Governor Abbott did not mention it in his Christmas Message and neither did Chief Minister Brandt, who no doubt was hoping against hope.

But just in time for Christmas and published for the New Year, the Governor sent a letter to council, dated 20/12/2000, to which he attached a copy of the Caribbean Territories (Criminal Law) Order 2000 made by Her Majesty on 13/12/2000 at the Privy Council, decriminalizing homosexual acts in private between consenting adults.

We had suggested this to be a Christmas Gift on November 17, 2000 when we reported that London's Sunday Times carried a story which quoted Baroness Scotland as having said, "We will therefore shortly be proceeding with an order in council to make the necessary change to the law of the five Caribbean territories. I expect to do this before Christmas."

Baroness Scotland works for Foreign Secretary Mr. Robin Cook, who was said to have lost patience when the territories said they were unwilling to budge, and moved to overrule local legislatures, who were unwilling to lift a ban on homosexuality in the islands.

This issue has reached and touched nearly all the British Caribbean Islands. We had published a story where Prime Minister P.J. Patterson of Jamaica had condemned the act. The House of Lords in Britain were in rage after a law was proposed in the House of Commons to lower the gay age of consent from 18 to 16.  Even the Baroness seemed to have problems with that law, but foisted the decriminalisation on the Caribbean dependent territories nonetheless.

In the White Paper of February, 1999, the British Government asked its remaining dependent territories to legislate and pass laws on Human Rights to bring them on par with those in the European Union as related to the abolition of hanging and the legalizing of homosexual acts done in private.

It also outlined Britain’s plans to grant citizenship to its remaining overseas dependent territories, but time and time again both Mr. Cook and the Baroness insisted that the proposals in the White paper were not married to each other, that none depended on the other. There is now a delay, however, on the citizenship issue while discussions and complete action have taken place on other issues.

The Governor in a memo to the Chief Minister and the Attorney General dated 20 December, 2000, titled "Order in Council: Human Rights," requested the Attorney General to take the usual steps to publicise the Order in Council.

The Order is to come into force on 1 January, 2001, and is cited as the Caribbean Territories (Criminal Law) Order 2000, binding on Anguilla, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands and Virgin Islands (Tortola), all of whom have said they will not be involved in passing the legislation in their parliaments.

At a brief ceremony held recently, Dr Ronnie Cooper presented four SUN ANCON OXYGEN EXERCISERS to Sister Valerie Lewis for the Glendon Hospital and one to Mrs Millicent Bass for the Golden Years Home.

The Sun Ancon Oxygen Exerciser is used to increased oxygenation to the tissues in the body, which in tern assists the body in fighting diseases. It also reduces body pain and increases vitality.

The Montserrat Life Preservation Fund was established ten years ago by Sister Ann Daley to assist needy Montserratians to go overseas for medical attention.

The reports and the reactions this week of HMG and (Undersecretary George) Foulkes are confusing, knowing just the barest facts. Mr. Rhys Burriss’ statement as Coroner promptly proved to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. His description of Britain’s response to Montserrat's volcanic crisis as "unimaginative, grudging and tardy," and his conclusion that it would "not make comfortable reading for the British Government" were right on.

The Senior Magistrate and Coroner left Montserrat Thursday afternoon, ending the year of service to which he was contracted. What little hope he may have had of a new contract allowing him to continue to serve Montserrat was crushed by the statements and attitude presented by Mr. Foulkes when confronted with the inquest during his brief visit.

The Foreign Office did not respond to the Jury’s condemnation of the "persistently deplorable conditions within the public shelters . . . why many persons preferred to stay in their homes within the exclusion areas and risk the dangers of volcanic eruption rather than live in a public shelter."

Indeed, how could it, when the Jury appropriated the hindsight concession of former Governor Frank Savage that the response to shelter conditions was ‘too little, too late, and behind the crisis"?

On January 10, 2000, Government House issued a very brief press release which in its last paragraph stated: "Montserratians will be pleased to note that the trend in budgetary aid payments is on a downward path for the first time since the volcano began to erupt in 1995 thus reflecting the beginnings of a turnaround in the fortunes of the Montserrat economy."

Anyone just a little familiar with the Montserrat situation today and who is not a British hypocrite must ask for whom the observation was intended. If this statement bears any accuracy, it is in spite of Ms. Clare Short and her Department for International Development (DFID) workers, including her Governor for Montserrat, who reportedly is so disgusted by comments like these that he deems them -- if not the entire newspaper -- to be rubbish.

Other than the monies made available through the National Development Foundation to assist businesses to keep going, there is complete reluctance on their part to assist in any serious way the speedy development of Montserrat.. . .

Almost all government officials were very quick to point out that the whole DFID release was misleading. . . .To make it appear as though these arrangements were agreed to by local officials was firstly misleading. The requirements put forward by our government was about $8 million more than the approximately $52 million being offered. The total budgeted recurrent expenditure for last year was $56,839,640, while the revised estimate for 1998 was $62,418,500; with the actual budget for 1997 being $63,516,801.

We note that these new funds are all part of the previously allocated £75 million., another clear indication that we have in fact little or no say in when and how that money is being spent.

Following their outrage at the fact that Montserratians had used funds under the Materials Grant Scheme and built nice homes, the new (Soft Mortgage) scheme, according to a DFID release, "will set at a level equivalent to 75 percent of the cost of building a hurricane-resistant timber framed house to a minimum acceptable size for the number of occupants." Now it adds that applicants may build larger (block constructed) houses if they wish to add the required capital. . . .

In the same release Mr. Foulkes praises the government for "a high degree of transparency in the prioritisation of applicants," referring only to the self-build scheme. Maybe this should be taken as an apology for the attitude displayed by their inspection team. But what we need is not apologies but respect.

More and more we are becoming convinced that, strange though it may sound, the British government or perhaps the civil servants who lord it over us can never see things from a global perspective, and do not wish for the progress of those living in Montserrat. We must never forget Minister Clare Short's chilling words, "No one in Montserrat must benefit financially from the disaster."

Last week we commented on Under Secretary George Foulkes' boast that the soft mortgage scheme had been approved, but alas what did we hear this week? Bank of Montserrat has had to reject the final agreement and the scheme is nowhere near ready to begin. Why? The British government has changed the playing field in many ways, and not even our easy government can accept the new terms.

What really are they trying to prove? Need we ask the question? It could not be clearer. Keep us on our knees and at the same time pretend that they are interested in our welfare.

We very often hear that housing is our #1 priority, but we never hear what is #2, 3, 4 or 5. Not that those priorities aren’t written some where, but we never hear of them as priorities and of efforts being made to solve them. Why is housing the #1 priority? Is it to get those still in shelters out of shelters, to allow others to own homes or to bring back home those evacuees from the destroyed half of the island?

Also crucial to the existence and economy of the island, normal or otherwise, is the transport to and from Montserrat. While we have been given Britain's big NO to an airport at Thatch Valley with their best option being "return to Bramble," with a temporary strip at Geralds, it still remains that we must in the meantime make what we have work well for the comfort and benefit of all.

There are eight seats available three times a day -- six reserved for DFID and government -- on the helicopter in and out of Montserrat each day. . . Then there is the ferry, with 250 seats available twice a day in and out, also from Antigua. . . .

The helicopter is not necessarily run as a commercial service but is made available to assist with travel, especially to meet the needs of DFID and government. . . .

These days the helicopter is booked solid for months, so if you do not qualify to get one of the reserved six seats for a day, any new travel arrangements leave no choice but the ferry. . . .

It can never be right for anyone to be standing in line to travel, to be told sorry we have any number of seats available, but we cannot process you.

It is not just the Chief Minister and the leaders of government who must face the fact that there is a real cost for living in Montserrat. We must all take time out to talk about it -- not just the task force(s), but all of us -- because even though we didn't think about it or thought we didn't need to think about it, we made the decision to remain on Montserrat.

There is much evidence to support the notion that if we had not, somebody else would have occupied the place anyway. The only difference is it would have been a much nicer place to visit, many more would have been visiting, and in much greater comfort too.

The question for all of Montserrat is who had (insurance) cover against "explosions" while not against volcanic activity, and whether they can succeed against their insurers for damage suffered to their properties.

At least one person had failed in court claiming that the insurer ought not to have cancelled their policy. One wonders even now if homeowners should not pool together and fight this decision by the insurers considering that the damage to their property began from the first ash fall, resulting from explosions.

Government never followed up on offers from experts who were willing to consider the Montserrat case on a whole in finding fruitful solutions, but it is never too late. The damage caused by the alteration, cancellation and denial of damage insurance claims has left the island with throes of economic difficulty not known before and which will be a long time in overcoming, if ever.

In the Caribbean it is not only the five OTs which outlaw homosexual acts as being unnatural and therefore having no legal acceptability; Trinidad is another example.

Here we are dealing with strong traditional societies, many of which hang on dearly to traditions and beliefs in an age when cultural colonialism from the U.S. and even Europe is a major concern. . . . It was Baroness Scotland herself who said that gone was the time when Britain told the OTs what to do. Everything was to be by agreement between the parties. . . What is needed is a new approach, holding Britain to its own promises -- pulling them up when and where necessary, when they become two-timers. We must work, out if not full self-determination, something that will take us (Montserrat) out of the obvious bondage of a kind of slavery, which we must all recognise, especially now during the worst crisis faced by an island in living memory.

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. . . .Information suggests that anything less than Twin Otter service would be no improvement on the current travel difficulties that exist for Montserrat. . . . 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. . . .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 since there several other mitigating factors surrounding moving towards the construction of an airstrip at Geralds.

Read Psalm 32

I said in my haste,"I am cut off from before Your eyes."

Psalm 31:22

When I first acquired an adorable puppy named Dolly, she filled my days with frequent trips to my backyard. Then she began using these occasions to explore places I didn’t want her to go. By offering her a reward, I was able to teach her to respond to my command, "Come!" But eventually, the rewards weren’t enough to get her to come back to me. So I bought a leash on a reel that gives Dolly a safe amount of freedom. But gives me the option of "reeling her in" when she ventures too far. This reminds me of God’s dealings with a drugs-addicted man named Derek. Longing to break his addiction, he stayed in our home, where he became God’s child. He overcame his habit but he still battled with temptation. One day he gave in, ran away, and used some drugs. Then guilt overwhelmed him as he sat despondently on a park bench. He felt like the psalmist David (Psalm 31:22) and said to himself, "I’m cut off from the Lord. I’m finished ."But the long leash of God’s love tugged on his heart. Immediately, Derek asked for the Lord’s forgiveness and made his way back to us (32:3-5). If you’re going to wrong way and feel cut off from God, remember, you can return. Respond to the tug of His forgiving love on your heart and come back to Him today.

O Lord, return to me Your power. That once by grace I knew; Forgive the sin that grieved Your heart, And help me to be true. Anon

TRUE REPENTANCE TURNS FROM THE WRONG AND RETURNS TO THE RIGHT

December is always the best month for merchants, store operators, shopkeepers, peddlers.  If December is not a good month for businesses then you can conclude that it was a bad year.

It is not just the month December, though, it is the especially busy week or more, particularly Christmas Eve.

There is the tradition, not peculiar to Montserrat alone, of waiting until the last day -- Christmas Eve -- for shopping. It’s a question of joining the crowd and creating the atmosphere so peculiar to Christmas time and gift giving. Everybody traditionally looks forward to it, not least of whom are the stores.

In recent years there seems to be a conspiracy to sideline the Montserrat commercial sector and to deal them the final blow, their having been already humbled and disabled by the volcano and the mass exodus.  There is every possible excuse taken to give a holiday.  Another holiday upon the many unnecessary and unproductive ones we already have.

More days of no work are foisted upon us whether we like it or not. Just pay workers for staying home and doing nothing. The loss of a day's income is nothing -- peanuts.

And as if that was not enough, you facilitate those who want to, and those who do not, to trek to Antigua and drain themselves of all their disposable income. Don’t leave any in Montserrat. The ferry is available and the fares are cut in half.

Rush, go support the Antigua merchants. Why not? The Montserrat merchants are alright, they will survive.

Does it matter?  Of course not! Let’s complete the coup de grace! Bring in Courts.  Let Courts flood the market with furniture and appliances.  Let them fool the local furniture makers into thinking that they will indeed sell more of their own products.  They don’t stand a chance when Courts displays their cheap furniture next to our local mahogany or cedar.

There is another strategy that would help bring about the demise of some of the local shops.  Just flood the island with foreign peddlers. They bring in their clothes, hire a jeep and knock on every door.  No overheads, no trade licence, no employees, no building.  Checkmate! We got them.  Requiescat in pace!

But wait! We not dead yet! No trade licence was issued.  Thank you Chief Minister and Minister of Trade for not burying us alive.  Perhaps you can persuade the Minister of Labour to withdraw the work permit issued and join you in protecting local businesses.

And Your Excellency, too many holidays! Perhaps your New Year’s Resolution could be to roll back the unnecessary holidays and make us more productive.  We will only be able to rebuild volcano-ravaged Montserrat by working harder and producing more.

Finally, let’s end as we started. December is the best month for local businesses. You must help by inspiring confidence in their ability to serve the local population.  Aiding and abetting the mass exodus to Antigua by providing a day off from work is only facilitating the flight of consumers spending money into the coffers of the Antiguan merchants.

Give us a chance to survive and live!

Signed,

I wish all residents and visitors in Montserrat a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

We should all welcome the year 2001 with confidence that we will achieve a guarantee of the survival and sustainable development of our community. This must be achieved through a process of consultation, participation and empowerment of all the people of Montserrat, wherever they are.

Government must continue with its traditional obligation to provide adequate infrastructure, education and secure financial institutions in the promotion of economic development.

Our future will only be secure through the implementation of flexible policies that are transparent and not subject to nepotism and political patronage. We already have mechanisms for monitoring and regulation that assists our leaders in fulfilling their roles with personal responsibility and accountability, so that their decisions not only benefit certain individuals and groups, but the country as a whole.

Our civil service is the most valuable asset and resource that we possess. They have got rid of the traditionally inherited attitudes of indifference, inefficiency, bad management and waste associated with policies and expenditures for political maintenance rather than developmental purposes.

The Public Service is an indispensable part of whichever team has charge of the affairs of Montserrat. We must do whatever is necessary to encourage and motivate willingness to work with zeal and confidence, and willingness to strive enthusiastically towards achieving progress.

The same applies for the private sector and for every household in Montserrat.

We can all have a happy and prosperous 2001, but it depends very much on our efforts and the help of Almighty God. Let us continue the Christmas Spirit throughout the year, with love and caring for everyone.

Read Montserrat Alive Magazine on the Internet. At http://www.montserratreporter.org/mam

This week Minister of Communications & Works Rupert Weekes said at a press conference that while he was in England convalescing after his recent health checks, Mr. Mike Wood had confirmed that Her Majesty's Government will not give any further considerations to an airstrip/airport at Thatch Valley.

Exactly one year ago the Chief Minister told the people of Montserrat in a radio broadcast on the airport dilemma: "Even after the consultation the case that Thatch Valley is in fact the best site for an airport in Montserrat has been presented from all angles, and from all points of view. At every turn the response by the British has been an unqualified NO.

"From all the statements made to my ministers and myself, it is clear that in the existing situation no funding will ever be available for the construction of an airport at Thatch Valley. As a matter of fact it is clear that the only other airport facility which the British might now be considering for funding is a 400-meters grass strip at Geralds.

"So tonight I have to tell you that it is not now a question of which site is the best. Rather the question for all of us is, what can we get? The choice before us; either we take the refurbished W.H. Bramble, a grass strip at Geralds, or we get no airport at all

The honourable Chief Minister David S. Brandt revealed that once again the Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) had reiterated its "NO" even to the consideration of a grass airstrip at Thatch Valley.

He was responding to a question regarding the development of airport facilities in Montserrat. The question was posed because of the current activity at the Soufriere Hills volcano which, after giving every indication of going into repose following eruptive activity since July 1995, began growing another dome inside the almost solidified crater walls.

This new activity halted all thoughts or plans to refurbish W.H. Bramble airport, which had been estimated for use again by mid-2000, according to a letter from Mr. Mike Wood, who took over from Mr. Richard Teuten in charge of the Overseas Territories Unit in London.

The Chief Minister read from a letter which he received from Mr. Wood:

"Our position is this. Given the ongoing situation with the volcano, the possibility of disturbance in the Bramble Airport vicinity and the continuing uncertainty about when the volcano will settle down, the date we estimated Bramble would be operational (mid-2002) may no longer be realistic. In these circumstances, we are prepared to re-open our consideration of a grass strip.

"I informed you that DFID engineers in our Montserrat office were already looking at the Geralds site and would shortly let us have their assessment. I regret we are not prepared to re-open consideration of Thatch Valley."

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.

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 million 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 Chamber of Commerce suggested 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."

The Housing Department is looking for borrowers who would like a subsidised mortgage. In about 10 days' time the first recipients of so-called "soft mortgages" may be receiving funds to buy property north of Belham, and perhaps to build themselves a house on their new land.

Montserrat’s Chief Minister David Brandt stops short of confirming that the mortgage scheme is in place and working. He said Thursday that he hopes to sign the final agreement to launch the service within 10 days.

"By next week I will be in a position to sign the documents for the soft mortgage scheme," he said, adding that once the agreement is signed: "people should be in a position to actually access the soft mortgage scheme."

The Chief Minister explained that although the Housing Department has begun advertising for mortgage applicants this week, and is ready to accept application forms, funds cannot be released to successful borrowers until the formal government agreement has been signed.

Government House was not quite as reluctant to assume the scheme’s long-awaited launch is at hand.

In a press release issued from the governor’s office Thursday, the government responded to an earlier press release issued by the Bank of Montserrat. Last week’s missive from the bank was in turn a rebuttal to Under Secretary George Foulkes, who had accused the bank of causing delays in launching the mortgage scheme.

"DFID acknowledge that the scheme has taken a long time to come to fruition…All parties have been responsible for delay at different stages while they considered their respective positions," this week’s release stated.

"Throughout the negotiations it has been the goal of all concerned to ensure an equitable and legally sound scheme be introduced as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, the release also states "DFID looks forward to implementation of the scheme as soon as possible."

Officials of the government and banking communities gathered at Government Headquarters last week to sign the agreement putting the Soft Mortgage Scheme in effect.

"Although this project has been a long time coming, it will provide great benefits in assisting Montserratians to rebuild their homes in the north of the island," said Chief Minister, the Hon. David Brandt.

The agreement releases $75million (EC) into the financing of mortgages for people who were displaced by Montserrat’s volcanic activity. To qualify applicants must have incomes ranging from $2,000 to $6,500 per month, and they must be moving to a new home north of Belham Valley. Also they must have a net worth of under $50,000.

The plan will help to buy land and, or, complete construction of a house. There are maximum levels of subsidy in each situation. The scheme is basically designed to provide assistance with up to 27 percent of the total financing requirement for new accommodations.

Soft mortgages are only for people who were evacuated from the area south of the Belham Valley, and they should not have previously benefited from the Materials Grant Scheme.

In a press release from the Chief Minister’s office this week, people seeking mortgages were reminded that the scheme is for anyone who was displaced, but with special emphasis on those living on the island right now.

As the year widely referred to as the "millennium year" but more accurately called the year 2000 dawned upon us, Montserrat was faced with the discomforting news of a shortage of petrol.

What contributed to this, according to the petrol managers on the island, was insufficient storage capacity.

Added to this was the increased use of vehicles over the festival Christmas season and the lack of anticipation of this occurrence.

Mr. Basil Lee, who manages the bulk facilities at Carrs Bay, said to the Reporter: "Unfortunately we only have storage facilities of only 20,000 gallons each for gasoline and diesel, and at any given time this could pose a problem."

Enquries reveal that those storage figures compare most unfavourably with the nearly 1,000,000 gallon facilities that existed in Plymouth between Texaco and Delta prior to the onset of the volcanic crisis.

The present storage is said to be incapable of lasting more than 14-15 days. Add to that the possibility of not being able to find shipping to bring the petrol to the island, unless that storage problem is improved, the problem will develop over and over.

Mr. Tuitt said further that the fuel shortage should now be relieved since a more regular delivery would keep the inadequate tanks filled. He pointed out that part of the problem that cause the shortage of fuel is the panic among vehicle owners when it is believed that supplies are low. He feels that if people who have gas that can serve them for few days in the circumstances would allow those who are on empty to get petrol, there would hardly be a problem.

Residents have this week been facing a different and unusual petrol crisis, as some vehicle owners were forced to ground their vehicles from a problem which began surfacing last week, grinding much activity to a halt on the island.

Director Horatio Tuitt at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), who handles the importation and distribution of petrol and propane gas, said on Wednesday, "we seem to have some contamination in the petrol."

Motorists have complained that very shortly after purchasing the petrol from the lone pump station at Sweeneys, their vehicles begin to 'buck' and at times the engines cut out. In addition most vehicles are observed emitting strong and heavy exhaust fumes.

Mr. Tuitt said that it is not likely that there is any mix up at the storage station down at Carrs Bay. He explains that whenever they receive both diesel and gas in the same delivery, when one item is pumped ashore, the lines are washed out with water and air is blown through the lines, before delivery begins of the next item.

Could there have been a mixup? Mr. Tuitt who said he had sent samples to Antigua for testing, is adamant. "It is not likely," he said, but he insists, "anything is possible in this life."

Some Montserrat households will spend the weekend without propane (cooking) gas due to a temporary supply shortage of the essential product.

The shortage was described as temporary by Mr. Horatio Tuitt, director of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at St. John's. Mr. Tuitt says that although propane gas was landed here just Monday this week, the need was bigger than the supply, which was over two weeks late in arriving.

He said the late delivery was due to the storm which passed down the south end of the Caribbean and moved on to affect Puerto Rico, making it difficult for shipping by delaying the loading of the cooking gas onto the vessels for transport to Montserrat.

"There was a backup of people waiting for the gas when it arrived on Monday, causing the supply to finish quickly,'' Tuitt said yesterday.

The Christmas Season so far saw another propane shortage as reports say that the vessel bringing new supplies broke down at sea.

On Tuesday a representative from the Europe Union (EU), Engineering Adviser Bonne De Jonge, His Excellency the Governor Anthony Abbott and the Honourable Chief Minister David S. Brandt signed another framework of co-operation.

Under the programme the 8^th European Development Fund represents EC$19 million made available for the redevelopment of the island.

Governor Abbott called for the speedy implementation of programmes under the European Development Fund, mentioning that there is still some money left under EDF 7. This had been in existence before volcanic activity began.

The Chief Minister pointed out the three main areas are setting up of a policy regime that is conducive to private foreign investment and also encourages private savings; resettlement of displaced people; and human resources development in the area of tertiary education.

Dr. Gordon Avery's recent departure from Montserrat after serving for two years as Chief Medical Officer coincides with a controversial British call for replacing the post of CMO with a Medical Director.

The recommendation, made after a study by Medical Advisors of Britain's Department for International Development (DFID), met immediate resistance from the Government of Montserrat.
Barry Kavanagh, head of DFID's Montserrat office, told the Caribbean News Agency (CANA) last week that the role and functions of the CMO would be widened and the designation changed to Medical Director, as is the case in the United Kingdom (UK).
"One of the recommendations was to revamp the CMO post and make it a wider role to be not just a clinical position but also administrative and policy making with the Minister, so it is quite a large job," Mr. Kavanagh said.
He noted that the Montserrat government was "unhappy" with changing the title but were quite content with the expanded role if all the duties could be performed by one person.

Dr. Avery said before he left Montserrat that he was disappointed in his hope to hand over to a successor who would have maintained the continuity of the CMO post, as is the expected norm in the English-speaking Caribbean Territories.

The Government of Montserrat reportedly shared that sentiment. "They have already told me that they do not want to change the CMO title for the post," Mr. Kavanagh told CANA, "although they are willing to negotiate on what the new CMO will do."
Both Mr. Kavanagh and Health Minister Adelina Tuitt said the role and functions of the person to succeed Dr. Avery were open to negotiations between DFID and the Montserrat government.

Dr. Avery has written a report, "The Real Health Problems of Montserrat," which spells out in detail the research he carried out with the help of a group of medical students from the UK and which outlines what needs to be done to further improve the health of the people of Montserrat.

Many persons in Montserrat are viewing the new dome growth at Soufriere Hills volcano as "God working in mysterious ways."

As the new dome continues to grow and is likely to impact the remaining airport facilities, residents who oppose a full-scale rehabilitation of the W H Bramble airport are pleased and even relieved that this will deter the British from carrying out their threats to bring their own workers to work at the airport. One prominent businessman said: "They will have no alternative but to consider constructing an airport elsewhere, never mind they are not really interested in our economic development."

That, however, is apparently creating a further problem for the island, since the British Government is yet to recant on their position regarding the construction of an airport at Thatch Valley. Last year Chief Minister David Brandt told the island in a radio broadcast: "The case that Thatch Valley is in fact the best site for an airport in Montserrat has been presented from all angles, and from all points of view. At every turn the response by the British has been an unqualified NO."

Now midway in the construction of a new heliport, which was expected to provide the island with aviation certification to officially operate commercial helicopter flights from Montserrat, it develops that the infrastructure is insufficient for the current helicopter operations.

Officials within the Ministry of Communications and Works, confirmed by Minister Rupert Weekes, are saying that they are now studying the new situation, which they claim does not necessitate scrapping plans for the sports complex and a community college at Geralds.

For just over two weeks the local authorities facilitated convoys of trucks and people to go into the Exclusion Zone to recover items which were still usable or just worthwhile enough to be kept as mementos of what used to form part of that place they called home.

Yesterday I went in to view how things had changed since I was there last, and because it was the last day to capture for our picture files.

Readers will remember Fort Ghaut, which no longer exists. It now is so filled that the road, as described, is cut straight across it from Chapel Street on to Peebles Street just above the Mercer's old house.

It was truly amazing to observe how some of the houses were completely gutted, while others next door suffered from the weight and corrosion of the ash and mud that filled them, particularly up on what we once described generally as "Town Hill."

Here, incidentally, was the only area from which items were recoverable from those houses that managed to avoid the destruction by either pyroclastic flows or surges, or just the terrible effects of the volcano.

Last November, hopes of celebrating the near restfulness of Soufriere Hills volcano became doubtful when scientists reported that a new dome had begun to grow inside the huge existing crater, created by the dome that was supposed to be the souvenir of activity which began on July 18, 1995.

On Tuesday, we were updated about the current situation on volcanic activity in an exclusive interview with scientist Dr. Simon Young, the director of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), who yesterday left the island on paternal leave.

"We are at a stage where we have rock falls, small pyroclastic flows in Tar River Valley," he said. "We have a dome which is about 20 to about 25 million cubic meters, growing about three to four cubic meters per second. . . .

"We were just up in the helicopter watching some small pyroclastic flow in the upper part of the Tar River Valley. And we had one flow down on to the delta; it did not quite get to the sea last Wednesday morning. We are not at the situation yet where pyroclastic flow activity is threatening any other areas. The dome hasn't grown big enough to spill out in any other directions apart from in Tar River, and we don't anticipate that it will do so till many weeks, unless something changes drastically. We don't anticipate the pyroclastic flows being in any other direction."

The new dome at the Soufriere Hills Volcano continues to grow steadily despite low level activity over the past few weeks. Director of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory Dr. Simon Young says the rate of growth is now about five cubic meters per second, which carries the size of the new dome to 15 million cubic meters. He says the growth is on the eastern side of the volcano and any real fall out of this activity is still six to eight weeks away. However, Dr. Young refuses to speculate that the eruption is coming to an end.

At the beginning of this week the CANA reporter out of Antigua filed a report titled, "Soufriere Hills in eruptive stage again:"

The report said: "Scientists monitoring Montserrat’s Soufriere Hills volcano said at the weekend that it was again in an eruptive stage but residents of the British dependent territory were facing no immediate threats.

"Chief Scientist at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) Dr. Simon Young told state radio that assessment was a partial reversal of statements in recent months that the volcano was going back to sleep.

It is believed that this story sparked off a series of rumours that said the volcano was due to erupt on Thursday. The rumours supposedly forced visitors to the island to flee the island and once again had relatives in England and elsewhere overseas crying to the relatives here in Montserrat to leave the island.

Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) scientists were ecstatic in their report on Wednesday that after the rain-induced spectacular activity of Monday the Soufriere Hills volcano was almost back to its state prior to November last year.

A release by MVO Information & Press Officer Chelston Lee says:

"Observations were made by a pilot from Caribbean Helicopters this morning. These indicated that about 90 percent of the new dome growth since November 1999 has been removed by the pyroclastic flow activity on Monday night. There has also been some erosion of the walls of the 1995-98 dome on the inside of the scar. Much ash venting and steaming was seen within the scar, so the vent area was not visible."
Monday's activity at the Soufriere Hills volcano came during and after heavy downpours of very welcome rain that began in mid afternoon.

The police are exploring the possibility of allowing persons into the Exclusion Zone to retrieve household goods. The areas that may be opened up shortly are Molyneaux, Windy Hill, Harris', Streathams, Parsons, Amersham, Webbs, Victoria Village and surrounding areas.

MVO Director, Dr. Gillian Norton, revealed this week that she and her colleagues are providing data that could lead to a greater understanding of volcanoes the world over.

In addition to monitoring the safety of the volcano, the MVO team also sends data to mathematicians elsewhere in the world who are trying to find a way to calculate the pressure and volume of magma inside a volcano.

"Volume is the key," according to Dr. Norton. If scientists can discover how to measure the volume of magma within a volcano, they can offer more accurate predictions about eruptions.

If they do succeed in finding a way to measure the magma in Montserrat’s volcano, it is hoped the same methods could be used to learn more about other active sites around the world. The procedure being used is to survey the growing dome, and other material that comes out of the volcano, to determine how much pressure is required to cause a dome collapse, an eruption, or some other type of activity.

"That’s all cutting edge science," remarked Dr. Norton, explaining that as field scientists, she and her team simply provide the raw data for this research, just as they provide safety information for the island.

The Montsertrrat Volcano Observatory this week announced three updates to its roster of senior staff appointments.

Topping the list is the appointment of Dr. Gill Norton as Director and Chief Scientist. She has accepted the posting on a one-year contract ending July 2001.

Dr. Norton has been serving in this capacity since July of this year, following the departure of previous director, Dr. Simon Young, but her title was Acting Director while she awaited this new long-term contract.

Dr. Norton leaves Montserrat next week to pursue wedding plans overseas, and is not expected to return until November.

The man who will fill her shoes while she’s away is Dr. Peter Dunkley, a recognised specialist in the field of volcanic hazard mapping

Dr. Howard Fergus, acting Governor of Montserrat, took to ZJB radio this week to tell farmers, fishermen and other residents of Montserrat to keep clear of the eastern vicinity of the the Soufriere Hills volcano.

He also warned that the Exclusion Zone in the east is to be strictly enforced and that all sand mining in the Trants area is to cease immediately.

The action came on the heels of information from the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) that the dome continues to grow and a collapse is very likely.

Acting Director of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) Dr. Peter Dunkley said Thursday in an interview on the radio station that the dome is high with spines and that a collapse is anticipated, which, if and when it occurs, will impact mostly if not only the east. Dr. Fergus in his radio statement said: "The MVO has canvassed the opinion of a number of senior scientists who have worked at the Observatory, including Dr Gill Norton, the substantive Director, and Professor Steve Sparkes, and all are in agreement that the area around the airport is at risk."

The Hon. Idabelle Meade was sworn in this week as the second nominated member on the Legislative Council. She is the first woman to serve in the post.

"I was honoured," she said after a brief ceremony at Lancaster House, the office of H.E. Gov. Anthony Abbott. "I hope to achieve a greater knowledge of the system and participate in the decision-making process."

Mrs. Meade was chosen for the post by Chief Minister, the Hon. David Brandt. The vacancy she is filling on the council was created by the resignation of the Hon. P. Austin Bramble. He announced his departure during the last meeting of Legislative Council.

This week a well-traveled and somewhat weathered Catholic priest packed his suitcase once again and prepared to make his way to St. Kitts. At dockside early Wednesday morning, Father Larry Finnegan met briefly with well-wishers before boarding the ferry to end his seven-year assignment on Montserrat.

Parishioners often become fond of their priests, but in Father Larry’s case even the most jaded observer could understand why his departure leaves some people with an empty feeling. He was the spiritual shepherd who guided the population of Montserrat through some of the darkest days in the island’s history.

Father Larry’s first sight of the island was in the 1970’s, when he stayed here for some months. Returning in 1993 he was struck by improvements in housing and the overall quality of life.

"In the early 1990’s I thought Montserrat had developed fabulously. It was beautiful and good," he stated, adding that he had been especially appreciative of the quiet atmosphere. "That’s always been one of the good things about the place. How many places can you leave your doors unlocked?"

Father Larry recalled how, at the height of the crisis, overworked clergymen of all denominations would gather and pray together, in an effort to find enough strength to keep doing their duty even in moments when it might have seemed futile. He said Montserrat brought him closer than ever before to a wider variety of other theological doctrines.

For the months and years ahead, Father Larry expressed hope that Montserrat will continue to rebuild and rediscover itself.

Father Larry’s efforts on behalf of the people of Montserrat have earned him more than the admiration and respect of the people. A few weeks ago he was formally invested with an honorary Order of the British Empire (OBE), and the Badge of Montserrat. They are formal symbols of the things he has done for the island.

This past week the 125-year-old St. Augustine School celebrated for the first time an anniversary which ends tomorrow.

The celebration began with a church service on Sunday at St. Martin de Porres Roman Catholic Church in Salem, where a thanksgiving mass was celebrated with Bishop Donald Reece, bishop of the diocese of St. John-Basseterre, which includes Montserrat, as the chief celebrant.

The week of activities to celebrate the years 1875-2000, hailed as a long time, will roll to an end this Saturday night.

The final day celebration on Saturday night is to be highlighted with a Re-union Ball (Formal Dress 1875-2000 era) at the Pelican Room at the Vue Pointe Hotel. This is to be followed by a program of Community Service, which takes place beginning at 11.00 a.m. Sunday

At least 15 nations and territories of the Caribbean region are represented at the 31^st Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) currently underway on Montserrat.

CBU president Gerald Krohn told delegates at the opening of the meeting on Friday, that when he and his colleagues made the decision a year ago to hold this meeting in Montserrat, they were worried whether they were making the correct decision. "Could we actually get to the island comfortably? And would the volcano blow?"

He said once he was on the island, however, along with a full complement of delegates and guests, he could see the correct decision was made. "I could not be happier to be here," he said.

Mr. Salas Hamilton, Chief of Staff in the Chief Minister's office, said to the delegates, "In having your meeting here, it shows your support and solidarity, not only for the host station but for the people of Montserrat."

Yesterday, Chief Minister David S. Brandt reacted heatedly to a press release issued by His Excellency Governor Anthony Abbott on Wednesday which accused the radio station ZJB of presenting inaccurate and misleading statements to the listening public.

The Governor explained his action in his press release.

He said, "It's is not normal practice for H.E. the Governor to respond to media comments about his office and those agencies under his portfolio. However, following recent broadcasts on Radio Montserrat, the Governor feels the need to correct inaccurate and misleading statements, which have been presented to the listening public."

The release said it has been implied on several occasions that H.E. the Governor intends to impose a candidate of his own choice for the manager’s position at Radio Montserrat. Of this he said, "…this issue has never even been considered. The normal recruitment procedure for Civil Service positions is being followed."

The vacant post of manager for the radio station has been advertised following the retirement of station Manager Miss Rose Willock. . . .

The Governor's commented in his release: "It is equally important that the right to freedom of expression and balanced reporting is protected as an integral part of any democratic society," following which he proposed establishing "a Board of Governors completely independent from Government; A Charter of Broadcasting Standards; The introduction of a Complaints Commission, and A Code of Conduct for journalists."

The Chief Minister tore into this, arguing: "I think it is a veiled effort to close down to radio Montserrat; before that let me say that I am shocked that the governor would make such an unwarranted attack on his own powerless civil servants."

He recalled that following the British's suggestion to publish government news and information in The Montserrat Reporter. "…they wrote to me to say that because the Reporter attacks the British government from time to time they are going to withdraw the publication…the money was coming out of our aid money and out of our aid the governor is publishing a newsletter." . . .

The Governor also said: "…in the interests of Good Governance and to keep the Montserrat community well informed, all realistic potential political parties or candidates should be given equal access to airing their views over the National Radio System."

To this The Chief Minister said: "in relation to Radio Montserrat, no one has complained that they do not have access to Radio Montserrat." . . .

At the beginning the Chief Minister called the Governor's press release, "an unwarranted and bitter attack on civil servants who are powerless, who cannot defend themselves. If they do, they have to do it with the permission of the Governor. This is wrong, I think it is my duty to defend them because I was elected to be their defender. .

One person who listened to the broadcasts said: "They editorialised about - pressure building up, and the top of the mountain ready to blow etc. etc…I can tell you they painted a grim picture."

Earlier this week Chelston Lee, the Communications Manager at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), supported the concerns: "There have recently been some BBC news reports with misleading and inaccurate information as to the status of Montserrat's Soufriere Hills Volcano. A series of bulletins transmitted by the BBC on last Friday and Saturday included statements insinuating that Montserrat is bracing itself for a major eruption and that people may soon be forced to leave their homes. The bulletins also included a number of damning statements about the state of the active lava dome, which were purported to be the views of officials at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)."

Deputy Director Dr. Peter Drunkley also told the Reporter yesterday of his concerns about the inaccurate statements that have appeared on the television broadcasts. He said that, "the MVO have received several overseas phone calls about the 'doom and gloom' broadcasts, which were inaccurate and distorted."

Chief Minister Brandt said: "When they came here they said they came to tell the positive story on Montserrat. What they publish is not the positive story…the people of Montserrat thought that they were our friends having regard to what they said but it turned out that they are our deadliest enemy…(What people)"heard from BBC is a wicked lie.""

Dr. Gordon Avery's recent departure from Montserrat after serving for two years as Chief Medical Officer coincides with a controversial British call for replacing the post of CMO with a Medical Director.

The recommendation, made after a study by Medical Advisors of Britain's Department for International Development (DFID), met immediate resistance from the Government of Montserrat.
Barry Kavanagh, head of DFID's Montserrat office, told the Caribbean News Agency (CANA) last week that the role and functions of the CMO would be widened and the designation changed to Medical Director, as is the case in the United Kingdom (UK).
"One of the recommendations was to revamp the CMO post and make it a wider role to be not just a clinical position but also administrative and policy making with the Minister, so it is quite a large job," Mr. Kavanagh said.
He noted that the Montserrat government was "unhappy" with changing the title but were quite content with the expanded role if all the duties could be performed by one person.

Dr. Avery said before he left Montserrat that he was disappointed in his hope to hand over to a successor who would have maintained the continuity of the CMO post, as is the expected norm in the English-speaking Caribbean Territories.

The Government of Montserrat reportedly shared that sentiment. "They have already told me that they do not want to change the CMO title for the post," Mr. Kavanagh told CANA, "although they are willing to negotiate on what the new CMO will do."
Both Mr. Kavanagh and Health Minister Adelina Tuitt said the role and functions of the person to succeed Dr. Avery were open to negotiations between DFID and the Montserrat government.

Dr. Avery has written a report, "The Real Health Problems of Montserrat," which spells out in detail the research he carried out with the help of a group of medical students from the UK and which outlines what needs to be done to further improve the health of the people of Montserrat.

The OECS Secretariat described it as "a grand display" when volcano-ravaged Montserrat welcomed OECS Heads of government to their three-day summit, which began Wednesday, 22 November, 2000.
Chief Minister David Brandt told the opening ceremony at Montserrat's Vue Point Hotel that there is a lesson for the Region to be learnt from the resilience and commitment of Montserratians who have been living under the threat of volcanic eruptions for several years and are now involved in the rebuilding process.

The OECS heads had a packed program and in spite of fears and suspicions expressed from some quarters, the meeting was also hailed a success. Prime Minister Lester Bird said on his return to Antigua after the meeting: "It does take courage to live (in Montserrat) still and rebuild, despite the threat in the hills above."

OECS Chairman, Grenada's Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, who delivered the feature address at the opening ceremony, joined Chief Minister Brandt in saying the meeting should not be just another "talk shop." Both called for serious action to be taken on the issues discussed.

A cocktail party at Government House was hosted by His Excellency Governor Anthony Abbott for the Heads of Government, other Government Ministers, OECS staff and other support staff

This was the second hosting by Montserrat of the OECS Summit and it was considered to be a great achievement in the circumstances faced by the Island.

Two stinging reports by Her Majesty's Government (HMG) DFID Select Committee, filed in November 1997 and July 1998, led to the in-depth Evaluation Study of HMG’s Response to the Montserrat Emergency.

DFID’s Evaluation Department commissioned the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), London, to undertake this study, with Dr. Edward Clay as Team Leader and six technical specialists. These specialists had been recruited to participate on the basis of relevant subject and regional expertise, covering civil engineering, economics and financial analysis, health, nutrition, social development and volcanology.

Last October, when we first reported on this development, we learnt that "To ensure complete independence, none of the team has been involved previously in any aspect of the Montserrat Emergency."

The study was to cover the first three years of the crisis, from July 1995 up to the time the team visited Montserrat in November 1998. It had already begun some months before when the team visited Montserrat.

It is certain now that any study of HMG's handling of Montserrat during this crisis would have little difficulty in finding that HMG faltered badly, especially after the 19 deaths from the volcano, when Secretary of State Miss Clare Short described Montserrat’s requests as nearly asking for "golden elephants."

The report was expected to have been ready in May last year, but it surfaced only two weeks ago, dated December 1999, in two volumes. It was to have taken against six key criteria: appropriateness; cost effectiveness; impact; coverage; coherence; process and connectedness, all of which were reported on. The report listed seven, having separated process and connectedness.

Highlighted early and throughout the document were the sentiments capturing "an achievement for Montserratians and a qualified success for HMG."

The evaluation involved the following stages:

• initial desk study of all relevant papers;
• consultations with individuals and organisations concerned with the project, including field missions to collect data and interview those involved;
• preparation of a draft report which was circulated in June 1999 to HMG Departments involved in the response and the government of Montserrat;
• submission of the draft report to DFID's Portfolio Review Committee, to note the main conclusions and lessons to be learned.

Conclusions and Lessons was broken down under four headings:

A - An Achievement for Montserratians and a Qualified Success for HMG

B -HMG's Performance: Criteria for Emergency Assessment

C -Natural Disaster Emergency Management (Some Lessons from HMG's Response)

D -Monitoring the volcano (Risk Assessment and volcano-seismic crisis management.

The first covered Risk Management, Governance, Resources: an adequate response? Under B: Use of scientific information, the seven criteria, consultation and public information, Social impact and coverage.

Montserrat companies may not be paid thousands of dollars for architectural work already done on new Montserrat recovery projects. Architects Alford Dyett, Ken Cassell, David Hodd and Ivason Galloway could be stuck with huge expenses because the local Department for International Development (DFID), representative wanted the jobs to go to offshore architects.

The projects for which DFID is demanding a review are the Sheltered Housing at Lookout, the Day Care Centre at Lookout, the Office Block and the Fire Station.
According to local architects, DFID is expressing concern that their practices cannot actually afford to "supply the service implied by their offers," while finding all kinds of other "very flawed" methods to suggest that tenders from foreign architects are better value for money, which in most cases are much higher than those of the local architects.

Officials of the tender’s board have confirmed the architects' information, that "design consultancies have been awarded," and the architects say that they have begun work.

The Montserrat Reporter has learned that DFID’s technical advisor, Mr. Michael Luffingham, wanted some of these contracts to go to a company in St. Kitts called OMB. DFID is apparently angry because Luffinghham's recommendations were "not always followed".

The Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt convened a meeting Wednesday afternoon with the Hon. Rupert Weekes and Hon. Adelina Tuitt to prepare a joint statement with members of Montserrat Association of Architect and Engineers (MAAE), contractors and other interested persons for a later meeting with DFID.

In his very brief opening statement Mr. Brandt said, "It is the belief of the government that local contractors should be given priority once they have the competence and their prices are reasonable. We feel that local firms cannot be judged at the same price level and same playing field as foreign ones. We believe that local firms should be given an edge and we are here to discuss what type of specific proposal we should put forward so that this evening we could speak with one voice."

Mr. Kenneth Scotland, a member of MAAE, presented a number of proposals from the association, which were agreed upon by the general body. The proposals were presented to DFID’s team headed by Mr. Barry Kavanagh, who weeks ago, in a radio statement, accused the government of not honouring its Protocols where it agreed to offer jobs to off-island professionals and businesses.

Some of the points proposed by the MAAE, and agreed in principal at the first and second meetings were:

1. Projects budgeted under $250,000 should be by direct appointment by Public Works Department.
2. All projects, unless otherwise stipulated by special clauses, should be advertised locally.
3. On all projects of over $1.5 million, local firms should get 15 percent advantage in tendering and foreign firms should pay the local taxes before they collect..
4. Local firms will be honest and indicate whether they can handle a particular job or if they may not be able to. It was also agreed that they will be allowed to source off island professional help to complete some jobs whenever the need arises.

It was also agreed in principal that these agreements should be reflected in other areas, whether it be trucking, hire of heavy equipment or even the purchasing of vehicles.

The Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt convened a meeting Wednesday afternoon with the Hon. Rupert Weekes and Hon. Adelina Tuitt to prepare a joint statement with members of Montserrat Association of Architect and Engineers (MAAE), contractors and other interested persons for a later meeting with DFID.

In his very brief opening statement Mr. Brandt said, "It is the belief of the government that local contractors should be given priority once they have the competence and their prices are reasonable. We feel that local firms cannot be judged at the same price level and same playing field as foreign ones. We believe that local firms should be given an edge and we are here to discuss what type of specific proposal we should put forward so that this evening we could speak with one voice."

Mr. Kenneth Scotland, a member of MAAE, presented a number of proposals from the association, which were agreed upon by the general body. The proposals were presented to DFID’s team headed by Mr. Barry Kavanagh, who weeks ago, in a radio statement, accused the government of not honouring its Protocols where it agreed to offer jobs to off-island professionals and businesses.

Some of the points proposed by the MAAE, and agreed in principal at the first and second meetings were:

5. Projects budgeted under $250,000 should be by direct appointment by Public Works Department.
6. All projects, unless otherwise stipulated by special clauses, should be advertised locally.
7. On all projects of over $1.5 million, local firms should get 15 percent advantage in tendering and foreign firms should pay the local taxes before they collect..
8. Local firms will be honest and indicate whether they can handle a particular job or if they may not be able to. It was also agreed that they will be allowed to source off island professional help to complete some jobs whenever the need arises.

It was also agreed in principal that these agreements should be reflected in other areas, whether it be trucking, hire of heavy equipment or even the purchasing of vehicles.

The first official shelter for the Elderly was officially opened on Thursday evening at Davy Hill and was immediately named "Garling Hill House." According to the Minister of Education, Health and Community Services, Mrs. Adelina Tuitt, this is only one of several others to be commenced towards the end of the year at Lookout.

Mrs. Kay Jardin who saw the project through to its completion was the one who said that her early research led her to discover that the area was called Garling Hill, and that the residents chose the name for the house. (The garling is a bird seen locally).

"Sheltered housing is not a residential home," she said, "it is a key resource in which frail disabled older people can maximise their independence in security and support, yet remain empowered to live a normal life…It is an environment that enhances the quality of life."

Minister of Communications & Works Rupert Weekes welcomed the elderly people, some of whom he has many years of personal contact, to his constituency in St. John's.

In a familiar style of seeking to silence the press and the voice of the people, Mr. Mike Wood in DFID, London, has cited "value for money" and "journalism found to be unacceptably slanted," as grounds for denying David Brandt's government funds budgeted for publishing its information for Montserratians at home and abroad.

The Montserrat Reporter was advised by Mr. C.T. John the honourable Financial Secretary to the government of Montserrat, that he has received instructions from the head of the Overseas Territories Unit, Mr. Wood of DFID, to cease the expenditure as of June, for the two Government Information Service (GIS) pages printed each week in the Montserrat Reporter.

It is said that this was initiated by an Enquiry Report into the expenditures of the Chief Minister's office, which doubted that the government received "value for money" for the two pages printed from text supplied by the GIS in the Montserrat Reporter.

The instructions had come first from the local DFID office, but Mr. Wood added some 'flesh to the bone,' claiming concerns which "extend beyond" the value for money considerations. These are that "much of the content (in the Reporter) is unacceptably slanted."

It will be seen as pointed out in a letter (see below). I sent to Mr. Wood by e-mail last night that the GIS pages were part of a service provided to the government and people of Montserrat, both at home and abroad, from which the Reporter made no profit whatever, since the pages were charged at the same rates as regular advertisements but incurred much more work than is ordinary.

I think it is regrettable that you can be so grossly misinformed and so bellicose in your comments regarding the Montserrat Reporter. It provides to the Government of Montserrat much more than value for its money

The editor of the Montserrat Reporter considers that operating under the severe constraints it does, the paper provides a service to Montserrat no one else has yet stepped forward to do.

I take no objection to you and the Governor's opinion of my standard of journalism, since it is objective only when it pleases you. What's new? Everyone, every government who ever challenges or seek to silence the press says the same thing. Yours is an opinion, which can be debated, but one you are entitled to, just like those I express as to the hypocrisies and unfairness with which you and others often handle the affairs of Montserrat, as exhibited in your directives without due regard to the Chief Minister's office.

I do sympathise with your unwillingness to accept what you consider to be "language…below the belt," but I wait to be challenged regarding any of the facts reported in the Montserrat Reporter. The comment, "We do not like the things the Reporter says, but at least it is fair," was made by one of your previous staff member's in Montserrat. Your opinion merely takes this a little further, but also shows that not everyone of you is of your kind.

I am of course delighted that you feel that there has been a slant, but then I will ask that you show me a press release from your department that doesn't have a slant. If it didn't, the writer would probably not have a job. Indeed I would have been surprised and disappointed if you had commented otherwise. You should have been advised that the Montserrat Reporter welcomes comments or articles from anyone, including DFID, who, if they felt wronged, could always send in a release correcting any fact they felt was inaccurately stated about them. Indeed the very GIS pages were also available.

I believe at the time the request was made for the publication of these pages, it was perceived as a replacement for the subsidy of the shortfall in revenue against our publication costs. This was cut for the same reason you now promote, that DFID didn't think it was fair to support a paper which was critical of them. That payment was support to keep the necessary newspaper alive (as agreed by the Governor). It was the Governor who initiated this when the Reporter was going to close. What a great thing that it didn't. You would have already destroyed us all. Everything changed for the Reporter, as we decided then that we would only publish when the costs were met.

But before you continue to believe that DFID contributes to our production costs, or in any way provides a subsidy or support to the Reporter, please be advised that this is furthest from the truth. Your directive comes at a time when I was about to advise GIS that it turned out to be a mistake when I agreed to accept the same fee for a GIS page as for a normal one. I would have to charge for the additional services provided in producing the pages, including its exposure on the Internet. Your ignorance is abhorrent as indeed is that of the Enquiry that looked into the matter. None of you thought it prudent to find out what is involved in producing these pages. I therefore ask how was "value for money" calculated. Let me also mention that the Montserrat Reporter has by far the lowest advertising rates in these parts.

The GoM underpays for a service they receive, which is extended to posting on the Internet, both for their benefit and that of Montserratians everywhere. I believe that it is the latter that causes you most concern, and since you are so misguided in thinking that DFID provides a subsidy, you believe that curbing it will hopefully bring an end to the publication.

You must be informed that the GIS pages, unlike other full-page advertisements, come to me in the form of text and it is left to my scarce technical resources to provide a layout. No photographs are provided, but in an effort to assist I have provided them free of cost.

I must also inform you that I have brothers and sisters living in England, some for more than 20 years, who are taxpayers. I will not join you, but merely say that your directive is just another show of your lack of concern and your scant respect for the people and for GoM.

The "value for money" idea is so obtuse, along with the claim of support and subsidy by DFID, that I see this as nothing more than disabling the GoM from providing information in the manner they choose to their people.

Surely people who are familiar with the UK press should find the Reporter mild and friendly. They only have to watch Newsnight on BBC and see the government being asked uncomfortable questions or even ridiculed (something the Reporter does not resort to). They will know about Dispatch Box and all the other BBC programs, which often go out of the way to make life miserable for the government. Compare the treatment of HMG there to the treatment you have been given in the Reporter.

As usual I see through your now unhidden agenda and I will continue to strive (unlike you) in support of our devastated people, and those (the very taxpayers) for whose interests you pretend to be looking out, by continually wasting their pounds while you pretentiously strive to save their pennies.

Many Montserratians living in the United States this week can enjoy relief from the fear of having to give up their jobs or having to return to Montserrat with the uncertainty of no where to go.

Attorney Journal Janet Reno announced Monday that the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service has extended inclusion of Montserratians under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program program until August 27, 2001, to replace the six month period automatic extension provided for in the statute. 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(C).

The TPS for Montserratians is now entering its fourth year has been in effect since August 1997.

The U.S. said the extension was granted based on a recent assessment that found conditions and volcanic activity on the island to be disruptive to normal life.

The State Department memorandum that effected this new extension is quoted as saying: "Since the eruptions of the Soufriere Hills volcano began in the southern part of Montserrat in 1997, the island has remained in a state of crisis. Most recently, in March 2000, the volcano turned deadly again."

The extension makes TPS available only to persons who have been continuously physically present since August 28, 1997, and have continuously resided in the United States from August 22, 1997.
It is understood that the further argument is made that there continues to be a substantial but temporary disruption of living conditions in Montserrat as a result of environmental disaster, and the island continues to be temporarily unable to handle adequately the return of its nationals.

The order says eligible nationals of Montserrat (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Montserrat) may re-register for TPS and an extension of employment authorization. It said re-registration is limited to persons who registered during the initial registration period, which ended on August 27, 1998, or who registered after that date under the late initial registration provision. Persons who are eligible for late initial registration may register for TPS during this extension.
The 30-day re-registration period begins October 2, 2000, and will remain in effect until November 1, 2000.

No current figures were immediately available
Further information is available from Michael Valverde, Residence and Status Services Branch, Adjudications, Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), Room 3214, 425 I Street, NW., Washington, DC 20536, telephone (202) 514-4754.

By Nelson A. King
NEW YORK, CANA - Thousands of undocumented or illegal Caribbean immigrants in the United States could not have asked for a more timely Christmas gift -- partial relief by Congress through passage of a spending bill.
The relief -- contained in the huge spending bill approved by Congress, just before departing for the Christmas break, will temporarily revive a provision of immigration law that allowed large numbers of people to obtain green cards (immigrant visas) while residing in the United States.
Those, who were forced to return home, because of changes in the 1996 new immigration law, awaiting approval of their application, can now re-enter the country with the issuance of a work permit.
Congress' approval of the measure, by a 292 to 60 vote, ended two months of wrangling between President Clinton and the Republicans over the $1.8 trillion budget. The Senate passed the bill by voice vote.
The immigration provision, known as section 245 (i), will be reinstated for four months. That means that illegal immigrants have up to April next year to file their applications.
Some 700,000 immigrants in the U.S., whose status is either illegal or questionable, will be granted legal status.
Caribbean immigration advocates estimate that between 75,000 and 100,000 illegal Caribbean immigrants stand to benefit from the measure.

FEAR OF EXPLOITATION
As many immigrants seek to adjust their status, with passage of the bill, Henry's office, like CIS, is very concerned about the "ripping off" of nationals by unscrupulous immigration consultants.
Recently, at a City Hall public hearing, Rev. Henry issued a stern warning to the community about these con artists, urging nationals to be very aware of them.
He said that these individuals promise, for a fee, to help immigrants obtain green cards or residency status by using
non-existent "inside channels" within the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
"Masquerading as `immigration consultants'," he said, "these predators encourage unsuspecting immigrants to file spurious claims of residency or political asylum that have no merit in law, extracting from their victims hundreds, and, sometimes, thousands of dollars in illegal payments.
"Essentially, they prey upon the newcomers' limited knowledge of the American immigration system, limited language proficiency and fear of deportation," the cleric noted.

The Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Brunel Meade, called a press conference in early May in an obvious attempt to allay fears of residents at the existence of what has been described as a puma or mountain lion, a member of the large cat family.

"I don't think there is reason for alarm, the minister said, "we assume this animal has been roaming the hills for some time now, without causing any harm to human beings."

Mr. Meade said that the ministry is making careful plans to capture the animal, which may involve assistance from DFID's helicopter service.

Earlier this week also, chief veterinary surgeon Dr. Wilford Daniels confirmed by his observations the presence of "some feline animal." He said: "What we saw were several carcasses which give some evidence they were preyed upon by some feline animal. We noticed there were parts of carcasses with broken necks."

Livestock owners in the area have said they were not sure how many livestock may have been killed by the animal, as no one was sure how long it has been roaming the area. It is also doubtful that they would have any good count on the number of livestock that they own in the area.
Meanwhile, yesterday, the Montserrat National Trust (MNT), which first revealed the news of the possibility of the existence of the catlike animal in the Silver Hills, first captured on video by Mr. Arne Hammerlund, issued a press release:

"On Saturday, April 22, 2000, a member of the Montserrat National Trust, while on a hiking expedition in the Silver Hills, observed a feline or catlike species never recorded on the island.

"The hiker was able to take a video of the animal and presented it to the National Trust."

The release stated, "the animal sighted is approximately 26-28 inches in body length plus a tail of approximately 16 inches. . . . The animal is quite shy and moves away from people, so there is no reason to be alarmed by its presence."

Lord, help us! Lord, help me to make a difference in 2001. Help me make a difference in the development of the Caribbean region in general, and in the development of West Indies cricket in particular.

Every year, we make resolutions, even if, as mortal man, they are like ropes of sand. This new Millennium, I have resolved to report on West Indies cricket differently.

I therefore petition our Christian God to grant me the wisdom, knowledge, understanding and intellectual maturity to analyze West Indian cricket development with truth, honesty, fearlessness, boldness and rationality. I resolve to educate on all issues, popular or unpopular; on all vexing issues as long as it adds value to the development of the region and the diaspora. I resolve to be a friend of all but a slave of none. I resolve to represent the interest of all and not the interest of the individual unless it is critical to the greater cause or process of development.

I resolve to think, write and analyse with my head rather than my heart. When we think from our heart, we allow nationalism, affinity and affection to colour our analysis and, in the process, sanitize our discussion to the extent of making it apologetic or valueless.

When we think from our head, we analyse with passion, and without fear and favour. While this is very difficult to do, having been socialized in a love relationship with the Caribbean, the West Indies team and the Caribbean disapora, the journalist must try very hard to give the correct diagnosis and policy suggestion.

I asked Santa for a new leader, a new selection panel, new coaches, a young opening batsman, and another Brain Lara. It must have made been very difficult for Santa to deliver. After all, he is a good man and is touched with the infirmities and the needs of so many that we often wonder if he cares about himself.

According to the Christian traditions, which dominate Caribbean social life, requests are answered in three ways: "yes", "no" and "wait." Could it be that the social issues that surrounded some of my requests Santa could not supply them? Could it be that Santa has put things in place to supply the requests, and the answer from the global humanitarian is "wait"? And there are reasons for waiting, if we are to replace the selection panel and the technical team through democratic means.

In our case, a team captain is selected for a series, and cannot be replaced, except for health reasons before the assignment is ended. This is, to say, in spite of the poor performances of Jimmy Adams, he cannot be replaced until the tour has ended.

The selection panel was put in place this year, and except the public, the real stakeholders agitate in an unconventional way to bring pressure to bear on selection panel or the WICB, the democratic process would inform the change. The contracts of the present technical team allow them to serve a few more years unless they wish to terminate.

Moreover, we have a cultural reason to wait with optimism given that Christmas in the Caribbean begins in December and ends with Carnival in February. On that basis, there seems to be hope for the future.

But in the meantime, we are been badly bruised Down Under. On 27 December, 2000, the West Indies team exhibited another of its embarrassing performances in Australia, just after we had sent an SOS to Santa.

It took a very short time to reinforce the huge gulf between the current West Indies team and the formidable Australian team. The performance on the second day of the Fourth Test at the MCG reflected the gulf between the two teams, and perfectly spoke to the state of affairs in the West Indian touring camp.

Although the West Indians ultimately averted the possibility of following by the narrowest possible margin, they nonetheless crashed and were dismissed for 165 by the close of play, in reply to Australia's 364.

The handwriting appears to be on the wall. Another defeat is in the making, unless there is the intervention of the elements or the interference of the glorious uncertainties of the rather unpredictable game.

Except for Brian Lara, who opted for an aggressive but destructive approach, the batsmen were dictated to by the new ballers like soldiers do to a new recruit (we hope that they were under instruction from the dysfunctional certificated coaches). The opening batsmen, Sherwin Campbell and Darren Ganga, were literally starved or did they starve themselves?

The new ball bowlers Gillespie (3/48) and McGrath 0/15) applied the most restrictive of clamps to the West Indians' progress, refusing to grant them so much as a run until 37 deliveries had been bowled.

The West Indian batsmen had learnt nothing from watching Australia escape their difficulties on the somewhat challenging but placid pitch. The West Indian batting lineup simply self-destructed in the period following lunch.

They could have learnt much from the lesson of application and batsmanship taught them by the high-value world-class batsman, Steve Waugh. The indomitable figure of Steve Waugh (121 not out) completed his 23d Test century without the flamboyance of a Brian Lara or Sachin Tendulkar but with the technical expertise of a highly skilled craftsman. He batted resolutely and sensibly; withstood every missile that came against him; punished the wayward bowlers; and taught his tail-enders to punish the demoralised quickies every time they deviated from the norm.

Santa is perhaps answering our request. We found some joy in teenager Marlon Samuels, who accumulated an unbeaten half century, and Ridley Jacobs who made history. Ridley Jacobs' form has been a beacon of light in a gloomy summer. The 33-year-old has already claimed 18 catches in this series for his team and sits in a respectable fourth place, behind only the injured Shivnarine Chanderpaul, newcomer Marlon Samuels and Brian Lara, in the team's batting averages.

As he had done on the fateful South African tour, when we were demoralized as a people, Jacobs, who is rapidly assuming the title "Mr. Fix-It" or "Mr Reliable," had to do another repair job on this disappointing tour. Coming at the fall of the fifth wicket with only 28 runs on the board, he took the score to 103 when he departed, after scoring 42. And he did it even after he had given his most exceptional performance behind the wicket.

Jacobs added hope to the near-hopeless team, and became part of the elite club of wicket-keepers who have taken seven catches in an innings behind the stumps. This elite club now includes Wasim Bari, Ian Smith, Bob Taylor and Ridley Jacobs.

While the West Indies team is making history (Colin Croft calls it negative history) by its persistent poor performances, Antiguan and OECS Ridley Jacobs is immortalizing himself in the annals of cricket history.

That is great news! That is like water in a desert! Thank you Santa for Jacobs’ historic achievement! Thank you Santa for Marlon Samuels!

Lord, grant me my New Year’s resolution!

PHOTO CAPTION: Ridley Jacobs, a resilient sportsman, a great achiever (Photo: Peter Adrien)

Taxation, Savings and Investments are the essence of sustenance for any worthwhile nation. And since Montserrat is no exception from any other worthwhile nation, we must adopt modern tax systems and utilize national savings and investments opportunities to determine how we sustain ourselves during the first few years of the 21^st Century.

It is very important then that our legislators understand the concept of taxation and its usefulness in influencing savings, investments and redevelopment. In fact at no other period in our existence was Taxation more important than it is now. But, unfortunately we have dragged ourselves into a very peculiar situation. We owe to ourselves over $15 million in tax arrears. And before we can move ahead with a modern tax system we must resolve that issue.

Resolving the tax arrears problem in an acceptable way will be a huge task, even for the brightest and best legislators. Yet we should deal with the tax arrears problem before another Government takes office. This present legislature must address and resolve the issue before election day, even though the issue is not only for legislators or those who are denied exit certificates. Unquestionably, it is an issue for every Montserratian and especially those who have not honestly declared their income for years.

Believe it or not, some persons have other income that would attract tax at the highest level. If you do not believe me, just try mentioning tax arrears anytime, any place on Montserrat and you would notice how speechless or angry people become. It is almost as if you want to discuss a cancerous condition that is affecting them. And so it is; tax arrears is like cancer; it will not go away. It does not matter who you are, you will not be immune from this malady. If it has not troubled you in the past it will catch up with you in the future. That is, as long as our attitude towards the payment of tax on income remains unchanged.

Pardon me for not informing you before, but this is my last article in the series on Taxation; and I shall focus only on tax arrears. In fact I will use this opportunity to lead off the debate.

I believe that we should not continue to push aside the issue of tax arrears. As a matter of fact I believe that we must speak the truth about it. We must explain to the public what it is; how so much money is owing; and what steps can be taken by the Government to collect the arrears due. At the same time we should explain the measures that could be taken to avoid similar problems in the future.

With respect to tax arrears, I am in favour of forgiveness. My position towards tax is one of forgiveness; and I recommend total forgiveness, which should include property tax, company tax and income tax.

Oh yes, I have heard many of the arguments against tax forgiveness; and I understand and respect the opinions of the "hell and brimstone-collect all they owe- anti tax arrears forgivers." But my reason for advocating forgiveness is simple; it is based on the answers to the following questions that I asked myself.

Is there anybody who honestly declares all his taxable income? Maybe not!

Is it only the rich who owe tax arrears? No!

Is everybody able to pay their tax arrears? No!

Then, is the total tax arrears collectible? No!

Is there enough liquidity on Montserrat to pay off the tax arrears? No!

Should the government seize the property of those who cannot pay their tax arrears? No!

Is it in the best interest of Montserrat to seize and sell properties at this time? No!

Should we sell the poor man's property if he has no money to pay his tax arrears? No!

You didn't know there were poor people who could owe tax - plenty of them

Then what good will come to us if we continue to frustrate and divide ourselves over an issue that will not resolve itself except through a process of forgiveness and a new beginning?

I am aware that my opinion on the issue is only one out of as many opinions as there are Montserratians and other interested persons; and that some compromise would have to be accommodated. Still I feel strongly about forgiving the old ways and that we should begin to respect our system of tax laws. And I firmly believe that we should modernise the tax system to suit a modern society which recognizes taxation as the essence of our sustenance the source of our existence.

But any new modern tax system must not exempt an income earner from income tax. It could be the preacher, the teacher, the fishermen, the mechanic, the plumber, the farmer or the pensioner; all of us should pay tax on our earning, if the income is above the personal allowances granted by the tax laws.

The new and modern system must be clear and specific in the definition of income for tax purposes.

The new system must encourage citizens of Montserrat to declare to the Department of Island Revenue monies paid for services, rent, repairs and maintenance of vehicles or properties. This is very simple to do. The laws could allow for a rebate of taxes when information is given to the tax department that will assist them to assess otherwise non-taxpaying persons.

For example, if I pay a mechanic $1,500 or a carpenter $3,000, or if I pay rent of $10,000 in one year, I should be entitled to a rebate on my personal income tax if I send the information with copies of the receipt to the Inland Revenue.

Let me remind you again, that this is my opinion on how we could look into the tax arrears problem; and that I fully respect and appreciate the feelings of those who are against forgiveness and compromise.

But my feelings are based on what I believe is good for the forward movement of Montserrat. Plus we need to recognise the futility of trying to collect all the arrears through the means laid down by our laws.

Again I ask, should we seize people’s properties and sell them to pay the tax? And in spite of the surge in ownership of $20,000 used Japanese cars by our taxpaying boys and girls, is there enough liquidity on Montserrat to expect payment of $15 million tax arrears? Would some persons ever be able to pay their tax arrears in a lifetime and not die from hunger?

If the answer to those last three questions is remotely no, I shall stand on the side of forgiveness for tax arrears.

I hope that I have given you more than a mouthful to chew on. Now I shall look forward to the imminent debates on a new tax system, tax arrears, income for tax purposes, who should be exempt from paying tax and, most importantly, what role should taxation play in the revival and sustenance of Montserrat.

ME LEN E UM

By Ninety Nine Cents Plus Tax (Warren Cassell)

Millions spent on de millennium

So much of money that gone down de drain

Year 2000 and Y2K

Is de talk ah hearing night and day

They trying to fool me and you

To make us believe that this word is new

But from time immemorial

We using this twang on this island

For if you lend something to a good friend or anyone

We Montserratians say` ah me len e um’

Chorus

Ah me len e um (Repeat Twice)

Dem crooked scientists

Think dat we foolish, tell dem dey make a mistake

Stop de mamaguy and give we a break

Or we go fix dem

Badly expose dem

For trying to fool Montserratians

You name 99 Cents Plus Tax

Where you get money to lend out like dat?

I uphold the laws of the land

I don’t want to end up in de can

But every time dat me cash done

I take de money outa me tax fund

But please don’t tell de tax man

As a new lawyer, I would get burn

But as a Montserratian I really have to take a stand

And expose de sham, bout millennium

They always trying to put we down

But right is right and wrong is wrong

We go have to sue somebody

For trying to steal we twang from we

And we go seal the copyright

So tell dem for me it’s a court fight

We go sue for big, big bucks

All dis kinda thing just got to stop

And anytime they continue to steal

De good book say, who can’t hear will feel

Jus wonderin if sleeping around is not domestic violence.

Jus wonderin if the calypso king help stop the wedding by fulfilling the brides dreams.

Jus wonderin if the ex-chief couldn’t get Salem day going.

Jus wonderin why the editor looks so young if it's because his workers are young and not grumpy.

Jus wonderin why so many supermarkets have foreign workers.

Jus wonderin why some of them who went to London dresses so shabbily.

Jus wonderin if the word marriage is getting out of style now.

Jus wonderin if the lighting competition at lookout would be judged fairly.

Jus wonderin if that representative surly can see his nine x.

Jus wonderin why the copper golddies fingers are so sticky.

Jus wonderin if the future will be brighter without him in power.

Jus wonderin if merging together is a signal.

Jus wonderin even though the hotline is open why so many people still stuffers in silence or is it pride.

Jus wonderin what happened to the UNITY of the judges at the MISS UNITY PAGEANT, 99.

Jus wonderin if it was just a matter of PRINCIPLE for Miss Unity.

Jus wonderin if all those who do not agree with Labour Speaks are fools.

Jus wonderin what the community’s involvement in awarding Queen’s honours.

Jus wonderin what the CM gave up in MNI to get the HMG to agree to the Soft Mortgage Scheme grant subsidy.

Jus wonderin why they are killing cats and iguanas in the streets.

Jus wonderin what purpose the Governor’s ‘guard file’ serves and why some use it and others do not.

Jus wonderin if any of the castaway chiefs had any involvement in those rumours.

Jus wonderin why de power locking off so fast.

Jus wonderin if HE’s vehicles are family ones why they are seen so often now night and day.

Jus wonderin who is aware that the black bird is back attacking people in the vicinity of the RBC.

Jus wonderin if no one from the traffic department notice that some of those lines needs to be placed on the other side of the stretch of road at Carrs Bay, since motorist can’t tell how close they are to the gutter.

Jus wonderin if the Guyanese no satisfy with money, house, land and property why she waiting still to put de old man in his grave.

Jus wonderin what bla, bla, bla, meant on the news.

Jus wonderin when jus wonderin goin quit wonderin and start confirming.

Jus wonderin where the December soft mortgage scheme.

Jus wonderin when the diesel/gas report will be made public.

Jus wonderin why EOC ask the company to investigate itself.

Jus wonderin who is going to compensate us for the damage done to our vehicles.

Jus wonderin if HM knows that the passport and everything else that is good comes with the White Paper.

Jus wonderin who are the ministers without portfolio.

Jus wonderin why it is necessary to practise full scale evacuation out of Montserrat.

Jus wonderin what the parameters are for government to agree to full-scale evacuation.

Jus wonderin why we hearing talks about that again.

Jus wonderin what next they going to try to show their hand

Jus wonderin who is going to dissuade everybody from being a candidate in the next election.

Jus wonderin if they want us to believe that there is only one small fry in the hush-hush passport query.

Jus wonderin where the dismissal letter is going to be delivered and all who now nervous to travel.

Jus wonderin if we should not begin to believe that the passport matter would go just like that.

Jus wonderin who and which nationality needs to know that Montserratians sometimes take a bath twice a day.

Jus wonderin if the news foreigner don't understand that you have to work for DFID to live like them and that is the more they will knock-about.

Jus wonderin if they think now they get their passport that will make them more suited than before.

Jus wonderin what will be done about the need for eye care and what is behind the strange move by the minister, and is this just pet stuff.

Jus wonderin if some men are crying out for the "white paper."

Applications are invited from suitable qualified persons for the position of ENGINEER

1.Qualifications and Education

• First degree in Electrical Engineering or other related Engineering Discipline.

2. Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years' experience.

• Experience in Electrical System Protection and Auto-CAD will be an asset.

3. Job Summary

• To organise and co-ordinate engineering activities towards achievements of optimum efficiency

and effectiveness, while maintaining acceptable professional standards.

4. Salary

• An attractive remuneration package will be offered. Salary Scale:

EC$51,756.00- EC $80,496.00 per annum

Applications including salary detail as well as Resume and names and addresses of two (2) referees should be forwarded by mail or fax to:

Deadline for receipt of application is January 15, 2001

Claims to ownership of lands have been received from the following persons listed in the Schedule below.

Any objections to these claims must be lodged in writing to the Land Registry, Palm Loop, Woodlands, Montserrat within six weeks of the first publication of this notice:-

S C H E D U L E

Diana E. Bramble Parcel 168, Block 11/5. Land at Salem.

Bounded as follows: - On the North by the northern main road. On the East by parcel 11/5/169 ( Nicholas Gerald). On the South by road to Hope. On the West by parcel 11/5/25 (Glanville S. Allen).

Diana E. Bramble Parcel 182, Block 11/5. Land at Salem.

Bounded as follows: - On the North by parcel 11/5/181 (Thomas Bramble). On the East by parcel 11/5/171 (Nicholas Gerald). On the South by parcel 11/5/75 (Saywell Daley, John Daley, Jane Ritter, Margaret Linsey, Mary Glavassevich, c/o J.S. Weekes). On the West by parcel 11/5/49 (Susannah Brade).

William Alfred Bodkin Parcel 6, Block 15/10. Land at Rendezvous. 

Bounded as follows : - On the North by parcels 15/7/41 (Unclaimed), parcel 15/10/2 (Christopher Gerrald), parcel 15/10/3 (William Alfred Bodkin). On the South East by parcel 15/7/41 (Unclaimed). On the West by parcels 15/10/5 (Louisa Bass), parcel 15/10/4 (Matilda Sweeney)

Mary Collins Parcel 69, Block 14/4. Land at St. John’s.

Bounded as follows: - To the North by main road to St. John’s. To the East by parcel 14/4/76 (Unclaimed) & parcel 14/4/71 (Mary Ann Augusta Greenaway). To the South by Crown Land. To the West by Public Road.

20^th December 2000

Claims to ownership of lands have been received from the following persons listed in the Schedule below.

Any objections to these claims must be lodged in writing to the Land Registry, Palm Loop, Woodlands, Montserrat within six weeks of the first publication of this notice:-

Trevor Howe Parcel 164, Block 14/11. Land at Geralds.

Bounded as follows: - On the North by parcel 14/11/163 (Presently being claimed by Trevor Howe). On the East by parcel 14/11/152 ( Elizabeth Alcina Sweeney). On the South by Public Road. On the West by parcel 14/11/147 (Josephine Tuitt).

George Allen, Ellen Allen Parcel 17, Block 14/17. Land at Barzeys.

& Eliza O’Garro Bounded as follows: - On the North by parcel 14/17/16 (Ronald Allen). On the East by a public road. On the South by parcel 14/17/18 (Ronald Allen). On the West by Caines River.

Irene Blackstock Parcel 6, Block 13/2. Land at Banks.

Bounded as follows: - To the West and North by a cliff. To the East by parcel 13/3/64 (Crown). To the South East by parcel 13/2/7 (Mary Trott Sweeney).

Sarah Elizabeth Brade Parcel 11, Block 14/4. Land at Davy Hill.

Bounded as follows: - On the North by parcel 14/4/73 (George Allen and John Allen). On the East by Davy Hill main road. On South by parcel 14/4/12 (Elveta Wade). On the West by parcels 14/4/73 (George Allen and John Allen) & 101 (Ronnie Cooper).

Christina Elizabeth Virginia Skerritt Parcel 70, Block 13/17. Land at Toby Hole.

Bounded as follows: - On the North by parcels 13/12/225 (Crown) and 13/17/2 (George Irish). On the East by parcel 13/17/71 (Lincoln S. A. Joseph). On the South by parcel 13/17/56 (Roseline Fergus). On the West by Northern main road.

Trevor Howe Parcel 162, Block 14/11. Land at Geralds.

Bounded as follows: - On the North by parcel 14/11/163 (Presently being claimed by Trevor Howe). On the North East by parcel 14/11/91 (Susannah Dee). On the East by Geralds public Road. On the South by parcel 14/16/163 (Presently being claimed by Trevor Howe).

Trevor Howe Parcel 163, Block 14/11. Land at Geralds.

Bounded as follows: - On the North West by parcel 14/11/90 (Samuel Locker). On the North East by parcels 14/11/90 (Samuel Locker) & 14/11/162 (Presently being claimed by Trevor Howe) & public road. On the South East by parcels 14/11/70 & 71 (Claristine Blake & Harold Blake). On the South by parcels 14/11/164 (Presently being claimed by Trevor Howe) & 14/11/152 (Elizabeth Alcina Sweeney).

13^th December 2000