.

Post-evacuation Confusion Fuels Rising Frustration

Chief Minister John Osborne and Governor Longrigg

Following the public meeting at which Governor Longrigg, Chief Minister John Osborne, Montserrat Volcano Observatory director Dr. Peter Dunkley and Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Director Horatio Tuiitt announced and explained the plan to evacuate certain areas flanking the Belham Valley, a Salem Volcanic Crisis Committee (SVCC) was formed .

The committee was formed just days after that public meeting on October 9, 2002. Since then there have been complaints of frustration and refusal by persons, especially of the expat community in Old Towne, to leave the newly extended ‘exclusion zone’.

Some persons explained they refused because the EOC had extended boundary line further north of where the scientists had recommended.

There were also skepticism about the scientists’ three-pronged publicized advice that evacuation might be necessary if certain specified conditions should occur.

The Volcano Executive Group, formed to deal with matters related to the volcano and which meets each week, said in a press release on September 11, 2002, "If there were to be a switch of growth to the north or northwest and material started to spill into the upper reaches of the Belham Valley, measures to evacuate the areas around the valley would need to be put in place at short notice.”

MVO Director, Dr Peter Dunkley and EOC Director, Horatio Tuitt

Up to the time the evacuation was ordered, there had been no report that would satisfy any of the conditions stated above. At the meeting the emphasis had been on the  “speedy growth of the northern vicinity of the dome, but last week Dr. Dunkley told The Montserrat Reporter that indeed prior to the evacuation order the growth did switch northwards and “rocks had been seen in the upper reaches of Tyres Ghaut from the dome.”

Salem Volcanic Crisis Committee

Residents of Salem and the areas ordered evacuated had expressed disappointment at what they described as scant information leading up to the evacuation. Governor Longrigg, however, expressed disappointment at those statements, referring to several press releases that had been issued on the possible evacuation, including the preliminary statement from the Scientific and Hazards Assessment dated 6^th September, 2002.

The SVCC has held several public meetings since its formation and had at least one official meeting with the Governor and the Chief Minister.

At the meeting the Governor explained the lines of control regarding evacuations, which are funded by his office, while the CM explained that "persons who are able to sustain themselves should do so."

While the Governor advised that he had directed the director of the EOC to manage the assistance of the affected persons, it must have been disappointing to hear the CM say that persons affected by the evacuation in any way, "in shelter or out," can go to the Community Services where they will be assessed.

He was told that there was no such thing going on at the department, forgetting that there were people affected immediately who had no expected income for the weeks ahead.

Also at that meeting several matters not directly related to the current evacuation were discussed, concerns over the overall handling of the crisis.

Access to evacuated homes was of great concern. The CM promised that utilities would stay on as long as possible and the Governor said that access would go on while the volcano is quiet (with security advice).

The committee reports that the CM expressed that people in the evacuated areas should be allowed to go in everyday, since he has a house there also and knows the feeling. The Governor, however, dismissed any paper that is signed absolving him of liability as "not worth the paper it is written on," since these persons could later turn around and sue the British Government.

The committee also reported that the Governor told some residents from the Old Towne area, that “he had more power over them than they know.” He told them that the lines of evacuation were drawn with the counsel of the scientist, government and relevant heads.

Advice of safety to visit this week

This week SVCC had already held two meetings, the last on Thursday evening, where it was reported that scientist Dr. Dunkley had advised them that they will be able to go in to visit there homes “this week.” However, they were not allowed to through today. It was announced on Radio Montserrat this morning that entry would be possible tomorrow.

The police, meantime, confirmed that at least three persons, all having property in the newly excluded areas, had been held and cautioned about possible prosecution after they were found in the exclusion zone. One such person was Stephen McNamara, former director at the Montserrat National Trust, who had gone back to his home for obvious reasons as he was due to leave the island the following morning.

The police had met with the SVCC and other members of the public on Monday, when they discussed a 13-point presentation related to “Access to the exclusion zone.” This was a follow-up of a Volcano Executive Group meeting of 21^st October, 2002, at which it had apparently been decided to look into the possibility of “allowing limited access into the exclusion zone on specific days in the week based on the scientific report at the time.”

The points discussed were mostly familiar and in keeping with rules set up throughout the crisis. These included reporting and getting permission from officers at the Salem Police Station and listening for announcements on Radio Montserrat, the wearing of dust masks, and that vehicles will be admitted between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. and 2-5 p.m.

However, up to press time it was reported that only Selsi (the aggregate plan operation) and one other family had received official permission to visit the area.

It has also been reliably reported that some properties were hosting up to 20 or more cattle at a time, causing much damage to the said properties.

It was expected that a meeting at Government House today in the absence of Governor Longrigg, who left the island on personal matters, would be chaired by acting governor Professor Sir Howard Fergus, where some problem issues would hopefully be resolved.

Meantime evacuated residents are expressing serious reservations at what they consider to have been a grossly exaggerated and premature evacuation, to the point of wanting to request a lifting of the evacuation declaration order.

CRM Still Insists Airport At Geralds will be Unsafe

Pilot Ray Tyson explains why the 540/600 metre airport will be unsafe

“The safety use of short landing strips for Twin Otter planes is perfectly adequate for the kind of operations foreseen here," Mr. Richard Wilkinson, a senior official within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), said on his recent visit to Montserrat.

The Committee for the Redevelopment for Montserrat (CRM), however, still strongly opposes this position, calling the airport site at Geralds dangerous to the people of Montserrat and asking the authorities again to revisit the decision before it is too late.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, representatives of the Committee sought once again to highlight the dangers involved in constructing the airport at the proposed sight.

Chairman and Economist of CRM, Mr. Jim Bass, noted that though air transport is necessary for Montserrat, and a new airport is needed, “it has to be fundamentally safe.” “For any airport to be fundamentally safe," he said,  "it has to be located at a site which will allow for runway extension, thus allowing regional aircraft carriers such as Carib Star and Liat, which use mainly the 37 Seated Dash 8, planes to land safely on the airstrip.”

He said the CRM maintains that the proposed runway length of 540 meters -- 755 feet on a 600-foot platform -- is too short for planes to land safely, especially the Twin Otters which is planned to ply the Montserrat -Eastern Caribbean Islands route. Bass said “it is clearly stated in the manufacturing manual that the necessary stopping distance for the Twin Otter is 695 meters / 2,258 ft” and failing to approve the minimum required runway length of 695 meters by the Director of Aviation, can result in his office being charged for breaching international flight regulations.

Mr. Bass said that the Director’s primary job is the safety of the public, “he has no option, and cannot approve anything less for a fully laden Twin Otter aircraft.”

He compared the Governor’s statement about the runway on a radio interview on July 5 2002 to a person's building a house and then asking the physical planning unit for approval after it has been constructed.

The CRM is pleading with the partner’s involved -- the British Government, Government of Montserrat, and the consultants hired, to reconsider before constructing the airport.

Mr. Ray Tyson, engineer and licensed pilot, questioned representatives from the construction firm, Halcrow, on the safety of the design of a 540-meter runway on a 600-meter platform, Company Engineer, Mr. O’Driscoll said, “safety is subjective.”

To that Mr. Bass said that “irrespective of the objective standards and reality that governs runway length, it is what they say, so if they say the runway length is 200 meters, well that will be it, regardless.”

Discussing the need for stringent safety rules and conditions applicable to operation of the design aircraft under the British Civil Airworthiness Regulations (BCARs), Mr. Tyson said that all aircraft registered in the United Kingdom and its territories have to follow this rule.

Since non-UK craft may have to operate into the airport under special standards for airport landing, accelerate-stop conditions will have to be met. Where this is applicable, the use of the reverse pitch for decelerating on landing is prohibited and as such may prevent these types of aircraft from using the airport.

Under certain wind and temperature conditions, he said, takeoff becomes very difficult; with a craft that is fully laden with 19 passengers and cargo, the length of the runway becomes important.

If there are no passengers on board, Mr. Tyson said, except for the crew of two, and enough fuel for Antigua, the emergency distance required to come to a full stop is 612 meters, given the temperature and elevation at Geralds.

Photo from left to right;

Secretary Treasurer, Mr. Hylroy Bramble, Engineer Mr. Ray Tyson, Public Relations Officer, Mr. Julian Romeo and Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Jim Bass.

$4.5-million Police Station Officially Opened at Brades

Montserrat's new $4.5-million Police Station officially opened at Brades Monday, with a ceremony in which it was praised as " a signal that Montserrat is here to stay.”

The words were those of Alan Campbell (pictured left), Manager of the Department for International Development (DFID)-Montserrat, who declared that this and other British-supported projects "are tangible examples of the restoration of the infrastructure and essential facilities needed in Montserrat, and are also vital steps in the right direction towards a more viable island."

Monday's ceremony ended with His Excellency Governor Anthony Longrigg presenting 23 officers with medals for their longstanding service of more than five years.

Another set of awards will be presented tomorrow evening at the annual Police Ball, to those officers who performed commendably over the last year. A final set of awards will be presented on Remembrance Day, November 10, by the Governor in commemoration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee Celebration.

Also addressing Monday's ceremony, Minister of Communication and Public Works Dr. Lowell Lewis said that the new police station fulfils an important aspect of Montserrat’s continued development.

“Critical to the long term survival of the community is the development of the northern most part of the island, which is clearly out of reach of the volcano,” he said.

Dr. Lewis urged the officers to uphold the values of good policing; "displaying integrity and acting within the law at all times, safeguarding the rights of all citizens, acting without fear, favor or prejudice of any kind, being courageous in the face of physical danger or moral challenge, being courteous, tactful and patient and using persuasion, common sense and humor whenever possible as an alternative to the use of force."

Noting that since 1995 the police station has been moved some six times, Commissioner Douglas said that this new location is ideal, as it is in close proximity to the Remand Center, Fire Department, Government Headquarters and the Court House.

“Having the police station so close to these essential service providers is important," he said, "as it affords a more efficient service to the general public and better operational management for the Commissioner, rank and file of the Royal Montserrat Police force.”

Sgt. Winspeare and Sgt. Rueben Meade receive service medals

40 road signs were donated by the Ministry of Communication and Public Works for the Police Road Safety Programme.

In his further remarks, Mr. Campbell pointed out that DFID has assisted in the funding of a number of projects: the Land Development Authority building, the nursery school, fire station, road maintenance, the recently opened warden-assisted housing; the Public Works Department maintenance workshop; St. Johns’ Clinic; the operating theatre, Government Building, Port Work and the new Montserrat Volcanic Observatory (MVO)..

The tender for the police station project was made by J.E. Galloway Construction Ltd. in August 2001. After being awarded the project, construction began in September 2001. Some 43,000-man hours were expended on the project, a total of 800 cubic yards concrete was poured, 7,000 cubic yards soil was excavated and 40,000 lbs. of steel was used.

EDITORIAL

"There are Indeed a Lot of New Buildings, But Look Whose Control They Emphasize"

If the British Government, the Department for International Development, or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, or any other British agency responsible for providing the necessary aid to Montserrat, believes that the current aid (development or otherwise) is adequate, then why don’t they come and administer it?

Before such a proposal is made, there will have to be all kinds of negotiations to guarantee to the Montserrat government and its people that it will not mean the extinction that is so feared.

On Monday this week, at the opening of the new police headquarters in Brades, both Governor Longrigg and Allan Campbell took time in their brief addresses to direct comments regarding the theory that the British government still has an agenda to rid Montserratians from this island. Both asserted that all the buildings and other aid programs are proof of their intention to support Montserrat.

Mr. Campbell: “…they are vital steps in the right direction towards a more viable island helps to send out a signal that Montserrat is here to stay.”

We have no doubt that Montserrat will stay and we need to sell that message loud and clear, but “here to stay” for whom?

No one ever contended that the British Government has not looked after the infrastructure that continues to give them the power of hold and command over the people of Montserrat. School buildings, police stations, prisons, hospitals, even roads, yes. Housing is still a woeful want; electricity and water we better pay for, and we better bring our tax indebtedness up to speed and keep it up.

But what of the development infrastructure, all that has been lost since 1995 through the devastating volcanic crisis? We can begin with the seaport and airport. Their own reports put our loss at £1 billion – so what is 10.5 percent of that?

We have lost half or more of the population, but then you can’t build half an airport or seaport, golf course or anything needed to develop tourism or any industry. The hospital can be smaller, but only so small, since it is expected that when the island begins to develop that the population, say in 10 years, may be even larger than it was before. Of course that must be the vision, as the cold hard truth is we are building a brand new country. Why should we not expect it to be the place of choice for many as it goes on its way?

Who will agree to have someone come in to run things for us? There are some who have little confidence in their own, but put the test will quickly realize the folly of their desire. Who will want to put outsiders in total control. Not when the belief is that this is exactly what may satisfy the strange deviousness that may be occupying their minds; in which case Montserratians then become strangers unwelcome in their own lands.

Way out, weird someone says, but let us try something different. DFID’s announced vision is to "alleviate poverty" around the world. So why should we expect them to understand developmental needs, or even support them? Of course, they have an arm within the department through which they provide developmental aid to other countries all over the world and Caribbean islands - VC Bird airport for example. Last week we noted the forgiveness of loan debt to St. Vincent - all aid and for their development.

But Montserrat is a special case. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office needs to take a much keener and different position, seeking to set up the necessary body that will deal with the Montserrat case. And they have examples they can use – Welsh development… and others.

Until someone can convince them that this would be the way to solve our problem, and until they act, in the alternative, let lady Clare Short visit this island to understand the difference between Montserrat in the Caribbean and any country or region in Africa, we will be looking at the ferry with a saddened hearts.

SCRIPTURE VERSE THIS WEEK

Today and Tomorrow

Read Genesis 1:1-2:3

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24

Even though the Eternal Lord of the Bible is present in all times and beyond time, God is revealed to us in time frames called days.  These are tied to the rising and setting of the sun.  As humans, we exist in time, and that is probably the only way many of us can understand God and keep our lives in perspective.

Despite the unpredictable events occurring in nature and despite my belief that God has a plan for each of our lives, I ignore these when it comes to how I live each day.  Instead, I want to make my life fit into my own long-range goals.  Comfortable with those plans, I don't realize the arrogance I sometimes show in making them.  I even put off living today fully, investing my time and energy in some future I have planned that may never be realized.

However, if I meet my daily obligations to God, family, friends, and neighbors by taking care of where today leads me, I can confidently rely on God for each day and for my entire future.  I will trust God and daily remind myself that with God's help, I will be able to deal with both today and tomorrow.  I find that i can rejoice in the today God has given me, realizing that as today is a blessing, all my tomorrows will be too.

Prayer: O God, you direct the symphony of creation and we are your instrumentalists.  Help us to follow your direction for the good of all your children.  Amen

Thought for the day

Rely on God: pray before planning.

Ron Zeh (New York)

Prayer Focus: TO LIVE TODAY FULLY

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Erupting Mount Etna Still Taken in Stride

Dear Editor,

Europe's most active volcano, Sicily's Mount Etna, roared awake again this week, thrusting magma 300 feet into the air and sending flaming lava 5,000 feet down its northern slope. Excessive ash forced the closing of some schools and the temporary shutdown of an airport, and routine efforts were begun to divert the flow of lava from populated areas.

Catania's thousands of residents were forced to use umbrellas to protect them from falling ash,  to wear masks, and forbidden to ride motorbikes because of ash on the streets.

One area on the mountain, popular with tourists and hikers, was placed off limits. On Tuesday, earthquakes left 1,400 Sicilians homeless.

Meanwhile, countless residents of villages all over Mount Etna's slopes remained in their homes, unchallenged by Italy's experienced National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology.

Were those alert but unconcerned Sicilian villagers subject to the whim of the team of Longrigg, Osborne, Dunkley and Tuitt, most of them probably would be living for the indefinite future in hastily erected tent cities in the fields around Catania.

Where can Mr. Wilkinson's 'Impressive Progress' be Seen?

Dear Editor,

I would like to know what sort of glasses Mr. Wilkinson was wearing when he made the oh so glowing remarks about the "Impressive Progress." I really question this OUTSIDER'S judgment. Is he attempting to back up the bad judgments and ethnocentric statements of the GOM?

May I remind the POLITICAL APPOINTEES from the UK -- that people are being displaced and people cannot return because of political decisions. Just because certain political appointees are frightened of the volcano and what COULD happen -- let me remind these political appointees that adults are very well able to weigh the risks.

A meteor COULD fall from the sky and hit Montserrat.   (Probability ???)

A hurricane COULD hit Montserrat -- Hugo (Probability of that happening again soon??)

A car COULD hit one of the evacuees (probability??)

One of the evacuees COULD drown, be eaten by a shark, choke to death.

If the political appointees think that their careless ethnocentric remarks (anti-American) won't get off the island -- forget it guys -- this is a small world. Unfortunately some of the political appointees from the UK have made it very clear that they have a very low opinion of ALL Americans.

If and when any us of who have been exiled by the politically poor judgment shown by the current APPOINTED Governor of Montserrat do return to the island -- how can things ever be the same?

Since some folks need a bit of reminding -- we are ALL part of the human race. Everyone is an individual and people who classify others on the bases of race, culture, sex, or nationality show a lack of understanding and empathy with the human race.

Perhaps it might be a good time to suggest that the people of Montserrat should have a say in just who the politicians decide to send to Montserrat to play governor. Not everyone has the personality and the flexibility to assume the role of Governor of Montserrat. I would also say that the same goes for the office of Police Commissioner.

Expat

Sicilians Keep an Eye On Erupting Mt. Etna

Dear Editor,

But they weren't evacuated, were they? Day after day, ash upon ash, lava flows and lava bombs, and they weren't evacuated. Tsk, tsk.
Perhaps they should borrow our honourable Governments (both of them), both expert at forcing people out of their homes - to safety.
We don't have daily ash falls. We don't have to walk about with umbrellas to stave off fiery embers. We don't have buildings falling around us from volcanic earthquakes. We wear ash masks perhaps once a year. But we are forced to leave our homes to the elements, our possessions to thieves - all in the name of safety. Or else...
I almost wish that our volcano was doing what Mt Etna is doing right now.
Then, at least, there would be visible reason for the latest evacuation order.
Just my humble opinion.

Shirley Spycalla

FEEDBACK

Reader Abroad Tells Physicist to Butt Out

Dear Editor,

I read Mr. Cooper's article in the Montserrat Reporter. Has anyone ever tried this method, or is this his idea of an experiment? I don't live on the Island but visit often as my family owns real estate there.

I have followed the MVO's progress over the years and feel the people on the Island are in the best hands they could possibly be in. If this idea was ever a possible option in controlling the Volcano, don't you think it would have been attempted? Montserratians have been through enough hard times and the last thing these people need is some "physicist" to step on the MVO's toes, not to mention the Government's, and make these organizations they are depending on look incompetent.

My suggestion to the people of Montserrat is to trust the current organizations working on the volcano progress. It seems their top priority is to keep you safe.

My suggestion to Mr. Cooper? Mind your own business, Einstein.

Name Withheld

John Cooper Replies To 'Name Withheld'

Dear Editor,

I appreciate the response to my letter to the editor of the Montserrat Reporter.  I, in no way, would propose anything that would be dangerous to the people or property of the island of Montserrat. As I mentioned in my letter, the artillery shell technique has been used for decades to mitigate avalanche danger in the Western U.S.  To think that a small artillery shell would set off a cataclysmic event in the volcano is completely ludicrous.  The amount of energy in the shell would only be enough to knock small masses of unstable rock from the dome, thus reducing the size of the dome and the danger of a cataclysmic event.  In addition, by using the artillery technique the direction of the pyroclastic flows can be controlled away from the populated area of the island.

In regard to the MVO, I have nothing against them whatsoever.  However, the MVO is strictly a scientific organization.  Their entire goal is to STUDY the volcano, and to better understand the volcanic processes at work in the mountain.  They have no inclination nor professional desire to in any way CHANGE the natural process that is underway.  This is understandable from a research point of view.  Unfortunately, however unintentional, this research is being conducted at the expense of the people of Montserrat.  While expanding the exclusion zone may keep people safer, it also reduces the quality of life for the citizens of Montserrat.  It comes with gigantic social and economic costs.  Also, simply sitting back and letting the dome grow until the mountain violently erupts again is a recipe for disaster.

To think that an artillery shell represents a larger danger than leaving the mountain to its own destiny is very much like swatting flies while having a wolf bite off your leg.  I would hope the writer would reconsider his opinion in another letter to the editor.  However, he has a right to your opinion and I fully respect that.

As for minding my own business, I must disagree.  If more people used their talents and knowledge to try to improve the living conditions of other people, even if they are half a world away, maybe this world would be a little better place for all of us.  I think even Einstein would agree with that.

John M. Cooper

Dome Control Proposal Merits Funded Testing

Dear Editor,

As someone who has been suggesting the proactive approach of controlling dome growth and direction by selective bombing rather than the present observing, whimpering and panicking course of inaction, I very much applaud the recent letter from John Cooper proposing a dome growth control method.

Would it be too much to ask if some funding in MVO’s next contract be set aside for a serious evaluation of Cooper’s suggestion by a qualified engineer without the usual preconceived closed-minded, ineffectual thinking by the UK Government-backed MVO?

Anthony Y. Simpson

LOCAL NEWS

Police and Fire Week Celebrations Continue

Minister Idabelle Meade distributing medals to the Police and Fire Athletes

Police and firemen on the island celebrated international Police Day last Saturday as part of their annual week of activities. The celebration began with a church service and parade at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Mongo Hill.

Other activities during the week included the opening of the new police station at Brades, sporting competitions, demonstrations, and information sessions.

Children were given lessons and first hand demonstrations of the history of the Royal Montserrat Police Force, Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) technology, fingerprinting methods, fire emergency, video illustrations of the police at work, safety measures they should adhere to, especially whilst home alone, and when crossing roads to avoid traffic and other hazards.

Athletics, basketball, football and volleyball were some of the sporting competitions in which the fire and policemen engaged. For other officers there was a Games Night, featuring dominoes, drafts, darts, Scrabble and Nintendo. were some of the games played.

High visibility patrols were another highlight of the week’s activities, during which high-ranking officers joined their juniors in patrolling the island.

Deputy Commissioner Simon Morson was part of this activity on Thursday. He said, “This activity is important as the officers of both levels get to interact fully with each other; it is the only time they truly get to work with each other at the same level in the fields…  It also gives residents of the community, an opportunity to meet and greet the senior officers of the force, including that of the Commissioners and senior rank who do not usually work in the field.”

Today, the officers will put on a Road Safety show at the Festival Village. They plan to show children their superb driving skills with the fire engines and other vehicles.

The climax of the weeklong celebrations takes place tonight when the police and firemen take to the stage to showcase their talent at a concert at the Bitter End Bar in Little Bay. Many officers will be singing, reading poetry and performing drama amongst other creative art forms.

Tomorrow evening will see the officers out of uniform at the Goodlife Night Club for their annual ball. Officers who performed commendably over the last year will be presented medals by Commissioner of Police Paul Douglas. His Excellency Governor Anthony Longrigg will also present the Queens’ Jubilee Awards to those deserving officers. This presentation is the second of two award ceremonies; the first was held on Monday at the opening of the Brades Police Station. The final presentation of awards will be given out on Remembrance Day, November 10.

Monies collected from the Concert and the Dinner and Dance will go toward charitable organizations.

The curtains come down on Sunday, when everyone will head to the Little Bay Beach for a big Bar-B-Que and fun day.  

Nurses Mark Annual Day With Food Basket Gifts

Saturday, Oct. 26, was Caribbean Nurses Organization Day and local nurses joined their colleagues in celebrating the day by spreading good cheer to the elderly.

The local nurses banded into groups and went to various communities, where they distributed food baskets to the elderly. Ernest Cassell of Lookout and Thomas Allen of St. Peters were among those who received food hampers.

Mrs. Roslyn Tuitt, President of the Montserrat Nurses Association, told The Montserrat Reporter, “Every year, the local arm of the organization does something different for the people of Montserrat, be it the children or the handicapped.” This year they chose the elderly folk.

The nurses themselves donated the food hampers. Twelve persons received hampers, for which they said they were extremely happy and thankful.

Thomas Allen assisted by Velma Cabey receiving food hamper from President, Roslyn Tuitt

Team Picture, from left to right; Education Chairperson- Icilda Stanley. Treasurer- Sharmen West, Entertainment Chairperson- Violet Brown, Secretary, Noleen Meade, PRO – Gwendolyn White, Vice President – Velma Cabey, President -Roslyn Tuitt,

Ham Radio Team Logs 7,600 Contacts in 48 Hrs.

Mr. Ronald Stuy and his team from the Netherlands Sunday finished their international ham radio operator competition from Montserrat on Sunday, pleased that they had made 7,600 contacts.

Competing from Montserrat as their base for the first time, Mr. Stuy said they were expecting to make some 5,000 contacts but surpassed the mark by 2,600.

They will have to wait until December, however, to find out whether they won in the category of (the Multi Single, Multi Operator Class), for making the most contacts worldwide, since it takes two months for the organizing committee to tally the results.

In the meanwhile, Mr. Stuy and his friends have remained in Montserrat for another week, relaxing on the beaches and just having fun. 

Each ham radio operator competitor has to make the fastest and most radio contacts possible; that is done by exchanging identification through a number of zones.  There are 40 zones, Montserrat being zone eight.

The winner is determined by the most contacts he or she makes within the specified time of competition. This year’s allotted time was 48 hours. Every competitor has a unique code, which is used to identify the area from which contact is being made.

CQ, the Radio Society of the United States of America, sponsored this year’s competition.

Pacesetters Ready Two Shows For 40^th Anniversary Festival

The Pacesetters Sports and Cultural Club have finalized their Calendar of Events for this years’ Festival celebrations. The Club will hold two major fund raising activities - the Prince and Princess Pageant and the Calypso Queen Show.

The first event will be held on Dec. 15 at Festival Village, the second on Dec. 22.

Five boys and girls between the ages of five and seven years will be competing for the Prince and Princess  titles. The children will be competing in two segments – talent and evening wear; they will also participate in a tribute to the 40^th anniversary of the Festival.

President of the Club, Rachel Collis said, “ The public’s response has been very good for this year’s show”, since all the children have been sponsored. and the children are working hard at practicing their talent pieces”.

Eight young women have registered so far for the Calypso Queen Show, including seasoned calypsonians and first-time participants. Both shows are expected to have a number of guest performers, both local and overseas.

Two charitable events will also be held during this year’s Festival -- one for the less fortunate children and one for senior citizens.

On December 23, the North Carolina Chapter, along with the local chapter of the Pacesetters, will give the children toys. On December 26, local entertainers and the winners of the two shows will perform for the senior citizens of the Hillview and Garling Homes; the senior citizens will also be presented with gifts.

Club members will be presenting their “Harem Dancers” dance troupe this year. The curtains come down on January 1, with the street parade through the city to the village.

Persons wishing to join the Pacesetters in ‘playing mas’ can contact Ms. Rachel Collis.

ECCB Exchange Rate Remains $2.70 to US$1

Member countries of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank have recommitted to maintaining the value of the exchange rate at EC$2.70 to US$1.00. This came Tuesday as the ECCB Monetary Council concluded its 46^th Meeting, which was held at the Paradise Cove Resort in Anguilla.

The Council, which was chaired by Honourable Anthony Botswain, Minister of Finance, Grenada, noted that developments in the global economy continued to dampen growth in the region, with a projected contraction of 0.1 percent in economic activity for 2002.

Council was informed of the developments in money and credit, which indicated the sluggish performance of the economies during the period. Currency in circulation and demand deposits, which are considered to be highly correlated with spending in the economy, contracted. Growth in total domestic credit continued to be sluggish, reflecting a fall in credit to households.  In this environment, liquidity in the banking system remained strong and net foreign assets expanded rapidly.

On the issue of interest rates, it was agreed that the minimum interest rate on savings deposits be maintained at 3 percent, and the ECCB discount at 7 percent.

Council noted that preliminary data for the first nine months of 2002 indicated deterioration in the fiscal performance of governments.  In light of this, Council agreed to urge member Governments to commit to the adoption of fiscal targets and the urgent implementation of stabilization programmes to address the current fiscal imbalances.

As a means of promoting vibrant and liquid markets within the currency union, the Monetary Council agreed to urge member Governments to place their next Treasury bill issues on the Regional Government Securities Market.

ECCB Monetary Council

Council further agreed to encourage member governments to privatize eligible public companies in an effort to increase the potential number of listed institutions on the Eastern Caribbean Securities Market, and to instill a greater shareholding culture among the population.

In order to bring a private sector perspective to the policy deliberations of the Bank, Council agreed to the establishment of a Private Sector Consultative Group.

The ECCB Monetary Council is the highest decision making body of the Bank and meets three times a year.  The next meeting of Council is scheduled for February 28, 2003, in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

REGIONAL NEWS

Antigua & Barbuda Mark 21 Years of Independence

Antigua, CMC - Antigua and Barbuda celebrates its 21^st anniversary of political independence today, expressing confidence that its citizens had achieved much in contrast to other developing countries.

Prime Minister Lester Bird said in a nationwide radio and television broadcast that his country had enjoyed 21 years of socio-economic growth and that "while there have been intense political disagreements and deep dissension amongst the political parties, the rights of every person have continued to be respected and upheld."
Mr. Bird said, "We have enjoyed 21 years of relative peace and prosperity. We have experienced 21 years of growth of the economy." He acknowledged the only setback, in 1995 when the island was battered by Hurricane Luis, that "destroyed three years of our GDP in thirty-six hours."
He said that according to the 2002 United Nations Human Development Report, in the 25 years between 1975 and 2000, Antigua and Barbuda's averaged annual per capita growth was 4.6 percent, "one of the highest growth rates in the world." 

"Democracy thrives in our nation," Mr. Bird said, as does relative prosperity."
But he urged "on this our 21st anniversary of independence" that "set aside the destructive nature of personal animus and strive instead for the constructive goal of national consensus."
"We are not a community of enemies; we are countrymen and women, born of the same experience, brought up with common ambitions for a free life in a land that we share and love. Though passion may have strained our capacity for discourse, it must not break our bonds of common birth and shared experience," he said.

 Multi-Agency Committee on Domestic Violence will conduct a training workshop

Anguilla - The two day workshop from November 4 to 5, will be facilitated by Ms. Jacquie Burgess from the Regional Secretariat of the Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action, CAFRA.

 The workshop is the first in a series of activities being launched during the month of November leading up to the celebration of International Day Against Violence, Against Women on November 25^th.

 The Committee is planning a mass rally for that day under the theme ‘Voices Against Domestic Violence’ .  It is also working with the National Council of Women to bring the production of ‘Love Me To Death,’ a play on domestic violence to Anguilla.

 The Multi-Agency Committee on Domestic Violence is a coalition of representatives from various governmental and non-governmental organisations.

 The group emerged out of the Domestic Violence Intervention Training Propect, which facilitated the training of some one hundred and twenty persons last year.

The Government of Anguilla and the Department for International Development are currently working to prepare a project to support the needs of education and youth on the island.

The project will have three components.

The first is quality and standards in the education system,  a second is vocational, adult and continuing education while the third component will deal with youth out of school and those in need of care and special protection.

According to the terms of reference for the project, disruptive, aggressive and potentially criminal behaviour has been increasingly problematic for the schools, particularly Campus B of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School.

There are also issues surrounding exclusion and the needs of vulnerable young people, including teenage mothers and victims of violence and other abuse.

Dr. Dessima Williams, an Advisor in human rights with DFID since 1998 is in Anguilla  in connection with the project.

She is providing technical assistance to the Departments of Social Development and Education in the implementation of the new system to meet the needs of children and youth outside of the formal education system.

The output of the Consultancy will be designed to feed into the preparation of an education/youth sector project, scheduled to commence early in the new year.

103-year-old Honored As Nevis' Oldest Person

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis -- The Ministry of Social Development, Community and Gender Affairs paid respect on Wednesday to the Federation’s oldest person, 103-year-old Mrs. Lillian Ida Jeffers, at an award ceremony held at the Senior Citizens Home in Gingerland.

Speaking at the function, the Honourable Rupert Herbert, Federal Minister responsible for Social Development, Community and Gender Affairs, said “We in this federation care about our old people.  We care about them because they are the ones who have laid the foundations for the progress that St Kitts and Nevis has made over the years.”

Mrs. Jeffers was born on February 10, 1899, and later gave birth to twelve children.  She has no impediments and takes no medication. A member of the family her long life to her vegetarianism, not eating between meals and praying before each meal.   Mrs. Jeffers still has a strong voice and can recite the books of the Bible from beginning to end. 

BBC Acknowledges Libelling Of Lester Bird, Pays £50,000

LONDON -- The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) apologised Thursday in Open Court to Prime Minister Lester B. Bird of Antigua and Barbuda for a libel that was broadcast on the BBC’s Today Programme on Radio 4, the BBC World Service, and published on the BBC’s Americas site on the Internet on 5^th and 6^th July this year.

The apology was made in the High Court in London before Mr. Justice Gray and, according to a Reuters report, the Prime Minister accepted £50,000 ($77,980) libel damages from the BBC on Thursday over allegations he trafficked arms and drugs and "expropriated" millions of dollars from his country.

The Reuters report further stated that Mr. Bird's lawyer, Tom Shields, told the judge the prime minister had been concerned that his country's image and tourism industry could have been harmed by the allegations.
 He said the allegations, which included claims that Mr. Bird had taken more than $200 million from health care funds and spent it on parties, presents, foreign trips and cosmetic surgery for friends and colleagues, were unfounded and offensive.
In its apology, the BBC unreservedly accepted that Mr. Bird was not guilty of any such conduct.  It also withdrew its statement that Mr. Bird had been involved in gunrunning or drug trafficking.

The BBC has agreed to pay damages to Prime Minister Bird and to pay his legal costs.  It also broadcast an apology on BBC Radio 4 at 7.00 a.m. and on the BBC World Service at 12 noon and 1.00 p.m. GMT today..

Belize to Crack Down On Criminal Deportees

BELMOPAN, Belize -- Belizean deportees who fail to report at the times specified by the Commissioner of Police will be prosecuted effective November 1, 2002, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs This follows police reports of an increasing number of criminal deportees failing to report, thus, necessitating stricter enforcement.
Under Summary Jurisdiction Offenses legislation, criminal deportees are required to report at the discretion of the Commissioner of Police. Failure to do so could result in the offender being tried by a magistrate and on conviction fined or imprisoned.
The police department will first publish in the print media, names and photographs of criminal deportees who fail to report. Those offenders will be subsequently charged and sentenced by the courts.

Arrest of Jamaican, 92, For Marijuana Decried

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies Professor Barry Chevannes has expressed outrage at the recent case of a 92-year-old man, who was arrested and taken to court for smoking a marijuana joint.
Professor Chevannes, who chaired the National Commission on Ganja (marijuana), describes the arrest of 92-year-old Egbert Williams on August 30 as a ridiculous attempt to suppress the folk culture of the Jamaican people.
"It therefore is useless and pointless unless it is for sheer malice and victimisation to arrest and charge a 92-year-old man for such a simple office. There is nothing morally wrong with this man smoking a spliff (marijuana joint); the only thing wrong is that it is still on the law books," said Mr. Chevannes.
Mr. Williams was arrested during a police raid of his house in Golden Spring in southern St. Andrew. When he initially appeared in court he pleaded not guilty, asserting that he did not smoke. He was scheduled to return to court on Monday to answer the marijuana-possession charge.
However the case took a tragic turn earlier this month when the senior citizen died after suffering a stroke. Public Defender Howard Hamilton, who had taken up the case on behalf of  Mr. Williams, said he would be appearing in court to officially inform the court of his client's death.
The Ganja Commission, which handed in its report to Prime Minister P.J. Patterson in August 2001, has recommended, among other things, that the possession of small quantities of marijuana for personal use be decriminalised.

Edward Seaga Hints End of His JLP Rule

Jamaica, CMC - Edward Seaga, leader of the opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), on Sunday gave his clearest indication to date of his intention to step down, after 28 years at the helm of the JLP.
In an address to the nation, the 72-year-old Seaga stopped short of giving the exact timetable for his departure from political life but said it was only at the request of the party that he had agreed "to continue to serve as leader until there can be a change of leadership so that we can pursue a smooth course of effective team leadership."
Well-placed sources within the JLP also said that Mr. Seaga has confirmed to the party that the October 16 general election was his last.
Mr. Seaga, who served as prime minister here between 1980 and 1989, now has the
unenviable record of four consecutive general election defeats under his leadership.
Both he and the JLP have been reviewing alternatives.
In the months leading up to the October 16 general election, there was widespread speculation that Audley Shaw, one of the party's four deputy leaders, would succeed Mr. Seaga as leader of the party.
But with the recent re-entry of Bruce Golding into the JLP fold, after leaving the party in 1995 to form his own political party, Mr. Golding now seems as the heir apparent, although a party rule which dictates that anyone running for the leadership of the party must serve on the party's Central Executive for a year, could rule him out as a contender in the immediate future.
Mr. Seaga seems prepared to hang on to make way for Mr. Golding.
In fact, he said, before he gives up leadership of the JLP  he is hoping to take the party to a long-awaited electoral success, as the country prepares for Local Government elections, due in March 2003.

Trinidad to Tighten Laws To Combat Kidnapping

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - The Trinidad and Tobago government is moving to tighten legislation dealing with kidnappings here, even as police continue their search for a 33-year-old businesswoman abducted from her home last week.
National Security Minister Howard Chin Lee told a Police Service passing out parade last weekend that new laws were being drafted making it impossible for persons arrested on kidnapping charges to be granted bail.
He said the drafting of the new legislation was "high on government's legislative agenda as we seek to criminalise the demand for ransom and to authorise financial institutions to provide confidential financial information to the police in kidnapping cases".
A ransom of TT$3 million (US$500,000) has been demanded for the release of businesswoman Kaloutie Jenny Singh Godeck, who was abducted from her home on Tuesday, becoming the 24th victim of a kidnapping here since the start of the year.
Relatives have appealed to the abductors to release Godeck, whose recently purchased white BMW had been found on a street near her residence in Central Trinidad.
Mr. Chin Lee said that the Government was also moving towards new legislation that would authorise the Police Commissioner to "remove from office and exercise disciplinary control over police officers".
He said "a world class forensic centre" was also to be established that would "provide scientific support to law enforcement agencies through full-scale crime investigations." 

St. Vincent Marks 23 Years Of Political Independence

KINGSTOWN, ST. Vincent, CMC - Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has told
Vincentians that they have much of which they can be proud, as the island marks its 23rd anniversary of political independence.
In an address to the nation on Sunday, Gonsalves said the presence here of many distinguished representatives from far and near and the dozens of congratulatory messages received from governments and international organisations across the globe were testimony "to the very high and growing esteem in which this nation, its people and its leaders are held".
"Vincentians justifiably walk more proudly now, more than ever, at home and abroad, with full knowledge that the nation together has forged a correct path; that our people are increasingly focused on achieving their worthy individual and national goals; and that the nation's leaders are honest, open, transparent, hardworking, visionary and practical and God-fearing," he said.
Even in the face of challenging times, Dr, Gonsalves said, Vincentians could afford to walk with "an extra bounce in our step, a more glowing gleam in our eyes, a more thoughtful twist to our actions, a more seriousness to our deeds".
Among activities held Monday to commemorate the independence anniversary were a steelpan concert at Calliaqua, about four miles outside of the capital Kingstown, and a Sports Festival at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex, close to the airport.

BWIA workers agree to help save airline, but with conditions

Trinidad, CMC-Workers of the cash strapped national airline BWIA agreed on Thursday to plans for restructuring the company, but warned that they would only do so "as far as practicable" and within the laws of Trinidad and Tobago.

Unions representing some of BWIA's estimated 2,400 workers said that staff members had voted on Wednesday night for a number of measures outlined by the company as part of the overall plan to cut its non-labour costs by US700, 000 dollars monthly and reduce monthly concession payments by US300, 000 dollars.

"We are shareholders of the airline and we do not want to see it close down,," one union official said, noting, however, that further discussions with BWIA management were needed in order to ensure the survival of the 63 year old airline.

Unions representing pilots and other workers were on Thursday holding discussions with BWIA management on the issue.

On Wednesday night, President of the Airline Pilots Association Simon Kelshall said the pilots were willing to accept a combination of the company 's proposals and their own.

"We are doing all we can as employees. It is now up to the financiers, creditors, and the lender of last resort - the government," Kelshall said.

But the union representatives on Thursday said, "at the end of the day, the management will have to look at all the proposals and discuss at their board meeting due tomorrow (Friday), what to do next.

Representatives of the Aviation Communication and Allied Workers Union (ACAWU), the Communication and Allied Workers Trade Union and the Superintendents Association attended Thursday's news conference.

In some instances, the unions say the workers had agreed to forgo a salary increase during the life of the current collective agreement that still has two years to go.

But the workers were indicating "that whatever we give up will kick back in in 2004", adding "basically we have an agreement from our membership on what we are willing to give up".

The unions say they have also proposed being part of a "watchdog committee" that will monitor the revenue and expenditures of the company, insisting that the present management must allow for more transparency in the efforts to save the airline.

BWIA has said that its bleak financial position was compounded by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States that also resulted in a downturn in travel.

The Patrick Manning administration that in 1995 privatised the loss making carrier has already indicated that "Government would not be BWIA's first port of call" preferring instead to await moves by the major stakeholders, including the employees to decide on its future.

"We will and cannot afford to, until we feel comfortable that the management and workers of that airline realise the reality, and contribute to the continuation of that airline," warned Trade and Industry Minister Kenneth Valley, who presided over the privatisation project in 1995.

BWIA said it was confident that an agreement for its viable restructuring could be reached by the October 31 deadline, even as the airline admitted that it expected to lose an estimated  US 13 million dollars in 2002.

As of June this year, the airline's consolidated net loss for the year to date stood at US 8.86 million as compared to a net profit of 6.04 million for the first six months of 2001.

As a result BWIA has made 40 of its 215 pilots redundant, reduce its fleet of five aircraft types to two, namely 737's and Airbus 340s, doing away with the Dash 8 and purchasing two additional Boeing 737s to bring the fleet to two Airbuses and eight 737s. The airline has also given up the lease on the MD83s and is selling the L10s that it wholly owns.

In addition, it has forced its Board of Directors and senior officers into a pay cut.

According to the unions, the airline flight attendants had agreed to some of the measures including a reduction in stay over time on international flights.

However they indicated that there were some measures including a reduction in the 35-day annual leave and increased working hours they felt "fell outside the legislation of Trinidad and Tobago."

The flight attendants also said they were open to alternative measures by the company on the issue of cost cutting measures.

"We have agreed to some of the concessions, we feel that's the best we could do at the moment," a representative of the unions representing the flight attendants told reporters.

But even as the workers were indicating their willingness to assist the airline recover, the Communication Transport and General Workers Union in a full page advertisement in Thursday newspapers, described BWIA as "a company in crisis."

The union said that it had sent a letter to Prime Minister Manning "requesting a meeting with him to appraise him of the unions position and to express our opinions as to what steps our Government should take bearing in mind that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is the single largest shareholder of BWIA", with 49 per cent of the company's shares.

Antigua Asks How Sniper Suspect Obtained Passport

Compiled from dispatches

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua - Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Lester Bird ordered an independent panel on Monday to investigate how U.S. sniper suspect John Allen Muhammad got a passport from the Caribbean nation and whether he sold forged identity documents.

A press release issued Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that on July 4, 2000, Antigua and Barbuda passport No. 0118115 was issued to John Allen Williams who was born at Sara Mayo Hospital, New Orleans, on 31 December 1960.
Muhammad, 41, and John Lee Malvo, 17, were arrested last week in the sniper attacks that killed 10 people and wounded three in the Washington area over a three-week period starting on Oct. 2.

Virginia charged them on Monday with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit terrorist acts and Maryland has charged them with six counts each of first-degree murder. They also face charges in other jurisdictions.

Muhammad, who changed his name from John Allen Williams when he converted to Islam, lived in Antigua a year or two ago. He brought his three children here during a custody dispute upon divorcing their mother, published reports said. Malvo, whom he introduced as his son, also lived with Muhammad in Antigua, former neighbors said.

The government of Antigua and Barbuda said that Muhammad obtained a passport in Antigua in July 2000, submitting documents that showed his mother was born there. The woman he listed as his mother, Eva Ferris, was his daughter's fourth-grade schoolteacher and was unrelated to him, Ferris' relatives said.

Prime Minister Lester Bird asked the nation's attorney general on Monday to create an independent panel to investigate how Muhammad got the passport and said the investigators would be given access to police, immigration and passport records.

the investigators would be given access to police, immigration and passport records.

On Wednesday, two special agents of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations began work with local law enforcement officials in the continued investigations into Mohammad.

Special Agents John Groesher and Norman Embry are working with two senior members of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Truehart Smith assured Attorney General Mrs. Gertel Thom and Minister Responsible for the Police the Hon. Steadroy Cutie Benjamin, that the Police Force will be readily available to assist. 

The Task Force established by the Attorney General began its investigations Tuesday. It was expected to present an Interim Report today and a final report within 45 days.

Prime Minister Bird said, "It is bad enough that Antigua has been associated with the suspected sniper John Allen Williams, it is now very important that we ensure that our system for granting passports is as secure as possible."

"In the process of the investigation, the system of issuing passports to persons who claim nationality by descent should be examined, and recommendations made on methods to improve it," he said.

Mr. Bird said the Task Force would also investigate press reports that Muhammad sold forged or fraudulent Antigua and Barbuda passports to prospective immigrants. He said Muhammad was detained for hours at Miami International Airport in April 2001 when immigration inspectors suspected he was using false documents and trying to smuggle two Jamaican women into the country. The women were deported, and Muhammad was not charged.

Antigua and Barbuda's immigration records also reveal that John Allen Williams reappeared in the country on 20 May, 2001, and spent a month at the Pineapple Beach Hotel in the capital.

Malvo, a Jamaican citizen, had entered the United States illegally with his mother, Una James, investigators in Bellingham, Washington, discovered in December. They were allowed to stay in the country pending deportation hearings.

In Jamaica, Foreign Affairs Minister K.D. Knight met with U.S. Ambassador Sue Cobb during the weekend and pledged continued cooperation with U.S. officials investigating the sniper attacks.

Malvo was born Lee Boyd Malvo at a Kingston hospital on Feb. 18, 1985, but had not lived in Jamaica for several years, the Jamaican government said. 

Jamaica's New Cabinet Has Only One New Face

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - Prime Minister P.J. Patterson on Friday afternoon announced the composition of his 16-member cabinet in which old faces from previous People National Party (PNP) administrations featured predominantly.
The only new addition was Aloun Assamba, the PNP's successful candidate in the constituency of South East St. Ann in the October 16 general election. She has been assigned to the newly combined Ministry of Industry and Tourism.
As was expected, Dr. Omar Davies retained his old job as Minister of Finance and Planning, while Portia Simpson Miller was given the Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Sports and Robert Pickersgill, the Ministry of Transport and Works.
Dr. Peter Phillips also retained his job as Minister of National Security, which he held in the previous administration, while Roger Clarke remains as Agriculture Minister.
After taking a year's leave from the cabinet, Dr. Paul Robertson returns but with a new assignment. He takes on the newly created Ministry of Development, in Office of the Cabinet while Maxine Henry Wilson takes over responsibility for the Ministry of Education.
Senator Burchell Whiteman is the new Minister of Information, while John Junor remains as Minister of Health and A.J. Nicholson stays as Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
Phillip Paulwell has been named minister in the newly created Ministry of Commerce, Science and Technology.
The Ministry of Water and Housing goes back to Donald Buchanan, while Horace Dalley goes to Labour and Social Security.
The Prime Minister has also assigned the Ministry of Land and Environment to Dean Peart, while The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade remains with K.D. Knight.
Friday's announcement follows an unprecedented fourth victory by the People' s National Party in October 16 general elections here. The party claimed 34 of the 60 seats at stake in the poll, with the remainder going to the opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
Following Wednesday's swearing in of Prime Minister P.J Patterson for a historic third straight term, the remaining members of the new cabinet will be sworn in on Saturday with ministers of state to be announced next week.

Mt. Etna Begins to Calm, Quakes Hurt Even More

Mount Etna appeared calmer Wednesday, but a cloud of ash hung over the Sicilian city of Catania and small quakes were still shaking the mountain, Europe's largest and most active volcano.
In Santa Venerina, a town hard hit by a strong tremor Tuesday, several hundred people spent the night in tents, hotels or in cars, in case their homes had suffered structural damage during the quake, said Carmela Floreno, a civil defense official in Catania.
Many buildings in the small town, which lies at the foot of the volcano, were declared unsafe by authorities and evacuated.
"One church bell tower in the town was badly cracked ... and could collapse," Ms. Floreno said. Hundreds of homes, churches and other buildings would be inspected for structural damage, she said.
Etna's tremor activity appeared to have "stabilized" Wednesday, the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said in a statement. Three minor earthquakes struck the area during the night, but none came close to Tuesday's main tremor, which had a 4.4 magnitude. Meanwhile, Catania and smaller nearby towns were assessing the damage caused by a series of quakes that hit the area in the wake of the volcano's eruption.
In Catania the airport remained closed as ash continued to pour onto the city, albeit in smaller quantities than in previous days. Since the eruption started Sunday, the lava has flowed more than halfway down the sides of the 11,000-foot high mountain.
In 1669, a huge eruption destroyed Catania, on Sicily's eastern coast. Etna's last major eruption was in 1992.

SPORTS

FEATURES

COMMENTARY

Why Are They Being Paid Twice?

By Montserratian at Heart

Montserrat economy is as dead as a doornail. Nothing going on. Not even the rent. I can't pay my rent and the Government is not being paid their rent either.

And just in case you think that is bad, I want you to know that it seems like if you want any kind of work in this place, whether you are a card-carrying party supporter or not, you got to come up with the bucks. Yeah, you got to pay some money under the table.

Look at this thing. My friend told me about this guy who does equipment repair and accounts work. He can't get even a crumb of work. And it is not that he is incompetent. Is not that he overcharges. In fact his charges are better than who is always employed. And his work is just as good. But it looks like he has to learn how to pay money under the table.

In fact let me really say this out straight. It is not my own experience, but I have heard tell that paying money under the table is the order of the day. In fact my friend reminded me that we both had heard tell of folks trying to shake down other folks in the construction industry. And then we both agreed that this is the career choice of some folk and that these same folk were being paid to carry out these tasks, so why are they demanding to be paid twice for a job that they are already doing badly in the first place?

But then maybe that is what they meant by plenty love and money. Maybe is all about how the Mafia guys just love plenty money.

Now let us talk about taxes. Who is this Shylock that Her Majesty's government sic on us? And why are we letting this person embarrass our people? I have investigated it and I understand that we can sue the Government for placing our property up for sale without first attempting to inform us that this was their intent. And even if I am wrong is what kind of Government we have, when they want to sell your $200,000 property because you owe them $20,000 tax? What inhumane unchristian nincompoop would do a thing like that? And don’t listen to the Government nonsense about how it is Britain makes them do that. So where are their balls? They can just say no. This is similar to asking you to take drugs. What is wrong is wrong.

You tink the little British Bulldog don’t see how nutten a go on in a dis ya country?

Worse yet they still refusing to give people tax exit certificates. And you can't discuss the issue with the boss because is only junior staff you getting to talk to. This is unacceptable. Especially when you have conducted no business for the past three years and they telling you some crap about making returns from 1995. And they know you not doing any business.

Let us tell the Government to go harass all the people up there in England and out there in Antigua for the tax they owe too. We here in all this stress trying to keep body and soul together, building house, trying to rebuild a business and trying to rebuild a country. And all some idiot or idiots keep trying to do is to frustrate us into taking up bed, bag and child and retire to cold drab England.

Something wrong in Montserrat. Plenty wrong things going on and it would seem that no one or nothing can stop it. I know that we have the little call in program on Radio Montserrat on the Tuesday night and a couple of us get to sound off. But when you have trained scientist going down to stand up by riverbed and say how 8 foot waves coming down Belham Ghaut and he still here to tell the tale, you know we got trouble. I say that the Government was premature in extending the exclusion zone. And more than that I could bet any one anywhere that even this time next year ain’t nothing going happen that going to impact Belham Valley. In the mean time, our Xmas festival done close down and the Villas and the Hotel shut down and the employees all gone to England.

So you want me to believe that this don’t have something to do with a conspiracy to screw our little island and its couple thousand inhabitants?

I keep saying is time for the people to get up and stand up for their rights. Its time to go fight the good fight.

When you look around and you see how many cruel and wicked people we have here trying to push us into early graves or have us once again make the voluntary evacuation trek to England, you have to agree with the old age adage that only the good die prematurely. Because there are a lot of people right now right here who have no sense of decency or goodwill towards their fellow men and who still getting two salary, one on top the table and the other under the table.

Tourism Highlights

Research And Awareness Campaign For Sealing And Sinking Of Time Capsule

Earlier this week The Montserrat Tourist Board commenced its research and awareness campaign in preparation for the Sealing and Sinking of a Time Capsule.  This momentous occasion will be part of the Tourism Week of Activities for 2003.

So far, the Brades Primary School and The Rotary Club were among the first to be sensitized about this idea.  Further meetings/discussions will soon be held with other groups and members of the general public during the awareness period.

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THIS EVENT!!!

Antigua’s Gabrielle Martin Wins Conde′ Nast Traveller Essay Contest

FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA, (October 30, 2002) – Antigua student Gabrielle Martin has won the 2002 Conde′ Nast Traveler “My Caribbean Essay Contest.”  This announcement was made on Tuesday October 29, 2002 at an awards presentation at the 25^th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-25).

Jaikarran of Guyana and Tianna Charles of British Virgin Islands were the first and second runners up respectively.  Grand Prize Winner, Martin, received a $2000.00 scholarship and will be flown to the World Travel Market Trade Show in November 2002, courtesy of Conde′ Nast Traveler and American Airlines.  Her winning essay will be featured in the November issue of Conde′ Nast Traveler Magazine.  The runners up each received a $500 prize and certificate.

A finalist was chosen from each of the islands with Montserrat’s finalist being Opal Skerritt of the St. Augustine Primary School.  Twenty seven (27) finalists representing almost all the islands in the Caribbean travelled to CTC-25.  Each child and a chaperone flew courtesy of American Airlines to the Conference on Grand Bahama Island where they participated in a three-day workshop after which they were all awarded for their creative work in preparing their essays.

For the past 10 years Conde′ Nast Traveler and American Airlines have been sponsoring the “My Caribbean Essay Contest” in conjunction with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO).

The magazine has been helping to educate children on every island on the importance of tourism in their country.  This year, children from CTO member countries were asked to submit a 250-word essay on the topic “What Would You Tell a Visitor To See and Do On Your Island?”

Conde′ Nast Traveler’s “My Caribbean Essay Contest” event sponsors include American Airlines, Royal Oasis Golf Resort and Casino, UNEXCO, Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort, Grand Bahama Island Magazine, The Islands of the Bahamas, and the Port Lucaya Market Place.

Governor Overreact

It is said Tony L. is psychotic

His rulings have been so chaotic

He’s been acting on whim

Let’s get rid of him

And get one not quite so quixotic.

                          Pasquinata 

VOLCANO LIMERICKS

Noblesse Oblige

The Governor's stress is so great

His helpmate has sought to create

Some restful distractions

To calm his reactions

To issues she ranks second-rate.

On Second Thought

The airport co-funding was set

At 42 million we'd get;

So now there's a balk,

And why the new talk

That Montserrat go into debt? 

JUS WONDERIN

Jus wonderin if the community supported the police and firemen week.

Jus wonderin if the police them deserve the community’s recognition.

Jus wonderin they didn’t practice why some of them were so clumsy in their baton swinging show.

Jus wonderin wha them Police tell them superiors Thursday morning bout the island wide patrol.

Jus wonderin how much singing canaries we’ll see on Friday night.

Jus wonderin how much people go and buy a new dan-dan for ball.

Jus wonderin why dem new reporter don’t get outta people faces.

Jus wonderin why that guy asked the first Indian looking girl he see in the cook shop Montserrat if she does wuk at Rams.

Jus wonderin why the man in the supermarket want to know how the newspaperman does employ dem pretty girls.

Jus wonderin why some employee does dress so sexy to wuk.

Jus wonderin is who eye them trying fuh fatten.

Jus wondering if a minister gets his gas fuel direct from the bulk station.

Jus wonderin if it is true that one relocated high government official gets full rental assistance while poor and other residents get none.

Jus wonderin why all them local boys does trouble them new chicks in town.

Jus wonderin how long this new chick will be around for and if she can withstand the pressure

Jus wonderin where the CM will relocate to this time if he didn’t run to London.

Jus wonderin why everybody don’t just go north and done so dem build house past Drummonds.

Just wonderin why CRM screaming so hard for safety.

Jus wonderin if them no think that the new airport goin build at Gerald, regardless wha them say.

Jus wonderin if they will have a new airport before 2010.

Jus wonderin why the politicians and scientist don’t stop playin the volcano.

Jus wonderin who dem people be who move to the shelters when they didn’t have to.

Jus wonderin if some people smart that some now have no job and have no money and them wid their job and safe house now don’t have to pay bills.

Jus wonderin how long them people go live in shelters.

Jus wonderin why them scientists don’t the  advice and blow the dome of de volcano off.

Jus wonderin how many awe going to Sint Maarten to shop big for Christmas.

Jus wonderin why they change the day from Saturday to Sunday.

Jus wonderin if they will be lucky to have a cruise ship in port when they go.

Jus wonderin if the ferry will enuf space for the goods comin back.

Jus wonderin if the supermarkets stock up yet for Christmas.

Jus wonderin why all them stores got sale.

Jus wonderin if civil servants getting bonus this Christmas

Jus wonderin if one day of prayer and fasting is enuf

Jus wonderin if the church them will have enuf space for regular worshippers Wednesday.

Jus wonderin how much of them will be fasting and praying for them beautiful land on Wednesday.

Jus wonderin why all we get in Montserrat is more pressure, bigger jail and bigger police station.

Jus wonderin if the HE gone dumb now.

Jus wonderin a hidden agenda the 3 big-ons have

Jus wonderin how long some awe got to wait to get medal and award.

Jus wonderin why some editors does scream so much .

Jus wonderin why they aint got a mooring for yachts.

Jus wonderin if tha is the reason so much people does vomit on the ferry.

Jus wonderin why security at ferry so poor.

Jus wonderin why some people does hold so much party and fete.

Jus wonderin how much money dem does mek.

Jus wonderin if it was for real that the sniper was 27 miles away from Montserrat.

Jus wonderin if Montserrat was for target practice.

Jus wonderin if we got any hidden snipers here.

Jus wonderin why the announce at ZJB like them soft man.

Jus wonderin if the announcer at ZJB has a Siamese twin.  

ADVERTISEMENTS

Current  Vacancies <--- Click Here

Current Ads and Notices <--- Click Here

Legal Notices <--- Click Here

Land Claims <--- Click Here