Governor Abbott - "I'm Not Afraid"
Solutions and Action
by Bennette Roach
H.E. Governor Anthony Abbott
Governor Anthony Abbott is Her Majesty's Government (HMG) representative in Montserrat, having replaced Frank Savage, whose term as governor was renewed for another year after it should have ended last year.
The new Governor wasted little time in giving audience to the Montserrat Reporter, which he views as an essential service to a community. The Governor was anxious to get the message across to residents of Montserrat that the British Government is committed to developing the North of Montserrat. He was anxious to see local government spread the word on those things that were being done to match any offers for Montserratians to leave.
"Your organisation is very, very important. People need to be told what is going on, what people are doing, how much it is costing, what the purpose of all of it is," the Governor said.
Unreservedly the Governor, pointing to some important aspects of life in Montserrat, said: "Slowly we will get around to producing projects that have a visible impact on life. Like getting the kids back to school. Like a good basic primary health care system; decent roads; an airstrip."
Commenting on the many potholes in the roads, he hoped that with the last piece of equipment due to arrive on island shortly for the hot mix plant, someone ha already ordered bitumen, to get the plant in action immediately.
The Governor touched on perhaps every issue involved in the ongoing volcanic crisis. In so doing, he referred to experts arriving on Montserrat to join in the drawing up of a five-year sustainable development plan. "That's another exercise that all Montserratians ought to be able to have an input," he said. "There are lots of good ideas floating around. Good ideas are not restricted to consultants and civil servants, " he added.
That took him to a topic hardly heard mentioned in government circles, before now, but he lamented. "One of the greatest problems we're going to be facing eventually is the economic reconstruction of this island. For that one needs everybody's support, one needs everybody's ideas."
He revealed that the "terribly important" document on the plan should be completed by December, and George Foulkes said he would, "like to see the ideas being implemented by February."
Although the Governor seemed excited over the immediate future and the planning that is about to take place, he was cognizant of the possibility of delays, over which he lamented: "The land and physical planning that is going on up in the north. All these things dovetail into the five-year development plan, the airstrip, etc, but when one tries to take into consideration all the multiplicities of the problem, very often we finish up with delays."
Governor Abbott wanted people to know that in spite of the seeming lack of action in the promised development, there were important services very essential and adequately maintained. He referred to projects relating to infrastructure. He pondered openly, "If we didn't have the ferry, if we didn't have the helicopter, electricity and power needed to generate it; if we didn't have the Volcano Observatory, the water system, let alone things like food vouchers, mortgage schemes, small, medium-size enterprise business schemes, shelters_there is so much."
Yet he understood how people became impatient, "because all they see, nothing is happening to them individually."
The Governor didn't take long to join the ranks of those who had nothing kind to say about the shelters. As though he had not heard of the sadness before, he explained how disturbed he was about seeing the Salem campus (shelter).
"I was very distressed indeed to see a lot of the problems over there.," he said, as he went on to describe the blocked drains, water pouring into wooden huts, water pipes dripping on people below.
I knew even then, the governor was modest in showing his feelings, as he said pitifully, "with a little bit of care, a little bit of attention, all those things can be dealt with efficiently."
But he had already initiated the solution by forming a committee from within the shelter, dividing them into two since there were different problems. This he referred to as the "internal management committee". Then he has put together an "external management committee." They will get things done. "We've had two meetings already between these two units and they're very productive," he said, adding, "if that works, what we'll do is move the model on."
He mentioned by name the several other shelters that have lots of problems, inviting people to join the make-up of the external committee.
Questioning who's responsible for the deplorable conditions, he said he got the same answer over and over, the "Emergency Operations". He noted that he didn't think that that was really not the province of the EOC and so he is in the process of setting up some other unit to effectively deal with these problems. He could see the functions of the EOC/ESU declaring areas unsafe, arranging for evacuations, preparing reception centres, whether they be homes or shelters; "but then it can't carry on the management," he said, citing that manpower was also scarce with the unit. Even the management of the MVO should have been passed on.
Showing the freshness of a new manager he said, "I have set up something called 'the Emergency Department' and it will subsume what is now known as the EOC and ESU. It will have four sections."
He described the sections as having a 'communications and information unit. This, he said, is important, because "we've got to tell ZJB and people like yourself what is happening, so they'll be responsible for the press briefings, press inquiries and all the radio communications contacts. Anything in communications and media will be their responsibility."
I sat almost numbed, wondering how many earlier issues of the Montserrat Reporters he had read or where he had overheard my many and more recent discussions on the matter.
So he continued, describing the Department adding that there will be an Operations and Logistics Center, which he said will be responsible for doing all the planning requirements or priorities of the unit. "Everybody must know what is expected of him or her and every organisation must know, the people must know," he advised.
Here the Governor revealed his own fear of ever hearing the scientists suggest that the present 'buffer zone' has to evacuate. He cited the many civil servants, offices, functioning companies, shops, businesses (including the Montserrat Printery Limited and the Montserrat Reporter) which are located in this area, as well as Ministers of Government, living in the area. Should it become necessary to make the order, "we would have a major problem on our hands," the Governor declared.
If I had not agreed with anything he had said before, I had to on this matter as I cited my own predicament residing and working in the area.
Living up to his earlier statement, that business cannot be conducted in an ordinary manner, he referred to the inefficiency in settling the question of who should pay port charges and customs duties etc. while holding up materials and equipment necessary for the construction of houses. "Forget that I say, give it to the builders and let them get on with it. In the background we can let the construction company, the Aid Management Office and the government of Montserrat fight it out." He added firmly, "these are principles that I'm trying to get accepted and adopted. But it's not easy_"He sympathised because people are trained in a certain way.
There was little the Governor did not touch on as he spoke also about the current state of the volcano, encouraging me to go forward with my desire to discuss publicly matters relative to the volcano with the scientists. (The first of such discussions is scheduled to take place on Monday evening at 8 o'clock on ZJB).
We talked about Operation Exodus, the total evacuation plan which he says must be shared with the public; the difficulty of obtaining lands for housing and development. He warned that everyone should remember that no matter how beautiful our space, "we are still in the middle of a crisis."
"We are in a disaster period, a disaster area. We shouldn't allow ourselves to become too distracted, nor should we allow ourselves to become over fearsome, he said.
He joined many others who have been called crazy to reside in Montserrat.. He said: "I'd like to say that I'm not afraid of this thing, but I will treat it with the utmost respect._As you say it's very powerful. I think what is difficult for humans to comprehend is the power of nature and the risk. If you get in its way, you're in danger. If you stay away, it's a beautiful thing."
The meeting was long, informative and allowed me an insight into the plans and hopes of Governor Abbott as he begins his first tour as Governor, and especially of an island besieged by an active and powerful volcano which has devastated the southern half of habitation. An island where it is obvious that very serious mistakes have been made and one where the future seems still uncertain.
Brandt with the Montserrat Case
by Bennette Roach
It was reported last week that the Hon Chief
Minister Mr. David S. Brandt had obtained agreement to speak to
the full International Development Committee of the British House
of Commons.
The Committee was set up to report on several issues relating to the management and outcome of the ongoing volcanic crisis which began in Montserrat since July, 1995. Among other specifics, it would research:
" the effect of current events in Montserrat on the politics, economies and development needs of the region;
" the Governments long-term plans for Montserrat, including the possible development of the north of the island and plans for a possible return to the island once the volcanic activity has subsided;
" and the planning undertaken by the UK Government and the island authorities to deal with a possible emergency since the resumption of volcanic activity in 1995;
Mr. Brandt had objected to the time allotted for him to speak to the Committee saying that it had not afforded him enough time to address the Montserrat case.
While addressing and answering questions from the Committee, he is expected to use the opportunity to give to the Committee a total picture of the situation on island after 27 months of volcanic activity and respond to statements made by British officials earlier this year.
Among the issues that Mr. Brandt will raise is the inflexibility of UK aid procedures and the bureaucratic structure which has delayed many projects.
He will emphasize both the heavy psychological and financial costs of delays in providing both emergency aid and creating permanent new infrastructure in the north.
The tragedy of the June 25 eruption will be cited as an illustration of the frustrations that created that deadly event. Mr. Brandt will report that the lives lost that day were those of Montserratians no longer able to endure shelter living or farmers for whom the government was unable to provide arable land in the safe zone.
Mr. Brandt will contrast the favorable reaction of Sir Nicholas Bonsor to conditions he found in crowded shelters with those of his successor, Baroness Symons, and Prince Andrew, both of whom were appalled on viewing them.
He will repeat a statement he made while still an opposition member of the Legislative Council in which he said "British officials, including the governor, are quick to pass the buck to the local government, citing their respect for democracy, and insisting that responsibility for internal affairs has 'been delegated to the elected government.' "
The Chief Minister will use that reminder to rebut the claim of Clare Short, minister for International Development, and her subordinates that the British provide the necessary equipment but the Government of Montserrat fails to provide the intended service.
Mr. Brandt will counter Ms. Short's example of alleged failure to empty cesspits after the necessary equipment was supplied. He will point out that the first piece of equipment was 19 years old, required an accompanying mechanic to get it started and required spare parts not readily available. He will also report that with the receipt of a brand new sludge wagon, sewage removal is regularly provided and the vehicle is being properly maintained.
The Chief Minister will suggest that the British Government will finally come to understand that developing new infrastructure and permanent housing will turn out to be less expensive than the stopgap measures that have prevailed to date.
He will also contend that such programs will more quickly draw back to Montserrat those evacuees who currently constitute a heavy financial drain on British taxpayers. He will challenge the call for limited secondary health care for the island, suggesting that such a policy would induce even greater numbers of Montserratians to leave.
He will stress the unpredictability of the ferry service to underline the need for a permanent jetty protected by a breakwater; the need for an airstrip to renew the promise of tourism on Montserrat, at least after the volcanic crisis is over.
The Chief Minister finally will declare that Montserratians are not personally to blame either for Hurricane Hugo or the continuing eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano. He will insist that it is irrelevant and unfair to cite expenditures after Hurricane Hugo as a reason for limiting expenditures imposed by the volcanic crisis. He will repeat the assurance that Montserratians do not want to leave or stay away from their homeland. And he will conclude by acknowledging the obvious generosity of the British taxpayers but warning that the total British response will be judged at home and abroad by what Montserrat comes to be in the end.
"Plan and Prepare for Near-Normal Population"
The current situation is too often overlooked when planning for the future of Montserrat. Whatever the population may be reduced to, most of the need now has to do with housing, schooling and the lack of some suitable necessities and facilities. Any future planning must keep in mind the 4,000 to 6,000 residents who are willing and ready to return to their homeland
.Sir Kenneth Calman, chief medical officer of the United Kingdom, graced Montserrat with a visit a few weeks ago and filed a report assessing the health problems of our island. Although not completely, he ruled out 'secondary health care' for Montserrat while seeking to improve on the primary health care,which is great for the immediate future. When he called for a Needs Assessment, this highlighted two problems that are becoming quite prevalent with British funding.
First is the huge sums of money being set aside to hire management agencies and overseers of projects, depleting the amount set aside for particular projects; second is that almost everything being considered is based on the number of people currently on island.
It was former Governor Savage on one of his sojourns back to the UK who first publicly spoke of the question of population being an issue in considering the viability of Montserrat. When this matter is considered, it must never be based on the number of people currently residing in Montserrat, but always on the numbers that can be expected to return almost immediately after the conditions that caused them to leave in the first place are rectified.
It has been said repeatedly that many did not leave out of fear of the volcano, but for satisfactory accommodation, better education for themselves and their children, just getting the children into school, and, in some cases, employment. Some people even took the opportunity of a vacation.
In addition to the requirement of ensuring that every project is air tight in its preparation, why is it necessary for overseers and management agencies to be sent in? Although we must never forget that the crisis is real, serious and even complex, this island before the volcano was 39« square miles and 11,000 people. This is not an attempt to simplify the need for proper management, but some emphasis in this sector should be placed on encouraging our own managers to return to Montserrat to participate in the new building of Montserrat.
There is the office of Attorney General that has become vacant, and there seemed to have been a problem in that department. If Mrs. Gertrude Thom departs, there will be no one in that department to carry on as it appears that all the legal personnel there, mostly Montserratians, have resigned and are already off the job. That problem is not being discussed here, but it seems that our government and concerned authorities must begin the process of preparing our own people to take on some key positions in this island. No effort should be spared in attempts to bring back one of those persons who just recently left Attorney General's chambers to return and fill that post. If that requires talks with that person's new employers, then it should be done.
That would be the essential first step by our government to show their clear intentions to create a new status for the island and the people of Montserrat.
To the Editor,
The mud that is presently on the golf course was deposited there by the recent heavy rains. This rain water ran off the mountains, washing mud, stones and branches from the ghauts and down the Belham River as it has always done. Some of the mud was probably of volcanic origin caused by the ash that lay on the ground. The flood waters pooled on the golf course for about four days, then receded, leaving the mud, etc. Thus, based on that, it could be said that the mud on the golf course is volcanic mud.
There was no mud flow from the volcano to the golf course and sea; it is simply flood mud. The ghauts are actually ready to retain more volcanic mud, having been washed out.
Tsunami Simon, master of the disaster, leaves us with the mud flow that didn’t, right there with the tidal wave that wouldn’t.
As Albert Einstein noted, ‘Twisted information is more dangerous than no information’.
Beverly Kleeb
Future of Rice Mills to be Decided
A board meeting of the Montserrat Mills will be attended by CM David Brandt; Director of Development Unit Angela Greenaway, and manager William Bramble, in Antigua on October 24. The future of the operations here will be the main topic to be discussed by the board of directors.
The mills, which moved here from Guyana several years ago, shipped rice duty-free into the European Market. Montserrat, along with the East Caribbean Group of Companies, are major shareholders in the company.
Education Officials Concerned Over Child Labor
Lack of available space in the safe zone have forced education officials to delay opening school. Some primary school children, trying to use their time profitably, have found jobs on construction sites.
However this is of major concern to education officials here, especially since primary school is expected to start next week. Secondary School began a couple weeks ago.
"Some private contractors are taking them on to work, because they have so much time on their hands. Once they get in that setting where they earn money, it could be difficult for them (to come back to school)," said Adelina Tuitt, Minister of Education.
Tuitt called on employers to resist employing children and encouraged parents to send their children to school.
Counterfeit Dollars Not Widespread
In a recent release from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) it reveals that it has received a report of fraudulent hundred and twenty dollar notes in circulation in St. Lucia.
Investigations have revealed that the incident is isolated, however the Bank is advising the public to check notes for their security features.
The notes should be examined to detect the presence of the security thread that is located to the right on the front of every note, and can be viewed by holding the note up to the light.
All genuine notes also bear on the front left side a watermark of Her Majesty the Queen, which is visible when the note is again held up to the light.
If the note is in reasonable condition, it should be crisp, not limp, waxy, or shiny, and some of the lettering will feel rough to the touch.
The Bank also wishes to advise the public that it is a criminal offence to forge a currency note, or to be in possession of paper or implements for forgery.
Population Count for Montserrat
The Volcano Executive Group on Tuesday commissioned the Department of Statistics to carry out a population count on the remaining residents on the island.
According to a press release from the Chief Minister’s Office approximately 2,300 persons left the island since June 25. At the end of September, it was estimated that the population was 4,829.
The population count, which will provide the government with figures as to the actual size of the population, number of buildings, dwellings and households, will be used for developmental and planning purposes, the release said.
Information from the Department of Statistics, which is said to be short-staffed, indicates that the count will start soon.
It is believed by government officials that this count can assist in providing a needs assessment for people desiring to own or build their own homes in the north.
Young Montserratians Help Montserrat
Montserrat Patriots, a group of young, concerned Montserrations in the United States, have been authorized by the Montserrat Christian Council to collect any available aid for shipment to Montserrat.
The group, which has already donated money to the crisis in Montserrat, is standing by to make a shipment of clothes and goods to Montserrat, sources say.
The group, headed by Albert Greenaway, is presently soliciting support for Montserratians from various organization and persons in America.
"We are grateful for these young people and what they are doing to help their country," one thankful Montserratian said.
Other members of the group include, Kevin and Keith Maynard, Donald Daley, Craig Ryner, and Ken Irish Bramble. The group can be contacted at telephone (718) 493-5972.
50 Houses to be Filled by Monday
Fifty houses will be handed over to the government of Montserrat this week, according to a news release from the Emergency Operation Center.
Brown and Root, an European based construction company contracted to build 250 homes on the island, will install the sewage system as the final act before handing over the 50 two-bedroom-prefab homes this week-end.
The release said the first residents will move into their new homes located at Davy Hill by Monday October 27.
The Housing Allocation Committee, headed by British born Rick Grove, who is at present formulating an allocation system that will give some objectivity and transparency, informed sources said.
Commenting on the project, in a sit-down chat and an exclusive with Editor Bennette Roach of the Reporter, Governor Abbott said: "there is one thing that I think is extremely important. It is the transparency and the evenhandedness in the allocation and distribution of the 50 houses at Davy Hill."
The Governor went on to say that Mr. Bramble (the Minister with responsibility for Housing) had organized a management committee. With the experienced Rick Groves, they were going to draw up the criteria which should be published in advance of any allocation, to give the public the chance to know the ground rules for allocation.
Primary Health Care Degrading (The Medical Report)
by Bennette Roach
One of the issues coming out of the Calman Medical Report is Sir Kenneth's suggestion that a new Health Care System for Montserrat should be built around Primary Health Care only, as against Secondary Health Care as existed pre-volcanic activity.
The report does suggest that, "A comprehensive health needs assessment should be carried out, prioritising vulnerable groups and involving residents of the island. The assessment will provide direction for the development of an appropriate model of health care for the island."
But on top of these two somewhat conflicting recommendations, one calling for the development of a comprehensive system of primary care with strong emphasis on developing the role of nurses, particularly in public health, and using protocols of care for chronic disease management; and that which calls for a study to see if anything else is necessary; Sir Kenneth also recommends:
All of this, hinges on what he calls "the most important recommendation made by the CMO's group." That is the appointment of a programme manager to implement the total health plan.
"This person, should be empowered to manage and take any action necessary to implement the action plan and should report directly to the Governor and the Executive Council, liaise closely with the Permanent Secretary and be located in the Ministry of Health."
Health officials are annoyed at that aspect of the report saying that the report did not provide anything new or provide any new information about the situation in Montserrat. It in fact offers to minimise and downgrade the medical facilities on the island.
One top official maintains that the report merely highlights what they have been saying to the British authorities for many months with respect to the conditions under which the entire facility has had to operate. "The British response was a promise by way of commitment to upgrading the current St. John's facility and a new hospital, but that there were continuous delays including suspending the plan at one point, and that only now work has started in terms of upgrading the hospital at St. John's."
We find it strange that we need a program manager. All we need is fulfillment of the financial commitment that was made since January last year. "
The Ministry maintains that the personnel recommended was not necessary when a full hospital was being constructed or even afterwards, and any expenditure of this nature is unnecessary.
The feeling is that this is just a continuation of an effort to bring Montserrat to that point where every facility of service on the island will be so reduced, that no one will see the need to remain. "Certainly young people of child-bearing age will not wish to remain here if secondary health service is not available," another source said.
In addition, the report calls for an "accident and emergency specialist with experience in anaesthetics should be provided. Sir Kenneth recommends a new post of Senior Medical Officer (SMO) for secondary level care and that recruitment should begin at once.
It seems obvious from this that Sir Kenneth's team was expressing little confidence in the present structure in the Health Ministry. The very next recommendation in the report calls for medical and surgical emergencies in the short term, "to be established on island and transferred to health services of neighbouring islands for definitive treatment." "This," the Ministry official says, "is exactly what we should be planning to avoid and bring our service back to a standard which was better than that which we are being asked to use."
The Caribbean Song Competition to be held this weekend in Barbados will have a Montserrat flavour. Guest artist on the show will be "Arrow" and the proceeds will go to the Montserrat Volcano Relief Fund.
The show will be televised to 36 countries (including Montserrat) so it is expected that the volcanic situation will become better known throughout the Caribbean.
Arrow, speaking to Owen Roach on ZJB earlier before departing to prepare for the show, said he was delighted to be able to participate for the benefit of Montserrat.
Monthly Newsletter for Montserratians Who Left Montserrat
CM David Brandt Thursday announced his government’s intention to send a monthly letter to every Montserratian in the Montserrat Diaspora. CM Brandt made the announcement during an interview over government-owned radio station ZJB.
"Sometime later this year, we will be putting in place a mechanism whereby we will be able to tract Montserratians wherever they may be in the world. At least once a month we will send them a letter telling them what is going on in Montserrat. I believe that several of the persons who have gone abroad will want to come back; even those who may not want to come back, it is important for them to know what is going on in the island," Brandt said.
CM Brandt, who last week refused to meet with the investigatory committee from London, is due to travel to England next week to give evidence to the House of Commons. He said he will, at the same time, meet with Montserratians in London in order to keep in touch with them and bring them up to date with what is happening on the island.
CM Brandt told the nation that he intends to describe the Montserrat situation in order to get more help for Montserrat.
Heavy Rains Create a Contrast of Fresh Green and Sea of Mud
Heavy and continuous rain last weekend has caused a number of mudflows from the areas around the volcano. One such flow formed a fan of about 100 metres wide at the bottom of the golf course close to the beach.
The mud is the result of the large amount of ash that has been around for some months being washed down the Belham River.
The rain was quite welcome in most of the Northern (safe and buffer) zone as it washes away the gathered ash on trees and some off the ground into ghauts and down to the sea. It has left much of the northern part of the island green again and farmers can now take advantage of the situation by planting new crops.
The obvious disadvantages of the rain is that it will create mud flows creating a further hazard. Officials from the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) are cautioning that the mudflows can be extremely dangerous, as it can be hot, deep and very sticky. The EOC reports that residents continue to enter the exclusion zone areas and they are calling on people to,"desist from entering the zone at all times".
Meanwhile another concern, particularly to residents on the border of the exclusion zone, has been the problem dying animals in nearby areas. There have been dead animals found on the golf course and in the Belham River that runs through there.
The Acting Chief Medical Officer in Montserrat Dr. Ronnie Cooper, says that the health department shares the concern of any health hazard, that dead animals left unattended, could cause. He says, "we are trying to obtain calcium carbonate, known locally as "white lime' to be used on these dead animals, especially those close to and in the Northern zone."
Civil Servants Discuss Conditions
Housing, staffing, education and health were critical issues discussed at a top level meeting of the senior civil servants and executive members of the Civil Servants Association.
The meeting, which was called because of the depletion of the civil servants, was held on Wednesday.
The public servants were given brief overviews of the current situation by the Permanent Secretary, Administration, Claudia Roache, and the Vice President of the CSA, Easton Farrell.
The meeting focussed on ways of stabilizing the civil service and possible incentives to encourage members of the civil service to remain on island.
"Contrary to popular opinion, most people are leaving are not leaving because they are afraid of the volcano. That is a myth people on the outside have. Most people who have left because of conditions they have found to be intolerable," Farrell told the Montserrat Reporter.
Farrell indicated that it is difficult for people to work normal hours and still be living in a shelter with deplorable conditions.
"Then there are those who are paying rent and mortgage. How long can someone continue to do this? If there is an arrangement where a housing scheme can be started for public servants, then, people can see some hope in owning their own homes. This may cause more persons to stay, rather than giving up and going out there to hustle," Farrell added.
Farrell said that the Association is in the process of doing a weekly update of the number of persons who are in the service.
"It has to be done weekly, because every time the ferry leaves the number changes," said Farrell
Both groups are expected to meet again next week to formulate proposals to foward to the government for consideration. These considerations deal with improving the well-being of public servants and a more efficient approach to providing public service.
Montserrat Asks for Regional Assistance
Member states of the East Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) have been asked to give further assistance to Montserrat.The latest request for assistance was made at the 33rd Meeting of the Monetary Council of the ECCB in Anguilla on October 13.
During the meeting Chief Minister the Hon. David S. Brandt updated fellow finance ministers on the volcanic situation here.
Many sympathies were expressed by the Council and members were asked to assist Montserrat by providing a radio announcer, a news person, a radio technician and a surveyor.
The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines also indicated that the Ferry Admiral Bay was available again.
Among the issues discussed at the meeting were Money and Capital Market developments, and an update on construction of phase two of the ECCB complex.
Cable and Wireless Gets new System
Cable and Wireless is now experiencing difficulty serving customers in the North of the island, says, interim Manager Neville Dublin.
"The problem is temporary. It is a consequence of the mass movements of people into the North following the evacation of Salem. Prior to 1995 the Northern area was not really developed to take more than 650 customers. We had a very small exchange in the area," explained Dublin.
Dublin announced that the finishing touches of the newly installed exchange facility are being done to cater for the increased numbers of customers.
"In conjunction with the newly installed exchange we are building infrastructure to cater for the additional people. This will allow us to have line capacity not only in the exchange but also in the external network. I envision that we will be able to provide more telephones to people in the North very soon," Dublin said.
Dublin also revealed that more telephone booths will be provided in the safe zone.
"We have received ten new public pay phones. These are a new generation phones that will replace the existing ones," the interim GM for Cable and Wireless said.
Christmas Festival a Real Possibility this year
A committee has been set up by the Montserrat Board of Tourism to look at the possibility of holding some form of Christmas Festival this year.
The committee, which is to meet Saturday 24, to formulate plans to add some cultural experience to the ungoing crisis.
In the first year of volcanic action a reduced festival was held at the NOSCA complex under the auspices of MONFEST. Last Christmas Alphonsus "Arrow" Cassell organised a Calypso Competition which was held in Salem and this year the Tourist Board has invited applications from calypsonians to register for competition.
Volcanic Eruptions Diminishes Dome Size Say MVO Officials
by Hilton Samuel
At the Soufriere Hills Volcano during the early part of this week the explosive eruptions that started on September 21st continued causing ash and clasps of pumice and gravel to go up to 20,000 feet into the air. Prevailing winds for the most part blew the ash and debris to the northwest away from Montserrat.
The resulting pyroclastic flows reached the sea in several areas including O'Garros via the White River Valley and to the delta at the end of the Tar River Valley. Flows also impacted Lovers Lane and Upper Dagenham.
As the week progressed the explosions slowed down and by mid morning Friday there had been no further explosions for almost 72 hours.
Recent heavy rains have washed away much of the ash and the air monitoring equipment has shown improved air quality. The test equipment is installed at four sites; Olveston, Woodlands, St Peters and Mongo Hill.
The recent rains however, have caused serious mud flows down several ghauts in the exclusion zone. Aymer's Ghaut and the Belham River Valley have been particularly hard hit. In the vicinity of the Golf Course there is a huge mud delta which has trapped several animals, causing some to die. Officials have been warning residents to keep clear of all ghauts during the current rainy season.
The seismic records have shown several swarms of volcano tectonic earthquakes during the week. These usually indicate the movement of magma below the surface In addition there were a number of rockfall signals from the dome
At the MVO, Dr Simon Young completed his current tour of duty as Head Scientist early in the week and was replaced by Dr Keith Rowley of the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Unit in Trinidad. The current Deputy Chief Scientist is Dr Sue Loughlin of Britain. (EOC)
Iron Gate and Locks in Olveston
Access denied by new gate placed just past Nantes river in Olveston
The sight of a new gate in Olveston just beyond the Nantes River, while there remains just the police check point in Salem just in front of the same River, has angered many. Authorities claim that this is necessary because of the shortage of police personnel.
Montserratians Hold Out Under Volcano Crisis
by Staff Reporter
Montserratians are displaying an extra-ordinary amount of
fortitude, says Montserrat based Methodist Minister Joan Meade. 
"People are really demonstrating their faith in God; their ability to make level headed decisions in the face of the crisis is remarkable. Decisions which are not only long-term, but decisions which affect the lives of their families, and the lives of their extended families also," said Reverend Meade in an interview with the Montserrat Reporter. While this is commendable, Rev. Meade said that she is also witnessing people, "cracking up and making erratic decisions."
"Even people who have been holding out strongly over the years have suddenly decided that this is the last straw and they cannot cope any more," Meade remarked.
Rev. Meade, who has been stationed in Montserrat over four years, told the Reporter that she has recognized that many persons have lost the sense of independent planning.
"We get an increasing group of dependent people who seem to think that they can’t help themselves in any way; who think they must depend on government officials to plan for them and tell them what to do," said Meade. She added that the church might be partly responsible for such a development because leaders, who have learnt to take stress and be responsible, do not allow others to make decisions for themselves.
"They (the leaders)give to the receivers, who continue to make more and more demands on them without realizing that they are not being responsible for themselves," explained Rev. Meade.
She revealed that the initial five congregations on the island have now dwindled to two, however the exodus has taken its toll on the number of leaders available to the church. This she says is understandable in light of the impact the volcanic crisis has on the lives of people.
"There are a number of justifiable reasons for people leaving. Depending on your age, you may decide, "it is just not feasible for me to be here. Maybe I have worked so hard, in the context of the crisis, that for my emotional and spiritual well-being I need to relocate, I need to be in an environment where I can see things from a different perspective," Reverend Meade said.
She added that others have relocated for the benefit of family, integrity and also for children’s education.
"It can be very stressful when you know you have the responsibility for deciding for your child’s future. Although the experience of the volcano is a unique one, it is no substitute for formal education that any young person needs to survive in today’s world. One missed semester in a year compounds in years to come," she added.
Meade also pointed out that many people who had health problems migrated, not because of the volcano but because of the reduced capabilities of health-care on the island.
"You want to know that if you are sick you can be well taken care of," the Reverend explained.
Reverend Meade said that she feels that each person in the community should be prepared to give his share of work to rebuild. She suggested that people who have skills should offer help, not simply for money, but as a contribution to rebuilding the country.
"People should work collectively in the rebuilding process. I believe that people should not wait for someone to draw them out of a hole. Go to the relevant authorities and let them know that you have skills in social work, craft, teaching sports, building, organizing forums for young people, and let them show you how you can go about contributing to the rebuilding process," Rev. Meade said.
Commenting on the political and civil leadership Rev. Meade had this to say: "They seem to think that they have to know; they have to do everything rather than rely on the wealth of accumulated knowledge that lies within the population itself."
Rev. Meade says any true development must include a "vision from the people themselves and a representation from the community."
For persons who need to stay and have little or no knowledge of what to do, Rev. Reverend counsels them to call the radio station, or persons who are in responsible positions, to get information.
"You do not have to belong to any particular social group to be a leader. Get together with others like you. Elect somebody to represent your views to the authorities and demand answers (to questions you may have)," she said.
Rev. Meade, said that the Methodist Church is at present building an apartment complex to help the housing dilemma in Montserrat. She says the church is committed to the development of the community.
Montserrat Police Force Seeks New Members
The Royal Montserrat Police is seeking to beef up its ranks. According to Commissioner Frank Hooper, the force now stands at 75 members, 20 less than the required number needed to run the Force efficiently.
Hooper points to volcano related problems, separation of families and low pay as reasons for the decrease in the number of officers in the force. He said police have not had an increase in salary since 1991.
General Secretary for Montserrat Allied Workers Union, Hilroy Bramble, however feels that the volcano is not the only cause for the depletion of the Force. He said conditions of work and the indignity under which the workers have to operate are also to be blamed for the "disgruntled" feelings in the ranks.
In his weekly radio program "Labor Speaks," Bramble mentioned "the alleged highhandedness and disrespect for subordinates," the commissioner displays.
Bramble cited an incident in Salem in which the Commissioner "bawled out" several of his junior officers and charged one officer of insubordination as evidence of "disrespect" in the force. Bramble suggested that the officers should have been disciplined in the privacy of the police headquarters. He suggested charges against the officer should have been dropped along with the dropped charges against members of the "mob."
"It is a pity that Mr. Bramble does not have the courtesy to speak to me before he makes wild and inaccurate allegations. No charges have been proceeded with against any officer following the public disturbance in Salem on the August 21, 1997," Commissioner Hooper said when questioned about the allegations.
Bramble told the Reporter that he feels the structure of the Force needs to be changed. He said the laws that govern the institution are "outdated." He cited a section of the law that states that the widow of a police officer killed in the line of duty is to receive $96.00 per year. According to Bramble this amount can be withdrawn if the "Administrator" has evidence that "she has other means of support."
Bramble also pointed out that most of the senior officers in the ranks have no "training" in how to relate to their subordinates. He said seniority should be given to people, not only with experience but also with social skills.
In related news the Royal Montserrat Police Force headquarters, which was formerly located in Salem, is now sited in St. Peters, Rocklands area..
According to Commissioner Hooper, the Commissioners, Immigration and Administration Offices are now situated on Mahogany Drive Woodlands.
The Cudjoe Head facility is now being used as a residence for police officers and police are stationed at the Heliport in Geralds and the Jetty, during normal working hours.
WASHINGTON, Oct 23, Cana
A new law taking effect December 19 requires those who sponsor immigrants coming into the United States to prove they have the financial means to support the new arrivals, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalisation Service (INS) has announced.
At a recent briefing, INS acting Executive Associate Commissioner Paul Virtue said the law, which was written into the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, requires for the first time that sponsors of certain immigrants meet minimum income requirements and be financially responsible for the immigrants they sponsor.
The law spells out that all immigrants admitted to the United States must demonstrate to a consular or immigration officer that they should be allowed to enter on the grounds they will not become a public charge.
One way to help demonstrate that they are admissible is to have a person in the United States, a sponsor, sign an affidavit promising to provide support and assistance to the immigrant if necessary.
Immigrants who have someone sign an affidavit of support for them are called sponsored immigrants.
Virtue said sponsors will be required to complete an affidavit - called an "Affidavit of Support" - affirming that they have an income level at or above 125 per cent of the federal poverty line.
The INS said the poverty level is $7,890 for a family unit of one person, with $2,720 added for each additional person. Therefore, under the new INS income requirements, a sponsor would need to have an annual income of $20,062 to support four persons.
Virtue said the family member who filed the visa petition for the immigrant must be a sponsor. In certain circumstances, he said, additional persons can accept joint legal responsibility with the petitioner as joint sponsors. Sponsors must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or legal immigrants; age 18 or over, and live in the United States or one of its territories or possessions.
Virtue pointed out that most immigrants to the United States come to this country to join family members or to pursue an employment opportunity.
In recognition of this, he said, the INS has attempted in the law to "provide every reasonable opportunity" to allow people who are seeking to bring their close relatives" to the United States to qualify as sponsors.
By providing this opportunity, Virtue said, "we have attempted to ensure continued reunification of family members while making certain" that sponsors have the financial means necessary to support the immigrant.
While the INS is "strongly committed to ensuring that sponsors are financially responsible for the immigrant they are bringing into the U.S.," Virtue said, "we do not believe that family reunification should be limited only to the wealthy."
Families reuniting with their relatives, he said, is the "cornerstone" of legal immigration into the country. The law also ensures, Virtue added, that immigrants will continue to have financial support after they are in this country.
Virtue said the INS has estimated, based on immigration levels for the last several years, that the new law will affect 565,000 immigrants annually.
The Affidavit of Support, Virtue said, must be completed by U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who sponsor family members to live in the United States.
Those covered under the new law, he said, are immediate relatives and family-sponsored immigrants, and employment-based immigrants who are coming to work for relatives, or for companies where a relative owns five per cent of the company.
Virtue said most immigrants who are sponsored under the new affidavit will be barred from federal public benefit programmes for five years. This covers the food stamp programme, Medicaid, and income support programmes for low-income families and for poor people who are elderly or disabled.
After five years, immigrants will be able to apply for benefits, although the amount of benefits they receive may be reduced if they are still receiving financial support from a sponsor.
Sponsors must fill out an Affidavit of Support form in which they commit to accepting responsibility to reimburse the costs on any welfare benefits granted to the sponsored immigrants. The form must be signed before a notary public or an INS officer. Co-sponsors complete a separate form, which is a contract among the co-sponsors saying they agree to joint responsibility.
The official said he had no figures on how the new income requirements might cut into the number of prospective Hispanic immigrants, especially those seeking to come into the United States from Mexico and Central America.
But he acknowledged that because Hispanics are represented in large numbers in the "family-based" reunification category, "it would only stand to reason" that many people in this group will feel the effects of the law.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - Oct 23, Cana - Jamaica has withdrawn from the optional protocol to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights in order to ensure compliance with a Privy Council ruling that death penalty judgements should be carried out within five years of the sentence.
A statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry Thursday said that the instrument of withdrawal was handed in to the treaty section of the United Nations secretariat in New York Wednesday and will become effective on January 23, 1998.
The government said the decision to withdraw from the protocol was taken based on the inability of the United Nations Human Rights Committee to assure it that it could complete consideration of petitions within a time frame that would ensure full compliance with the Privy Council ruling.
The rules of the Inter-American Commission and the UN Human Rights committee prevent individuals from making concurrent petitions to the two bodies.
This results in petitioners repeating the same process in both bodies causing delays that led to the ruling of the Privy Council in the Pratt and Morgan case.
The government has initiated measures to expedite the process of appeals which included the setting of time limits for the consideration of appeals by the two international bodies. However, both international agencies indicated that the time frame would be impractical because of whenmeetings were held.
"After careful consideration, the government reached the conclusion that withdrawal from one of those bodies was necessary for the fulfillment of its constitutional obligations and for the enforcement of Jamaican law.
"It was therefore decided to withdraw from the optional protocol since the alternative would be the denunciation of the entire Inter-American Human Rights Convention," the foreign ministry statement said.
The ministry said Jamaica's relationship with the IACHR will ensure that Jamaicans will still have the right to petition an international body with respect of alleged broaches of human rights, including all those that are protected by the optional protocol.
Jamaica remains a party to the international Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The last official hanging in Jamaica took place on February 14, 1985.
A Call to Prayer on a National Day of Prayer
"When the King of Nineveh heard about the destruction that god hath planned, he got up from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth and sat down in ashes. He sent out a proclamation to all the people for Nineveh: All persons must wear sackcloth. Everyone must pray earnestly to God and give up his wicked behavior and his evil actions. Perhaps god will change his mind; perhaps he will stop being angry and we will not die.
God saw what they did; he saw that they had given up their wicked behavior. So he changed his mind and did not punish them as he said he would." Jonah 3:6-10
My friends, there comes a time in our lives when we need to pause and examine ourselves. Surely, we must remember that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
Our god has given us, through his loving tender mercies, so many opportunities to set our house in order. I highly commend our government for having set aside one day a year for us to come together as a nation for reflection. But sad to say, and many of you will agree with me, that in the past, we dishonestly used the day for doing other things that for the purpose for which it was given. For this, my friends, we have to give account to God.
The people of Nineveh, acknowledged their wickedness, formed a united front and humbled themselves before god. God was pleased with what they did; he forgave and spared them. Friends, what God did for the people of Nineveh he will do for us today, if only we would form a united front on Sunday, October 26, the day side aside this year for our National Day of Prayer. A service will be held 7:15 pm at the Brades Pentecostal Church. Let us come together and humble ourselves before God; surely, he will be pleased with us.
May God bless you in this and future endeavors.
It is good to retire after giving a term of service to your fellowman.It is good to hang up your hat, retire your number or lay down your gun.
But sometimes circumstances force you out of retirement and cause you to put on your hat, demand your old number and pick up your gun again.
When the Commission of inquiry spends a couple of hours on island to inquire into what went wrong with the management of the volcano crisis and then hangs about in Antigua for days, unashamedly sneaks back to cover more grounds, you want not just to come out of retirement but to come out guns a-blaze.
When it is alleged, alleged mind you, that scientists are cavorting in Salem, (or is it Friths?) at night, and exhorting residents to move to higher ground, then you must wave your flash lights at night, retirement or not.
When Her Majesty's Constabulary is demanding of a certain business man that he gives names of his wholesale customers, you put on your hat again and go find out what gives.
When the only business-man who truly invested in land and building since the relocation, and provides the only decent variety and quality of goods is being put out of business, while the ferry totters off to Antigua, weighed down with hundreds of cash weilding Montserratians then you know its time to put on your guns again.
When the evacuation process is the only successful project that is aided, abetted and unstallingly financed by Her Majesty's Government, then you must come out of retirement if only to scream "conspiracy" at the wind.
You may have shook your head and clutched at your weighted heart when Montserratians were called greedy and sent to look for their own money trees. You may have sighed in resignation when you saw the wafer thin structures of Brown and Root at Davy Hill. You may have even wished for a small tropical storm to assuage your rage. You may have wondered at the triple-tier government process at work in Montserrat.
You may have even brushed aside the rude, crude, fractious, unco-operative and stalling methodologies of many of Her Majesty's erstwhile technical assistants and experts. You may have gawked at the British personnel with their mops and buckets at McChesney's Residence.
You must have cried at the crazy domino effect of the only extremely successful project of Her Majesty's Government even as it depletes the very substance that is Montserrat.
You would prefer to sit at home, watch television and occasionally listen to the volcano report when the scientists gets it to Radio Montserrat on time. You would prefer to remove your self from dealing with technical assistants of questionable manners and "brought-up-sy". Yes you would prefer to be retired. But sometimes you just get forced, nay, dragged out of retirement.
A shopper for trouble named Hooper
Finds one grocery store less than super
Each time Frank troops in
Manu dares no chagrin,
He must act like a good
POOPER-SCOOPER®
Taken from Health & Healing
I first learned about Barley Green, the product originated by Dr. Hagiwara, from a female patient who, like Barbara, had severe arthritis that responded dramatically to the product. I wrote about it in the November 1992 issue of Health & Healing. Since then, deep green products have become a fixture in my approach to almost every disease, and are particularly useful as anti-inflammatory agents.
Recommendations
There are several types of deep green food drinks available supplying the essential ingredient chlorophyll. Green Magma, sold through health food stores and from Healthy Directions (800/722-8008), and Barley Green (through multilevel distribution from AIM International & Co.; 800/477-4246) contain only the juice from barley grass.
Kyo-Green by Wakunaga of America (800/421-2998) contains primarily barley and wheat grass juice. GREENS+ by Orange Peel Enterpr deep green food juices that I want you to add them to the overall supplement regimen in the Whitaker Program.
Dilantin: A Remarkable Medication
As a Health & Healing subscriber, you'll know that in general I am not a spokesman for the benefits of prescription drugs. However, I am not against using prescription
drugs when they work. I've written about Dilantin before (in November 1991), and because it is so useful, I feel I should mention it again. The Jones family (all names in this story are fictitious) mother, father and two sons - has a lot in common. They all take Dilantin (phenytoin). I have been following this family for several years.
The younger son, Mark, 11 years old, was nervous, had trouble concentrating, and had an obsession about cleanliness. He would wash his hands until the skin was red and almost chafed, and would even pull his sweater over his hand before turning a doorknob. He had experienced excessive anxiety before testing in school. For these symptoms, I recommended 100 mg of Dilantin daily - a very small dose. All of his destructive symptoms went away, his grades went up, his obsession with cleanliness was alleviated, he became more social, and he is now editor of the school newspaper.
Their "Flash Anger" Disappeared
His brother Jim, two years older, used to have flash anger,~ just like his dad.
This inability to control impulses affects millions of people, and does nothing to solve the problems that bring on the anger in the first place. Most temper tantrums only make the problems worse. Both Jim and his dad take small amounts of Dilantin on a regular basis, which now controls these symptoms.
His mother has cardiac arhythmia, which is being very well treated and controlled with magnesium. However, taking small amounts of Dilantin improves her heart function as well as her mood.
Dilantin probably has the safest drug record of any medication available. Seizure patients have often taken 300 to 500 mg a day for decades with few side effects, and the doses needed to control the symptoms mentioned above are far less. Actually, these symptoms are like mini-seizures, in that they represent hyperactivity or abnormalities in the nerve impulses in the brain. Dilantin simply smoothes this out.
Dilantin Turned His Life Around
Dilantin is normally given for seizures. However, Jack Dreyfus, founder of the Dreyfus Fund, credits Dilantin with saving his career, if not his life, back in the sixties. He was being treated for depression and anxiety, and was even hospitalized for it, but once he took Dilantin on a therapeutic trial, his symptoms went away.
by Peter Adrien
Take that! That must have been the statement made by Powell and his boys to the many regional cricket analysts and commentators who gave them no chance of making it into the inaugural Red Stripe Bowl Finals. Determined to prove their antagonists wrong, on Hero Day, Monday October 20, the Leeward Islanders answered their critics in no uncertain manner.
Being pushed against the wall by their critics, they sought to plead their case with the flashing blade. The cricketers had to provide sufficient evidence to allow the enquiring mind to answer the following questions in their favour. The critical questions posed were: 'Is the thinking of the critics right? Is their conclusion reflected in the performance of the team? Could the Leeward Islands cricketers prove them wrong in the Red Stripe Bowl?' This commentator suggested that along with Jamaica, they were 'the potential up-setters'.
The Leeward Islands cricketers did answer in the affirmative and did vindicate themselves. The team bounced back after a stinging defeat at the hands of Guyana, in the preliminary zonal matches, to demolish Barbados in the quarter finals, walked over Jamaica before their own people in the semi-finals, earned a well-deserved revenge against the tournament favourite, and laid first hold on the magnificent Red Stripe Bowl.
One is almost certain that production came to virtual halt on every work floor in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis; and the people of Montserrat must have been too wrapped up in the action to remember the threatening volcano. It was an extended weekend for the islanders, as everyone was involved in the contest body, soul and spirit.
And when victory was assured, the result was noised abroad, and the celebrations begun.
The turn of events in the limited-overs tournament really speaks to the relative unpredictability of the game of cricket. Thomas Hughes noted that "cricket is full of glorious chances. And those who attempt to be scientific in their prediction make themselves vulnerable. The performance of the Leeward Islands in the 1997 Red Stripe Bowl, to some extent, confirmed the difficulty in utilising scientific reasoning to make cricket forecast.
At the beginning of the tournament the Leeward Island Cricket Team were not perceived as a favourite team, having thought to have lost their sting. The Gleaner senior Sports Editor, showing a preference for Jamaica making the finals ahead of Leeward Islands, denied the islanders a place amongst the front-runners, ranking them fifth.
While this commentator contended that one should not "attempt to write off the northern boys, noting that in 'limited-over competition, any number could play," and further noted that 'this Bowl might prove to be the turnaround for the once-lethal team', he himself did not venture to rank them higher than fourth place. As pointed out by that the 'battle' were to be 'fought in the arena,' and the Leeward Islanders won in the arena.
My prediction was partly correct though, for Guyana, my tournament favourite, played unbeaten until the defeat in the finals, and their consistent performance reflected the all round ability of the South American team, a factor which was largely due to the composition of the team and the consistency and resilience of the many young cricketers.
Even without the unpredictable victory, my forecast for the Leeward team was partially correct. In as much as I was 'not impressed with their batting performance and their mix of players', like Tony Becca, I argued that the fortune of the team was largely dependent on the consistent performance of the three star batsmen, Stuart Williams, Keith Arthurton and Sylvester Joseph.
Apart from one or two significant scores from players like Dave Joseph and Lanville Harrigan, the three batsmen in question actually carried the team to the finishing line. In fact, it is a real shame on the WICB and the selectors that such a consistent performance and mature attitude as displayed by Keith Arthurton could not have been considered for higher calling. The left-handed stroke-maker, seemed to have metamorphosed into a more complete batsman, and is now batting how he should have batted before he lost his place in the team.
The user-friendly character of the bowling was particularly evident in two preliminary matches; one against Guyana which they lost by five wickets, and one against Canada which they won by 62 runs. Apart from Ambrose's failure to run out Hooper, the Leeward Islands may have lost the game in the 40th over when Powell was struck for 12 runs in the over. And Ambrose's wayward final over sealed their fate.
The islanders could have been humbled by the Canadians if they had not put the match out of reach by scoring 325 runs. Unable to stop Diwan, who scored 131, the Leeward bowlers were clobbered for 263 for which they claimed only five Canadian wickets. It is evident that the selectors have not found a functional replacement for Winston Benjamin.
At the end, all cricket followers would agree that whether Guyana or the Leeward Islands had emerged winners, the gods who preside over these games would have adjudicated justly and fairly. The two teams were the best in the competition, and on Hero's Day, the better one won.
But the question remains: Are the critics totally convinced that the islanders are not as formidable as they were a few years ago? This answer will come with time. The Leeward Islanders would have to maintain their level of performance into the 1998 four-day competition, and continue to excel over a period of time. Who knows, despite their many internal problems, the management may have struck on something good.
While some may contend that the islanders must continue to show consistency in their upcoming encounters, there is no doubt that the players have indeed inspired renewed confidence in their supporters and followers.
Well done boys. Congratulations.
Lara Not appointed Vice Captain
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Oct 23, Cana - The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has not re-appointed star batsman Brian Lara as vice-captain of the 15-member squad which is on its way to Pakistan for a four-nation one-day cricket tournament and a three-test series.
It is the second time in the last three months Lara has been bypassed by the WICB for a leadership position. The board also rejected the selectors' nomination of the controversial Trinidadian for the captaincy ahead of veteran fast bowler Courtney Walsh.
WICB chief executive officer Steve Camacho on Wednes h in the previous three series when the West Indies toured Australia and hosted India and Sri Lanka.
The last time the WICB took a similar stance, at the start of the 1996 home series against New Zealand, Walsh and current manager Clive Lloyd, who was then coach, appointed Lara but the board nullified it.
Lloyd, Walsh and current coach Malcolm Marshall are expected to form the tour committee.
Speaking on CANA Radio sports programme Thursday, top regional cricket commentator Tony Cozier said the trio may decide against making a choice, leaving it up the WICB.
He said they might feel that should they appoint Lara, the board may again nullify it.
October 20th eruption - seen from Olveston
At the Soufriere Hills Volcano during the early part of this week the explosive eruptions that started on September 21st continued causing ash and clasps of pumice and gravel to go up to 20,000 feet into the air. Prevailing winds for the most part blew the ash and debris to the northwest away from Montserrat.
The resulting pyroclastic flows reached the sea in several areas including O'Garros via the White River Valley and to the delta at the end of the Tar River Valley. Flows also impacted Lovers Lane and Upper Dagenham.
As the week progressed the explosions slowed down and by mid morning Friday there had been no further explosions for almost 72 hours.
Recent heavy rains have washed away much of the ash and the air monitoring equipment has shown improved air quality. The test equipment is installed at four sites; Olveston, Woodlands, St Peters and Mongo Hill.
The recent rains however, have caused serious mud flows down several ghauts in the exclusion zone. Aymer's Ghaut and the Belham River Valley have been particularly hard hit. In the vicinity of the Golf Course there is a huge mud delta which has trapped several animals, causing some to die. Officials have been warning residents to keep clear of all ghauts during the current rainy season.
The seismic records have shown several swarms of volcano
tectonic earthquakes during the week. These usually indicate the
movement of magma below the surface In addition there were a
number of rockfall signals from the dome
At the MVO, Dr Simon Young completed his current tour of duty as Head Scientist early in the week and was replaced by Dr Keith Rowley of the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Unit in Trinidad. The current Deputy Chief Scientist is Dr. Sue Loughlin of Britain. (EOC)
Jus Wonderin how we'd board the ships during an all-island evacuation if the seas were breaking over the jetty at Little Bay.
Jus Wonderin whether Monlec has an extension cord to plug into Antigua's power supply if the supply ship that refuels their generators can't anchor here.
Jus Wonderin how many people remember that the Wadge report concluded that the next active phrase of the volcano would probably come in the late 1990's
Jus Wonderin if preventing reasonable daytime access to Salem and Olveston is the only way to avoid overtaxing a police force that lacks manpower.
Jus Wonderin how precise the MVO reports are now that their COSPEC, EDM and GPS measurements are no longer possible.
Jus Wonderin why Rams is accessible only to retailers who buy in wholesale lots but not to individuals who buy good from Rams by the case.
Jus Wonderin if most people know that a Pooper-Scooper is and appliance sold in big cities to people who are required by law to clean up the unpleasant deposits left on the pavement by the dogs the daily walk.
Jus wonderin why the Attorney General's Chambers was so depleted of staff who are known to be committed Montserratians.
Jus Wonderin if anything worthwhile will take place for Montserrat following the strangely conducted Investigation by the House of Commons in England.
Jus Wonderin how committed the present members of government are to the cause and plight of Montserrat.
Jus Wonderin if we have reached the top of the volcanic activity in Montserrat. So Jus Wonderin continues to wonder if the hardships will slide backwards as the crisis moved forward.
Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: roachb@candw.ag
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