INSIDE - University of Floridaufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/UF/00/09/92/85/00006/00006-2006.pdfa club in...

PRESORTEDSTANDARD

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

MIAMI, FLPERMIT NO. 7315

Vol. 17 No. 7

JUNE 2006

Tel: (305) [email protected][email protected] e c o v e r y o u r w o r l d

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INSIDE

The mango isthe world’smost popularfruit, and allit takes is abite to under-stand why.The abundantflesh is gold-en, juicy, fra-

grant and sweet, and its fla-vor can be liked to the blendof pineapple and peaches,just ask Caribbean people,page 12.

No easinginto thegritty real-ity ofJamaica’spovertypolitics,Dr. ImaniTafari-Ama cutsto the

chase from the very first pageof her book “Blood Bullets AndBodies: Sexual Politics BelowJamaica’s Poverty Line”, page 17.

Kevin Lyttleis amongthe artistesdown toperformduring“CaribbeanWeek2006”,which

should give New Yorkers theopportunity to experience thesights, sounds, colors, cultureand tastes of the region overan entire week this month,page 18.

News ..................................2Feature ................................7Viewpoint .......................... 9

Education/Youth ..............11Food ..................................12Health ................................13

Culture ..............................15Books ................................17Arts/Entertainment..........18

Sport ..................................23 Tourism/Travel ................24Business ..........................25

Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriorsmake an historic march into the finals ofWorld Cup 2006 - soccer’s biggest showbeginning this month in Germany - led bycoach Leo Beenhakker, left, and captainDwight Yorke, and the entire Caribbean isrooting them on, page 2.

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WASHINGTON, CMC –Experts at an Organization ofAmerican States (OAS)forum concluded last monthsaid that despite major chal-lenges to freedom of expres-sion in the Caribbean andLatin America, significantprogress is being made.

They noted positivedevelopments, such as morecountries introducing access toinformation laws, but lament-ed that challenges continue tothreaten the consolidation ofdemocracy in the region.

Diana Daniels, the presi-dent of the Inter-AmericanPress Association (IAPA), whois also vice president of theWashington Post Company,attributed some of the progressto “the greater availability ofinformation, better access toinformation, more in-depthreporting, and the wider dis-semination of information.”

Speaking on a panel dis-cussion on “Freedom ofExpression in the 21st Centuryin the Americas”, the seventhevent in The Americas Projectseries, Daniels said “a coun-try’s degree of democracy isdirectly proportional to thelevel of press freedom thatexists there.”

The Americas Projectis an OAS joint initiative with Washington’s RiceUniversity’s James A. BakerIII Institute for Public Policy.The annual Americas Project,which began in 1997, is part ofthe institute’s effort toincrease awareness ofCaribbean and LatinAmerican issues.

Daniels said there is a

“growing wave of self-censor-ship that is undermining therole of the press as a watch-dog in a democratic society.”

She welcomed legaladvances in access to informa-tion legislation in Jamaica,Trinidad and Tobago and theDominican Republic amongother countries.

PROBLEMSAnother panelist, journal-

ist Pablo Bachelet of theMiami Herald’s WashingtonBureau, noted that “politicalinstability, institutional weak-ness, and soaring and frustrat-

ed popularexpectations,impact themedia directly,often resultingin less free-dom of thepress.”He detailed

instances ofproblems with

freedom of information laws,calling for the “culture ofsecrecy” to be overcome inthe Caribbean and LatinAmerica.

Bachelet said the mediaface major challenges as theytry to be independent, particu-larly vis-à-vis governments,pointing to, for instance,advertising budgets by nation-al and local governments thatfavor media that cover thegovernments more favorably.He said it is “more difficultfor media to be independentwhere the government is byfar the biggest advertiser.”

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NEW YORK-CMC – A sen-ior analyst with a top interna-tional credit rating agencysays that Caribbean statescould face serious economicand political fallout fromescalating oil prices.

Helena Hessel, of theWall Street firm of Standardand Poor’s, said in a state-ment last month that theskyrocketing impact couldcause governments graveproblems.

“Apart from the impacton the balance of payments, in a number of countries inthe Caribbean, like Grenada,Belize and Jamaica, wheresocio-political issues aresomewhat difficult, if gasolineprices continue to rise, theimpact would be negative,”

she said.

EXCEPTIONSHessel, however, ruled

out any nega-tive effect onTrinidad andTobago andSuriname.“All of thecountries,except forTrinidad andTobago andSuriname -their balance

of payments and currentaccounts are highly negative,”she said.

“All of them have hightrade deficits because theyimport everything and export

DAMIAN P. GREGORY

Marie Thompsonknows what it is liketo live and work in

the shadows.At 22, Thompson decided

to leave her native Jamaica tomove to the United States. Athome, the adventurous youngwoman had a job she enjoyedworking at Scotia Bank inKingston.

Thompson agreed tospeak to Caribbean Today ifher correct name was not usedbecause of the fear of conse-quences of stepping out of theshadows.

Wanting to explore thepossibilities, she came to theU.S. on a visitor’s visa. Sheliked her new surroundingsand stayed. That simple actchanged her life forever.

Though it has been morethan 30 years since shebecame a legal resident inAmerica, Thompson identifiesclosely with the estimated tensof millions of illegal immi-grants who are at the center of

one of the most heateddebates in recent history. Sheis emphatic about how shefeels.

“Many of us who are herelegally today, were here ille-gally at one time,” Thompsontold Caribbean Today. “Don’tknock the people that arehere who are undocumented.”

Thompson, 54, recallsvividly what it was like toclean a lady’s home in NewYork while she was in the U.S.illegally.

“One day she threwmoney at me and told me toget out of her house,” shesaid, her voice quivering withemotion. “A lot of us haddecent jobs and had to scrubfloors and do the dirty work,the real dirty work.”

SILENCEThompson says what

bothers her most about theimmigration debate - that hascaptivated much of the nationas President George W. Bushand Congress inch towardimmigration reform legislation

while protesters in key immi-gration states stage rallies andwork stoppages in an attemptto let their political clout beheard and felt - is the silenceand lack of participation bythose from the Caribbean whonow live in the U.S.

Fort Lauderdale-based,Jamaican-born immigrationattorney, Sherna Spencer, saysshe understands why theCaribbean community, for themost part has remained silenton the debate.

“We have a different cul-tural background. We had adifferent cultural upbringing,”Spencer told CaribbeanToday. “I think that we arenot a marching people.”

She says that people fromthe Caribbean tend to stay outof the immigration debatebecause of how many in thecommunity perceives them-selves.

“I don’t know if we seeourselves as that much illegal,because to many people, ille-gals are seen as taking from

Experts hail progress in freedomof expression in the region

International expert predicts economic fallout in Caribbean as

a result of rising oil prices

GORDON WILLIAMS

The Caribbean will havemuch to cheer aboutthis month when World

Cup 2006, soccer’s premierevent, kicks off in Germany.

At the top of the list willbe the fortunes of first timeentrants Trinidad and Tobago,which survived a tough quali-fication run, including a lastditch play-off round withBahrain, to make a historicalentrance to the big show.

But the twin-island repub-lic of some 1.3 million, whichjust failed to make it to the1990 finals, has no intention ofbeing intimidated by the tal-ented field of 32 entrants,including the game’s mightynames such as Brazil,Argentina, Germany andItaly. On the field, the playershave exuded confidence goinginto the tournament as under-dogs, especially when lumpedinto a preliminary roundgroup which includesEuropean powers Englandand Sweden, plus Paraguayfrom soccer-mad SouthAmerica.

“There are times evenwhen you are the best team itdoesn’t guarantee the result,”captain Dwight Yorke was quoted as saying onFIFAworldcup.com, the

website of world soccer’s gov-erning body.

“What I can guarantee iswe will give 100 percent everytime. The manager will get usto play extremely well andmake it very difficult forteams to beat us. If we do thatand stick to the methodswhich took us so far, I don’tthink we’ll have a major prob-lem.”

HURDLEST&T’s first hurdle in

Germany will be on June 10against Sweden in Dortmund.The Soca Warriors will thenmove to Nuremburg on June15 to play England, before

wrapping up the group fix-tures on June 20 againstParaguay in Kaiserslautern.

While T&T’s players arehoping to do well enough toadvance from the group stage,a more realistic target couldbe matching the performanceof fellow Caribbean teamJamaica. The Reggae Boyz,who were bounced from the2006 tournament early in thequalifying stages, scored onewin against two losses –Croatia and Argentina - in the1998 finals in France.

Yorke, who played toplevel club football in Englandfor years, but now representsa club in Australia, has someknowledge of his group rivals.

“Our opening opponents,Sweden, are a tricky cus-tomer,” he told FIFA’s web-site. “They’ve beaten Englandin the past few years and havea wealth of talent…Englandare a team everyone expectsto beat us very easily. Theyhave some fantastic playersthroughout the team and evenon the bench, and they’re ateam all our guys are familiarwith…Paraguay as a SouthAmerican team are probablymore suited to us, becausethey’ll want to play the gameWe’ve been brought up to

U.S. immigration debate stirs deepemotions in Caribbean community

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2 CARIBBEAN TODAY June 2006

Yorke

Daniels

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(CONTINUED ON PAGE 6) (CONTINUED ON PAGE 4)

Hessel

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NEW YORK, CMC – Withmore than a millionJamaicans reportedly livingabroad and playing a signifi-cant role in their country’seconomic and social develop-

ment, former Prime MinisterP.J. Patterson says a case canbe made for them to partici-pate in national elections.

But Patterson said a num-ber of key legal matters mustfirst be addressed.

“I have raised certainconcerns, and if those con-cerns can be satisfactorilyaddressed, I think there is acase that can be made out insupport of it,” he was quotedas saying in the New YorkCarib News last month.

Patterson said there areunresolved legal questionsabout the method of votingand the role, if any, for secondgeneration Jamaicans.

“It is an issue which hasbeen raised continuously,” hesaid. “There are some impedi-ments which would have to beovercome.

“Most of us deal with constituency representation as distinct from proportionalrepresentation, and one of thethings that would have to bedetermined is if the overseaspeople are allowed to vote,where do they vote?” heasked.

“Would it be in the con-stituency of their origin or inthe constituency where theyhave built a home? In respectof those from the second gen-eration, where is it that thevote would be taken?” hecontinued.

REVISIONSPatterson said overseas

seats in the House ofRepresentatives should not be set aside unless there arefundamental revisions to thecurrent Constitution.

“This is certainly one ofthe matters that I know willbe raised and discussed, andwe would have to take it stepby step,” he said.

The former Jamaicaleader acknowledged the contributions of overseas

Jamaicans in national devel-opment, pointing out thatmore steps must be adoptedto reinforce those links.

Since demitting office as Jamaica’s longest servingprime minister, Patterson has joined Goodworks

International, a lobbying and consulting firm withheadquarters in Atlanta,Georgia, and Washington, asa senior advisor. Goodworksrepresents several largeUnited States corporationsand some African nations.

Patterson has said he is not an “employee” ofGoodworks, but would offeradvice based on his vast expe-rience as a Caribbean leaderwho was once his country’sminister of finance.

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P.J. Patterson argues case for overseas Jamaicans to vote N E W SN E W S

June 2006 CARIBBEAN TODAY 3

Patterson

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WASHINGTON, CMC - TheOrganization of AmericanStates (OAS) said whileextraordinary hurricanes, suchas Ivan and Katrina, are con-stant reminders of the devas-tation wreaked by tropicalstorms in the Caribbean andLatin America, equal atten-tion should be paid to othernatural disasters, such asearthquakes, floods, mud-slides, volcanoes and drought.

Speaking at a meeting ofthe OAS Joint ConsultativeOrgan on Natural DisasterReduction and RiskManagement last month, OASSecretary GeneralAlbert Ramdin said expertshave recognized droughts,floods, changing rain patternsand rising sea levels amongserious threats to develop-ment in Small IslandDeveloping States (SIDS),like those in the region. Henoted that concern is alsoincreasing over the effects ofglobal warming on glaciersand the polar ice caps thatraise sea levels “enough todamage many low-lyingislands and cities.”

The Joint ConsultativeOrgan is chaired by Jamaica’sAmbassador to the OASGordon Shirley and Chile’sAmbassador Esteban Tomic.

UPHEAVALSRamdin cited Jeffrey

Sachs, the renowned develop-ment economist, who identi-

fied natural upheavals amongthree major factors impedingthe region’s economic devel-opment and growth. He calledon OAS-member states to“proactively seek the adoptionof measures to prevent andmitigate the disastrous effectsof natural upheavals.”

Ramdin pointed to OASresolutionsencouragingthe formula-tion and shar-ing of individ-ual countrydisaster pre-paredness,response andmitigationplans to facil-

itate “more effective supportfrom the international com-munity.”

He noted a proposal toamend the statutes of theInter-American EmergencyAid Fund and the Inter-American Committee forNatural Disaster Reduction“to create a single, permanentinter-American Committee onnatural and other disastersthat will also respond to theInter-American Convention toFacilitate Disaster Assistance.

“The creation of this com-mittee will consolidate andfocus the efforts of the OASrelated to matters of naturaland other disasters,” he said.

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little. Some of them have bet-ter performances in servicesaccounts because of tourism.So, their trade deficits will beincreasing.”

Hessel pointed toJamaica’s situation as anexample of the Caribbeantrend, stating that OmarDavies, the island’s financeminister, said the nation’s eco-nomic performance was worst

than expected in the 2005-2006 fiscal year, which endedin March, because of the hur-ricane season and rising oilprices.

“He pointed out that thesame thing would be happen-ing in 2006-2007 becauseof high oil prices,” Hesselsaid.

B’DOS BILLSShe added that that large-

scale construction in 2006-2007 in Barbados would resultin huge oil import bills.

“Barbados, in this yearand next, will probably importmore oil than unusual and,therefore, it could be affectedby the rising oil prices,”Hessel said.

Despite this negative pre-diction, Hessel said Caribbeanstates have still managed tostay afloat at “this point in thegame.”

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OAS calls for equal emphasison disasters in the Caribbean

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti,CMC – Haiti’s new PresidentRene Préval called for unityamong his people as he beganhis five-year term in office lastmonth.

The 63-year-old Préval,who was declared winner inthe Feb. 7 presidential poll,appealed for peace and con-tinued dialogue in the impov-erished nation as he took theoath of office outside the pres-idential palace here.

Addressing the largecrowd gathered, Préval saidthis is the only way toencourage much neededinvestment and the overalldevelopment of the troubledcountry.

With a wide cross sectionof representatives from theinternational community pres-ent, Préval said while thefuture of Haiti was in thehands of its people, it wouldrequire constant support fromthe international community

as well.Préval took over from the

United States-backed interim

administration of PrimeMinister Gerard Latortue,which was installed shortlyafter the ouster of then presi-dent Jean-Bertrand Aristidein 2004.

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Préval calls for unity as he takespresident’s oath of office in Haiti

International expert predicts economic fallout in Caribbean as a result of rising oil prices

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC -Antigua and Barbuda hasaccused the United States ofretaliatory tactics over theU.S. Justice Department’sdecision to indict the opera-tors of an Internet gamingbusiness on money launderingcharges.

The Baldwin Spencer gov-ernment said the legal actionlast month was in retaliationto the Antiguan governmenttaking the U.S. to the WorldTrade Organization (WTO)disputes panel claiming thatthe U.S. decision to ban crossborder trading by the internetwas illegal.

Antigua’s Ambassador tothe WTO Dr. John Ashe saidthe indictments and Antigua’sWTO victory were “not unre-lated.” Ashe, in a statementreleased by the Antiguan gov-ernment, said the “indict-ments, coming at a time whenthe United States is supposedto be undertaking efforts tocomply with the rulings of theWTO, are surely no coinci-dence.”

He said “it is more than ironic that the U.S.Department of Justice haschosen to single out for prose-cution a well-known gamingservice provider fromAntigua, a jurisdiction thathas been leading global effortsto license, regulate, superviseand oversee a robust yet cleanand safe gaming industry.”

U.S. SURPRISEUnder WTO procedures,

the U.S. had until April 3,

2006 to comply with the rul-ings of the WTO in the gam-bling case. Having initiallystated that coming into compliance would involve significant legislative efforts,the U.S. made a surpriseannouncement at the WTOmeeting in April that it wasalready in compliance with theadverse ruling, despite havingtaken no apparent correctiveaction at all.

Antigua’s SolicitorGeneral and Chairman ofAntigua’s Financial ServicesRegulatory CommissionLebrecht Hesse said he would be lodging a protestover the latest action of theDepartment of Justice.

“Coming at a time whenAntigua and the United Statesare expected to be workingtogether on a reasonable solu-tion to our dispute, theseindictments announced by theAmericans - which I note havebeen laying unsealed,

in secret, since they werereturned over a year ago - arepretty incredible,” Hesse said.

“We trust that theseindictments do not representthe official position of theUnited States government andrather represent the work ofsome over-zealous prosecutor.

“We look forward to theU.S. administration’s promptclarification of this mostunfortunate incident,” headded.

The Justice Departmentsaid in a statement that theindictment unsealed inWashington last month againstthe operators of WorldWideTelesports, Inc. charges twocompanies and two individualsin connection with launderingof some $250 million inInternet wagers.

“This indictment under-scores the Justice Department’scommitment to attacking illegalInternet gambling concerns byusing federal anti-money laun-dering laws”, the agency said ina statement.

Charged in the indict-ment, filed in April 2005 andunsealed on May 16, were 65-year-old William Scott, whorenounced his U.S. citizenshipand had been living in the tinyCaribbean nation of Antiguaand Barbuda; and JessicaDavis Dyett, a 35-year-oldU.S. citizen alleged to haveauthority over various bankaccounts of the operation.

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Antigua critical of U.S. decisionto indict Internet gaming operators

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(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2)

Ashe

Préval

Shirley

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The Immigration andNationality Act allowsfor the immigration of

foreigners to the UnitedStates based on relationship toa U.S. citizen or legal perma-nent resident.

Family-based immigrationfalls under two basic cate-gories: unlimited and limited.

Unlimited family-based -Immediate relatives of U.S.Citizens (IR): The spouse,widow(er) and unmarried chil-dren under 21 of a U.S. citi-

zen, and the parent of a U.S.citizen who is 21 or older.

Returning residents (SB):Immigrants who lived in theU.S. previously as lawful per-manent residents and arereturning to live in the U.S.after a temporary visit ofmore than one year abroad.

Limited family-based -Family first preference (F1):Unmarried sons and daugh-ters of U.S. citizens, and theirchildren, if any.

Family second preference

(F2): Spouses, minor children,and unmarried sons anddaughters (over age 20) oflawful permanent residents.At least 77 percent of all visasavailable for this category willgo to the spouses and chil-dren; the remainder will beallocated to unmarried sonsand daughters.

Family third preference(F3): Married sons and daugh-ters of U.S. citizens, and theirspouses and children.

Family fourth preference

(F4): Brothers and sisters ofU.St. citizens and their spous-es and children, provided theU.S. citizens are at least 21years of age.

PETITIONRelatives of intending

immigrants who plan to basetheir immigrant visa applica-tions on family relationshipmust obtain Form I-130,Immigrant Petition forRelative, from the U.S.Citizenship and ImmigrationService (USCIS). The peti-tioning U.S. citizen or legalpermanent resident must sub-mit Form I-130 to the USCISoffice. Forms and instructionsare available from USCIS.

Once USCIS approves thepetition, they will send thepetitioner a notice of approval,Form I-797. USCIS will alsoforward the approved petitionto the Immigrant VisaProcessing Center, which will contact the intendingimmigrant with further infor-mation.

VISA INELIGIBILITY/WAIVER

U.S. immigration laws, inorder to protect the health,welfare, and security of thecountry, prohibit the issuanceof a visa to certain applicants.Examples of applicants whomust be refused visas are

those who: have a communi-cable disease such as tubercu-losis, have a dangerous physi-cal or mental disorder, or aredrug addicts; have committedserious criminal acts; are ter-rorists, subversives, membersof a totalitarian party, or for-mer Nazi war criminals; haveused illegal means to enter theU.S.; or are ineligible for citi-zenship.

Some former exchangevisitors must live abroad twoyears. Physicians who intendto practice medicine must passa qualifying exam beforereceiving immigrant visas. Iffound to be ineligible, theconsular officer will thenadvise the applicant if the lawprovides for some form ofwaiver.

The petitioner/sponsormust provide an Affidavit ofSupport, Form I-864. Allapplicants must submit certainpersonal documents such aspassports, birth certificates,police certificates and othercivil documents. The consularofficer will inform visa appli-cants of the documents need-ed as their applications areprocessed.

Information obtained andedited from www.uscis.gov.Visit the website for moreinformation on this subject.

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Applying for immigrant status for family membersN E W SN E W S


U.S. immigration debate stirs deep emotions in Caribbean community

the system.”

PROBLEMBut Orlando-based

Jamaican born attorneyNadine Brown says that thereis a major problem with theimmigration debate as it nowstands.

“The people who areframing the debate are look-ing at immigrants as Mexicanswho are breaking the lawwilly-nilly, and that is not thesole definition of what animmigrant is. People shouldbe appalled that that is theperception of immigrants,”Brown told Caribbean Today.“We (immigrants) don’t havea national platform fromwhich to speak.”

Brown points out that thevast majority of her clientsare, and always have been,law abiding citizens, who likeThompson overstayed theirtime in the country. Withoutlegal status in the U.S., manyare forced to live and workwithout a driver’s license orother forms of identification,or a Social Security numberwhich allows the governmentto track earnings of its work-ers, advocates say.

RESOLUTIONAttorney Dahlia Walker-

Huntington, who has a FortLauderdale and Jamaican-based immigration practice, ishopeful that immigrationdebate will spur lawmakers tothink about many of the issuesthat have plagued many of herclients for years without aforeseeable resolution.

“If we pursue deportationof all of these people, we willbe breaking up families,”Walker-Huntington toldCaribbean Today. “What hascome out is a very bitter, anti-immigrant sentiment. It hasbeen a very bitter debate andhas set back relationshipsbetween immigrants and black

Americans.”Walker-Huntington says

that she and other communityleaders, including Spencer, areworking to mobilize thosefrom the Caribbean who have

so far been reluctant to lendtheir voices to the ground-swell as the debate rages on.

“We like town hall meet-ings where we can sit downand quarrel after the fact,” shesays, “but we need to getinvolved now while we stillhave a chance to be involved.”

In addition to speakingout publicly on this issue,Spencer began circulating apetition with the hope ofengaging people from theEnglish-speaking Caribbean inthe debate.

“We need to recognizethat there are moments thatwe have to work together,”she explains.

Cheryl Little, executivedirector of Florida ImmigrantAdvocacy Center (FIAC),told Caribbean Today that heragency has been at the fore-front of immigration issuessince the mid-1980s.

“The immigrant commu-nity tends to be a little toosegregated,” Little says. “Eachgroup has their issues and how they want to see themresolved, but there are moresimilarities than there are dif-ferences.”

Thompson says the major-ity of those who are in the

U.S. legally and illegally needto step up and becomeengaged in the debate.

“I know that there arethose who look down on thosewho are here illegally,” theFort Lauderdale, Florida resi-dent says now. “But a lot ofthem are here legally nowbecause of someone else whowas here illegally at one point,and they benefited from that.”

Damian P. Gregory isCaribbean Today’s deputymanaging editor.

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T&T’s Soca Warriors make historicmarch into soccer’s World Cup 2006

play the Brazilian way and

Paraguay are in that catego-ry…”

Yorke said he expects a

massive turnout of Trinis forthe World Cup in Germany.He is correct. Caribbean

Today’s checks withtravel agents lastmonth indicate thattour groups ofT&T supportersare practicallybooked solid.German embassiesin the UnitedStates have alsonoted a dramaticincrease in visaapplications fromnon-U.S. citizenswishing to attendthe matches inEurope.

All that’s leftis for the SocaWarriors to immersethemselves in theWorld Cup battle.

Gordon Williamsis CaribbeanToday’s managingeditor.

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Stern John, left, and Kerry Baptiste helped Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors get to the World Cup.- www.fifa.com

Walker-Huntington

June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:22 PM

PETER RICHARDS

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica -The mission calls on the insti-tution to be the leading cata-lyst for the development ofresources in the Caribbeanand together with its borrow-ing and other partners, worktowards “the systematicreduction of poverty” in theregion through social and eco-nomic development.

Caribbean countries,while acknowledging theinvaluable contributionthe Barbados-basedCaribbean DevelopmentBank (CDB) has made to their socio-economicdevelopment during its 35years in existence, almostevery year say it has notbeen enough.

The same claim wasmade this year as thebank’s Board ofGovernors, comprisingmainly prime ministersand finance ministersfrom Caribbean states,gathered in Montego Bay,Jamaica’s scenic westerntourist area.

However, the CDBhas sought to defend itselfby pointing to some of itsachievements and success-es. Newly appointedJamaican Prime MinisterPortia Simpson Miller saidwhile there is no doubt thatthe CDB would continue toplay a meaningful role inregional integration, there wasneed now for the financialinstitution to change gears,especially in a changing globalenvironment that is taking itstoll on the Caribbean.

“This role must consist ofa menu, which includes finan-cial resources, technical assis-tance, policy advice, rooted inreducing and ultimately elimi-nating poverty in the region,”said Simpson Miller.

She said the current lend-ing by the bank, which in 2005was $153 million, a 24 percenthike over the 2004 period, was“too small to have the kind ofimpact required against thebackground of regional needs.

“The bank therefore mustassist its borrowing memberswhere the constraint is thelack of absorptive capacity orissues to proper project identi-fication and implementation,or lack of counterpart fund-ing,” the new Jamaica primeminister added.

CALL FOR CREATIVITYHer Finance Minister Dr.

Omar Davies, who is alsochairman of the CDB Boardof Governors, went even fur-ther, noting that of the 15loans disbursed to regionalstates last year, one of them“accounted for 35 percent of

total approvals.“While we recognize the

fiscal pressures and debt con-straints of some borrowingmembers, the bank has to findcreative ways to assist the bor-rowing countries to improvetheir absorptive capacity,” headded.

He said given the growingneeds of the region, the CDBmust be systemically trans-formed in order to be reposi-tioned to make the “kind oftargeted and effective contri-

bution, which is relevant atthis time to the region.”

Guyana, one of the bene-ficiaries of the Paris Club debtreduction policy, said thatwhile it appreciated the assis-tance given by the bank, espe-cially following last year’sfloods that destroyed cropsand infrastructure, it felt thebank “should get moreinvolved, at the analytical,policy and operational levels,in respect of global economicdevelopments impacting onthe region”.

It said it was referring, inparticular, to the erosion oftrade preferences, high oilprices, increased food importsand the threats under agricul-tural liberalization.

“Most of the major inter-national organizations arenow tackling these issues andcoming up with various reme-dial recommendations, gener-ally under the theme of ‘Aidfor Trade’,” said SaisnarineKowlessar, the alternate gov-ernor for Guyana.

“We feel it would be timelyin collaboration with the mem-ber states and the RegionalNegotiating Machinery, for theCDB to get more involved in aCaribbean approach to theseproblems,” he added.

GREATER NEEDGrenada, recovering from

the effects of two hurricanesin recent years, also wants the

bank “to make moreresources available, particular-ly to the private sector - theprimary engine of growth ofour economies”. FinanceMinister Anthony Boatswain,thankful for the assistanceprovided by the institution,particularly since HurricaneIvan struck in 2004, noted that“poverty continues to persistamong a significant percent-age of the populations of theborrowing member countries.

“There is therefore a needfor a redoubling of efforts aswell as a review and evalua-tion of past and present poli-cies, strategies and approachesto addressing this issue,” headded.

Like Guyana, Grenadaalso wants mechanisms inplace to monitor programsand projects, warning thatwhile all the Caribbean stateshave signed on to the United Nations MillenniumDevelopment Goals “what ismost lacking is our ability tomonitor progress because ofthe absence of effective evalu-ation mechanisms”.

‘SUCCESS’But the CDB President

Dr. Compton Bourne hasdefended the institution,describing 2005, as a “success-ful year” in which the institu-tion undertook its work “con-sistent with its charter obliga-tions and practice.” He said itprovided loans for dealingwith natural disasters, lowincome housing, economicreconstruction, and also

embarked on several traininginitiatives.

The bank was also suc-cessful in replenishing itsSpecial Development Fund(SDF), totaling $156 million.

“Because the SDF is the

bank’s principal means of pro-viding highly concessionaryfinancial resources in pursuitof the goal of poverty reduc-tion, contributors are to bespecially commended for mak-ing the extra effort in some-what difficult fiscal circum-stances,” said Bourne.

In March, the CDBapproved its five-year strate-gic plan, which Bourne said“retains the bank’s overarch-ing strategic focus on povertyreduction through broad-based economic growth.

“In pursuing this objec-tive, the bank intends to makeinterventions to strengthenand modernize public utilitiesand the physical infrastructureessential for economic devel-opment, improvement of the

competitiveness of busi-ness enterprises andwhich support agricultureand rural development.”

Bourne said thatdespite the economicobstacles facing theregion, such as structuralchanges in the tradingrelationship with Europe,increased oil prices andglobal tariff liberalization,there are still favorableconditions for economicgrowth in the region.

He made reference toalternative approaches totourism, recognition ofthe market potential ofthe wider Caribbean andLatin America for busi-ness enterprises and aregional energy policy totake full advantage of the

region’s mining and energysectors.

Bourne said domesticfinancial capital, while not sufficient for the major invest-ment effort required, is avail-able to a greater degree thangenerally believed.

“There is significantexcess liquidity in the financialsystem coexistent with aninvestment gap as a result of amismatch of funding prefer-ences and demand for invest-

CDB: A love-hate relationship with Caribbean governmentsF E AF E A T U R ET U R E


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ment capital. The challenge isto devise risk-sharing arrange-ments to induce greaterinvestment lending by thebanking industry,” Bourne

said.It is a situation, which the

CDB itself must also movequickly to address, because asthe Jamaican prime ministerhad pointed out, financialinstitutions “both within and

outside the region are veryaggressive and now constituteserious competitive offeringalternatives to financing fromthe bank.

“In addition, the turn-around time for these credi-

tors is much shorter thanthe bank,” Simpson Millerwarned.

- CMC

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PATRICK KNIGHT

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -While Trinidad and Tobagoand Barbados were bothclaiming victoryover the recent ruling by theArbitrationTribunal at theInternationalDispute ResolutionCentre in TheHague, one region-al law expertbelieves neitherCaribbean commu-nity (CARICOM)country came outas the absolute win-ner.

Immediatelyafter the Aprildecision, the publicrelations spin inboth Port of Spainand Bridgetownwent into action,with the twin islandrepublic’s AttorneyGeneral SenatorJohn Jeremydeclaring “the Tribunal reject-ed each and every claim madeby Barbados,” while hisBarbadian counterpart, for-mer Attorney General MiaMottley, was equally con-vinced that “Barbados got 99percent of what it soughtwhen it started this journey.”

But in the midst of publicrelations tactics by both coun-tries, Guyanese attorneyRahim Bacchus Jr., formerlecturer in the Faculty of Lawat the University of the WestIndies, Cave Hill campus, saidit would be difficult for anygovernment to sustain anabsolute victory claim in thecase, which Barbados referredto the international body inFeb. 2004.

“Everyone lost in a senseand everyone won something.Trinidad won a little bit interms of the maritime bound-ary and Barbados won certainrights, so it’s difficult to saywho really won in the sensewe are talking of it, or inthe way the politicians areputting a spin to it,” he toldthe Caribbean MediaCorporation.

REJECTIONIn its 137-page decision

handed down in April, theArbitration Tribunal rejectedthe maritime delimitationclaims by both countries andinstead established a single

boundary at roughlythe halfway pointbetween the two coun-tries. In so doing,Barbados lost itsclaims to waters northof Tobago, whileTrinidad lost its claimto the area north ofthe median line closeto Barbados’s southcoast.

The Tribunal,however, made a slightdeviation to the east-ern tip of the medianline, a move it said wasto take into account Trinidad’s coastline.

On the issue of thecontentious flying fishsaga, which has beenraging on for over adecade, the Tribunalheld that it lacked jurisdictionto render a substantive deci-sion about a fisheries regimeto apply inside Trinidad andTobago’s Exclusive EconomicZone (EEZ). It, however,found that the two countries“are under a duty to agreeupon the measures necessaryto coordinate and ensure theconservation and develop-ment of flying fish stocks andto negotiate in good faith and

conclude an agreement thatwill accord fisherfolk ofBarbados access to fisherieswithin the EEZ of Trinidadand Tobago.”

But it determined thatsuch agreement must take intoaccount “the right and duty ofTrinidad and Tobago to con-serve and manage the livingresources of waters within itsjurisdiction.”

Bacchus opined thatknowing the tribunal had nojurisdiction over fishing rights,Barbados made a claim to thearea near Tobago to get fish-ing concerns on the body’s

agenda.“It used this as a tactic to

bring the boundary limitationin that area so that theTribunal could have the juris-

diction to dis-cuss fisheriesand bydoing that clev-erly was able toget the tribunalto decide thatfishing rightswould be dis-cussed throughthe back door,”he said.“Through theback doormeans that thetwo govern-ments insistedthat they want-ed the tribunalto give a viewon the matter.

“By giving aview on thematter and bythem giving acommitment tothe tribunal, the

tribunal was able to say a dutyhas been created where nowthe government of Trinidadand Tobago must now negoti-ate with the government ofBarbados under Article 63-1of the Convention of the Lawof the Sea, as well as based onthe commitment given by thegovernments.”

The former university lawlecturer said once that com-mitment was given any partyin breech of it, or found to bedelaying the process, couldface sanctions. But in theaftermath of the decision itappeared as if both countriesare willing to talk about fish-ing access.

For his part, theTrinidadian attorney generalsaid his country always heldthat a fisheries agreementshould be settled throughnegotiation and they weretherefore willing to resumethis route.

“Indeed in my closingsubmission I told the Tribunalthat the way for Barbados toobtain such access is to negoti-ate for it, something we werealways willing to do until thefisheries negotiations werebroken off by Barbados. Weare still prepared to negotiate

a fisheries agreement withBarbados,” he said.

In this regard Mottleysaid “Barbados will cooperateclosely with Trinidad andTobago to ensure that therights of Barbadian fishermenare exercised in accordancewith the award of the tribunaland international law.”

So for the time beingwhile the boundary lines areclearly drawn, the fishingdebate returns to the point itwas more than two years agoand questions remain as towhat role CARICOM treatiescould have played in bringinga home-grown solution to thecostly dispute.

- CMC

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CDB: A love-hate relationship with Caribbean governments

‘Everyone lost’ in T&T-Barbados fishing boundary disputeF E AF E A T U R ET U R E


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Fishing dispute left two nations at sea.

Mottley


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GORDON WILLIAMS

With all the hoopla sur-rounding immigrationreform in the United

States over the past few monthsone would think Caribbean peo-ple in the U.S. would be shoul-der-to-shoulder alongside thoseup front in the protest move-ment, especially those seekinglegal status in America.

Not so.It’s not that Caribbean peo-

ple in the U.S. do not have thesame at stake as other immi-grants, or are not as affected bywhat has been going on. Just lis-ten to what a South Floridapolitician, Jamaican-bornGeorge Pedlar, told the MiamiHerald newspaper last month:“It’s not that they don’t care or(that) they are not interested.They are just as damn scared asthe Mexicans.”

So why aren’t Caribbeanpeople on the evening newsalongside the “scared” Mexicansdemanding a deal that wouldlegalize the undocumented aliensso they can live like every nor-mal citizen in the U.S.? Maybethey like being in the Land of theFree, but are a bit skepticalabout Home of the Brave part ofthe arrangement - bravery,meaning getting on the frontlines, meaning risking a quick,forced return trip to Caribbean.And that, Caribbean people willtell you, is not part of the currentplan.

‘REASONS’While that might be shock-

ing, what is even more aston-ishing are the reasons beingtossed about for non-participa-tion. One South Florida educa-tor indicated that the immigra-tion issue had perhaps notreached the “crisis level” in theCaribbean community as it hadamong the Hispanics. Well, ifCaribbean people are notalarmed by so many influentialpeople clamoring for undocu-mented aliens – even hard-working, taxpaying, law abidingones – to be removed from U.S.shores, I’m not sure what willget their attention.

Maybe, as Irwin Clare, co-director of the New York-basedCaribbean Immigration Services,told me recently, Caribbean peo-ple are simply too occupied mak-ing money to find time to marchwith placards, shouting and wav-ing flags. Or they may havebecome too comfy in their cushyenvirons.

“Complacency,” Clare said.

SIGNSAh, too busy. Now that

sounds like a Caribbean reason.We are always too busy.Reminds me of the people whoare always too busy rebuildingtheir homes on the gully banksin Jamaica to understand that

the next heavy rainfall – like theone before it – will wash awaywhatever they have constructed.It’s called ignoring the signs.

To top it off, Clare offersthat “legal” Caribbean immi-grants, meaning those with the“green cards” and the freshlyminted American passports,seem far more inclined to geton the front lines of immigra-tion protest, while those whoeither crossed the border ille-gally or have overstayed theirofficial welcome appear con-tented to sit back and let some-one else do the “fighting” forthem. They say they are afraid.

So up pops that word again:“scared”. Many Caribbean peo-ple are so scared they will aban-don their children at home, thenrisk working several jobs to earnenough money to pay some conartist who promises “documents”and rarely delivers. There isanother six-letter “s” word forthat, and that’s “stupid”.

The same quantities ofenergy and willpower that driveCaribbean immigrants tobecome successful in the U.S.are also available in intelligenceas well. Caribbean people couldnot be stupid. They haveexcelled in almost every fieldimaginable. But when it comesto fighting for the cause ofimmigrants in the U.S., some-how the brain tree seems to dryup and wither.

But that must change. InSouth Florida alone, the Heraldestimates, most of the undocu-mented aliens are not Mexicans- yup, those same ones you seeon the front lines on the nightlynews – but, you guessed it,Caribbean people. Yet, asidefrom the Haitians, it appearsimmigrants from most of theother countries from the regionare camera shy…or just plainselfish. It’s like they are tellingthe other protesters: “Go outand hunt and gather, we willfeast tonight”.

The problem with thatapproach is that if everyone doesnot get involved in the mix, themixture will be watered down,diluted and ineffective. Slap it onthe stubborn walls of some law-makers in the U.S. and it willsimple stick for a moment, thenslide to the ground before beingwashed away by the next issuethat comes along.

In the meantime, undocu-mented Caribbean people mayget to ask the U.S. law enforce-ment agent hammering at theirdoor: “Are you here for me?”Let’s hope his answer will notbe: “Yup, but you must haveseen me coming, or were youtoo busy?”

That would just be too sad.

Gordon Williams is CaribbeanToday’s managing editor.

®

Emotionalcontributioncan be good

and bad and canbe likened to whatpeople bring torelationships, orwhat they bring tothe party.

We all have apast, and even ifwe enter theserelationships asvirgins, we carrysome degree ofbaggage that oftentarnishes it, weighsit down, orenhances it.

Some of thiscontributioncomes in the formof children, chil-dren who are innocent victimsbut somehow get drawn intothe emotional maelstrom. It’salways great when the manmeets the woman at first, untilhe discovers that she has oneor two kids living abroad or inthe country with her granny.Sometimes they do live withher, but he is so blinded by hispassion that he sees no prob-lem. Well, she has broughtthose kids to the party, so hebetter start dancing and letthem have a good time.

Many men can’t handlethis instant family scenario andfreak out. This has posed aproblem to many people who Ispoke to, as women complainthat the men brought nothingto the party and are unwillingto contribute anything either.Kids are tangible, visible, pres-ent, but so many people bringother invisible stuff to theparty that the session mustflop. Some men bring the emo-tional and tangible contribu-tion of the string of babymothers who the current ladyonly finds out about manymonths after.

BURDENThe burden that he bears

not only weighs him down, butsinks the new woman as well,as the emotional and financialstrain is a heavy load on them.Women have told me how

after a whilethe partyspoil, as hejust broughttoo manyproblems withhim.Apart fromkids, somepeople bringrelatives and,as you know,nothing spoils

a relationship like relativeshanging around. Mothers-in-law are legendary. I know of somany cases, like this younglady who was seeing this guy,but couldn’t cease from playingsocial hostess to her divorcedfather and his business associ-ates. She brought that to therelationship, so after a whilethe young man left in despair,unable to compete with herassociation with her father andhis social demands.

Or this other lady who hasbeen stuck with not only herhusband’s sister, but the sister’skids as well who came to stayfor a few weeks but ended upgrowing up in her house. Evenwhen they moved house, theytagged along. Those are things,the emotional contribution,brought to the party that’sbound to mash it up.

Some women enter intonew relationships with hang-ups from their past that are

bound to ruin the current rela-tionship. Many of these hang-ups are of a sexual nature, andI pity the poor man who expe-riences this. So many menhave told me how after the ini-tial first few weeks, that was it,shop lock, as their wivesceased from having anythingphysical to do with them,except occasionally, like on hisbirthday. When you check outher past, you then discover allsorts of sexual hang-ups anddislike of sex that only peoplelike Dr. Phil could explain toyou. Some were abused byfamily members, male andfemale, resulting in them beingturned off sex forever. Otherswere told that sex is taboo, notto be enjoyed, while some justlacked affection in their child-hood and now have a fear ofintimacy.

Still, in order to land aman, they had to fake it. Afterher mission is accomplished,it’s back to normal, her normal,and he is left to fend for him-self.

It’s a common scenario asI learnt, as many couples areliving lives without any form ofintimacy. It’s a terrible emo-tional contribution to bring toa new relationship.

“If I knew you hated sex Iwould never have married

Those camera shyCaribbean people

Emotional contributionV I E W P O I N TV I E W P O I N T



TONYROBINSON

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WASHINGTON – U.S.President George W. Bushhates leaks in the way that allpresidents do, unless heauthorizes the leak.

The White House leakedlike Niagara Falls to give awaythe big news in Bush’s prime-time immigration speech daysbefore he delivered it. Thescoop: He wants to beef upour border patrol forces withNational Guard troops.

The topic was thoroughlychewed over by talk radio andcable T.V. channels longbefore Bush delivered hisspeech on May 15. Why, then,bother to give the speech atall? Because in the televisionage, a speech is not deliveredto make news as much as thenews is used as advance hypeto build up the audience for aspeech. Bush hopes thisspeech will help boost hisapproval ratings, which havebeen dwelling in the cellar oflate.

DAMAGE CONTROLThe larger purpose of this

speech, then, was damage con-trol. Bush’s background asgovernor of Texas, a borderstate where Tex-Mex bi-cul-turalism is a comfortable wayof life, and as a businessmanwho appreciates the value ofcheap labor left him ill-pre-pared for the backlash thatgreeted his immigration pro-posals.

By pegging his prime-timespeech to the theme that “we

do not yet have full control ofthe border” between theUnited States and Mexico,Bush was acknowledging anew rising consensus on thesuddenly-volatile issue ofimmigration. If we Americansare beginning to agree on any-thing about immigration, it isour need to have secure bor-ders and some semblance oforder about how many newimmigrants are admitted.

Many of us, including me,detest the sight of walls orfences between nations ortribes of people. Yet, evenhard core fence haters have ahard time arguing against thefundamental right of everycountry to protect its borders.Mexicans may feel miffed by the growing network offences, walls and borderpatrols along our southernborder. But Mexican PresidentVicente Fox’s government sim-ilarly guards his country’ssouthern border, holding backa potential flood of CentralAmerican immigrants forwhom Mexico would be aneconomic bonanza-land.

But border control is onlythe first leg of this debate.Even if we sealed off all 2,000miles of our border withMexico with two parallel 15-foot walls separated by largeFlorida alligators, it would notstop more than half of the cur-rent flood of illegal immi-grants. The rest, according togovernment studies, don’tcome in over the Rio Grande

but from allover theworld withstudent visas,tourist visas,or someother tempo-rary visasthat they sim-ply overstay.

SWITCHContrary

to the wishes of some extrem-ists, there’s little chance thefederal government is going tolaunch a national roundup ofillegal immigrants who areotherwise obeying laws, work-ing jobs, buying cars, buyinghomes and paying taxes.

Yet, the president avoidedany specifics on how he willmake sure his proposed tem-porary workers return homewhen they’re supposed to.Nor did he offer any detailsabout the touchy topic ofsanctions against employerswho knowingly hire illegals.Plugging up the holes in theborder is one thing. Reducing

the attraction of employers tocheap, compliant labor isquite another.

With that in mind, I wasgratified to hear Bush make arevealing switch in his usualrhetoric: His proposed “tem-porary worker” program, hesaid, would match willing for-eign workers with willingAmerican employers for “jobsAmericans are not doing.”

That’s a switch. In thepast, he’s referred to such jobsas “jobs Americans won’t do,”which implies that Americansare just too lazy or snobbishto accept the sort of jobs thatour immigrant or, in somecases, enslaved ancestorsworked.

To describe them insteadas “jobs Americans are notdoing” is more truthful. Itacknowledges that theabsence of legal workers incertain jobs is not necessarilyevidence of an unwillingnessto work. Quite the contrary;there’s no job that legalAmericans would not do, if itpaid well enough.

Ask legal workers whythey “are not doing” the jobsemployers hope guest workerswill fill and you probably willhear something about how thejobs don’t pay enough to com-pensate for the hours, hazards,hardships or location far fromhome.

During past labor short-ages, innovative employershave been known to raise paywithout passing on cripplingcosts to consumers. Some alsohave been known to improveworking conditions and evenprovide small buses or carpools to shuttle workers fromjob-poor neighborhoods tojob-rich suburbs.

That’s the kind of immi-gration debate I’d like to see.After all, the real issue is notjust immigration. It’s jobs forAmericans who already arehere.

© 2006 by The ChicagoTribune. Distributed byTribune Media Services, Inc.

®

you.”

DILEMMASome women are perenni-

al virgins as they take the vowof celibacy even while involvedin a relationship. If you learntwhy some men stray, youwould not condemn, but offersympathy instead.

“Four months...and nuttenfrom har?”

But it’s the men who takethe cake, or worse, to relation-ships. I have lost count of thewomen who have told me howtheir men entered into rela-tionships and either carriednothing at all, or carried toomuch of the wrong thing.Much of what they bring iscaused by mothers of thesemen, who brought them upspoilt rotten, doing everythingfor them, giving them every-

thing, making them their defacto husbands, then sendthem out into the world tocohabit with women. Thesemanboys bring nothing to theparty, except the legacy ofbeing a spoilt pickney. Theycan’t even peel an orange,much less iron a shirt. Afterall, “Mommy always did thatfor me, so why can’t you?!”

Everywhere I go I hearthe same lament, how theseselfish men cohabit with peo-ple’s daughter and offer noth-ing to the relationship. Theyjust walk in so wid dem twolong hands and expect theparty to swing. They are selfishbeyond belief and believe thathaving entered the woman’slife, all they have to do is sitback, relax and enjoy the fun.They bring no compassion orsense of compromise.

“Hey listen, is so yu comemeet me, is so I stay from morn-ing, so just stop de nagging andaccept me for what I am.”

He in turn though,expects her to bring everythingto the party, she must bend,flex, contort, change her waysto suit him. I listen to theplight of these women and Iweep inside for them.

“He brought nothing to therelationship, but expects every-thing from me.”

WEAKNESS?What emotional contribu-

tion do you bring to the rela-tionship? Do you bring sensi-tivity? For some reason, menavoid being sensitive like theplague, as they think that it

shows weakness.Okay, maybe some women

don’t appreciate it and trampleall over the men, as some guyshave told me. But the majorityof women who I spoke toyearn for a sensitive man.

“He gives me everything,car, jewelry, house and land,you name it. But the one ingre-dient that I wished he wouldhave brought is just a dash ofsensitivity.”

The irony is, an insensitiveman does not know that he isinsensitive as that’s the way hewas brought up. To him hisbehavior is quite normal.

“Is what more yu wantfrom me, me is not yu father?!”

It swings both ways, as somany women come to theparty expecting to eat anddrink to their hearts’ contentwithout contributing anythingat all. And I’m not talkingabout money either, even a lit-tle moral support would do.Instead, it’s all about them andwhat they are doing. Theyshow no interest in the man’swork, his career, his friends orhis interests. They bring noth-ing to the party, yet expect todance.

So my friends, take stockas you enter into relationships.What emotional contributiondo you bring? You must bringsomething, but try not to makeit a bag of crosses, or you mayjust dance alone.

[email protected]

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George W. Bush’s big U.S. border backlashV I E W P O I N TV I E W P O I N T



CLARENCE PAGE

Emotional contribution

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Homework is excitingfor some children whosee it as a sign of

growing up, and provokesanxiety in other students ifthey have trouble keeping upwith assignments or findingtime and space to study.

Whether your child mustmemorize math facts or solvedifferential equations, practicespelling words or analyze thesymbolism in Jane Eyre, yourassignment, parents, is to helpyour student make the grade.Here is a primer on creating ahealthy homework climate:

Do communicate with theteacher.

Attend back-to-schoolnight and conferences.Prioritizing “face time” withthe teacher puts names andfaces together and makes iteasier to contact him later onif issues arise. Find out theteacher’s expectations of stu-dents and parents in thehomework process. Does shehave a web site where you canmonitor your child’s grades orreview assignments? Does hewelcome calls at home or pre-fer messages left at school? Ifyour child commutes betweentwo parents’ homes, let theteacher know your preferredchannels of communication,too.

Do make homework do dou-ble duty.

Spelling or vocabularylists, multiplication tables,beginning essays or reports (ofthe “what-I-did-this-summer”or “interview-a-grandparent”sort) can be vehicles for quali-ty time with your child. Offerto go over their spelling listwith them (maybe in the caron the way to soccer practiceor piano lessons). Help them

to brainstorm a list of ques-tions for grandma. Ask theiropinion about the friendshipbetween Huck Finn and Jim.You’ll learn a lot about whatyour child is thinking, andthey’ll be flattered that you’reinterested.

Do schedule homework timewith your child.

Today’s kids keenly feelthe time crunch. Help yourchild use time well withoutburning out by planning theweek’s work in advance. Forexample, if you know thatTuesday is band practice, thenbasketball, but Wednesday isfree, encourage your child todesignate harder or longerassignments for Wednesdays.Provide a calendar to writedown which assignmentsthey’ll do and when. They’llfeel satisfied to cross some-thing off as it’s finished.

Do create the conditions forhomework success.

Students need a place tostudy (and despite occasionalprotests to the contrary, this isnot in front of the televisionor sprawled out on the floorwith headphones blaring

music. They need nourishingsnacks after school and ade-quate sleep. They need a deskand comfortable chair, goodtask lighting, and room tospread out books and papers.Homework space can beshared, as at a kitchen table,or private, as in the child’sroom - but it should be atleast relatively quiet.

Parents can also avoidwell-intentioned but misguid-ed obstacles to successfullearning. Here are a fewcaveats:

Don’t be afraid to set limits onother activities.

WASHINGTON, CMC - TheInter-American DevelopmentBank (IDB) has said it islaunching a scholarship pro-gram for mid-level governmentofficials in the Caribbean andLatin America to obtain mas-ter’s degrees at five universitiesin the region.

The scholarships aredesigned for officials with atleast five years experience inthe public sector who have notreached the highest manageriallevels in their agencies.

“Scholarship recipientsmust agree to return to workin their countries, and theiremployers must expresslyguarantee that the officialsmay do so once their studiesare completed”, the IDB saidin a statement.

Candidates must be citi-zens of an IDB-borrowingmember country, under 45years of age, and have a uni-versity degree with an excel-

lent academic record.“Scholarship recipients

will study in another countrythan the one they work in, inorder to gain experience andknowledge that will helppromote regional integrationand a more international out-look, in addition to the oppor-tunity to receive technical

training”, the statement said. The scholarship covers the

costs of tuition, medical andaccident insurance, livingexpenses and books for up totwo years, plus economy-class,round-trip air fare from thestudent’s place of residence tothe university location.

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(FeatureSource) When theschool bell rings next term,young children may be jealousof older siblings attendingschool.

If your youngster is leftbehind with an abundance ofenergy, curiosity and creativity,consider adding edu-cational crafts toyour day’s activities.

“Because chil-dren learn throughtheir senses, arts andcrafts projects areideal for learning,”says Trish Kuffner,author of “The Arts and Crafts Busy Book”(MeadowbrookPress).

“The followingactivities will helpyour child developskills like sorting,matching and classifying. Theywill also learn to recognizingpatterns, shapes and colors.”

Try some of these craftactivities with your preschoolers.

Button CollageThis simple project involves

counting and sorting. Write thenumbers 1, 2, and 4 on separatesheets of cardboard and collectassorted buttons. Have yourchild sort the buttons by thenumber of holes each has, plac-ing buttons with one hole onthe sheet marked “1,” two-holebuttons on the sheet marked“2” and so on. When all of thebuttons have been sorted, yourchild can use glue to create one-hole, two-hole and four-holebutton collages on the card-board.

3-D Number BoardHelp your child learn the

value of counting, sorting andpattern recognition by making acolorful number board. First,use a marker, ruler and piece ofpaper to draw a chart withtwelve rows. In the top row,

write a title like“Danny’sNumbers.” Alongthe left edge, num-ber the remainingrows 0 through 10.Next, collect smallobjects in groupsof 1 to 10. Try tofind beads, but-tons, paper clips,dry cereal andmore. Help yourchild glue eachgroup of objectsonto the appropri-ate row. Finally,put the finished

work in a place where yourchild is able to touch the objectas he or she counts it.

Play Dough ShapesYou can use shapes to help

children develop their sense ofdepth perception. First, use abroad-tip marker to draw shapes(circle, square, etc.) on construc-tion paper, one shape per sheet.Cover the sheets with clear con-tact paper. Have your child rollplay dough into ropes and shapethem over your drawings. Haveyour child close his or her eyesand try to identify each shape.You can also play this game withletters and numbers.

Author: FeatureSource Staff

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To mark the launch ofNational CaribbeanAmerican Heritage

Month, the Institute ofCaribbean Studies (ICS) willsponsor a conference for stu-dent leaders in WashingtonD.C. this month.

The First AnnualCaribbean AmericanHeritage Month StudentLeadership Conference, with its theme “DevelopingFuture Leaders: Perspectivesof Caribbean AmericanSuccess Stories”, will be heldfrom 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 23at New York University, 40

Washington Square South.It will showcase Caribbean

Americans who have made apositive impact on the social,economic, and political devel-opment of the United States.The goal of the ICS is toinspire the students to becomeleaders themselves and to playan active role in shaping theirsociety.

On Feb. 14, 2006 the U.S.Senate approved HouseConcurrent Resolution 71declaring June as CaribbeanAmerican Heritage Month.As the bill awaits the presi-dent’s signature.

The ICS is a non-partisan,

non-profit organization thatwas established in 1993. Itsmain purpose is to addresseconomic, educational, tech-nological, and social issuesthat impact the Caribbeancommunity.

The ICS hopes that theyoung leaders will take withthem a stronger sense of com-munity and self-empower-ment. Speakers from variousprofessions such as businessprofessionals, politicians,social activists and celebritiesare scheduled to attend theconference.

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Good homework habits are a family assignment

Brain-boosting crafts for kids

IDB launches scholarship programfor Caribbean government officials

Caribbean student leadership confabset for June 23 in Washington D.C.

E D U CE D U C AA T I O NT I O N // YY O U T HO U T H



Children need to operate in a healthyhomework environment.

Parents must find quality activi-ties to stimulate children.

June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM

The mango is the world’smost popular fruit, andall it takes is a bite to

understand why.The abundant flesh is

golden, juicy, fragrant, andsweet, and its flavor can belikened to a blend of pineap-

ple and peaches.Many

Americans associ-ate the exotic tasteof mangos withromantic, farawayplaces, such asIndia, Thailand andMalaysia. Theymight be surprisedto learn that deli-cious, high-qualitymangos are beinggrown much closerto home-in Florida.

Florida mangoseason runs from late Junethrough September. Most ofthe state’s commercial mangogroves are found in Miami-Dade County, in the agricul-tural communities ofHomestead and the Redland.

CREATIVEIn the last 10 years,

Florida mango growers havefaced stiff competition fromMexico. To keep the industryviable, Florida growers havebecome even more creative byexperimenting with new prod-ucts and exploring new mar-kets.

Green mangoes are man-goes that are picked beforethey are ripe. They’re firm

and tart, tasting alittle like sourapples-and they’revery popular inAsian cooking. InIndia, they’re acommon ingredi-ent in pickles andchutneys. InThailand, they areshredded andeaten in salads.Now, green man-goes are catchingon in the UnitedStates.

It seems reasonable thatFlorida farmers should suc-ceed in finding a niche fortheir high-quality products:Tropical fruits are experienc-ing a surge in popularity inFlorida and around the coun-try. Experts say the trend isdue to the increasing diversityof our population coupledwith our growing health con-sciousness.

HEALTHYMangoes are an excellent

source of vitamin A, whichpromotes eye and skin health,and vitamin C, which booststhe immune system. Bothvitamin A and vitamin C areantioxidants and may help

reduce the risk of cardiovascu-lar disease and certain can-cers. Mangoes are free ofsodium and saturated fat andrich in potassium and fiber. Aserving (half a mango) con-tains just 70 calories.

When shopping for man-gos, look for firm, well-shapedfruit with shiny, taut skin thatis free of cuts and blemishes.Color isn’t always the bestindicator of ripeness, sinceskin color differs from varietyto variety.

MANGO-AVOCADOSALSA

INGREDIENTS• 2 mangoes, diced medium• 1 avocado, diced medium• 1/4 cup red onion, minced• 1 tablespoon jalapeno pep-

per, minced• 2 tablespoons cilantro,

chopped• 1 tablespoon lime juice• 1 tablespoon olive oil• salt and pepper to taste

METHODCombine all ingredients.

Mix well and refrigerate untiluse.

SPICY OYSTERS WITHMANGO DIP

INGREDIENTS• 1/2 cup sour cream• 1 mango, pureed• 1/4 teaspoon salt• 2 tablespoons honey• 3 cups vegetable oil• 3/4 cup bread crumbs• 3/4 cup flour• 2 teaspoons curry powder• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper• 1 teaspoon paprika• 1 pint oysters, shucked

METHODMake dip by combining

sour cream, mango puree, salt,and honey. Refrigerate untilneeded.

Heat oil to 350 degrees F.Combine bread crumbs,

flour, curry powder, whitepepper, and paprika. Drainoysters and dredge in breadcrumb mixture. Fry in hot oil.

Serve with mango dip.Yields four to five appetizerportions.

For more “Fresh fromFlorida” cooking ideas, visithttp://www.Florida-Agriculture.com

®

Fresh mangoes make summer even sweeter


Mangoes

F O O DF O O D

www.caribbeantoday.com

June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM

SUZY COHEN, R.PH.

QUESTION: I’ve been takingthe prescription drug phenter-mine every day to help myselflose about 30 pounds. Whatexactly does this pill do insideme to reduce weight? Is itharmful? Does it affect theheart? - C.W., Orland Park, Ill.

ANSWER: You know thatfeeling you get when you’re inimminent danger or a heatedargument? Your heart beatsin your throat, you get drymouth and shallow breaths.It’s called the “fight or flight”response and you can almostfeel the adrenalin surgingthrough your body. Peoplewho experience panic attacksknow this feeling well.Certainly it is not a time forhunger.

Phentermine tricks yourbody into reacting to brainchemicals (including adrena-lin), which effectively triggersthis fight-or-flight response. Innormal doses, it’s a mild reac-tion that speeds your heart upand gives you energy, whilereducing appetite.

Some scientists theorizethat phentermine also raisesleptin, one of our “feel full”substances, so we eat less. Thedrug does affect the heart rateand can occasionally causePPH (primary pulmonaryhypertension), a dangerouscardiac problem, especially ifcombined with other medi-cine.

Is it harmful? Yes, it canbe. Stimulants are my last sug-gestion for overweight people,who already have a seriousburden on their heart fromthe extra weight. Why furthertax the heart with drugs? Therisks just don’t seem to beworth it. Typical side effectsinclude dizziness, headache,insomnia, hypertension, irri-tability, tremor and depend-ence. If you get chest pain,psychosis, swelling in thehands or feet or lightheaded-ness, skip your dose and callyour doctor or 911.

QUESTION: Will taking red

yeast rice reduce my high cho-lesterol? My sister-in-law sug-gested this instead of statindrugs. I asked my doctor, buthe didn’t know about it. Doyou feel it’s safe? - A.R.,Seaford, N.Y.

ANSWER: Yes, it’s safer thanstatins - popular ones areLipitor, Zocor, Pravachol,Lescol, Advicor, Crestor andMevacor. Statins reduce cho-lesterol well, but I doubt theyimprove lifespan. I’m not a fanof statins - they have danger-ous side effects and the abilityto compromise heart health,the very reason people takethese drugs.

Statins deplete nutri-ents like CoQ10, whichyour heart needs to inorder to beat. This iswhy some experts,including cardiologists,suggest red yeast rice.It’s nature’s statin andeven though CoQ10 isaffected, the depletionis very subtle. You caneasily supplement with

CoQ10. Red yeast rice worksjust like a natural statin, butit’s milder, so there’s less riskof muscle wasting, achiness,weakness, memory loss, jointpain, rhabdomyolysis, or heartor liver failure. In combina-tion with other nutrients, theeffect can be wonderful.Always continue with doctorvisits to check liver health andcholesterol ratios. Considergoing vegetarian for a coupleof months to really drive thenumbers down fast.

DID YOU KNOW? Youshould go through your medi-cine cabinet at least once ayear and dispose of old medi-

cine. Throw out old tabletsand capsules in the toilet, notthe trash.

This information is notintended to treat, cure or diag-nose your condition. SuzyCohen is a registered pharma-cist. To contact her, visit

www.dearpharmacist.com

© 2006 Dear Pharmacist,Inc. distributed by TribuneMedia Services, Inc.

®

Heart-stressing stimulants are risky weight-loss aids


H E A LH E A L T HT H

BRIEFS• Serious health concerns forSuriname Health officials are on the lookoutfor a malaria epidemic in theaftermath of last month’s severeflooding as the waters slowly sub-side in the interior of Suriname.

These concerns are moreacute in the east of the countrywhere water levels are still rising insome areas even as weather fore-casters are still expecting morerain. Several cases of diarrhoeaand vomiting, linked to water-borneillness, have been confirmed, theNational Coordination Centre forDisaster Management (NCCR) saidin a statement last month.

• China to fund completion ofhospitalA Chinese bank is funding thecompletion of a hospital inAntigua, which will be ready intime for Cricket World Cup 2007.

The Exim bank, a state-run

financial company, will finance thecompletion work on the Mount St.John Medical Centre, said JohnMaingley, minister of health. Thebank is providing a loan of $7.8million at two percent interest witha five-year moratorium as part ofthe deal.

• Cuban eye care project savesSt. Lucia millionsCuba’s Miracle Eye Project is esti-mated to have saved St. Lucia closeto EC$17 million ($6.4 million) sinceits inception on Aug. 31, 2005.

This was revealed last monthby St. Lucia’s Diplomatic Head ofMission in Havana, Senior ForeignService Officer Peter Lansiquot,who says the Miracle Eye Projectcontinues to perform wonders forSt. Lucians of all walks of life.

Compiled from CMC and othersources.®

June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’vehad complications following atummy tuck six months ago.The area around my navelswelled up with fluid, and twolarge red areas with rockhardness directly beneaththem showed up. I was put onantibiotics for four weeks. Thesymptoms improved, buthaven’t gone away completely.How long should it take toheal from this operation andthese complications? Whatother treatment should I get?

ANSWER: It may be smallcomfort for you to know thatthese complications do nothappen very often after anabdominoplasty (“tummytuck”) procedure. That does-n’t change the facts of yourown case, however.

In this operation - per-formed to flatten theabdomen - loose skin andexcess fat in the area areremoved and the abdominalmuscles are tightened. It istypically elected by womenwhose pregnancies have left

them with skin stretchedbeyond the point of restorabil-ity or by individuals who, afterlosing a great deal of weight,have a surplus of skin in theabdominal area. Similarly,they may have abdominal fatdeposits that resist changedespite further weight loss.

The cosmetic effects of atummy tuck can make a posi-tive difference in a person’slife, and most patients - after aperiod of healing - reportgreat satisfaction. But this is amajor operation that incursrisks and can produce compli-cations such as infection.Moreover, the patient willhave a permanent scar, thoughits prominence will vary.

Fluid collection occursafter a tummy tuck as aninevitable result of the openspaces created by the inci-sions. Consisting of lymphaticfluid, blood and serous fluid(the liquid that bathes cells),this material is usuallyremoved by the temporaryplacement of drains - a stan-dard part of the abdomino-

plasty procedure. Fluidremoval can be aided by nee-dle aspiration. While thesemethods are usually sufficient,localized fluid buildup can

occur, resulting ina seroma - one ofthe complicationsthat you report.

It’s quite pos-sible that thefluid collection inyour case willresolve on itsown over thecoming months.Otherwise, addi-tional aspirationor placement of atemporary drainshould take careof the problem.

Regardingthe “two largered areas withrock hardness”you report, thereare two possibili-ties: a hematoma,resulting frombleeding under

the skin; or fatnecrosis, which is

caused by the death of sometissue within the subcutaneousfat layer that remains alongthe abdominal wall. In either

case, they will likely dissipateover time, though that couldtake months. If the red areasare due to fat necrosis, resolu-tion could be hastened byultrasound or massage thera-py, which aims to break downthe firm residual tissue.

EXERCISEIn general, a patient’s

post-surgical activity - orabsence of it - can make a dif-ference. For example, thewearing of an abdominalbinder can provide support,and avoidance of strenuous orexcessive exercise is essentialfor three to four weeks. It isimportant, however, for thepatient to perform regular,mild exercise during this peri-od. We recommend a shortwalk every two to three wak-ing hours to prevent the for-mation of lower-limb bloodclots.

Also, to avoid compro-mising the healing process, thepatient should not use tobac-co.

Given that you still haveremaining compli-cations, the situa-tion is understand-ably frustrating.Please bear inmind that sixmonths is not along time for post-abdominoplastyhealing, evenunder routine cir-cumstances. Aslong you have nosigns of infection,a conservative(wait-and-see)approach - for per-haps another sixmonths - is likelystill indicated.Your symptomsmay simply goaway on their own.

Sarvam P.TerKonda, M.D.,Plastic Surgery,Mayo Clinic,Jacksonville,Florida.

Medical Edgefrom Mayo Clinicis an educationalresource and does-n’t replace regularmedical care. Forhealth information,visit www.may-oclinic.com.

© 2006 MayoFoundation forMedicalEducation andResearch.Distributed byTribune MediaServices, Inc.

®

When post-surgical problems are hard to stomachH E A LH E A L T HT H


Getting a flatter tummy can create problemsJ.

June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM


CASTRIES, St. Lucia CMC -The British government hasagreed to support St. Lucia inits efforts to preserve itsrecently designed WorldHeritage Site, which has comeunder threat in recent times by development initiatives.

Toward this end, theUnited Kingdom has agreed tofund a project, involving thePitons Management Areaalong the islands west coastand the Jurassic Coast WorldHeritage Site in the U.K. TheBritish High Commission wasscheduled to make a presenta-tion of just over EC$30,000($11,300) to Henix Joseph,manager of the PitonsManagement Area last month.

Reports suggest that theisland may be in danger of los-ing its Piton World Heritagedesignation as a result of unreg-

ulated development initiativeswithin the Piton ManagementArea. The project aims to buildon links already made betweenthe Pitons Management Areaand the Jurassic Coast WorldHeritage Site through a seriesof exchange of personnel andsharing of information and bestpractice.

“Among the activitiesplanned are familiarizationtours of the two sites, work-shop sessions on emergingissues and stakeholder meet-ings to address areas of con-cern,” said British HighCommissioner Kevin Green.

“It is expected that theexchanges will provide the basisfor the development of a mem-orandum of understanding andtwinning arrangement betweenthe two sites,” he added.

®

GORDON WILLIAMS

On a warm late-Aprilafternoon, an attractiveyoung woman stood on

the infield at Franklin Field inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvaniadressed in the red, black andwhite of Trinidad and Tobagowith the national flag of thetwin island republic stretchedwide across her chest.

She didn’t have the back-ing of a famous “posse” as sheswayed back and forth, but her statement was clear:Trinidadians were in the houseat the recent 112th running ofthe Penn Relays.

But so too wereJamaicans, plenty of them,who usually swarm the presti-gious event on the last week-end in April each year. AndGuyanese, Bajans, Grenadians,Caymanians and nationalsfrom almost every country inthe Caribbean come along forthe festivities as well.

‘CLASH’The annual Penn Relays is

where jerk chicken and roti,reggae and soca, “clash” withthe legendary Philly cheesesteak and hip hop, rock androll or any other traditionalAmerican music. And if themain attraction just happens tobe the athletic accomplish-ments on the stadium track, theinflux of Caribbean culture inand around the University ofPennsylvania’s campus tends toleave a significant mark as well.

Casual estimates indicatedthat Jamaicans alone – thegreen and gold clad, loud, flagwaving bunch which dominatesone side of the stadium – num-bered close to half of the near-ly 50,000 spectators that turnedup for this year’s event fromApril 27-29. And if the turnoutof Caribbean fans was notenough, the stalls and boothslining the roads outside thestadium, plus those inside thecomplex, offered hard-to-ignore reminders that theregion was truly in the houseas well.

“It was like a big reunion,”said Tiphany Lee, a Jamaican-born university student whovisited the Penn Relays for thefirst time this year.

“I thought it was amazing.We took over the whole stadi-um.”

Well, not quite, butalmost. And don’t think theAmericans didn’t take note.For World and Olympic cham-pion sprinter Justin Gatlin ofthe United States, the dividedloyalty in his own homelanddid not go unnoticed.

“It’s wild, it’s crazy,”Gatlin told Caribbean Todaywith a smile. “I stand on onesection and I hear cheers (fromthe American fans) and on theother side I hear boos (fromthe Caribbean fans).”

FUNHowever, Gatlin and fel-

low American sprinter ShawnCrawford admired the spirit ofthe Caribbean supporters atthe meet. Both described therivalry between the U.S. ath-letes and those from theCaribbean as “fun,” which canonly help to increase the inter-

est in the sport and the meet.Their chief rival on the track,Jamaica’s Asafa Powell, wasalso impressed by the “home-town” presence at “Penns”.

“I look around and it’s likeI’m in Jamaica,” Powell, who isthe co-world record holder forthe 100 meters with Gatlin,told Caribbean Today.

This year’s meet drewentries from more than 40schools in the Caribbean, mostof them from Jamaica, but others from The Bahamas,Puerto Rico and the U.S. VirginIslands. However, off the track,the Caribbean vibe was aliveand well too. Many Caribbeanspectators were parents of U.S.-born athletes who competed atthe meet for American clubsand schools. But they did notrelinquish their hold on theirregional roots.

U.S. military recruitersand other non-Caribbean ven-dors played music from theregion to attract spectators totheir booths. It worked, asCaribbean nationals flocked toparticipate in the games andcontests being offered. Theyflocked to the booths and stalls

outside the stadium as well,where everything from flags,food, jewelry and clothes fromthe region were being sold atbrisk business pace too.

The region’s unity wasplain to see at the TeamJamaica Bickle tent just out-side the main stadium, wherethe organizers offered food toparticipating Caribean athletesand a place they could relax,talk and feel comfortable.

“It’s a win-win situation,”said Irwin Clare, Bickle’sfounder.

It’s a situation where everyCaribbean national who hasattended the Penn Relays –beginning decades ago - gets asample of the region’s culturein the U.S. And once they do,they rarely want to let go.

“I had a great time,” saidLee as she made her way backto school in Georgia after themeet. “I’m definitely goingback next year.”

Thousands of Caribbeannationals can’t wait to join her.


®

U.K. to help preserveSt. Lucia heritage site

‘Crazy’ Caribbean culture invades Philly

- Dyestat.comAthletes like Jamaica’s SonitaSutherland have been outstanding per-formers at the Penn Relays, and havemade the meet a huge attraction forCaribbean people in the United Statesover the years.

TORONTO, Canada, CMC– A three-day festival mark-ing Guyana’s 40th anniver-sary of Independence onMay 26 was held in Torontolast month, with a businessconference, followed by a

cocktail reception.Called the “Guyana

Diaspora CompetitiveConference”, the event tookplace at the WoodbineBanquet and Convention Hallin Rexdale, on the westernoutskirts of Toronto.

Invited were Guyaneseentrepreneurs with businessesin Toronto and Guyana, as

well as representatives fromgovernment agencies andbusiness organizations.

The Independence festivalwas held under the auspices ofGuyana’s Consulate Generalin Toronto and details about itappeared in a newspaper-stylepublication.

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Guyanese in Toronto celebrate Independence

C U LC U L T U R ET U R E

June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM


June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM

MIAMI - Port Royal, theonce pirate-infested cityrenowned among thewickedest on earth, will be thefocus of a South Florida exhi-bition early next year.

“Port Royal, Jamaica”will be opened in Feb. 2007 atthe Historical Museum of

Southern Florida in Miami.Port Royal, once the

home of the buccaneers andpirates, remains the causeceleb of theater and screenwhere the romance has notlost its appeal, although, his-torically, in the 17th and 18thcenturies, Port Royal was thecenter of the world.

Today, Port Royal sits as aquiet fishing village on the

palisade outside of Kingston,Jamaica’s capital city. The“city beneath the sea” is aworld historical site, with ahistory that reveals tangledconnections to Europe, theAmericas and the New World.

“Port Royal is a sleepinggem. The Jamaica Committee

is happy to help display anoth-er layer of Jamaica’s historywhile emphasizing theHistorical Museum’s role inattracting and showcasing thevarious peoples that make upthe wide South Florida com-munity,” said Jacky Shepard,director of the JamaicaCommittee which is presentingthe exhibition.

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TITLE: BLOOD BULLETSAND BODIES: SEXUALPOLITICS BELOWJAMAICA’S POVERTY LINE

AUTHOR: DR. IMANITAFARI-AMA

REVIEWED BY: DAWN A.DAVIS

No easing into the grittyreality of Jamaica’spoverty politics, Dr.

Imani Tafari-Ama cuts to thechase from the very first page.Sparing no words, and withlittle concern for sensibilities,Tafari-Ama spits it out.

“The local authoritieshave deliberately and continu-ously tried to sanitize thebloody urban streets of itscapital… the law of the urbanlandscape is ‘blood for blood’and ‘fire for fire’. Hence, forpoor city residents, violence isembedded in their past, per-vades their present, andthreatens to overrun theirfuture,” she says.

This is “Blood Bullets andBodies: Sexual Politics BelowJamaica’s Poverty Line”.

Sounds like the start of a riv-eting fictional story? Well,think again. This is the pre-vailing theme in a mountain offacts that shape the landscapeof poverty and politics inJamaica. From start to finish,the author paints a picture ofan orchestrated poverty classthroughout Jamaica’s innercities that came about througha parasitic political machineryhungry for votes, at any cost.

The culmination of herdoctoral thesis, “Blood Bulletsand Bodies” puts in layman’s terms Tafari-Ama’s remarkable participato-ry research in which she usedthe inner-city community of Southside,Kingston as an example,unapologetically sheddinglight on the political strategiesthat created such garrisons.

She lived for two years, inthe community that bordersKingston Harbour, and cameaway with a damning view ofstate authorities, who sheindicts for neglecting the com-munity they created. Theauthor argues that the result-ing poverty, or more preciselysub-poverty, has forced

residents to create their ownstrategies for survival - crimi-nality, sexual and gendermanipulation.

GARRISON BIRTHTafari-Ama highlights

how the 1966 Foreshore raz-ing created the Tivoli Gardenscommunity, which was thebeginning of garrison politics

and warring party loyal-ists. And, the reward of“scarce benefits” and“phallic prizes of dead-ly gun weaponry” fortheir loyalty markedthe “modern arche-type of masculinity”.Thus began the per-petual cycle ofreprisals and gangviolence as factionsfought like hungryanimals to get theirshare of the spoils.

The era of the“rude boys” wasnow official, andwith it, patriarchaldominance, as thesenewly crowned“community lead-ers” vied to provetheir masculinity.Now marked aspoor and violent,

these communities are virtual-ly cordoned off from the outercities, creating a swirling fishbowl of ultra-high unemploy-ment and poverty with no pos-sibility of escape. What otheralternative is there but crimi-nality? Certainly not confinedwithin these artificial borders,the violence has spilled outover the poverty line into the

“civilized” outer cities.“The various roles that thepoliticians and security forceshave played in this war effortidentify them as co-villainswhose autographs have beenwritten in and with the veryblood of the pawns in theirpolitical power game of bour-geois democracy,” the authorcharges.

The women in these com-munities, seeking a way out ofwhat must seem like perpetualboiling water, turn to sexualstrategies. With a skewedsense of identity, some resortto bargaining with their bod-ies, and many turn to skinbleaching in a desperate bid toimprove social status. Theauthor’s analysis of the“browning” of Jamaica’s innercity is fascinating as she delvesinto the psychological under-current and its relationship toracism and classism.

“In a severe expression ofinternalized racism,” she says,“more and more poor blackwomen are bleaching theirskin nowadays in a bizarreattempt to acquire the psy-chosocial status associatedwith brown or ‘socially white’

Port Royal’s legacy setfor Miami exhibition

The frightening reign of blood, bullets and bodiesB O O K SB O O K S


Port Royal has been featured in popular movies such as “Pirates of the Caribbean”.


June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada,CMC - Grenada last monthlaunched its 2006 carnival sea-son with appearances by tradi-tional mas bands, steel bandsand live performances by sev-eral calyposians and otherartistes.

The Grenada CarnivalCommittee (GCC) said dateshave been chosen for carnivalcelebrations over the next threeyears, with Aug. 14 and 15 setaside as the dates for this year.

In 2007, masquerades will

have to prepare for Aug. 13and 14 while Aug. 11 and 12are the scheduled dates for2008.

However, Carriacou, thesister isle in the Grenadinechain of islands, will celebratecarnival Feb. 26 and 27.

GCC said that 2006 wouldmark the 25th anniversary offestival and it would be com-memorating that milestonewith activities under the theme“August Is The Time”.

®

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados,CMC - The Caribbean MediaCorporation (CMC) took agiant step last month with thelaunch of CaribVision, a newcable channel which will beavailable on cable systemsthroughout the Caribbean andNorth America.

Errol Clarke, CMC’s chief operating officer whoannounced the new channel,said it will offer the best insports, entertainment, news andcurrent affairs and will engageCaribbean-wide resources indelivering a world-class product.

“This is a Caribbean chan-

nel with a Caribbean voice, andits survival is dependent onCaribbean support,” Clarkesaid. “We believe CaribVisionwill offer unique opportunitiesto promote our culture, ourgoods and services, our richCaribbean lifestyles and ourpassion. CaribVision will putthe Caribbean on the world’sstage and create opportunitiesfor social, economic and cultur-al developments.”

PARTNERSHIPSAlready, CaribVision has

developed partnerships in theregion with the Caribbean

Broadcasting Corporation inBarbados; TV6 in Trinidad; theCreative Production andTraining Centre, CVMTelevision and TVJ in Jamaica;ICRT in Cuba; ZNS Televisionin the Bahamas and over 40independent producersthroughout the region.

“All these organizationshave come on board to ensurethat we make the station effi-ciently available to our poten-tial viewers and we would liketo take this opportunity topublicly thank them,” Clarkesaid.

®

New Yorkers will again be able toexperience the sights, sounds, col-ors, culture and unique vacationattributes of the Caribbean regionwhen Caribbean Week 2006 con-verges on their city June 10-17 forthe annual weeklong series of con-sumer-focused events, vacationspecials and business meetings.

Arranged by the CaribbeanTourism Organization (CTO),Caribbean Week 2006 is expected tofeature events highlighting theregion’s vacation experience, fashion,food, entertainment and twoCaribbean weddings. The week cul-minates with the black-tie 33rdAnnual Governments of theCaribbean State Ball at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

Caribbean Week 2006 willalso feature a partnership with theUnited States Postal Service(USPS) which will make applyingfor a U.S. passport at CTO-organ-ized events quick and convenient.The partnership helps to addressthe new U.S. regulation requiringall travelers entering or re-enteringthe U.S. starting Dec. 31, 2006 tobe in possession of a valid pass-port. The USPS will have a boothat the Caribbean Fair as well as atother events so prospectiveCaribbean vacationers can applyfor a U.S. passport on-site.

Scheduled events forCaribbean Week 2006 are as fol-lows:

• Saturday, June 10, 11 a.m. –Celebrity cricket match - IdlewildPark, 223rd Street and 148thAvenue, Queens. Admission is free.

• Saturday, June 10, 8:30 p.m. -OECS music legends concert atBorough of ManhattanCommunity College, TribecaPerforming Arts Center, 199Chambers St., Manhattan. Theconcert will feature musicians fromthe Organization of EasternCaribbean States (OECS), includ-ing Da Bhann (Antigua andBarbuda); Kevin Lyttle (St.Vincent and The Grenadines);King Short Shirt (Antigua andBarbuda); Arrow (Montserrat)and Ellie Matt (St. Kitts). The con-

cert is open to the public andadmission is $35 per person. Fortickets, call 212-541-4117.

• Sunday, June 11, 4:30 p.m.–7:30p.m. - Caribbean Gospelfest atHanson Place United MethodistChurch 144 St. Felix St., Brooklyn.

The concert will featureHopeton Lewis and Joan Myers(Jamaica); Wendy Mitchell andWayne Johnson (Trinidad andTobago); Joseph Niles (Barbados);The Bahamas Praise Team(Nassau, Bahamas); CoraWilliamson (Guyana); HarrellaGoodwin (St. Croix, U.S. VirginIslands); Janice Charles (Grenada);Miriam Drakes (St. Lucia); and theNew Life Ambassadors of St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

Admission is $15 in advancevia www.caribbeanweekny.com or$20 at the door.

• Monday, June 12, through Friday,June 16 – Caribbean celebritychefs at Bloomingdale’s, Williams-Sonoma, Macy’s, MarriottMarquis, South Street Seaport andthe Waldorf-Astoria, Manhattan.

Chefs from world class resortsof the Caribbean will be in town tospice up the city with Caribbeanflair and flavors. They will preparedistinctive Caribbean dishes andconduct in-store cooking demon-strations at Bloomingdale’s (locatedat 59th Street), Williams-Sonoma(Time Warner Center) and Macy’sHerald Square (June 13, 15 and16). The chefs will also be fea-tured at New York City restaurants,the Caribbean Media Marketplace(Marriott Marquis), the CaribbeanFair (South Street Seaport), andthe 33rd Annual Governments ofthe Caribbean State Ball (Waldorf-Astoria).

• Monday, June 12, 6:30 p.m.–9 p.m. - Town hall meetings atMedgar Evers College, Brooklynand St. Luke’s Episcopal Church(East 222 Street, Bronx).

The meetings will provide anopportunity for visiting Caribbeantourism ministers to interact withtheir New York-based constituentsin discussions led by moderators.

• Tuesday, June 13, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.- Caribbean Fair at South StreetSeaport, piers 16 and 17. Two ‘live’Caribbean weddings, a newCaribbean vacation mart, a USPS

booth so consumers can apply forpassports, and cultural and musicalofferings will highlight the pro-gram.

Approximately 70 Caribbeancountry booths showcasing promo-tional materials, indigenous prod-ucts, arts and crafts, food samplesprepared by Caribbean celebritychefs, and a variety of culturalitems and presentations will beavailable.

During a special“Presentation of Proclamations” at2:30 p.m., Caribbean tourism min-isters officials, along with privatesector strategic partners, will be inattendance as New York City andstate officials deliver proclama-tions officially declaring June 10-17, 2006 Caribbean Week in NewYork. There will also be a flagraising ceremony for the Islands ofthe Bahamas, the venue for theCTO’s next major conference, the29th Annual Caribbean TourismConference (CTC-29).

Musical performance high-lights include the Turks & CaicosPolice Band, Da Bhann (Antigua& Barbuda) Junior Lion (St.Martin), Leon & the Peoples Band

(United States, Puerto Rico andthe Dominican Republic), KenIsles (St. Vincent & theGrenadines), and FreddieMcGregor and Son (Jamaica).The evening will be capped off by

Jamaican reggae singerHalf Pint.

• Wednesday, June 14, 9a.m.–1:30 p.m. - Caribbean marketingworkshop and awardsluncheon at New YorkMarriott Marquis Hotel,1535 Broadway,Manhattan.

Arranged by theallied members of CTO,it will feature a work-shop for tourism practi-tioners, strategic part-ners and industry repre-sentatives. The maintopic - EconomicAdvancement Through

Tourism - will be examined fromseveral points of view by entrepre-neurs and senior policy makersfrom North America and theCaribbean. The featured speakerwill be Bill Talbert, president ofDestination Marketing AssociationInternational. Talbert is also pres-ident and chief executive officer ofthe Greater Miami Conventionand Visitors Bureau.

• Wednesday, June 14, 4 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Caribbean media mar-ketplace at New York MarriottMarquis Hotel. Media market-place is used to arrange interviewswith representatives of both theprint and electronic media eager to know what’s new and differentfor 2006.

• Friday, June 16, 2 p.m.–3 p.m. - CTO press conference at the NewYork Marriott Marquis Hotel. It isscheduled to include comments onthe status of Caribbean tourism,highlights emerging from CaribbeanWeek 2006 and the 8th AnnualCaribbean Conference onSustainable Tourism Development(STC-8 which took place April 25-

29 in Puerto Rico). Details aboutthe 29th Annual Caribbean TourismConference (CTC-29) and otherupcoming events will be released.The press conference will featureremarks by Pamela C. Richards,chairperson of the CTO and com-missioner of tourism for the U.S.Virgin Islands, and VincentVanderpool-Wallace, secretary gen-eral of CTO.

• Friday, June 16, 7 p.m. to mid-night – 33rd Annual Governmentsof the Caribbean State Ball andAwards Presentation at theWaldorf-Astoria Hotel, 301 ParkAve., Manhattan.

Highlights of the event will be the presentation of theDistinguished Service Award, theLifetime Achievement Award, andthe Caribbean Tourism InnovatorsAward. Tickets, advertisingopportunities and special sponsor-ship packages for the ball may beobtained by contacting CTO’s NewYork office at 212-635-9530.Proceeds from the ball will benefitthe CTO Foundation.

• Saturday, June 17, 8 p.m. – Live music at the Crash Mansion,191 Bowery at Spring Street,Manhattan. It will feature “LiveMusic Series”, a show with SingingMelody performing.

• Saturday, June 17 – 8 p.m. to mid-night – Countdown to Antigua and Barbuda’s 50th Carnival at theShadow Night Club, ReggaeRoom, Manhattan.

This event will be held underthe auspices of Harold E. Lovell,Antigua’s minister of tourism, andcoordinated by the Ministry ofTourism and Antigua’s CarnivalDevelopment Committee.

For more information onCaribbean Week 2006, contactCTO’s New York office at 212-635-9530 or visitwww.CaribbeanWeekNY.com.

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Grenada showcases 2006carnival celebrations

CMC launches CaribVision, a new cablechannel for the Caribbean and U.S. markets

New York welcomes ‘Caribbean Week 2006’A RA R TT SS // E N T E RE N T E R TT A I N M E N TA I N M E N T


Kevin Lyttle is among the artistes scheduled to performduring New York’s “Caribbean Week 2006” this month.

June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM


June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM

JAMAICA YOUTHPAGEANT

The annual Miss JamaicaFlorida 2006 Pageant will beheld on June 25 in SouthFlorida.

The pageant, presentedby the Partners for YouthFoundation in associationwith ABI Startime, allowscontestants who are eitherJamaican-born or ofJamaican parentage to vie fortitles in four age categories:five to eight; nine to 12; 13-16and 17-21.

This year’s event isscheduled to be held at theCoral Springs Center for theArts.

For more information,call June Minto at 954-739-6618 or 954-721-6268.

PASSPORTSThe National Passport

Information Center (NPIC),the United StatesDepartment of State’s single,centralized public contactcenter for U.S. passportinformation, is offering a tollfree service and has expand-ed its serviceavailability/options.

Persons with questions orneed status checks on pend-ing passport applications cancall 1-877-487-2778.Customer service representa-tives are available from 8a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondaythrough Friday, excludingFederal holidays. Automatedinformation is available 24hours a day, seven days aweek.

For e-mail access, visit:

[email protected] Website ofpassport and other interna-tional travel information isavailable at travel.state.gov

‘GREEN CARD’ FILINGThe United States

Citizenship and ImmigrationServices (USCIS) hasannounced that aliens mustmail applications to renew orreplace permanent residentcards, commonly known as“Green Cards”, directly tothe Los Angeles Lockbox.

The Lockbox is a pro-cessing facility used byUSCIS to accelerate the col-lection of applications andpetitions. The announcedchange allows the agency toimprove the processing ofForm I-90 (Application toReplace Permanent Resident

Card) by electronically cap-turing data and images andby performing fee receiptingand depositing from one cen-tral location, rather than atthe local district office, serv-ice center, or application sup-port center (ASC).

Aliens filing a Form I-90,regardless of their state ofresidence, must mail thoseapplications with an applica-tion fee of $185 and a bio-metrics fee of $70 to one ofthe following addresses:

For U.S. Postal Service(USPS) deliveries:

• U.S. Citizenship andImmigration Services, P.O.Box 54870 Los Angeles, CA90054-0870;

Or for non-USPS deliver-ies (e.g. private couriers):

• U.S. Citizenship andImmigration Services,Attention: I-90, 16420 ValleyView Ave., La Mirada, CA90638

Applicants should notinclude initial evidence and

supporting documentationwhen submitting the Form I-90 to the Los AngelesLockbox.

Applicants will receive anotice for a biometrics pro-cessing appointment at anASC and will submit theirinitial evidence during thatappointment.

Applicants will receivetheir biometrics appointmentin the mail.

CRISIS HOTLINEMulti-lingual counselors

are available to respond per-sons suffering from stress orneeding help with housing,food, child care, caring forteens or other similar prob-lems.

Call 211 from a regulartelephone or 954-537-0211from a cellular.

The free service is beingoffered as part of BrowardCounty’s helplines.

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F Y IF Y I


Good homework habits are a family assignment

Consider enforcing a“homework-first” rule: check-ing e-mail, returning phonecalls and “screen time” is offlimits until homework is done.Some parents limit extracur-ricular activities to one or twoper season. Some parentsallow social activities only onenight per weekend. Othersinsist on preserving Sundaynights as “homework-free”zones so kids can relax beforethe school week starts again.Your child may actually begrateful for your help to setlimits and preserve “down

time”.

Don’t let your child substituteclicks for bricks.

It’s great that kids arecomfortable with computers(often more so than mom anddad) but you can’t plug yourmemory stick into an SATanswer sheet. Critical think-ing, reading comprehensionand logical reasoning are stillthe basis for advanced learn-ing–starting with collegeentrance exams. Internetresources may be handy forresearch (and unlike libraries,accessible at 11 p.m.) butbeware of mom-and pop web-

sites which may provide accu-rate and substantiated infor-mation—or not. If you wantto web surf for information,ask a college or public librari-an for some good Internetresearch sources on topicsyour child is working on.

Don’t do the math (or thefive-paragraph essay or thescience project).

Allow your child to do hisor her own work. Well, duh,you say–but some zealous par-ents forget their place, andforget that homework iswhere mistakes are supposedto be made and corrected–andlearned from. Besides, teach-ers have seen it all, and they’lllikely recognize when you,and not your child, have donethe work. If your child com-plains that he doesn’t “get it”,talk with the teacher.

Don’t make excuses for tardyor sloppy homework.

Curb the natural impulseto defend your child. (“But hehad a hockey game until 11,”or “She had play practice allweek.”) Your child needs tolearn that his or her actionshave consequences, and toplan ahead.

Practicing good home-work habits and a can-do atti-tude–on the part of parentsand their students–will go along way toward honing life-long learning skills and thecharacter traits of persistenceand thoroughness that willserve your child well beyondthe school years.

Author: Kris Berggren, a par-enting expert. Her latest bookis “Strategies for Stay-at-Home Parents”(Meadowbrook Press).

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skin. This is a prominentexample of how racist dis-courses of inscribed embodi-ment, which place particularemphasis on women’s ideal-ized sexual desirability, reflectthe historical fracturing ofblack identities.”

In fact, the thread of sexu-ality runs throughout “BloodBullets and Bodies”. Theauthor embarks on a topicthat has not tradi-tionally beenexplored. Shelooks at whyJamaicans, and forthat matterCaribbean peopleon a whole, havenot been able tofreely express sex-uality, yet in manycommunities like Southside, itis these strategies that arebeing employed in an attemptto rise from below the povertyline.

OPTIONSIt is this dichotomy that

begs the question, are welooking at a lost people?Tafari-Ama does not think so.She details developmentoptions that she believes willmake a difference as shedeclares this is more than an“academic exercise.” Theroles for politicians, securityforces, the communities,Rastafari, the women’s move-ment, and even children, areexplored. The author, outlin-

ing the importance of multi-media communications,explains that the media has anintegral part to play in dis-mantling the harrowing stateof poverty in Jamaica’s innercity communities.But, it all comes down toviable housing, social develop-ment strategies, and policiesthat will empower poor peo-ple. The problem is, and hastraditionally been, the lack ofwill by politicians who hold

the pursestrings.“Until thathappens,”says Dr.Tafari-Ama,“…theflood ofblood, bul-lets and

bodies that is overwhelmingthe streets of Jamaica’s innercities, will no doubt continueto rise rampantly on bothsides of the poverty line.”

“Blood Bullets and Bodies”is available in South Floridaat the African Bookstore,Shades of Africa, TalawahRoots, Rainbow Records andat select outlets in Jamaica.Visit www.bloodbulletsand-bodies.com for more informa-tion.

Dawn A. Davis is a freelancewriter for Caribbean Today.

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The frightening reign ofblood bullets and bodies


“...the thread of sexualityruns throughout “BloodBullets and Bodies”. Theauthor embarks on a topicthat has not traditionallybeen explored.”

June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM


GUY DELVA

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti,CMC – Haiti’s newly installedpresident has officially desig-nated agronomist and long-time friend Jacques EdouardAlexis to be the impoverishedCaribbean country’s newprime minister, officials said

late last month.Rene Préval wrote to the

presidents of both legislativechambers to formally informthem of his choice after around of consultations, asrequired by the country’s con-stitution.

Alexis, 58, who served asprime minister during Préval’s

first presidency from 1996 to2001, promised to work withall sectors to advance thecause of the country.

Préval’s opponents saidthey would not obstruct theappointment and insteadwould cooperate to ensurePréval’s success.

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HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC- Support for Bermuda’s rul-ing Progressive Labour Party(PLP) has slipped by almostfive percent to 34.8 percentdespite a rise in the personalratings of Premier Alex Scott,according to a new opinionpoll published late last month.

But the OppositionUnited Bermuda Party (UBP)has failed to capitalize on theshift in support, only manag-ing to increase its latest pollrating by one percent toremain five percent adrift ofthe governing party.

The poll, conducted forthe Royal Gazette newspaper,showed that the biggest sec-tion of the electorate surveyed- some 35.3 percent – is stillundecided about how it would

vote, would prefer anotherparty or did not express apreference.

The next general electionis due in 2008.

There was good news for

both party leaders with newOpposition Leader WayneFurbert also seeing a strongincrease in his personal stand-ing among voters, climbing justover 10 per cent since Marchwith 39 percent of those polledgiving him a favorable rating.It puts Furbert almost exactlyon a par with the last poll rat-ing of former UBP leaderGrant Gibbons who wasreplaced in January.

Premier Scott’s personalrating jumped by seven per-cent to 51.6 percent. The PLPhas been in power for almosteight years after ousting theUBP, which had run the coun-try for 30 years, in the 1998general election.

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Préval picks friend for prime minister

UNITED NATIONS, CMC –Dr. Barbara Carby, The direc-tor general of the Office ofDisaster Preparedness andEmergency Management ofJamaica, has been elected co-vice chair of the new UnitedNations Disaster Relief Fund’sAdvisory Group.

Carby, who has been lead-ing the Jamaican agency since1997, will serve as co-vice chairwith Sipho George Nene,deputy director-general of theMultilateral Branch of theDepartment for Foreign Affairsof South Africa.

Both were elected last monthduring the inaugural meeting ofthe advisory group at U.N. head-quarters in New York. MarikaFahle, advisor on the Horn ofAfrica for the Swedish ForeignMinistry, was elected chairperson.

Carby is the only Caribbean

community (CARICOM)national to be appointed to the12-memberadvisorygroup byU.N.SecretaryGeneral KofiAnnan. Theappointeeswere selectedfrom 39 nom-inations, andinclude direc-tors of disaster managementunits, officials from internationalassistance units, and advisors.

EXPERIENCEDCarby is responsible for formu-lating, implementing and moni-toring Jamaica’s hazard and dis-aster management programs.

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U.N. elects Jamaicanto disaster relief group

Support for Bermuda’s ruling party dipsR E G I O NR E G I O N

Scott

Carby

June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM


June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM


GORDON WILLIAMS

KINGSTON, Jamaica - On a day when two of theCaribbean’s greatest athleteswere honored, present starsoffered clear indication that theregion will continue to be amajor force in internationaltrack and field competition.

Trinidad and Tobago’sHasely Crawford and Jamaica’sDonald Quarrie were both recognized at the JamaicaInternational Invitational Meet(JII) held here last month, mark-ing the 30-year anniversary oftheir glorious performances atthe 1976 Olympic Games.

At that meet in Montreal,Canada, Crawford won thegold medal in the 100 metersahead of Quarrie. But theJamaican would crown himselfchampion soon after as well, bywinning gold in the 200 meters.Both former stars were presentat this year’s JII. Quarrie wasone of the main organizers ofthe meet and Crawford a guest.

FUTURE VIEWIn addition to the recogni-

tion, both ex-sprinters werealso treated to a view of theregion’s promising hopes forthe future in the sport as manyCaribbean-born athletes turnedin creditable performances.

Asafa Powell of Jamaica,the world record holder in the100 meters, clocked 9.95 sec-onds in his pet event to beatMarc Burns of T&T, who fin-ished second in 10.22. AnotherJamaican, Ainsley Waugh, wasthird in 10.31.

In the women’s race, DebbieFerguson of The Bahamas, 11.28,edged American Muna Lee,11.32, and Jamaican Sheri-AnnBrooks, 11.37.

The 200 meters for bothmen and women were alsoexciting. In the men’s event,Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, 20.10,held off a strong challenge fromAmerican Tyson Gay, 20.12, towin in a meet record. T&T’sAaron Armstrong finishedthird in 20.53.

The women’s race also pro-duced quality performances.Jamaica’s Sherone Simpson,surged past countrywoman anddefending Olympic championVeronica Campbell to win in ameet record 22.14. Campbellwas second in 22.51 and Leethird in 22.77.

In the 400 meters,Jamaican-born Sanya Richards,who now runs for the UnitedStates, broke the meet record

for women with a smart time of49.89. American MoniqueHenderson finished second in50.83 and Jamaica’s NovleneWilliams third in 51.04.

SWEEPSAmericans took the top

two places in the the men’s 400meters. Lashaun Merrit won in44.67, ahead of Andrew Rock,44.89. Jamaica’s JermaineGonzales finished third in 44.90.

The U.S. also swept thefirst three places in the men’s110 meters hurdles, with JoelBrown, 13.30, David Payne,13.31 and Robby Hughes,13.34, finishing in that order. Inthe women’s 100 meters hur-

dles, which was dominated byJamaican entries – five of six – local star Brigitte Foster-Hylton won in 12.69, ahead ofAmerican Damu Cherry, 12.78and Delloreen Ennis-London.

In the 400 meters hurdlesfor men, Kerron Clement, run-ning for the U.S. by way ofT&T, won in 48.95 ahead ofJamaicans Dean Griffiths, 49.28and Danny McFarlane 49.35.

The women’s event waswon by American LashindaDemus in 54.20. JamaicansAllison Beckford, 56.19, andKaliese Spencer, 56.71, finishedsecond and third.

Kenia Sinclair of Jamaicaset a meet record of two min-

utes and two hundredths of asecond (2:00.02) to win thewomen’s 800 meters ahead ofAmericans Hazel Clarke,2:00.24 and Treniece Clement2:01.77. Guyana’s MarianBurnett finished a creditablefourth in 2:02.29.

Caribbean-born athletesdid not fare well in the longerraces, but Jamaica’s worldchampion Trecia Smith stoodout in the field, winning her petevent, the triple jump, with ameet record leap of 14.34meters.


®

GORDON WILLIAMS

MIAMI, Florida – Two of theCaribbean’s brightest youngplayers have been signed toplay alongside establishedworld-class veterans as MiamiF.C. seeks to establish itself asthe new professional soccerteam in South Florida.

Fullback StephaneGuillaume, 22, of Haiti and23-year-old Jamaican mid-fielder Sean Fraser havestepped into a line-up whichincludes Romario and Zinho,both former members of aworld championship-winningBrazilian team. Romario wasalso named the most valuableplayer of the 1994 World Cupplayed in the United States.

However, the Caribbeannationals said they are nolonger in awe of the presenceof the former world stars andare ready to contribute to thesuccess of Miami F.C. in theUnited Soccer League (USL)thereby launching their owncareers in the game.

“To be here with Romarioand Zinho and playing profes-

sionally with these guys meansa lot to me,” said Fraser, whoplayed in two youth worldchampionships with Jamaica –under 17 and under 20 - and isa former member of Harbour

View andPortmoreUnited foot-ball clubs inhis homeland.“…My career

just startedprofessional-ly,” he addedlater. “So I’vegot a life (inthe game).

I’ve got to do what I’ve got todo.”

“(Joining Miami F.C.) isreally important because I amgoing to play with profession-als,” Guillaume toldCaribbean Today. “This is myfirst time that I’m going toplay with a professional team,so it’s really important to me.”

GOOD STARTBoth players have started

the season reasonably well.Fraser scored his first goal of

the season last month andGuillaume has played regular-ly as well. The club appearssatisfied with them, althoughanother Jamaican, OnandiLowe, controversially left theteam shortly after it returnedfrom a pre-season trainingcamp in Brazil. Miami F.C.officials described Fraser andGuillaume as “very skilful”players who should fit in easi-ly with the Brazilian style ofsoccer the club is hoping toimplement.

“I think he is a developingplayer. He’s still a young play-er. He’s got a lot of skills,”Miami F.C. General ManagerLuiz Muzzi told CaribbeanToday about Fraser lastmonth. “…I think he’s got abright future ahead of him.

“(Guillaume) is not afraidof anybody,” Muzzi added.“Just keeps going and takingon defenders.”

The general managerinsisted that both were draftedinto the team strictly on meritas players and not as a ploy totap into South Florida’s largepotential Caribbean fan base.

“They are here on theirown skill,” Muzzi explained.“We’re not going to get aplayer because he is Jamaicanor Haitian or Brazilian orColombian.”

AT HOMEThe general manager said

the club will be looking torecruit fromtheCaribbean,however, ifthe quality isavailable.Meanwhile,Fraser andGuillaumehave alreadystarted to

make themselves at home atMiami F.C. The style on thefield suits them, but both alsorealize that they represent not only themselves, but theCaribbean as well.

“You have to rememberthat I’m the only Jamaicanhere now since Onandi hasleft and I have to act as anambassador,” Fraserexplained to Caribbean

Today. “So whatever I do Iknow that I’m representingmy country. So I have to stayfocused and make sure I’mdoing the right thing at alltimes. It means a lot.”

With Jamaica and Haitibeing eliminated in the quali-fying stages of the 2006 WorldCup, the finals of which beginsthis month in Germany, theCaribbean players are anxiousto establish themselves as pro-fessionals so they will not missa chance at qualification forthe 2010 event.

“We (Haiti) lost in theWorld Cup 2006,” saidGuillaume. “For me, I’mgoing to work for that for2010 to see if I can be therewith the national team.”

For the two youngCaribbean players, Miamicould be the start of that mag-ical ride.


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Caribbean nationals play key roles in Miami’s new pro soccer franchise

Caribbean stars shine at Jamaica International Invitational meet

S P O RS P O R TT

Fraser

T&T’s Hasely Crawford raises his armsin triumph after receiving the gold medalfor the 100 meters at the MontrealOlympics in 1996. At left is Jamaica’sDonald Quarrie, who placed third.Russia’s Valeri Borsov finished third.

Guillaume

June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM


The Jamaica TouristBoard (JTB) hasunveiled a special

Passport Renewal ReminderCard to be distributed toUnited States visitors as theydepart Jamaica.

The card is being issuedin an effort to assist travelersto comply with the new regula-tions in the U.S. Government’sWestern Hemisphere TravelInitiative. It requires all U.S.citizens and foreign nationalstraveling to the U.S. to carrypassports for entry or re-entryas of Jan. 1, 2007.

The JTB designed thereminder card to be handedout to travelers at immigra-tion checkpoints at theSangster InternationalAirport in Montego Bay andNorman Manley Airport inKingston upon their depar-ture from Jamaica. The frontof the card features an image

of a U.S. passport while thereverse side explains the newtravel regulations and encour-ages visitors to begin theirpassport application processearly.

A reproduction of thecard as an animated imagehas been uploaded to the JTBhomepage, which can be

accessed by clicking on thetravel advisory link atwww.visitjamaica.com

The JTB is also workingwith its trade partners, such astour operators and travelagents, to encourage them topost similar reminders ontheir own websites and toraise the awareness of thenew initiative with their cus-tomers.

“Travelers from the U.S.make up the majority of ourtourists throughout the yearand the JTB wants to encour-age potential visitors to planahead,” said David Shields,the JTB’s deputy director oftourism. “As they begin toplan their vacation to Jamaicaand the Caribbean theyshould apply early for pass-ports to prevent last minuteinconveniences.”

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NELSON A. KING

NEW YORK, CMC - The Caribbean TourismOrganization (CTO) and theCaribbean Hotel Association(CHA), along with a group of“Charter Partners” from boththe public and private sectorsin the Caribbean, havelaunched a new branding cam-

paign liningall market-ing with asingle, iden-tifiable logo.

Atlast month’selaboratelaunchingceremony atNew York’sMarriottMarquis

Hotel, in midtown Manhattan,CTO and CHA executivessaid the focus of the campaignis to increase “awareness ofthe unique vacationexperiences available to con-sumers, as well as the diversityof the destinations and facili-ties throughout the region.”

Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, the CTO’s secretarygeneral, said the Caribbeanwould be advertised as “thebest place in the world.

“The Caribbean is a placewith a great deal of varietyand a certain amount ofrhythm,” he said. “This is awonderful beginning for us,and we have some great part-ners who have decided thatthey’re interested that weadvance this brand together.”

CLEAR MESSAGEAlec Sanguinetti, CHA

director general and chiefexecutive officer, said the sign-ing of the memorandum ofunderstanding and coopera-

tion on the band by bothCaribbean tourism entitiessends a clear message to theregion.

“This brand is a statementto bring the Caribbean togeth-er,” he said. “We’re going touse this brand to service theCaribbean for economicdevelopment.

“The economic impor-tance of the Caribbean isfinallybeingunder-stood,” headded.“Tourism isabout amuch widereconomy.”

Thetourismofficialssaid the ini-tiative began in Oct. 2005 withthe signing of a memorandumof understanding and coopera-tion by the CTO ChairmanPamela C. Richards and CHAPresident Berthia Parle, fol-lowed by the formulation ofplans under the dual directionof Vanderpool-Wallace andSanguinetti.

“Those plans have result-ed in the creation of a ‘OneCaribbean’ strategy forextending the Caribbeanbrand,” they said.

“Essentially, inclusion ofthe new Caribbean brand logoin all of the promotional andadministrative material ofboth public and privatesector members should cata-pult the Caribbean region toan unprecedented level ofawareness and demonstrate adegree of cooperation andcoordination that will be theenvy of the tourism world,”Vanderpool-Wallace said.

“We are confident that

inclusion of the Caribbeanlogo will also enhance thevalue of individual hotelbrands by proudly declaringtheir affiliation with theCaribbean,” Sanguinettiadded.

“We’ve had a lot of inter-est in this branding initiativefrom our members and antici-pate a wide acceptance anduse throughout the Caribbeanhotel industry.”

The “Charter Partners”,the first who agreed to use thelogo in their advertising andcollateral materials, includeThe Bahamas, Puerto Rico,St. Kitts, the United StatesVirgin Islands and Sandalsand Beaches resorts.our destination facilities andprotect our reputation.”

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The second annual HaitiTourism and EconomicDevelopment Summit

will be held June 23-25 at theDeauville Beach Resort inMiami Beach, Florida.

The summit will focus onrebuilding and developing thetourism industry of Haiti bybringing together key players inthe local and internationaltourism industry, including theHaitian and foreign private sec-tor, the public sector, and civilsociety in general, as well as rep-resentatives of international

financial (donor/investment)organizations to address issuesaffecting the development andsustainability of Haiti’s tourismindustry.

Special emphasis will beplaced on innovative marketingtools and strategies that willcontribute to the increasedawareness of Haiti as a tourismdestination and help improvethe economic well being of theHaitian people.

Key topics to be addressedat the summit include: infra-structure needs for the devel-

opment of tourism activitiesnationally; the role of theHaitian diaspora in the mar-keting and consumption ofHaitian tourism products;financing and investmentissues; community develop-ment opportunities; and securi-ty issues affecting tourism.

For further information, e-mail Magaly Prezeau [email protected] or visitwww.ToHaiti.com

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CTO to honor Barbados gov’t ministerNEW YORK, CMC - TheCaribbean Tourism Organization(CTO) has announced that it willbe honoring Barbados ForeignAffairs and International TradeMinister Dame Billie Miller forher 30-year contribution to theCaribbean as a senior public ser-vant.

The CTO said that the“Lifetime Achievement Award”will be presented during theorganization’s 33rd AnnualGovernments of the CaribbeanState Ball to be held in NewYork on June 16.

“Dame Billie Miller’s contri-bution and dedication to tourismhas positively affected both herhome country of Barbados andthe entire Caribbean region,” saidVincent Vanderpool-Wallace, sec-retary general of CTO.

“Her commitment is trulyhonorable and we are pleasedto present her with this presti-

gious award.”Dame Billie’s political

career began in 1976 when shewas elected Member ofParliament for the City ofBridgetown. That same year,she was named minister ofhealth and national insurance

and was thefirst woman tosit in theCabinet ofBarbados.Throughouther 30-yearpoliticalcareer, DameBillie has heldmany senior

offices, including deputy primeminister, minister of educationand culture, leader of theOpposition, and minister of foreign affairs, foreign tradeand international business.

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Regional organizations launch Caribbeanbranding campaign

TT O U R I S MO U R I S M // T RT R AA V E LV E L

Miller

Vanderpool-Wallace

Shields

Sanguinetti

Haiti tourism and economic summit set for June 23-25

Jamaica Tourist Board to issue passportrenewal reminder cards to U.S. visitors

June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM


MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica,CMC - The CaribbeanDevelopment Bank (CDB)ended a two-day meeting herelast month saying it was pre-pared to begin “operationalwork in Haiti” after Trinidadand Tobago announced it wasprepared to enter into a jointconstituency arrangement withthe former French colony tobecome a full-fledged memberof the Barbados-based financialinstitution.

CDB President Dr.Compton Bourne told the closing ceremony of the Boardof Governors meeting that thebank’s engagement into Haitiwould be a two-prongedapproach. He said that approachhad been developed “based on an immediate short-termresponse during the currentfinancial year geared towardsfamiliarizing bank staff with thesituation on the ground to befollowed by a medium termstrategy where a permanentpresence is contemplated.

“During this latter phase,CDB intends to work throughother organizations which haveconsiderable on the groundexperience in the Haitian envi-ronment and who share CDB’sobjectives for that country,”Bourne said, adding “CDB’smedium term strategy is consis-tent with the U.N. InterimCorporation Framework towhich a number of donors sub-scribe.

“Now that elections havebeen held and the security situ-ation has improved, we expect

that a way has been paved tocommence some operationalwork in Haiti,” Bourne told themeeting.

T&T ASSISTSEarlier, Trinidad and

Tobago’s delegate, Planning andDevelopment Minister, CamilleRobinson-Regis, said the PatrickManning administration hadtaken the decision to assist Haitibecome a member of the CDBin view of the island’s “imminentreturn to the Councils of the(Caribbean) Community(CARICOM) and the widerinternational community.

“The details of this matterare currently the subject of dis-cussions between both coun-tries,” she said. But sources told the Caribbean MediaCorporation (CMC) that Portau Prince had agreed to theconditions for the initiative.

Bourne also announcedthat the bank would continueits emphasis on deepening theregional integration process.

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PETER RICHARDS

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica,CMC - More Caribbean com-munity (CARICOM) coun-tries experienced economicgrowth in 2005 than the previ-ous year, but the overall rateof that growth declined due toa number of factors, accordingto the Barbados-basedCaribbean DevelopmentBank (CDB).

In its “Annual EconomicReview” report issued ahead ofthe CDB’s 36th Annual Boardof Governors Meeting, thebank said that the slowdown ineconomic growth resulted froma lower rate of expansion intourism and a decline in agri-cultural production.

In contrast, it said, activityin the construction sector rosestrongly across the region,reflecting reconstruction andrehabilitation of hurricanedamaged assets and accelerat-ed investment in facilities insupport of the World CricketCup 2007.

According to the CDB,preliminary estimates suggestthat while five Caribbeanstates had higher levels of out-put in 2005, compared withthe previous year, “all the oth-ers recorded lower rates ofgrowth, with actual outputcontractions occurring inGuyana (which recorded aminus three percent growth)where substantial higher levelof rainfall resulted in majorflooding, causing substantialdamage and disruption”.

The bank said Montserrat

also recorded a negative onepercent in GDP, noting thatthe “completion of a new air-port in the safe zone of theisland led to a sharp decline inconstruction sector activity”.

TOURISM SLOWDOWNThe slowdown in tourism

activity was a main contribut-ing factor to the decelerationin Antigua and Barbuda,where the gross domesticproduct (GDP) growth was3.2 percent compared with 5.2percent in 2004, and Belize,which recorded a 1.7 percentgrowth in 2005, as comparedwith 4.5 per cent the previousyear.

The CDB said a contrac-tion in sugar and banana pro-duction caused by adverseweather conditions also con-tributed to the situation inBelize.

“Similarly GDP growth inBarbados, 4.1 percent com-pared with 4.8 percent; St. Kittsand Nevis three percent asagainst 6.4 percent; Dominica2.4 percent, down from 3.6 per-cent; and St. Vincent and theGrenadines 4.5 percentreduced from 5.4 percent in2004, were affected by thereduced performance level ofthe tourist industry, with the sit-uation in St. Kitts and Nevisand Dominica being furtheraffected by ongoing structuralchange”, the report said.

The CDB said the declinein Anguilla was due to theslowdown in the constructionsector, while hurricane-relatedreconstruction was a majorcontributor to output expan-

sion in the Bahamas, CaymanIslands, Grenada, Jamaica andSt. Lucia.

It said in the case of St.Lucia “new construction sec-tor activity was a major con-tributor to the five per centgrowth rate as against fourpercent in 2004”.

The CDB said that therate of growth in Trinidad andTobago was maintained atabout seven percent for 2004reflecting continuing highactivity levels in the petrole-um and petrochemicals-relat-ed areas.

PROSPERITYThe bank said the con-

struction sector in theCaribbean also prosperedfrom both the private andpublic sectors continuing“their investment programs ininfrastructure and housing,and in production facilities.

“The increase in outputwas reflected in a rise in gov-ernment revenue collections,with this rise also resultingfrom efforts to improve theefficiency and effectiveness ofthe management of the publicfinances”, the CDB stated.

It noted that following aperiod of relaxation, somecountries moved to tightenmonetary policy, mainlythrough an increase in interestrates, to counter continuedstrong expansion in privatesector borrowing andits resultant pressure on for-eign exchange reserves.

®

ILYCE GLINK

Question: In a recent column, acouple wrote in saying theycouldn’t buy more investmentproperties because of theirdebt-to-income ratio. Theywere having trouble gettingfinancing.

I’m a mortgage lender andthere are plenty of loan prod-ucts that don’t require the tra-ditional debt-to-income andloan-to-value ratios. They’recalled “stated asset/statedincome” loans. The couplewould probably have to pay alittle more for the loan, but atleast they’d be able to purchasemore investment properties.

Answer: Thanks for your letter.Simply put, stated asset/statedincome loans are ones in whichthe borrower tells the lenderhow much he earns and howmuch he owes. The lenderdoesn’t necessarily verify thisinformation. For some peoplewho operate in the cash econo-my and are willing to pay high-er fees, points and interest,

such loans can work.However, I worry about

recommending these loansbecause they’re often abusedby predatory lenders.I’ve found that when you sendfolks out looking for statedincome loans and they don’tknow how to avoid predatorylenders, it’s like asking them topost “Scam Me!” signs on theirbacks.Because my columnsreach a general audience, ofwhom many are not that edu-cated about the loan process, Itry to opt for a more conserva-tive approach.But you’re absolutely right.Stated asset/stated incomeproducts could help someonewho wants to buy anotherinvestment property but whosedebt-to-income ratios are allmessed up by the depreciationof their other properties.

I still feel that if someonehas so many investment proper-ties that they have trouble bor-rowing more money, they’d bebetter off developing a long-term relationship with a locallender specializing in commer-

cial lending.

Question: Last year, we refi-nanced our primary loan withour same mortgage company.When all was said and done,the closing costs were $10,000.We took out $50,000 to dosome rehab work, but thendecided not to use the money.Do these closing costs soundright? And is there anything Ican do to question the lendernow? Also, should we take the$50,000 in cash and pay downthe loan?

Answer: When I first read your letter, I thought you had$10,000 in closing costs for a

$50,000 loan. That would beridiculous. But what I thinkyou’re really saying is that yourrefinanced mortgage cost you$10,000 in closing costs. Thatdoes seem high.Did you read your good faithestimate of closing costs? Didyou look at the HUD-1 formyou should have been given atthe closing? These documentswould tell you what you’re pay-ing for, and who received thecash. Go back and look at themnow to see if you were billedincorrectly for something.

When home buyers andowners ask me about closingcosts being too high, it’sbecause they don’t realize all ofthe things they have to pay for.Prepaid interest can be a bignumber. If you close on the firstday of the month, you’d owe awhole month’s worth of interestup front. On a $300,000 loan at6.5 percent, that would runabout $1,650. In some cases,the biggest number of all canbe real estate taxes. At a partic-ular point in time during theyear, the lender may need the

funds for a tax escrow account.If your property taxes are high,your closing costs could sky-rocket with the payment to thelender of the anticipatedamount needed to pay for anupcoming real estate tax bill,along with future tax bills.

In addition, you may haveto pay for title insurance, or anupdate to your current policy,and other fees. After looking atyour HUD-1 and good faithestimate, if you still can’t figureout why you were charged cer-tain fees, call your lender. Ifyou can’t get a satisfactoryanswer, contact your state’sdepartment of banking andfinance (which regulates mort-gage lenders in your state).

Regarding the unusedrehab cash, yes, you should payback the cash, unless you haveanother use for it. Right now,you’re just paying interest onmoney you’re not using.

© 2006 by Ilyce R. Glink.Distributed by Tribune MediaServices

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Haiti invited to becomemember of regional bank

Economic growth for more Caribbean states in 2005

Financial questions and answers

B U S I N E S SB U S I N E S S

Bourne

June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM


GEORGETOWN, Guyana,CMC - In a bid to ease woesat the pump the Guyanagovernment has announced aslash in the consumption taxon fuel.

Cabinet Secretary Dr.Roger Luncheon announcedlast month that consumptiontax on diesel has been reducedfrom 17.5 percent to 10 per-cent, following an earlierreduction in the tax on gasolinefrom 45 percent to 30 percent.

“Consequently, the priceof fuel at the pumps shouldnot exceed G$809 ($4.25) pergallon for gasoline down from$846 ($4.45), and $600 ($3.15)per gallon for diesel downfrom $664 (US $3.39).Kerosene price would also bereduced to $564 ($3.15)…”Luncheon said.

Government officials saidit is the policy of the govern-ment to habitually adjust theconsumption tax on fuelwhenever there is a steepclimb in acquisition cost offuel products on the worldmarket.

“Guyana buys refined oilwhich is about 30 percentmore expensive than crudeoil,” the government said in astatement.

World market price forcrude oil has climbed meteori-cally recently exceeding $70per barrel and governmentblamed this hike on increaseddemands for fuel in the Asiangiants India and China,Middle East instability “andhurricane threats to the U.S.refineries”.

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UNITED NATIONS, CMC –As he prepares to leave his post,the head of the United Nationspeacekeeping mission in Haitihas urged the global body tomaintain its current forcestrength there.

“The organization shouldstay the course,” Juan GabrielValdés, the head of the U.N.Stabilization Mission in Haiti(MINUSTAH) told journalistsat U.N. headquarters lastmonth.

Valdés said each time theU.N. had been in the country, ithad left just when the situationhad begun to improve.

“Rather than leave Haiti,this was the moment for theUnited Nations to reinforce itspresence, maintain currenttroop levels, consolidate theextremely fragile security situa-tion, and support the new presi-dent,” Valdés said.

The former Chilean ambas-sador, who was appointed spe-cial representative

in July 2004, added that whilethere might be some impending

changes inMINUSTAH’snature andcomposition,that time hasnot yet come.

“Peacekeepingoperationstoday are con-fronted by themost basic

poverty, destitution and margin-alization of masses of people,and that failure to address thoseproblems could keep peace-keepers in a country forever,”he said.

“All stakeholders, includingthe donor countries, shouldmake all possible efforts to pro-mote stability and developmentin Haiti,” Valdés added.

The UN official said thatthe two-year tenure of theAmerican provisional govern-ment of Prime Minister Gerard

Lartortue, had allowed theinternational community andthe Haitian people to begin toreorganize its institutions “so asto confront problems concern-ing poverty, security and nation-al development.”

Valdés said President RenéPréval has inspired some hope,and that the business communi-ty, civil society, and political par-ties were rallying behind thenew leader.

“(Preval) has indicated hiswish to see MINUSTAH contin-ue for the period of his tenure inoffice, and until a professionalPolice Force and a reformed judi-ciary were in place,” Valdés said.

About $1.2 billion werecommitted for Haiti in 2004, ofwhich some $800 million havebeen disbursed.

“It is important for theHaitians to clarify how thatmoney has been spent, particu-larly with respect to strengthen-ing infrastructure,” Valdés said.

®

Guyana cuts fuel taxas energy costs rise

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada,CMC - The Grenada govern-ment last month warned it wasprepared to adopt a toughstance against persons involvedin violence against women onthe island.

Social DevelopmentMinister Yolande BainHorsford said the KeithMitchell administration wouldbe closely monitoring reportsof abuse against women, chil-dren and other vulnerable persons and urged victims ofabuse to report the matterpromptly to the police.

Horsford said her ministrywas taking all reports of abuseseriously and warned that anyone violating the laws andabusing others in society wouldbe dealt with.

“It does not matter whoyou are, who your parents areor even your friends, if youcommit acts of violence ofabuse against others you will

be dealt with,” she said.“I have asked my team

in the Ministry of SocialDevelopment to give priority to reports of abuse and to treatthe victims with empathy andconfidentiality.

“It is unfortunate thatsome women and children inour society feel afraid orashamed to report abuse,many of them feel this waybecause they believe that theircase will not be handled pro-fessionally,” she added.

“It is time that we breakthis cycle where unprofessionalbehaviour provides a cover forsexual predators and violentindividuals. Women and chil-dren must not be afraid tospeak out. Those of us in posi-tions of authority and influ-ence must not use our positionto take advantage of vulnera-ble persons.”

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Grenada adopts tough stanceregarding violence against women

Outgoing U.N. peacekeeping chiefurges reinforced mission in Haiti

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad,CMC - Former Trinidad andTobago President Arthur N.R.Robinson has been elected tothe Board of Directors of theVictims Trust Fund of theInternational Criminal Court(ICC).

A state-ment from theForeign AffairsMinistry lastmonth saidRobinson waselected unop-posed by theStates Partiesto the RomeStatute of theInternationalCriminal Court to the five-mem-ber board and will serve a three-year term, representingthe Latin American and theCaribbean Region (GRULAC).

He joins a distinguished

panel which includes QueenRania Al-Abdullah of Jordan,Tadeusz Mazowiecki fromPoland, Minister Simone Veilfrom France, and ArchbishopEmeritus Desmond Tutu fromSouth Africa, who representtheir respective regions.

The former member of theboard of directors representingthe Latin American and theCaribbean Region (GRULAC)Dr. Oscar Arias Sánchez, who isthe current president of CostaRica, tendered his resignation inSept. 2005.

INSTRUMENTALThe statement hailed

Robinson’s election as signifi-cant, since he was instrumentalin the establishment of an ICC,which investigates and brings tojustice individuals who committhe most serious violations ofinternational law, namely war

crimes, crimes against humanity,and genocide.

The Victims Trust Fundensures that help and compen-sation is provided to enablepeople to rebuild lives oftenshattered by war and armedconflict. The money which thefund allocates to victims comeseither from a convicted person,who was ordered by the ICC topay compensation, make restitu-tion or provide for rehabilita-tion, or through grants fromgovernments, internationalorganizations or individuals.

Voluntary contributions by external entities to the fundmust first be approved by theboard of directors.

The board meets at leastonce a year at the InternationalCriminal Court headquarters inThe Hague, Netherlands.

®

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada,CMC - Hugh Wildman, thespecial legal advisor to theGrenada government, said

that the commission of inquiryinto allegations of financialwrongdoing against PrimeMinister Dr. Keith Mitchell

has been an exercise in futility.“In my view the commissionof inquiry is really an exercisein futility right now because itis of absolutely no value, thereis no evidence against theprime minister so that is reallya waste of time andresources,” he told reporters. Wildman said that he consid-ered the matter closed as noone came forward, in his view,and presented any credibleevidence to substantiate theallegations against the primeminister.

Governor General SirDaniel Williams had appoint-

ed prominent BarbadianQueen Counsel Dr. RichardCheltenham as the sole com-missioner to investigate theallegations made againstMitchell following a trip toSwitzerland in 2000.

DENIALMitchell had admitted

receiving approximately$15,000 from a German busi-nessman as reimbursement forexpenses incurred by him onbehalf of a team fromGrenada on official businessto certain European countriesand Kuwait in 2000. But he

has denied any wrong doing. “For all intents and pur-

poses in my view the case isclosed because the commis-sioner of inquiry (COI) wasgiven a time to run its courseand the time has expired,”Wildman told reporters. Hewas responding to recentstatements by Dr. Mitchellthat as far as he is concernedthe matter is closed.

“The governor generalwill have to re-open thatinquiry.

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Former Trinidad president electedto International Criminal Court body

Grenada government advisor dismisses commission of inquiry

R E G I O NR E G I O N

Robinson

Valdez

June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM


CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC -The International MonetaryFund (IMF) wants governmentto limit the growth of the civilservice wage bill, convert thepetroleum tax into an exercisetax, introduce a modern systemof Value Added Tax and excisetaxation in order to strengthenSt. Lucia’s fiscal position.

These recommendationswere published in the latestIMF report released here lastmonth.

The IMF directors calledfor a regional approach tophasing out such concessionsthat curtail destructive compe-tition for investment. They alsonoted the need for carefulmanagement and prioritisationof capital expenditures, whichwould help to lessen theemerging strains on capacity

stemming from the construc-tion boom and to contain infla-tionary pressure.

While the IMF commend-ed government for its record ofprudent public debt manage-ment, the best within theOECS, it recognized that publicdebt had risen sharply recentlyand urged government to takeadvantage of the economy’srobust growth to followthrough with plans to reducethe debt over the medium term.

“Government is wellplaced to avail itself of thepresent strength of the econo-my to address the structuraland fiscal challenges to lay thegroundwork for the continuedsustainable high growth in thelong term and a reduction inemployment”, the IMF stated.

®

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados,CMC – Trinidad and Tobago’sChief Justice SatnarineSharma’s challenge againstPrime Minister PatrickManning’s first attempt toimpeach him in 2005 on allega-tions of interference in the trialof a high profile doctor hasbeen adjourned to July 5.

Last month when the mat-ter was called before JusticeCarlton Best the judge took nodecision on whether Sharma’schallenge of attempts toimpeach him on allegationsthat he interfered in the crimi-nal prosecution of ProfessorVijay Naraynsingh will go totrial.

Lawyers representing thechief justice and Manning metin camera when the matter wascalled before Justice Best in

courtroom 20 of the Port-of-Spain High Court. It wasadjourned to July 5 for anothercase management hearing.

PRESSUREThe chief justice took the

prime minister to court overthe latter’s decision to advisePresident George MaxwellRichards to appoint a tribunalto investigate his actions inoffice. It was alleged thatSharma exerted pressure onDirector of Public ProsecutionsGeoffrey Henderson andAttorney General JohnJeremie to drop a murdercharge that had been broughtagainst Naraynsingh.

Deputy Chief MagistrateMark Wellington dischargedNaraynsingh on a charge ofmurdering his second wife, Dr.

ChandraNaraynsingh,on Mar. 11,2005. Sharmafiled his law-suit on April12, 2005,seeking judi-cial review ofthe primeminister’sdecision, and the case went intomediation stage in October.

Last month, Sharmablocked another attempt tohave him removed from office,filing for judicial review of asimilar decision by Manningafter it was alleged he (Sharma)attempted to influence the out-come of the criminal trialagainst former Prime MinisterBasdeo Panday.

®

IMF offers financial prescription to St. Lucia

Chief justice’s challenge againstT&T prime minister adjourned

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC -Prime Minister Portia SimpsonMiller bowed to pressure fromthe major players in the con-struction sector last month andextended the tariff waiver oncement from three months toone year.

Earlier in the month it hadbeen announced that the 15 per-cent tariff on imported cementwould be removed for a period ofthree months in an effort to getmore cement into the country.However, the players in the sector

were not satisfied and argued thatthe three-month time frame wasnot enough. Industry MinisterPhillip Paulwell said the govern-ment could not extend the waiverbeyond the three-month period.

INTERVENTIONHowever, the prime minis-

ter intervened and, by way of aMay 19 release from JamaicaHouse - the office of the primeminister, announced an exten-sion of the duty free regime toone year.

“This willclear the wayfor potentialimporters toplan importprograms overa long period,thereby elimi-nating thechallengesbeing faced bythem in sourcing a stable supplyto meet the shortfall in the localmarket”, the release stated.

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Portia bows to construction sector’s demand for cement waiver

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC -The head of St. Lucia’s largesttrade union has warnedCaribbean governments tobrace for an increase in depor-tees from North America andEurope as a result of toughnew immigration laws.

President of St. LuciaCivil Service Association(CSA) Joseph Dosserie says

the tough immigrationlaws under considera-tion are very likely tobecome law in theweeks ahead, makingliving outside theregion more difficultfor Caribbean nation-als.

The United Statesand more recentlyFrance have beenmoving to tightenimmigration require-ments, and Dosseriesays that the economicfactors facing thosedeveloped nationswere driving thoseregulations.“Whereas in the past

there were sufficientresources whichallowed them to toler-ate immigrants fromother countries, theynow find themselvesin a situation wherethey need to juggle theresources they haveleft to deal with theirown nationals.“I think it is impor-

tant that the regiondigs deep in trying todevelop more oppor-tunities for employ-

ment for their youth and oth-ers seeking jobs, because verysoon we will have quite a fewnationals returning home withthese laws currently beingprocessed,” he added.

MORE DIFFICULTIn the case of France new

legislation that has not yetbecome law will make it hard-er for unskilled migrants toenter France and its overseasterritories, and although theFrench ambassador to St.Lucia last month said that St.Lucians have nothing to fearfrom the new measures, thereare concerns that new restric-tions are something of a trendin the developed world.

St. Lucia’s ambassador tothe U.N. Julian Hunte alsoexpressed concern for thedevelopment, especially in theU.S., stating that these restric-tions were obviously going toprevent Caribbean people fromgoing to these places to furthertheir education and improvetheir economic situation.

“While the U.S. problemappears to relate more to theMexican border in principle itis the same thing and I believethis will place additional pres-sure on our governments tofind jobs for young people.This is the biggest area of con-cern,” he said.

According to Hunte,“when people cannot movethey have to stay and whenthey stay they have to be gain-fully employed.”

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Expect more deportees from U.S., Europe ~ trade unionist

R E G I O NR E G I O N

Manning

Simpson Miller

June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM


June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM


TALLAHASSEE – The hurri-cane season is here and FloridaAgriculture and ConsumerServicesCommissionerCharles H.Bronson isremindingconsumers toheed safetytips whenusing portablegenerators.

The gener-ators havebecome popular as a result ofpower outagesduring several record-breakinghurricane seasons.

“Generators are very useful when the powergoes out but they can be haz-ardous when consumers do nottake the time to review safetydirections and follow the manu-facturers’ guidelines,” Bronsonsaid. “People should take timewell before a storm to read theinformation so they don’t putthemselves and their families atrisk.”

The U.S. Consumer ProductSafety Commission receivedreports of 179 carbon monoxidedeaths associated with portablegenerators between 1990 and2002. In addition to the potentialfor toxic engine exhaust, otherprimary hazards include electro-cution and fire.

The primary cause of deathand illness is from carbonmonoxide poisoning becausepeople used generators indoorsor in partially enclosed areassuch as garages or balconies.Carbon monoxide is a colorless,odorless gas. Symptoms of car-bon monoxide poisoning aresimilar to the flu. People whofeel sick, dizzy or weak whileinside but feel better when theyleave their home should be cau-tioned that there might be car-bon monoxide present and theyshould get immediate medicalattention.

MISTAKESome consumers mistakenly

believed that using the genera-tors in their garage was safe ifthe door was left open. However,the gases leaked into the homesthrough vents. In addition,garages are not usually well ven-tilated so if the owner lets it runawhile and then comes to turn itoff, the carbon monoxide levelscan be so high as to immediatelyrender the person unconsciousand cause death.

Generators can producehigh levels of carbon monoxidevery quickly. Prior to purchasinga generator, consumers shouldmake sure they get one rated forthe amount of power they willneed. Light bulbs, appliancesand equipment usually havelabels indicating their power

requirements. People unable todetermine the amount of powerthey will need should contact an

electrician for help.Generators

should sup-port the mini-mum needs ofa householdduring anemergency.Also, during anemergency thefuel supply maybe limited sopeople shoulduse the genera-tor wisely.

TIPSFollow these safety tips to pro-tect against poisoning, electrocu-tion and fires:

• Never use a generator indoors,including in garages, balconies,crawl spaces or other partiallyenclosed areas even with ventila-tion. Opening windows or usingfans does not prevent carbonmonoxide buildup

• Place the generator outdoorsand away from doors, windowsand vents and put it in a coveredlocation.

• Follow the directions thatcome with the unit.

• Install battery-operated carbonmonoxide alarms.

• To avoid electrocution, keepthe generator dry and operate iton a dry surface under a canopy-like structure. Dry hands beforetouching the unit.

• Plug appliances directly intothe generator or use a heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extensioncord that is rated in amps orwatts at least equal to the sum ofthe connected appliance loads.

• Never try to power a housewiring by plugging the generatorinto a wall outlet. This is extremelyhazardous to the homeowner, utili-ty workers and neighbors servedby the same utility transformer.

• Don’t overload the generator.Don’t operate more appliancesthan the output rating calls for.

• Turn off all equipment pow-ered by the generator beforeshutting down the unit.

• Never store fuel for the gener-ator in the home, and use prop-erly labeled safety containers tostore the fuel. Also, do not storeexcessive amounts of fuel.

• Before refueling the unit, turnit off and let it cool down. Fuelspilled on hot engine parts canignite.

®

GLADYS REED

The 2006 season beginsJune 1. While moststorm preparations

focus on protecting homes andfamilies before, during andafter a hurricane makes land-fall, safeguarding personalfinances in advance of a stormshould not be overlooked. Prepare for the storm seasonby using the following tips:

Open a safe-deposit box atyour local bank, where youcan store original copies ofimportant documents. Banksoften offer free safe-depositboxes for account holders, orthey may charge you a nomi-nal fee. In the event yourbank branch sustains stormdamage, the safe-depositboxes will remain unharmedand may be moved to anotherbranch location, if needed.Items to include in the safe-deposit box include:Personal items – Birth certifi-cates, Social Security cards,passports, marriage certifi-cates, children’s immunizationrecords, irreplaceable photo-graphs

Legal documents – Wills, liv-ing wills, powers of attorney,property deeds, titles to vehi-cles and boats, divorce records

and child custody papersFinancial documents – Taxreturns; stock and bond cer-tificates; bank account infor-mation; insurance policies,including health and life,homeowners, vehicles andboats; photographs andappraisal value of valuableitems

• Keep photocopies of impor-tant documents, along withyour most recent bankaccount statement, in a fire-proof box in your home.

Take the box with you ifyou evacuate.

• Keep with you accountnumbers and the namesand contact informationfor your bank, mortgagelender and insuranceagents.

• Withdraw cash fromyour bank account toenable you and yourimmediate family to livecomfortably for a week.

• Consider having yourpaychecks direct deposit-ed to your bank account.With direct deposit, yoursalary is safely and reli-ably sent to your bankaccount, where you haveaccess to the funds.

• If you own a home, con-sider opening a home equityloan prior to storm season.This will ensure you havefunds available to pay forimmediate repairs, which willnot be covered by insuranceor which will be reimbursedby your insurance agency sev-eral weeks or even monthsafter the storm.

Submitted by Gladys Reed,Miami market president,BankUnited.

®

Safety guidelines whenusing generators

Are you financially preparedfor the hurricane season?

H U R R I CH U R R I C A N EA N E WW AA TT C HC H

Having cash on hand during a storm is a goodidea.

Care must be taken when using generators.

June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM


June2006.qxd 6/4/06 9:23 PM

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