The United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has welcomed the announcement that Belize and Guatemala have reached an agreement ending their longstanding territorial controversy.
A statement issued by Annan’s spokesperson at UN Headquarters in New York expressed the Secretary-General’s “firm belief” that bringing this matter to closure was a key step in creating conditions for stability and sustainable development, and encouraged the people of both countries to endorse the settlement agreement.
Calling the development “historic”, the spokesman noted that under the agreement’s terms, referenda were to be held in coming weeks in both countries, leading to a treaty concluding a controversy, which has delayed regional integration.
In addition to their shared history on the Central American isthmus, Belize and Guatemala are both multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual societies striving to provide their citizens with just and equitable living conditions.
"This groundbreaking accord sets an example for the region, and offers hope that other such disputes can also be resolved promptly and peaceably,” the statement said.
The Secretary-General also congratulated both governments foe their leadership and vision and commended their designated Facilitators and Organisation of American States, under whose auspices the process was conducted.

Opposition stages boycott, as Guyana parliament considers anti-crime measures

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The main opposition People’s National Congress/Reform on Thursday staged a boycott of Parliament as government introduced four new pieces of legislation to deal with rising crime.
Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Doodnauth Singh, who tabled the Evidence Amendment Bill before the House, later defended the timing of the introduction of the bills.
He told reporters that, "no aspect of the bill is intended to (focus) on any legal issue standing now”.
He explained that the four pieces of legislation tabled in Parliament would help update local statutes to reflect ongoing advances in the technological field.
They are the Criminal Law (Offences) (Amendment) Bill; the Prevention of Crimes (Amendment) Bill; the Racial Hostility (Amendment) Bill; and the Evidence (Amendment) Bill.
The Criminal Law (Offences) Bill seeks to make it an offence to commit a terrorist act in Guyana in light of current crime wave gripping the country.
The Prevention of Crime Bill targets deportees and if it becomes law will enable police officers to effectively monitor their activities here.  It will also allow the Court to receive as evidence a deportee's foreign criminal record.
The Racial Hostility Bill increases the penalties for breaching the Act and expands the definition of record to include any film, negative, tape or other device to be in Court.
In an Elections Petition brought by the main opposition People’s National Congress/Reform, a key piece of evidence on the controversial 1997 general and regional elections here was inadmissible because it was faxed to officials here.
The proposed changes to the Evidence Bill would allow computer-generated documents and other documents to become admissible before the court.
But the PNC/R, which boycotted Thursday's adjourned 29th Sitting of the House, has condemned the measures.
PNC parliamentarians, who boycotted Thursday’s sitting of the House, said the bills would not solve the country's spiralling crime problem, but were framed "to arm the regime with the draconian powers of a dictatorship”.
In a statement, the PNC/R called on the Legal Affairs Minister to disclose whether provisions in the bills relating to deportees and terrorism obtain and/or are enforced in any other Caribbean country.
The party also questions whether the terrorism provisions were transplanted wholesale from the United States situation that applies for foreigners deemed to be terrorists.
The PNC/R also joined with two other parliamentary opposition parties ere  - the Rise Organise and Rally (ROAR); and the Working Peoples' Alliance (WPA)  - in expressing concern about the haste with which the measures were introduced.
In his complaint, ROAR parliamentarian Ravi Dev objected because his party was unable to discuss the issues "with our constituencies".  He said that he received notice of the bills only two days ago.
 WPA's Shiela Holder was also unhappy about the move.
 But the Legal Affairs Minister said the measures were "not substantial" to warrant prolonged study and were in circulation some one month ago. He said copies of the Bills were distributed to members of the local Bar Association; the University of Guyana (UG); and Judges among other groups.
They have provided several recommendations, especially on the Evidence (Amendment) Bill, and Singh promised his "serious" consideration of them.
In the eight-month crime spree here, close to a dozen policemen, more than 40 civilians, and about five notorious bandits have been killed.

US remains firmly committed to hemispheric free trade

WASHINGTON, CMC – Re-assuring the other Organization of American States (OAS) countries that the United States remains "absolutely committed" to seeing the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) become a reality, Deputy US Trade Representative Peter F. Allgeier Thursday touted the proposed hemispheric free trade arrangement as "the centerpiece" of the Bush administration's trade and investment agenda with this Hemisphere.
"We are absolutely committed to successfully concluding the negotiation of the [FTAA] by the date that was set at the Quebec Summit last year... no later than January of 2005," Ambassador Allgeier told the member state delegates at a Permanent Council meeting.  "And I believe that we are on track to meet that deadline."
On the current FTAA negotiations, Allgeier emphasized the need to accommodate the great differences among the countries in levels of development and size of economies.  "We will not have a signing ceremony unless all 34 countries feel that they are better off with the agreement than they were before it was negotiated."
In outlining the administration's three-pronged trade agenda-global, regional and bilateral-the US trade official assured the delegations of the firm commitment to free trade agreements being negotiated with various sub-regional blocs.  He then addressed specific issues several of the delegates had raised, highlighting the "ambitious" U.S. proposal on agricultural trade reform, intended to address concerns over market access, export subsidies and domestic subsidies for agriculture.
OAS Secretary General César Gaviria stressed the Organization's role providing technical support and noted that the negotiations are at a critical phase of the FTAA process.   He went on to observe that crucial political initiatives were needed to take the case to the Hemisphere's citizens by explaining how they stand to benefit.
Permanent Council Chairman Ambassador Roger Noriega, the US Permanent Representative, who presided, thanked Mr. Allgeier for his "very constructive and practical presentation," noting he also explained the positive results of the debate in the U.S. Congress. 

Panday charged with offences under Integrity Legislation

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The leader of the main opposition United National Congress (UNC) Basdeo Panday is to appear in a magistrate court on November 27 on three charges following his failure to declare the contents of a London bank account.
Panday, who served as Prime Minister here from 1995-2001 was served with notice of the three charges at his home in La Romaine in south Trinidad late on Wednesday afternoon by head of the Fraud Squad Senior Superintendent Wellington Virgil.
The three charges arise out of his alleged failure to declare a London bank account held jointly by his wife and himself. If found guilty, he can be fined 20,000 dollars (US3, 300 dollars) on each charge and could also be jailed for two years.
Panday told a public meeting here on Wednesday that the charges were part of a plot by the ruling Peoples National Movement (PNM) to attack him for exposing the “unholy alliance” between the Government and the radical Jamaat-al- Muslimeen group that in 1990 staged an unsuccessful coup attempt here.
He said in the past attempts had been made to arrest some members of his party, but such moves had failed and told supporters he was confident of winning the case against him.
“Now they are trying to stop me and they will also fail,” he said. Police sources said that the Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson gave lawmen the green light to charge Panday.
The charges are related to alleged breaches of the Integrity in Public Life Act, No 8 of 1987 and follow an investigation first conducted by the Integrity Commission, headed by retired judge Gerard des Iles.
The Commission had discovered that Panday had allegedly failed to declare the London account for three consecutive years–1997, 1998 and 1999.
The charges also state that Panday made a false declaration by failing to declare money held in account No 39036189 at the National Westminster Bank in London in the name of Basdeo Panday and Oma Panday. This, the charges state, was contrary to Section 27 (1)B of the Integrity in Public Life Act No 8 of 1997.
In July this year, the Commission passed Panday’s files to the DPP and the police for further investigation and in August Vigil accompanied by the Director of the Central Authority, attorney David West travelled to London as part of their investigations.
Virgil also questioned Panday on August 20 at his La Romaine home and investigators also searched the house.
When the media here began publishing articles about the London bank account, Panday denied the allegation saying that the account belonged to his wife, Oma, and was established for the education of his children in London.
He told a public meeting that he did not declare the account because he did not consider himself the beneficial owner, adding that his wife Oma managed the account, while insisting that he was made a co-signatory to the account in the event something happened to his wife.
But a few weeks later, Panday was telling another public meeting that the account was opened in the late 1980’s to pay medical bills when he underwent open heart surgery.
This is the second time that Panday will contest a general election here with criminal charges hanging over his head.
In 1994, he was charged with five sexual indecency offences but he led the UNC into the 1995 general elections and following an agreement with the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR), headed then by the present Head of State Arthur NR Robinson, was appointed Prime Minister.
He was freed of the sexual charges five days after taking up his post as Prime Minister.

Advertising Agencies want to take action against media houses

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Advertising Agencies Association of Trinidad and Tobago (AAATT) says it may call upon its membership to withdraw advertisements from media houses that continue to show political or racial bias.
In a circular, AAATT said that it “hereby advises that members of the AAATT will strongly encourage their clients to withdraw advertising support from any medium in Trinidad and Tobago whose representatives on the airwaves are found to be blatantly displaying, encouraging, inciting and/or promoting political bias and disharmony”.
AAATT position follows an outcry from members of the public, including the chairperson of the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition Against Violence, Diana Mahabir-Wyatt, who in a letter to one media house here said the host was inciting “racial violence".
The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) on Wednesday also issued

a statement to “register its concerns”, about the content of some radio talk shows.
“In fact, MATT believes that some of the comments border on slander, may incite racial hatred and breach the conditions of the licence which governs radio stations in Trinidad and Tobago,” MATT President Dale Enoch said, adding that his organisation had been monitoring some of the programmes and was not pleased with the format.
Andy Johnson, programme director at one of the radio stations here mentioned by the AAATT and Mahabir-Wyatt, a former independent legislator, disagreed with the positions adopted by the organisations.
Johnson defended the radio host, adding that in any event, elections in Trinidad and Tobago were all about race.
“The fact is the election results reflect racism in how people vote, that is how people line up in Trinidad and Tobago and some of the sentiments expressed on that programme speak to that. And we just want to keep burying our heads in the sand. It is not inciting anything, there are only people who think so,” he said.
But some other radio stations said that they were not encouraging violence or racial tension in the country through their various talk shows.
One radio station programme manager Daphney Nicole Gyan said they have encouraged their announcers and callers to “keep it neutral”.
“We like to believe that we have freedom of speech in this country, but it is not really so,” she said.

Worst is over for St. Kitts economy – PM

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – Prime Minister Denzil Douglas, in an Independence Day message on Thursday, said the worse of the stormy economic weather has passed St. Kitts and Nevis, although he urged islanders not to become complacent about the future.
“Notwithstanding the emerging local and international trends of recovery, it is still too soon to, in the lingo of airline travel, to unbuckle your seat belts and move around the cabin. You can rest assured, however, that the journey immediately ahead, will not be as turbulent as that from which we have just emerged,” Douglas said in a message marking the country’s 19^th anniversary of political independence from Britain.
He said St. Kitts and Nevis had been faced with an unprecedented number of shocks in a very short time frame.
“These shocks include five hurricanes within a five-year period, a flood, external impacts of the September 11th crash at the World Trade Center in New York and the impact upon intra-Caribbean commerce as a result of the contraction of the banana industry within CARICOM (the Caribbean Community) and in particular within the OECS sub region".
In addition, he said the country also faced challenges to the development of its offshore sector and to the future viability of its sugar industry.
Douglas said the afore mentioned developments threatened to derail the economic development process, had halted economic growth and pushed many people below the poverty line.
But throughout the difficult period, he said the people of the twin island Federation stood strong and were resilient.
He also praised his government’s programme of fiscal consolidation announced in the December 2001 budget, saying its success was reflected in the continued interest of local and foreign investors.
While expressing confidence that St. Kitts and Nevis will be able to face up to any challenges that may lie ahead, Douglas called on Kittitians and Nevisians to use the occasion of independence to renew their commitment to their country’s development.
“My dear people, these are exciting times for St. Kitts and Nevis. We are a source of inspiration to many. Let us go forward together, hand in hand, Kittitians and Nevisians - regardless of religious beliefs, regardless of political persuasion, colour or race,” he urged.
“Let us aspire to demonstrate to the world that a small country like St. Kitts and Nevis can be as great as any,” he added.
Among major upcoming projects is the opening of the 900-room St. Kitts Marriott Royal Beach Resort later this year. Douglas said with the launching of this new project the island now stood poised to enter “a new and mature phase of the industry”.
He also announced plans for the construction of a second golf course in an area of tourist development known as Sandy Point by September next year, while noting that present golf facility was now being refashioned and rebuilt.
In terms of housing, Government is also forging ahead with plans to develop another one thousand homes for residents.
“There are also plans by private developers to build upscale housing in selected areas catering particularly to expatriates and the high-end of the tourist and visitor market,” the Prime Minister said.
A commitment was also given to increase the opportunities for training and education of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, with Douglas saying he was personally alarmed by the number of so-called ‘secondary school drop outs’, barely 16 years of age and certainly not 17, especially our young males.

Caribbean Justice reacts to Jamaica government’s proposals on hanging

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Caribbean Justice, a group working towards the abolition of the death penalty, said Thursday plans by the Jamaica government to amend the Constitution in order to circumvent hangings, would be "a serious breach of the rule of law".
In a statement, the group said its opinion was shared by former Trinidad and Tobago Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, who in a 1999 address to the 12th Commonwealth Law Conference said that even if governments disagreed with the Privy Council’s rulings regarding capital punishment, "they have an obligation whilst it remains the Final Court of Appeal from their countries to obey and carry out its orders”.
Therefore ”it would be a serious breach of the Rule of Law for any government to disobey the order of its Final Court of Appeal," the statement added.
Stating that this was precisely what Prime Minister P J Patterson now plans with his recently announced proposed amendments to the Constitution, Caribbean Justice called on the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party to reject the proposals.
The group further refuted a position by Patterson that the Privy Council was "making it impossible for the law to be carried out".
“Again, he is wrong. The JCPC (Judicial Committee of the Privy Council) has not tried to abolish capital punishment. It does not have the power to do so. It has simply set internationally recognised standards for its application where none previously existed. It is extremely worrying that the Prime Minister apparently believes such minimum standards, including those designed to avoid miscarriages of justice, are not necessary in Jamaica,” Caribbean Justice said.
“Moreover, the executions carried out in recent years in St Kitts and Nevis, the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago have provided ample proof that it is possible to comply with Privy Council rulings and retain the death penalty,” it added.
Questions were also asked about the extent to which government was willing to go in amending the law, even with the proposed establishment of a Caribbean Court of Justice to replace the Privy Council as the final appellate court in the English speaking Caribbean.
“If the Government is prepared to respond to judgments it does not like by changing the law, what guarantees can the Jamaican people have that it will stop at the death penalty? What guarantees are there that the Caribbean Court of Justice will not be treated with similar contempt if it does not toe the line? Caribbean Justice asked.
It further accused the Jamaica government as using the death penalty issue as a means of attracting votes for the upcoming election, saying “ we understand the Prime Minister is personally against hanging”, and that earlier this year, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, A. J. Nicholson, publicly stated his opposition to capital punishment.
“Even as they repeat the mantra that the state must kill to tackle the terrible violence in Jamaica, they must know they are peddling a policy that will have no impact on crime and which they cannot square with their consciences.
“And they cannot be the only ones. So rather than trying to elicit Opposition support to undermine Jamaica’s highest court, here is an issue that could truly benefit from a bipartisan approach - abolition of the death penalty,” said Caribbean Justice, in the statement signed by Coordinator, Shelagh Simmons.
“This is a chance for the Prime Minister and Attorney General to show their integrity. This is their chance to buck the regional trend and turn their backs on hanging as a way of winning votes. This is their chance to go down in history as men of principle who were prepared to put moral leadership before political expediency. It is a chance Caribbean Justice urges them to take,” the statement concluded.

Scotland Yard investigators to assist Antigua with fraud investigations

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Two Scotland Yard Investigators are due to arrive here on September 30 to assist local authorities with investigations into fraud allegations arising out of Medical Benefits Scheme Commission of Inquiry Report.
The country’s Director of Public Prosecutions Cosbert Cumberbatch made the request last month for two highly trained fraud investigators from the British Metropolitan Police.
He said Wednesday he had received word from David Venice, one of the Assistant Commissioners at the New Scotland Yard, that a police sergeant and a corporal who are trained and experienced in investigating fraud will be seconded to his office for the duration of the investigation.
Both officers who were recently involved in a similar investigation in the United Kingdom, will join a local team of investigators.
The DPP pointed out that he has established a Secretariat within his offices and all the officers will be working under his supervision.
Among persons to be investigated are former government ministers Hilroy Humphreys and Bernard Percival.
Percival was minister in charge of health when a crisis broke out at the Scheme last year that led to the holding of forensic audit into alleged wrong doing at the scheme.  Bird subsequently fired him.
An inquiry was later ordered and before it could complete its work, Humphreys tendered his resignation.
Others to be investigated at the state-run Medical Benefits Scheme amid allegations of financial impropriety are Cavelle John, Elemade Jarvis, Norma Jarvis-Southwell, Florence George, Everett Lake, Dave George, Carlton Lewis, Andy Jacobs, Michael Johnson, Ali Challenger, Michael Payne and Esley Ryan.

Employers concerned about political climate in Trinidad and Tobago

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC- The Employers Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECA) on Thursday said it was deeply concerned over the political climate in the country saying that “our leaders are not putting country first".
In a newspaper advertisements, the ECA said that it was also concerned over the “signs of violence and violent intent emanate from bitter rivalry among parties” contesting the October 7 general elections.
Six political parties have nominated 102 candidates to contest the 36 seats at stake in the polls, the third to be held here in three years. Only the ruling Peoples National Movement (PNM) will contest all the seats while the main opposition United National Congress (UNC) will contest 34 seats. The UNC, which formed the government here during 1995-2001, will not be contesting the two seats in Tobago.
“Public comments and advertisements are designed to enrage and insult. This approach to campaigning should be examined. The eyes of the world, particularly those on our Caribbean region, are focused on Trinidad and Tobago as we seek to create political history by having three general elections in a matter of three years,” the ECA said.
The ECA said that it was concerned “that our leaders are not putting country first in the respective preparations and campaigns,” and that children were being affected by those campaigns especially “from those persons who should be their exemplars.”
“Let us take this opportunity to promote political growth and development in accommodating our changing environment, be it economically, socially and otherwise,” the ECA said adding, “let us leave a legacy that our children can boast and be proud of.”
“The ECA is, therefore, calling on our political leaders to display maturity and respect for one another and for the populace and to commit themselves to ensuring that the campaigns of the upcoming general election are peaceful and incident free.”
“It is most important during this time that, we as a nation, where every creed and race is entitled to find an equal place, adhere to our watchwords of “Discipline, Tolerance and Production’,” the ECA added.
Meanwhile as the campaign heats up for the October 7 polls, the independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) is assuring voters that their names would not be taken off the list “without due and proper investigations.”
The EBC made the statement after the PNM told reporters that a number of supporters within the marginal constituencies along the East-West corridor had their names on the list objected to and removed off the official list.
UNC deputy political leader Nafessa Mohammed told reporters that she had informed by the EBC that an objection had been filed regarding her residence and as a result had to go to the EBC office to show proof that she still resides there.
Mohammed said on arrival at the EBC the room where the investigations were taking place was “packed with people.”
“While I was there I saw many people come into the office and when they realised that they had a long wait they left,” she said.
Mohammed said in all cases persons who had objected to persons did not bother to show up at the investigations. But the EBC, which has planned a meeting with all political parties on Friday to discuss various issues relating to the upcoming election, said that reports appearing in the media about the objections seemed to have created the perception that the Commission initiated such objections.
“The Commission wishes to point out that it does not initiate objections, neither does it take any action in respect to any elector’s registration without first making the required checks.”
It said that persons who had been objected to can rest assured that “no cancellation of any elector’s registration will take place unless the EBC is satisfied that he or she does not live in the electoral district.”

Police Association defends Commissioner of Police

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Police Social and Welfare Division (PSWD) on Thursday defended Police Commissioner Hilton Guy who along with National Security Minister Howard Chin Lee had come in for criticism from Chief Justice over security arrangements for magistrates.
In an address at the opening of the new law term here Chief Justice Sat Sharma, said that his predecessor had written both men in January on the issue, but to date no response had been forthcoming from either man.
Sharma described the situation as “an act of gross discourtesy” saying that neither men had even bothered “to acknowledge the letter” even after former Chief Justice Michael De La Bastide had sent another letter using the pretext that the first may not have reached them.
According to the Chief Justice, the magistrates had complained about a number of security matters including threats made upon their lives.
He said in one instance a magistrate’s home had been firebombed, another had received life ammunition and that someone had told a female magistrate that he had murdered before and “it will take nothing to kill again.”
“We now await a response from the National Security Minister and the Commissioner of Police (on the matter),” Sharma said. But as of Thursday neither men has yet to respond.
But the PSWD president Sergeant Christopher Holder said he wanted to “dispel the unfortunate perception” that the police did nothing to deal with the threats.
“The facts are that the Commissioner of Police has provided adequate police detail (and) it would be imprudent for us to give full details to the public,” Holder said noting “appropriate security had been made for members of the judiciary at all courts (in Trinidad and Tobago).”
Holder said his association was of the opinion that the Chief Justice “should be more temperate” in his statements on the issue given his position, adding “he (Chief Justice Sharma) should not adopt the Woodford Square model whenever he has to make such public speeches.”
Woodford Square in the heart of the capital has been renamed “the University of Woodford Square” by the country’s first Prime Minister, the Late Dr. Eric Williams who used the venue to encourage public discourse on politics. It still serves as a major stomping ground for potential politicians as well as the main venue for the ruling Peoples National Movement (PNM) public political meetings. 

100-plus File Candidacies For Trinidad October Vote

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - Over 100 candidates will contest the upcoming October 7 general elections here with only the ruling Peoples National Movement (PNM) putting up candidates in all 36 constituencies, according to the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC).
The main opposition United National Congress (UNC) will contest 34 seats, deciding against putting up any candidate in the sister isle of Tobago, where the race there will be a two party one between the PNM and the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR).
The NAR, which in 1986 formed the Government in this Southern Caribbean state and was part of a 1995 coalition administration with the UNC, is not contesting any seats in Trinidad but will try to regain the two Tobago seats it held until last year's general election, when the PNM won both.
A surprise entry into the elections, according to the EBC, is the newly formed National Democrats, unheard of until Monday's nomination day. The party's sole candidate is businessman Robert Amar, who will contest one of the three Laventille seats, traditional strongholds of the ruling party.
 The Democratic Party of Trinidad and Tobago (DPTT) is contesting 10 seats in the elections, while another newly formed party, Citizens Alliance, will contest 18 seats.
There is one independent candidate, Francis Morean, who will contest the Tobago East seat.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Patrick Manning has dismissed a call for a National Front Government by UNC leader Basdeo Panday should the opposition party be victorious at the polls.
Mr. Panday told supporters that the National Front Government would include all political parties and would also be involved in a reform of the country's Constitution.
But Mr. Manning told reporters soon after filing his nomination papers on Monday that a Government of National Unity had been "well spelt out in the Crowne Plaza Accord," a reference to the accord reached between himself and Mr. Panday at the end of last year's historic 18-18 election tie and which Mr. Panday unilaterally broke.

U.S. Telecoms AT&T  Enters St. Lucia Market

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC - The United States telecommunications giant AT&T has become the second company to sign an agreement with government for a licence to operate in the liberalised telecommunications market here.
The company will operate a subsidiary here called Wireless Ventures (St. Lucia) Ltd., a government release issued here on Tuesday said.
AT&T is already advertising in the local Press for senior managerial positions.
The other company that has been granted a licence under terms agreed to by the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Union (ECTEL) and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) is Digicel of Jamaica  -- one of the world's fastest growing mobile telecommunications networks.

The entry of two new players into the local telecommunications market is expected to result in more choices for users of mobile telecommunication services in a more competitive atmosphere.
As part of the process ECTEL member-states have also entered into an agreement with the former monopoly provider Cable & Wireless that has resulted in the elimination of zoned trunk calls and reduction of the cost of local and overseas calls.
Apart from wider choice, the competitive environment is also to result in lower costs for cellular and other mobile services.

CXC Reports Results Improved in Barbados

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC - The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) is reporting an improvement in the overall performance of candidates in its 2002 Caribbean secondary education certificate (CSEC) examinations, compared to last year.
A release from the Barbados-based regional examinations body on Tuesday said this was reflected in the higher percentage of Grade 1 to 111 that candidates achieved year.

Overall, 122,560 candidates and 463,065 subject entries were received for examinations in 2002 compared with 118,110 and 450,750 respectively in 2001.
Sixty-six per cent of the subject entries presented for General and Technical Proficiency examinations achieved Grade 1 to 111 compared with 57 per cent in 2001.
In the Basic Proficiency examinations, approximately 37 per cent of the subject entries for both last year and this year achieved Grade 1 to 111, CXC said.
Performances in the single science also improved when compared with 2001.
Business Studies subjects showed improvement in 2002 and candidates continued to perform well in the Technical and Vocational subjects, particularly in Food and Nutrition, Clothing and Textiles and Home Management, with over 80 percent of the Candidates who wrote these subjects achieved Grades 1 to 111.
Overall, 122,560 candidates and 463,065 subject entries were received for examinations in 2002 compared with 118,110 and 450,750 respectively in 2001.

Chief Justice Asks Lawyers For More Professionalism

ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC - The Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Sir Denis Byron, on Tuesday called for reform of the legal profession, while stressing the need for more professionalism among lawyers in the sub region.
Sir Denis was delivering an address Tuesday to mark the opening of the new law year, in a simulcast aired in Antigua, St. Kitts/Nevis and Dominica.
He said professional conduct must go hand in hand with the reforms of the judiciary.
"I think the population stands to benefit tremendously from it," Sir Denis said.
At a Council meeting of the OECS Bar Association held in Grenada last July, Justice Byron had issued a challenge to the Association to move the process forward.
He also told the lawyers, "I encourage support for the plans of establishment of a professional secretariat of the OECS Bar Association, which is to be financially supported by all members of the legal profession in the OECS".
He also reiterated his support for the introduction of legal profession legislation throughout the OECS.  This legislation, he said, would lead to the establishment of professional standards and the concept of public accountability, with improved complaints procedures.
However, in reviewing the performance of the Eastern Caribbean judiciary during the past year, the Chief Justice said it had upheld the rule of law, successfully maintained its independence and facilitated access to justice.

Baldwin Spencer Warns Antigua Like a Volcano

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Baldwin Spencer, leader of the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) warned Monday that Antigua and Barbuda was headed for a most “serious development”, while disclosing that his party was contemplating actions that could lead to a shutdown of the country.

“Our position is to try and see what efforts can be mounted, even at the regional level, to stave off what could very well be a serious development in Antigua and Barbuda,” he told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

“None of us would wish for that to happen and so we are taking all of the necessary precautionary steps before we reach a stage where there is a total breakdown in the social order in this country,” he added.

However, Mr. Spencer, whose UPP organised massive street protests here on September 5 against the government, said discussions were already in train with local employers, trade union organisations and other members of civic society “to get their overall support for this next level of activity to achieve our objectives”.

He said recent discussions were also held with the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo, on the Antigua situation, which he further described as having reached a “crisis stage” and as “a volcano waiting to erupt at any time.”

The UPP has been seeking to pressure the Lester Bird administration out of office, to make way for a caretaker administration and for elections to be held within six months.

But Prime Minister Lester Bird has bluntly refused, saying he has no intention of doing any such thing.

While admitting that a general shutdown was a serious matter and could hurt the already ailing local economy, Mr. Spencer said Antigua’s future governance was at stake.

The charges come on the heels of recent allegations of government impropriety that have rocked the Eastern Caribbean country.

Jamaica's Edward Seaga, 72, Is Father of a New Daughter

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - Carla Seaga, the wife of the leader of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Edward Seaga, gave birth Monday to a baby girl at the Nuttall Memorial hospital in Kingston.

The child, who weighed 7 pounds, 14½ ounces, has been named Gabrielle Vendryes Seaga.

A release from the JLP said Mrs. Seaga and the baby were doing well.

The ruling People's National Party sent congratulations to the Seagas on the birth of their daughter.

This is the first child for 42-year-old Carla Seaga who married the opposition leader in 1996.

The 72-year-old Seaga fathered two children, Anabella and Andrew, during a previous marriage to former beauty queen Mitsy Seaga. During that union they also adopted a third child, Christopher.

Improved Creditworthiness Wins Grenada High Marks

ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada, CMC - Grenada has been ranked by the Institutional Investor Magazine as number one in the world for improved creditworthiness for the period March
2002 to September 2002.
The September issue of Institutional Investor reports that Grenada's creditworthiness improved by 7.2 points, to lead the world in improved creditworthiness for the six-month period.
For the 12-month period September 2001 to September 2002, Grenada ranked second to Russia in improved creditworthiness with a 10.2 point change in credit rating, compared to 12.2 for Russia.
Grenada was ranked by the Magazine as number one in the world for improved  creditworthiness during the period March 2001 to March 2002 and was among the top three countries during the period March 2001 to September 2001.
The Institutional Investor is a monthly publication geared towards the international investment community.

Jamaica PM Patterson Ready to Set Elections

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC -

He told thousands of cheering supporters that the PNP would not be embarking on a smear campaign in its quest for a fourth term in office.

He blasted Opposition Leader Edward Seaga, however, for his comments concerning recent public opinion polls which gave the PNP the nod over the JLP.

"And what is his explanation as to why the PNP is ahead in the polls?” Patterson asked.

“Seaga says it is because the people drink rum over the independence celebrations and because of the rum that's why they voting for the PNP," said Patterson. 

Jamaica's Ruling Party Girds for New Elections

Compiled from dispatches  

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - The ruling People's National Party  (PNP) on Monday launched its manifesto, with party Vice President and Chairman of the PNP Manifesto Committee Dr. Peter Phillips saying that the document reflects the ideals, hopes and pre-occupations of the widest mainstream of Jamaica.
In a launch that was beamed across the country via satellite, Phillips outlined plans to better the economy and create wealth in the country.

The action came a day after Prime Minister P.J. Patterson told party supporters that he would announce the election date this coming weekend.

The latest Stone polls published Sunday in the Observer newspaper gave the PNP 3 percent more in popular support over the Edward Seaga's Jamaica Labor Party.

On Saturday, Seaga downplayed the results and attributed the PNP's lead to the availability of rum at recent Emancipation and Independence celebrations.

In presenting the manifesto, Dr. Phillips promised investment in the people of Jamaica, saying this would be reflected in quality education, training, health and human development, law and order, governance, leadership and community development as well as plans to fight crime and violence.
Fresh elections are constitutionally due here by 2003.
The PNP is also promising that that a new university will be established in western Jamaica by 2004.

Jamaica PM Vows to Seek Restoration of  Death Penalty

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - Jamaica's Prime Minister PJ Patterson has promised that constitutional changes to allow for a resumption of hanging will be a priority for his government, should the People's National Party (PNP) return to power after the upcoming elections.
Mr.Patterson, campaigning for a general election here later this year, told members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force on Tuesday that a recent ruling by the London-based Privy Council had succeeded in thwarting the will of the Jamaican people by preventing the use of the death penalty as a punishment with legal and constitutional backing. He added that it had also served to undermine public confidence in the justice system and to demotivate the constabulary.
Regional countries have been seeking to establish their own Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as a replacement for the Privy Council, the region's highest court.  The CCJ will also be an integral part of the region's attempt to establish its own Single Market and Economy (CSME).
But Caribbean leaders have denied widespread public allegations that the CCJ
was being established mainly to allow the regional countries to overcome the hurdles presented by the Privy Council for the execution of condemned murderers.
The main opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has voiced opposition to the establishment of the CCJ and wants the issue dealt with in a referendum. But Mr. Patterson said, "We have made it an issue about which we are going to the people." He said the party would also seek endorsement for its constitutional changes to make it easier to hang murder convicts.
In its manifesto, the PNP has proposed to include specific statements in the constitution to overturn the 1993 Pratt and Morgan ruling that executions have to be carried out within five years, or the punishment becomes cruel and inhumane.
Jamaicans Earl Pratt and Ivan Morgan were on death row for more than a decade, and the Privy Council ruled it would have been unconstitutional and inhumane to execute persons on death row for more than five years.
Media reports here say that while 65 percent of Jamaicans were supportive of the death penalty in 2000, down from 80 percent, two decades ago, pro-capital punishment sentiments have hardened more recently in the face of worsening violent crimes here.

Jamaica Parliament Votes To Drop Oath to the Queen

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - Despite abstention by opposition members, the House
of Representatives late Tuesday voted to amend the constitution to facilitate changes to the Oath of Allegiance and Judicial Oath.
This followed heated debate between the government and opposition members of
parliament in which both sides accused each other of playing politics to gain an advantage with the electorate.
During the debate, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson (pictured right) stressed that the bill was not intended to abolish the monarchy or diminish the power of the Queen, nor was it intended to disrespect the role the Queen plays as head of the executive.
This now means that the House of Representatives will move to ensure that the Oath of Allegiance to the Queen, her heirs and successors be replaced by allegiance to the People and Constitution of Jamaica.
Leader of Opposition business in the House Derrick Smith and Delroy Chuck were the only opposition members present at the time of the vote. The two opposition MPs claimed the government's approach to changing the oath was arrogant.
Mr. Chuck said the opposition agreed that public officials should not swear allegiance to the Queen but felt that the people should have been consulted because the new oath requires a change to the constitution and that the process being taken was wrong.

Premier Amory Says Nevis Must Consider Independence

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis -- As St. Kitts and Nevis look to constitutional reform, Premier of Nevis Vance Amory (pictured left) says that the island has to consider pursuing independence if it is to have greater equity within the region, control its own affairs and better manage its resources.

“I feel that we are at a point where the relationship with St. Kitts and Nevis has to be re-examined and be given some sort of priority,” Premier Amory told GIS on Tuesday. He was reporting on the outcome of the meeting between the Federal Cabinet and the Nevis Island Administration Cabinet that was held in St. Kitts on September 6.

And yesterday he convened an advisory group, headed by Stephen Walwyn and comprising persons from a broad cross section of the Nevis Community, with experience in business, community and public service, education, politics and law.

This group is expected to interact with the people of Nevis to hear their views on the way forward for Nevis.  Among the options to be considered would be the matter of full autonomy and independence for Nevis.

Views favoring the issue of Nevis moving towards independence have been strongly expressed at two town-hall meetings, which the CCM Government conducted to meet face-to-face with the people of Nevis, and on recent radio call-in programmes

Premier Amory said Nevisians have to bear in mind what the Federation’s Prime Minister, Dr Denzil Douglas, has said in respect of the Constitution.

According to Premier Amory, the Prime Minister has said that " he would not want to have any (political) party in Nevis to interfere with, or influence the establishment of a particular government in St. Kitts. It seems therefore that the best way for that to be manifested is for Nevis to consider its future and look at what is best for Nevis.”

Premier Amory contended: “As we look at constitutional reform, we must at the same time consider what is best for Nevis and look at the pursuing of independence for Nevis.”

Mr. Amory said Friday's meeting made it quite clear that there were matters to do with the relationship between St. Kitts and Nevis that had to be addressed, and "addressed speedily.”

Issues discussed included revenue sharing and payment for common services. Premier Amory observed that the two issues had to be taken into serious consideration “if we are to look at matters of revenue generation, which will impact on the debt situation for the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, or central government and the government of Nevis.”

He conceded that Nevis had incurred debts on infrastructure development to ensure that the island was ready for economic take-off. But he said it had successfully balanced its recurrent budget in eight of the last 10 years and that the level of debt in Nevis was manageable.

“I recognise that the IMF, the World Bank and other international institutions will have concerns especially in the light of what has transpired in Dominica and other countries of the Caribbean where very tight fiscal measures had to be imposed to ensure that there is a redress and a return to stability within the economy,” he said Premier Amory.

“We have taken that into consideration and we have expressed our views to the Prime Minister and his cabinet, and we are certain that our position has been quite clearly stated.”

Offshore Financial Rewards Being Harvested by Nevis

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis -- Nevis’ Offshore Financial Services Registry had as of August 31, 2002, made revenue collections from registrations and renewals amounting to EC$6.6 million. It is, therefore, well on its way to meeting and even surpassing the EC$9 million revenue estimated for the year.

The sector’s contribution to the current revenues of the island in 2001 was 15 percent. Taking into consideration the indirect contribution and the spin-off effects of that to other sectors of the economy, Dr. Agatha Jeffers-Gooden, Director of the Financial Services Development and Marketing Department, reaffirmed that Nevis was committed to being in the financial services industry for the long term.

In a televised newscast from her office Tuesday, Dr Jeffers-Gooden explained that the removals from the blacklists, on March 6, 2002, by the OECD and June 21, 2002 by the FATF, demonstrated that the two organisations felt that the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis had largely satisfied the elements sought by the FATF & OECD Projects.

She said that while it was still too early to see the benefits of Nevis having been removed from the OECD and FATF lists of non-cooperative jurisdictions, the sector in Nevis continued to attract new business activity in the form of new incorporations and through it, the sector, and by extension Nevis, continued to see annual rewards.

According to Dr Jeffers-Gooden, being off the lists would enhance Nevis’ ability to promote the jurisdiction in the international arena. While Nevis was still on the lists, they were often told by persons and organisations that they wished to form companies in Nevis, but were hesitant to do so because their banking institutions would not open accounts for companies formed in jurisdictions listed by the FATF and the OECD.

“Now that we have been removed from the lists, it will make it somewhat easier to market Nevis,” she said. “To this end, we plan to continue to promote in our old markets of North America and Europe.”

She said, however, that efforts would also increase “in the lucrative Asian Market." Nevis will be represented at two conferences and exhibitions in Hong Kong and Macao in the period September 23 – 27, where Premier Vance Amory will be a featured speaker. Dr. Jeffers-Gooden will hold discussions and meetings with interested persons. 

BVI  Forbids Importation Of 7 Countries' Mangoes

ROAD TOWN, Tortola -- Following advice from the BVI Department of Agriculture, Executive Council has banned the importation of mangoes from several Caribbean countries.

Countries affected are St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Reeial George said, “These countries are not allowed to export mangoes to the British Virgin Islands because of the mango seed weevil. The mango seed weevil is a pest unique to mangoes. It is a nocturnal insect that feeds and mates at dusk. It is mainly spread through the transport of infected fruits.”

Acting Chief Agricultural Officer Mrs. Arona Fahie Forbes confirmed that the insect is already present at several locations in the territory. The Agriculture Department’s main focus is to control the bug and prevent it from spreading to uninfected locations.

There are no health risks to persons eating infested mangoes, Mrs. Fahie Forbes said. The main threat is to propagation efforts, since the weevil attacks and destroys mango seeds.

It could mean the Territory will not be able to grow fresh mango trees, which could be disastrous in the long term, she said. 

Trinidad -Tobago Churches Issue Elections Ethics Code

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - The Christian Council of Trinidad and Tobago has issued a Code of Ethics for the October 7 general elections here, reminding voters that "integrity, impartiality, good character and sound judgment" were qualities required of persons holding public office.0
The Council, which represents at least 28 churches all of denominations, has also called on candidates, political parties and their supporters to avoid character assassination in the campaign for the polls, the third to be held here in as many years.
The Council also urged persons "to act with dispatch to diffuse any situation, which might lead to violence."

The statement urged voters to "weigh and examine very carefully the claims and promises made by the parties and candidates."
It also urged the media to be "scrupulous in the search for what is true and honest".
"Remember that the freedom of the press is one of the pillars required to build up the community rather than to destroy it," it said  urging all citizens to respect the election code. 

SPORTS

Ailing Lara definitely out of India tour

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, CMC – Ailing West Indies batting star Brian Lara will definitely miss his team’s forthcoming tour of India, team manager Ricky Skerritt announced Thursday.
Lara is still in hospital and although team officials are not confirming the much publicised hepatitis diagnosis for the star batsman, hospital sources say Lara is suffering from hepatitis, a virus that affects the liver.
A short West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) web site report said Skerritt would make no further public comment on Lara’s health issue “out of respect for Brian’s privacy”.
Skerritt has only confirmed that Lara will be sidelined and will not make the India tour, starting on October 2.
“Brian has been advised by medical specialists in Colombo that he will miss the West Indies’ immediate cricket commitments. That will obviously rule him out of the Indian tour and I’ve advised the West Indies selectors that a replacement will be needed for that tour,” Skerritt said.
The 33-year-old double world record holder was admitted to hospital after slamming a match-winning 111 for the West Indies to beat Kenya in the Champions Trophy Tuesday.
The West Indies will play three tests and seven one-day internationals against India on the tour.
In the meantime, reports are that Lara is infuriated over Tuesday’s official International Cricket Council (ICC) media statement, quoting Skerritt that he had been admitted to hospital to undergo tests and that “the most likely diagnosis is hepatitis”.
Lara, who holds the individual world (375) and first-class (501) records, is upset that a hepatitis suspicion could be publicised without a confirmation. 

St.Kitts and Nevis Medal of Honour for world sprint star Kim Collins

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts, CMC – Commonwealth Games sprint champion Kim Collins was awarded a St.Kitts and Nevis Medal of Honour Thursday as the country commemorated its 19th Independence Anniversary.
Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas in his Independence Anniversary Address to
the nation, named Collins in a quartet of national award winners, saying the 26-year-old world championship bronze medallist has brought “great pride and joy to our hearts”.
Collins, who won the 100 metres gold at the Commonwealth Games in a national record 9.98 seconds, retired nurse and community worker Suphina Barrett, and public health worker John Rollins were give Medal of Honour status.
Frederick Lam, OBE, was awarded the Companion of the Star of Merit, for his service to the development of industry, particularly tourism in St.Kitts and Nevis.
Collins, who has created Olympic and World Championship history for St.Kitts and Nevis, had an outstanding 2002 season that included IAAF Grand Prix wins in Brazil and California, in addition to his Commonwealth Games title in England in July.
His 9.98 win Manchester is his fastest time ever, and he recorded the identical time at Grand Prix meets in Paris and Zurich.
Collins, currently ranked number six in the world over 100 metres, finished second in this summer’s Grand Prix points series for the event -– behind new world record holder Tim Montgomery –- to collect a US$30,000 prize.
Collins, with world rating of 39th on the list of all international male athletes, is the only English-speaking Caribbean athlete in the top-50 of the men’s world list.
At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Collins became the first ever Olympic finalist from his country when he placed seventh in the men’s 100 metres, and he returned in 2001 for another unprecedented feat -– third in the 200 metres at the World Championship in Canada.

West Indies secure victory as ailing Lara eclipses sterling Tikolo

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - The West Indies held off a spirited challenge from Kenya here Tuesday, securing a 29-run victory in the ICC Champions Trophy as an ailing Brian Lara's battling century eclipsed Steve Tikolo's sterling 93 off 91 balls.
The impressive Pedro Collins finished with three for 18 as the Kenyans were bowled out for 232 in 49.1 overs.
Earlier, Lara's 15th one-day century (111 off 120 balls) was the backbone of a total of 261 for six off 50 overs here at the Singhalese Sports Club.
Lara, who struggled throughout with fatigue, was later taken to hospital, while the West Indies were in the field, suffering from suspected hepatitis. Hepatitis is a virus that affects the liver and can be contracted in a number of ways, including contaminated foods and water.

End of an era: Ewing announces retirement after 17-year career

Patrick Ewing retired from the NBA on Tuesday, ending the 17-year career of one of the league's greatest centers but leaving him short of his repeated promise to win a championship.
Ewing, an 11-time All-Star who was chosen as one of the 50 best players in league history, spent 15 years with the New York Knicks, averaging 22.8 points and 10.4 rebounds. He was traded to Seattle before the 2000 season and then signed as a free agent with Orlando last year.
The 40-year-old center finishes his NBA career with 24,815 points and 11,606 rebounds. "It's time to move on," Ewing said at a news conference. "It was a great ride.
"I'm disappointed that I never won a championship – in the pros. I've got to add that. But I'm at peace."

Greene vows to reclaim 100-metre world record

World and Olympic champion Maurice Greene has vowed to regain the world 100 metres record next season.
Tim Montgomery set a new best of 9.78 seconds in the Grand Prix final in Paris on Saturday. The American eclipsed Greene's 9.79 set in Athens in June 1999.
But Greene insisted on Monday that he will bounce back to cut the record even further.
"The time I've got in my head is 9.76," he said after finishing fifth in the 100 metres at the Yokohama Super Track and Field meeting in 10.56 seconds.
Montgomery broke the world record to beat Dwain Chambers, who ran a lifetime best 9.87 to equal Linford Christie's British record and finish second.
"I didn't set out to break the world record. I just wanted to beat Chambers," Montgomery told the BBC. His mark also beats the 9.79 set by Ben Johnson in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Johnson who took gold was subsequently stripped of both the time and medal after a positive steroid test.
100m Final results: 1. Tim Montgomery (USA) 9.78secs (WR), 2. Dwain Chambers (Gbr) 9.87, 3. Jon Drummond (USA) 9.97, 4. Kim Collins (St. Kitts-Nevis) 9.98, 5. Francis Obikwelu (Por) 10.03, 6. Bernard Williams (USA) 10.05, 7. Abdul Aziz Zakari (Gha) 10.20, 8. Coby Miller (USA) 10.21

RUNNING WITH HORSES

By Peter Adrien

The West Indies cannot run with horses. And we should have known that fact for our cricketers have shown over and over again that they cannot run with the footmen. If they cannot run with footmen (who are driven by manpower), we cannot expect them to run with horses (which are motored by horsepower).

The stamina and endurance that are required to out-run or out-perform the horse is far more demanding than those required to out-perform the foot-runner. This was God’s message (coaching/training manual) to his prophet Jeremiah, when he became weary. God responded to Jeremiah’s questioning thus: “If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses” Jeremiah 12:5, KJV).

Having failed to exhibit the guts and mental toughness against India and Pakistan in the one-day internationals (which is used here to represent the footmen), we should not have expected our cricketers to raise their level of performance to out-perform a champion team like South Africa in the ICC Champions Trophy (the mini World Cup before the ICC 2003 Cricket World Cup).

Well, contrary to our intentions and hope, the West Indies team could not deliver in the “crunch time.” The drama begun with Mervyn Dillon returning for the 47th over. He was cracked over deep mid-wicket for six before clean bowling Boucher next ball as the right-hander tried to swing to leg. Captain Shaun Pollock came to the crease with his side needing 19 runs from 12 balls. Six runs were scored off the 48th over, bowled by Pedro Collins, leaving South Africa needing 13 runs from the final over bowled by Dillon. Pollock smashed a six off the first ball, scrambled two from the second, but skied a simple catch to Shivnarine Chanderpaul in the covers off the third. Lance Klusener, who had managed to cross, took two from the next down to long off. But with three needed from two he miscued a heave to leg off a low full toss and was caught, again by the cool Chanderpaul.

West Indies looked home and dry but Dillon bowled a leg-side wide and the batsmen scrambled an extra run, nearly getting themselves a run out. That left the scores level with both sides having lost equal wickets. Dillon needed to take a wicket for West Indies to win but Alan Dawson edged his first delivery through the slips for the winning runs.

Chasing 239, South Africa fought like a true champion to win by two wickets. And Dillon, who confirmed his mental inability for the big game or the crunch time, finished with four wickets for 60 from his 10 overs.

Mervyn Dillon, the West Indies ace pacer, was literally overcome by the demands of the testing period. Unable to find the mental fortitude to respond to the occasion, he could neither pitch the ball nor control the ball. He was all over the place, except on the “deck.” The occasion made me remember our great seamers of old, like Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Malcolm Marshall, Keith Boyce, Anderson Roberts, Wes Hall, some gladiators who have great “big time” in the crunch time. Indeed, we have a long way to travel before we turn the corner.

But why did Carl Hooper place our future in the hands of Dillon? Why did Carl Hooper opt to have Dillon bowl the last over? Dillon has been known for his inability to exhibit mental toughness under pressure. In fact, at some time in his career, he was being referred to as the bowler who runs and deliver without giving thought to the course of action. Wasn’t there more profitable investment to place our lives in the hands of Vasbert Drakes,, who is noted for his experience, or Chris Gayle, who has proven his ability to bowl a flat trajectory in the final overs? Carl Hooper should have been more concerned with his choice of bowler in the crucial final over than he was over his exclusion in the team selection.

Yes, it was really good entertainment for the large crowd who witnessed South Africa pulling off a dramatic win from the jaws of defeat, but it was a heart-wrenching experience for the six million Caribbean people, particularly the many, like me, who lost their entire night sleep.

The West Indian one-day cricketers proved me right again. I have always argued that the one-day team is not competitive by international standards. The team lacks the mix and mettle of bowlers who could win matches against champion teams. The team has not yet mastered the science of one-day cricket, that is, the stock of knowledge and skills to adjust to the vagaries of the physical conditions (the responsiveness of the wickets), counter the changing tactics of the opponent, and realign its arsenal to suit the conditions and to counter-attack of the enemy.

More importantly, the one-day team is not capable of responding to the demands of the “crunch time,” which is the ultimate test of competitiveness.

The “crunch time” is the real test of the mettle of an athlete. The champion sprinter is separated from the ordinary sprinter in the final lap, not in the first or middle laps. The champion boxer is separated from the amateur by his performance in the final round and at the end of reach round. These are the critical moments in the battle that help cement the judges’ decisions. The winning soccer team is the team that can orchestrate a finish. The game is not won by the exhibition of football skills (no matter how sweet and entertaining this aspect of the game is) and ball possession, but by the ability of the team to convert the passes, possessions and controls into goals.

A limited-over game is not won by the flashes of brilliance of the batters in the first 15 or the middle overs, or by the brilliant control of the opening bowlers, but by the ability of the team to carry through the assault unto the end, as the West Indies failed to do at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka on September 12, 2002.

The same principle is true for the goods and services sectors. The competitiveness of our products and services are not tested merely