ISSUE NO.70 October 2002
Sir Ronald Sanders KCMG, KCN, Chief Foreign Affairs Representative
with Ministerial Rank of Antigua and Barbuda being invested with
the dignity of Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order
of St. Michael and St. George by Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham
Palace
 BBC
apologises to Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Lester Bird
On the 31st October, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
apologised in Open Court to Prime Minister Lester B Bird for a
libel that was broadcast on the BBC’s Today Programme on Radio
4, the BBC World Service and published on the BBC’s Americas site
on the Internet on 5th and 6th July this year.
The apology was made in the High Court in London before Mr Justice
Gray.
In the course of the apology the BBC accepted that its reports
were inaccurate. The reports had suggested that Mr Bird had expropriated
sums of money in excess of $200 million from Antigua and Barbuda’s
health care fund, spending it on parties, presents, foreign trips
and cosmetic surgery for friends and colleagues.
In addition, the broadcast on the BBC’s Today Programme on Radio
4 suggested that Mr Bird had been involved in gunrunning and drug
trafficking.
In its apology, the BBC unreservedly accepted that Mr Bird was not guilty of
any such conduct. It also withdrew its statement that Mr Bird had been involved
in gunrunning or drug trafficking.
The BBC has agreed to pay damages to Prime Minister Bird and
to pay his legal costs. It also broadcasted an apology on BBC Radio
4 at 7.00 am and on the BBC World Service at 12 noon and 1.00pm
GMT on Friday 1st November.
Commenting on the BBC apology, Antigua and Barbuda’s High Commissioner
to London, Sir Ronald Sanders said, “Justice has been done. The
BBC made a false allegation and has now apologised recognising
that it made a grave error. Further the payment of damages and
legal costs to the Prime Minister is very appropriate given the
magnitude of the slur on Mr Bird”.
The High Commissioner added, “The BBC has enhanced its reputation
by the apology. While it caused great hurt to Prime Minister Bird
by its false reports, it has shown that, as a serious broadcaster,
it is willing to apologise when it has made a genuine mistake.
This can only enhance its credibility with the global audience
to which it directs its programmes”.
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 British
Admiral visits Antigua and Barbuda
On Sunday 6th October, Britain's Chief of Defence Staff (CDS),
Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, paid an official visit to the Antigua
and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) base at Camp Blizzard.
Admiral Boyce said he was impressed with the professionalism of
the ABDF and the training facilities at Camp Blizzard. He said, "I
think it's a very professional unit. I observed this as I inspected
the Guard of Honour. I am very impressed by that, and we are delighted
to have an opportunity to work alongside the ABDF as we are a part
of the British Advisory Training Team attached to this establishment."
Admiral Boyce thanked Colonel Trevor Thomas and his men for allowing them to
use the fine facilities at Camp Blizzard where training is given to members
of the Regional Security System (RSS).
The British Admiral said the Caribbean Basin is being viewed
as a spring-board for illegal drugs that enter Europe and his organisation
will be working closely with the RSS in the fight against narco-trafficking.
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 Scotland
Yard detectives helping in MBS investigation
On Monday 7th October, Detective Sergeant Elaine Malone and Detective
Constable Dominic Matthews of Scotland Yard were sworn in by Commissioner
of Police Mr. Truehart Smith QPM.
The detectives are in Antigua to assist the Director of Public
Prosecutions, Mr. Cosbert Cumberbatch, in his investigations to
determine whether certain named persons in the Medical Benefits
Scheme Commission of Inquiry Report should be charged with fraud
or infringements of criminal laws.
The Two Scotland Yard Investigators were accompanied by Chief
Inspector Richard Woodman.
Mr Woodman said that their first task will be to gather all the
material that has passed through the Commission of Inquiry so that
they can examine the people concerned and any offences that might
have been committed. Following that process, the detectives would
then compare the material with local laws and determine what offences
apply. Once that is done the investigators, along with the Director
of Public Prosecutions, will agree on a way forward.
The Scotland Yard Chief Inspector also noted that the DPP has
assured him that the detectives will not be subject to any outside
interference. This, he said, is a clear indication that the government
actually means what it says and wants this matter resolved.
The duration of the investigation is still uncertain as matters
out of the Commission of Inquiry encompass a huge number of individuals
and according to Chief Inspector Woodman, they have to determine
if they are going to pursue all those persons or if they need to
focus on the persons who have committed the most serious crimes.
Woodman said that they have been provided with equipment of the
highest standards and have been given extremely secure premises
to carry out their work.
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Antigua and Barbuda
ready for OECS Economic Union
Prime Minister Lester Bird has called for the
creation of an OECS Economic Union.
Addressing a specially convened meeting of the
OECS Heads of Government in St. Kitts on the 10th October, Prime
Minister Bird said Antigua and Barbuda was ready to take all the
necessary steps to bring the union into being with the exception
of the free movement of labour.
“My government is not opposed to the principle of free movement
of labour. At least 30 percent of our country’s workforce comes
from the Caribbean,” he said.
“In this connection, my government would enter an Economic Unit
with the OECS, immediately, provided there is agreement that the
matter of the free movement of labour is deferred for a number
of years to allow for public education and the depoliticisation
of the matter,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that Antigua and Barbuda would move immediately to
provide for the free circulation of goods and capital with the removal of all
tariffs, customs duties or charges, and the removal of any quantitative restrictions
and any environmental levy.
“We would also readily provide for the right of establishment
and the freedom to provide and receive services from one member-state
to the other,” he explained.
PM Bird agrees that a Customs Union of the OECS “would provide
our people, particularly our manufacturers, farmers and our professionals,
with a wider economic space in which to operate.”
That wider economic space, could contribute significantly to
the growth and development of individual economies and the economy
of the sub-region as a whole.
The Prime Minister noted that if the OECS Economic Union was
to be created, individual States would still have to manage their
affairs, raise revenues and maintain and increase employment.
The governments would have to cater for the people within the
state, and continue to make the state a desirable place in which
to live.
“Member States contributions to the funding of a regional programme
to promote investment, would be a beneficial addition to national
programmes,” he said.
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 Antigua
and Barbuda elected Deputy Chair of the CTATF
On 17th October 2002, Antigua and Barbuda was unanimously
elected as the Deputy Chair of the Caribbean Action Task Force
(CFTAF) at a meeting in The Bahamas.
Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda’s Chief Negotiator on Financial Services,
assumed the post in a ceremony in Nassau, The Bahamian Capital.
The CFTAF is a regional organization of over 30 countries from the Caribbean
and Latin America. It is responsible for ensuring that its members comply with
international standards and practices for combating money laundering and terrorism
financing.
Sir Ronald said that Antigua and Barbuda’s election to this prestigious regional
post “indicates the high regard with which the government of Antigua and Barbuda
is held by the international community in the struggle against money laundering.
The Antigua and Barbuda diplomat highly praised the efforts of the Office of
the National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP) led by his colleague,
Mr. Wrenford Ferrance.
In his remarks at the election, Sir Ronald said, “Antigua and
Barbuda is firmly resolved to play our part in ensuring the security
of our region, our hemisphere and the international community against
the abhorrent adventures of terrorists, drug traffickers and Money
Launderers.”
The Convention in the CFATF for office holders means that having been elected
as Deputy Chair, this year, Antigua and Barbuda will assume the Chairmanship
of the Organisation in October next year.
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Chairman of Electoral
Commission refutes Deputy Chairman’s allegations
The Chairman of the Electoral Commission, McClin
Matthias has said Deputy Chairman Bruce Goodwin’s accusations against
the commission and government are baseless.
Recently, on a radio programme, Goodwin accused the government
of blocking the process of re-registration of electors in Antigua
and Barbuda.
Mr Matthias said, “As a fiduciary of the public trust, the Deputy
Chairman of the Commission Bruce Goodwin should immediately cease
and desist from misleading the public about the commission for
his personal gain. His persistent, unsubstantiated accusations
in the media, aimed at denigrating the esteem of the commission
to further his personal agenda represents a conspicuous conflict
of interest and misbehaviour in public office.”
“The Governor-General should address this matter immediately
as prescribed in section 4 (4) of the Act,” he added.
The Commission Chairman explained that contrary to public misinformation,
the Prime Minister is to be commended for his continued efforts
in facilitating the commission at every juncture.
Mr Matthias said that “From its inception, when the commission
was slated to be housed in a patently unsuitable location on Old
Parham Road, it was the Prime Minister who intervened and ensured
that we would be operating from a building that would dignify the
commission.”
“In addition, the speed with which the commission received telephone service
and suitable office furniture, equipment and supplies were also a result of the
Prime Minister’s direct intervention. Goodwin must stop misleading the general
public,” he said.
Mr Goodwin’s main complaint pertains to the release of funds to
the Commission. But Mr Matthias explained that the $4.5 million
approved by Parliament last year would be used to purchase all
the equipment that will be needed to enable the complete re-registration
of voters, including: computer systems, printers, digital cameras,
finger printing machines, etc.
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 ACT-Online
introduces high-speed wireless Internet
ACT-Online has responded to customer demands for high speed Internet
access.
The local Internet Service Provider will launch its long anticipated
next-generation wireless Internet network on the 7th November,
the first such service in Antigua and Barbuda.
Customers with the relevant hardware devices and equipment can
begin to enjoy free wireless Internet access immediately.
ACT-Online Wireless Internet Service was first demonstrated during
TECHFest in November 2001 at the Royal Antiguan Hotel.
The service will allow for rapid transmission of large files,
decreased download times and a permanent connection to the Internet.
Because there is no dial-up or log-on process, customers will be
online immediately as they switch on their computers.
“During the past year and a half since we launched ACT-Online
Internet service, we have been inundated with customer requests
for broadband Internet speeds,” said Managing Director Salaman
Doumith.
“We are, therefore, delighted to have the opportunity to bring
the cost of high speed Internet access within reach of the average
user, and to take our customers to the next generation of Internet
service.”
With over 20 technical experts at ACT, the company is confident
that the network and operational expertise will provide customers
with an unmatched level of quality and service.
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School construction
projects in final stages
Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute
National Authorising Officer, Dr. Clarence Henry, announced recently
that the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality and Training Institute
(formerly the Hotel Training School), has been refurbished at a
cost of approximately $7 million. The Training Institute is currently
being retrofitted with equipment purchased by the government costing
$1.5 million.
Recruitment of lecturers and tutors for the Institute has been
completed by the Board and the formal opening will take place shortly,
followed by a series of short courses targeting segments of the
hospitality industry. The six-month and one to two-year diploma
programmes will commence next year.
Antigua State College
The science block at the Antigua State College, which was financed
by the Education Development Fund (EDF) as part of an OECS tertiary
education programme is now completed. The Western Scientific Company
of Trinidad & Tobago has already installed the majority of
the equipment which is valued at $1 million and was purchased jointly
by the government of Antigua and Barbuda and the Board of Education.
It is envisioned that the building will be formally opened by
mid-November.
The EDF will also finance the construction of a learning resource
centre at the Antigua State College and the construction of several
classrooms.
The country support strategy document, which details how the
9th EDF’s resources will be spent in Antigua and Barbuda, will
also be signed in mid-November by Prime Minister Lester Bird, Education
Minister Dr. Rodney Williams and Planning Minister Gaston Browne.
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Inland
Revenue to be computerised
A high tech computer network system will soon be installed at
Inland Revenue and will enhance the efficiency of tax collection
in Antigua and Barbuda.
SIGTAS, which was developed by SOGEMA, a Canadian Based firm
that specialises in management and information systems for developing
countries, will be used to manage the collection of taxes. Members
of SOGEMA are working with the Inland Revenue Department to implement
the required legislative and business process changes. Additionally,
the staff at the Inland Revenue Department will be trained to operate
and manage the SIGTAS application.
The network will enable the Inland Revenue department staff to
operate more efficiently as the software has the ability to assess
tax payers on time, remind taxpayers that their taxes are due,
identify and record potential taxpayers, retrieve tax information
quickly and reduce the time taken to make payments to the cashiers.
This will ensure maximum revenue collection.
Eban Thomas, the Commissioner of Information Technology said, “The
implementation of SIGTAS at Inland Revenue is among the many tasks
that we are engaged in to create a more productive and efficient
government. We are actively working to automate the operation of
government. This will increase government’s productivity and efficiency
as it serves the residents of Antigua and Barbuda.”
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Agriculture
stakeholders showcased products at exhibition
On the 30th and 31st October, farmers, livestock owners, food
processors, plant nurseries and other agricultural stakeholders
were given an opportunity to publicise their products at “Agricultural
Showcase 2002” organised as part of Antigua and Barbuda’s 21st
Independence anniversary celebrations.
This two-day exhibition, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture
Lands and Fisheries in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic
Development, Trade Industry and Commerce, was held under the theme ‘Food
Security - from policy to plate’.
The exhibition gave the public information about agricultural and trade policy,
production technology, services, agricultural equipment, and processed as well
as prepared food items.
It sought to raise the profile of agriculture in Antigua and
Barbuda as an avenue for greater investment in the national economy.
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Antigua
and Barbuda’s coral reef fisheries to be assessed
On 20th October, the vessel R/V Suncoaster from the Florida Institute
of Oceanography arrived in Antigua to conduct a ship-based assessment
of Antigua and Barbuda’s coral reef fisheries.
Antigua was chosen as one of the pilot states for the OECS/NOPA/USAID/DOS
project. The programme has three objectives:
- identification of priority data sets needed to populate a
regional database on coral reef fisheries harvest and marine
protected areas in the Eastern Caribbean states;
- an assessment of coral reef community structure;
- development of proposals for pilot projects in one or more
Eastern Caribbean countries to demonstrate the effectiveness
of this scientific quantitative approach to establishing coral
reef fisheries reserve.
The vessel was located mainly in the North Sound Area and left
Antigua on the 27 October.
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Holberton
Hospital staff members receive donation
The Society of Friends of Holberton Hospital donated over
$9,000 to two staff members of the Holberton Hospital to assist
them in their pursuit of a higher education.
Staff Nurse, Patricia Clarke Thomas is pursuing a course in Renal
Dialysis at a London hospital, while Eva Henry of the Records department
is pursuing a course in management studies at the School of Continuing
Studies, University of the West Indies.
The Society explained that the donation showed their commitment
to the improvement of Antigua and Barbuda’s health care system.
Hospital Administrator, Marilyn Simon, in expressing her gratitude
to the Society said “We appreciate the support that you have contributed
over the years.”
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 Antigua
and Barbuda sign US$245,000 HIV/AIDS project
On 7th October 2002, John E St Luce, Minister of Health and Social
Improvement and the United Nations International Drug Control Programme
(UNIDCP) signed a US$$245,000 Youth, HIV and Drugs Project into
reality. The funds will be used to combat the strong correlation
between HIV/AIDS and drugs among the youth of Antigua and Barbuda.
In providing a perspective for the project, UNIDCP representative, Flavio Mirella
said that there were over 700,000 people in the Caribbean living with the disease,
noting that the most productive sectors of society were being affected by it.
The project will target ages 12 to 18 and will be youth-centred and youth-driven.
The objectives of the project include: obtaining a better understanding
of the perceptions and behaviour of youths on the drug use and
HIV/AIDS situation; increasing youth involvement in the planning
and implementation process of prevention programmes.
The final objective seeks to provide information on drug use
and HIV/AIDS with participatory activities to equip and empower
young people with skills and motivation to sustain healthy behaviours.
A steering committee will be created for the implementation and management
of the project which will work in collaboration with the National Drug Information
Centre (NDIC), the AIDS Secretariat and other responsible agencies.
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21st
Anniversary of Independence commemorated in UK
On 27th October, Antiguans and Barbudans in London commemorated
the 21st anniversary of Antigua and Barbuda’s independence with
a Service of Thanksgiving at the Church of St Mark’s in Dalston.
Despite a tropical-type storm in the UK with winds gusting at
80 miles per hour and severe structural and other damage throughout
the country, the Church was packed.
Delivering an address at the Service, Antigua and Barbuda’s High
Commissioner, Sir Ronald Sanders, traced the progress that the
country has made over the past 21 years. He praised the capacity
of the people to triumph over adversity particularly their reconstruction
of the country after six hurricanes in five years between 1995
and 2000.
The High Commissioner also paid tribute to the leadership of the
country both Government and opposition for the fact that while
democracy and the quality of life had withered in other countries,
they have thrived in Antigua and Barbuda over the last 21 years.
“While there have been intense political disagreements and deep
dissension amongst the political parties, we have witnessed no
eruptions of violence, no threat to the peace of the society”,
he said.
But Sir Ronald said that not all that has happened in the past
21 years has been good”. He cited an increase in crime, drug trafficking,
drug addiction and the spread of HIV/Aids as some of the undesirable
developments.
He added, “We have witnessed a readiness to disrespect the institutions
of the State, a willingness to be contemptuous of civilised behaviour,
even in some instances a descent into the unacceptable”.
The High Commissioner acknowledged the fact that “Recently we
endured the pain of a Commission of Inquiry that exposed weaknesses
in the system of accountability in the Medical Benefits Scheme;
weaknesses that were exploited by a few for personal gain”.
Sir Ronald also warned that, on Antigua and Barbuda’s 21st anniversary
of independence, “the economic prospects for the world is uncertain,
and the signs are that a greater decline lies ahead”.
Noting a fall in economic performance in the UK and the US, the
High Commissioner said, “If it could be so for the big and powerful
countries of the world, imagine what it must be like for the small
and vulnerable states like Antigua and Barbuda”.
He continued, “It will require great ingenuity and remarkable
creativity by our leaders, and unprecedented unity of the people
for the nation to face the hurdles ahead and jump them successfully”.
The new President of the Antigua and Barbuda Association Mr John
Prince in response thanked the High Commissioner for his address
on behalf of the Antiguans and Barbudans in the UK.
The Church Service heard a Sermon from Pastor Cyril Sweeney of
the Seventh Day Adventist Church, the Reverend C F Morris of the
Church of God and prayers from the Reverend Ronald Farley.
High Commissioner Sanders and the staff of the High Commission
spent several hours with the community at a Reception after the
Service.
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Congratulations Sir
Ronald Michael Sanders
 |
 |
| Photographs show Sir Ronald and Her Majesty
the Queen at his Investiture at Buckingham Palace on 23rd
October 2002 |
Reprinted from the Informer Newspaper - Antigua -
25th October 2002
On Wednesday 23rd October, Sir Ronald Sanders, Chief Foreign
Affairs representative with Ministerial Rank of Antigua and Barbuda
was invested with the dignity of Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished
Order of St. Michael and St. George at Buckingham Palace by her
Majesty the Queen. The award was announced in The Queen’s Birthday
Honours List in the UK on 14th June this year.
The 54 year old Sanders, a former leading broadcaster, has held
positions of President of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, a founding
Director of the Caribbean News Agency, a Board member of UNESCO
and was recently elected Deputy Chairman of the Caribbean Financial
Action Task Force. He is the author of a number of publications
on the challenges facing small states in international politics.
The uniqueness of his highly prestigious award of a knighthood
in the Queen’s annual Birthday Honours roll resides in the fact
that he now holds two knighthoods. One from Antigua and Barbuda
(Knight Commander of the Order of the Nation, KCN) and now a Knight
Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St.
George (KCMG).
Before that, and while remaining quite active in the service
of Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean Community in general at
regional and international for a, whether on tourism, foreign affairs,
trade, aid and the off-shore financial sector, Sanders was awarded
in 1966 with the Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St.
Michael and St. George (CMG) by the Queen, who is also head of
the Commonwealth.
He has significantly contributed to advancing the interests of
the Caribbean region, including, naturally that of Antigua and
Barbuda and in enhancing UK-Caribbean relations.
Twice High Commissioner to London for Antigua and Barbuda, itself
an unusual experience in the field of diplomacy, Sanders has been
among the key players in fostering what has now emerged as a regular
structured dialogue every two years – the Caribbean-UK Forum. The
last of such event took place a few months ago in Guyana.
The long and distinguished record of public service rendered
by Sanders, across the Caribbean region, started back in 1978 after
he left the position as Public Affairs Adviser to the President
of the Caribbean Bank, to become adviser to the then Minister of
foreign Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda, Lester Bird, now among
the longest serving MPs and heads of government in the Caribbean.
Sir Ronald was also awarded the honour of Commandeur l’ordre
de Palmes Academiques by the Government of the Republic of France
on 18th April, 2002 for his contribution to education and culture
(taking account of work at UNESCO).
BACK TO TOP
Simon confirmed as
acting supervisor of elections
Lorna Simon has been confirmed as acting Supervisor of Elections.
The Lower House approved the resolution without any votes from
the opposition United Progressive Party, which staged a walk out
of the parliamentary chambers while the vote was taking place.
Both the UPP and the Free and Fair Election League said they
will be challenging Simon’s appointment in the court.
Opposition Leader Baldwin Spencer and member of parliament for St. Mary’s South,
Hilson “Brother B” Baptiste, left the parliamentary chamber while member of
parliament for the constituency of All Saints East and St. Luke Charlesworth
Samuel remained inside, but he later joined his colleagues.
Baptiste argued that had Prime Minister Lester Bird sent the name of his nominee
to the Electoral Commission the UPP would have supported the candidate.
“I urged the Prime Minister to send this matter to the Electoral Commission and
let them deal with it. This is not a joking matter, it is serious because the
future of the country depends on who we are dealing with,” Baptiste said.
He contended that under the Representation of the People’s Act
the Electoral Commission has the power to nominate the Supervisor
of Elections.
When the House of Representative met on Tuesday 22nd October,
Samuel suggested that the Electoral Commission should be consulted
in the selection of the nominee.
Prime Minister Bird said that he subsequently wrote to the Commission
but its chairman McClin Matthias replied, “We have carefully reviewed
the provision of Section 67 of the Antigua and Barbuda Constitution
Order 1981. We are fully satisfied that the Antigua and Barbuda
Electoral Commission has no standing authority to select or recruit
any person for the Office of Supervisors. Accordingly, we regret
to inform you that we are unable to accept or decline your recommendation.”
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Errol Cort to run against
Prime Minister Lester Bird in upcoming elections
Former Attorney-General Dr. Errol Cort is to run against Prime
Minister Lester Bird in the upcoming general elections constitutionally
due by March 2004.
Cort was one of two people nominated at a United Progressive
Party (UPP) meeting for St. John’s Rural East constituency to run
on the UPP’s ticket in general elections. But before the primary
could take place the other nominee, former government civil servant,
Bertrand Thomas withdrew.
Thomas cried foul at Cort’s nomination. He said that the former attorney general
was “shooed in” by the central executive of the UPP.
He also said, “It is just too soon for him to leave the ALP and
have the UPP embrace him, while a person like myself, who has been
supporting the UPP for the last 15 years is never reached out to.”
“As far as I’m concerned the UPP really do not want a genuine
commoner in their “House of Commons” which we call a House of Representatives
here,” Thomas added.
Commenting on the fact that Cort would coming up against him
at the polls, Prime Minister Bird said he was not concerned that
Dr. Cort, who served as Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs in
his administration, would be running against him.
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Prime
Minister welcomes Warburton’s Report but says he remains angry!
Prime Minister Lester Bird has welcomed the report of an investigation
team into allegations made by a female minor on a videotape that
was clandestinely distributed in Antigua and abroad in early May
this year.
The report by retired British Metropolitan Police Officer, Colin Warburton,
and senior representatives of the Antigua and Barbuda Police Force, was submitted
to the Attorney General, Mrs Gertel Thom who commissioned the investigation
in May.
In a public statement that was recorded for radio and television, the Attorney
General has released all of the findings of the investigation that relate to
public officials including Prime Minister Lester Bird, Senator Asot Michael,
and Commissioner of Police Truehart Smith.
The Attorney-General said that the full report is being delivered
to the Governor-General, the Director of Public Prosecution and
the Leader of the Opposition. Because of on-going Police investigations
into certain matters, aspects of the report have not been made
public.
The report found that the allegations made against Prime Minister Lester Bird
and Senator Asot Michael had no foundation whatsoever.
It also said that accusations against two officials of the US Government have
been dismissed as baseless.
The investigation was conducted in six countries and had the
full co-operation of the US Drug Enforcement Administration who
said in a letter appended to the report, that Prime Minister Lester
Bird had both personally and publicly fully supported the fight
against drug trafficking. The US Drug Enforcement Administration
rejected the allegations made against the Prime Minister by the
female minor, Monique Kim Barua.
Commenting on the Attorney-General’s statement on the report of the investigators,
Mr Bird said he welcomed the report.
“The report does not surprise me. It could have come to no other conclusion because
the allegations made against me on the videotape are wholly false. I have never
met the young woman and never had any relationship of any kind with her,” the
Prime Minister said,
He continued, “ As the US Drug Enforcement Administration has confirmed I have
been in the forefront of the fight against drug trafficking in the Caribbean.
The young woman’s allegations of my involvement with drug traffickers are ludicrous
in the extreme.”
Prime Minister Bird said: “While I welcome the findings of this report, it
in no way diminishes my anger at those who concocted this videotape, nor does
it ease my disappointment with those who were ready to believe it.”
He added, “As I said, I am prepared to be judged on the things I do, but I
will never accept being judged on the concoctions of others and certainly not
on such outrageous lies.”
Mr Bird concluded, “I co-operated fully with the investigators giving them
unrestricted access to my bank accounts, my credit card accounts and my telephone
records. I suspended my own rights to privacy to ensure that the falsehoods
of these allegations could be exposed.”
It is understood that, arising from the investigations, recommendations have
been made to the Police to investigate certain pornography and drug-trafficking
operations.
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Antigua
government sets up task force to probe into sniper suspect passport
matter
On Tuesday 29th October the Antigua and Barbuda government
has announced the establishment of a task force to investigate
the circumstances under which a United States sniper suspect received
a valid Antigua and Barbuda passport.
In making the announcement, Attorney General Gertel Thom said
the four-member team headed by Attorney John Fuller will also look
into the circumstances surrounding the "entry, movement and
activities" of John Allen Williams during visits to Antigua
between 1999 to October 2002.
Prime Minister Lester Bird called for the investigation after
it was alleged that Williams fraudulently obtained an Antigua and
Barbuda passport and had assisted others in doing the same.
Williams, who changed his name to John Allen Muhammad after converting
to Islam, was issued with an Antigua passport on July 4, 2000 on
the basis of his mother being an Antiguan by birth.
However, following his arrest in connection with the killing
of 10 persons in the Washington area since the start of October,
questions have been raised as to whether he attained the Antigua
passport by legitimate means and if indeed he is who he said he
is. The Antiguan woman, Eva Ferris, whose birth certificate was
presented by Williams as that of his mother in order to obtain
the passport, denied that he was her son.
Antiguan officials are also seeking to find out under what circumstances
Lee Boyd Malvo, a 17-year old co-accused in the US sniper case,
stayed in Antigua from 1997 through October 2002 and the circumstances
surrounding Williams' "employment and consultancy if any,
in the areas of security training and the use of firearms in Antigua".
The probe will also encompass "Other matters in respect
of their actions, activities and dealings in Antigua and Barbuda
and how such conduct if any might have impacted on the alleged
impermissible and criminal conduct of John Allen Williams and Lee
Boyd Malvo in the United States of America," said Thom.
Thom said the task force "shall arrange for interviews and
due diligence of the relevant Civil servants and secure written
and signed statements from such persons in respect of their duties
and actions as they may relate to the aforementioned matters".
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Task
Force submits Interim Report on sniper passport
The Task Force set up by the Attorney General made its interim
report on 31st October. The contents of the report were released
in full on Saturday, 2nd November. In it the Task Force said:
“We have perused all necessary files and documents at the passport
office and several documents from the Immigration Department. We
have also obtained other documents which we believe originated
from John Allen Williams and which give rise to great concern regarding
Williams’ activities in Antigua and Barbuda and the report of which
will be included in the Final Report.”
On the matter of the passport issued to Williams, the Task Force
found:
1. Williams and his three children arrived at V.C. Bird International
Airport on the 28th of March 2000. He possessed documentation describing
himself as Thomas Alan Lee with a Wyoming USA driving license no.
451891495. He filled in a disembarkation card for himself as above
and for his three children naming them Fred Allen Lee, Teresa Lee
and Lisa Lee. He stated that he was going to stay with “Jeanette
Reed of Longfords Estate, phone number 463-6610.” It seems clear
to us that (a) he used false names for himself and his children
(b) used a false driving license and (c) falsely stated that he
was going to stay with Jeanette Reed. He well knew he was going
to stay with Janet Greer at Golden Grove as he had before his arrival
spoken to her on the telephone. We has ascertained this from Ms.
Greer who actually picked him and his children up at the airport
on the 28th March 2000.
2. Williams and his family stayed at Ms. Greer’s home for 4 to
5 weeks after his arrival until she asked him to leave on account
of her suspicions that he had kidnapped his children in spite of
the fact that Williams showed her a document purporting to be signed
by the children’s mother giving Williams authority to leave the
United States with the children.
3. Shortly afterwards he and his children moved into a house on
Rose Street, Ottos next to the Greenville Primary School owned
by Mrs. Janet Harris who was also the principal of the school.
4. In April 2000 he enrolled his children at the said school using
the surname Lee with Christian names different than those with
which they entered Antigua.
5. During April, May and June 2000 he inveigled his way into the
good graces of principal Janet Harris at the school.
6. During the same period he spoke on one occasion to Mrs. Muriel
Allen, a teacher at the said school, to whom he suggested that
they were related by virtue of the mutual name of “Allen.” During
the conversation he asked her for her mother’s name and she told
them it was Eva Ferris.
7. On the 19th June 2000 Williams applied for an Antigua and Barbuda
passport. In support of his application he presented a Louisiana
birth certificate purporting to be his and an Antigua and Barbuda
birth certificate of one Eva Ferris. We have been unable to ascertain
how Williams obtained Eva Ferris’ birth certificate.
8. On the 4th July 2000 a passport was issued in the name of John
Allen Williams, which Williams apparently collected on the 18th
July 2000.
9. Upon a perusal of the said Louisiana birth certificate presented
by Williams in support of this passport application, his mother’s
name is stated as Eva Feris aged 39. The certificate however plainly
shows that the informant of the birth of John Williams was the “parent” whose
signature is shown as “Mrs. Myrtie Williams” and not Eva Feris.
This alone is a blatant contradiction on the face of the document
and should have been seen. Additionally the mother’s age at the
time of Williams’ birth is stated as 39 on the 31st December 1960
resulting in the mother being born in 1921. The accompanying birth
certificate of Eva Ferris shows her year of birth in Antigua as
1929. This also should have been a red flag to the staff at the
passport office. The spelling of Ferris differs on both documents,
another reason to be concerned about the application. Finally,
the typeface used for “Eva Feris” and “Antigua St. John’s” in Williams’ birth
certificate are different in style to the balance of typeface used
in the other words typed in the certificate and are off angle to
the other lines typed on the certificate.
10. The identity of Williams was certfied in paragraph 9 of the
application by Mrs. Janet Harris described above. On the 19th June
2000 she certified that she knew Williams for 1 year and 6 months.
She admitted to the chairman that this was untrue and that she
had known the Williams family for 4 months only but that she wanted
to help them as Williams had told her his mother was Antiguan.
Further he had been so helpful at school and seemed very honest.
11. It seems clear to us that had Williams’ documentation been
examined carefully his application would have been rejected and
his documents may have been referred to the police and become the
subject of criminal prosecution for forgery and/or making a false
statement under section 6 of the Forgery Act Cap 181. These charges
are still possible.
12. We conclude that save for Williams’ deliberate falsification
of his passport application and his birth certificate and Mrs.
Harris’ false statement, there is no evidence of any criminal collusion
with anyone in the passport office. However, we have to conclude
that there was negligence in the issuing of the passport. Three
persons in the office perused his application and supporting documents
namely, Ms. Jasmine Stewart counter clerk, MS. Violet Josiah passport
clerk and Lady Ena Thomas Permanent Secretary. We emphasize that
the various discrepancies listed above should have been observed.
We learned that Ms. Jasmine Stewart left the Civil Service at the
end of July 2000. We have found nothing to suggest that she was
involved in any impropriety in connection with the issuing of Williams’ passport.
13. We also conclude that there is no evidence to link Williams
to Richard Reid.
14. We are satisfied that Williams is not a citizen of Antigua
and Barbuda.”
The Task Force recommended that the examination and vetting of
applications and supporting documents must be done by staff who
are trained to detect forgeries and false documents.
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PM
says passport system and personnel will be changed
Prime Minister Lester Bird has announced that there will be changes
immediately in the passport office in relation to personnel, systems
and training.
The Prime Minister said, “While the Interim Report has concluded
that there is no evidence of any criminal collusion with anyone
in the passport office, it has decided that there was negligence
in the issuance of the passport. I intend to act immediately to
implement the Task Force’s recommendation that the examination
and vetting of applications and supporting documents are done by
staff who are trained to detect forgeries and false documents”.
Mr Bird continued, “The United Sates government has offered to
train our people in the detection of forgeries and false documentation,
and we will take-up that offer at once. However, the evidence of
negligence in relation to the issuance of the passport to John
Williams Allen requires an immediate change in the system and personnel
associated with it, and this will be done immediately”.
“The issuance of passports is a serious matter. It provides the
bearer with the protection of the State of Antigua and Barbuda
and is a testimonial to other States that the bona fides of the
passport holder are true and accurate. It is incumbent upon us
to ensure that all who carry our passports are entitled to do so.
I want every national of this country, and every State in which
an Antigua and Barbuda passport is presented to be assured of the
legitimacy of our documents”, the Prime Minister said.
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Attorney General reveals
sniper scheme to kidnap Prime Minister
Attorney General Mrs. Gertel Thom disclosed on 2nd November
that the Task Force has informed her that they have received information
regarding John Allen Williams’ activities in Antigua and Barbuda
which may have placed the safety of Prime Minister Bird at risk.
Mrs. Thom said that in the course of their investigation, the
Task Force received reliable information that Williams had proposed
a scheme to kidnap the Prime Minister and request a ransom for
his release.
The Attorney General said that the Chairman of the Task Force,
Mr John Fuller, has advised her that details of this matter will
be fully addressed in the group's final report.
Mrs Thom also disclosed that the police have executed search warrants
as part of the investigation into the activities of John Allen
Williams and have confiscated two computers they believed he used
while in Antigua.
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Independence
Youth Rally lights up ARG
On 29th October, over 60 schools as well as youth and sports
associations throughout Antigua and Barbuda, gathered at the Antigua
Recreation Grounds (ARG) to take part in the Annual Youth Rally
which was described as a spectacular explosion of talent, pageantry
and marching.
The highlights of the rally included the singing of the national
anthem by the School for the Deaf, a pageant displaying the national
symbols, renditions by Le Chateau D’or, and the National Steel
Orchestra conducted by Victor “Babu” Samuel and the Combined Secondary
Schools Choir conducted by Marion Byron, and the feature address
by Antigua and Barbuda’s official “Independence baby,” Sasha Stuart
Young.
In her address to the youth, Stuart Young noted that Antigua
and Barbuda’s young people needed to revaluate their experiences
and make the necessary changes to get back on the right track as
the nation continued on the road of nation building.
“Independence is not a destination, it is a journey. It is a
milestone along a never ending road of nationhood,” she said.
“Reunion 21 is a fitting theme. Use this time to strengthen the
bond with your family, churches and the communities because they
have helped us through the years,” she said.
Governor-General Sir James Carlisle presented the Youth Academic
Awards to the four top students who received the best results in
both internal and external examinations.
Receiving the gold medal was Lisa John, a former student of the
Antigua State College for her performance in CAPE; silver went
to Adrian Lewis former student of the Antigua Grammar School for
achieving top grades in the CXC examinations.
Bronze awards were awarded to Lauren Martin of the Seventh-Day
Adventist School and Kimberly Jarrett of St. Mary’s School of Excellence
for attaining the highest grades in the Primary Examinations and
the Post Primary respectively.
In honour of their outstanding work in education, Dame Bridget
Harris in place of her late husband and former Minister of Education
Reuben Harris, and Rosetta Pryce-Etinoff took the eyes right on
the ARG.
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Antigua
launches autumn media campaign
On Monday 7th October, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourist office
in London launched its autumn media campaign in the UK.
The campaign opened with a one-month advertising blitz on the
popular radio station, Jazz FM.
Antigua and Barbuda’s High Commissioner in London, Sir Ronald
Sanders said, “The campaign is a joint effort between the Antigua
and Barbuda Office in London, Virgin Atlantic and three hotels
in Antigua”.
He identified the hotels as Blue Waters, Galley Bay and Curtain
Bluff.
Sir Ronald said, “As winter sets in the UK and the days get shorter,
gloomier and colder we want to place the warmth, sunshine and ease
of Antigua squarely before the UK public”.
In addition to the Jazz FM campaign, a poster campaign in major
underground train stations in London was launched on 21st October.
Full colour advertising in two daily newspapers also began in October
and will run to the end of November.
“Literally millions of people will see Antigua and Barbuda’s
beaches and other attractions every single day”, Sir Ronald said.
He added, “The UK is now the source of our largest number of
tourists. We have to maintain and increase the numbers in order
to keep-up hotel occupancy and maintain jobs for the people of
Antigua and Barbuda, and that is what this campaign is intended
to do”.
In the first six months of this year, tourism from the UK increased
5.7% over the same period last year. It is the only major market
to Antigua and Barbuda that is continuing to grow.
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Antiguans share in
US$54,000 academic scholarships
(Excerpted from the Antigua Sun)
Four Antiguans are among the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA)
awards of 20 academic scholarships and grants, totaling US$54,000.
Jacqueline Carr, a restaurant manager at the Jolly Beach Resort,
and Curtis Tonge, a pastry cook at the Blue Waters Hotel, were
granted scholarships to attend courses in the culinary arts at
the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, in New York.
Francine Joseph, Personnel Assistant at the Galley Bay Resort,
and James Richards, Manager of HBK Villas and management at Jolly
Harbour, received professional development grants to study at Cornell.
The awards go to promising Caribbean students who work in the
hotel and tourism sector, through the Caribbean Hotel Foundation,
one of the largest scholarship programs in the hospitality industry.
“CHA is proud to contribute to the future of our industry through
the improvement and development of the Caribbean hospitality workforce.
The scholarship programme provides deserving young professionals
with the opportunity to improve and enhance their skills,” said
Alex Titcombe, Director of CHA’s Product Development Department,
which oversees the work of the Caribbean Hotel Foundation.
The Caribbean Hotel Foundation is a non-profit organisation of
the Caribbean Hotel Association established in 1987.
Since its establishment, the Foundation has awarded more than
US$5 million in scholarships and grants to applicants who demonstrate
a strong commitment to the hotel and tourism industry and the potential
for future success.
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