ISSUE NO.59 November 2001
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 Canadian
High Commissioner visits
The High Commissioner for Canada to Antigua and Barbuda Ms. Sandelle Scrimshaw
made a courtesy call on Prime Minister, Lester Bird, on 2nd November.
Both the High Commissioner and Prime Minister Bird expressed
the desire for both countries to forge stronger
links. They also discussed the effects of the September 11 atrocities
in the USA on the economies of the region.
Prime Minister Bird asked the High Commissioner to convey to her Prime Minister
his government's appreciation for the assistance the Canadian government has
given to the Office of National Drug and Control Policy (ONDCP) in its fight
against drug trafficking and money laundering.
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Amendments
to the Representation of the People Act Presented to Parliament
The Government has presented the amendments to the Representation
of the People Act, which governs the conduct of elections in Antigua
and Barbuda, to the House of Parliament.
The Prime Minister presented the 46-page Bill to the House, which was drafted
by the Ministry of Legal Affairs with assistance from Mr Carl Dundas of the
Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-oporation.
The New Bill proposes a number of major changes, which seek to address the
weaknesses and shortcomings of the present electoral process.
The first major change introduced by the Bill is the establishment of an Electoral
Commission. The five-member Commission is intended to be free and independent
and is not under the control of any person or authority.
The Chairman and two other members are appointed on the recommendation
of the Prime Minister after consultation with the Leader of the
Opposition. The two other members are appointed on the recommendation
of the Leader of the Opposition after consultation with the Prime
Minister.
The Bill further proposes to issue identification cards to all electors.
The Bill also considered access to the media by all candidates during elections
as fundamental to a free and fair election. In this regard, it is proposed
that the Commission will consult with the electronic and print media to draw
up a timetable for public education programmes for voters and for political
parties and candidates to have access to the media at scheduled times arranged
by the Commission.
Campaign Financing is also addressed in the Bill and proposes that every political
party must keep a record book into which must be recorded all monies and other
forms of contribution received by the party.
Specifically, a political party is required to record the name and address
of any person who makes monetary or other form of gift which exceeds twenty-five
thousand dollars.
Provision is made to prohibit any political party from accepting monetary or
other forms of contribution, which exceed $5,000 unless the source of the contribution
can be identified to the Commission.
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Government
will no longer retrench workers
The Antigua and Barbuda government decided not to retrench workers
on November 15. Prime Minister, Lester Bird made the announcement
in a broadcast to the nation on the occasion of the country's 20th
anniversary of Independence on 1st November.
He said that instead of laying-off workers, as he had indicated
in July this year, the Inland Revenue Department would pursue the
collection of more than 100 million Eastern Caribbean dollars (US$37
million) which some companies and individuals owe the government
in outstanding taxes.
The collection of the money would strengthen government's cash
flow and allow it to maintain employment levels in the public sector,
Mr Bird added.
"The rich must not prosper even more at the expense of the
poor. Nor should those who pay their taxes in full be made to carry
the heavy burden of those who don't," the Prime Minister told
the nation.
He warned the tax evaders that if appropriate arrangements are
not made with the Inland Revenue Department, the Commissioner of
Inland Revenue has been authorised to "name and shame" them
in the Official Gazette, and to take legal action.
"I have instructed my Junior Minister of Finance, Senator
Asot Michael, to take this action without fear or favour. Political
colours will in no way influence the process. The playing field
will be level," Mr Bird said.
He likened the problem of people evading the payment of taxes
to a "poison ivy that must be rooted out", saying one
of the government's principal problem was the unavailability of
cash.
In his address, which touched on several issues, Mr Bird said
a recent study by the Inland Revenue Department showed that 19
companies had been assessed for EC$68 million of unpaid taxes.
He said other studies showed that many more companies and several
professionals including lawyers and doctors have evaded paying
the full amount of due taxes. In all, more than EC$100 million
(US$37 million) is outstanding now, the Prime Minister said.
Noting that government was forced to contemplate the retrenchment
of thousands of workers because of cash flow problems, Mr Bird
made it clear that it would not allow the problem to continue.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that given the large sums owed
by some companies and individuals, they will not be able to settle
their taxes at once. He said, however, they must make arrangements
with the Inland Revenue Department to settle their obligations
in the shortest possible time.
"Antigua and Barbuda's future cannot be built on the selfishness
of a few; our future must be built on a sense of community in which
every person's interest is served not just the profit of a privileged
few," Mr Bird said.
The Prime Minister issued a warning to public workers, saying
that while government has taken a decision to keep them, they should
not regard their jobs as untouchable.
"Having a job demands work, it demands efficiency and it
demands performance particularly at this time when having a job
is an opportunity denied to many," he said.
"Government Ministries and Departments, therefore, will
expect employees to perform efficiently and well. Employees cannot
expect to keep jobs if they do not work."
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Union welcomes Prime
Minister's announcement
The Antigua Trades & Labour Union (AT&LU),
bargaining agents for non-established workers, has welcomed the
announcement by Prime Minister, Lester Bird, that there will be
no retrenchment of government workers. President of the AT&LU,
Wigley George, said Prime Minister, Lester Bird, made the judgement
call based upon the social needs of the workers in the country.
"First and foremost it is indeed a welcome decision by the
Prime Minister that the workers will not be sent home.
"Secondly, the trade union has been advocating that there
should be no retrenchment, and workers with more than one government
job should relinquish one," George said.
The AT&LU will be meeting with its membership to ensure that
they recognise the importance of higher productivity in light of
the decision made by the government.
"We will not be encouraging any lackadaisical attitude of
workers in the work place. The time has come for workers to produce
at a higher level because good pay is a reward for good productivity," he
said.
The union president went on to caution workers that there was
no substitute for higher productivity in the public service, especially
after the decision not to institute the retrenchment programme.
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 Senator
Asot Michael comments on Finance Ministers Meeting
Minister of State with responsibility for Finance, Senator
Asot Michael, headed Antigua and Barbuda's delegation to a meeting
of CARICOM Finance Ministers which took place in Barbados.
Senator Michael said that the picture for all CARICOM countries
appeared grim in the wake of the atrocities of September 11th in
the United States and the economic recession that had started earlier
in the year.
"Every CARICOM country is facing a downturn in economic
performance at this time", the Minister said. He added, "As
a group, Finance Ministers grappled with this problem to find solutions
that our government might peruse collectively".
Minister Michael disclosed that "the International Financial
Institutions have indicated a willingness to be helpful, and we
have welcomed this. We want to encourage them to do more because
our small economies lack the capacity and resources to bounce back
from external shocks easily".
"It is clear, however, that each of our countries will have
to tighten its belt. Expenditures will have to be cut and wastage
stopped. Only the most productive sectors of the economy, as well
as health and education can expect to continue to receive former
levels of government funding. At the same time, throughout CARICOM,
every government will have to strengthen tax administration and
collection as well as strict budget management", the Minister
said.
Senator Michael added, "These measures will call for the
co-operation of all CARICOM citizens if our countries individually
and the region collectively are to emerge successfully from this
difficult period".
He disclosed that both the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and
the Caribbean Development Bank will be conducting studies in Antigua
and Barbuda that will help to inform the way that the Government
tackles the economic effects on this country.
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Senator Asot Michael
meets with Banking Officials
Junior Finance Minister Senator Asot Michael along
with senior officials in the Ministry of Finance on Thursday 15th
November met with officials of the soon to be established First
Caribbean Bank.
First Caribbean Bank will be an amalgamation of CIBC Caribbean Limited and
Barclays Bank PLC's Caribbean operations.
The meeting was an opportunity for the officials of First Caribbean
Bank to make their personal introductions to Finance officials
and to make representations on behalf of the new financial institution.
In this regard Messrs Layne and Warner of Barclays Bank PLC and
Mr. Joseph of CIBC Caribbean Limited confirmed the new bank's interest
in doing business in Antigua and Barbuda and emphasized that the
new institution would be Caribbean-Centric and therefore more sensitive
to the needs of Caribbean Nations like Antigua and Barbuda.
The Ministry of Finance received positively the assurances for a more empathetic
approach by First Caribbean Bank, noting that Barclays Bank PLC and CIBC Caribbean
Limited appeared at times not to be as responsive as they could have been to
initiatives of the Government and also to the needs of ordinary Antiguans and
Barbudans.
During the meeting, Minister Michael raised a number of pressing concerns on
behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lester Bird, among them
being the question of continuity of employment for employees of the Antigua
branches of Barclays PLC and CIBC Caribbean Limited.
Representatives of first Caribbean Bank explained that the process
of integrating both banks would take approximately twelve months
and that there will be no initial loss of jobs.
They also assured that while the number of jobs available in
some operational areas would decrease, there would be an increase
in other areas, for example in services, thus mitigating against
job losses.
Minister Michael also sought and received assurances that a programme
of skills training would be put in place in order to address effectively
any eventuality of job loss and was further assured that severance
payments, if necessary would be forthcoming in a timely manner.
On the matter of offshore banking operations, Ministry officials
expressed disappointment that Antigua and Barbuda was not chosen
as one of the five international banking centres for First Caribbean
Bank.
Minister Michael reminded the banks' representatives that Antigua
and Barbuda was recognized as a jurisdiction with model legislation
and commended by both the UK and US governments as having taken
concrete steps to address the scourge of money laundering and related
criminal offences.
The Minister also emphasized that Antigua and Barbuda's workforce
was highly educated and computer literate, making reference to
the recently commissioned Information Technology facility at the
Free Trade and Processing Zone. In this regard, Minister Michael
forcefully made the point that the human resource capacity in Antigua
and Barbuda was equal to any in the jurisdictions chosen to be
offshore financial centres for First Caribbean Bank.
In light of the arguments put forward by Minister Michael, the
banks' officials assured that Antigua and Barbuda would be given
serious consideration when First Caribbean Bank expanded its offshore
operations.
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 Prime
Minister outlines plans to help cushion the impact of recession
in Independence broadcast
Antigua and Barbuda celebrated its 20th anniversary of political
Independence amid what Prime Minister, Lester Bird, described as
very "troubled times" in the world.
In his Independence broadcast to the nation, Prime Minister,
Lester Bird referred to the September 11 terrorist attacks on the
United States and the resultant negative impact on economies around
the world, especially the tourism-dependent ones. He said Antigua
and Barbuda had not escaped the effects of a slowdown in the global
economy which started even before the deadly attacks on Washington
and New York.
Noting that the situation has worsened since the attacks, Mr
Bird told the nation that government would engage the private sector
and trade unions in discussions over the next few weeks.
He outlined a five-point plan that will form the basis of the
discussions. The plan is intended to cushion the impact of the
recession on the people and lay a foundation for the future.
The government will propose: An extension by the banks of five
years on mortgages for home owners; a lowering of interest rates
on borrowing to encourage investment in the productive sector and
a freeze on wages for the next 24 months with a review within a
year.
It is also considering a reduction in the price of a basket of
food items that are essential to the majority of people and a freeze
for 18 months on any increase in rents for dwelling places and
commercial buildings.
"I look forward to full consultation with the private sector
and trade unions on these points and any others that they may wish
to advance. My government will approach these discussions in the
full spirit of partnership in the interest of this country to which
we are all devoted," Mr Bird said.
"For its part, the government is already working to stimulate
the economy," the Prime Minister said.
As regards the government's initiatives, the Prime Minister said
it was maintaining employment in the public sector and giving hotels
EC$2.5million (US$925,000) in bed night taxes over the next three
months, so they can offer a more competitive price in the tourist
markets.
The government is also absorbing a large portion of their utilities
and the hoteliers have a duty to keep their workers, Mr Bird said.
"In return, we expect to see the brakes firmly applied to
the laying-off of employees. The State's resources cannot be used
to brighten the outlook for hotels, only to see workers sent home
with prospects that are bleak," he said in the address.
Bird said the government's main objective is to protect the jobs
and income of Antiguans and Barbudans by filling the hotel rooms
over the January to March period.
He said the country had achieved much over the past 20 years
and if the government and people put their heads together, the
Caribbean nation could overcome the current economic challenges.
Click
here for the full text of the Prime Minister's Independence broadcast
to the Nation
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Nationals
honoured on Independence Day
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda honoured nine Antigua
and Barbuda nationals for their service to the nation during the
Independence Day Parade at the Antigua Recreation Grounds on Thursday,
1st November.
Those honoured were from a variety of professions. Four persons
in the field of Education became officers and members of the Most
Illustrious Order of Merit. Others were awarded based on service
rendered in the Military and Tourism Sector and for voluntary work.
Commander of the Most Illustrious Order
of Merit - CM
Major Llewellyn Haywood
Officer of the Most Illustrious Order of
Merit - OM
Henry Greaux Esq.
Mrs. Ruth Limerick
Mrs. Agnes Jeffrey
Member of the Most Illustrious Order of
Merit - MM
David Fernandez Esq.
Mrs. Natalie Hurst
Walton Theodore
Mrs. Cornelia Michael
Officer of the Most Precious Order of Princely
Heritage - MH
Tyrell Beazer Esq.
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 Government
clears $4 million debt to OECS
Antigua and Barbuda government has cleared a 4 million Eastern
Caribbean dollar (US$1.48million) debt to the Organisation of Eastern
Caribbean States (OECS) Secretariat.
Antigua and Barbuda's High Commissioner to London, Sir Ronald
Sanders, made the disclosure on 20th November.
Sir Ronald said the government was also keeping its current payments
to the financially-strapped Secretariat that is based in St. Lucia
up to date.
"We have been in arrears with payments to the Secretariat's
operating budget for a number of years. We of course are not the
only one in that position. A number of other countries were as
well," he was reported as saying.
"We have just paid them four million dollars and we are
also keeping our current payments up to date. I suspect at this
time Antigua and Barbuda is one of the better contributors to the
working of the OECS Secretariat," Sir Ronald said.
He said the organisation, which Antigua and Barbuda helped to
establish, was an important institution for the sub-region which
gives the small developing states a single voice.
"I believe that that fundamental underpinning of the organisation is still
valid today. The OECS great strength is the extent to which its members can speak
with one voice," Sir Ronald said.
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Observer
Article Misleading
Antigua and Barbuda's High Commissioner to London, Sir Ronald
Sanders, has described as "nonsense" a characterisation
of his relationship with Prime Minister, Lester Bird.
The High Commissioner who is responsible for government's International
matters made the statement following the publication of an article
in the Daily Observer Newspaper on Thursday 15th November, which
insinuated that the High Commissioner controls the Prime Minister.
Sir Ronald noted that it's not the first time that the Daily
Observer Newspaper has written such nonsense and it will continue
to do so "because it serves their political purpose".
The High Commissioner said "The Prime Minister of Antigua
and Barbuda is one of the brightest persons I have ever worked
with in my life and I have worked with many bright people. I have
worked closely with him for over twenty years and I have enjoyed
that relationship at an intellectual level," the High Commissioner
noted.
Sir Ronald, who has ministerial rank within the government of
Antigua and Barbuda, also spoke about his work with the Prime Minister
on matters locally and on the international political scene.
"The Prime Minister and I have collaborated on a number
of presentations that have been made to the international and Caribbean
community - presentations that have been made on the behalf of
Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean to the International community.
I help to dig-up the kind of empirical data that he requires for
dealing with these issues. If the Prime Minister had to do this
by himself, he would not be the Prime Minister, he would be a researcher," stated
Sir Ronald.
Sir Ronald concluded that the people of Antigua and Barbuda know
that they should treat the Observer stories with the contempt they
deserve.
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 Special
Venezuelan Envoy meets with Prime Minister
Prime Minister, Lester Bird, on the 20th November met Ambassador
Hector Azocar, who was sent on a special mission by President Hugo
Chavez of Venezuela.
Ambassador Azocar presented a special invitation to Prime Minister
Bird from President Chavez of Venezuela to attend the Summit of
the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) in Margarita Island,
Venezuela during 11-12 December 2001.
Ambassador Azocar, who had represented Venezuela during the negotiations
which preceded the establishment of the ACS, spoke of the role
of CARICOM in the ACS and urged the Prime Minister to attend and
to participate fully.
PM Bird stated that the countries of CARICOM had not lived up
to their full potential within the ACS, and he expressed the view
that the ACS was a vital grouping which could have greater influence
in world affairs.
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 Representation
of the People Act on World Wide Web
Attorney General, Mrs Gertel Thom has collaborated with Antigua
and Barbuda's High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, Sir Ronald
Sanders, to provide the Amendments to the Representation of the
People Act and Registration Regulations to Antiguans and Barbudans
worldwide.
Sir Ronald has made the Antigua and Barbuda High Commission's
web site available for the publishing of the Bills. The site also
offers surfers the opportunity to make comments and offer suggestions
on both bills.
Attorney General, Gertel Thom, said that the government is cognizant
that there are many Antiguans and Barbudans residing all over the
world who would be interested in making contributions to these
very important documents.
The amendments to the Representation of the People Act and the
Registration Regulations can be accessed at www.antigua-barbuda.com.
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Task Force on child
abuse established
Prime Minister, Lester Bird, has initiated steps to establish
a task force to examine the issue of child pornography and prostitution.
The Prime Minister has identified Resident Tutor of the UWI School
of Continuing Studies, Dr. Ermina Osoba and psychologist and Director
of Rehabilitative Services, Dr. Knolly Hill, to lead the team.
The task force will investigate and analyse the root causes of the problems
of youth in Antigua and Barbuda and make recommendations to government.
A number of non-governmental organisations have been expressing
deep concern about child pornography and prostitution activities,
which were unearthed a few months ago.
Government has expressed its determination to rid the country
of this unwelcome social ill, hence the appointment of the task
force.
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 CHAPA
determined to collect arrears
The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHAPA) is going on
a drive to recover more than $20 million in loan arrears. This
was disclosed by Housing Minister, Robin Yearwood, who said that
these mammoth arrears spread over more than two decades.
"This $20 million goes back quite some time, and the auditors
are asking that we bring the books up to date. People have just
turned their backs and are not paying, " the Minister said.
"We will be asking lawyers to be the collecting agents for
CHAPA, to make sure we get this money, because it is that money
we will be using to give the poor help," Yearwood said.
He pointed out that as part of its housing programme, CHAPA would guarantee
that Barbuda was part of the package. "We intend to take our housing project
to Barbuda. Barbuda is an integral part of Antigua and Barbuda, and we are
prepared to go back into Barbuda, at least through CHAPA."
CHAPA has undertaken a number of housing projects with private companies. Its
latest project with Colonial Life Insurance was handed over to government recently.
CHAPA is a statutory body, which provides for the development
and construction of homes as part of its housing development portfolio.
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 Antigua
government getting returns
The Antigua and Barbuda government will receive over EC$46 million
(US$17.02 million) from Japan to develop two fishing landing and
storage complexes at Urlings and Parham, a direct result of its
pro-whaling stance.
"It is a gift from the Japanese government for which we
are extremely grateful. We do purchase a large amount of consumer
items from Japan especially motor vehicles," Planning Minister,
Gaston Browne said.
When asked if Antigua's vote for Japan's position at the International Whaling
Commission was a factor in the country receiving the grant aid, Browne replied: "If
we were to antagonise them I imagine that they would not be so anxious to assist
us.
"The whaling issue is a very controversial one but our position
is very clear. We support sustainable utilisation and unless it
can be proven that the Japanese are harvesting more whales than
are being replenished then we will continue to support the Japanese."
"The government has embarked on a five-year development programme to improve
the fishery infrastructure throughout the country.
"Japan, being an island-state surrounded by water with a
large fishery industry, has come forward and assisted us in building
capacity in this critical area." the Minister said.
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Harmonites receives
Government Assistance
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda donated EC$30,000 to
the ACB Harmonites International Steel Orchestra to facilitate
its participation in the inaugural Caribbean Panorama 2001, which
took place in Grenada from November 25 to December 1.
The contribution was complemented with concessions granted to
assure the ease in travel expenses and the importation of essential
equipment. EC$20,000 went towards the purchase of airline tickets
while EC$10,000 was donated in cash.
Mr Gaston Browne, Minister of Planning and Parliamentary representative
for St. John's City West, the home of Harmonites, said that the
donation was in keeping with the Government's need to continue
its tangible commitment to culture, in spite of the current economic
situation.
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Prime Minister Lester
Bird sues Derricks
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Lester Bird, has sued
Samuel "Fergie" Derrick and Winston Derrick of the Daily
Observer Newspaper for libel arising out of an article under the
caption "More MBS Bobol."
The suit filed in the High Court of Justice by attorneys at Law
Rika Bird and Associates, claims damages for libel including aggravated
and exemplary damages, an injunction restraining each defendant,
whether by themselves, their servants or agents or otherwise, from
further publishing or causing to be published the said or similar
words. The Prime Minister is also claiming costs.
The article, which appeared in the Daily Observer on Wednesday,
November 7, written by Samuel Fergie Derrick, stated that Prime
Minister, Lester Bird had asked Governor General, Sir James Carlisle,
to reduce the period of the Medical Benefits Scheme Inquiry.
The same day the article appeared in the Daily Observer Newspaper,
the Government released documents proving that it was the Chairman
of the Commission of Inquiry Sir Alister McIntyre who requested
that the period of the inquiry be reduced and not the Prime Minister
as was stated by the Derricks.
The documents revealed it has not been agreed that the period
of the examination should be amended.
Mr. Bird drew attention to the fact that Fergie Derrick's article
is based on what the writer himself calls a rumour.
Prime Minister Bird said that every person in public life has
to endure comments from the media, which is perfectly right in
a democracy where press freedom and other liberties are upheld.
However he said that the Daily Observer cannot libel people and
impugn their characters as it likes, noting that there is a difference
between freedom and abuse, and the Daily Observer crosses that
line far too often.
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 Prime
Minister opens Arbor Month
Prime Minister, Lester Bird, called on the nation to participate
in the effort to plant trees to celebrate Arbor Month.
The Prime Minister planted the first tree at the bust of former
Prime Minister, the late V.C. Bird Sr., on November 2 to officially
declare the month open. He said, "There are all sorts of things
destroying the environment including global warming. We therefore
need to ensure that we plant as many trees as possible."
Acting Director of Agriculture, Mr Lesroy Grant, said that the
ecology of Antigua and Barbuda demands that the various nurseries
and landscapes be restocked.
The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment worked
closely in executing the activities for Arbor Month, which included
a school beautification competition, presentation of trees to mothers
of this year's November babies, plant clinics and public tree plantings.
Arbor Month has its origins in Nebraska in 1872 and draws attention
to the part trees play in our lives. Arbor Day was celebrated on
November 15.
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Call
Centres (Antigua) Ltd. to employ 850 persons
Call Centres (Antigua) Limited; a joint venture between Caribbean
Information Technologies Limited (CIT) and the Government of Antigua
and Barbuda has begun its recruitment exercise. At full capacity,
approximately 850 persons will staff the Call Centre.
The 288-seat state-of-the-art Call Centre will engage in telemarketing
services to clients in the United States.
Prime Minister, Lester Bird, who announced in September the setting-up
of Call Centres, said that Antigua and Barbuda offers compelling
advantages particularly for access to the US market where expansion
is rapidly moving forward. He noted that these advantages include
proximate time zones, a common language and an educated work force.
Antigua and Barbuda's ability to compete effectively in inbound
call handling is boosted by the presence of the Antigua and Barbuda
Institute of Technology, which is equipping the work force with
the necessary expertise to compete in the informatics sector.
The Call Centre will initially be engaged in outbound traffic,
that is sales, but it is expected to move quickly into inbound
traffic such as customer service and technical support activities.
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 Prime
Minister Lester Bird opens TechFest 2001
Prime Minister, Lester Bird, delivered the opening address to
the first ever Technology Festival (TechFest 2001) which opened
at the Royal Antiguan Resort and Tennis Club on Monday.
TechFest 2001 was the first of its kind to be held in the Caribbean and attracted
companies such as Oracle, IBM, Cable and Wireless among others. Microsoft launched
Windows XP, their newest and most powerful operating system for the first time
in the Caribbean.
Prime Minister Bird, who has responsibility for the development of informatics
within CARICOM, created the International Technology Centre to provide the
needed thrust to push Antigua and Barbuda and the rest of the Caribbean into
the international technological arena.
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 PM
Bird bowls first ball to open cricket match
On Sunday 4th November, approximately 4,500 spectators witnessed Prime Minister,
Lester Bird, bowl the ceremonial first ball to officially open the first cricket
match to be played at the ultra-modern Airport Cricket Grounds at Coolidge.
The 30-overs cricket match included some of the past big names
in West Indies cricket such as Larry Gomes, Colin Croft, Sir Vivian
Richards, Richie Richardson, Jeffrey Dujon and Elquenedo Willet.
Prime Minister, Lester Bird, said the cricket field at the airport marked a
new chapter in sports in Antigua and Barbuda, adding that it is a clear indication
of the type of first-class development his government is intent on bringing
to Antigua and Barbuda.
The Richie Richardson Eleven defeated the Sir Viv Richards Eleven.
A cricket Hall of Fame is nearing completion at the same venue.
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LIAT eyes UK market
LIAT, the Caribbean Airline, has reported that the United
Kingdom (UK) market to Antigua and Barbuda and other parts of the
Caribbean is very buoyant.
According to Director of Marketing, David Stuart, despite the
tragic events of September 11 and the resultant fall off in traffic
to many tourism destinations, Antigua along with other Caribbean
countries stand to benefit from positive economic indicators coming
out of the UK market.
David Stuart said that in line with the Carrier's Twin Strategy, LIAT is focused
on ensuring that there is adequate airlift to the smaller territories, which
do not have a jet port, operating a series of shuttles out of their hubs to
meet these demands along with servicing their indigenous intra-Caribbean travellers.
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Single
Authority to govern and regulate air traffic for the OECS
Civil Aviation Ministers of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean
States (OECS) have agreed to set up a single authority to govern
and regulate air traffic in the sub-region. This decision was taken
at a recent meeting in Antigua.
Herald Wilson, Director of the OECS Directorate of Civil Aviation,
said the new body has been given a nine-month time frame to become
operational and described it as "a major step" forward.
He also said each member government must enact legislation to give
birth to the OECS Civil Aviation Authority, as the body will be
called.
The Ministers also looked at a 10-year strategic plan for the
sub-region during their two-day deliberations.
Mr Wilson said they must make changes to their operations to
conform to international aviation standards.
Noting that the OECS still operates on British module, Wilson
said: "It is a 180 degree turn from the regulations we use
now that will make us fully compliant in the eyes of everybody."
In light of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United
States, the matter of airport security was also discussed at the
Antigua meeting.
With new security measures in place and the planned establishment
of the Civil Aviation Authority, the Eastern Caribbean is now looking
to the US Federal Aviation Authority to upgrade its airports from
Category 2 to Category 1 status.
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BA
to add fourth weekly flight to Antigua from February
British Airways will add a fourth weekly flight to Antigua
from February bringing the airlift from London to Antigua to nine
per week.
This announcement was made in London by Antigua and Barbuda's
High Commissioner, Sir Ronald Sanders, who said BA gave him the
welcome news on 14th November.
Sir Ronald began discussions with BA following the tragic events
of September 11th which caused cancellations of holidays by many
Americans.
The High Commissioner said, "We needed to fill the void
with European tourists who were cancelling their planned holidays
to parts of the Middle-East and Asia because of the situation in
Afghanistan. We had the demand from tourists, but we needed the
airlift."
"Our discussions with BA have borne fruit and I am delighted
with the news. BA has proved itself a true partner in Antigua and
Barbuda's tourism. Hotels can remain open and keep their staff
employed and, at the bottom line, tourism must be about jobs and
benefits for the people of Antigua and Barbuda", Sir Ronald
added.
The High Commissioner revealed, "Everyone pitched in to
get this done led by Prime Minister Lester Bird. We had the full
support of the Minister of Tourism Molwyn Joseph, the cooperation
of Aviation Minister Robin Yearwood and the backing of Hotel owners
like Pat Doherty of Carlisle Bay, Ron Randall of Bluewaters and
Rob Barrett of Antigua Resorts".
Other airlines flying to Antigua from London are Virgin - twice
a week, BWIA - twice a week, and Air 2000 once a week.
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Mega Cruise Ship in
Antigua
 Prime
Minister, Lester Bird, on the 19th November paid a visit aboard
the Radiance of the Seas, one of the newest luxury liners in the
Royal Caribbean fleet.
During a brief welcome ceremony, Mr. Patrick Ryan, a Director
of Bryson's Shipping, the ship's agent, expressed his company's
delight in the ship's visit. Mr. Ryan also made mention of the
sterling efforts being made by the Lester Bird Administration to
prepare the harbour for the mega ships.
Government has embarked upon a major dredging programme valued
at approximately $20 million to improve docking facilities at the
Heritage Quay Port.
In welcoming the Radiance of the Seas, Prime Minister Lester Bird said he was
happy to have Captain Kent Ringborn, his crew and the 1,800 plus visitors on
board visit Antigua and Barbuda.
The Radiance of the Seas, a "Vantage Class" ship which
made its Maiden Voyage on 10th March this year has 13 decks, a
capacity to carry 2,500 passengers and a gross tonnage of 90,090.
 The
ship offers the ultimate at sea experience, combining speed, added
comfort, greater space, sweeping ocean vistas and an enhanced staff,
committed to service of the highest calibre.
Among the ship's spectacular features are the 10-story glass-constructed centrum,
glass elevators facing the sea, and the highest percentage of outside cabins
in the Royal Caribbean fleet. The ship also sports a solarium, The Colony Club
and an exotic library.
The Radiance of the Seas will be making weekly calls (every Monday)
to Antigua and Barbuda.
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AH&TA backs Stanford
Airport Management
The decision of the government to entrust the management of the
V.C. Bird International Airport to the Stanford Group of Companies
for management and improvement has received ringing endorsement
from one of the major stakeholders in the hospitality industry.
On 23rd November Executive Director of the Antigua Hotels and
Tourism Association, Charles Hawley, commended Prime Minister,
Lester Bird, and his government for taking this bold step of privatisation
of the management and development of the V. C. Bird International
Airport.
Hawley indicated that he had taken an unofficial poll amongst
taxi-drivers and vendors, which revealed that the majority of representatives
of these sectors are highly in favour of the government's move.
"Mr Stanford's track record speaks for itself. There seems
to be a brand associated with his development company and that
will be an added plus for the airport," Hawley said. "Significantly
with Stanford's management the airport will be kept in a much better
shape than it is now."
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Sanders
pays tribute to Charles Hawley
Antigua and Barbuda's High Commissioner to London, Sir Ronald
Sanders, on 26th November paid public tribute to Charles Hawley
who died suddenly on Saturday 24th November of suspected heart
failure.
Sir Ronald said he learned of Hawley's passing with shock and
deep sorrow.
He described Hawley as "an icon of Antigua and Barbuda's
tourism". "I knew Charles in the tourism business in
Antigua for over 20 years. He was committed to the development
of the industry and energetic in his resolve to see it grow and
prosper", the High Commissioner said.
Recalling that he had dinner in London with Hawley and Ted Isaacs
of Jolly Beach Resorts just a few days ago at the end of World
Travel Market, Sir Ronald said, "Charles was exuding his usual
enthusiasm for getting the Antigua and Barbuda tourism product
moving. He said he was going home to push certain ideas and he
did. Within two days of his return to Antigua, I received a call
from Charles confirming that action had already been taken on marketing
ideas. That was the kind of person he was."
Antigua and Barbuda has lost an important and well respected
worker in the vineyard of our tourism industry. He will be sorely
missed", the High Commissioner said.
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French
Ambassador flies in for working visit
On the 20th November, the Ambassador of France, H.E. Mr Henri
Vidal was received by Prime Minister, Lester Bird.
The Prime Minister put on the table several key issues in the
bilateral relationship between Antigua and Barbuda and France.
He pointed out that Antigua and Barbuda had for years been pushing
for a visa waiver agreement with France in respect of citizens
of Antigua and Barbuda travelling to Guadeloupe. The Prime Minister
emphasized that the requirement for a visa was hampering the free
flow of commerce and people-to-people contact, and he called on
the French authorities to enter into a visa waiver agreement with
Antigua and Barbuda.
Mr Bird also raised the issue of the OECD 2001 Progress Report
on the question of so-called 'harmful tax practices'. He called
on France as a leading OECD member to answer the call for dialogue
from the non-OECD States, and to abandon the unilateral approach
adopted by the OECD so far. Prime Minister Bird stated that he
was appalled that France and other OECD members still intended
to 'name and shame' several small, developing countries in February
2002.
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