A direct challenge to two ministers of government this week by Hylroy Bramble, general secretary of the Allied Workers Union, sent the Honorable Rupert Weekes, Minister of Communications and Public Works, hurrying to Radio Montserrat in self defense.

Hon. Rupert Weekes,  Hylroy Bramble ('Labour Speaks'),  Hon. Adelina Tuitt

The second target of the Thursday broadcast of Labour Speaks, the Honorable Adelina Tuitt, Minister of Education, Health and Community Services, has made no public response.

At issue were topics that until Thursday had been undercurrents in conversations around the island: The first, Mrs. Tuitt's order terminating Health Department payment for eye care provided to Montserratians by visiting private opticians and ophthalmologists; the second, Mr. Weekes' priorities in road construction, involving the road to a lone house in Olveston.

On the latter issue, Mr. Bramble asked Mr. Weekes, "How could you justify to your constituents in Gerald’s Bottom that you are party to fixing a road for one house in Olveston when for years the Gerald’s Bottom community road, which is also the main road to the heliport, is in a serious state of disrepair?

"Mr Minister how could you justify spending over $100,000 for a road used by one person when the Banks/Brades/Shinn Lands road, which is in dire need of repairs, becomes the main road when work is being done in Cudjoe Head or Brades?"

"Mr Minister," he said, "I do not believe you were thinking clearly."

During his radio rebuttal, which he declared an attempt to clear up "misinformation," Mr. Weekes acknowledged that "the lady" had made repeated requests for work to be done on that road. He did not deny that working plans for such a project exist.

Neither Mr. Bramble nor Mr. Weekes named the occupants of the house in question.

Mr. Bramble's challenge to Mrs. Tuitt's decision brought to light a memorandum sent by Dr. Gordon Avery, chief medical officer, to all relevant personnel in the Health Department.

That document read:

"I have been instructed by the Honourable, Minister of Education, Health and Community Services that we are no longer permitted to bring in the services of private opticians and ophthalmologists to Montserrat.

"This means that we will no longer have any visits by eye specialists except those which are purely on voluntary no fee paying basis, like by Dr Scott in the New Year.

"I am well aware that there are still people who are willing to pay fees to see either the opticians or the ophthalmologist or both, and that these visitors have been very helpful to us in sorting out problems in the provision of eye care. We shall now have to try to work out some other way of meeting the eye care needs in our population. This may well turn out to be more expensive and less able to meet the needs of the people than the arrangements we have at present.

"Finally, you should be aware that any independent or private practitioners, including opticians and ophthalmologists, can visit and provide a service to Montserratians on island as long as we (the Health Department) are not supporting them in any way."

Mr. Bramble used Dr. Avery's memorandum as the springboard to accuse Mrs. Tuitt of taking "an easy route in relation to eye care." He scoffed at the suggestion that modern equipment now on island can provide adequate local care without people trained in its use.

He stressed the need for regular screening for glaucoma and cataracts, in the case of glaucoma patients, every three months.

He pointed to the need for most people getting eyeglasses to make two visits to the optician.

And he praised "doctors from Antigua (who) have offered a service to Montserratians over the years that has been second to none." (It was the most recent visit of an Antiguan ophthalmologist that prompted Mrs. Tuitt's directive).

Mr. Bramble praised those professionals who come to Montserrat to provide voluntary service, but said that one visit a year is too infrequent to fulfill all the island's needs.

He alluded to the need for more off-island ferry or helicopter trips in support of the memorandum's observation that the result "may very well end up, according to the letter that was written, to be more expensive and less able to meet the needs of the people."

Some Montserrat households will spend the weekend without propane (cooking) gas due to a temporary supply shortage of the essential product.

The shortage was described as temporary by Mr. Horatio Tuitt, director of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at St. John's. Mr. Tuitt says that although propane gas was landed here just Monday this week, the need was bigger than the supply, which was over two weeks late in arriving.

He said the late delivery was due to the storm which passed down the south end of the Caribbean and moved on to affect Puerto Rico, making it difficult for shipping by delaying the loading of the cooking gas onto the vessels for transport to Montserrat.

"There was a backup of people waiting for the gas when it arrived on Monday, causing the supply to finish quickly,'' Tuitt said yesterday.

But the director said that the problem should disappear on Monday when another ship docks in Montserrat with another supply of propane gas.

Two weeks ago, a similar petroleum shortage was averted when government made good payments to Delta for petroleum for monies outstanding to them for the product. Reports on the matter began an exchange of words between the Chief Minister and the Governor, who has direct responsibility for affairs at the EOC. The exchange between the two top men of state saw Governor Anthony Abbott making suggestions regarding radio ZJB that found Chief Minister David Brandt accusing the Governor of wanting to close down the radio station.

This past week we learnt of a meeting held in London where the Rt. Honourable Ladywood MP, Miss Claire Short, was in the presence of Montserratians.

The first question that comes to mind is how did she bring herself to be discoursing with Montserratians when she has to date refused to visit Montserrat to see for herself the disaster about which she has been asked so many questions even to the present.

It is possible that she was nothing more than what we have come to understand and believe about politicians, since a report of the meeting described her as ready to leave the meeting when questioned about the delivery of aid to Montserrat. She had apparently made it clear that she was there looking after her constituents' business, not as a government minister.

True to form, because it was not as the Ladywood MP that she reportedly declared that it was about time that Montserrat get away from the "dog and bone attitude," threatening also, "that is why each year the contributions from the HMG will be decreased."

It was as minister of government that she remarked that Montserrat has a per capita income of £6,250. She was obviously dividing the £25 million per year given to Montserrat for the past three years by a population of 4,000. That "per capita income," as she calls it, is supposed to restore living conditions in a part of the island hitherto barely inhabited and known to be the most barren of the island. It is noteworthy that they gave evacuees much more than this.

This is the same lady of whom it was said that she sees her current role, however, as "a joy". She told the Radio Times: "I actually think it's the best job in government and the most important…"

This same woman said: "Now it's time to mobilise the political will to implement what the world has already agreed upon -- the reduction of absolute poverty by half by 2015. It's a moral and environmental imperative."

One report out of London stated of her: "She had been briefly married as a teenager, then had married for a second time, amid some scandal, to the MP Alex Lyon. Mr. Lyon had left his wife and children to set up home with her."

She is notorious for her candid and off-the-cuff comments, the most outrageous to date still being when she accused the inhabitants of this volcano-ravaged island of making unreasonable demands. "They will be wanting golden elephants next." This was considered to be less than diplomatically expressed.

Maybe we should be comforted to know that she referred to the becoming famous millennium dome in England as being a flop: "It was a disaster. I never liked it…but now here we are - it has been a flop. She was speaking about something her own government had agreed to. But on Montserrat, she obviously has not relented. Although she later expressed regret to the House of Commons about her remark, it seems she has developed a near hatred for this little island.

Is there any wonder then, that in spite of her Ministry's desire to attempt to reduce poverty in the world, that her underlings have not yet found or refuse to find decent and efficient ways to deal with the total disaster that has faced Montserrat? Must Montserratians who remained become totally impoverished and more destitute?

Could it be that our refusal to follow their lead in believing that a cataclysmic eruption might sink the island prove to be our undoing? Montserratians are made to believe that this is the case in England, when in fact it is the economy that they are referring to, saying that it will sink, a natural. Coming out of that meeting also is the report that she told the Montserratians that they are better off remaining in England and they should not return to Montserrat. Who doesn’t know the consequences if a sizeable portion of them do not return.

Reminding the people that she didn't like the Chief Minister only further demonstrates the difficulty ensured for Montserrat, and her reason for advising them not to return, since he is always finding ways to tell evacuees that the hope is to make it possible for them to return to the home of their birth.

Perhaps now Montserratians and those in responsible positions will understand the nature of the struggle ahead, can see behind the walls, the pretense, the half grins, the hypocrisies in Miss Short's candidness, and work to bring all Montserratians together, if they really desire an even-better-than-before Montserrat.

We should remember and realise, it was never the intention to leave Montserrat to the goats and donkeys and the animals of the wild. It was just to get Montserratians and the other residents who were willing to stay out of here, to bring in the new owners.

If we had all fallen, Montserrat would be well populated already, the economy would have become great; W.H. Bramble airport would be open and functioning and might have welcomed visitors in due course. This doesn't require a fictitious imagination; just look at who were purchasing the homes in the subdivisions, when local and American homeowners believed their lies.

"To win some be winsome"

Though Paul is coming to the close of his letter, his thoughts flow as beautifully as they do in his opening remarks. Eugene Peterson’s rugged paraphrase of these verses is well worth considering: "Use your head as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation. Not to put them down, not cut them out."

Many are not wise in the way they share their faith. They are insensitive and intrusive .A dear old Christian I used to know wrote in the flyleaf of my Bible: "To win some be winsome." When the apostle talks about our conversations being "always full of grace seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone," he is not thinking of memorising systematically prepared theological arguments so that we can give Biblical answers to questions that may be asked of us. That, of course, can be helpful, even important. No he is thinking not so much about what we say but it. How many times have you been closeted with a salesman who by his slick sales techniques has intimidated until you bought something just to get rid of him? Evangelism should never be a

"hard sell." We should take advantage of every opportunity to share Christ, even offer Him, but we must always respect the right of the person to whom we are witnessing to say "No." There was an occasion when Jesus talked to a rich ruler who turned away from His words (Luke 18:18-25). Did Jesus run after him, and try to press him into making a decision? No, He let him go because He respected his right to say" No".

Father, forgive me if I put people off by insensitivity and aggressiveness. You respect my right to say "No"; help me respect that right in others. In Jesus Name. Amen

Dear Mr. Editor,

Please allow me a space in your newspaper to comment on the call-in program held earlier this week on "freedom of the press."

The program, although very interesting and informative, had its flaws. The program was meant to be a call-in program; however, the discussions amongst the panelists were too long. At the time when persons began to call in the program ended, and this may have sent the message that the public’s views were not that important.

I found it very interesting and appalling that one caller actually suggested that the Government should pay for its own radio addresses. It has been the norm in Montserrat for many years that if the opposition wanted to air any speeches on Radio Montserrat they would pay an affordable fee to do so. This was further confirmed in Chedmond Browne’s comments on the news and his word counts, since he has been on the opposition side for many years. Another caller ignorantly suggested that the opposition be allowed to air his views on Radio Montserrat free of cost. Not surprising that the suggestion was made, since Montserratians are in the free-seeking mode. That caller is really trying to shut down the radio station when he is suggesting that the Government stop collecting its revenue.

The Honorable David Brandt was on the opposition side for many years and not once did we hear a complaint out of him suggesting that he should be given free air time. Why should he now turn around and grant his opposition that privilege? I am sure that no striving politician will be bold enough to suggest that, because it would mean that if they were elected to run this island the courtesy would have to be maintained.

One of the panelists kept indicating that the Governor was not the first to suggest a board of Governance, and the implementation of laws. This same panelist stated that very few laws were in place to govern broadcasting, except for those which involve defamation of character, etc. It was my view that the program was put on to educate, inform and clarify any misconceptions in the minds of the public. But when a panelist can be so contradictory, credibility is in question.

Since the Government runs the radio station they should have the final say on how the radio station is run. There have been no reported cases of people having problems in airing their views on Radio Montserrat and the implications that there is a problem is not only ludicrous but borders on dishonesty. Those persons who have problems with criticism on the radio need to seek legal advice and make the radio station an example. If what is being aired on the radio is just another part of freedom of the media, then let it be. Labor Speaks attacks the Government of Montserrat every week, yet we have never heard the Chief Minister taking up any battles with him. He at least appreciates that public officials will receive criticism.

So let us not get petty and try to create problems that do not exist. We do not have a problem and we should really not "call wolf." Three cheers to Radio Montserrat for a job well done, keep up the good works and continue to strive in keeping our station local and on the air.

'No Problem Person'

Dear Editor,

I wish to congratulate the Man from Baker Hill for his provocative article which should awaken the conscience of those aspiring to be our leaders. I do not agree with his impression that many people in Montserrat would support a cancellation of the next election. This measure is contradicted in the same article by the suggestion that Montserrat be managed by the Governor and a group of concerned citizens. Who should choose these concerned citizens? Should it not be the entire electorate? Every teacher, fisherman and taxi driver has an equal right to say who should be selected or appointed.

I agree that the cost of our ministerial system is higher than can be afforded by our population and economy, and I am committed to a readjustment of salaries to match incomes for other comparative tasks in Montserrat However, the cost of the Ministerial system should not be judged in isolation, without reference to the cost of the Governor’s Office, and the cost of the DIFID management team.

It is absurd for there to be three management teams, each taking a large slice of the resources available to the people of Montserrat. The only valid management team in a democratic society is one that includes the elected representatives of the people. It is my opinion that there should be a merging of the three management teams to ensure more equitable and cost effective use of our resources.

I am sure that my good friend from Baker Hill was not serious when he suggested what was in fact a suspension of our constitutional rights. This is a very serious recommendation, which would require a 2/3 majority of the electorate. I doubt if more than 10 percent of the population would support a cancellation of elections. Especially if they are reminded that:

It was their constitutional rights that prevented the residents of Baker Hill and the North of Montserrat from being forced to abandon their homes, which will never be threatened by the volcano.

Constitutional rights that allowed us to make alternative plans for the provision of emergency surgical services on island, despite the decision not to support such activity.

Constitutional rights that give those elderly Montserratians overseas, who have a burning desire to spend their last years in their homeland, a chance of achieving that goal.

Constitutional rights that allow us to remain and participate as a full member of CARICOM.

It would be biased not to admit hat there have been negative consequences of our constitutional rights.

For example: a constitution that allows wealthy candidates or those with wealthy supporters to have an advantage. A constitution that allowed bitter political rivals who lost an election to get together and totally exclude the group with the largest popular support from the management process; Constitutional rights that cost us the 1,000 homes that Governor Savage wanted in the North; Constitutional rights that allowed a $3-million return of the secondary school to Salem, despite potential risks from ash.

Notwithstanding these negative events, it is our constitutional rights that allow us to retain some semblance of pride, and a desire for equity, self sufficiency and freedom.

Constitutional rights that allow us to fight the weapons of cultural and economic suppression, which are: control of the media, and restriction of the capacity to earn.

Support for cancellation of the election will come only from those who accept the dog and bone attitude label, recently described by the Hon. Clare Short. The lady is quite right (especially if she looks at her doorsteps) to be concerned about DFID’s money being wasted in Montserrat. Just as she objected to the Millenium Dome project, I would expect her to object to £100,000 (One hundred thousand pounds) being spent on a ‘Tax Advisor’ for a community of 4,000-5,000 people, where very few, if any, business places can make a profit. Barking when the bone is withdrawn is not the answer. A preferred option is to adjust one’s needs and expenditures, until a new bone is either found or created. For this, our constitutional rights are indispensable.

Canceling the election is not the solution. Those of us who wish to see this country run properly, and its future secure, must come out from behind personalities and parties, and actively support the election of representatives who will do what we expect of them.

Sincerely,

Lowell Lewis

A United Kingdom national who was arrested and charged with breaking the island’s immigration laws has been ordered deported.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Simon Morson told newsmen that arrangements have been put in place to allow the man to leave the island today.

Police sources confirmed that the man in question had no connection whatever with the Montserrat Reporter, who confirms likewise.

ZJB News reported earlier this week that Doris Dorsette has won her appeal in the October sitting of the Court of Appeal.

Persons who face domestic violent situations now have an outlet to share their problems.

A hotline sponsored by the Bank of Montserrat and the Shamrock Lions Club has been opened to allow victims and perpetrators of domestic violence to speak to trained counselors.

They can be reached on 1-800 – MNI-Help or 1-800-664-4357.

The Honourable Minister of Health and Community Services Adelina Tuitt says the hotline provides residents with the support mechanism to help persons to deal with domestic violence.

The Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions (CCCU) held its quarterly meeting in Montserrat at the Tropical Mansion Suites October 5 to 6.

This was the second quarterly meeting held in Montserrat, the first being in 1993, since the Executive Director of the St. Patrick's Co-operative Credit Union, Mrs. Roselyn Cassell-Sealy, was first co-opted to the Regional Credit Union Board.

Mrs. Cassell-Sealy has since gone on to serve as Secretary as well as Treasurer to the Board of Directors of CCCU and now holds the post of Vice-President.

The CCCU is the apex body for the regional credit unions and has 18 affiliate members, with some 400 credit unions and over 1 million members.

Also hosted by the St. Patrick's Credit Union movement was a regional workshop for 23 regional credit union staff and officers. Four officers from the St. Patrick's Credit Union also participated.

The workshop participants and CCCU Directors were welcomed to Montserrat by the Deputy Governor, His Excellency Dr. Howard Fergus, at a cocktail at the Vue Pointe Hotel. Also in attendance was the Acting Chief Minister, the Honorable Rupert Weekes, Minster of Education the Honorable Adelina Tuitt, and members of Parliament, Mr. Frank Edwards and Bertrand Osborne.

The workshop and Board meeting set the tone for activities to celebrate International Credit Union Week, which runs from October 16 to October 22.

During this week the St. Patrick's Credit Union will celebrate with its membership under the theme: "Join us, 100 million members worldwide" with a Credit Union Open Day on October 20 and a service at the Salem Catholic Church on October 22.

The Montserrat Cricket Association, operating under the sponsorship of Trailfinders, The Travel Experts, announced this week the receipt of an EC$25,000 grant from the office of HE The Governor Mr. Anthony Abbott.

The grant will be used to support the MCA's youth cricket programmes, in particular to allow Montserrat to compete in the first LICA under-17 tournament next year.

The MCA expressed its thanks to His Excellency for his continuing interest and support. A formal presentation will take place when he returns from leave.

A health survey is underway to determine whether volcanic ash has had any effect on the health of at least 400 workers who were exposed to high ash levels during the volcanic crisis. The survey is being conducted by the Institute of Occupational Medicine based in the UK, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

Workers being surveyed include the Police and Defence Forces, Public Works staff, Port workers, and the staff of MONLEC and the Montserrat Water Authority. These workers spent time working in Plymouth when only essential services were allowed to operate and ash levels were high. In addition, workers from the former Rice Mills, gardening and lawn cutting workers, and any other workers who have received high ash exposure over time, are encouraged to come forward for this free service.

Those taking part in the survey receive a chest X-ray and a lung function (breathing) test, and participants are also asked to fill out a questionnaire, with the whole procedure taking half an hour or less. Results are confidential, but will be available to individuals taking part after being analyzed in the UK. The questionnaire includes questions about any symptoms experienced, areas where the person has lived, and type of work done at different times. Height and weight are also done.

Dr Peter Baxter & Claude Hogan research coordinator

Heading the survey team is Dr. Peter Baxter of Cambridge University, who has been advising on the health aspects of the volcanic crisis since early on. Also in the team are radiographer Ms. Marion Russell and senior medical technician Scott Dempsey, both based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Radiographer Mildred O'Garro, visiting medical student Niall Conlon, and Cathy Buffonge are also assisting with the survey.

The survey is being conducted by the UK-based Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, Montserrat. Dr. Baxter says the exercise will "reassure Montserratians" of the state of their lungs and respiratory health.

Any adult who has worked in high ash levels for an extended period is invited to take part in this survey. Those belonging to organizations or statutory bodies are being contacted through their organization, but others, such as gardening or rice mill workers, are invited to contact the X-ray department at the Hospital for an appointment. The survey team will be here for a limited time, so it is best to book early to make sure of being included. The survey is being funded by DFID.

Former Dominica Prime Minister Rosie Douglas, who died Sunday, Oct. 1, will be buried Saturday at his family's estate, after a state funeral at the Portsmouth Roman Catholic Church.
The burial is planned for the Douglas family's Hampstead estate, just outside Portsmouth, where Mr. Douglas' father, R.B.D. Douglas, and his brother, Michael, were buried.

Definite plans for the state funeral were delayed by the completion of separate autopsies, the second by Cuban doctors at the request of the family.
Mr. Douglas, 58, was found dead at his home on the morning of Oct. 1 The initial autopsy report said he died from an enlarged heart brought on by the effects of high blood pressure. That post mortem was performed Oct. 4 by Dr. Hubert Daisley, Professor of Pathology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of the West Indies (UWI), Trinidad, and Dr Peter Bellot, Pathologist at the Princess Margaret Hospital and Professor of Pathology at the Ross University School of Medicine.

The second autopsy was conducted Tuesday by two Cuban pathologists as a result of the family's request.

The decision on the burial site, meanwhile, was made by Mr. Douglas' 81-year-old mother Bernadette Douglas, who wished that her son be buried next to his father and his brother -- both of whom were also politicians. Questions about the site had been raised in light of a media interview in which the late Prime Minister said that he wished to be buried among the people.
Sister Pat Douglas, a Catholic nun and the sister of Mr. Douglas, told a news conference Tuesday morning that the family are satisfied and impressed with the arrangements being made by the state for his funeral and burial.

That decision was reaffirmed after a meeting of the family in response to protests by residents of Portsmouth that his wishes should be honored by a burial in that cemetery.

As Portsmouth spruced up in preparation for huge weekend crowds of visiting foreign and local dignitaries and officials, Mayor Julian said Brewster appealed "to every citizen of Portsmouth, in the interest of Rosie, and as a demonstration of our love and respect for our dear leader, let us do everything within ourselves to ensure that things run smoothly, and we give him the best send off possible."
Mr. Douglas' body was scheduled to lie in state at the State House on Victoria Street in Roseau from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, in the southern village of Grand Bay for Friday morning, and on Friday afternoon until midnight in the late Prime Minister's hometown of Portsmouth, followed by a vigil.
Attorney General Bernard Wiltshire told reporters the second autopsy was done to confirm the findings of the first report. He said it was a natural part of the process expected in the case of sudden death, especially of the leader of a country.
Following the first autopsy, medical officials said family members were "very satisfied" with the findings.
One of Mr. Douglas' three sons, however, called for a Cuban team of pathologists to conduct an independent autopsy. In addition to the first autopsy, toxicology test are to be conducted on tissue samples from Mr. Douglas' body, including stomach contents, hair, fingernails, urine and blood, the results of which are expected from Trinidad next week.

Jamaica's Attorney General, A.J. Nicholson, said over the weekend that the absence of a final Caribbean Court of Appeal represents a serious compromise on the region's claims of sovereignty.
"No country can claim to be truly independent if its final court of appeal is not situated within its own borders or within its own sphere of influence," Mr. Nicholson told the graduates of the Hugh Wooding Law School on Saturday.
"In the Americas, the group of countries within the Commonwealth Caribbean are the only countries which have not 'completed their independence' in that regard. This state of affairs represents a very serious compromise of our claims of sovereignty."
Mr. Nicholson said the issue of delinking from the judicial committee of the London-based Privy Council was not one that had arisen only recently. He said the question of whether to abolish appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and to have a Caribbean Court of Appeal has been on the table for discussion since as far back as 1947.
In that year, a meeting of West Indian governors hosted by Barbados, urged the establishment of a West Indian Final Court of Appeal, voiced strong support for the creation of a University College of the West Indies and pressed the case for the movement of Caribbean people throughout the region.

Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Mr. K Dwight Venner, says that the Commonwealth/World Bank Small States Initiative has galvanised small states and international organisations to focus attention and hopefully allocate resources to address the problems of these states.

The Governor was addressing the October 5^th opening session of the ECCB-sponsored Fifth Annual Conference on Development, which this year has as its theme "Facing up to the Challenges and Opportunities of our Smallness."

He noted that with the increase in the number of small states in the international community the question was whether small size is a binding constraint and, if so, under what circumstances the constraint could be overcome.

Governor Venner called on small states to put their political and economic houses in order and to strive for the highest levels of political and economic integration that the political traffic can.

The two-day conference which took place at the ECCB auditorium in Basseterre, St. Kitts, was attended by some 90 participants drawn from the public and private sectors in ECCB member territories and the wider Caribbean.

That meeting will appoint a Board of Directors and determine the organizational structure of ECTEL. It will also appoint an interim managing director and make appropriate financial arrangements for meeting the body’s initial operating expenses.

Prime Ministers of the Participating States signed the treaty establishing ECTEL on May 4 in Grenada. Since then the body has received the required instruments of ratification from the member states to make it a legally constituted entity.

The October 18 launching will take place at the Bay Gardens Hotel. The opening session, which begins at 9:30 a.m.,, will be addressed by St. Lucia’s Prime Minister, Honourable Kenny Anthony. Dr. Anthony is also expected to sign the ECTEL Headquarters agreement on behalf of the government of St. Lucia. The opening ceremony will be followed by a closed session.

Also attending will be World Bank officials, who will be visiting St. Lucia for a mid-term review of the OECS Telecommunications Reform Project, of which ECTEL is a component.

The St. Lucia leader said the challenge facing the Caribbean was to find an economic and political ideology that is both just and pragmatic, a response to globalisation that produces healthy economic growth but keeps a social conscience.
He said that the ability to market the world through the Internet was creating a more level playing field than the WTO can offer.
"That technology provides us with access to the half of the 1 per cent of world trade that we need to sustain less than a quarter of a million people," he noted.

Mr. Grant is expected to lead PAM into the next general election constitutionally due in 2005.
He said the party was not seeking electoral reform "just because we were defeated, because the Commonwealth Observer team came into St. Kitts in 1995 and recommended that there be electoral reform and pledged their help and support to the government for electoral reform.
"And we are saying that the time is now and it is now appropriate to welcome the assistance of the Commonwealth Observer team...."
The former PAM party chairman said the party would seek to get Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas at the bargaining table to discuss the matter.
"We are going to allow the government to have at least until January 2001 to come to the negotiating table to tell the people of the Caribbean and the people of St. Kitts and Nevis whether or not they are really and truly interested in democracy," Mr. Grant said.
Dr. Simmonds, who was at the helm when PAM was defeated by the St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) in the March 6 general election, was still concerned about his party's disastrous showing at the poll, an official said. "He decided it was time for new blood to run the party.".
Dr. Simmonds, who served PAM for over 35 years, will remain a member of the party.
The SKNLP easily captured all eight seats in St. Kitts to secure a second consecutive five-year term in office. The Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) won two of the three Nevis seat, and the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) the other one.
PAM lost the only seat it held going into the poll.

So far this year 34 people had been deported for using forged travel documents.

Montserrat failed to advance to the next stage of the 2001 CONCACAF Under-20 football tournament after losing to Dominica in both matches of the qualifying round in Roseau on the weekend.

The home team beat Montserrat 15-1 on Sunday to add to their 12-0 victory on Saturday.

Michael Joseph netted five times, Ergel Smith four times, Alister Alfred twice, while Rashid Bertrand, Colin Bernard, Delbert Hazel and Reggie Caesar contributed one goal each to the Dominican onslaught.

England-based Shane Greenaway scored the lone goal for Montserrat.

Dominica moves on to meet Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Grenada for a round-robin zonal contest in Kingston starting in mid-November.

The Montserrat shattering defeat was in spite of some six to eight young Montserratians brought in from England where they currently live.

The defeat has also raised questions as to the wisdom of exposing the youngsters to such crushing defeats rather than delaying their participation and using the funds expended to improve their training and facilities.

The Montserrat Cricket Association has named an under-17 team to represent it in the forthcoming 2000 One Day League, in preparation for the inaugural Leewards Under 17 tournament to be held next year.

The first practice session will take place at Salem Park on Tuesday, 17^th October at 3.00 p.m. Transport will be provided home afterwards.

The MCA also announced that practice sessions for youngsters who are interested in representing Montserrat in the 2000 Under 15 Leewards Tournament will commence on Monday, 16^th October, at 3.00 p.m. at Salem Park. Transport will be provided home after practice.

To be eligible, players must have been younger than 15 on 1^st September, 2000.

The annual general meeting of the MCA will be held at Brades Primary School on Wednesday, 18^th October, at 7.30 p.m. All players, potential officials and other members of the public are welcome to attend.

The agenda will include a proposal by the executive to revise the current constitution. Anyone wishing to have copies of the current and proposed constitution prior to the meeting should contact MCA Secretary Rawle Kelsick (tel. 491 2581 work or 491 5571 home).

The Montserrat Sports Department is seeking to develop the sport of table tennis on island.

Sports Officer Fitzroy Buffonge says the Department is encouraging residents of Look Out and other communities to start playing the sport, having installed tables and other equipment at the abandoned Secondary school in Look Out and the Salem Primary School for public use.

Prior to volcanic activity table tennis was played at various locations and Mr. Buffonge is hoping that in coming months the level of interest in the game can surpass what it was when the crisis began.

Efforts are also afoot to revive the Table Tennis Association, conduct training sessions, and host local competitions.

Who is the favorite for the 2000 Red Stripe Bowl? Which team is the front-runner for the premier regional one-day tournament? My front runners are Jamaica in Zone A and the Leeward Islands in Zone B. Zone A, which will be played in Jamaica, include the host country Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States of America and Canada. Zone B, which is being hosted by the Leeward Islands in Anguilla and Antigua and Barbuda respectively, include the Leeward Islands, Guyana, the Windward Islands, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.

But who are the favourites to win the coveted Millennial Red Stripe Bowl? My prediction is that the cricketers from the Leewards will lay hold on the Red Stripe Bowl. The battle will not be easy. Leeward cricketers will have to fight consistently for every inch of ground in Anguilla and Antigua and every square area in Jamaica. But should they play (according to their former captain, Richie Richardson) to their potential, they would hold the coveted Bowl in its land of origin on June 22.

What are the hurdles that they will have to jump? Ridley Jacobs and his men will have to overcome the resilient and talented Guyanese and the much improved and confident Windward Islanders. On a related issue, I think the Leeward Islands cricket administration has made a tactical error in replacing Nevisian Stuart Williams, with Antiguan Ridley Jacobs. Obviously they must have reasoned that he more than Williams stands a better chance of becoming West Indies captain. But I think that thought is seriously misplaced.

The Leeward Islands’ opening batting pair of Williams and Mitchum is fairly established now and has grown over the years. The first, a classy stroke-maker, and the second, an informed and talented run-gatherer, they provide the champion team with a good combination in this version of the game. The middle order including Keith Arthurton, Runako Morton, Sylvester Joseph, Colin Cannonier and Dave Joseph is the best on paper. Although it is somewhat lacking runs, it has the experience, talent and variety that could murder any team on a good wicket on a good day. And in Carl Tuckett and Wilden Cornwall, they have two excellent all-rounders. The wicket takers would be Prince, Jeremy and Maynard.

An opening eleven which includes Stuart Williams, Junie Mitchum, Keith Arthurton, Runako Morton, Dave Joseph, Colin Cannonier, Ridley Jacobs, Carl Tuckett, Wilden Cornwall, John Maynard and Goldwin Prince is one of the most competitive combinations in the tournament.

What threat does Guyana pose? Mark Harper, coach of Guyana's Red Stripe Bowl team, believes that Guyana has a very good chance of taking the regional title. He is correct. Guyana is a very well balanced team, with quality players in all departments, which can self-destruct through complacency and over-confident. Travis Dowlin is in good form, coming from a well-crafted 112 in the trial matches and warm up games. The experienced former West Indian all-rounder, Carl Hooper, who will be playing to impress the selectors, if they are mature enough to select him in a team that needs an experience middle order class batsman like him. There is a lot for players like Keith Semple, skipper Neil McGarrell, Reon King, rising star Travis Dowlin and wicketkeeper Vishal Nagamootoo to play for.

The Windward Islands must not be taken for granted anymore since their consistent performances to win the 2000 Under-19 tournament, and since the core of their team constitutes the youth players. Where they lack in experience, they make up for in talent and resilience. The southern team boasts a number of young talents, including Grenadian left-hander Devon Smith who captained the Windward Islands to their first title in regional youth cricket, scoring 336 runs and being named the Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Apart from Devon Smith and the other more experienced players, the team will be bolstered by in-form and prolific batsman Romel Currency, who anchored the batting against Jamaica in the final match, tamed the Jamaican bowlers and ensured victory; Kenroy Peters, who performed well with the bat and ball, taking 3-62 in the last match against Jamaica; and leg spinner Camillus Alexander, a West Indian Youth Cricketer, who received a prize for his best all-rounder- 28 wickets and 91 runs, at an average of 30.1.

In addition, the rebirth or Second Coming of the St Lucian talented batsman, John Eugene, is an important development. He has a divine and national mission, since he fell in love with the God of the Bible and he is determined to make a positive and lasting statement to the selectors. John Eugene, that talented middle-order batsman, blossomed in 1990 with that memorable domination against a Barbadian fast bowling attack including the late Malcolm Marshall. Eugene established his intention for bigger things when he registered a century against South Africa A to ensure a draw for the Windward Islands. He is now 30 and his knocking at the door of the West Indies team is timely, although his competition from the younger generation is stiff.

There is no lack in the bowling department. Their major concern has been their batting. Should the Windward Islands’ batting deliver, the Leewards Islands could have to work very hard to get the ascendancy. And when they reach Jamaica, they will have to re-double their efforts.

Jamaica, the defending champions, will be playing all their matches at home, and are determined to keep their hold on the coveted Red Stripe Bowl, symbol of regional limited overs cricket supremacy. But many like me have argued that the Jamaican private sector enterprise, Red Stripe, inaugurated the tournament, firstly, with an underlying intention of anticipating Jamaica as the supremacy cricketing nation in the British Caribbean cricketing nations and secondly to boost sales of its Red Stripe beer during the historic annual Hero’s weekend.

The locals will field a formidable team including talented players like Wavell Hinds, Marlon Samuels and Laurie Williams. Former West Indies opening batsman Robert Samuels will add talent and experience and the rest of the team will include promising opening batsman, Brenton Parchment, test bowling all-rounder, Nehemiah Perry, test fast bowler Franklyn Rose, Gareth Breese and Brian Murphy.

They would be challenged by Barbados with players like Sherwin Campbell, Courtney Browne, Hendy Bryan,  Corey Collymore, Adrian Griffith, Ryan Hinds, Dave Marshall and Philo Wallace but they would my definite favourites in Zone A.

Trinidad and Tobago's chances of winning this year's Red Stripe Bowl cricket tournament would have been seriously undermined with the late withdrawal of master batsman Brian Lara from the team. The war will be too demanding for young captain Richard Smith and his young gladiators.

The Leeward Islanders know all the tricks, all the tests, all the highways and byways. They have been at the top; they have squandered their opportunities before; they have regained their chances before; and they will be going for the kill, Ambrose or no Ambrose!

If I had money, part of my fortune would be placed on them. The games have been bowled; let us follow the fight until Oct. 22 on Hero’s Day.

PHOTO CAPTION: Look out for Marlon Samuels (above). He is a bundle of talent (Photo: Peter Adrien)

Ask any person in Montserrat the number of laws on the statute books of Montserrat and I believe except for maybe two persons you may get a correct answer. There are over 500 laws on the statute books of Montserrat (this include over 40 laws which have been extended to Montserrat by the United Kingdom).

However, many of these laws will be repealed when the law revision commences maybe in the new year.

Of the United Kingdom overseas territories, Montserrat has been up to date in passing laws, namely drug legislation and legislation to cooperate with other countries in criminal proceedings and investigations.

With the exception of the Proceeds of Crime Legislation and the Mutual Legal Assistance Criminal Matters (United States of America) Ordinance 1991 (a treaty between the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning the Cayman Islands relating to mutual legal assistance in criminal matters which was extended to Montserrat), Montserrat was among the first of the Overseas Territories to passed legislation like Drug (Prevention and Misuse) Ordinance 1989, Drug Trafficking Ordinance 1990 and the Criminal Justice (International Cooperation) Ordinance, 1991,

In addition Montserrat has passed the Fraudulent Disposition Act 1998 and the Exchange of Information Act 1999.

Montserrat with its present legislation has in place legislation to combat money laundering and be in a position to re-enter the offshore industry. Although KPMG is presently doing a report on Montserrat pertaining to Harmful Tax Legislation, only three legislations fall within the OECD Harmful Tax.

They are -

1. The International Business Company Ordinance 1985;
2. Limited Liability Company Act 1998; and
3. Limited Partnership Act 1998.

Harmful tax is defined as a company exempt from the payment of tax on dividends, interest, rents, royalties and capital gains paid to or made by persons not resident in Montserrat, or better known as unfair tax practice.

Although there might be a few legislations that will need to be amended to make Montserrat legislation tighter, Montserrat should now be getting people trained to have its Offshore Industry up and running.

On the Statute books we have the following legislation -

1. Company Act 1998
2. Trust Act 1998
3. Partnership Act 1998
4. Limited Partnership Act 1998
5. Exempt Mutual Fund Act 1998
6. Company Management Act 1998
7. Limited Liability Company Act 1998

At the moment the Financial Services Department is functioning with just one person. That one person is being overworked with the requests for information from CFATF and KPMG. The Caribbean Financial Task Force of which Montserrat is a member is stationed in Trinidad and is a body that is responsible for monitoring money laundering activities in the Caribbean. They were on island early this year doing a report on Montserrat legislation on money laundering.

The Country Policy Plan is up for review and I hope that the Government of Montserrat is putting forward the case to British Budgetary negotiating team for additional staff and training to get Montserrat Offshore Industry back on track. If not we might as well table a bill in the Legislative Council to repealed legislation (2-7).

I think the time is right now in place a plan to balance our budget. Some people may say I might be speaking rubbish but it there is a 3-5 year plan and if Government was to put measures in place to control Government spending within the respective department it could be done.

As we all know, God helps those who help themselves.

Cataract, often referred to as lens opacity, is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye.

The lens of the eye is normally clear, but if it becomes cloudy or opaque it is called a cataract. Cataracts may be present at, or shortly after birth and are known as congenital cataracts. They may be familial or may be caused by congenital infections such as Rubella. Risk factors include inherited metabolic diseases, a family history of cataract and maternal viral infection.

Adult cataract is generally associated with aging. It tends to run in families and may be accelerated by environmental factors. It may also develop in response to metabolic diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus. Adult cataracts develop slowly and painlessly with a gradual loss of vision.

Adult cataracts are classified as immature, mature and hypermature. If the lens has some remaining clear areas it is referred to as an immature cataract. If the lens is completely opaque it is called a mature cataract.

In the case of a hypermature cataract, the lens has a liquefied surface that leaks through the capsule and may cause inflammation.

Other factors that may contribute to the development of cataract are: -

• Long term use of corticosteroids
• Other inflammatory and metabolic disorders
• Trauma
• Radiation exposure
• Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light (sunlight)

However, in some cases the cause of cataract is unknown. Most people who develop cataract, have it in both eyes, but one eye may be worse than the other. Also, there are some people with cataract who don’t even know that they have it.

Here are some signs and symptoms to observe.

• Cloudy, fuzzy or foggy vision
• Halos around light
• Impaired vision at night, especially while driving, caused by the effects of bright light.
• Double vision.
• White or cloudy spots in the lens of the eye and
• Changes in the way you see colours.

This feature will continue next week with the Treatment of Cataract.

at the Overseas Territories Consultative Council Meeting in London, Oct 2000
(Pd for Insertion)

Ladies and Gentlemen, over the course of today and tomorrow we will continue a series of truly important discussions regarding the relationship between The Overseas Territories and the United Kingdom. It is my hope that we can arrive at a common understanding of modern partnership so we can begin quickly to put it into effect.
The Hon. Robin Cook, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in Her Majesty¹s Government, has spoken eloquently on this topic. He has laid it out with great clarity in his White Paper. I want to say at the outset that I fully agree with his postulation that our new modern partnership should be based on the following four fundamental principles:

• First, self-determination
• Second, mutual obligations and responsibilities
• Third, freedom for the territories to run their own affairs to the greatest degree possible, and
• Fourth, a firm commitment from the UK to help the territories develop economically and to assist them in emergencies.

I would like these four principles to be the framework of our discussions and that the topic for this session: Constitutional Modernisation and Good Governance be considered in the context of establishing our modern partnership.
It has been suggested that I cover in this introduction such areas as:

• measures to promote open, transparent and accountable government,
• improving the effectiveness of the public service through a public sector reform programme, including training and secondment of public servants with the UK,
• improvements to the composition and operation of legislatures and Executive Councils and,
• electoral reform.

I have made it my duty to include these important areas in the discussion

It is true that all of us have chosen to retain our connection to Britain. Or to put it more bluntly, have chosen not to opt for full independence at this time. Unfortunately, too many of the examples around us dictate that we be cautious about independence. But it would be unwise to interpret this as a vote against independence in and of itself. Thankfully, this is not at issue.
Both sides agree that self-determination is to be pursued. Our current situation gives both Britain and ourselves the opportunity to get the business of independence right. And by this I mean to put so firmly in place the structures and practices that strengthen the principles of good governance, the rule of law, the fundamental rights of all people and the drive to greater economic progress, that they can never be easily pushed aside.
One important way to do this is to promote open, transparent and accountable government. Such is the hallmark of democracy, and while I believe it is accurate to say we all enjoy democracy it is equally true that we can explore new means to strengthen our democracies even further. Let me offer some suggestions for consideration:

• Our parliaments should convene more frequently. The current practice in most territories is for parliament to meet every three months. More meetings will enable parliament to better supervise the executive and should promote greater accountability.
• The development of watchdog organisations such as unions and NGOs should be encouraged and allowed to play the important role expected of them in a democracy
• Governments, in general, should be required to be more responsive to the findings, suggestions and requests of all such organisations.
• A free press must not be viewed as a nuisance but an indispensable necessity
• Care should be taken to ensure that on all state owned radio stations the opposition receives adequate time to air their views
• Government should disclose to the public in a timely manner all of its relevant decisions
• Measures should be introduced to make Public Accounts Committees more effective. Presently, the Public Accounts Committee has to wait on a report from the Auditor General before it can meet on or investigate a particular matter. Some mechanism needs to be in place making it easy to convene whenever it is appropriate to do so.

Certainly the new partnership should create responsibilities on both sides. Britain will be expected to honour its pledge to defend the Overseas Territories, to encourage their sustainable development and to look after their interests internationally. In return we should ensure the highest standards of probity, law and order and good government. But if the partnership is to be meaningful, it will require greater consultation and respect among the partners. Britain should not enter unilaterally into international commitments and then simply expect us to go along with those commitments or to impose those commitments on us.

The obligations, responsibilities and expectation of each partner should be made clear and agreed upon. This will help to reduce fiction and misunderstandings

This is of course very closely linked to the matter of self-determination on which I have already said much. But so close is it to the heart of the matter, so sensitive and so at odds with the doctrines, practices and spirit of colonialism that it requires very close and special attention.
In business today, I believe one of the central characteristics of modernisation is the concept of empowerment. It gives real power and responsibility to every worker. It transforms workers from being a largely interchangeable, easily dispensable mass, who are expected merely to follow orders, into important thinking operatives who are required and permitted to make decisions in ways that were unimaginable in the old industrial age. No business can expect to flourish in the so-called new economy without empowering its workers.
What does this say to us? Government cannot ignore the demands of the new economy and we will do well to emulate some of the practices of business. As governments much of our business is conducted by a civil service, put in place many years ago to serve a colonial economy. All over the region it is openly acknowledged that the need to build an effective and efficient service is huge and that the development of our countries greatly depends on so doing. This being the case, improving the effectiveness of the public service is not only necessary but also urgent. I would be reluctant to say just how this should be done because I believe it is a matter that needs to be studied to best meet the demands of a modern world and a modern partnership. But I would like to make a few suggestions I believe will help to improve how the civil service functions.
At the moment civil servants are accountable to the governor, so feel their allegiance should be to him. But on a day by day basis they work closely with ministers. The dichotomy is they have a head who is different from the elected representatives with whom they work and to whom they report. I believe appropriate safeguards should be put in place to prevent any possible victimisation of any civil servant, but their head should be the minister for whom they work.
The other thing it tells us is that we must review and change the administrative structures that govern our relationship with Britain. Mr. Cook's White Paper says: "Britain must ensure that its structures and its practices are reformed and modernized. The relationship between Britain and the Overseas Territories needs to be effective and efficient, free and fair. It needs to be based on decency and democracy."
We know from good authority that you cannot put new wine into old wineskins. In much the same way, you can't build a modern partnership on old administrative principles and practices. In this regard, nothing is as glaringly anachronistic as a British colonial governor in the 21st Century. Nothing cries louder for constitutional modernisation and reform. The powers of the governor should be reduced and put into the hands of elected officials. The micro-management by Britain and British officials should cease. Their powers should be placed in the hands of elected representatives. And the transfer of power should start now. Although we made this point emphatically last year, nothing so far has been done about it.
Today, a colonial governor ought to be an embarrassment to Britain, to the Overseas Territories and to the British civil servant who is called upon to play this role. But in Montserrat at least, this is not so.
And it is not just the governor, but the mechanism through which he exercises the considerable power that the constitution accords him. In his office, British civil servants fill all of the top positions while locals are relegated to the posts of file clerks, cooks and gardeners. I dare say that in Britain he would have been a prime target for bringing a charge of racism against. But of course no such charge would be possible in any Overseas Territory, because of the extraordinary powers which governors enjoy.
In Montserrat, our constitution exempts the Governor from consultation on some matters. And where he is required to consult he may disregard the advise, even of the executive council. It is he who appoints civil servants and is their head so he is in a position to seriously affect both their lives and livelihoods. But the courts of law have no jurisdiction to inquire into whether a governor has satisfied any consultation or advice-taking directions. In actuality the governor is a power onto himself. Symbolically he recalls the most baleful aspects of colonialism and of old and despicable practices.
Modern businesses are moving to reduce bureaucracy and eliminate middlemen. Her Majesty's government in its wisdom has seen it fit to appoint a minister for Overseas Territories Affairs. Why not have that minister deal directly with some counterpart in the territories?
Also, why not make it possible for the territories to have direct representation to the Bar of the House of Commons in much the same way as was possible for the Old Dublin Cooperation and the Cooperation of London?
Modernisation is required. Amendments need to be made to each territory¹s constitution so that Robin Cook's call for us to have the freedom to run our own affairs to the greatest degree possible can become a reality and not just a laudable sentiment.

COMMITMENT FROM THE UK TO HELP THE TERRITORIES DEVELOP ECONOMICALLY

We are all familiar with the truism he who pays the piper calls the tune. In Montserrat, and I suspect in St. Helena also, we know too well how galling that can be. While we are deeply grateful to the UK for the help we are receiving in this time of greatest need we recognise how difficult it is to maintain a spirit of partnership when one party is paying all of the bills. This is the challenge that confronts Britain: How do you pay a people's bills and still find the generosity of spirit to not ride roughshod over them?
We are happy for all of the assistance given by Britain and its continued commitment to the OTs. While the granting of aid has been cumbersome and painfully slow the good news is that efforts are being made to effect improvement. It would be good today if we can explore ways for aid to be both given and received with dignity and decency.

But I have said enough. Enough I hope to stimulate your thoughts and lead to meaningful discussions that would further lead to meaningful actions.

Another of the characteristics of business in the new economy is that it must be done quickly. In the words of Bill Gates, at the very speed of thought. Let us think action, discuss it and bring it about. The action we want to see is in constitutional modernisation and good governance. Action that would quickly put in place the modern partnership between the Overseas Territories and Britain that will ensure greater self-determination, greater progress and the attainment of the highest possible standard of living for all our people.

Thank you very much.

Jus wonderin which of the four cms would have managed the crisis better to this point.

Jus wonderin the current cms never heard the song 'from 8 o'clock in the morning till 5 in the evening Montserrat lock off.'

Jus wonderin if they don't know the editor smarter than to let a foreigner run Montserrat newspaper.

Jus wonderin if the c.o.s. had which to be on the panel on Tuesday night call in program.

Jus wonderin if he is worse than the chicken king and he doesn’t know time limit.

Jus wonderin if the staff on the hill are running a wheels competition, and who is next.

Jus wonderin if is follow fashion dem follow fashion so .

Jus wonderin if the call in program was set up for one person to air his view.

Jus wonderin what no good news HE will bring back if he comes back.

Jus wonderin who approve the project for the more than $100,000 for the one 'woman' road in Olveston.

Jus wonderin why de minister no keep e mouth shut because everybody know already who runs tings especially when he can't counter punch.

Jus wonderin why the hotline only run for a few days and not twenty-four-seven.

Jus wonderin if we need a race track for those race cars.

Jus wonderin if the rouge-car driver will now take heed and drive with caution.

Jus wonderin who is next on the track.

Jus wonderin if they will still run the track or the track will stop them.

Jus wonderin when the new cultural officer will start and what is in store for this season.

Jus wonderin if there is really a problem with the women why the men are going round about.

Jus wonderin if some men are crying out for the "white paper."

Jus wonderin if some foreigners don't realise that Montserrat is a small place and other foreigners are clanish as well.

Jus wonderin why some men no longer go to the barber shop to cut their hair but plait it instead.

Jus wonderin why they worry in they sitting down to cut their hair.

Jus wonderin if it is too early to see more declarations of candidacy.

Jus wonderin if man from baker hill is not considering to step into the political arena.

Jus wonderin what he is afraid of.

Jus wonderin who the lucky ones will be to get the editor’s Xs.

Jus wonderin what will be done about the need for eye care and what is behind the strange move by the minister, and is this just pet stuff.

Jus wonderin how the CM feature in that decision to cease eye care on island from Antigua, when we courting Antigua to aid Montserratians economically.

Jus wonderin if they know that it will cost more money for people who will go to them if they can’t come.

Jus wonderin when the punchin we heard on BBC took place between the governor and the minister.

Jus wonderin what next the British has for us on that golden table up there.

Jus wonderin if Clare Short is not the puncher for most of the Tony's cabinet.

The Montserrat Reporter extends heartiest congratulations to Carlene Onetta Hodge and Keithroy Alexander Roberts on the occasion of their wedding ceremony which took place on 8^th September, 2000.

Following the ceremony a reception was held with Montserratian friends and members of Nazeretta Park cricket club.

Carlene and Keithroy left Montserrat on August 3^rd 1997.

SUN. Oct. 29 Gospel Fest Brades Pentecostal 7:00 p.m.

MON. Oct.30 Radio Talk Show Radio Montserrat 8:00 p.m.

TUE. Oct. 31 Montserrat National Trust Open Day National Trust Office 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

WED. Nov. 1 Community Clean-up Day/Tree Planting All communities All day

FRI. Nov. 3 Best Village Competition Judging Treasure Spot Bar 9:00 a.m.

Treasure Spot Jam " " " 7:00 p.m.

SAT. Nov. 4 Oldie/Goldie Dance Pelican Room 9:00 p.m.