Baroness Amos Comes To Montserrat Tomorrow
Baroness
Amos, the British Foreign Office Minister for the Caribbean and the Overseas
Territories, is in the Caribbean on a five-day tour.
The Baroness, whose responsibilities include the Caribbean, the Commonwealth,
Africa and the British Overseas territories, first visited the Bahamas and then
the Turks and Caicos Islands.
She was in Antigua and Barbuda yesterday and is due here tomorrow..
In Antigua, she was to see the work of the British Military Assistance and Training Team in the Eastern Caribbean and visit the facilities available to those who have taken refuge there following volcanic activity on Montserrat.
While here she will hold meetings with Government
officials. She departs tomorrow afternoon.
CMC reported that Baroness Amos said before departing London, "2002 is
going to be a special year for the UK and the Caribbean, with the UK/Caribbean
Forum, the passing of the Overseas Territories Bill, a visit by the Queen in her
Golden Jubilee year, and the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in
Australia. We will be working with our Caribbean partners to use these
opportunities to build on what is already a close and extensive relationship
with an important part of the world.”
The Baroness acknowledged that the economic impact of the events of September
has indeed hit the Caribbean hard. “I am keen to see first hand how the
Caribbean is adjusting to these economic challenges," she said. "I am
particularly pleased to be visiting two of the Overseas Territories at a time
when the Overseas Territories Bill is soon to become law. I am looking forward
to seeing for myself how the citizens of Montserrat are adjusting to life
following the recent volcanic activity on the island."
The Overseas Territories Bill, which gives British citizenship to citizens of
the British Overseas Territories, completed its committee stage in the House of
Commons December 6. It is expected to receive Royal Assent early next year.
Unconfirmed sources told the Montserrat Reporter that the Baroness is not scheduled to meet with Ministers of Government here or other members of Government.
One elected member to the Montserrat Legislature who preferred to be anonymous said: It is unimaginable that the person Foreign Office Minister with responsibility for the Overseas Territory could be visiting one of the territories and not meet with the government. Some meeting should be arranged whereby she could meet even the Opposition members of the government."
Baroness Amos with Antigua Ambassador Sir Ron Sanders
The Baroness is expected to be available to the press just before her departure at the heliport on Saturday evening. Among many others two pressing matters she will most likely be questioned on is the British citizenship and its seeming uncertainties and the airport issue in Montserrat, where it is understood that no ear in London is being given to the new idea of beginning an airport at Blakes rather than spending money on a temporary one at Geralds.
The news that Antigua will be seeking more
assistance from Britain to support Montserratians should there be increased
volcanic activity (another eruption as mentioned by the Antigua Ambassador Sir
Ron Sanders), will no doubt receive some interest from the press.
Waiver
of U.S. Visa For Montserratians
By
Helena Durand
Montserratians who choose to become British citizens will get a waiver for United States visas.
Head of the Overseas Territories Unit (OTU) Roy Osborne said in a ZJB interview, “Indications are that they will be treated no differently from other British citizens. One thing we have to ensure, however, is that all passports appear the same. We have to minimize the number of distinguishing marks on passports according to the Territory of origin.”
He said Britain hopes that the territories will agree to a European common format British passport which will be indistinguishable from the passport “that I or anybody else holds and will carry with it the same rights, and those rights we hope, we expect, will include U.S. visa waiver.”
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London has reportedly been in touch with U.S. officials on the matter.
According to a ZJB News report, the FCO has said that individuals can hold British Overseas Territories citizenship and British citizenship concurrently. Individuals will also have the option to renounce it, should they wish, and allow it to lie dormant. If at a later stage they wish to show that they have British citizenship, they will be able to do so. But, if a person formally renounces British citizenship, and wants to get it back, they would have to apply via the Governor to the Home Secretary.
Government House spokesmen say, however, that individuals can only have one or the other, not both.
This somewhat contradicts earlier pronouncement by the Governor while discussing the citizenship issue on ZJB, which suggested that this would have been possible.
The Overseas Territories Bill, which gives British citizenship to citizens of the British Overseas Territories, completed its committee stage in the House of Commons on December 6, 2001. It is expected to receive Royal Assent early next year.
According to reports, children born in the British Dependent Territories automatically get British citizenship. Future children born to British citizen parents will also be British citizens if they are born in Overseas Territories or in the United Kingdom.
If they are born outside the Overseas Territories or in the United Kingdom, they will be British citizens if they have a parent who is a British citizen otherwise than by descent. The offer of British citizenship was made to individuals, not to Territories. There is therefore no linkage with the Overseas Territories carrying out human right changes.
The offer is non-reciprocal as far as immigration
rights are concerned. British citizenship does not mean automatic entitlement to
UK state benefits and thus, citizens resident outside the United Kingdom and
European Union are not subject to the direct taxation regime operated by the
United Kingdom or other member states of the European Union.
Barbados
vs. Trinidad Fishing Feud Intensifies
Compiled
from dispatches
The Trinidad and Tobago government has denied
claims by Barbados that it is delaying talks on a fishing agreement.
Outgoing Foreign Minister Mervyn Assam said this week a draft treaty was
prepared as a result of discussions by a bilateral commission between the two
countries and that the draft has been with the Barbados government since last
June for its approval.
He described as "unfortunate and regrettable" retaliatory threats made
last weekend by Barbados' Prime Minister Owen Arthur against Trinidad and Tobago
for arresting and imposing fines on Barbadians found fishing illegally in waters
off the twin-island.
Mr. Arthur has accused Trinidad and Tobago of not living up to its obligations
under the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that established the Caribbean
Community. He vowed retaliatory action in which all "illegal"
Trinidadians would be put out of Barbados, the flood of Trinidadian goods to the
island would be reviewed, as well as the economic relationship between the two
islands, and that the fishing dispute will be referred to CARICOM.
Before the more recent government statement, Kamaluddin Mohammed, Trinidad and
Tobago's Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said Monday that
incumbent Prime Minister Basdeo Panday had called for an early resolution to the
fishing dispute with Barbados.
But
fishermen in both countries have also been placed at odds. Barbadian fishermen
gathered in Bridgetown on Monday, to meet with Barbados' Fisheries Minister
Anthony Wood seeking to have a new Barbados-Trinidad fishing agreement in place
so they can fish in the twin-island state's waters.
In
Trinidad and Tobago, however, Tobago's fishing industry stakeholders held an
emergency meeting Tuesday to praise the recent arrest and convictions of the
captains of two Barbadian fishing vessels.
"The
stakeholders commended the Coast Guard for their increased vigilance in
protecting the country's marine, including flying fish, which is Tobago's second
largest source of export revenue," according to a statement issued by the
All Tobago Fisherfolk Association (ATFA).
It said the statement was necessary in light of the reported apology made to the
Barbados government by Ambassador Mohammed for the action taken by the Coast
Guard and the police.
"The stakeholders considered the reported apology unfortunate in that it
implied disapproval of the action which in their view was in full conformity
with the laws of Trinidad and Tobago," it said.
Foreign
Minister Assam quickly denied reports of an apology to Barbados.
"If
one has done no wrong, why should one expect an apology? Why should we
apologize? There is nothing to apologize for. We have done nothing wrong,"
Mr. Assam told reporters on Wednesday.
It's a decade since the first agreement expired and over the years Barbadians
fishing in Trinidad and Tobago's waters have had their catches confiscated and
have faced heavy fines.
Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados signed a one-year fishing agreement in November
1990, which allowed Barbadians to fish in the waters of the oil-rich nation.
Under the agreement, which became effective at the beginning of 1991, owners of
licensed Barbados vessels paid US$800 for a fishing license which allowed each
vessel five fishing trips to Trinidad and Tobago's water during the period
January 1 to April 30, 1991.
"Events in Region, as well as Montserrat, Fall Well Short of Peace and Good Will"
The events of September 11, 2001 have affected the world in untold ways, even if one fallout serves to instill in the American government the belief that they somehow are in control of the world.
In no small way those were events that will affect the Caribbean. And while this is so, the Caribbean is one section of the world that should begin sooner to benefit from those events once the region realizes that some of the fallout can put it in an advantageous position. Of course, areas such as drugs and money laundering will militate against that, but there are definitely some gains to be made in the area most adversely affected, tourism.
Indeed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said of the region in its World Economic Outlook 2002 on Tuesday, "The sharp drop in visitors after September 11 has led to a fall in economic activity and incomes, and increased unemployment and underemployment as some hotels have closed while others have reduced the length of the work week." It pointed out the region's increased reliance on the tourism sector for economic development.
In late September, immediately following the 9-11 tragedy, member-countries of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) agreed, among other things, to restrain growth of public expenditure and speed up public sector reforms aimed at greater efficiency. They committed themselves to discontinue discretionary tax concessions that are widely used in the region to promote tourism and manufacturing. And there have been several other regional initiatives, perhaps just mere pronouncements, intended to promote an understanding that action together is the only way forward.
One would think then that there would have been a speeding-up of CARICOM initiatives in every area to bring about progress, that these tragic events could have been for us some form of blessing in disguise. But if Caribbean Integration through CARICOM did not suffer a setback this week, it will be in spite of the members themselves.
The tension that developed between Barbados and Trinidad ended with Trinidad saying: "If one has done no wrong, why should one expect an apology? Why should we apologise? There is nothing to apologise for. We have done nothing wrong." This was their latest response to the controversy following their arrests of Bajan fishermen fishing in Trinidad waters.
This followed several meetings in Barbados and
Trinidad on the issue and comments from Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur, who
complained the Trinidad government was breaching the spirit and letter of the
CARICOM Treaty.
He threatened that his government would immediately deport Trinidad and Tobago
nationals living in Barbados illegally; would review the volume of imports from
Port of Spain to determine whether curbs were necessary; and vowed to review
other aspects of the relationship between the two nations.
The Bajan PM said, and one doubts there are many who disagree: "The fishermen of Barbados are members of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy, in much the same way and for the same reason as the industrialists of Trinidad and Tobago, in much the same way as the people who operate BWIA are members . . . and they have as much right to feel that the CARICOM Single Economy is their economy as anyone else."
Mr. Arthur called the actions taken against Barbadian fishermen a serious breach of a draft agreement reached earlier this year by the two CARICOM trading partners.
Later this week, another dispute ensued, again over their Exclusive Economic Zone over the sea. A new offshore oil drilling programme announced by Barbados was immediately challenged by Trinidad and Tobago, which complained that the area earmarked for oil exploration is in its own waters. The exploration site is said to be some about 74 miles (120 km) off the parish of St. Philip.
Of course, there are other quarrels between other islands over many other issues, most of which are at the political level. The question of work permits and "foreigners" is still a thorny one in all the territories, Montserrat being no exception and one that should not touch the issue. So the question many Caribbean people ask is, when and how will we ever really integrate and reap the benefits that the politicians and various governments portray as so beneficial and as the only way forward? It is not that the people don't agree, but it is people who must make this work.
But not all operate in this fashion; just this week BWIA entered into a Strategic Alliance with LIAT that will see the two Caribbean airlines sharing key services allowing passengers seamless travel throughout the Caribbean, from and to North America and the UK. BWIA is Trinidad-owned while LIAT is owned by several of the OECS islands.
This speaks well and holds out hope, but much is still to be done. It can seem hopeless, however, when States keep giving us cause to remember the Federation of the 60s and come up with problems that are backward. These are times for maturity, and right across the region it is our governments that so often show this to be lacking.
As a newly formed Organisation for Caribbean Unity and Progress (OCUP), which comprises residents of several territories, put it: the leaders in the region should be more sensitive to the needs of each other if they wish to continue to foster and promote good relationships among CARICOM countries.
Right here in Montserrat we have a government that has at its head one who claims experience, but who in words and action shows either a lack of interest or the ability to cope with the times. Campaigning on a ticket of inclusion, among other things they seek to keep promises in ways that seem ineffective and/or out of self-interest. There is a serious pretense of providing information, but that which is provided is controlled to the point of meaninglessness. The process is so hampered that there is no appreciation for what is beneficial and good, abetted by a civil service which somehow believes that everything is secret only unto them.
Then there is a private sector which suffers from a kind of apathy that is just plain difficult to understand. To his credit, the Chief Minister this year has at least expressed concern about spending monies derived in Montserrat outside the island. What is lacking, however., is that integration and cooperation that is needed also at the regional level. There may not be the same quarrels and misunderstandings or disagreements, but more needs to be done, much more. Government here must not do anything which will prevent an already apathetic private sector from seeking to engage them in carrying out its function of responsibility for overseeing Montserrat through the other side of its most difficult times.
In a region where Christmas is very widely
celebrated one way or another, this is a time when well-being and peace are
preached. It is a time when we practice kindness and provide blessings. Can we
not use this time as the new year rolls around to ponder our way and make some
serious promises to change our poor political and backward ways? There isn't a
better time both internally and regionally.
Except
for the editorial, opinion articles expressed in these pages are not necessarily
those of the Montserrat Reporter editors, employees or advisers.
Readers are encouraged to submit commentary articles.
All viewpoints, unless libelous, in poor taste, or anonymous, are
welcome. Send your contributions to
The Editor, P.O. Box 306, Olveston, Montserrat, W. I., e-mail: editor@montserratreporter.org
or monrep@candw.ag. Manuscripts
will not be returned unless accompanied by a return stamped envelope.
The Montserrat Reporter is a privately owned independent newspaper.
Jus
Wonderin items may be called in at telephone 491-4715 or Fax 491-2430
'It Is I.
Do Not Be Afraid'
When
they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and
coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, "It
is I. Do not be afraid."
John 6:19-20
How we long to hear these words, each day, every day. But every day the risen Lord does speak these words to you, if only you listen from the heart of your faith. "It is I. Do not be afraid."
When you worry about loved ones, he says: "It is I. Do not be afraid."
When you get bad news, he says: "It is I. Do not be afraid." When you worry about what the future may bring, he says: "It is I. Do not be afraid."
When you are sick, he says: "It is I. Do not be afraid." When you are sick and tired, he says: "It is I. Do not be afraid."
Regardless of your worry, grief, or anguish, the
risen Lord says to you: "It is I. Do not be afraid."
Lord Jesus, risen Christ, help me to listen to your words from the heart of my faith.
Mitch Finley
5- to 7-year-olds
Are New Rainbow Guides
A
new section has been added to the sisterhood of guiding.
It is known as Rainbow Guides and caters to girls ages 5 to 7.
The 1st Montserrat Rainbow Guide Unit held its first enrollment ceremony on Wednesday, 26th September, at the St Augustine School. It had a total of 12 girls enrolled as full members of the unit.
While parents looked on in appreciation, the girls solemnly promised to love God and to be kind and helpful to others. Mrs. Angela Skerritt, Island Commissioner of Guiding (pictured left), conducted the ceremony.
Mrs Skerritt thanked the St. Augustine School for providing a meeting place for them,
while praising unit leaders for the work they
have done in preparing the girls.
Preparations
Underway For Temporary Airport
Claude Hogan,, Project Manager for the temporary airport at Geralds, is in England discussing the airport project with officials of the Department for International Development (DFID), along with representatives of the Government and the preferred tender for the project.
Before leaving for England, Mr. Hogan reported to the Steering Group on issues associated with the project. His review included the most recent Consultancy Report by the Italian group Aeroporti di Milano, which was conducted on behalf of the Government of Montserrat and the European Commission as co-financiers of the project, along with DFID.
A key issue to be resolved is the cost of relocating approximately 12 households from the Geralds area for implementation of the 500-meter airstrip.
The temporary airport project at Geralds is being actively pursued for completion in the year 2004.
The island lost use of its W.H. Bramble Airport
as a consequence of volcanic activity, which began in July, 1995.
Police See New
Group Bonding to Community
By Helena Durand
The Royal Montserrat Police Force (RMPF) has taken yet another step in cementing their community policing initiatives, by inviting a cross section of the public to become members of a Community Consultative Group.
The group, which is to be formally, established when the executive positions are filled, represents among others the Youth, the Police, Rastafarians, the Spanish Community, and the various communities.
The purpose of the Group, according to police, is to give the general public an opportunity to say what is best for them within the realms of the law.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Simon Morson told the Montserrat Reporter, “ The police force is not a separate entity. We are of the community; we are part of the community. We want the community to have a say in the way we police them.”
The Group is intended to advise the Police on matters relating to the wider community. It will look at complaints against the police and make recommendations, after which the final decision will be made by the police.
Some of those who attended the first orientation meeting last Tuesday evening said they would like to see a return of the trust that the public used to have in the police force.
Santa Visits
Brades Challenged Children
By Helena Durand
The mentally challenged students of the Special Needs Class of the Brades Primary School were treated to Santa’s presence and gifts last Thursday.
The bell of the fire truck announced his arrival, while teachers and students of all levels came out of their classrooms to get a look at the jolly fellow bearing.
His bag propped over his shoulder, Santa alighted from the fire truck and made his way to the special needs classroom where the children were waiting with a table laid out with goodies to share among themselves and with Santa.
He presented many beautifully wrapped gifts of varying sizes to the children who happily came to receive them while sitting on his lap.
The highlight of his visit, however, was when he presented a check of EC$1,000 to the teacher on behalf of the class from the proceeds from the activities of the recent Police and Fire & Rescue Community Week.
Commissioner of Police Alexander Elder said he hoped the money would assist in some way towards purchasing educational toys for the children, adding, “It is nice to see how the children are developing and it gives us, the Police and Fire and Rescue, great pleasure to be able to help the community, particularly the elderly and those persons needing special attention.”
Free Mason Lodge
Gives $500 to Golden Years Home
The Free Mason Lodge presented a checque of $500 to the Golden Years Home Foundation yesterday morning.
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The Worshipful Master, Eddy Edgecombe, told the Montserrat Reporter making donations to charitable institutions was an annual occurrence for the St. Anthony Lodge.
The money is to be used as the Foundation sees fit.
“We realize that they have a great need of funds for this operation, and if we can help in some way, we feel duty bound to assist our community," he said.
Rev. Florence Daley, Chairman of the Golden Years Foundation and Chaplain of the Golden Years Home, accepted the checque on behalf of the Foundation. She said it would be used to the benefit of the residents.
Returning Montserratian Steps from Ferry Into Sea
By Helena
Durand
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Seventy-six-year-old
Montserratian Samuel Fenton, making his first visit to the island last weekend
since the start of volcanic activity in 1995, got a wet and cold welcome when he
walked off the ferry while he thought he was heading for Immigration, stepped
right into the sea.
He told the Montserrat Reporter “I heard that Montserrat had a ferry but I thought it was like those in London, roll on roll off.”
The ferry had docked at Little Bay in the evening, and though the craft was rocking, the passengers were allowed to leave the ship.
“There was one man in front of me, others were farther up front and there were still some more coming after me,” Mr. Fenton said.
He said as he stepped off the ferry “there was light, it wasn’t dark. The man waiting for me told me to follow the crowd and I did, next thing I knew I was in the water. I don’t know if I turned around as I walked, all I knew is that I was in the water holding onto my bag with my important documents.”
Mr. Fenton said he was more than a little surprised to find himself in the water, “since I just assumed that I would walk off the ferry straight to the customs for my suitcase. I was deadly scared of the rocks because the waves were pushing me towards the rocks. I shouted ‘Help!’ I heard someone say a man in the water. So I shouted ‘Help’ again. Then a gentleman jumped in without hesitation to help me. Then another man jumped in and they pulled me up over the rocks.”
Montserrat Royal Police report that the action of Constable Marvin Bruno, who first jumped in to assist Mr. Fenton, may have saved his life.
Mr. Fenton said he was not in any immediate danger, “but I was afraid of the rocks because I kept thinking that if the waves push me there, I could knock my head, and well…”
This incident has not soured his trip, he said, “even though I was deadly afraid at the time. This trip is a treat from my daughter. I left Montserrat since 1956 and although I have been back a few times, this is my first visit since the volcano.”
Mr. Fenton said he has not had time to see much of his homeland but he is going to be here for six weeks and expects to enjoy every minute of it.
He said is thankful to the officer and happy that
although his documents got wet, nothing was lost.
Montserrat
Tourism Making Strides
On Tuesday December 11, 2001 M.V. Excellence came to Montserrat on an exploratory mission to check the feasibility of bringing between 60 and 70 tourists here once a week.
The crew of six and three passengers spent a few hours here, and was taken on a short tour to some of the attraction sites the tourists are expected to visit.
The organizers, the owners of the famous JOLLY
ROGER cruiser in Antigua, say they will return soon for a longer tour of the
island, and to confirm arrangements for upcoming tours.
Police/Fire &
Rescue Give $4,000 To Elderly
By Helena Durand
Deputy Commissioner of Police Mr Simon Morson presented a checque of $4,000.00 to the Old People Welfare Association yesterday morning at Woodlands Beach.
The checque, which was presented on behalf of the Police and Fire & Rescue, is of the proceeds of the Community Week of activities, which was held recently. $3,500.00 came from the proceeds, while the other $500.00 came from the Royal Bank of Canada.
Mr Morson said the gesture showed the Police/Fire & Rescue officers commitment to assisting the elderly in their community.
“Long before we started, we had decided that the proceeds would go to the community. We sincerely hope that this will be used in the best way possible, not only to ensure a merry Christmas, but also in providing the requisite comfort in the future.”
In accepting the checque, Chairperson of the Old People Welfare Association Nurse Mary Cooper said “The Association operation on donations. We’re glad that you had a successful week and hope for many more in the years to come. This money will go a long way in assisting the elderly. It will cover the costs of clothing, stoves, bedding, medical expenses and things we cannot obtain on the island. It will be used entirely on their behalf.”
President of Blakes Estate Mr Roy Lee also made a presentation of $1,000.00 to the Association. He said he was happy to contribute to the community.
Over 100 elderly persons of the various communities were gathered at the Woodlands Beach for the handing over ceremony.
They were however, there primarily for the Christmas party hosted by the Community Services and the Old People Welfare Association.
It was a morning out for fun, frolic, and eats and drinks. They were also treated to a masquerade doing traditional dances in carnival costumes.
Margaret
Boatswain Celebrates 101 Years
Margaret
Boatswain, resident of the Golden Years Home for the Elderly, celebrated a quiet
101 birthday on Tuesday.
She is one of three centenarians at Golden Years. The others are Sarah Dorsette, who is 100, and Islyn Bob, who is 108.
After a short interview it was quite apparent that Ms. Boatswain is mentally alert and in tune to everything about her.
Management and Staff of the Montserrat Reporter wish her many more birthdays and a joyous Christmas. These Christmas wishes also go out to all the residents at the Golden Years Home.
Guyana is Spared
U.S., Canada Bans
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC - The United States has
lifted a two-month-old ban on non-immigrant visas to Guyana government employees
and their immediate families, and Canada abandoned plans to impose a visa ban on
government officials over Guyana's failure to accept about 41 would-be
deportees.
Canada's plan to impose the visa ban Wednesday was looming even as the U.S.
Embassy said the Department of Justice was satisfied that Guyana had made
significant progress in documenting and accepting the return of Guyanese
citizens.
That announcement came less than one week after the U.S. deported the last batch
of 113 Guyanese whose deportation was pending for at least three years.
The U.S. had imposed the visa ban on October 10 after the expiration of a 30-day
ultimatum for Guyana to begin accepting the deportees.
No details were available from Canada about the
crimes involved by the 41 persons whom authorities said would be sent back in
batches.
Serge Marcoux, Canada's High Commissioner to Guyana, is on record as saying that
the number of Guyanese in his country's jails awaiting deportation number
between 50 and 60.
Relations between Guyana and Canada grew cold in late 1999 when Canada violated
Guyana's airspace and conveyed seven deportees at the Cheddi Jagan International
Airport.
Dominica House
Speaker Tells of Abuse and Threats
ROSEAU, Dominica - CMC - Speaker of the Dominica
House of Assembly, Alix Boyd-Knight, has revealed that she was verbally abused
and threatened by an unnamed opposition parliamentarian.
She did not reveal her assailant's name, saying she did not wish to shame him
more than he has shamed himself.
But following her disclosure in Parliament Wednesday, government
parliamentarians called on Ms. Boyd-Knight to review her decision not to reveal
the name of her assailant.
They noted that the action of the individual was also an assault on the members
of the House of Assembly.
Several others spoke out against the alleged action, and sought to move a motion
calling on the speaker to reveal the name of the parliamentarian.
Former Trinidad Minister Gets Mental Hospital Study
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - Former Trinidad
and Tobago Government Minister Dhanraj Singh, now under a murder charge, has
been sent to a psychiatric institution for two weeks for observation, treatment
and evaluation.
Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicholls made the order on Tuesday following a
request from Mr. Singh's lawyer, Prakash Ramadhar that his client be sent to the
state-run St. Ann's Psychiatric Hospital since his mental condition had
deteriorated.
Mr. Singh, 43,who was a member of the government from 1995-2000, recently lost
his bid to prevent the murder trial from taking place when a court threw out his
constitutional motion.
He is charged with the murder of Local Government Councilor Hansraj Sumairsingh,
whose body was found in a pool of blood outside his beach house in December
1999.
Archbishop's LawyersWork On Death Sentence Appeal
Grenada, CMC - Lawyers for Baptist Archbishop
Edmund Gilbert, who was sentenced to death Monday for the February murder of a
15-year-old schoolgirl, Robbie Ann Jeremiah, were preparing to file their appeal
against the sentence early Tuesday.
Lawyer Lloyd Noel said that there were numerous grounds for appeal but they will
start with six. Another attorney, Anslem Clouden, said to begin with Mr. Gilbert
was not given a fair trial.
"In a trial of this nature, with its public nature, there would be
surrounding circumstances that would impact on its fairness and the
circumstances did emerge during the conduct of the trial," he charged.
The Defence is also questioning other factors, including the composition of the
jury and its impartiality, as well as the summation of the case.
Mr. Gilbert, 60, was sentenced to death for the killing. Robbie Ann Jeremiah was
a member of Mr. Gilbert's Holy Unicorn Baptist Church in St. George's, the
Grenada capital. One witness, a teenage friend of Jeremiah, said the girl and
Gilbert had an affair.
The court in St. George's was also told that the girl was trying to end the
relationship with Mr. Gilbert, the government's top tax collector.
The archbishop maintained his innocence, telling the court he was not a killer.
The girl's body was found in a remote area called True Blue in the south of the
island last February 1. Police said the calls informing them about the location
of the body were made from Mr. Gilbert's cell phone.
A post mortem revealed that the girl had been strangled after being beaten and
sexually assaulted.
Monday's sentence brought to nine the number of persons on death row here.
13 Jamaicans Charged As Drug Mules to UK
LONDON, CMC - British officials claim they nabbed
another group of Jamaica drug mules this week British customs fingered them on
arrival at Gatwick Airport here and charged them with trafficking through
swallowing, an official told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) Friday.
This followed a similar operation by customs officers at Heathrow Airport,
according to Shona Lowe, Public Relations Officer for UK Customs and Excise at
London Airports.
This time, officers arrested 15 people flying in from Jamaica, on a British
Airways flight, on suspicion of having swallowed drugs in order to smuggle them
into the UK.
"What we've learned from people who have already been caught and now
serving prison sentences, these people, I think, are desperate.
"These people have got themselves into a certain situation that they feel
the only thing they can do to get out of it is to swallow drugs and maybe get
some money that way," Ms. Lowe said.
Thirteen of the most recent group of 15 have been charged so far and are in
Customs custody where there are special facilities to deal with swallowers and
where they can be kept under surveillance until all the drugs have been passed.
Customs officers suspect the drug swallowed to be cocaine, a class A drug.
The penalty for the importation of a class A drug into the United Kingdom is a
penalty of any amount or life imprisonment or both.
A combination of urine tests, x-rays and confessions are used to detect those
who have swallowed drugs.
"It appears that the people that are recruiting the swallowers, they are
not telling these people the whole story. They are saying that Customs won't
catch them. . . . They are told, `Don't worry, Customs will take the drugs and
you'll be deported'," Ms. Lowe said.
But the customs official pointed out that these drug couriers were getting
custodial sentences and spend a lot more time in Britain than they had bargained
for.
Now Oil Drilling
Pits Trinidad vs. Barbados
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC - Barbados and
Trinidad, separated by 214 miles (344 km) of sea, are at loggerheads over a new
offshore oil drilling programme announced by the administration in Bridgetown
last month.
Trinidad and Tobago complains that the area earmarked for oil exploration is in
its own waters, Prime Minister Owen Arthur said last week.
Barbados' Economic Development Minister, Reginald Farley, in early November
announced that the American oil company CONOCO would hunt for oil off the
island.
The company was awarded a licence in May, 1996 by the government of Barbados to
explore for hydrocarbons in offshore waters. Since then several geological
studies were conducted.
"I'm pleased to report that CONOCO is satisfied that, based on the seismic
data, there is sufficient reason for them to move to the next stage of
exploration, that is the drilling of test wells in the sea off Barbados,"
Farley said then.
The exploration site is some about 74 miles (120 km) off the parish of St.
Philip. The project is expected to cost CONOCO US$33 million.
Barbados is a small oil producer in a region where the big players are Trinidad
and Tobago and Venezuela.
Marine boundaries in this region are problematic, because while some countries
have declared a 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone, such boundaries far overlap.
Arthur spoke of the Trinidad and Tobago complaint during a news conference at
Government Headquarters. He said the government had also faced problems in
getting a fishing agreement with Port of Spain.
Trinidad President Wins Accord to Pick New PM
Trinidad, CMC - There will be no coalition
government in Trinidad and Tobago but the two parties that tied in Dec. 10
elections have structured an agreement intended to allow collaboration at the
parliamentary level and reduce acrimony in the country's politics.
The leaders of the incumbent ruling United National Congress (UNC) and the
People's National Movement (PNM) have also agreed to leave the decision of the
appointment of a prime minister in the hands of President Arthur Robinson.
These were among the decisions in a Heads of Agreement finalized after two days
of meetings between UNC leader and incumbent Prime Minister Basdeo Panday and
PNM political leader Patrick Manning to break the deadlock.
In the Dec. 10 election, the two parties won 18 seats each in the 36-seat
parliament.
Mr. Manning and Mr. Panday also met with the 75-year-old Robinson last Saturday
morning before holding separate media conferences.
The President is expected to make an announcement on the country's new prime
minister when he receives the official results of the recounts taking place in
two constituencies.
The recounts in Tunapuna, won by the PNM, and in San Fernando West, won by the
UNC, are expected to be completed this weekend.
At the PNM headquarters, Mr. Manning said the agreement represents "a dawn
of a new day" and that the two parties now have the responsibility of
"selling" it to the population.
"We are breaking new ground in Trinidad and Tobago."
Manning also appeared to have softened on his earlier position that the
country's next prime minister must come from his party. He said the PNM would
accept the decision of the President.
Incumbent Prime Minister Panday said in-spite of the uncertainties in the
country since the election; the population demonstrated peace and once again
showed the world that the twin island republic was a model democracy.
The agreement is made up in three parts; matters agreed upon, matters not agreed
upon and position on matters not agreed upon.
In addition to agreeing that the President will appoint the prime minister, the
two parties also committed to agree on a Speaker of the House of
Representatives, who is to be identified before the appointment of the Prime
Minister; electoral and constitutional reform and appointment of Commissions of
Inquiry into a number of controversial projects and spending programs.
St. Kitts/Nevis Allotted EC$357-million Budget
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC - St. Kitts and Nevis
Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas Monday presented an EC$357.7-million
(US$132.29-million) budget, which he said took into account the uncertainties of
the global economic situation.
Revenue for fiscal year 2002 has been estimated at EC$224,212,454, a 3.1-percent
decrease from the 2001 revenue estimate of EC$231,417,841, while expenditure for
2002 has been estimated at EC$277,865,671, representing a 3.4-percent increase
over fiscal year 2001.
Capital revenue for 2002 from all sources is estimated at EC$70,774,685, while
capital expenditure is estimated at $79,677,622.
By Dr. Douglas' calculations, this makes for a deficit of EC$8,902,937 on the
Capital Account, which will be financed by government securities.
"As I indicated earlier, the current global economic downturn and
uncertainties have played such havoc with our major revenue heads that revenue
collections for 2002 are expected to fall well below what was estimated,"
he said.
Because of this, Dr Douglas said there would be a lessening of government
expenditure to reflect a cautious approach to state finances during the fiscal
year.
"This is also consistent with our fiscal consolidation programme aimed at
progressively reducing the deficit over a three-year period," Dr Douglas
told parliament.
He said that the country faced some challenges as a result the economic
pressures brought on by current global economic climate, but the government
intended to forge ahead with projects which it considered top priority and which
would have the greatest impact on the quality of life of our people.
Dr. Douglas, for the time being, avoided any adjustment in the tax structure,
although it was not clear how or when any modification in the tax revenues would
be effected.
He said that his administration was totally opposed to the imposition of
excessively high tax burdens on the people. "We believe that the more of
their incomes that our people and enterprises are allowed to retain, the greater
is the scope for investment in various productive endeavors that would
contribute to growth and development, higher levels of foreign exchange
earnings, the creation of job opportunities for more of our people."
Five Trinidad Families Marooned by Flooding
Trinidad, CMC - Rising flood waters over the
weekend left scores of villagers marooned in their homes in Trinidad while five
families were evacuated.
Workers of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Fire Services and
the Defence Force evacuated the families from their homes in Sangre Grande in
the eastern region.
NEMA said there were also reports about flooding in Caroni in the central region
and unconfirmed reports of flooding in Mayaro in the southeastern areas.
The Meteorological Service issued a flood bulletin on Saturday for low-lying
areas of Trinidad.
NEMA said the most widespread flooding was in the Sangre Grande area.
CARICOM Reweighing Donor Strategy on Poverty
Guyana, CMC - The 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on Monday began considering whether the region should adopt a multi-donor strategy for reducing poverty by next June.
Spearheading the discussions is the
Barbados-based Development Partners for Poverty Reduction Working Group, which
is being chaired by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Olney Daly, Programme Manager of the UNDP's sub-regional office for Barbados and
the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) expects the multi-donor
initiative for social development will eventually be integrated with the
Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Center (CARTAC).
"We realise that we need to bring the social statistics up to the level
where we have got economic and financial statistics at this moment before we do
that integration," Ms. Daly said.
The newly-established CARTAC will help Caribbean countries improve critical
areas of economic and financial management, including onshore and offshore
financial sector supervision and regulation, tax policy and administration,
public expenditure management, and economic and financial statistics.
Ms. Daly wants the focus to be on building capacity for analysis of data and
research already collected by institutions like the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)
and the University of the West Indies (UWI).
In the Caribbean, poverty rates range from as low as 5 percent in the Bahamas,
to a high of 65 percent in Haiti.
Dr Edward Greene, CARICOM Assistant Secretary General for Human and Social
Development, said he hoped that the discussions would ascertain whether the
tools for tackling poverty are adequate.
He advised participants not to start developing strategies from scratch because
a UWI study has already recommended how to deal with poverty in education,
health, youth, and labour.
Other areas for discussion during the one-day regional consultation at the
Guyana-based headquarters of CARICOM are establishing a formal system for
disseminating poverty assessment data and revisiting existing legislation to
pool data into a central bank.
Participants include planners and statisticians from member states as well as
representatives from the Pan-American Health Organisation, UWI, World Bank, CDB,
Canadian International Development Agency, European Union, UNDP, Inter American
Development Bank and the International Labour Organisation.
Aristide Survives Haiti Coup Attempt
Haiti, CMC - President Jean-Bertrand Aristide survived a coup attempt early Monday as gunmen stormed the National Palace in Haiti, killing two policemen and two civilians before they were repulsed by security forces.
Mr. Aristide and his wife were not in the palace
at the time of attack but in their suburban home just three miles outside this
capital city.
"We have the palace under control," Chief of Palace Security Oriel
Jean Baptiste told reporters. "One of the attackers is dead, some are in
custody, and some have fled."
This latest coup attempt came as the Caribbean nation was afflicted by growing
unrest directly related to the May 2000 legislative elections, which the local
opposition and international observers say were tainted by miscalculations,
giving Mr. Aristide's Family Lavalas Party the edge in seats.
Since then, there a groundswell of opposition to
the government has crystallized in the formation of the Democratic Convergence
-- a constellation of parties with differing ideologies.
There was no immediate word on identification of the gunmen, but suspicions
pointed to members of the former military establishment linked with elements
from the neighbouring Dominican Republic.
The Haitian army, which ruled this country of 8 million people in a brutal and
dictatorial manner for several years in the 1980s and 1990s, was disbanded after
U.S. intervention in 1994, which restored Mr. Aristide to power following an
earlier coup.
The populist president, a former Roman Catholic priest, draws much of his
support from Haiti's poor and is disliked by the elite.
Thousands of ordinary Haitians, some armed with machetes, poured into the
streets of Port-au-Prince and set tires ablaze in a show of support for
Aristide.
Meanwhile, OAS Secretary General Cesar Gaviria condemned the attempted coup and
appealed to all Haitians to refrain from acts of mutual aggression.
The Secretary General reiterated the importance of the rule of law and pledged the support of the OAS for democracy in Haiti.
Coup fears have been running high in Haiti in
recent days as a result of increased tensions between Mr. Aristide's Lavalas
Family Party and the opposition Democratic Convergence, which have been at odds
over the results of disputed legislative elections in May 2000, which critics
say were calculated unfairly to benefit Lavalas. The controversy has resulted in
the suspension of $500 million of international aid.
Witnesses saw a crowd of several hundred armed men charge up the main
thoroughfare of Avenue Jean Paul II on Monday morning, shouting they were going
to burn down the Convergence's headquarters and kill its members.
Radio later reported the crowd set fire to the Convergence building and also to
offices of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Aristide was elected on a tide of grass-roots support in 1990, promising a new
era after decades of bloody dictatorships.
He was overthrown by the military in September 1991 and then restored to office
in 1994 with U.S. military help. He was re-elected a year ago in presidential
elections boycotted by the opposition because of the dispute over the earlier
parliamentary elections.
Fishermen's
Arrest Pit Barbados vs. Trinidad
Compiled
from dispatches
Trinidad and Tobago's incumbent Prime Minister
Basdeo Panday has called for an early resolution to the fishing dispute with
Barbados, which is threatening retaliatory action over it.
This came Monday; two days after Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur vowed to
take retaliatory action over the continued arrest of Barbadian fishermen caught
illegally fishing in Trinidad waters. Mr. Arthur said all "illegal"
Trinidadians would be put out of Barbados, the flood of Trinidadian goods to the
island will be reviewed, that the economic relationship between the two islands
will be reviewed and that the fishing dispute will be referred to CARICOM.
Trinidad and Tobago's Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Kamaluddin
Mohammed, said Monday that Mr. Panday has been briefed about the situation and
has instructed him and Foreign Affairs Minister Mervyn Assam to swiftly deal
with the matter.
Also on Monday, Barbadian fishermen gathered in
Bridgetown to meet with Barbados' Fisheries Minister, Anthony Wood, seeking to
have a new Barbados-Trinidad fishing agreement in place so Barbadians can fish
in the twin-island state's waters.
It's a decade since the first agreement expired and over the years Barbadians
fishing in Trinidad and Tobago's waters have had their catches confiscated and
have faced heavy fines.
Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados signed a one-year fishing agreement in November
1990, which allowed Barbadians to fish in the waters of the oil-rich nation.
Under the agreement, which became effective at the beginning of 1991, owners of
licenced Barbados vessels paid US$800 for a fishing licence which allowed each
vessel five fishing trips to Trinidad and Tobago's water during the period
January 1 to April 30, 1991.
Although Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados have set up a joint Maritime
Delimitation Boundaries Commission to resolve the fishing problems, talks are
still inconclusive.
"We have had several meetings in both islands over the last two
years," said Mr. Mohammed. "A final agreement between both islands
will address the problem."
He said a reason for the delay in settling the fishing dispute was the various
political developments in Trinidad and Tobago for the past year.
These climaxed into general elections held on December 10, which produced a tie
in the results between the ruling and the opposition parties.
The country up to Monday was awaiting an announcement from President Arthur
Robinson on who will be prime minister following agreement between the two major
parties to collaborate in an effort to end the political deadlock.
Trinidad says no apology to Barbados
Trinidad, CMC - Trinidad and Tobago's
outgoing Foreign Minister, Mervyn Assam, has said there was no need to
apologise to Barbados since the country did nothing wrong when authorities
arrested and fined two Bajan fishermen for being in its waters.
"If one has done no wrong, why should one expect an apology? Why should we
apologise? There is nothing to apologise for. We have done nothing wrong,"
Assam told reporters on Wednesday.
The minister denied that the country's Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM),
Kamaluddin Mohammed had apologised to Barbados as was reported by a local
newspaper.
"I have spoken with the ambassador and he has indicated that he has not
made such statements and that is why I said alleged statements," said
Assam.
He was responding to threats of retaliation by Barbados' Prime Minister, Owen
Arthur, over the arrest and fining of two captains who were found fishing in
Tobago waters.
The foreign minister said Trinidad and Tobago has "overlooked many
occasions that have occurred to its disadvantage in CARICOM (Caribbean
Community)."
He said these include the imposition of taxes "that are not normal to the
CARICOM treaty," the provision of quotas and the invocation of certain
clauses because of safeguard mechanisms.
Assam also referred to an incident earlier this year, when Rosemary Anthony, a
law lecturer at the Cave Hill Campus at the University of the West Indies (UWI)
in Barbados, was arrested along with students who were involved in a protest
demonstration.
She is the wife of St. Lucia's Prime Minister, Dr. Kenny Anthony.
"...When a national of Trinidad and Tobago in the person of the wife of the
prime minister of St Lucia was arrested and brutalized and handcuffed, Trinidad
and Tobago wrote to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Barbados for an
explanation," Assam said.
"To date we have received no explanation, far less an apology, and Trinidad
and Tobago did not indicate retaliation of any sort neither I believe, did the
government of St Lucia indicate retaliation of any sort," he added.
Trinidad, CMC - BWIA has entered into a Strategic
Alliance with LIAT that will see the two Caribbean airlines sharing key services
allowing passengers seamless travel throughout the Caribbean, from and to North
America and the UK.
According to President and Chief Executive Officer of BWIA Conrad Aleong, the
Alliance brings together two Caribbean carriers that have 100 years combined
service to the region.
"Passengers on both carriers benefit here, BWIA recognized that many
passengers to the Caribbean were having difficulty making smooth connections to
their final destinations within the Caribbean.
"Through this initiative, connections
between BWIA and LIAT will be as seamless as if they were traveling on one
airline.
Additionally, LIAT's Caribbean passengers will be able to easily access
international service via the key BWIA hubs of Trinidad, Barbados and
Antigua," stated Aleong.
Commenting on the agreement, LIAT Chief Executive Officer Garry Cullen said that
the importance of the role played by stable and reliable air transport in the
development of the region could not be overstated.
"I see this alliance as a development of great significance, leading to
improved service levels and route development. The entire region will benefit
from the efficiencies that are being created today," he said.
Details of the Alliance and how it will impact on Caribbean tourism and
infrastructural development will be presented at a news conference scheduled for
Barbados next month.
Retired UWI
Professor To be Trinidad Speaker
Barbados, CMC - The Speaker for the new
Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago will be Professor Max Richards, the retired
Principal of the St. Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI).
Incumbent Prime Minister Basdeo Panday conceded to the choice of Mr. Richards,
the nominee of Opposition Leader Patrick Manning of the People's National
Movement (PNM), the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) was informed Tuesday.
Agreement on a Speaker was one of the crucial factors in the post-December 10
"heads of agreement" between Mr. Panday, leader of the governing
United National Congress (UNC) and Mr. Manning to clear the way for President
A.N.R. Robinson to decide on who should be appointed the new Prime Minister.
In the agreement reached last weekend Mr. Panday and Mr. Manning left it
entirely to the discretion of President Robinson to choose the next Prime
Minister in view of the 18-18 tie in seats between the UNC and the PNM for the
36-member House of Representatives.
The Speaker will have a casting vote in the event of a tie on important
legislative measures.
Mr. Panday's concession of Mr. Manning's choice for Speaker was done in
"the spirit of his original initiative for a national unity government with
power-sharing at the executive level," according to close aides of the
Prime Minister.
However, Mr. Manning was not in favour of either a coalition government or a
power-sharing arrangement at the cabinet level. He also argued, initially, that
the post of prime minister should go to his PNM.
He subsequently dropped this demand and agreed that it should be up to President
Robinson to decide whom he invites to become the country's next political
leader.
President Robinson, nevertheless, still has to await the final official results
of the recounts from the constituencies of Tunapuna and San Fernando West from
the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) before inviting either man to be
sworn in as new Prime Minister.
First Boatload of Food Leaves U.S. for Cuba
NEW YORK, CMC - The United States over the
weekend initiated what political observers here say is a small but significant
thaw in U.S.-Cuba relations.
After almost four decades of the United States' economic embargo on Cuba,
American ships arrived in Havana Sunday on what Washington described as a
humanitarian mission.
Two U.S. ships arrived in Havana Harbour for the first time since the imposition
of the blockade, carrying tons of chicken and corn.
American agriculturalists, political scientists and observers say that they hope
this step will lead to the gradual and eventual lifting of the embargo.
The shipment, comprising more than 55 million pounds of corn, is the first of
what is expected to be several shipments in the coming months after Havana
bought $30 million worth of meat and grain in cash to replenish depleted
supplies after the ravages of Hurricane Michelle in October.
Legislation passed by Congress last year made the shipment possible. Congress
exempted food and medicine from the embargo, imposed in 1963 shortly after Fidel
Castro overthrew the Batista regime.
Officials in Havana insist that this purchase is a one-time measure. Yet, they
still clamor for access to American markets for rum and cigars and the easing of
travel restrictions on American tourists.
The Bush Administration, however, is maintaining
its hard-line stance against Cuba, stating that it will not lift the economic
embargo until free and fair elections are conducted in that communist nation or
Fidel Castro ceases his stranglehold on the Cuban people.
The United States currently has normal trade and diplomatic relations with all
the countries of the former Eastern European bloc, and has granted the largest
communist country, China, most favoured nation (MFN) status.
Two successive acts of Congress - the Cuba Democratic Act of 1992 and the
Helms-Burton Act of 1996 - signed into law by former President Bill Clinton,
have tightened the blockade against Cuba.
CARICOM nations, with Grenada taking the lead, stepped up their condemnation and
called for the lifting of the embargo against Cuba in their presentations last
month at the 56th Session of the U.N. General Assembly Debate.
On the heels of CARICOM's plea, the General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a
resolution for a record 10th successive year, urging the immediate end of the
embargo.
Nevis Budget Scorned By Opposition Leader
Nevis, CMC - Nevis Opposition Leader Joseph Parry said last Friday that the 2002 budget presented the previous day by Premier Vance Amory was lacking in answers to the island's problems.
Nevis Premier Vance Amory
Premier Amory presented an EC$100-million (US$37-million) budget to the Nevis
Island Assembly Thursday in which he raised taxes on a specific set of items
designed, he said, to stabilize the economy.
"For the decline in agriculture, the premier blamed the recent hurricanes,
for the state of tourism which has been on the decline for two years, he blamed
the twin tower incidents (September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade
Centre), and for the decline in the offshore services, he blamed the
blacklisting of Nevis and St. Kitts.
"Apart from that, the premier mentioned that he has fiscal measures and
surprisingly one of the fiscal measures was control of the traveling of
ministers. That seems to be more expenditure control than fiscal control. I
think he was a bit confused and really had nothing to offer, except
regurgitating what has gone on in the past," Mr. Parry said.
Premier Amory's fiscal measures included restricting to a minimum travel by
ministers and public officials, a continued freeze on new employment in the
public service except for essential services, and considering "a freeze on
increments for the next fiscal year should the economic situation deteriorate
further."
"We are in a serious situation in Nevis. I am satisfied that when we look
at the committed debt, we are dealing with 200 million (dollars), Mr. Parry
said. "We have problems that we have to address and the recession in the
United States and the increases in prices that we have been experiencing for the
past year, he really has no solution."
Premier Amory told the House that the Administration's total debt, excluding the overdraft, was approximately EC$97 million and that debt service payments increased from EC$9.8 million in 1999 to EC$11.1 million in 2000 and that the ratio of external debt service as a percentage of recurrent revenue increased from 13.1 percent in 1999 to 14.6 percent in 2000.
Threatened Journalists Seek Way Out of Haiti
PORT-au-PRINCE, Haiti, CMC - The Association of
Haitian Journalists was continuing negotiations yesterday with foreign embassies
in an effort to help journalists facing death threats leave the country,
President Guy Delva said.
Mr. Delva told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the group included the
leading and more senior journalists in Haiti, some of whom have American visas.
He said.
Persons aligned with the ruling party reportedly made the threats against the
journalists, in the aftermath of a coup attempt against President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide.
Mr. Delva said Haitian journalists were facing a very difficult and frightening
situation.
"Many journalists feel very afraid, they don't go to their radio stations
to work because they are afraid," he said. "They have been receiving
threats from groups and since Monday there are at least two radio stations which
stopped broadcasting news."
"Several journalists of the two radio
stations and of some other radio stations, have gone undercover and it's a
difficult situation for many journalists here now," he added.
On December 3, journalist Brignol Lindor was hacked to death with a machete by a
group of people in the town of Petite Gouve. He was buried last week.
It is believed that his murder and the recent attacks on journalists were led by
supporters of President Jean-Bertrand Arisitide's ruling Lavalas Family Party.
President Aristide has strongly condemned the ongoing acts of violence but a
very tense situation remains in the capital, Mr. Delva said.
Tensions have been running high since the failed coup attempt on Monday when
armed gunmen attacked the National Palace but were repelled by security forces.
A group of 30-armed men attacked the palace in downtown Port-au-Prince before
dawn on Monday.
Many of the gunmen, who according to police wore military uniforms similar to
those of the disbanded Haitian army, escaped after killing two police officers
at the scene.
Nine people were killed in the palace assault, which resulted in mob violence in
the streets of the capital and other cities, officials said.
Police said one gunman died in a shootout with security forces who fought off
the attackers.
Press reports said that a former police officer accused of planning the assault,
Guy Philippe, was detained in Ecuador by the authorities on Wednesday.
Caribbean Star to Add New Destinations Soon
Antigua, CMC - Caribbean Star, one of the more
recent sub-regional carriers to ply Caribbean routes, announced Tuesday new
destinations to its flight schedule.
Beginning as early as mid to late January 2002, Caribbean Star will fly between
Trinidad and Guyana, Barbados and Tobago, and Dominica-St. Maarten, the airline
said.
This comes a few weeks after receiving its eighth aircraft, and one week
following the inauguration of flights into Guyana.
The airline said the new route between Barbados and Tobago will allow for
seamless connections from international destinations, including Europe, Canada
and the U.S., as well as from its Barbados hub to all Caribbean Star
destinations.
"Caribbean Star is especially pleased to announce the commencement of
flights from the nature island of Dominica into Dutch St. Maarten. In about
three weeks, we expect that the Dutch government will approve service from St.
Maarten to Dominica," it said.
Paul Moreira, President and CEO of Caribbean Star Airlines, said approximately
5,000 people traveled on the airline last weekend, for a high 60-percent load
factor.
With the addition of these new routes in 2002,
Caribbean Star destinations will include, in the North, Tortola, Anguilla, St.
Kitts, Antigua and St. Maarten, and to the South, Dominica, St. Lucia, St.
Vincent, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Guyana.
Dominica About to Start Major Banana Irrigation
Dominica, CMC - Dominica is about to improve on
the traditional method of growing bananas, with a major irrigation scheme to be
launched shortly.
Over the years, farmers here have depended on direct rainfall to produce the
fruit, but mechanical watering of crops is on the way, at least for some large
plantations.
Dominica's Agriculture Minister, Vince Henderson, spoke about the EC$16 million
(US$5.9 million) irrigation scheme on Wednesday.
He said design work on the project had been completed, and construction is about
to begin.
The project is among a number recommended by the European Union for the four
Windward Islands banana producers - Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent
and the Grenadines.
The scheme would reduce the impact of drought on banana production, boost
production and help to make output more predictable and less determined by the
weather.
Industry analysts said the project was already under way in St. Vincent and in
St. Lucia, where production was hard hit by drought during the first six months
of this year.
By Peter Adrien
Cheer
up! Yes, look on the bright side, it’s Christmas!
I know the cricketing public has not had a good Christmas for many years.
In fact, we celebrated a Christmas in anticipation of a Windies victory in 1992
when Brian Lara stopped the Aussies with a brilliant 277 at Sydney and Curtly
Ambrose demolished their batting line up by taking seven wickets for 25 runs (in
the new year), to give us a 2-1 series win, and a belated Christmas celebration.
And that was consistent with tradition, as
Christmas is celebrated in the Caribbean from the beginning of December to
Easter. We can remember the artistry and batsmanship of Lara, the 23-year-old in
his quest for Sir Garry’s world record, which he would go on to eclipse in
1994 in the Caribbean. We can remember the destructive Ambrose, who exploited
the bouncy Perth wicket, sending the Aussies looking for cover – he took seven
wickets for one run in an historic spell of fast bowling.
But one may argue that, having drawn the first
Test at Brisbane through the brilliant batting of Nevisian Keith Arthurton, who
steered the team with a well-crafted 157 not out – his mother’s Christmas
gift – there was a reason to be cheerful. But this time around, as in the last
few years, there seems to be no reason for joy
Moreover, last year we went into Christmas
depressed. On 19 December 2000, the West Indies lost the third Test match
against Australia at the Adelaide Oval before lunch on the fifth day, by five
wickets, after scoring 391 in the first innings. That loss gave Australia a 3-0
unbeatable lead in the five-test series, and her 4th consecutive Test
win over the West Indies since 1999, and the basis for a whitewash.
We carried the pent-up frustrations with us into
the 2001 Carnival in February and cleansed ourselves in Easter; the team gave us
some measure of joy against touring Pakistanis in 2000 in the months that
followed.
This year, we end the first year in the New
Millennium with a “brownwash” by the talented Sri Lankans and, without at
least a consolation victory in the triangular one-day tournament to give us a
measure of joy. As coincidence or fate would have it, we were also battered on
December 19, 2001.
Yes, Sri Lanka squashed the players’ hopes for
a face-saving victory to end an otherwise ill-fated tour when they defeated the
West Indies by 34 runs to win the LG Abans triangular series at Premadasa
International Stadium. And they did not just win, they dominated the game, right
from the time Man-of-the-match and Man-of-the-series, Captain Sanath Jayasuriya,
won an important toss and elected to bat. The Sri Lankan batsmen posted a
challenging 254 target, later reduced to 247 in 47 overs because of rain, but
although they did have some nervy moments after a century stand between openers
Daren Ganga (50) and Chris Gayle (60).
Carl Hooper again failed to provide the requisite
leadership with the bat in the absence of star batsman, Brian Lara (because of
injury), although he tried to resuscitate the innings. The breezy 34 was not
what was needed in the circumstances. The classy batsman needed to stay in the
wicket and bat against high-quality spin.
The question is how are we going to be cheerful
and joyous when our hearts are broken, our pockets are empty and our cupboards
are bare from the economic downturn which has left many of us unemployed, in
debt, and harassed by creditors? Where is the basis for joy?
Some people are asking, where is the Jesus Christ
of Christmas to bless us victims with His peace? Moreover, where is Santa Claus
when he is needed most?
But these are the times that we are to cheer up.
Even if the World Bank has forecasted more economic hardships in the New Year,
we must cherish the hope that “Better Days Are Coming” and “Better Must
Come” not “Bitter.”
We therefore need a Christmas gift Santa! The
big-hearted Santa Claus must provide the Caribbean people with a much-needed
gift package that they may have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. After
all the current emotional distress is very painful when seen in the context of
the adverse effects of the OECD assault on our budding offshore industry; the
downswing in the tourism industry; the social dislocations that are associated
with the effects of international trading developments on the traditional
export-agricultural sector; the negative impact of the drying up of concessional
finance; the high cost of investment capital; and the systemic threat of the
HIV/AIDS pandemic. These developments, which we have absolutely no control over,
could make life for vulnerable groups in the Caribbean, “solitary, nasty and
short.”
For the 2000 Christmas, we asked Santa for five gifts – First, “Give us a “leader.” Second, “Give us a selection panel.” Third, “Give us a coach.” Fourth, “Give us an opening batsman to partner Daren Ganga.” Fifth, “Give us another Brian Lara or clone him if necessary.”
For 2001 Christmas, we ask Santa for confidence for the future. Santa, “give us self-belief” and “give our cricketers a positive self image.”
Thank you Santa!
Peter Adrien is a
Central Banker, an author, a syndicated sports commentator, and a freelance
photographer. He may be contacted at www.adriensenterprises.com
or at e-mail: info@adriensenterprises.com
PHOTO
CAPTION: Blue Foo (Trinidad) – says cheer up (Photo: Peter Adrien)
By J.
Donald Brandt
We approach Christmas seven, and volcanic trim's
Still our outdoor "adornment" at tectonic whims,
But every yuletide in the tropics, you know,
Defies your traditions 'cause we don't have snow.
There are carols with holy and temporal themes
And children still entertain Christmas morn dreams;
Just as anywhere else, there's good will in the air,
This island's committed to hope, not despair.
On Montserrat, Festival's what the folks savor,
A month-long buffet of Caribbean flavor,
With jump-ups, calypsos, street jams, and dance,
A cultural banquet of tropic romance,
As residents celebrate night after night
And newcomers find it a source of delight.
Here regional music is played on steel pan
And masquerades pose, "Is it woman or man?"
It's all part of the lure of the Emerald Isle,
Which, once you've been here, you recall for a while.
The volcano is just an unhappy distraction
That cannot diminish the island's attraction.
So don't sit abroad and despair for our health,
Instead, be a tonic and come share your wealth
And learn for yourself, as you'll quickly perceive,
Why those who come fearful grow sorry to leave.
Our holiday spirit's alive and quite well,
So we wish for you all a most happy Noel.
by Progressive at Heart
It’s Christmas again. And every body looking to raise funds for their programs.
It’s Christmas again. And every body running off to Antigua to do all their Christmas shopping.
But wait…Wait… the CM seemed to have dampened all the Antigua shopping this year. He telling people to shop in Montserrat and give the business people a break. He can’t be serious. The shops have anything that people can buy? You see any gifts that you want to give? You see any cards to buy? You see any groceries? You see any vegetables and fruits? You see any chicken, turkey or ham?
But people I real serious here. You see any of these things in the shops here?
You do? Well bless my soul. You see them. You see chicken and ham and turkey in the many supermarkets here? You see Xmas cards here in the stationery shops? You see the packaged gifts, the toys, the furniture, and the rugs in the shop all along Brades main Road?
You see clothes in the new clothes shop? You see any vegetables by the two ladies in their little green groceries by the roadside. You see the nice lady selling all manner of vegetables out she car? You see them too? You do? Well bless my soul.
You know since the September 11th incident Barbados Government introduce this new thing called “Buy 100% Barbadian” And you want to know something? It working. All Bajans saying how is we country and we have to build it up. And how if we don’t buy we own thing how we country going to the dogs. You should see them bigging up they own businessmen. Trinidad did that since the late 60s and see how they get rich. "Buy Local" was the theme.
But let's talk about Montserrat. We done know how only a little piece of this country belong to we since DFID take we heart and soul after the volcano take way we town and half we future. But instead we hold on to the little piece of rock we have left we going every week, with we dollars in we hand and we giving it to Antigua. Yes we giving it to this country that could pay a man ½ a million dollars in 21 months to do some kinda joke work. And yes is this same Antigua who does treat Montserratians like second-class citizens and Montserrat like a second-class nation. Is the same Antigua who can’t help we with a little building to shelter from sun and rain while we wait for the Ferry. Is the same Antigua who send we Ferry to the Deep Water Harbor when they big tourist ship come in. The same Antigua who customs and immigration does keep us sitting on the Ferry for more than an hour sometimes. Yes people is the same Antigua who can’t let the Ferry come in on a Sunday because customs don’t work on Sunday. And my dear friends is the same Antigua that have people who does tell visitors and tourists alike that them should not go Montserrat cause down there not nice.
But then maybe the CM should let us continue to go carry our dollars and go give we half a life to Antigua because you see we have a Chamber of Commerce. And tell me people when last you ever here Chamber making noise about this? In fact, tell me if you ever hear Chamber trying to support businessmen. You ever hear Chamber say “Buy local?” You ever here Chamber say that business people can’t pay the tax when that Zaccheus persistently dun them. Tell the truth, you think we have a Chamber anyway?
But you see is the same business men that all these organizations and associations and clubs coming to ask for money all during the year to raise funds for this and to raise funds for that. Yet it is the same fundraising members who running on the Ferry to go off to spend they fists full of double tax free salaries in Antigua. And they have the gall to walk round to the business places to ask the business people who getting burned by their own Government, by their own tax collectors, by our own lord DFID, by their own Chamber, by their own Customs, by the Ferry agents hired by our own lord DFID for donations.
So business people, I beg you, chase away all those fundraisers from you doors during the season. Tell them, “Don’t come to me. Go ask the business people who you spending all you money with every week, in Antigua to donate to you cause. Go ask the Fry Chicken Place.”
Then wish them all a merry Christmas and a
prosperous new year.
SCHOOL
CONCERTS:
A COMMENT
By Howard A. Fergus
This year I was able to attend three primary school Christmas concerts on successive evenings. I did not get bored although they were tightly tacked on to full working days. It is commonplace to say that we have an abundance of talent in Montserrat, but the reality of this was evident in the songs and pieces performed, including skits.
No concert was a carbon copy of the other for there was structural variety and the staging arrangements at St. Augustine differed from Lookout and Brades, where the perennial curtain was used. One aspect of the creativity attracts special comment. I refer to pieces, whether poems or songs, which were locally written, whether by teacher, student or jointly, and to the skits which were all written for the occasion – two reportedly by Edith Duberry. We congratulate her and the other author, and we must support our creative artists at all levels.
The variety was commendable also and it is good to see the dance coming back gradually. These arts must become part of our schools’ intra-curriculum.
It is good to have the activity going, and the teachers must be highly commended as they strive with the performers for excellence in all the presentations, including poetry. (I listened to a lady, Mary Fenton, about 80 years old, reciting a poem at the Judy Piece Methodist Church recently and she not only amazed me with her memory, but her modulation, her use of run-on lines and her interpretation of the material for the audience, were superb). There was an unevenness in the poetry performances at the concerts, but some were very well done.
Unfortunately, the halls in which the concerts are held militate against excellence. The Brades hall is too deep, with poor acoustics, and the Lookout stage was, unavoidably, something of a makeshift. The passing of microphones from hand to hand meant that the players had to go in and out of character constantly and were required to tell their message by a shout rather than by a show. Real dramatic skills will elude us until we have a common purpose-built auditorium for these performances.
As we accentuate our strengths and work at any
weaknesses, including constructive and sympathetic comments on the staging and
scripting of the skits, we can justify the inclusion of the school concerts on
the official festival calendar. They can be entertainment of high quality. O for
the new cultural centre or some interim staging facility, when for whatever
reason the versatile Vue Pointe is unavailable!
Survey
Reveals Consumer Ignore Risks of Over-the-Counter Cold Products
December
2001 (Newstream) - Results of a new national survey demonstrate that the
majority of consumers taking over-the-counter cold products to alleviate
symptoms of their illness may be dangerously unaware of the potentially harmful
side effects of these medications on their mental abilities and motor skills. In
fact, less than one out of five respondents reported awareness of any effect of
these medications on their ability to engage in daily activities.
The
survey, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Washington
Neuropsychological Institute, found that consumers have a general lack of
awareness of the impact that over-the-counter cold products can have on safety,
productivity and performance. Yet with no FDA-approved antiviral therapy to
treat the cold, consumers continue to turn to OTC cold products. Despite the
fact that these products do not treat the cause of the cold but merely alleviate
some of the cold symptoms, the majority (75 percent) of the more than 1,000
consumers surveyed reported that they rely on OTC medications when they get a
cold; nearly 40 percent reported taking multiple products.
The
vast majority (85 percent) of those surveyed believe that they are not impaired
by these medications and do not need to modify their activities, such as
driving, caring for children, or engaging in sports, when taking these
medications.
This
is disturbing information. Over-the-counter cold medications may not only make
people feel drowsy, they may reduce daytime wakefulness, decrease attention span
and slow reaction times, said Gary Kay, Ph.D., president of the Washington
Neuropsychological Institute, and associate clinical professor of neurology at
Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. Research has shown
the cold itself has marked effects on a person's ability to function normally.
Coupled with the potential side effects associated with OTC cold products, you
may have a recipe for disaster in terms of every-day performance.
Survey Highlights
Approximately
70 percent of survey respondents did report experiencing side effects while
taking over-the-counter cold products. (Fatigue and drowsiness were the most
common.) Yet many of these respondents reported that they were unaware of any
deterioration in their ability to perform activities, and they rarely modify
their work, travel and/or social activities. In fact, 22 percent of respondents
stated that they disregard the warning labels on OTC medications; precautions
against driving, operating machinery, or taking these medications together with
alcohol or other sedating medications.
Clinical Evidence
Recent
clinical research has demonstrated that the common cold, a viral respiratory
illness (VRI) may seriously impair a sufferer's daytime alertness due to lost
sleep and overall malaise. The cold can impair hand-eye coordination, slow
reaction time, decrease alertness and increase tension, with many of these
effects increasing over the course of a day. In other recent studies conducted
by Dr. Kay and his colleagues, individuals taking popular OTC cold products were
found to be impaired in their vigilance, concentration and ability to perform
tasks such as driving, despite their lack of awareness of their impairment.
Remedies vs. Treatments for the Common
Cold
According
to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there are more than 1 billion colds
annually in the United States. The average adult gets two to four colds per
year, and the average preschool child may get six to 10 colds per year. Data
from the Archives of Family Medicine
show that there are approximately 2,800 cold remedies on the market. According
to ACNielsen, Americans spent more than $3 billion on OTC cough/cold remedies in
2000. As an alternative to OTC cold products that can help manage cold symptoms
but not treat the cold virus itself, antiviral therapies are currently being
investigated that may be effective at attacking the root cause of the cold and
reducing the symptoms and duration of the illness without harmful side effects.
Washington
Neuropsychological Institute (WNI) is an independent research and consulting
firm that provides support to federal agencies and to the pharmaceutical
industry. WNI specializes in evaluating the effects of injuries, illnesses, and
medications on performance and safety. ---------------
Naivete Scene
Hark the Yuletide angels sing,
Even they're 'jus wonderin'
Why CM still heralds
The airport at Geralds
When there's a better offering.
Stocking Stuffer
Noel, Noel, the angels say,
You private workers holiday,
The economic onus
Rules out your Christmas bonus,
While all the rest get double pay.
Jus wonderin if protecting rat bats at the port
is more important than the life we almost lost.
Jus wonderin if congratulation is in order for
the two police officers who saved the old man's life.
Jus wonderin if they will at least get a
Montserrat medal for their bravery like some people who get without deserving
it.
Jus wonderin when the port will get proper
lighting.
Jus wonderin if things are really so hard in
Montserrat.
Jus wonderin why some people love money so.
Jus wonderin how stressful it is if the girls in
the banks need training in customer service.
Jus wonderin why civil servants have to wait till
Christmas eve to get their salary.
Jus wonderin why so many men are in Salem on Friday and Saturday nights.
Jus wonderin if that is why Montserrat has the
highest rate of repatriation of funds south.
Jus wonderin why men are paying so much for aids.
Jus wonderin if the news media know that people
all over the world is now listening on the internet.
Jus wonderin when these men will loose their
daughters.
Jus wonderin where they can get help.
Jus wonderin why the ferry did not make the
second morning trip last Saturday.
Jus wonderin who really decided to cancel that
trip.
Jus wonderin who will give me a gift for
Christmas.
Jus wonderin if anyone is planning to get married
on 30th February 2002.
Jus wonderin if we are ready with our tourism
product.
Jus wonderin if the British MP will be bringing
any good news for Christmas, especially not meeting the government.
Jus wonderin if the government ministers are
working together.
Jus wonderin why some wuk
so hard and others are just going through the motions.
Jus wonderin how many Montserratians will be back
for Christmas this year.
Jus wonderin if every employee is not entitled to
double salary this year.
Jus wonderin what happen to all the noise about
the airport at Geralds.
Jus wonderin if Zena lost her shoe.
Jus wonderin if the teacher know that the words
she use in the song are indecent language.
Jus wonderin how come all of a sudden they send
us people who do not believe in God to work here.
Jus wonderin if that is not an insult to a
Christian country.
Jus wonderin why some of our leaders and high-
ranking British officials do not attend church services.
Jus wonderin if the PO is afraid of computers.
Jus wonderin if any of the government ministers
are afraid of computers.
Jus wonderin if the student who went to live with
teacher will get exxxtra lessons.
Jus wonderin if the government ministers will use
their entertainment allowances for any Christmas party since they never use any
all year.
Jus wonderin if it is OK for Jus wonderin to wish
every one a blessed and Christ filled Christmas.
Jus wonderin what the New Year will bring.
Jus wonderin why there should be any wonderin.
Jus wonderin if we will wonder about Christmas
again this year.
HON DR. LOWELL LEWIS
MINISTER COMMUNICATION AND WORKS.
This year we celebrate the birth of Christ two
thousand and one years ago. He
brought into the world, love, service and forgiving, key features of the
Christian faith. We should all
practice these virtues in every aspect of our life.
With these few words, I wish all residents and
visitors in Montserrat, and everyone else, a Blessed and Happy Christmas.
Lowell Lewis
The Chief Minister’s Christmas Message 2001
Office of
the Chief Minister
It is now the season when we pause to reflect on the events of the past year, evaluate our successes and failures, and make resolutions to guide our actions during the New Year. It is a time of sharing and the time to thank God for the many blessings that he has bestowed upon us during the year.
The Gospel of Luke reminds us that more than 2000 years ago the heavens, earth and indeed humanity proclaimed the birth of Jesus Christ, as our Saviour, Lord and King. His lowly birth, as well as the exemplary life he led continues to bring hope, joy and expectations to us all.
Let us
therefore, willingly share the gift of Christ’s love: give more of ourselves,
care more for others, relate better to others and think more of others by
sharing generously with those less fortunate among us.
In a special way we welcome our families and friends from across the seas and indeed, we are happy that they are home for Christmas! Let us like Jesus; bring the gifts of peace and joy to our homes, communities and island.
This season we can reflect on the events and achievements of the past year which include:
The New People’s Liberation Movement Election victory and our commitment to “empower all Montserratians to create a God-fearing, sustainable society where all individuals enjoy secure, healthy and productive lives in an environment of mutual respect and freedom”;
The additional autonomy
entrusted to my Administration by Her Majesty’s Government, to manage the
affairs of our beloved island;
The numerous infrastructural development projects currently in progress and all managed by local contractors;
The additional finance awarded to employees for their continued efforts, as well as the domino effect which we anticipate this will have on the economy;
Two OECS Ministers Meetings successfully hosted here by the collaborative efforts of both private and public sector officials and;
The historic and memorable one day International Cricket Match held here between the UWI Vice Chancellor’s Eleven and the South African Cricket teams.
We are indeed hopeful that we are moving away
from crisis management to redevelopment of Montserrat.
Nevertheless, let us be mindful of both the challenges and opportunities
that lie ahead.
In addition to the financial constraints, which
we must address and the redevelopment issues that will confront us; there are
many forces in the environment, which will continue to change and impact on our
lives and indeed on our approaches. Foremost
among these are:
The increasing global and interdependent world;
The rapid advances in technology;
The economic, social and physical security of all citizens as well as;
Ecological concerns.
As we make resolutions, develop strategies and targets for the New Year ahead: I would like to underscore my government’s commitment to
Promote value for money;
Support good governance and;
Encourage fiscal reforms, which can lead to increase in productivity and increase salary for employees.
Let us resolve to weave the values of compassion, dedication, hard work, resilience, patience and tolerance in the fabric of our society and collaboratively identify the opportunities that will inevitably come before us.
I wish to convey to all a message of hope.
We must all strive to be inspired by a deep-seated love for our island.
Let us together, build a future for our children based on love, harmony,
respect and prosperity for all.
It is indeed my pleasure to wish all Montserratians at home and abroad, residents as well as visitors a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. May God bless Montserrat!
20 December 2001
ALEXANDER P ELDER
COMMISSIONER, ROYAL MONTSERRAT POLICE
It gives me great pleasure to once more have the opportunity of sending a Christmas message to all of the residents of Montserrat and of course to Montserratians living overseas.
The past twelve months have been traumatic ones,
touching everyone across the world. Hopefully
one result of these dreadful events will be to bring peoples towards a closer
understanding and sympathy with one another irrespective of ethnic background,
religion or creed..
Here in Montserrat, the year has been an active one with the development of stronger links between the community and police and fire services. There are many useful benefits already visible, particularly in regard to development of multi agency approaches to domestic and other issues.
The tremendous support we received during the recent Police and Fire Community Week exceeded our greatest expectations setting a considerable challenge for next year. My colleagues and I would like to take the opportunity of thanking one and all for their support. Tangibly, we have already been able to contribute a total of $4,500.00 to local charities and hopefully we can continue to help where help is needed. Most of all we look forward to building on the strength of our community relationship to the benefit of all.
May Christmas 2001 be a joyous one and may the year 2002 bring success and opportunity to Montserrat.
We also sincerely hope that this festival season
will be safe, enjoyable and peaceful one for all here in Montserrat.
Sincerely,
Alex P Elder Commissioner of PoliceCurrent Vacancies <--- Click Here
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