Christmas Day this year will mark exactly three and a half years since the last official commercial aircraft landed at W.H. Bramble airport, the same day on which 19 people died as a direct result of volcanic activity, as pyroclastic flows devastated all the eastern villages from Dyers to Trants in their rush towards the airport.

It was the Reuben Meade administration that had secured, under the 6^th European Development Fund (EDF), an allocation for the development of transportation for Montserrat. The funds were to be used, along with others, including funded British aid, for the expansion of W.H. Bramble (Blackburne) airport. The funds have not been accessed, while Montserrat waits longingly for a 'fixed-wing' aircraft facility to serve Montserrat air travel needs.

Much has been discussed and said over this allocation of funds from the European Union (EU) to Montserrat. On this brief background Mr. Bonne de Jonge, Engineering Advisor of the European Commission (EC), who headed a delegation that visited here in October this year, wrote the government:

"…We can now be assured that an amount of Euro $4,000,000 has been formally earmarked from the CRIP (Caribbean Regional Indicative Program) allocation…being from the 6^th EDF balances is not unconditional. Contrary to normal provisional allocations…a strict deadline of 31/12/2001 is applicable for primary commitment of funds. If this deadline is not met a new application will have to be made under the 9^th EDF."

At stake is approximately US$3.5 million, or just under EC$10 million. In his letter Mr. De Jonge pointed out that the implication was that before July 1 next year "a decision had to be made on the best use of the earmarked funds."

He discussed briefly the airport options presented to Montserrat nearly two years ago, which following the abandonment of plans to "return to Bramble," when the volcano continued to show restless signs. Those options involved Blakes, Thatch Valley and Geralds.

Blakes was practically discounted; of Thatch Valley he said, "from the air it appears that there are undoubtedly possibilities to create an airstrip…this offers the additional solution to consider a technical option as recently effected on the island of Bequia, St. Vincent. However the costs would not only be substantial, but probably be dwarfed by the costs of creating acceptable access to the site."

Their preliminary conclusion in the brief discussion was that "development of this option might well be the preferred solution in the medium term."

But for the short term, considered to be "rather limited," Geralds was the final option. The EU engineer expressed his delegation's opinion: "The creation of a temporary approximately 600 metre airstrip on Geralds, taking into consideraton the space requirements of a sports complex which could be realised simultaneously, could well be the only technical option that would guarantee fixed wing air access for Twin Otter type aircraft to Montserrat in the short term."

It has been the considered opinion of Montserratians that the only sensible airport/airstrip option for the future of Montserrat is an airport at Thatch Valley and it was this belief that prompted the creation of the Committee for the Redevelopment of Montserrat (CRM). It has been pushing for the building of an airport at Thatch Valley in the far north of the island. The Chief Minister, in the meantime, had developed a committee to look at the various options and to develop strategies on the various issues.

Reacting to the pressures of the possibility of losing, the Chief Minister sought suggestions from the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber, in a four-point response, agrees that the EU funds should be accessed to "carry out the necessary studies for a fixed-wing facility at Gerald's in the short term without prejudice to the study for a fixed-wing facility with expansion capabilities elsewhere…"

The Chamber suggested also that the 'minimum length of any strip must be 600 meters and be able to accommodate Twin-Otter type aircraft operations, pointing out that Islander type aircraft service cannot be acceptable; it added that any study must include wind and safety factors having approval of the Civil Aviation Authority.

In a CANA story, Mr. De Jonge is reported to believe that much emphasis must be placed on using Gerald's as a temporary means of fixed-wing access and a springboard for future planning and development.

"In the meantime," he is quoted as saying, "you can use Gerald's to get normal aircraft in and (then) you think about how you would deal with the rest of the island."

CANA reported further that the EU engineer envisaged that with proper planning, houses, factories and other infrastructure could spring up around the now forested and rocky Thatch Valley if and whenever an airport is built there. He disputed suggestions in some quarters here that Gerald's was unsuitable for a fixed-wing airstrip because of heavy wind turbulence, arguing that greater turbulence was expected at Thatch Valley because it was there that the northeast trade winds hit the island and turn.
Speaking to CANA from his Barbados office he said: "It's up to the consultant to make a proposal that as many of the objections that could be raised against Gerald's are being taken care of."
Existing studies, he said, show that Gerald's can accommodate an airstrip with a minimum length of 300 metres, or a maximum length of 600 metres, which can accommodate either Islanders or Twin-Otters.

Once again it is about time that we truly set some goal posts to determine if, when and how Montserrat will boast some fixed-wing facility in the north to facilitate the movement of passengers in and out of the Island. It should be stated at the outset that it is agreed by all and sundry that a fixed-wing facility is crucial to the island's economic development.

Committees have been formed following consultations set up to study options for the installation of an airport/airstrip in the north of Montserrat. It is apparent that while many had been prepared to accept a return to W.H. Bramble airport, that possibility is no longer mentioned by more than a few.

It is understood that the government probably signed off recently on accepting an airstrip at Gerald's as a last and final short-term resort. It is urgent to replace the present cumbersome travel arrangements that are now the norm for Montserrat, because the European Union, through its agency the European Development Fund (EDF) and Caribbean Regional Indicative Program (CRIP), have warned that if funds it has allocated towards the construction of an airport are not accessed by July 1 next year, they will be lost. Fresh applications would have to be made for any new funds, with no guarantee of approval after going through all the processes.

Having done its own research, the European Union is in favour of a Thatch Valley airport, pointing out the drawbacks in ever seeing this a reality, and in the meantime committing itself to assist in any preliminary studies.

There is no secret in its recommendation that Gerald's seems the only viable option left for the creation of "temporary appoximately 600-metre airstrip…that would guarantee fixed-wing air access for Twin Otter type aircraft to Montserrat in the short term."

The British Government stands ready to make available the additional funds needed for such an airstrip to become a reality; they have spent considerable sums and are willing to spend more to see this to fruition.

It should be remembered that the British Prime Minister Tony Blair did promise Montserrat's current Chief Minister David Brandt an airstrip. But, it should be noted that unlike in some other areas, the British have not been forcing this upon Montserrat.

Instead it is quite obvious that the decision to have or not to have an airstrip at Gerald's will be a matter purely for the government and perhaps the people of Montserrat. If this is that obvious then the only reason must be, that in spite of the promise that this is temporary, there is no immediate W.H. Bramble to go to, since the beast of Soufriere Hills gives no indication of letting up. And Britain's emphatic no to Thatch Valley means, therefore, that any elephants that show up at Gerald's would have satisfied the British promise, and Montserrat would be branded with having made the final decision

Then what is the problem facing the government and people?. While early and other consultants, along with agents of the EU, talk of a 600-metre airstrip as being the ideal for Montserrat, in the absence of preliminary study for safety and performance, recent suggestions coming out of the Ministry of Communications and Works are that suitable plans can only satisfy a maximum of 490 metres. This would not allow the desired use of 19-seater aircrafts.

It should be noted that it is perceived that 600 metres is possible but in an alignment which would guarantee the airstrip's non-use, since wind direction and force are vital considerations in positioning a functional airstrip.

Information suggests that anything less than Twin Otter service would be no improvement on the current travel difficulties that exist for Montserrat. It is no wonder then, that the Montserrat Chamber of Commerce is suggesting to government:

*that it should access the EU funds to do the necessary studies that will ensure nothing shorter than a 600-metre strip, since Islander type aircraft would be retrograde to the present facilities.

*that extensive wind and safety studies be done and that the facility should be such that aircraft be at least 95-percent operational with a full payload.

Any study should also report on the social impact of putting and operating an airport at Gerald's.

If all this means that Montserrat could lose Euro $4 million - (EC10 million or US$3.5 million), the question must be: do we accept that towards the construction of an airport at Gerald's, without knowing precisely what we will get, or do we wait for the study to determine the long-term needs, at the same time gathering information for the medium and long haul?

It is understood that such a facility at Gerald's would cost $40 million, while the running of the ferry and helicopter cost in the region of $10 million per year. It must be mentioned here that there is no official figure immediately available.

There are no easy choices, but Montserratians must be mature in their approach to this matter and look at both the small and large pictures all the time.

The matter should be discussed and even debated publicly especially that there several other mitigating factors surrounding moving towards the construction of an airstrip at Geralds.

Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

The image of running a race has been set in my memory since I attended a marathon last year. Watching from the sidelines as the runners crossed the finish line brought me to tears. One runner in his late 50s appeared ready to give up. His expression said, "I'll never make it," Just as he was about to fall, two bystanders took him by the arms and carried him across the finish line while the crowds cheered. As two women were nearing the end of the race, they joined hand and crossed the finish line together. Another runner paced herself until she looked up and saw the banner that read " FINISH LINE." With a determination that could not be squelched, she struggled across.

I began to think of the race of life and the ultimate finish line for those who persevere in their faith as believers. The race is marked out for us by God. The route has some hills some flat stretches, some mountaintops, and some valleys. No matter where we are on the course, God's word encourages us to "run with perseverance." Think of the joy of running into the arms of Jesus as he says, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!" (See Mathew 25: 21.)

PRAYER: O God, strengthen our legs and our hearts that we may run this race for your glory. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Run with perseverance the race that is set before you.

Jacey Jones (California)

PRAYER FOCUS: Those who need encouragement in their faith

Dear Editor,

Kindly permit me to correct the misinformation carried in the Reporter of December 8, 2000.
While the quotation attributed to me is correct, I am not currently the acting Chief Medical Officer, nor the Surgeon Specialist. It would have been more correct to refer to me as Former Director of Health Services and Surgeon Specialist.
I find the comments made by Mr. Kavanagh strange, since the role of CMO in Montserrat has always been clinical, administrative and policy-making, but also with a requirement for training in Public Health.
I wish to add that since my participation in the 1991 general election, I have tried several times to regain appointment to the public service in Montserrat, and was quite shocked that despite performing over 60 percent of surgical operations in Montserrat during the last three years as
a private visiting surgeon, I was not given a chance to apply for the surgeon specialist’s post, when it became vacant in 1999.
Perhaps the powers that be realised that I would serve the people of Montserrat better in a role which would allow me to insist on the provision of appropriate facilities and staff to provide health care in Montserrat.
I am therefore fully committed to becoming part of the next Government of Montserrat, and look forward to the support of all those who value my services, in the next general election.

Yours Sincerely,
Lowell Lewis

Dear Editor,

I would like to document my deep-rooted dissatisfaction at the Customer Service meted out to the public by Montserrat Aviation Services (MAS). It seems that making a helicopter or airline reservation with MAS has become an arduous task and an exercise in futility.

Customers are expected to place sole reliance on the information received from the Customer Services Representatives at MAS with regards to seat availability and fares quoted. However, experience, being the best teacher, has taught that one would be deluding themselves and setting themselves up for eventual disappointment if additional efforts are not made to secure seating.

Paying immediately seems now to be the only way to secure a seat on the "full" helicopter, yet the "full" helicopter seldom travels to capacity except on a Sunday when the ferry is not in operation. Although advised to collect airline tickets by a particular deadline to secure cheaper fares, reservations have constantly disappeared from the system forcing passengers to resort to booking the more expensive fares at the eleventh hour or travelling standby.

However, there is no assurance that one can be guaranteed a seat or even the fare quoted by MAS, as employees function on selected memory when it is convenient for them to do so. Employee assurance of confirmation of bookings and securing quoted fares is only intended to placate a client at the time of calling. This is because too often there is a high possibility that on arrival for collection of tickets, there will be no reservations in the system for them, no seats available and the fare quoted will no longer available.

I have been the unfortunate victim, AGAIN, of the inexperience and inefficiency of that office which has resulted in:

• a family member having to transfer their helicopter seat to accommodate me after being assured of an early confirmation, and
• being forced to pay the higher fare for a LIAT trip after being quoted and assured of the lower class fare upon booking.

Attempts to recover monies expended due to the inefficiencies of MAS have been met by the strained tolerance of Management and no effort made at damage control to retain clients who hold the opinion that better service can be received elsewhere.

I am imploring MAS that although their salaries may not be based on the service provided to their customers, an effort should be made to equip staff with the tools necessary to provide basic efficient customer service, and customers should not be made to feel as if they are begging. Their reputation could only be improved. I sincerely hope that the few customers that they still have will not be driven away like so many of us have been.

Too many disappointed people have chosen the path of silent suffering for fear of victimisation.

Simone Watts

As part of this year's Christmas Festival , the Montserrat Festival Committee will host a "Prince and Princess Show."

The show, which will be the first of its kind to be held here, is produced by RC and Associates. On 17, December 2000’, three boys and five girls will bring Festival Village alive as they vie for the prestigious titles of Prince and Princess 2000 / 2001.The two main organizers of the show, Rosalind Cassell and Ingrid Osborne, have promised a well-packed and dynamic sideshow to enhance the program.

The boys and girls will appear in three categories: Introduction, Talent and Formal Wear. The children range from 4 to 11 years of age. An added attraction will be Santa Claus, who will be making a special appearance with goodies for all the children at the show.

According to Mrs. Osborne, the children and parents have been meeting and practicing for quite some time now and the competitiveness among the group is very good for the development of the participants.

Mrs. Cassell said that the show is just an idea to add something different to the festival this year. Tickets are on sale at the usual places at $15 for adults, $12 for children; children under 3years will enter free.

RC and Associates would like to say thanks to the Festival Committee, Sponsors, Businesses and Individuals who have made donations so far to the show. They are asking the general public to come out in great numbers to support the children and to enjoy a night of unforgettable entertainment.

The H.E. was photographed cleaning up the area around his office this week. Not satisfied with being the donor of the prize money, he pitches in to do his part. Heard to say that he hoped his example would stir others to clean up around their office business and home.

(H.E. the Governor Tony Abbott OBE, is part of the solution.)

Remember the contest for the cleanest community ends in one week.

Will any one of the nine communities get going and clean up, so they can win the prize for their community?

He had used the campaign slogan "One good Douglas deserves another," urging constituents to continue a family tradition in which his late uncle, Rosie Douglas, his late father, Michael Douglas, and his grandfather, R.B. Douglas, represented Portsmouth in almost 50 years of unbroken representation in Parliament to residents of the Portsmouth constituency.
The unofficial preliminary count gave Ian Douglas 1,097 votes, the DFP's candidate, Murphy Wallace, 219 votes and UWP candidate Patrickson Corbette just 47.
The Portsmouth by-election victory has once more given the Labour Party eleven seats in Parliament. The Freedom Party holds two and eight seats are held by the UWP.

By Cathy Buffonge
The St John's Anglican Church was packed last Sunday for a most impressive musical recital by singers Edith Bellott and Claudia Henderson, accompanied by organist/ pianist Cedric Phillip, all coming from Dominica especially for this performance.

Ms. Bellott was a founding member and leader of the Emerald Community Singers for many years, before returning to her native Dominica. She introduced Ms. Henderson as Dominica's leading soprano, and together the three held the audience spellbound as they put all their skill, emotion and energy into the many songs presented.
The first section on the programme was classical religious, featuring such beautiful songs as "Holy art Thou, O Divine Redeemer," and "I waited for the Lord." The first few songs were solos, magnificently sung by Ms. Henderson, followed by duets and solos by the two majestic ladies, whose melodious voices blended flawlessly.

Next came a section of Negro Spirituals, together with some more modern favourites. Again, emotion and skill blended in harmony as the singers presented spirituals like "Deep River" and "Sometimes I Feel like a Motherless Child," along with other moving songs like "Summertime" and "You'll Never Walk Alone."
After a short interlude, the last section featured Christmas songs. At this point Mr. Phillip departed from his accompanist's role to give a superb rendition of Nat King Cole's "Sing Sweet and Low," as well as joining with the two soprano singers in two of the other carols. Included in this section was a song from the Caribbean Folk Nativity, written by Dominica's dramatist and cultural advocate, Alwyn Bully. After a moving version of "O Holy Night," the show closed with "O Montserrat," written many years ago by Kenneth Allen QC, and still popular. Ms. Bellot pointed out that this song has stood the test of time, and is sung wherever in the world Montserratians are gathered.
This was an outstanding performance, and the totally attentive audience were immersed in the spirit of the songs as the music swept over them. Resident Tutor Dr. Howard Fergus explained that this was a joint venture between the UWI Schools of Continuing Studies of Montserrat and Dominica. He said that several generous sponsors had made the visit possible, and that the proceeds would be used for an educational project here. Ms. Bellott and her colleagues also took time out to conduct some training sessions with the choral group Voices before their short visit came to an end.

By Cathy Buffonge
The Montserrat Red Cross held it's Annual General Meeting on November 30, and elected the Committee which will manage its affairs for the coming year. In welcoming those present, President Lystra Osborne described the Red Cross as a sign of hope in times of crisis, which is also there in normal times to give support and assistance to the community. "It is impossible for us to function, however, without the support of you, the community, Government and our donors," she said.
Red Cross Director Mrs Camilla Watts delivered a very comprehensive annual report, showing the extremely wide range of the local Red Cross activities, and her report was further supplemented by reports from the four subcommittees -- Fund Raising, Youth, Elderly, and Development -- which were formed earlier in the year.
Among the many activities mentioned in the report was the launch of the parents' support group HELP, followed by counselling training carried out by psychologist Carol Tuitt. This training was in three phases -- basic counselling, crisis intervention and hot line counselling, which was followed up by the launching of the Red Cross Helpline. The Helpline is manned by the volunteers who took part in the counselling training, and Mrs Watts pointed out that not only domestic violence but a whole range of other problems are catered for.
There was also a series of training sessions for teachers, HELP group volunteers and the general public carried out by special needs educator Chanelle Roache. These covered disability awareness and managing problem behaviours. Miss Roache also carried out a one-week training programme for children with reading difficulties.
Other training activities included first aid training, carried out by first aiders Beverly West and Carlton O'Garro, with some of the successful participants receiving their certificates at the AGM. Principal Nursing Officer Valerie Lewis trained Emergency Department staff, Community Services staff and district chairpersons in first aid, Mrs Watts said.
The Red Cross also sponsored the leathercraft training component of the children's summer workshop. Other training carded to start early in the new year includes nutrition and domestic health, and AIDS education in the workplace. Overseas and regional training included disaster preparedness and mental health. Red Cross members also attended workshops in Housing and Mental Health, Participatory Poverty Assessment workshop, and Domestic Violence.
Other Red Cross projects included the children' playground at Lookout, which is nearly completed, the MacDonald's playplace, which is in the pipeline for Davy Hill, and two series of radio spots on on ZJB Radio - 'Simply the Best ' and 'Red Cross tips for the day.' The Red Cross Junior Link was also revived during the year, starting with a group at Brades Primary School led by teacher Mary Blake.
Further youth activities included a fun day for mentally challenged young people, in conjunction with the Sports Department, and social interactions with youth with behaviour problems. Elderly activities focused on the card indexing of vulnerable and disabled elderly and their needs, which will form the basis for the proposed visiting scheme. The first issue of the revived Newsletter was published, and several successful fund-raising activities were also held during the year.
Some constitutional changes were outlined by outgoing President Mrs. Osborne, who explained that the new constitution has now been finalized, bringing the Branch into line with other overseas branches of the British Red Cross.

In particular, there is a change in how the Executive Committee (formerly Board of Governors) is formed. Instead of electing a President and other officials, members are called on to elect six or more persons (a maximum of 12), and these Committee members will decide between themselves who should carry out the various functions, including selecting the Chair (formerly President).
There was little change in the composition of the newly elected Committee, with several existing members continuing to serve. Ten Committee members were elected - Eudora Fergus, Richard Aspin, Lystra Osborne, Dr. Ronnie Cooper, Rosalie Bowers. Karen Duberry, James Cabey, Joseph Kirwan, John Skerritt and Beverly West. Director Mrs Watts is an ex officio member.
Included in the AGM for the first time was a training exercise in the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross, carried out by Richard Aspin and Althea Allen. The exercise helped participants to understand the practical application of these principles and was enjoyed by all.

A Review of Financial Regulation in the Caribbean Overseas Territories, however, recommends that the Governor should not abandon responsibility for the sector.
"This may necessitate the delegation, rather than surrender, of regulatory authority to ECCB. Consideration may be given to delegating the day-to-day supervision of cubicle banks to the ECCB whilst the governor or other independent licensing body retains the power to grant and revoke licences," the October 27 report for the British government states.
Done by the United Kingdom accounting firm, KPMG, the review agrees that the level of supervision is not currently sufficient for offshore banks.
Contributing to the problems, the KPMG review states, is the fact that no banking activity is undertaken from Montserrat by the licensed banks and no books or records are maintained on the island. The situation, it said, was exacerbated by the limited resources available in Montserrat to supervise licence holders.
"Our concern is heightened by the fact that the registered agents for these banks act simply as messengers and post-boxes and appear to have little understanding of the activities of the banks for whom they provide registered agent services.
"It is therefore our view that the current situation not be allowed to continue, as the risks of depositor loss, criminal activity and reputational damage cannot be assessed under the current level of supervision," the document said.

After five stormy weeks of harshly partisan confrontation, much of it in Florida and federal courts, Republican George W. Bush officially became president-elect of the United States Wednesday night.

The outcome was the result of the unprecedented involvement of the U.S. Supreme Court in deciding a presidential election. It became assured when Democrat Al Gore declared in a nationally televised address, "For the sake of our unity and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession. I accept the finality of this outcome."

President-elect Bush followed shortly thereafter with his own TV address, in which he said, "I was not elected to serve one party but to serve one nation." He called the presidency "more than an honor, more than an office. It is a charge to keep, and I will give it my all."

In conceding to Bush, Gore told his disappointed supporters, "What remains of partisan rancor must now be put aside and may God bless his stewardship of this country."

Bush echoed that in his declaration, pledging to work with Gore to "heal our country after this hard fought contest."

President Bill Clinton, who watched both speeches in England, where he was a guest of Prime Minister Tony Blair, telephoned Bush and offered the full cooperation of his administration in the transition before nomination day on January 20, 2001.

"I pledge to President-elect Bush my efforts and the best efforts of every member of our administration for a smooth and successful transition," Clinton said.

In Washington, General Services Administration officials were scheduled to hand over the keys to the government-run transition office to the Bush transition team, headed by Vice President-elect Dick Cheney.

With Gore’s concession, the Texas governor became the first presidential candidate since Benjamin Harrison in 1888 to lose the national popular vote but win the state electoral contest and thus the White House, in a historic electoral system as confusing to many Americans as it is to puzzled observers abroad.
Gore topped his Republican rival by more than 300,000 votes out of 103 million ballots cast nationwide. At issue were thousands of contested and uncounted ballots in Florida, an issue that ended when the Supreme Court denied further recounts.

Florida’s electoral votes, to be cast on Dec. 18 and counted on Jan. 6, should give Bush a total of 271 electoral votes to Gore’s 267.

Despite the calls of both men for an end to partisanship, that could immediately challenge the incoming president. Awaiting him will be a new Congress almost evenly divided, with the Republicans holding a majority of less than 10 in the 435-seat House of Representatives and Democrats and Republicans holding 50 seats each in the U.S. Senate. As official president of the Senate, Vice president-elect Cheney will hold a tie-breaking vote.

Commentators and legal scholars also are expressing concern about the possibility that with its controversial decision the U.S. Supreme Court, historically respected as a body of arbiters of Constitutional intent and legal precedent, has unintentionally acquired the taint of partisan politics.

US Special Agriculture Negotiator Greg Frazier reportedly recently outlined new ideas for the allocation of tariff rate quotas on the basis of historical licenses; identifying the main goal as significantly increasing licenses for major operators. Mr. Frazier also stated that the US would withdraw its previous demands that licenses be allocated on a pre-1993 period, a demand which would have benefited the Chiquita Brands International.

The debate over which historical reference period to use is at the heart of the inability to agree on a revised system. The proposed new system would institute a single tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for Latin American banana imports that would exceed the 2.553 million tons for two TRQs, that has been proposed by the EU. To date, access has been offered to Latin American bananas by the EU through a TRQ of 2.2 million tons (as mandated by the WTO), and a quota of 353,000 tons to incorporate imports to the three new member states of Sweden, Austria and Finland - which joined the bloc in 1995.
Mr. Frazier further proposed that a third quota be employed for bananas from Africa, the Pacific and the Caribbean, but at a lower volume than has been proposed by the EU. Bananas from the ACP countries have traditionally been allowed preferential access into the EU market, a fact which has been at the root of the debate on the EU's banana import regime. According to sources, the proposed reductions would shift current ACP production from 850,000 tons to a minimum level of about 720,000 tons, a suggestion that is sure to meet with severe opposition from the ACP countries. The US official did not raise the issue of how they would encourage Ecuador, which is a major player, to agree to such a system.
The US negotiator also proposed a newcomer category which would initially be fixed at 10 percent, half that currently suggested by the EU. This newcomer category, created by the EU, would assist those importers of Latin American bananas that would no longer be able to import if the EU were to limit license eligibility to traditional importers.
The US has not made a formal proposal to the EU as yet, stating that it is still considering its position.

St. KITTS - The late Edgar O Challenger, historian and trade union leader, and one of the first elected members of the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla Legislative Council will be given an official funeral today.

Mr. Challenger died last week Tuesday, one day short of his 95^th birthday. He was the last surviving member of the First Executive of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union. He will be buried with full military honours, following funeral services at the St. George’s Anglican Church.

He is survived by 10 children and several grandchildren, relatives and friends

He served as vice president of the St. Kitts Workers League, now the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party. In 1937, he was elected a member of the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla Legislative Council, and in 1939 was elected the first President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union.

St. Kitts - Ongoing investments in the hotel industry this year should spearhead a pickup in economic activity with real GDP growth projected at 3 percent in the St. Kitts and Nevis economy, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said last week.

The IMF said growth is beginning to rebound, led by recovery in construction, tourism and manufacturing.

In a five-page release following consultation with the private and public sectors in the twin-island Federation, the IMF noted that Central Government’s deficit rose gradually in the early to mid 1990's, reflecting a large across-the-board rise in spending, only partly offset by revenue improvements.

It noted that after a period of rapid growth in the early to mid-1990's, economic growth in St. Kitts and Nevis slowed in recent years, mainly as a result of hurricanes in 1998 and 1999 that inflicted severe damage to infrastructure.

"Reflecting the effects of Hurricane Georges, the deficit nearly doubled to 6 percent of GDP in 1998," the IMF said, attributing this to the efforts of the Labour Government to bring relief to those affected by the widespread damage caused by the hurricanes and the subsequent massive reconstruction activities.

The IMF noted that the deficit narrowed to about 5 percent of GDP in 1999, mainly reflecting capital expenditure restraint, but again widened sharply in the first half of 2000.

Although the social security system has recently recorded surpluses of about 4 percent of GDP a year, the main public enterprise—the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation—continues to generate losses.

The IMF said despite the effects of Hurricane Georges, the external current account deficit narrowed to 16 percent of GDP in 1998 from 21 percent of GDP in 1997, owing mainly to strong tourism receipts before the hurricane hit and an increase in insurance transfers following the hurricane.

The IMF predicts that growth in service exports will begin to pick-up toward the end of this year and buoyed by large direct investments in hotels, the capital account surplus is projected to lead to a small overall balance of payments surplus.

The IMF noted that the government has committed itself to developing the tourist industry as the linchpin of the economy in the future, with some diversification into light manufacturing, offshore financial services, and other services, concluding that ongoing investments in the hotel industry in 2000 should spearhead a pick-up in economic activity, with real GDP growth projected at 3 percent and that inflation is likely to remain low.

Is it our time? During the 1995 Elections, the St. Kitts Labour Party carried an aggressive campaign using the slogan, "What Time is it? It’s Labour Time." Whether the slogan had the psychological effects or no, they won all eight constituencies on the main island, St. Kitts. We need any development that could change the fortune of the West Indies team. We need "West Indies Time."

All West Indians at home and abroad badly need a time of rejoicing. We got a momentary time of rejoicing on 11 December 2000, when in reply to Australia A’s 439 for 9 declared at Hobart, the West Indians amassed 492, their highest total on tour, thanks to Brian Lara and Ridley Jacobs.

After months of lamentations, Brian Lara and Ridley Jacobs brought us some momentary joy. Lara figured in a 365-run partnership with Ridley Jacobs (131) that made theirs the most productive stand for the sixth wicket in the history of first-class matches in Australia, surpassing Don Bradman and Jack Fingleton's compilation of 346 for Australia against England in the 1936-37 season.

Under pressure generated by a hamstring injury that has afflicted him persistently for five months, Lara (231), who had been forced as low as number seven in the batting order, "painted" a masterpiece. At different times in an innings which brought him the fourth-highest score in a prolific first-class career, he appeared so beset that he had barely been capable of breaking into anything more than a trot.

Through the 342 minutes, he slammed 40 boundaries, two sixes and a five and played with a wondrous level of skill. Before he was finally dismissed as he top edged a cut at part-time off spinner Brad Hodge (who went on to claim a first-class career best of 4/17) in its last over, Lara cracked 96 runs from his flashing blade in the middle session alone. His 40th first-class century was phenomenal; it was murderous.

If the power of his three boundaries in the day's opening over had not been sufficient in themselves to offer a hint of what was to come, the tone of Lara's batting was certainly underlined when he crashed six boundaries in succession off the bowling of pace man Andy Bichel (2/148) in the second over after the lunch break. The first was flayed through cover; the second superbly driven through mid on; the third pulled imperiously over square leg; the fourth was smashed high and hard over mid off; the fifth, off a top edge as he tried to pull again, flew over wicketkeeper Brad Haddin's head; and the sixth was powered along the ground through mid wicket (4,4,4,4,4,4).

Thank God! We needed some hope and West Indies cricket needed an injection of new life. And the people got some basis for hope. Caribbean people have been praying for a turnaround, for they will even think of another South African experience. They will not entertain the thought of another whitewash much less to accept the fact. That is why the batting at Hobart, even if it was against a less aggressive and experienced opponent, gave hope for this weekend's third Test match and, brought back many to their television screens.

On my travels to the Caribbean, I have been doing informal interviews or engaging some people in conversation about the current tour. The responses from the old and the young, the addict and the passive follower, the male and the female, speak to their frustrations. My mother, who has become a rather intelligent cricket follower, thought the touring party should be recalled and replaced with a new group who are more purposeful and fearless. My father said that there isn’t a West Indies team in Australia but simply a group of weak men misrepresenting the West Indian people. A one-time cricket fanatic confessed that he has stopped listening to the "Worst Indies."

But you know what, none of the respondents are against the team, and were not entirely sincere in expressions. I detected through the variance in their words, their facial expressions and the body language, that somewhere, deep down in the crevices of their West Indian hearts, they were really hurting and are really crying out to their Christian God for help. The unspoken words that I listened to were: "Help us God! Do something to end this painful experience!

Now that Lara, in spite of been incapacitated by muscle injury, has forced the fiery Australian "A" team to succumb in a performance that many journalist who were present, called "his second chapter of life." many West Indians are hoping and praying that this weekend is "Lara Time" and "Our Time."

Many are now asking, could there be any significance in the brilliant innings played by Brian Lara at Bellerive Oval in Hobart with his memorable exhibition at Sydney in the Third on January 2-6, 1993, which took West Indies out of the jaw of defeat, gave the team a new lease on life, motivated the players to action, triggered a historic one-run victory in the fourth Test and contributed to an innings victory in the fifth Test which ensured the retention of the Frank Worrell trophy?

Could this be a signal of the desired turning point in master batsman life, and end of the drought in West Indies cricket that has left cricketers, coaches, managers, administrators and supporters dejected, deflated and near-knocked out?

In 1993, Brian Lara was an innocent cricketer and a novice in the international game. He was unspoilt by the glamour of celebrity, and was sheltered from the temptation of bribery, corruption and commercialisation. He was pure, untouched by the effects of fame, wine, women and nightlife. He went to Sydney a boy and left Sydney a man, a historical figure, a significant statistic, a sports personality, the subject of the international press, and the object of supreme regard.

Does he now have what it takes to transfer his performance at Hobart to Adelaide this weekend? Can he demonstrate the same courage, the same altruism, and the same warrior-instinct that he manifested at Hobart and Sydney? Can he, having ignored the pains of the lower and upper muscles and having fought for the West Indian team, find in this crucial battle, the answer to his nemesis, Glenn McGrath? Can he bring himself (his arrogance) under subjection and settle down on the Adelaide wicket and bat for his team and his people like he used to do between 1993 and 1995? We all hope he could.

And we certainly need some divine intervention, for our selectors are still making a mess of things. Why was Marlon Samuels chosen as the replacement on such a punishing tour? He is not "the fit and proper soldier" for this war. We need a more experienced hand. The most aggressive and informed batsman is still in Grenada. That is poor military tactics.

Let's go to Adelaide to watch the encounter!

PHOTO: Brian Lara – Can he produce that winning performance? (Photo: Peter Adrien)

The diabetic diet is a nutritionally balanced diet which aims to maintain the patient at a desirable weight and keep the blood sugar within normal limits. This diet is not different from a normal diet, it is the amount that is eaten. The exact amounts of foods eaten are decided by the doctor, nutritionist or dietician.

Meal plans must meet individual needs based on factors such as weight, occupation and activity, and should reflect current concepts in the dietary management of diabetes. These include concern for total calorie intakes, decreased intake of fat, more liberal use of complex carbohydrates and fibre, restriction of sweets, and regularity and consistency in timing of meals from day to day.

Each person with diabetes has individual needs; no two diets have to be alike. Your diet will allow only small amounts of fatty foods, which contain a lot of energy. Fatty foods should be eaten in small amounts since they can lead to conditions like heart attack, strokes and gangrene.

Your diet may not allow you to drink alcohol, as it is high in calories. Alcohol can affect your blood sugar level. If special foods are not used, the diabetic diet is not an extra expense. Many people feel they cannot afford a diabetic diet, but they can use the same foods that the family eats.

Cakes, pastries, pies, stewed fruits with sugar, fried foods, alcohol and soft drinks. Remember diluting sweetened drinks does not reduce their sugar content.

Coffee, tea, non-calorie sweeteners, clear broth, salt, pepper, unsweetened gelatin.

Cauliflower, christophene, okra, dasheen leaves, cucumber. These foods contain few calories; when raw you can eat as much as you like, but when cooked use no more than one cup. Do not add extra fat or oil. If you like seasoning your food, these are some of what you can use: cinnamon, curry powder, garlic, ginger, parsley, pepper, mint and thyme. Limit your salt intake to help control your blood pressure.

When invited to a friend's house, choose what you can have from what is offered and explain why you might have refused certain items.

Taking a packed lunch to work or school may sometimes be necessary. If you know your meal plan, eating out need not be a problem. Measuring carefully and often at home makes it easier to judge the size of portions when you eat out.

"How easy is it to transmit through oral sex?" "What can happen to someone with this STD?"
"Can having this disease increase my chances of HIV infection?"

"What should I know if my partner or I am HIV positive?"

POSSIBLE

• There have been documented cases of people getting infected from sucking penis and some reported cases of infection from licking the vagina of a menstruating woman.
• There have been no recorded cases of getting HIV from getting sucked or licked.
• There have been no reported cases of getting infected from analingus.
• It is believed that most people infected with HIV will develop AIDS and die from this disease.
• Having a weakened immune system could make one more likely to get re-infected with different strains of HIV.
• Re-infection with another strain of HIV is possible.
• Many experts believe reinfection with other strains of HIV may result in a faster progression to AIDS.

HIV is in precum, semen, and vaginal fluids of an infected person. The chance for transmission is believed to be lower than through unprotected anal/vaginal intercourse, but it is quite possible to get HIV through oral sex. To protect yourself, you may want to use:

• Condoms for oral sex with a man.
• Dental dams or saran wrap for oral sex with a woman.

Tip: Putting lubricant on the inside of a condom or on the inside of the dam next to your partner may make it more enjoyable.

The following may increase your risk of HIV infection and/or transmission during oral sex:

• Sores, cuts, abrasions, gum disease and blood in the mouth can allow HIV to more easily enter the body.
• Similarly, the presence of white blood cells at the site of STD infections may provide an easy entry point for HIV.
• Prolonged deep throating may cause tears in the throat's lining making it easier for HIV to enter the body.

It is sometimes so difficult to explain to myself why I stayed here on Montserrat when so many others ran off.

It is not that I am unhappy to be here. It is not that I regret staying here. It is just that so much injustice seems to be meted out to the few of us residents who chose to remain or return here, either out of love of country or out of sheer foolhardiness.

Look at what happens to those who hightailed it to Britain, Antigua, Virgin Islands and elsewhere. They get $10,000. They get A house. They get dole and income support. The get not to pay their taxes. They get free education and free health services. They get to vote in election and don’t live with the consequences. THEY GET NOT TO PAY THEIR LOANS AND DEBTS TO SUPPLIERS.

And although it is this last thing that I want to talk about, I must tell you that I understand that I am SUPPOSED to have benefited from the £75 million. And that this benefit is supposed to translate into the same kind of support that those who "flew the cuCkoo's nest" are getting.

But Lord look at our troubles in Montserrat today and just understand why we must all be afraid. Why we must all be very afraid.

Now there seems to be this money lending place that a now non resident person had a car loan from. This person, before hightailing it for far away shores, sold the car that money was still owing on to the money place. The money place knew the car was sold but did nothing. And now that the car has changed owners at least three times, the money place is telling the latest owner, who put a lot of money in the car, how the car is theirs. And it is only because the new owner is a little poor man who struggling to make a living.

I say that this is wrong and it more wrong because all kinds of legal things expire and the money place know that. More so, we know that the money place didn't write off those loans since 1997 and we know that the head people for the money don't expect to get payment in this millennium or the next.

You see, most of us here are still paying loans on place and things covered with more that 10 feet of ash. And if we don’t pay the money place, the tax man and the business place, we are hounded until we feel we going crazy. But all this time the fine folk in Britain laughing at we. I want to know when, if and how any of them at the money place going to get money out of the new "Britons." I want to know how we could translate some of the £75 million into " a break from the pressure."

I want the Chief Minister, Claire Short, the Governor, Tony Blaire, George Bush, Robin Cooke, somebody, anybody, to tell them to stop hounding us.

More than that, I want them to tell the money place who are now starting the process to take up people's house if they can't make the once agreed payment to stop before they even start. I want them to fix all that for Christmas because I want to go into the New Year stress free, pressure free and debt free. After all that is what every other Montserratian who ran away from home is doing. And I know it is not me alone looking at what's going on and ready to abandon Montserrat and the debt millstone in the New Year.

So if anybody wants my vote in the New Year, they better talk about how to make me debt free like all the other refugee.

J Donald Brandt

Jus wonderin if the S A School is going out of whack now.

Jus wonderin why the children are afraid of telling there parents the way that the teachers talk to them.

Jus wonderin if the foreign principal and secretary at that school don't know to do the job instead of gossiping so much.

Jus wonderin if coming next school term the Government School would be full and needing more teachers.

Jus wonderin if the Ministry of Education is more than just talking interest in future learning of our children.

Jus wonderin if that school bus conductor from the old, old towne is just barely working for her money.

Jus wonderin if we would soon see the opening of a Daycare and the reopening of the Salem Primary School.

Jus wonderin why the Ministry would think that parents of Salem would not be happy to have their children going to the school there.

Jus wonderin if some of the men are scared when they hear the song domestic violence.

Jus wonderin if our ladies would be pushed aside until when the festival is over.

Jus wonderin if this festival is very much organized as the rest.

Jus wonderin what qualification was needed for the cultural officer.

Jus wonderin if it is time for the old brains take a break in Government.

Jus wonderin why so many songs are on dem Ministers of Government.

Jus wonderin why so many people are looking forward to the new year

Jus wonderin why that jus wonderer can't help jus wonderin

Jus wonderin if it is not time we see a calypso queen instead of king.

Jus wonderin if the volcano is waiting patiently to enjoy Christmas with us.

Jus wonderin if the queen is already picked for the Miss Unity.

Jus wonderin if we ready for more pay off to take place.

Jus wonderin how many people use that pill to enter that show.

Jus wonderin for $200,000 how much dental and medical care do you think one could buy for the children of PR

Jus wonderin if that snow will be available to the kids to play in for free