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EDITORIAL

"Just Repeating General Advisories... Won't Make Us Storm Ready"

Montserrat may be able to count its misfortunes, but certainly there are good fortunes worth counting also. One such good fortune is the fact that in recent years hurricanes have managed to avoid hitting us through what we have come to believe is no less than "divine providence."

The region was referred to as being "storm weary," but while we may refer to ourselves as being "volcano weary," we are indeed lucky not to be counted in that "storm weary" category also.

For an island that has suffered so severely within the last 10 years from natural disasters, it looks like we are becoming somewhat inattentive in the way we deal with other disasters such as hurricanes. Or is it because we are learning a new way of life, one of dependency, that we continue to overlook a very important factor in the provision of our disaster preparedness programmes and readiness?

Last year, right after Georges had hardly grazed us with a little wind that barely reached 60 mph, and the temporary government headquarters and the houses at Davy Hill were unscathed, Governor Abbott announced proudly that "we had withstood the test." We all put that down to his apparent inexperience with hurricanes, but had we used the available expertise on island he would have known that nothing had truly been tested.

This year Hurricane Jose surprised us a bit (had it been worse we would have been in trouble) when after the hurricane had passed Antigua, Montserrat began experiencing its strongest winds.

With Hurricane Lenny still over 200 miles away and traveling in a direction which always suggested it would most likely miss Montserrat, we were kept informed all right as we received the general forecasts. Only there was no broadcast specific to Montserrat which talked about the huge effect this rare hurricane coming out of the west could have on the west coast of Montserrat.

As a result our fishermen suffered huge losses. On Wednesday morning we awoke to the crashing sounds of huge pounding waves which had already swallowed some of our unsuspecting fishermen’s main productivity tool, their boats.

We may not have meteorological experts in Montserrat, but certainly, we have trained personnel who have knowledge they can share with us in discussing co-ordinates and the general information available to us, not only from the advisers in Antigua but through the wonderful technology of television and the Internet.

Hurricanes are not like earthquakes or tornados; they can be tracked and fortunately give hours of warning. They are not like volcanos, although we can still feel lucky in the way that Soufriere Hills eruption evolved.

One report after the passage of Lenny stated that "national disaster management agencies point to millions of dollars in infrastructural damage and scores of people being dislocated."

We cannot afford not to have in place proper advisory and warning tools relative exclusively to Montserrat’s needs. Without them could become involved in costly and unnecessary expenditures, not to mention what we may have to spend or what we may lose because we were ill advised and unprepared. Somewhat contradictory you may say, but the ‘catch 99’ situation is far from necessary.

If the powers that be had taken the warning from Professor Wadge in the mid 80’s re volcanos more seriously, we would have been a different, hopefully a better off people today.

W have been fortunate, perhaps very fortunate, but we should not allow it to sway us in letting down our guards. We have been warned.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Hurricane with a difference

October was bad enough, but who ever hear about hurricane in November when man home relaxing, dreaming about ham and sorrel?

And you couldn't behave like any other law-abiding hurricane… No! You had to come through the back door shame on you Lenny!

You 'ca rray' over St. Martin as if you looking for some long lost friend all the time terrorizing people, rearranging landscape and furniture. You crawl like a car in heavy traffic, taking a rick-rack trail like a drunken sailor on shore leave. Lenny, you sure leave plenty people bawling.

From North to South you name on every lip… who cussing you, who bad-mouthing you, who using you name to cast blame and settle old scores. Nobody have a good word to say about you… You eh shame?

I for one glad it wasn't time for a women hurricane!

Pat Ryan

The Fruit of Monopoly Is Casual Indifference

Dear Editor,

As this letter is written, it is four full days since Hurricane Lenny posed any threat to Montserrat. During these four full days, Cable TV of Montserrat has provided its customers with barely more than the minimal channels they could access during the meandering passage of Lenny about the Caribbean.

In an age of instant communications, this is simply unacceptable. I respectfully suggest that if Cable TV of Montserrat had to compete with even a local provider this situation would not prevail.

Customers of a service that enjoys a concessionary monopoly thanks to the Government of Montserrat deserve what the Government of Montserrat has made it impossible for them to demand: far better treatment for the arbitrary fees they pay for a service that has no motivation to be responsive or reliable.

J. Donald Brandt

Woodlands/Foxes Bay

Emergencies Demand Reliable Information

OPEN LETTER TO:

CM David S Brandt

HE Anthony Abbott

The Montserrat Reporter

Conclusions to be drawn after the passage of Hurricane Lenny.

The principal purpose of Government is to protect and inform the citizens of its country.

It is apparent that both the local Montserratian Government and the representatives of the British Government on island have failed lamentably in this respect during the recent crisis.

Let us look at the facts:

(a) Cable TV was off the air most of the time during this period because power was out, thereby denying the population access to the Weather Channel and Channel 5 (ZJB audio service).

(b) ZJB was also off the air for long periods for the same reasons and when their emergency backup generator was working, which apparently allows broadcasting to continue on the 88.3 frequency , then many residents are either totally incapable of capturing this frequency or else the reception is so bad with large amounts of static that it is almost impossible to hear much of what is being said.

(c) the island has no monitoring service on island in respect of hurricanes and the weather in general , and is apparently totally reliant on Antigua`s meteorological office and related services for all such information.

This situation is clearly absolutely unacceptable and endangers the lives of the population of Montserrat, particularly during such a powerful and unpredictable storm as Hurricane Lenny.

The purpose of this letter is to request an immediate answer from the parties concerned as to what you intend to do and by when to remedy this situation and to request that your replies are submitted to The Montserrat Reporter so that the general public is kept informed.

With all the backup power generators imported recently on island for use in private homes of members of the various representatives of the British Government ( this includes all the various departments on island ), why can ZJB not be loaned or provided with a backup generator which allows it during power outages to continue to broadcast on its usual frequencies with a quality which allows the local population to clearly understand what is being said?

In the meantime, please be advised that under the present conditions on island ( see above) if anybody ( friend or family ) staying in our homes on Montserrat suffers death or injury during a hurricane or a volcanic event -outside the Exclusion Zone, of course, I will hold your respective Governments responsible and liable for damages until such time as an effective remedy has been implemented.

If no reply is received within the next week, then this matter will be taken up with the British Government in London through my local MP, members of the Foreign Office, the British and Commonwealth Office and the UK press etc., who will all receive copies of all the correspondence exchanged.

Yours sincerely,

Dependency is Step Away from Slavery

Dear Editor:
It is unreservedly disheartening that even today Montserratians still want to have any alliance with Britain. The results of your poll that the majority of Montserratians want to be considered British citizens almost brought tears to my eyes! We should be appalled to even associate ourselves with the "great" Britain.
I sat for a moment and wondered, is my thought process any different than that of any other Montserratian, any other logical thinking being? At the present moment, we are a "British colony." What does that mean to us?

The conditioned thinker would be quick to answer, "That simply means that Montserrat is an island politically controlled by a distant country (Great Britain); a dependency. While this is true, the person who puts this into perspective, and analyzes the true meaning of colonialism (which is one small step away from slavery), would come to the conclusion that the true denotation is that Montserratians have been deemed a group of people who have been institutionalized in a relatively remote area by a power hungry, modern day oppressor.

Should we expect better? Of course not, we asked for it.. And apparently we are still asking for more. Still asking the "queen mother" to continue to prostitute us.. Still asking to play "step it fetch it" for Massa. Still happily accepting the role as the bastard child.. Still trying to be a part of a society and culture that could never be ours!
What would want us as a people to have our destiny decided by another? How can we teach our children to choose their own destinies, when our "leaders" are begging to be led by others? Great example.
Our mindsets have been acclimatized to think of ourselves as an inferior people, incapable of doing anything meaningful for ourselves. The vicious cycle never ends because our society continues to depict this "picture" to our youths - the fire keeps getting fueled. What else is the new police cadet to think when the Commissioner of Police is appointed by a person in another country, that knows nothing about our country, to "control" an environment that this appointee knows nothing about? What should the man on the street teach his children about leadership skills, when the highest official on the island seems to be someone there on a prolonged vacation?
What are our children to feel, when they must march for a queen whom they nothing about?
Politricks (and no, that was not a typo) in Montserrat must take a new turn if anything positive is to happen in our lovely island. Our children and our brainwashed adults need to be educated about the realities of life. We need to teach independence, preach independence, live independent, and wake up to the facts that lay in front of our faces. Slavery is not an option anymore!
It is time for Montserratians to surge into the next century with freedom on our minds. There are too many brilliant Montserratians at home and abroad for us to continue to pretend like we need help from an unwilling hand that has been playing with us like an unwanted toy for centuries. That is totally unacceptable. Independence for Montserrat! Montserrat for Montserratians, Britain for the British! Teach our people the Truth, or else the will continue to want to live the Lies!

Yours truly,
T'Shaka Lee.

Scripture Verse

Once Dead, Now Alive

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. - 1 John 5:12

One day as I sat in my porch swing and looked out across the yard of a friend, I noticed a beautiful, almost perfectly symmetrical dogwood tree. Only a few years before, it had appeared to be dying. Its leaves were falling, and its condition seemed to worsen each day. The tree was almost dead when the owner finally chopped it down, leaving only a stump. I thought the tree was gone forever.

On this particular day as I sat looking at the beautiful new dogwood which had grown from the old roots, I realized that our lives are like that tree. We may be wasted by sin until it seems that we are almost destroyed. Yet, we become totally new and beautiful when we give our lives to Jesus. In Christ, the old life has passed away, as the old wood in the tree was no more. John said that when we accept Christ, we have life. We were once dead, but now we are alive forevermore. How grateful we are that God gives us the opportunity to be renewed and to have new life in Christ! Though we sin, God forgives us and allows us to start over again.

Prayer: Thank you God, for giving us second chances. Today we commit our selves to the way of Christ and accept the new life he offers. Amen.

Thought For The Day

Take off the old; put on the new.

NEWS BRIEFS

Fuel Supply Problems

As a result of the passage of hurricane Lenny, several islands are facing difficulties with their fuel supply system. The vessels, which routinely supply Montserrat with diesel, gasoline and LPG, have both run aground in St. Kitts-Nevis. To overcome the immediate problem of re-supply the Government of Montserrat has made contingency arrangements to ensure there is no shortage of fuel on-island. Stocks of gasoline and diesel already on island are sufficient to meet our needs for three weeks. LPG is scheduled to be re-supplied at the weekend. As normal, residents are advised to listen to Radio Montserrat for information on when empty cylinders will be collected by the Emergency Department.

Cable & Wireless to Increase Pace of Internet Developments

Cable & Wireless this week announced plans to accelerate the roll-out of Internet-based products and services across the Caribbean. As a major player in the international data and IP (Internet protocol) market, the company is committed to leveraging its global resources and experience to the benefit of customers in the region.

The Communications Company already provides Internet services in 17 Caribbean markets and has recently introduced an e-commerce platform in Bermuda. The plans to strengthen this position have been developed by company specialists in the Caribbean working with Cable & Wireless operations in US, UK and Hong Kong.

"Our goal is to unlock the full potential of the Internet to businesses and consumers in the region. We aim to offer more bandwidth, more choice and more value for money. Using our global resources will help us reach that goal quicker" said Carol Lake, Cable & Wireless’ Director of Marketing for the Caribbean and Atlantic Islands.

Recent steps taken by Cable & Wireless make the company extremely well positioned to develop the Internet market in the region.

In 1998 Cable & Wireless’ acquisition of MCI’s Internet backbone immediately established it as one of the world’s largest carriers of Internet traffic, linking the Caribbean region to the USA and the rest of the world on a single network. The company also co-owns Gemini, the world’s first transatlantic network specifically designed to carry Internet, Intranet and multimedia services.

Today, Cable & Wireless holds 28 percent of the US market, supporting over 2,000 Internet service providers. One in 10 e-mails sent around the world is carried by Cable & Wireless, who are currently developing partnerships with applications service providers such as Microsoft; real evidence of its position as a global leader.

Cable & Wireless has offered Internet services in the region since 1994, reaching penetration rates of almost 50 percent of households in some markets; on par with larger markets in Europe. The next step will be to focus efforts on enhancing existing offerings and introducing new ones. This will include attractive packages, higher speed access and increased functionality including Intranets and web commerce.

With customers in 70 countries, Cable & Wireless is a major global telecommunications business with revenue of around £8 billion in the year ended March 1999, and over 50,000 employees. Its businesses around the world offer a range of services spanning broadband and data and Internet access, fixed and mobile voice, as well as interactive entertainment and information. Cable & Wireless’ priority for expansion is the fast growing markets of data and IP (Internet Protocol) services for business customers.

Since November 1998, it has announced major investments in advanced networks in the US and Europe, the restructuring of Cable & Wireless Communications in the United Kingdom and has acquired full control of Cable & Wireless IDC in Japan to support this strategy. Cable & Wireless now holds a unique position in terms of global coverage and services to business customers.

Mr. Eddie Buffonge and Mrs. Cathie Buffonge were recently part of a large audience of proud parents attending a graduation ceremony at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. This is because their daughter Dr. Ingrid Buffonge was receiving her credential as a medical doctor.

A brilliant student, this was not Dr. Buffonge’s first graduation. A few years ago, she graduated at the Cave Hill Campus of the UWI with a First Class Degree in Natural Sciences.

Congratulation are in order for Dr. Buffonge as well as her parents.

Montserrat Getting Back on its Feet

Food Welfare in Montserrat began as a way of giving immediate help to those who were relocated, regardless of their financial circumstances.

A number of efforts have been made to look at Food Welfare and Social Welfare Reform in Montserrat. It has been found that there are some people who desperately need help but who are not getting it. Because of this, we must adopt a system that is targeted to those who need help the most. We must adopt a Means Tested System. Means Testing is a way of rationing access to services based on an in-depth analysis of people's financial needs. Means Testing will be used for food welfare at first, but then it will be extended to such things as housing and care of the elderly.

Food Welfare as we know it will therefore be coming to an end, but that is not the end of welfare supports in Montserrat. In December, the last food cheques will be paid out and everyone who is currently receiving food vouchers will be given the opportunity to apply for assistance by completing a new means tested application form.

The new Social Welfare system will start in the New Year for all persons who are eligible. The system aims to support people who really cannot support themselves, while encouraging everyone else to move on. We cannot go back. Things have changed for everyone. Many families have split up, people have lost their homes and some have lost their jobs.

However, as Montserrat moves forward, it is important to remember how people supported themselves before the volcanic crisis, so that we can rebuild our community to be proud and self-sufficient.

MVO Helps Out

The Montserrat Volcano Observatory's (MVO) expertise in volcano monitoring and the experience it has built up during the 4-year eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano was put into action on Thursday November 24 in neighbouring Guadeloupe.

Recent increase in gas emissions at La Soufriere volcano has prompted the joint initiative by the Guadeloupe Volcano Observatory and MVO to collect volcano gas data. The MVO personnel who went on the 1-day expedition to Guadeloupe included its Director Simon Young, Seismic and Gas Monitoring Technician Montserratian Racquel "Tappy" Syers and visiting UK Volcano Gas Specialists Hayley Duffell and Marie Edmonds.

While in Guadeloupe the MVO staff undertook COSPEC and experimental FTIR monitoring in close collaboration with the Director of the Guadeloupe Observatory, Dr Jean-Christoph Komorowski and his staff. Simultaneously the French staff used traditional methods of gas sampling and analysis. French Broadcast and Print Media covered the training exchange extensively.

MVO spokesperson Chelston Lee says the MVO also has other collaborative arrangements with many universities and volcano observatories around the world. He says within the region, MVO has other ongoing collaborative projects with the University of Puerto Rico in ground deformation, and the MVO's resident seismologist, Art Jolly, has just recently returned to Montserrat after attending a technical workshop to consolidate MVO's participation in the Middle Atlantic Seismic Network (MIDAS).

Mr Lee reiterates that the joint expedition between the staff of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory and the staff of the Guadeloupe Observatory is part of the MVO's foundation in being an organisation of scientific excellence, not only serving Montserrat but also making available its expertise throughout the region and worldwide.

Information & Press Officer

Contingency Arrangements Made to Assure Fuel Supply

As a result of the passage of Hurricane Lenny, several islands in the Eastern Caribbean are facing difficulties with their fuel supply system. The vessels, which routinely supply Montserrat with diesel, gasoline and LPG, have both run aground in St. Kitts-Nevis. To overcome the immediate problem of resupply the Government of Montserrat has made contingency arrangements to ensure there is no shortage of fuel on the island.

Stocks of diesel and gasoline already on island are sufficient to meet our needs for three weeks. LPG is scheduled to be delivered to the island on 27 and 28 November and those requiring their gas bottles filled are urged to listen to ZJB for announcement as to when empty cylinders will be collected by the Emergency Department.

Meantime, in related news, the Emergency Department has reported that two containers of new gas bottles have been shipped from Venezuela and on arrival are expected to alleviate the shortage of bottles on island.

Christmas, Year-end Holidays Schedule

The Government of Montserrat's Administration Department has announced the schedule of holidays for the Christmas and the New Year. The list shows:

Friday 24 December: Privileged holiday for Civil Servants

Monday 27 December: in lieu of Christmas Day (which falls on a Saturday)

Tuesday 28 December: in lieu of Boxing Day (which falls on a Sunday)

Friday 31 December: traditional Festival Day

Monday 3 January: in lieu of New Year's Day (which falls on a Saturday).

Major Drugs Bust In Caribbean Waters

Over two tonnes of cocaine with an estimated street value of EC$600 million on the streets of Britain or the USA has been seized in a dramatic drug bust in Caribbean waters.

The Royal Navy's Frigate HMS Northumberland, which recently paid a courtesy call to Montserrat, intercepted the smugglers and made the seizure in a joint operation with the US Coastguard. The latest bust was carried out as part of routine combined British-American operations aimed at crushing the flow of illegal drugs through the Caribbean. Often these drugs find their way to Britain, the rest of Europe and the USA.

Britain's Minister for the Armed Forces, Mr John Spellar was delighted. He said, "I congratulate the Ship's Company of HMS Northumberland in their success. Their highly professional and excellent work, in very difficult conditions, to find these well-concealed drugs is a clear sign of our resolution to stem the flow of illegal drugs."

The Royal Navy Frigate intercepted the Panamanian registered MV Adriatik north of Venezuela, having tracked her for more than seven hours. An American law enforcement detachment was put aboard and with assistance of British sailors found the bales of cocaine hidden deep beneath the ship's 800 tonne cargo of sugar cane. The MV Adriatik was arrested and escorted to an anchorage in the US Virgin Islands, where the US Coast Guard carried out further searches.

The success of this operation, which took place between 9-15 November, is an excellent example of the co-operation between UK and US authorities and reflects the importance the UK Government places on counter-drug activity.

The HMS Northumberland is the current West Indies Guard Ship (WIGS) and in the last few days has been assisting in Anguilla following the passage of Hurricane Lenny, providing humanitarian relief assistance.

CARICOM OFFICIALS VISIT MONTSERRAT

A team of officials from the Caribbean Community Secretariat will be visiting Montserrat on 26 and 27 November to discuss Protocol 1V- Trade Policy; Protocol v1- the Transport Policy and Protocol V11- the Disadvantaged Countries, Regions and Sectors Policy.

The team will meet with officials from the Private Sector, Tourism, Financial Institutions, Trade Unions, Christian Council, Chamber of Commerce and the press at the NDF Conference Centre at Davy Hill.

NEW YEAR SECURITY FEARS

Police are tightening security in London and other cities in Britain because groups opposing the Northern Ireland peace process might carry out bombings and other attacks over the New Year holiday. Police in London said there were credible grounds for increased concern, but gave no details. It is likely more officers will be deployed on the streets, and warnings issued for people to be especially vigilant. The security concerns comes as moves begin to set up a power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland on 2 December, to coincide with the start of IRA disarmament talks.

UN APPEAL FOR 'FORGOTTEN EMERGENCIES'

The United Nations is launching a fund-raising appeal for what it calls the forgotten emergencies, in which the world has little economic, strategic or media interest. The Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, will mark World Humanitarian Day by calling on governments to contribute 2.4 billion dollars to projects in 15 of the poorest countries. The UN is concerned that in a similar appeal last year, projects in African countries such as Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo were seriously under-subscribed, while the Balkans received two-thirds of the target figure. Among the countries in greatest need this year, the UN says, is Afghanistan where one in four children will die unless further aid is received.

COMMONWEALTH SUMMIT

The last Commonwealth gathering of the century has agreed the organisation must re-examine itself if it is to gain, not lose, relevance and influence in the next 100 years. The 52 Government's have decided together that 10 leaders, chaired by South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki, should lead the review of the role of the Commonwealth. The high-level review team will include Britain, Australia and India. The summit also pointed the way raising the standards of goods governance and human rights expected of all Commonwealth members. The action group of foreign ministers who police Commonwealth standards will be given greater flexibility to investigate and discipline offending governments. The most urgent task facing the ministerial group is pushing Pakistan towards democracy. They are now urging the immediate release of Nawaz Sharif, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan and speedy progress to democratic elections.

EGYPTAIR CRASH

The head of the investigation into the crash of the EgyptAir plane has indicated that he is considering whether the case should become a criminal inquiry. The US National Transportation Safety Board chairman, Jim Hall, said his team was concentrating their efforts on determining whether they should stay on the case. If there is evidence of criminal activity, the FBI would take over. The aircraft's cockpit voice-recorder is being analysed, but there is still no clear evidence as to why the plane came down off the east coast of the United States two weeks ago.

REPARTRIATION OF EAST TIMOR'S REFUGEES

A senior American envoy, Richard Holbrooke, has called on Indonesia to create conditions for the immediate repatriation of thousands of East Timorese civilians who have spent several months in refugee camps in Indonesian West Timor. Mr. Holbrooke, Washington's Ambassador to the United Nations, said pro-jakarta militiamen were intimidating refugees and must themselves be removed from the camps. He will hold talks today aimed at creating a safe corridor to allow the refugees to cross quickly back into East Timor. Mr. Holbrooke also called for the East Timorese Nobel peace laureate, Bishop Carlos Belo, and the former resistance leader, Xanana Gusmao, to go on television to tell the refugees that it is now safe for them to return. The envoy's remarks represent a significant increase in pressure on the Indonesians to solve the refugee question.

CHERIE BLAIR PREGNANT

It has been reported in London that Cherie Blair, wife of the Prime Minister Tony Blair, is expecting a baby. This will be the couple's fourth child. The Prime Minister's official spokesman made the announcement following enquiries from the Press. He said the news came as a total shock to the couple, but that they are delighted. Mrs. Blair is forty-five. The baby is expected in May 2000. The Prime Minister and Mrs. Blair had hoped to make an announcement later in the pregnancy, as only a small number of family, friends and officials were aware of it, but the tabloid press forced the early announcement.

The concept of Integration is not a new one, but Tropical Productions has put a new slant to it with the first ever Miss Unity Beauty Pageant, an exciting Beauty Pageant paying tribute to the many cultures which have made Montserrat their home. Young ladies from Antigua, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, Africa, Montserrat, and Trinidad will take to the stage on Sunday 26 December representing their countries and showcasing their beauty and talent.

Meet some of the contestants in the Miss Unity Pageant:

Miss Angelo Ltd.

Name: Gesierrie Kagbala

Country : Nigeria West Africa

Interest/Hobbies:Art,Dancing and Designing Batik Material

Miss Arrow’s Manshop

Name:Kerry-Ann Grant

Country : Jamaica

Interest/Hobbies : Singing and Dancing

Aspiration : Hope to pursue a career in Medicine

Miss T.K Contruction

Name : Victoria Lindsey

Country : Trinidad

Hobbies : Netball, Reading and Partying

Miss Victor's Grocery

Name: Dalia Dew

Country : Antigua

Interest/Hobbies: Dancing / Listening to music

SPORTS

GETTING IT RIGHT!

By Peter Adrien

Author and Commentator

Nuff respect to the oldies! Bob Marley's "crazy bald heads" and the generation X's "crazy grey heads" may not be as crazy as they appear to be.

And we may not have to chase them after all. Yes, the WICB and the selectors have at last demonstrated tremendous maturity and sanity in their decision-making.

The conventional wisdom in most cricketing jurisdictions is that the WICB boss, Pat Rousseau, and the selection chief, Mike Findlay, at last, have gotten it right. Despite pockets of differences (some comments inspired by petty nationalism and parochialism and some arguably plausible), the critics, analysts and commentators are generally agreed that the decisions with respect to the selection of the coach, the manger, as well as the philosophy which informs the selection of the senior and junior teams (the West Indies Senior Team and the West Indies A Team), reflect the sanity of the apparent "crazy bald heads."

Sir Vivian Richards and the great Clive Lloyd were appointed by the board as coach and manager for the tour of New Zealand. This is a good move even if the Pat Rousseau and his cohorts still sought to protect their pride by insisting that the appointment is only for one tour and stating their intention to appoint both manager and coach by a process of advertisement and interviews of appropriate candidates - an exercise which will be completed prior to the home series against Zimbabwe and Pakistan next year.

This is perhaps the most significant development in the history of West Indies cricket, as we move into the new millennium. By taking this decision, the WICB has ensured that the West Indies team boast the highest value-added in international cricket in terms of intellectual capital at the managerial and technical level.

Viv and Lloyd make a formidable team. The two are among the most successful captains and players of all time. The two should provide the ideal environment for nurturing, shaping and fashioning our almost "rag tag band" into an internationally competitive cricket team.

Just think of it. Viv is "de Bull," tamed by years of cricketing and coaching experience; Lloyd is the leopard, civilised by years of European and ambassadorial experience. The combined managerial and technical skills is awesome; the combined personality is imposing; the combined influence is infectious.

What about the selection policy? The firm of Mike Findlay and Associates also got it right. Perhaps for one or two exceptional cases, for which one may raise an eyebrow, their philosophy is correct, and their business approach is pragmatic. Committed to the policy of rebuilding, they are sending the following players on tour: Brian Lara, Sherwin Campbell, Adrian Griffith, Darren Ganga, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ricardo Powell, Wavell Hinds, Jimmy Adams, Ridley Jacobs, Dinanath Ramnarine, Franklyn Rose, Reon King, Courtney Walsh, Mervyn Dillon, Nehemiah Perry and Pedro Collins.

They have put the following on trial against the touring India A team and the upcoming Busta Cup: Brenton Parchment, Sylvester Joseph, Ryan Hinds, Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lincoln Roberts, Wayne Phillip, Rawl Lewis, Nixon McLean, Dwight Mais, Goldwyn Prince and Rodney Sooklal.

The decision confirms the selection policy. The investment in Darren Ganga, Ricardo Powell and Wavell Hinds is commendable. But even if Adrian Griffith has done nothing wrong since his last appearance against the Aussies, I would have preferred the youthful Jamaican opener Brendon Parchment to him, and would have included the teenage prolific Guyanese batsman, Narsingh Deonarine, in the West Indies A team.

The Leeward Islanders have taken the selectors to task for giving the youthful and talented batsman, Antiguan Sylvester Joseph, what is really an unnecessary second trial. The conventional wisdom is that he should have been selected for the tour on the basis of his Red Stripe Bowl performance. The criticism for his omission is well-founded but I think his omission presents him with a golden opportunity to cement himself on the West Indies team.

Having already gotten the cricketing public on his side, all Sylvester has to do is to keep fit, stay focussed and give one or two good performances in the 2000 Busta Cup and his passage is sure. There will be lots of opportunities. Following the New Zealand tour, there is the home series against Zimbabwe and Pakistan, and the tour to England. His entrance will be sweeter. Good luck, son!

They have gotten it right! Three cheers to King Viv, and two thumbs-up to the "Bald Heads."

PHOTO CAPTION: King Viv demonstrates the art and science of batting.

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is providing the Government of Montserrat with a technical assistance grant not exceeding the equivalent of US $104, 000, to assist in financing consultancy services.

Paul Lewis released his new CD "DEMO" this week on Radio Montserrat and already is becoming a firm favourite of listeners. The album represents 'the coming of age ' for Paul 's music and follows on from his very popular "WINDIES " which was a regional success late last year / earlier this year. The song is also included on the new album, which really shows his multitude of talents.

Paul, an Electrical Engineer, never really sang in public in his native Montserrat but took to the stage in Jamaica where he was studying at the time. He appeared in two competitions there and won them both, giving him confidence to perform back home.

The new CD has nine tracks and so far its ' Tip Top Shape' a song about the fitness craze and ' Caribbean Banana' the story of the banana trade wars which are getting all the airplay. However, all the songs on the album deserve mention. His ' Caribbean Vacation ' has a very catchy rhythm and equally appealing words and is bound to be a firm favourite with tourists if widely promoted. The song 'Too Hot ' is also worthy of note but perhaps is a little too close in style to Arrow's 'Hot, Hot, Hot ' and because of this might be dismissed, however it is still worth listening too. Paul demonstrates his wide musical style with ' praises ', which could feature on any Gospel music show.

The musical arrangements are by Hodge Daley and the album produced by Paul himself. Musicians include; Dave Williams, Harvey Edgecombe who also co-wrote some of the songs, Robin S, Andre West, Steve Ryan who was also the recording engineer, and Hodge Daley himself. Backup vocalists include Elizabeth Piper, Honey, Tyra, Nelson Thompson and Garnet Thompson.

The likeable, Paul Lewis who is a keen cricket player is donating some of the proceeds from the sale of his CD to the MCA to help promote youth cricket on the island.

All in all, a great album full of musical styles and talent and one that would make a great Christmas gift for friends at home and abroad. It will be available to the public at Arrow's Manshop within the next few days so I urge everyone to buy it, listen to it and most of all enjoy….

Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix.

It is a narrow tube like structure extending from the inferior part of the caecum or the beginning of the large intestines.

NB It is important to note that the appendix has no essential function in the human and there is no change in body function when it has been removed.

The most common cause of appendicitis is obstruction of the lumen by a small, hard mass of accumulated faeces or a solid foreign body or by disease or scar tissue in the walls of the appendix.

Secretion collects in the tube of the appendix causing distension that results in pressure on the blood vessels in the area. The mucosa becomes inflamed, ulcerates and readily becomes infected, the walls may become sloughy because of the interferance with the blood supply and rupture is likely to occur.

A ruptured appendix is serious, it allows the escape of organisms into the peritoneal cavity and may cause an abcess in the appendiceal region or a generalised peritonitis.

The disease may occur at any age but is more common in children over 4 years of age, adolescents and young adults. Early diagnosis and treatment of appendicitis is important to prevent serious complications.

Manifestations of appendicitis are abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. A moderate elevation in temperature and an increase in white blood cells.

At the onset, the pain may be generalised or localised to the central portion of the abdomen or the lower epigastric region and is described as crampy.

As the inflammation involves the walls of the appendix the pain becomes localised to the lower right quadrant or McBurney’s Point ie. in the groin area.

The area is tender on palpation and rigidity gradually develops in the muscles. Rebound tenderness may be present. The patient moves slowly and carefully to avoid jolting and movements that increase the pain and tends to keep the right thigh flexed.

Examination of the patient includes palpation of the abdomen and a differential white blood cell count. The doctor may also do a rectal examination and a vaginal/pelvic examination may be done on the female.

The treatment of the appendicitis is surgical removal of the appendix or appendectomy while the patient is under general or spinal anaesthesia.

Nursing Intervention The person with abdominal pain should be urged to seek medical advice. Self treatment is discouraged, particularly the taking of a laxative or an enema which could be serious, since either could cause rupture of the appendix.

The patient is also advised not to take food or fluid until seen by the doctor. This is in case immediate surgery is necessary.

In most instances, surgery is performed as soon as the diagnosis is established.

If the appendix was intact at the time of removal, the patient usually makes a rapid uneventful recovery with a short period of hospitalization.

PROFILE

Velma Cabey, RN

I joined the staff at the Glendon Hospital in 1980 as a Nursing Assistant.

In 1991 I pursued the Registered Nurse training in Dominica and was successful and became a Registered Nurse in 1994.

I also successfully completed the one year Midwifery Course in 1999 in St. Kitts. During my years as a Nursing Assistant, I gained a wealth in knowledge as Operating Theatre and Accident and Emergency Nursing.

Other training locally include workshops and inservice training on Diabetic Foot Care, Expanded Programme on Immunization, Wound Care, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and CPR just to name a few.

I hope to pursue formal training in Operating Theatre Nursing sometime in the future.

To achieve success in a working environment takes hard work, but along with this a worker should:

(1) Be punctual and consistent.

(2) Be ambitious and strive for excellence.

(3) Be motivated and motivate co-workers.

(4) Carry out duties diligently and conscientiously

(5) Submit to and respect authority.

(6) Use working time effectively and.

(7) Take initiatives and go the extra mile.

There is a true-life story of a homeless man seeking shelter. A "Good Samaritan" offered him her basement. He promised to undertake any duties in return. His diligence and honesty were noticed and he was paid for by his labour. Soon he was hired by many individuals in the community. He ended up being rich and successful by way of establishing business and providing services in demand in the community.

The poet Longfellow puts success this way: "The heights by great men reached and kept; were not obtained by sudden flight; but they while their companions slept; were toiling upwards in the night."

Hard work is usually rewarded (Parable of Talents: Mat 25:14-30). All work is considered hard, whether it be mental or physical, and it is said that hard work has never killed any one, but laziness has had many victims.

Workers with a positive attitude are the wheels to any country's economic development and it would appear that Montserrat has been blessed with many such workers, given its economic growth prior to the volcanic crisis.

Those with a laissez-fierce attitude would be well advised to make a concerted effort to work resolutely, bearing in mind the present circumstances of the island. They should be mindful also that they are just working themselves out of work."

The influx of DFID aid funds to Montserrat is essential, but it will take a motivated and determined labour force to move this beautiful country from "Crisis to Recovery," not the least forgetting to give the Almighty God the priority in this effort.

For Secondary School, High School and College graduates, here is a list of 11 things they did not learn in school. In his book, Bill Gates talks about how feel-good, politically-correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world. You may want to share this list with some you know.

RULE 1: Life is not fair; get used to it.

RULE 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

RULE 3: You will NOT make $40,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice president with a car phone, until you earn both.

RULE 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss. He doesn't have tenure.

RULE 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping; they called it opportunity.

RULE 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

RULE 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents' generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

RULE 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not. In some schools they have abolished failing grades; they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

RULE 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find Yourself. Do that on your own time.

RULE 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

RULE 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

The answer to the eternal question "Is it better to be a jock or a nerd?":

Michael Jordan makes over $300,000 a game. That equals $10,000 a minute, at an average of 30 minutes per game. With $40 million in endorsements, he made $178,100 a day, working or not. If he sleeps 7 hours a night, he makes $52,000 every night while visions of sugarplums dance in his head. If he goes to see a movie, it'll cost him $7.00, but he'll make $18,550 while he's there. If he decides to have a 5-minute egg, he'll make $618 while boiling it. He makes $7,415/hr more than minimum wage.

He'll make $3,710 while watching each episode of Friends. If he wanted to save up for a new Acura NSX ($90,000), it would take him a whole 12 hours. If someone were to hand him his salary and endorsement money, they would have to do it at the rate of $2.00 every second. He'll probably pay around $200 for a nice round of golf, but will be reimbursed $33,390 for that round. Assuming he puts the federal maximum of 15 percent of his income into a tax deferred account (401k), he will hit the federal cap of $9,500 at 8:30 a.m. on January 1st. If you were given a penny for every $10 he made, you 'd be living comfortably at $65,000 a year. He'll make about $19.60 while watching the100-meter dash in the Olympics.

He'll make about $15,600 during the Boston Marathon. While the common person is spending about $20 for a meal in his trendy Chicago restaurant, he'll pull in about $5600. In his last year, he made more than twice as much as all U.S. past presidents for all of their terms combined.

However, if Jordan saves 100 percent of his income for the next 250 years, he'll still have less than Bill Gates has today.

Game over. Nerd wins.

We all fall into a rut sometimes. Without some concerted effort, you may do things the same way repeatedly, whether it's the side of the bed you sleep on, how you brush your teeth, or the way you and your partner have (or don't have) sex.

Relationships need attention. In fact, they thrive on it. Here are some ideas to get your love life jump-started today.

We give love to our partner the way we want it given to us. But it doesn't always work because we all have different needs and desires. Over time, as routine creeps in, many of us forget to show our love to our partner as often as she likes or the way he craves.

Take a moment to think about your partner. Then respond accordingly. If he's a party boy, take him out for a night on the town. If she loves opera, buy last-minute tickets. If he's a private person, take the kids out of his hair for the weekend. The possibilities are infinite.

You do it when you have a big project at work or when you have to find an activity to keep the kids busy. But it may surprise you to see what happens when you take a moment every day of the week to focus on your relationship.

When you first wake up, think to yourself, "What can I do for my partner today?" Some ideas include kissing him every time he walks by, flirting with her like she's a new date, wearing his favorite perfume every day instead of just for special occasions.

Sex -- the same as it ever was. But have you ever stopped to think about what it is that you do? Sit down with your partner and write down the sexual activities you participate in regularly. Then take turns adding activities you think you might enjoy to the list of what you already do. Write them down as you brainstorm together.

Don't judge your partner's choices as the list is being created, just let the ideas flow freely.

Now, take turns indicating your level of interest in each new activity by choosing a number from one to six (one = high interest, six = not much). Besides helping you set your own sexual boundaries, this exercise will give you food for thought as a sexual couple.

After a long time together we take on roles, most commonly "giver" and "receiver." It takes some effort to break out, and bring more equality to our positions. One great way to do this is through massage.

Take turns massaging each other. Ask your partner to tell you exactly where and how she would like to be rubbed. Massage one part of her body (back, hands, head or feet) for 10 minutes. The receiver gets to give both positive feedback when something's just right, and constructive feedback when the giver could adjust his pace, pressure or movements.

It's simple to transfer these skills to your lovemaking. Instead of sexual "status quo," take turns pleasuring each other. Each partner gives directions for what he'd like his partner to do. Then you switch. It's a powerful way to learn about your partner's needs and how to ask for what you want.

Silly as it may sound, setting aside one hour of quality time for sex each week can increase your satisfaction more than any other change you could make. You don't have to have sex during the hour if neither of you is in the mood or the conditions aren't right (one of you is sick, exhausted, sore, etc.). But if they are, you'll have an entire hour without distractions for an amazingly satisfying experience.

18.11.99

You would have thought that we had seen it all

this side of the millennial ball:

Haley’s comet quakes of apocalyptic scale

a mountain under the weather defecating,

at both ends, without an end, too sick to sleep.

A sometime shut-eye fools the doctors

and their formulaic physic; and we denied

our saviours near three times. Night ate light

bite by crescent bite in a magic of eclipse.

Cocks crew out of rhyme and Hugos played the island

in regulation time. Enter Lenny a little loony

but dramatic in a late late show breaking

big winds deep November under wrong direction

don’t know west from east, stage right or left

a choreograph in madness avec son et lumière

A late developer, Lenny moved on a fast track

he skipped class in the clever sense, pausing

for a disastrous effect like windy orators

while people wait, dying with suspense.

Passing within blood shot of Jamaica

and under eaves of burglaries in Puerto Rico

he trained his eye on violence without parental guide.

The limbs of trees were flailing everywhere

tearing to tatters our wet emotions

violating the play rites of Shakespeare.

I was fascinated, almost, by your late show:

Guinness waves betting with cliffs at Little Bay

your video flooding the weather channel

memory lapses in MONLEC’S lighting; but I pause,

a fan of punctuality, I withheld applause.

We're truly proud to tell the world,

We're from the Emerald Land,

A people daring strong and bold,

Unitedly we stand.

(Refrain)

Rally on, countrymen, rally on,

God's hand and his alone,

Can guide and guard this sacred land,

But united we must stand.

Thy palm trees waving high and free,

Sustain a clarion call

For human rights and liberty,

Doth laud thee first of all,

Our native land dare not forsake,

A friendly smile, A warm handshake,

Is all some need today.

COMPROMISE

By Roy G.

From Tortola with love

Brandt want calypso

De British playing jazz

Weekes try some reggae

De Brits dancing waltz

Tuitt try some soul

Britannia went cold

Bramble want gospel

English say go toll de bell

Stratians want calypso

Reggae and cadance

England say, the band is ours

We still want jazz

The young want Soca sweet Lyric

So we could move our feet

To the rhythm of the music

And de drum beat

John Bull say no!

That is too hot

We want something cool

Don't act like a fool

Reuben say, we need a compromise

You expect whites to see out of black eyes?

'Clare' who fell short

But we going get de new port

Well, Bassie say, dey wrong!

Its because that we black

Look at Falkland and even Hong Kong

No wonder de Chinese tek um back!

British obligation

Demand gay law

We say, not in we nation

No way Massa!

Get you people together

No matter if its good or stormy weather

De English and de British all de same

Hundreds of years they playing this game

They divide and rule

Britannia pay de fiddler-he call de tune

Recovery round de corner coming soon

CM dance we dance an' play we tune

Volcano Limericks

Forget the SOS

'Calling Chief Minister Brandt,

'About that political slant,

'I, John Osborne, must pass

'On your call to bring gas,

'I sold that old ship, so I can't.'

Captive Audience

Each hurricane threat will disable

Our 'vast TV menu' on Cable,

And though we deplore it

They're slow to restore it

Because they're alone at the table.

Jus Wonderin

Jus wonderin who took the cockroaches to Look Out.

Jus wonderin who's next on the house eviction list.

Jus wonderin why that man from Salem can't give free food.

Jus wonderin' why anyone should have any sympathy, understanding or tolerance for CABLE TV when every other nationwide service provider was back up and running within 24 hours.

Jus wonderin' how much they take advantage of being declared the only game allowed in town.

Jus wonderin if some of the workers at Admin and Treasury are getting paid for extra security duties for the bathrooms at GHQ, WHY - do they have their own keys?

Jus wonderin if the garbage collection agencies will ever come to the bottom of Look Out for the garbage that is piled up there.

Jus wonderin what the government was thinking when they issued the houses at Look Out why they put all the elderly people at the bottom.

Jus wonderin when the sanitation department will put rubbish bins in all areas at Look Out especially down at the bottom where most elderly people live.

Jus wonderin if Cable TV will show highlights of previous Christmas events now that the season is here.

Jus wonderin how can a particular orderly who keep saying it’s not my job when he is been asked to do anything, be still around at Glendon Hospital.

Jus wonderin if there is a guyanese invasion at Glendon.

Jus wonderin if Guyana is the only country where nurses are willing to be recruited from.

Jus wonderin if the Guyanese builder with shuttering experience is thinking of running for election.

Jus wonderin how much more time the Lady Minister needs before she can see what is happening to the local nurses and health staff who will soon be placed at the Glendon gate.

Jus wonderin if there is any truth that the Fashion Queen and the Heavy Roller are not on speaking terms.

Jus wonderin if the arrested goats confessed to who their owners are.

Jus wonderin if it's true that one of the British candidates being interviewed for police commissioner is former Field Marshal Hooper.

Jus wonderin who the next COP will be.

Jus wonderin when those British passports will be available.

Jus wonderin where the opposition have gone.

Jus wonderin why its so cheap to go to England this Christmas.

Jus wonderin if Rogers and Out should stay in.

Jus wonderin how the CM forgot that John Osborne no longer owns the local" boat that he wants to bring cooking gas to the island.