On Tuesday this week The Montserrat Reporter was afforded a helicopter viewing of the volcano dome and surroundings. The trip also allowed us to see scientists and other MVO personnel at work as they repaired and serviced two GPS stations used in the constant and regular monitoring of the Soufriere Hills volcano.

Scientist Rob Watts substituting for Dr. Ricky Herd, for a three-week period and Mr. Raquel Syers were on duty while Watts directed the flight. They both were doing the repairs at the two stations, at Spring Estate and South Soufriere Hills, which Watts described as two nonfunctioning ones out of six stations that monitor the volcano. After a 10 – 15 minute stay at each of these they reported that the repairs, which were described as routine, were complete and that all stations are now fully functioning.

He then turned to the grim sight of the dome to explain the activity as it related to what could be going on at the volcano. The dome continues to grow often at a rate of two to four cubic meters per second and is the highest it has ever been. We were never able to actually see the summit of the various spines that make up the dome as steam contstantly streamed upwards from around and out of the crater very enclosed by about three distinct pinnacles forming the dome.

Mr. Watts said: "the good thing about this formidable looking dome is that all the activity seems to be centred and directed to the east side where most of the magma extrusion is taking place."

This was evident as the dome which has grown up to a height of 1030 metres, its highest ever, sheds rocks and material down its eastern slopes and in the Tar River valley which now runs almost as one with the volcano slopes. The spines extend some 60 to 100 meters with the largest situated on the eastern face.

Although activity is concentrated on the eastern side of the volcano/dome, Mr. Watts said: " We are keeping a very vigilant and close eye on the activity, because the volcano has a way of switching activity quickly to different locations.

The scientist explained that the spine on the eastern side was quite solid while the others seemed less so. He explained further that as the growth continues, the rock falls frequency is expected to increase especially from the less stable areas located mostly on the eastern slopes.

The scientist said the surveillance trip was a successful one especially since visibility was the best it was for some time. He said the routine maintenance was also successful as the two GPS stations, which had been down for a couple weeks, were now fully functional.

The current dome compared with the highest in 1998 now measures 120 million cubic meters.

The observations explained to us was very much in keeping with the report issued today which confirmed that the growth of the lava dome continued on the east side of the summit region where spectacular incandescence was observed at night, dominated by the extrusion of a spine, inclined at a steep angle upwards towards the east.

Observation flights indicate that there has been no new growth on the western and northern flanks of the dome.

Mrs. Eileen Edwards, just retired principal of the Roman Catholic St. Augustine School, was treated to an Appreciation Ceremony by pupils and staff of the school on Wednesday evening at the Catholic St. Martin de Pores Church in Salem.

The content of the two hour function for Mrs. Edwards was a surprise and a continuation of how she has been treated since her retirement, where according to her everything including the dedication in her honour of the St. Augustine School 125 year celebration book, were kept secret. Indeed she requested a moment to compose herself when a pair of Std. Five students presented her with a cushioned rocking chair, which she said she will surely use, though not all the time as she had been already praying and seeking her next duties.

This may well have been in response to Father Khom, the new catholic parish priest who replaced the very popular Fr. Larry Finnegan, who called on her, not to divorce herself entirely away from assisting where she can.

The ceremony included tributes by the pupils and staff of the school along with tributes from His Lordship Bishop Reece, the Acting Governor Dr. Howard Fergus, government ministers the honourable Rupert Weekes and the honourable Adelina Tuitt, whose ministry includes education; and Rev. Father Frank Khom.

Mrs. Tuitt associated Mrs. Edwards’ work at the school from 1989 to 2000 as one which affected the entire school system on the island. "The discipline Mrs. Edwards has brought to the St. Augustine School was not only played out in the St. Augustine School …And you can tell when a child comes through St. Augustine School," she said.

Every item spoke of her dedication, love and hard work. Dr. Fergus perhaps summed up all of the tributes when he said: "she was already in the afternoon of an outstanding working career," referring to her recall to the civil service after she had retired. "Under Mrs. Edwards' leadership the school lived up to its good traditions though the circumstances were less than ideal. The school needed quality leadership and she provided just that." Referring to her management style, Dr. Fergus said that his admittedly superficial observation indicated that "Mrs. Edwards' management style was inclusive. She was first among equals."

Bishop Reece in his tribute to the endeared lady, described her as affectionate, maternal, faithful and a minister, reminding the children of the words of the frequencies radio stations use in am and fm. But he 'balanced" Mrs.Camilla Watts who chaired the proceedings, and spoke of beautiful women. "I want to say here at the very beginning of my sharing with you, that behind every successful woman is a good man," referring to the husband of Mrs. Edwards, Mr. DRV (Franklyn) Edwards.

Teacher Mini Dyer-Hixon, spoke on behalf of the teachers: "The love and support Mrs. Edwards offered to not only students is indeed indicative of the person she really is. A firm believer and follower of Christ, she constantly reminded us all of the power of prayer," she said.

The children, provided all the entertainment of the evening, except for one song from the teachers, in recitations, songs and solos, with little Chyrstalle Brade standing out when she sang alone and unaccompanied.

Other tributes came from the PTA by Mrs. Cynthia Dyett, the evening celebration ending with a blessing by the Bishop and the service of light refreshments.

On Thursday, the honourable Chief Minister David Brandt reported at a press conference on his recent visit to England and the Republic of Ireland.

Last week his office published his speech, which he delivered on behalf of the Overseas Territories (OT) at the Consultative Council Meeting. There he addressed the meeting on the four principals underpinning the partnership, informed by the White Paper now in existence since February, 1999, among them, self determination; mutual agreement between OT's and UK to fulfill responsibilities created by the partnership; the OT's to exercise the greatest possible control over their own lives; and Britain to continue to assist the OT's that need it.

Among other things the ministers asked for a diminished role of the Governor in the affairs of a territory…

Mr. Brandt reported on a high level meeting that was held by the Foreign Commonwealth office to discuss the KPMG report which covered the findings of an independent review of the financial regulation in the Caribbean Overseas Territories and Bermuda.

According to Mr. Brandt: "the review analysed the position of each OT individually in terms of the extent and range of financial business conducted and the strength and effectiveness of their regulatory regimes."

He said that he expressed concern for Montserrat in two areas: "Its lack of adequate resources to bring its regulatory and administrative requirements up to international standards; and the need for time to ensure that I consult with Executive Council before the press release on 20^th October, 2000."

An OT Tax Seminar was held on 5^th October, 2000. The discussions sought the views of the OTs on their willingness to co-operate and what other information or decisions were required to inform their positions on the matter; full programme developed to 2005 or scheduled commitment; collective commitment by OTs to reform their tax systems; and willingness to have OECD concerns exposed in front of competitors.

Mr. Brandt said he put forward Montserrat's position as being willing to co-operate but the impact of such compliance must be evaluated as well a preference for a scheduled approach to enable it to more readily monitor its own progress and to learn and adapt its own from the experiences of others, while preferring to be compliant to prevent damage that may be caused by disclosures to the public and competitors, recognising that lost reputation is difficult to regain.

In this lucrative financial sector the Chief Minister said that he has promised to seek the assistance, direction and supervision from the East Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).

The Chief Minister was upbeat on his visit to Ireland. While there he discussed and identified areas for future economic growth for Montserrat. These areas he said covered: "tourism, e-commerce, financial
services and light manufacturing."

He said that he and his delegation had asked for assistance with a consultant to help Montserrat prepare to benefit from e-commerce and other areas such as international financial services. He reported further, "a request was made for a consultant to be sent to Montserrat to assess what was needed to be done to develop a vibrant services sector," this he said was favourably received.

During his discussions, Mr. Brandt said he was impressed by the methods the Irish explained they had used in preparing for their development. In this regard he said: "the school curriculum needed to be changed to prepare students for the new direction in which the economy needed to go, in services. I will be discussing this with the Minister of Education because there is a need for training in the schools in these areas."

This week we heard and learnt of announcements as well as confirmations of current government Ministers and others declaring their candidacy for the next general elections not constitutionally due before November of next year.

The latest so far is the honourable Adelina Tuitt, presently Minister of Education, Health and Welfare, who in her declaration said that she "feels she can still make a contribution to the people of Montserrat." This news was broadcast by Radio Montserrat and one can't help wonder for starters, if this was in fact the way the lady minister phrased her statement, or at the least if this is what she intended to say.

Certainly by politician standards, the lady would not be considered as 'old' or too old for the job of being a representative of the people in parliament. Then could it be that she doubts at this stage the confidence that the electorate might have for her?

Then the honourable Rupert Weekes announces that he is not yet certain whether he will contest the elections as an independent.

If nothing else both these announcements in their varying forms tell a story. It can only be speculation at this point, but it seems that the only party that contested the 1996 elections that any relationship has been established is the PPA, through the announcement of Mrs. Isabelle Meade who said following her appointment as a nominated member and later as an acting minister of government, that she is still a member of that party

What does that say for NPP? There has been no formal announcements coming out of that party, but following the continued radio broadcasts by the leader and former chief minister, one would not doubt that he intends to contest the next elections.

The National Reconstruction Movement seems pretty much a one-timer, since retired Austin Bramble has thrown in the towel, and widespread speculations suggest that another prominent member of the movement will not go to the polls again.

It therefore seems puzzling at least to hear from these two ministers of government who are part of a coalition, in spite of its apparent lack unity and even though there have been expressions of togetherness from time to time among them.

At the same time the Chief Minister in his press conference this week warned or advising the electorate that the days of politicians having an interest in filling potholes and laying an electric pole here and there, are over, and that the country needs people who understand that it requires ability to negotiate and provide the kind of representation that brings result. He said that elected members will have to expect to get what they negotiate for.

So would it be reasonable for the political pundit to think that their may well be some surprises in the air.  Hardly likely, but again possible.  By next week we can expect to hear from an old-timer who will surprise no one when he announces his candidacy as well.

But one thing is about to be discovered, that while this election will be like no other before and candidates ought better prepare themselves to come with a new style of politics and campaign or we may find that our next place in time will be different from anything we can possibly expect.

Paul has issued several warnings to the Colossian believers in this chapter and here, in verse 18, is another one. J.B. Phillips translates it in this way: "Don’t let any man cheat you of your joy in Christ by persuading you to make yourselves ‘humble’ and fall down and worship angels. Such a man, inflated by an unspiritual imagination, is pushing his cleverness forgetting the head."

Some commentators believe that one aspect of the error threatening the church at Colossse was the insistence on the veneration of angels, the idea being to seek out mediators in addition to Christ. If this was so then it was Gnosticism in another guise.

Paul has no intention of allowing the false teachers to rob those who are individuals "in Christ" of their prize, and sets about characterising the individuals concerned in this way: Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen [in visions], and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions." Here we see the root of the trouble: those advocating the worship of angels were puffed up with pride. They claimed to have inside knowledge but really they had found a "spiritual" way (so called) of drawing attention to themselves and a new device for inflating their importance.

When counselling Christians with strange ideas about the faith I have found that often the underlying motivation is to be different. They have little or no sense of identity, and as aligning themselves with others is not enough of a boost for them, they turn round and go in the other direction. Thus they are different. The root of all this is, as Paul discerned, pride. William Law put it well when he said: " Pride must die in us or Christ cannot live in us

My family left the island for the UK some 37 years ago when I was just 5 years old.  I have not visited the island for over 15 years. However I am a regular visitor to the Reporter web edition, and enjoy very much the quality of content available.

Your publication keeps me informed, updated and part of Montserrat

Thank you

Dear Sir: I am Montserrat born and raised, but am living in Connecticut, USA now. I have only recently gotten on the internet, and check the Montserrrat Reporter website regularly for news from my native home.

As a big cricket fan, though, I miss hearing the games, and following the teams in the area. My question is-would you know if the games are broadcast on the internet, and what site can I go to to listen? I am really interested in knowing, and would appreciate any help you can give me in this area. I have realplayer installed already, of course.

If you can help, please e-mail me with this important information. It would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you.

Thank you,

And a wonderful week it was too, full of fun and activities. It took some doing, but many people were able to participate in everything that was planned. Each event was special in its own way, and what we celebrated was the survival of a school for 125 years despite the odds. An accomplishment to be commended, with the memory of Hugo and the ongoing school has kept faith with the people of Montserrat.

The celebrations were all-embracing, seeking to include young and old, past and present students, as well as the entire Montserrat community at home and abroad. The aim was achieved through the commitment and hard work of teachers and parents, friends of the school and the generosity of the business community and other private donors. The St. Augustine family has much to be thankful for in this 125^th Anniversary Year.

Pat Ryan

The first official shelter for the Elderly was officially opened on Thursday evening at Davy Hill and was immediately named "Garling Hill House." According to the Minister of Education, Health and Community Services, Mrs. Adelina Tuitt, this is only one of several others to be commenced towards the end of the year at Lookout.

Mrs. Kay Jardin who saw the project through to its completion was the one who said that her early research led her to discover that the area was called Garling Hill, and that the residents chose the name for the house. (The garling is a bird seen locally).

She gave one of the brief addresses at the opening describing the idea of the "shelter": "Sheltered housing is not a residential home, it is a key resource in which frailed disabled older people can maximise their independence in security and support, yet remain empowered to live a normal life…It is an environment that enhances the quality of life."

Minister of Communications & Works Rupert Weekes welcomed the elderly people, some of whom he has many years of personal contact, to his constituency in St. John's.

In her address Mrs Tuitt reminded: "I know sometimes we cannot provide every single thing that one would require but at least we try our best to make you comfortable."

She no doubt pre-empted Miss Alice Antoine who was the lady speaking quite eloquently on behalf of the residents, who pointed out that they do have to buy toilet paper. She nevertheless thanked God and the entire government for being "very helpful even in difficult times," giving special mention to Nurse Cooper and their helpers.

Mr. Charles Jeffrey expressed similar sentiments recounting that he came to Montserrat in 1943 and recalled working for one shilling and six-pence per week.

Historian, Dr. Fergus who was in attendance in his capacity as Acting Governor, confirmed that his father worked for the same thing back then.

Teachers at the primary, secondary and nursery levels marked Teachers Professional Day this week with workshops focusing on learning centres and education indicators among others.

Those at the Montserrat Secondary School focussed their attention on identifying problems that children encounter in their personal lives.

Government Psychologist Rickford Archer was one of the resource persons.

.Meanwhile Early Childhood educators got the opportunity to update their skills on operating learning centres and developing language.

Specialists in Early Childhood Education Antiguan Jennifer Thomas and Brenda Jarvis were invited to conduct the workshop by the Ministry of Education.

Miss Thomas says the workshop proved to be a refresher for local educators.

The Honourable Minister of Education, Health, Community Services and Labour Adelina Tuitt has stated her intentions to contest the next general elections on Montserrat.

Mrs. Tuitt ran on a National Alliance for Reconstruction NAR ticket in the last general elections.

General elections are constitutionally due on Montserrat by March 2002.

The Government of Montserrat has a new Coordinator of Culture.

His Excellency Governor Anthony Abbott has approved the appointment of Miss Shauna Harley to the post on a one-year contract effective Monday, October 16.

Miss Harley has recently completed a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, majoring in Finance.

She taught history at the Montserrat Secondary School and brings to the job years of experience from her involvement in many different cultural activities, local, regional and international, dating from the Talented Teen Pageant back in1989, while employed at the Royal Bank.

The new Coordinator of Culture is a singer, poetry and skit writer; she is the founder of the non-profit organization, The New Millennium Production.

The post was left vacant in August this year when Miss Rachael Collis, then Coordinator of Culture, left Montserrat to further her studies overseas.  One of the top items on the new Coordinator of Culture agenda is the upcoming end of year festival.

By Hallam Hope
Montserrat, CANA - Montserratians will start having access to additional telecommunication options in the new year, including a more robust digital cellular network, General
Manager of Cable & Wireless Montserrat, Neville Dublin, said Thursday.
Dublin told CANA that attention was also being paid to introducing what's known as ADSL technology, which provides high speed access to the Internet over copper cabling used in most residential households and businesses.
But the top Cable & Wireless executive observed that the company continues to operate in a tight financial environment, due mainly to a series of economic and social crises tied to the eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano in 1995.
While the company topped a recent regional survey on consumer satisfaction in Cable & Wireless territories, Dublin said it has been operating at a loss for the past three years. Government leaders, including Communication and Works Minister Rupert Weekes told CANA that Montserratians were generally happy with the service provided by Cable & Wireless as well as the local rates.
The Cable & Wireless chief executive said the company had suffered major disruption of its network because of the past volcanic crises but had been able to maintain service throughout the events.
The volcanic activity destroyed the capital, Plymouth, where the company was based and had constructed a modern, underground network after massive damage by Hurricane Hugo in 1989.
The volcanic bombardment also resulted in the loss of the mountain-top digital microwave facilities at Chance's Peak in the vicinity of the volcano.
The widespread losses to residential and business customers and a migration of much of the population resulted in Cable & Wireless having to rely on the residential market for much of its revenue.
Audiotext is another key area of revenues.
Communications Minister Weekes told CANA: "We are very pleased with the service they have been offering, especially during the time of the volcanic crisis when our service, so far, has been uninterrupted."
"Telecommunications is very important to Montserrat, especially at this time of its re-development. I think that it is time that we expand our communications network. There are different areas of communication that we need to have on Montserrat at this time," he continued.
The minister said the Internet had now come on stream and the island also needed to look at opportunities for e-commerce. "Young people coming out of school are looking for jobs. We feel that our children need to be properly equipped."
He suggested too that long distance rates, which have been reduced by Cable & Wireless regionally, needed to be reduced further to attract investment.
General Manager Dublin told CANA that the company had been able to outsource a number of services to the Montserratian community to reduce its costs. Some, such as operator and financial services, are located in neighbouring territories. Additionally, the company had been able to maintain service throughout the crisis through the support of other regional Cable & Wireless business units.
He suggested that local rate re-balancing was needed while a close watch on operating costs in general should be undertaken.

Cable & Wireless’ customers can now call their friends and family in the Caribbean for one flat fee of EC$27. The company has just announced a plan to charge only EC$27 for any call to Caribbean destinations where Cable & Wireless operates during evenings and weekends.

In addition, customers who have registered numbers in one of these Caribbean destinations as part of their SmartChoice, TalkAway 3-20 / 6-20 or TalkAway plans will get their extra discount on top of this great offer. The offer applies to calls from Montserrat to the following destinations:

Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & Grenadines, St. Lucia, Turks and Caicos Islands, Trinidad, Jamaica

The offer is available every night between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., and throughout the weekend from midnight on Friday to midnight on Sunday.

General Manager of Cable & Wireless, Montserrat, Mr. Neville Dublin, said: "Cable & Wireless is making good on the commitment we gave to our customers back in October last year to reduce our prices. Across the region so far we’ve reduced our international direct dial rates by an average of 27 percent across the board, we’ve reduced dial Internet rates, and we’ve lowered the cost of direct connect to the Internet for businesses by more than 60 percent in some cases. That’s a tangible example of demonstrating that we’ve heard our customers and we are responding to their needs."

This offer runs from October 21 to December 15 and applies to international direct dialed calls only.

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank will shortly be putting into circulation a new family of notes with enhanced security features. These upgraded designs are meant to help combat counterfeiting.

The $5 and $20 denominations were issued in St. Vincent and The Grenadines on October 18. Among the additional security features are the following:

A security gold foil at the top right hand corner of the note. On the $20 note this highly reflective gold foil is in the shape of a butterfly. On the $5 note the shape is that of a shark..

A new security watermark with a portrait of the Queen is on the front left of the note, but can be seen on both sides. A watermark highlight which reads ‘ECCB’ can also be clearly seen when the note is held up to the light.

An upgraded security thread running through the note from top to bottom and appearing on the surface of the paper at intervals. When the note is held up to the light, text in the thread becomes visible. This text reads ‘ECCB’ and can be seen from both the front and the back of the note.

The new $5 and $20 notes will be followed by upgraded notes of all denominations throughout the currency union.

Antigua and Barbuda's Government Information Service announced this week that the Chamber of Commerce (COC) remains unhappy with proposed changes to the Government's tax legislation, but that Prime Minister Lester Bird dismisses there arguments as having no merit of justification.

Following the government's announcement of plans to repeal the "Income Tax Amendment Act 200," members of the business sector met with Attorney General Dr. Errorl Cort, and Former High Commissioner to London (now CARICOM Ambassador) Mr. James "Bags" Thomas for discussions on the matter.

The Prime Minister had earlier appointed Dr. Cort and Ambassador Thomas to deal with the issue.

In a letter to Prime Minister Bird, the Chamber claims that the Government has in fact reinstated the 2 percent on the gross turnover of incorporated businesses and professionals. They argue that the taxes are being levied on the gross turnover of businesses rather than on profits.

PM Bird emphasized that government grants considerable concessions to the business sector, and said it is unfair that they do not wish to shoulder their share of taxes.

"I have pointed out to them that if there is any group in this country that should be agitated and vexed, it is the poor people of this country who are carrying the burden of taxation by indirect taxes on imports, while many people in the business community refuse to pay taxes that are lawfully due and payable," the Prime Minister said.

Speaking on National Radio, the Prime Minister declared that there is an extremely shameful record of no payment of taxes by many unincorporated businesses in Antigua.

"For instance, last year, more than 2,000 businesses paid only $1.5 million EC in taxes. When it is considered that government's total revenue last year was $300 million, you would recognize that these businesses paid less than 0.1 percent of revenue," he said.

WASHINGTON, CANA - The Pan American Health Organisation is asking people all over the Caribbean and the Americas to get rid of mosquito breeding sites to help reduce the epidemics of dengue and its more serious form, dengue hemorrhagic fever, that have broken out in many countries.
"If people eliminate breeding sites for mosquitoes, such as water containers, old tires, and others, the incidence of the disease will be reduced. Schoolchildren and adolescents can help make these actions sustainable," said Dr. Stephen Corber, Director of the Division of Communicable Diseases of PAHO.
Outbreaks in various countries have prompted emergency campaigns to control dengue, which is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that live in and around houses, laying eggs in flower vases and other containers. Dengue is basically a problem of domestic sanitation and its incidence can be substantially cut with household clean-up campaigns, PAHO experts say.
Caribbean countries that have reported dengue cases, and their incidence, are: Anguilla, three cases, incidence 37.50; Barbados, 372 cases, incidence 137.78; Belize, three cases, incidence 1.24; British Virgin Islands, two cases, incidence 9.52; Curacao, 10 cases, incidence 4.62; Dominica, one case, incidence 1.41; French Guiana, 74 cases, incidence 42.53; Grenada, 20 cases, incidence 21.51; Guadaloupe, eight cases, incidence 1.75; Guyana, 19 cases, incidence 2.21; Jamaica, eight cases, incidence 0.31; Martinique, 70 cases, incidence 17.72.
Dengue is transmitted when the mosquito Aedes aegypti bites an infected person. After eight to 12 days of incubation, the infected mosquito bites another person and transmits the virus. Infected people suffer high fever, severe headaches, muscular and joint pains, and skin rashes.

"Some police officers were involved in a movement in trying to destabilise the government," Prime Minister Jacques Eduoard Alexis said, without elaborating.
The alleged coup plot was uncovered just a month before Haiti holds presidential elections widely expected to return former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power. Leading opposition parties are boycotting the vote, still angry over what they say was a flaw in the counting method in parliamentary elections earlier this year that gave Aristide's ruling Lavalas Family party an unfairly decisive victory.
Mr. Aristide, a former Roman Catholic priest with a popular agenda for more social justice in a desperately poor country with a history of dictatorships and political repression, became the country's first freely elected president in 1991.
He lasted just seven months in office before being ousted in a military coup, but was returned to office in 1994 after a U.S.-led invasion to restore political order.
President Rene Preval tried to calm the nation's 8 million residents after this week's alleged coup plot, saying in a statement, "I call upon the Haitian population and popular organisations to stay calm because the situation is under control."

Compiled from dispatches
Antigua -- The region's newest airline, Caribbean Star, claims it is the victim of an Antiguan government confliict of interest and said it will appeal for Prime Minister Lester Bird's intervention in a bid to win flying rights for the lucrative Antigua-St Maarten route.
The airline, which is based in Antigua but was denied the desired rights, alleged that the Aviation Minister in St. John's, Robin Yearwood, was operating in a conflict of interest.

Meanwhile, Marketing Director Sandra Scotland's flatly denied that the low fares being offered by Caribbean Star until November 30 despite increased world oil prices are being subsidized to offer lower fares than its competitors. Rising oil prices have been adversely affecting already established regional and international airlines operating in the Caribbean.
From now until the end of November, Caribbean Star is offering fares at 99 East Caribbean cents (about 37 US cents) per mile for a round trip and exactly half for a one way ticket.
LIAT (1974) Limited, fearing stiff air fare competition from Caribbean Star, is already on record as saying that the new carrier could lower customers' expectations of what the fare should be and so established carriers with higher costs would be forced to drop their fares to be competitive.
"The yields go down and that's how a company like LIAT can be run out of business by these emerging companies, particularly when they are owned by rich benefactors," LIAT's Vice President, Marketing, David Stuart, has said.
The Antigua-based Caribbean Star is owned by American multi-millionaire Allen Stanford.

On the alleged conflict of interest, Caribbean Star's Chief Executive Officer Gilles Filiatreault said Mr. Yearwood was a board member of the financially-strapped LIAT (1974) Limited, an established airline with which Caribbean Star seeks to compete, and was also the government minister authorised to negotiate a new or modified accord with his St Maarten counterparts.
Caribbean Star on Wednesday began commercial scheduled flights to Grenada, whose government Mr. Filliatreault praised for its open-skies policy, and Trinidad, which has granted temporary route rights pending a full assessment.
The CEO said his airline has received written confirmation from St Maarten authorities that "we are not getting the support" of the Antiguan government.
The route rights between Antigua and Barbuda and St Maarten are said to be a bilateral issue that has to be negotiated by Mr. Yearwood on behalf of the Antigua-based carrier with his Dutch counterparts.
"We understand that the Dutch authorities are not opposed to us getting route rights if the government of Antigua and Barbuda request those route rights on our behalf," the CEO added.
About three years ago LIAT (1974) Limited flew the St Maarten-Antigua route once a day non-stop and BWIA flew the same route four or five times weekly non-stop.
LIAT subsequently got route rights via St. Kitts and so now flies more frequently out of St. Maarten.
St. Vincent and Dominica are yet to grant route rights and although Britain's aviation authorities have approved route rights for their dependency of the British Virgin Islands, the local cabinet has to finally sanction it.
Caribbean Star, with five Dash 8 aircraft and 135 employees, including over 30 pilots, intends to serve the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and all former British colonies between Puerto Rico and Trinidad.
The airline has also started work on an expansion programme that includes the start-up of a United States-based carrier operating out of Puerto Rico, and the establishment of a Miami-based cargo service for the Caribbean.

The Alliance will have an extensive network with a series of hub and spoke operations at St. Maarten, Antigua, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Lucia and Barbados, all of which are international gateways to North America, the United Kingdom, France and other European nations.
LIAT is also bringing to the table the Barbados-based Trans-Island Airline (TIA), through a franchise contract to the Grenadines and Carib Aviation out of Antigua.
In addition, LIAT has co-operation agreements with a number of major international carriers out of Barbados and Antigua. Winair's associate carrier will be Tyden Air of Anguilla, and Air CARIBES, Caribbean Air Transport of Martinique (CAT).

Dominica - Former Dominica Prime Minister Rosie Douglas, who died Oct. 1, was buried Saturday afternoon, Oct. 15, at his family's estate.
A political who's who of Caribbean heads of government and state, government ministers and opposition leaders, as well as diplomatic representatives from across the globe, watched as the simple wooden casket was lowered into the grave.
Hampstead estate, outside Mr. Douglas' hometown and parliamentary seat Portsmouth, is where his father, Robert Douglas, and his brother, Michael, a former Dominica Labour Party chief and Opposition Leader, were buried.
The interment followed a two-and-a-half-hour service attended by more than 400 persons at the Portsmouth Roman Catholic Church, a small stone building where Mr. Douglas used to worship.
Mr. Douglas died, eight months into his coalition government's five-year term, at his home in the town of Portsmouth, from heart problems brought on by complications from hypertension.
Prime Minister Pierre Charles, who succeeded Mr. Douglas, said the 58-year-old political activist "devoted much of his energy in trying to put right those things that he thought were wrong, either in the relations between a state and its peoples or in the relations between states."
"Rosie's focus was not only restricted to the "black people's" struggle, but throughout his political life, he developed a special concern and relationship with the Carib people. He clearly understood their history and believed that their existence in Dominica was indeed a unique one and, by their survival and struggles, they had created a robust culture in Dominica and an example to the Caribbean."
Tim Hector, an Antiguan political activist and long-standing friend of the Dominican leader, said "he could move among the conservative elite of the world as among the progressive fighters of the world, transferring the resources from the one to the other in furtherance of human liberation, not just in this region, but the world over."
He added: "I know of no other who walked this particular political tightrope. Rosie was unique. Rosie was, in his own right, one of the most notable Caribbean internationalists of this or any time."
Later this week, Mr. Hector, a former Senator, took part in a special memorial service for Mr. Douglas in Antigua's Holy Family Cathedral, which featured selections by the National Choir of Antigua and Barbuda. Mr. Rudolph Davis, Donnalee and Kate as well as Barbara Thomas.

Government Officials and a large cross section of the people of Antigua and Barbuda, the eulogy given by Matthew J. Walter, Dominica's Minister for Community Development and Gender Affairs, who spoke of " the force that was Rosie Douglas."

Prime Minister Lester Bird had led Antigua and Barbuda's four-member delegation to the earlier funeral in Dominica.

The Montserrat Cricket Association announced that its 2000 One-Day League will be known as the GINSENG UP ONE DAY LEAGUE. The competition will be jointly sponsored by St. Kitts Breweries and M.S. Osborne, which the MCA thanked for their support.

Teams are reminded that the league will commence on Saturday and Sunday 21^st and 22^nd October.

The initial fixtures in the MCA GINSENG UP ONE DAY LEAGUE are as follows : Saturday, 21^st October – Montserrat U17s vs. Eastern; Sunday, 22^nd October – Cudjoe Head vs. St. Johns.

All matches start promptly at 12:45 and players should be present at Salem Park by 12:15.

Players who wish to take part but have not yet registered should contact Devon Williams (Eastern), Leroy Bramble (Cudjoe Head) or Tyrone Greenaway/Jeff Lane (St. Johns), or attend Salem Park with their gear at 12:15 on match days.

Over the past two decades, Dengue has become endemic in several islands of the Caribbean. There have been several explosive outbreaks of classical Dengue in many of the larger islands of the region, most recently in Dominica, and even as close as St. Kitts and Nevis

The re-infestation of the Caribbean Islands with Aedes aegypti mosquito, after being eradicated in the '60’s, makes Montserrat a receptive area for a Dengue epidemic. Although there is no record that the island had experienced any explosive Dengue epidemic in the distant or recent past, we must not become too complacent.

Given the seriousness of the problem and the potential for an explosive Dengue epidemic, with possible complication of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever, it is imperative that we remain vigilant in our efforts for the effective prevention and or control of dengue.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a virus. The disease is mainly tropical in origin but occasionally residents or visitors from other countries may arrive in this country with Dengue Fever.

Dengue Fever may occur in people of all ages who are exposed to infected mosquitoes. The disease occurs mainly in tropical Asia and the Caribbean, usually during the rainy seasons in the areas with high numbers of infected mosquitoes.

Dengue is spread by the bite of the infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. This mosquito is identified by its white and dark spotted wings.

Dengue Fever is characterised by the rapid development of a fever that may last from fvie to seven days with severe headache, joint and muscle pain and a rash. The rash develops on the feet or legs three to four days after the beginning of the fever. The haemorrhagic form of Dengue is more severe and associated with loss of appetite, vomiting, high fever, headache and abdominal pains.

Untreated haemorrhagic Dengue results in death in up to 50 percent of cases.

Dengue fever may occur three to 15 days after exposure to an infected mosquito, commonly within five to six days.

Immunity may be produced to the same strain of Dengue virus after repeated exposures.

There is no specific treatment available. Intravenous fluids and oxygen therapy are often used for patients who experience shock during their illness. However, if you experience any symptoms such as pain in joints, fever and headache do not take Aspirin. Report to your nearest Health Centre or Private Doctor.

Control measures are limited to advising travellers to affected areas to minimize exposure to infected mosquitoes and improving environmental sanitation in order to eliminate sources of breeding. Use mosquito nets and repellents such as Off, Baygon and BOP.

Remember an epidemic of classical Dengue could deliver a devastating blow to our economies, and our tourist department in particular, and exert enormous burden on our medical facilities.

Keep listening to ZJB Radio as the Environmental Health Department continue to educate you on the prevention/control of Dengue Fever.

Jus wonderin if LS has funds in place for poor people to have their eye pressure check.

Jus wonderin who is the source for LS.

Jus wonderin if the lady at St Peters is a qualified midwife.

Jus wonderin if that bread shop has a curse why every new worker that works there always get injured .

Jus Wonderin who'll take the blame once all the Montserratians 'By Boat are gone...'.

Jus wonderin what’s the use of giving the bank uniform when they wear what color they like.

Jus wonderin how many times one has to beg them for good customer service.

Jus wonderin if they need a trip overseas to see how its really done.

Jus wonderin if the clearing of weeds from the road side symbolises Christmas is around the corner or is it because we a host heads of government meetin.

Jus wonderin if local government a help the British government give Caribbean heads of government the imression that all us well here by cleanin an repairin the roads before the meetin.

Jus wonderin how much longer we have to wait to know what’s in store for the season.

Jus wonderin if she don’t realize Oct.is all over.

Jus wonderin why the pill doctor no learn fu talk to talk to he workers especially when he know dem cooud be right and he wrong.

Jus wonderin why some uh dem woman who wok in a de "sick" kitchen pan tap St. John’s wid car , no stap call people house and hang up the phone.

Jus wonderin if dem no no dat everybody gat caller ID.

Jus wonderin if any young lady na de figures office get permission to mek personal long distance call to harass people.

Jus wonderin if she hold two jobs; one deh and one as immigration officer.

Jus wonderin why the police and DFID are putting recapped and manufacturers rejected tyres on their vehicles.

Jus wonderin if this is a sign that the £75 million is running out.

Jus wonderin if the insurance companies will honour a claim if these tyres cause a serious accident.

Jus wonderin if we have not learned a lesson from the Firestone problem.

Jus wonderin if now the announcements are made the scheming will stop and forthrightness will no longer be hypocrisy.