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Welcome To Barbuda Politics
NEW
PAGES:
The Sir Vivian
Richards Information and Facts 
><>
PM Spencer’s
New Year Address ><>
Lester Bird’s
New Year Address ><>
GOVERNORS
GENERAL
OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
Sir Wilfred Ebenezer Jacobs – (October 19, 1919 – March 11, 1995)
Held the post from November 1, 1981 to June 10, 1993.
Sir James Beethoven Carlisle – (Born August 5, 1937 -)
Held the post from June 10, 1993 to July 17, 2007.
Louise Agnetha LAKE-TACK - (Born July 26, 1944 -)
Holds the post from July 17, 2007 to present.
Sunday September 16, 2007: Tragedy has hit Barbuda again. Dead is the former councilman, Dave de Souza. The sad news came about yesterday afternoon, when a vehicle carrying four men swerved out of control and landed in the sea. According to eyewitness reports, the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) owned by De Souza, was travelling on a resurfaced road, when the driver lost control. After swerving to and fro and overturned, it landed in the nearby sea. It could not be confirmed as to who was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident, but while De Souza was rushed to the Hannah Thomas Hospital but died, the three other occupants of the vehicle, who were unidentified, escaped injury and swam to the shore. De Souza, who was in his early forties, last threw his hat in the political ring earlier this year, when he unsuccessfully contested the council elections. He last served as the Deputy Director of Works in Barbuda and was noted to be a very close friend of the area representative, Trevor Walker. De Sousa’s death was the second such in a few weeks, when a motorcyclist, Mikey De Souza, crashed into a utility pole while driving and died. It could not be confirmed, if both gentlemen were related. Dave’s death happened only one day after Mikey was laid to rest. The police were said to be investigating the accident. ><> Island-wide electricity blackout angers residential and business consumers. ><> Over $10,000 worth of equipment stolen from a church located in the City of St. John’s. The collection box was alos removed. ><> (More to follow.) ><>
Monday August 27, 2007: The Minority Leader of the Opposition in the Senate of Antigua and Barbuda, have reacted to questions being raised as to the status of one of the members from the benches of the Antigua Labour Party (ALP). But Gail Christian was not prepared to clarify the real status of Elmore “Tamo” Charles, unless certain pertinent information was forthcoming. Christian did not elaborate as to what that pertinent information was and was therefore asking for more time. In her brief verbal statement, Christian said, “I cannot confirm at this point and time that Senator Elmore Charles has crossed the floor. I therefore cannot offer no official word at this time”. Charles was reportedly defecting from the ALP, into the arms of the governing United Progressive Party (UPP). While influential individuals in the UPP were rejoicing on the latest developments, a senior official in the ALP, who wanted to remain anonymous, was only prepared to say very little. According to that official, he learnt over the weekend, that a letter was in train to be delivered to the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin. That letter, according to the official, was likely to be delivered today. He said however, that he could not divulge the contents of the letter, since he was not privy to such information. It could not be confirmed either, if any similar correspondence would be delivered to the governor-general, indicating the resignation of Charles from the benches of the opposition. Media reports also stated, that Charles was earmarked for a ministerial position with the government. In the meantime, Charles has been reluctant to comment on the latest developments. ><> Barbuda MP Trevor Walker, has been named as an interested party to take over the lone petrol station on the sister isles. ><> One of the newest individuals to have declared his interest in contesting a seat at the next general elections, have showered words of encouragement to another individual who have shown interest. Truehart Smith the former Commissioner of Police, called in to “The Snake Pit Show with the Serpent” on Observer Radio on Saturday afternoon, to welcome Willa Myer to the fold. But while Smith had declared that he would be contesting the Barbuda seat as an Independent candidate, Myer was seeking to oust Senator Lenworth Johnson, from getting the opportunity to contest the St. John City South, on behalf of the UPP for the second time. While welcoming Myer to “the club”, Smith also told her, in addition to the attention of the listening public, that politics does not belong to any individual. He said that persons would set about themselves, in attempting to persuade her from making the move and was also prepared to put many obstacles in the way. In his final remarks, he told her, “If the people want you, then go for it”. Myer, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago, but have lived in Antigua and Barbuda for more than 40 years, was taking the position, that major reforms were needed in the country, especially in the areas of Social Security and Medical Benefits. She also added that she had already made her intentions known to the branch of the party, of her interest to run. ><>
Sunday August 26, 2007: A sitting Senator in the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) has called it quits. He is Elmore “Tamo” Charles. Charles, who is yet to complete a term at that level in Parliament, was reportedly heading to another side of the benches of the Upper House, into the arms of the ruling United Progressive Party (UPP). It was reported, that confirmation of the new arrangement could take place as early as tomorrow, where he could fill one of the two vacancies that the UPP has as that level. The move by Charles could also spell a serious blow to the ALP, which is presently experiencing turmoil of sorts. About a week ago, a high-ranking official of the Antigua Trades & Labour Union (AT&LU), which is the supporting arm of the ALP, lashed out at the leadership of the party and pointing an accusing finger. Wigley George also threatens that if the said leadership does not conform to the normal protocols and conventions that were established by that 34-year old institution, he would be forced to lead the charge to identify a slate of candidates drawn from the union, to contest the next general elections on behalf of the party. About the same time, a letter also surfaced, noting that the sitting Chief Magistrate, Maureen Payne-Hyman, had expressed interest in contesting a seat on the party’s ticket. But that was quickly denied by her and was later characterised by the party’s leader Lester Bird, that such was not possible, since she was employed as a civil servant. What makes the whole thing more interesting was that Payne-Hyman’s family roots were deeply embedded in the St. Phillip South constituency, where the deputy Prime Minister Wilmouth Daniel, is the sitting Parliamentary representative and whose opponent at the last general elections was Charles himself. Reportedly, it was revealed that Charles would not only be sworn in as a government Senator, but he was also earmarked to take up, a ministerial portfolio with the government, as a junior Minister of Public Works under Daniel. The move by Charles so far, has not attracted any response by the ALP, where officials contended, that he had not resigned from the party. While officials of the government have confirmed certain aspects of the new arrangement, Charles himself was yet to comment. Recently, the ALP was also instrumental in picking off executive members from the newly formed National Youth Party (NYP). ><>
Wednesday August 15, 2007: Within 24 hours of the launching of Barbuda’s newest political party, the New Barbuda Democratic Party (NBDP), the announced deputy leader of the party Molvin George, has distanced himself from the organisation, citing that he had no interest in the NBDP or any other political party. But the NBDP’s interim leader, Wesley Beazer, reacted by stating that such developments would not allow him and the organisation to be distracted from attracting members. ><>
Tuesday August 14, 2007: A new political party has been formed on Barbuda. It is being called the New Barbuda Democratic Party (NBDM). The leader of the organisation is Wesley Beazer, a self-employed businessman on the sister isle, who has also identified Molvin George, an employee at Carib Aviation, as the deputy leader. While he was yet to disclose the party’s policies, Beazer has since made an appeal to the young people there, to join up the party. The establishment of the NBDM has brought to three, the amount of active parties currently there. The other two are the Barbuda Peoples Movement (BPM) and the Antigua Labour Party (ALP). That latest announcement has came in about a week after the former Commissioner of Police for Antigua and Barbuda, Truehart Smith, a born Barbudan, had announced his independent candidacy in the upcoming poll. The next general elections for the country were not due until 2009. ><>
Monday August 13, 2007: The Organisation for National Development (OND) said that it welcomed the inclusion of the former Commissioner of Police, Truehart Smith into the political race. ><>
Wednesday June 13, 2007: Barbuda’s reigning Caribana calypso monarch Janice Daisy “Stabba” Welch was denied bail yesterday, after making her first appearance in the St. John’s Magistrate’s Court, in connection with a quantity of drugs, that were discovered in her travelling luggage, while she was attempting to board a commercial flight to Canada. Her alleged male accomplice Jean Dayton Hackette, who was believed to have given her the package with the illegal contents, was granted bail in the sum of $50,000, with $5, 000 of which to be in cash, two sureties and the surrender of all of his travel documents. Both Welch and Hackette had pleaded not guilty to the charges jointly read to them, which were possession of cocaine, possession with intent to transfer and attempt to export. Unconfirmed reports suggested that Hackette delivered the package to Welch for onward transmission, who, in his evidence to the authorities, said that the same package was also given to him by another individual to be passed on. However, he did not name that individual. At yesterday’s court appearance, lawyer John Fuller assisted Welch, while Craig Christopher represented Hackette. The defendants Welch, who is age 31 and Hackette, age 26, are to re-appear in court on October 24th. ><>
Tuesday June 12, 2007: Barbuda’s 2007 Caribana monarch is due to make an appearance in the Magistrate’s Court today. Janice Welch, more popularly known as “Stabba”, was the recipient of 3 drug-related charges yesterday, after airport security personnel, prevented her from boarding an Air Canada flight to Canada on Saturday. At the time of her arrest, passenger Welch was passing through security, when the exercise prompted an alarm, causing officers to pay closer attention. As a result, 5lbs of cocaine was discovered among her baggage, enclosed in some frozen items. It could not be confirmed if Welch had admitted to anything related to the discovery. Welch, who is an employee of the Barbuda Council, was travelling to Canada for a brief vacation. Unconfirmed reports have suggested, that the incident may cause Welch to be stripped of her crown in the interim, which she had won from a field of 5 participants. It was also noted, that Caribana officials would be paying close attention to any further developments on the matter. ><> Caribana officials on the sister isle of Barbuda, have said that they were very concerned over the recent incident involving one of their celebrated artistes. According to a source, Janice “Stabba” Welch has found herself in a very serious situation. But the said officials, who were obliged to follow the matter from here onwards, have said that she was likely to lose her crown. While the grounds were not spelt out, the source said that there was no contract with either of the parties, that is, the organisers and the artiste. But the sticking point however, that that there was established precedence in such behaviours. If Welch would continue to work her way up the criminal ladder, her reign would be handed over to the 1st runner-up on the evening of the calypso monarch contest. In place to take over, is Narissa Jarvis, also known as “Stager”. ><>
Sunday May 27, 2007: Barbuda Caribana organisers said that they were encouraged by the turn out for the international concert held at "Caribana City" last night. A number of artistes from different Caribbean islands appeared live. In the meantime, five calypsonians are also due to compete for the “calypso monarch title this evening. The five included Just Come, Stabba, Stinger, Lady Raw and Tumba de Exman. They are slated to render two songs, one in each round, aiming to get most of the 100 points that are up for grabs. Of the contenders, Stabba is the only one that has won the crown in the past. She did so in 2004. Singing Nickie, who won the crown consecutively in the last two years, will not be entering this year. The Burning Flames was also due to open this evening’s show. ><> Here are the order of appearance for the calypsonians singing in the competition this evening:
1) A Message To Gangs – Just Come
2) Chit Chat – Stabba
3) Major Crises – Stinger
4) Barbuda Cry – Lady Raw
5) Invade – Tumba De Exman
1) Seal Over Love – Tumba De Exman
2) De Boss – Lady Raw
3) Caribana – Stabba
4) Caribana Nice – Stinger
5) Time TO Answer The Call – Just Come
Wednesday January 24, 2007: The Barbuda Peoples Movement (BPM), have announced its slate of candidates for the upcoming council elections. Selected are Devon Warner, Godfrey Punter, Davidson De Souza and Hartford John. Apart from John, who has in the past put in 12 years of service on the council, the others are new comers. The quartet are to come up against opposing candidates from the Antigua Labour party (ALP), who are Arthur Nibbs, George Burton, Reuben James and David Shaw. The Barbuda Council elections, which are held every 2 years, are slated for March 23rd. ><> No measure of success for the Minister of Aviation, Harold Lovell and the members of the Barbuda Council. The minister and council members were to meet with the owner of Carib Aviation, but reports are, that the owner did not show up. The meeting was schedule for the parties to dialogue on the way forward for the airline and the services that it offers between Antigua and Barbuda airports. Last October, the owner fired a substantial amount of the staff, citing financial losses. The move had angered members of the council and other stakeholders and Lovell had stepped in to see how best the matters could be resolved. No date has been set for another meeting. ><>
Tuesday February 7, 2006: The Directors of Tourism in the Antigua & Barbuda overseas offices held a meeting in Barbuda recently. The historical occasion also provided the opportunity for them to hold talks with the Barbuda Council and to discuss with the top tourism-marketing representatives, along with the Minister of Tourism, Harold Lovell, and his Antigua based team, their vision for tourism in Barbuda and its critical role in marketing the twin island nation as a dual center vacation spot. On the Barbuda front, the chairman of the council, Randolph Beazer, outlined the potential of the sister isle and emphasised the need for proper representation of Barbudans in tourism development and marketing activities, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism. Areas identified for immediate attention in the move towards an improved product are the improvement of basic infrastructure, particularly the roads and airport facilities, and the proper management of the yachting industry, which he said was growing considerably. The MP for Barbuda, Trevor Walker, who is also the minister of Barbuda Affairs, accompanied the team to various historical sites, which included a visit to two of the three properties on island and culminated with a visit to the Codrington House Ruins and Caves at Two Foot Bay. The exercise was to review the potential development, for them to becoming heritage sites. Minister Lovell stressed the importance of the meeting, as well as his commitment to building a stronger relationship with the Barbuda Council. He said that every effort to market Antigua and Barbuda as a unique Caribbean destination could only be attainable with a strong partnership approach between the two islands. Immediate results could be realised, as space would be provided at the tourism information desk at V.C. Bird International Airport, for personnel from Barbuda to utilise and staff from the Barbuda Council, working to provide further exposure and training. Lovell also revealed, that plans were already in place to utilise a highly credentialed Barbudan Chef Reme Hamlet at the annual CTO Caribbean Week in New York scheduled for June 2006. The visit to Barbuda was the highlight of the first 2006 biannual meeting of overseas offices, which was seeking to strengthen collaboration in a more aggressive global marketing effort and to ensure synergy among the marketing representatives. The meeting also reviewed marketing plans and budgets and various on-island activities, particularly the hosting of travel agents and media, which has been the primary thrust of marketing activities for Antigua and Barbuda. ><> Barbuda will be getting its share of promotional activities. So said a tourism official, who was on a recent trip to the island. According to the official, representatives of the Barbuda Council would extend greater opportunities for attendance of key promotional activities. The official also revealed that a programme has already commenced, involving activities participated by Barbudans. To that extent, Ms. Therez Parker have already attended the World Travel Market in 2004, while Mr. Linton Thomas, have participated at a recent media launch co-ordinated by the New York Office in November 2005. The official said that the many attributes and features of Barbuda, complement Antigua, and together the destination provides an experience that no other destination can match. A tourism master plan has been developed for the sister isle. ><>
Saturday January 21, 2006: The Barbuda Council is now set up. At yesterday’s ceremony, a new chairman was selected. Named to the position is Randolph Beazer. Beazer replaces Lincoln Burton, who last held the position and who was now the chairman of the committee responsible for health, social welfare and disaster. A former chairman, Fabian Jones, assumed the position of deputy chairman as well as chairman of the portfolio’s of sports, culture and youth affairs. David De Souza is the chairman of works and general purposes, Lincoln Burton, the chairman of education, Senator Atkinson Beazer, the chairman of tourism, Kelvin Punter in charge of agriculture, lands, forestry, fisheries and coastal development and MP Trevor Walker, responsible for finance. Walker, who was the lead individual to have set up the council, made an attempt to do so a week ago, but had to abruptly adjourn the session. Since then he had sought advice from the country’s attorney general Justin Simon. It could not be confirmed, if Walker had briefed yesterday’s participants at the meeting about those developments. All of the portfolios were said to be operational by the respective chairmen for the next 12 months. ><> The Cabinet of Antigua & Barbuda, has taken advice that it has received from the recently appointed investigator. But the said Cabinet is not fully on board with all of the recommendations by Justice Don Mitchell, QC. In a recent development concerning the action taken by Digicel, the attorney general, Justin Simon, has confirmed, that the government would be moving to engage the services of a senior counsel. The specific function of the counsel is to advise them on the matter in relation to Digicel, as it was stated, that adverse comments have been made about the company. Simon added, that a Barbadian senior counsel, with experience of those sorts, would be used in this instance. He did not identify the counsel. ><> (Recommendation #2 in the Don Mitchell report and the comments made by the government, are as follows:
Cabinet’s response to the
recommendations contained in the Mitchell Report on the Public
Utilities Authority
Recommendation 2
That any future Commissioners
should be obliged to go through a formal learning process of the proper
behaviour and the rules of corporate governance at the commencement of their
term. They should reinforce the learning process by holding periodic workshops
and seminars on best business and management practices to ensure they achieve
and maintain the highest standards.
Comments:
Cabinet notes that this Recommendation expresses the need for ongoing
re-enforcement of administrative best practices and accordingly affirms its
commitment to these principles and practices in effecting the policies of this
administration. While recognizing the efforts by some of the Statutory Boards to
commence their training process by holding retreats, Cabinet will seek the
requisite assistance in organizing workshops/seminars through the Ministry of
Public Administration to allow for the more efficient discharge by statutory
boards and senior public officers of their respective mandates. Issues of
administration, management, practice and procedure, and the provisions of the
recently passed trilogy of Integrity legislation will form the core of these
working and learning sessions. ><>
Friday January 20, 2006:
The Antigua & Barbuda cabinet has responded to the recommendations of the
Don Mitchell Report. The attorney general, Justin Simon, QC, made a
simulcast radio and TV announcement last night. Simon had commented on
the twelve recommendations that were submitted by retired judge, Don Mitchell,
QC. But Simon stopped short of announcing, that the report would be
released to the general public. Simon said however, that the filing of
papers in the High Court yesterday, by the lawyer acting on behalf of Digicel,
had delayed that exercise. He did not explain what section of the report that
Digicel had referred to, in the papers filed on him yesterday and how could
Digicel be possibly aware of the contents, of a document, that had been with the
Cabinet only. The Antigua Public Utilities (APUA), through the dismissed Board
and the current Minister of Public Utilities, had entered into negotiations with
Digicel in Jamaica, to off load 67% of the cellular company to them. Mitchell
in his report had recommended that the Cabinet reject the Digicel contract. Mitchell
submitted his 36-page report to the attention of the Prime Minister over a
month ago. Since then, the said Cabinet have reported, that they have been
studying it. (The contents of the recommendations and the cabinet responses
are as follows:
Cabinet’s response to the
recommendations contained in the Mitchell Report on the Public
Utilities Authority
Recommendation 1
That on the appointment of any
future Commissioners they be instructed that they are to ensure the general
manager is co-opted to and is present at all meetings except those that directly
affect his conduct or that he should otherwise for some special reason be
excluded from.
Comment:
In accepting this recommendation, Cabinet is of the view that the Public
Utilities Authority Act should be amended to provide, inter alia, for the
General Manager to be an ex-officio member of the Board of Commissioners. This
is the current position in many other Statutory Boards and the amendment would
therefore allow for the General Manager not only to be present at Board
discussions but would also importantly ensure “his thorough understanding of
the decisions of the board and make more likely the efficient carrying out of
the policies of the board.”
><>
After sending two letters to the government, Digicel takes legal steps in the
High Court. ><> More calls have been made for the Mitchell
Report to be released. ><> Cement retailers and officials from the
Ministry of Finance, wrap up a meeting late yesterday afternoon. ><>
The Barbuda Council aims at organising itself sometime today. ><> The
Salvation Army said that it had fell short of its target to raise $120,000 for
Christmas in the kettle drive. ><> 8 individuals honoured at Government
House investiture yesterday. ><> Callers to radio stations criticise
the UPP for not attending properly to the people’s patrimony, especially in
light of the fact that they have among them, 7 lawyers in the Cabinet.
><> Calls have been made for the AG to explain the rational in
relinquishing the sovereignty of the country. ><> Speculations are
rife, that the School of Excellence agreement is somewhat similar to the Dato
Tan agreement. ><> As Dominica tells the ICC that it was standing
by to get some of the accommodation business for Cricket world cup 2007,
concerns have been raised locally, as to the state of readiness of Antigua &
Barbuda. ><>
Address
by
The
Honourable Trevor Walker
Minister
of State in the Office of the Prime Minister
On
the occasion of the
General
Debate
of
the 60th Session
United
Nations General Assembly
23
September, 2005
United
Nations
Mr.
President,
Distinguished
Heads,
Fellow
Ministers,
Other
Distinguished Guests:
This
is the first time in history that a representative from the
Mr.
President, let me begin by stating at the outset that the government and people
of
Hence,
my government and my country attach great importance to the work of the United
Nations, and to the outcome of the collective decisions of this family of
nations. As a small country, we look forward to safeguards within the outcome of
multilateral processes, and here I refer specifically to the outcome document of
the 2005 World Summit.
Mr.
President, taking stock of the achievement of the objectives of the outcome of
major UN conferences and summits is a task we approach with trepidation.
Based
on our experiences in
We
are hopeful because we have achieved a lot with our meager resources. In the
face of economic hardships we have managed to achieve a literacy rate of
approximately 90% among youth 15-25 years old; access to primary and secondary
education is mandatory and provided free of cost by the government to all
students ages 5-16; all public school students are provided with school uniforms
and the required text books free of cost; to accommodate our expanding student
population only this week we commissioned a new school on the island of Barbuda.
Mr.
President, poor people need to have access to the necessary resources so that
they can be in charge of their own development – be the masters of their own
destiny. This is why my people are extremely proud of what we consider a very
progressive land policy with regards to the ownership of lands on the
Mr.
President, ownership of land in Barbuda has long been a bone of contention
between the local government in Barbuda and the central government on
In
the area of health care, we in Antigua and Barbuda have a national medical
benefits scheme that provides low-cost access to health services and
prescription drugs; our child mortality rate is among the lowest in developing
countries; and so too are nutrition levels of children 5 and under.
In
spite of this, however, we are presently experiencing a high level of
frustration with our development efforts because the progress we have made so
far is at risk of being wiped away. As a middle-income small-island developing
state, we are continually handed the sharp edge of the sword to hold on to, when
it comes to a number of issues in international development. It is as if we are
being punished by the international community for having achieved some measure
of success thus far, with very meager resources, mostly through domestic efforts
and despite severe external challenges.
Mr.
President, allow me now to draw your attention to how we are treated with
respect to some of these issues.
On
the issue of Official Development Assistance (ODA), the Monterrey Consensus
represents a pact between developed and developing countries, with the aim of
scaling-up financing for development and making it more effective. Yet, Mr.
President, we are forced to concede that, when we consider our circumstances,
there is nothing in the Monterrey Consensus that so-called “middle income”
countries can benefit from.
Mr.
President, what our experience has shown us is that it is necessary for
international agreements on financing for development, like the Monterrey
Consensus, to include all
developing countries, and not sideline those that have achieved some measure of
success, since this would only serve to undo the progress that we’ve made.
Mr.
President our frustration with the Monterrey Consensus and financing for
development in general would not be so acute had it not been for the brutal
struggles we face in other areas that are potential engines for economic growth
and development. This now brings me to the issue of trade.
Mr.
President, we have been forced to ask ourselves if a pro-development trading
regime is something the international community really wants. Out CARICOM
neighbours have been dragged through brutal trade battles, struggling to keep
their agricultural sectors alive – namely the banana and sugar industries. Mr.
President, the Caribbean Community has for years been lamenting the importance
of these two sectors to the livelihood of our people.
A
pro-development trading regime would not amputate the feet of such small
vulnerable players and leave them to hemorrhage – and that is exactly what has
transpired with our banana and sugar producing CARICOM neighbours.
As
if that were not enough, we in
Last
week, during the 2005 World Summit, my Prime Minister spoke of the need for us
to seek WTO intervention in the dispute with the United States over Internet
gaming. Mr. President, with trade in agriculture proving continually difficult
for developing states in general, small-island states in particular, the
services sector is just about the only option we have presently for
diversification. And within the services sector, we cannot rely solely on one
type of activity.
For
Yet
we are finding it increasingly difficult to realize development benefits from
this type of activity due to the unfair trading practices of highly developed
countries, including the
In
addition to this, the principle of special and differential treatment for
countries with special needs, like Small-island developing states, is constantly
under perpetual assault by some of these very same highly developed countries.
It is an untenable situation, in light of the clear and direct link between
trade and development.
After
careful consideration and evaluation, we are forced to conclude that there is
nothing tangible for us in the Monterrey Consensus; we are beaten down on the
issue of trade, so we attempt to hitch our proverbial wagon to foreign direct
investment and international financing as a means of stimulating economic growth
and development. But once again, our valiant efforts are met with frustration.
Why? Because of the issue of debt.
Mr.
President, our experience has shown that highly indebted countries find it
extremely difficult to attract private international finance with a high debt
burden. Indeed, the international community has realized the importance of debt
reduction and forgiveness to development, evidenced by various HIPC initiatives,
and the recent G8 initiative of debt cancellation for some of the most heavily
indebted poor countries. Mr. President, we welcome this as a good and admirable
starting point. We urge that the initiative go further to address the situation
of all heavily indebted poor
countries. We also urge that the situation of heavily indebted middle-income
countries be given serious attention by the international community.
Mr.
President, I now focus my attention to the issue of Sustainable Development.
With regards to environmental sustainability, small islands like
The
situation is even more acute for the
The
devastation wrought by the increased intensity of hurricanes has set us back
years, even decades on the development scale.
Mr.
President, distinguished Ministers and others, these are just some of the
pressing domestic issues with which we are faced, but which requires
international cooperation and multilateral negotiation for us to effectively
address and successfully achieve.
I
now turn my attention to two remaining issues of international importance.
Firstly, the issue of international peace and security. Mr. President we live in
a world in which the need for collective security has never been more critical.
Last week’s World Summit demonstrated that world leaders recognize that there
are new threats and new challenges to global peace and security, and confer that
addressing these challenges require cooperation among all nations – evidenced
by the adoption of the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document.
However,
there are two particular aspects of international security to which I would like
to speak. The first is the issue of international drug trafficking. This form of
organized international criminal activity has major security implications for
our islands.
Drug
traffickers often use our shores and surrounding waters as transshipment points
for their illegal cargo, resulting in an increase in criminal activity within
our fragile societies.
These
criminals operate within very sophisticated networks that are beyond the reach
and capacity of our limited human and law enforcement resources. It is a
situation that puts the security of the entire region at risk. This is one area
that begs for greater international attention.
Secondly,
our security problems are compounded by the issue of criminal deportees from
developed countries. The policy of highly developed countries, with law
enforcement capacities that dwarf the capacities of all the
Already
our societies are on the brink of destabilization due to high incidences of
criminal activity to which criminal deportees are linked. Our reality is that we
simply do not have the resources or the capacity to properly redress this issue.
We believe it is an unfair policy on the part of developed countries, with
negative implications for development. This is a sentiment that was expressed by
the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda when he addressed the General Assembly
last week, and it is a point that I am compelled to underscore. The policy of
deporting criminals to the
It
is on this latter issue in which we need the immediate cooperation of those
States involved in this destructive and unjust practice. We implore those states
guilty of such a practice to work more closely with us to address this issue. We
fear the future consequence if something is not done now.
Mr.
President allow me to now turn my attention to the issue of strengthening the
United Nations.
We
support those reform proposals the objective of which is to make the UN more
democratic, increase its legitimacy, and enhance its work at both the
international and national levels.
We
would, however, welcome assurances that a reformed UN would be a more
representative UN, more effective in the areas of development and peace
building, and which gives equal consideration to the interests of all states –
small and large.
Mr.
President, distinguished heads, fellow Ministers,
Thank
you.
Sunday August 14, 2005: The Queen’s
relay baton spent the day in Barbuda yesterday. The
stop marks the 43rd destination of a 71-nation stop, of the world’s
longest most inclusive relay. The Melbourne 2006 Queen’s Baton Relay, will
be travelling more than 180,000 kilometres, to its final
dsetination, Australia, in one year and a day.
The first Queen’s Baton was created for a
relay to celebrate the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games in Wales. Since then the
Queen’s Baton Relay has become a much loved Games tradition. The baton’s
journey symbolises the unity and shared ideals of the Commonwealth of Nations,
and enables communities beyond the host city to share the Games celebrations. It
also serves a functional purpose in carrying Her Majesty The Queen’s
‘message to the athletes’ from Buckingham Palace in London to the opening
ceremony. In Barbuda yesterday,the baton changes many hands and journeyed all
over the island in many forms of transportation. The baton was also greeted on
by many persons along the route. It had a trip on the shoreline of the beach in
Codrington, in the arms of that island’s Carnival Queen, accompanied by
another lady in swimmwear, donned by the nation’s flag. It changes the hands
of members of the Barbuda Council, former member of parliament Hilbourne
Frank, a donkey ride and the joy of school children. The baton will be
making its rounds on mainland Antigua today. ><>
SPECIAL
FEATURE
The Melbourne 2006 Queen’s
Baton Relay is the world’s longest, most inclusive relay – travelling to all
71 nations of the Commonwealth in a year and a day. The design and technological
features of the baton that will travel this epic journey reflect the relay’s
efforts to showcase the diversity of the Commonwealth and unite its communities
in celebration of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games
The elegant, curved
form of the baton takes its inspiration from the physical form of athletes
arching forward as they strive for success. The 71 larger lights on the front of
the baton indicate the 71 nations of the Commonwealth that the Queen’s Baton
will visit on its journey to the Games. These progressively light up as the
baton arrives in each Commonwealth country, symbolising the gathering of the
nations at the four-yearly festival of sport and culture
The gold and magnesium
used in the baton hold special significance to the people of the State of
Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital. The gold tip reflects Melbourne’s
elegance and grandeur and the important role the metal has played in the
city’s history and prosperity. Melbourne thrived during Victoria’s 1850s
gold rush, which drew many people from diverse nations to the great city to seek
their success; not unlike the athletes that will flock to Melbourne for the
Games in 2006.
Magnesium, often referred to as the ‘metal of the future’, is used in the
front panel of the baton. Australia is one of the world’s largest producers of
magnesium and the metal has special significance to Australia’s prosperity and
economic future. The green colour used on the back of the baton reflects
Melbourne’s park surrounds and Victoria’s place as ‘The Garden State.’
The Melbourne 2006
Queen’s Baton, its interactive web-based and lighting technologies and all
other associated products have been designed by Melbourne-based industrial
design and product development consultancy, Charlwood Design Pty Ltd in
partnership with several other Victorian companies.
Using technology to bring the relay to you
The Queen’s Baton Relay harnesses the very latest in digital and other
communication technology to enable people across the globe to join the baton on
its epic journey to the Opening Ceremony of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth
Games.
The high-tech baton-tracking technology housed in the baton enables
schoolchildren, adults, families and friends to pinpoint the baton’s location
via the internet, where supported by satellite coverage. The special interactive
online baton tracking features include:
baton tracker – using the latest global positioning
system technology, the online tracking device pinpoints
the exact location of
the baton at anytime and indicates this on an online map of the world which
zooms to the actual location
baton cam – cameras mounted in the baton can transmit
video footage of key relay moments to this website
Melbourne 2006
Queen’s Baton stands at a height of 900mm, a width of 80mm and weighs
1500grams. The baton travels over land, sea and air on its epic journey to
Melbourne 2006, the location of the 2006 Olympic Games. ><>
Wednesday August 17, 2005: The Cabinet of Antigua &
Barbuda has confirmed a number of decisions concerning the redevelopment of the
V.C. Bird International Airport. At a meeting yesterday, a statement said that
the intention was to ensure the smooth and accelerated progress of the
redevelopment. Cabinet charged that the Board of Directors of the Antigua &
Barbuda Millennium Airport Corporation (ABMAC), was responsible for the overall
management, direction, oversight and coordination and momentum of all phases of
all activities related to the project; with the Chief Executive Officer
responsible for execution of the Board’s policies, decisions and directions.
The Cabinet also pointed out, that there was the need for the project to be
driven by a high degree of public information at every stage of redevelopment.
It said that in order to optimise available resources and stakeholder input, the
Board of Directors of (ABMAC) will be assisted by a cross-functional Millennium
Project Team comprising senior technical representatives of a number of
Ministries, agencies and organizations. The Cabinet also agreed, that the
Cross-Functional Millennium Project Team was to be chaired by the Hon. Trevor
Walker, Minister of State with responsibility for Barbuda Affairs and would
comprise of representatives from:
§ The
Ministry of Finance and the Economy
§ The
Ministry of Works, Transport and Environment
§ Mr.
Brian Challenger of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and a
Director of AMBAC
§ The
Ministry of Labour, Public Administration and Empowerment
§ The
Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force
§ The
Fire Department
§ The
Immigration Department
§ The
Customs Department
§ The
National Economic and Social Council
§ The
Aerodrome Superintendent
§
Mrs. Valerie
Skepple of National Enterprises Investment, Inc.
Tuesday August 9, 2005: The 25-five year old “land battle” between mainland Antigua and the sister isle Barbuda could come to an end, if the conditions of an agreement between the Barbuda Council and the government be kept in force. At a special meeting held between both parties yesterday, it was agreed in principle, that the government will be returning to Parliament, to enact a new legislation entitled, The Barbuda Land Act. The said Act, according to sources, will ensure that all lands in Barbuda would continue to remain in the hands of Barbudans. In a statement yesterday, the MP for Barbuda Trevor Walker, who led the Council’s bi-partisan delegation at the talks, said that the land issue had dated back to Lancaster House in London, where constitutional talks for the twin-island country had taken place. Walker also said, that while no agreement had been reached, the then government had taken the matter to court, for a declaration to state, that the said lands of Barbuda, were deemed to be crown lands and that the central government had the authority to decide, how the lands should be distributed or developed without the input of the Barbuda Council. Walker said that the Council over the years, supported by the people of Barbuda, had remained relentless in its task and was fighting the matter all the way to the Privy Council, which was due to be heard later this year. He also introduced the council’s legal point man on the matter John MacDonald QC, who was in town to hold discussions with his clients. Walker said that the agreement also called for closure of the matter at the Privy Council level, once The Barbuda Land Act was enacted though both houses of parliament and gazetted. He said that the current government, who was always supportive of the plight of the Barbuda people, should be commended for delivering on such a promise, since the agreement had paved the way for the Barbuda Council and the Central Government to put together a major five year development plan for Barbuda. Walker, while also hailing yesterday as a historic day for improved relations between the two islands, said that Mac Donald and the country’s attorney general Justin Simon QC, was expected to meet next week to agree on a brief, to be submitted to the Cabinet of Antigua & Barbuda and the Parliamentary Counsel for their consideration. ><>
Windies and Pakistan
to open the 2007 World Cup
19/07/2005 22:42 - (SA)
Port Of Spain, Trinidad - Hosts West Indies and Pakistan will open the 2007 cricket World Cup after the schedule was announced here on Tuesday.
The Group D clash between the West Indies and Pakistan will be on March 13 at the newly renovated Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.
Round robin play will see six games over a period of 11 days, with the final match of this Group slated for March 23, between the West Indies and Ireland who secured their place at the showpiece by reaching the final of the recent ICC Trophy.
Defending champions Australia will begin their defence of their title at the fully upgraded Warner Park Stadium in St Kitts when they take on ICC Trophy winners Scotland on March 14.
The twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago will host Group B. Group play will commence on March 15 when former champions Sri Lanka meets another of the ICC Trophy qualifiers Bermuda, India and Sri Lanka meet in the group's most alluring fixture on March 23.
Saint Lucia will welcome the teams, officials and fans to Group C of the competition. Play starts at Beausejour on March 14 when 2003 semi-finalists Kenya takes on another ICC Trophy qualifier Canada.
Kenya also closes out group play on March 24, when they face England.
Semi-finals in Jamaica and Saint Lucia
In all four Group stage host venues, six matches will be played over 11 days.
The winners and runners-up from each of the four groups will qualify for the Super 8 stage of the tournament where teams will play each of the other teams - except the team which advanced from their own group - for a total of six games each.
The Super 8 stage of the tournament, which begins on March 27, will be played in four countries: Antigua, Guyana, Grenada and Barbados.
The last match of this segment of the tournament will take place on April 21.
For the semi-finals the four remaining teams will travel to Jamaica and Saint Lucia. The first semi-final is on April 24 at Sabina Park in Kingston, where the second and third place finishers from the Super 8's will square off against each other.
The second of the semis is on April 25 at the Beausejour Stadium in Gros Islet, pitting the first and fourth place finishers from the Super 8's against each other.
The final is on Saturday April 28 at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
FULL MATCH SCHEDULE
|
|
| Group A St Kitts & Nevis |
Group B Trinidad & Tobago |
Group C St. Lucia |
Group D Jamaica |
|
| 1 | Australia (1) | Sri Lanka (2) | New Zealand (3) | Pakistan (4) |
| 2 | South Africa (5) | India (8) | England (7) | West Indies (6) |
| 3 | Scotland (12) | Bangladesh (11) | Kenya (10) | Zimbabwe (9) |
| 4 | Holland (16) | Bermuda (15) | Canada (14) | Ireland (13) |
Warm-up matches
| Date | Group WA Jamaica Trelawny |
Group WB St. Vincent |
Group WC Trinidad, Brian Lara |
Group WD Barbados, 3W's |
| Mon 05 Mar | WI v KEN | ENG v BER | SA v CAN | SL v SCO |
| Tue 06 Mar | IND v HOL | AUS v ZIM | PAK v IRE | NZ v BAN |
| Wed 07 Mar | ||||
| Thu 08 Mar | KEN v HOL | ZIM v BER | IRE v CAN | SCO v BAN |
| Fri 09 Mar | IND v WI | AUS v ENG | PAK v SA | NZ v SL |
| Date | Activity | |||
| Sun 11 Mar | Opening Ceremony | |||
| Group Stage | ||||
| Date | Group A St.Kitts & Nevis |
Group B Trinidad & Tobago |
Group C St. Lucia |
Group D Jamaica |
| Tue 13 Mar | WI v PAK | |||
| Wed 14 Mar | AUS v SCO | KEN v CAN | R | |
| Thu 15 Mar | reserve day | SL v BER | reserve day | ZIM v IRE |
| Fri 16 Mar | SA v HOL | reserve day | ENG v NZ | reserve day |
| Sat 17 Mar | reserve day | IND v BAN | reserve day | PAK v IRE |
| Sun 18 Mar | AUS v HOL | reserve day | ENG v CAN | reserve day |
| Mon 19 Mar | reserve day | IND v BER | reserve day | WI v ZIM |
| Tue 20 Mar | SA v SCO | reserve day | NZ v KEN | reserve day |
| Wed 21 Mar | reserve day | SL v BAN | reserve day | ZIM v PAK |
| Thu 22 Mar | SCO v HOL | reserve day | NZ v CAN | reserve day |
| Fri 23 Mar | reserve day | IND v SL | reserve day | WI v IRE |
| Sat 24 Mar | AUS v SA | reserve day | ENG v KEN | reserve day |
| Sun 25 Mar | reserve day | BER v BAN | reserve day | |
| Mon 26 Mar | reserve day | |||
Second Stage – Super Eight Series
| Date | Antigua & Barbuda | Grenada | Guyana | Barbados |
| Tue 27 Mar | D2 v A1 (WI v Aus) | |||
| Wed 28 Mar | reserve day | A2 v B1 (SA v SL) | ||
| Thu 29 Mar | D2 v C1 (WI v NZ) | reserve day | ||
| Fri 30 Mar | reserve day | D1 v C2 (Pak v Eng) | ||
| Sat 31 Mar | A1 v B2 (Aus v Ind) | reserve day | ||
| Sun 01 Apr | reserve day | D2 v B1 (WI v SL) | ||
| Mon 02 Apr | B2 v C1 (Ind v NZ) | reserve day | ||
| Tues 03 Apr | reserve day | D1 v A2 (PAK v SA) | ||
| Wed 04 Apr | C2 v B1 (Eng v SL) | reserve day | ||
| Thu 05 Apr | reserve day | |||
| Fri 06 Apr | ||||
| Sat 07 Apr | B2 v A2 (Ind v SA) | |||
| Sun 08 Apr | A1 v C2 (Aus v Eng) | reserve day | ||
| Mon 09 Apr | reserve day | D1 v C1 (Pak v NZ) | ||
| Tue 10 Apr | D2 v A2 (WI v SA) | reserve day | ||
| Wed 11 Apr | reserve day | C2 v B2 (Eng v Ind) | ||
| Thu 12 Apr | B1 v C1 (SL v NZ) | reserve day | ||
| Fri 13 Apr | reserve day | A1 v D1 (Aus v Pak) | ||
| Sat 14 Apr | A2 v C1 (SA v NZ) | reserve day | ||
| Sun 15 Apr | reserve day | B2 v D1 (Ind v Pak) | ||
| Mon 16 Apr | A1 v B1 (Aus v SL) | reserve day | ||
| Tue 17 Apr | reserve day | A2 v C2 (SA v Eng) | ||
| Wed 18 Apr | D1 v B1 (Pak v SL) | reserve day | ||
| Thu 19 Apr | reserve day | D2 v B2 (WI v Ind) | ||
| Fri 20 Apr | A1 v C1 (Aus v NZ) | reserve day | ||
| Sat 21 Apr | reserve day | D2 v C2 (WI v Eng) | ||
| Sun 22 Apr | reserve day |
Team names for the Super Eight stage are indicative based on the top two teams from the Group Stage qualifying.
Semi Finals
| Date | Semi Final 1 Jamaica |
Semi Final 2 St Lucia |
| Mon 23 Apr | ||
| Tues 24 Apr | Semi Final 1: 2 v 3 | |
| Wed 25 Apr | reserve day | Semi Final 2: 1 v 4 |
| Thu 26 Apr | reserve day |
Final
| Date | Barbados |
| Fri 27 Apr | |
| Sat 28 Apr | FINAL |
| Sun 30 Apr | reserve day |
West Indies vs South Africa Series 2005
Monday May 16, 2005:
Saturday May 14, 2005: Organisers of Caribana festivities in Barbuda, have said that the continuous arrival of revellers for the event, have been encouraging. The Mighty Duke wins the title of junior calypso Monarch at Barbuda’s Caribana celebrations, followed by Singing Julie and Lady Tiny into first and second runner-up positions respectively. ><> Police in Barbuda have raided the home of an Antiguan woman and discovered a quantity of marijuana on the premises. She has been arrested and charged. ><> Barbuda MP Trevor Walker, has said that in a couple of weeks, residents in Codrington would be better served with water, when a 60,000 gallon storage unit would be installed to aid the operation of the reverse osmosis plant. ><> Revellers hope to rev up this weekend, with entertainment packages including bands from Antigua &
