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| REGIONAL |
Shooting Suspects Released Without Charge
By Sheena Brooks
The three young men taken into custody after last Friday’s shooting have since been released without any charges being
laid.
Inspector Cromwell Henry, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed that after three days of interrogation, they had
nothing to hold the men on and therefore had to release them.
The men were said to be “assisting police” with investigations into the mid-morning shooting of 20-year-old Shavaughn
‘Eldorado’ Hendricks of Lime Kiln Project.
At about 10:30 a.m. Hendricks and another young man were headed north toward the Lime Kiln basketball court when
a man approaching them from the opposite direction opened fire on the young men. Hendricks was hit about the body
several times but managed to run toward the Project houses. The other young man took off and ran south along Walwyn
Avenue (Democrat Road) seeking refuge from the shooter.
Police and the Anti-Gang Unit arrived on the scene a few minutes after and took custody of the unharmed youth. Hendricks
was found in the vicinity, leaned against a house, bleeding profusely and semi-conscious. He was rushed to the nearby
JNF Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to treat the multiple gunshot wounds. Several spent shells were
also collected from the scene as shaken villagers watched on.
Police continue to investigate this latest shooting, one of many such incidents plaguing the nation and especially the
West Basseterre area.
By Sheena Brooks
The three young men taken into custody after last Friday’s shooting have since been released without any charges being
laid.
Inspector Cromwell Henry, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed that after three days of interrogation, they had
nothing to hold the men on and therefore had to release them.
The men were said to be “assisting police” with investigations into the mid-morning shooting of 20-year-old Shavaughn
‘Eldorado’ Hendricks of Lime Kiln Project.
At about 10:30 a.m. Hendricks and another young man were headed north toward the Lime Kiln basketball court when
a man approaching them from the opposite direction opened fire on the young men. Hendricks was hit about the body
several times but managed to run toward the Project houses. The other young man took off and ran south along Walwyn
Avenue (Democrat Road) seeking refuge from the shooter.
Police and the Anti-Gang Unit arrived on the scene a few minutes after and took custody of the unharmed youth. Hendricks
was found in the vicinity, leaned against a house, bleeding profusely and semi-conscious. He was rushed to the nearby
JNF Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to treat the multiple gunshot wounds. Several spent shells were
also collected from the scene as shaken villagers watched on.
Police continue to investigate this latest shooting, one of many such incidents plaguing the nation and especially the
West Basseterre area.
| Curtains Come Down On Music Festival |
For the following:
* BOOK PRINTING & PUBLISHING
* BUSINESS CARDS
* BILL BOOKS
* BROCHURES
* OFFICE STATIONERY
* MAGAZINES
* Wedding Invitations etc.
Contact us today at:
Tel: 1-869-469-5907
Fax: 1-869-469-5891
Email: nevprint@sisterisles.kn
* BOOK PRINTING & PUBLISHING
* BUSINESS CARDS
* BILL BOOKS
* BROCHURES
* OFFICE STATIONERY
* MAGAZINES
* Wedding Invitations etc.
Contact us today at:
Tel: 1-869-469-5907
Fax: 1-869-469-5891
Email: nevprint@sisterisles.kn
| NEVIS PRINTING LIMITED |
LIAT Ticket Prices Flying Into Trouble
By Sheena Brooks
Aviation officials in St. Lucia have launched an investigation into regional carrier LIAT’s ticket pricing system and are urging other governments to follow suit.
On Saturday, St Lucia's Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Senator Allan Chastanet informed the media that an investigation has been launched into the taxes the airline collects
as part of its ticket fares, calling on LIAT officials to explain its “additional air taxes”.
He also implored LIAT to review its policies in hopes that it would result in lower fares for intra-regional travelers who constantly complain about the high fares charged by the
airline.
Chastanet took issue with claims made by LIAT officials that government taxes contribute significantly to the airline’s rising airfares. He stated some of the taxes being collected
by LIAT may be illegal on the basis that they are not indigenous to the islands for which they are being charged.
“Included in the fare structure is a sales tax for US$9.08, the passenger facility charge (departure tax) US$25, airport development tax US$4.82, fuel surcharge US$22.50. That is
on an airfare between St. Lucia and Port of Spain. Between St. Lucia and Barbados, sales tax is US$7.88, departure tax is the same, airport development tax US$.82, airport
authority tax US$1.50 and fuel surcharge US$16.75. I have met with the Air Licensing Committee for St Lucia and asked for a review of these taxes,” he said, citing the IKO
legislation which states that it is illegal to “incorrectly” collect taxes.
Based on LIAT’s current fare pricing system, taxes could be as much as 130% times the cost of the airfare; for example, a one-way fare costing US $68 can incur as much as
$88.65 in taxes.
These taxes are broken down into 6 main categories – Sales Tax, Fuel Surcharge, Passenger Facility Charge, Airport Passenger Tax, Airport Authority Tax and Airport
Development Tax. Some destinations incur all of these taxes or varying combinations and taxes are charged at different rates except for the Fuel Surcharge which remains at US
$22.50.
LIAT (1974 Ltd.) has held the monopoly on intra-regional air travel since the cessation of its competitor Caribbean Star in 2007, yet company heads continue to claim huge
financial losses year after year. Since taking the helm in April as Acting Chief Executive Officer after the contentious departure of CEO Mark Darby, Brian Challenger claimed the
airline was barely staying afloat.
Chastanet challenged that claim, pointing out a major cash injection from its three shareholder governments, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda and St Vincent and the
Grenadines; having the leases on several of the planes being written off by the Canadian government; and getting planes at cheaper costs.
Late last month Challenger had said, “We are very much committed to working with our aviation partners, governments, and the private sector.
“We recognise that in this difficult economic climate, everybody has to work together to achieve the aims of enhancing profitability and growth.”
All parties involved await the report that should be completed in about two weeks’ time, and should LIAT be found to have erroneously charged and collected certain taxes,
Chastanet said “we will make a decision on how we deal with the matter at that point”.
By Sheena Brooks
Aviation officials in St. Lucia have launched an investigation into regional carrier LIAT’s ticket pricing system and are urging other governments to follow suit.
On Saturday, St Lucia's Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Senator Allan Chastanet informed the media that an investigation has been launched into the taxes the airline collects
as part of its ticket fares, calling on LIAT officials to explain its “additional air taxes”.
He also implored LIAT to review its policies in hopes that it would result in lower fares for intra-regional travelers who constantly complain about the high fares charged by the
airline.
Chastanet took issue with claims made by LIAT officials that government taxes contribute significantly to the airline’s rising airfares. He stated some of the taxes being collected
by LIAT may be illegal on the basis that they are not indigenous to the islands for which they are being charged.
“Included in the fare structure is a sales tax for US$9.08, the passenger facility charge (departure tax) US$25, airport development tax US$4.82, fuel surcharge US$22.50. That is
on an airfare between St. Lucia and Port of Spain. Between St. Lucia and Barbados, sales tax is US$7.88, departure tax is the same, airport development tax US$.82, airport
authority tax US$1.50 and fuel surcharge US$16.75. I have met with the Air Licensing Committee for St Lucia and asked for a review of these taxes,” he said, citing the IKO
legislation which states that it is illegal to “incorrectly” collect taxes.
Based on LIAT’s current fare pricing system, taxes could be as much as 130% times the cost of the airfare; for example, a one-way fare costing US $68 can incur as much as
$88.65 in taxes.
These taxes are broken down into 6 main categories – Sales Tax, Fuel Surcharge, Passenger Facility Charge, Airport Passenger Tax, Airport Authority Tax and Airport
Development Tax. Some destinations incur all of these taxes or varying combinations and taxes are charged at different rates except for the Fuel Surcharge which remains at US
$22.50.
LIAT (1974 Ltd.) has held the monopoly on intra-regional air travel since the cessation of its competitor Caribbean Star in 2007, yet company heads continue to claim huge
financial losses year after year. Since taking the helm in April as Acting Chief Executive Officer after the contentious departure of CEO Mark Darby, Brian Challenger claimed the
airline was barely staying afloat.
Chastanet challenged that claim, pointing out a major cash injection from its three shareholder governments, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda and St Vincent and the
Grenadines; having the leases on several of the planes being written off by the Canadian government; and getting planes at cheaper costs.
Late last month Challenger had said, “We are very much committed to working with our aviation partners, governments, and the private sector.
“We recognise that in this difficult economic climate, everybody has to work together to achieve the aims of enhancing profitability and growth.”
All parties involved await the report that should be completed in about two weeks’ time, and should LIAT be found to have erroneously charged and collected certain taxes,
Chastanet said “we will make a decision on how we deal with the matter at that point”.
By John Denny
Observer Reporter
(Charlestown, Nevis) – The property occupied by the Four Seasons Resort will be auctioned on the
courthouse steps in Charlestown on July 9 at 2 p.m., according to court papers filed in the Nevis Circuit
of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court earlier this month. The property’s abstract shows 27 different
parcels of land that will be sold as a whole.
The seller, Lasalle Bank National Association, as trustee for the benefit of the holders of Wachovia Bank
commercial mortgage filed the notice on June 11.
The notice of sale states: “The successful bidder will be required to pay at the time of sale a deposit of
one-fourth of his/her/its accepted bid and the balance within one month from the day of sale.
Possession of the property will be given to the purchaser on payment of the deposit.
Any taxes due on the said property must be paid by the purchaser.
The purchaser will, after payment in full of the purchase price, obtain from the High Court of Justice 27
Certificates of Title to the property.
The property will be available for inspection prior to the date of sale by appointment with the Registrar
of the Supreme Court.
The property will be sold subject to the terms and conditions of the Operator-lender Non-disturbance
Agreement dated as of October 14, 2005made between Four Seasons Resort B.V., Four Seasons Hotels
Limited, Calyon New York Branch and Hotel Equity Fund V LLC. (A true and corrected copy of which is
attached to the Articles of Sale filed in the High Court of Justice), which provides, among other things, that the Amended and
Restated Hotel Management Agreement, dated as of November 19, 1996, shall continue in full force and effect after sale and
foreclosure.
Observer Reporter
(Charlestown, Nevis) – The property occupied by the Four Seasons Resort will be auctioned on the
courthouse steps in Charlestown on July 9 at 2 p.m., according to court papers filed in the Nevis Circuit
of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court earlier this month. The property’s abstract shows 27 different
parcels of land that will be sold as a whole.
The seller, Lasalle Bank National Association, as trustee for the benefit of the holders of Wachovia Bank
commercial mortgage filed the notice on June 11.
The notice of sale states: “The successful bidder will be required to pay at the time of sale a deposit of
one-fourth of his/her/its accepted bid and the balance within one month from the day of sale.
Possession of the property will be given to the purchaser on payment of the deposit.
Any taxes due on the said property must be paid by the purchaser.
The purchaser will, after payment in full of the purchase price, obtain from the High Court of Justice 27
Certificates of Title to the property.
The property will be available for inspection prior to the date of sale by appointment with the Registrar
of the Supreme Court.
The property will be sold subject to the terms and conditions of the Operator-lender Non-disturbance
Agreement dated as of October 14, 2005made between Four Seasons Resort B.V., Four Seasons Hotels
Limited, Calyon New York Branch and Hotel Equity Fund V LLC. (A true and corrected copy of which is
attached to the Articles of Sale filed in the High Court of Justice), which provides, among other things, that the Amended and
Restated Hotel Management Agreement, dated as of November 19, 1996, shall continue in full force and effect after sale and
foreclosure.
The Badness Outta Style” School Tour takes to the road in St. Kitts this week.
The three-day event from June 29th to July 1st, jointly sponsored by the Ministry of National Security and TEMPO, is
aimed at supporting an anti-violence message with a high energy presentation/performance for the youth and will
include local and regional artistes.
Appearances will be made by youth role models, representatives of the Ministry of National Security, Her Majesty’s
Prison, Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Education.
Visits will be made to the Washington Archibald High School, the Basseterre High School and the St. Theresa’s
Convent School on Monday, June 29th; at the Cayon High School and the Cayon Primary School on Tuesday, June
30th and at the Sandy Point High School, Sandy Point Primary and Verchild’s High on Wednesday July 1st.
Each show will last 90 minutes from 10:00 A.M to 11:30 A.M. with the exception of the how at the Cayon High School
which will begin at 11:30 A.M. on the school grounds.
Organisers are tight-lipped about the artistes saying the students who must be wearing school uniforms are in for a
surprise.
The campaign aimed at reducing and eradicating youth gang violence and crime in St. Kitts and Nevis and the
Caribbean was discussed between Founder, Chairman and CEO of TEMPO, Mr. Frederick Morton Jr. during a
courtesy call on St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas in January this year.
The anti-violence campaign is been duplicated throughout the Caribbean and involves regional governments,
corporate Caribbean, students, teachers, parents, the religious community and other social partners.
The three-day event from June 29th to July 1st, jointly sponsored by the Ministry of National Security and TEMPO, is
aimed at supporting an anti-violence message with a high energy presentation/performance for the youth and will
include local and regional artistes.
Appearances will be made by youth role models, representatives of the Ministry of National Security, Her Majesty’s
Prison, Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Education.
Visits will be made to the Washington Archibald High School, the Basseterre High School and the St. Theresa’s
Convent School on Monday, June 29th; at the Cayon High School and the Cayon Primary School on Tuesday, June
30th and at the Sandy Point High School, Sandy Point Primary and Verchild’s High on Wednesday July 1st.
Each show will last 90 minutes from 10:00 A.M to 11:30 A.M. with the exception of the how at the Cayon High School
which will begin at 11:30 A.M. on the school grounds.
Organisers are tight-lipped about the artistes saying the students who must be wearing school uniforms are in for a
surprise.
The campaign aimed at reducing and eradicating youth gang violence and crime in St. Kitts and Nevis and the
Caribbean was discussed between Founder, Chairman and CEO of TEMPO, Mr. Frederick Morton Jr. during a
courtesy call on St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas in January this year.
The anti-violence campaign is been duplicated throughout the Caribbean and involves regional governments,
corporate Caribbean, students, teachers, parents, the religious community and other social partners.
Pregnant Illegal Gets Canada Reprieve
While On Plane
A pregnant woman and her eight-month-old baby who were being deported from Canada on Thursday were taken off a flight bound for Guyana after the mother was deemed unfit
to travel, according to a report in the Toronto Sun yesterday.
The report said that Savita Devi Boodram, 42, of Toronto, and her baby were boarding a flight at Pearson airport when a letter was received from her doctor, her lawyer Guidy
Mamann was reported as saying. Mamann said the doctor told immigration officials that Boodram is suffering from a high-risk pregnancy and therefore should not be travelling.
“It is pretty harsh to be putting her on a plane,” he was quoted by the Toronto Sun as saying. “She is pregnant and has a child in one hand and they’re sending her back to
Guyana.”
Mamann related that Boodram arrived in Canada as a visitor several years ago and overstayed her visa. She married a Canadian man, who suffers from schizophrenia, he said.
“She has little money and no relatives in Guyana,” her lawyer said, adding “The airline used common sense that the immigration department didn’t have.”
Anna Pape, of the Canada Border Services Agency, told the Toronto Sun she couldn’t discuss the case, citing privacy laws.
“The decision to remove someone from Canada is not taken lightly,” Pape said . “Everyone ordered removed from Canada is entitled to due process before the law.”
She said removal orders are subject to various levels of appeals.
“Unsuccessful applicants must respect our laws and leave Canada when advised,” Pape told the Toronto Sun. “The integrity of the system depends on this.”
She noted that her officials consult with medical professionals and rely on their expertise in determining if a person can travel.
While On Plane
A pregnant woman and her eight-month-old baby who were being deported from Canada on Thursday were taken off a flight bound for Guyana after the mother was deemed unfit
to travel, according to a report in the Toronto Sun yesterday.
The report said that Savita Devi Boodram, 42, of Toronto, and her baby were boarding a flight at Pearson airport when a letter was received from her doctor, her lawyer Guidy
Mamann was reported as saying. Mamann said the doctor told immigration officials that Boodram is suffering from a high-risk pregnancy and therefore should not be travelling.
“It is pretty harsh to be putting her on a plane,” he was quoted by the Toronto Sun as saying. “She is pregnant and has a child in one hand and they’re sending her back to
Guyana.”
Mamann related that Boodram arrived in Canada as a visitor several years ago and overstayed her visa. She married a Canadian man, who suffers from schizophrenia, he said.
“She has little money and no relatives in Guyana,” her lawyer said, adding “The airline used common sense that the immigration department didn’t have.”
Anna Pape, of the Canada Border Services Agency, told the Toronto Sun she couldn’t discuss the case, citing privacy laws.
“The decision to remove someone from Canada is not taken lightly,” Pape said . “Everyone ordered removed from Canada is entitled to due process before the law.”
She said removal orders are subject to various levels of appeals.
“Unsuccessful applicants must respect our laws and leave Canada when advised,” Pape told the Toronto Sun. “The integrity of the system depends on this.”
She noted that her officials consult with medical professionals and rely on their expertise in determining if a person can travel.
| Visit our daily blog at http://www.thestkittsnevisobserver.blogspot.com |
Volda Trounces Norton In Georgetown Vote
-outcome to be challenged
Amid chaotic scenes yesterday, Volda Lawrence was elected Chairman of the PNCR’s Georgetown District trouncing incumbent Aubrey Norton by
220 votes to 96 but last night persons close to the Norton camp were charging that the process had been hijacked and would be challenged within
the party.
-outcome to be challenged
Amid chaotic scenes yesterday, Volda Lawrence was elected Chairman of the PNCR’s Georgetown District trouncing incumbent Aubrey Norton by
220 votes to 96 but last night persons close to the Norton camp were charging that the process had been hijacked and would be challenged within
the party.
By John Denny
Observer Reporter
(Charlestown, Nevis) – A group of workers from the Dominican Republic staged a protest earlier this week in response to being told they could not work at the Four Seasons
resort. About 15 people had been working there doing preliminary work on the damaged resort in preparations for the new employees due to start this week.
In addition to those from Dominican Republic, Guyanese, Jamaicans and any other workers from islands other than Nevis were told they could no longer work at the site.
“Many of the people that were told to go home (Monday) are citizens (of the Federation) and have passports,” said Alexi Phipps, an electrician who was working as a laborer at the
Four Seasons.
Mr. Phipps was born in St. Kitts, but went to the Dominican Republic at an early age, then later returned to the Federation. He is a citizen and a passport holder in the Federation.
“We work hard, we have families to support and the color of our blood is the same as someone who has lived on Nevis all their life. This is not right,” said Phipps. “I could
understand if they said they were going to hire 10 people from Nevis and five from (elsewhere), but to say we can’t work at all is too much.”
Consultant for the Department of Labor Davidson Morton confirmed the new policy taken by the Nevis Island Administration, but countered that once the Mexican labor force due to
arrive in the coming weeks arrived and the hiring process accelerated locally, the “non-national” Nevisians would be given more consideration.
“The government is pursuing a policy that Locals receive first consideration in the hiring process,” said Morton. “The government is going to look after its own nationals first.”
Phipps believes this is not only unfair, but inefficient.
“People from Nevis don’t want to work,” he said. “If you tell them to show up at 6:00, they will say ‘no, I’ll be there at 8:30 and then when 3:30 comes, they pick up their tools and go
home. We show up when we are told, stay all day and work harder than they do. Sending these guys home does not make sense.”
Observer Reporter
(Charlestown, Nevis) – A group of workers from the Dominican Republic staged a protest earlier this week in response to being told they could not work at the Four Seasons
resort. About 15 people had been working there doing preliminary work on the damaged resort in preparations for the new employees due to start this week.
In addition to those from Dominican Republic, Guyanese, Jamaicans and any other workers from islands other than Nevis were told they could no longer work at the site.
“Many of the people that were told to go home (Monday) are citizens (of the Federation) and have passports,” said Alexi Phipps, an electrician who was working as a laborer at the
Four Seasons.
Mr. Phipps was born in St. Kitts, but went to the Dominican Republic at an early age, then later returned to the Federation. He is a citizen and a passport holder in the Federation.
“We work hard, we have families to support and the color of our blood is the same as someone who has lived on Nevis all their life. This is not right,” said Phipps. “I could
understand if they said they were going to hire 10 people from Nevis and five from (elsewhere), but to say we can’t work at all is too much.”
Consultant for the Department of Labor Davidson Morton confirmed the new policy taken by the Nevis Island Administration, but countered that once the Mexican labor force due to
arrive in the coming weeks arrived and the hiring process accelerated locally, the “non-national” Nevisians would be given more consideration.
“The government is pursuing a policy that Locals receive first consideration in the hiring process,” said Morton. “The government is going to look after its own nationals first.”
Phipps believes this is not only unfair, but inefficient.
“People from Nevis don’t want to work,” he said. “If you tell them to show up at 6:00, they will say ‘no, I’ll be there at 8:30 and then when 3:30 comes, they pick up their tools and go
home. We show up when we are told, stay all day and work harder than they do. Sending these guys home does not make sense.”
| No More Vending On Saffon Street |
Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College
Board Of Governors Established
A Kittitian-born Professor of Social Sciences and Director of the Eastern Caribbean Center at the University of the Virgin Islands, Dr.
Frank Mills has been appointed Chairman of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant (CFBC) Board of Governors.
The Ministry of Education announced Friday that the Board Governors has been constituted in accordance with the provisions of the
Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College Act, 2008 and will be officially installed at a ceremony in July 2009.
Other members of the Board of Governors are Deputy Chairman, Dr. Hermia Morton-Anthony, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of
Agriculture and Past Principal of the CFBC; Dr. Robertine Chaderton Private Sector Consultant, Educator and Chair, Accreditation
Board; Mrs. Olivia Edgecombe–Howell, Head, St. Kitts and Nevis Country Site, University of the West Indies Open Campus; Dr. Bronte
Gonsalves, Consultant in Education Planning, Ministry of Education, Nevis Island Administration; Mr. Tapley Seaton, Q.C. representing
the Chamber of Industry and Commerce; Rev. Isaiah Phillip, Chairman, St. Kitts Christian Council, representing Civil Society; Ms. Sonya
Parry, Representing the St. Kitts and Nevis Bar Association; Mrs. Patricia Martin, Staff Representative; Mr. Calvin Duggins, Students
Representative.
The release said a Representative for the Ministry of Finance will be designated. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and
the President of the College will be Ex-Officio Members.
The Ministry of Education’s White Paper on Education Development and Policy makes provision for the establishment of the Clarence
Fitzroy Bryant College Board of Governors by June 2009.
Board Of Governors Established
A Kittitian-born Professor of Social Sciences and Director of the Eastern Caribbean Center at the University of the Virgin Islands, Dr.
Frank Mills has been appointed Chairman of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant (CFBC) Board of Governors.
The Ministry of Education announced Friday that the Board Governors has been constituted in accordance with the provisions of the
Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College Act, 2008 and will be officially installed at a ceremony in July 2009.
Other members of the Board of Governors are Deputy Chairman, Dr. Hermia Morton-Anthony, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of
Agriculture and Past Principal of the CFBC; Dr. Robertine Chaderton Private Sector Consultant, Educator and Chair, Accreditation
Board; Mrs. Olivia Edgecombe–Howell, Head, St. Kitts and Nevis Country Site, University of the West Indies Open Campus; Dr. Bronte
Gonsalves, Consultant in Education Planning, Ministry of Education, Nevis Island Administration; Mr. Tapley Seaton, Q.C. representing
the Chamber of Industry and Commerce; Rev. Isaiah Phillip, Chairman, St. Kitts Christian Council, representing Civil Society; Ms. Sonya
Parry, Representing the St. Kitts and Nevis Bar Association; Mrs. Patricia Martin, Staff Representative; Mr. Calvin Duggins, Students
Representative.
The release said a Representative for the Ministry of Finance will be designated. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and
the President of the College will be Ex-Officio Members.
The Ministry of Education’s White Paper on Education Development and Policy makes provision for the establishment of the Clarence
Fitzroy Bryant College Board of Governors by June 2009.
Caribbean H1N1 Cases Rise; NIA Prepares
By John Denny
Observer Reporter
By John Denny
Observer Reporter
"Badness Outta Style" School Tour Starts This Week
Talk, Talk, Talk! We Don't Need More Talk
By Stephen C. Walwyn
Chairman, NCAI (Nevis Community Anti-Crime Initiative)
Eric Hoffer said “In times of change learners inherit the Earth while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to live in a world which no longer exists”.
The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has experienced an unprecedented explosion of economic growth and development over the past decade and a half.
This multi-sectorial dynamic has impacted both physical infrastructure development along with a massive shift from a very blue collar and traditional way of life to a services
dominated society (as a result of the boom in the services industry). This has of course meant for our country a resultant higher economic standard of living.
Many social problems in our society have however accompanied this more economically viable and prosperous society of ours. This is neither uncommon nor surprising as in
many other societies in which a wave of economic prosperity occurs, there is an associated prevalence of social ills and challenges. Greater economic opportunity has sadly
meant that parents work more and harder to exploit these newfound resources and to meet the higher costs of goods and services.
Consequently, parents are not as available to provide quality care and supervision to their children. Nor are they as equipped spiritually or emotionally to deal with youths who
are far more challenged and challenging, as a result of our rapidly changed world. It has meant that the society shifted from a more traditional value system to one that is
materialism-focused and increasingly more susceptible to external values and customs.
The changes in and of themselves are not bad. The problem comes in when there is an ABSENCE of solid, deliberate intervention to combat these increased pressures. With
an upsurge in criminal activities especially among the young in our Federation, which only mirrors what has been happening throughout the region and even further afield, we
need strong moral leadership and for that leadership to be absolutely resolute in overcoming these social ills.
13 murders so far this year is disheartening, shocking and should cause us to again ask ourselves what is going on in our Federation as far as our intervention strategies is
concerned. At this pace we could surpass last year’s depressing count of 23 murders, distinguishing us THEN as #2 in the world, per capita, second (and a dubiously very close
second indeed) only to El Salvador.
The thought is quite frightening and I would like here to stop short of writing what it could possibly mean for us. Economic reversal is sure to follow.
Maintaining the status quo is certainly not the answer to this troubling state of affairs! Doing what is politically expedient without regard for other vital concerns has consistently
proven ruinous to the country and the people of the country.
Political calculations dictate a continued path down the slippery slope of believing that the answers to our social problems must come entirely from the political directorate or its
partisan interests. Our present political culture has foisted upon us the view that political power, its attainment and maintenance, its servants and masters, is the be all and end
all of [good] governance.
The acrimony and virtual warfare between leading political parties (particularly at a time of an awfully long and drawn out political campaign) absorb a preponderance of the
energy and the focus of all the leaders. Regrettably, social and community programs with keen attention to at-risk youth and families are logical casualties in this titanic struggle
for power.
The problem of youth crime and violence is both systemic and frankly quite predictable. Against a backdrop of the country not allocating nearly enough of its resources to shoring
up our security apparatus and infrastructure over many years, we have paid entirely too little attention to our social landscape.
Great economic gains in the aggressive development of our country’s financial and tourism sectors, aiming virtually all of our financial firepower at construction and physical
infrastructure, we have left far behind our human, legal, security and social infrastructure development.
Moreover, our youths struggle every day with problems of their own, ranging from unresolved conflict in their homes, alcoholism, poor parenting, indiscipline among parents, lack
of solid structure and authority in their homes, and a host of other dysfunctional family patterns.
When they turn to violence and crime, youth are merely acting out the conflict, insecurities and chaos that largely characterize the dynamics of not just family but community life as
well.
We are certainly not short on ideas! Nor are we short on consultations, workshops and conferences. Do we therefore need more of them? Do they not usually turn out to be self-
congratulatory and very self-serving gestures, in which the political leaders pat themselves on the back, and supervise lackeys doing the same? Intervention strategies abound
and ideas for even comprehensively addressing these challenges we face are in abundant supply. Conferences on fighting crime, held at our flagship resorts, in which the rank
and file are regaled in their Sunday best, are sumptuously tempting ideas that should be studiously avoided before we turn the corner on combating our violence fete. Why aren’t
we going deep into our communities and conducting workshops, training and doing direct intervention with our youth, families and those who are serious about working with
them, engaging in grass roots initiatives? We need action and we need it now! Not more talk!
Serious and practical solutions MUST be aggressive and immediate! It is incumbent on our leaders to come together for the good of the Nation. There is an urgent need for
national reconciliation and atonement! The Country needs cleansing and healing, with a direct, aggressive and proactive addressing of the political divide. Both sides (frankly all
four) MUST atone for inflammatory personal attacks and any incitement of aggression that have taken place to date, however implicit or subtle. Both must put aside differences
and come together not just symbolically but substantively and truly, if we are to go forward with any degree of resolve. The tone set by the leadership of the Country – both
Opposition and Government, is absolutely critical and must in my view be a starting point to the implementation of comprehensive intervention strategies.
Those strategies aimed at curbing youth crime and violence must reflect a truly bi-partisan spirit and be an amalgamation of practical and systematically sought ideas from every
relevant stakeholder in the private sector as well as government. Forums on crime, workshops and conferences, while impressing ourselves about our apparent achievements
in combating crime, MUST follow with meaningful, substantive and genuine mechanisms that cull ideas and solutions from the length and breadth of civil society. Frankly, the
ideas that flow from the very discussions in our workshops must be taken seriously and made implementable. Deliberate (and perhaps even spiteful) exclusion of certain
stakeholder groups is tantamount to turning friendly and deadly fire on the most capable soldiers in a contrived war for recognition and ribbons before the war for winning back
our streets, is completed. Collaboration and close coordination between the Police, Government, private partners and the community generally are absolutely essential, and
woefully long overdue.
By Stephen C. Walwyn
Chairman, NCAI (Nevis Community Anti-Crime Initiative)
Eric Hoffer said “In times of change learners inherit the Earth while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to live in a world which no longer exists”.
The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has experienced an unprecedented explosion of economic growth and development over the past decade and a half.
This multi-sectorial dynamic has impacted both physical infrastructure development along with a massive shift from a very blue collar and traditional way of life to a services
dominated society (as a result of the boom in the services industry). This has of course meant for our country a resultant higher economic standard of living.
Many social problems in our society have however accompanied this more economically viable and prosperous society of ours. This is neither uncommon nor surprising as in
many other societies in which a wave of economic prosperity occurs, there is an associated prevalence of social ills and challenges. Greater economic opportunity has sadly
meant that parents work more and harder to exploit these newfound resources and to meet the higher costs of goods and services.
Consequently, parents are not as available to provide quality care and supervision to their children. Nor are they as equipped spiritually or emotionally to deal with youths who
are far more challenged and challenging, as a result of our rapidly changed world. It has meant that the society shifted from a more traditional value system to one that is
materialism-focused and increasingly more susceptible to external values and customs.
The changes in and of themselves are not bad. The problem comes in when there is an ABSENCE of solid, deliberate intervention to combat these increased pressures. With
an upsurge in criminal activities especially among the young in our Federation, which only mirrors what has been happening throughout the region and even further afield, we
need strong moral leadership and for that leadership to be absolutely resolute in overcoming these social ills.
13 murders so far this year is disheartening, shocking and should cause us to again ask ourselves what is going on in our Federation as far as our intervention strategies is
concerned. At this pace we could surpass last year’s depressing count of 23 murders, distinguishing us THEN as #2 in the world, per capita, second (and a dubiously very close
second indeed) only to El Salvador.
The thought is quite frightening and I would like here to stop short of writing what it could possibly mean for us. Economic reversal is sure to follow.
Maintaining the status quo is certainly not the answer to this troubling state of affairs! Doing what is politically expedient without regard for other vital concerns has consistently
proven ruinous to the country and the people of the country.
Political calculations dictate a continued path down the slippery slope of believing that the answers to our social problems must come entirely from the political directorate or its
partisan interests. Our present political culture has foisted upon us the view that political power, its attainment and maintenance, its servants and masters, is the be all and end
all of [good] governance.
The acrimony and virtual warfare between leading political parties (particularly at a time of an awfully long and drawn out political campaign) absorb a preponderance of the
energy and the focus of all the leaders. Regrettably, social and community programs with keen attention to at-risk youth and families are logical casualties in this titanic struggle
for power.
The problem of youth crime and violence is both systemic and frankly quite predictable. Against a backdrop of the country not allocating nearly enough of its resources to shoring
up our security apparatus and infrastructure over many years, we have paid entirely too little attention to our social landscape.
Great economic gains in the aggressive development of our country’s financial and tourism sectors, aiming virtually all of our financial firepower at construction and physical
infrastructure, we have left far behind our human, legal, security and social infrastructure development.
Moreover, our youths struggle every day with problems of their own, ranging from unresolved conflict in their homes, alcoholism, poor parenting, indiscipline among parents, lack
of solid structure and authority in their homes, and a host of other dysfunctional family patterns.
When they turn to violence and crime, youth are merely acting out the conflict, insecurities and chaos that largely characterize the dynamics of not just family but community life as
well.
We are certainly not short on ideas! Nor are we short on consultations, workshops and conferences. Do we therefore need more of them? Do they not usually turn out to be self-
congratulatory and very self-serving gestures, in which the political leaders pat themselves on the back, and supervise lackeys doing the same? Intervention strategies abound
and ideas for even comprehensively addressing these challenges we face are in abundant supply. Conferences on fighting crime, held at our flagship resorts, in which the rank
and file are regaled in their Sunday best, are sumptuously tempting ideas that should be studiously avoided before we turn the corner on combating our violence fete. Why aren’t
we going deep into our communities and conducting workshops, training and doing direct intervention with our youth, families and those who are serious about working with
them, engaging in grass roots initiatives? We need action and we need it now! Not more talk!
Serious and practical solutions MUST be aggressive and immediate! It is incumbent on our leaders to come together for the good of the Nation. There is an urgent need for
national reconciliation and atonement! The Country needs cleansing and healing, with a direct, aggressive and proactive addressing of the political divide. Both sides (frankly all
four) MUST atone for inflammatory personal attacks and any incitement of aggression that have taken place to date, however implicit or subtle. Both must put aside differences
and come together not just symbolically but substantively and truly, if we are to go forward with any degree of resolve. The tone set by the leadership of the Country – both
Opposition and Government, is absolutely critical and must in my view be a starting point to the implementation of comprehensive intervention strategies.
Those strategies aimed at curbing youth crime and violence must reflect a truly bi-partisan spirit and be an amalgamation of practical and systematically sought ideas from every
relevant stakeholder in the private sector as well as government. Forums on crime, workshops and conferences, while impressing ourselves about our apparent achievements
in combating crime, MUST follow with meaningful, substantive and genuine mechanisms that cull ideas and solutions from the length and breadth of civil society. Frankly, the
ideas that flow from the very discussions in our workshops must be taken seriously and made implementable. Deliberate (and perhaps even spiteful) exclusion of certain
stakeholder groups is tantamount to turning friendly and deadly fire on the most capable soldiers in a contrived war for recognition and ribbons before the war for winning back
our streets, is completed. Collaboration and close coordination between the Police, Government, private partners and the community generally are absolutely essential, and
woefully long overdue.
consequence of our determination to endow our own Caribbean Court of Justice with the status of our final Court of Appeal in all matters; a consequence of the exercise of our
right to self-determination in judicial matters too,” the senior regional integrationist said.
However, he pointed out that, “We have not established the Caribbean Court of Justice to give decisions to our liking; but to give decisions under law.”
And further plugging the primacy of the CCJ, he observed that “with the full jurisdiction with which it must soon be endowed, with its rich inheritance of the common law and of that
international law which is the underpinning of globalization, (the CCJ) is for me the greatest assurance that as a Community of Caribbean people we can meet and overcome the
challenges of the time.”
Guyanese-born Sir Shridath, who previously served as the Foreign Minister of Guyana from 1972-1975, said it was almost axiomatic that the Caribbean Community should have
its own final Court of Appeal in all matters.
And looking at the region’s rich background, he noted that, “A century old tradition of erudition and excellence in the legal profession of the region leaves no room for hesitancy.”
He recalled also that ending the jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council was actually treated as consequential on Guyana becoming a Republic 39 years ago.
Against that background, Sir Shridath admitted, “I am frankly ashamed when I see the small list of Commonwealth countries that still cling to that jurisdiction – a list dominated by
the Caribbean.”
The CCJ was inaugurated on April 16, 2005 in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago after a long gestation period. Only Guyana and Barbados have approved it as their final court of
appeal. Belize is to do so shortly.
Abysmal contrariety The senior regional integrationist further remarked that “now we have created our Caribbean Court of Justice in a manner that has won the respect and
admiration of the common law world, it is an act of abysmal contrariety that we have withheld so substantially its appellate jurisdiction in favour of that of the Privy Council.”
Citing how well the region is endowed, he observed that the region has “sent Judges to the International Court of Justice, to the International Criminal Court and to the
International Court for the former Yugoslavia, to the Presidency of the United Nations Tribunal on the Law of the Sea…” and from “its Caribbean shores have sprung in lineal
descent the current Attorneys General of Britain and of the United States.”
In that light, Sir Shridath urged that, “this paradox of heritage and hesitancy must be repudiated by action – action of the kind Belize has just taken to embrace the appellate
jurisdiction of the CCJ and abolish appeals to the Privy Council.”
It is enlightened action taken by way of constitutional amendment, he added, and Belize deserves the applause of the Caribbean Community, not just its legal fraternity.
Those countries still hesitant must find the will and the way to follow Belize and perhaps it will be easier if they act as one, Sir Shridath suggested.
“The truth is,” he acknowledged, “that the alternative to such action is too self-destructive to contemplate. If we remain casual and complacent about such anomalies much longer
we will end up making a virtue of them and lose all we have built.”
To ensure against that and to give confidence to the publics in so doing, Sir Shridath called on governments to be “as assiduous in demonstrating respect for all independent
constitutional bodies, like the Director of Public Prosecutions, for example, as the Caribbean Court of Justice itself must be in demonstrating its own independence.”
In the end, he maintained, “the independence of Caribbean judiciaries must rest on a broad culture of respect for the authority and independence of all Constitutional office
holders so endowed.”
Among those attending the inauguration were the President of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Michael de la Bastide, Judges of the CCJ, Chief Justices and other judicial officers
of the wider Caribbean and members of the Caribbean’s legal fraternity.
The inauguration of the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers here in Port of Spain sends a message of assurance to the region and beyond, Sir Shridath said, and that ’
beyond’ is significant, he added, as the theme of the conference acknowledged: ‘Caribbean Judiciaries in an area of Globalisation: Meeting the Challenges of the Time’.
Meeting the legal challenges of this time, Sir Shridath added, “is an ineluctable vocation of the judicial officers of today’s Caribbean – as it is of judiciaries worldwide.”
“There is a temptation in small countries and regions far from centres of great power to believe,” he noted, “that because we cannot influence events there, we can conduct our
lives as if those events did not matter.”
But he argued that “it was never ever true of the Caribbean; colonialism was its antithesis; and markets for our production of sugar and later bananas meant that the world beyond
always was very relevant to us.”
“The era of globalization simply smothered any temptation to think otherwise,” Sir Shridath asserted, “but the new era did more than confirm our primordial needs; it enlarged and
extended them and changed them qualitatively. Our two dimensional world had gone global affecting not only us but also all others on the planet.
And basic to that change was law. That is the essential truth our profession must grasp.”
He added that “lawyers who are heirs to a great tradition of fashioning a new jurisprudence out of the rigidities of the old should be in the forefront of a movement that will fashion
a new world legal order for the twenty-first century.”
Great challenges are already at hand in such frontier areas as the international commons…., he added, but, as the Law of the Sea dialogue confirms, “these challenges will only
be met by new systems and structures when we make the essential conceptual breakthrough about the nature of the human condition; when we acknowledge that the vision of
one world has become the reality of one human community.”
New global ‘equity’ “All this is a part of the new global ‘equity’ of which I speak, a consciousness that each man, not just each fellow citizen, is our neighbour, and an
acknowledgement that to all men and by all men are rights and duties owed. These are the ultimate challenges to all lawyers,” Sir Shridath declared.
He said that sometimes the role of international law is of direct application to countries in the region, and noted that the Law of the Sea remains one of the best examples of a new
legal order in and for the era of globalization.
“We can all be proud that international lawyers from the Caribbean, (Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in particular) made significant contributions to the formulation of
the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which was signed in the Caribbean (in Jamaica) on December 10, 1982 by 119 countries.”
A Caribbean ratification brought the Convention into force in 1994 and it remains a supreme example of international treaty law. Its Dispute Settlement provisions have already
served the Caribbean through arbitral proceedings involving Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana and Suriname, the latter developing important maritime jurisprudence
on the concept of ‘the use of force’ under the Convention and the UN Charter, Sir Shridath explained.
Those awards are now part of general international law and, more specifically, the law of the four Caribbean countries. UNCLOS, signed and ratified by Caribbean countries, is
part of the body of law applicable to this region of which Caribbean judiciaries, and the Caribbean Court of Justice specifically, must take account, he added.
Sir Shridath said further that “an enlarged regime of law is the quintessential underpinning of globalization. In a globalised world, activities which were previously limited to the
local or national levels are internationalized, requiring law-making beyond the single state. The result is a rules-based system of international relations including, with special
relevance to our countries, international economic relations.”
He also observed that the Law of the Sea Convention is now the “basic law of our maritime spaces; but even more widely pertinent is the international treaty establishing the
World Trade Organisation to which all Caribbean countries are now parties.”
And deriving from the WTO Agreement, therefore, is a complex matrix of legal rights and duties applicable to Caribbean countries, the very essence of law in the era of
globalization.
Sir Shridath cautioned that Caribbean judiciaries have to be aware of this body of new law and its implications (sometimes in terms of rights) for Caribbean countries. “If, in the
Caribbean, domestic law, and what I believe we must now begin to recognize as regional law, is to be applied consistently with international law we had better gear up ourselves
as lawyers for the new realities. That is a challenge of our time.”
Of course, he added, this process of looking beyond the strict boundaries of domestic law will not be strange to Caribbean judiciaries who have already have to take account of the
law of the Community in and under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
This jurisprudence is developing slowly and Caribbean lawyers, not just judges, have a major responsibility to be at the forefront of its development, Sir Shridath stated.
However, he concluded, “I do not want to imply by anything I have said that the rule of international law in our globalised world is secure beyond denial – any more than the rule of
law at domestic levels anywhere is impervious to threat.”
right to self-determination in judicial matters too,” the senior regional integrationist said.
However, he pointed out that, “We have not established the Caribbean Court of Justice to give decisions to our liking; but to give decisions under law.”
And further plugging the primacy of the CCJ, he observed that “with the full jurisdiction with which it must soon be endowed, with its rich inheritance of the common law and of that
international law which is the underpinning of globalization, (the CCJ) is for me the greatest assurance that as a Community of Caribbean people we can meet and overcome the
challenges of the time.”
Guyanese-born Sir Shridath, who previously served as the Foreign Minister of Guyana from 1972-1975, said it was almost axiomatic that the Caribbean Community should have
its own final Court of Appeal in all matters.
And looking at the region’s rich background, he noted that, “A century old tradition of erudition and excellence in the legal profession of the region leaves no room for hesitancy.”
He recalled also that ending the jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council was actually treated as consequential on Guyana becoming a Republic 39 years ago.
Against that background, Sir Shridath admitted, “I am frankly ashamed when I see the small list of Commonwealth countries that still cling to that jurisdiction – a list dominated by
the Caribbean.”
The CCJ was inaugurated on April 16, 2005 in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago after a long gestation period. Only Guyana and Barbados have approved it as their final court of
appeal. Belize is to do so shortly.
Abysmal contrariety The senior regional integrationist further remarked that “now we have created our Caribbean Court of Justice in a manner that has won the respect and
admiration of the common law world, it is an act of abysmal contrariety that we have withheld so substantially its appellate jurisdiction in favour of that of the Privy Council.”
Citing how well the region is endowed, he observed that the region has “sent Judges to the International Court of Justice, to the International Criminal Court and to the
International Court for the former Yugoslavia, to the Presidency of the United Nations Tribunal on the Law of the Sea…” and from “its Caribbean shores have sprung in lineal
descent the current Attorneys General of Britain and of the United States.”
In that light, Sir Shridath urged that, “this paradox of heritage and hesitancy must be repudiated by action – action of the kind Belize has just taken to embrace the appellate
jurisdiction of the CCJ and abolish appeals to the Privy Council.”
It is enlightened action taken by way of constitutional amendment, he added, and Belize deserves the applause of the Caribbean Community, not just its legal fraternity.
Those countries still hesitant must find the will and the way to follow Belize and perhaps it will be easier if they act as one, Sir Shridath suggested.
“The truth is,” he acknowledged, “that the alternative to such action is too self-destructive to contemplate. If we remain casual and complacent about such anomalies much longer
we will end up making a virtue of them and lose all we have built.”
To ensure against that and to give confidence to the publics in so doing, Sir Shridath called on governments to be “as assiduous in demonstrating respect for all independent
constitutional bodies, like the Director of Public Prosecutions, for example, as the Caribbean Court of Justice itself must be in demonstrating its own independence.”
In the end, he maintained, “the independence of Caribbean judiciaries must rest on a broad culture of respect for the authority and independence of all Constitutional office
holders so endowed.”
Among those attending the inauguration were the President of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Michael de la Bastide, Judges of the CCJ, Chief Justices and other judicial officers
of the wider Caribbean and members of the Caribbean’s legal fraternity.
The inauguration of the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers here in Port of Spain sends a message of assurance to the region and beyond, Sir Shridath said, and that ’
beyond’ is significant, he added, as the theme of the conference acknowledged: ‘Caribbean Judiciaries in an area of Globalisation: Meeting the Challenges of the Time’.
Meeting the legal challenges of this time, Sir Shridath added, “is an ineluctable vocation of the judicial officers of today’s Caribbean – as it is of judiciaries worldwide.”
“There is a temptation in small countries and regions far from centres of great power to believe,” he noted, “that because we cannot influence events there, we can conduct our
lives as if those events did not matter.”
But he argued that “it was never ever true of the Caribbean; colonialism was its antithesis; and markets for our production of sugar and later bananas meant that the world beyond
always was very relevant to us.”
“The era of globalization simply smothered any temptation to think otherwise,” Sir Shridath asserted, “but the new era did more than confirm our primordial needs; it enlarged and
extended them and changed them qualitatively. Our two dimensional world had gone global affecting not only us but also all others on the planet.
And basic to that change was law. That is the essential truth our profession must grasp.”
He added that “lawyers who are heirs to a great tradition of fashioning a new jurisprudence out of the rigidities of the old should be in the forefront of a movement that will fashion
a new world legal order for the twenty-first century.”
Great challenges are already at hand in such frontier areas as the international commons…., he added, but, as the Law of the Sea dialogue confirms, “these challenges will only
be met by new systems and structures when we make the essential conceptual breakthrough about the nature of the human condition; when we acknowledge that the vision of
one world has become the reality of one human community.”
New global ‘equity’ “All this is a part of the new global ‘equity’ of which I speak, a consciousness that each man, not just each fellow citizen, is our neighbour, and an
acknowledgement that to all men and by all men are rights and duties owed. These are the ultimate challenges to all lawyers,” Sir Shridath declared.
He said that sometimes the role of international law is of direct application to countries in the region, and noted that the Law of the Sea remains one of the best examples of a new
legal order in and for the era of globalization.
“We can all be proud that international lawyers from the Caribbean, (Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in particular) made significant contributions to the formulation of
the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which was signed in the Caribbean (in Jamaica) on December 10, 1982 by 119 countries.”
A Caribbean ratification brought the Convention into force in 1994 and it remains a supreme example of international treaty law. Its Dispute Settlement provisions have already
served the Caribbean through arbitral proceedings involving Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana and Suriname, the latter developing important maritime jurisprudence
on the concept of ‘the use of force’ under the Convention and the UN Charter, Sir Shridath explained.
Those awards are now part of general international law and, more specifically, the law of the four Caribbean countries. UNCLOS, signed and ratified by Caribbean countries, is
part of the body of law applicable to this region of which Caribbean judiciaries, and the Caribbean Court of Justice specifically, must take account, he added.
Sir Shridath said further that “an enlarged regime of law is the quintessential underpinning of globalization. In a globalised world, activities which were previously limited to the
local or national levels are internationalized, requiring law-making beyond the single state. The result is a rules-based system of international relations including, with special
relevance to our countries, international economic relations.”
He also observed that the Law of the Sea Convention is now the “basic law of our maritime spaces; but even more widely pertinent is the international treaty establishing the
World Trade Organisation to which all Caribbean countries are now parties.”
And deriving from the WTO Agreement, therefore, is a complex matrix of legal rights and duties applicable to Caribbean countries, the very essence of law in the era of
globalization.
Sir Shridath cautioned that Caribbean judiciaries have to be aware of this body of new law and its implications (sometimes in terms of rights) for Caribbean countries. “If, in the
Caribbean, domestic law, and what I believe we must now begin to recognize as regional law, is to be applied consistently with international law we had better gear up ourselves
as lawyers for the new realities. That is a challenge of our time.”
Of course, he added, this process of looking beyond the strict boundaries of domestic law will not be strange to Caribbean judiciaries who have already have to take account of the
law of the Community in and under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
This jurisprudence is developing slowly and Caribbean lawyers, not just judges, have a major responsibility to be at the forefront of its development, Sir Shridath stated.
However, he concluded, “I do not want to imply by anything I have said that the rule of international law in our globalised world is secure beyond denial – any more than the rule of
law at domestic levels anywhere is impervious to threat.”
| Jamaica |
| Social Security Minister Proposes Fund To Guarantee University Or College Education |
'Disclose IMF Terms'
Opposition says country
should know proposals
before agreement signed
PETERSFIELD, Westmoreland - The Opposition People's National Party (PNP)
yesterday called on the government to disclose the proposed conditionalities
under which the borrowing agreement with the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) was being negotiated, before the arrangement is concluded.
Opposition says country
should know proposals
before agreement signed
PETERSFIELD, Westmoreland - The Opposition People's National Party (PNP)
yesterday called on the government to disclose the proposed conditionalities
under which the borrowing agreement with the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) was being negotiated, before the arrangement is concluded.
Migration Linked To 'Problems' At Home
CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES must unite to tackle the political, social and economic problems which affect their citizens and lead to them migrating to other nations.
Anglican priest Canon Wayne Isaacs has suggested this as the answer to immigration woes that have become the subject of contention in some regional countries.
Weighing in on the ongoing debate, Isaacs yesterday told his congregation at St Paul's Anglican Church: "If some countries in the region prosper and others continue to be
undeveloped, people will continue to leave their lands in search of a better life. Desperate people will always seek to escape from their social prisons and move to lands that
offer them a promise of new life."
He added: "For the Christian community, the present discussion about immigration is not strictly a legal issue but also a moral concern," and noted that the church, as a "moral
conscience" of the society, had "a responsibility to offer a rational, just, loving and impartial perspective".
Isaacs said that "all governments had a responsibility to ensure that the laws of their countries were observed, and that law-breakers were disciplined".
"It is also true that regulations should be put in place to prevent unbridled immigration in the interest of a nation's security. No one can deny any government these rights," he
emphasised.
CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES must unite to tackle the political, social and economic problems which affect their citizens and lead to them migrating to other nations.
Anglican priest Canon Wayne Isaacs has suggested this as the answer to immigration woes that have become the subject of contention in some regional countries.
Weighing in on the ongoing debate, Isaacs yesterday told his congregation at St Paul's Anglican Church: "If some countries in the region prosper and others continue to be
undeveloped, people will continue to leave their lands in search of a better life. Desperate people will always seek to escape from their social prisons and move to lands that
offer them a promise of new life."
He added: "For the Christian community, the present discussion about immigration is not strictly a legal issue but also a moral concern," and noted that the church, as a "moral
conscience" of the society, had "a responsibility to offer a rational, just, loving and impartial perspective".
Isaacs said that "all governments had a responsibility to ensure that the laws of their countries were observed, and that law-breakers were disciplined".
"It is also true that regulations should be put in place to prevent unbridled immigration in the interest of a nation's security. No one can deny any government these rights," he
emphasised.
Slain Pig Farmer Gets
Emotional Send-Off
PIG farmer Greg Gordon was yesterday laid to rest after an emotional funeral service at the Worldwide
Church of God in Portmore, St Catherine.
Gordon, better known as Farmer Greg, was sent off in a fancy glass casket adorned with pictures of the pigs
he spent the last minutes of his life attending to.
The disheartening reality of his passing sent ear-splitting wails through the packed church, even from
people who did not know him, but had only heard and read of his story.
He died at age 32, too short a time for Megan Henry, his sister-in-law, who broke down in tears after reading
a very short eulogy that reflected on Gordon's 'workaholic personality'.
"That's all I have; that's all I can say about him. They didn't give him a chance for me to write any more," said
Henry, as she quickly left the alter, tears rolling down her cheeks. She found comfort in the arms of Gordon's
wife, Nadine, who was also in tears.
The tears streaming down the women's faces jolted the late farmer's four-year-old son also to tears. The
youngster had to be taken from the church.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who headed the mourners, which included minister without portfolio Daryl Vaz
and South Central St Catherine MP Sharon Hay-Webster, described Gordon as "an icon, a symbol of hard
work".
Emotional Send-Off
PIG farmer Greg Gordon was yesterday laid to rest after an emotional funeral service at the Worldwide
Church of God in Portmore, St Catherine.
Gordon, better known as Farmer Greg, was sent off in a fancy glass casket adorned with pictures of the pigs
he spent the last minutes of his life attending to.
The disheartening reality of his passing sent ear-splitting wails through the packed church, even from
people who did not know him, but had only heard and read of his story.
He died at age 32, too short a time for Megan Henry, his sister-in-law, who broke down in tears after reading
a very short eulogy that reflected on Gordon's 'workaholic personality'.
"That's all I have; that's all I can say about him. They didn't give him a chance for me to write any more," said
Henry, as she quickly left the alter, tears rolling down her cheeks. She found comfort in the arms of Gordon's
wife, Nadine, who was also in tears.
The tears streaming down the women's faces jolted the late farmer's four-year-old son also to tears. The
youngster had to be taken from the church.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who headed the mourners, which included minister without portfolio Daryl Vaz
and South Central St Catherine MP Sharon Hay-Webster, described Gordon as "an icon, a symbol of hard
work".
High Water A hurdle To Beach Walk
PARTICIPANTS in Saturday's Environmental Awareness Sundown Beach Walk found out first-hand how big a problem beach erosion is
at Mullins,St Peter.
As locals and visitors made their way along the coast at Road View, a daunted few of the close to 200 walkers turned back because of
high water levels.
The walk, organised by the Ministry of Tourism and the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU), started around 4 p.m. at Weston,
St James, and ended at Schooner Bay, St Peter.
One woman said she cut short her walk because she could not make it through the high waters with a young child.
The once sandy beach that allowed bathers to walk comfortably along the coast a few years ago, is practically gone, leaving the sea
literally at residents' doorsteps.
A Road View resident, who preferred anonymity, used the opportunity to challenge Dr Leo Brewster, director of the CZMU, on the three
man-made groynes erected three years ago by developers of the nearby multimillion-dollar St Peters Bay condominium project.
Residents believe these groynes have contributed to thebeach erosion in the area.
The irate man told the CZMU director that he understood his unit had given permission for the erection of the groynes.
Brewster responded:"As with any other application and any other development they were assessed and reviewed and based on the assessment and the information provided a
decision was taken regarding whether it should be built or not so. Yes, permission would've been granted as part of the original development."
"You have to remember that we also know that this area was prone to erosion prior to the groynes as well."
He said he was fully aware that the hurricane season was "upon us and we are fully cognisant that the sand could run again".
"It isn't that we are sitting down doing nothing. We are very appreciative of the work done by Marenco Ltd (a marine construction company hired by management of a nearby villa
to protect its property) to improve the area and that is what we are working on right now."
The resident said he had lived in Road View for 50 years and this was the worst he had ever seen.
PARTICIPANTS in Saturday's Environmental Awareness Sundown Beach Walk found out first-hand how big a problem beach erosion is
at Mullins,St Peter.
As locals and visitors made their way along the coast at Road View, a daunted few of the close to 200 walkers turned back because of
high water levels.
The walk, organised by the Ministry of Tourism and the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU), started around 4 p.m. at Weston,
St James, and ended at Schooner Bay, St Peter.
One woman said she cut short her walk because she could not make it through the high waters with a young child.
The once sandy beach that allowed bathers to walk comfortably along the coast a few years ago, is practically gone, leaving the sea
literally at residents' doorsteps.
A Road View resident, who preferred anonymity, used the opportunity to challenge Dr Leo Brewster, director of the CZMU, on the three
man-made groynes erected three years ago by developers of the nearby multimillion-dollar St Peters Bay condominium project.
Residents believe these groynes have contributed to thebeach erosion in the area.
The irate man told the CZMU director that he understood his unit had given permission for the erection of the groynes.
Brewster responded:"As with any other application and any other development they were assessed and reviewed and based on the assessment and the information provided a
decision was taken regarding whether it should be built or not so. Yes, permission would've been granted as part of the original development."
"You have to remember that we also know that this area was prone to erosion prior to the groynes as well."
He said he was fully aware that the hurricane season was "upon us and we are fully cognisant that the sand could run again".
"It isn't that we are sitting down doing nothing. We are very appreciative of the work done by Marenco Ltd (a marine construction company hired by management of a nearby villa
to protect its property) to improve the area and that is what we are working on right now."
The resident said he had lived in Road View for 50 years and this was the worst he had ever seen.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for Social Security, Hon. Sam Condor is proposing the
establishment of a fund to guarantee the education of young Kittitians and Nevisians at the university or college
level.
“This Labour Government is recommending that every child born in the Federation will receive EC$500 to
EC$1,000 at birth, once the mother or the father is a contributor to the Social Security Fund,” Mr. Condor
disclosed at public meetings in West Basseterre and Fig Tree.
“This Fund will guarantee that every boy and girl, every student, who passes through our Secondary Education
system, will have some financing to attend university or college education either overseas or locally,” said
Minister Condor, who is also the Minister of Education.
He said that the money will be held in Trust in a special account at a financial institution for post Secondary
Education.
“That is a guarantee. Once you become of age, the sum of the account – the principal plus the interest must be
used by that student for his or her university or college education,” reiterated Minister Condor.
He said it is also proposed that in the event that the student does not attend University or College, the full amount
of the individual account is forfeited and goes back in the funds of the Social Security.
It is further proposed that in the event of the death of the student before post Secondary Education, the total
amount of the student’s account in the Trust goes to the parents or guardian.
Deputy Prime Minister Condor is of the view that approximately 800 children could be eligible each year.
There is a recommendation that parents and guardian can contribute an equal amount to the Trust at birth.
establishment of a fund to guarantee the education of young Kittitians and Nevisians at the university or college
level.
“This Labour Government is recommending that every child born in the Federation will receive EC$500 to
EC$1,000 at birth, once the mother or the father is a contributor to the Social Security Fund,” Mr. Condor
disclosed at public meetings in West Basseterre and Fig Tree.
“This Fund will guarantee that every boy and girl, every student, who passes through our Secondary Education
system, will have some financing to attend university or college education either overseas or locally,” said
Minister Condor, who is also the Minister of Education.
He said that the money will be held in Trust in a special account at a financial institution for post Secondary
Education.
“That is a guarantee. Once you become of age, the sum of the account – the principal plus the interest must be
used by that student for his or her university or college education,” reiterated Minister Condor.
He said it is also proposed that in the event that the student does not attend University or College, the full amount
of the individual account is forfeited and goes back in the funds of the Social Security.
It is further proposed that in the event of the death of the student before post Secondary Education, the total
amount of the student’s account in the Trust goes to the parents or guardian.
Deputy Prime Minister Condor is of the view that approximately 800 children could be eligible each year.
There is a recommendation that parents and guardian can contribute an equal amount to the Trust at birth.
| Auction Block For Hotel Property |
| Non-Nevisian Workers Dismissed From Four Seasons |
Teachers Ready To Drag Gov't Before ILO
The island's 22,000 teachers say they will seek the intervention of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Education International if the Government fails to meet
tomor-row's deadline to pay over retro-active funds.
The teachers are owed some $7.9 billion for the period April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2009.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Jamaica Teachers' Association's (JTA) general council on the weekend during which the teachers also threatened to disrupt school
activities in the upcoming school year if the payments were not honoured.
"The smooth running of school dictates that there is a whole range of things that must happen between now and September. If teachers are feeling that they are not being treated
with respect or having their concerns dealt with, then we can't promise that it's going to be business as usual," president of the JTA, Doran Dixon, told The Gleaner yesterday.
"Business as usual would seem to suggest a smooth run-up to the opening of school and we are not going to be able to commit to that," he warned.
Just two months ago, the Government faced similar threats. However, in a last-minute attempt to prevent any disruption in school activities, it offered teachers a revised schedule
for payments that were due in April. Half of those payments should have been made in May and the other half is due in July.
The payments owed to the teachers are part of a wage agreement which the Government signed last October to bring teachers' salaries within 80 per cent of the market rate of
remuneration.
The money should have been paid in three payments between December 2008 and June 2009.
Dixon said that while there has been dialogue with both the education minister, Andrew Holness, and minister of state in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Senator
Arthur Williams, about the June payments, the talks to date have not been fruitful.
"We really want something to happen because the point we keep making is that, whereas everybody else is still on to this seven per cent (increase), our position is more dire
because this money that we are talking about is due to us from 2007," Dixon said.
The island's 22,000 teachers say they will seek the intervention of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Education International if the Government fails to meet
tomor-row's deadline to pay over retro-active funds.
The teachers are owed some $7.9 billion for the period April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2009.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Jamaica Teachers' Association's (JTA) general council on the weekend during which the teachers also threatened to disrupt school
activities in the upcoming school year if the payments were not honoured.
"The smooth running of school dictates that there is a whole range of things that must happen between now and September. If teachers are feeling that they are not being treated
with respect or having their concerns dealt with, then we can't promise that it's going to be business as usual," president of the JTA, Doran Dixon, told The Gleaner yesterday.
"Business as usual would seem to suggest a smooth run-up to the opening of school and we are not going to be able to commit to that," he warned.
Just two months ago, the Government faced similar threats. However, in a last-minute attempt to prevent any disruption in school activities, it offered teachers a revised schedule
for payments that were due in April. Half of those payments should have been made in May and the other half is due in July.
The payments owed to the teachers are part of a wage agreement which the Government signed last October to bring teachers' salaries within 80 per cent of the market rate of
remuneration.
The money should have been paid in three payments between December 2008 and June 2009.
Dixon said that while there has been dialogue with both the education minister, Andrew Holness, and minister of state in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Senator
Arthur Williams, about the June payments, the talks to date have not been fruitful.
"We really want something to happen because the point we keep making is that, whereas everybody else is still on to this seven per cent (increase), our position is more dire
because this money that we are talking about is due to us from 2007," Dixon said.
The Thirteenth St. Kitts Music Festival wrapped up in the early hours of
Sunday morning, with legendary disco icons KC and the Sunshine Band.
Though the crowd appeared smaller than in previous years, patrons were
no less enthusiastic; young old and in between putting on their ‘boogie
shoes’ to ‘shake, shake, shake’ their booties.
“It’s really good to be here in St. Kitts. Everybody has been amazing! What
a wonderful place to live!” cried KC.
One of the kings of the disco in the 1970’s, KC brought the party along with
him to Warner Park, complete with long-legged go-go dancers, capturing a
whole new generation of fans. A bit winded from trying to keep up with his
dancers, the middle-aged KC kept his ‘boogie shoes’ moving until 3:00 in
the morning.
“You know, I’m fifty-eight years old!” he said to his screaming fans.
“Yeah, I could be your grandfather…I was your mother’s NSync. Well get a
good look, because this is what Justin Timberlake’s gonna look like in thirty
years!” he said to even louder screams of approval.
The disco finale was preceded by a dynamic performance from Grammy-
Award winning, rap/hip-hop singer-songwriter, T-pain. As he exploded onto
the domed stage, throngs of squealing fans rushed forward, singing along
at his urging.
T-pain was supported by his DJ, two decidedly acrobatic dancers and a
pantomime! He thrilled his fans with he slid behind the keyboards to play
and sing a couple of ballads for them.
Before T-Pain’s crowd-pleasing performance, the crowd was wowed by the
golden-voiced diva, Regina Belle who turned in a smooth and powerful
performance. She thrilled her fans when she performed her Grammy-
Award winning "A Whole New World."
Belle, T-Pain and KC and the Sunshine Band all paid tribute to the late
Michael Jackson who died suddenly on Thursday: KC actually dedicating
his entire performance to the King of Pop.
“At the end of his journey I am sure that one of the things that he wanted
most is for not only you to understand, but for God to understand that he did
his very best,” Belle said.
The last night of the 2009 Music Festival got started with Hans and the
Hillbillies. A small but enthusiastic crowd of predominantly Ross University
students cheered their approval as they belted out a variety of songs, from
country and western to rock, ended with a reggae-influenced number.
They were followed by a solid performance by KC5 and the indomitable
Shakki, who warmed up the crowd for the night ahead, the crowd growing
as midnight approached.
What was most striking about final night was the wide range of age groups
who gathered at Warner Park, who stood, swayed, bopped and boogied
alongside each other until the wee hours of the morning.
Sunday morning, with legendary disco icons KC and the Sunshine Band.
Though the crowd appeared smaller than in previous years, patrons were
no less enthusiastic; young old and in between putting on their ‘boogie
shoes’ to ‘shake, shake, shake’ their booties.
“It’s really good to be here in St. Kitts. Everybody has been amazing! What
a wonderful place to live!” cried KC.
One of the kings of the disco in the 1970’s, KC brought the party along with
him to Warner Park, complete with long-legged go-go dancers, capturing a
whole new generation of fans. A bit winded from trying to keep up with his
dancers, the middle-aged KC kept his ‘boogie shoes’ moving until 3:00 in
the morning.
“You know, I’m fifty-eight years old!” he said to his screaming fans.
“Yeah, I could be your grandfather…I was your mother’s NSync. Well get a
good look, because this is what Justin Timberlake’s gonna look like in thirty
years!” he said to even louder screams of approval.
The disco finale was preceded by a dynamic performance from Grammy-
Award winning, rap/hip-hop singer-songwriter, T-pain. As he exploded onto
the domed stage, throngs of squealing fans rushed forward, singing along
at his urging.
T-pain was supported by his DJ, two decidedly acrobatic dancers and a
pantomime! He thrilled his fans with he slid behind the keyboards to play
and sing a couple of ballads for them.
Before T-Pain’s crowd-pleasing performance, the crowd was wowed by the
golden-voiced diva, Regina Belle who turned in a smooth and powerful
performance. She thrilled her fans when she performed her Grammy-
Award winning "A Whole New World."
Belle, T-Pain and KC and the Sunshine Band all paid tribute to the late
Michael Jackson who died suddenly on Thursday: KC actually dedicating
his entire performance to the King of Pop.
“At the end of his journey I am sure that one of the things that he wanted
most is for not only you to understand, but for God to understand that he did
his very best,” Belle said.
The last night of the 2009 Music Festival got started with Hans and the
Hillbillies. A small but enthusiastic crowd of predominantly Ross University
students cheered their approval as they belted out a variety of songs, from
country and western to rock, ended with a reggae-influenced number.
They were followed by a solid performance by KC5 and the indomitable
Shakki, who warmed up the crowd for the night ahead, the crowd growing
as midnight approached.
What was most striking about final night was the wide range of age groups
who gathered at Warner Park, who stood, swayed, bopped and boogied
alongside each other until the wee hours of the morning.
Taxing Blow To Tourism
THIS ISLAND'S TOURISM SECTOR, already under pressure by the world economic crisis, could be facing another serious external challenge.
It's in the form of a new air passenger departure tax to be imposed by the British government from November 1.
However, local tourism officials have indicated that they are prepared to lobby to have the tax reconsidered.
President of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) Wayne Capaldi said yesterday that the tax was likely to cause undue
hardships for Barbados' tourism industry and indeed that in the wider Caribbean.
When the tax is implemented in November, airport departure tax on flights to the Caribbean will increase by between 25 and 87 per cent
depending on the class of travel.
According to the plans, a family of four travelling to the Caribbean in premium economy in 2010 will pay £600 in Air Passenger Duty alone.
"That is a lot of money," said Capaldi, adding it would put Barbados at a disadvantage. Britain gets a significant number of its visitors from
Britain.
Speaking during a telephone interview, Capaldi said the situation would not only affect British visitors but passengers in transit from Paris.
They would again be required to pay the tax as they journeyed from Barbados to Gatwick and then onto Paris.
"We are very concerned about the impact," he said.
Capaldi said Prime Minister David Thompson had already written the relevant authorities protesting the tax's implementation.
The BHTA president gave the assurance that Government was not asleep on the situation.
THIS ISLAND'S TOURISM SECTOR, already under pressure by the world economic crisis, could be facing another serious external challenge.
It's in the form of a new air passenger departure tax to be imposed by the British government from November 1.
However, local tourism officials have indicated that they are prepared to lobby to have the tax reconsidered.
President of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) Wayne Capaldi said yesterday that the tax was likely to cause undue
hardships for Barbados' tourism industry and indeed that in the wider Caribbean.
When the tax is implemented in November, airport departure tax on flights to the Caribbean will increase by between 25 and 87 per cent
depending on the class of travel.
According to the plans, a family of four travelling to the Caribbean in premium economy in 2010 will pay £600 in Air Passenger Duty alone.
"That is a lot of money," said Capaldi, adding it would put Barbados at a disadvantage. Britain gets a significant number of its visitors from
Britain.
Speaking during a telephone interview, Capaldi said the situation would not only affect British visitors but passengers in transit from Paris.
They would again be required to pay the tax as they journeyed from Barbados to Gatwick and then onto Paris.
"We are very concerned about the impact," he said.
Capaldi said Prime Minister David Thompson had already written the relevant authorities protesting the tax's implementation.
The BHTA president gave the assurance that Government was not asleep on the situation.
Blackett: Much More To Crop-Over
CROP-OVER must always be more than a Carnival and "unbridled bacchanalia".
Speaking yesterday at the BNB Crop-Over Thanksgiving And Ceremonial Delivery Of The Last Canes in Independence Square, Minister of
Community Development and Culture Steve Blackett said the 2009 festival was a tribute to the hard working ancestors.
"It certainly is not a mere excuse for unbridled bacchanalia. It should inspire us to rise above the one-dimensional "waistline" view, and
continue as our ancestors did, to celebrate our achievements," he said.
Blackett lamented that while commentators had been airing views on the merits and demerits of the festival, none of them had advanced a
plan that "could add substantially or positively to what we are now offering".
Human Resource Manager of sponsors Barbados National Bank Donna Harper-Nicholls cautioned young artistes to fight valiantly to
"uphold a rich heritage which our forefathers worked hard to create".
"Fast, watered-down lyrics or rude, lewd lyrics and behaviour are not a replacement for sound, lyrically strong social commentary, or
up-tempo party songs which are rooted in our heritage and are critical components of the artform," she said.
Harper-Nicholls reminded the audience of the double entendre, and the fact that the topic did not have to be "in your face to be understood
or appreciated".
CROP-OVER must always be more than a Carnival and "unbridled bacchanalia".
Speaking yesterday at the BNB Crop-Over Thanksgiving And Ceremonial Delivery Of The Last Canes in Independence Square, Minister of
Community Development and Culture Steve Blackett said the 2009 festival was a tribute to the hard working ancestors.
"It certainly is not a mere excuse for unbridled bacchanalia. It should inspire us to rise above the one-dimensional "waistline" view, and
continue as our ancestors did, to celebrate our achievements," he said.
Blackett lamented that while commentators had been airing views on the merits and demerits of the festival, none of them had advanced a
plan that "could add substantially or positively to what we are now offering".
Human Resource Manager of sponsors Barbados National Bank Donna Harper-Nicholls cautioned young artistes to fight valiantly to
"uphold a rich heritage which our forefathers worked hard to create".
"Fast, watered-down lyrics or rude, lewd lyrics and behaviour are not a replacement for sound, lyrically strong social commentary, or
up-tempo party songs which are rooted in our heritage and are critical components of the artform," she said.
Harper-Nicholls reminded the audience of the double entendre, and the fact that the topic did not have to be "in your face to be understood
or appreciated".
Family Ambushed
AN ARMED BANDIT last Saturday night left a family $60 000 in the red when he made off with their clients' gold.
Goldsmiths Simy "Jennifer" Ragnauth and her fiancé Ramnarayan "Richard" Kaimraj were held at gunpoint in the driveway of their St
Michael home around 8:20, moments after leaving their business in Bridgetown.
"Everything happened in less than a minute. We had just pulled into the driveway and had just rolled up the windows when this guy with a
mask ran up and broke open the [driver's] window with the butt of his gun," Kaimraj, 28, recounted.
Kaimraj struggled to get his 23-year-old companion out of the white Toyota Corolla by pushing her out of the opened door and scrambled
behind her to exit.
He then turned to pick up a 25-pound dumbbell lying in the yard and used it as a missile against the perpetrator who had by this time
entered the vehicle by perching halfway through the opening by the driver's seat, snatching a laptop bag of clients' gold the couple had
brought with them from their store for security.
The Guyanese-born jeweller said the dumbbell hit the bandit in his head, wounding him and leaving him temporarily stunned.
"He took off his mask to see what had happened and during that time I picked up two more dumbbells, ran around the back of the car to
throw at him," Kaimraj said.
The thief then aimed the gun at Kaimraj, making his getaway with the gold, but leaving his mask behind.
"This wasn't a wild goose chase, it was a well executed plan," Kaimraj said.
No money to pay
Ragnauth explained that since there was a robbery in Broad Street earlier this year, the couple had started taking home the items, which
included jewellery belonging to clients.
"Most of the stuff we've had for months. These are [pieces] we would have finished that clients had not yet collected because they didn't
have the money to pay [for the services]," she said.
"We will have to close down. It was people's stuff. There were about three to four pounds of gold in their at $1 200 per ounce. There is no
way even from our savings we can repay them," she added, stating since they had not been granted with a permanent residence visa they
AN ARMED BANDIT last Saturday night left a family $60 000 in the red when he made off with their clients' gold.
Goldsmiths Simy "Jennifer" Ragnauth and her fiancé Ramnarayan "Richard" Kaimraj were held at gunpoint in the driveway of their St
Michael home around 8:20, moments after leaving their business in Bridgetown.
"Everything happened in less than a minute. We had just pulled into the driveway and had just rolled up the windows when this guy with a
mask ran up and broke open the [driver's] window with the butt of his gun," Kaimraj, 28, recounted.
Kaimraj struggled to get his 23-year-old companion out of the white Toyota Corolla by pushing her out of the opened door and scrambled
behind her to exit.
He then turned to pick up a 25-pound dumbbell lying in the yard and used it as a missile against the perpetrator who had by this time
entered the vehicle by perching halfway through the opening by the driver's seat, snatching a laptop bag of clients' gold the couple had
brought with them from their store for security.
The Guyanese-born jeweller said the dumbbell hit the bandit in his head, wounding him and leaving him temporarily stunned.
"He took off his mask to see what had happened and during that time I picked up two more dumbbells, ran around the back of the car to
throw at him," Kaimraj said.
The thief then aimed the gun at Kaimraj, making his getaway with the gold, but leaving his mask behind.
"This wasn't a wild goose chase, it was a well executed plan," Kaimraj said.
No money to pay
Ragnauth explained that since there was a robbery in Broad Street earlier this year, the couple had started taking home the items, which
included jewellery belonging to clients.
"Most of the stuff we've had for months. These are [pieces] we would have finished that clients had not yet collected because they didn't
have the money to pay [for the services]," she said.
"We will have to close down. It was people's stuff. There were about three to four pounds of gold in their at $1 200 per ounce. There is no
way even from our savings we can repay them," she added, stating since they had not been granted with a permanent residence visa they
- City Council
The City Council has given notice that with effect from Friday vendors will not be allowed to ply their trade on Saffon Street as a result of an intensified enhancement exercise
which its engineers are carrying out in the La Penitence area.
According to a press release from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), the works would include weeding, lining and grading parapets, clearing street drains and other
enhancement activities.
The council stated that all vendors who usually ply their trade on Saffon Street, next to the Albouystown Market, would not be able to sell there until further notice.
Therefore, the release added, they should not attempt to put out their stalls and other goods, and vendors who reside outside of the City but travel to do business on the Saffon
roadway are asked to take note.
Meanwhile, the council said it is pleased with “the high level of cooperation” it has been receiving from citizens in all sections of the city. The council also noted that it has
received valuable support from local corporations and businesses including BK International, Alabama Trading, Brassonic Co., and R&R International, and the assistance would
help in the restoration of Le Repentir and improving conditions in Georgetown.
The City Council has given notice that with effect from Friday vendors will not be allowed to ply their trade on Saffon Street as a result of an intensified enhancement exercise
which its engineers are carrying out in the La Penitence area.
According to a press release from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), the works would include weeding, lining and grading parapets, clearing street drains and other
enhancement activities.
The council stated that all vendors who usually ply their trade on Saffon Street, next to the Albouystown Market, would not be able to sell there until further notice.
Therefore, the release added, they should not attempt to put out their stalls and other goods, and vendors who reside outside of the City but travel to do business on the Saffon
roadway are asked to take note.
Meanwhile, the council said it is pleased with “the high level of cooperation” it has been receiving from citizens in all sections of the city. The council also noted that it has
received valuable support from local corporations and businesses including BK International, Alabama Trading, Brassonic Co., and R&R International, and the assistance would
help in the restoration of Le Repentir and improving conditions in Georgetown.
| Guyana |
| Participants in the Environmental Awareness Sundown Beach Walk walking along Mullins Beach in St Peter. |
(Charlestown, Nevis) – The number of cases of the H1N1 flu virus continues to climb in the
Caribbean region and the World Health Organization recently increased the threat level to six
out of six, but cases resulting in death have so far been far short of the Biblical type plague
prophesied by media hype.
The Health Minister of Nevis Hon. Hensley Daniel continues to assure the Nevisian public that
the Nevis Island Administration has put in place measures to guard against the transmission
of the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus on the island but public cooperation is necessary.
The Minister outlined the measures in place in a televised statement on Nevis Television on
Wednesday, ahead of the arrival of the first batch of more than 100 construction workers, from
Mexico-based Ocean View Construction this weekend.
The company was subcontracted by DCK International, a Pittsburgh based company
contracted by owners of the Four Season Resort to restore the hotel by December 2009.
The workers are scheduled to arrive on island via Panama, the Dominican Republic and
Antigua. Mr. Daniel said health personnel in Mexico would monitor them prior to departure for
any sign or symptom of the virus and would send the relevant health reports to the health
officials on Nevis.
On their arrival as part of the ongoing Port Surveillance program, they would be met at the
Airport in Newcastle by a team of health officials - doctors, nurses and environmental health
workers - who would continue to observe them for any signs and symptoms.
A quarantine room had already been set up at the airport for anyone from the travelling public
Caribbean region and the World Health Organization recently increased the threat level to six
out of six, but cases resulting in death have so far been far short of the Biblical type plague
prophesied by media hype.
The Health Minister of Nevis Hon. Hensley Daniel continues to assure the Nevisian public that
the Nevis Island Administration has put in place measures to guard against the transmission
of the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus on the island but public cooperation is necessary.
The Minister outlined the measures in place in a televised statement on Nevis Television on
Wednesday, ahead of the arrival of the first batch of more than 100 construction workers, from
Mexico-based Ocean View Construction this weekend.
The company was subcontracted by DCK International, a Pittsburgh based company
contracted by owners of the Four Season Resort to restore the hotel by December 2009.
The workers are scheduled to arrive on island via Panama, the Dominican Republic and
Antigua. Mr. Daniel said health personnel in Mexico would monitor them prior to departure for
any sign or symptom of the virus and would send the relevant health reports to the health
officials on Nevis.
On their arrival as part of the ongoing Port Surveillance program, they would be met at the
Airport in Newcastle by a team of health officials - doctors, nurses and environmental health
workers - who would continue to observe them for any signs and symptoms.
A quarantine room had already been set up at the airport for anyone from the travelling public
Said Golding: "One of the reasons why we pay so much attention to him is because Farmer Greg is a symbol of what you can do, of what you can achieve, when you are prepared
to go the straight and narrow and work hard. It is a statement of the assistance you can receive if people see that you are willing to work hard," he said.
"He had the courage; he had the confidence in himself to believe that he could make it on his own because he knew the capacity that he had for hard work. And he believed that if
he could muscle up and work a little harder he could make it," Golding said.
The prime minister reiterated his promise of assistance to Gordon's family, his business and the youngsters who work on the farm.
In the meantime, Golding, addressing 'tensions' said to be brewing within the farmer's family over the property, said they would be doing the farmer's memory a great disservice if
there was "any hauling and pulling over what he died leaving and who was to get it".
Gordon gained public attention last year when the government offered him several acres of land to relocate and expand after he complained that his pigs were being stolen from
his farm that was located along the Dyke Road in the municipality.
His life was cut short, however, when he was gunned down last month while doing what he did best - attending to the pigs on his farm.
Gordon's brother has since been charged with murder in connection with his death.
to go the straight and narrow and work hard. It is a statement of the assistance you can receive if people see that you are willing to work hard," he said.
"He had the courage; he had the confidence in himself to believe that he could make it on his own because he knew the capacity that he had for hard work. And he believed that if
he could muscle up and work a little harder he could make it," Golding said.
The prime minister reiterated his promise of assistance to Gordon's family, his business and the youngsters who work on the farm.
In the meantime, Golding, addressing 'tensions' said to be brewing within the farmer's family over the property, said they would be doing the farmer's memory a great disservice if
there was "any hauling and pulling over what he died leaving and who was to get it".
Gordon gained public attention last year when the government offered him several acres of land to relocate and expand after he complained that his pigs were being stolen from
his farm that was located along the Dyke Road in the municipality.
His life was cut short, however, when he was gunned down last month while doing what he did best - attending to the pigs on his farm.
Gordon's brother has since been charged with murder in connection with his death.
were not entitled to certain privileges such as bank loans.
They have been operating legally at their Bridgetown business premises for three years and have been paying all their required taxes to the Inland Revenue Department.
With monthly expenses of $6 000, plus the money used to support their families in Guyana, the couple are uncertain how they will manage their loss.
Police responded, conducting forensic tests at the site. The police said the incident was reported to have occurred at a "quarter to nine" where a man robbed Ramnarayan of a
laptop case.
Meanwhile, police also confirmed reports of another armed robbery on Saturday night at First Caribbean on Lower Broad Street. Security officer Ivan Smith, 54, was attacked by
two bandits while making a deposit of an undisclosed sum of money.
He sustained gunshot injuries to the arm and leg. Smith was treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and is reportedto be in stable condition. The incident occurred after 11 p.m.
They have been operating legally at their Bridgetown business premises for three years and have been paying all their required taxes to the Inland Revenue Department.
With monthly expenses of $6 000, plus the money used to support their families in Guyana, the couple are uncertain how they will manage their loss.
Police responded, conducting forensic tests at the site. The police said the incident was reported to have occurred at a "quarter to nine" where a man robbed Ramnarayan of a
laptop case.
Meanwhile, police also confirmed reports of another armed robbery on Saturday night at First Caribbean on Lower Broad Street. Security officer Ivan Smith, 54, was attacked by
two bandits while making a deposit of an undisclosed sum of money.
He sustained gunshot injuries to the arm and leg. Smith was treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and is reportedto be in stable condition. The incident occurred after 11 p.m.
Ramphal Urges Abolition Of Appeals To
UK Privy Council
-says CCJ must give decisions under law, not
decisions to our liking
Former Commonwealth secretary general, Sir Shridath Ramphal, underscoring the primacy of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), says
that the abolition of appeals to the UK Privy Council must be a consequence of the region’s exercise of the right to self-determination in
judicial matters.
In an address at the inauguration of the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers last Thursday in Port-of-Spain, Sir Shridath
urged that the region must furnish the CCJ with the status of a final Court of Appeal in all matters.
“In the particular matter of the Caribbean Court of Justice we must act positively, not negatively. We must not abolish appeals to the Privy
Council merely because we disagree with its rulings in capital punishment cases; that abolition, which must come, must be a
UK Privy Council
-says CCJ must give decisions under law, not
decisions to our liking
Former Commonwealth secretary general, Sir Shridath Ramphal, underscoring the primacy of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), says
that the abolition of appeals to the UK Privy Council must be a consequence of the region’s exercise of the right to self-determination in
judicial matters.
In an address at the inauguration of the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers last Thursday in Port-of-Spain, Sir Shridath
urged that the region must furnish the CCJ with the status of a final Court of Appeal in all matters.
“In the particular matter of the Caribbean Court of Justice we must act positively, not negatively. We must not abolish appeals to the Privy
Council merely because we disagree with its rulings in capital punishment cases; that abolition, which must come, must be a
| Sad memories: ‘Jennifer’ Ragnauth (centre), with her brother ‘Rocky’ (left) and fiancé ‘Richard’ recounting her experience. |
| Hon Sam Condor |
| Tears for dad: A family member comforts Greg Solomon Gordon, son of slain pig farmer Greg Gordon, as the boy cries during his father's funeral service yesterday at the Worldwide Church of God in Portmore, St Catherine. |
| Barbados |
| TEMPO Founder and Chairman, Mr. Frederick Morton Jr., (left) and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas discussing the "Badbess Outta Style" Campaign. |
Culturama Events for June 28th - July 4th 2009
For more information visit www.NevisIsland.com
Sunday, June 28th
• Beach Football Knock out competition and live entertainment at Mariners Club/Island Life. 3pm until. ~ For details: 764-7899.
• Reggae Night/ Bonfire at Chevy’s Beach Bar. ~ For details: 469-0055.
• Movie Night at Rumours Bar & Grill. ~ For details: 664-2822.
• Dinner & Movie at LIME Café. 8pm. ~ For details: 662-9620
Monday, June 29th
• 1787 Bar & Bistro opens for lunch at the Gardens, Mon-Sat. ~ For details: 469-3462.
• Dinner & Karaoke at Chevy’s Beach Bar. 8pm until. ~ For details: 469-0055.
• Sports Night at Rumours Bar & Grill. ~ For details: 664-2822.
Tuesday, June 30th
• Join the medical students for a night of fun at Rumours Bar & Grill. ~ For details: 664-2822.
• Beach BBQ Buffet and live music at Oualie Beach Resort. 7- 9:30pm. ~ For details: 469-9735.
• Scuba Diving Pool Dives at Nisbet Plantation organized by Scuba Safaris. 11am. ~ For details: 469-9518.
Wednesday, July 1st
• Love night with exotic music at Rumours Bar & Grill. ~ For details: 664-2822.
• Dinner & Movie at LIME Café. 8pm. ~ For details: 662-9620.
Thursday, July 2nd
• Movie night at Sunset Beach Bar & Lounge. 6pm until. ~ For details: 662-9600.
• Dinner Beach Front at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club Beach Front. 6pm -10:30pm. ~ For details: 469-9325.
• Karaoke night at Rumours Bar & Grill. 9pm until. ~ For details: 664-2822.
• Karaoke night at Double Deuce Bar & Restaurant. 8pm until. ~ For details: 469-2222.
• Dinner & Movie at LIME Café. 8pm. ~ For details: 662-9620.
Friday, July 3rd
• Pre-Culturama Activities - Press Conference Launch of Culturama 35 at Red Cross Conference Room. 10am. ~ For details: 469-1992.
• The Flava’s Menu at Chevy’s Beach Bar. 12noon until. 4pm-6pm Fantastic Friday. ~ For details: 469-0055.
• Water Dept. BBQ at Pump Road. 4pm until. ~ For details: 664-9236.
• Mansa’s One Stop BBQ at Cade’s Bay. ~ For details: 469-8530.
• Dinner Party and Live Entertainment by the -Kasanova Band at LIME Café, Pinneys Beach. 7pm until. ~ For details: 662-9620.
• Movies, Fish Fry & Grill at Sunset Beach Bar & Lounge. 6pm until. ~ For details: 662-9600.
• Caribbean Buffet Night at Rumours Bar & Grill. 7:30pm-10:00pm. ~ For details: 664-2822.
• Entertainment and Bonfire at Sunshines. 8pm until. ~ For details: 662-8817.
Saturday, July 4th
• Culturama Breakfast & Cake Sale. 7:30am. Street Bash at 12noon in front of Nevis Tourism Authority Building. ~ For details: 469-1992.
• Atlantic View MTB Race. 3pm until. ~ For details: 664-2843.
• House Party at Sunset Beach Bar & Lounge. 6pm until. ~ For details: 662-9600.
• Open Night for all. Come dance the night away at Rumours Bar & Grill. ~ For details: 664-2822.
• Fondue Night with Wine Bar at Chrishi Beach Club. ~ For details: 662-3959.
• Yachtsman Grill Barbecue Buffet with entertainment at Nelson Spring. 6pm until. ~ For details: 665-6045.
For more information visit www.NevisIsland.com
Sunday, June 28th
• Beach Football Knock out competition and live entertainment at Mariners Club/Island Life. 3pm until. ~ For details: 764-7899.
• Reggae Night/ Bonfire at Chevy’s Beach Bar. ~ For details: 469-0055.
• Movie Night at Rumours Bar & Grill. ~ For details: 664-2822.
• Dinner & Movie at LIME Café. 8pm. ~ For details: 662-9620
Monday, June 29th
• 1787 Bar & Bistro opens for lunch at the Gardens, Mon-Sat. ~ For details: 469-3462.
• Dinner & Karaoke at Chevy’s Beach Bar. 8pm until. ~ For details: 469-0055.
• Sports Night at Rumours Bar & Grill. ~ For details: 664-2822.
Tuesday, June 30th
• Join the medical students for a night of fun at Rumours Bar & Grill. ~ For details: 664-2822.
• Beach BBQ Buffet and live music at Oualie Beach Resort. 7- 9:30pm. ~ For details: 469-9735.
• Scuba Diving Pool Dives at Nisbet Plantation organized by Scuba Safaris. 11am. ~ For details: 469-9518.
Wednesday, July 1st
• Love night with exotic music at Rumours Bar & Grill. ~ For details: 664-2822.
• Dinner & Movie at LIME Café. 8pm. ~ For details: 662-9620.
Thursday, July 2nd
• Movie night at Sunset Beach Bar & Lounge. 6pm until. ~ For details: 662-9600.
• Dinner Beach Front at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club Beach Front. 6pm -10:30pm. ~ For details: 469-9325.
• Karaoke night at Rumours Bar & Grill. 9pm until. ~ For details: 664-2822.
• Karaoke night at Double Deuce Bar & Restaurant. 8pm until. ~ For details: 469-2222.
• Dinner & Movie at LIME Café. 8pm. ~ For details: 662-9620.
Friday, July 3rd
• Pre-Culturama Activities - Press Conference Launch of Culturama 35 at Red Cross Conference Room. 10am. ~ For details: 469-1992.
• The Flava’s Menu at Chevy’s Beach Bar. 12noon until. 4pm-6pm Fantastic Friday. ~ For details: 469-0055.
• Water Dept. BBQ at Pump Road. 4pm until. ~ For details: 664-9236.
• Mansa’s One Stop BBQ at Cade’s Bay. ~ For details: 469-8530.
• Dinner Party and Live Entertainment by the -Kasanova Band at LIME Café, Pinneys Beach. 7pm until. ~ For details: 662-9620.
• Movies, Fish Fry & Grill at Sunset Beach Bar & Lounge. 6pm until. ~ For details: 662-9600.
• Caribbean Buffet Night at Rumours Bar & Grill. 7:30pm-10:00pm. ~ For details: 664-2822.
• Entertainment and Bonfire at Sunshines. 8pm until. ~ For details: 662-8817.
Saturday, July 4th
• Culturama Breakfast & Cake Sale. 7:30am. Street Bash at 12noon in front of Nevis Tourism Authority Building. ~ For details: 469-1992.
• Atlantic View MTB Race. 3pm until. ~ For details: 664-2843.
• House Party at Sunset Beach Bar & Lounge. 6pm until. ~ For details: 662-9600.
• Open Night for all. Come dance the night away at Rumours Bar & Grill. ~ For details: 664-2822.
• Fondue Night with Wine Bar at Chrishi Beach Club. ~ For details: 662-3959.
• Yachtsman Grill Barbecue Buffet with entertainment at Nelson Spring. 6pm until. ~ For details: 665-6045.
| Shavaughn ‘Eldorado’ Hendricks was hit multiple times |
who showed signs or symptoms of the virus.
The Health Minister said while on Nevis DCK International would employ a local doctor to monitor the Mexicans.
“Careful monitoring of the Mexicans will be done for the first 10 days on a daily basis at lunch time on the worksite, to ensure that we detect any possible signs of the H1N1 virus,”
he said.
The head of the local medical team will meet on a regular basis with the doctor employed by DCK International to share information if there is an outbreak.
In the event of an outbreak of the influenza like illness among the workers, Mr. Daniel said a room would be provided at the residence to treat any who contracted the virus.
“These are the measures that have been put in place by your government to ensure that nobody comes to Nevis to transmit the H1N1 virus
“I want to say to the public that the health services in Nevis have been sufficiently mobilised and every effort is being made to protect the people of Nevis from any Swine Flu. I
would wish for your full corporation. We must continue to observe proper hygiene practices so that the environment for the transmission of the H1N1 virus is eliminated,” he said.
The Minister also thanked the public for their understanding in the matter and reassured them that the health services were at a sufficient state of readiness. He said the island’s
health personnel would do all they could to prevent the transmission of the virus.
The H1N1virus was first detected in Mexico and has since spread to other parts of the world including the Caribbean region which continues to mount.
According to the World Health Organization’s June 15 H1N1update the United States of America had a cumulative total of 17,855 cases, Mexico 6,241 and Canada 2,978. The
total number of global cases stood at just under 40,000 with 167 deaths so far.
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the severity of the pandemic of the influenza like illness to be moderate.
The Health Minister said while on Nevis DCK International would employ a local doctor to monitor the Mexicans.
“Careful monitoring of the Mexicans will be done for the first 10 days on a daily basis at lunch time on the worksite, to ensure that we detect any possible signs of the H1N1 virus,”
he said.
The head of the local medical team will meet on a regular basis with the doctor employed by DCK International to share information if there is an outbreak.
In the event of an outbreak of the influenza like illness among the workers, Mr. Daniel said a room would be provided at the residence to treat any who contracted the virus.
“These are the measures that have been put in place by your government to ensure that nobody comes to Nevis to transmit the H1N1 virus
“I want to say to the public that the health services in Nevis have been sufficiently mobilised and every effort is being made to protect the people of Nevis from any Swine Flu. I
would wish for your full corporation. We must continue to observe proper hygiene practices so that the environment for the transmission of the H1N1 virus is eliminated,” he said.
The Minister also thanked the public for their understanding in the matter and reassured them that the health services were at a sufficient state of readiness. He said the island’s
health personnel would do all they could to prevent the transmission of the virus.
The H1N1virus was first detected in Mexico and has since spread to other parts of the world including the Caribbean region which continues to mount.
According to the World Health Organization’s June 15 H1N1update the United States of America had a cumulative total of 17,855 cases, Mexico 6,241 and Canada 2,978. The
total number of global cases stood at just under 40,000 with 167 deaths so far.
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the severity of the pandemic of the influenza like illness to be moderate.
"My concern is that the government says they are going back to the IMF but they have not indicated to the country, as yet, the improved conditions under which they say the IMF is
lending," Opposition Leader Portia Simpson said shortly after a meeting of the party's National Executive Council (NEC) at the Touch of Class Hotel in Central Westmoreland.
"I would like to know the conditionalities that they would impose now, to see whether or not they are as harsh as what they (IMF) imposed on Jamaica when we borrowed from
them, years ago," said Simpson Miller.
She said that while the Opposition was not opposed to the country resuming a borrowing relationship with the IMF, the party's support for such a move would depend on the terms
of the agreement.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding, speaking at the Production and Marketing Organisation conference and exposition in Trelawny last week, said that the country would know next
month whether or not the government would enter into an arrangement with the Fund.
Finance Minister Audley Shaw is scheduled to leave the island for Washington this week with a high-level team to have talks with the Fund, while an IMF team is scheduled to hold
talks with Jamaican officials in July.
Golding said his administration would not return to the IMF, if it was not satisfied that a borrowing relationship would be beneficial to the country.
However, Golding, who met last week with the Opposition, private sector and trade unions, has not disclosed the terms under which Jamaica was prepared to resume borrowing
from the IMF which, during the 1970s and '80s, was severely criticised for the austerity measures it imposed on the country.
Jamaica ended its borrowing relationship with the IMF in the early-1990s.
Meanwhile, PNP chairman Robert Pickersgill told reporters, shortly after yesterday's meeting, that an agreement is yet to be reached with the governing Jamaica Labour Party
(JLP) regarding the holding of further by-elections in the dual citizenship fallout.
" The (PNP) general secretary (Peter Bunting) and myself and the JLP's deputy chairman(Rudyard Spencer) and secretary (Karl Samuda) met and we all agree that we will report
to our respective party leaders, and so you will hear more on that when an agreement is reached," Pickersgill said.
When pressed, the PNP general secretary said both parties have agreed that they would not "at this time" divulge the outcome of the deliberations to the media. Both parties have
been meeting in recent weeks, in an effort to arrive at an agreement whereby there would be no contest for sitting members of parliament who breached the constitution by
holding dual citizenship at the time of their nomination for the September 2007 general elections.
lending," Opposition Leader Portia Simpson said shortly after a meeting of the party's National Executive Council (NEC) at the Touch of Class Hotel in Central Westmoreland.
"I would like to know the conditionalities that they would impose now, to see whether or not they are as harsh as what they (IMF) imposed on Jamaica when we borrowed from
them, years ago," said Simpson Miller.
She said that while the Opposition was not opposed to the country resuming a borrowing relationship with the IMF, the party's support for such a move would depend on the terms
of the agreement.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding, speaking at the Production and Marketing Organisation conference and exposition in Trelawny last week, said that the country would know next
month whether or not the government would enter into an arrangement with the Fund.
Finance Minister Audley Shaw is scheduled to leave the island for Washington this week with a high-level team to have talks with the Fund, while an IMF team is scheduled to hold
talks with Jamaican officials in July.
Golding said his administration would not return to the IMF, if it was not satisfied that a borrowing relationship would be beneficial to the country.
However, Golding, who met last week with the Opposition, private sector and trade unions, has not disclosed the terms under which Jamaica was prepared to resume borrowing
from the IMF which, during the 1970s and '80s, was severely criticised for the austerity measures it imposed on the country.
Jamaica ended its borrowing relationship with the IMF in the early-1990s.
Meanwhile, PNP chairman Robert Pickersgill told reporters, shortly after yesterday's meeting, that an agreement is yet to be reached with the governing Jamaica Labour Party
(JLP) regarding the holding of further by-elections in the dual citizenship fallout.
" The (PNP) general secretary (Peter Bunting) and myself and the JLP's deputy chairman(Rudyard Spencer) and secretary (Karl Samuda) met and we all agree that we will report
to our respective party leaders, and so you will hear more on that when an agreement is reached," Pickersgill said.
When pressed, the PNP general secretary said both parties have agreed that they would not "at this time" divulge the outcome of the deliberations to the media. Both parties have
been meeting in recent weeks, in an effort to arrive at an agreement whereby there would be no contest for sitting members of parliament who breached the constitution by
holding dual citizenship at the time of their nomination for the September 2007 general elections.
| BHTA vice-president Wayne Calpaldi. |
| KING Of the Crop Grantley Hurley (left) and Queen Judy Cumberbatch in their crowning glory. |
Recently Minister of Education and Human Resource Development Ronald Jones and principal Matthew Farley spoke against the wanton behaviour at Crop-Over time.
Yesterday's event officially kicked off the festival, starting with a procession from Queen's Park and culminating in Independence Square.
Blackett encouraged people to use precaution during the celebration, as the HINI pandemic remained a threat.
The hundreds gathered saw the crowning of perennial King Of The Crop Grantley Hurley and ten-time Queen Judy Cumberbatch.
They were entertained by the band of the Royal Barbados Police Force, the Sons of God Apostolic Church, Israel Lovell Foundation, Sing Out Barbados and Pride of Wilson Hill
Folk groups, Sankofa Productions and Pinelands Creative Workshop.
This year's stalwart awards were presented to the department of emergency management (DEM), Blue Box Cart, Wayne Poonka Willock, Mother Sylvia Goodrigde and Vernon
Martindale.
Yesterday's event officially kicked off the festival, starting with a procession from Queen's Park and culminating in Independence Square.
Blackett encouraged people to use precaution during the celebration, as the HINI pandemic remained a threat.
The hundreds gathered saw the crowning of perennial King Of The Crop Grantley Hurley and ten-time Queen Judy Cumberbatch.
They were entertained by the band of the Royal Barbados Police Force, the Sons of God Apostolic Church, Israel Lovell Foundation, Sing Out Barbados and Pride of Wilson Hill
Folk groups, Sankofa Productions and Pinelands Creative Workshop.
This year's stalwart awards were presented to the department of emergency management (DEM), Blue Box Cart, Wayne Poonka Willock, Mother Sylvia Goodrigde and Vernon
Martindale.
The Georgetown District sends the most delegates to the congress of the party and yesterday’s outcome could be pivotal to
party leader Robert Corbin retaining his post. Lawrence, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, is seen
as a Corbin ally and someone who could promote his candidacy. Sources say had Norton won he would have been in a
better position to mount a leadership challenge. The last congress had already seen an acrimonious parting between the
Corbin faction and Team Alexander – led by Vincent Alexander – and culminated in the recall of James McAllister from
party leader Robert Corbin retaining his post. Lawrence, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, is seen
as a Corbin ally and someone who could promote his candidacy. Sources say had Norton won he would have been in a
better position to mount a leadership challenge. The last congress had already seen an acrimonious parting between the
Corbin faction and Team Alexander – led by Vincent Alexander – and culminated in the recall of James McAllister from
Parliament.
By the time the results of the election were announced at around 6 pm, Norton and most of his supporters had left Congress Place, Sophia labelling the
election process a fraud.
However, after the announcement of the new office bearers was made, Corbin, installed the new officers, and said that no one can question the will of
the Georgetown members and he urged that they all unite to ensure that the party wins the upcoming local government elections.
The party in a release last evening said that “after a vigorous campaign”, Lawrence along with Hazel Pinder, vice-chairman; Sheila Prescott, secretary
and Linda Gomes, treasurer were elected. Committee members are Kevin Rose, Vibert Hart and Eon Andrews.
The party said that the congress saw more than 1000 delegates and observers from 29 party groups and five youth groups participating in yesterday’s
process.
By the time the results of the election were announced at around 6 pm, Norton and most of his supporters had left Congress Place, Sophia labelling the
election process a fraud.
However, after the announcement of the new office bearers was made, Corbin, installed the new officers, and said that no one can question the will of
the Georgetown members and he urged that they all unite to ensure that the party wins the upcoming local government elections.
The party in a release last evening said that “after a vigorous campaign”, Lawrence along with Hazel Pinder, vice-chairman; Sheila Prescott, secretary
and Linda Gomes, treasurer were elected. Committee members are Kevin Rose, Vibert Hart and Eon Andrews.
The party said that the congress saw more than 1000 delegates and observers from 29 party groups and five youth groups participating in yesterday’s
process.
‘Sad day’
As the ballot papers were being distributed for the voting for chairman, chaos erupted as persons were heard shouting that they were not receiving any ballot papers while others
claimed that some persons were receiving more than one ballot paper. This saw some of them jumping to their feet and engaging in shouting matches.
One man who wanted to make his voice heard stood at the microphone screaming that the process was being rigged and he suggested to Returning Officer Robert Williams that
the delegates move by rows to the head table to vote instead of sharing out the ballot papers as that process was supporting rigging.
“We cannot want to go to the PPP/C and talk about rigging elections when we are doing the same here, this must end now we must stop this and we must start doing things right
now,” the man shouted into the microphone. And while he had many supporters there were others who were very angry with his outburst. One man got so angry at his outburst that
he wrenched the microphone from his hands, and this saw several persons, including party leader-hopeful Dr Richard Van West Charles, jumping to their feet and running to the
man’s assistance.
After some minutes of shouting, Corbin was forced to take the microphone at the podium and literally begged and sometimes demanded that persons take their seats. He
described the situation as a “sad day” and asked his members if they wanted him to become ill again.
After about 10 minutes persons returned to their seats and voted for the chairman and Stabroek News observed that some of them even followed the ballot boxes all the way to the
room where the ballots were counted.
However, the earlier chaos seemed to have turned many off and they chose to leave Congress Place even before the voting process was over. Parliamentarians Debra Backer
and Winston Murray were some of the more prominent persons who left.
Norton and his supporters also left the voting area and were overheard saying that the process was being rigged. Some persons produced ballot papers which did not have the
standardised stamp at the back of them.
“This is bare jiggery-pokery,” Norton told one of his supporters.
Prior to the elections some persons were openly heard voicing their objections to their names not being found on the list of delegates.
“My name not there but me ent fighting because dem wouldn’t want me to fight,” one woman said as she was advised by another that she should have checked before yesterday
to ensure that her name was on the list. In the weeks leading up to the vote there had been complaints from Van West Charles about transparency at Congress Place.
There was obviously some friction between those who supported Lawrence and Norton and they openly displayed this, even using expletiv es to get their points over. “Nuff a dem
wah talking, is Miss Lawrence who help dem children to grow up and now deh talking,” one obviously upset woman said.
Another said she was accused of wanting to vote for Lawrence by someone in Norton’s camp and she said while she knows Norton from since she was a small child she should
be allowed to vote for whoever she sees fit.
Some persons last evening said while they had no problem with Lawrence they do not believe that she has what it takes to mobilise people to come out and vote.
“Is bare stupidness happening, them don’t care about this party, number one [Robert Corbin] is no leader and he should have stepped down since the last elections when he
lose so badly but no, he holding on and now he pushing for Lawrence to win even though he know it is not in the best interest of the party,” one member said.
Soon after, Norton and many of his supporters exited Congress Place and there were no dissenting voices when the announcement was finally made, only jubilation.
‘Spirited’ Following the voting and the announcement of the office bearers Corbin described the elections as one that was expected from a political party as he said “if we can’t
have a spirited election in the party how we can have a spirited election in the nation.”
“Of course we would use all our skills to get through but at the end of the day it is the electorate that makes the final decision… and I would like to congratulate those who stayed
through to the end,” the party leader said. He told the members who remained that they would be victorious and in relation to the others “ultimately we are from the same fold, the
People’s National Congress Reform, it is for us to embrace each other and to move forward as a united party because there are some people who believe they can’t function
unless [they are leading] but you cannot be a good leader if you are not a good follower.”
He urged the members to give the newly elected members of the executive their support for the next year. He asked the new executive to make the Georgetown District into one
united army and ensure that the party in victorious at the upcoming local government election.
“And for those who were concerned about the elections, I am glad I was here today so that I would not be hearing second-(hand) reports,” he said, adding that while there are a
few reports that the party’s general secretary would have to investigate he believes “from these resounding results there can be no doubt about the general will of the members of
the Georgetown District…”
Meanwhile, sources close to Norton’s camp last evening said that he would seek to deal with yesterday’s election at the party level as according to them many of the decisions put
in place at the election were lawless. They said that they were not able to have all their delegates vote as there was no roll call and people were given more than one ballot paper.
There were more ballot papers than people, and according to them this should not have been.
‘Impotent’
And former Chairman of the party, Winston Murray in an address prior of the election said that the leadership of the party has become “impotent” which has resulted in the present
day government “taking their eyes and pass us.”
Murray in a very impassioned but short address said that he is “hurt” when he says how the government has no regard for the party and he said this is mainly due to the weak
leadership.
Admitting that he also has to take some blame for the weak leadership as up to recently he was part of it, Murray called for a militant approach by the party and called on its
leadership to take its membership to the streets. This statement resulted in loud applause from the very vocal audience.
However, he cautioned that when the party called for its members to take to the streets “many of you stay in your homes.”
Murray had announced his resignation as chairman of the party and stated that that the party’s public departure from a position he took on the Economic Partnership Agreement
(EPA) has made it “impossible” to continue to hold the office with credibility.
Meanwhile, Murray said there is no reason for the party to apologise for anything it might have done during its 28 years of governing the country.
He said that every government has made mistakes and added that the party stands proud of its record. Murray said those who are calling for an apology have their own agendas
and they should be ignored.
Corbin while wrapping up the first session of the conference supported Murray’s stance of the party offering no apology but he did not address Murray’s statement that the party’s
leadership is weak.
Corbin said that the party has addressed the apology issue on a number of occasions in the past and it is not something it is going to spend much time on.
And yesterday there was great displeasure among some party members over what they termed as the “thuggish” behaviour of some of their fellow members. They complained
about loud and obnoxious heckling by some members while persons were making points, stating that this was very disrespectful and unhelpful to the party.
“They are not even listening to what the people are saying, and these are some of the issues that keep people away from the party,” one woman complained.
She said she has long been told that the party “lacked middle management, such as the nurses and the teachers, we are not attracting these people and it is hurting the party.”
She said that some of the members need to stop behaving in a manner that hurts the party’s public image.
According to the party’s release Corbin in his opening address reminded the conference that the party had always been inclusive and accommodated different views and
opinions. He said that if anyone doubted the fact all they had to do “is to look around the room and see the faces of those who from time to time had different views and ideas but
did not have to leave the party.” The release said the party leader advised that at the end of the day, “it was performance and work by which each member of the District will be
judged. There must be involvement with the community and its members, an essential task as the local government elections are slated to be held this year.”
As the ballot papers were being distributed for the voting for chairman, chaos erupted as persons were heard shouting that they were not receiving any ballot papers while others
claimed that some persons were receiving more than one ballot paper. This saw some of them jumping to their feet and engaging in shouting matches.
One man who wanted to make his voice heard stood at the microphone screaming that the process was being rigged and he suggested to Returning Officer Robert Williams that
the delegates move by rows to the head table to vote instead of sharing out the ballot papers as that process was supporting rigging.
“We cannot want to go to the PPP/C and talk about rigging elections when we are doing the same here, this must end now we must stop this and we must start doing things right
now,” the man shouted into the microphone. And while he had many supporters there were others who were very angry with his outburst. One man got so angry at his outburst that
he wrenched the microphone from his hands, and this saw several persons, including party leader-hopeful Dr Richard Van West Charles, jumping to their feet and running to the
man’s assistance.
After some minutes of shouting, Corbin was forced to take the microphone at the podium and literally begged and sometimes demanded that persons take their seats. He
described the situation as a “sad day” and asked his members if they wanted him to become ill again.
After about 10 minutes persons returned to their seats and voted for the chairman and Stabroek News observed that some of them even followed the ballot boxes all the way to the
room where the ballots were counted.
However, the earlier chaos seemed to have turned many off and they chose to leave Congress Place even before the voting process was over. Parliamentarians Debra Backer
and Winston Murray were some of the more prominent persons who left.
Norton and his supporters also left the voting area and were overheard saying that the process was being rigged. Some persons produced ballot papers which did not have the
standardised stamp at the back of them.
“This is bare jiggery-pokery,” Norton told one of his supporters.
Prior to the elections some persons were openly heard voicing their objections to their names not being found on the list of delegates.
“My name not there but me ent fighting because dem wouldn’t want me to fight,” one woman said as she was advised by another that she should have checked before yesterday
to ensure that her name was on the list. In the weeks leading up to the vote there had been complaints from Van West Charles about transparency at Congress Place.
There was obviously some friction between those who supported Lawrence and Norton and they openly displayed this, even using expletiv es to get their points over. “Nuff a dem
wah talking, is Miss Lawrence who help dem children to grow up and now deh talking,” one obviously upset woman said.
Another said she was accused of wanting to vote for Lawrence by someone in Norton’s camp and she said while she knows Norton from since she was a small child she should
be allowed to vote for whoever she sees fit.
Some persons last evening said while they had no problem with Lawrence they do not believe that she has what it takes to mobilise people to come out and vote.
“Is bare stupidness happening, them don’t care about this party, number one [Robert Corbin] is no leader and he should have stepped down since the last elections when he
lose so badly but no, he holding on and now he pushing for Lawrence to win even though he know it is not in the best interest of the party,” one member said.
Soon after, Norton and many of his supporters exited Congress Place and there were no dissenting voices when the announcement was finally made, only jubilation.
‘Spirited’ Following the voting and the announcement of the office bearers Corbin described the elections as one that was expected from a political party as he said “if we can’t
have a spirited election in the party how we can have a spirited election in the nation.”
“Of course we would use all our skills to get through but at the end of the day it is the electorate that makes the final decision… and I would like to congratulate those who stayed
through to the end,” the party leader said. He told the members who remained that they would be victorious and in relation to the others “ultimately we are from the same fold, the
People’s National Congress Reform, it is for us to embrace each other and to move forward as a united party because there are some people who believe they can’t function
unless [they are leading] but you cannot be a good leader if you are not a good follower.”
He urged the members to give the newly elected members of the executive their support for the next year. He asked the new executive to make the Georgetown District into one
united army and ensure that the party in victorious at the upcoming local government election.
“And for those who were concerned about the elections, I am glad I was here today so that I would not be hearing second-(hand) reports,” he said, adding that while there are a
few reports that the party’s general secretary would have to investigate he believes “from these resounding results there can be no doubt about the general will of the members of
the Georgetown District…”
Meanwhile, sources close to Norton’s camp last evening said that he would seek to deal with yesterday’s election at the party level as according to them many of the decisions put
in place at the election were lawless. They said that they were not able to have all their delegates vote as there was no roll call and people were given more than one ballot paper.
There were more ballot papers than people, and according to them this should not have been.
‘Impotent’
And former Chairman of the party, Winston Murray in an address prior of the election said that the leadership of the party has become “impotent” which has resulted in the present
day government “taking their eyes and pass us.”
Murray in a very impassioned but short address said that he is “hurt” when he says how the government has no regard for the party and he said this is mainly due to the weak
leadership.
Admitting that he also has to take some blame for the weak leadership as up to recently he was part of it, Murray called for a militant approach by the party and called on its
leadership to take its membership to the streets. This statement resulted in loud applause from the very vocal audience.
However, he cautioned that when the party called for its members to take to the streets “many of you stay in your homes.”
Murray had announced his resignation as chairman of the party and stated that that the party’s public departure from a position he took on the Economic Partnership Agreement
(EPA) has made it “impossible” to continue to hold the office with credibility.
Meanwhile, Murray said there is no reason for the party to apologise for anything it might have done during its 28 years of governing the country.
He said that every government has made mistakes and added that the party stands proud of its record. Murray said those who are calling for an apology have their own agendas
and they should be ignored.
Corbin while wrapping up the first session of the conference supported Murray’s stance of the party offering no apology but he did not address Murray’s statement that the party’s
leadership is weak.
Corbin said that the party has addressed the apology issue on a number of occasions in the past and it is not something it is going to spend much time on.
And yesterday there was great displeasure among some party members over what they termed as the “thuggish” behaviour of some of their fellow members. They complained
about loud and obnoxious heckling by some members while persons were making points, stating that this was very disrespectful and unhelpful to the party.
“They are not even listening to what the people are saying, and these are some of the issues that keep people away from the party,” one woman complained.
She said she has long been told that the party “lacked middle management, such as the nurses and the teachers, we are not attracting these people and it is hurting the party.”
She said that some of the members need to stop behaving in a manner that hurts the party’s public image.
According to the party’s release Corbin in his opening address reminded the conference that the party had always been inclusive and accommodated different views and
opinions. He said that if anyone doubted the fact all they had to do “is to look around the room and see the faces of those who from time to time had different views and ideas but
did not have to leave the party.” The release said the party leader advised that at the end of the day, “it was performance and work by which each member of the District will be
judged. There must be involvement with the community and its members, an essential task as the local government elections are slated to be held this year.”