ISSUE NO.85 February 2004
Antigua
and Barbuda dissatisfied with OECD proposals
 |
Sir Ronald Sanders KCMG, KCN,
Chief Foreign Affairs Representative
with Ministerial Rank and High Commissioner
|
In a letter to the OECD Secretary General, Sir Ronald Sanders,
the Chief Foreign Affairs Representative of Antigua and Barbuda,
has expressed his government's dissatisfaction with the draft terms
of reference released by the OECD in relation to the "Level
Playing Field Issues" established following the Ottawa Meeting
of the Global Forum last year.
Sir Ronald says that the terms of reference fail to address the
immediate requirement that was before the meeting in Ottawa last
October for consideration. The issue to be addressed is simple.
Is there, or is there not a level playing field amongst those jurisdictions
that make up the Global Forum, OECD and non-OECD alike, who have
made commitments to the principles of exchange of information and
transparency?
Sir Ronald also expressed dismay on behalf of the Government
of Antigua and Barbuda over the way in which agreement is being
sought on the terms of reference.
We know of no circumstances, he says, involving so many nations
on a matter that many of them claim are of great importance to
them, in which a decision has been sought without discussion and
by an e-mail indicating acceptance without which acceptance will
be presumed.
Sir Ronald states that this is an extraordinary and alarming
manner in which to treat a matter that has such far-reaching implications.
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Tuesday
23rd March is polling day in Antigua and Barbuda
 |
Prime Minister Lester Bird addressing
the public
|
Antiguans and Barbudans will go to the polls to elect a new government
to govern the affairs of the country on Tuesday 23rd March, 2004.
Prime Minister, Lester Bird, made the announcement while addressing a massive
public meeting at the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) at 46 North
Street
Also addressing the meeting were the 17 candidates who gave brief
addresses describing the work the party had done within the last
five years.
Over the last four months, the country's two main political parties, the ALP
and the Opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) have been busy campaigning,
ever since Mr. Bird announced, back in October last year, that elections were
imminent.
Mr. Bird pointed out at the Party's convention on 22nd February that he would
have preferred to serve just two terms as Prime Minister but, he said, "the
peculiar challenges of our time demand that I seek a mandate for a third time
as Prime Minister."
He said the ALP will be banking on the Party's track record of getting the
job done to take them safely through to victory.
"The major issue for us as we go into the final stretch of the campaign
is the performance of the ALP. In the last five years, we have completed more
projects than was done in the last twenty-five years in the country. We have
lifted the whole economy of this country, we have once again had a growth rate
of three or four percent."
Mr. Bird said the ALP has given people the opportunity to be employed in keeping
with the party's slogan "back to work with labour."
"We have refused to lay off some four thousand workers as was recommended
because we believe in the dignity of labour. We are also way ahead in our mission
on education. In a little while we will be establishing the University College
of Antigua and Barbuda and all nationals can see that the Labour Party has delivered
the goods with the Antigua and Barbuda International Institute of Technology
(ABIIT) which is a real centre of excellence for computer education. This facility
is second to none in the Eastern Caribbean."
The ALP leader said he and his team are satisfied with the work they have done
within the last five years and is confident that the electorate will return
the ALP to office come election day.
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New
investments for Antigua and Barbuda
Prime Minister Lester Bird has disclosed major investments for
Antigua and Barbuda.
He made the announcement while speaking at a public rally at
Bendals in support of the candidate for St. Mary's North, Molwyn
Joseph.
He named them as UK investor Peter DeSavary and Chairman of the
Stanford Financial Group R. Allen Stanford. He disclosed that these
two investors are willing to inject millions of dollars in the
country’s economy.
Mr Bird said Peter DeSavary, former owner of the St James’s Club
Hotel, is going to build a magnificent hotel once again and will
employ many Antigua and Barbuda nationals. Mr R. Allen Stanford,
he said, is concluding the deal to take over the Dato Tan project
at Guiana island and he will be spending US$500 million in development.
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ALP Chairman condemns
Opposition Leader’s call to ‘physically take out’ the Government
 |
Antigua Labour Party Chairman,
Vere Bird Jr.
|
Antigua Labour Party Chairman Vere Bird Jr, has condemned a public
declaration by Baldwin Spencer that his Party, the UPP, “might
have to physically take these guys (the government) out of office”.
Mr Bird said, “The words ‘take out’ in the context in which Mr Spencer used
them usually means assassination. But whether he meant assassination or not,
the “physical” removal of the government by anything other than a general election
is unconstitutional and would rip our country apart, since no Labour Party
supporter would stand for such a thing”.
In saying that his Party would “create a lot of unrest” and “bring
down wrath” on the country, Mr Spencer announced: “We (the UPP)
might have to physically take these guys out of office. It may
very well come to that”.
The Labour Party Chairman and veteran politician observed, “We are weeks away
from a general election when the will of the people will be made known, why
is Mr Spencer trying to foment unrest and unconstitutional action at this time?”
Mr Bird said, “This should be a time for calm and constructive campaigning
by the Parties who want the support of the electorate; it is not a time to
inflame emotions and create unrest in the country”.
“Mr Spencer’s words have to be taken seriously particularly when it is recalled
that he stated in Parliament recently that he has ‘plenty gangs’. It has to be
assumed that he would use these gangs to take out the government”, Mr Bird declared.
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Prime
Minister Lester Bird reiterates call to private sector to join
in development process
Prime Minister Lester Bird has made another call to the country's
private sector inviting them to come on board and join in the total
development of Antigua and Barbuda.
Mr. Bird made the call as he delivered an address at the sod turning ceremony
on 16th February to signal the commencement of construction of a US$25 million
Mediterranean village which is being built Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart of Sandals
International.
Mr. Bird took the opportunity to call again on the private sector to get on
board, noting that in St. Lucia the private sector contributes just about 80%
to their economy with government contributing a mere 20%. In Antigua and Barbuda,
the government contributes 50%. He stated that there was need for the private
sector to “really take up the slack and allow the government to concentrate
on governmental matters”.
While addressing members of the Chamber of Commerce on 27th January at their
first monthly luncheon for 2004, Mr. Bird encouraged his listeners to move
away from merely buying and selling and into an area of wealth creation by
what he termed as “taking the entrepreneurial risk”.
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New MRI machine at Belmont
Clinic
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examination
is now available at the Belmont Clinic on the All Saints Road in
Antigua and Barbuda.
The MRI machine is one of the high-tech instruments
that has helped to revolutionise radiology and the practice of
medicine the world over.
Radiologist Dr. Eumel Samuel, the proprietor of
Belmont Clinic and the owner of this sophisticated piece of machinery,
explained "It is the most powerful tool to image the muscular
skeletal system, tumours and sports injuries.
"We are able to get the diagnosis quickly
because the magnetic field shows the contrasts, the different variations,
between the tissues which is not seen with other modalities such
as the CT scan”
While the MRI scans the patient, the radiologist
or technician is able to see the images from different angles on
the computer screen.
"It is becoming the gold standard for making
diagnoses in the muscular skeletal system. Even in the cardiac
world, it is coming into its own where MRIs are giving CTs a lot
of competition," Dr. Samuel said
"As a radiologist, I like to know that I
am abreast and improving the process of radiology. This is where
radiology is and that is where I should be," he continued.
Besides its obvious benefit to the medical fraternity
of Antigua and Barbuda, Dr. Samuel is excited about the machine
because it now gives OECS nationals more choice.
Instead of having to spend hundreds to fly to
Puerto Rico, Barbados or Trinidad for MRI examinations, patients
can choose the Belmont Clinic since it is "more cost effective
to do the scan here. All patients should have a choice."
Belmont Clinic has been operational for two years
and also has a mammogram machine, an ultrasound machine, and is
fully computerised.
The next level for Belmont Clinic is the expansion
of our cardiology services and to institute interventional radiology,
which includes embolisation of fibroids," Dr. Samuel said
Dr. Samuel has been practicing in Antigua and
Barbuda for 14 years.
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Antigua
and Barbuda has high health care standards
In his address to delegates at the Antigua Labour Party (ALP)
Convention on 22nd February at the Royal Antiguan Resort and Tennis
Club, Prime Minister Lester Bird remarked that Antigua and Barbuda
practices very high standards in the country's health care system.
While giving an account of his government’s stewardship, Mr.
Bird pointed out to over 1200 delegates and special invitees that
the ALP administration had lifted the country's health-care system
to a very high level with the construction of several new clinics
as well as the improvement to the Emergency Services.
"Comrades and friends, inadequate health services lead to
insecurity and fear, particularly among our elderly. That is why
we have built five new health centres over the last five years.
We now have 20 health centres and clinics scattered across this
country," Mr. Bird said, adding that far too often the health
care services in the country are taken for granted.
"We take free health care to the various communities on
a continuous basis, not many developing countries can make such
a statement. We also now have more trained nurses and specialist
doctors than at anytime in our history. We also have special units
at our dialysis centre without which many would have died".
Mr. Bird concluded by saying it was indeed important, given the
country's high health care standards, that the ALP administration
complete the Mount St. John's Medical Centre.
"The Mount St. John’s Medical Centre will be the best hospital
in the whole Eastern Caribbean. We are going to have state-of-the-art
medicine, everything that those big countries have," he said
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ALP candidates sign
Code of Conduct
 |
17 candidates of the Antigua Labour
Party sign Code of Conduct
|
On 18th February, 2004 the 17 candidates for the ruling Antigua
Labour Party, signed a Code of Conduct for the 2004 general elections.
Under the Code, candidates are expected to behave according to
the highest standards of legal and personal conduct. The Code also
calls on candidates to condemn violence and intimidation, and to
reject discrimination on the basis of race, religion and gender.
"In conducting their campaigns, candidates must show the
greatest respect for religion, for religious differences, for the
racial composition of the Antigua and Barbuda society; for gender
in particular women. There should be no attacks on political opponents,
or any other section of society, on the grounds of sex, religion,
race or country of birth," the Code states.
It also states that candidates should also "avoid accepting
any personal gifts, or services which might, or might reasonably
appear to place them under an improper obligation” and should commit
themselves to cooperating with law enforcement agencies in promoting
a peaceful election environment and in protecting the security
and integrity of the democratic process.
"In the case of public disturbances, candidates and their
campaign teams are to advise, and seek the assistance of, police
and other authorities concerned, and in no case resort to measures
of their own," the document adds.
The Code also addresses the conduct of candidates after the elections.
It states that “Candidates undertake that, in the event that
they are elected to the House of Representatives and they are privileged
to be appointed as a member of the Government, they will adhere
at all times to the requirements of Parliament and the principle
of collective Cabinet responsibility, and will protect the integrity
of public life including by advancing and supporting measures to
guard against corruption. Further, candidates accept, and declare,
that they will tender their resignations from the Party and any
Government it may form, or accept dismissal, in the event of substantiated
acts of corruption against them.
"In this regard, Candidates undertake to submit to the Ombudsman
a declaration of the income, assets and liabilities which they
commit to delivering to the Speaker of the House of Representatives
and the Governor-General should they be appointed as members of
the Government."
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ALP
Political Leader addresses Labour Party Convention
Prime Minister, Lester Bird, has called upon the people of Antigua
and Barbuda to judge him and his party on the basis of their performance.
Mr. Bird was at the time paying tribute to nationals during an address to over
fifteen hundred delegates and guests attending the Antigua Labour Party (ALP)
Convention held at the Royal Antiguan Resort and Tennis Club on the 22nd February.
He said "Antiguans and Barbudans are remarkable people. I am proud of
them. I am proud to be one of them.
We are but a handful in the multitude of people all over the
world, yet we have made our mark. They know about us in cricket,
in athletics, in the United Nations, in the organization of Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD), in the FATF and in the World
Trade Organization (WTO).
They know about us because despite our size, we fight in our corner for what
we believe is right. Coming from a small island state, does not deter us from
standing up. We are not daunted by power, nor cowered by threats. When our
vital interests are at stake, we fight for our rights and that is endemic in
the philosophy and bowels of the Antigua Labour Party."
Mr. Bird said the peculiar challenges of the times demand that he seek a mandate
for a third time as Prime Minister, adding that, he is determined to fulfil
ten goals for the people of Antigua and Barbuda:
- Higher living standards for all.
- The lowest possible unemployment.
- Low taxes.
- A significant reduction of crime.
- Increased educational opportunities for the nation's youth.
- Good health care for the elderly.
- A thriving private sector that works in partnership with the
government and the Trade Union Movement.
- The promotion and enhancement of the country's vibrant culture.
- The reconciliation between Antigua and Barbuda.
- Strong representation of the country against those who seek
to deprive it of its autonomy and its independence.
Stressing that the ALP stood for the empowering of the masses,
Mr. Bird also took the opportunity to give a brief account of his
party's performance during its term in office and called on nationals
to judge both himself and his party on their performance.
"We say therefore that it is performance that you must judge
us on. Look around you, look at the vendors' mall, look at the
Antigua and Barbuda International Institute of Technology, look
at all these things.....judge us on our performance. We, the ALP,
we have delivered the goods," Mr Bird said.
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Prime
Minister Lester Bird invites Observers for March General Elections
Prime Minister Lester Bird has invited international and regional
observers to Antigua and Barbuda for the upcoming General Elections.
In letters to the Secretaries-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat
and Caribbean Community Secretariat, the Prime Minister invited
them to send a team of official election observers to scrutinize
the March 23rd poll.
Mr. Bird said he is of the view that transparency in the electoral
process is fundamental to the preservation of the country's electoral
system as prescribed by the constitution .
"We have demonstrated our commitment to a high standard
by signing a Code of Conduct. We have lifted the bar as to what
is going to be the criteria for people in the Labour Party who
are going forward in the election. We even have to disclose our
assets so that people can see the transparency of how we operate
and we challenge the Opposition to do likewise," he concluded.
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Politicians
sign Code of Conduct
 |
Candidates attend
service at the Methodist Church
|
In a ceremony conducted at the Ebenezer Methodist Church on 7th
March, the candidates of the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) and the
United Progressive Party (UPP) as well as the independent candidates
participated in the signing of a Code of Conduct drawn up by the
Antigua Christian Council (ACC).
President of the ACC, Roman Catholic Bishop Donald J. Reece,
outlined the purpose of the Elections Code of Conduct to the large
gathering.
"The purpose of this service and signing of the Elections
Code of Conduct is to pray for peace and to petition God for his
guidance and protection for all of Antigua and Barbuda - for our
political candidates, the electorate, and the media”, Bishop Reece
said.
He noted that despite the pervading doubts about the signing
of the Code having any impact, there was a need for the act by
the candidates.
He admonished the candidates to allow the word of God to be ever
present at all times and to cling to behaviour, which will help
to advance the cause of peace.
The Elections Code of Conduct drawn up by the ACC requests the
candidates to adhere to the following:
- We will not engage in character assassination of any kind.
- We will not use race country of origin or class to vilify any
individual, family or section of a society.
- We will not make grandiose promises, which we know cannot
be kept.
- We will not use half truths lies or innuendos to gain political
mileage.
- We will address ourselves to the issues and principles dealing
with national growth economic development and the wholesome advancement
of the citizens of this nation.
- We will maintain the highest moral principles in keeping with
Christian ethics during the campaign and if elected to form the
government.
- We will not bribe any elector to vote for us and we will charge
our agents not to offer bribes on our behalf.
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UPP
Tax Measure is a recipe for disaster says Prime Minister Bird
Prime Minister Lester Bird has described as a “Recipe for
Disaster” a tax plan proposed by Leader of the Opposition United
Progressive Party (UPP) Mr. Baldwin Spencer, should his party become
the government.
"It is clear that the UPP, as a party, is clueless how an
economy functions, how government finances its activities and the
implications of managing the country’s tax structure and hence,
its revenue generating function.
UPP leader Baldwin Spencer in his address to the Employers’ Federation,
became Santa Clause. In his haste, lust and desperation for political
power, Baldwin Spencer promised to give away everything.
All taxes will be reduced or removed according to Spencer and
his advisors Errol Cort and Lenworth Johnson. Property tax, customs
duties, consumption tax, gasoline tax, cooking gas tax, the 2%
tax, the restaurant tax, the environmental tax, reduction in the
rate hence tax of electricity, water and telephone. You would think
they would stop there. No, Baldwin and his advisors promised to
pay Social Security $300 million, pay on time all outstanding government
debt and pay interest on government trade liabilities. They promised
to implement a national health insurance scheme where government
will pay all private doctors for any service given to patients
in Antigua and Barbuda.
I challenge Baldwin Spencer to tell this nation where he will get all this
money to pay-off these debts, implement these programmes, and maintain the
high quality of life Antiguans and Barbudans have been enjoying."
Prime Minister Bird also pointed to the performance of the ALP
government on several issues and made mention of the steps needed
to be taken to keep the country moving forward.
"The ALP government has created the environment for the
establishment and growth of the largest number of small businesses
in the OECS. These businesses are usually dependent on the main
economic sectors.
We have the most taxi-men and rental car businesses in the Eastern
Caribbean. We have the most number of shops and stores in any city
in the Eastern Caribbean per capita. We have over (1,000) one thousand
farmers and fishermen. We have the most vendors in the Eastern
Caribbean per capita. We have the most lawyers, doctors, contractors,
surveyors and architects in the Eastern Caribbean per capita.
The ALP government has a specialized Ministry and Statutory Board
supported by the Antigua and Barbuda Development Bank to support
small businesses. In all these cases they are dependent on the
main economic activities, specifically tourism and government sector
investment. These small businesses cannot provide sufficient jobs
to satisfy the national requirements, in the near future. They
have an important part to play in the overall and strategic development
of our economy and the ALP government will continue to provide
the environment for small businesses to flourish and prosper in
our country.
However, this country needs to create two thousand, five hundred
new jobs a year. We need to create alternative employment for four
thousand public servants, now. ALP has programmes to do this. The
UPP has none.
This country needs to earn hundreds of million dollars in foreign
exchange. Our companies need to compete with large companies in
Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina
and the USA. Should any responsible party seek to fool the people
and lull our businesses into a false sense of economic security
and complacency, they should be condemned.
Antigua Commercial Bank has long provided the model of how our
local companies should get bigger and stronger. Equity financing,
developing public corporation and breaking the greedy selfish local
tradition of small family businesses are clear solutions. There
is no gobbling up of small by big, rather the policy I am promoting
is a spreading of economic ownership among our people - It is otherwise
called economic empowerment of our people where businesses sell
shares, go public, get bigger, get stronger in order to face the
inevitable global competition," Mr. Bird concluded.
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Support for ALP from
Montserrat, Dominica leaders
" Vote ALP!" That was the rallying cry of two guest
speakers at the Antigua Labour Party's convention at the Royal
Antiguan Resort on 22nd February.
Deputy Political Leader of the Dominica Labour Party, Ambrose
George, appealed to over 10,000 Dominicans living in Antigua to “vote
Labour”, while Montserrat's Chief Minister John Osborne called
on Montserratians who have made Antigua their second home to also
support the ruling party.
George who is also Dominica's Minister of Agriculture and Environment
explained, “It is the red political parties that understand the
plight of the people; it is the red labour parties that are committed
to the development of the people; it is the red labour parties
that are the ones with the guts to take the decisions in the interest
of the people and of the countries of the OECS.”
Speaking to Dominicans residing in Antigua, he said “My fellow
Dominicans in Antigua and Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda is your
home and you should ensure that you continue to make Antigua and
Barbuda your home. You can only ensure that Antigua and Barbuda
remains your home, if you vote for the ALP.”
On the other hand Montserrat's Chief Minister, Dr. Osborne, spoke
of his gratitude to the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda
and urged his fellow Montserratians to vote for the ALP.
"I want every Montserratian living in Antigua to vote for
the Labour Party," Osborne said.
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Multi-million
dollar hospital becomes election campaign issue in Antigua
 |
Mount St John’s
Medical Centre
|
The construction of a multi-million dollar hospital is emerging
as one of the main issues in the campaign for the upcoming general
elections in Antigua and Barbuda.
The ruling Antigua Labour Party (ALP) says the facility being
constructed at Michael's Mount in the capital will be completed
and will remain the property of the people, notwithstanding the
cost overruns. But the main opposition United Progress Party (UPP)
has said that should it win the election it would either sell the
facility or become a joint venture project. The UPP has also indicated
that the hospital could be part of a regional health facility.
When construction of the hospital began in March 1998, it was
estimated to cost US$31 million but that figure was revised to
US$34.5 million if it had been completed at the end of 2002. An
official report said that with the cost of equipment, furniture
and stock, the facility would cost US$60 million to complete, making
it the "largest public sector" project.
The government is seeking additional funding to finish and equip
the 191-bed facility that was set for opening in the first quarter
of 2004.
"We are going to have state of the art telemedicine, laproscopic
surgery, MRIs. We are going to have everything that those big countries
have because we believe that the people of Antigua and Barbuda
deserve as good as anybody in any part of the world."
Mr Bird said the present hospital had served the island well
for years but the demand for medical care has moved on, so too,
the expectations of the citizens. "They deserve better. They
are entitled to better. The Mount St John Medical Centre will give
them better," he added.
But the Opposition’s spokesperson on Health, Joanne Massiah,
said the UPP is being advised by two health economists about what
to do with Mount St John.
"We are looking at a position which might lend itself to
a joint venture with some private institution. I can also tell
you perhaps we are looking at an outright sale of the facility".
She said if the two objectives failed, the UPP would ask the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the other regional governments
to look at the possibility of providing specialised health care
at the facility. She said the Party had no intention of closing
down the existing hospital, but it would be upgraded.
The new facility was one of the main issues of a government-appointed
Commission of Inquiry into the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) between
2001 and 2002.
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New company formed
to manage 'land for youth'
 |
Planning Minister
Gaston Browne
|
A private liability corporation, Youth Empowerment Company Ltd.,
has been formed to handle the distribution of lands to young people
in Antigua and Barbuda.
Planning Minister Gaston Browne, under whose portfolio the Land
for Youth programme falls, re-launched the Land for Youth programme
at a function at the Antigua and Barbuda Development Bank (ABDB).
The programme has been re-modelled with new parameters. The terms
of funding has been increased from five to 10 years, the equity
has been reduced to five per cent, and the interest rate - the
lowest in the market - is seven per cent APR.
Mr Browne explained that one of the new parameters entails the
provision of the land certificate within 14 days of completion
of the document so that even before they finish paying for the
land the ABDB will provide an automatic loan. They will actually
have the deed.
"The additional advantage is that these individuals will
be able to build their own homes immediately, they will be able
to borrow against the equity of the land to start a small business
or perhaps for educational purposes. There are so many new and
empowering aspects about this programme," Browne said.
90 plots of lands have been distributed - 65 plots in Pares and
25 at Dredge Bay, and 120 plots at Donavans. Buckleys with 110
lots, Lightfoot with 115 parcel of lands, Lions, Yorks and Jennings
are also marked for distribution.
Mr Browne indicated that government is currently satisfying the
existing applications from the previous Land for Youth programme.
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Import scam uncovered
by customs, police
Police and customs officials have been investigating the presence
of a large quantity of goods suspected to have entered Antigua
and Barbuda illegally.
The incident occurred on 23rd February. Chief Security Officer
Basil Walters reported to the Bolans Police Station, that goods
were being removed from one of the villas at the Jolly Harbour
and loaded onto a truck.
When the Police arrived they met Anthony Emmanuel, the son of
well-known calypsonian Sir McLean "King Short Shirt" Emmanuel
and a woman companion, along with an unidentified driver.
The goods included 30 cases of Vitamalt, 30 cases of Guinness,
38 cases of Carib beer, 40 cases of Corona beer, 40 cases of Ceres
Light, 56 cases of President beer, 40 cases of Red Stripe, 48 cases
of Heineken, 24 cases of assorted drinks, 20 cases of Ting and
20 cases of lemonade, diapers, a washing machine, and electric
water heater.
Customs have seized the items.
Deputy Comptroller of Customs Bailey did not detain Emmanuel or his female
companion.
It is the second incident in recent months where hundreds of
cases of beers and alcoholic beverages were suspected to have entered
the country illegally and in the previous offence, no one was prosecuted.
The three appeared before the Comptroller of Customs Raphael
Browne and had the offences compounded. They were ordered to pay
$105,000 for the offence and to clear the goods they are required
to pay $25,000. The goods were valued at $21,000.
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Judge reprimands journalist,
orders retraction
On 26th February 2004, Justice Errol Thomas who is presiding
over the trial in which Kai DeCastro is facing a charge of murder
of her ex-lover Lyndel Ephraim, 38, of Jennings, subpoenaed the
management of the Daily Observer to the St. John's High Court and
placed a temporary ban on the journalist of an offending article.
Justice Thomas declared that there were gross inaccuracies in
a story written by Journalist Onika Campbell and ordered the Managing
Editor, Mickel Brann-Challenger, to retract the article and correct
the inaccuracies.
Brann-Challenger, who said she was aware of the ethics of the
profession, assured the court she would make the necessary corrections
on the front page of the said newspaper of 27th February.
"You cannot print inaccuracies where people's lives are involved. Do not
view the proceedings as a simple trial," Justice Thomas warned.
Campbell admitted to the court that what she reported was inaccurate and agreed
that one of the most outstanding ethical principles in journalism is accuracy.
"Do not come back to court until I tell you," Justice
Thomas told the journalist who stated she has two years experience
in journalism. Campbell in her article said Psychiatrist James
King hinted that DeCastro was crazy. Dr. King never said such a
thing. Campbell also referred to Dr. King as a psychologist when
in fact he is a psychiatrist.
Dr. King diagnosed DeCastro of having a borderline personality
disorder, stating she was abused as a child and sexually abused
at the age of seven years.
He noted that she behaved sometimes in an erratic manner. He
conducted the evaluation of DeCastro after he received a request
from Defence Counsel Dane Hamilton and Director of Public Prosecutions
Cosbert Cumberbatch.
Dr. King said he spent one session with DeCastro and made his
report from his examination of her and based on what she told him
assessed that that would have been the case.
Dr. King never mentioned that DeCastro said she had sexual intercourse
with many partners, nor did she admit to have been involved with
Ephraim's son, as stated by the newspaper.
Contempt of court is deemed an interference with the trial by
virtue of inaccurate reporting which as a result may influence
the jury improperly.
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Former
Chief Veterinarian passes
Former Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Joseph Robinson, passed away
on Sunday 29th February at the age of 82 after suffering from a
number of health complications.
He led a distinguished career in the veterinary practice and
served Antigua and Barbuda, the Leeward Islands and the wider Caribbean
in a range of services since the 1940's.
He was an overseer at a sugar plantation from 1940-42, was named
the best police constable in Trinidad in the 40's and served as
Assistant Colonial Secretary to the Leeward Islands in 1947. He
was also a Government Agent in the US in connection with labour
emigration in the late 1940's. He was the first secretary to the
Public Service Commission in 1950 and the Clerk of Councils to
Parliament and Cabinet from 1953-55.
Dr. Robinson was also credited with reorganising the Antigua
Defence Force.
In 1981 he was named the Chief Veterinarian Officer to the government
of Antigua after serving as a private vet from 1966 - 1980. He
was also elected Chairman of the CARICOM Council of Veterinarians
in 1974.
Dr. Robinson authored the Emergency Animal Disease Preparedness
Plan.
He is also remembered for taking the forefront in the implementation
of measures at the country's air and sea ports, designed to prevent
any break-out of the Mad Cow disease in Antigua and Barbuda when
the disease was spreading across the UK a few years ago.
He was also an illustrious member of the Lion's Club. He has
served as chairman of various committees of the civic organisation
since the 60's.
He was the first candidate from the Lesser Antilles to serve
as the organisation's district government and was named as Chairman
of the Council of Governors of the Club's Multiple District 60
in 1980.
Antigua and Barbuda honoured his contribution to national development by awarding
him the Order of Merit, Gold, in 1994.
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Antigua
and Barbuda receives praise from Sandals’ head
 |
Prime Minister
Lester Bird and Head of Sandals International, Michael ‘Butch’ Stewart
aboard the backhoe turning the sod for the new ‘Mediterranean
Village
|
The head of Sandals International, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, has
commended Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister, Lester Bird and
his government for creating a wonderful working atmosphere: One
that is favourable for doing business in the country.
“Antigua is really a magnificent island...” Gordon Stewart made
this remark while delivering his address at the sod turning ceremony
on Monday 16th February to signal the commencement of construction
of a US$25 million Mediterranean village located on Antigua's North-west
next to the Sandals Honeymoon Resort that will feature ninety junior
suites, ten luxurious executive suites and fourteen plunge pool
suites.
He continued, “Today is almost nostalgic because the first resort
we had outside of Jamaica was in Antigua. Antigua is really a magnificent
island and has gained a tremendous amount of attention in terms
of the people waiting to come. It is an island that does not give
any trouble and the crime rate is extremely small.”
“You have a very lovely country here Prime Minister. More importantly
it's a place you can do business,” Stewart told Prime Minister
Bird stressing that the success of Sandals Antigua is as a result
of the fine staff.
“This hotel has been voted the world’s most romantic hotel for
several years and Sandals has won, for the tenth year in a row,
the world's best Caribbean hotel chain. If we can win ten years
in a row then that means we have the very best staff,” Stewart
said.
The village will also feature an Italian restaurant, similar
to the one at the Sandals Grand Hotel in St. Lucia, with the capacity
to seat in excess of 150 guests and a Cricketers’ Pub which will
provide lovers of the sport with an exclusive bar, straight from
London, which will service local and imported drinks including
the famous British Ale.
This new tourism-based facility is expected to provide a major boost for the
country's tourism product, as a craft shop, jewelry store and cigar shop will
also form part of the village.
The project is expected to be completed in 18 months.
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