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'No' to Golf Course, 'Yes' To Social Sectors, Investment says DfID

British team at CPP review

Top British aid officials ended their three-day review of Montserrat's Country Policy Plan (CPP) on Thursday, ditching the proposed re-development of the golf course but split on whether an emergency airstrip should be part of the-much touted national sports complex at Gerald's.
Chief Minister David Brandt, however, told a news conference that he was fully satisfied with the CPP talks and later told the Montserrat Reporter that he did not immediately recall to point out his dissatisfaction with DFID's decision on calls for the salvaging of the mud-flow-ravaged golf course at Belham.

Part of the Montserrat Government delegation at CPP review

"Not, really. I think all the matters that we wanted and we needed that we got," Mr. Brandt said.
Mike Wood, Head of the Overseas Territories Unit (OTU) of the London-headquartered Department for International Development (DFID), pointed to the exorbitant cost anticipated and said he hoped that the local private sector could assist in the restoration of the golf course
"I have to say now with regret that plans will not include redevelopment of the golf course, about which a number of key people have approached me throughout this mission," he said. "The cost of such a venture would run into many millions of pounds."
The DFID official also cautioned that the agreement reached with the Montserrat government could be reversed.
"I have to emphasize that agreement in principle to take a proposal forward does not, as you all know, constitute approval," Mr. Wood (pictured) told the wrap-up news conference he shared with Governor Anthony Abbott and Mr. Brandt.
He emphasized that the development of health and education was "crucial and of importance" and that to inject massive amounts into the golf-course reconstruction would be "just too great for a development-assistance organisation such as ours to contemplate."
Sports and Education
DFID, he said, is finalizing projects for the construction and financing of a day care centre and nursery school in the recently created village of Lookout.
Other projects in the education sector include the rehabilitation of Salem Secondary School and a number of other education sector plans in the CPP.
The British aid agency, he said, supports the construction of a variety of tennis, volleyball and basketball hardcourts at locations including Salem, Lookout and Little Bay to be shared by schools and the communities.
DFID has also assured the Montserratian government that a "strong case" would be made for the construction of a national sports complex on land already earmarked at Gerald's.
"I have said to the Chief Minister that the Sports Complex project should be argued on its merits," Mr. Wood said. "It will still be a very expensive undertaking and one which my Secretary of State in London would take a firm interest in and will want to be consulted fully about."
Transportation
Mr. Wood acknowledged that the DFID team did not reach collective agreement on the construction of an emergency airstrip as part of the proposed national sports complex.
The idea of the airstrip, which was proposed as a necessity to provide emergency relief should the volcano enter another dangerous phase and render the W.H. Bramble airport inoperable, was turned down by Mr.Wood because plans were advanced on recommissioning Bramble.
"My team were not entirely unanimous about the value of including an airstrip in the project and my personal view is that it is not of particularly high priority. especially given that DFId is soon to engage discussions to work on the design for rehabilitation of Bramble Airport," he said.
In that regard, he announced that DFID would soon recommend to government the firm Scott Wilson, Kirkpatrick, "whom we believe to have produced the best commercial and technical bids for the work envisaged at Bramble Airport."
Housing
The DFID official called for a more transparent policy to ensure that those who are allocated houses are in fact eligible.
"We'd also like to see a clearer strategy developed for requirements in this sector as a whole, which will ensure particularly that those most in need are the ultimate beneficiaries," he said, adding that lessons were emerging from the self-build materials grant that was expected to be reviewed yesterday.
A Draft Comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment Paper is being produced at the request of George Foulkes, the British Minister responsible for DFID, "who sees this as forming the basis for the next phase of our housing assistance," Mr. Wood said.

Discussions on housing needs have to be concluded, along with how development funds can best be deployed in this respect. Negotiations on the soft-mortgage scheme are to begin shortly after the team returns from London --in the week of October 11 --
project to be concluded by year-end
Health
The British government, Mr. Wood said, is committed to funding the construction of a new operating theatre in the new hospital complex but called on the Montserrat government to make a convincing case about the viability of that medical facility.
"We look forward to receiving the project documentation in support which should, of course, ensure that it captures all the economic arguments in favour of a venture of this size," he said, adding that the arguments tabled by Health Minister Mrs. Adelina Tuitt and her team were "quite powerful."
DFID, he said, is committed to doing a great deal more in the health sector from recurrent budget for new vehicles, including an ambulance
Public Sector Development and Staffing
Mr. Wood praised the Community Services Department for "coping well with the additional demands" it has had to take on, but said its staffing and skills would have to be reviewed in another six months to meet changing needs.
Priorities for the next year, Mr. Brandt said, are achievable, in contrast to last year when projects were stymied because of a shortage of personnel.
"In discussions with our partners, that fact became clear," he said. "It was advanced, it was recognized and that problem is now solved so we now not only have the money, we will have the personnel to carry out the work."

Already the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has funded a specialist to come and assist government in the drafting of projects and the audit of Little Bay, which has been earmarked as the site for the new capital.
Mr. Brandt said that government "would not encourage" persons returning or already here not to work, adding that government was committed to training persons in preparation for positions in the private sector.
In the area of management, Mr. Wood said that £2.1 million have been allocated for a project focussing on the strengthening of financial services in the governments of Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands and Montserrat.
Gov. Abbott identified the inability of Montserrat to compete equally on the regional job market to fill key vacancies because the salaries and conditions "make it quite difficult for people to come here."
Private Sector , Foreign Investment and Tourism.
Given the volcano-related publicity about the island, the top DFID official announced that DFID is willing to provide the resources to help devise a vigorous public relations campaign in a bid to boost investor confidence in the island.
"Collectively, we need to think about ways in which we can help to improve the image, if you like, of Montserrat in the eyes of outsiders, because this is a place where foreigners can come and invest," he said.
Although Montserrat, being a British Overseas Territory, is not a member of the World Bank, Mr. Wood reported that before arriving here, he held exploratory talks with the Foreign Advisory Service of the World Bank's International Finance Corporation (IFC) about the prospects for offering advice on how Montserrat could attract foreign direct investment.
"There is an issue here because Montserrat is not a member of the World Bank and so ordinarily would not qualify for such assistance, but I will pursue this issue with the IFC because I understand an exception might be created by virtue of Montserrat's CARICOM (Caribbean Community) status," he said.
Meanwhile, DFID has pledged to continue efforts to bolster private sector development on the island, with Mr. Wood’s citing the "excellent work" of the National Development Foundation (NDF) in extending loans and training in Small Businesses.
With the doubling of funds to the NDF, DFID hopes to extend the micro enterprise scheme along with the provision of additional small factory shells.

"We understand that demand outstrips supplies," Gov.Abbott said, "so we have agreed to construct a second and a third for later years
"We believe that these arrangements will contribute to national economic development and help to some extent ease the growing unemployment situation here in Montserrat."

He spoke of vigorous promotion of industrial development potential and work with government to construct an appropriate marketing strategy.
Predicting that in another year Montserrat could "get real nibbles" from private investment in the areas of commercial exploitation of volcanic material, hotel and tourism and small service industries, he said roads, water and transportation were being steadily improved to make the climate more attractive.
Internal Security and Emergency
Mr. Wood said that funding for the development of the fire and police services is expected to approved "in the near future," but the costs must be weighed against priorities in other sectors.
"We feel it's important to emphasize that plans for the new police station should not be seen to be more grandiose than in other sectors of the economy," he said, "but we'll seek to ensure that facilities which are provided allow operational efficiency."
Gov. Abbott explained that training programmes were being implemented in the Fire and Police services.
The CPP review, he said, also covered the need for succession planning for the senior ranks, the goal being to appoint a Commissioner from Montserrat in or around the year 2003, and the creation of a proper community policing facility
He signaled the further rationalizing of the Emergency Department as consideration is given to a joint approach to disaster management in all the overseas territories.

"If it bears fruit, it may well impact on our future plans for an emergency department," the Governor said
While the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) recently became a statutory body, Mr. Abbott said that DFID and the Government of Montserrat will continue to support its work.
Plans for a new observatory at Fleming's are advancing and it may be necessary to phase construction of the observatory by building the operations centre first, Mr. Abbott said.
International Obligations Issues
On the progress government is making in implementing policies consistent with the British government, Mr. Wood said, "We believe that Montserrat's record in this respect is mostly very good. There are some remaining aspects, which have been discussed already with the Chief Minister, and a revised action plan in this regard will be prepared."
Chief Minister Brandt called on all concerned to work together for the design of the required project proposals to avoid accusations being laid against government that "the money is not spent because we did not put forward the proposals."
"We would want to flood DFID with the proposals so if there is any blame in the end, we could say it is not us," he said.
The DFID (OTU) boss, in conclusion, expressed the hope that agreement could be reached in a year's time on priority sectors to focus the bulk of assistance in health, education and small business development, while assisting government to attract other donors to handle other activities.
Both sides confirmed that the CPP is a flexible document, designed to cater for the changed needs of the island as it moves from an emergency status to reconstruction.

Part of the Audience at the CPP discussions

Britain's key foreign aid agency, the Department for International Development (DFID) this week, again defended its sometimes slow pace in delivering aid to this volcano-ravaged but recovering colony.
Mr. Mike Wood, Head of DFID's Overseas Territories Unit (OTU) speaking at Monday's opening of an eight-day review of Montserrat's £75 million Country Policy Plan (CPP), said:
"While sometimes we appear not to be moving things along fast enough to your liking, I would challenge anyone to identify any aid agency operating anywhere in the world who can deliver a quality program faster than we can."

Mr. Wood is here along with a team from the United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to produce a revised CPP.
Priorities for the revised CPP, the DFID official said, would be a range of measures for improving living standards of the less fortunate, strengthening civil society organizations, accelerating public service reform and strengthening civil society organisations.
He singled out DFID's aid package to Montserrat as the largest in the Caribbean and the Americas.
"On a per capita basis Montserrat receives a much higher allocation than any other country in the world and I hope this amply demonstrates that the British government takes Montserrat's present difficulties very seriously indeed," Mr. Wood said.
The official noted that Britain also contributed 16 percent of the money administered in Montserrat by the European Development Fund (EDF) and contributed a substantial amount of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), DFID has projected that by the end of the 1999-2000 financial year next March, over £55 of the £75 million would be spent on projects under the present CPP, including those that have been completed in the past 18 months.
Mr. Wood said that within the past three months DFID has approved about 14 projects to the tune of just over £5 million, plus an unexpected budgetary aid allocation of £500,000.

Millions more have been spent on the rehabilitation of water and electricity supplies, introducing a modern sewage disposal system, improvement of roads, the construction of a new jetty and heliport and the subsidizing of the international ferry and helicopter services to the tune of US$200,000 per month.
Other projects that the DFID OTU boss outlined as being successful here included under the 1998-2001 CPP, now at its half-way stage.

• Conversion of St John’s School into a modern hospital facility
• Provision of factory shells and other premises and training and loans to help stimulate small business development
• Housing, equipping and helping to staff the Montserrat Volcano Observatory to help predict the mood of the mountain
• Making headway with new school and police facilities
• Doing much on the housing front, spending more than £17 million in the process,
  "though we recognize that on that front much more has still to be done."

Mr. Wood noted that he has "never encountered" an administration like Montserrat’s that has "so ably" produced a draft policy document as that which the Development Unit has prepared while "efficiently" dealing with other departmental negotiations.

"It is my belief that your administration and ours are increasingly efficient in the business of project design and delivery…I am also very pleased to see from recent correspondence that they also have the confidence and ability to question aspects of DFID’s work from time to time if they don’t think that things are quite right," he said.

At the opening of the CPP negotiations, Mr. Wood identified a range of priorities "which are of continuing importance:"

• Bolstering our respective efforts to improve living standards for the least well-off members of the population
• Exploring what more could be done to stimulate private sector development and find investment opportunities
• Strengthening key civil society organisations
• Acceleratingf public service reform and capacity building in a number of areas, including financial management
• Acquiring government’s views on measures to enhance future revenue generation
• Investigating what more could be done to encourage other donors in the region to take a greater interest on Montserrat
• Legal, financial services, environment and international obligations issues "including the perennial issue of the Government of Montserrat’s progress in implementing policies which are consistent with the British government’s commitments on human rights
  

The difficulty for us still to understand is what exactly is our government's master plan is for Montserrat’s way forward.

There needs to be no misunderstanding about the nature of the discussion of the Country Policy Plan.. It is designed to recognise seriously what we need to fulfill the dreams and ambitions genuinely demonstrated by those "resilient" Montserratians who decided to keep Montserrat and bring it to a position where those living here and abroad could feel some pride.

It is strange business, these ceremonies, no more than rituals, where you hear niceties and praise, but very seldom an honest remark of criticism. But some of the players at these ceremonies make full and good use of the occasion, as they have the right to do, getting across a message, pleasant, kind or otherwise, reinforcing or confirming a common position.

It is difficult to understand why the discussions held over the Country Policy Plan (CPP) are called negotiations, which could only be to determine whether or not the time is right to spend particular sums of money.

To mark the opening of the review of the CPP, and to counter all the complaints of slow delivery, insufficiency and indifference to our economic development, Mr. Mike Wood, the new DFID Overseas Territories Unit head, made sure he kept the British volcanic crisis propaganda alive, praising the Development Unit for "so ably" producing a draft policy document.

He made sure that it be known that "on a per capita" basis Montserrat receives a much higher allocation than any other country in the world. But, is that a fair statement? Which other country in the world has been faced with the kind of devastation we have faced; and why is the support called aid, the same as with other donor agencies? And why should there be any emphasis on the speed of delivery of "aid," when we are called a "dependent territory"? Do they know that we have the ability of getting the news immediately here in Montserrat?

Well aware of the feelings and the criticisms of even his home politicians, Mr. Wood even conceded some slowness, which he excused by claiming it to be the best they could do. That is a change of strategy. He can ask Governor Abbott, who, by the way, has also changed his tune with respect to the flexibility of the spending of the £75 million. The problem with flexibility, though, is that nothing changes. DFID still has to approve the project, and then only when it meets their approval.

It is well known that only what the British want to approve gets approved, so the projects are prepared to suit. It seems, therefore, that the Development Unit has finally learned how not to waste time in any attempts to do it our way, good or bad.

Mr. Wood needs to understand that the only people who can accept something four years late, or even three years late, are those at last in housing, which is still sadly lacking, as are the training and loans still to be made available.

All those matters which "are of continuing importance," one would note, include acquiring government's views on how to get residents of Montserrat to "enhance future revenue generation." There can be no mistake what is meant here. It is time for the people of Montserrat to begin to pay for or contribute to the support they are receiving. All the talk about "developing Montserrat's economy" needs to be put into action, both by British and local government facilitating as they have promised.

Take the turn down of the golf course re-development. There is no mistaking what the presence of the golf course did and could do again for the economy of Montserrat. But even if it could bring a gold mine to Montserrat, it was not on the Wood's team agenda, and so much for that and the negotiations.

Governor Abbott,

"Trying to create the investment environment that investors are looking for"?

How can you seriously talk about efforts to attract new investors to Montserrat when it is apparent, through inaction and expressed opinion, that the prevailing attitude (toward) south of Belham is (that it is the) domain of ex-patriots and, (since) restoration does not provide Montserratians with housing, there is little reason for immediacy in funding restoration of infrastructure?

Without disputing the factual base of the premise regarding the population base, (what) are the ex-patriots of south of Belham if they are not previous investors in Montserrat? Potential new investors in Montserrat are not going to invest blindly without investigating the climate for investing first. When the lack of willingness to protect previous investors is so blatantly obvious, do you think that any amount of lip service about attracting new investors is going to succeed?

Wealthy investors do not get that way by being stupid. And incidentally, wealthy investors, whether they are predominantly non-British or not, pour money into the economy and thereby minimize the subsidy that British taxpayers might be required to contribute to the country in the future

When existing investors invested in their properties, they did not think they would ever have to question the obligation or expectation of government to supply basic utilities.

Now that the volcano has spared their investments from ruin, government neglect continues to be the major threat to their eventual economic recovery.

When they investigate, future potential investors will comprehend the consequences of the failure of government to support those who have come before as investors. They will easily discern that the lack of immediate action, at best, has made eventual economic recovery for investors unnecessarily more expensive and, at worst, a leap of faith that they will most likely be unwilling to take.

With that as the visible investment climate, no amount of rhetoric about the future attraction of investing will succeed.

Again, the present concern about health risks is irrelevant to what needs to be done NOW. The emphasis presently coming out of the CPP negotiations regarding attracting investment to the island in the future only reinforces the necessity to do what can be done NOW to protect the existing investments of Montserratians, foreign investors, and government in these areas.

Without action, the true investment climate, easily discernible by future investors, will never succeed in attracting meaningful investment.

Regards ,

Douglas Darby

Recently I became curious about how many insulin injections I have taken during my 36 years with insulin-dependent diabetes. The number of injections per day varied, but a quick estimate revealed that they totaled well over 14,000. Overwhelmed, I thought, Fourteen thousand? How did I ever do that? I immediately knew the answer -- one day at a time.

God gave the Israelites daily manna in the desert, telling them not save any for the next day unless it was the Sabbath. Years later, Jesus taught his disciples to ask God for each day's bread, not for tomorrow's.

When we view our needs and problems in an all-inclusive lump sum instead of one day at a time, we borrow trouble from tomorrow and render ourselves incapable of seeing and seizing today's opportunities. Jesus provides faith for us to walk one day at a time and to leave the problems of tomorrow where they belong: in his omnipotent hands.

Prayer: Lord, increase our faith so that we can live each day for your. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - Don't borrow trouble from tomorrow. Trust and follow Jesus one day at a time.

Lisa Bass, daughter of Jim and Millicent Bass of St Peter’s, was admitted to the Bar in Anguilla by Justice Saunders on September 20, according to a statement.

The newly inducted lawyer gained her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree at the Cave Hill, Barbados Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Certificate of Legal Education at the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica.

She is currently employed by the Caribbean Jurist Chambers in Anguilla.

At an impressive ceremony in the Anguilla Court, Ms. Bass was nominated for admission by Senior Barrister and Head of the Caribbean Jurist Chambers Ms. Joan Benjamin, who outlined Ms. Bass’ academic qualifications.

Barrister Hogarth Sargeant of Montserrat seconded the nomination and made a statement outlining Ms. Bass’ family background and generally indicated that "she was a fit and proper person to be a member of the legal profession."

Several other Barristers, including Mr Courtney Abel, spoke in support of Lisa’s admission.

In his remarks, Justice Saunders pointed to guidelines that must be followed if. Ms Bass is to give "honourable and effective service," both as an officer of the Court and a Barrister.

Responding, Ms. Bass gave thanks to God, her parents and all those who supported and encouraged her during her years of study.

She concluded by promising "to uphold the high standards of the legal profession."

The ceremony was witnessed by Ms Bass’ parents, some family members, and friends who had travelled to Anguilla from Montserrat, as well as several Montserratian residents in Anguilla, and Anguillan well-wishers.

Worried that some roaming goats are causing soil erosion, authorities early Thursday morning launched a series of unannounced impounding operations, according to Director of Agriculture Mr Claude Gerald.
"The loose goats pose a serious environmental hazard in that they pre-dispose the soil to serious erosion," he told the Montserrat Reporter shortly after five of the estimated 50 goats were impounded in a joint Agriculture Ministry and police operation.
Widely believed to be owned by the husband of a government minister, the goats around the Fogarthy Hill area said to be threatening the fragile eco-system in an area where the soil easily crumbles and there is hardly any grass.
Gerald attributed the environmental threat to the feeding and eating patterns of goats.
The Director of Agriculture, whose ministry is legally responsible for dealing with loose livestock, vowed that "we will continue to ensure the risks are managed if not totally eliminated."
Police have also warned the owner that the goats pose a serious traffic hazard during the night when some sit in the middle of the road and on blind turns.
Since the warning, the owner could be seen late afternoons and early evenings trying to keep the goats off the road thoroughfare but when he is not around late in the night some of the animals go back on the road.

American University of the Caribbean (AUC), the offshore medical school that shifted to St. Maarten four years ago because of volcanic activity has signaled its intention to return here and Chief Minister David Brandt has signaled that government would give it priority.
He, however, declined comment on what would be the fate of a pending application by the United States (US)-based Interactive Technology Group (ITG) to set up the St John's Offshore Medical School, saying that matter was still being considered by Executive Council.

"So much more for a business that has operated here and we know its history, we know it's not a fake business. It is someone who has actually performed...so when you have businesses like those you have to cooperate with them fully," he told reporters.
The new facility, Brandt said, would be geared for the already recognized ACU to combine the teaching of Eastern and Western medicine to students from Africa, Asia, North America and Europe.

Officials of AUC offshore medical school are expected here early next month to explore the possibility of acquiring at least nine acres of land to construct a complex.

Up to the time of its pull-out, the AUC was regarded as a major revenue generator as it had to pay an annual license fee US$100,000 license fee in addition to registration fees by its estimated 1,000 students who rented accommodation from islanders.

In contrast to the ITG that has filed an application with the Montserrat government, the AUC which began operations here in the mid 1970s is already listed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Clinical exposure of students and lecturers alike is a condition for gaining a WHO listing that is eventually a prerequisite for countries to license doctors to practice their profession.

Other sources have , however, said that plans were being fine-tuned with the University of Guyana and the University of Spit in the Balkan region for students to be afforded clinical exposure.

Montserrat's economy, now virtually dependent on British grant-in-aid budgetary support to recover from a four-year volcanic crisis, needs private-sector led growth, Governor Anthony Abbott said Monday.
"As we move out of the emergency phase of the volcanic crisis, an area that requires urgent attention is the development of Montserrat's economy," he said at the opening of a three-day review of the £75-million three-year Country Policy Plan (CPP) of social and physical development being funded by the British Government.
"We need to find ways to stimulate private sector development and attract foreign investment."

Governor Abbott, the island's Head of State responsible for areas such as foreign policy, also seized the opportunity to woo overseas and local prospecting investors to set up operations here.
"It is a fact of the modern world that no economy is likely to prosper unless it can attract inward investment," he said, adding that potential existed for the development of tourism, light-industry and "perhaps" regaining a foothold in the offshore financial industry.
Four years after about 300 offshore banks were scrubbed from the island's registry for being allegedly less than transparent in their dealings, Britain's Minister for Overseas Territories signaled that the offshore banking sector could be revived if strict regulations were put in place.
Over one year ago, volcanologists assured that the volcano was going back to sleep after killing 17 persons in 1997 and forcing over 5,000 to flee to the rest of the Caribbean, the United States and Britain. Now authorities here have been busy laying the groundwork to once again boast of a balanced national budget, as was the case up to 1996.
Those efforts include improvement of water and electricity supply, rehabilitation of the road network, building of new hotels and the creation of new villages in the safe north of the island for many of the remaining 4,550 residents.
While acknowledging that the volcano-induced brain drain has resulted in a "severely stretched" skills base, Gov. Abbott identified the need to maximize the use of funds being provided for reconstruction efforts.
"The key object of the CPP process is not only that we should make good use of the funds available to Montserrat but that we should ensure that they are in fact used," he said
Describing the CPP as a "living document," he said there was leeway for reordering priorities and identifying new ones to "cope with changed circumstances," such as funding of clean-up operations and re-connection of water and electricity supplies in some southern areas.

In his address at the opening session, Chief Minister David Brandt seized the opportunity to reaffirm government’s commitment to creating the enabling environment for the private sector.

"We want to work in partnership with the private sector…We wish to see these programmes continue because of the importance we place on the development of the private sector," he said.

Among them is the approval of EC$3 million to cover loans for training, administrative support and the construction of retail space.

Additionally, he pledged government’s intention to negotiate for additional financing for the National Development (NDF) to on-lend.

A British and Caribbean-trained lawyer, Mr. Brandt has threatened to withdraw land leases to foreign and local investors in the Little Bay area if they are not utilized as agreed.

"No land would be sold for speculation, that they must have firmed-up projects, that the government would give them a short-lease in the first instance, having regard to the projects which they proposed and that they must complete the project within that time," he said.

"If they do not start the project, the land will be taken away. If you finish the project within that time, they could apply for the free-hold of that land and that goes for any Montserratian or any person," he explained.

Mr. Brandt, who in recent times been consistently thanking the British Government for recoveryaid to Montserrat, hinted that the Department for International Development would soon be approached to fund infrastructure works for the development of Little Bay, in accordance with plans drawn up by Ivason Galloway and Associates.

Marijuana Field Destroyed in Police Raid

Police have uprooted nearly 2,000 marijuana plants in the south of the island close to the still active volcano, but no one was arrested, according to Police Commissioner Christopher Burgess.
Other senior police sources said no one was netted in last Friday's discovery of plants as tall as six feet, but there are suspects the authorities are keeping an eye on.
The 1,573 marijuana plants, the police officer said, were found in the Molyneaux Mountain in the volcano Exclusion Zone, which police entered by helicopter.
Police were tight-lipped about when the next raid would be conducted but noted there was a strong possibility that other marijuana fields existed on the island.

He lamented the fact that the rice mill was left to rot in Plymouth rather than removed, arguing that it is time that industry be resuscitated.

Mr. Meade’s criticism of the Brandt administration came amid the trickling back home of at least 11 families and an expected 54 more in the coming months from among those who sought refuge from the Soufriere Hills volcano in neighbouring Caribbean islands, United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK).

The former Chief Minister criticized government for holding too many workshops rather taking action.

"We have said to Montserratians who are overseas that you must not come home except you are sure that you have a house or you have something to do, and we said that because we have an obligation to people who remain here to house them first and we have an obligation to people who remain here to give them jobs first," he told the Montserrat Reporter.

He assured, however, that government was working feverishly to create the environment and provide training for the rebirth of the tourism and financial service industries.
Other plans outlined by the Chief Minister to create an investor-friendly environment were the re-commissioning of the island’s lone airport, put out of operation by the volcano, upgrading of the seaport,, and construction of factory shells to resume milling of rice for export to the European Union (EU).

"We have all of these things in the pipeline and they will come to pass, but they cannot be done in one day," Mr. Brandt said.

Government is also working on an EC$3-million project in collaboration with the local non-governmental National Development Foundation (NDF) for on-lending to persons ineligible for loans from commercial lenders.

The money would be used to start up new businesses and revitalize old ones.

1^st October 1999

International Calls 27% Cheaper from Today

Today, October 1^st, Cable & Wireless has cut the price of international calls for customers in the Caribbean.

Cable & Wireless announced the cut in international call prices in August. The new prices came into effect at midnight. Prices have fallen by an average of 27%. Many rates have fallen by 50% or more.

All international direct dial calls from fixed line phones in 12 Caribbean countries are now significantly cheaper. All international calls at weekends, all day Saturday and Sunday, now cost less than US$1.00 per minute. Calls to the US at weekends are US75c per minute. No international call costs more than US$2.00 per minute.

Odie Donald, Chief Executive of Cable & Wireless Caribbean & Atlantic Islands, said, "In August, we said we would lower international rates. Today, we have done exactly that. Residential and business customers across the Caribbean will see significant savings in their October phone bill, and in all subsequent bills. This is not a special offer or a limited time promotion. It is a permanent reduction."

Interim General Manager Neville Dublin said, "Cable & Wireless will continue to respond to the growing needs, of our customers. Montserrat customers will see a Cable & Wireless that is even more committed to offering excellent service, a wide choice of products, and more value for the dollar."

The new prices apply to all international direct dial calls from fixed lines in Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines and the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Ends

With customers in 70 countries, Cable & Wireless is a major global telecommunications business with over 50,000 employees worldwide. Its international operations offer a range of services spanning broadband data and Internet access, fixed and mobile voice, as well as interactive entertainment and information. Cable & Wireless’ priority for expansion is the fast growing market for data and IP (Internet Protocol) services for business customers. Since November 1998, it has announced major investments in advanced networks in the US and Europe, the restructuring of Cable & Wireless Communications in the UK and has acquired full control of Cable & Wireless IDC in Japan to support this strategy. Cable & Wireless now holds a unique position in terms of global coverage to business customers.

For further information, please contact Venus George at 491-2112 telephone and 491-3599 fax.

SPORTS

WHERE ARE GOING?
By Peter Adrien
Author and Sports Commentator

Where is West Indies Cricket heading? And at what pace is it heading there? What progress have we made since the advent of Captain Brian Lara?
No one argues that the West Indies team is not changing. But we are all divided as to whether it is being developed. Let us try to separate the passion and look inward - let us put the team under the microscope without fear and favour.
This is the first of a two-part evaluation of the performance of the West Indies cricket team since the advent of Brian Charles Lara. In this article we examine the captain as a contributor, tactician and motivator.
In the second part we will discuss the team's composition and performance since Australia's visit.
Lara, like Sobers is a contradiction. Brian has been heavily criticised for his tactics on the field abut has been credited for using many unorthodox but functional strategies. His field placement is often criticised and often commended. But the critical issue is whether he is a
developer.
His use, shuffling and placement of the batsmen have been very questionable and the exposure given to the young and inexperienced batters have been a cause for concern among many cricket fans. For example, one cannot understand why a Test captain would opt to bat a batter who is more or less a pinch hitter at number three against, arguably one of the best speed line-ups in international cricket.
What argument would Lara have for batting Ricardo Powell at number three in the DMC Trophy One-day International against bowlers of the calibre of Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram? After all Powell is still to learn that he cannot hit every ball at the international level. One would hope that Lara is not out to destroy young Ricardo Powell by engineering his failure. Let us accept that decision as a failed experiment.
Is Lara capable of nurturing a young cricketer? Has he the know-how (intellectual, emotional and social skills) to identify a raw talent; nurture that talent; and assist that talent to bring out the best? I am not willing to put my neck on the block for it but I have always cherished the thought that Lara contributed to the slow growth of Darren Ganga by
putting the young inexperienced soldier in the front line of a traumatic battle in South Africa, and that he contributed to the demise of Rawl Lewis, by encouraging the leggie to bowl negatively - bowling his leg breaks outside the leg stump as a tactical ploy to check the run rate.
The captaincy, according to Lara's critics is either affecting his ability in the crease or his poor performance as a captain is affecting his performance as a batter. Some pedigree cricketers have established a positive relation with the captaincy role and the substantive role of the cricketer.

The performance of the batting captain is oftentimes affected when he performs poorly in his leadership job. The bowling captain is not easily affected, as the cases of Wasim Akram and Courtney Walsh have proven.
Many commentators have argued that Brian should be given "the Tendulkar experience," as he needs to concentrate on his batting for the greater good of the team. At a press conference, I put the vexing issue to Brian, and he responded very irritably.
Why is the gifted player so endeared to the captaincy? Well, apart from the fact that the cricketing legends in the region, commentators and the cricketing public cherished the thought that he was the heir apparent, Brian Lara's self actualisation is to captain the West Indies team.
Brian craved the leadership and fought for the captaincy - the highest political position in the region - and, as some critics would have us believe, he wrestled it from Richie Richardson and Courtney Walsh, utilising a mixture of "necessary means."
But since his advent, he humbled the relatively weak British team in the home series with a somewhat mediocre team almost in the fashion of Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards; immediately after he tarnished our reputation and brought us to the lowest cricketing, political and cultural levels in a one-act performance against the racist South Africans, he redeemed himself somewhat and received his popular mandate during the home series, when he almost single-handedly drew the series against the mighty Australians; but he reclined into his armchair of lack of application and discipline. His batting has been lack-lustre. He has won one one-day series; lost one and been humiliated in another.
Yes, Lara enjoys the power that "being in charge" confers on the occupier of the position; the respect that the holder of the position holds in the eyes of those that are led; the loyalty of the those who are subordinate; and the reward that goes with the super-ordinate position.
In his autobiography, Beating the Field (published in 1995), he thinks aloud about the captaincy: "Given the job of leading whichever cricket team I was a member of meant a lot to me. From a very young age at school I found myself assuming the role of captaincy. My first real opportunity to prove to myself and to others that I could become a future captain came in 1987."
Concerning the captaincy of the West Indies Cricket team, he noted:
"In the absence of Richie Richardson and Desmond Haynes, in 1994-5, I held my position as vice-captain. I would be lying if I said that captaining the West Indies test team one day is not one of my goals. Since my schooldays I've dreamt about that moment and if ever it comes I'd grasp it with both hands and do the best job that I can."
But did you know that Lara's behaviour is not a reflection of a personal problem. It is the manifestation of the social problem that is destroying the spiritual and cohesive fabric of our ailing society. Did you know that Brian Lara, like our West Indian men, and by extension, our public and private sector leaders loves, to be in charge or loves to control? We experience the disgusting behaviour every day. The man speaks of controlling his woman; the boy tells of checking his girl; the father boosts of being the head of his household; the manager reminds the worker that he is the boss; the employer threatens to dismiss the female employee when she is sexually harassed; and the politician threatens and withdraws the privileges when the people differ with him.
From the above sociological revelation, it is clear that Brian Lara would not accede to Brian Davis' suggestion to rotate the captaincy. After all, we don't share leadership in the Caribbean. That is not part of our political culture. We do not even allow ourselves to be challenged.
But, what is your verdict? Is the team being developed? What is your view? Change the captain if you must, but don't forget to change society.

One Day Cricket returns to Montserrat

The Montserrat Cricket Association (MCA) has announced that its One-Day Fixtures are set to begin this coming Sunday.

Players are reminded that matches will start promptly at 12.45p.m. and they should be on the ground no later than 12.30 p.m. for the toss. Penalties will be applied if late arrival causes the start of play to be delayed, MCA President Mr John Smith said in a news release.

The fixtures are:

3/10 Montserrat Youth Team vs Civil Service

10/10 Cudjoe Head vs Salem

17/10 Police vs Montserrat Youth Team

24/10 Cudjoe Head vs Civil Service

31/10 Salem vs Police

6/11 Police vs Civil Service 7/11 Cudjoe Head vs Montserrat Youth Team

14/11 Montserrat Youth Team vs Salem

20/11 Cudjoe Head vs Police 21/11 Civil Service vs Salem

28/11 FINAL

There is overwhelming support in Montserrat communities in the United States Virgin Islands for next years Paradise Regain Millennium Pilgrimage.

The event, scheduled for July 8^th to 23^rd 2000, seeks to encourage Montserratians from around the world to return home to celebrate the new Millennium.

It is spearheaded by the Year 2000 Commission, which has planned a number of activities to mark the dawn of the next century.

Dr. Eddie Donoghue, a member of the Commission says he was able to sell the idea of the pilgrimage to members of the members of the Montserrat Association of St. Thomas-St. John.

The Ministry of Agriculture plans to re-introduce the production of pineapple on Montserrat.

Funds have been allocated for the project.

It includes the importation of 50,000 suckers to establish four acres of the crop.

Agricultural Development Officer Justin Cassell says the pineapple project will require a few years for the attainment of adequate acreage for pineapple self-sufficiency.

Before the volcanic crisis pineapple was an important fruit in Montserrat with production concentrated in the St. Patrick’s area

Mr. Cassell says with the loss of planting material the department is establishing a bulk plot for the expansion of pineapple production in the North of the island.

Persons are being warned against removing sand from beaches used by turtles for nesting.

The Fisheries Unit, which is monitoring sea turtles, says sand mining is destroying eggs on some beaches.

According to Fisheries Officer John Jeffers nesting is taking place mainly at Foxes Bay, Isles Bay, Woodlands, Rendezvous, Barton Bay, and beaches further south to O’Garro’s.

The Fisheries Officer says consideration may have to be given to extending the close season beyond the September 30^th time limit to protect eggs on the beaches.

During the Close Season begins in June the sea turtle, which is an endangered specie is protected by law.

Monitoring during the close season has also shown in increase in the turtle population.

Mr. Jeffers says this may be due to the evacuation of the southern side of the island, which meant less sand mining and turtle hunting took place.

There is no evidence of volcanic ash having an effect on the health of high risk groups on the island.

The conclusion was drawn from tests that were done on some members of the Royal Montserrat Police.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gordon Avery says the tests did not show any adverse effects on their respiratory functions.

Dr. Avery says the health authorities are aware that other groups such as port workers and roadside workers would have to be tested as well.

Meanwhile scientists in the United Kingdom are continuing their tests on rats to determine the effects of ash on the lungs.

The tests are being done at Cambridge University where scientists are interested in finding out what effects the silicosis in the ash has on humans.

Dr. Avery says details will not be available until the end of the study.

The fifteen houses of the CARICOM Village at Look Out are due for completion shortly.

The houses financed by Caribbean Community Governments are in the final stages of completion.

Workmen under the supervision of a team from Barbados Defence currently doing the finishing touches on the three bedroom concrete roof houses.

When completed the government will rent them for 425 dollars.

Another ten houses financed by Caricom are due to be built. The Jamaican Government has also promised to provided five more.

His Excellency Governor Anthony Abbott believes the commercial development of volcanic deposits should be pursued vigorously.

Governor Abbott says the commercial benefits to be derived will be essential to the economic development of Montserrat.

He says the volcano itself can be exploited in a number of ways, not only as an attraction for eco and adventure tourism but as a source of materials for construction and industry.

Coventry University in the United Kingdom has done a preliminary study on the potential commercial benefits to be derived from the volcano. The report has been submitted to the government, which is now studying the proposal.

Governor Abbott says the development of the Montserrat economy deserves urgent attention, and ways need to be found to reduce its dependency on the flow of aid funds.

According to him one way of doing this would be to stimulate private sector development by attracting foreign investment.

Therefore Governor Abbott he is making an appeal to either local or international businessmen.

He is encouraging anyone considering an investment to come forward.

Head of the Montserrat programme at the Overseas Territories Unit in London Mike Wood says Montserrat is the largest recipient of British aid in the Caribbean and the Americas.

Mr. Wood says only a handful of countries; some with populations in the hundreds and millions receive more development assistance.

On a per capita basis Montserrat receives a much higher allocation than any other country in the world.

According to the top British official this amply demonstrates that the British Government takes Montserrat’s present difficulties very seriously.

Wood says apart from direct assistance Her Majesty’s Government provides 16 per cent of European funds in Montserrat and also contributes substantially to the Caribbean Development Bank, of which Montserrat is a borrowing member.

Despite this he says HMG will bolster its efforts to improve living standards for the least well off members of the population.

He says Britain is also keen explore ways to stimulate private sector development and foreign investment opportunities.

The Government is moving quickly to provide housing for Montserratians displaced by the volcano.

Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt says plans are moving rapidly for the next phase of housing development at an additional site at Look Out.

This will provide a combination of serviced lots, direct build houses, condominium units, and retail outlets.

Chief Minister Brandt says this is an indication that the government is making progress in addressing the housing problem.

The government is in the process of allocating 150 houses at Look Out.

The completion of these buildings means that an additional one hundred families or individuals will be moving into their houses shortly.

Montserrat Can Compete in Tourism- Brandt

The Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt believes Montserrat can still hold its own in a very competitive tourist industry.

Speaking at the start of tourism week Chief Minister Brandt said Montserrat has lost many of its tourist attractions, but new ones are being created and the island still holds the unique charm of unspoiled beauty.

Mr. Brandt, who has responsibility for tourism, says this combined with the awesome power of nature gives Montserrat a distinct advantage, which many territories will not have.

He also pointed a number of developments, which will enhance Montserrat’s tourism package.

These include the temporary festival village and a restaurant and nightclub at Little Bay, the Tropical Mansions Hotel, sports development and the appointment of a millennium commission.

He said the Government also wishes to attract expatriates back to the island by having a golf course once again.

The Montserrat Tourist Board has started the process of introducing football to girls in schools.

Director of Tourism Ernestine Cassell visited the Brades Primary School today to talk about the programme, sponsored by world football governing body, FIFA.

Ms. Cassell’s visit to the Brades Primary School is part of efforts to develop sports tourism on the island.

At the end of the talk many of the girls has expressed enthusiasm for the game and the programme, which will be managed by the Football Association and the Sports department.

One of the most respected civil servants is leaving the public service.

Director of the Emergency Department is retiring after twenty-one years in the service.

He joined the Ministry of Agriculture in 1978 where he worked for fourteen years reaching the level of Director.

Mr. Michael served as Permanent secretary in the Office of the Chief Minister between 1993 –1995 before moving to the Emergency department, where he distinguished himself, managing the volcanic crisis.

In a tribute in his honour last night His Excellency Governor Anthony Abbott said Mr. Michael will be a great loss to the island.

Mr. Michael, who is also known as a song writer and cricket commentator, is determined not to severe links with the island.

Montserrat is also saying goodbye to an individual who has made a meaningful contribution to the development of the island in the post crisis period.

Economist Joanna Wilks is leaving the Development Unit after two years as project officer.

In his tribute His Excellency Governor Abbott pointed to her substantial contribution to the Sustainable Development Plan and the Country Policy Plan.

Joanna is grateful for the co-operation she has received during her tenure.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gordon Avery says there is good reason to be optimistic about the way mental illness is treated.

Speaking at the opening of a workshop on the management of the mentally challenged, Dr. Avery said this is credited to the availability of good drugs on the market.

He says a result of this there are encouraging examples of the successful treatment of mental illnesses such as manic depressive psychosis and schizophrenia

However he says there are other problems that must be tackled such as changing people’s attitudes towards mental illness.

Among the participants attending are officials from the Royal Montserrat Police Force, Her Majesty’s Prison, Community Services Department, and the Health Department.

The Environmental Health Department plans to start an awareness programme on the collection and disposal of garbage.

The announcement was made following a meeting earlier this week at the Salem Campus with some residents of the Woodlands area.

The meeting was called to discuss the use of the mini dumpsite on the Woodlands main Road.

Principal Environmental Health Officer the few residents who turned up for the meeting were told of plans to move the site.

He says residents in the area will be encouraged to store refuse on their premises until the day of collection.

Mr. Howe also outlined plans to sensitize the general population on the storage and disposal of refuse.

Managing Director of Diamond Services Limited Doctor Ronnie Cooper was also at the meeting.

He said he supports the idea to close down the Number 7 dumpsite in Woodlands.

The Government of Montserrat is carrying forward the process of civil service reform.

Two consultants from the United Kingdom are now on island conducting a training exercise on job evaluation.

Officers from several departments are taking part in the training that is expected to last for two weeks.

The two consultants are Ted Anderson and Eric Hampshire from Barnett Consulting Group in London and have been hired by DFID to work with the department of Administration.

Mr. Hampshire says approximately twenty people will be trained in how to carry out a job analysis interview and write a job description for job evaluation purposes.

Mr. Anderson says the objective of the exercise would be to decide which evaluation scheme is best suited for Montserrat.

Persons who qualify for the Soft Mortgage Scheme will get almost a third of the loan free of cost.

Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt says those who are eligible will not be required to pay back 27 per cent of the money they borrowed. This will be given as a grant.

The rate of interest on the remainder will be set at a maximum 81/2 per cent.

Eligible persons will be allowed to borrow as much as 150 000 dollars.

The Soft Mortgage Scheme is expected to come on stream by the end of this year.

Only persons who relocated from the unsafe zone to the north of the island will qualify.

The Government has announced another scheme to help persons rebuild their homes.

Chief Minister David Brandt says this is for persons who have not relocated from Salem and other areas further north, and for Montserratians who wish to return.

He says between eight and nine million dollars will be made available through the Bank of Montserrat.

This will be loaned at a rate of 7 ½ per cent.

Chief Minister David Brandt says the Government will not get involve in the administration of the loan. He says loans will be given strictly on banking terms

Work is expected to start shortly on the rehabilitation of the W. H. Bramble Airport.

According to officials consultants for the project will be appointed by the Department For International Development (DFID shortly.

Eight million pounds have been allocated in the Country Policy Plan for the project, which includes the construction of a bon to re-channel mudflows down the Farms River.

It also involves the construction of a terminal and the upgrading of the existing run, parts of which has been covered by pyroclastic flow material.

MAN FROM BAKER HILL

Simple and Realistic Politics

Be simple. Be realistic. Be hopeful. Be compassionate. If you have to speak, sound as if you really understand what the ordinary person feels, needs or deserves. And if you are elected, power and wealth will follow.

That is the lesson every aspiring politician should have learned from John Osborne's closing remarks on the recent ZJB vum vum show.

The essence of John Osborne’s closing remarks, goes like this :

"I do not agree with people who say that Montserrat cannot be viable. I believe that Montserrat, even with 4,000 people and less than 20 square miles, can become sustainable. I believe that in Montserrat there could be a vibrant economy - which would attract investors. I believe that we can achieve a quality of life in Montserrat which could encourage some of our people to return, and be happy and comfortable."

Throughout the broadcast, he was constantly showing his compassion for the ordinary Montserratian. He even referred to the cost of rent and its impact on the salary of a family with three children.

John Osborne went on to say that both St. Eustatius and St. Barts have less land and less people than Montserrat; yet both islands have vibrant economies and their people enjoy a good quality of life.

John Osborne believes we should have explained properly to our benefactors that, with their help, we could achieve realistic economic viability and a good quality of life.

Mr. Osborne's closing remarks were clear, simple and realistic. He did not say that Montserrat was nice or safe, or that nobody must tell us how to spend their money. However, he feels strongly that we should explain to our helpers that the people of Montserrat need a break from taxation - even for a short time - so that we could help ourselves to recover.

Not bad stuff from an old politician. Ironically, 23 years ago, while living in the BVI, I listened to a debate on ZJB between John Osborne and the then Chief Minister. Even back then, as now, his vision for a viable Montserrat was clear and simple; yet realistic and compassionate, something the ordinary person could understand and believe. The essence of his vision was, and is, the basic survival needs of the ordinary Montserratian; and if elected, wealth and power can be attained.

I am not trying to sell John Osbornism. In fact, we should not need a 60-year-old man to do the job of a 35- year-old person. Montserrat needs young leaders who must learn and understand the vision for success.

The lesson for future leaders is very simple. It goes like this.

Let the meditation of your heart and the words of your mouth demonstrate that you understand the laws of reciprocal action. Do, and it shall be done unto you. Do, so that humanity can be thankful to you. Be able to show and tell how to achieve the basic survival income of the average family. Be able to consider and to deliver the basic health care needs for the ordinary person. Be able to consider the needs of the average retired person. And be able to consider these things, always in conjunction with escalating cost of living and the commercial environment. Know and understand that the average person, whether a businessman or an employee, is concerned mainly about shelter and survival; not necessarily about the salary of the CM, or the wealth of other businessmen or the power of politicians.

In fact the average person wants only to live in an environment that promises continuity. He wants his children to get a good education. He wants reliable health care. He wants to retire to a good quality of life and still be able to participate in the social and commercial evolution of his environment.

Your political philosophy, therefore, should hinge on the basic needs of the ordinary person; yet it should be clear, simple and realistic.

The timing is now for young, bold persons with political ambition to present themselves. Our present leaders are weary and forlorn; they never captured or assimilated our vision into theirs. They never understood that the ordinary people have needs that are not congruent with the need to retain power or the need to make money out of the volcano. They will never accept that the volcano gave us fears which had nothing to do with any plans to depopulate Montserrat or that we were not only afraid for our lives, but that we were also afraid to live in shelters for an indeterminate time.

Forlorn leaders watch out! Listen to the ZJB vum vum show. The people are becoming awake. They feel choked and deserted. They want more! More jobs, more houses, more economic activity, more relief from high cost of living and better social life.

The people want young leaders with clear, simple and realistic vision, leaders whose goals are attainable and consistent with the needs of the ordinary Montserratian. And of course, leaders with an ambition for political power and wealth.

It was the famous William Shakespeare who once said, "If music be the food of love play on."

Masquerade music and dancing captures the "spirit" of my homeland-Montserrat. This form of culture dates back to the years of slavery. Long ago this art was thought of as a folk ritual performed by the slaves. As time went by and slavery was abolished, masquerade dancing was still performed at Christmas time and on other festive occasions and national functions.

The music, supplied by a fife made from wood or pipe, a kettle drum played with two sticks, a boom drum, a boom pipe, a mouth organ and a shack shack to tunes played have a rich folk or calypso rhythm.

The dancers called masqueraders are dressed in brightly coloured costumes which are decorated with ribbons, small mirrors and bells which jingle as they dance. On their heads is a tall hat and their faces are covered with masques. It is impossible to identify who is behind these masques. They would dance to old folk music or calypso, another kind of music which originated in Trinidad but has spread throughout the Caribbean region. These songs written in dialect tell of people’s lives, historical events and other aspects. Special dances like heel and toe polka, ladies chain and marching in are done to these tunes. As they dance from house to house, village to village they collect gifts of drinks and money.

Today, most of the people who had performed these dances, made the instruments and played these enchanting tunes have grown old, perhaps died or even migrated. This spirit seems to be slowly dying. As a committed Montserratian, I am determined to preserve masquerade as we move towards the 21^st century, thus, keeping the spirit alive.

The art of masquerade dancing should be introduced in schools. Children should learn to heel and toe, play the fife, sing about John Brown Baby - perform masquerade at national functions and festivals. This will surely preserve this spirit and remind us of our history. We can look forward to our future. So let’s ‘play on’ and make the 21^st century a better place to be.

Endometriosis is a condition in which cells similar to those lining the uterus or womb are found growing in the pelvic cavity outside the uterus. The real cause of endometriosis remains unknown and it is not directly linked to anything women do or don not do. However the condition mainly affects women 25-35 years old who have never been pregnant, women who have children at a late age eg after 35 years and about 4% of women in menopause.

Women with endometriosis may have all, some or none of these signs and symptoms.

1. Severe lower abdominal pain 1-2 days before and 2-3 days after periods.
2. Severe period pains.
3. Painful sexual intercourse (or sex)
4. Infertility or inability to get pregnant.
5. Heavy or irregular bleeding.
6. Painful bowel movements with diarrhoea or constipation.
7. Pain when passing urine.
8. Stomach problems, such as bloating, vomiting and bad feeling.
9. Lower back pain, which may radiate down to the legs.
10. Pelvic pains which may or may not be associated with monthly periods.

Some women with severe disease do not have any symptoms and may not know that they have endometriosis until a problem, such as infertility is discovered. The extent of endometriosis has no relationship to the amount of pain women will experience.

A pelvic examination may reveal enlarge ovaries, tender or painful nodules, tender ligaments. The nodules or lesions may reach a size of 1cm or more. Not all lesions associated with endometriosis may be felt during a pelvic examination, therefore more extensive testing must be done.

Unfortunately, an ultrasound cannot be used to diagnose endometriosis so a laproscopy surgery must be done.

Laparoscopy surgery is considered to be a minor surgery with minimal risk and pain. A patient is placed under general anaesthesia or put to sleep and the abdomen is thoroughly inspected through the tiny incision, which is made in the abdomen. The laparoscope enables the physician to guide his way through the abdomen to thoroughly inspect for any signs of endometriosis.

Following the laparscopy surgery the patient may experience minimal pain, but the discomforts associated with surgery usually subsides within 24 hours. If they persist, your doctor or nurse should be contacted.

After thorough examination of the nodules through laparoscoy, the physician or doctor decides on the best course of treatment. Treatment is based on laparoscopy findings such as size and severity of the endometrial nodules. Treatment is also determined by several factors such as age, desire for pregnancy and the nature of signs and symptoms. The treatment may range from analgesic or pain killers eg, Paracetamol, Tylenol to relieve the pain, also aerobic exercises. Hormonal therapy such as progestrogens which prevents the growth of endometrial cells and finally surgery which might include hysterectomy or removal of the uterus or womb.

Come visit our isle, green and sunny,

Where living is sweeter than honey.

Oh, one thing you should know,

Ferry fares will soon grow,

So please plan to spend much more money.

For you who’d invest, here’s our deal,

Incentives with sure-fire appeal.

Some who did so before

Are frustrated and sore,

So please don’t ask them how they feel.

Jus wonderin when the Tourist Board and the Ministry of Communications and Works would solve the crisis at Woodlands Beach road leading to the only beach with reasonable facilities on the island.

Jus wonderin why the Kingdom sent two Woods of different species to beat us into taking their recipe for aid.

Jus wonderin if someone has to fall into the six-foot watery grave behind the theatre in Sweeney’s

Jus wonderin if the donkeys were removed from Lookout and allocated to the residents at Woodlands.

Jus wonderin why a new resident at Lookout is shouting in her sleep for Cudjoe Head after moving into her new home.

Jus wonderin when the Environmental Health Department will tell the garbage collecting company that they have to get enclosed vehicles to prevent things from blowing out.

Jus wonderin if Molyneaux’s mountain will get "a high" from the plants that were growing here.

Jus wonderin why someone has walked away and left their seat.

Jus wonderin why government officials only appear on radio programmes after critical thoughts are expressed in previous programmes they did not participate in.

Jus wonderin why government has to ‘import’ jokers for a one-night show when both sides have them.

        Jus wonderin if government will next finance the creation of our own 'Oliver' type characters.
        Jus Wonderin if charging overseas visitors three times the ferry or air fare is plain racial discrimination.

Jus wonderin how a British taxpayer would feel at being asked to pay such a price in addition to his or her slice of the £75m.

Jus wonderin why that renowned supermarket is requiring people who receive food voucher checks to spend at least half before they would give back change.

        Jus wonderin when we will not have to witness the school bus crammed with children.

Overloaded School Bus