ISSUE NO.50 February 2001
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General
Pace calls on Prime Minister Bird
The new Commander in Chief of the US Southern Command, General
Peter Pace, on Wednesday 31st January paid a courtesy call
on Prime Minister, the Honourable Lester B. Bird.
The Four Star General replaces General Charles Wihelm as
Head of the US Southern Command.
Prime Minister Lester Bird expressed his delight in meeting
the Commander adding that the US is a good friend of Antigua
and Barbuda and has assisted the country greatly in a number
of ways, including combating the drug trade. In reciprocating,
the General said he was indeed happy to be in Antigua and
Barbuda and considered it a pleasure to meet with Prime Minister
Lester Bird. He pledged his country's continued support for
Antigua and Barbuda adding that he too will personally make
every effort to continue the good relations between the two
countries.
General Pace presented Prime Minister Bird with a Crystal
Crest of the Eagle. "The Eagle is a symbol of foresight
and strength and it gives me great pleasure to present you
with this token of appreciation", General Pace said.
The two discussed a number of issues including disaster and crisis management,
marine matters, more specialized MTT, allocation of disaster equipment
to the Antigua Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF), the construction of a Coast
Guard Base in Barbuda, training in mitigating other natural and manmade
disasters.
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German
Ambassador presents credentials to Prime Minister - Exchanges instruments
on Bilateral Instruments Treaty
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The new non-resident German Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda,
His Excellency Mr. Ulrich Nitzschke, presented his credentials
to the Governor General His Excellency Sir James B. Carlisle
GCMG.
The German Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister
Lester Bird and also met with senior officials in the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs
The Prime Minister and Ambassador Nitzschke exchanged Instruments
of Ratification for the Bilateral Investment Treaty between
Antigua and Barbuda and the Federal Republic of Germany.
On November 5th, 1998 the Treaty was initialled by Antigua
and Barbuda's non-resident Ambasador to Germany, His Excellency
Sir Ronald Sanders and Head of the Division of Foreign Direct
Investment in the German Ministry of Economics, Dr. Reinhard
Zimmer.
Ambassador Nitzschke brings much experience to this new
post having worked in German Embassies in Jakarta, Indonesia,
Rome, Italy, Washington and Addis Abba, Ethiopia. He replaces
Ambassador Gerard Pluckebaum.
Prime Minister Bird reviewed the regional scene with the
Ambassador and raised a number of issues important to Antigua
and Barbuda. These included the OECD Harmful Tax Competition
issue, Germany's role in the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)
and potential cooperation at the United Nations between Antigua
and Barbuda and Germany. Prime Minister Bird emphasized the
importance of the Bilateral Investment Treaty in providing
a sound basis for German investment in Antigua and Barbuda's
economy.
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Prime Minister
Lester Bird attends 12th Inter-Sessional
Prime Minister, Lester Bird and a five-man delegation attended
the 12th Inter-Sessional of the Heads of Government of the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Bridgetown, Barbados from
14 - 16 February.
The Heads held discussions with Mr. Michael Moore, Director
General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and met with
the recently elected President of Haiti, Jean Bertrand Aristide.
The admission of Haiti into CARICOM was discussed at length
during the final day of talks at a special retreat, at the
Royal Westmoreland. Aristide pledged to set in place a CARICOM
Affairs Bureau, and to work closely with other CARICOM agencies.
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CARICOM-Region's 'Action
Plan' for OECD's campaign okayed
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The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) has approved
an "action plan" in the efforts to combat pressures
from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD) on competitive tax practices in the offshore financial
sector. The plan includes obtaining legal counsel to deal with
the problem at the level of the World Trade Organisation (WTO),
should the OECD insist in pursuing its threat to impose economic
sanctions from July against what it regards as "uncooperative" jurisdictions
in the region viewed as "harmful" tax havens.
The proposed strategy, approved by CARICOM, came
at the just-concluded 12th Inter-Sessional Meeting
of Heads of Government who met in Barbados from February
14-16 under the chairmanship of Barbados' Prime Minister,
Owen Arthur. Arthur is co-chair with Australia of a
Joint Working Committee of OECD and non-OECD countries
that was established at last January's consultation
on tax practices sponsored by the OECD and the Commonwealth
Secretariat and hosted by Barbados.
The Chief Foreign Affairs Representative of Antigua
and Barbuda, Sir Ronald Sanders, who chaired the Second
Meeting of the Caribbean Association of Regulators
of International Business (CARIB), had presented a
report to the Inter-Sessional Meeting that incorporated
the 'action plan'. The 'Sanders Report' on behalf of
CARIB addressed the initiatives of the G-7 group of
wealthy nations, on whose behalf the OECD and its allies
act. These are: The Financial Stability Forum (FSF),
that deals specifically with the regulation of offshore
financial centres; Financial Action Task Force (FATF),
which is concerned with measuring the cooperation of
jurisdiction against 25 criteria, in the battle against
money laundering and other financial crimes; and thirdly,
the OECD's anti-tax initiative that involves the Organisation
in its unilateral targeting of some ten member states
of the Caribbean among non-OECD countries as practicing
what it considers "harmful tax competition".
The OECD had warned, even before the Barbados consultation
last month, that it would impose sanctions from July
1 on the non-OECD countries it has listed as "uncooperative
jurisdictions". Contrary to expectations that
this threat of sanctions would have been lifted in
view of the decision to establish the Joint Working
Group of OECD and non-OECD countries in the effort
to arrive at a practical resolution, there has been
no withdrawal of the threat. The 'Sanders Report' on
behalf of CARIB to CARICOM leaders, noted that the
OECD "is constantly manipulating the media and
decision-making bodies, especially in their own capitals." Consequently,
CARIB feels that a global multi-media campaign to articulate
the region's position must be an essential feature
of the strategy to arrest the OECD's offensive. This
multi-media campaign, it was recommended, should be
launched and funded in cooperation with other targeted
jurisdictions in the Pacific and elsewhere.
The CARICOM leaders, in giving their approval to
the proposed CARIB 'action' strategy, also recognised
the relevance of engaging legal counsel to prepare
a case for submission to the disputes settlement bodies
of the WTO in the event that the OECD maintains its
threat of sanctions.
Among the approved areas of cooperation among non-OECD
countries is the fostering of unity as being of "paramount
importance"; and that the Joint Working Group
established at the Barbados consultation in January,
continue to negotiate with the OECD on behalf of all
member states collectively. In relation to the Global
Tax Forum, it was agreed that the member countries
involved will endeavour to be fully involved in an "inclusive
global forum" where the legitimate interest of
all countries and jurisdictions are addressed.
Member states have also committed themselves to continue
to support the Caribbean Financial Task Force (CAFTF)
with the provision of adequate resources and pertinent
information to strengthen its anti-money laundering
capacity and its advocacy of its mission on behalf
of the region.
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ECCB
holds 41st Monetary Council meeting
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Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister, Lester Bird, along
with Finance Ministers from the eight-member Eastern Caribbean
currency union, met in St. Kitts for the 41st meeting of
the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank's Monetary Council from
February 19 - 21.
The Ministers received the Governor's Report on monetary
and credit developments as mandated by the agreement which
established the Bank.
The Monetary Council is the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank's highest
decision-making authority and provides directives and guidelines on matters
of monetary and credit policy to the Bank. Prime Minister Bird is the
present Chairman of the Council.
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PM Bird has not signed
an agreement to "scrap Privy Council and replace it with
Caribbean Court"
Prime Minister Lester Bird has stated that, contrary to claims
in two newspapers in Antigua on the 19th February, he has not signed
an agreement to "scrap" the Privy Council and "replace
it with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)."
Mr Bird explained that the document he signed in Barbados on
the occasion of the 12th Inter-sessional Conference of CARICOM
Heads of Government is a commitment to take all necessary legal
and administrative measures required by the Constitution of Antigua
and Barbuda to establish a Caribbean Court of Justice. He stressed
that, "among these measures is a referendum by which the people
of Antigua and Barbuda would make their views known in a way that
would bind the country."
The Prime Minister pointed out that, as far as he is aware, appeal
to the Privy Council is an entrenched clause in the Constitution
of Antigua and Barbuda. In this connection, appeals must be made
to the Privy Council, unless the people of Antigua and Barbuda
vote in a referendum to change this system.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the commitment he made was "not
to establish the Caribbean Court, but to follow all the legal and
administrative steps required in Antigua and Barbuda if the CCJ
is to become a reality." He said, "I could not ignore
the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda and commit the state to
any matter that requires a referendum. What I have done is agreed
to follow all the legal steps, including a referendum, if the CCJ
is to be set up."
Mr Bird said that no other leader signing the document on 14th
February did any more or less than he did.
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PM
responds to Opposition Leader on Caribbean Court
Prime Minister Lester Bird has responded to a story in The Daily
Observer in which Opposition Leader Baldwin Spencer appears to
be contradicting himself on matter of the Caribbean Court of Justice.
According to the story written by Eleston 'Nambulumbu Nambalala'
Adams, Mr Spencer said that "from a point view of principle" the
UPP would argue that "any move to create the Caribbean Court
would be in the right direction." However, the story also
reports Mr Spencer as saying that it was surprising and shocking
that the Prime Minister signed a document relating to the CCJ along
with ten other Caribbean Heads of Government in Barbados on the
14th February.
Mr Bird said that "Mr Spencer is talking out of both sides
of his mouth. On the one hand he is saying that from a principled
standpoint it is right to create the Caribbean Court, and on the
other hand he is trying to suggest that I was wrong to sign a document
supporting that principle."
The Prime Minister declared that it is evident that the Opposition
Leader has no idea what document I signed, and instead of trying
to ascertain the facts, he is making confused statements and contradicting
himself. Mr Bird said, "For the benefit of Mr Spencer and
the writer of the article, I repeat the statement I made on Monday
which is that the document I signed merely confirms that my Government
will follow all necessary Constitutional, legal and administrative
steps, including a referendum, if a Caribbean Court of Justice
is to apply to our jurisdiction."
Mr Bird added that he noted very carefully that, in the remarks Mr Spencer
is alleged to have made to The Daily Observer, he stated that, "from a
point of principle", the UPP "would argue that any move to create
the CCJ would be in the right direction." In this regard, Mr Bird said, "the
Opposition Leader's position is no different from mine. However he, like me,
must follow all the necessary Constitutional and legal requirements on this
matter."
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IFSRA says US Senate
Report deals with case histories in Antigua: Jurisdiction now
applies highest international standards
Antigua and Barbuda's International Financial Sector Regulatory
Authority (IFSRA) said that reports appearing in the US press,
concerning a publication of a Senate sub-committee on correspondent
banks, deals with case histories in Antigua and not the present
situation.
The Staff of the Minority member of a US Senate Committee on
Governmental Affairs released a report on 7th February dealing
with US banks that offer themselves as correspondents for banks
in other parts of the world. The report claims that US banks were
used to launder money through their correspondent relations with
banks worldwide.
A small number of Banks that were licenced in Antigua are among
several in many countries that are featured in the Senate Report.
Sections of the US press have highlighted parts of the Report
that focus on fraud and other financial crime in banks other than
the US.
IFSRA said, "It is regrettable that the report did not also
deal with US banks which assisted in laundering money by sending
such money to banks in other jurisdictions."
The Authority stated that incidents with respect to Antigua,
which are featured in the Senate report, refer to banks that have
either had their licences revoked or are in compulsory receivership
or liquidation. These banks are American International Bank, Caribbean
International Bank and Overseas Development Bank. The only exception
is Hanover Bank which has been under examination by IFSRA for several
months.
IFSRA said, "There is a legal process once a Bank is suspected
of unlawful activity. Hanover Bank has been subject to this process
over the last few months and the Authority will act appropriately
and decisively once the process is completed."
IFSRA revealed that "the staff of the Minority Member of
the Senate sub-Committee had visited Antigua and Barbuda last September
at the invitation of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and
had agreed, after extensive consultations, that the current supervisory
and regulatory machinery met the highest international standards." The
Authority drew attention to the fact that in the report, the writers
thanked the Government and IFSRA for their full assistance in their
research.
IFSRA also noted that the report is an indictment of the practices
of US banks but this fact has been ignored by the US press which
has focussed on incidents that are in the past.
The Authority reminded that, "last June and again at the
beginning of this month, Antigua and Barbuda successfully passed
the rigorous examination of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
set up by the G7 countries to determine whether or not a country
was fully cooperative in the fight to curb money laundering and
other financial crime."
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"Sparrow" honoured
by CARICOM
"
There is no question about it. He is the best......" said
Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister, the Honourable Lester
B. Bird, as CARICOM conferred the Order of the Caribbean Community
(OCC) on the Grenadian-born calypsonian who has made Trinidad
his home.
Sparrow, now 65, was among three Caribbean nationals to receive the Community's
highest award. The others are George Price of Belize and Dr. George Alleyne
of Barbados.
Mr. Bird noted that "Sparrow rules supreme in the world of calypso
since he began singing calypso back in the 1950s".
The beloved Sparrow has produced over 70 albums,
toured the world with his famous Troubadours, and is
now working on a special CD collection featuring over
100 of his best known calypsos.
When asked how he felt about the conferment, he said he was "deeply
humbled".
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Government
take steps to protect reefs
The Government has taken steps to protect the declining conditions
of the country's coral reefs.
The Fisheries Division has introduced a ban on all spear-fishing with immediate
effect, adding that a number of factors, namely, over-fishing, pollution
from sewage and other waste, siltation, dredging and the breakage from
anchors in recent hurricanes, forced this latest decision.
According to a Fisheries source, it is estimated that some 95% of the country's
reef areas are dead and the fishing stock has declined greatly, which is
causing great concern.
A number of other stringent measures have also been taken to correct the
situation.
Agriculture Minister, Vere Bird Jr., said, "measures must be taken
immediately if we are to preserve our reefs and replenish our fishing stock".
There is a ban on the collection of coral or any other marine fauna, a
ban on fishing at Diamond Reef, off the North Coast of Antigua, and also
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BARBUDA
NEWS
PM expresses disappointment in Barbuda
Council Chairman's interpretation of working document
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Prime Minister Lester Bird has expressed his disappointment
at certain comments that have been attributed to the Chairman
of the Barbuda Council, Arthur Nibbs, concerning the working
document that the Government presented to the Council in January.
The document addressed the key proposal by a Team from
the Commonwealth Secretariat who visited Antigua and Barbuda
last year to review the operation of the arrangements between
the Government and the Council.
The key recommendation arising from the Review was the
establishment of a Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) to
oversee the development of Barbuda.
In the letter written on the 2nd February to Mr Nibbs,
the Prime Minister said his disappointment arises from the
fact that the proposal is "a working document" not
a final one. He said, "My Government is approaching
the work of the JCC in an open and constructive manner and
in good faith. I am, therefore, disappointed that, without
the benefit of any discussion, you have already come to conclusions
and misinterpretations of a proposal that we presented to
you as "a working document," and you have chosen
to cast these, in the public domain, as areas of controversy."
Mr Bird said that he was "also deeply disappointed
in the use of intemperate language such as using "a
big fist." Nothing in the document suggests anything
but an approach to the work of the JCC based on equality,
mediation and mutual respect."
Dealing with the specific objections that Mr Nibbs is reported
to have voiced, Mr Bird said that none of the points is a "deviation'
from the recommendations of the Commonwealth Team.
Dealing with Nibbs' call for the "removal" of
the Barbuda Industrial Development Agency (BIDA), the Prime
Minister pointed out that nowhere in their report did the
Commonwealth Team call for the "removal" of BIDA.
He drew attention to page 30 of the report which said, "the
Agency, in its present or modified form, could play a useful
role in presenting investment proposals to the JCC for its
consideration."
The Prime Minister emphasised that the working document
does not deviate from this suggestion in any way. It states
that the JCC work programme would include, "receiving
and reviewing investment proposals from the Barbuda Industrial
Development Agency."
On the matter of the Chairmanship of meetings of the JCC, Mr Bird reminded
Mr Nibbs that the Commonwealth Team specifically said that "the
Committee should be chaired by a high-ranking government official from
the Office of the Prime Minister or, alternatively, from the Ministry
of Finance."
He stressed that nowhere in the report does it suggest
that, as Vice Chairman, Mr Nibbs should Chair meetings in
the Prime Minister's absence.
Mr Bird then went on to explain why it would not be to
the JCC's benefit for meetings to proceed without him as
Minister of Finance. He said that if he were not present,
the meeting of the JCC would comprise four Council representatives
and three Government representatives, and this would result
in an imbalance of representation. The Prime Minister added
that the Commonwealth Team was very keen that a high-ranking
official from the Office of the Prime Minister or the Ministry
of Finance should chair the JCC specifically because the
Minister of Finance can make finance decisions no other Minister
can. He argued that, consequently, even if meetings were
to proceed without him, it is unlikely that any practicable
decision could be made until the matter was laid before the
Minister of Finance.
The Prime Minister also dealt with the claim by Mr Nibbs
that the Government is refusing to transfer responsibility
for telephones to the Barbuda Council.
He said that nowhere in the Commonwealth report does it
suggest that telephones should be transferred to the Council.
At page 29, the report says:
"The Committee would serve as the forum for discussing
the timing of the phased transfer of responsibility to the
Council for public utilities (water and electricity) as discussed
below, and the consequential arrangement, including the necessary
capacity building initiatives, in an effort to ensure the
effective functioning of these utilities when they are transferred
to the Barbuda Council."
The Prime Minister noted that his Government "has
surmised that the reason why the Commonwealth team did not
recommend the transfer of telephones is because the capital
cost of such an undertaking would be extremely prohibitive
and the recurrent rates to subscribers on Barbuda, were they
to be severed from the subsidy they now enjoy from subscribers
on Antigua, would be astronomical."
Nothwithstanding this observation, Mr Bird told the Barbuda
Council Chairman that the government "has no problem
whatsoever in discussing the transfer of responsibility for
telephones to the Barbuda Council as part of the phased transfer
of responsibility for electricity and water provided that
no additional financial burden is placed on the Treasury.
It would be a matter for the Council and its members on the
JCC if they wish to pursue this matter including its costs."
Mr Bird ended his letter by repeating the Government's
position that it "is entering the discussions in the
JCC in good faith and with every desire to establish a practical
and pragmatic working relationship with the Council's members
for the benefit of Barbuda, and the nation as a whole."
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Barbuda
lands row in court
The status of the ownership and control of lands in Barbuda
is being heard in the St John's High Court before Australian Judge,
John Lawrence O'Meally. It is the view of the government of Antigua
and Barbuda that the lands in Barbuda belong to the people of the
entire State, which comprises Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda.
On the other hand, the Barbudans' position is that lands on Barbuda
belong to all Barbudans in common and thus no one has the authority
to deal with those lands without the consent of the Barbudan people.
"We have a customary system of land tenure, whereby the
people own the land in common - there is no certificate or title
to the lands. But every Barbudan and descendant is entitled to
the lands for residential purposes, provision for agricultural
grounds and for the rearing of animals. We are hoping that the
courts can now give a definitive and clear view to the government
and everyone concerned that those lands are in fact under the jurisdiction
of the people of Barbuda," Chairman of the Barbuda Council,
Arthur Nibbs said.
"In my personal capacity as Chairman of the Council, I hold
strong to the view that the matter of Barbuda lands is not a matter
for discussion, because it is clear that the lands belong to the
people," he added.
"The people have been occupying these lands for over 400
years without the payment of any rent or (having to seek) permission
from anyone. Therefore there can be no doubt that the lands truly
belong to the people of Barbuda," Nibbs explained.
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AG announces plans
for Family Court
Attorney General, Dr Errol Cort, has announced plans to establish
a Family Court.
During an address to members of the Bar Association at the High Court on
the 1st February, he said the court would have full jurisdiction over all
family and juvenile matters, including divorces, separations and child
maintenance. He also advised that a specially trained jurist would be appointed
to sit as the court's judge.
He also announced the arrival of Justice John O'Meally of Australia, who
began sitting as a High Court Judge in St John's on Monday 12 February.
Justice O'Meally sat in session at a specially converted room at the Multi-Purpose
Centre at Perry Bay and is expected to make a significant impact on the
backlog of civil cases in the High Court.
During his address, Dr Cort took the opportunity to express his deep
appreciation to the Association and specifically to Mr Justin Simon,
Mr. Radford Hill and Miss Ann Henry, for their generosity in volunteering
to sit as temporary magistrates, free of cost, in an effort to reduce
the backlog of cases in the Magistrate's Court.
Dr. Cort said he was confident that with a close working relationship
between the Attorney General's Chambers and the Bar Association, significant
strides could be made in the overall dispensation of justice in Antigua
and Barbuda.
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Switzerland
Ambassador present credentials
The new Ambassador of Switzerland to Antigua and Barbuda, His
Excellency Mr. Pierre Munod presented his credentials to the
Governor General, His Excellency Sir. James B. Carlisle GCMG
and paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister the Honourable Lester
Bird.
Prime Minister Bird and Ambassador Munod discussed several bilateral issues
including on-going cooperation in international law enforcement matters.
Prime Minister Bird also raised the issue of OECD Harmful Tax Competition
and both men had a frank exchange of views on this controversial topic.
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New currency from
the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank has begun circulation of
a new family of notes with enhanced security features.
A release from the Bank said that the upgraded designs are meant
to help combat counterfeiting. The additional security features
include a gold foil at the top right hand corner of the note.
On the twenty-dollar note this highly reflective gold foil is
in the shape of a butterfly, but on the five-dollar note the shape
is that of a shark. A new security watermark with a portrait of
the Queen is on the front left side of the note, but can be seen
on both sides. A watermark highlight, which reads "ECCB' can
also be clearly seen when the note is held up to the light.
An upgraded security thread runs through the note from top to
bottom and appears on the surfacing of the paper at intervals.
When the note is held up to the light, text in the thread becomes
visible. The text also reads 'ECCB' and can be seen from both the
front and the back of the note.
The five and twenty-dollar notes are the first to be upgraded
but these will be followed by upgraded notes of all denominations
throughout the currency union.
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New Minimum Wage: Labour
Minister moves to halt exploitation of workers
Labour Minister Steadroy Benjamin has called on the Minimum Wage
Committee to establish a minimum wage.
The Minister's call comes in the light of what he terms "unrealistic
salaries" being offered to some weekly-paid workers. "Many
of the work permit applications that I receive quote wages of less
than $200 per week, and some as low as $150. To employ individuals
at these rates is totally unrealistic and is unacceptable to the
Labour Department," Minister Benjamin said.
The Minister has contacted the Labour Commissioner on the issue
of activating a minimum wage committee as soon as possible, in
an effort to curb the trend. "At its first sitting, the committee
will be asked to focus on establishing a minimum wage in all categories,
primarily private security officers, store attendants and gas station
attendants," Mr. Benjamin said.
Labour Commissioner Austin Josiah said, "The last minimum
wage review was done in 1981 and a proper minimum wage in Antigua
and Barbuda is overdue. Further to that, the concretion of a modern
minimum wage will result in decent wages for all workers, while
lessening the temptation for employers to exploit the labour of
non-nationals."
The unions and the Employers' Federation said they are in full
support of the move towards establishing a new national minimum
wage.
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Teachers get nearly
EC$3 million in backpay
In accordance with an agreement reached on January 10 between
representatives of the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers (ABUT)
and the government, the 700 teachers are expected to receive an
EC$400 (US$148) across-the-board pay increase, in addition to 50
per cent of the outstanding backpay for July to December 1995.
The remaining 50 per cent, which is a 6% increase for both 1996
and 1997, will be paid in the form of a 10-year Treasury Bond at
the rate of 4% by the end of April, 2001.
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Barbudans
have own dental clinic
Barbudans will no longer have to travel to Antigua to seek dental
attention. The Barbuda Council has opened a new dental clinic in
Codrington. The Council undertook construction and financing of
the clinic.
Chairman Arthur Nibbs expressed delight at the opening of the
new facility. The Council will also help to reduce the cost of
patients' dental bills. "The Council will pay half of the
dental bill, while prospective patients will pay the other portion," Nibbs
said.
The Council has authorized the dental firm of Gregson Williams
and Associates to set up the clinic.
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PM
shows that Opposition Leader's claims on Hospital Loan are wrong
Prime Minister Lester Bird has shown that claims made by Opposition
Leader, Baldwin Spencer, about the Hospital loans are wrong.
In a letter to the Prime Minister dated 16th February, Mr Spencer
speculated that payment of bills related to the construction of
the Mount St John Hospital may have been made by the Medical Benefits
Scheme. The Opposition Leader said in the letter that the Accountant
General should know that all bills in connection with the Hospital
construction should be paid by him from the relevant Government
account. Mr Spencer went on to allege that the Accountant General
has never questioned that funds were being illegally disbursed
by the Medical Benefits Scheme to pay for the Hospital construction.
Replying to Mr Spencer in a letter dated 27th February, the Prime
Minister robustly showed that the Opposition Leader's claims were
false. He told Mr Spencer that, "the Accountant General could
not have questioned any illegal disbursements made by the Medical
Benefits Scheme in respect of these loans because no such disbursements
were made."
The Prime Minister told Mr Spencer, "As you rightly observe,
all bills associated with the loan agreement are legally required
to be paid by the Accountant General from the relevant account,
and that is precisely what has been happening."
Explaining the procedure in detail, Mr Bird told Opposition Leader
that Cabinet authorized the establishment of an account from which
bills are settled in connection with the Hospital construction
and equipping. He said, the following steps are required before
disbursements can be made:
1. A notarized affidavit from the Project Manager outlining the
fees paid to date.
2. Application and Certification for Payment.
3. A letter from the Contractor.
4. An affidavit from the Contractor.
5. A formal letter from the Ministry of Finance bearing the signature of the
financial and the Accountant General.
6. A notarized requisition certificate duly executed by the Financial Secretary,
the Accountant General and a member of the Board of the Mount St John's Medical
Centre.
The Prime Minister concluded that these steps have been faithfully
followed in relation to payment of bills for the construction and
equipping of the Hospital. He said, "Payments have been made
by the Government and not the Medical Benefits Scheme."
Mr Bird added, "As you can see, the steps are entirely consistent
with best practices and rely entirely on the Financial Secretary
and the Accountant General being fully satisfied that everything
is in good order before they, along with a member of the Board
of the Hospital, issue notarized requisition certificate for payments
to be made."
The Prime Minister recalled that early February he had invited
Mr Spencer to inspect the records in regard to the operation of
the Hospital loan. He noted that instead of doing so, Mr Spencer
chose "to speculate that the Medical Benefits Scheme is illegally
disbursing funds" and to wrongfully question the role of the
Accountant General. Mr Bird renewed his invitation to the Opposition
Leader to inspect the loan disbursement records.
In signing off his letter to Mr Spencer, the Prime Minister said
that he had no doubt that the Opposition Leader will continue to
call for an Inquiry. He said, "I respect your right, as Leader
of the Opposition, to do so in the context of seeking political
advantage. At the same time, you must respect my obligation, as
Head of Government, to act responsibly in ensuring that any action
taken in this matter is informed by a scientific and objective
examination of all available date."
Mr Bird repeated that an Audit of the Medical Benefits Scheme
is being carried out at present. He said, the audit is scheduled
to be completed by the end of March - just a few weeks away, and
he ended, "When the Audit is concluded and a report delivered,
the government will be in a position to determine if any further
steps are necessary."
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PM
Bird attends "Michigan Tracksters Reunion" in Trinidad
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Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister, the Honourable Lester
Bryant Bird, was among the Track and Field Athletes ("tracksters")
of the late 1950's and early 60s, who gathered at the Crews
Inn, in Trinidad.
Tracksters from Michigan's Ann Arbor University,
came together to remember the glorious days of Track
and Field, especially for the boys from the Caribbean
islands. Master of Ceremonies, Mr Milt Robinson said, "it
was indeed a joy to be reunited with the tracksters
after so many years apart, expressing great delight
in the fact that one of "our boys" is now
a leading Prime Minister and politician in the Caribbean."
The special guest of honour was the tracksters coach, Mr Don Canham,
who the tracksters cheered and lauded for his outstanding work with them
as young athletes. Mr. Canham received a number of gifts from the men
whose lives he helped to shape on the track.
Prime Minister Lester Bird received a sustained standing ovation upon
his arrival. The tracksters spoke glowingly of the Prime Minister's days
in the High Jump arena and recalled one special event that won him the
conference title.
Prime Minister Bird in his address said he too was delighted to be able
to see his former team mates once again, recalling the days prior to
the civil rights movement, when the few Caribbean athletes at the University,
had to struggle for survival in order to make it. "There were just
under 300 coloured students in a roll of 2,800 plus students back then,
and may I remind you, there was no Martin Luther King then......," the
former High Jump college super star concluded.
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UK
arrivals to Antigua and Barbuda for year 2000 show substantial
increase
ABB20 Arrivals figures from January to December 2000 show that
the UK market is once more the leading source of tourism for Antigua
and Barbuda.
The annual total shows a 5.11% increase from the UK, demonstrating
a healthy growth from UK tourist arrivals. The upward swing reflects
Antigua and Barbuda's ongoing strategy to educate and train the
travel trade, as well as the promotion of Antigua and Barbuda as
a good year-round quality destination for both families and individuals.
Antigua has also recently been upgrading and extending its range
of accommodation to appeal to an increasingly sophisticated market;
Carlisle Bay Club is undergoing major development and refurbishment
and will, when completed, offer five star accommodation; Coco Bay
Resort offers boutique style accommodation; Club Colonna, now operated
by Sunsail offers all-inclusive water sports and a créche,
while Palmetto Beach Hotel provides much needed mid-range accommodation
in Barbuda.
Antigua and Barbuda's High Commissioner to London, Sir Ronald
Sanders, said that his office was, gratified by the continuing
attraction of Antigua and Barbuda to UK visitors, but he noted
that, efforts have to be intensified if we are to maintain this
growth in a highly competitive market where our rivals are running
aggressive marketing campaigns.
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Tourism Ministry launches
advertising campaign to attract visitors for test match
ABB21Antigua and Barbuda will be going all out to ensure that
the country reaps maximum benefits from the upcoming Test Match
between the West Indies and South Africa.
Minister of Tourism, Molwyn Joseph, said his Ministry will be
launching a major advertising campaign in the Caribbean New York
and UK to attract visitors here for the test match.
Minister Joseph convened a meeting with representatives of LIAT,
and the West Indies Cricket Board to discuss the details of the
marketing thrust, he subsequently held briefing discussions with
BWIA. Mr Joseph said that he took this initiative not just for
Tourism and economic reasons but also because the Antiguan Test
will be a benefit for recently retired Antiguan fast bowler Curtly
Ambrose.
The WICB has designated that one US dollar from every ticket
sold will go to Ambrose. "We the people of Antigua and Barbuda
and the Caribbean must come out in our thousands every day to ensure
that Curtley is properly rewarded for his many years of inspiring
and sterling service to our cricket," said the Tourism Minister.
Mr Joseph said that in association with LIAT, BWIA, the WICB,
Antigua Hotels and Tourist Association, through small hotels, his
Ministry would be putting together a package, which will include
travel, accommodation and tickets to the game.
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