.

FCO Official Sees Impressive Progress Despite Evacuation

Speaking to the local press just prior to his departure from Montserrat on Tuesday, Mr. Richard Wilkinson, a senior official within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Director of the Americas Command, said he is quite impressed with the social and economic recovery and redevelopments now occurring in Montserrat, despite the recent evacuation a few days ago.

“I was impressed by some of the new housing that I saw; in particular Lookout has become, it seems, a very pleasant place to live now and its developed a lot since I was here two years ago – the other thing I noticed is the extent of the development at Brades. Brades seems to be turning out into quite a little village now, with a number of businesses and shops that I had not seen two years ago.”

Despite apparent hesitancy, Mr. Wilkinson praised the handling of the recent evacuation. He said that even though everyone has been shaken up by the evacuation, he feels the situation has been handled extremely well.

“After visiting the people living in the emergency housing, they seem to have been settled down very well considering,” he said, adding that even though the evacuation is a further blow to the island’s economy and that the volcano is indeed unpredictable, the spirit of the people of Montserrat “remains indomitable.”

Responding to The Montserrat Reporter’s question as to the fast tracking and correcting the so far ‘failed development’ of Montserrat rather than restricting it to the old financial regulations and working according to the tenets of the "White paper," Mr. Wilkinson referred to the matter as a problem that is challenging, but agreed, “It’s obviously an unsatisfactory relationship.”

He also acknowledged that “the chief minister and all Montserratians want to be economically independent again, but,” he said, “until they are, there have to be certain checks and controls”

As far as changing the rules, he said, “This is somewhat difficult, since monetary budgets are fixed and advanced, and especially in a situation like this, modifying them is a little challenging."

But he said that the matter is receiving attention: "The British Government, in conjunction with the Bank of London, is looking at ways and means of restructuring this assistance and finding various solutions for fixing this problem.

He acknowledged that “Montserrat has been struck by a blow to its economy and its livelihood, which was unexpected.”

Offering no easy fix, he observed that Montserrat, like St. Helena, is an overseas territory that needs budgetary aid and which must “have certain checks and controls, budgetary checks and expenditure.”

He pointed out also that it is not an easy matter to get funding through Parliament. "Parliament in London is responsible for the expenditures of  (British taxpayers’ money) – this requires a series of checks. The Ministers in London are not free to disperse money entirely as they see fit; they are answerable to Parliament just as the chief minister is answerable to his legislature,” he said.

FCO and its responsibilities for Montserrat

It was suggested to Mr. Wilkinson that FCO did not appear to be very involved in the overseeing of Montserrat and its reconstruction. “Can Montserrat expect more,” he was asked?

He limited his answer to the financing of Montserrat, explaining: “It’s not the FCO budget that’s principally involved - there’s a government fund that provides for various projects. A police launch – comes directly from FCO budget - security of the island; presently dealing with development, infrastructure is not FCO responsibility," he said.

He said, however, his department takes considerable interest. “Back in London, in overseas department, they are following closely the situation here, how things are progressing. We do take a considerable interest, it's very high up on our list of concerns.”

Senior FCO Official Calls Airport Vital

If everything goes as planned, very soon Montserratians will once again       have their own airport. Geralds has been identified and approved as the site for the airport.

Mr. Richard Wilkinson, a senior official within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Director of the Americas Command, said in a just concluded visit that the construction of a new airport site is a priority for the British Government.

“As soon as I arrived, I looked at the airport site, the computer plan, and in Antigua, I saw the type of craft which will be used. I think it’s absolutely fundamental to the islands’ development,” he said.

Mr. Wilkinson reiterated that creating the necessary infrastructure is important for the island as the economy further develops.

L to R: FCO representative Richard Wilkinson, MP Claude Hogan - airport project manager, HE Gov Longrigg

He said he was satisfied with all the issues regarding the location, the type of craft to be used and other safety issues arising out of the discussions for having a new airport.

“The safety use of short landing strips for Twin Otter planes is perfectly adequate for the kind of operations foreseen here,” he said, adding that other parts of the world have similar sized airstrips and they function extremely well.

From an economic point of view, Mr. Wilkinson said, “having this airstrip is

the best way of developing traffic and regular visitors to Montserrat,” as this provides a shuttle service where small numbers of people can arrive regularly. He further added that this is best, since the infrastructure cannot facilitate large amounts of people, 150 at the most, many day-trippers and tourists staying for a maximum of three overnights.

Questioned on the potential for developing the economy of Montserrat, and what would happen should the designed airport not meet expectations, he said that Montserrat was given a certain amount of money to assist in its development.

With regards to the those people who claim that the airport might not prove valuable to the island’s development, Wilkinson said, "Once the airport is in place, the island will need the services, as it is an essential link to the outside world.”

He said the airport by itself is not adequate, that the tourist and business infrastructures also have to be in place, but without the regular link to the outside world, it will be less difficult, so the airport will be better than the helicopter and the subsidised ferry.

EDITORIAL

"Montserrat's Much Acclaimed Resilience Needs to be Focused Somewhere, and Soon"

When the evacuation of the flanks of areas surrounding Belham Valley was ordered, it was considered by many to be premature and not in keeping with the scientists’ previous advice. The government, in seeking an excuse for the fall-out that resulted, might also use this argument of prematurity to cover its obvious lack of preparation and understanding of what was required economically and socially for any such evacuation.

The motives involved both self preservation and getting even with individuals who may have expressed a strong desire to curtail the continuous abuse of the funds allocated one way or another for Montserrat’s use in the handling of this volcanic crisis.

Certain government ministers sought to correct this, but were called "rumour mongers";  another government elected member later raised the issue of bringing back the (Caribbean) Seismic Research Unit (SRU), to assist in easing the monetary burden in monitoring Soufriere Hills volcano and the Volcano Observatory.

Other officials confirmed that our chief minister may have been used, tricked or was simply caught just at the right time, when that huge ash fall made every one in the affected area so uncomfortable and inconvenienced.

Our own agreement about the "emergency crisis" may have lured our ministers into not seeking to learn things relevant to the volcanic crisis. Only some time after the evacuation that was supposed to be an executive decision were they asking questions that should have been asked before the evacuation decision was made.

Who is in Charge

Much is being discussed about the radio program that resulted from a Salem committee which found it necessary to protest and make proposals to His Excellency the governor and government against what was considered a "botched" evacuation. Some aspects of the evacuation itself were undoubtedly smooth, as observed by visiting Richard  Wilkinson from Britain’s Foreign Commonwealth Office, who said “it was handled extremely well,” acknowledging, in the meantime, the “further blow to the island’s economy.”

Many quite interesting issues (certainly not new to this corner) were raised and this week some acknowledgements have also been made. The Minister of Communication and Works, Dr. Lowell Lewis, was a member of that pane. Mr. Reuben Meade, an elected member of parliament and also on the panel, asked Dr. Lewis whether position papers are prepared and submitted in advance when the Montserrat government goes to England for discussions with the British government. Dr. Lewis' reply was not affirmative, confirming, as has been suggested in this column before, that this is a wanting area.

In fact, quite often even other ministers of government and other relevant officials do not know the topics up for discussion, much more what is going to be put forward. Similar issues were raised during the call-in program, which also included calls from other elected members of government, all seeking to establish that the running of this country and the behaviour of officials cannot be “business as usual.”

Since raising last week the issue about the funding of the airport, we learnt that it is well mixed up in what some officials call “voodoo economics,” and that because of poor planning, a budgetary fix is being sought, which will impact further delay to the planned construction of the airport.

But there is more. Who is fooling whom when they try to "trick" Clare Short about this airport? It sure gets worse, but is there any wonder that there is the general impression that the airport may just never happen? And is there any understanding that we only play into the hands of our "benefactors" who refuse to do anything since the “monetary budgets as fixed and advanced.”

There was more than one call to the program on Wednesday night which suggested what some other official sources acknowledged this week. The wrong people are in charge of Montserrat’s affairs; people who can do a good job if only they are left to do that which they were hired to do, being public servants rather than carrying out the task of finding and advancing the solutions for our economic recovery and survival.

There is the question now of the roles played by the various heads within the Ministry of Finance which sees a minister having heavy dependence at the wrong times for advice from the wrong corners. The result is the strong current that the time has passed when changes should occur that could ensure the toughness required to lift this island out of its slumber and obvious sluggishness.

It is not the volcano that is feared these days, it is only used as an excuse for the retrogression. It is very strongly realised that if there is not a banding together to have the right things done, the death of an island and its people as a whole is imminent, so sound leadership and direction are crucial.

Who really understands this term "grant-in-aid" and how we should treat the matter and the whole question of aid from Britain? What do you call it when the Department for International Development (DFID) Secretary Clare Short announces the full cancellation of St. Vincent's aid debt repayments to the United Kingdom, amounting to close to $EC 10 million, on top of debt repayments of £526,000 (EC$2.05 million approx) that were cancelled last year?

We have on all sides taken the wrong approach and have a completely wrong understanding as to our own responsibility in the matter. Until we realize that other independent territories get millions of pounds in aid from the same source as we do, in addition to their many other international sources, we will continue to behave like beggars. What a syndrome we have developed.

Ask DFID and their consultants! Listen to the language of FCO senior official Wilkinson! What a syndrome, of not knowing what we really want and how to demand it, much more get it! We are six or seven years into this crisis, and no one can say where the "new town" is or will be!

Why is there no action on the development of Little Bay? Government owns majority shares in the Bank of Montserrat (BOM) – why aren't this bank, Montserrat Electricity Services, Montserrat Water Authority, Social Security getting us started in Little Bay? BOM should sell the land it owns now in Brades or have it developed into apartment housing or its own housing quarters.

Is there a lack of confidence somewhere? Then what about the resilience we so love to hear about? The problem is, it is so badly misdirected. With a small struggling-to-dead economy like ours, we kill it further by not understanding that when we deny some people business it strangles the economy. Is it that we need a re-education or a complete overhaul? The volcano keeps trying.

SCRIPTURE VERSE THIS WEEK

Choosing the Best 

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:21-23 

Hold fast too what is good ; abstain from every form of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 

I have suffered for years from food allergies, mostly to delicious foods, it seems Once I ate a chocolate bar and developed a migraine that lingered for more than a week. Many times I've asked God to cure me of these allergies, but God has not done it. Yet I had prayed with faith and I questioned why God didn't heal me.

Then I realized that I was not praying as I ought to pray. God has given me the freedom and intelligence to choose among the bad, the goods I should abstain  from. At times I make choices that are not good  for me , and I pay the price, yet I could abstain and avoid the unpleasant and painful reactions.

Similarly, in today's scripture, God admonishes us to abstain from evil so that we may be sanctified in spirit, body, and soul. We surely could avoid much pain if we followed this biblical teaching.

Now my prayer has changed . I ask God to help me abstain from all that would do me harm ,and I am grateful that with God's help I have been able to choose more wisely. Thanks to God , I feel much better, in sprit, body, and soul.

 Prayer: Lord , help us to discern your will for us . Strengthen our resole to make decisions as we face daily challenges. In Jesus name. Amen

Thought for the day

With God's help we can choose what is best for us .

Lucy Cortes de Nieves (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)

Prayer Focus: THOSE WITH FOOD ALLERGIES

Prayer Focus:  THOSE WOUNDED BY THOUGHTLESS WORDS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Montserratian in UK Grateful for Web Site

Dear Editor,

Hi there. As a Montserratian living in the United Kingdom I find your WEB SITE very informative and the Montserrat Reporter in general. Being here and being able to sit in front of my computer and know what is going on in my lovely island of Montserrat I feel very much alive. Keep up the good works. May God bless and keep Montserrat safe. Love you all. God bless.

orville.white@ntlworld.com

Why are People in Crisis Locked Out of a Church?

Dear Editor,

An incident happened in Salem on the night of Monday 21st. October 2002. There were at least 200 persons gathered at the Salem centre for a meeting, which was to be held at the Salem Methodist Church. This meeting was to give feedback of the meeting with the Government and Governor by the Delegation that was nominated by the people affected by the present Volcanic evacuation to make representation to Government and Governor.

Now the right Rev. Daley told persons holding the keys, that said key not be given out. This is the night of the meeting; people are waiting to go into a building. “No Key.” It was said that she thought that two meetings were held in the church already. So another venue should be used this time. This very powerful Reverend, who knew that she did not want any meeting in her Church, did not call anybody to tell them that they would have to make other arrangements. Total disrespect of persons, no kind of sensitivity to persons in turmoil. Where is the courtesy? Where is the Christian attitude?

This is a crisis situation and one would hope that the church is there for one, but no. This is how a church loses its members; due to rash decisions made by person or persons who thinks that that is what they want, or this is how it should be regardless. This also is why some people don’t go to church once certain persons are in the pulpit. This of course is not a good attitude. It is not the presenter but the Word. What about the people? It’s always about the people, without the people, other people are nothing. A church door is open to all people/persons. A criminal who has just committed a mass murder could run to the church for refuge. If you have a problem you go to church either to pray or to talk to the ordained ones.

People in certain positions have to make sure that when they make decisions, they have the people at heart. The decisions made should be centered on and around the people. Don’t think of the present joy and gratification of moment and self; this could cause long term ramifications.

Eventually the meeting was held outside, thanks to Loretta of the Desert Storm bar, which added a useful atmosphere for the meeting.

A member of the very church. 

Don't Just Watch Dome Grow, Its Growth Can be Controlled

Dear Editor,

Greetings to the residents of Montserrat.  I have been following the travails of your island since the volcano first erupted.  I understand that measures have to be taken to protect the populace of the island from a massive collapse of the lava dome, but I see nothing being done except ordering more evacuations.

The MVO has proven to be just that, an observatory.  They watch and they measure; they speculate and they warn.  The volcano is merely a large science project to the MVO.  Nothing has been done to attempt to mitigate the dangers of the volcano.  The dome continues to grow, causing the internal pressures in the volcano to rise, which could possibly lead to another explosive eruption.  Why is the dome allowed to grow unchecked?

At this point, many of you are wondering what can be done to stop the growth of the dome.  The answer is really quite simple.  The dome is an extrusion of unstable rock, usually situated in a precarious fashion on the mountain.  This extrusion relieves internal pressure from within the volcano.  If the dome gets too large, the extrusion process slows down causing greater pressure to build up in the mountain.  Remove some of the dome, and the pressure is reduced.  Firing a small (2"- 3") artillery shell into the dome on a regular basis will cause controlled pyrocastic flows to be released from the dome, thus reducing the dome and the pressure in the mountain.  Only a small artillery shell would be required due to the instability of the rock that makes up the dome.  This exact procedure has been used for decades to mitigate snow avalanche dangers in the western United States.  I am a physicist by training, and given the greater potential energy stored in the much denser (compared to snow) unstable rock of the dome, I see no reason whatsoever as to why this shouldn't at least be tried.  The use of an artillery shell can also dictate the direction of the released pyroclastic flow, thus providing a much safer release of energy from the volcano as opposed to waiting for something to happen.

Rather than further sequester the people of the island into an ever-shrinking area, the government should be taking measures to control the danger.  Since the dome is the source of the danger for the residents, reducing the dome reduces the danger.  This ultimately would result in a much smaller exclusion zone, and a much more stable basis to rebuild the island's economy.  Sitting back and letting the MVO take measurements will only yield measurements.  Taking action to reduce the dome will result in a safer, more stable, and larger Montserrat.

I extend my best wishes to the people of Montserrat, and hope for the return of their island paradise in the near future.

Montserratian in Florida Seeking Scholarship Aid

Dear Editor,

I have always admired how well this site is doing and how much information has been put forward to keep overseas Montserratians up to date.

I have been living in the U.S. for seven years. I am currently attending Florida State University as a freshman. It has been a great challenge since I have moved on my own and am beginning to learn my responsibilities. My tuition is quite high. I have been searching for many scholarships that do not limit the applicant to be a resident or a citizen.

If you by chance know of any scholarships that would help me out significantly. I have always excelled in school since I have been in Montserrat. My most previous accomplishments was the Senior Class Vice President, Region 501 Business Professionals of America Secretary, National Honors Society, etc. Also, working part time while maintaining a 4.0 gpa, I have lived up to my true potential. Hopefully, this little letter would allow scholarship connections to flourish.

Thanks in advance for your help. With God's help I know things will work out.

Aleris

rissyann1@hotmail.com

LOCAL and REGIONAL NEWS

Police, Firemen to Renew Weeklong Celebrations

Saturday, October 26 will mark the beginning of Police and Firemen Week 2002.Under the theme Police and Fire in the Community, these two departments will jointly hold a number of activities to commemorate international Police Day.

Mr. Simon Morson, Deputy Commissioner of Police, said that since last years’ Police Week was a huge success, they decided to do it again this year. This time they have expanded their celebrations to include the firemen.

Mr. Morson said the aim and objective of having these celebrations are to promote and reinforce the police community initiative.

Two church parades will herald the beginning of the weeklong celebrations- one to be held on Saturday at the Seventh Day Adventist church at Mongo Hill at 10.00 a.m. and another on Sunday at the Wesleyan Holiness Church at Davy Hill at 9.00 a.m..

On Monday, the new police station will be opened at Brades. This opening is scheduled for 10.00 a.m. School children will get a first hand look at how the police and firemen carry out their duties, such as SOCO Technology, finger printing and fire emergency drills. This programme will begin at 1.00 p.m.

Police and firemen will get the chance Friday night to show the community how versed they are in the performing arts; officers will be singing and  reading poetry amongst other creative art forms.  Bitter End Bar will host the concert. The action begins at 7:30 p.m..

The curtain comes down on the weeklong celebrations Saturday night, November 4, with a grand Charity Ball at the Goodlife Nightclub. At this ball, which includes a dinner and dance, His Excellency Governor Anthony Longrigg will make presentations to those officers who performed outstandingly over the last year. Those officers will receive Her Majesty’s Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal for their work. This award is usually presented on her birthday.

All monies collected for the concert and the Grand Ball will go towards charity. 

Montserrat Reassured On Regional Integration

Earlier this week sources on Montserrat said that officials were suspicious of an official visit by a Mr. John Poston, the governor designate for the Turks and Caicos. But according to Mr. Richard Wilkinson from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London, Mr. Poston was given an assignment to look into the integration of Caribbean Overseas Territories in the wider Caribbean organizations.

The question was put directly to Mr. Wilkinson as the belief was that Britain was trying to cause Montserrat to be relegated to the status of the other overseas territories which were not full CARICOM members.

Mr. Wilkinson contradicted those fears and said that Britain viewed the matter as a very important one and seemed to suggest that they would prefer the other territories to be members of Caribbean organisations.

“We want this integration to be close,” he said. “We don’t want a situation where the independent territories go in one direction and the others go another, leaving behind, those territories which cannot for some reason be independent or aren’t able to be independent yet.” 

Montserrat Represented At Two Youth Functions

Jermaine Wade and Alicia Galloway represented Montserrat at the recently concluded Caribbean Youth Ambassador Strategic Planning and Project Development Workshop and the Youth Leadership Seminar on the Caribbean Court of Justice.

One of the main issues discussed at the forum was finding ways and means of increasing the levels of Youth Participation and Partnership in the areas of the CARICOM Youth Agenda, the Decision Making Process and the Secretariats’ Programmes and Priorities.

Commenting on the forum, Ms. Wade and Ms. Galloway said the levels of discussions were quite intense and informative. Apart from the conferences, they said, they “were disappointed in the fact that there were no scheduled times out for getting to know the island and for personal interaction between the delegates, except during the actual workshop.”

This they felt would have encouraged the possible spending of the tourist dollar, and hence increase the further interaction of the Caribbean peoples.

In addition to current projects being undertaken by CARICOM relating to youth development, delegates of member states and representatives of the various Non Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) presented numerous papers on issues affecting the region and its youth. These included;

Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health, the Global Youth Network, Health and Family Life Education and the use of Sport as a vehicle for Social Change.

Haiti and Suriname also sent delegates to the Seminars which were held at the Ambassador Hotel, Trinidad from October 18 –21.  

UWI Plans Local Conference On Multi-disciplinary Studies

The School of Continuing Studies, division of the University of the West Indies (UWI), will convene a two-day multi-disciplinary conference from November 13-14, under the theme Beyond Walls: Multi-disciplinary Perspectives.

The conference will be held at the Royal Montserrat Police headquarters training room and its aim is to stimulate and highlight research by academics and eminent persons in the non-campus country, by UWI staff based at campuses, and by scholars in other institutions with interests in Caribbean Studies.

George Goodwin Jr., Acting Director General of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Secretariat, will be the keynote speaker at the opening session.

The conference, which will be open to the public, will include topics of national importance, including volcanology, education, tourism, governance and other social issues affecting Montserrat, that will be discussed at the public level. 

Sir Ronald Sanders Given KC by Queen

Sir Ronald Sanders, Chief Foreign Affairs Representative with Ministerial Rank of Antigua and Barbuda was invested Wednesday with the dignity of Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George at Buckingham Palace by Her Majesty The Queen.   The award was announced in The Queen's Birthday Honours List in the UK on 14th June this year. 

UK Cuts St. Vincent Debt By Another EC$10 Million

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC - International Development Secretary Clare Short has announced the full cancellation of St. Vincent's aid debt repayments to the United Kingdom amounting to close to EC $10 million (US$3.7 million).
"This is on top of debt repayments of £526,000 (EC$2.05 million approx) that were cancelled last year," a statement from the British High Commission in Barbados on Wednesday said.
The debt forgiveness releases funds within the Government's budget, which can now be used within the country to implement government policies to promote economic and social development and reduce poverty.
Ms. Short said she was impressed with the policy intentions of the Government of St. Vincent to reduce poverty, promote accountable government and put in place sustainable economic policies.
The decision was conveyed to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves during his attendance at the recent Commonwealth Finance Ministers meeting in London.
St Vincent's aid debt to the UK is being written off as part of the UK's Commonwealth Debt Initiative, which was launched by Chancellor Gordon Brown at the Commonwealth Finance Ministers' meeting in Mauritius in September 1997.
Under the initiative, debt relief on UK aid loans is available to Commonwealth countries with a GNP per capita of less than US$3,115 and middle income small islands which are committed to achieving the internationally agreed development targets, promoting accountable governance and applying sound economic and social policies. 

Basdeo Panday Brushes Off Manning Budget in Trinidad

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC _ Opposition leader Basdeo Panday on Thursday criticised the TT20 billion dollar (US$3.3 billion) budget presented by Prime Minister Patrick Manning earlier this week, saying it lacked vision and was intended to re- introduce state dependency in Trinidad and Tobago.

In what many political observers are saying is the shortest response to a budget presentation in Trinidad and Tobago’s parliamentary history, Mr. Panday took just about 40 minutes to respond to Manning’s 2½-hour presentation on Monday.

Mr. Panday spent most of the time accusing the ruling Peoples National Movement (PNM) of “stealing the elections by the muscle of known terrorists and state funds,” a reference to the radical Jamaat-al-Muslimeen group here that the opposition United National Congress (UNC) said had been part of “an unholy alliance” during the campaign for the October 7 polls.

But he warned that the country would soon be told “come hell or high water” how the ruling party spent an estimated TT18 billion dollars (US$3 billion) during the last nine months “with nothing to show.”

Panday said the budget presentation was one of “lies, dishonesty and deceit” and that it “lacked vision and cohesion”.

He said the UNC during its six year term in office had wanted to transform this oil rich twin island Republic  “into the Jewel of the Americas” but the budget presentation showed a policy that was a  “hot podge of a shopping list as though we are still in an election campaign”.

Mr. Panday said when the UNC took office in 1995, the unemployment rate was 19 per cent, but when it was forced to leave office last year, that figure had dropped to 11 per cent, with over 80,000 new jobs created.

He said the reduction in unemployment had been achieved not by “handouts” but by policies that saw investments in the vital oil and natural gas industries, as well as other sectors of the economy.

U.S. Sniper Suspects Have Jamaica and Antigua Roots

WASHINGTON, CMC - The Jamaican Embassy in Washington Thursday confirmed that
a young man arrested in connection with Washington D.C.-area sniper shootings is a citizen of Jamaica, while stating that the other suspect in the case was of Antiguan-decent.
Jamaica's Ambassador to Washington Seymour Mullings said the Embassy was working closely with police as investigations continue into the matter. John Lee Malvo, 17, who left Jamaica at the age of 4 for the United States, was arraigned as a material witness to the shootings in a closed hearing Thursday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, Maryland.
John Allen Muhammad, 41, also known as John Allen Williams, a Gulf War veteran, was also expected to be arraigned Thursday at the same courthouse. He is believed to be of Antiguan decent.
All the sniper victims -- 10 dead, three wounded since October 2 -- were hit by a single .223-caliber shot.
Washington radio station WTOP reported that a rifle, a scope and a tripod had been recovered from the suspects' vehicle. 

BVI Customs Seize Boat Seeking to Evade Duty

ROAD TOWN, Tortola – A joint intelligence operation involving Her Majesty’s Customs, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and the Immigration Department intercepted a BVI registered vessel attempting to by-pass duty last week in the Sir Francis Drakes Channel near Nanny Cay.

The boat, loaded with $6,500 worth of smuggled items, was coming from neighbouring St. Thomas, USVI and was heading in the direction of Road Town with five persons.

Four law enforcement officers from the three agencies were on board the RVIPF’s Delta II when the vessel was stopped and brought into the Police marine base at Fort Burt.

The vessel and goods were immediately confiscated, but were released yesterday after the proprietor paid a $20,000 fine, which included duty and a  “restoration fee” equivalent to the value of the vessel, making it the biggest Customs seizure so far for the year.

Acting Comptroller of Customs Mr. Wade Smith told the Government Information Services (GIS) the penalty is an indication that the department now has “zero tolerance for smugglers and perpetrators of similar illegal activities.”

“We still have some level of non-compliance by boat owners, but with increased vigilance we are confident we will be able to monitor the borders successfully,” he promised.

Two weeks ago, Police and Immigration officials participated in an advanced training course for Customs officers, which focused on enforcement techniques, restraint and control, and behaviour analysis. 

Turks-Caicos Last OT To Drop Death Penalty

CMC - Britain announced Tuesday the abolition of capital punishment for treason and piracy in the Turks and Caicos Islands, with the agreement of the government of that territory.
A statement released by the British High Commission in Bridgetown said the Order was made Tuesday at the Privy Council by Her Majesty The Queen under powers conferred to her by the West Indies Act 1962.
"This completes the process of abolishing capital punishment in the British Overseas Territories and fulfills one of the objectives of the 1999 White Paper on Britain and the Overseas Territories, 'Partnership for Progress and Prosperity', the statement added.
Capital punishment for murder in the Turks and Caicos was abolished by a previous Order in Council in 1991. Local legislation has also been passed to substitute life imprisonment for the death penalty for treason and piracy.

Trinidad Meeting Weighs Worst Forms of Child Labor

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - The research findings on the nature of child labour in the Caribbean, particularly its worst forms, are being discussed at an International Labour Organisation's regional tripartite meeting which opened here on Wednesday.

The meeting is expected to attract approximately 100 participants representing governments, trade unions and employers' organizations, as well as NGOs.

According to an ILO report released in June this year, "A Future Without

Child Labour," 246 million children - one in every six children aged 5 to 17 - are involved in child labour. Among its startling findings, the report also revealed for the first time that some 179 million children aged 5-17 - one in every eight children in the world - are still exposed to the worst forms of child labour which endanger the child's physical, mental or moral well-being.

In terms of geographical distribution, the Asia-Pacific region harbours the largest absolute number of working children between the ages of 5 and 14, with some 127 million or 60 percent of the world total. Sub-Saharan Africa is second with 48 million, or 23 percent of the total, followed by Latin America and the Caribbean with 17.4 million or 8 percent, and the Middle East and North Africa with 13.4 million or 6 percent. 

Dutch Ham Radio Operators To Compete from Montserrat

Five Dutch ham radio operators have chosen Montserrat as their base for this years’ international competition. Team leader of the VP2 M pa crew, Mr. Ronald Stuy said, “Montserrat was chosen as their base for competing for two reasons - to reactivate the island, (especially since the volcano erupted a few years ago) and there are a few local ham radio operators here; secondly, it's their dream to operate in all the countries of the world.

Visiting Ham radio operators - L to R: Ronald Stuy, Rob Snieder, Martin Jonink, Martin Hofman, Enno Karma

Stuy and his team are competing in the Multi Single, Multi Operators Class - this is basically a team of operators using a single transmitter to make contact with other stations worldwide. The form of the competition is based on short contacts. Every competitor has a unique code and this code is used to identify the area from which contact is being made. VP 2 M pa is the code the team will be using for this competition. There are 10 classes competing this year. Winners of this competition are given a plaque as their prize.

They have divided themselves into two groups, and will work in two shifts for this competition. The competition is 48 hours long and begins on Friday at 8 p.m. and ends on Sunday at 8 p.m.

Winners of the ham radio competition are determined by the amount of contacts they make with other radio stations around the world. The objective of the competition is to make as many contacts as possible, in the fastest way possible. This is done by exchanging identification through a number of zones. There are 40 zones, of which Montserrat is zone 8.

Stuy and his team are the only foreign group competing in Montserrat and are self sponsored.

Local Ham radio operators - L to R: President - Horatio Tuitt, Vice President - Eustace Chambers, Secretary - Keith Stone Greaves, visitor - Geno Boyd

Stuy said Montserrat was chosen as their base for this competition, because after his first vacation here, he loved Montserrat so much that he and his friends just had to return. Stuy and his team went to Dominica for two weeks to prepare for this competition prior to coming to Montserrat.

The Radio Society of the United States of America- CQ is sponsoring this years’ competition. The ham radio competition worldwide is held every year. 

Vindicated Lester Bird Says He's No Less Angry

Antigua, CMC - Prime Minister Lester Bird says he is not surprised by the findings of an investigation team that probed videotaped allegations made by a female minor against him and other top government officials, but says the report in no way diminishes his anger at those who "concocted" the videotape, nor does it ease his disappointment "with those who were ready to believe it."
"The report does not surprise me.  It could have come to no other conclusion because the allegations made against me on the videotape are wholly false. I have never met the young woman and never had any relationship of any kind with her," Prime Minister Bird said on Monday.
"As the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has confirmed, I have been in the forefront of the fight against drug trafficking in the Caribbean.  The young woman's allegations of my involvement with drug traffickers are ludicrous in the extreme," he continued.
 The report by retired British Metropolitan Police Officer Colin Warburton and senior representatives of the Antigua and Barbuda Police Force was submitted to Attorney General Gertel Thom, who commissioned the investigation in May at the height of drugs and sexual allegations that rocked the Antigua government.
In a public statement, the Attorney General said all findings of the investigation that relate to public officials including Prime Minister Lester Bird, Senator Asot Michael, and Commissioner of Police Truehart Smith would be released.
However, she said, due to ongoing police investigations into certain matters, aspects of the report would not be made public.
The full report is to be delivered to the Governor-General, the Director of Public Prosecution and the Opposition Leader Baldwin Spencer, who will be asked to respect the confidentiality of the ongoing police work.
It is understood that, arising from the investigations, recommendations have been made to the police to investigate certain pornography and drug-trafficking operations.
The report found that the allegations made against Prime Minister Lester Bird and Senator Asot Michael had no foundation whatsoever.  It also said that accusations against two officials of the U.S. Government have been dismissed as baseless.
 The investigation was conducted in six countries and had the full co-operation of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which said in a letter appended to the report that Prime Minister Lester Bird had both personally and publicly fully supported the fight against drug trafficking.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration rejected the allegations made against the Prime Minister by the female minor, Monique Kim Barua. 

UWI Students in Trinidad Protest Inadequate Security

Trinidad, CMC - Classes were disrupted Tuesday at the University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus as hundreds of students protested what they described as a lack of adequate security at the campus.
The students, who also wore red as a sign of protest, gathered near the offices of the Guild of Graduates on the campus, forcing the suspension of classes.
Guild President Mobafa Baker outlined seven areas of security concerns of the students, including the need for proper lighting, establishment of a police sub post within the vicinity of the campus, regular national police patrol and a reliable 24-hour bus service.
But UWI Principal Dr. Bhoe Tewarie said that while he understood the problems of the students he also had to ensure the safety of the entire campus community, which he said numbered 10,000.

The protest action by the students follows the stabbing of 19 year old Kenneth Thomas from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, just outside the university compound, earlier this month. Thomas was in the company of two other Vincentian students when he was stabbed 15 times by bandits. No one has yet been arrested.

Jamaica Recount Gives Opposition Another Seat

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC -  Following a recount of ballots in the North WestSt. Ann constituency, the opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has picked up an additional seat, bringing its tally to 26 in the 60-seat Jamaica parliament.
Verna Parchment, a first time candidate for the JLP, defeated People's National Party (PNP) incumbent and former Minister of Local Government and Community Development Arnold Bertram by 169 votes to be declared winner of the seat following last week's general election.
The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) announced the result on Monday night after the final count of the ballots had to be moved to EOJ headquarters in Kingston because of violence that took place in the St. Ann parish capital of Brown's Town.
With the result, the PNP has also seen its majority diminish in the House.
PNP General Secretary Maxine Henry-Wilson said the party was disappointed at the defeat of Arnold Bertram but that PNP lawyers would be reviewing the decision as well as some other seats to determine the next course of action.
The Jamaica Labour Party has also indicated that it will be seeking magisterial recounts in at least three constituencies, according to JLP Chairman Ryan Peralto

Meanwhile, the Republican Party of Jamaica (RPJ) further urges the appointment of cabinet ministers from among the 60 new members of parliament representing both sides of the political divide. 

Grenada to Survey Schools on Drug Use

Grenada, CMC – The Grenada government is preparing to conduct a national schools’ survey on the prevalence of illegal drugs, from November 5 to 8, among approximately 5,300 students here.

A government release on Wednesday said the results of the survey would be used to inform policy formulation and programme development on the island.

The Government of Grenada and the Organisation of American States are providing funding for the research, which is expected to cost US$14,143.

The Trinidad-based Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) will conduct the survey under the auspices of the Drug Abuse Epidemiological and Surveillance System Project.

Results of the survey will be analysed by CAREC and the findings made available in 2003.

Jamaican Bus Driver Killed By Sniper in U.S. Capital

Jamaica, CMC - The Jamaican Embassy in Washington is offering support to the relatives of a Jamaican man affirmed as the 10th victim of a sniper who has been roving suburban Washington.

Conrad Everton Johnson, a 35-year-old bus driver, was hit in the chest by a single bullet as he stood on the steps of his bus early Tuesday morning. Ballistics tests later showed the bullet to match those used in other sniper killings.

Mr. Johnson, who migrated to the United States in 1978, was born in the town of May Pen in the central Jamaican parish of Clarendon. He leaves behind a wife and two children.

O'neil Hamilton, spokesman for the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) in Washington, said Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States Seymour Mullings and Embassy staff have offered assistance to the Johnson family as they seek to come to grips with the loss of a close relative.

Speaking in an interview with the JIS in Washington, Mr. Johnson's mother, Sonia Wills, described him as the "light of the life of his children, his wife and his family". 

Guyana Says Deportees To Blame for Crime Wave

Guyana, CMC - Police say criminal deportees are partly to blame for the now daily increasing crime wave in Guyana that has so far claimed the lives of close to a dozen police officers and more than 60 civilians since February.
A police press statement issued over the weekend said over the 11 months from November 2001 to October 2002, 268 Guyanese from various North American, European and Caribbean countries were returned to the country after being convicted of criminal offences.
Of these, the largest contingent came from the United States (207), followed by Canada (37), Barbados (8), Antigua (5) Cayenne (3), Trinidad (3) France (2), Puerto Rico (1), St Maarten (1) and the United Kingdom (1).
Seventy deportees were convicted of sex-related or violent crimes.
At a press conference on Friday, Police Commissioner Floyd McDonald also said deportees were a major force in the crime wave here.
"Through intelligence we have identified persons who have participated in criminal activities with other local criminals and we have also arrested persons who are deportees for their involvement in crime," Mr. McDonald said.
He said too, that "some of the types of crime that we are seeing – violent crimes - and the sophisticated nature of some of those crimes, based on our analysis, we arrived at the conclusion that deportees are part of this problem".
The Guyana government recently enacted four controversial pieces of legislation, including the Prevention of Crimes Law dubbed 'the deportee  law" to deal with the spate of violent crime rocking the country. 

OECD Report Shows Tax Burdens Falling in Many OECD Countries

               Tax burdens as measured by the ratio of tax to GDP fell in fifteen OECD countries between 2000 and 2001, suggesting a break in a trend of continuous increases in the OECD average tax-to-GDP ratio during the previous five years. 

               Provisional figures in the latest edition of the OECD's Revenue Statistics show that the average tax-to-GDP ratio for the 25 OECD countries for which 2001 figures are available fell by one tenth of a percentage point last year. Between 1995 and 2000, the average tax-to-GDP ratio for all 30 OECD countries rose from 36.1% to 37.4% (see Table A). Figures for 2001 are still not available for five OECD countries.

               Steady growth in OECD tax-to-GDP ratios over the preceding five years, despite widespread cuts in tax rates, illustrates the complex factors that determine tax burdens. Part of the explanation for the rise lay in rapid economic growth, which increased company profits and lifted individual incomes into higher tax brackets. This is evidenced by an increase in the OECD average ratio of taxes on incomes and profits as a percentage of GDP from 12.8% in 1995 to 13.6% in 2000 (see Table B).  The recent slowdown in the world economy, by reducing that effect, is likely to result in some of the tax cuts having their expected result of reducing tax-to-GDP ratios.

               However, the enormous variety of country experiences shown in the report's tables illustrates that there is no single explanation for changing tax burdens. Some conflicting trends include:

*             A very wide range of changes to tax-to-GDP ratios between 2000 and 2001 among the countries for which figures are available. While Norway's ratio increased by 4.6% due in part to volatile revenues from oil, for example, the Slovak Republic experienced a decrease of 2.7 percentage points.

*             Other factors beside income tax revenues also play a role. Korea's tax-to-GDP ratio rose because of higher revenues from consumption taxes, while Turkey's rose due to higher revenues from social security contributions.

               In addition, the value of tax-to-GDP ratios as a basis for comparison between countries is limited by differences in the mix of tax reliefs (which reduce the tax-GDP ratio) and cash benefits (which do not) used to pursue social objectives such as assisting families with children.

Also, countries differ in the extent to which they tax government-provided social benefits, and so increase their tax-to-GDP ratio without adding to the tax burden on economic activities.

               A special feature in this year's edition of Revenue Statistics highlights the large differences in compulsory social security contributions across OECD countries, in terms of ratios to GDP and share of tax revenues.

(see Table C). Among other things, this shows that:

*               Continental European countries have relatively high social security contributions because of their extensive social safety nets and population ageing.

*             At the other end of the spectrum, Ireland, Korea, Canada, Britain and the U.S. have relatively low contributions because they finance a significant part of their social benefits from other taxes and because the scope of their social security programmes tends to be smaller.

*             *               Denmark combines extensive social benefits with low social security contributions, raising much of the necessary finance through other taxes.

*             *               Australia and New Zealand levy no social security contributions, as they finance social benefits entirely through other taxes.

Barbados Opposition Leader Describes Budget Presentation As A "Dress Rehearsal"

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC - Parliamentary Leader of the opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP), David Thompson, has described Tuesday's budget presentation by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Owen Arthur as a dress rehearsal, saying that it was "as disjointed and wooden as it was lacking in appeal and focus".
In a scathing attack on the policies and programmes outlined in the 2002 to 2003 Financial Package, Thompson further described changes announced in the budget as merely "cosmetic", adding that the stated objectives did not match the policies outlined by government.
"There was no correlation between what the Minister said he wanted to achieve and the measures that he outlined to achieve them," Thompson charged.
He further attacked government's record of implementation, saying that basic measures announced in the August 2001 budget and a post September 11 Emergency Package to assist vulnerable sectors, which were predicated on helping Barbados to earn its way out of an economic crisis, have taken longer than 14 months to be realised.
He also accused government of ignoring the cries for help of ordinary Barbadians, including farmers, taxi drivers, hoteliers and vendors, and of failure to take into account the current needs of vital industries such as manufacturing, tourism and agriculture.
He further castigated government for its spending, saying millions had been squandered on the National Housing Corporation (NHC) headquarters and the controversial Gems Hotel project and the Greenland landfill project.
The opposition leader noted that the Edutech project to place computers in schools across the island was now costing government 426 million dollars (US$ 213 million), up from the original figure of 350 million (US$175 million) for the project.
He accused government of losing its way, charging that its eyes were now fixed on the election clock, with a general election constitutionally due by 2004 in the country, and not on the economic fundamentals.
Thompson further accused the Prime Minister of delaying relief and the prolonging the suffering of Barbadians until the election bell was wrung, even while lower taxation and more money in the pockets of Barbadians was desirable at the moment.
He suggested a lowering of the Value Added Tax on goods and services one means of easing the hardships of Barbadians.
Referring specifically to measures in the budget dealing with personal income tax, Thompson said the net effect in terms of increasing disposable income of taxpayers would be "miniscule".
"Barbadians must not be fooled," Thompson warned. "The tax relief is not immediate and it must be taken against the background of increases in public sector wages this year and the next negotiations," he said.
Using the example of a person who earns Bds$2 000 (US$1,000) a month, he explained that the individual will pay 18 dollars less in tax per month in income year 2003 but will pay 10 dollars more in social security contributions, which gives them an increase in disposable income of only eight dollars per month.
Among other measures included in the budget was a lowering of corporation taxes.
But Thompson said government had no choice but to reduce taxes in keeping with international obligations.
Other interest groups including tourism and manufacturing officials have welcomed specific aspects of the budget.

SPORTS

DID YOU SAY WHITEWASH?

By Peter Adrien

Another whitewash seems inevitable! Having defeated the West Indies by eight wickets in the second test match at the MA Chidambaram stadium at Chepauk, Chennai, on October 20, 2002, (assuming an unassailable lead in the three-test series) the Indian team is hell-bent on whitewashing West Indies before their thousands of enthusiastic cricket-loving population.

India is going for the kill at Calcutta, the home of Caption Sourav Ganguly. And why not go for the crowning act in his backyard? Well, for the Caribbean people, the timing is not right. And Captain Carl Hooper, like Alexander the Great, must prevent it by any means necessary.

Being victims of the current course of the Caribbean political economy, the cricketing public cannot deal with the emotional trauma of such a dispirited experience. The Caribbean people, writhing under the pains of a protracted economic slowdown since 2001, and with the threat of a US/Iraq war which would definitely bring the battered small economies to a virtual standstill, the worn out thousands in the lower-income stream can take no more pain; no more heart ache; no more sorrow.

How can a people who are being retrenched; who are being sacked; who are having their basic household items repossessed every day; who are being haunted like common criminals for child support; who, in some cases, are beginning to resort to deviant activities to subsist; who are being hauled to the law courts on a daily basis for defaulting, stomach another deadly blow at their sense of racialism and national pride?

Yes, we still have left a semblance of pride and integrity to be salvaged, and this should give Carl Hooper and his team an opportunity to showcase the West Indian cricketing lure which is being squandered because of a mixture of vulgar nationalism, petty bourgeois interests, partisan and familial interests, black marginalization, and corrupt management. The cricketers will have to fight manfully to protect what is left and do it as if they are holding on to dear life. Nothing less will be accepted!

They may not be mouthing it but the Caribbean people are fearful. This is the cause of angry overtones of their cricketing debates in the bars, the rum shops, the offices, the board rooms and the highways and the by-ways. They badly need a measure of consolation. And their cricketing “General” Carl Hooper did not give it to them. In his post-match interview, when asked by Ravi Shastri, “What positive thing can you take from the defeat?” he replied, "It was hard to find any positives." And when asked whether he was gearing up for the final match at Calcutta, he regretfully replied, “It’s a test match, and we have to show up for the game.”

Although one should not read too much into this response, mindful of his state of mind at the time, one may justifiably conclude that the West Indian leader has already given up. The last match – the crucial match – is already lost!

The only consolation that West Indian cricketers can accord to the traumatized and bruised West Indian cricketing public is to spare them any more agony. One would hope that the tour management and team would be aware that the mood in the Caribbean is: “Lord, I can take it no more.” As far as they are concerned, the team is being whitewashed, brown-washed and blackwashed too often for their liking.

The message is clear to Manager Richard Skerritt, Coach Roger Harper, Captain Carl Hooper, Chief of Selectors Sir Vivian Richards, and the team. “Spare us the agony; save us the pain. Play the Indians as if you were at war! Play manfully! Play as if your life were dependent on your performance!” Nothing less is demanded. Their days are numbered!

What should be the immediate goal of Hooper and his team? The first order of business would be to prevent the whitewash “by any means necessary,” as this is the only thing that will absolve the management and the team. They will accept nothing short of a sacrifice.

And Carl Hooper badly needs to save his own reputation as a leader and a batsman in order to prevent himself from suffering the same fate of his predecessor, Jimmy Adams. After all, there is a Caribbean saying, “The same stick that licks the black dog, will lick the white dog.”  

Every whitewash makes the prolonged rebuilding process of the West Indies team much longer, much harder, and much more painful.

The effort demands exceptional performances from Hooper, Chanderpaul and Sarwan, in particular. But if they manage it, who will bowl India out twice? 

Who will spare us the agony?

Peter Adrien is a central banker, an author, a syndicated sports analyst and freelance photographer. He can be contacted viawww.adriensenterprises.com or E-mail: Adriens@caribsurf.com

PHOTO CAPTION: Is Harper’s day also numbered? (Photo: Peter Adrien) 

Peter Adrien is a central banker, an author, a syndicated sports  analyst and freelance photographer. He can be contacted via ww.adriensenterprises.com or E-mail: Adriens@caribsurf.com

FEATURES

COMMENTARY

War On Terror: Living In The Aftermath Of September 11

By Jeevan Robinson

It makes no sense to try and ignore it; our existence and the tides of history are at one of their most crucial crossroads. Observing the unfolding spectacle, it does seem like the prospect for good to come from all this mayhem may have been lost. I’m not a pessimist, far from it actually, but I aspire to be pragmatic about life and circumstances in general. It is from that perspective that I made my prior pronuncement. 
Fascination, is the word I would use to describe the abhorrent trend of world events in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.  That event, we have been told, has brought about a new modus operandi in the pecking order of world governance. We were all enthralled and angered by the audacity that terrorists would have such disdain and disregard for innocent human life and inflict such gross horrors as they did in New York and Washington. 

The aftermath of September 11^th was indeed heralded as a focussed progression; the all-conquering war on terrorism. Opinions were galvanized with astute solidarity, and in the name of "freedom," war was declared on Afghanistan.

Many in the anti-war camp, have for years been entertaining intense discussions as to the virtues of war -- any war. It is blatantly obvious that all over the world there has always been conflict. From the constant conflicts in Africa, the rebels in Central America that Reagan slapped down, the unfortunate invasion of Grenada, the greed for the Middle Eastern oil resources, an evil war in Vietnam, conflict between Israel and Palestine; the list can go on but the issue is substantiated. War has been the most constant derivative in our human existence.

It is now over a year that an international coalition was formed with such speed to combat terrorism. The advocates of globalisation and world interdependence must have been pleased. But there have been and continue to be dark sides to this war on terrorism. The issue that I find most disturbing is the parallel attacks on civil liberties that have notoriously come hand in hand with this war.

The preservation of our freedoms, which western governments take so much pain to highlight, is the reason for declaring war on terror; all are direct virtues of us living in democratic societies. There comes a point, though, when societies have to wake up and take account of what politicians are doing in their names, whether you may be on the right, left or centre of the political spectrum. Is it not true that democratic living affords us the right to have checks and balances on our elected representatives? It is imperative then that this moral crusade of cleansing the Middle East be brought into account.

The stench of this war is absorbed on two front lines; those out there dying from the weapons of mass destruction that the West has unleashed (oh, did you think the West didn’t possess WMD too?) and those here in the comfort of their homes, continuously backed into a corner for voicing opposition.

It is distressing to see how individuals who have legitimate questions about government activities and policies in this war on terror are herded into a corner and dubbed with all sorts of dubious names. The slightest hint of displeasure raised about being opposed to an American trumpeted war against Iraq, and one is cast off as being anti-American. As independent thinking individuals, must we be subservient and non-questioning of what decisions are made in our names because the war on terror come with such unwritten rules for western societies?
Why must it be proper for a government to amass great support for a war effort, but when confronted with the issue of what happens after the war and helping those disaffected communities get some semblance of proper living back, there seems to be a stalemate? It is not right.

The U.S. President says the United States prefers not to get involved in nation building. Ok George, no problem, but you do take part in destroying these nations. Is it any wonder then that it may well not be about being anti-American but more about being anti Bush, Rumsfeld, Cheney and the hawks in the U.S. administration?

Mainstream media institutions too must be brought into account for their handling of the news as it relates to these conflicts, their being inadvertent vehicles of government propaganda. Propaganda that is used to mentally stagnate the wider society from voicing opposition to government plans.

There are always two sides to an issue, yet we find more often than not the mainstream western media turns a blind eye to some very important issues that surround some of these marches to war. Patriotism is a good thing in many regards, I do think, but that patriotic stance can blind you in searching for the truth and a common ground; it can promote xenophobia, self-interest, racism, misunderstandings and an unwillingness to stand against the popular momentum of thought, even though you may strongly disagree.

The West has assumed a very difficult and dangerous role to be the moral guardians of the world. Western governments should realise that morality does not start by dropping sophisticated weaponry on their adversaries and then leaving them to sort the chaos out. Amoral wars to protect our freedoms, we need to realise, destroy other people’s homes, lives and hope, thus fuelling resentment towards these freedoms we so cherish. What we are faced with now is a world in disorder. If this is the price to pay for globalisation and world interdependence, then I say take it back to the textbooks to be revised.

Tourism Highlights

Tourism Week 2002 Heralded A Success

Tourism Week is used as a way to sensitize the public to the importance of tourism.  It impacts on everyone either directly or indirectly and is recognised throughout the region as the leading industry, which can help Montserrat's economy tremendously.

In the past we have used a jingle to help to make people more aware that tourism is everybody’s business.  The theme for tourism week this year was “Tourism is for all ahwe, together let’s stimulate the economy.” 

The week of activities started with a church service at the St. John’s Anglican Church on Sunday 13^th October.  An Art Exhibition at the Montserrat National Trust followed this on Monday October 14^th.  The Exhibition depicted past and present scenes of Montserrat.  The sealing and sinking of a Time Capsule was also planned for this day but was postponed as enough people didn’t know fully the concept of the time capsule and its significance.  We plan, therefore, to sensitize the public further on this with the view of carrying out a ceremony at the next tourism week.

We had several radio spots where we got out into the community and asked people what tourism meant to them.  We were overwhelmed with the responses, which were aired on a daily basis on Radio Montserrat.

A "Meet and Greet" service was provided for Day Tour passengers who came off the ferry on Tuesday 15^th and Thursday 17^th October.  They were given refreshments and information on Montserrat.  On both days we randomly selected two visitors and presented them with gift baskets with local goodies.   Entertainment was also provided by masquerades for the visitors and locals to enjoy.

An Intellectual Evening and Awards Ceremony was held on Wednesday 16^th October.  The keynote speaker to this event was Mr. Vance Amory, Premier of Nevis.  In his speech Mr. Amory highlighted the significance of tourism to our economy and observed the importance of our volcano, which he agrees should be used to our advantage.  Nine persons were also recognised at the Ceremony for their contribution to tourism over the years and were presented with either plaques or certificates.

A number of persons participated in the Food Fair and Art and Craft Exhibition, which took place at Tropical Mansion Suites on Friday October 18^th.  A wide range of food representative of the different cultures of the island was for sale, as well as unique art and craft items.

By far the highlight for many for tourism week was the "Know your Island Bus Tour," which was held on Saturday 19^th October.  Many people responded by registering at the Tourist Board.  Extra buses were put on in order to accommodate the number of people who came in droves to the ferry port to be on the tour.  From all accounts the tour was heralded a success, and a similar tour will be put on during the Christmas season.

Tourism week 2002 was a huge success and the Montserrat Tourist Board wishes to thank everyone who assisted in anyway for making it the success it was.

Governor Overkill

The governor of Montserrat isle

Is imbued with a great deal of guile

The Kleebs he did banish

When they would not vanish

Except by his high-handed style.

Upon Wolf and Ray Tyson he turned

Paul Breuer has also been burned

The gov, he says, “You

Vacate your homes too

My orders, they cannot be spurned.

“To defy me will bring you to woe

I am one really horrible foe

Please understand fully

That I’m such a bully

I’ll deport you to make sure you go.”

Dear Dr Dunkley

We Fear You’re Full of Bunkley

The MVO scientist tame

Has been playing the governor’s game

The Kleebs were still shacking

So they were sent packing

To HMG’s long-lasting shame.

VOLCANO LIMERICKS

Nightmare

In my dream, I heard a voice, 'So,

'Down what road should Montserrat go?'

The secretary of state

Said, 'Why don't we replicate,

Redonda, plus a volcano?'

Eviction Advisory

His Excellency said it's futility

To think you can void liability.

If releases you signed,

I would pay them no mind;

You don't know my invincibility.

JUS WONDERIN

Jus wonderin if those people that the prophecy told that they have problems if they should come together with their partner or still live in the problem.

Jus wonderin who going to occupy the big houses in Davy Hill if it is going to be  someone else instead of the wife.

Jus wonderin if some people voted for the Doc because they thought he would still practise and that they were going to get free medical treatment.

Jus wonderin if now they realized that the gang were only for themselves when they say love and plenty money

Jus wonderin if they would vote that way ever again and make that mistake again.

Jus wonderin if festival would be as grand as advertised.

Jus wonderin why highly paid worker don't help his girlfriend look after their kids

Jus wonderin how many people would go to St. Martin on that Sunday when hardly any stores would be opened.

Jus wonderin why the Minister think that he can fool people by coming on the radio to talk that stupidness.

Jus wonderin if some people don't know that at a work place they should know how to conduct themselves.

Jus wonderin if they prefer to stay home and fix their finger nails.

 Jus wonderin if John Allen Muhamed did catch the ferry from Antigua to Montserrat.

Jus wonderin if dem couple up deh know dat all a we feel shame fu dem actions.

Jus wonderin wha happen to de PUMA over at Thatch Valley and Old Quaw.

Jus wonderin why the editor do not publicise he and the golf team’s last successes in Nevis and Martinique.

Jus wonderin where de party was for the social welfare and housing lady who worked here and did such a great job for poor, elderly and welfare people.

Jus wonderin if the resilience has weekened us into stupor.

Jus wonderin what was so special or alarming about the recent mudflows at Belham.

Jus wonderin if they think that it’s the first time mudflow come down there.

Jus wonderin if they don’t know that we accustomed to muddy water peltin down Belham river with boulders and trees when plenty rain come.

Jus wonderin who responsible for such sensational information, makin bad fu Monserrat, the desk man, editor or the stringer.

Jus wonderin if the sensationalism didn’t start here with our scientists dramatizing the mudflow to make it look like it would affect the evacuees if they were still in the area.

Jus wonderin if over budgeting in a country is the same as misappropriation and who really responsible for that.

Jus wonderin if the civil servants dem see now that is all of us going to suffer for they get raise pan little wuk.

Jus if de politician who trying to fool people by praising the British that is dem give de raise satisfy that now de country in worse problem.

Jus wonderin if de ‘voodoo economics’ passing money from one hurting department to the next will solve anything o mek it simple worse off.

Jus wonderin who responsible for this ‘voodoo economics’ anyway.

Jus wonderin when de chief minister going to follow the sentiments of his team or they don’t belong to the inner circle.

Jus wonderin if any change will come from these eye opening radio call-in programs and why they don’t follow the elected rep advice and catalogue the discussions.

Jus wonderin if that will ever happen and if that it is not done before in other areas is a sign that we don’t know what we want and where we going.

Jus wonderin if we even know who we are any way.

Jus wonderin if de ash clouding up the brains.

Jus wonderin if Police & Fire week will be a good luck success.

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