ISSUE NO.87 April 2004
Government
announces support of WTO initiative
 |
| Antigua’s Foreign
Minister, Harold Lovell |
On 6th April the newly formed government of Prime Minister Baldwin
Spencer announced its full support of the proceedings brought by
the former government against the United States in the World Trade
Organisation.
In the case, Antigua claimed that restrictions imposed by the
United States against the provision of Internet gambling and betting
services from Antigua to consumers in the United States was in
violation of American commitments contained in the WTO’s General
Agreement on Trade in Services. Although its specifics remain confidential,
on 24 March it was learned that the WTO panel hearing the case
had issued an interim report finding in Antigua’s favour.
"While we understand the potential sensitivity surrounding
gambling and betting issues," explained Harold Lovell, Antigua’s
Foreign Minister, "it is clear from Antigua’s work on this
matter that the United States is the largest gambling market in
the world, with access to domestic gambling opportunities virtually
everywhere throughout the United States. All Antigua seeks to do
by this case is compete on a fair basis with the gambling interests
in the United States."
Mr. Lovell emphasized that Antigua has a tightly regulated gaming
industry, and has from the outset evidenced its desire to cooperate
with the United States in addressing any regulatory concerns the
United States government might have. "Antigua acknowledges
that regulation is important in the development of a respected
gaming industry," said Mr. Lovell. "We believe that our
regulatory structure has created one of the most respected gaming
industries in the world. We are hopeful that the United States
will work with us hand-in-hand to ensure that our gaming operators
have fair access to the huge United States market while at the
same time dealing with any concerns the United States may have."
Noting that many commentators on the WTO action have said the
United States is likely to ignore the unfavourable ruling, the
Antiguan government believes otherwise. "In the first instance," said
Mr. Lovell, "the United States as the primary proponent of
the agreement on trade in services, as well as being a vocal advocate
of the participation of developing countries in the GATS and the
WTO dispute settlement procedure, simply cannot be expected to
ignore this decision—what kind of message would that be sending
to other WTO members? Secondly, the United States has been a significant
beneficiary of the WTO dispute resolution process. It is clearly
in the best interest of the United States to keep the WTO dispute
resolution process vigorous and credible. We have no doubts that
the United States will stand by its obligations and honour the
decision of the WTO."
Under the accelerated dispute resolution procedures of the WTO,
if the United States were to appeal the decision it would be resolved
quickly, probably in no more than three or four months. Mr. Lovell
said that Antigua has worked hard to keep the proceedings moving
quickly through the WTO system, and it would continue to do so. "This
is a critical domestic issue for Antigua," Mr. Lovell added. "This
industry provides needed high-tech jobs for our young people. With
limited natural resources on this tiny island, the provision of
e-commerce services is a key to enhancing our economy and lifting
the standard of living for many of our citizens. We as a government
are fully committed to the responsible growth of the gaming industry
in Antigua and are very pleased with the results of our case at
the WTO."
Antigua is being represented in the WTO by co-counsel Mendel
Blumenfeld, LLP of El Paso, Texas, and Herbert Smith of Brussels,
Belgium.
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Minister
Lovell signs Consular Agreement with Belize
On 22nd April Minister of Foreign Affairs, Harold Lovell, signed
an agreement on consular affairs with the Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Belize, Godfrey Smith.
Both Ministers, who were attending the 7th Meeting of the CARICOM
Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) in Barbados,
signed the Memorandum of Understanding at a brief ceremony shortly
after the meeting opened.
Under the Agreement, Belize which has a resident diplomatic and
consular mission in Havana, will provide limited consular services
to Antiguan and Barbudan students attending university and other
tertiary-level education institutions in Cuba.
Antiguan students in Cuba have complained for some time that due
to the lack of resident consular representation, they experienced
certain difficulties in interacting with various Cuban authorities.
The Memorandum of Understanding calls for the Belize Embassy
in Havana to look out for the general welfare of Antigua and Barbuda
students and to maintain records of each student. The Embassy will
also legalize documents and perform other consular services and
any emergency matters.
After the signing ceremony, Minister Lovell remarked, “I am pleased
and happy to be able to sign this agreement with Belize. It is
a good example of practical cooperation among CARICOM member states
which will have a big benefit for the 150 Antiguan students currently
studying in Cuba.”
Minister Godfrey Smith of Belize stated that his country was
pleased to be able to extend this type of cooperation to a fellow
CARICOM member state.
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CRNM
Chief pays courtesy call on Prime Minister Spencer
 |
| CRNM Chief Bernal
(right) and Prime Minister Spencer greet each other |
On 5th April the Director-General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating
Machinery (CRNM), Dr. Richard Bernal, held brief discussions with
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer during a courtesy call.
During the meeting, Dr. Bernal updated the Prime Minister on the operations
of the CRNM, as well as the status of negotiations involving the World Trade
Organization (WTO), the European Union (EU), the African Caribbean and Pacific
countries (ACP) and the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
He assured Mr. Spencer that the CRNM is there for Antigua and Barbuda, to assist
in articulating any of the country's needs. Dr. Bernal pointed out that as
a member state, Antigua and Barbuda contributes to the positions which the
organization formulates. He said he had every reason to believe that the country
will play a positive role in the scheme of things, noting that, there are professionals
from Antigua and Barbuda who have been working with the CRNM.
In his deliberations with the Prime Minister, the Director General singled
out Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Colin Murdoch
and Senior Economist in the Ministry of Trade, Elliot Paige, commending them
for their efficiency and professionalism in dealing with the CRNM.
Prime Minister Spencer welcomed Dr. Bernal and accepted his words
of congratulations on his appointment as Prime Minister. He assured
the CRNM chief that Antigua and Barbuda will play its part within
the organization and looked forward to a healthy working relationship.
The Prime Minister commended Dr. Bernal on the many articles he has written,
as he strives to make a case for the smaller economies of the Caribbean in
the global market place.
"I have had the opportunity to read a number of them and
I'm impressed with your work," Spencer concluded.
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Prime Minister appoints
Sir Eustace Francis as Chairman of National Social and Economic
Council
On 15th April Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer announced
that local businessman and Chairman of the Board of the ABI Financial
Group, Sir Eustace Francis, has been appointed Chairman of the
National Economic and Social Council.
The Prime Minister made the announcement while delivering remarks at a presentation
by Texan Financier R. Allen Stanford to Parliamentarians, the clergy and members
of civil society. Mr Stanford was at the time outlining his proposed investment
and development plans for Antigua and Barbuda.
The United Progressive Party Government as one of its election promises pledged
to institute the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) designed to broaden
and deepen our democracy by combining the efforts and energies of the people
into a movement that will generate a consensus as to the specific policies
and programmes for implementation by Government.
The NESC will be a permanent entity that will effectively influence
all government policy and programmes having full involvement in
the negotiations pertaining to the CSME, the FTAA, the WTO and
all other major international economic and trade talks.
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PM
Spencer promises to strengthen ties with the United Kingdom
 |
| (l to r) Prime Minister
Spencer, High Commission White and Resident British Representative
Mrs Jean Sharpe |
The Government will continue to strengthen the existing relationship
with the United Kingdom.
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer made the announcement during a courtesy call
made to his offices by the British High Commissioner based in Barbados Mr.
John White and Resident British Representative Mrs. Jean Sharpe.
“We will wish to continue our level of cooperation and where appropriate strengthen
that relationship. The British can be very supportive in our efforts to address
a number of issues and very soon we will be making direct representation to your
government through the various representative bodies to seek to work together
to address a number of concerns,” Prime Minister Spencer said.
High Commissioner White said that his government understands the depth of the
relationship that exists between Antigua and Barbuda and the UK and agreed
that there are a number of areas that can be improved. He said that he is confident
that his government will be eager to improve the relationship and level of
cooperation.
“We are eager to learn about your government’s plans for the future, and I am
sure we will be supportive of your efforts. There are many threats of terrorism
and serious crimes that we along with our allies can cooperate in alleviating,” Mr.
White remarked.
Prime Minister Spencer said that his government will continue to make its contribution
to international efforts to address those serious concerns to our community. “In
our small way we will continue to do that. From time to time we have to address
a number of problems with scarce resources and there will be times when we
will have to rely on our international allies to assist in solving these problems,” he
said.
The Prime Minister and the High Commissioner also discussed issues relating
to the Antigua and Barbuda Budget, the country’s international debt and Prime
Minister Spencer assuming the chairmanship of CARICOM.
High Commissioner White also presented to Prime Minister Spencer a letter of
congratulations from Prime Minister Tony Blair of the UK. In his letter Prime
Minister Blair referred to the government’s Manifesto noting that the document
outlines that the UPP administration will work to maintain and strengthen regional
and international partnerships. “We look forward to working with you on these
issues. I very much hope that your Foreign Minister will be able to attend
the UK/Caribbean Forum in London on 10 May,” Prime Minister Blair wrote.
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Former Chief Establishment
Officer appointed Cabinet Secretary
 |
| Cabinet Secretary,
Mrs Eusalyn Lewis, MBE |
Antigua recorded another first when Prime Minister
Baldwin Spencer and his Cabinet appointed and welcomed the first
female Cabinet Secretary, Mrs. Eusalyn Lewis, former Chief Establishment
Officer.
Mrs. Lewis has a wealth of experience in the public service having
served as a teacher, Principal, Senior Education Officer, and Deputy
Chief Education Officer. Mrs. Lewis also served as Permanent Secretary
in the Ministries of Education and Health.
The new Cabinet Secretary is the recipient of an MBE in the 2000
Queen’s honours list. A career civil servant, Mrs. Lewis serves
as Chairperson of the Scouts Association and a local preacher in
the Methodist church.
Former Cabinet Secretary Lounel Stevens tendered his resignation effective
March 31st. He served as Cabinet Secretary since 1976.
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer welcomed Mrs. Lewis and expressed the hope that
her tenure would be rewarding and fruitful in her new capacity as Cabinet Secretary.
Mrs. Lewis in turn indicated that this post presented a new challenge but that
she would endeavour to do her best.
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PM
Spencer vows to keep LIAT flying
On 4th April Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer said his government
is determined to do everything to ensure that LIAT continues to
provide the critical service of assisting in uniting, strengthening
and deepening the relationships of Caribbean peoples.
The Prime Minister made the remark following a meeting with a team lead by
Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Dr. Ralph Gonsalves - the
chief spokesperson on Air Transportation matters in CARICOM, officials from
LIAT and Minister of Tourism Harold Lovell and a technical team from Antigua
and Barbuda’s Aviation department.
He explained that his government recognized that there are existing problems
facing LIAT. However, there have been changes made to its structure and other
changes will be made to ensure that the airline remains a Caribbean Airline,
owned and operated by the people and for the people of the Caribbean.
Over the past three years LIAT has made a number of reforms to make it become
more efficient. It has trimmed its staff from over 1000 employees to 650 and
has outsourced some of its functions.
Prime Minister Gonsalves said that he is pleased by the commitment
of the Government of Prime Minister Spencer to keep LIAT flying
and to carry on its restructuring and most importantly to seek
to ensure that a nexus between LIAT and BWIA is realized by July
1 this year. An original deadline of January 1, 2004 for the merging
of the two airlines under a holding company in Trinidad and Tobago
did not materialize because of certain requisites on the part of
BWIA.
Tourism Minister Harold Lovell said that LIAT remains critical to the abiding
spirit of Caribbean people, noting that it is not only an airline but an institution
which has served the people of this region for a long time and regional governments
cannot allow it to die.
He remarked that LIAT is important to the region’s tourism sector
and inter-island travel and the people of the Caribbean should
not be left in a state where they are put to the mercy of one airline. “We
cannot sit and preside over the demise of LIAT. We must do all
that is possible to keep it flying,” Lovell added.
Antigua and Barbuda is among four CARICOM countries (Barbados, St. Vincent
and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago), which are committed to restructuring
LIAT. The airline has amassed a huge debt of over 200 million dollars since
being privatized in 1996-97. Over 70 million dollars of that debt is owed to
the suppliers of its aircraft, Export Development Corporation of Canada.
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Caribbean to become
ISPS compliant by 1 July 2004
Antigua and Barbuda and the rest of the Caribbean should become
ISPS compliant by the mandatory deadline of 1 July.
The Caribbean shipping Association (CSA), in a seminar held at
the Royal Antiguan Resort in Antigua exposed 30 shipping industry
personnel from eight Caribbean countries to regulations required
for certification under the International Ship and Port Facility
Security (ISPS) Code. The CSA has a responsibility, as the recognized
voice of the Caribbean shipping industry, to ensure that all countries
in the region are ready for ISPS Code.
Director of the Department of Maritime Services and Merchant
Shipping, Captain Juergen Wendler, said his department is very
well aware of the importance of the ISPS Code and the implementation
of all the requirements set out by the said code.
"As a member of the designated authority, we are working
on two major issues. One side is ship security and the other is
port facility security and I see the major task of this seminar
is to make more people aware of the importance of ship security
and especially where Antigua and Barbuda and the cruise ship industry
is concerned. We have to be ready for the 1 July deadline," he
said.
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Government
implements new port regulations
The new United Progressive Party (UPP) government has taken another
step to halt the indiscretion that it says has taken hold of the
spending practices of some government agencies.
On 14th April a release issued by the Port Manager, Raphael Benjamin,
said that the instances of certain individuals being paid by the
Port Authority for "services, which they are not performing," will
be discontinued with immediate effect.
An initial observation would suggest that in excess of $30,000.00
per month would be saved by this measure, the press release said.
Following a meeting between Minister Wilmoth Daniel, who is responsible
for seaports, and port officials, the release further revealed
that the port will be restructured to ensure that it meets the
security standards established by the International Maritime Organisation
(IMO).
In this connection, all individuals including employees who have
to enter the port facilities will have to park their vehicles in
a designated area.
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BARBUDA
Trevor
Walker elected Barbuda’s MP
On 20th April Barbudans elected the candidate for the Barbuda
People’s Movement (BPM), Trevor Walker, to represent them in the
House of Representatives in the twin island nation of Antigua and
Barbuda.
In the second election in under a month, following a stalemate in the March
23 poll where both candidates polled 400 votes, Trevor Walker polled 408 votes
while his opponent Arthur Nibbs of the BPMC/ALP faction amassed 394 votes.
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer upon hearing the results immediately
commended the people of Barbuda for voting for progress and welcomed
Trevor Walker into the “Government in the Sunshine.”
During a one day visit to the sister island, Prime Minister Spencer
promised the people of Barbuda that if elected, Trevor Walker will
have a place in his Cabinet to chart the course of the 61 sq km
island. It is the first time in the history of the relationship
between Antigua and Barbuda that the Barbudan MP will sit in the
Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda.
“Trevor Walker and our brothers and sisters in Barbuda must now
be prepared to work hand in hand with my government to ensure that
Barbuda takes its rightful place in the nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
There is a lot of work to be done and just like Antigua, there
is no honeymoon period for Barbuda,” said Prime Minister Spencer.
The Prime Minister added, “Barbudans have an integral part to
play in our nation’s development and we are prepared to work with
them and look at their concerns and ensure that they are addressed.
With Trevor Walker working side by side with the UPP administration,
it will ensure that the serious problems, both social and economic
are addressed in the interest of Barbuda and by far the nation
on a whole.”
Walker won by a margin of 14 votes with a total of 805 votes cast in the election,
one less that the previous election held on March 23. There were 3 rejected
ballots compared to 6 in the previous election.
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Trevor
Walker Sworn in as Minister of State for Barbuda Affairs
 |
| Trevor Walker, MP
for Barbuda taking the Oath of Office |
On the 26th April the newly elected Barbudan Representative, the
Honourable Trevor M Walker was sworn-in by Governor General Sir
James Carlisle as Minister of State in the Office of the Prime
Minister, responsible for Barbuda Affairs.
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer said that it was a historic day for the people
of Antigua and more so for Barbuda in that for the first time since Independence
the people of Barbuda will have a Representative who will be sitting at the
highest level of decision making within the government.
“Besides attending Cabinet meetings and being a part of the decision making process,
an office will be established in Barbuda so that Trevor’s ministerial responsibilities
to the people of Barbuda will not only be in Antigua, but he will have a presence
in Barbuda to coordinate the activities surrounding Barbuda affairs,” Prime Minister
Spencer said.
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Botanical
Gardens receives new lease on life
The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture have
developed a programme for the restitution of the Botanical Gardens
to its "former glory".
Recognising the importance of this under-utilised and neglected
resource, and the need to diversify the tourism product, the officials
of the two ministries have come forward with a plan to revitalise
the gardens.
Director General of Tourism, Shirlene Nibbs, reporting on the
outcome of extensive discussions by the two ministries highlighted
the main areas of concern. “The immediate priority is securing
the perimeter of the gardens to avoid further degradation by animals
and trespassers. The next stage is the development of a master
plan for the Botanical Gardens outlining the vision, purpose and
methods for the revitalisation of the gardens”.
Nibbs indicated that the success of the programme hinged on the
provision of necessary resources. “We are fortunate to have an
enthusiastic and committed curator in Kim Walters. What is critical
is the securing of a dedicated source of funds to revitalise, manage
and maintain this national treasure,” she concluded.
The Ministry of Agriculture will manage the programme with ongoing
support from the Ministry of Tourism. Leading the discussions at
the meeting of the two ministries was Minister Harold Lovell, Minister
Hilson Baptiste and Director General of Tourism, Shirlene Nibbs.
Also in attendance was a Ministry of Agriculture delegation led
by Senator Joanne Massiah, which comprised Lesroy Grant, Deputy
Director of Agriculture and Kim Walters, Curator of the Botanical
Gardens.
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Law Council of Antigua
and Barbuda established
Seven years after the passage of the Legal Professional Act 1997,
a central body has finally been created to handle complaints against
lawyers.
The Law Council of Antigua and Barbuda was recently established
when Governor-General Sir James B. Carlisle, after consultations
with the chief justice, made the appointments to the regulatory
body.
The appointments to the Law Council are Chairman Senator Clare
K. Roberts, Attorney-at-Law, Attorney-at-Law Anderson Archibald,
Attorney-at-Law Sylvia O’Marde, Attorney-at-Law Patricia Simon-Forde
and Paddy James, OM.
Of the five people on the council, the act provides that at least three of
the members must be attorneys-at-law of at least 10 years standing in the legal
profession, while the other two members must include a lawyer and someone outside
of the legal fraternity.
The registrar of the High Court or a person deputised by her
will be the secretary of the council.
The members of the council were appointed for a period of three
years commencing 12 February but each member is eligible for re-appointment.
Roberts explained that previously there was no disciplinary body
to handle complaints about lawyers from their clients.
He continued, "The Bar Association fulfilled the gap in
the past and it was a voluntary process. Now this body has been
set up under the Legal Profession Act so the public will have a
mechanism to voice their complaints and receive justice where lawyers
run afoul of their ethics.”
The chairman noted that the chief complaint against lawyers was
that some lawyers held clients funds too long, while other complaints
centred on poor service and accusations of conflict of interest.
"What has been done is to set up a structure where lawyers
can be disciplined. The main duty of the Law Council is to uphold
the standards of professional conduct among lawyers," he said.
"The Law Council is charged with regulating the operation
of lawyers' client accounts and may make rules prescribing and
regulating the remuneration of attorneys- at law in respect of
non-contentious business," Roberts added.
The regulatory body also acts as a consultative arm to the minister
of legal affairs concerning legal education, practical legal training
and law reporting.
Roberts, however added that the first order of business for the
council was to set up an office and prepare complaint forms.
The public will be later informed of the complaint process.
Expenses incurred by the council are to be paid out of funds
voted by Parliament for this purpose.
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Prime
Minister Spencer addresses Royal Police Force of Antigua and
Barbuda
 |
| Prime Minister addressing
the full body of the Royal Antigua Police Force |
On the 23rd April the Prime Minister and Minister of National
Security, Baldwin Spencer, addressed the full body of the Royal
Antigua and Barbuda Police Force at Police Headquarters on American
Road.
The Prime Minister in addressing that gathering outlined that he wanted to
send an early signal to the members of the force that everyone must be considered
important and everyone must be considered a critical part of the entire body.
“It is important for me to speak to all of you and to hear from you some of your
concerns and recommendations. You have a major task in seeking to ensure that
Antigua and Barbuda remains a peaceful and orderly society. That task is not
easy and I recognize that you have a tremendous burden on your shoulders in seeking
to come to terms with the situation,” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Spencer said that it is his intention to work closely with the
members of the force in ensuring that his administration implements a number
of programmes and policies that will significantly improve the relationship
between government and the police.
“One of the ways of effectively fighting crime and ensuring that there is peace,
law and order is when you can rely on the support of people in the communities.
We have a responsibility in creating that type of environment in which the relationship
can be enhanced by doing specific things engineered by the Royal Police Force
of Antigua and Barbuda in the issue of community policing and outreach,” PM Spencer
stated.
Mr. Spencer also noted that he is aware that there are a number of problems
with terms and conditions of employment, lack of facilities and equipment and
an element of demoralization and he deems it his responsibility to work with
various organs of government and civil society to give the support that is
necessary for the police to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
He explained that although his government has inherited a situation
whereby the financial resources are limited, his administration
will make certain that it is distributed to key institutions like
the police force in order to create an environment for persons
to feel comfortable knowing that their concerns and needs are met.
The Prime Minister said that of major concern to him is the proper
training of members of the force to meet the challenges of a technological
age.
“My major concern is the issue of training. I believe that if the police force
is going to be able to fight crime and to allow for peace and tranquility to
reign in this country, the officers in varying ranks must be exposed to high-level
training. We are dealing with sophisticated crime and law enforcement must be
exposed to the highest form of technology so that you may be able to work effectively
with respect to crime prevention,” Mr Spencer said.
He also outlined that it is critical that the government and the police force
embark on a systematic approach to training that will allow them to effectively
discharge their responsibilities.
“You in a way are the conscience of this nation because without law and order
and justice, society is reduced to shambles. We certainly do not want that. We
want to have a society that is democratic, peaceful, and orderly and one that
is able to develop in such a way that all its citizens and residents can feel
at ease that Antigua and Barbuda is a nation of civilized people. You have a
very important role to play in ensuring that this is so and we have got to provide
you with the tools necessary to do this,” Prime Minister Spencer noted.
The Prime Minister also addressed the issue of insurance coverage, improving
the facilities, remuneration, housing, land and promotion within the organization.
The country’s leader pledged to meet on a regular basis with the law enforcement
officers to address their concerns.
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Minister of Sports
pleased with work at YASCO Sporting Facility
 |
 |
Minister of sports John Maginley
greets
Chinese ambassador Yang Shixiang |
Workmen preparing the base of the
track |
Minister of Sports, John Maginley, has expressed delight in the
progress of renovation work at the YASCO sporting facility in St.
John’s.
The Minister was at the time on a tour of the facility which is being renovated
by the Chinese company, COMPLANT. He said that he was impressed with the quality
of work and pleased that the facility will be fully lit when completed, giving
athletes the opportunity to train late into the nights after work.
Minister Maginley also mentioned the possibility of the Sports Division of
Barbados assisting the government with developing the infrastructure for community
and school sporting fields.
The Parliamentary Secretary attached to the Ministry of Sports, Winston Williams
who accompanied Minister Maginley on the tour, however, expressed concern that
the renovation work does not include the addition of seating and changing rooms.
He said that the Ministry of Sports will meet the contractors shortly to look
at ways of renegotiating the contract.
He also noted that along with Minister Maginley, he will be aiming
at revitalizing the Ministry of Sports to ensure that the proper
facilities and training are provided for the nation’s coaches and
athletes.
The renovation work at the YASCO facility, which is expected to be completed
by September of this year, and the renovation of the Multi-Purpose Cultural
Centre at Perry Bay is estimated to cost US$1.3 million.
When completed, the facility will feature a new track, long and high jump and
javelin facilities. The compound will be fully lit by six lighting poles each
fitted with 15 - 1500 watt lamps.
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Antigua and Barbuda
supports a modern Regional Security System
 |
| Prime Minister Spencer
and Mr Michael Kaduck |
Antigua and Barbuda has expressed support for a modern Regional
Security System (RSS) in light of the changing security issues
facing developing countries.
This was disclosed by Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer during a meeting on 28th
April with the Head of General Relations and Public Affairs of the Canadian
High Commission in Barbados, Mr. Michael Kaduck.
Mr. Kaduck was in Antigua as part of a regional tour to discuss security issues
relating to the Regional Security System (RSS), with various Prime Ministers.
The Regional Security System is due to undertake a strategic review in the
coming months in order to reconfigure the RSS to face modern security threats.
Prime Minister Spencer during the meeting assured Mr. Kaduck of Antigua and
Barbuda’s support for the review process and that his government was in favour
of a modern RSS that can face the trans-national security threats of today.
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Prime Minister Spencer
cuts ribbon at Jolly Beach expansion Project
 |
| Prime Minister Baldwin
Spencer cuts ribbon as Mike Pigott (left) and Dr Vega (far
right) bears witness |
On 5th April Prime Minister, Baldwin Spencer, cut the ribbon at
the handing over ceremony of Unit #4 at the Jolly Beach/Manizales
Resort, a joint venture of the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Bank
(ABIB) and Vega Proyectos of Colombia, South America.
General Manager of the Jolly Beach Resort, Ted Isaac, gave an overview of the
project and pointed out that the entire project would have been completed had
it not been for a shipping accident, which resulted in the loss of building
supplies and other materials. He however, expressed delight to be able to have
the handing over of at least one of the units at this time.
In his brief address, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer pointed out that the tourism
sector plays a very important role in the country's economy, adding that it
will continue to do so for some time to come.
Mr. Spencer also commended the ABIB Group, who he said, "has once again
demonstrated their commitment to the development of Antigua and Barbuda and
particularly their faith in the tourism sector by embarking upon this expansion
project."
The Prime Minister also expressed the view that the country's tourism product
needed revitalizing and that this effort represents the beginning.
Mr. Spencer also noted the collaborative effort between the ABI Group and the
Vega Proyectos Company out of Colombia.
"I know the idea is to deepen and strengthen the relationship between Colombia
and Antigua and Barbuda as far as various aspects of developments are concerned.
We also know that the Colombians, in terms of their expertise in construction,
have a few things to teach us here in Antigua and Barbuda.
I would therefore suggest very strongly that, as we seek to deepen that relationship
which I spoke about earlier, we must ensure that the transfer of technology
and the new construction methods that the Colombians would have to bring to
the process would be shared by the people of Antigua and Barbuda, so that our
construction workers will be able to come to terms with the new technology
and techniques in construction," Mr. Spencer advocated.
The expansion will provide an additional 64 units, comprising one, two and
three bedrooms when completed.
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PM
Spencer holds discussion with Consul General of US Embassy
 |
| Prime Minister Spencer
with US Consul-General Frietz and US Consul Agent based in
Antigua, Mrs Juliet Ryder |
On 29th April the new procedures implemented by the United States
of America for persons to receive non-immigrant visas was one of
the main agenda items discussed during a meeting between Prime
Minister Baldwin Spencer and Consul General of the US Embassy,
Mr. Robert L. Frietz.
Prime Minister Spencer pointed out to Mr. Frietz that persons were fearful
that the new procedures implemented had made it more difficult for them to
obtain a US Visa.
Mr. Frietz explained that the on-line registration system introduced has made
it easier for persons to receive an early confirmed appointment to see an officer.
He also pointed out that Antigua and Barbuda is the second highest consumer
of US Visas in the world on a per capita basis receiving approximately 9% of
visas assigned.
The Prime Minister also raised the issue of pre-clearance for customs and immigration
from the V.C. Bird International Airport to US territories. This he said would
facilitate tourism and ease congestion significantly. He pointed out that this
process is carried out in about fifteen cities around the world.
Discussions were also held regarding other consular matters, including the
welfare of US citizens in prison in Antigua and Barbuda.
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