01 March 2000
Canadadian authorities maintained, yesterday Cuban diplomat, Jose
Imperatori, who has been accused by UAS authorities of spying, leave the country
immediately, attesting that he is breaking the law by overstaying a transit visa.
Imperatori, former vice consul of Cuba's Interests Section in Washington, was deported to
Canada last weekend.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
The head of an Organisation of American States (OAS) election observer
mission in Haiti, Orlando Marville, expressed concern about the country's troubled
electoral process, whilst remaining optimistic that the vote would take place in the
coming weeks. "In this field, you have to be optimistic. From what we see, there is
no reason to think there won't be elections (on March 19)," Marville affirmed.
Haiti's efforts to organise its first elections in nearly three years and to register some
4 million voters have been marred by theft of election materials and insufficient voter
registration offices.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
02 March 2000
The Jamaica government, bowing to concerns of a number of groups,
suspended parliamentary debate on the signing of an agreement to set up a Caribbean court
of appeal Prime Percival Patterson disclosed, February 29, that for now he would only
initial the document.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
Dominica Prime Minister Rosie Douglas indicated he welcomed the input of
the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) in giving policy direction to Dominica's
economic development. Douglas, meeting with an ECCB delegation to discuss issues related
to economic policies for the country, asserted that review of the economy by the central
bank will assist government in setting on track its policies for the development.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
03 March 2000
Anguilla general elections will be held today.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
04 March 2000
Cable & Wireless Jamaica will provide a completely digital cellular
telephone network for Jamaica by June 30 2000. The complete digitalisation of the network,
previously set for completion in December 2001, is a main objective in the next phase of
the company's expansion programme starting in April..
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
The United Front, a grouping of opposition forces, will form the new
government in Anguilla after scoring a narrow victory in general elections yesterday. The
Front, bringing together the Anguilla National Alliance of former finance minister
Osbourne Fleming and the Anguilla Democratic Party of another ex-finance minister Victor
Banks, won four of the seven seats in the election, which was called four years early.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
05 March 2000
Under a package of tough new measures to deal with a crisis in the banana
industry and struggling to deal with high indebtedness, the Dominica Banana Marketing
Corporation (DBMC) is expected to lower the price paid to banana farmers for exports of
their fruit. The DBMC specified the reduction it is necessary to redress banana prices,
which were higher than export earnings of the DBMC, making the company unable to sustain
production levels and general operations.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
Despite having garnered praise from the USA on its drug fighting efforts,
Jamaica still is named by the USA government as a major transit point for South American
cocaine en route to the American mainland and the largest Caribbean producer and exporter
of marijuana. The USA identified Jamaica as being among the world's leading 28 countries
for narcotics production and for serving as a transit point for trafficking.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
Anguilla's new coalition government will be sworn in March 6, with
Osbourne Flemming as the new Chief Minister.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
06 March 2000
Jamaica appointed, Carl Marshall, former Speaker of Parliament, as High
Commissioner to Nigeria. The appointment completes a process of normalisation of relations
with Nigeria following sanctions by Jamaica and other Commonwealth countries for human
rights' violations allegedly carried out by the late General Sani Abacha's Military
government.
The people of St Kitts and Nevis vote today in general elections.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
07 March 2000
The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP), headed by Prime Minister Dr.
Denzil Douglas, won yesterday's general election, securing a second consecutive five-year
term of office.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
The Windward Islands Banana Developing and Exporting Company (WIBDECO) has
taken umbrage with the St Lucia Banana Corporation's (SLBC) recent announcement of a
negotiated price increase for farmers. WIBDECO's Chief Executive Officer, Bernard
Cornibert, in a statement March 6, asserted that the increase been obtained by WIBDECO and
will be received by growers in all four Windward Islands.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
08 March 2000
At least five people are reported to have drowned after a boat smuggling
Dominican Republic citizens into Puerto Rico capsized off the north-western part of the
island this morning. Auhtories indicated that only 10 of the estimated 63 people on board
reached land in northwest Puerto Rico. A rescue mission involving USA Coast Guard and the
Border Patrol recovered five bodies so far.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
The Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI) will spearhead a
regional watershed and coastal zone management project in 13 Caribbean countries.
Executive Director for CEHI, Vincent Sweeney, specified that the US$ 10 million project
will undertake a more integrated look at watershed issues and the impact they will have on
small island states, particularly the coastal areas. Adding, "the project seeks to
better integrate consideration of coastal area issues as well as inland watershed issues
and bring together the various sectors that impact on both the watershed and coastal
areas, so that the management of both are improved."
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
The USA praised the Antigua and Barbuda government for its work in drug
control last year. The USA International Narcotics Control Strategy Report noted that
Antigua provided substantive assistance to American law enforcement and prosecutors
investigating and prosecuting fraud and money laundering. "In July 1999, Antigua and
Barbuda became the first country in the Eastern Caribbean to bring the new Extradition
Treaty and Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the United States into force," the
report highlighted.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
11 March 2000
Jamaica's Foreign Minister, Dr Paul Robertson, communicated that Jamaica
will send US$20,000 dollars to the people of flood-stricken Mozambique. The government has
also launched a public appeal for donations for the people of Mozambique, to help in the
rehabilitation of the country.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
Aviation, telecommunications and justice issues are among key items for
discussion when Organisation of Eastern Caribbean (OECS) State leaders meet, March 13 in
St Kitts and Nevis. A date for the twice postponed regular meeting of the OECS leaders
will also be scheduled at the meeting.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
12 March 2000
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat will launch a public
education programme designed to inform the region's citizens of a number of important
issues in the region. Among these are the proposed Single Market and Economy and
institutions such as the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). The decision for such a
programme came out of the last meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, at which the
signing of the agreement for the establishment of the CCJ was postponed to allow for
greater information to the public.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
Canada-based CGX Energy Oil group announced a find of two potentially
giant fields offshore Guyana and communicated that it will be drilling for oil from about
the end of May. CGX has a concession offshore roughly between the mouths of the Corentyne
to the east and the Demerara River in the west.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders, meeting in St. Kitts and Nevis,
March 13, will consider the continued use of a facilitator in the political dialogue
between Guyana's two major political parties. CARICOM Secretary General, Edwin Carrington,
recently divulged that he felt "slightly saddened" that the dialogue has not
been "particularly fruitful", noting only the parties concerned can make it
work.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
Jamaica Prime Minister, Percival Patterson, outlined the Caribbean's
position on current and future relations with France and its Caribbean overseas
territories, during a meeting with French President, Jacques Chirac and Caribbean leaders,
March 10, in Guadeloupe. Noting that the summit was the first of its kind between France
and the Caribbean, Patterson attested that the meeting should serve to pave the way for a
more meaningful and beneficial relationship between France and the Caribbean.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
13 March 2000
A series of meetings will be held to determine the future direction of a
Canadian sponsored Caribbean development programme. The meetings will be held in Jamaica,
Guyana and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the current beneficiaries
of the projects. The sessions, the first beginning in Jamaica today, have been organised
by the St. Lucia-based Caribbean Regional Human Resource Development Programme (CPEC). The
EC$ 60 million (US$22.2 million) programme, funded by the Canadian government, will aim at
strengthening the capacity of the region to compete in the global economy.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
Heads of government of CARICOM opened their 11th Inter-Sessional Meeting
in St. Kitts/Nevis today. The two-day event is expected to complete the signing of the
final two in the package of nine protocols amending the CARICOM Treaty to facilitate the
creation of a single market and economy.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
14 March 2000
Dominica government ministers met with International Monetary Fund (IMF)
officials yesterday for a situation analysis on the economy of the country.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
CARICOM will seek to resolve sharp differences with the Organisation for
Economic Co-operation for Development (OECD) on what the OECD considers harmful taxation
policies. Officials of the OECD met with representatives of Barbados, Antigua and The
Bahamas to work out differences on appropriate tax regimes. These are three of the
Caribbean countries among some 47 jurisdictions targeted by the OECD.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
15 March 2000
The Caribbean Examinations Council and the European Union, will convene a
meeting, in Barbados March 22 to 24, under the theme "Global trends in educational
assessment: challenges and opportunities for the Caribbean". Participants will come
from the English Speaking Caribbean, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Suriname.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
16 March 2000
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) will lend almost US$ 4 million to
Anguilla to boost its electricity service. "The project provides for the purchase and
installation of two medium-speed diesel generators of approximately 2.5 megawatts each;
civil works associated with the extension of the power station; and environmental cleanup
in the form of soil remediation, refurbishment of the tank farm area and installation of
noise-reduction devices," CDB officials indicated.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
CARICOM should its support for Belize in its border dispute with
Guatemala. CARICOM expressed its anger at Guatemala to what it calls that country's latest
act of hostility against Belize with which it has a long-standing territorial dispute.
Part of Caricom's message to Guatemala stated it is "with great dismay that Guatemala
has reactivated its claim to more than 12,000 square kilometres of Belize's territory,
which is more than half of the country."
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
18 March 2000
Guyana President, Bharrat Jagdeo, March 16 while visiting Jamaica,
cautioned the Caribbean against becoming fixated with regional integration at the expense
of opportunities presented by the wider world. According to the Guyana President even
while the region focused on building a single market and economy it had been unable to
exploit opportunities in Europe presented by the Lomé Convention because of the
inefficiency in the regional productive systems. The President further noted, "I
believe strongly in Caribbean integration but I do not believe that we should get so
fixated on integration that we lose sight of a larger world out there."
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
The Antigua and Barbuda government is in the process of finalising
arrangements for the arrival of the first batch of Cuban doctors aimed at boosting the
local health sector. Permanent Secretary in the Foreign Ministry, Colin Murdoch,
disclosed, yesterday, "We approached the Cuban government, and now we have come to
the point of where they (are) actually coming to Antigua and putting into effect the
agreement."
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
Caribbean Hotel
Association Executive Officer, John Bell, March 17, cautioned that as the price of crude
oil on the world market rises to giddying heights, the fragile economies of the Caribbean
need to prepare for the after-shocks from the global market. Mr. Bell warned that the
tourism sectors could begin feeling the impact, as an increase in airfares resulting from
the price increase could keep vacationers out of the region.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
Although scientists assure that the island is safe, they maintain close
watch on Montserrat's Soufriere Hills volcano. Authorities at the Montserrat Volcano
Observatory (MVO) indicated the new lava dome continues to grow.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
20 March 2000
CARICOM heads of government, in order to advance objectives of the
Community, have been assigned specific responsibilities. Following are the portfolios:
External negotiations - Jamaica; Single Market and Economy (including Monetary Union) -
Barbados; Health - St Kitts and Nevis; Science and Technology - Grenada. Tourism - The
Bahamas; Services - Antigua and Barbuda; Agriculture and Food Security - Guyana. Security
- Trinidad and Tobago; Transportation - Haiti; Labour - Dominica; Sustainable Development
- Belize; Community Development and Cultural Cooperation - Suriname; Justice and
Governance - St Lucia; and Bananas - St Vincent and the Grenadines.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
21 March 2000
Heavy rainfall triggered a collapse of the new lava dome at Montserrat's
Soufriere Hills volcano, yesterday, however, the designated "safe zone" in the
north is in no immediate danger, according to scientists. The Montserrat Volcano
Observatory (MVO) attributed the heightened activity that resulted in mudflows and flows
of hot rock, gas and ash to heavy rainfall. The authorities have barred anyone from
entering even less risky areas during the day due to heavy mudflows down the Belham River.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
The Caribbean Human Rights Network (Caribbean Rights) indicated it will
try to persuade hemispheric and international human rights bodies and agencies to use
their influence to avoid a worsening of regional territorial disputes. In a lettert to
CARICOM Secretary General, Edwin Carrington, by its Executive Secretary, Dennis Daly,
Caribbean Rights pointed to the latest renewal of a territorial claim to Belize by
Guatemala, and also the ongoing border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela. The
organisation welcomed what it described as last week's "principled statement of
unequivocal support" by CARICOM leaders for Belize while, at the same time, urging
both Guatemala and Belize to peacefully resolve a colonially-inherited problem.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
Jamaica Prime Minister, Percival Patterson, in an address to the nation,
came out in strong defence of the proposed Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). He said he
was convinced that the Caribbean can provide a final Court of Appeal, with a panel of
distinguished jurists who will protect the law, develop the region's jurisprudence and
dispense justice, capable of commanding public confidence.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
Many in Cuba heralded a USA judge's ruling in the case of shipwreck
survivor Elian Gonzalez, that the child be returned from Miami to his father in Cuba. The
ruling has gone against the Miami relatives of the boy, who are trying to keep him in the
United States.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
The Cayman Islands Immigration Board, which handles work permit
applications from non-nationals, issued a directive, March 20, aimed at halting any
increase in the number of Jamaicans holding work permits by asking businesses to recruit
workers from other Caribbean countries. The Board noted that as of December 31, 1999, more
than half of all ex-patriate workers were from Jamaica, with 7,201 Jamaicans on one-year
work permits out of a total of 13,276.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
A Cuban delegation headed by Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister, Felipe Perez
Roque, yesterday arrived in Zimbabwe for an official visit. The Cuban delegation's visit
aims to revise bilateral relations and promote trade links, as well as scientific,
technical and economic collaboration between Harare and Havana. The Cuban delegation will
meet President Robert Mugabe. Perez Roque will also travel on to Namibia, South Africa and
Nigeria.
(Press Release, Cuban Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago)
Cuban Ambassador to Andorra, Isabel Allende, yesterday presented the
official letter which accredits her as Cuba's main representative in this south west
European principality. Allende, is also responsible for the Cuban diplomatic mission to
Spain.
(Press Release, Cuban Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago)
Cooperation between Cuba and Angola will be encouraged at the 10th
intergovernmental Joint Commision to be held in Havana between both countries, at the end
of March. A trade agreement is also expected to be signed.
(Press Release, Cuban Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago)
22 March 2000
The USA Embassy in Guyana suspended processing of visitor visas until
further notice owing to a visa-selling scam. A employee of the USA Embassy in Georgetown,
and a citizen of Guyana, were charged in Chicago with conspiracy to commit bribery and
visa fraud.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
CARICOM recently completed a bilateral trade package with the Dominican
Republic, which should permit the early implementation of a Free Trade Agreement. The
Agreement and Protocol represent the most comprehensive bilateral trade agreement CARICOM
has concluded.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
UN Under-Secretary General, Dr Nafis Sadik, will visit Guyana. Sadik, will
hold talks with President Bharrat Jagdeo and ministers who hold portfolios in the social
sector and also sign a document on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, during her
three-day stay.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
Since an eruption March 20, scientists recorded only a few rockfalls with
Montserrat's volcano being relatively quiet. However, scientists did not discount the
possibility that further explosions may occur.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
23 March 2000
UN Good Officer in the Guyana/Venezuela border dispute, Oliver Jackman,
yesterday wrapped up meetings with President Bharrat Jagdeo, Foreign Affairs Minister
Clement Rohee and representatives of political parties, having met the Venezuela
government last week. However, he indicated that it is too early to say whether a
resolution of the controversy is near.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
24 March 2000
Namibian President, Sam Nujoma, confirmed his attendance at the South
Summit in Havana, April 10-14, during a meeting with Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister,
Felipe Perez Roque, in Namibia. Nujoma, indicated that he considers the summit will be an
excellent opportunity to present his own contribution, from the Namibian point of view, to
the South-South cooperation, for example Cuban collaboration with his country.
(Press Release, Cuban Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago)
Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister, Felipe Perez Roque, and Namibian Foreign
Affairs Minister, Theo Ben Gurirab, signed an agreement to create a diplomatic
consultation mechanism between both ministries, in Namibia.
(Press Release, Cuban Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago)
Delegates from 30 nations will participate in the South Business people
Forum in Havana, March 21- 23. The meeting, convoked by the Group-77 Chamber of Commerce
Organisation, will address, as the main topic, challenges for business people from
southern countries, according to President of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce (CCC), Hector
Perez Paez. The event is the last one of three, prior to the South Summit, and will enable
delegates from developing countries to find common points in order to decrease weakness
and become stronger when confronting the challenges of globalisation.
(Press Release, Cuban Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago)
29 March 2000
The third Caribbean Media Conference is scheduled to be held in Guyana in
May.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
The Houston-based Continental Airlines will begin direct flights to the
Cayman Islands from New York in December. Cayman Islands Tourism Minister, Thomas
Jefferson, disclosed that Continental will operate the service four times weekly out of
Newark International Airport. The islands have been without direct air service from New
York since Cayman Airways dropped the route in 1993.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
30 March 2000
The European Union yesterday granted US$ 3.5 million to Guyana primarily
for establishment of a shore zone management. In recent months, the country's sea defence
infrastructure was breached on different occasions resulting in flooding.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
Cable & Wireless, today, announced the resignation of Odle Donald,
Chief Executive Officer of its Caribbean & Atlantic Islands section. A declared that
Chief Executive of Cable & Wireless Regional Businesses, Don Reed, will take direct
responsibility for the Caribbean and the recent appointed Senior Management Team will
report to him.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
31 March 2000
Some 500 soldiers from 14 Caribbean nations are engaged in training in
Puerto Rico to fight fires, earthquakes, floods and uprisings, sponsored by the USA Army
and the Southern Command, headquartered in Miami. The group of police and military
personnel, belong to the Regional Security System under CARICOM.
(Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Web Site)
South Africa President, Thabo Mbeki, confirmed his attendance at the
Group-77 summit, to be held in April in Havana, adding that participants in the forum
should discuss the necessity of south-south integration. Mbeki received Cuban Foreign
minister, Felipe Perez Roque, in an official meeting to review the state of bilateral
links.
(Press Release, Cuban Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago)
Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister Felipe Perez Roque yesterday arrived in
Nigeria to discuss political and economic bilateral relations and to promote the South
Summit to be held Havana. Since March 13, Perez Roque has officially visited Angola,
Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa where he has signed intention protocols or
agreements to establish mechanisms of regular consultations between foreign affairs
ministries on bilateral and multilateral themes.
(Press Release, Cuban Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago)
