ISSUE NO.102 August 2005
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S MESSAGE
 Dear Readers,
Antigua and Barbuda is moving full steam
ahead with the construction of the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket
Stadium at North Sound.
Four officials from the China Civil Engineering Construction
Corporation (CCECC) which comprised Deputy Chief Economist Zhao
Zhangning, Project Manager Huang Haichen and Vice Manager/Senior
Engineer – Projects Management Section Liu Xianlong visited Antigua
and Barbuda and discussed the various requirements of the government
for the construction of the multi-million dollar cricket stadium
with non-resident Ambassador to China, HE David Shoul and members
of World Cup Antigua Incorporated .
Independence homecoming
This is a gentle reminder about the Independence Homecoming
2005, which takes place in Antigua from October
21st to November 1st.
This year's theme is ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA :ONE
FAMILY “Working Together to Achieve Excellence”.
The Committee is working ceaselessly to make this year's celebrations
truly unforgettable.
The activities will commence on Friday 21st October with a
Pre-Independence Theatrical Performance and concludes on 1st
November with the Ceremonial Parade at 8:00 am ;
Food Fair/Panache at 12:00 noon and
the Independence Homecoming Banquet at 7:30
pm .
This is the second year that the Independence Homecoming
is being held. Last year's was a resounding success and we envision
this year's festivities will be even more spectacular.
Apart from reconnecting nationals and providing new opportunities
for investment, the festival should also benefit our economy.
In reality, the Independence Homecoming
is an economic enterprise, as it will inject huge foreign exchange
into our country's economy. It has been estimated that if 5,000
nationals and friends arrive in Antigua and Barbuda between
October 21 and November 1, 2005 , it should
generate millions in revenue.
I therefore urge everyone to do their part to support this
critical project in our economy. Independence Homecoming
is good for our economy, our culture and engenders pride in our
community.
Dr Carl Roberts
High Commissioner
BACK TO TOP
Antigua
and Barbuda and the Russian Federation strengthens relations
 |
Ambassador Lebedev
with
Prime Minister Spencer |
On the 22nd August, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer met the new
Russian Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean , His Excellency Mr.
Igor Lebedev and held discussions on a wide range of matters of
cooperation.
Ambassador Lebedev pledged to work diligently to develop relations
between Antigua and Barbuda and the Russian Federation . He mentioned
that Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed all Russian Ambassadors
to concentrate on developing economic relations with foreign countries.
He outlined that there was a mechanism for political dialogue both
at bilateral and CARICOM level.
Prime Minister Spencer and the Russian Diplomat also discussed
the early conclusion of a maritime agreement between both countries.
This agreement should enhance the capacity of the Antigua and
Barbuda Shipping Register to attract vessels from the Russian Federation
, or major maritime nations. Prime Minister Spencer emphasized
that Antigua and Barbuda was looking to expand its shipping register
and that formalizing the arrangement with the Russian Federation
was a step in that direction.
Prime Minister Spencer also spoke of the possibilities for the
country to take up Russian scholarships for tertiary training in
various fields. He also mentioned the possibilities for developing
tourism out of Russia . Ambassador Labedev agreed that there were
good possibilities, as over one thousand Russian tourists per annum
currently visit Jamaica .
United Nations reform was also on the agenda during the meeting
and Ambassador Lebedev outlined his government's approach to the
UN Reform process and highlighted Russia 's emphasis on multilateralism.
Prime Minster Spencer pointed out that the UN needs reform, not
only at the level of the Security Council but many of its other
organs and agencies. He pointed out that the Millennium Development
Goals should be brought to the forefront of world affairs and should
be aligned to the question of UN reform.
Ambassador Lebedev spoke of the relative prospects of the so called
G-4 countries who are lobbying to become permanent members of the
UNSC. He was of the view that new members would have to take on
additional responsibilities as permanent members.
Ambassador Lebedev's visit with Prime Minister Spencer was preceded
by his presentation of Credentials to Governor General Sir James
Carlisle.
BACK TO TOP
WTO Arbitrator rules in favour of Antigua and Barbuda in its Internet Gaming case against the United States
Claus-Dieter Ehlermann, the Arbitrator appointed by the World
Trade Organization, to determine a “reasonable time period for
implementation” of recommendations and rulings of the WTO's Dispute
Settlement Body (DSB) in Antigua and Barbuda's Internet gaming
case against the United States ( United States-Measures Affecting
the Cross-Border Supply of Gambling and Betting Services )
issued an award on the 19th August that was in favour with Antigua
and Barbuda's request for the shortest possible time period. “I am pleased to see that the Arbitrator has decided in favour
of our cogent arguments that the shortest possible time period
be given to the US to implement the recommendations,” said Dr.
Errol Cort, Minister of Finance and the Economy, who has overall
responsibility for this issue.
“We believe that in his decision to grant the US a time period
of eleven months and two weeks (11 months and 2 weeks) from the
date of the adoption of the WTO's Appellate Body Report, or approximately
eight months (8 months), from the stated date the Arbitrator has
sent a clear message to the US that it is expected to comply fully
with the recommendations and rulings of the DSB, and to do so within
a clearly defined timeframe” he added.
The Minister added that he now hoped that those who had previously
sought to either dismiss or minimize Antigua and Barbuda 's decisive
victory in this case, would now understand fully the import of
the DSB's recommendations and rulings. “We have prevailed at every
stage in this endeavour, and given the importance of Internet gaming
to our economy, we will, as Prime Minister has repeatedly emphasized, “stay
the course,”” he said.
“I would like to thank our team of Dr. John W. Ashe, our Ambassador
to the WTO, and Mr. Mark Mendel, our Legal Adviser, for the yeoman
job they did in persuasively presenting our arguments to the Arbitrator
at the hearing last month,” said the Minister.
“I am pleased that the Arbitrator was not persuaded by the US
' request that it will need a minimum of fifteen (15) months to
implement the recommendations and rulings of the DSB in this dispute,” said
Ambassador Ashe. “Had this request been granted, the US would have
had until the end of July 2006, instead of 3 April 2006 ,
to implement the recommendations,” he added.
“Ideally, we would have preferred even a shorter time frame,” said
Mark Mendel, Antigua and Barbuda 's Legal Adviser. “For us, even
a period of one month is too long. Under the circumstances, however,
we are very pleased with the outcome,” he added.
“At the end of day, in this case, April 3, 2006 , we hope that
the US will present to the Appellate Body, a comprehensive plan
on how it intends to grant full market access to our gaming operators,” said
Ms. Kaye MacDonald, Director of Gaming of the Directorate of Offshore
Gaming. “Before anyone forgets, this after all, is the primary
reason we brought the case to the WTO in the first place,” she
added.
Antigua and Barbuda 's delegation to the WTO will now have to
ensure that the US regularly informs the meetings of the DSB on
steps it is taking, to implement the recommendations and rulings
of the Appellate Body.
BACK TO TOP
PM Spencer makes trip to the Republic of Cuba
 |
| Prime Minister
Spencer making an intervention at the special meeting – left
is President Castro and President Hugo Chavez |
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer accompanied by Junior Minister
of Health Winston Williams, Ambassador Designate to Cuba HE Bruce
Goodwin and Cuban Medical Team Coordinator Dr. Geovando Martinez,
recently paid a visit to the Republic of Cuba where they participated
in the graduation of medical students from the Escuela Latinoamericana
de Medicina.
The medical school currently has over 12,000 students studying
from across the Caribbean , Latin America and the USA .
Prime Minister Spencer, who was specially invited to attend the
graduation ceremony of the 1841 doctors (6 Antiguans and Barbudans)
by President Fidel Castro, also visited the Antiguan and Barbudan
patients who are in Cuba undergoing eye treatment under a special
programme established by Cuba and Venezuela . The over 121 patients
were elated to see Prime Minister Spencer and his team and expressed
profound gratitude to his government and the Cubans for the initiative.
The Prime Minister's team also received a medial update on the
status of the patients from the doctors in Cuba .
The country's leader also participated in a specially convened
meeting with Heads of State of Latin America and the Caribbean
chaired by President Fidel Castro and President Hugo Chavez of
Venezuela .
The discussions centered on closer relations between the
Caribbean and Latin America , the PETROCARIBE initiative of Venezuela
and the Cuban Eye-care Programme.
During an intervention, Prime Minister Spencer called for an urgent
summit of the Caribbean and Latin America to chart out an integration
framework for the region.
“There is an urgent need for us to meet and concretize the movement
towards closer cooperation. The functional cooperation espoused
by Prime Minister Gonsalves and Skerrit needs to be advanced in
light of the effects of globalization on the Caribbean ,” he said.
It was widely agreed that Cuba and Venezuela should be the axis
towards the development to advance cooperation into integration
between the Caribbean and Latin America .
The meeting which was also attended by the Prime Ministers of
St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Grenada and St. Vincent and the
Grenadines along with the leaders of Panama, Ecuador and Venezuela,
also highlighted the need for Latin America namely Cuba and Venezuela
to assist countries whose sugar and banana industries are affected
by new trade regulations.
It was agreed that a special commission will be appointed to chart
the future of an integration movement between the Caribbean and
Latin America . In addition, the PETROCARIBE initiative mounted
by Venezuela to provide fuel to the region will be officially instituted
with the signing of agreements to commence shipments at a meeting
in Jamaica on September 8.
BACK TO TOP
Antigua and Barbuda and other OECS countries express concern over CSME
Ahead of the High Level Retreat which was scheduled for OECS
officials in St. Lucia , the smaller countries of the Caribbean
expressed their feelings on the heels of the CSME due to be in
effect as of January 1, 2006 .
This meeting with CARICOM officials sought to address matters
of the Development Fund, regional markets on specific agriculture
products, OECS proposals of special and differential treatment
and the difficulties meeting the deadline of December 2005.
Trade Affairs Officer, Michael Freeland, spoke briefly on the
matters, stating that although the OECS countries have signed on
to the Treaty which will govern a single market, these countries
still had to remain committed to their people so that their economies
will benefit from the arrangement.
The development fund which is now being a highly debated agenda
item is fundamental in the formation of the CSME. Questions of
its construction and accessibility are still being contested ensuring
somewhat of an equitable outcome for all CARICOM Member States.
According to Freeland, the least-developed countries of CARICOM
should have a special arrangement in accessing this fund. Therefore,
the small businesses within the economies will be able to utilise
such mechanism, offsetting disadvantaged positions, retooling its
strategic objectives and being able to survive in a competitive
single market.
The Trade Affairs Officer also suggested that the fund can contribute
to addressing issues of the agriculture sector. “There is a need
for infrastructural support and services for agricultural development.
Already, Antigua and Barbuda is forging ahead realising the potential
linkages between agriculture and tourism taking into account the
decision made on pineapples for World Cup 2007. If funds can be
allocated via investment capital for both the development of technology
and the diversification of the agricultural economic base, then
the resultant effects of the policy directives are likely to impact
positively towards the overall growth and development within the
economy of Antigua and Barbuda.” Freeland said.
Mr. Freeland also noted that the December deadline should not
hinder efficient discussion or decision making that would lead
to greater benefits for the Eastern Caribbean states. One troubling
factor for this twin island state is the removal of work permits
by December 2005 as Antigua and Barbuda already has some 46% non-nationals
employed.
Freeland expressed to the meeting that the country simply needs
an extension on the derogation granted some four years ago, so
that the necessary infrastructure can be implemented. “ Antigua
and Barbuda is not saying that we will not remove this restriction
to allow our CARICOM brothers and sisters to move and work freely
in our state. What we are saying is that time is needed to computerise
and amalgamate the necessary Ministries to ensure that the CSME
works effectively.”
This also follows a similar request made by the Prime Minister,
Baldwin Spencer, Minister of International Trade, at the Heads
of Government Meeting in St. Lucia in July.
The High Level Retreat was held in St. Lucia from August 25-26,
2005 .
Sean Cenac, Sector Planner in the Ministry of Planning also attended
the Retreat.
BACK TO TOP
UPP Administration keeps promise to Barbudans
 |
| Members
of the Barbuda Council
meeting with the Prime Minister and
Attorney General |
The sixteen month old United Progressive Party Administration
of Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer early August fulfilled another
of its election promises to the people of the sister island of
Barbuda, giving them the rights to lands in common, ending a twenty-five
year old battle between the two islands.
During a special meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister between
members of the Barbuda Council and their attorney John MacDonald
QC, Prime Minister Spencer and Attorney General Justin Simon QC;
it was agreed in principle that the government will enact a new
Barbuda Land Act which will be introduced in Parliament to confirm
that lands in Barbuda belong to Barbudans in common.
This decision by the government, legitimized a promise
made by Prime Minister Spencer while in opposition, that his government
will not interfere with the lands of Barbuda . The promise was
also spelt out in detail in the party's election manifesto of last
year.
Attorney General Justin Simon QC and John MacDonald QC met to
agree on a brief to be submitted to the Cabinet and the Parliamentary
Counsel for their consideration. When the proposed Barbuda Land
Law is enacted, the pending case before the Privy Council (initiated
during the ALP administration) on the ownership of lands in Barbuda
will be withdrawn.
Parliamentary representative for Barbuda , Trevor Walker, who
led the Barbuda Council delegation to the meeting, said that it
was an historic day and it marks the continued improvement on the
new and better relationship forged by the UPP Government between
the two islands that make up the State of Antigua and Barbuda .
He said that the Government is committed to ensuring that the rights
of Barbudans are upheld and he is proud to be a Barbudan and a
member of the UPP Administration.
Under the new arrangement, issues of land development on Barbuda
will be decided by both the Barbuda Council and the Central Government
with both sides holding veto powers on any development on the sister
island.
The previous Antigua Labour Party Administration following Independence
in 1981 was of the view that the lands in Barbuda should be treated
as crown lands and that it had authority to decide how the lands
should be distributed or developed without the input of the Barbuda
Council. The Council fought the then government in the courts,
with the matter ending up in the Privy Council in the United Kingdom
and is due to come up for hearing later this year.
The Attorney General outlined that the lands in Barbuda have been
held for centuries by Barbudans in common and outlined that his
government recognizes that the Council is an integral part of the
development of Barbuda .
He said that the lands will not be sold, but both the Cabinet
and the Barbuda Council will have the authority to lease the land
for development.
The new agreement paves the way for the Barbuda Council and the
Central Government to put together a major five year development
plan for Barbuda .
BACK TO TOP
Holberton receives donation from Virginia-based Group
An international organization out of Virginia has come forward
and donated over one hundred thousand dollars worth of medical
supplies and equipment to the Holberton Hospital .
The supplies, which include beds, wheel chairs, an x-ray processor,
IV poles, and other medical supplies and equipment were donated
by Crosslink - a Virginia-based group. Holberton Hospital 's Administrator,
Gary Thomas, accepted the donation from Antigua and Barbuda 's
Honorary Consul-General in New York, MacChesney Emmanuel.
Mr. Thomas was delighted that Crosslink made such a timely donation
towards Holberton Hospital and he urged other organizations to
join in and assist with uplifting the institution.
Chairman of the Holberton Restoration Committee, Nicholas Hadeed,
said that the health institution has limited medical supplies and
he is delighted that Crosslink has come forward with such a goodwill
gesture.
Crosslink is a Virginia-based group aimed at helping third world
nations meet their medical needs.
BACK TO TOP
Minister of Health
makes presentation to Pan American Health Organization
 |
Minister of
Health, John Maginley,
making his presentation to PAHO |
On the 7th August, Minister of Health, Sports and Youth Affairs,
John Maginley, made a presentation to officials of the Pan American
Health Organization (PAHO) on national health developments in Antigua
and Barbuda .
The Minister, who was accompanied by Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas,
Acting Chief Medical Officer, is in Washington D.C. , on a three-day
orientation to PAHO for the Ministers of Health from Antigua and
Barbuda , Grenada and St. Kitts and Nevis . The orientation provided
Ministers with an overview of PAHO/WHO and its regional technical
units. Ministers discussed strategies aimed at improving technical
cooperation between PAHO and the countries of the Eastern Caribbean
.
In his 45-minute presentation, Minister Maginley provided a synopsis
of the health situation in Antigua and Barbuda . Minister Maginley
noted that risk factors such as obesity, reduced physical activity,
and high fat diets have resulted in chronic non- communicable diseases
such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and cerebrovascular
diseases being the top five causes of death in the country. The
Minister had discussions with consultants in PAHO to formulate
strategies to combat these diseases.
The Minister also highlighted that the high rate of infection
of HIV/AIDS remains a serious concern. Minister Maginley pointed
out that efforts are underway to ensure that all persons infected
with HIV/AIDS receive anti-retro-viral drugs. He also indicated
that one of the goals of the Health Ministry was to reduce the
incidence of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections
among persons in the 15-44 age group by 10% over the period 2004-2014.
Minister Maginley discussed with PAHO officials, ways of improving
and promoting technical cooperation between PAHO and Antigua and
Barbuda .
According to Minister Maginley, a closer collaboration with PAHO
and other regional and international organizations is necessary
if Antigua and Barbuda is to adequately address its priority health
issues and meets its health goals.
BACK TO TOP
Antigua and Barbuda soon to have a National Drug Policy
Director of Pharmaceutical Services Casford King said Antigua
and Barbuda is in the process of creating a National Drug Policy. Mr. King who recently returned from a one week intensive training
course in the Dominican Republic on Medicines Policy said that
the policy will ensure that emphasis is placed on the coherent
use of medicines ensuring quality, safety and efficacy of all Pharmaceutical
products.
The Director of Pharmaceutical Services said that the policy will
also ensure Governments' commitment to a Pharmaceutical service
that is effectively led and efficiently managed.
He outlined that the National Drug Policy is expected to come
on stream by December 2005.
Mr. King further stated that the one-week training course provided
Antigua and Barbuda with the necessary tools and guidelines for
the further development of the National Drug Policy and Essential
Medicines List.
It was also stated that the National Drug Policy will give credence
to Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) and rational prescribing of pharmaceuticals.
“This will create the need for conducting Drug Utilization Studies
aimed at identifying Prescribing patterns of practicing Physicians
in Hospitals and community clinics,” he said.
The course which was sponsored by the Pan American Health Organization
also addressed Regional legislation for pharmaceuticals, registration
of products and (IPR) International Property Rights issues for
the procurement and manufacture of Pharmaceuticals.
BACK TO TOP
The Queen’s Baton Relay
 |
 |
Prime Minister Baldwin
Spencer, Tourism Minister
Harold Lovell and Sports
Minister Winston
Williams hold aloft the Baton |
High Commissioner H E Dr Carl Roberts
and Mrs
Roberts |
 |
 |
Prime Minister Spencer and
Sir Viv Richards with
the Baton |
High Commissioner H E Dr Carl Roberts socializing
with HE Madam Ren Xiaoping, China 's
Ambassador
to Antigua and Barbuda and
the Resident
British Commissioner |
On the 12th August, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, government
officials and local celebrities welcomed the Queen's Baton as it
made its way across the Commonwealth in preparation for the Commonwealth
Games in Australia in 2006.
Members of the National Olympic Committee, cricketing legend Sir
Vivian Richards and Junior Sports Minister Winston Williams also
welcomed the Baton, which is a symbol of peace and unity, when
it arrived at the V.C. Bird International Airport before crisscrossing
its way around Antigua and Barbuda .
Prime Minister Spencer was an active participant in the relay
across the island and he welcomed the keepers of the Baton to Antigua
and Barbuda .
In his address the Prime Minister said “It is with honour and
great pleasure that I welcome the Queen's Baton Relay to our nation's
shores.
This year, the Queen's Baton Relay unites the 18th Commonwealth
Games in Melbourne with a record-breaking international feat.
For the first time in its history of close to half a century,
the Queen's Baton Relay will include a leg in the 71 nations of
the Commonwealth. This will make this year's Queen's Baton Relay,
historic.
The scale of this relay allows communities that have never before
experienced such a spectacle, participate in a festival of unprecedented
international proportions.
Of the 71 countries the relay will visit, this year, the majority
will be hosting the relay for the very first time.
This global celebration spanning a year and a day, crossing
five continents and seven oceans, gives Antigua and Barbuda the
opportunity to be involved in and to contribute to the spirit of
friendship which the Commonwealth Games foster.
Please join me in giving the Queen's Baton Relay and all those
who will be participating in this evening's celebrations, a warm
and friendly welcome as we look ahead to Melbourne 2006.”
BACK TO TOP
CABINET STATEMENT -
Government moves Airport Re-development Project to a new level
 |
| V.C. Bird
International Airport |
The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has confirmed a number of decisions
intended to ensure the smooth and accelerated progress of the redevelopment
of the V.C. Bird International Airport .
Cabinet charged the Board of Directors of the Antigua and Barbuda
Millennium Airport Corporation (ABMAC) with the overall management,
direction, oversight, 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.
Cabinet also pointed out the need for the project to be driven
by a high degree of public information at every stage of redevelopment.
In order to optimize 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 agreed that the Cross-Functional Millennium Project
Team to be chaired by Minister of State with responsibility for
Barbuda Affairs, Trevor Walker MP, will 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.
The Cabinet recognizes that the upgrade of the V.C. Bird International
Airport is a critical national imperative representing the biggest
single public sector investment project the UPP Administration
has initiated; thereby extending beyond the scope and character
of any single Ministry.
This, it believes, highlights the need for the establishment of
the Cross Functional Millennium Project Team which will be a consultative
and facilitative mechanism working in close collaboration with
ABMAC Executive personnel.
Cabinet also agreed that in the full discharge of the responsibilities
assigned, the Board of ABMAC will report to the Cabinet through
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, who has direct oversight for the
airport re-development project.
BACK TO TOP
Delta
Airline’s inaugural flight scheduled for December 2005
 |
| Delta Airlines
compliments Airliners.net |
Delta Airlines will make its inaugural flight to Antigua later
this year.
The December 18 th inaugural event will solidify a six-month negotiating
process with the team headed by Tourism Minister Harold Lovell.
Delta is the second largest operating carrier within the United
States , and the airline will be making 2 scheduled flights per
week on Wednesdays and Saturdays non-stop to Antigua from Atlanta
, with its 737 aircraft which has a seating capacity of 148 passengers.
Currently the airline operates into the Eastern Caribbean islands
of Barbados and St. Lucia .
The Minister said that this new airlift opportunity will offer
connection to Antigua out of approximately 20 significant US gate-ways
with major ones being Miami , Orlando , New York and New Jersey
. Marketing and Promotions Manager, Joyce Henry said, “already
our official US Public Relations firm Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown
and Russell and Tour Operators are excited about the prospects
of additional airlift into Antigua .
A team of Delta Airlines representatives headed by Senior Vice
President of Operations in the Caribbean, Mr. Terry Strand, which
also included Sales and Marketing, Finance, Ground Handling Services
and IT personnel recently visited Antigua . They held numerous
consultations with several ground handling agents, Special Security
Services and the management team of the V.C. Bird International
Airport .
Minister Lovell remarked that, “The advent of Delta scheduled
service of two weekly non-stop flights into Antigua from Atlanta,
will indeed strengthen and support our efforts to increase visitor
arrivals from within the US market, and already we are looking
forward to following up with negotiations to have Delta increase
this schedule to a daily service.”
Delta's arrival will usher the start of the 2006 Winter Tourist
Season. BACK TO TOP
Government begins phase one of Secondary School of Excellence
The first phase in the construction of a Senior Secondary School
of Excellence is continuing smoothly with the clearing of lands
at Tomlinson. The clearing, which is expected to be completed shortly
is being undertaken by ACE Heavy Equipment and Trucking.
The construction of the new educational facility is part of Government's
national plan for the development of the education sector, by eliminating
overcrowding in the Secondary Schools and provides the best educational
environment and facilities in the study of the normal subject areas
such as Arts and Cultural Studies, Foreign Languages, Physical
Education and Aquatic Sports.
The school will also cater for comprehensive Agricultural Science
and skills based programmes in preparing the citizens for the competitive
global environment.
Minister of Education, Bertrand Joseph expressed on behalf of
the Government of Antigua and Barbuda , their appreciation of the
genuine financial support of R. Allen Stanford for the educational
advancement of the nation.
He reminded the nation that his government believes that “a mind
is too precious to waste” and that an educated population is an
empowered population.
Government donated the lands and other technical and administrative
resources to this project while Mr. R. Allen Stanford allocated
the sum of EC $25M to the Project, which is being managed by Dr.
Lucine Hanley as Project Manager on behalf of the Government and
Dr. Austin Josiah as Project Director on behalf of R. Allen Stanford.
BACK TO TOP
Prime Minister Spencer to play a major role at the United Nations’ World Summit 2005 in September
 |
| Prime Minister
Baldwin Spencer addressing the United Nations |
The Prime Minister W. Baldwin Spencer was unanimously endorsed
by the thirty-four member States of the Latin America and the Caribbean
(GRULAC), which are members of the United Nations, to serve as
the Chairman of the interactive round table of heads of State and
Government at the World Summit 2005, to be held at UN Headquarters
during the High-level Plenary of the UN General Assembly in September
2005.
The endorsement of the Prime Minister came with the withdrawal
of the candidatures of the Heads of State of El Salvador, Mexico
, Venezuela , respectively, in a rare display of regional consensus
and solidarity. “I am very grateful to my fellow heads of government
from Mexico , Venezuela and El Salvador for their support, and
for the overall support of fellow heads throughout the region,” said
the Prime Minister. “I will also like to thank our UN Ambassador,
Dr. John W. Ashe, for his considerable efforts in facilitating
this endorsement” he added
As Chairman of the round table, the Prime Minister is expected
to lead, moderate, and ultimately summarize the discussions of
his fellow heads on themes of Summit, which include: taking decisive
action to halve global poverty by 2015; reducing the threat of
war, terrorism, and proliferation, and promoting human dignity
in every corner of the world; and advancing development, security,
and human rights.
“I do recognize that the task is not an easy one, as I am expected
to focus the world's leaders on ways by which the international
community can collectively achieve the Millennium Development Goals
by 2015, including scaling up official development assistance (ODA)
to reach the 0.7 per cent of the gross national income target of
the developed countries; canceling debt; improving trade access
for developing countries; take action against terrorism and nuclear
proliferation; set new norms for a Government's responsibility
to protect its citizens; and reform the Security Council and other
United Nations machinery, including the setting up a Human Rights
Council to replace the existing Commission on Human Rights,” he
said.
The Prime Minister will address the General Assembly as head of
the Antigua and Barbuda delegation on September 14, before assuming
his Chairmanship on September 15.
While in New York he will also conduct a “town hall” meeting with
Antigua and Barbuda nationals living in the tri-State area of New
York , New Jersey and Connecticut . BACK TO TOP
Minister Adams attends meetings of the Organization of
American states
Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing Social Development
and Culture, Eleston Adams, led an Antigua and Barbuda delegation
to the recently concluded Ministerial Dialogue regarding the Social
Charter of the Americas , in Caracas , Venezuela .
The meeting held 28-29 August 2005 at the Headquarters of the
Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington D.C. , was
a precursor to the negotiations of this Social Charter. Her Excellency
Deborah-Mae Lovell, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda
to the OAS accompanied the Minister to Venezuela .
During his presentation to the hemispheric body, Minister Adams
underscored that “democracy would only have meaning to the citizens
of the hemisphere when there is committed action to addressing
the existing socio-economic ills that threaten the very survival
of our populations.” To this end, the Minister urged all member
states to intensify their efforts to eradicate these ills from
the hemisphere.
The Minister also used the opportunity to highlight the positive
steps taken by the Government. Particular mention was made of the
trilogy of legislation, namely the Anti-corruption Act; the Integrity
in Public Life Act and the Freedom of Information Act, which were
implemented a mere eighteen months after the United Progressive
Party (UPP) took office.
The Minister also enumerated the many policies pursued by this
Government to enhance the social development of Antigua and Barbuda
. Among the policies mentioned were the recently implemented programmes
to offer free school uniforms and free school meals to primary
and secondary school children of our nation.
In addition to the meeting in Venezuela , Minister Adams also
attended the Second Meeting of the Inter-American Committee on
Culture (CIC), which was held in Washington , D.C. 25-26 August
2005.
Minister Adams noted that he found the meeting immensely useful
as he gained a greater understanding of the work pursued by the
varying departments of culture of the countries of the hemisphere
and indicated that the information gathered, would help shape the
proposed draft policy on culture for Antigua and Barbuda .
The Minister further indicated that he was impressed by the information
provided by other countries on the significance of culture to development
and how culture could be used to boost the economies of countries.
Minister Adams also participated in discussions on the diversity
of culture as a tool for unity in society. BACK TO TOP
Antigua and Barbuda
and Australia discuss common interests
On 25th August, Australian High Commissioner John Stewart Mitchell
paid an official visit on Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer where
he outlined his government's initiatives in Antigua and Barbuda
.
High Commissioner Mitchell told Prime Minister Spencer that he
was pleased to be in Antigua and Barbuda , particularly to support
an Australian Project by the Historical Society at the Museum of
Antigua and Barbuda.
He explained that the project taught art and handicraft skills
using waste materials.
Prime Minister Spencer spoke of Cricket World Cup 2007 and the
prospects for Antigua and Barbuda in taking advantage of the economic
and other opportunities associated with the event.
Both men also spoke of the impact of Sir Vivian Richards on Antigua
and Barbuda and Australia , and Prime Minister mentioned the imminent
construction of the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium for the 2007 World
Cup.
High Commissioner Mitchell mentioned that his country had observed
that in the Caribbean , there is an economic transition taking
place from agriculture to tourism and technology based industries.
Prime Minister Spencer also raised the issue of the dynamic small
business sector of Australia and hoped that Antigua and Barbuda
business interests could develop links. BACK TO TOP
TO GET THIS BULLETIN
If you would like to receive future
editions of this bulletin please send a request with your name
and address to the: Antigua and Barbuda High Commission, 15 Thayer
Street, London W1M 5LD |
