Sooner or Later?
by Staff Reporter
On Sunday this week, in the London Sunday Times, under an article 'Volcano may force evacuation of Montserrat' by Jonathan Leake, Environment Correspondent, it was reported as follows:" An international conference of volcanologists to consider the island's future heard that the risk of further eruptions and a long-term danger from breathing in volcanic dust and ash could make it uninhabitable. The 4,000 people still there out of an original population of 11,000 would be moved to other Caribbean islands and to Britain."
The article went on to quote our now famed former head scientist Simon Young of the British Geological Survey, as saying his work had left him with respiratory problems that could become widespread on the island.
Young reportedly went on to say "There is no evidence that the volcano will stop, and in fact the eruptions seem to be growing in intensity. The lava dome is still growing and causing constant flows of hot ash, gas and lava. It is a terrible dilemma for the people living there."
In addition to this incredible report, Stephen Sparks, professor of geology at Bristol University, who is about to take over as the observatory's chief scientist, is also reported to have said that the remaining islanders would find it hard to stay even without further eruptions. He is further quoted as saying: "There is a lot of ash in the air and it poses a serious long-term health hazard."
The report goes on further to state that the conclusions of the scientists, who met in Antigua, were being drafted last weekend to be sent to other international experts for comment before a final report is presented to the governments of Montserrat and Britain this month. "The findings could determine the fate of œ41m aid pledged by Britain...However, the scientists say there is a strong chance that eruptions will affect the north as well.
"Britain is already holding talks with Antigua and Guadeloupe about a possible evacuation. Antigua has taken more than 3,000 Montserratian evacuees, placing a substantial burden on its population of 65,000.
The Department for International Development said no final decision would be taken until the volcanologists' report had been received."
The foregoing report has caused quite some concern, particularly among residents who see the great damage that statements such as the foregoing can do. They give support to the rumours that initiated from sources inside the EOC that by February of this year we would all be gone.
These statements and any like them are not expected to go without comment by our government. But, the Chief Minister says that according to information he received on the report, both Young and Sparks have denied speaking to reporters in the context reported. According to him, Young said he mentioned his respiratory problems several weeks ago and Sparks said he has not held any such discussions with anyone.
Late on Thursday night Governor Abbott and Chief Minister Brandt, issued the Press Release titled 'Volcanic Activity in Montserrat'. - see below
However, there are many who still believe that the British Government is right on target with its plans for Montserrat.
(See Britain on Target)
Members of the Scientific Team commissioned by the British Government to examine the possibility of further volcanic activity gave a preliminary oral briefing to British Ministers in London and Government of Montserrat in Montserrat today, 11th December.
We await receipt of the team's final report and the associated risk assessment, which will be validated by the British Government's Chief Scientific Advisor on 16th December.
This report will then be considered by the British Government and the Government of Montserrat when both will discuss the findings.
It can be stated at this stage that the preliminary scientific briefing indicate that the risk to the northern part of Montserrat is currently very low.
"Constitutional Reform - Our Constitutional Status"
About five weeks ago Governor Abbott circulated a letter to the Chief Minister and members of the Legislative Council advising that the Foreign Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Robin Cook MP had ordered an internal enquiry into UK policy towards the Dependent Territories. He said he had been asked to canvas their views on some issues relating the relationship between the Territories and Britain.
He posed some questions which he said were fundamental to the review which dealt with Citizenship, Constitutional Status and Nomenclature.
On the question of Citizenship he enquired: "If UK citizenship is sought, would it only be on the basis of non-reciprocity, i.e. would you see a need to continue to pose immigration controls on other UK citizens or would you be prepared to see existing controls removed or modified?"
Constitutional Status: Which of the four basic variations would you prefer, the status quo, integration into the UK, Crown Dependency or independence?
Nomenclature - a name change, e.g. British Overseas Territories.
The Chief Minister in his somewhat usual manner sought to quickly obtain the impressions of Montserratians and advertised for their input. Investigations reveal that not a single person submitted an opinion. On Wednesday GI officer Herman Sergeant put together a three-man panel on ZJB to talk to the issues. The Reporter's editor was one of these members. Most unfortunately the phone lines did not permit the public to call in their questions or comments on the matter.
What seems unfortunate, is that here in Montserrat there has recently been a feeling in the air and the suggestion has been made that Montserrat should be looking at its constitutional status. In fact every contender in the election campaign last year promised to tackle the very matter. A year later, the initiative is coming from the new British Labour Government.
That position seems to be different from that of the kicked out Conservative Government whose position was not to 'encourage or discourage independence' in spite of their participation in the United Nations ruling to end colonisation by the year 2000. In any case there is a danger here for us because by the British Government raising the topic, BY so doing they are given the opportunity to direct our thoughts.
We therefore, as we always should be, and particularly during our current circumstances, be prepared to strategise and prepare ourselves as to the course of action we desire to pursue. Our situation may be unique, but coming towards the end of this century all the Dependent Territories should look at themselves as being privileged to be able to look at the other islands in the Caribbean and benefit from the good they've derived and learn from the mistakes they have made.
Without any delay whatever, the government should seek to fund a committee of some kind to pursue the matter of improvement to our constitutional status. The matter requires much research and our people will require the guidance and information necessary to make informed and intelligent decisions. Discussions on the matter must seek to involve every Montserratian wherever they may be, and this crisis must be no excuse to pursue the matter.
Of course, acknowledging and acting on the suggestion will be great improvement on anything our government has done since this volcanic crisis started.
Sun Alliance clarifies its position in Montserrat
The following is a re-print of a letter which appeared in a London newspaper setting out Sun Alliance's position on its insurance coverages in Montserrat.
I REFER to Mr. William Tomlin's excellent article on 'Regional Insurance Companies face dilemma over Montserrat' published in your October 22, 1997 edition.
The article raises a number of interesting points which serve to underline the complexities encountered by the unfortunate and tragic continuation of the volcanic activity in Montserrat.
My purpose in writing is to clarify the position adopted by Sun Alliance as this is not made entirely clear by article.
Firstly, Sun Alliance has not cancelled its insurance contracts on a mid-term basis and is allowing contracts to continue until they next expire. This will result in exposure to further volcanic activity continuing until September 1998. In essence this means that all Sun Alliance policy holders will continue to have their policy coverage for the full period for which they have paid premium. This is in contrast to the mid-term action taken by other insurers.
Secondly, Mr. Tomlin talks in his article about the cancellation provisions in insurance contracts and also hypothesises as to why Sun Alliance did not invoke such conditions. A primary reason for this rests with the fact that the cancellation by the Company of policy coverage in midterm represents a serious step. Whilst not obligated to do so, in the extraordinary circumstances presented by the Montserrat Volcano, we have tried to adopt our normal internal philosophy guidelines and code of practice in this regard. In essence this means that cancellation by the Company should only occur with good reason (i.e. due to a significant change in the insurance risk occasioned by the policyholder) rather than by the onset of a covered peril. We have elected voluntarily to adopt this intent in our decision.
Thirdly, Mr. Tomlin refers to re-insurers 'pulling the plug' and that this has featured as a strong reason in other companies decision to withdraw ahead of the natural expiry of their obligations. It would be interesting to determine what 'pulling the plug' actually means in the context of Montserrat. Does this suggest that re-insurers have foreclosed on the insurance companies, giving them one week's notice? Or does it imply that the future supply of reinsurance protection would decrease thereby increasing the price? The answers to these questions are uncertain.
Regardless of this Mr. Tomlin correctly alludes to the point that this is not something about which policy holders should feel that they have be concerned; after all their 'promise to pay' has come from the Insurer not the re-insurer. Fourthly and leaving aside the reasons for cancellation, the fact remains that Sun Alliance have not taken this action. In addition the company is exploring options for new coverage in the northern zone Montserrat in support of Government initiative to sustain viable community there.
In my view these are positive and compelling attributes to our business at Sun Alliance; the demonstrable ability to deliver quality global security into local markets, proven previously in Montserrat during Hurricane Hugo in 1989, Hurricane Luis in 1995 and now with the Soufriere Volcano.
Phillip Head General Manager Sun Alliance Insurance (Eastern Caribbean Limited)A long retired Secondary School Teacher, Mrs. Annelle Barzey shared her thoughts following her trip to her home in Cork Hill as follows:
People who resided south of Belham have to fill out an application form if they wish to enter the area to check on their property and to retrieve few of the things that the two footed and four-footed predators have left. At the bottom of that application is the note that you enter at your own risk and therefore neither the governor, government, nor the police will be responsible if anything happens. God forbid!
Yes, the application is filled and signed but nowhere in that application is it noted not even in the finest of prints that it said the GATES will be locked behind you when you pass through. Well they are locked- Oh yes! Locked I say and it is not one gate. There are three gates, that means the people are going in old Bailey or San Quentin.
Well hey! That being so the governor, the government, the police and whosoever planned this will be responsible should anything unforeseen happens by unforeseen I mean anything caused by the volcano for that is what they say they are trying to prevent.
How could the scientists keep stressing that as long as the dome is growing, pyroclastic flows can happen at anytime without any warning and therefore if anyone is in the area when something is seen the sirens will be sounded and people must leave those areas immediately? How could you get out immediately if these gates are locked and no one is there to open them?
Just imagine, people are told to assemble at a point The scientist comes dressed in his red suit and announces that he is in that suit because he is going in a hot area. What does that mean to the rest of us who are not dressed in red suits and are going in the same area. Next you are reminded that only person per household is allowed to go in and you would be given help if you so need, huh! Much help, if you have to be telling someone what to do. Now you are in and every so often somebody calls "How much longer will you be or are you nearly finished?" That is a distraction, then after hustling, you come to one of the San Quentin gates and wait for an hour or more until the last person comes, then the famous gate is open, the flock is allowed to pass through.
On to the second gate, but alas the officer has to wait until the last one passes through. Then he locks the gate and he strolls, walks, drives or whatever to the second gate where everybody is waiting for him to open that gate so they can go to the next stop and wait for the process to be repeated.
What a fiasco! If one is going in at one's own risk then do not lock the gates behind them for by so doing you are taking responsibility should anything happen.
The prisoners of Old Bailey and San Quentin are the responsibility of the authorities because they lock the gates behind them. If you are to be absolved from everything and anything that may happen - God forbid!
THEN do not close the gates when you allow people to go to these areas. Let them know they are allowed 'X' hours and as is often stressed the sirens would be sounded if anything unforeseen occurs and the people are to get out immediately. There will be no gates to impede the immediate exit and nobody will be responsible for anything.
Locking the gates behind the people is trying to do what Bishop Hatto did to the people who went to his granary asking for corn. He opened the doors sent them all in then closed the doors and set the granary afire, it is obvious what happened. Do not allow such a catastrophe.
Brown & Root Seeks to Improve its Image
Brown and Root, an European company that was contracted to build emergency shelters on the island, has taken on the service of former Permanent Secretary, Tony Maloney, as Public Relations Officer.
Maloney is expected to improve the public image of the company as it seeks to become a corporate citizen of the country. He is also expected to foster stronger links with the people of Montserrat by hearing complaints and accepting constructive criticisms.
Leo Bedford, Project Manager for the company, told the Reporter that this is in an effort for the company to take on a more pro-active role with the government and the community.
"We want to work together with the people and the government for a common goal - a better Montserrat," he said.
According to Bedford the company will slow down its activities for the traditional Christmas break, but a skeleton staff will be retained to 'provide immediate response in the case of any emergency."
Politicians Look into Housing Dilemma
The housing problem has been the greatest "fiasco" since the present volcanic crisis, is the word from opposition politician the Hon. Brunel Meade.
"There has been too much frustration, confusion, red tape and lack of transparency surrounding the government housing program," Meade remarked.
He said he knows of persons who have been waiting for over a year for housing assistance.
"Some of those, whom I have personally helped, have not had the courtesy of a simple reply," Meade said.
Minister of Housing Hon. Percival Austin Bramble told the Reporter that Meade is simply blowing "hot air."
"The houses are allocated by a point system. Persons who, regardless to who they are, score the highest points are awarded houses. The system is absolutely transparent. Some people just want to be critical," Bramble countered.
Meade said he feels that the $150 rental for Brown and Root constructed houses at Davy Hill is the most "outrageous and confusing episode surrounding the building crisis." He said it is unfortunate for people who have decide to "tough it out" here to be saddled with house rent. Meade suggested that a moratorium for the duration of the crisis should be extended to the occupants.
"People who have left are given free passages to England with assistance for accommodation and housing, health benefits and income support. Where is the incentive for staying home?" Meade asked.
Meade also feels that the buildings, which he said cost $155,000 per unit, required no technology which could not be sourced locally.
"These houses require no technology that local builders do not possess, but as subcontractors they only receive half of the total cost of the units," Meade said.
Commenting on the issue of rent Bramble said the ability to pay rent is not a factor in the allocation of the houses. He pointed out that the rent was necessary to make it easier to access further help.
"Housing relocated persons in the North takes enormous quantities of money. We don't want to appear as if we are simply giving away the money, plus having something to show from what you spent makes it easier to get further financial assistance," Bramble said.
He also made it clear that the local government had no input in the decision to engage the services of Brown and Root.
"After June 25, Minister Clare Short allocate 6.5 million pounds for housing in the North of the island. No body in Montserrat had any power to changed that; neither were we consulted. We would have preferred to engage local contractors and we would have preferred to use traditional construction, but we were not allowed that input. The only thing we could have done was to refuse the help - that is not an acceptable option," he said.
Bramble said the houses, which cost about "$53,000," are provided in an effort for displaced persons from the south to own their own properties.
"All the rent will go towards the purchase price of the house. The owners will get the advantage of owning not only the house but also the land. They will also get the benefit of the high cost of servicing thrown in," the Housing Minister said.
Bramble revealed that there is now more than an equal number of persons waiting to get a house.
"Even people who are renting are waiting to get one of the houses. Clearly they are much better than the shelter conditions," Bramble said.
When contacted Leo Bedford, Project Manager for Brown and Root Construction Company, confirmed that the building cost for each house does include land and infrastructure.
"Some of that is paid to MONLEC, Montserrat Water Authority, sewage facility and contractors," Bedford said.
Bedford emphasized his company's role in the construction of the houses."We are the project manager. As such we look into the logistics, coordination, cost control and scheduling. We are paid a standard fee for the job,' he explained.
Wilson Speaks of Dismal Business Prospects
By staff reporter
Uncertainty, lack of national direction and the pressure of relocating are factors that are grinding out the courage of veteran businessman John Wilson.
When asked why he has not relocated his well-missed Salem based business, Wilson said that a combination of tiredness and uncertainty has him in limbo.
"I am tired and very weary. It is hard keeping up with the pressures the government is heaping on people. I feel that it is time to stop and seriously assess where I am going," Wilson told the Reporter.
He revealed that he used savings earmarked for retirement years to invest in relocating his business to Salem. The news of further relocation without financial help was "crushing," he admitted.
"I had to seriously consider my next move. I decided to give the island six months to see what will be happening. It is hard to keep up with the every thing they are imposing. They seem so heavy handed with the policies," he said.
Wilson said he feels the government has very little sympathy for businesses, which according to him, are the cornerstone of the economy.
"We have not had any encouragement from the government. Businesses mean that the people are working and essential products and services are being provided. If businesses close down this will drive people away." Wilson said.
Commenting on the demise of established businesses such as Kelsick and Osborne, Wilson said that these are omens of a doomed economy.
"It is almost too late. I am horrified to see businesses like O R Kelsick folding, and Osborne suffering crushing blows. These are businesses that have been there so long. The local government and the Mother country have taken it for granted that businesses will simply survive without any help. It's wrong. It is a priceless mistake. The country will suffer for it," Wilson said.
He points not only to the closure of business, but also the downsizing process of many businesses, which he says results in lost jobs. This has domino effect on families who lose income - an added strain on the burdened situation of the crisis.
"It has gone so far we simply will have to crash to the bottom," Wilson said in a telephone interview with the Reporter.
Commenting of the ongoing five-year-development plan, Wilson said it is a mere charade.
"That is nonsense. If they are not willing to do simple things like helping the businesses, are they going to spend the vast sums to develop the North?" Wilson asked.
He said it is "nerve wracking" for businesses to watch the consumer base shrinking.
"It is a tight-rope situation. Should we go or stay? Every day hundreds of people are leaving the island. Should I spend what is left of my scarce resources to re-establish a shaky business? There is no insurance, banks are not allowing overdraft; the level of uncertainty is very high," the businessman lamented.
He said he has not heard of the small business loan scheme, which was promised by the British Government. Informed sources said this was agreed to since July last year.
The Reporter asked Roslyn Cassell, Executive Director of National Development Foundation, about the promised small business loans.
"We made the project proposal and forwarded it to the Aid Management Office here, about two months ago. We have not heard anything from them since," she said.
Cassell said the proposal involves buildings to house businesses, provide technical assistance and give soft loans to small businesses. Cassell is keeping her fingers crossed; she hopes that it comes through before the year ends.
"If something is not done before the end of the year, business are willing to take their own risks," she said.
Head of the AMO, Frank Black, told the reporter that the project was sent to London.
"It is happily resting in London. They are reviewing it; we have not had any response," Black said.
Meanwhile many are speculating that this is another attempt by the British to frustrate Montserratians to the point of leaving.
On the weekend of November 14-16, Bishop Donald Reece, the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of St. John's Basseterre, was on island for a pastoral visit. Two weeks earlier he had been on island for 10 days to take Fr. Larry's place while he was away in St. Kitts for a break. During that visit Bishop Reece realized that the only two candidates left on island out of a clan of 16 who had been on a two-year preparation course for the sacrament of confirmation would be leaving soon. So the Bishop rearranged his calendar and came to confirm Neville Gage and Curtis West.
It was a joy-filled celebration as these two young men stepped forward in faith, asking to be confirmed and filled with the Holy Spirit, as they pledged to endeavour to walk the way of the Lord.
At the end of the ceremony, the Bishop surprised the community by announcing that he had seven papal awards to bestow on some members of the congregation.
These awards had indeed been in preparation for many years but what with one thing and another effecting us here in Montserrat, the conferral of those awards had been postponed many times.
Now, however, with so many people leaving the island - some of those being recognised had already gone. The Bishop said: "We will today bestow on the recipients or their representation their well deserved awards. It is an occasion of joy for our whole community. The recipients are a credit to us and their joy and honour is ours, as the Caribbean song says, "no man is an island" reminds us "each man's joy is joy to me." The apostolic nuncio and the congregation for the evangelization of people through whom the Pope has sent these awards, wish to congratulate both the recipients and the church community of the quality people the "Emerald Isle" of the Caribbean has produced. The following church members were called and conferred with the Papal Award - Benemerenti: Betty Cynthia Browne, Cedric Osborne, Eileen Edwards, Camilla Watts, Sis. Rita Cavaretta, I.C.M., Theresa Daniel and Betrand Osborne, all for for the Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice award.
Another Baby has Hole in the Heart
From all appearances Shomari looks normal. Round face sporting fleshy cheeks, his childish eyes beam innocence. At five years he is unaware of his dreadful condition - congenital heart disease.
A tiny hole in the heart has conditioned him to be sickly, weak and often tired.
"He gets very bad colds; develops ear infections and is always sleeping," explained Arlene Duberry, mother of the sick child.
Duberry said his condition causes him to rest more frequently than other children when he tries to play active games. He often sleeps in class; an activity, for which his teacher marks him down. "The teacher does not understand; she feels that he is stubborn," Duberry said.
Duberry, who is originally from Cork Hill revealed that she has spent over $3000 dollars trying to get her son permanently well. Although in her early twenties Duberry said she too has become weary with the situation. Spending out-of-pocket money she has been visiting a cardiologist in Antigua.
"When I tried to get help from the government the amount of papers to sign take so long that I simply had to go before they were completed," Duberry told the Reporter.
She said she was advised by Glendon hospital doctors to go to London. While she is intent to do anything that is necessary to get her son well, she does not want relocate to England permanently.
"I want to know that when I get to England that I will be given direct assistance for my son. I don't want to be shuffled about, and I want to be able to come back," she said.
Duberry also share some of her other reservations about England.
"I have family here who can help me if I need help, in England I have nobody. I don't want to go there to sit down and get hand outs; I much prefer to work for myself. Plus I want to be able to come back when the treatment of the boy is finished," Duberry said.She hopes that the government will be willing to help her to get her son well.
Attempts to contact Chief Medical Officer on the matter were unsuccessful up to press time.
Harnessing the Power of the Internet for Disaster and Epidemic
Taking full advantage of the internet for more effective disaster and epidemic management was the focus of the recent World Health Organisation (WHO) and Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) sponsored meeting in Bogota, Columbia.
Representatives from 42 countries agreed that "health crisis management cannot be accomplished without access to and management of timely information."
The rise in man-made disasters and communicable diseases has become a global crisis.
According to the report coming out of the meeting, "epidemics of influenza, cholera or malaria, global warming and more recently the El Nino" make the need for cooperation among the international community more urgent.
The rapid growth of the internet has made it a much more cost effective method to disseminate information locally and internationally, the report said. However, the report admitted that many countries may not have the resources to exploit the potential of the internet for public health, education and disaster reduction.
This problem widens the gap between "those with unlimited access to information’ and those who, for mainly economic reasons, have very limited resources.
The report recommended that preferential rates of communication technology be made to the health sector and crisis management agencies in developing countries.
The decentralization of radio networks and a more liberal policy towards the free flow of information was also recommened.
The need was emphasised for more cooperation among global partners in detecting and reporting vital information by the quickest and most cost effective means.
The eradication and prevention of selected diseases by the year 2000 is the target of WHO/PAHO.
Improvement of Ferry Service starting Dec 15, 300-seat ferry, Antilles Express, is scheduled to provide a 6 day per week ferry service.
The ferry currently operates Tuesdays to Thursday, while M.V Deluxe operates Mondays,Fridays and Mondays.
Passengers are reportedly more eager to travel on the Express because of it size, comfort and speed.
"Originally the daily service wa s due to start on Dec. 22 but plans were changed following negotiations between Minister of Public works and the operaters of the ferry," a release from the CM office said.
After three decades of molding minds, Mrs. Camilla Watts retires from the education system. An apprecation dinner reception and a church service were organized to give Watts her "flowers" of appreciation, this week.
Teachers, education officials and students painted glowing reports of her hard work, dedication and committment through the years.
Director of Education Oslyn Jemmotte, gave the history of Watts carreer during the dinner reception, while Jeanelda Howson did the honours at the church service. (Next week Reporter will carry an indepth review of Watts' career).
Radio Montserrat Improves Service
Information from government-owned radio station ZJB, says the station is presently installing a small FM transmitter in Lawyers Mountain. Station manager, Rose Willock said this week it will allow persons in the central zone, who are unable to pick up broadcast signals to hear ZJB.
"As soon as installation of the new transmitter is complete residents in Salem, Olveston, Woodlands and St. Peter’s would be able to listen to the radio station," Willock said.
The station expects to be running full blast by the end of the month.
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Cana -
St. Kitts and Nevis' OppositionLeader, Hugh Heyliger, was arrested and charged Friday last week after failing to testify before a state-appointed commissioner probing charges of corruption in the last administration.
Heyliger was freed on bail of EC$500 and is to reappear in court Jan. 12.
The government of Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas set up the commission in mid-1997 to investigate allegations of corruption, fraud, breach of trust, conflict of interest and any other wrong-doing during the People's Action Movement (PAM) administration of 1980-1995.
The sole commissioner, Dominica-born jurist Randolph Williams, started the public inquiry late July.
Heyliger, a former minister of agriculture, and former Prime Minister Dr. Kennedy Simmonds were among those summoned to appear before the commission.
Simmonds and Heyliger are alleged to have received a questionable payment of EC$59,217 and EC$10,000 respectively as management expenses from the National Caribbean Insurance Company Limited in October 1989.
Former NCIC board members were also summoned to appear before the commission.
Heyliger was called to testify last week, but said his lawyer was unavailable. On Friday, after he declined to testify, Commissioner Williams cited him for contempt and told the police to execute an arrest warrant.
Heyliger said the arrest was a "drastic measure" orchestrated by the government.
Heyliger, the lone PAM member of parliament, said there had been "a concerted effort to destroy me politically".
TORTOLA, Cana -
Chief Minister and Minister for Finance Ralph O'Neal has introduced a US$127 million 1998 budget crafted, he said,
after several "tough choices and difficult decisions."
Of this sum, Chief Minister O'Neal said $108.4 million will go to cover current account expenditure, which is 3.7 per cent higher than the revised current account expenditure figure for 1997.
With the estimated surplus on 1997 recurrent operations of almost $19 million, the Chief Minister proposed to contribute $17 million to partially fund the local capital budget for 1998, and to contribute $500,000 to the Emergency/Disaster Relief Fund. Some $25 million have been earmarked for the capital budget.
The budget estimate also calls for "planned" contributions of $1,020,366 to the reserves "in the event of the proverbial rainy day." The estimated reserves stand at an audited amount of over $36 million.
The Chief Minister noted in his Budget Address that for the first time the territorial budget will feel the full brunt of an entire year's operating costs of a number of recently completed capital projects. "The Virgin Gorda Administration Building, the Police Barracks and the HMS Prison at Balsam Ghaut are expected to place the greatest new demands on our operating budget."
He also noted that if Government is to meet the territory's overall infrastructure needs, it will have to spend upwards of $150 million over the next five years on upgrading highways and road systems, the Queen Elizabeth 11 Bridge, improving airport facilities, the sewerage system, hospital, schools, post office, college facilities, and constructing the financial service complex and the law block.
With tourism being the primary generator of economic activities in the BVI, a "sizeable subvention" has been proposed for the Tourist Board, he said. "We must ensure that the territory as a destination remains an attractive and competitive player. Government must be prepared to promote and position our product in the primary markets for quality leisure experiences," he said.
The Chief Minister listed the major goals of his administration, one of which is "to ensure that the BVI is equipped to rise to the challenges of a new and fast changing global economy through education, and curriculum development, to improvement of health care services, and to encourage the dynamic linkages of tourism, and to improve linkages of financial services to other sectors of the economy".
In presenting the bill, entitled The Mutual Funds (Amendment) Act 1997, in the last sitting of Council (Nov. 28), the Attorney General noted the significant input of the private sector to the amendments, further emphasising these linkages. The bill was unanimously passed.
He said "the financial services programmes and policies will continue to be fine tuned and customised to ensure that they remain fully compliant with internationally acceptable standards and are at the cutting edge of the global financial industry".
The linkages coupled with the expectation of controlled inflation, in both the domestic and external markets, significant activities in the tourism and financial services, moderate expansion in commerical bank credit, and a general upswing in public sector outlays should result, he anticipates, in an economy with a growth rate of approximately 4 to 4.2 per cent in 1998.
Antigua PM Bird Appoints Parliamentary Secretary
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, Cana -
Popular sports personality Senotor Guy Yearwood has been appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Community Development, with full responsibility for Sports and Carnival.
An announcement from the Office of the Prime Minister Friday said Yearwood was also assigned the post of Chairman of the Carnival Development Committee (CDC).
"I expect that Guy Yearwood will be of considerable help to Minister Bernard Percival in sharing the burden of these important tasks upon which the government, as a whole, places great importance," Prime Minister Lester Bird said.
The Prime Minister said that on the sports and youth side, Yearwood was the most successful national youth and cricket coach Antigua and Barbuda has had.
Bird said that Yearwood brings to the job an intimate understanding of the sports person. He recalled that Yearwood was a former opening batsman for the Leeward and Combined Islands and Captain of the Antigua cricket team.
"Both our greatest cricketing stars Andy Roberts and Vivian Richards played under Yearwood's captaincy," Bird said.
As regards Carnival, the Prime Minister said that Yearwood had been a calypso writer for years with a keen interest in maintaining Carnival not only as an expression of Antiguan and Barbudan culture, but also as a "people event."
"I expect Senator Yearwood to combine enthusiasm for carnival's success with a sensitivity to the requirements of the many calypsonians, musicians and artists who make Carnival a wonderful spectator and participatory event," the Prime Minister said.
Until this new appointment, Senator Yearwood held the post of Commissioner of Sports and Youth in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Community Development.
He is currently one of the comments personalities on the very popular radio and television programme "Sports Action Line" on ABS Radio and Television.
The British Plan is Right on Target
by Cheddy Browne
"It would clearly be less expensive to move everyone off island than to help build the north. But since we are told (repeatedly) that volcanology is not an exact science, what will be the value of the report anyhow, except to possibly let UK off the hook?"
It is good to see a statement such as this in print.
From the beginning the British did not evacuate the people of Montserrat.
Of the 7,000 plus People who have left the island since this crisis started, the vast majority paid for their own evacuation out of pocket.
Presently, the vast majority scattered and dispersed, are still surviving on their own, how they can.
The British have gone to great lengths to control the flow of information coming out of the scientific community. To insure total control, they eventually replaced the Caribbean head of the Volcano Observatory with British scientists.
Despite the British attempts to control that information, some people in the community were aware of the fact that the inside scientific reports estimated a period of approximately 2 years, before the volcano would reach highly destructive levels.
The British administrative personnel and the scientific community were fully aware of that fact.
There was ample time to evacuate the population in an organised and orderly fashion.
However, the then governor of Montserrat, used that period of time, to create a situation of panic and havoc.
Using the radio station, the governor went on the air daily, to give the people this message. "If you are not comfortable with the situation leave."
The governor created such an atmosphere of despair and panic that it caused the people to believe that the only choice they had was to FLEE for their lives instantly.
The end result is that many did just that. They picked up their children, and themselves and they left. No planning, no coordination, no assistance, nothing. They left in most cases with just a suitcase.
The governor's message, was fully reinforced. A British supply aircraft was coming to Montserrat at the time. People who attempted to get FREE flights out of Montserrat on that aircraft were told that they had to sign a statement absolving the British government of any responsibility for them once they landed in any foreign country, including England.
I attempted to get my three children on one of those aircrafts, so I speak from firsthand knowledge.
The flights were eventually done away with as more and more people began to complain as to the selectivity of the persons who got to take a Free flight while the majority were forced to purchase LIAT's full fare return tickets.
So the message was clear. Not only were the People panicked into leaving without any organised planning, they were also being told that wherever they eventually settled the British government was in no way responsible for them. They were on their own.
Instead of using the two-year time frame to systematically shift and maintain community cohesiveness, the then governor of Montserrat, Frank Savage, used the situation to depopulate the island as quickly and as cheaply as possible.
This he did with little or no cost to the British.
The British planners never intended to finance a Montserrat community of more than 4,000 People.
The evacuation plan that is still oh so secret, is secret for only one reason.
It only made contingencies for the evacuation of 4,000. They made arrangements, to evacuate only 4,000 People.
They would create two temporary communities. One half would go to Guadeloupe, and the other to Antigua.
It was never their intention, from the beginning, to finance, relocate and keep the entire community intact.
Their plans then and their plans now included only 4,000 of us. Knowing they had two years to reduce our numbers to 4,000 they systematically went about doing so.
There is no doubt in my mind, that the actions taken by the British are well thought out, analysed, and agreed upon step by step, phase by phase. In legal terms. Premeditated.
Their CHEAPNESS, is universal. Their inhuman treatment of ones not considered "kith and kin" are fully documented on the pages of history.
The British have completed another phase in their manipulation of the people of Montserrat and are now ready to implement the next step.
Right on schedule.
The British have manipulated the People of Montserrat, and they continue to do so, to satisfy a program that they started to put in place since 1989.
Even as the volcano destroys our lives, they continue to implement their program.
The FCO, the ODA, the BDD, and all the other planners and implementers for colonial policy should take note of the fact, that the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.
This is even more true, when dealing with colonised People. Despite what is being done now, in TIME, Montserrat will be claimed by the people.
The People, descendants of Africans, enslaved and now still manipulated, will take what their PARENTS suffered and died for.
The LAND is ours, and someday we will liberate it. In time, Montserrat will be FREE and INDEPENDENT despite the devious plans and schemes to take the land and keep the people subservient.
by Dr. Howard Fergus
(UWI School of Continuing Studies)
The University of the West Indies will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 1998 and has planned a number of activities to highlight this milestone in Caribbean education. The University College of the West Indies (UCWI) was established in 1948 and incorporated the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture formed in 1922 and located in Trinidad. Headquartered in Jamaica, the UCWI was affiliated with the University of London. This means that although some of us studied in Jamaica we graduated with London University degrees. The University became autonomous in 1964 and began issuing its own degrees in 1965.
The first Montserratian to study at the University was Vincent Bennett Browne, who entered in 1952. He made a valuable contribution to the extra-scholastic life of the University as a musician. Since then the University has educated scores of Montserratians. Even in our depleted population it was surprising to discover that there were over 40 persons with valid UWI academic credentials. There is a number of persons who did not actually study at one of the major campuses but at the local University Centre. These include persons such as Peter J. West, Veronica Lee, Sarah Silcott, Shirley Williams, Steve Foster, Venita Cabey, Elvetta Chalmers and Joseph O'garro, who now hold either the UWI Certificate of Business Administration or the Certificate in Public Adminstration.
Like Barbados with Erskine Standford and Owen Arthur, Montserrat has two heads of government who were educated at the UWI in Reuben Meade and David Brandt. This is only one indication of the UWI's contribution to development in Montserrat; for its graduates are found in all fields of endeavour on the island. Some of our key figures may have pursued their first degree elsewhere., but have afterwards followed UWI courses as well. Mr. Kenneth Cassell, Miss Kathie Greenaway, Hon. C. T. John and Mr. Randall Greenaway are examples of this.
The University is not just a university of people with academic degrees. Many persons have benefited from our on-island courses and the University Centre has been a most productive sponsor of the creative arts.
by the Independent Thinker
It may be the time to give thanks.
The volcano has been quiet. People are filled with hope that the soft loans and business loans projects may be coming on stream. The 50 houses in Davy Hill are being occupied. The 50 houses at Look out are being built. The 5-year sustainable plan and the physical development plan are being worked on. The population has stabilized. A few stouthearted Montserratians are coming home for Christmas. Lands have been found for the farmers. We do seem to have so much to be thankful for.
And of course just as we are settling down and giving God the glory at least one of the same two guys who have from the start conspired to ruin us are at it again. It is time for us to seriously consider not just making these guys "persona non grata." Let us ban them from Montserrat. Let us banish them to wander like the lost tribe of Israel. After all this is the fate they have mapped out for us. Why not expose them to the hellish life they are creating for us? It is a good thing we Montserratians are not unruly mobs nor given to premeditated acts of violence. Can you imagine how easy it would be to assuage our anger and frustrations?
Now we can not blame these forked-tongued guys alone. After all we do still have a sitting Government. What have they done that is proactive or protective of Montserrat lately? What have they done to stem the tide of negative press or departing Montserratians? What have they done since the release of the British Inquiry report to dispel the half truths or untruths contained therein? What have they done anyway? The soft loan program is no where in sight. The business loans program is no where in sight. The hot mix plant is still not assembled. But Rams is closed, the large ferry is on for Christmas and the food vouchers are now being paid in cash. So now Antiguan business men can give God the glory because it would seem that the Government of Montserrat wants to ensure the failure of the business sector on Montserrat. It would seem clear that our own Government is part of the conspiracy plan to get us off Montserrat.
It would seem that our Government is aiding and abetting these two forked-tongued gentlemen who tell us time and time again that they cannot predict what the volcano would do at any given time. But now they insist even as the volcano is doing more of the same on the southern side, that there are dire times ahead for residents here. That the north is uncertainly safe. That we are going to choke on ash. These gentlemen have a chosen profession. They have a task that was not thrust upon them. It was a career path that they chose. And yet these two faced gentlemen are telling us that they have developed respiratory problems as a result of living on Montserrat.
Tell me, were they unaware of the risks involved in doing this task that they chose of their own free will? If you watch any televised program about volcanoes and the guys who watch them, at no point in time would you hear the guys who monitor volcanoes complain about the physical hardships that they suffer, not to mention trying to influence others not exposed. Where were these deceitful wimps found? And even as we give God the glory we need to ask why were we saddled with them?
Caribbean people are wise. Caribbean people are intellectuals. Caribbean people are aware when mischievous and juvenile frauds are being perpetrated on them. We know it's about the money. We heard about the golden elephants when we demanded, "show me the money."
We understand the theory of "managed delay." We know about prevarication. They are being practiced around us all day, every day. We understand studies that go on forever. It is not our Government who is trying to spy on us. It is not Her Majesty's government trying to get information on us. It is about "managed delay." It is about frustrating the "islanders" off the island.
Guys don't try that. We are on to you. The volcano has not frightened us off the island. So you choose to find another bogeyman. The health issue won't cut it. The people in Japan and elsewhere live with higher risks and tons of ash just under a volcano. We know what you're doing. We know what you want. We fully understand that you are following the party line. We know you need to be shown the money too. We are Caribbean peoples. The first world has been doing that to the third world for years. Did you not know we would learn your games? We say to you, and all other wimps, try something else. The health issue is not the issue.
And yes, to God we give the glory.
Most Common Gas Producers: Milk, Beans
Foods that may fight Gas: Ginger, Garlic, Peppermint
Everybody has gas. If you don't have gas-the normal healthy person passes gas 14 times a day-you're not alive. Excessive accumulation of gas in the intestinal tract-or flatulence (from the Latin flatus-a blowing) is an ancient universal complaint that has spawned lots of natural remedies, called "carminatives," such as peppermint, that help expel gas. Usually, they are the same foods that you belch. Too much gas can be uncomfortable, sometimes painful and socially embarrassing but it's rarely a sign of a serious disease, says Dr. Michael Levitt, University of Minnesota, authority on flatulence. But, if gas seems worrisome to you, the best way to control it is by diet.
HOW FOOD CAUSES GAS
When you eat carbohydrates-sugars, starches and fibre-much of them are not completely absorbed or digested in the stomach or small intestine. The residue then ends up in the large intestine, the home of hungry, harmless colonies of bacteria that feast upon the leftovers. This fermentation process spews off mixed gases; most of these are odorless, but a few are so odoriferous they can be detected by the human nose in a mere 100 parts per million of air.
How much gas you produce varies greatly from person to person.
Here are the most copious gas producers in most people:
The most notorious universal gas producer is the family of oligosaccharide sugars, notably raffinose, highly in concentrated beans and much less so in other vegetables. These reach the large intestine in massive amounts because humans lack the enzyme (alpha-galactosidase) to digest them properly. Eating baked beans, one study found, increased the amount of gas released by 12 times. Lactose, a sugar in milk, is another big gas generator for the many people who are deficient in the enzyme lactase, needed to digest the milk sugar. Such people are deemed 'lactase intolerant." Drinking two cups of milk boosted gas release by eight times in a study of persons with lactose intolerance.
Soluble fibre, like that in oat bran (beta-glucans) and apples (pectin), also often passes into the large intestine, becoming fodder for gas-producing bacteria. Drinking a quart of apple juice increased gas output four times, in one test.
Small amounts of starch can escape intact from the stomach and small intestine to become food for large bowel bacteria. This means that virtually all starchy foods-wheat, oats, potatoes, and even plain bread and pasta made with flour-can sometimes be gaseous, says Dr. John Bond, another flatulence researcher at the University of Minnesota. Among carbohydrates, rice is least likely to cause gas he says.
GREAT GAS FROM THE COW
Looking for the gas culprit? Focus on milk and dairy products (except yogurt). Surprisingly, dairy foods, not beans are the number-one cause of flatulence in the country, says Dr. Levitt. The reason is simple-varying degrees of lactose intolerance, much of it unsuspected. You can have from mild to severe lactose intolerance and not even know it, but one sign is excessive gas after drinking milk or eating certain dairy products. Yogurt is exempt. It does not produce gas, Dr. Levitt's test show.
INFAMOUS GAS PRODUCERS
Although individuals vary, here are the foods most likely to produce gas, as reported in Environmental Nutrition:
HIGHLY GASSY
Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, dried beans and peas, milk and dairy products (for people who have difficulty digesting the natural sugar in milk), onions, rutabagus, soybeans, turnips.
MODERATELY GASSY
Apples, bananas, bread and bread products (including bagels), carrots, celery, and eggplant.
NOT SO GASSY
Eggs, fish, meat, oils, poultry, rice
BLOCK GAS WITH GINGER AND GARLIC
Add a little garlic and/or ginger to your pot of beans or other gaseous vegetable. Both are reputed in folk medicine to be antiflatulent. Recently researchers at India's G. B. Pant University documented their effectiveness. After finding green peas to be, a major producer of gas in animal experiments the investigators did a test on dogs by adding a little ginger or garlic-amounts generally used in cooking-to the peas to see what would happen. Indeed, the herbs were potent gas blockers, taking nearly all the gas-producing power out of peas. When the dogs got peas with either ginger or garlic, gas production was no greater than it was from a wheat cereal, which was the least gaseous food tested. The researchers pronounced the tradition of adding spices to legumes and vegetables to be based on "sound principles."
DE-GAS YOUR BEANS
You can rob beans of their "flatulence factor" by soaking them, according to US Department of Agriculture researchers, who cooked nine varieties of dried beans, using a special "blanch and soak" method. The de-gassed beans lost about 50 percent of their gaseous powers. Here's how to do it, according to USDA researchers:
Rinse beans. Add them to boiling water and boil in a covered pot for three minutes. Let stand for two hours. Pour off the water, and add water at room temperature to just cover the beans. After two hours, pour this water off. Add more water and let soak overnight. Rinse again with room-temperature water. (Actually, researchers rinsed five times, but once or twice are enough, they say.)
Then add water to cover and cook until done, about 75 to 90 minutes.
ANTIGAS DIET PRECRIPTION
If you have excessive gas, suspect lactose intolerance from milk and dairy products; the exception is yogurt.
Beware sorbitol, the low-calorie sweetener, another ferocious gas producer.
Observe your diet to determine which foods produce gas.
Use cooking methods that minimize gas production from beans.
Add garlic and ginger to gaseous foods.
If the problem is bothersome, cut down on eating foods you know cause gas.
By B. Roach
Already books can be written on the very poor mismanagement of this volcanic crisis we have been facing for nearly 29 months now. The blunders have been many and the people of Montserrat are the ones who continue to suffer, economically, emotionally and spiritually.
Prior to August and since then all kinds of reasons have been cooked, imagined and rationalised why Montserrat should be rid of inhabitants. There has been not a single report which gave any credence to the desire for those who wish to stay to do so.
Yes, the British Government, prompted by local government, has made repeated promises of their commitment to develop the northern end of the island. But every opportunity Clare Short and company imagined, backed up by reports, which the scientists contend they misinterpret, they use to implement their perverse plan of wait and see - promise, but hold on, wait till the volcano do its thing, the science is too unpredictable.
They receive ample support from their Governor. And we should not forget that the scientists, no different from any professional, hired and paid as civil servants by the British Government, aided by the blindness of local government by the British promises, our emotions become so stressed, that soon it will make little difference to those who stay and those who wish to return.
Since August this year, sources from the EOC have threatened that by February, no one will be left in Montserrat. The now famous August Report began the slide which seemed to have slowed and the island was successfully depopulated by another 2,000 plus. The volcano following a series of explosions which caused some embarrassment and seemed to further the cause of 'nowhere safe', has turned rather only as far as the northern side is concerned.
No, the volcano is by no means quiet as is believed by many from the daily reports from the MVO, but with the activity concentrated at the southern end, it caused even the warnings about pyroclastic flows and surges coming down Belham, into Friths and Salem to be discontinued.
This week out comes a scientific report, preceded by remarks reportedly from some very suspect players suggesting that the volcano is likely to continue for several years and the longer it continues the more unsafe the entire island will become. We can look forward to the details of such a report with great interest. However with these early and suspicious comments, no guessing will be required as to what will happen to the repeated commitments, delayed for action.
Depending on the reports, it is doubtful that the British will force an evacuation, but with the support of our blundering, volcano uneducated authorities, we may well read reports of the grass and trees growing inside our homes safe and sound from Soufriere Hills volcano.
In the article appearing in this issue 'Enter at Your Own Risk', we see the authorities pressured into allowing access to properties in the 'exclusion zone,' still having the last say at being extremely awkward and again people's dignity and commonsense are lowered.
As a Montserratian relocated early after the start of the crisis says, "Perhaps it would make more sense if the police left the gates open and posted an officer at the first gate to make sure that unauthorised people did not take advantage and try to go in. God forbid that people should have to evacuate the zone speedily and come upon locked gates! I cannot understand the one person per house rule. For those who wish to go in with their wives, the woman is most important to quickly point out where everything that they need is. What is the rationale behind it? I suppose they want to limit the casualties. "I hope the authorities are reading and listening and that their rules are not "carved in stone".
Making it easier for us to go to Antigua to shop can not be in the interest of our economy and what do we need a œ100 million airport for?
So the blundering will continue, because there seems to be no appreciation of what is needed to keep up with knowing what fuel the minds of our colonial masters.
Fifth Form Students Share Feelings about Education System
Desiree Harris
Cannice Kelly.
Francelise White
Natasha Meade.
Nadine Sweeney.
Xavier White.
Shandrina Ryan.
A Poem by Dr. Howard Fergus
Young words sorely grieve soufriere and
Ignite sparks in Montserrat
When will someone show as flat.
Not in star-trek words and hieroglyph
Or Brer Anansi folklore
The summit truth the level score.
Up hill down hill long ground to town
Unlike sheep not everyone dumb
Our hopes are crushed at Geralds, rock bottom.
We are harassed and weary
Walking a treadmill of reports
Like imperial sceptres, swords of sorts.
Death forever levelled at our heads
Is exile an alternative
To Hameltan tension to live or not to live?
Village cemetery intact
I will not fertilize an alien tract
In Birmingham. A cold fact.
Me riddle Me riddle
Will a spine an' all fall
Heads or tails. It is Aspinal's call.
Columbus lie. A trip on the New Castle
Awesome, our own voyage of discovery has been
A girdle of hope. Long Ground in green.
My poem is a home made pill
To medicine this torture
Of words, this fetter, deadlier than sulphur.
WIndies hit all-time low in Pakistan
(Reuters)
West Indies cricket hit an all-time low on Tuesday, plunging to a level scarcely credible to enthusiasts round the world. The nadir was reached before lunch on Tuesday when Pakistan won the third and final test by 10 wickets with more than a day to spare. How the mighty are fallen.
Bowling greats like Wes Hall, Michael Holding, Andy Roberts and Malcolm Marshall are just memories. Batting giants such as Viv Richards, Richie Richardson and Clive Lloyd belong to yesteryear.
Tuesday's defeat followed ignominious reverses, both by an innings, in the first two tests and meant the first whitewash of the West Indies since 1928 when they lost their first ever series, against England.
The humiliation of three such thumping defeats comes on top of the 3-2 beating by Australia earlier this year in a bad-tempered contest seen widely as the unofficial world championship of test cricket. The series saw the West Indies' biggest defeat by Australia for 65 years - an innings and 183 runs thrashing in Adelaide.
Captain Courtney Walsh owned up after Tuesday's debacle: "We were completely outplayed in the series. The Pakistanis were far ahead of us in every department of the game."
The side has been branded by ex-Pakistani star Hanif Mohammad as the worst in the nine test-playing countries - and that includes Zimbabwe. They leave Pakistan winless from six matches, after losing three one-dayers as well.
Walsh took over from Richie Richardson after the West Indian failed World Cup campaign in 1996 and has led the team in their last five series, winning the first three against New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka.
On a personal level, he took the man of the series award in Pakistan for a back-bending 14-wicket haul but at the age of 35 time is not on his side.
Although keen to notch at least 24 more test victims to overtake Marshall's West Indies record figure of 376, Walsh indicated on Tuesday he would be unlikely to tour Pakistan in two years' time.
In any case his tenure as captain is sure to come under sharp scrutiny. Brian Lara has long been regarded as the captain-in-waiting, although received wisdom has it that the burdens of captaincy would adversely affect his batting - a view supported by his country's prime minister.
But even without the captain's mantle, Lara has only fitfully been the force of old.
His six innings in the current series yielded just 129 runs, 37 of them in Monday's second innings. His last test century, the 10th of his career, came against Sri Lanka in June but followed another lean spell.
Lara's test record 375 against England is now a distant memory and his repeated failures in Pakistan have put extra pressure on his less exalted colleagues.
Lloyd, now the team's manager, told BBC TV: "Our batting has been letting us down for quite a few years and it was terribly exposed here. We looked like second raters when were batting."
He added: "We have to get some young batsmen who really want to bring West Indies cricket back to the top again."
The next ordeal is the four-nation Sharjah Cup, also featuring England, Pakistan and India, and starting on Thursday.
Curtly Ambrose will miss the tournament after flying home for treatment on a back injury. He hopes to be fit for the visit of England next February.
Ironically, after so many torrid episodes in the Caribbean, Mike Atherton and his team go into the series with high hopes.
William Hill bookmakers offer some consolation for the home side whom they quote as 4-7 favourites with England at 3-1 and a drawn series also at 3-1, although before the Pakistan series the West Indies were 1-3 with England at 5-1.
Jus wonderin whether a revised Constitution of Montserrat would include the title Viceroy.
Jus wonderin how many people convoyed back into the Exclusion Zone found all the items they got permission to retrieve.
Jus wonderin whether Sir Kenneth Calman's team took the pains in assessing Montserrat's health care system that Katie Buffonge did in explaining it to Gov. Abbott.
Jus wonderin how many Montserratians have copies of the off-island evacuation procedures that former Gov. Savage told the Committee had been distributed.
Jus wonderin how many chief scientists it takes to map volcanic scenarios sufficiently horrendous to satisfy the prophets of doom in London.
Jus wonderin how many houses at Davy Hill have really been occupied.
Jus wonderin if Brown & Root's new public relations effort might be called Tony Maloney's Baloney.
Jus wonderin what the relationship is between the rumours of totally-forced off-island evacuation by February and the 3-month appointment of a police commissioner.
Jus wonderin if MAWU's commentator is running for government already.
Jus wonderin what RBC is doing to the financial community with the cashing of BOM checks policy.
Jus wonderin if the new police commissioner is just as objectionable as his predecessor only quietly.
Jus wonderin why no follow up is forthcoming to the new Davy Hill residents with washing facilities and garbage disposal facility among many other things required for basic and everyday living.
Jus wonderin what was really the purpose of the luncheon and dinners, and the round-island boat trip put on by the HMS Liverpool. Jus wonderin if it was a simulation of sorts.
Jus wonderin if the art teacher without an art-room will have a job after Cheese takes the stage.
Jus wonderin what the new developments are that stopped the visitations to the exclusion zones.
Jus wonderin why our politicians never tell us they don't really have any power iontserrat.
Jus wonderin what the difference is between the British civil servant scientists, the local civil service and the ministers of government.
Amerijet
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