July, 2006
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS (BBC/CARIBBEAN-6/24/06)- Ed. Note: The
following is an excerpt of an analysis done by BBC Environment
Correspondent Richard Black.
If people care for the welfare of whales, that alone should be enough to
stop hunting, declared Leah Garces, head of the World Society for the
Protection of Animals(WSPA). "The cruelty of whaling holds the key to
stopping the pro-whaling bloc. Scientific evidence...confirms that there is
no humane way to kill a whale at sea and therefore, all commercial and so-
called scientific whaling should cease on cruelty grounds alone.", she
said.
WSPA aims to take the cruelty message into the homes of countries
where it will be heard and appreciated. Will it be heard in the Caribbean,
Africa and Pacific countries whose votes were crucial in the key session
of the 5-day International Whaling Commission(IWC) meeting held here,
when delegates endorsed the St. Kitts Declaration, a motion calling for
the eventual return of commercial whaling?
With this meeting being held in the Caribbean, and with countries like St.
Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Lucia being Japan's most
vociferous allies, there has been intensive, acrimonious debate over the
true views of Caribbean peoples. Environmental groups intend to re-
double efforts to swing public opinion behind the anti-whalers and
against the St. Kitts Declaration, which they greeted with loathing.
As to why Caribbean leaders lined up with Japan- there are clearly two
factors. One is a belief that Japan has effectively bought votes in the IWC
with fisheries aid and the other is that western nations have left a hole
which Japan has plugged. The implication is clear: if western, anti-whaling
nations want to pick up Caribbean votes at the IWC, they need to get
involved with aid.
So what are the prospects of commercial whaling making a reappearance?
It would need to be approved by 3/4 majority at a future meeting. Even if
that fails, Japan and Norway may simply increase the number of whales
they hunt yearly- Norway under a legal objection to the moratorium and
Japan in the name of scientific research.
Beneath all this are two basic questions: is hunting whales cruel, and are
stocks large enough to stand it? The first will surely be fought on the
basis of values; the second should be capable of scientific scrutiny.
ST. GEORGE'S, GRENADA (BBC/CARIBBEAN-6/27/06)- The Truth and
Reconciliation Commission says the 17 people in prison for the bloody
coup of 1983 should be given the chance for a new trial. The "Grenada 17"
had been accused of assassinating Maurice Bishop- the prime mimister-
and other members of his cabinet. Six days later, US marines and soldiers
from 7 Caribbean nations invaded Grenada to stop the uprising.
The commission was set up 5 years ago to look into the events of Oct.,
1983. Their report speaks of the "need for both victims of wrong-
doing and the alleged wrong doers to feel satisfied that justice is done...
for reconciliation to take place." Relatives of the people killed still
haven't found their bodies and want to close a painful chapter by
burying them.
Most Grenadians would like a national holiday to commemorate Bishop's
death and the US-led invasion.
ST. THOMAS, US VIRGIN ISLANDS (VI DAILY NEWS-6/30/06)- A
magnitude 3.5 earthquake jolted the island- the latest of several temblors
in a 24-hour period. It was centered in waters about 25 miles northwest
of Charlotte Amalie, the capital.
The quake was felt in St. Thomas and St. John as well as San Juan, Puerto
Rico. There was no reported damage or injuries.
The seismically active period began with a 3.5 quake that struck in almost
the same location. Twelve hours later, a 3.9 quake rumbled about 15 miles
southwest of Stalia, Puerto Rico.
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD (EXPRESS-6/17/06)- For the second time in
a week, an earthquake was felt here. The magnitude 3.9 quake was located
about 50 miles west of Port of Spain. There were no reports of injury or
damage.
The first earthquake occurred north-west of Trinidad and had a magnitude
of 4.2. Officials at the Seismic Research Unit assured that there is no
cause for alarm.
SPORTS:
KAISERSLAUTERN, GERMANY (BBC/CARIBBEAN-6/20/06)- Trinidad &
Tobago's spirited World Cup campaign ended with defeat by Paraguay in
the first round by a score of 2-0.
Trinidad attacked with gusto, but defeat left them goal-less and bottom of
the group in their tournament debut. However, throughout the first round
the Soca Warriors exploits made headlines throughout the world- holding
Sweden to a 0-0 tie in their first match and almost repeating that feat
against England until a late rally brought defeat with "420 seconds to go."
HAMILTON, BARBADOS (NATION-6/24/06)- Although heavy rain cut
short the West Indies hammering of India (420-5) in the 3rd Digicel Test,
there were 3 glorious moments that occurred.
First, Daren Ganga completed a long overdue third Test century. Then
came an extraordinary over in which Ramnaresh Sarwan put his name in
the history books by reeling off 6 consecutive fours. The third came when
Sarwan reached his 9th Test century, a fitting celebration on his 26th
birthday.
Ganga said,"I must give praise to Brian Lara for what he said to me before
the match and the discussion we had. It paid good dividends in the end."
In Other Cricket news:
The chief executive of the International Cricket Council(ICC) said the
United States is a huge market for international cricket and will be a
major player during next year's World Cup. Chris Dehring said, "This
tournament will be a breakthrough for the ICC in North America with
television audiences and visitors expected to reach record levels."
The 2007 World Cup will be played throughout the Caribbean region.
AGRICULTURE:
ST. CROIX, US VIRGIN ISLANDS (VI DAILY NEWS-6/24/06)- Errol
Chichester watches mango trees closely this time of year, carefully
noting the size and numbers of the more than 60 varieties at what should
be the height of the season. But this year, he doesn't like what he sees.
Chichester, a Dept. of Agriculture horticulturalist said, "This is one of the
lowest production years in the Virgin Islands I have ever seen. The
season is very late and there is not as much fruit."
The mango fruit cycle is controlled largely by alternating seasons of wet
and dry weather. Before flowering in late December, mangoes need 2-3
months of dry weather. This year, the rains never stopped and trees
usually laden with fruit this time of year are only sparsely covered.
One advantage of the late season is that fruits will linger into the fall.
Commercial mango producers in the Caribbean are less affected by the
seasonal cycles. With complex applications of hormones and fertilizers,
they can control the season better than backyard and small farm growers.
CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT:
ST. JOHN, US VIRGIN ISLANDS (VI DAILY NEWS-7/5/06)- Masses of
partyers boogied into Cruz Bay to celebrate St. John's 4th of July
Carnival Celebration.
Andel Alexander, a senior at Charlotte Amalie High School said she
enjoyed the entire celebration and that the parade topped off her fun in
the festival village. "This year's village was exciting", she said. "I had alot
of fun!"
J'ouvert kicked off the day in the early morning with the likes of Jam Band,
Wrection and the Love City Pan Dragons providing the entertainment.
The festivities continued with the procession of troupes and floats in the
parade through the streets of Cruz Bay. More than 30 entries- including
carnival royalty, mocko jumbies and the popular Zulus troupe marched.
An incredible fireworks show lit up Cruz Bay harbor for about 20 minutes.
The party continued in the village until 1:30 in the morning with thumping
sweaty Soca music provided by One Blood, Cool Sessions Brass and
Traffik.
There were a few disappointments at this years event. There were no
carnival rides for the children and the Festival Mix- a reggae and calypso
show- was cancelled this year. Financial problems were blamed for these
and other glitches that occurred.
