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Informing The Uninformed....
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St. Kitts & Nevis Politics (April 2004 to April 2005)
St. Kitts/Nevis 2004 General Elections
POLCE
ISSUES STRONG WARNING NOT TO CARRY WEAPONS
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 29TH 2005 (CUOPM) – Ahead of Monday’s workers’ celebrations, the Royal St. Kitts-Nevis Police Force has issued a strong warning to the general public not to carry weapons in the traditional Labour Day March.
The warning is in response to a call by Political Leader of the opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM), Mr. Lindsay Grant, for workers in the sugar industry to march with their machetes and become violent.
Police Commissioner Mr. Robert Jeffers in a statement to the media denounced the statements made by Mr. Grant as “very serious, inflammatory, inciting and likely to cause a resurgence of the declining gang violence in St. Kitts and Nevis. The Police wish to state categorically and unambiguously their strong condemnation of such remarks.”
The Police Chief warned the public, sugar workers and all workers in general “not to be guided by those sentiments as expressed a the public meeting and to abstain from being armed and under no circumstances whatsoever should anyone engage themselves in carrying abroad any sort of offensive weapon on Labour Day, 2 May, or at any other time.”
“The general public is crying out for weapons to be removed from the streets, anyone suggesting that weapons should be brought into the streets is fighting against the people's desire for peace and safety,” said the Police statement.
The Police pointed to Section 11 of the Small Charges Act Chapter 75 of the laws of the Federation, that states “it is an offence for anyone found in possession of an offensive weapon and is unable to provide a reasonable, satisfactory and credible explanation to the police for possession of it.”
The Police warned the public not to be misled and to not be caught unawares as the security forces will continue to enforce the law and vigilance will be increased on Labour Day.
“Anyone found in violation of this Act will be arrested, charged and brought before a Magistrate's Court for trial,” said the Police statement.
ST.
KITTS MUSIC FESTIVAL, ONE OF SEVERAL CARIBBEAN EVENTS
THAT
LURE INCREASED VISITORS TO THE REGION IN THE SUMMER
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 29TH 2005 (CUOPM) - St. Kitts’ annual Music Festival has been identified in the New York Times as one of the events that attract numerous visitors to several Caribbean islands during the traditionally slow summer season.
But writer, Lisa Kalis in her article in the prestigious U.S. daily said tourism in the Caribbean is no longer slow in the summer as the region with its letter “h” - hot, humid and, of course, hurricanes has an inviting aspect to summer, too: bargains.
“Enjoying hotel rates that are often half that of the peak season - and flights that you don't have to book six months in advance to guarantee a seat - more Americans are heading to the Caribbean for late-spring and summer vacations,” wrote Kalis, who said last year in particular, brought an increase in visitors.
She said that the Turks and Caicos is home to several summer events, including the annual July Music and Cultural Festival on Providenciales and that Music Festivals on St. Kitts and Jamaica, and summer carnivals on several other islands are also attracting many of these off-season visitors.
This year’s Ninth St. Kitts Music Festival at the historic Fort Thomas Hotel from June 23rd to 26th features Rupee, David Rudder, Roy Cape All Stars and Black Stalin on June 23rd ; T.O.K, Ludacris, Bamboo-B, Keshia Chante and John Holt on June 24th ; Boys II Men, Wyclef Jean, Kenrick Georges and Lonnie Liston Smith on June 25th and Kenney Rogers, Pieces of a Dream, Ronnie Laws and Atlantic Star on June 26th.
Local Artistes appearing during the Music on the nights include Grand Masters, Kenrick Georges & the Sugar Mill Bits & Pieces and Small Axe.
ST.
KITTS-BASED INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF
NURSING
ANNOUNCES AFFILATION WITH KILGORE COLLEGE
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 29TH 2005 (CUOPM) - The St. Kitts-based International University of Nursing (IUON) has announced the first of many U.S. affiliations with Kilgore College of Texas.
Kilgore College is a two-year, comprehensive public community college offering post secondary educational opportunities. It offers an Associate Degree in Nursing which is accredited by the Board of Nurse Examiners (BNE) and the National League of Nurses (NLN), as well as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Texas Higher Education Co-ordinating Board.
“Students of the International University of Nursing will have the opportunity to complete their second year of study at Kilgore College,” said the Dean, Dr. Linda A. Simunek.
The
US$10 million International University of Nursing just outside Camps in St.
Kitts, will welcome it's inaugural class in May with students from Barbados,
Africa, India, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, the United States, the Philippines,
Jamaica and St. Kitts and Nevis.
Dr. Simunek said the St. Kitts Campus integrates audiovisual and computer technology in all the academic facilities including classrooms, laboratories, library, and the learning resource center. Faculty members, recruited primarily from the United States, dedicate 100 percent of their time to teaching.
Students will spend three semesters here and then return to one of the affiliate schools in the U.S. to complete their clinical and didactic education. Graduates receive their degree from both the U.S. school and IUON. This allows students to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and continue on with their education towards a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.
According to Dr. Simunek nursing is a wonderful field, with unlimited opportunities - and tremendous possibilities for changing lives and the International University of Nursing welcomes individuals who wish to make a difference in the world by becoming nurses.
“At the International University of Nursing, we believe that it is imperative to provide an education that prepares students for working in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, private clinics and as visiting nurses,” she said.
IMF SAYS ECONOMIC GROWTH POSITIVE FOR ST. KITTS AND NEVIS, FOUR OTHER EASTERN CARIBBEAN STATES IN 2005
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 29TH 2005 (CUOPM) – Good news for the future economic outlook for the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Washington, D.C.-based International Monetary Fund (IMF) is reporting that St. Kitts and Nevis and four other Eastern Caribbean countries should see economic growth this year following robust performances in 2004.
The IMF in an assessment submitted to the St. Kitts-based Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) said Thursday the economies of St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines grew by an average of 4 percent in 2004 and can expect similar performances in 2005.
The IMF said growth will be driven by a “sharp revival of tourism” and a jump in construction activity.
An exception was Grenada where Hurricane Ivan reversed expectations for economic growth last year. Ivan hit Grenada in September, killing 39 people, wrecking most buildings and causing an estimated US$900 million in damages.
The IMF said the other islands were not badly affected by one of the Caribbean's worst hurricane seasons in history.
Dominica's economy grew last year for the first time in three years, registering a 3.49 percent expansion. The recovery followed the implementation of US$11.7 million, three-year loan agreement with the IMF that has included wage cuts, tax increase and an elimination of deficit spending.
The IMF praised Eastern Caribbean countries for taking “bold steps” to rein in spending and reduce debt. It applauded Antigua and Barbuda for introducing personal income taxes and St. Kitts and Nevis for deciding to close its debt-ridding sugar industry this year.
KITTITIAN
ERASMUS JAMES SELECTED BY
IN NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE FIRST ROUND 2005 DRAFT
James,
a former Badger Defensive End is the 23rd first-round draft choice in
James
was
James is the second Badger defensive lineman (joining Wendell Bryant) in the past four seasons to be selected in the first round of the draft.
A
year ago, the former
Wisconsin State Journal Sports Writer, Tom Mulhern says James’ comeback was miraculous.
“It's
a new beginning,” James told the
“I'm kind of happy that whole process is over with now, that I recovered from my injury, was able to play the past year and was able to put myself in a great position to be playing for the Minnesota Vikings.”
Of
course, those words will be grating for
James,
who knocked out two
When
asked if he had any reservations about hitting the Packers quarterback, James
said: “Ah, no, not at all. I don't take appointments, it's kind of a walk-in,
you know?”
He
also told the
“It's
going to feel good,” James said. “I know there's a lot of Wisconsinites who
are not going to be on my side. But I really don't care. I'm just glad to be a
Viking.”
James
was the third defensive end selected. Demarcus Ware of
Lingering
questions about James' hip probably caused him to slip a few spots.
“Had
he not had any medical history whatsoever, there's no way we would have gotten
him,” said Vikings Director of College Scouting, Scott Studwell.
Even
though James' hip passed all the medical tests at the scouting combine, the
Vikings still brought him in to check it out one more time, prior to the draft.
Studwell said the team's medical staff is “very confident in Erasmus' ability
to stay healthy and have a long-tenured career as a pro.”
After
months of positive magnetic resonance imaging tests, James believes all the
medical questions from NFL teams should finally be answered.
“They're
always going to ask questions,” he said. “But every time they've asked that
question, it's been answered with MRIs and MRIs and (the hip) has been good.”
Coach
Mike Tice said James will start out at right end for what should be a vastly
improved Vikings defense, one that has been bolstered by free-agent signings.
“We think he's going to bring some athleticism, quickness and some explosiveness and playmaking ability to that position,” Tice said.
James is the ninth first-round draft pick in Coach Barry Alvarez's 15 seasons. James needs 14 credits for his degree in legal studies, with a criminal justice certificate, and hopes to finish up next spring. That would be easier if the Vikings were not in the playoffs, which would be fine with Packers fans.
“I'm
really excited about what I've gained from the
James,
a 2000 graduate of the Mc Arthur High School in
“I told them that it didn't matter whether I was an end in a 4-3 or a linebacker in a 3-4. I have the ability to adjust to either one.”
“My strengths are my first two steps, quickness and speed,” James said. “I'm adding the upper body bulk. That's why I was so productive. I didn't know if I was going to come back with the same quickness and speed because of the hip injury [in 2003], but when I put it all together, it worked out.”
James was relieved when he was chosen. He
thought the Detroit Lions at No. 10 and the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 15 had
interest in him.
“It
is a very tough day for a college player, but it worked out great,” James
said. “I have an aunt and uncle in the
"I'm
definitely going to be competing for that starting job. That's why they brought
me in. I’m definitely going to be competing for that starting job. That's why
they brought me in,” said James, just before boarding a plane for
James’
High school teammate Bryant McFadden coaxed James onto the football field in
2000 at the Mc Arthur High School. James went on to play college football at
“'It just goes to show that kids that come from nowhere can succeed and do great things,” said Keith Franklin, who coached James and McFadden in high school. END.
Troops
to perform “Changing of the Guard”
BRIMSTONE
HILL FORTRESS NATIONAL PARK SOCIETY CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 22ND 2005 (CUOPM) – The Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park Society is celebrating its 40th Anniversary.
The Society’s President Sir Cecil Jacobs said a Special Ceremony on Sunday afternoon on Brimstone Hill.
After the arrival of the Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas and the Governor General, His Excellency Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, who will take the Salute and Inspect the Guard of Honour, the Master of Ceremonies will give Opening Remarks.
The Welcome Remarks will be made by the Society’s Vice President and Prime Minister Douglas will deliver an Address.
Students from the Sandy Point Primary School will present a Choral Poem.
The highlight of the ceremony is the “Changing of the Guard culminating with the lowering of the flags at sunset.
St. Kitts’ Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of historical, cultural and architectural significance and is regarded as one of the best preserved historical fortifications in the Americas.
According to the Society’s website, it is a monument to the ingenuity of the British military engineers who designed it and to the skill, strength and endurance of the African slaves who built and maintained it.
The Fortress, constructed intermittently between the 1690s and 1790s, is of singular importance as being the remains of a large, complete military community of the 18th century. As such, it is a veritable time capsule of international significance.
The prominent Citadel is one of the earliest and finest surviving examples of a new style of fortification known as the 'polygonal system.'
Brimstone Hill is nearly 800 feet high with steep and precipitous slopes which had to be tamed by the disciplines of engineering and architecture, and at the risk and probable loss of human lives. The walls of the structures are predominantly of stone, labouriously and skillfully fashioned from the hard volcanic rock of which the hill is composed. The mortar to cement the stones was produced on site from the limestone which covers much of the middle and lower slopes. The Fortress is virtually a man-made out growth of the natural hill.
The physical location of the Fortress presents attractive panoramic vistas of forested mountains, cultivated fields, the historical township of Sandy Point, and neighbouring Dutch, English and French islands across the Caribbean Sea.
Brimstone Hill and its Fortress is a National Park which is managed on behalf of the Government and people of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis by the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park Society.
The Society, founded in 1965, is a voluntary organization, registered as a non-profit company.
The Council of Management, made up of elected representatives of the members and two Government nominees, makes all policy decisions.
Charlestown Nevis (April 20, 2005) -- Nevis’ first set of triplets in thirty years, born to a Guyanese resident in Nevis last year, celebrated their first birthday Wednesday in the quiet setting of their Rawlings Village home in Gingerland.
The one girl and two boys were bubbling with energy when a Government Information Service team paid them a visit, a distinct contrast with the way they looked at birth, having been born prematurely.
Mrs Cheryl Edwards, a former police officer in her native Guyana said that the year had been a nerve-wracking one for her and thanked all well-wishers who assisted her in any form during the year. These include the Government Clinic at Gingerland, the TDC group of companies, Rams Supermarket, Courts and the prayer group of the Methodist Church.
“God has been real good to me, He has given me strength,” said Mrs Edwards. “It was not easy raising them. I got stressed out and suffered from back pains from having to lift them, since when you lift up one, the others want to be lifted as well. I had to call my mother from Guyana, who assisted me for a period of six months.”
While the girl, Odecia, is the oldest among the three, her brothers, Osano and Osafo are much heavier than she is. She however has an advantage over them as she is able to walk. Their mother commented that Osano might end up being an electrician “as he loves wires, electrical appliances and hammers.”
NATIONALS
IN NEW YORK HONOUR COLLEGIATE TRACK STAR
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 18TH 2005 (CUOPM) - Kittitian Olympian Tiandra Ponteen was told over the weekend she has already captured the pride of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and urged not to become distracted by off the track attractions.
Minister of State for Tourism, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Richard Skerritt lauded the 21-year-old track star at a lavish banquet at the East Manor in the Bronx, New York, organised by the St. Kitts Graduates Soccer Club on Friday night.
Ponteen was praised for her outstanding growth as an athlete over the past year, since making her first appearance at the 2004 Olympic Games.
In his Feature Address, Minister Skerritt told the large audience that in Tiandra’s quest to climb the ladder of athletic excellence, he will do everything he could to ensure that she gets the support she needs from the Government and People of her land of birth.
He told Ponteen that although she is of young age, she had already captured the pride of the nation and urged her to sustain her present commitment to discipline and hard work.
“There is a long exciting road ahead, but you must not allow yourself to become distracted by the many side show attractions that you will encounter off the track”, the sports minister cautioned.
In response the Gainsville, Florida-based college athlete said she was particularly pleased at being honoured by her fellow nationals because at the end of her athletic career her home will always be St. Kitts.
“Being invited up to New York to be recognised by my fellow Kittitians will always hold a special memory for me,” Tiandra told the supportive dinner audience.
Sugar
cane plant could be used for whisky, rum, ethanol and co-generation of
electricity
INTERM
SSMC TRANSITION TEAM WORKING ON
COMPENSATION
PACKAGE FOR SUGAR WORKERS
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 15TH 2005 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas said Friday, that the Interim SSMC Transition Team is already working on the compensation package for the sugar industry workers who will be affected by diversification programme.
Speaking Friday afternoon following a visit to the just established Transition Office, located in the former Agronomy Building at the SSMC, Prime Minister Douglas said work is in process to compensate the workers.
“We have the team working at this time on the compensation packages that will have to be prepared for the workers. We are trying to make sure that we have all the relevant information on all persons, the category of service that they have provided over the years, their number of years of service and though some of the information is difficult to come by, we are certain that within the next four weeks, we should have the bulk of the information on hand,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who during a meeting in his constituency Thursday night fielded several questions from residents on the way foward following the completition of reaping of the last crop in July.
During the visit Prime Minister Douglas received an update from Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. Cedric Liburd, Interim Manager, Dr. Keith Archibald, Interim Project Manager, Mr. Keith Phillip and SSMC Agricultural Manager, Mr. Conrad Kelly.
Prime Minister Douglas also disclosed that the Team Manager for the SSMC Transition Office is to take up his assignment by the end of this month.
The services of the Team Leader, Mr. Gordon Alert, who has wide experience in the development and diversification of the sugar industry in Jamaica, will be financed by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA), while that of the Project Manager, will be funded by the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). Other regional and international institutions have offered varying services in support of the government’s sugar industry transition programme.
In commending the Interim Transition Team for the work it has been doing jointly with the SSMC, Prime Minister Douglas spoke of the future use of the sugar cane plant in St. Kitts and Nevis and pointed to the notion among persons that because the sugar industry is closing, it means the abandonment of the hundreds of acres of canefields.
“This is a misplaced notion. We understand that there are a number of persons who are attempting to squat on those lands that belong to SSMC and are owned by Government and there are also people, who are letting lose their animals in these canefields,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who warned that the Government will not tolerate “that kind of reckless activity on the part of people who do not really care as to what happens to the industry in the future.”
The St. Kitts and Nevis leader reiterated that the closure of the sugar industry does not mean the abandonment of the agricultural sugar cane lands.
“What it means as I have said time and time again, is that we will not continue to grow sugar cane to produce sugar to sell to Europe or England. We will not do that anymore,” he stressed.
Dr. Douglas said as was demonstrated to him during the visit to the SSMC, there are many uses that the sugar cane plants can be put to.
He said Government has been speaking to a group from Scotland which has indicated an interest in the manufacturing of whisky and rum.
“That is just one aspect of the use of the sugar cane plant in the future,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who further disclosed that he has looked at a variety of sugar cane that is now growing on the grounds of the Agronomy and which can be utilised in co-generation of electricity and also in the production of ethanol.
JOINT
DEFENCE FORCE AND CUSTOMS OPERATION NABS ILLEGALS
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 14TH 2005 (CUOPM) – Law enforcement officials are on the look out for the Captain and four illegal immigrants of Haitian or Dominican nationality, who went ashore from a boat in the area of Tabernacle, 11 miles northeast of Basseterre.
St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force Public Relations Officer, Lt. Kayode Sutton said Customs officers alerted the Defence Force Coast Guard Unit to the presence of the suspicious-looking vessel in the Tabernacle Bay on Wednesday.
“Patrols were dispatched on both land and sea and upon arrival at the bay, the Coast Guard unit observed a white boat of about 40 feet in length carrying the name ‘WIND SONG’ with a number of people on board,” said Sutton.
He said that a boarding party of Coast Guard and Custom officers boarded the vessel and found eight persons of Haitian origin. It was claimed by those persons on the vessel, that the Captain and nine (9) other people of both Haitian and Dominican Republic nationality had left the boat and went ashore,” said Sutton.
He added that a land patrol soon after intercepted five persons who had departed the vessel and had made their way into the community.
“Five illegal immigrants including the Captain, of either Haitian or Dominican Republic nationality or both are still at large. The security forces are still conducting searches for these illegal immigrants and appeal to the general public to notify the nearest police station with any information that could lead to the apprehension of the illegal immigrants,” Lt. Sutton told the Communication’s Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister.
He said the vessel was towed to Coast Guard Base in Basseterre where it is safely secured. The eight persons found on the vessel and those that were intercepted ashore have been handed over to the Police for further investigation. Two women are among the group.
“The success of this joint operation clearly illustrates the cooperation between the Customs and security forces to foil criminal attempts or activities,” said Sutton, who said the Defence Force urges the general public to continue to report any suspicious activities to the Police or the Defence Force before it results in fatality or criminal acts.
“Identities will not be disclosed. The law enforcement agencies need this help from the general public to assist in the apprehension and prosecution of criminals. National security is everyone’s business,” said Sutton.
NEW
YORK-BASED NATIONAL ESCORTS CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS ON ISLAND TOUR
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 14TH 2005 (CUOPM) – About 40 of the over 2,000 cruise ship passengers on board the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line vessel, “Empress of the Seas,” which docked at Port Zante on Thursday were escorted by the Kittitian-born President and Chief Executive Officer of TDE Tours in New York, Mr. Alva Pemberton.
Tabernacle-born Pemberton, who stopped by the Communications Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister (CUOPM) for a few minutes said several of the 41 guests, which included three nationals of St. Kitts and Nevis, were first time visitors to the Federation.
“Most of the guests flew from New York to San Juan, Puerto Rico, while others came from Grenada, Jamaica and St. Thomas, USVI, where they all boarded the luxury cruise ship,” said Pemberton.
He said the fundamental objective for choosing this itinerary is to excite the appetite of the guests, so that they can sample the splendor, beauty and culture of St. Kitts and Nevis and will want to later return for a much longer stay in the Federation..
The 11 day cruise departed San Juan on April 11th, 2005 and also visited St. Maarten and St. Barts before docking in Basseterre.
While here on St. Kitts many of the guests were treated with a personal Island tour with Mr. Pemberton. “They returned to Basseterre, shopping, visiting historic sights and other places of interest and enjoyed the tranquility, culture and pleasant atmosphere of our Island until it was time to return to the cruise ship,” said Pemberton.
When the ship departed St. Kitts Thursday afternoon, the cruise will continue to St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Venezuela, Curacao and Aruba before returning to San Juan on April 22nd, 2005 after which the guest will fly back to their original destination.
TDE Tours Connection Inc., specializes in Cruises, Fun Trips & More.
“A cruise is the BEST vacation ever and you have not lived until you have taken one,” said Pemberton, who was recently awarded a Medal of Honor for his outstanding community service during last year’s Independence Anniversary Celebrations.
CXC
TO LAUNCH ASSOCIATES DEGREE PROGRAMME AT CFBC
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 14TH 2005 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Education, the Hon. Sam Condor will next week launch the Caribbean Examinations Council Associate Degree Programmes.
The launching takes place during a Press Conference on Wednesday April 20th 2005, hosted by the Ministry of Education, at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College, Burdon Street Campus.
The Ministry in a statement on Thursday said the Barbados-based CXC is offering Associate Degrees in Business Studies, Computer Science, Environmental Science, General Studies, Humanities, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Natural Sciences and Technical Studies.
The CXC Registrar, Dr. Lucy Steward, who will be in the Federation will participate in the official launch.
In order to qualify for an Associates Degree, candidates will require to obtain Grades I to V in a minimum of seven CAPE Units, of which Caribbean Studies and Communication Studies are compulsory Units.
Levels of performance in the Associate Degree Programmes will be indicated by a Grade Point Average System where Grade I is equivalent to a 4.0 GPA and Grade V is equivalent to a 2.0 GPA.
The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) at its meeting in Antigua and Barbuda in December last year agreed to award Associated Degrees in response to the changing educational demands of the region.
The Associates Degree will be based on clusters of subjects taken by candidates for the Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examination (CAPE)
CXC Chairman, Professor the Honorable Kenneth Hall, at the Launch in Barbados in March this year, said the region has to find creative ways of extending access to quality education and the CXC Associates Degree is a direct response to this need.
“In doing so, it took account of the radical changes that are occurring in the education arena,” he stated.
The CXC Chairman also noted that this is an era “where there is a need for portable qualification as graduates are now even less likely to be limited to their national space.”
Candidates will complete the CXC Associate Degree will be awarded in 2006.
SIR
CUTHBERT AMONG 800 GUESTS AT ROYAL WEDDING
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 11TH 2005 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Governor General, His Excellency Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian was among the 800 guests at Saturday’s 45-minute Church of England blessing service at the St. George's Chapel in honour of the marriage of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles.
Sir Cuthbert, the Queen’s Representative in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis since January 1, 1996, was among persons listed as “dignitaries” on the list released by Clarence House on Friday.
The other “dignitaries” were Sir James Carlisle, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, and Lady Carlisle; Sir Michael Jeffery, Governor General of Australia, and Marlene Jeffery; Sir Clifford Husbands, Governor General of Barbados; Dame Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada; Frederick Goodwin, the Queen's representative in the Cook Islands, and Lady Goodwin; Don McKinnon, the Commonwealth Secretary General and Silvia Cartwright, Governor General of New Zealand.
Other overseas royalty present were King of Bahrain Sheik Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa; Ex-King Constantine and ex-Queen Anne-Marie of Greece; Prince Constantijn and his wife, Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands; Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway; Saudi Ambassador to Britain, Prince Turki al-Faisal and Princess Nous Bint Fahad; Saudi Ambassador to the United States, Prince Bandar bin Sultan; Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Yugoslavia.
Prime Minister Tony Blair, Rock Star, Phil Collins, Sir David Frost as well as several well known British actors were also present.
The reception in St. George's Hall, one of the castle staterooms, lasted scarcely two hours and featured champagne and a buffet of finger food for the 800 guests.
The Queen made a speech described as warm and funny - exhibiting no frostiness alleged to exist between her and Camilla. Charles also made a speech, paying tribute to his parents and thanking his family and friends.
The couple later flew to Scotland to spend their honeymoon on the royal family's Balmoral Estate in Birkall, the former home of the late Queen Mother who bequeathed the house to Charles, her favorite grandson.
AUSTRALIA
DRAWN AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA IN 2007 WORLD CUP
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 2, 2005 (CUOPM) - Reigning champions Australia will face South Africa in St. Kitts and Nevis in the group stages of the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) in announcing the seeding details and venues for the tournament said top seeds Australia will be based in St. Kitts and Nevis in a Group One also featuring two qualifiers from July's ICC Trophy tournament in Ireland.
India, beaten finalists in South Africa in 2003, are in the Trinidad and Tobago-based Group Two along with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Meanwhile hosts West Indies, winners of last year's ICC Champions Trophy one-day tournament in England, will begin their campaign in Jamaica in a Group Four also featuring Pakistan and Zimbabwe.
New Zealand and England are in Group Three, situated in St. Lucia, along with shock 2003 semi-finalists Kenya.
In all, eight venues in the Caribbean will be used for the ninth World Cup which will take place during February and March 2007.
The tournament will involve a record 16 teams with five nations from outside the international elite qualifying from the ICC Trophy.
Teams will initially be split into four groups of four, contesting a round robin group stage, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the Super Eights stage.
In the Super Eights, each team will play against every other team it has not already played. The result of the game between the two leading teams in the group stage will be carried forward. The top four teams at the end of the Super Eights will qualify for the semi-finals.
ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said Friday: “Confirmation of the seedings means we can already look forward to a number of mouth-watering clashes in the group stage.”
“Host team West Indies against Pakistan looks to be a key game in Group Four while the presence of India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Group Two, allied to the Asian cultural influence in Trinidad and Tobago, will make for a wonderful atmosphere and some compelling cricket.”
Australia, England, India and West Indies - the four teams reckoned to have the greatest commercial and spectator pulling power - were pre-seeded into separate groups in July 2004.
Subject to this pre-seeding, the 11 teams with One-Day International status have been seeded in the four groups according to their official position in the ICC ODI Championship table as of April 1, 2005.
Tournament dates and a full fixture schedule are due to be announced after the completion of the ICC Trophy in mid-July.
DAUGHTER OF C.A. PAUL SOUTHWELL DIES IN NEW YORK
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MARCH 30TH 2005 (CUOPM) – A daughter of National Hero and former St. Kitts and Nevis Premier the Right Excellent Sir C. A. Paul Southwell has died in New York.
“It is with sadness that I announce the death of my younger sister, Clio Euphrasene Southwell-Stevens,” a brother and family spokesman, Poesy Southwell announced Wednesday afternoon on the St. Kitts and Nevis Chat list.
Posey said that Clio, who worked at the St. Kitts and Nevis Mission to the United Nations in New York, passed this morning (Wednesday) at 7:00 a.m.
“She had been suffering from Pulmonary Fibrosis, an incurable disease of the lungs. She leaves behind a husband and two sons,” said Poesy, who noted that although Clio was a very, very private person, given her spiritual values, “I am sure she would accept your prayers at this difficult time for the family.”
As a Counsellor at the St. Kitts and Nevis Mission in New York, Clio Southwell-Stevens attended several meetings on Caribbean issues at the world body and served on several committees.
St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas has been informed. The Cabinet was meeting Wednesday as Monday was a public holiday.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
ST.
KITTS’ BLOODY POINT FEATURED IN CARIBBEAN TRAVEL & LIFE
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MARCH 30, 2005 (CUOPM) – One of St. Kitts’ tourism sites is being featured in the April issue of Caribbean Travel & Life.
Travel Writer, M. Timothy O’Keefe, a past President of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, describes the petroglyphs at Bloody Point at Stonefort, as ‘one of St. Kitts’ best-kept secrets.’
O’Keefe, who visited St. Kitts last December, in an article in the 150,000 monthly circulation Caribbean Travel and Life Magazine wrote that the canyon walls that tower eight stories overhead, are “deep in shadow, a gloomy twilight that makes the ravine appear as dark and empty as a freshly washed blackboard.”
He said the huge open-air gallery is the legacy of St. Kitts’ Caribs, who met a gruesome end at Bloody Point when as many as 2,000 of the indigenous natives were slaughtered by Europeans in a surprise attack.
The travel writer said that except for the petroglyphs, little else created by the Caribs survives on St. Kitts, “yet the collection remains one of the island’s best-kept secrets.”
O’Keefe noted that after 400 years of erosion, many of the figures have grown faint, and some helpful contemporary hand has outlined them in red or white. In some cases though, rather a lot of artistic license appears to have been taken, threatening the historical integrity of the site.
“But despite the dubious curating, the Bloody Point petroglyphs belong here, not inside a museum,” wrote O’Keefe.
“It was in this eerie canyon, after all that St. Kitts’ Caribs were silenced forever, leaving only these inscrutable ghosts to speak for them,” M. Timothy O’Keefe concluded the Caribbean Travel & Life article headlined: “A Day trip St. Kitts.”
O’Keefe is a veteran of more than three decades of travel to the islands and has been a regular contributor to Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine since its founding.
He has published 14 books and more than a thousand magazine and newspaper articles and is also a major contributor to National Geographic Guide to Caribbean Family Vacations.
ST.
KITTS AND NEVIS MOVES TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT
ACCOMMODATION
FOR CRICKET WORLD CUP 2007
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MARCH 28, 2005 (CUOPM) - St. Kitts and Nevis takes legislative action to ensure that the twin-island Federation has sufficient rooms available to accommodate the thousands of visitors expected for Cricket World Cup 2007.
Lawmakers will meet on Thursday to debate the Cricket Cup Tourism Accommodation Incentives Act, 2005, which encourages the construction of suitable accommodation in anticipation of the demand for housing for the matches to be staged in St. Kitts.
Minister of Industry and Commerce, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris is expected to get the green light from all sides of the National Assembly for the draft legislation.
It provides for the construction of an accommodation project which shall comprise a hotel, a villa resort, a condominium, or an upscale residential complex or the conversion of an existing building by reconstruction or renovation into a hotel, a villa resort, a condominium or an upscale residential complex of at least 8 bed rooms.
The owner or operator of an accommodation project who wishes to own or operate the accommodation project as a Cricket World Cup accommodation project, shall apply to the Cabinet for approval of the grant of one or more of the tax reliefs and exemptions.
Applications must be made prior to 28th February 2006. Cabinet approval shall specify the tax reliefs and exemptions granted, the termination dates for the tax reliefs and exemptions granted, the time frames for completion of the accommodation project and implementation of the cricket world cup accommodation project and the condition that it must be used as accommodation for visitors to St. Kitts and Nevis during Cricket World Cup 2007.
Draft legislation also provides for the Cabinet by an Order published in the gazette to revoke or suspend the first mentioned Order, the suspension of all reliefs or exemptions and the payment to Government of the amount of any relief or exemption already received.
Provision is also made in the draft legislation for the exemption of a percentage of the quantum of the investment of the financial institution if the funds for the cricket world cup accommodation project are sourced from a local or CARICOM financial institution.
A 10 year income tax holiday will be enjoyed for accommodations from 10 to 29 rooms and 15 years for accommodations of 30 rooms and above.
Construction of the redevelopment of Warner Park is being financed by the Republic of China on Taiwan.
St. Kitts & Nevis will host the Australian cricket team and teams from three other nations in the first round of the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
Warner Park is said to be the only cricket ground in the region ahead of schedule.
NATIONAL
ASSEMBLY TACKLES NINE BILLS ON THURSDAY
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MARCH 28TH 2005 (CUOPM) - A heavy agenda for lawmakers when the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly meet on Thursday.
Nine bills, which will be introduced and given a first reading, will be piloted through all three stages of the lawmaking body.
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas will seek leave to introduce the Governor General’s (Emoluments and Pensions) Amendment Bill, 2005; the Stamps (Amendment) Bill, 2005; the Customs Tariff (Amendment) Bill, 2005 and the Public Entertainment and Lotteries Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2005.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, Social and Community Development and Gender Affairs, the Hon. Sam Condor will pilot all three stages of the Education Bill, 2005 and the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2005.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Industry and Commerce, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, will present the Cricket Cup Tourism Accommodation Incentives Act, 2005 and the Caribbean Community Skilled Nationals (Amendment) Bill, 2005.
The Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill 2005 stands in the name of Minister of Public Works, Utilities, Transport and Posts, Dr. the Hon. Earl Asim Martin.
QUICK RESPONSE FROM FIRE SERVICES AFTER SATURDAY AFTERNOON BLAZE THREATENED TWO HOMES
BASSETERRE,
ST. KITTS,
“Persons burning bush should inform the fire services before they do so and get professional assistance at all times and especially at this time when we are experiencing a dry spell,” a fire officer said.
The appeal comes in wake of what could have been the destruction on Saturday of residences in the Keys Housing Development area after a small fire lit by a neighbour got out of control. The fire swept through the nearby hillside directly threatening two homes.
Quick
response from the
A
fire truck from Tabernacle relieved their
Residents have praised the firemen not only for their quick response, but professionalism in averting a potential disaster.
ANNUAL
EDUCATIONAL SYMPOSIUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MARCH 18TH 2005 (CUOPM) – The annual Educational Symposium for high school students in Constituency Six will be held this weekend.
The Symposium, now in its fourth year, is the brainchild of the area’s Parliamentary Representative, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minster Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas.
The parents and the students of Fourth and Fifth Forms from the Constituency, who attend the Cayon High School and the Sandy Point High School, will meet for the annual motivational seminar on Sunday afternoon at 4 ‘o’ clock at the Saddlers Primary School.
The Symposium allows the fourth and fifth formers with the opportunity to interact with Prime Minister Douglas, as well as with students from the area who have excelled and are attending the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC).
The students will also interact with former students from the community who have excelled and who now hold important positions in the private and public sectors.
Loans Officer in the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis, Mr. Carlton Pogson, Internal Auditor at the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla Trading and Development Company (TDC), Ms. Ikeisha Esdaille and Miss Charlene Bowry, who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from a Cuban university are among the participants.
Ms. Esdaille is this year’s Youth Motivational Speaker, while Dr. Douglas will deliver the Prime Minister’s Motivational Address.
Participants in the Panel Discussion are Cherisma Francis, Davima Broadbelt and Lomwell Stevens of Saddlers, Davin Francis and Paula Francis of St. Paul’s, Rochelle Browne of Dieppe Bay and Ervin Parry of Newton Ground, all students at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College. They have been selected for their outstanding performance in the last examinations and will offer advice and motivational presentations to the students.
“It has been an outstanding success as many students have developed positive attitudes as a result of this activity. We have also seen a significant increase in the number of students from this area, regarded as the Sugar Belt, not only attending the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College but also going on to colleges and universities and returning to St. Kitts with degrees in medicine, economics, accounting, architecture and information technology,” said Chairperson of the Committee for the Students Educational Symposium, Mrs. Beverly Williams told the Communications Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday.
The Symposium will be attended by fourth and fifth form students from Newton Ground, St. Paul’s, Dieppe Bay, Parsons, Lavington, Saddlers and Harris.
INDEPENDENT
SALARIES COMMITTEE TO REVIEW EMOLUMENTS
OF
PARLIAMENTARIANS AND CABINET MEMBERS
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MARCH 16TH 2005 (CUOPM) – Over the past years, it has been the practice for elected members of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly to be given an increase in salaries and emoluments at the same time as public servants.
However, this was not done in August 2004, when an increase in emoluments was paid to public servants and pensioners.
Instead as announced by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas during a Press Conference in August 2004, an Independent Salaries Committee would be established in order to foster greater transparency and accountability and to avoid any potential conflict of interest.
This he said would ensure that any decision in respect of remuneration for Parliamentarians is based on objective criteria and professional judgement.
The following persons were appointed on February 23rd 2005 to serve on the Independent Salaries Committee:
Mr. Charles Brisbane, O.B.E., Chairman
Mr. Emile Ferdinand, Member
Mr. Omax Gardner, Member
This Committee is expected to make recommendations on salaries, allowances and other benefits and entitlements of Parliamentarians and Cabinet Ministers.
Prime Minister Douglas pointed out last August, that although he has inherited the practice, he always felt very uncomfortable sitting in Cabinet and deciding on salary increases for Members of the Cabinet and Members of Parliament.
“I do not think it is appropriate for Cabinet Members and Parliamentarians to set their own salaries. Cabinet Members have therefore, in this same vein decided to subject their own salaries and allowances to review by an independent commission that would make the necessary recommendations as to what levels of increase, if any, they should receive,” Prime Minister Douglas said last August.
GOVERNMENT,
BUS ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES DISCUSS ISSUES INCLUDING SPECIAL FARES FOR
STUDNETS AND SENIOR CITIZENS
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MARCH 16TH 2005 (CUOPM) – Discussions are taking place between representatives of the three Bus Associations in St. Kitts, the Transportation Board of the Ministry of Works, Public Utilities and Transport and the Ministry of Finance, to deal with a number of issues stemming from the recent increase in bus fares.
St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas said the fare increase with regard to the short drops was an issue of discussion and the need exists to properly establish routes as part of Federal Government’s general plan to bring some order in the operation of buses as well as the convenience of the traveling public.
He said the meeting with representatives of the East Bus, West Bus and St. Peter’s Associations along with government officials have identified the need for a survey to be conducted to determine whether the demand on each route was fully satisfied and if not, whether some consideration can now be given to the ease bus caps on routes where this was justified.
“You will recall that the Government working in association with the busmen a few years ago instituted a cap on the number of persons who will be licensed to provide public transportation. We are now wondering there we need to re examine this particular cap and maybe increase the numbers on particular routes and we would do this after carrying out a survey,” Prime Minister Douglas told the news media at his monthly Press Conference.
Dr. Douglas said it was also agreed that the Traffic Department takes steps in consultation with the Bus Associations to establish bus stops island wide and then to implement the decision with regard to where these bus stops will be located.
It was also agreed that consideration be given to allow senior citizens to travel on buses at reduced fare outside of peak hours on a daily basis.
“I suspect that the peak hours are from 7 A.M. to 9 A.M. and then from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M. and so we are asking the bus drivers to consider this proposal that senior citizens be allowed to travel either free anytime after 9 or 10 A.M. in the day until mid afternoon and if not free, give them some special fare,” said the Prime Minister.
He said that the Government is recommending that school children under the age of 12 and those who are dressed in uniforms be allowed to travel at half fare.
“Bus drivers are also being asked by us to consider extending this to all students no matter the age, once they are in their school uniforms,” Prime Minister Douglas said.
Boundaries
Commission to be appointed as part of Electoral Reform
EFFORTS
TO IMPROVE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
ST.
KITTS AND NEVIS VERY MUCH ALIVE, SAYS PM DOUGLAS
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MARCH 15TH 2005 (CUOPM) – Efforts to improve the relationship between St. Kitts and Nevis is still very much alive.
So says St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas.
At a Press Conference on Tuesday, the St. Kitts and Nevis leader said the Federal Administration in Basseterre and the Nevis Island Administration in Charlestown “are genuinely concerned in finding practical ways of improving the relationship between our two islands.”