CARIBBEAN NEWS
VOL. 2 , NO. 2
Feb., 2004
KINGSTON, JAMAICA(GLEANER-2/14/04)- A section of west Kingstown erupted as residents clashed with police and soldiers over the shooting of a 14-year-old student by security forces. One civilian succumbed to injuries.
Residents claim that a policeman known to the community, attempted to enter a yard but the gate was locked. It is alleged that he fired several shots over the gate, hitting the teenager in the head. The teen was listed as critical.
Within minutes, gunmen from the community and the police got involved in a gunfight. A JDF soldier was shot. At one point an angry mob, armed with firebombs, moved on the Denham Town police station. They were thwarted by strategically positioned police on Spanish Town Road.
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA(OBSERVER- 2/10/04)- CARICOM members are arranging a teleconference meeting with Prime ministers to discuss the uprising in Haiti. The popular armed uprising – branded by the government as a coup d’etat, began Feb. 5 and spread to nearly a dozen towns in western and northern Haiti. At least 45 people have been killed.
The group said it was arranging a teleconference with Prime Ministers Patterson of Jamaica; Manning of Trinidad; Anthony of St. Lucia and Christie of The Bahamas. The 4 met recently with Aristide and opposition groups to engage both sides in this crisis. The opposition refuses to hold talks with Aristide.
Aristide has refused to step down before his term ends in 2006 and has defended his government, saying it has made progress in the Americas’ poorest nation despite many obstacles.
Prime Minister Patrick Manning said CARICOM would not support any unconstitutional measure to overthrow or support the government of Haiti.
ST. THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS( VI DAILY NEWS- 2/14/04)- U.S. Justice Dept. investigators will soon begin an extensive investigation of the V.I. Police Dept. The federal probe was spurred by a 12/30/03 investigative report published in the V.I. Daily News detailing 20 years of questionable and illegal uses of deadly force by police officers.
KINGSTON, JAMAICA(GLEANER- 2/14/04)- Justice Minister A.J. Nicholson has taken Edward Seaga and the Opposition to task for its latest attempt at stalling the imminent launch of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
Nicholson said, “Could you imagine if this power to move the court to stymie and paralise the work of Parliament stood permanently in the hands of an obstinate, immovable, stubborn Leader of the Opposition?”
The Jamaica Labor Party had filed a motion in court, seeking a declaration that the CCJ legislation was unconstitutional.
PORT OF SPAIN,TRINIDAD(EXPRESS-2/11/04)- Saying that the fishing dispute between Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago has become very emotive, Prime Minister Patrick Manning told Barbados Prime Minister Arthur Owen that his government was ready, willing and able to meet to resolve the matter. Describing the dispute as a very difficult one, Manning noted that it remains unsolved after 14 years.
“We have a much wider interest in CARICOM, including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy,” Manning said. “We are quite careful to do nothing to disturb the delicate equilibrium that exists in CARICOM today.”
ST. CROIX,VIRGIN ISLANDS(VI DAILY NEWS- 2/11/04)- The U.S. Coast Guard is monitoring a cargo ship sinking 80 miles south of St. Croix and drifting. Seven crew members were rescued from the230-foot “Danbox”, registered in St. Vincent.
The vessel was traveling from the Dominican Republic to Barbados. An investigation is under way.
KINGSTON, JAMAICA(GLEANER- 2/14/04)- The Scientific Research Council (SRC) and the Bureau of Standards forged a partnership in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) that they say will play a significant role in the development of Jamaica’s nutraceutical industry.
“The herb bush that grows in your back yard could very well be the next medical miracle as ‘bush doctors’ can benefit from this MoU. The nutraceutical industry is one Jamaica can benefit from.”, said Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology. “Quite a number of the plants we grow have a medicinal value.”
Under the MoU, the SRC will establish a number of research outposts in rural towns and communities to facilitate the input of residents developing their indigenous herbs.
Jamaica Promotions, in association with the SRC will be embarking on a marketing campaign for these products both locally and internationally.
ST. THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS(VI DAILY NEWS- 2/14/04)- True Love has finally returned to the Virgin Islands – the schooner, that is. From gracing the silver screen to being seized by U.S Customs in connection with narcotic sales, the 78-year-old True Love has had a long and legendary past.
Built in 1926, the boat was featured in the 1956 musical, “High Society”, which starred Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Grace Kelly. She sailed into St. Thomas and began chartering passengers in 1965.
For nearly 40 years, True Love was a popular tourist attraction and the site of more than300 weddings. That all came to an end in Jan. 2002 when Customs agents seized it after being connected to narcotics sales (see related story- Archived News/Oct. 2002).
Tom Miller and Daniel Crim of St. Thomas- based Harmony Cottage Yacht Corp. became interested in purchasing the boat when the Treasury Dept. put it up for auction. It was in dire need of renovations and the mast and underside decks had begun to rot.
Miller and Crim transported the schooner to a boatyard in Rhode Island where it underwent major renovation that transformed it from top to bottom, costing $1 million. She is now once again docked in St. Thomas and can charter up to 22 passengers for day trips.
ST. JOHN, VIRGIN ISLANDS(VI DAILY NEWS- 2/12/04)- The Housing Parks and Recreation Committee approved a plan to develop 111 new affordable housing units on St. Croix and 72 units on St. John. Reliance Housing Foundation, a non-profit housing developer, will build on St. John. General Engineering Contractors will build on St. Croix.
On St. John, the plan calls for 36 two-story duplex buildings on a 36-acre site on Gifft Hill Rd. After 15 years, each unit will be offered for sale to families living on the top floor. The lower unit will continue to be rented by the new owner. Rents would run from $541 to $814.
On St. Croix, 16 three-bedroom homes will be added at Castle Burke, priced at $60,000; 15 three-bedroom homes will be built at Estate Pearl, priced at $135,000 and 80 four-bedroom, two bathroom homes will be built on a 41-acre site in Estate Carlton, prices ranging from $139,000 to $159,000.
ST. CATHERINE, JAMAICA(GLEANER-2/11/04)- Food For The Poor will be building 500 housing units in Spanish Town. The aim, said the organizations director, is to rebuild Ellerslie Pen community from scratch, so as to give hope to the residents.
Director Bradley Finzi Smith said, to date Food For The Poor has built over 300 houses in the area. “I am heartened to see FFP bringing love to the people through the provision of a vital part of life such as a house.”
KINGSTON, JAMAICA(OBSERVER- 2/13/04)- Ganja smokers are set to score a minor victory after a joint select committee of Parliament, which studied the recommendation of the National Commission on Ganja to decriminalize the drug, settled for making it a minor offense for smoking in private. However, parents of minors caught smoking it and owners of private premises on which it is smoked could still feel the full brunt of the law.
The recommendation is but a minor improvement on the current Drug Court Act which offers offenders minor punishment for small quantities.
The Committee made no decision on the suggestion that ganja should be allowed as a sacrament in Rastafarian worship, but suggested that in order to address the issue, existing international conventions should be revisited. In particular they recommended that a case be made for Rastafarians be exempted under Article 32 of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971, which protects religious use of substances prohibited under that treaty. (see related story- Archived News #2 2001)
ST. THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS(VI DAILY NEWS- 2/11/04)- Owners of the old Yacht Haven Hotel site will begin demolishing the dilapidated structure on March 13 and will launch construction on a $150 million hotel and marina project by mid-September.
IN-USVI, which owns the property, says the project will create 500 construction jobs and 600 new jobs when finished. Plans for the site include a 160-slip marina, a 9,500-sq. ft. yacht club, a 70-room hotel, 12 timeshare condominiums, a 25,000-sq. ft. convention center and 1000,000-sq. ft. of retail space.
Hurricane Marilyn battered the Yacht Haven Hotel in Sept. 1995, and the once vibrant center of the Caribbean’s charter boat industry slipped into disrepair.
SPORTS:
ST. THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS(NATION-2/14/04)- Barbados’ brilliance in the Carib Beer Series continued as they grabbed first innings points over the Leeward Islands to secure this year’s title. It was the 19th regional 1st class title for a nation that has now won 6 times in the last 10 seasons, including last year.
The Leewards fell for a mere 161 after Barbados made 432 at Addelita Cancryn Grounds in St. Thomas. The home team was 76 for 2 in their second innings.
ST. ELIZABETH, JAMAICA(OBSERVER- 2/14/04)- Trinidad & Tobago took first innings points and totally outplayed Jamaica to take firm control of their 6th round game here. Their effort was particularly admirable given the absence of pacer, Theodore Modeste, who badly bruised his right forearm during warm-ups.
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD(EXPRESS- 2/14/04)- Kertson Manswell, a 27-year-old, 210 lb. Bulldozer in human form, could be the heavyweight boxer T&T have been seeking for the past 50 years.
Confronting Wilmer Vasquez, the amateur heavyweight champion of Venezuela, Manswell was on the attack from the opening bell, dominating the entire bout until a pulverizing punch to the solar plexus ended Vasquez’s desperate effort.
The bout was part of Manswell’s rigid preparation for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece in August. He will continue training for the Olympic trials, to be held in Mexico City in March.
NYC, NEW YORK(GLEANER-2/11/04)- Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell has moved into 10th place in the latest International Association of Athletics Federation(IAAF) World Indoor Rankings. The 21-year-old recorded a comfortable 6.56 for victory for victory in the Men’s 60M dash at the Verizon Millrose Games held at Madison Square Garden.
Powell set a new personal best by running sub-6.60 for only the second time in his life. Meanwhile, World Junior 100M record holder Darrel Brown of T&T is in 9th place in the rankings.
ENTERTAINMENT:
LOS ANGELES, CA(STAR-2/13/04)- Lady Saw is the 2nd Dancehall act to make history at the Grammy Awards. She won the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group for her collaboration with No Doubt on their hit song, “Underneath It All”.
Lady Saw is the first female Dancehall act to win a Grammy and is regarded by many as the reigning Queen of Dancehall in Jamaica. Her 7th album, “Striptease”, is scheduled for release in April.
CULTURE:
ST. CROIX, VIRGIN ISLANDS(VI DAILY NEWS- 2/14/04)- The vendor and exhibition tents are set up, the crops have been harvested and the livestock groomed for the 3-day 33rd annual Agriculture and Food Fair, which is expected to draw 15,000 people each day. This year’s theme is “Virgin Islands Agriculture: An Open Door In 2004”.
The fairgrounds have been well-manicured for the festivities. Bright decorations, lights and flags line the perimeter and booths. A large selection of produce, plants and flowers will be available. Displays from schools and community organizations are featured in the Exhibition Pavilion. The Fair Wear Fashion Extravaganza encourages children to show off locally made outfits. A number of the islands best cooks will be serving up fruit stews, freshly-baked cakes and pastries, and many other local dishes.
CHARLOTTE AMALIE,ST. THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS (VI DAILY NEWS)- It’s time to plan for this year’s St. Thomas Carnival! The theme is “Journey Thru A Cultural Door for Carnival 2004”. Here is the schedule:
4/04 – Prince and Princess Selection Show
4/10 – Queen Selection Show
4/11 – Toddlers Derby
******Traditional Games
4/17 – Miss American Classic
4/18 – Coronation of Queen, Prince and Princess
4/20 – Junior Calypso Competition
4/21 – Cultural Night, King and Queen of the Band
4/22 – Latin-Calypso Music Night
4/24 – Calypso Revue
4/26 – Opening of Carnival Village
4/27 – Pre-Teen Tramp
******Seniors Quelbe Tramp
4/28 – Food Fair
4/29 – J’ouvert warm-up- 12:30 am
******J’ouvert- 4 am
******Carnival Exhibit- 10 am
******Calypso Competition- 8pm
4/30 – Children’s Parade
5/01 – Adult Parade- 10am
******Calypso Spektakula- 10pm
An Excerpt from the speech given by Haile Selassie I to the UN on October 6, 1963:
“Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned;
that until there are no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation;
that until the color of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes;
that until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all, without regard to race;
that until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but fleeting illusions, to be pursued but never attained.
And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes that hold our brothers in Angola, in Mozambique, and in South Africa in sub-human bondage have been toppled and destroyed;
until bigotry and prejudice and malicious and inhuman self-interest have been replaced by understanding and tolerance and goodwill;
until all Africans stand and speak as free beings, equal in the eyes of all men, as they are in the eyes of heaven;
until that day, the African continent will not know peace. We Africans will fight, if necessary, and we know we shall win, as we are confident in the victory of good over evil.”
