News

Rt. Hon. Clare Short - Was she ever interested in Montserrat?; Hon. Chief Minister John Osborne - Did the lady fool him with a kiss?

The British Government initiated upon request a move entitled “Support to Private Sector Development.(PSD)”

This has been in works for two years or longer and if Her Majesty’s Government and local government are interested enough, taking into consideration all the information available as to the terribly scandalous state of livelihood (economy and existence) in Montserrat and reverse in quick time the present aid plans, there would be cause for hope.

Above the table appears: “The Government of Montserrat is operating within a British Government aid framework, in which aid reductions will take place steadily over the next five years. The following table shows the expected impact of such measures:”

Mr. Richard Wilkinson told us two weeks ago it takes time for changes to go through Parliament because these things are planned well in advance. Of course he is correct; this was planned more than two years ago. This government was aware of this when they got into power on April 1, 2001. (Of course it was All Fools Day – It was obviously a "bad omen."

It was perceived by the group responsible to put this PSD together: “GOM’s (Government of Montserrat) current expenditure is expected to remain fairly stable over the next five years, falling slightly from EC$53.6 million (2001-2002) to $50 million (2005-2006). During the same period, revenue is expected to rise from EC$20 million to EC$32 million in particular as a result of more rigorous collection of tax arrears and benefits accruing from implementing the recommendations of the property tax review. This should result in a progressive fall in the budgetary aid."

The above came at the end of the now proven useless “Sustainable Development Plan” (SDP) which was supposed to be replaced by a something else “…Development Plan” still being planned.

This is what the Dec 1999 Evaluation Report on HMG’s Response to the Volcanic Crisis said: “The SDP states that the ‘the redevelopment of Montserrat will not be possible without the involvement of the private sector.' ”

The writers stated their agreement with the people of Montserrat that “very little has in fact been done to support the private sector through the volcanic emergency and that the assistance which has been provided has come too late.”

Now the following comment: “That DFID found it so difficult to respond quickly to these requests for assistance is partly a reflection of too narrow a focus and a failure to look at individual decisions in the broader context of an assessment of the medium to long term future of the island.”

The further finding of this report under the heading Budgetary assistance said, in excerpts only:

7.2 The crisis events of 25^th June 1997, the loss of Plymouth and evacuation of Salem marked a shift in attitudes and priorities: from this point on, both HMG and GoM accepted that the future of the island would be dependent on economic development and social structure in the north.

7.3 Had a clear medium term economic strategy existed prior to 1997, HMG id resources might have been spent more effectively.…there were opportunities, even in the first two years of the crisis, to address the potential economics impacts of the eruption, which could have been taken sooner.

7.4 First the GoM’s draft National Physical Development Plan of 1995 did include a strategy to disperse development and economic activity away from Plymouth and the south west of the island, but there were no more to implement this. Secondly more could have been done to sustain economic activity. There were delays in implementing high priority infrastructure projects, which indirectly benefited the private sector, and the direct support for the private sector has been slow. There has been a fundamental failure to appraise individual actions or project in boarder framework, taking into account the aggregate economic effect of individual decisions.

EC$ million

	2001-2	2002-3	2003-4	2004-5	2005-6
DFID aid framework	92.7	68.4	50.5	36.1	28.5

Recurrent budget:
Projected recurrent expenditure	53.6	50.0	50.0	48.0	50.0
Projected revenue	25.0	27.0	28.0	30.0	32.0
Budgetary aid requirement	28.6	23.0	22.0	18.0	18.0

Budgeted capital expenditure:
Ongoing projects	22.4	2.0	0.8
Other costs	24.2	16.1	14.3	4.1	3.6

Funds available for New Projects	17.5	27.3	13.4	14.0	6.9
New Projects programmed	27.5	39.6	23.7	13.8	4.0
Potential shortfall or surplus	(10.0)	(12.3)	10.3)	0.2	2.9

It is somewhat surprising that several persons were aghast to learn how scandalous Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s government (HMG) has been towards Montserrat for ages. But has anything really changed?

Here is proof of that surprising information contained in last week’s editorial; taken from the December 1999 Evaluation Report on HMG’s Response to the Montserrat Volcanic Emergency Volume 1:

“The economic effects of the volcanic eruption were catastrophic; a 44-percent decline in GDP by the end of 1997 and estimated losses of up to £1billion. Montserrat has effectively become dependent on British financial assistance.”

Of course there was a time when it seemed not to matter. How many of us who voted in the 2001 elections knew or understood results of the 1991 elections and what brought it about several months before it was due.

HMG had been for many years withholding much of the aid that they were giving before then, Hurricane Hugo notwithstanding. But preceding that Montserrat survived pretty much on its own, even with the harsh, setting-on of the ‘Turner’ governor to Montserrat because they didn’t like or were after one man. That culminated in the total collapse of what should have been one of our biggest revenue-earners, off-shore banking, and their failed attempt to convict then ex-chief minister Osborne.

It is very sad and indeed iron that this chief minister, 11 years after being dethroned, finds himself in completely different circumstances where he relies (unnecessarily so) on DFID for all budgetary aid. He comes back from one of his earlier London trips and boasts that the island would not have received as much aid with David Brandt as chief minister. So he led the promise that they would get more money to aid Montserrat and they set out with kisses “following the plenty love and money slogan.”

Who was fooled to believe that someone did nothing more than seek, whether prudently, sweetly or meekly, deserved assistance for Montserrat’s survival and development? He was hated by the lady leader who had warned us about "golden elephants." Should a new leader not be warned and armed?

Then recently the chief minister boasted that HMG is so pleased his present government's handling of British funds (the island’s budgetary aid) that it has been given the autonomy (with no money to spend). HMG has found in this government the kind of gullibility that the same David Brandt warned against when he refused to contest a seat, after ministers in his coalition government, Adelina Tuitt and Rupert Weekes, forced elections not due for almost another year.

The Reuben Meade 1991 government was quickly able to boast the confidence of HMG when they were offered the backlog of aid that HMG wouldn’t release to the John Osborne government in the 80s. And what was the aid? Upgraded police stations, the Government Headquarters building, a brand new parliament building, renovated hospital. Also in the works was a new prison and an extension to W.H. Bramble Airport.

Those were all lost, so what is the problem now?
We now have the prison, the police headquarters, but most importantly there is yet to be seen developmental infrastructure. No seaport or airport. The airport is planned but it is riddled with problems as local fears of disaster because it is believed not to be safe and promises no real future development.

Who is fooling who? See the front page story of this issue and the notes that go along with it. How could HMG, in the face of a 1999 estimate that Montserrat has lost £1 billion, quickly decide that the ‘emergency’ in the crisis had subsided , and practically cut off the aid less than 10 percent of the way ?

(We should remember that much of the aid went into satisfying the emergency nature and that there is nothing on the ground to show any real intent of bringing Montserrat even near a start on restructuring an economy).

How many of us have read the Poverty Participatory Assessment that was finally published this year? If DFID is really about alleviating poverty, even if they do not believe the Reports they have funded, is it possible that they really do not know that by their very actions, poverty is what they are encouraging?

Even if they believe that let’s say 0.002 percent of people in the population are really well off and can live without the aid, the rest are still part of the more than £1 billion lost in the south of Montserrat.

The people who are representing our case to DFID, and those who provide the Governor with information, really speak to the Foreign and Commonwealth office they can make a difference They should read and study the reports (for a change), and keep quoting them forever, publishing them wherever within the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) organization, within the European Economic Community, and the African, Caribbean and Pacific organizations (ACP).

It becomes no longer speculation when one considers all the facts, the reports and the reaction of Her Majesty’s Government. That December 1999 report stated: “The economy is virtually non-existent, apart from the public sector and linked public construction…which are all dependent directly or indirectly on British aid.”

That was then, but is there any difference now or has it gotten much worse? The truth is that HMG has clearly shown us that they are no longer interested in a bad job and the answer is either let it fix itself or die from the cancer that is within.

Except for the editorial, opinion articles expressed in these pages are not necessarily those of the Montserrat Reporter editors, employees or advisers. Readers are encouraged to submit commentary articles. All viewpoints, unless libelous, in poor taste, or anonymous, are welcome. Send your contributions to The Editor, P.O. Box 306, Olveston, Montserrat, W. I., e-mail: editor@montserratreporter.org or monrep@candw.ag. Manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by a return stamped envelope. The Montserrat Reporter is a privately owned independent newspaper.

The psalmist addressed the Lord, " From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise" - Psalm 8:2 (NIV)

Since the night was pleasant, I decided to assemble the aquarium my children wanted. Because the job was long and meticulous, the children soon gave up helping me and went to the kitchen to prepare a snack.

Carolina, 10 years old, and Jonatas, 7 were cooking, while Easter 3, was playing on the floor.

Meanwhile, my wife and I were finishing cleaning and assembling the aquarium. Suddenly, from the kitchen we heard the sound of breaking glass. Running to see what had happened, we found Jonatas underneath a cabinet surrounded by pieces of broken china.

Carolina was scared and crying. My reaction, after being sure that my son was unharmed, was irritation. I had told my children not to disturb that cabinet.

In spite of my anger, Esther began singing the refrain of a hymn that says God's love will never let us go. Its lyrics about love's being patient and kind filled my heart with understanding and peace. They also reminded me of divine wisdom that often uses the lips of children for perfect praise and shows us truths we have forgotten.

Prayer: Wonderful God, you who forever care for your children, we praise you because you speak your love to us continually. Help us to hear your voice in the midst of the irritations of our lives. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God often uses those around us to speak to us and guide us. - Melchisedec Garcia De Souza (Minas Gerais, Brazil).

(The following letter was written 27 Oct., 2002, to Dr. Dunkley, with copies to the Governor and Chief Minister. None of them acknowledged its receipt.)

I am very grateful to you and your team to share your time so generously with us last Wednesday. I also appreciate the openness with which you shared your information. What I learned was very helpful.

The data Dr. Herd provided showed that on Oct. 22 the dome section threatening the Belham Valley was 1,050 m high, and, at a height of 800 m, its diameter was about 300 m. The crater rim towards Belham Valley is between 923 and 800 m high. From this it follows that the volume of material that can spill over the crater wall into the Belham Valley is less than 1 million cubic meters. For about three million cubic meters to enter the Belham Valley the crater wall would have to erode for about 100 m. At a height of 700 m the crater wall is over 250 m thick. It would require a very powerful eruption to break through that thick a wall. According to your assessment of the current activity an eruption of this nature seems not to be imminent.

The risk report of Sept. 3 - 4, 2002, states that a pyroclastic flow into the Belham Valley could reach the Belham bridge if the volume of the flow is about 3 million cubic meters. Thus, a pyroclastic flow reaching the Belham bridge is highly unlikely under the current conditions.

Therefore I appeal to you to suggest to the Authorities to relax their damaging and cruel attitude.

Please allow me to make two comments regarding the latest risk report:
1. Paragraph A6.13, page 34, describes the “qualitative expert judgment in evaluating model results to consider what differences the topography of the Belham Valley would make to assess the behavior of the surge cloud.” In this model the Belham Valley is equated with a narrow (20 - 30 m) and shallow (5 - 20 m) channel. This assumption is highly unrealistic. The Belham Valley is much wider than this in many places, and it is much deeper. Therefore the reach of the flows and the surge “over-runs” are most likely overestimated. A flow of 3 million cubic meters might not even reach the bridge.

2. In paragraph 42, page 16, the main risk for people crossing the Belham Valley is said to be volcanic mud flows. This is simply untrue. In the Belham Valley, there was never a volcanic mud flow. The water of the Belham River and of its tributaries does not come from the volcanic dome. Thus, it cannot carry any volcanic matter from there. It is rather obvious that the Belham River washes material into the valley that erodes from the flanks of the Belham Valley and from the Killicrankie system. This material clearly is not mud. It is sand, gravel and rocks. It forms a rather solid surface on which it is safe to walk and drive. Occasionally the valley is subject to flash floods which are unrelated to volcanic hazards.

I beg you to consider these arguments and help to persuade our authorities to react in a less hysterical manner.

I'd heard of the Kleebs on their mountain. What happened to them? Were they made to leave? If so, why? They seemed brave and resourceful.

(Editor's note: The Kleebs moved from their home in Isles Bay for the first time in seven years after they were threatened with deportation by Governor Longrigg if they did not comply with his evacuation order.)

I have been reading The Montserrat Reporter for the part few years. As a person who was born in Montserrat it is great to see such powerful writing, great information for people like myself. I left this beautiful island approximately 25 years ago and was very saddened when this volcano erupted. I hope that one day it will go back to its natural beauty. I would like to thank you for doing a wonderful job; keep up the good work, and I wish you continued success. Thank you for helping us to stay in touch with our lovely island the "Emerald" of the Caribbean

I am enclosing my e-mail address for people who would like to correspond with me. My email address is:

I have just finished reading this week's Reporter and as a trained aviation engineer and almost a real pilot, I must agree that the current proposed airstrip would be unsafe. There would be simply no room for error.

It would take only one pilot to decide to fly in without his instruments (which is very popular)to cause a disaster(as it would be with our little population).

Just a week after some Dutch radio operators used Montserrat as their base in an international ham radio competition, three American ham radio operators have set up here, except they are not competing. They are doing it for fun.

Dick Hanson, Steve Swaim and Pat Rose have set up their base in a room at the Grand View Bed and Breakfast in Baker Hill for "a week long vacation."

Speaking to the Montserrat Reporter, Mr. Hanson said they came here “because Montserrat is very rare,” in the sense that very few countries in the world operate at such a high frequency and they want to operate out of this frequency and make as many contacts as they possibly can whilst on holiday.

Having been to 17 countries, looking for the best locations to do ham radio operating, Mr. Hanson said Montserrat is one of the few countries that offer both luxury and comfort. “Me and my friends, we’ve got a nice hotel apartment, good food, and drinks. It’s good compared to many of the places I’ve been, plus the view is excellent!” he said.

Mr. Hanson said ham radio operation is similar to coin or stamp collecting. where the object is to get as many rare stamps or coins as possible. Ham radio operators, who broadcast from different frequencies, seek as many contacts as possible. Since Montserrat is one of the few countries, which operate on a six-meter high frequency, their goal is to send as many contacts possible from this frequency to other six-meter frequencies around the world. Their most distant contact from Montserrat was Australia.

Former Navy officer Pat Rose, one of the visiting hams, said that ham radio is not just for fun, it is sometimes valuable during emergencies. That will come as no surprise to Montserratians who were here in 1989, when the island's first communications with the outside world after the devastation of Hurricane Hugo were provided by its own ham radio operators.

The Americans ended their ‘working week’ with a social get together with their local counterparts at the Grand View Bed & Breakfast last evening.

Police report an attempted break in by unknown persons at a home in Old Towne over the weekend.

Superintendent Paul Morris said the owners of the house reported that nothing was stolen from the property, nor was there any major damage beyond the forced entry into the house.

Police are awaiting the results of forensic tests made at the location. and they are presently awaiting the results.

Mr, Morris said, “ I am very concerned and would like to meet with all the homeowners and residents of the evacuated areas to discuss with them crime prevention methods, for protecting their homes.” He said that there would be increased police patrols in the areas that have been evacuated, to prevent any further incidents.

A meeting between the police and the resident groups is scheduled for sometime next week to discuss Crime Prevention methods.

Old Towne is part of the Exclusion Zone and one of the areas that was evacuated last month.

Many homeowners and residents who were forced to evacuate areas from Isles Bay to Happy Hill have voiced their concern to the authorities about such incidents.

Persons seeking new UK passports after November 21 will have to pay more for the documents, according to the United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS). This increase takes effect from November 21.

The prices have increased only four months after the passports' introduction in July with the smallest adult 32-page passport rising from £49.00 to £54.40. The adult 48-page has been increased by a further £5.20. For children under the age of 16, passports will now cost £34.70.

Persons seeking to obtain the new British passport, which is the European Union passport, have to pay Montserrat an additional EC$20.00 as a handling fee. According to information from persons applying for the said passport in Antigua, the fee is still £49.00 and also carries the handling fee of EC$20.

Six adults and a minor, all Montserratians, were the first set of people to receive their UK passports in July this year.

The Montserrat Union of Teachers (MUT) annual convention was held on Wednesday at the Brades Primary School with the theme “Teachers Create Dialogue Everyday.”

Mrs. Edith Duberry, Vice President of the MUT, said that “by creating dialogue everyday, important partnerships are formed between themselves and the stakeholders of education – the Ministry of Education, parents, guardians, Chamber of Commerce, Montserrat Council of Churches (MCC) and Non- Governmental Organizations (NGO’s)”.

She told participants, “it is necessary to recruit other members so that the union can be stronger in terms of numbers and finances.” She also wishes that teachers would meet more often to discuss union matters, teaching affairs and social issues.

Mrs. Duberry said, “ the Union had a good year,” and cited the hosting of the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) executive by the MUT, an overseas workshop, cultural evening and Junior Calypso show, and the MUT’s participation in the CUT Junior Athletic Championship in Trinidad.

Ms. Rose Willock, in her feature address, defined the theme of "Teachers Create Dialogue Everyday," as communicating, creating discussion, instructing and inducing by example and by advocating moral principles.

“On an island like Montserrat, where events not of our making and over which we have no control are unraveling all the time, in the midst of it all, there is that person who teaches, trying to give systematic information to youngsters about a subject or skill,” she said.

Lady Eudora Fergus, Ms. Zelma Tuitt and Mr. Herman Francis were awarded with plaques for their contributions to the teaching service in Montserrat.

“Communication Skills”, “Taking Pedagogy Seriously”, “Coping with HIV/AIDS in the Classroom”, were topics discussed at the convention by the participants.

Honorable Minister of Education Mrs. Idabelle Meade opened the Convention. There was also an art and craft exhibition by the children of the different schools.

Montserratians can look forward to seeing their island get some more positive exposure, this time from an international magazine – “All at Sea.” This is according to marine writer Gary Brown, who feels that Montserrat has the potential for becoming a major site for yachting lovers around the world.

Since “All at Sea” magazine promotes the Caribbean region, Mr. Brown goes to the various islands, looking for potential yachting sites. Having worked at the magazine for four years, Mr. Brown had never seen or heard anything about Montserrat in the magazine except for the eruption of the volcano and mudflows. He decided to come and see for himself what Montserrat has to offer as a yacht destination.

After his recent visit, he is convinced that there is great potential here for yachting. “The island needs to promote itself fully and more positively," Mr. Brown said, "especially since all you hear about Montserrat is the eruption of the volcano and the 2½-metre high mudflows.”

Even though the infrastructure for yachting is presently lacking, he said if the necessary measures are put in place, Montserrat stands an excellent chance of competing with the other islands in the Caribbean, especially the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and St. Maarten, which have large marinas and yachting facilities.

Mr. Brown said that yachting is the fastest growing tourist industry in the Caribbean and its sustainability depends on having the right infrastructure.

“With the necessary infrastructure in place, Montserrat will get a piece of the pie,” Brown. He further added that the local economy will benefit from the tourist dollar, through mooring fees, tourists (the yachtsmen and ‘boaties’), when they come offshore, vendors and craftsmen will also benefit from this spin off.

Even though Montserrat has great potential for this type of activity, Brown said that the necessary infrastructure has to be put in place. He emphasised that having the best mooring facilities is very important, since the yachting community is so advanced with their state of the art communication equipment, that “ should one yachtsman have a bad experience . . . almost immediately . . . all the others to get the message – this is a big deterrent.”

“All at Sea” magazine has a circulation of some 12,000 in the South Florida area, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao (ABC islands) of the Netherlands Antilles and Trinidad & Tobago.

Police and firemen held their annual charity concert on Saturday evening as part of their weeklong celebration at the Bitter End Bar. Despite a few passing showers, some 400 people attended the show which began at 7:30 p.m.

Basil Chambers was Master of Ceremonies and some performers used the night to give the crowd a taste of new music to be used for the upcoming 40^th Anniversary Festival celebrations in December.

As expected, there was lots of singing, dancing, drama and modeling. This year saw fashion with a twist - many of the male officers modeled in swimsuits and evening gowns, much to the delight of the female patrons. Female officers took the stage to pose in evening and casual wear, all available at local stores.

Officer Joseph Chambers was voted the sexiest policeman among the seven male officers who were models at the concert.

After the fashion show, reigning Soca monarch Arrow performed some of his new songs from his upcoming album. He also sang a few of the crowd’s old favorites.

Many people said they were pleased with this year’s show and that it was resuscitated for the first time last year since the eruption of the volcano in 1995.

The celebration continued Saturday night, with a grand dinner and dance at the Good Life Nightclub. Acting Governor, Sir Howard Fergus presented The Queens’ Jubilee Awards and plaques to those officers who performed commendably in their duty during the last year. Superintendent Paul Morris was one of the officers who received both the Queens’ Jubilee Awards and a plaque for long service. Sergeant Sharon Lindsay, Constables Charles Thompson and Elvis Sweeny also received the Queens’ Jubilee Awards.

Constables Carolyn Berry and Marvin Bruno were two of the Officers who received plaques for their dedication towards the Force.

The weeklong celebration ended Sunday with a Bar-B-Que and fun day at the Little Bay Beach.

It sometimes rains, even ashes, yet every other Friday evening between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. dozens of persons can be found gathered at the Tropical Mansion Suites Hotel dining area.

The big attraction there is the new kids on the block, the island’s newest musical sensation "Small Beginnings." Ages 8 to 16 years, the group is made up of guitarists, keyboardists, drummers, trumpeters, saxophonists, trombonists and more.

From its wide repertoire of Soca, Reggae, Pop, Jazz, Rock and Roll, Folk, and Zouk etc., Small Beginnings play big music.

But how did these young musicians get together? Manager and Trainer Herman Francis told this story.

The band however started when in 2002 the Community Services department held its annual summer school, training children in the Arts. A Teacher by profession, Francis was a music teacher at the summer school. At the end of the three-week program, the children did an exhibition performance for the public.

The young musicians demonstrated such talent that Mr. Francis decided they must stay together.

“As a result, two days a week for two hours each day, the children from all primary and secondary schools could be found in a classroom at the Brades Primary School ” he said.

The band actually started when three colorful recorders arrived among some requested items at the Brades Primary School where Mr. Francis was teaching.

Always a music fan, he began teaching three students to play, (although he himself had never played one before), using the manual. The interest among students grew and in a few weeks Mr. Francis acquired more recorders, an instruction book and a class of around 12.

The group has played since at church services, school concerts, the Governor’s residence, athletic meets, Christmas carol singing, Tourism Week, among others, and is scheduled to perform at several of the Festival shows this year.

Most of the members of the original group have left, Mr, Francis said, but the present 20-member National Youth Orchestra (Small Beginnings) has been together for the last 18 months.

“They are committed to their music and never miss a class or rehearsal,” Mr. Francis said.

But why the name Small Beginnings? “There are two reasons for the name” the manager explained, “It started with a small number of just three enthusiastic school children and very few instruments, and secondly, not only was the number small, but the children themselves were small.”

Mr. Francis expressed thanks to Music For Montserrat, the Community Services Department, Bank of Montserrat, the department of Culture and the Hon. Chief Minister, all of whom have made donations to the band.

“Small Beginnings is available to play at any function or activity,” Mr. Francis said. Interested persons or supporters can contact the group at 664-491-5859/8555. Monetary donations to the group, he said, can be made at the Bank of Montserrat to Account Number 711-228-3

Guyana -- The Region has been asked to eradicate the stigma attached to the HIV/AIDS virus in order to create a more supporting environment for persons infected with the disease and to encourage the general public to get tested.

At the just concluded second annual meeting of the Pan Caribbean Partnership (PANCAP) for HIV/AIDS, held here this week, members noted that HIV/AIDS discrimination was the single most devastating factor contributing to the social isolation of victims and thus increasing the spread of the epidemic.

According to Ms. Cynthia Eledu, Regional Advisor to PANCAP, the region has already

attracted some US$130 million in aid for work in the area of HIV/AIDS in the form of grants and pledges. In addition, the World Bank has made available US$150 million in concessionary loans, which has been accessed to date by Jamaica, Barbados and Grenada. Recalling that a 1998 UWI study estimated that a total of US$350 million was needed to tackle the problem of HIV/AIDS infection in the region, Ms. Eledu stressed that there was still much more money to be raised.

A major achievement for PANCAP in accelerating access to care was its success in negotiating with five pharmaceutical companies for a 75-80 percent reduction in the prices of anti-viral drugs. PANCAP hopes to engage in additional dialogue for further reduction to guarantee affordability by all patients in the Region.

The CARICOM Heads of Government recognizing the seriousness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic established the PANCAP in 2001 as a mechanism to co-ordinate the regional response to the virus.

The enormity of the AIDS epidemic is considered beyond the capacity of individual Caribbean states especially given that half a million people in the region are HIV infected at a rate of 2.5 percent. In this regard, the partnership is viewed as a key plan in the regional strategy against the pandemic.

The collaborative network has a current membership of 49, including 27 countries, 11 institutions and 12 donors, and is responsible for advocacy, resource mobilization and for providing a unified vision and direction to the halt of the dreaded disease. The membership consists of all the major players working in the area of HIV/AIDS.

Compiled from dispatches
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Prime Minister Patrick Manning held talks Wednesday with the Chief Executive Officer of BWIA, Conrad Aleong, to discuss the financial crisis facing the national carrier.

The airline is seeking more than US$13 million in assistance from government but
Mr. Manning has repeatedly said that his administration is not prepared to assist the carrier until its management and employees make sacrifices to return the airline to viability.
BWIA Chairman Lawrence Duprey told a news conference last Friday that it would survive the financial problems it was now experiencing and hinted that management of was not averse to taking harsh decisions, including reducing its staff to ensure its viability.
He said the global financial and political environment, coupled with the terrorist attacks on the United States last year, had left BWIA with no alternative but to become more "competitive in an environment that has changed politically and economically."
"BWIA will survive and management has the capability of taking the airline into the new environment," he said, adding, "BWIA will survive in spite of the threats it has".
The statement by BWIA came a day after workers agreed to plans for restructuring the company, but warned that they would only do so as far the laws of Trinidad and Tobago would allow.
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 US$700,000 monthly and reduce monthly concession payments by US$300,000.
BWIA's Chief Executive Officer Conrad Aleong said that the airline had achieved almost 85 per cent of the one million dollar monthly reduction target it had set, but said that the airline was seeking further concessions in light of the coming months.
"The challenge is to find more than one million dollars," he said adding, "we are going to for a little bit more, we have a number of things we still can do".
Mr. Aleong said while the airline had "fall back plans" to ensure that it meets the monthly million-dollar target, he warned, "unfortunately they are not employee friendly."

"Management's job is to save the airline," he said, adding that management would do "whatever is required to save BWIA".
Aleong told reporters that the airline had seen "very strong" bookings for Thanksgiving Holidays in the United States and that Christmas booking was "strong as well".
Aleong said that BWIA pilots had agreed during negotiations on Thursday night to a three per cent cut in salaries and he was optimistic that talks with the Trinidad and Tobago government would result in a loan the airline is seeking to further boost its position.
"We have confidence that we will be in a better position to get the approval of Government," Aleong said, adding that it would also augur well for further discussions with the airline creditors.
The Patrick Manning administration privatised the loss--making carrier in 1995

BWIA says it is expects to lose an estimated TT$80.7 million in 2002. As of June this year, the airline's consolidated net loss for the year to date stood at TT$54.34 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.

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

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua -- With a new three-year business plan scheduled to go before LIAT shareholders by November 15, CEO Gary Cullen said Monday the
struggling regional carrier urgently needs re-capitalisation.
In addition, Mr. Cullen said, the airline has had to deal with the duplication of prices and schedules by competitor Caribbean Star, which have resulted in losses of EC$30 million last year for LIAT.
While welcoming a US$ 4 million guarantee, agreed to by shareholder governments at the weekend, to help LIAT get over the next two months, he said the airline was not yet out of the woods and its longer-term strategy must include a review of equity.
Further comparing LIAT to Caribbean Star, Cullen said a key difference was that "Caribbean Star is properly financed and thereby it is very easy for them to talk about LIAT borrowing money".
"I wouldn't be borrowing any money if I was financed in the first place," the LIAT CEO said.

He said since his arrival at the airline in 2000, LIAT management has done the necessary cost cutting and streamlining requested by its owners, but these efforts have not sufficed.
While refusing to get into actual numbers, he said the airline has reduced its cost base by over 35 percent and now has 40 percent less fat than in 1999.

Meanwhile, Paul Moreira, the chief executive officer of Caribbean Star, said he believes that while millions of taxpayers' dollars are being pumped into LIAT and the operations of sister carriers such as Air Jamaica, he opposes more stringent controls recently proposed by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

"Regulation drives prices up. It will hurt our tourism and it does not work for the consumer," he told reporters last Friday.
On a related matter, LIAT's CEO said the airline is interested in cooperation with Caribbean Star, proposed by Mr. Moriera last week, but under specific terms and on specific issues.
"Iinterlining with an airline that is trying to close you down is economic madness," Mr. Cullen said.
But he said his airline was willing to discuss schedules and pricing, two issues of contention between the two carriers, which he blames for losses of EC$30 million (about US$11 million) incurred by LIAT last year.
Mr. Moreira, however, made it clear that schedules coordination was not what his airline was after, since in his opinion, such a move was not in the best interest of the customer or the business.
"From our point of view," Mr. Cullen said, "we did not start the fares war and it has
financially caused great hardship to (both) LIAT and Caribbean Star, but they financially can apparently afford this a lot more than LIAT," he said.

Although Air Jamaica's chairman, Gordon "Butch" Stewart believes that financially strapped BWIA West Indies and Air Jamaica should take advantage of opportunities to work together, he stopped short last weekend of endorsing the idea that the two regional airlines merge operations.

Mr. Stewart, a long-time proponent of regional collaboration and integration, said that a wholesale merger between the two carriers is not currently feasible given Air Jamaica's concomitant strategies of serving local, regional and leisure markets.

"It is important that we remain independent so that we can create greater impact," he said, suggested that Air Jamaica and BWIA should be selling each other's flights so as to reduce marketing costs and boost sales.

Mr. Stewart congratulated his staff -- none of whom have been laid off -- for rallying behind the airline and for giving their best. He added that cost cutting measures throughout the past year have kept the airline airborne and reduced losses significantly. "We have lost money in the last year, but less than half of what was projected."

THE BOTTOM, Saba (SGIS) – Will Johnson, Leader of Government and Commissioner responsible for Constitutional Affairs looked back to the Bonaire Insular Constitutional Summit held a month ago and Saba's government will not support any changes in the Antillean Constellation until Holland takes full responsibility for Saba.

Mr. Johnson told the Saba Government Information Service (SGIS) that the Bonaire Summit achieved absolutely nothing beyond a repeat of each island’s position on constitutional affairs.

“St. Maarten had a referendum more than two-years ago," he said. "Holland has repeatedly stated that it is not going to give St. Maarten a separate status like Aruba. Promises were made to the smaller islands before Aruba got its separate status.

“Seventeen-years have passed without the Solidarity Fund being revised, leaving the smaller islands having to suffer the consequences of Aruba leaving the constellation.

“Saba will continue to fight to have the same social benefits that exist in Holland. The Netherlands Antilles is not a country and the European Union as well as the United Nations do not recognize us a country.

“Being part of the Kingdom means more than a passport and the hoisting of the Dutch flag. We are looking for our rights within the Dutch Kingdom and will pursue this route.”

Officials on the remote Pacific island of Pitcairn have warned their community could die if several of its men have to go to New Zealand to be tried on sex-crime charges.
An undisclosed number of islanders are facing allegations of rape and indecent assault against under-age girls after an 18-month investigation by British and New Zealand police.
"We can't just leave our houses - the people here want to be witnesses, one way or another, at any trial", Mayor Steve Christian Pitcairn's public defender, Auckland barrister Paul Dacre, told the New Zealand parliament - which is debating legislation to set up a special court - that most residents favoured holding the trial on the island.
Pitcairn - the home to descendants of sailors who staged the famous mutiny on the British warship Bounty - has just eight adult males.
Islanders say this is the minimum needed to sustain its whaling industry.
Police first began investigating Pitcairn after an alleged rape in December 1999.
Since then New Zealand media have reported a number of complaints concerning child abuse on the island, a British dependency which is home to just 46 people.
Pitcairn is mostly populated by descendants of the Bounty mutineers and the accompanying Polynesians, who landed on the island in 1790, a year after the mutiny.

Antigua (AP) -- Sniper suspect John Allen Muhammad planned to use explosives to rob a bank while he lived on the Caribbean island of Antigua between 2000 and 2001, according Prime Minister Lester Bird.
Muhammad and John Lee Malvo were arrested last month and face multiple charges of murder in a string of sniper attacks that 12 dead in Alabama, Louisiana and the Washington, D.C. area.

"This is a serious guy," Mr. Bird told state-run radio Wednessday. "There is information that he intended to rob a bank. He was seeking the explosives to do that."
Investigators have said a witness told them Muhammad once suggested kidnapping Bird for ransom. They have not identified the witness but say there is no indication Muhammad acted on the alleged threat.
The four-member task force has also determined that Muhammad, who arrived in Antigua in 2000, illegally acquired an Antiguan passport and that officials were negligent in approving the application.

TORONTO, Canada - Nortel Networks Corp. (TO:NT) (NYSE:NT) said on Tuesday it had received an order worth approximately $100 million over three years to provide wireless network equipment to a leading Caribbean telecoms firm.
In a release, Nortel said it would be the exclusive provider of wireless infrastructure to Cable & Wireless West Indies for a network expected to serve customers in 12 countries in the region, including Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Barbados.
Cable & Wireless West Indies is a unit of British telecoms group Cable & Wireless Plc (L:CW).

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis -- Miss Vera Lawrence, a member of the Nevis Ports Constabulary Force, participated last weekend in the Ports Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC) 2002 pageant held in Antigua, where she placed first runner-up.

Welcoming Miss Lawrence back home after the feat, a jubilant Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority (NASPA) Chairman Colin Dore said that while the show had been going on for a number of years, it was the first time Nevis had participated in the contest.

“I think she has done the Port Authority proud," Mr. Dore said. "She would also have done herself proud, and so we are extremely happy at the Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority with our success.”

There were five contestants, with Ms Olivet Winters from the host country taking the title, and Ms Gail Smart of Barbados placing 2^nd runner-up. Other contestants were from St. Kitts and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The contest had four segments, and while Miss Lawrence did not win in any, she amassed enough points to see her emerge as the first runner-up.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - The ruling People's National Party (PNP) candidate in last month's general election, Donald Buchanan, was declared the winner of the South West St. Elizabeth constituency at the end of the magisterial recount in the Black River Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday.
However, the results do not change the composition of the Jamaica Parliament in which the PNP controls 34 of the 60 seats contested in the October 16 general elections.
Following the polls, electoral officials announced that there would be six magisterial recounts, as a result of the close margin of victories by candidates of both the ruling PNP and the main opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
The JLP won 26 seats in the elections.

ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC - In the face of growing social and economic challenges facing the country, Prime Minister Pierre Charles, in an Independence Day address Monday, sought to give hope to Dominicans, telling nationals they can turn challenge and adversity into opportunity and prosperity.
Addressing the annual parade of uniformed groups at the Roseau Botanical Gardens, Mr. Charles referred to the Stabilisation and Adjustment programme implemented by the coalition administration last July, aimed at turning around the island's declining economic fortunes.
The Prime Minister told the nation, "We shall stand our ground and with your help, turn this country around."
The Stabilisation Program comprised a number of new taxes, among them a controversial 4-percent Stabilization Levy on all incomes above EC$9,000 (US $3,333) per annum.
Introduction of the measure has been met with strong opposition from the umbrella Public Service Union and various civil society groupings here.
However, Mr. Charles reassured the nation that the sacrifices would not be in vain and would not continue longer than was necessary.
"The much talked about Stabilisation Levy was absolutely necessary in this current financial year, but I am serving notice now it will take a lot of effort to convince me of the absolute necessity to extend this particular measure beyond June 30, 2003," he said.
He said recent events have shaken Dominica's economy to its very foundations.
"Never before in the history of our country have such multiple shocks been experienced," he said. "These shocks, when added to international recession, have left in their train increased unemployment and economic stagnation in developed and developing countries alike," he said.
He told Dominicans he was aware that the objectives of the economic stabilisation program would not be realised in a single year, particularly now with increased energy prices and their resultant impact on public finances. He did say, however, that the sacrifices made over the past six months were already impacting positively on Dominica's financial situation and the perception of the country as being serious about putting its economic house in order.
He referred to the experiences of Trinidad and Barbados, which also underwent stabilisation and adjustment programmes. He said while there were initial periods of difficulty, little trace remains in either country of those challenging times, adding that both economies were now on secure footing and their citizens enjoying a standard of living unrivalled elsewhere in the Caribbean.
"There is no reason why Dominica and Dominicans cannot, 10 years down the road, be in the same position," he said.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - Former St. Kitts and Nevis Police Commissioner Brian Reynolds has urged regional police officials to move quickly to stem the rising number of kidnappings in the Caribbean, while expressing concern about gun-related crimes in the region.
Mr. Reynolds, a former top policeman in Britain, was in Trinidad this week attending a five-day anti-money laundering symposium. He told reporters "kidnapping is no different from any other type of crime other than the fact that very often the kidnappers derive massive proceeds and finances from their activities."
He said he was also alarmed at the high incidence of gun-related killings in the region, with statistics showing that in some states gun-related killings were as high as 75 percent.
The five-day anti-money-laundering symposium opened here Monday with delegates being warned that it was necessary for Caribbean law enforcement officials to be one step ahead of criminals.
Trinidad and Tobago Police Commissioner Hilton Guy told delegates to the Caribbean Anti-Money Laundering Programme (CALP): "The time has come when we must not only adopt that position where we react to the activities of those who indulge in criminal activities but . . . perhaps, where we should be in a predictive position where we can predict the activities and the actions of those we are opposed to."

He said that regional law enforcement officials could no longer look at drug trafficking as the Caribbean's "primary illegal activity" without examining the related issue of money laundering.
"Take a broader look at those activities that can fuel the drug trade and fuel the profits. We must take out that inducement of profit from illegal activities and if we have to take out that inducement, we cannot take out from the downstream end," he said.
CALP, which began operations in 1999 to provide technical assistance and training to member countries, is funded by the United States, Britain and the European Union. It works in conjunction with the Trinidad and Tobago-based Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) to combat money laundering in the region.

St. Kitts, CMC - A 23-year-old Leicester man Tuesday pleaded with a local magistrate for leniency and was allowed to walk free after paying a light fine for threatening to blow up the airport here last week.
Mark McIntosh of Avon Street, Highfields, was ordered by Magistrate Donald Browne to pay an EC$300 fine (US$111) forthwith or face the possibility of one-month hard labour, after pleading guilty to the charge of using threatening language.
The maximum charge for the crime is EC$500 or one-month hard labour.
However, Attorney Patricia Dublin entered a plea of mitigation on behalf of her client.
She told the court that her client's "outburst" came after a number of frustrating circumstances and that the incident was blown out of proportion.
Mr. McIntosh, who was on the island to attend his mother's wedding, was part of 23-member group heading back to England on Wednesday, when it was discovered that his sister lost her return ticket from St. Kitts to Antigua.
After mustering up just enough cash to purchase a new ticket, the group was informed that each member had to pay a US$14 exit tax -- including McIntosh's 2-year-old son, Elias, who was said to be acting "cranky".
It was at this point that an upset Mr. McIntosh reportedly remarked, this "airport needs blowing upm," his lawyer said.
He was arrested and taken off the plane, leaving his two-year-old son on board. The boy had to fly back to Britain without his dad, cared for by the group.
In appealing for the court's leniency, Mr. McIntosh apologised for his behaviour, saying that upon reflection he understood what he did was wrong and regretted making the statement.
But he denied that in his moment of anger, he ever said he was a terrorist.
Following the court's ruling, he was making preparations Tuesday to leave the country.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC –Regional countries were observing on Tuesday Caribbean Tourism Day, acknowledging that the recent terrorist attacks in the United States and Asia have had “a deleterious impact” on their vital tourism industry.

“We are mindful that the world has changed dramatically in the past 13 months because of heinous terrorist attacks. Everyone’s life has been affected,” said Jean Holder, secretary general of the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO).

“As a direct result of these events," he said, ”millions of jobs and billions of dollars have been lost around the world. Every sub-sector of the tourism industry has been negatively impacted and both small and massive enterprises are fighting for survival.”

He said the Caribbean that is “four times more dependent on tourism” had suffered tremendously as a result of these terrorist activities.

But he said the Caribbean was re-organising its tourism sector with many advantages.

“We are blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, and our people in the Caribbean have created a way of life, and a way of looking at life, that have proven irresistible for millions of people around the globe who seek their own special place for relaxation, recreation and rejuvenation.”

He said the new regional Tourism Strategic Plan developed by private and public sector officials had a vision of a Caribbean tourism industry that is fully understood and embraced by the peoples of the region and which, through cooperative action among governments and with the private sector, makes a significant and sustainable contribution to development in both mature and emerging destinations.”

Mr. Holder said as the region was observing Caribbean Tourism Day 2002, it was imperative that the various stakeholders “recognize the many advantages we have in this region to make tourism succeed in the future.”

Caribbean Tourism Day's theme was “Tourism, a tool for Sustainable Development.”

As if the current array of extraordinary problems plaguing Montserrat isn’t enough, the ugly situation at the Montserrat National Trust is growing worse. Stephen Macnamara, dynamic former Director of the MNT, has now left the island, a potential disaster for the Trust. Some weeks ago it was reported that his contract would not be renewed because the Executive Council said he was “impertinent and confrontational.” Not that he wasn’t doing his job, which is the normal and usual reason an employee is replaced, but it seems someone found fault with his demeanour.

Upon investigation, this writer found that Mr. Macnamara was indeed doing his job not only well, but brilliantly. He is described by a former colleague as “...directing the most dynamic NGO in Montserrat.” Another is quoted as saying, “Stephen’s dismissal will be a severe loss both to financial and volunteer interests.” Mr. Macnamara was expert at raising funds for the Trust from all over the world and, in fact, two particular countries which were scheduled to donate significant sums have changed their plans upon learning he is no longer the Trust’s Director. It’s all too likely this may produce a domino effect and others will follow suit. His background in Canada was as a financial instrument broker for 10 years; later he started his own public relations company which included animation, graphics and video expertise. His first visit to Montserrat was in the early 1980s to help build his family’s retirement home.

One had only to stop by the Montserrat National Trust to see how it has grown and prospered under Mr. Macnamara’s leadership. From the new Natural History Centre, executive offices and nursery, numerous trails, and the restoration and renovation of the Woodlands Beach House to the magnificent new gardens at the Trust, everything flourished under his leadership. It was heartening to meet cheerful and willing workers inside as well as outside the facility, staff who obviously liked their jobs and their working environment. The Director, the man in charge, sets the tone for the entire facility. If you drop into the Trust today, however, an atmosphere of ambiguity and gloom pervades.

In view of all the things he’s done right for the Trust, it’s difficult to believe his “impertinence” was the true reason for not renewing Mr. Macnamara’s contract, although it’s equally hard to imagine what that reason could be when one considers his tremendous success as the driving force of a vibrant NGO. It was languishing in a quagmire of lethargy when he took control in 1999 and in a matter of a few short years he has taken it from triumph to ever-greater triumph. It’s probable no one else in Montserrat could have achieved what Mr. Macnamara has in his field in so short a time. His track record is truly spectacular.

Although Mr. Macnamara states he has frequently asked the Executive Council to conduct an Annual General Membership Meeting, one has not been held since 2000, despite the fact the Trust’s By-Laws demand such a meeting take place before June each year. One can only speculate as to the reason why this condition persists. He also has requested acknowledgement of Bob Burbank’s resignation as Business Manager in April 2002, but no one seems to want to talk about it; evidently it would embarrass the Executive Council if the details of Burbank’s resignation were made public. Similarly, Mr. Macnamara has repeatedly solicited help in financial direction, but his pleas have gone unanswered by the Executive Secretary and Treasurer.

It’s a shame that Montserrat, already plagued with too many problems, should now be deprived of Stephen Macnamara’s leadership of the MNT because various egos may have been bruised. Professional jealousy may have played a part in this tragic fiasco as well. Stultified thinking can only inhibit the Trust’s progress and continued growth and it is a disgrace that such behaviour has not only been countenanced – but endorsed – by the members of the National Trust Executive Council: Sarita Francis, Gerard Gray, Erica Gibbs, John Allen and Cedric Osborne.

During the recently held Caribbean Tourism Conference, CTC-25 in the Bahamas, Montserrat was elected as Chair and St. Lucia Vice Chair of The Sustainable Tourism Technical Committee of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO).

Ms. Ernestine Cassell, Director of the Montserrat Tourist Board, chaired the meeting of that committee and presented a report to the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) on 27^th October.

Ms. Cassell is also currently serving as Secretary to the CTO Directors of Tourism Association (DOTA) Executive Committee.

The CTO Directors of Tourism Association has chosen Montserrat as the next venue for their Annual Retreat to be held February 20 – 21, 2003.

World Travel Market will take place in London from November 11 – 14, 2002. A small contingent, which includes Eddie Edgecombe, Chairman, Montserrat Tourist Board, Elveta Chalmers, Administrative Officer, and Rosetta West, Communications Officer, will travel to the trade show.

This year’s event will be located at the new waterside home of ExCeL in London’s Docklands and is the largest ever, with 172 countries participating. The show affords countries the opportunity to showcase their products as well as to make new contacts and maintain existing contacts.

The Montserrat contingent will seek to dispel some of the misconceptions that have resurfaced recently surrounding the volcanic situation. Additionally, they will make contact with several media persons; travel writers, tour operators and travel agents who have already made prearranged appointments to meet them at the Montserrat Booth. They will also interface with the general public.

We all acknowledge that every private issue in Montserrat is an open secret. I mean, is all the way from England people calling to ask me if is true that the Trust mash up and how they run out the person who used to run it because they grudge him because he in bed with the Governor's Office.

But more than that they tell me that this queen's representative we have here even wrote the Trust Board and castigate them telling them all about their alleged inefficiencies and his discomfort at their incapabilities and managerial incapacities and how he withholding the money from now on.

And if that isn't bad enough, it is said that there is this petition circulating around the expatriate community asking that the Board made up of 97 percent locals be thrown out, and replaced with an expatriate Board, who will then recall and replace the manager; who will then get back in bed with the governor's office so that the bucks and the commissions could flow to and from the Trust again.

I don’t want any body on Montserrat to take this Trust issue lightly. It is the same old same old "colonial" claptrap that our “esteemed MP is usually chided about when he speaks his truths.

The Montserrat National Trust has been around for a good few of decades. Before the volcanic era started, it was very well run by a very efficient individual who is now a very senior civil servant. It attracted funding, had high membership, conducted a series of well-managed projects, was a high profile success story and was very well supported by regional and international organizations. Nobody had no complaints. All was well. Then an expatriate was hired. And suddenly they tell me, just like that, all hell broke loose. governor's office running the money. Projects crawling out the woodwork. People flying off to London. Loose cannons firing off everywhere. Projects not getting implemented. Money getting spent like rain falling. Commission like peas being taken off the top just so. And is it true that expatriates and friends from the Governors' Office getting work without work permit just like that?

And manager don’t want nobody ask no question about nothing. So tell me then though, how come he getting money directly for his control from Governor’s office. And is this woman that he hire really the wife of the person responsible for approving or working on the projects in the Governor’s office?

They tell me he say he can’t do accounts and he won’t manage projects but he going "show them the money".

And to top all that, they have petition going round to fire board to rehire this same expatriate. Tell me Montserratians, whether you live in Antigua, London or Montserrat if you believe that we could ever own this country? Does everything and every institution belong to an “Expatriate Few”? Does the Governor and his minions run everything? Who are these unemployed, unstressed, busybody expatriates who have the audacity to be maligning the integrity of the local Board of the Trust with their nasty little petition and deceitful whispering campaign? Any company anywhere has the capacity to refuse to renew a contract for anybody without having to give the general public a reason why. What makes this particular expatriate manager so important that he can generate a whole smear and whispering campaign against fine upstanding Montserratians? Who is this expatriate manager that he can set up the whole expatriate community to whip out their undermining little petition and cause the queen’s representative to jump in with both feet in his mouth as usual? Who does this expatriate manager know and what relationships does he have with whom? Why are they saying that he is indispensable and that the Trust will go down in flames without him? Why was this expatriate manager piling up all these projects on the Trust? How come he was getting all this money from the Governor's office? Was the Trust really warned that if the expatriate manager go the Governor's Office money go with him?

So the expatriate few want answers they say and that is why they pushing their nasty little petition around to demand their little meeting. I hope they all live here long enough to know what happens when "mouth open and story jump out." Take care some of them don’t get heartburn and hypertension when they get answers to the questions that they asking.

Don’t misunderstand me now. I had gotten so indignant when the other MP was so rude on the Radio when he asked the expatriate to butt out of local issues. I am still indignant at that MP because I did not feel then or now that the circumstances warranted that kind of response. But this militant uprising of the “Expatriate Few” against My Brethren is unacceptable. And we gotta put these Few in their places. And their places is out of the decision making process of local institutions as if they in control. The Montserrat National Trust is just that. It is not the Expatriate National Trust. Of course they should support and participate in the Trust, but they cannot be allowed to overtake it and install who they please.

And yes is it true? My Friend tell me it is really true. The Governor's Office not giving the Trust no more money directly nor projects to manage directly. They handing out money piecemeal. This is the way they insulting an institution that has been around and conducting business in Montserrat for all these years. This is the way they spitting on fine upstanding volunteers in Montserrat, and remember they not getting any pay or any commission on project money they raise.

This is the way they insulting our integrity and history as a nation. But they give two expatriate individuals money to manage, farm and bee projects on their own. And they want to tell us that slavery done and how we overcome!

I keep telling Montserratians that the time has come and the time is now. I just wondering is how much longer that Massa think we going live under the gun of the Colonial Empire while the “Expatriate Few” shake they waste in we face!

Jus wonderin why all the chuckling between scientist and interviewer when the answer given really showed that the man in de Reporter know what he saying: “no inclination nor professional desire to in any way CHANGE the natural process” of the volcano.

Jus wonderin if a tricks why de CM wasn’t interested in anything else at the evacuation meeting beside that he is moving too and everybody else should move.

Jus wonderin if them police who had on swimsuit on stage is really men or women.

Jus wonderin if some people don’t know when dey move out of a house them should clean the dirt behind them.

Jus wonderin why some people does go outta them way to embarrass them own people.

Jus wonderin wha de VEG (Volcano Executive Group) really do every week when they meet, if it is just a kind of breakfast club.

Jus wonderin if all the VEG do is jus listen to the orders from the governor and fatten the chief minister.

Jus wonderin if dem no see dat de only person benefitin big time is de chief minista who move to expensive house wey he no ha fu pay fa.

Jus wonderin why the newspaper not write about government paying lock stock and barrel for the chief minister new house when every one else have to pay rent or endure the low-life shelter.

Jus wonderin if they didn’t know that this just suit him because he plan not to stay in Old Towne when heavy ash come.

Jus wonderin who can believe that since 1995 this was the first time the CM went up in the chopper to see the volcano.

Jus wonderin why he didn’t go before if is because he spent so little time in Montserrat since the volcano start up and is now he want to force the evacuation to do his little customary long time trick.

Jus wonderin who used to look after our budgetary aid affairs before the crisis and if is right to have DFID looking after it now.

Jus wonderin if the scientist dem subtly reporting the shift of the dome so that they can get to undo the unpopular evacuation.

Jus wonderin how come the sirens have never been used to announce any hightened activity.

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 happen to HIM that he get sick go to social evening then couldn’t go to meeting.

Jus wonderin when the residents of Salem and Old Towne will actually be allowed back full time into their homes.

Jus wonderin if it will be this week, next week, few weeks or next few months or even years.

Jus wonderin how much money them ham people does really spend on this hobby and when they come here.

Jus wonderin if our government know the same things Britain know about Montserrat like we lose over One billion pounds through the volcano.

Jus wonderin since it is not there fault the volcano act up, if it is our fault instead.

Jus wonderin if HMG punishing the rest of the people for disobeying their order to evacuate Montserrat.

Jus wonderin if they can do like they do with Belham Flanks and threaten to lock up people if they order to evacuate Montserrat.