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It Was No Hugo

For Us It Was Barely Georges

By Bennette Roach

Montserratians are praising their God even more as the news continues to come in on the havoc and devastation that Hurricane Georges left in its trail as it ravaged on a westerly course across the Caribbean islands from Montserrat all the way to Florida.

But there were some jubilant voices among officials here as they mistakenly rejoiced that recent housing and other building projects as Governor Abbott puts it, "withstood the test."

While just about everyone believes that it was not far from being a miracle, and some divine intervention from God, that spared Montserrat the fate of its neighbours, the fact is that Montserrat did not experience anything near what was forecast as the strength of Hurricane Georges when it passed us by. The Governor himself said in closing a message following the hurricane, said, "There is no doubt in my mind that God answered our many prayers and stayed by our side."

The Governor mentioned that meteorologists said they could find no logical reason for the fact that we were not experiencing more inclement weather before we did. He also said there was a last moment shift in the direction of the storm. It seemed that some source may have been misguiding the Governor since earlier official forecasts, not necessarily out of Antigua, had the eye of the hurricane passing further north of us than it eventually did. As the weather channel puts it the hurricane "wobbled" just before reaching within striking distance and the hurricane reportedly became disorganised.

By Saturday midday Governor Abbott, relying on reports from the Antigua Met Office, spoke of a direct hit on Montserrat by the hurricane, adequately ensuring that no one left anything to chance of the ravages of a Hugo-strength hurricane, which Georges was at the time. Thirty hours later the hurricane was "wobbling," according to announcers on the Weather Channel on local TV channel 3. It had been shying towards a more westerly course but nevertheless maintained a WNW direction, easing it ever so slowly away from a direct hit on Montserrat. There was no doubt however that whether by natural or other means, Montserrat was on the lighter side of the fury of Georges. The Montserrat Christian Council wasted no time to organise to give God thanks by holding a church service on Tuesday evening.

Those with the availability of additional technology were able to see that the forecasted path of Hurricane Georges was a direct hit on Antigua, with the southern part of the hurricane passing over Montserrat. To Montserrat's benefit, the southern portion of the hurricane had the weaker winds.

It is therefore not surprising that local airport tower operators put the force of winds that eventually affected Montserrat at 65 mph. One senior official said: "The passage of Georges hit Montserrat with tropical storm force winds. It is estimated that the maximum sustained winds were 65 mph, with very short upward gusts."

The workers argue that when one looks at the trees and see them almost intact and still with their leaves, it is clear that the force of the winds was not even half that of Hugo. In support of this argument, many Montserratians whose Hugo memories were awakened said, "This was merely a storm."

Residents and many concerned folks overseas, who were anxious that Montserrat suffer no further losses, were troubled at the continuous non-mention of Montserrat by the Weather Channel. It is reported that many voices in government took the time to call the WC to let them know we're still here, including Governor Abbott!

I sent an e-mail, which received a courteous reply, which ended: "Moreover, your message may get forwarded to a more appropriate party at The Weather Channel for an accurate response. The Weather Channel Team is doing its best to provide the highest level of customer service we can. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, comments, and/or concerns with us."

This response was no doubt similar to those received by several others, but it was noticeable that Montserrat was later mentioned occasionally, although still with some inaccuracies.

One person sent a message which concerned other islands as well who were not being mentioned. (See Letter below)

While we can celebrate our good fortunes and thank God for sparing us from what started to look like another Hugo, our neighbours who were predicting the doom with certainty have not fared as well. Neither did many other immediate neighbours, including Guadeloupe, St. Kitts-Nevis. In other reports in this issue, we find that they suffered huge losses while Hurricane Georges turns out to be #1 in losses due to its ravaging winds and rain in the Caribbean.

Hurricane Forces Delay Of Many Happy Returns

by Bennette Roach

One of the main local organisers of the Many Happy Returns Concert (MHRC) bore bad tidings when he announced on Wednesday: "the MHRC is postponed to a date to be determined."

The concert was scheduled to take place next Tuesday evening, September 29, until the appearance of killer Hurricane Georges, which touched down on Montserrat and neighbouring islands, Guadeloupe, Antigua, St. Kitts-Nevis, and then across the rest of the chain of Caribbean islands to the United States.

Mr. Doug Darby confirmed that the concert was to coincide with Virgin Atlantic's inaugural flight to Antigua. The airliner was scheduled to bring nearly 250 journalists, musicians and artists to participate in concerts in Montserrat and Antigua.

Mr. Darby explained in detail that Club Antigua, who had graciously agreed to house the journalists and musicians involved in the concerts, received hurricane damage which will require an three to four weeks for repairs. As a result, Virgin Atlantic had to cancel the Antigua leg of its inaugural flight to the Caribbean.

A reassessment is necessary before rescheduling the flight. "Naturally," Mr. Darby said, "there will be changes in the show, but there is no reason why the organisers will not be able to put together a line-up as strong as originally planned."

Appreciation was extended to those who had agreed to participate in the concert, which is being planned to become an annual event in Montserrat in line with the Jazz and Music Festivals that take place in other Caribbean islands annually.

Plans are reportedly still underway. Building of the stage continues. Chris Runciman, production manager for the event, and assistant Frank Oglethorpe are in Miami waiting for an opportunity to move three fourths of a ton of equipment, along with all the Gibson musical instruments donated to Montserrat. Meanwhile there is also another half ton in England waiting with Mr. Peter Filleul and his wife Sian for a similar opportunity. With great optimism Mr. Darby declared, "Believe me, this is real and MHRC will happen."

Tourism Week will still take place with some obvious modification. Miss Ernestine Cassell, tourism director, says the unchanged events will go on as scheduled. Some venues have changed, with the Street Fair now taking place at McChesney's Estate.

Miss Cassell announced also that two performers from Anguilla and Barbados will participate in the Saturday, October 3, event, along with local bands who will join Silicosis band.

Everyone regrets that the concert will not take place as planned, but most believe that when it does happen it may even be a bigger boost for the island.

"Complaints About 'Politics' Are Meant to Mislead Us"

We have just experienced a couple of nerve-racking weeks, culminating with the passage of Hurricane Georges, but unfortunately we are not yet near the end of our tunnel of difficulties, much less to seeing the light.

As if to remind us, yesterday and earlier in the week we saw familiar massive ash clouds resulting from pyroclastic flows coming from collapses of the dome, which scientists tell us will continue. Again wind direction favoured us and only very light sprinkling affected us, even on the morning of Hurricane Georges' passage, when it was reported that there was ash in the atmosphere along with the winds, as apparently was expected.

The hurricane commanded our attention for this week, as we sympathise and try to help in an impoverished way our neighbours in their temporary time of need. It is at such times that we realise just how much we have suffered in recent times and it is also then that we realise even more our strengths.

What becomes more and more distressing, however, are the concerted attempts by those in positions to influence our immediate future and beyond, who obviously move to unjustly discredit, misdirect and misinform our people and those who make the final decisions that affect our development.

The GIBB consultants in their report on the airport consultations further insulted the intelligence of Montserratians by revealing that their findings are questionable, "given the strong emotive reactions and political lobbying associated with the consultation."

They seemed satisfied, however, at the attendance following announcements on ZJB, which "had a significant effect on the attendance at each meeting," but the team "questions the reliability and applicability of the findings generated."

The consultants again tried to show that the consultation was influenced by politicians and that most questions were emotional by reporting: "It is felt that questions aimed at discrediting the consultants undermined the ability of the general public to express opinions and ask for clarification regarding airport options. The emotional climate generated in the meetings so influenced the debate that it calls into question the reliability of the subsequent findings."

If Governor Abbott is also trying to discredit the consultation, he should do so on grounds other than that of political interference. It is more than doubtful that anyone in attendance or listening to the broadcast of the meetings could conclude that they were influenced by anything the politicians had said. Nothing they had said or asked provided information that was unavailable.

As far as "aiming to discredit" the consultants, it wasn’t the politicians who suggested that the options' costs were skewed, upwards for Thatch Valley, and downwards for the others. The main problem against Thatch Valley has been its cost. But when all the facts are in, it will still prove to be more expensive than the others, but not double or triple those figures. Besides, the figures used to determine the economic rate of returns, etc., are strongly misrepresented, particularly when one understands that normal statistical models are not reliable in Montserrat's emergency situation. Even Teuten conceded that he would be willing to look at new figures.

For example, to use the figures of local travelers, when the population was 11,000 you can determine that x% traveled then. But if you use that same x% to estimate the persons who travel today, based on the current population, the result will be most inaccurate.

Take the matter of influencing our future dishonestly. When Montserratians report from England that the Minister for DFID is telling them that returning to Montserrat would not be a good idea, and that our government is not telling them the truth about the ash, where does that leave us? Does our future not depend on Montserratians returning home; and are we not being encouraged to be recipients of handouts for generations to come?

Our government must strive very hard in this area to bring working Montserratians home. It should seek to undo the damage done by baseless claims about their influencing the consultations, even though it is senseless to argue that they should not involve themselves with their fellow citizens in making any determination.

Finaly, one can never be over-prepared for severe weather, Yet with the seeming misinformation that floated around -- not only this time with Hurricane Georges but with previous hurricanes -- it is time we begin to use our local air traffic controllers, who have the expertise to discuss coordinates when they are published and how they affect us locally. There is far too much information available technologically for us to have to rely on forecasters who always seem to depict only doom for Montserrat.

LETTERS

Attention TV: We Are Still Here, Alive, Well

Dear Weather Channel:

PLEASE stop telling the world that Montserrat has been evacuated! It has NOT -- there are around 4,000 people there, and a lot of them are members of the 750-member Montserrat e-mail group I coordinate!

Yes, there has been a volcanic crisis, but Montserrat has never been evacuated, even though a large number of people did leave during the volcanic eruptions (which have now ceased) And please remember -- a lot of people watch the Weather Channel in the Eastern Caribbean, and your credibility is not helped by factual errors like that. Please also tell all your on-air people that Dominica is pronounced Dom-in-EE-ca, unlike the Dominican Republic - and although

you frequently mention Barbuda (pronounced Bar-BEW-da, not Bar-BOO-da) it has a population of about 1,200, while you hardly ever mention the tens of thousands of people in St Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Statia, Saba, St Barts

-- and it makes no sense to say there is a hurricane warning for French St. Martin while not for Dutch St. Maarten, as they both share the same small island!

Also -- don't forget that there is such a thing as the British Virgin Islands as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands -- and that not everything between Puerto Rico and Florida is the Bahamas, there are also the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Sincerely,

(Dr) Tony Glaser

Kirnon Family Explains Public Access to Geralds

Organisers of the Many Happy Returns have reported that Joseph Stewart, representative of the Kirnon Family, owners of the property that is Gerald's, had submitted the following to be read from the stage of the Many Happy Returns Concert. "Since we have postponed the concert, it was felt to be timely and important that this be released," one spokesman said.

Anyone so inclined is invited to send comments to Mr. Stewart at his e-mail address - joestewart@attmail.com

"The land on which you are enjoying this event has been suggested by the government to construct an airport. As you are aware this debate has gone back and forth with other alternatives (Blakes and Thatch Valley) also being considered.

Traditionally, our family, the Kirnons of Gerald's Estates, has allowed the community to maintain a ball field and access to the pond for animals to drink. This relationship has existed for several decades. A development plan was completed in December of '97 which earmarked a portion of Geralds to be used as a recreational/cultural venue for Montserrat. Our family would prefer this rather than an airport.

The Kirnons would help to develop this facility and it would not displace anyone. The resources which would be located at Geralds would increase positive mental health and the physical abilities of our children.

The Kirnons are asking for the people who agree with this plan to write, fax and phone the Administration of Montserrat to express their desire to develop the North with these cultural and recreational designs rather than

an airport(which would limit the type of planes that can land).

Now is the time to express your wishes for the future of your Island, your children and your culture! Thank-you for your attention.

Joseph A.Stewart-Administrator Gerald's Estates

Romeo Wayside Store Flooded Out

by B. Roach

While the Governor was announcing with some pride that the houses and the new temporary government headquarters recently constructed in the north "withstood the test", he could not have heard, seen or understood the extent and cause of the damage suffered by the Romeo family at their hardware facility at Carrs Bay.

The 'Romeo Wayside Store' relocated firstly to Salem from Plymouth and then to Carrs Bay where they may have suffered the severest of the damage left behind by hurricane Georges. Most of the damage suffered by Montserrat throughout what ended up for us to be a tropical storm, was mostly from water. The Romeo compound by morning was under about six feet of water and from all explanations was the direct result of the run-off from the new Davy Hill housing scheme, which was the first set of houses constructed by Brown & Root.

Governor Abbott had instructed the occupants of the houses there, to move to official hurricane shelters, as he did occupants of the metal buildings in Brades, "and indeed anyone else who feel uncomfortable staying in the houses they occupy." This was in the expectation of 150 mph winds which these buildings were not designed to withstand.

Government officials said the Davy Hill houses can withstand winds up to 95 mph, but the complaints are that Brown & Root neither sought nor accepted advice as to the construction of roads and drains to deal with any water that runs off the area. On this occasion the water ended up in the low lying lands occupied by the Romeos and caused them much water damage.

Public Work officials said they were never asked for any advice about the construction of roads in the area by Brown & Root and cited that in some cases visiting construction firms have completed works which were carried out against their advice, resulting in damage where there should be none. However, residents in the north say that they warned officials at Brown & Root about the way they were constructing the roads.

Monlec and Water Authority Act With Caution

Both Montserrat Electricity Services Ltd. (Monlec) and Montserrat Water Authority (MWA) announced on Sunday that they would shut down electricity and water supplies respectively.

The water was shut off as scheduled while the electricity was kept going until the first signs of the impending storm.

Monlec,s manager Kenneth Lee says, it is now normal procedure to do this as it affords them the opportunity to protect the machines, generators and engines to minimal possible damage during a storm. It means that it allows them to restore electricity to the public sooner if they only have to repair damage outside.

Manager, Mrs. Annie Dyer-Howe said also that this is normal procedure, but in addition to storing water by ensuring that the tanks are filled for use after the storm, it is important that the tanks be kept full during the storm/hurricane to act as an anchor to prevent being blown in.

Meanwhile the MWA manager says that while there were no major damages to the water system her workmen are "still struggling to keep the north working."

She said that the demand is now much greater than the supply which is being serviced by a 30-year old pump at St. Peters, which needs to be replaced. "A new main line has been completed and a large reservoir is being constructed at Ginger Ground, while most of the required equipment are already on island," she said happily, forecasting that everything should be completed during the early half of next year.

Mrs. Dyer reflected that there is still one problem to be overcome, which was acquiring property in the covenanted Woodlands area to facilitate the much needed storage tanks. "This is creating a bottleneck in the plans," she said.

Cable & Wireless Sells Share in Latvian Firm

Sweeney’s¾ Cable & Wireless announced Tuesday it has competed the sale of its interest in Lattelekom SIA, the telecommunications company of Latvia, to Sonera OY, the former Telecom Finland, for US$240 million in cash.

Stephen Pettit, Cable and Wireless Executive Director, Global Businesses, said: "The completion of this transaction marks continuing progress in our programme to dispose of businesses which no longer fit with our strategy."

Cable and Wireless has sold to Sonera its 63-percent interest in TILTS Communications A/S, a Danish holding company in which Sonera is already a 27-percent shareholder. TILTS hold 49 percent of Lattelekom shares. The remaining 51 percent interest in Lattelekom is owned by the Republic of Latvia. The agreement for the sale was announced on 29 June 1998.

Cable and Wireless is one of the world’s leading providers of integrated communications and a major global carrier of communications traffic: Internet, data, voice and video. Its businesses around the world offer a range of services spanning interactive entertainment and information, broadband data, Internet access and broadcast television, as well as fixed and mobile voice. With 17 million customers in 70 countries, Cable and Wireless is one of the world’s largest carriers of international traffic, provides mobile communications in more than 30 countries and operates the world’s largest, most advanced cable-ship fleet.

CDERA News Release On Hurricane Georges

Since the passage of Hurricane Georges, a Category 3 hurricane, over the Leeward islands on September 20^th to 21^st, 1998, subsequent impact assessments have identified St. Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda as the most severely impacted states.

Montserrat, Dominica, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands were mildly affected and have essentially returned to a state of normalcy.

St. Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda however, bore the brunt of the impact, resulting in the deaths of two persons in St. Kitts and Nevis and one in Antigua and Barbuda.

The damage in St. Kitts and Nevis was widespread, affecting the housing stock in particular, where 85 percent of the housing units are reported to be severely affected.

Forty-five (45) percent of the shelter facilities have been damaged resulting in significant disruption to the continuation of the education process. The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has estimated impact of Hurricane Georges at US $400 million, which includes both direct and indirect losses.

In Antigua and Barbuda, the impact has been concentrated in four to five districts, which the Government has declared disaster areas. The immediate need emerging is for support for the 2,500 persons in shelter in St. Kitts and Nevis and approximately 600 in Antigua and Barbuda.

In addition, restoration of key utility services is an area of immediate priority in both islands.

In response to this emergency event, the Regional Response Mechanism has been instrumental in facilitating three emergency flights of technical and relief personnel and equipment to support the restoration process.

An advanced support team departed on Tuesday morning September 22^nd, 1998, followed by a relief response and Rapid Assessment Team comprised of the Caribbean Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU) and members of the Eastern Caribbean Donor Group (ECDG).

This team, embraces regional partners and representatives of the international community comprised representatives from UNDP, CIDA, FAO, PAHO, USAID, CDRU, and CDERA.

The Coast Guard cutter has already left Barbados and is scheduled to arrive in Antigua/Barbuda Thursday night. Countries in the Caribbean are also making further pledges of relief supplies and personnel to support restoration of utility services.

CARILEC is sending a six-man team to three affected countries.

LUCELEC is providing an engineer to St Kitts and Nevis to help them in better defining their electricity restoration needs. CDB will be making available a grant of up to US $100,000 to support countries for which a national emergency or state of disaster has been declared.

The OECS and CEHI will be making technical support available to the affected States.

The Chairman of Caricom, Dr. Kenny Anthony, is scheduled to visit the affected islands early next week and will be accompanied by the Coordinator of CDERA, Mr. Jeremy Collymore.

It is clear that whilst our regional resources are not superfluous, there is a commitment to support our neighbours in time of emergency and the mechanism which coordinates this process can only improve from this experience.

Georges Insured Losses Seen Topping $1 billion

Calif., Sept 23 (Reuters) - Insured losses in the Caribbean From Hurricane Georges will likely exceed $1 billion, a risk management company said Wednesday.

Risk Management Solutions Inc. said in a statement the estimate places Georges as one of the worst Caribbean basin hurricane losses for the insurance industry.

According to Risk Management, Hurricane Hugo, which hit the region in 1989, ranks as the worst hurricane loss for the insurance industry, with $1.2 billion in insured losses.

The relatively high levels of insured exposures in Puerto Rico will make that island the focus of insured loss for Georges. Risk Management said it estimates that Puerto Rico has over $50 billion in total insured values.

Risk Management said its $1 billion-plus projection also included the losses in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Antigua and other Leeward Islands, and the Dominican Republic.

CARICOM has common trade position

Barbados, CANA - Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries are for the first time entering international trade negotiations with a common previously discussed and thought out position. This was yesterday stated by Barbados Trade and Industry Minister Senator Reginald Farley, in reference to the Regional Negotiation Machinery set up by CARICOM to enter trade talks on behalf of the region. He said that this achievement makes his government, " ... optimistic that that would allow us to proceed sensibly".

Georges Deals St. Kitts A 'Catastrophic' Blow

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Reuters) - Hurricane Georges caused "catastrophic" damage to the eastern Caribbean islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, damaging 85 percent of the houses in St. Kitts alone, the nation's disaster coordinator said Wednesday.

The storm left up to 3,000 people homeless when it struck the Lesser Antilles Sunday with 120 mph winds. St. Kitts and Nevis is the smallest nation in the Americas, with a population of 39,000.

"We on St. Kitts have experienced what is a very devastating strike by Hurricane Georges," disaster coordinator Errol Maynard said. "The damage is of really catastrophic nature."

Maynard said preliminary estimates indicated 20 to 25 percent of the larger island's housing stock was destroyed. No damage report had been received from Nevis.

Two people died as a result of the storm and two others, a husband and wife swept away by floodwaters, were missing and presumed dead, he said.

Power was down throughout the island and the main hospital, Joseph N. France General Hospital, sustained severe damage, he said. The roof and several walls collapsed.

Crew from the British Royal Navy ship HMS Sheffield set up an emergency operating theater to allow doctors to treat injured people.

The island had a month's supply of food, Maynard said.

London Paper Reports Full Citizenship Near

LONDON, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Britain will announce within the next two weeks that it will grant full citizenship to almost 160,000 inhabitants of its remaining colonies, the early edition of Thursday's Times newspaper said.

Those living in the so-called overseas territories have campaigned for full citizenship, which would allow the inhabitants of territories from Bermuda to the Pitcairn Islands to settle in Britain and travel without visas in the European Union.

A Foreign Office spokesman said he could not immediately comment on the story.

Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said in February he understood the "sense of injustice'' felt by people in the overseas territories when British law was changed in 1962 to deny them the right of abode.

The Times said Cook was insisting that the territories in their turn clamp down on money-laundering and drug smuggling, abolish corporal and capital punishment and change certain human rights laws.

Earlier this year newspapers said Cook had persuaded Home Secretary Jack Straw that few people in the most populous territories -- Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands -- would want to move to Britain.

Many people from Montserrat are already living in Britain since losing their homes after a series of volcanic eruptions on their tiny island. The remaining inhabited territories are Anguilla, South Georgia, St Helena and the Turks and

Caicos Islands.

People in Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands are already entitled to full British passports.

Montserrat Helps its Neighbours

Montserrat has been able to provide support for its neighbors this time around after all the support it received in past years. Radio reports have mentioned that John Silcott and Lowell Mason are in St Kitts to provide technical assistance to their radio station..

Government House sources say that the HMS Sheffield, which was here in case Montserrat needed her, was sent by the British Government to assist St. Kitts/Nevis. Talk included sending medical assistance to St. Kitts too, if possible.

"Sure we may not be able to offer much but it sure is good to know we can return some of the assistance we have received in the past years rather than requiring more", one concerned resident remarked.

He continued: "The island really did dodge a bullet. The worst problem seems to be at Carr's Bay, where runoff from the new Davy Hill Road to the new houses came down and blocked the road. Romeo's Hardware, which had relocated to the low area next to the cemetery, got creamed.

"Having spoken with Julian, one will not be surprised to know the attitude is that we will deal with it and just move on.

Financial Institutions Relocated

The St Patrick’s Co-operative Credit Union Ltd and the NDF have relocated to new offices in Davy Hill.

The organisations lost their CIDA-funded offices to the pyroclastic flows that ravaged Plymouth last year. Unfortunately, the Credit Union and the NDF had only spent one month in their new offices in Plymouth when they had to relocate to Salem, then to Olveston and then to Woodlands. Finally permanent offices have been set up in Davy Hill.

The Credit Union and the NDF are happy to be part of a new and growing community and have many exciting plans for the Davy Hill residents.

The offices were set up with funds donated by CIDA, the Caribbean Credit Union movement and the Irish Credit Union movement.

The Ministry of Communication and Works has also facilitated access to the offices by expediting the construction of a road.

The Executive Director noted that there are many persons to thank for the comfortable and atmosphere that staff and the general public will now enjoy. She pointed out that this relocation would not have been possible were it not for the unique support network that is an integral part of the world wide Credit Union movement. She made special mention of the Honorable Rupert Weekes who was more than co-operative in providing assistance for road construction. She also wished to thank Thomas Greenaway for successfully doing what seemed to be the impossible by safely transferring the porta-cabin units to the site.

All staff members, she added, went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that the move was completed in one afternoon without any interruption of service to clients and members.

The Credit Union and the NDF is now poised to continue offering the usual high quality of service to members and clients in a more comfortable and confidential atmosphere.

Montserrat spared the fury of 115 mile per hour winds.

One of the century’s most devastating hurricanes was expected to pass extremely close to Montserrat by about midnight Sunday, and everyone was in a state of preparedness.

The Emergency Department opened about a dozen hurricane shelters and people moved in without much delay. The department was concentrating on moving people from low-lying areas, wooden buildings and suspect homes.

The Governor HE Anthony Abbott and Chief Minister the Honourable

David S. Brandt went on national radio to urge everyone to take all the necessary precautions to save lives and to protect property.

All emergency services were put on full alert. Residents started to batten down as early as Saturday night, taking heed to the fact that the hurricane had Montserrat in its path.

Many were reminiscing the horrors of Hurricane Hugo in 1989, when Montserrat suffered tremendous damage.

Water, Cable TV (most channels) were taken off with the exception of the Weather Channel and a couple others, in preparation for the impending onslaught as it looked like then. Most church services were cancelled Sunday morning.

The power was scheduled to be switched off at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, but never went until several hours later.

The hospital, prison and the Golden Ages Home for the Elderly were secured, and the helicopter and ferry left for safe havens in Bequea in the St. Vincent Grenadines and Barbados respectively, so they will be available to Montserrat after the storm.

HMS Sheffield was in the vicinity to help if needed after the storm.

Radio Montserrat (ZJB) was expected to stay on air as long as was possible. Search and Rescue teams as well as Public Works Department

(PWD) pieces of heavy equipment were deployed at strategic points.

Late Sunday and the winds blew gently at first and intensified gradually around up to midnight, mixed with heavy rains (heard whistling through the windows and at creases under doors).

However, Monday morning it was evident that Montserrat was spared the full fury of hurricane George’s as a shift in wind speed an already struggling island.

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, it must have been the gracious hands of God that saved this already beleaguered volcano-torn island from further catastrophe.

Montserratians and friends of Montserrat, both at home and overseas, had prayed that the island be spared the wrath of this deadly hurricane,

Georges.

Prayers were undoubtedly answered. Hurricane Georges, had Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Antigua/Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Kitts-Nevis down to Puerto Rico and other islands in its path, but Montserrat received only gusty winds and rain.

Damage was negligible compared to what the island suffered in 1989 at the hands of Hurricane Hugo. Montserrat was indeed more fortunate than some of its Leeward Island neighbours.

In the aftermath there were no reports of casualties or but in terms of damage, a few houses lost roofs, some shingles and others, galvanize sheetings.

There was some damage to power lines and telephone cables.

Cable TV also reported some downed cables at various points in the safe zone, but most of the damage was caused by water. Reports have come from business places that there was some flooding.

Romeo’s Wayside Store reported damage to its stock. " The problem we face like the other businesses is that we are uninsured and we’ll just have to pick up the pieces again and start all over," said Julian Romeo.

Several other business places also reported water damage and flooded in some instances.

Residents of Look Out also spoke of water entering their homes from leakage through their roofs, under windows and doors.

"I spent the whole night mopping and soaking up water", one resident said. "Water kept coming in under the doors and windows and through the roof, but thank God it could’ve been worse" he added.

The roads have been cleared of the debris from minor flood damage with roads impassable from landslides and other debris brought down by ghauts. There were expected mud flows from the volcano, along with steam and ash venting. Ash was blown northwards with the wind.

The cleaning up efforts were swift and officials came in for high praise in the aftermath of the storm.

The helicopter and ferry services have since been restored, but a temporary ferry schedule had been put in place for the remainder of the week at least to coincide with the curfew times as set out by Antigua.

The Montserrat Water Authority (MWA) reported no major disruption after the storm. the Montserrat Water Authority said the water rationing will continue for a while. The MWA said the demand for water is just as great in the aftermath of the storm, and it’s important in the current circumstances to continue the rationing system.

The Montserrat branch of the telecommunications giant, Cable and Wireless, has reported ninety- odd faults. Cable and Wireless said some customers were without service because of snapped cables and water damage to its underground man holes.

"We have a lot of work to do to get things going, if customers don’t have service Cable and Wireless won’t get any money and then we would suffer." One Cable and Wireless jointer said.

Montserrat Electricty Company (MONLEC) came in for very high praise also for the speedy way in which it was able to restore power some 24 hours after the passage of hurricane Georges.

Monlec’s linesmen worked well into the night to restore some cables and a few poles so that they could switch back on the electricity as soon as possible.

Truly, although Montserrat was prepared for the storm, many are today breathing a sigh of relief that the island was spared the brunt of the 115 mile per hour winds which devastated other islands, including neighbouring Antigua/Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis.

Hurricane Georges has now passed the islands, but many will always remember its fury and devastation, and the cost of recovery will no doubt be monumental.

Montserrat of course has a lot to thank almighty God for and as the psalmist David says " the Lord God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble."

Georges Caused Light Damage On Montserrat

Montserrat has emerged relatively unscathed from the passage of the powerful and dangerous Hurricane Georges.

The Category Three storm which ravaged neighbouring islands Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis caused only superficial damage on Montserrat.

Storm damage has been described as minimal with only minor flooding and a few blocked roads caused by mud slides.

There are no reports of casualties or injuries.

The utility companies were able to restore services within twenty-four hours of the passage of the storm. The helicopter and the ferry have also resumed services; the ferry operating on a new schedule due to the curfew in Antigua.

His Excellency Anthony Abbott and Chief Minister the Honourable David Brandt praised the general public, the utility companies and emergency services for their outstanding efforts before, during, and after the passage of the hurricane.

Following is the temporary schedule for the ferry:

Emergency Services Excel in the Aftermath of Georges

Montserrat’s utility companies and emergency services have come in for high praise in the aftermath of Hurricane Georges.

Both His Excellency Governor Anthony Abbott and Chief Minister the Honourable David Brandt have commended the services for their response particularly after the storm.

Within 24 hours of the passage of the hurricane water and electricity were restored to all parts of the island, while Cable and Wireless was able to maintain communications throughout.

The Department of Public Works, the Emergency Operations Center, the Royal Montserrat Defence Force the Royal Montserrat Police Force, the Ministry of Health, and Non-Government Organizations also deserve the accolades of the public for their sterling performances.

OECS ECONOMIC SUMMIT - SEPTEMBER 21^st 1998

Heads of Government of Montserrat and other OECS territories have set in train a process of consultation on strategic development imperatives for the Sub-region.

The consultative process will involve business persons, the trade union movement and other non-governmental communities in the member states.

The purpose of this development dialogue is to seek a wide-ranging consensus on a strategic vision for the countries, on the goals of economic and social development policy and on development strategy, as the islands face the dawn of the new millennium.

The OECS Secretariat and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank have been requested to coordinate the consultations on development strategy with a view to producing an Accord on Development Strategy into the new millennium.

This was the main decision taken at the Economic Summit of OECS Heads of Government of which Montserrat is an integral part.

The summit took place in Basseterre, St. Kitts on Friday 18^th September 1998. This summit was jointly organized by the OECS Secretariat and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.

The Heads of Government of Montserrat and the other sub-regional territories discussed ways and means of dealing with the problem of unemployment in the context of policies for economic growth and development, and also discussed the integration process at the OECS level in the context of developments at the wider Caricom level.

There were other important issues addressed including agricultural development, manufacturing, the potential of non-tourism services and the role of the private sector in the development process.

The Heads viewed their Economic Summit as only the beginning of a process of consensus building at the sub-regional level, a process which will be reviewed when the OECS Authority meets in Dominica in late

November this year.

Montserrat : A Thanksgiving Service with a Difference

Scores of residents turned out at the Faith Tabernacle Pentecostal Church in Brades Wednesday night September 23^rd for a special thanksgiving service.

Organized by the Montserrat Christian Council, the thanksgiving service was designed to give thanks and praise to almighty God for sparing Montserrat from the ravages of Hurricane Georges.

Montserrat suffered superficial damage during the passage of the hurricane.

The service was conducted by members of the clergy who led interchangeably through songs of praise and worship.

There were also special instrumental pieces by the Seventh Day Adventist group of Randolph Riley, Hughon and Glasford James, and

McCloyde Roach.

The audience, were reminded of the destruction caused by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, and what could’ve been had the latest storm touched down on Montserrat in full fury.

A stirring sermon was preached by Pastor Wayne Knowles of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. He placed special emphasis on families on Montserrat getting back to the earlier years when god was placed at the top in everything.

Pastor Knowles also stressed the importance of praise and worship not only when everything is going well, but also when the chips are down.

Reverend Rosalind Morgan made an intercessory prayer for the entire island and specifically the various Government leaders and their departments, the Emergency Department, the Health Department, the Fire Department and Search and Rescue among others.

A special offering was taken towards hurricane relief for the St. Kitts Christian Council.

St. Kitts was rocked by Hurricane Georges which left a trail of destruction in its path to the main hospital, schools, police stations, houses, businesses and other buildings.

Hurricane Georges Spoils Many Happy Returns

Hurricane Georges has forced the postponement of the Happy Returns Concert II.

Organizers say Virgin Atlantic which was to fly nearly 250 English and European journalists and musicians had to postpone its inaugural flight into Antigua. The hurricane also caused severe damage to the hotel in Antigua, where most of the press were booked to stay.

The eagerly anticipated show was organized to give a boost to the redevelopment effort on Montserrat.

Despite the postponement of the concert the Montserrat Tourist Board is continuing with its Tourism Week.

SAME SEPTEMBER

By Howard A Fergus

A follow fashion a la Hugo

also redolent of France

Georges made the map

with a madcap plan

to decapitate Montserrat

battering it into one grey

scrap

Enter Georges to boisterous applause

from nature’s own cheer-leaders

and riotous enjoyment of his cause

Ken-starring across the female

Antilles lifting skirts sky high

and peeling lingerie details

to feast his cyclops

eye

Following Hugo’s hit record

Georges came the same slow dance

same routine of romance

same September plot

and the same mission to dismember

Montserrat, this tragic

dot

Grooving in a lively track

Georges waltzed onto a slavish map

from Africa to Montserrat, a sea-sick

middle passage, a scurvy pack

with songs of wind and rain

a shrill shak shak

and flagellation of my louvre

pane

Small island’s fame blazoned on volcanic map

with elite smell of sulphur

but unable to defend itself

by reason of insolvency

floundering in white waves of dependency

on treasures stored in England, puncheons

of peony

Once upon a soufriere mountain

a Pan Am jet came crashing down

big bang and loud lament

The tumult woke the sleepy town

Though prematurely senile

and shaking with volcanic stroke

Plymouth nervously remembers

the strange affinity to Hugo, same 17

September

I do not fly, surf or mountain

climb on seventeen September,

for on that ill-starred day of shapeless grey

on Montserrat’s calendar

the elements bode no good

Thus I suspend my mother’s faith

to see the new millenium, knock wood

Following a doleful track

Georges came, saw and assaulted

Montserrat, same September

some volcanic mandate

to bury or incinerate,

but there’s hope in dying

embers

A British Provided Airport For Montserrat?

By Jon Bardis

I regularly listen to the call-in programs on ZJB and sometimes offer my views. However, on the night Mr. Teuton and his fellow BRITISHER were there to discuss the Airport Project I listened and refused to call. I believe a call-in program was not the best way to get our views on so critical an issue.

When we look at the three options they wish us to choose from through our "elected officials", we seemingly have no choice, or, a very difficult one. Bramble’s, Gerald’s and Thatch Valley, which one? Which site will serve us best for the future as the Airport?

To go back to Bramble is in my view and that of many Montserratians not a good choice in the short-term. We would be over-optimistic and perhaps a bit crazy if we re-vitalised Bramble’s in the next three (3) years. We have had too many contrary views from the Scientists with regard to safety and risks as regards where on Montserrat is safe. Despite the seeming wealth of scientific evidence, as a people we cannot entrust a key project like the Airport to the Scientists’ level of risk. The are here today, gone tomorrow.

In another five (5) years, when we are satisfied that the volcano is definitely on the decline and there is very minimal threat of pyroclastic flows for another three hundred (300) years, Bramble’s could be a viable option as proposed. Therefore, let us waste no more time on this crazy idea.

Now I haven’t been up to Thatch Valley, and I will not blindly accept either the British view not the local. From what I see when coming in by the ferry, the direct construction costs of an Airport there are prohibitive. Taking the pessimistic view along with the expenditure per head; that Thatch Valley Airport is a non-starter with the British, even without the additional costs of access road, water and electricity. More can be said on these.

We are not as important as Hong Kong for the British to make the sort of statement they did prior to giving that island back to China. Let us not fool ourselves. The money expended on the New Hong Kong Airport was necessary in respect of the messages which had to be sent. It therefore follows that for us Thatch Valley will remain an unfulfilled dream. Who do they need to impress or provide for?

Now, on to Gerald’s we go, a site which offers tremendous potential for many alternative uses: Airport, sports/cultural complex, new town, etc., etc., you name it.

The area is seemingly ideal to the British as it may be the least expensive to develop due to the Thatch Valley element, and it presently serves as the Heliport. But I am of the opinion that this British view is a short-term one, and one which Montserratians with an eye on the future should not support.

Surely, we need an Airport as soon as we can get one because of the impact it can have on the re-establishing good air-links and tourism with its economic impact. But we also need to dedicate an area of the island for sporting and cultural activities, and Gerald’s seem to be the successor to Sturge Park. The developed countries put lots of emphasis on sport and culture, why shouldn’t these be important to us also? All have long term significance, the airport, sports/culture etc., etc., all are important.

Moreover, due to the housing projects Gerald’s would be more ideal to the suggested alternative uses versus that as an Airport. If we are to have any remnants of the Montserrat way of life, the Airport at Gerald’s is not a good option for us as a people. This project should be rejected and our political leaders should not accept this because they must accept something! This time around half of a loaf is not better than none!

It would therefore seem that we will not have a British provided airport in the next three to five (3-5) years. But there is something they can give us much sooner.

There is need for a cemetery to replace that at Carr’s Bay. If that area is to be part of the New Seaport Development we need to stop using it now and find an alternative. Even if the Seaport does not go there, it is fast running out of space. Minister of Health, if the British will not provide for the Airport, please beg them to provide us with an adequate, health conscious resting place for our mortal remains. The money would be well spent!

A proper cemetery is needed and will surely show that the British care about us. After killing off our spirit, that on which the body thrives, the latter will surely die and be in need of a place to rest offering no further difficulty in respect of how history judges British policy toward Montserrat.

SEXUAL ABUSE

Definition:-

Forced, tricked and coerced sexual behaviour between a young person and an older person. Older definition of sexual abuse includes an age difference of at least 5 years between victim and perpetrator.

Sexual abuse of children

• Pornographic
• Incest
• Exhibitionism
• Fondling
• French kissing
• Penetration of objects
• Genital intercourse
• Oral sex
• Anal sex may be more common

Victims often know their perpetrator. As many as 80 percent of sexual abuse victims are abused by people known to them. Younger children have a significantly increased risk of being assaulted by a known perpetrator in a familiar environment such as the home.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SEXUALLY ABUSING ADULTS AND THEIR VICTIMS

• Lack of impulse control
• A confusion of roles/child is regarded not as a child but as the object of the adult’s needs
• Offenders may be passive, introverted, sociopathic – antisocial personality disorder, alcoholic, socially isolated or inadequate

The offender has low self-esteem, emotional immaturity, difficulty relating to age, appropriate peers, chaotic and dysfunctional family of origin.

The likelihood of molestation is increased within a dysfunctional family.

Various types of personality disorganisation and sexual identity confusion, younger age, and past or present involvement with the criminal justice system may interact with situational factors, such as alcohol or drug abuse, marital discord and accessibility to young girls leading to sexual abuse.

Both parents may be distant and inaccessible, stimulate sexual climate in the home or keep family secrets.

Non-offending mother may suffer severe emotional problems due to the disclosure of abuse, attempt suicide, and actually be victims of abuse by partner.

The majority of non-offending mothers believe their children’s allegations and often file formal complaints.

It is unclear what factors increases a child’s risk for sexual abuse.

Girls are victimised more often, although boys are also victims. Maybe under-reporting of male victimisation occurs because many male victims are abused by adolescent boys, and the narrow age difference leads to a label of inappropriate sex play rather than abuse.

Both male and female victims are at equal risk for physical trauma.

Boys are more likely threatened with physical sexual trauma as with girls, the majority of boys are abused by male offenders.

Incest

Older daughter of a family; begins approximately around 8 years. Children expect other adults to perceive what is happening and protect them.

When this does not happen the child level of trust diminishes.

To be continued…….

TREATMENT FOR INCONTINENCE

URINARY incontinence, the loss of bladder control, affects people of all age groups, but predominantly women.

It has been estimated that half of all adult women suffer from this condition at some time in their lives. Yet, the number of women and men who fail to seek treatment for urinary incontinence is surprisingly high. Many people think loss of bladder control is a "normal part of growing old" and "just something you live with."

The truth is that urinary incontinence is not caused by aging. Usually, it is brought on by specific changes in body function that result from infection, hormonal changes, diseases, pregnancy or the use of certain medications. In most cases, it can be controlled or cured.

Left untreated however, urinary incontinence can make life miserable. It can increase the chance of skin irritation and the risk of developing bedsores, and it often leads to social isolation and personal frustration.

For the individual with urinary incontinence, the first and most important step is to see a doctor for a complete medical examination. This is true whether the individual’s incontinence causes discomfort from slight losses of urine or disability from severe, frequent wetting.

Many treatment choices exist for people who seek medical attention for this condition. These treatments range from behavioural techniques to medications and several types of surgery.

Risk and Costs

The choice of treatment depends largely on the cause of the problem and the individual’s unique health circumstances, and personal preferences related to the treatment option’s benefits, risks and costs. Bladder training is one avenue of treatment which has been proved to be quite successful.

It is based on the idea that incontinence (bladder control) is a learned process. This option is important in treating urinary incontinence because it is free of risks and complications, and could be less expensive and less harmful than medication.

Bladder control involves the urinary system, the pelvic muscles, the spinal cord, and the brain. All must be in working order for the process of continence to take place.

As the bladder fills with urine, it expands and signals the spinal cord that it is getting full. When the signal is strong enough, one senses a feeling of fullness or pressure. Soon after, the spinal cord signals the bladder to empty. This reflex, occurs as the bladder muscle contracts and forces urine out through the urethra.

Bladder training may help the individual control the voiding reflex by improving her ability to control the pelvic muscles.

The doctor or nurse may advise the individual to follow a daily exercise programme to strengthen the pelvic muscles. These exercises are known as Kegel exercises.

They involve squeezing and relaxing the pelvic muscles. Squeezing the muscles will help the patient keep the urethra closed until it is time to void. Once the patient reaches a toilet, she can relax the muscles surrounding the urethra and allow it to open. At that point, her bladder will contract and force urine out through the urethra.

Related problems

Bladder training can help reduce the number of incontinent episodes, reduce the amount of fluid lost, and help related problems such as frequent urination during the night. It can be effective for two different kinds of incontinence, stress and urge.

Stress incontinence can occur during coughing, bending, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects, or after physical injury as a result of child-birth. Urge incontinence usually occurs during involuntary bladder contractions, which may be caused by a variety of problems, including urinary infections.

If bladder training doesn’t help you achieve the results you are looking for, ask your physician to suggest other forms of treatment, such as medications or surgery. A combination of several therapies also may be helpful, depending on the cause of your incontinence.

It is important to remember that treatment is available, and that the condition can be managed. Your physician will be able to determine the cause of your incontinence and recommend whether bladder training is the most appropriate course of treatment.

WHY DOES HE DO THAT?

Why does he act like such a baby when he's sick but he's useless to me in my time of need?

In Sickness and in Health

Men often expect to be cared for, and some women expect to care for them. Unfortunately, many men (and some women) also expect women to be self-sufficient and to keep the household running smoothly, even when they're sick. To make matters more complicated, women are not always as comfortable as we are in asking to have their needs met.

She's probably holding onto the notion that she has to please everyone all the time. This plain isn't fair to any human being, man or woman. Encourage her to ask for what she wants. She needs to communicate her needs clearly to you and you both need to work on your ability to resolve conflict.

You don't want to seem like an ogre, so be courteous to your mate. She'll be more willing to reciprocate the caring gesture with a steaming bowl of chicken soup when it comes your turn.

WHY DOES SHE DO THAT

Why does she hate quickies?

Surprise! She Doesn't

There's a mistaken belief that quickies are passe--that they're the quintessence of sexual selfishness for men and the ultimate form of sexual neglect for women. On the contrary, quickies can be passion's payload. The obvious prerequisite is that you both enjoy them and that you don't favor quickies at the expense of prolonged loving -- especially if that's what your partner wants or needs.

"Because of the emphasis placed nowadays on taking your time in sex--so the woman has plenty of time to be aroused and brought to orgasm -- I think there's a misconception that a quickie is something that only men will find appealing and enjoyable. Nothing could be further from the truth,''' says Carol Cassell, Ph.D., a sex therapist in private practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and author of Tender Bargaining.

"Women, too, find the idea of a stolen moment of carnal passion just as exciting and arousing," she says. If the woman is turned on, she doesn't necessarily need all the time the sex manuals say. In fact, in one study Dr. Cassell conducted of couples in long-term relationships, an overwhelming majority were quick to point to quickies as among their most exciting sexual moments together. Think about making a date with your partner, or catching a few brief moments of privacy and then finishing later. Both build anticipation and excitement of what's to come. Most important, seize the moment.

"There's a certain excitement and passion of the moment in a quickie that's really impossible to duplicate, "Dr. Cassell says. "If your partner calls and suggests a quickie, don't try to put it off. Go for it. "Carpe diem!

Address By The Secretary General Of The Caribbean Tourisn Organisation On The Occasion Of World Tourism Day

Today, September 27^th 1998, people world over are celebrating World Tourism Day, which this year has been themed "Public-Private Sector Partnership: The Key to Tourism Development and Promotion."

I recommend highly the address written for today’s celebrations by my international counterpart, Mr. Francisco Frangialli, who is really the major host of today’s celebrations. Mr. Frangialli reminds us, in the precursor to his address, that the purpose of World Tourism Day, instituted almost 20 years ago in 1979, is to heighten public awareness of tourism’s economic, cultural and social contribution.

The week of celebrations that we begin today, I feel suitably follows this directive. Montserrat, in fact the people of Montserrat, have a lot to be thankful for. Let us put behind us the events of the past. The people here have. Their courage and determination to literally build back from the ashes has a meaning which they alone can truly, truly comprehend. But we, in the rest of the Caribbean and in the rest of the World beyond the Caribbean, can also empathize.

We cannot help but be moved at the patriotism and determination displayed by these proud citizens. And they have a lot to be proud of. And a lot to look forward to.

God willing that the worst is behind us and we can put our efforts into achieving lost ground – no pun intended. Montserrat, which was noted for the beauty of the island and its beaches, now has something extra. Adventure tourism is at hand. The opportunities offered must not be missed. What is necessary now is for a responsible and sustainable approach to building back the tourism industry.

This is where we must re-examine today’s theme of public-private sector partnership in tourism development and promotion. We need to work together to achieve our goals. Indeed, we are where we are today because of our linkages with the private sector.

CTO has just concluded its 22^nd Caribbean Tourism Conference, which brings together public and private sector personnel to discuss ongoing trends and the future of the industry. At CTC-21 last year, a decision was made by one of our media partners to launch a sweepstakes, in conjunction with CTO, to raise money to buy basic necessities for the people of Montserrat.

In addition to the Relief Fund Sweepstakes, CTO has collected in excess of US$14,000 through collections taken at CTC-21 in Aruba last year; a Ball hosted by our London Office and World Travel Mart.

Several of our North American Chapters have also rallied to the call, and up to March this year had collected approximately US$4,300 to be used to subsidize the cost of buying supplies. The South Florida Chapter has acted as coordinator of monies collected by various other sources and American Airlines has provided free cargo transport for these items.

In recognition of the island’s mishap, CTO’s Board of Directors agreed to waive Montserrat’s membership dues while still providing full-member benefits and services so the country can channel its resources towards rebuilding.

And Air Jamaica, in collaboration with BWIA and CTO as well as several other corporate sponsors, has spearheaded a fabulous effort, a song, featuring prominent Caribbean artistes, again, to raise funds.

We have done our best for this island, because we believe in it and we know that the events of the past three years have just posed a temporary setback. It is simply a matter of time before Montserrat is back on its feet. On the occasion of World Tourism Day, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation salutes the contribution made by Montserrat in the past to Caribbean tourism and looks forward, confidently, to working with the people of this lovely island to get Montserrat’s tourism industry back on its feet for a more meaningful presence in the future.

I thank you.

World Tourism Day To Celebrate Partnerships

The theme of World Tourism Day 1998 is Public-Private Sector Partnership: The Key to Tourism Development and Promotion. WTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli offers the following official message for the celebrations which will take place around the world on September 27.

"It was not without good cause that our Twelfth General Assembly held at Istanbul adopted the theme of partnership between the public and private sectors for World Tourism Day 1998.

Throughout the world, the balances are shifting between the three hubs of responsibility for tourism development and promotion: central governments, local authorities and the private sector. Some countries, previously with centralized economies, are opening up to the market; others are pursuing privatization policies, more often than not successfully.

No one any longer doubts that private enterprises are the mainspring of tourism development, whether they be the large multinational groups that convey and reflect its cross-border dimension or the small and medium-sized businesses that form the weft of the sector’s industrial fabric.

But this does not mean that the public authorities should no longer shoulder the responsibilities normally incumbent on them.

Quite the contrary, in fact. Against a background of both growing globalization and ever-keener competition, it is important for each country to maintain an overall vision on a national scale and a global strategy aimed at promoting the development and competitiveness of the tourism industry.

Government intervention must be conceived in such a way as to provide enterprises with the most favourable framework for their action, whether this concerns the image of destinations, the regulatory, fiscal and social environment, the establishment of infrastructure - transport in particular - the effectiveness of the education and training system, the safety of visitors or the facilitation of their travel.

This public-private sector dialogue must at least involve the consultation of the latter by the former and, better still, partnership between the two.

Many experiments - especially but not exclusively in the area of promotion - take place throughout the world. On the whole, they are highly positive and WTO endeavours to make them known and encourage them.

At the same time, our Organization is, for its part, busy reflecting on these new balances and spirit of cooperation. It made the strategic choice at Istanbul to develop within it a vibrant public-private partnership, in particular by gathering together its Affiliate Members in a strong WTO Business Council. This step reflects an openness to the business world, without however challenging the principle that political authority should remain with the States in an Organization that intends to preserve its intergovernmental character.

This fundamental option guides our efforts at modernization. It will be done with caution and discernment, but without wavering or losing the momentum already gained, for it is on this that the future of our Organization depends."

Some Potential Benefits and Costs to the Community From Tourism

Benefits: Examples

Social

· Brings in outside dollars to support community facilities and services that otherwise might not be developed.

· Encourages civic involvement and pride.

· Provides cultural exchange between hosts and guests.

· Facilities developed for tourism can also benefit residents.

Environmental

· Fosters conservation and preservation of natural, cultural and historical resources.

· Encourages community beautification and revitalization.

· Clean industry.

· Improves infrastructure which, in turn, reduces environmental problems.

Economic

· Helps diversify and stabilize the local economy.

· Contributes to state and local tax base.

· Creates local jobs and business opportunities.

· Brings new money into the economy.

· Helps attract additional businesses and services to support the tourist industry.

Social

· May attract visitors whose lifestyles and ideas conflict with the community's.

· May create crowding and congestion.

· May compete with residents for available services, facilities, and existing recreation opportunities.

· May result in an increase in crime.

Environmental

· May degrade the quality of sensitive natural or historical sites.

· May increase litter, noise, and pollution.

· Land use problems such as linear or strip development

· Ecological disruption

Economic

· Places demands on public services and facilities (infrastructure) beyond tax revenues to support expanded services.

· May inflate property values and prices of goods and services.

· If outside interests own the tourism development, most of the economic benefits will leave the community.

Airport Shorthand

Her Majesty's policymakers

Foresee for Thatch Valley no takers.

Clare's made up her mind,

That option's defined

As Golden Elephant Acres.

September Remember

On hurricanes Hugo's the measure

Of pain to the island we treasure;

So when Georges dealt the nation

Almost no devastation,

'Twas an overdue potion of pleasure.

JUS' WONDERIN'

Jus wonderin why the Weather Channel, after being chided, would describe Montserrat with its 4,000 residents as "virtually uninhabited."

Jus wonderin if U.S. President Clinton could use that logic to argue that those 4,000 pages of the Kenneth Starr report on Monica Lewinsky are "virtually nonexistent."

Jus wonderin when the Weather Channel will require its on-camera pundits to take a refresher course in the geography of the Caribbean so they can all distinguish Martinique from the British Virgin Islands.

Jus wonderin whether a major Montserrat business will have to be reincorporated as Romeo's Lakeside Store and Marina.

Jus wonderin whether it will be as difficult to protect Bramble Airport from mudflows as it is to keep Davy Hill runoff from flooding Carrs Bay.

Jus wonderin if it is truthful to say that the Government influence and imposing their wishes on the people on the Airport issue.

Jus wonderin what a police check-point has to do with people collecting cooking gas.

Jus wonderin if Monlec is going to compensate people for their damaged electrical appliances.

Jus wonderin if the health department paid a visit to any of the Supermarkets in the aftermath of Hurricane Georges.

Jus wonderin about the "officialness" of the new State Car.

Jus wonderin what the Minister is doing about the non-availability of qualified teachers to teach certain subjects.

HiH

ADVERTISEMENTS

Labour Department Notice

The Labour Department has received several application from Caricom Nationals seeking employment in the construction industry in Montserrat. Employers/Contractors interested in hiring Carpenters, Masons, Plumbers, Electricians, Drivers etc. are kindly asked to contact the Labour Department at Geralds for further information between the hours of 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. from

Monday to Friday. The telephone number is 491- 4010.

Jim Van Hecke & Associates Ltd

Authorized agent for Nagico Insurances

Invites you to Let the Magic of Nagico work for you.

Insuring Home, Contents, Buisness, Contractors, Medical.

Office located at A & F Service Center,Sweeneys St.John’s

Montserrat. Tel: 491-9301 Fax 491-9302.

NOTICE TO RELOCATED HOUSEHOLDS

The Montserrat Land Development Authority (LDA) is inviting eligible, relocated households who wish to build their own low-cost houses, to apply for a grant under the recently approved Self-Build Housing Project. Persons who have already applied should contact the LDA.

The Project will offer financial assistance to 120 relocated households living in Montserrat, who have legal access to land in the northern zone. The level of subsidy depends on household size and resources with maximum grants of $33,700 for applicants requiring a 1-bedroom house; $41,390 for those needing a two-bedroom house; and $50,800 for those requiring a three-bedroom house.

Application forms, and details of the project, including eligibility criteria and approval and inspection procedures, are available at the offices of the LDA, the Ministry of Housing, Community Services Department, and all shelters.

Applications and supporting documents should be returned to LDA's office in Palm Loop by 30th September 1998. Persons who require additional information or need help to fill out their application can call LDA at 4914758/2687 or visit its office between 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

BANK OF MONTSERRAT LTD.

Is seeking to fill the following vacancies:

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES

Qualifications: Minimum - Five (5) O'Levels

Grades A, B&C

Five (5) CXC - Grades 1&2

Computer Literacy

Applications should be submitted along with curriculum vitae to

The Manager

Bank of Montserrat Ltd

P O Box 10

St Peters

MONTSERRAT

No later than October 16 1998

A Festival of Arts, Crafts, Music, Culture & Enterprise

September 27^th - October 3^rd, 1998

DATE EVENT VENUE TIME

SUN, Sept 27 Gospel Night Brades Pentecostal Church 7:00pm

MON, Sept 28 World Tourism Day Radio Montserrat All Day

Inter-cultural Exchange Postponed

TUES, Sept 29 Many Happy Returns Concert II Gerald’s Park Postponed

WED, Sept 30 Tourism Awareness Campaign Radio Montserrat All Day

THURS, Oct 1 Treasure Hunt on Wheels St. Johns – Cudjoe Head 5-6:00pm

FRI, Oct 2 Treasure Spot Jam Treasure Spot Bar 8:00pm

SAT, Oct 3 Street Fair/Art & Craft

Exhibition McChesney Estate 9:00am

Goat Water "Cook-Off"

Competition 12:00 noon

Fete, Jam Session &

Dance with visiting Artistes 6:00pm

Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: roachb@candw.ag

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