CARIBBEAN NEWS , VOLUME 9
JANUARY 2003
KINGSTOWN, ST.VINCENT(AP,1/9/03)-Officials from throughout
the Americas began 3 days of talks here amid concerns that
terrorists could move undetected through the Caribbean on
their way to carry out attacks against the U.S. mainland.
Officials have said they are concerned terrorists could
pass through small airports or step off boats on poorly
patrolled coastlines as they head for their targets. If
terrorists slip into U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico or
The Virgin Islands, the mainland is a short plane ride away.
The vast chains of remote islands, notoriously difficult to
police, could become stop off points. The meetings host
country-St. Vincent &The Grenadines-comprises dozens of
islands and cays.
Many islands have little money to spend on security measures
particularly with the slow economy and decrease in tourism
following 9/11.
Officials also point to the October bombing of a nightclub
on Bali as proof that Caribbean tourist resorts could be
targeted.
ST. THOMAS, V.I.(REUTERS,1/7/03)-Those with dreams of owning
their own tropical get-away will need to have deep pockets
to make a play for undeveloped Thatch Cay, a 230-acre island
off the northeast coast of St. Thomas. The island became the
latest mega-property to list on the internet auction site-
eBay.
At the minimum bid of $3 million, a sale of the whole island
would be the largest ever real estate deal on the auction
site. Since it went on the virtual block Jan. 6, anonymous
bidding has inched the total sale price to nearly $4 million.
According to the seller, the island, zoned residential, is
worth $22 million.
The sale of an island in a U.S. jurisdiction is a rare find
that could make Thatch Cay more appealing.
Bidding will close Jan. 16th.
ST. CROIX, V.I.(VI DAILY NEWS,1/9/03)-Nearly 300 protesters
gathered at historic Buddhoe Park to vent their frustrations
over pay raises for top government officials by beating on
drums and blowing on conch shells.
Buddhoe Park was the site of the 1848 slave uprising, an
irony not lost on many gathered in Frederiksted. Black and
white, old and young and those of varying social background
stood as one, waving placards and dancing to Bob Marley
singing "Get Up Stand Up", blasting from speakers.
Tyrone Molyneaux, president of St. Croix's Federation of
Teachers addressed Gov. Charles Turnbull: "Police and
teachers are underpaid. Our schools have no textbooks, no
accreditation. Sewage running in the streets. You don't need
that raise. We pay for your housing, transportation, food.
We pay for your clothes. Have a heart. Recind the raises."
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS(CMC,1/4/03)-The Caribbean Community
(CARICOM), is working towards a March, 2003 deadline for
having arrangements for free movement of skilled nationals
fully operationalised.
The disclosure was made while confirming that Antigua and
Barbuda have completed all the necessary arrangements. This
means that Caribbean artists, musicians, media workers and
sports persons can now apply to work on those islands without
a work permit.
Confirmation is expected from Jamaica soon, while other
countries, including Barbados, still need to enact the
legislation.
Free movement of skilled nationals is critical to CARICOM's
goal of establishing a single market and economy by 2005.
Further discussion of the free movement of other categories
of workers including nurses, teachers and technicians are
scheduled ahead of the next CARICOM Summit in July.
CULTURE:
CHRISTIANSTED,ST. CROIX(VI DAILY NEWS,1/3/03)-Festival was
in the air as residents and visitors took to the streets
to enjoy the 50th Crucian Christmas Festival J'ouvert,
gathering before 4 A.M. awaiting the start of the tramp.
The winter morning was cool and dark, but J'ouvert
participants danced and tramped their way for more than 5
hours-from Golden Rock, down King and Hospital Streets
and into Festival Village.
Bands such as Phranchise, VIO International, XPress Band
and Imaginations Brass belted out the lyrics from this
years hottest jump-up songs.
J'ouvert outfits- with colored wigs, pajamas, school
uniforms, hazmat jumpsuits and more-were worn by young
and old.
CHRISTIANSTED, ST. CROIX(VI DAILY NEWS,1/4/03)-The Crucian
Christmas Festival Children's Parade offered a riot of
colors and sounds to the thousands of people who lined
the parade route.
Parade perfect weather-bright sun, scattered clouds, and
a gentle breeze-reigned for the entire 4-hour event.
Sophia Johnson,8, a student at Lockhart Elementary,
beamed as she practised her parade wave. Sophia served
as this year's grand marshal in honor of her life-saving
skills.
On Aug. 29, while swimming at Hotel on the Cay-where her
mother works-Sophia met a 4-year-old tourist from
Chicago. When the young child began grabbing for help,
Sophia managed to pull her to the beach and gave her
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Sophia and her mother departed in the parade's lead
convertible, followed by a contngent of St. Croix
Majorettes.
Then came the clowns, steel pan bands, and mocko jumbies
from various schools to liven it up!
ENTERTAINMENT:
KINGSTON, JAMAICA(STAR,1/3/03)-Popular DeeJay Moses"Beenie
Man"Davis was arrested after police stopped the car he
was driving and allegedly found ganja inside.
Davis was driving along Hope Road in St. Andrew when
police stopped him after noticing a headlight was out.
Upon checking the car's document's, it was found to be
uninsured. During further checks, a quantity of ganja
was found in a bag on the rear seat.
Beenie Man is one of the most popular dancehall artists
in the world. He was the second Jamaican artist to win
a Grammy. His latest album "Tropical Storm", reached
the Top 30 on the Billboard charts.
ST. CROIX, V.I.(VI DAILY NEWS,1/3/03)-News headlines are
the stuff great calypso lyrics are made of, and this
years Festival Calypso Monarch Competition was no
exception.
When the 5-hour show ended, Samuel"Mighty Pat"Ferdinand
retained his crown, besting 10 others that included:
Cedric"King Spade"Brookes, Campbell"King Kan"Barnes,
and Wellington"Wreckman"Pelle.
This year's show went down in history, with 8,000 in
attendance-the largest crowd ever.
"I've been coming to this since the '60's and I've
never seen a crowd like this", said Labor Commission-
er Cecil Benjamin. He said the crowd consisted of
people from various Caribbean islands who enjoy good
kaiso(calypso).
SPORTS:
PORT-OF-SPAIN,TRINIDAD(AP,1/10/03)-West Indian batting
trump Brian Lara, says he is fit and ready for the World
Cup after overcoming a mystery illness. Lara, 33, was to
return after being out of action since September. The
Trinidadian left-hander missed subsequent tours of India
and Bangladesh and is still unclear what illness he had.
During an indoor session, Lara middled the ball consist-
ently, with his legs moving easily. Outside, his batting
also looked comfortable against bowlers such as Mervyn
Dillon.
"I will love to play on a winning World Cup team. I will
love to leave South Africa with the trophy for the West
Indies", Lara said.
(See related stories-Oct.2002)
PATO'S NOTE:
I am going on Sabbatical to St. John for awhile and will
report "live & direct" on the latest happenings from the
Caribbean while there.
I also plan to meet with market vendors there and have
many new hand-made products to offer you upon my return.
I know many of you think that my Sabbatical will be spent
soaking up sun, surf and sand, but for me, this is usual-
ly not the case.
Most of my time is spent on Trinidad Charlie's land,
cuttin' bush, preparing soil, planting and yes, enjoying
the fruits of our labors. Sometime's, toward the end of
a hot day(before the no-see-ums come out!), Charlie and
I will go out to "Little" Hawksnest for a swim, but it's
more therapeutic than anything else-cool out the muscles.
I will also be spending time at Guy Benjamin Elementary
School, volunteering my services in any way that I am
needed. I can't wait to see all of the children again!
I know I'll spend days in the park helping N'zeeba vend
on "market days". When I do go out, it's to see and
hear Brothers Jupiter, Grass, and Ras Paul in Inner
Visions play their sweet reggae music. O.K., those times
are alot of fun....
Many thanks and praises to you.
