ISSUE NO.71 November 2002
Beautiful sunset over Antigua
Leonard “Tim” Hector
passes
Antiguan cricket commentator, journalist and historian Leonard
Tim Hector died on 12th November 2002 at the Holberton Hospital
from heart complications at the age of 59.
Tim Hector, who made his mark in the fields of journalism, education, sports
administration and politics in Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean. He underwent
two open-heart surgeries in Cuba and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit
of Holberton Hospital a few days after his return from Cuba.
Prime Minister Lester Bird in paying tribute to Mr. Hector, who recently worked
as one of his advisors said, “The reality is Tim and I were always friends
not withstanding the ebb and flow of our relationship. There were times when
we differ fundamentally but this is a sad day for the people of Antigua and
Barbuda because he was one of the great minds to come out of this country.”
Prime Minister Bird added that one may not have agreed with his philosophy
but that he was respected for his nationalism, his belief in his people, and
the way he spent his entire life striving to achieve what he believed Antigua
and Barbuda to be.
“Antigua and Barbuda has a suffered a great loss. Tim was indeed a great man
and Antigua and Barbuda should be proud of what he has contributed. Although
many may feel that he has done things which were not in the interest of this
country but I as Prime Minister wish to state categorically that I absolutely
had deep respect for him.
Opposition Leader Baldwin Spencer with whom Tim Hector worked with as Deputy
Leader of the Opposition United Progressive Party extended condolences to his
wife Jennifer and family and close friends.
“My sincerest sympathies not only on my behalf but also on behalf of the United
Progressive Party because he was a guiding light and a force with the formation
of the United Progressive Party. Today we can claim that we are a credible opposition
in this country and Tim Hector must take some credit for
Antigua and Barbuda’s UK High Commissioner in commenting on Hector’s passing
said “It is as if with his passing, an important dimension of Antigua and Barbuda
life has been extinguished. This colossal thing, so impressive, so essential
is there no more. The shock of it is immobilizing. Antigua and Barbuda has
lost a great mind, a fearless fighter and a fine writer,” Sir Ronald added.
High Commissioner Sanders noted that few people in the world
have the breadth of intellectual curiosity and prowess of Tim Hector
adding that even fewer combine the range of interests he so actively
pursued - history, poetry, literature, politics, and sport particularly
cricket.
“From Antigua, Tim made an impact on a much wider community in
the Caribbean, Africa and North America that defied the constraining
smallness of his country and celebrated the expansive wideness
of his mind,” he said.
Born on Lower Newgate Street in Antigua, on November 24, 1942,
Hector distinguished himself as an exceptional student at a very
young age who later was regarded for his acuity of mind when he
studied at the Universities of Acadia and McGill in Canada.
A product of his environment, Hector was introduced to the game of cricket
in his grandfather’s home, which was forever the centre of ardent discussions
on world affairs, literature, sports (in particular cricket) and music. Through
these discussions young Hector was exposed to the cut and thrust of debate
and the marshalling of information and facts by the autodidacts of the day
that would make a lasting impression on his alert and fertile mind.
Hector became the youngest teacher ever at the Antigua Grammar School after
he had completed his high school education.
Tim Hector was a protégé of internationally acclaimed thinker
and political activist C. L. R. James.
Hector was chairman of the Progressive Labour Movement (PLM),
an executive member of the Public Service Association and the Antigua
Workers Union (AWU), Deputy Leader of the Opposition United Progressive
Party (UPP) and Advisor to Prime Minister Lester Bird most recently.
A founder of the Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement (ACLM) in 1968, Hector
struggled relentlessly for the next two decades as one of its leaders for the
social, political and economic transformation of Antigua and Barbuda.
He was instrumental in the reorganization of cricket in Antigua and the Leeward
Islands. In the region, he served at every level of cricket administration
from an executive member of the Antigua Cricket Association to the Leewards
Islands’ Board to Manager of the Combined Islands, rising to the very top as
a member of the West Indies Cricket Board of Control.
During his tenure as cricket administrator, a number of Leeward
Islands’ players rose to prominence as Test players for the West
Indies. He appeared on several occasions on television in the region
discussing cricket in all its facets.
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Tim
Hector laid to rest
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| Members of the Hector family |
Dr Ralph Gonsalves (left) and George Odlum |
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| Minister Vere Bird Jr. |
Public Safety Minister, Steadroy ‘Cutie’ Benjamin |
On 19th November nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and others from
around the Caribbean paid their last respects to Leonard 'Tim'
Hector at his Official Funeral at the Antigua Recreation Grounds.
Hector's family had requested that the service be not one of mournful sorrow,
but a celebration of the life and times of the Antigua and Barbuda and Caribbean
personality.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, a longtime
friend and colleague said, "Hector was not a conventional political activist.
He was a man of ideas, able to chart the way forward. He was a man, in many
respects, beyond his time looking to chart the way forward, but never got the
recognition he deserved." The eulogy was read by Mr. George Goodwin of
the ACLM.
George Odlum, a long time friend of Tim Hector censured Antigua and Barbuda
for not acknowledging Hector’s contribution to society before his death.
A former Foreign Affairs Minister of St Lucia, George Odlum praised
Hector’s vision for Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean. He said:
“I cannot help but feel a sense of mockery that the same society
which vilified and ridiculed you when your strident voice embarrassed
them with your message and your clarion calls, is the same society
that will embrace and elevate you now that your mighty heart is
still. Where is the logic in this, my Brother? Are we so crazed
with insecurity and self-abnegation that we court our own disaster
and demise by destroying the catalyst for our liberation? When
Othello in Shakespeare murdered his own loving Desdemona, Shakespeare
wrote: ‘Like a base Indian he threw away a pearl richer than all
his tribe.’
This is a serious accusation to make against a society that has
turned out in large numbers to pay homage to this dead Viking.
But many of you stood by over the years and witnessed the victimisation
and demoralisation of Tim Hector and never lifted a finger to prevent
it. Were you there? Were you there when they CRUCIFIED Tim Hector?
Were you there? Were you there when they nailed him to the cross?
Were you there? Were you there when they dragged him through the
courts? Were you there? Were you there when they dumped him in
the prison for his views? Were you there? Were you there when they
burnt his Printing Press? Were you there? Were you there when they
murdered his dear wife Arah? Were you there? Were you there when
the ballot process contaminated to declare him a loser? Were you
there? Were you there when they denied this Prophet any honour
in his own country? Were you there?”
Mr Odlum’s remarks sparked reactions from Government. Minister
Vere Bird Jr., against whom Mr Hector contested two elections,
pointed to Odlum’s lack of sensitivity as he “poured scorn on the
hundreds of Antiguans and Barbudans who had come to pay tribute
to Hector in death, censuring them severely for not doing so when
he was alive.”
His statement went on to say:
“Like many others who listened to the offensive reflections of
Mr. Odlum I was tempted to treat his remarks with the contempt
they deserve. However, my own subsequent reflections suggest that
to do so, is to allow Odlum to achieve credence for his remarks
in instances where he really has none.
How could George Odlum have stood at rostrum and asked: "Were
you there when the ballot process was contaminated to declare him
(Tim Hector) a loser? Were you there?" No one was there, because
on no occasion was a ballot process contaminated to make Tim Hector
a loser as George Odlum supposes.
On the two (2) occasions that Tim Hector has run against me in
the Constituency of St. John’s Rural South, Tim lost. His failure
at the polls was not the result of interference with or "contamination
of the ballot process". It was simply the result of Tim Hector’s
lack of appeal to the electorate, based on the principles and policies
which he espoused at successive election campaigns.
The one occasion that Tim Hector saved his deposit and made a
creditable showing at the polls was at the election in 1999 following
the merger of the ACLM with the UPP when he obviously was the beneficiary
of the UPP vote. Even so he lost that election by a significant
margin and it was again my good fortune to win.I can say without
fear of contradiction that so-called "contaminated" or
rigged ballots have never been a feature of the election campaigns
I have contested with Leonard Tim Hector in the Constituency of
St. John’s Rural South.
Furthermore, I do not ever recall Tim making that assertion in
justification of the electoral defeats he has suffered with me
as the opposing ALP Candidate. George Odlum is way off the mark
with his assertions in this regard. I recommend that Odlum reads
the reports of the Commonwealth Observer Team which oversaw and
vouched for the integrity of the ballot process of the past two
general elections.”
Mr Bird concluded that:
“For my part, I take umbrage someone coming from abroad as an
honoured guest at an official event of this nature and openly perpetrating
such blatent falsehood in what should be an occasion for honest
speaking. “
In another statement, Public Safety Minister, Steadroy Benjamin
refuted Odlum’s statement which suggested that there may have been
a conspiracy to murder Hector’s first wife, Arah.
He said, “This statement by Mr Odlum was unforgivable however
over emotional he may have been. At no time did Tim Hector ever
claim that his wife’s murder was at the hand of anyone other than
the person charged and convicted for the offence.”
Mr Benjamin added that, “The Police worked assiduously to bring the culprit
to justice and the full brunt of the criminal justice system was brought to
bear in the case that led to a conviction and sentencing.”
Mr Odlum’s distress over the loss of his comrade, at a time when
he too is terminally ill, is understandable, but it is regrettable
that he should have used the platform of a tribute to Tim Hector
to make a false accusation against the people of this country,” the
Minister concluded.
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 Indian
Parliamentarian calls on Prime Minister Lester Bird
On 11th November, Prime Minister Lester Bird met with Mr. Mahendra
Prasad, a visiting Member of Parliament from India.
Mr. Prasad, who represents the Congress Party in the Indian Parliament,
is on a visit to several countries in the Caribbean region.
Mr. Prasad declared that he is a longtime admirer of former Prime
Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Sir Vere Cornwall Bird Sr., whom
he compared to Mahatma Gandhi.
The men discussed on a wide range of issues, including cooperation
in information technology between Antigua and Barbuda and India;
the performance of the Indian Tax consultants working in the Ministry
of Finance; the current test series W. I. versus India and relations
between their two countries.
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Antigua to monitor Jamaican
US deportees seeking entry
Antigua and Barbuda’s Immigration Department is
making sure that US deportees with Caribbean nationalities are
monitored before entering the country. This was confirmed by Lt.
Col. Clyde Walker, chief immigration officer.
The US Immigration and Naturalisation Service (INS) has revealed
that it will be deporting 12,000 Jamaicans by the end of this year. “I
will be in touch with my Jamaican counterparts to get full data
on all the Jamaican deportees. This information will be put into
our system so they will not be able to enter our shores,” Colonel
Walker said.
Recently, the Immigration Department upgraded its computer system
at the six ports of entry and all pertinent information of travellers
was entered.
Minister of Public Safety, Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin explained
that the overall plan is to network with the other Caribbean islands,
which have received deportees.
“We want to ensure that these persons do not enter the country.
We will share intelligence so we can register and keep track of
the movement of these deportees,” Benjamin said.
The Immigration Department has a record of 19 deportees from
the United States returning home for the year. Their offences include
robbery, violent crimes and immigration violations.
The US has adopted a policy of returning criminals to their homeland
if they have committed various offences involving firearms and
drugs.
The new Homeland Security Act which was recently signed into law
by US President George Bush, tightens up on immigration into the
US and people with dubious character who are illegally residing
there.
Several Caribbean citizens have been identified as undesirables
and will be deported to their respective territories.
There is an underlying fear by governments and nationals of the
various CARICOM territories that many of these deportees could
be the cause of the escalation in criminal activities throughout
the region.
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Prime
Minister’s Attorneys reserve right to institute legal proceedings
against Lake and Kentish
In a letter dated 12th November 2002, the attorneys for Prime
Minister Lester Bird and his Secretary, Beverley Percival, told
the law firm of Lake and Kentish that the suit that the firm brought
against Mr Bird and Miss Percival, on behalf of a female minor
and her mother, is “manifestly unfounded, incapable of proof, and
intended to use the process of the Court for the sole purpose of
airing malicious untruths and furthering defamatory statements”.
The attorneys Anthony Astaphan and John Fuller stated categorically that their
clients believe that Lake and Kentish are improperly motivated in pursuing
the case.
In support of their claim they drew attention to the long-standing strained
relationship between the Prime Minister and the Lake and Kentish. They also
noted that Lake and Kentish represents the organisation, POWA, that has consistently
attacked the Prime Minister.
The letter explained that Lake and Kentish had been in contact
with Monique Barua, the minor who made allegations against the
Prime Minister on videotape earlier this year, long before the
videotape was made.
Indeed the firm had advised her on the withdrawal of a rape charge
against Ricardo Browne (DJ Richards) in November 2001. The fact
that the law firm made no complaint to any authority against the
Prime Minister, the attorneys assert, could only point to the conclusion
that the allegations were fallacious and the law suit against Mr
Bird and Miss Percvial was improperly motivated.
The letter also highlighted the inconsistency between the allegations
made on the tape and those in the suit; the lack of corroborative
evidence to support the allegations; and the difference between
the evidence given by the minor’s mother to investigator Colin
Warburton and the statement of claim by Lake and Kentish.
As such, Astaphan and Fuller, the Attorneys, advised Lake and Kentish that
their clients reserve the right to institute legal proceedings against them
for “instituting manifest abuse of the Court process for the purpose of embarrassing
their clients well-knowing that the allegations are unfounded and incapable
of proof”.
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OAS refutes UPP statement
The Organisation of American States (OAS) says
that Dean Jonas, the Public Relations Officer of the United Progressive
Party (UPP), misled the people of Antigua and Barbuda in press
release that he issued on Wednesday, November 20th.
Cicely Norris, Director of the OAS office in Antigua, stated that the conclusions
drawn in Jonas’ release may represent his or the UPP’s opinion, but they do
not represent the position of the OAS.
Jonas’ statement purported to report on the findings of an OAS mission to the
country to discuss technical assistance for the Electoral Commission in the
process leading to the next general election.
He claimed that the OAS team, during two meetings with the UPP,
revealed to UPP representatives that:
- the government had a secret election plan;
- the electoral registration process would not be completed by
the end of the year;
- the Registry of Births and Deaths was unable to cope with requests;
the OAS had requested, and been denied, a meeting with the team
working on the electoral computer system; and
- that while the OAS was there to assist in the entire electoral
process, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission had only requested
funding.
On the basis of these allegations, the UPP called citizens to a protest march
on November 21st.
The OAS responded to Mr. Jonas’ statement within 24 hours, refuting
all Jonas’ claims. Ms. Norris, the OAS Director, explained that
during meetings with the UPP, the OAS members were frequently asked
for an assessment of their findings. She said that in keeping with
OAS norms, the members of the mission stated to all who asked that
the mission’s findings would have to be reviewed at OAS Headquarters
in Washington before any formal reply could be made to the Government
and the Electoral Commission through the proper diplomatic channel,
i.e., the Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the OAS.
The OAS is a 35-nation organisation that has been in existence in its present
form since 1948. The organisation has sent electoral observer missions to monitor
more than 45 general elections around the Western Hemisphere.
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 Curtain
Bluff receives outstanding award
One of Antigua’s oldest tourist resorts has received the Conde
Nast Johansens Award for Excellence 2003.
The Curtain Bluff Resort in Old Road was named the most outstanding
resort in North America and the Caribbean.
The award was presented at the recent World Travel Market in
London and Director-General of Tourism Shirlene Nibbs accepted
the award on the resort’s behalf.
Managing Director of Curtain Bluff Rob Sherman said, “It is a great honour
for all the staff here and the people of Antigua and Barbuda. A lot of stuff
that happens here in this country, everybody thinks it is personal, but if
somebody wins an award like this, it is a big halo, a star for Antigua and
Barbuda.
“It will generate discussion about Antigua and Barbuda. The award
is wonderful, we are proud of it, but now the problem is we have
to keep it up and raise our standards, which is what we are trying
to do,” Sherman added.
In its recent publication Conde Nast Johansens wrote about the
property saying, “The setting is unique with smooth, lagoon-fed
on one side and blustery windward surf on the other.”
It also said the hotel was “a remarkable achievement by any standards,
and is perfect testimony to the superb service, ability to provide
only the best accommodation and a wine cellar that boasts 25,000
bottles.”
“Attention to detail is obvious here, from the immaculately tended
tropical gardens to the spacious rattan-styled bedrooms that provide
an abundance of cooling fans, telephones and all other modern amenities,” it
added.
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
FROM THE HIGH COMMISSION
New Passport Issuing Procedures
We are currently reviewing our passport issuing procedures with
a view of putting in place a new system. As a result, all
new applications for an Antigua and Barbuda citizenship/passport
on the basis of birth or descent, are being handled by the Passport
Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government Complex,
Queen Elizabeth Highway, St John’s, Antigua.
The High Commission will only renew Antigua and Barbuda
passports. If you can produce an Antigua and Barbuda passport,
certified copy of your birth certificate and any other documentation
that will verify your entitlement to Antigua and Barbuda citizenship/passport,
the High Commission will be able to process your application.
Should you require further information on this matter, please
contact the High Commission.
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Jamaican
detained in connection with John Mohammad investigation
A Jamaican female has been held by Antigua and Barbuda Police
in connection with the investigation being carried out by a Task
Force established by the country’s Attorney General to look into
how Washington sniper suspect John Allen Mohammad received an Antigua
and Barbuda passport.
The Jamaican female is suspected of complicity in fraudulently obtaining an
Antiguan passport.
Task Force Chairman John Fuller said that the Jamaican is believed to have
received the passport under the guise that she was a relative of one Eva Ferris;
the name and birth certificate used by Mohammad to fraudulently receive his
Antiguan passport.
The woman agreed to accompany the police officers to the Police Headquarters
in St. John’s where she is being detained while assisting the Task Force with
their investigations.
Mr Fuller explained that the Task Force is currently looking into
at least four other non-nationals whom they believe received Antiguan
passports fraudulently. He said that he is however of the belief
that a male suspect, who arrived in the country three weeks ago
and whom they were investigating, might have left the country secretly.
Over the weekend beginning 15th November, United States officials arrested
a Jamaican Norman Manroe, who is believed to be an accomplice of Mohammad while
in Antigua. Manroe applied for and received fraudulently an Antigua and Barbuda
Social Security card and passports in the name of Kenny Williams and John Edwards.
Manroe was imprisoned in Antigua in February 2000 as Kenny Williams
(the name he was using at the time) for engaging in the trafficking
of marijuana between Jamaica and Antigua.
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Electoral
Commission Chairman’s home firebombed
Chairman of Antigua and Barbuda’s Electoral Commission, Mr. McClin
Matthias and his family narrowly escaped injury on the morning
of November 22nd, when his home in Sutherlands was fire bombed
by unknown assailants.
Mr. Matthias said that the quick action from the Security Forces
and his daughter prevented any major damage from occurring.
He also indicated that even though he is distraught over the entire incident,
and fearful for the safety of his family, he would not be distracted from the
task of managing the country’s electoral process.
He added, “Similar incidents have happened before to another member of the
Electoral Commission, namely, Mr. Nathaniel “Paddy” James, whose property on
the Factory Road was fire bombed and the windshield of his BMW vehicle smashed.”
The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, which mounted
a full-scale investigation into the matter, removed several pieces
of items from the scene, believed to have been used during the
attack.
Meanwhile, Bishop Ewing Dorsette, a member of the Electoral Commission has
spoken out against the latest developments, noting that this type of conduct
should not be tolerated. He called on the authorities to move swiftly in apprehending
and prosecuting those responsible for the heinous act. He said the full brunt
of the law must be brought to bear on those responsible.
Public Safety Minister Steadroy Cutie Benjamin also strongly condemned
the attack.
The Minister said, “There is no doubt that this action was motivated by persons
in our society who are maliciously fomenting violence directed at the Chairman
who is maintaining the independence and impartiality of the Commission despite
intense provocation”, the Minister said.
“I strongly condemn this wicked act, and I call upon the perpetrators and those
who encouraged it to stop this lawlessness. I also call on all well-thinking
organisations and persons in our society to join me in publicly telling the organisers
and perpetrators of this criminal act that our peace loving society will not
tolerate such terror tactics”.
The Minister warned that “Those who are trying to adopt terror as a means of
intimidating public officers are adopting tactics that have destroyed other
countries. Our society must tell them to stop it now. There is no place for
terror in our political life. If this begins, the harm to our economic and
social life will be irreparable”.
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 Re-registration
of voters to be completed by year end
The Re-registration of electors in Antigua and Barbuda will be
completed by the legally prescribed deadline of December 31.
The Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Mr. McClin Matthias, confirmed on
Friday 22 November that this complete re-registration will be achieved with
the assistance of the Jamaica Electoral Office who have agreed to send staff
members and equipment to assist the process.
“I have all reasons to believe that that deadline will be met. We have the confidence
that the Jamaica System would enable us to pull that off. They will be bringing
equipment and manpower and they are going to train our staff. All of this is
embodied in the document that we have from them,” Matthias stated.
During the press conference Mr Matthias also refuted claims that
he is under the control of Prime Minister Lester Bird or that he
receives instructions as to how the Electoral Commission should
function. He said the suggestions are solely mischievous.
“Lester Bird doesn’t tell me what I should do. The Prime Minister doesn’t direct
me to do what I am empowered to do under the Act. I have gone to the Prime Minister
with respect to certain operational requirements of the Commission like finances
to run it, space to house it and the like. That good gentleman hasn’t discussed
anything with me with respect to the operation of the Commission,” said the Electoral
Chairman.
He added, “ I would stand anywhere in the world and defend that
and there is no reason for me to get away from what is true. He
has never told me what I must do, never and it is a resentful comment,
it strikes at the very body of mischief.”
The Commission Chairman explained that the body, which he heads, is only governed
by the Representation of the People Amendment Act and no one can influence
the decisions of the Commission.
Citing the articles from the Amendment to the Representation of the People
Act No.17 of 2001, Mr Matthias spoke on the independence of the Commission
and reassured the public to have confidence in it.
The Opposition United Progressive Party with certain sections
of the media have been intimating that the Electoral Commission
lacks independence as three members of the body are under the control
of Prime Minister Lester Bird.
The five member Electoral Commission is comprised of three members appointed
by the government and two by the Parliamentary opposition party. It is comprised
of Chairman McCLin Matthias, Nathaniel James and Winston Gomes nominated by
the government of Prime Minister Bird and Bishop Ewing Dorsette and Bruce Goodwin
who are nominated by the Opposition lead by Baldwin Spencer.
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Prime
Minister Lester Bird accuses Spencer of fomenting lawlessness
Prime Minister Lester Bird has expressed “amazement” at a
recent statement attributed to Opposition Leader Baldwin Spencer
in The Antigua Sun that he is interfering in the work of the Electoral
Commission.
Mr Bird said, “Spencer’s statement is unfounded and baseless”.
The Prime Minister pointed out that Mr Spencer himself stated that his allegation
is based on a “feeling”.
The Antigua Sun reported Spencer as saying, "I get the feeling that those
members (of the Electoral Commission) appointed by Bird - Chairman McClin Matthias,
Winston Gomes and Nathaniel "Paddy" James appear to be responding
to his (Bird's) dictates, and as a result they are frustrating the process."
The Prime Minister said, “On the same basis of a “feeling”, I could suggest
that Spencer is interfering in the work of the Commission through his appointees
Bruce Goodwin and Bishop Ewing Dorset. Indeed, there is clear evidence of complete
bias on the part of one of Spencer’s appointees”.
He went on to say “I have stayed far away from the work of the Electoral Commission
except to facilitate its need for office space, equipment and money. Any problems
that exists within the Commission are related entirely to the capacity of its
members to work together. From the distance of an on-looker, it appears that
one of the members wants to dictate the manner in which the Commission works
and its decisions. When he doesn’t get his own way, he walks out”.
He insisted that “What is more alarming to me is Spencer’s threat of “a civil
war” in the country over this “feeling” that he says he has that I am interfering
in the work of the Commission. Mr Spencer has been threatening violence, lawlessness
and disorder in the country, and we are already seeing tangible signs of criminal
and terror activities”.
“I call upon him to stop this reckless language and these calls
for a break down of law and order in the society. He is unleashing
forces that could destroy this country, and he is doing so for
his own political ambition”, Mr Bird said.
“Neither I nor my government have any intention of interfering with the work
of the Electoral Commission, and no one – including Mr Spencer – can produce
a shred of evidence to support that unfounded allegation. The Labour Party has
no need to interfere in the election process; Mr Spencer is destroying the UPP
all by himself. It is not a credible opposition, but he is making it into a lawless
one”, the Prime Minister concluded.
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Frank DeLisle passes
Sir Frank DeLisle, founder of the Leeward Islands Air Transport,
the oldest airline in the sub-region, died at age 83 on Friday,
November 1st, 2002 - Independence Day. It was the same day that
he was honoured with a knighthood for his outstanding contribution
to the aviation industry in Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean
as a whole.
A former airline captain, Sir Frank played a tremendous role in bringing aviation
to the region.
He was born in St. Kitts and went to neighbouring Anguilla as a young man to
work in the Agriculture Department. He then migrated to Montserrat where he
was employed with the Montserrat Company Ltd.
It was there that his love and interest in aviation developed.
With a vision of transforming air transportation in the region, Delisle started
the Leeward Islands Air Transport Service Ltd. in 1956, on the island of Montserrat.
In those days LIAT was a privately owned one-man operation with a fleet of
one aircraft and a non-scheduled service between Montserrat and Antigua.
He also founded Radio Montserrat, the first radio station in the sub-region,
which is still operational today.
With the support of the late V.C. Bird, former Prime Minister
of Antigua and Barbuda, DeLisle’s vision grew and LIAT was moved
and headquartered in Antigua.
The airline continued to grow and develop with the co-operation of other regional
leaders.
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