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Churches expect gambling to receive go-ahead
Just about everybody, including church leaders, this week voiced their expectations that government will give casino operators on the island the go-ahead. An official announcement is expected later this week from minister of Tourism Phillip J. Pierre. In a statement given on Tuesday, officials of the Roman Catholic Church and the Christian Council say that although they continue to oppose the activity, they expect that gambling will be allowed in St. Lucia, "as government had decided months ago that gaming would be introduced here". The Star writes this. It is widely rumoured that the new 300-room Hyatt Regency Hotel, which will open for business in January, has already installed a fully equipped casino - although government has maintained all along that no promises have been made to the hotel regarding the granting of a license to operate a casino. In the past, whilst in opposition, the Labour Party always opposed the idea of introducing gambling to St. Lucia. The current leader of the opposition, Louis George, blames the government for not having initiated a more structured and exhaustive public consultation into the issue of gambling.
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'Operation Weedeater' uproots millions of ganja plants
A team of US Marine Corps personnel left St. Lucia this weekend after an intensive two week campaign aimed at uncovering and destroying marijuana plantations in neighbouring St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 'Operation Weedeater', as the marijuana eradication exercise was known, elicited a protest campaign in St. Vincent this week. A group calling itself the United Front for Progress (UFP) held a demonstration outside the parliament building, calling for an end to the crackdown on marijuana. The UFP "strongly condemns the use of foreign troops on our soil, [and] the militarisation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines". It demanded "an immediate halt to the US-led military eradication exercises". Many of its members are self-confessed marijuana farmers. Marijuana production is, although illegal, an important source of income to numerous small farmers on the island.
'Operation Weedeater' involved more than 100 troops, 80 of whom are attached to the Regional Security System. The US provided logistical support, including the use of about half a dozen helicopters used to ferry the troops to and from the mountainous interior of St. Vincent, where much of the island's marijuana is being grown. More than one million small marijuana trees and close to half a million mature plants had been uprooted by the end of the first week of the exercise. The US troops and helicopters involved in 'Operation Weedeater' were based at Hewanorra Airport in Vieux Fort, St. Lucia but local newspapers did not report their presence. A similar marijuana eradication exercise was also executed in December of last year. The Star reports this.
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Sandmining undermines Cul-de-Sac landfill
If sandmining at the Cul-de-Sac Bay is not stopped immediately, the very stability of the landfill site may be at risk and a major environmental disaster may follow if tons of garbage from the landfill break through the sand barrier and end up in the bay, transforming the scenic western coastline into an ugly spectacle of floating garbage. This warning comes from the National Conservation Authority. Earlier attempts to stop the indiscriminate and illegal sandmining at Cul-de-Sac with help from the police and other relevant authorities have failed. This time around, the NCA has asked the minister of Works to intervene, and calls upon the police and other institutions to do the same. The Thursday Voice and Crusader report this.
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HIV/AIDS cases in St. Lucia quadrupled since last year
'More bad news about HIV/AIDS' - this is the headline of this week's issue of The Crusader. Reporting on a medical conference held at Pointe Seraphine on Wednesday, the newspaper quotes Dr. Attigre, the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) specialist in St. Lucia. Attigre disclosed that the number of people infected with HIV in St. Lucia is rising rapidly, with fifteen new cases of HIV infection having been recorded between July and September of this year alone. By contrast, between 1995 and 1998, fifteen new cases of HIV were recorded per year. In addition, another nineteen new cases were discovered between January and June of this year.
The number of children infected with the HIV virus is also on the rise. Children of five years and under now make up nine percent of all HIV cases in St. Lucia, there being 27 of them. The number of HIV infected babies is on the rise mainly because teenage boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 19 are reluctant to take HIV testing seriously. "Teenagers feel there is no reason to test since they are not sick, although they might be infected. Most of the cases we have, if there is no compelling reason for the person to come for testing, they do not come. This is why we think we may have a larger number of HIV cases among teenagers". The spread of HIV is further enhanced by the fact that the use of condoms is not as widespread as it might be. As it is, teenage girls are mainly concerned about avoiding pregnancy, rather than about protecting from sexually transmitted diseases. "Usually the teenagers are the ones we capture when they are around 20-something, by which time they have probably lived six or seven years with the virus and then they begin to develop some of the symptoms".
Eight out of ten HIV diagnoses in St. Lucia only follow the manifestation of full-blown AIDS, says Dr. Attigre - meaning that by then, the person has often spent a number of sexually active years during which the HIV virus may well have been unknowingly passed on to others.
Today in St. Lucia, 64 percent of HIV positive cases are persons between the ages of twenty and 64. According to Dr. Attigre, this is the most serious issue facing the island. "This is the age group that is the most sexually active. Also this is where you have the workforce of the country. This has serious social ramifications in terms of the economic fallout. The amount of orphans that will be left after the death of their parents. Many children will have to leave school because their parents are sick and can no longer work. There is no one to finance their schooling, to help them go to university. We are beginning to see these symptoms already". Estimates hold that if the present trend continues, in the next five or six years, the entire health budget of St. Lucia would be needed for HIV/AIDS patients alone. Furthermore, it would cost up to five percent of St. Lucia's General Domestic Product.
According to The Crusader, the Caribbean as a whole (including Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic), has 360,000 HIV cases - second only to Sub-Saharan Africa. The English-speaking Caribbean, with a population of about seven million, currently has about 100,000 cases of HIV/AIDS. That is about the same number as France, which has a population of 60 million and is considered to be one of the countries most seriously affected by the virus. Worldwide, there are currently 50 million people living with HIV/AIDS. Already, 16 million people have died of AIDS. Every day, 16,000 new cases of HIV are diagnosed around the world. The Voice dedicates a full page to a global perspective on HIV/AIDS.
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Post mortem confirms: police shot man in back
Marvin 'Podo' Joseph, the 20-year-old Castries man who was shot and killed by police in Trou Rouge on the 5th December, died of a gunshot to the back. That is the conclusion of both The Mirror and The Star newspapers, after having seen the coroner's post-mortem report. An eyewitness report in One Caribbean, last week, already claimed that Joseph was shot 'in cold blood' by police officers, from behind. Police officials however stated that Joseph "must have been spoken to by the officers" before allegedly coming out of a car carrying a firearm [see last week's news]. The shooting death of Joseph threatens to become a serious embarrassment to local law enforcement authorities, with human rights lawyer Mary Francis having announced last week that she will demand an official inquiry, and Joseph's family members this week declaring that they will not relent "until they have tried everything to prove" that Marvin Joseph was wrongfully killed.
The coroner's report, which was released on Thursday, seems to support their grievances. The Mirror writes that: "Photographs of the dead body and the Coroner's report show that [Marvin Joseph] was shot in the right wrist, in the right buttock and in the back - on the heart side. He also sustained two gunshots to the right leg - one to the thigh and one to the lower leg - one between the right shoulder and armpit and one on the right side of the back. There were no exit wounds apparent from both wounds in the back and the one in the shoulder". The Star also claims to have seen a report of the post mortem on Joseph and writes: "... one fact is undeniable: Marvin Joseph took no less than five bullets on December 5, 1999. ... Curiously, while an official diagram indicates the shots were fired into the victim's back, the stated cause of death is 'gunshot wounds to the chest'."
The Mirror adds to this by writing: "Last week, even official sources of information like the police indicated that Joseph sustained bullet wounds in the front of his body as well as in the back. But photographs and the Coroner's report now show that Joseph may not have been shot in the front at all".
If Joseph was shot in the back, the police officers involved in the shooting may have a difficult case in claiming self-defense. In addition to where exactly Joseph was shot, there is a further aggravating factor since, as The Mirror writes, "Joseph was not just shot in the back. There are strong indications that he was also unarmed". Despite attempts by The Star, no official response could be obtained apart from a statement by Hermangild Francis to the effect that the matter is under investigation. The Star takes two pages to place the shooting of Marvin Joseph in a historical context, recapping the cases of four other men who have in the past been shot and killed by police - three of which were afterwards officially declared 'deaths by misadventure', and one of which has evaded further inquiry so far.
Meanwhile, Bava reports that on Friday morning both a special constable and a male suspect lost their lives in a shoot-out in Soufriere. According to Bava, Christopher Mitchell (32) attacked the officer, Stephen Alexander, inflicting fatal wounds. Mitchell was then shot twice in the leg by police and later died from his wounds.
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Exit National Day, enter Festival of Lights
Last Monday saw the last National Day celebrations that St. Lucia will ever entertain. To many people's surprise, the minister for Community Development and Culture, Damian Greaves announced on Sunday night that: "I would like you to understand that we will no longer be celebrating a National Day. The reason for that is clear. We cannot substantiate clearly with any sort of research the reason for celebrating a National Day - and therefore we are going to change the name on December 13 from National Day to the National Festival of Lights and Renewal". At the time of speaking, Greaves was addressing the audience of a well-attended festival of lights celebration in Babonneau. According to The Star: "Greaves explained to the dumbfounded crowd that we do not know there is a National Day and we are not sure that Christopher Columbus ever set foot on St. Lucia December 13. Greaves strongly reinforced his feelings of commitment to the name change, stating: 'Next year on December 13, no radio station, no newspaper, nobody should be talking about National Day but instead the National Festival of Lights and Renewal "."
The Mirror adds to this that by changing the nature of the December 13 celebrations, the government is making good on an election promise to de-emphasise National Day and to promote Independence Day on 22nd February. Writes The Mirror: "However, except for the constant reminders that the celebration had a new name, the spectacle in Babonneau turned out to be quite similar to the ones of previous years, with a parade of lanterns, displays of cultural dances, electric lights, fireworks and speeches of goodwill".
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Insurance payout for banana farmers
Banana farmers who suffered substantial damage from the effects of hurricane Lenny can expect to receive their insurance cheques sometime this week. This was announced by the Windward Islands Crop Insurance (WINCROP). In St. Lucia, some 1800 persons made claims, amounting to a total of about $750,000. Most damage is the result of snapping of banana trees due to wind gusts which swept across the island between 17th and 20th November. In Au Lyon (Dennery), Woodlands (Vieux Fort) and Model Farms (Roseau) banana plantations suffered from this. However, WINCROP estimates that island-wide, less than ten percent of trees were damaged as a result of the storm. The Mirror reports this. Meanwhile, farmers in Dominica were the first to receive their insurance cheques from WINCROP, last Wednesday, amounting to a total of $900,000 for 1,180 claims. According to The Star, the least number of claims ever compensated by WINCROP occurred last year, when $238,304 was paid out for 219 claims. The most ever paid to farmers was in 1995: $15.5 million for 14,905 claims.
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ECCEA urges government to beware of turtle fishing
A regional environmental organisation this week urged the St. Lucian government to review its decision to temporarily lift the ban on turtle fishing, saying that "it is important that our [Caribbean] region act coherently, rather than put itself up for rebuke as it has in the past". This is reported in The Star. Through its varied membership, the Eastern Caribbean Coalition for Environmental Awareness (ECCEA) represents Caribbean states at global United Nations meetings where issues such as the commercial exploitation of marine turtles are decided upon. Chief Fisheries Officer Horace Walters, in explaining the ministry's decision to lift the moratorium on turtle fishing during the month of December earlier this month, referred to a proposal by Cuba at the previous UN meeting to downlist the Hawksbill turtle [see last week's news]. According to the ECCEA, Cuba intended to sell the Hawksbill turtles to Japan. The proposal was rejected, however because, as ECCEA says: "The suggestion that there were stocks specific to any or each island was scientifically faulty, as marine turtles are creatures that migrate year round over thousands of miles".
ECCEA calls on St. Lucian leaders to "refuse past agendas which have been to our detriment", further saying: "Shouldn't we, as proud Caribbean people, now take the lead and show those who have supposedly led us, that with a new era we condemn policies that have provoked unparalleled human and natural destruction, which deeply scarred the last century? We must learn to say 'no' to situations that provoke dissension amongst us and misunderstanding which creates conflict".
Also protesting the lifting of the moratorium on turtles, this week, is the St. Lucia Dive Association. In a letter to The Star, ANBAGLO argues that the change in policy puts at risk "international development funding, research grants and the precious dollars already spent and the hard work of dedicated people in the Ministry of Tourism and the St. Lucia Tourist Board in creating a positive image for St. Lucia around the world". The organisation outlines the various linkages between eco-tourism and turtle protection, writing: ""One live turtle can generate hundreds or thousands of dollars daily from tourist divers and snorkelers. A dead turtle, on the other hand, is a one time use of a resource that not only fails to maximize its full ecological and reproductive potential, but it puts at risk income upon which all of us depend. ... So-called 'turtle watching', if done sensitively, can directly involve residents, including ex-fishermen, as guides and vendors. This is very lucrative in Barbados, Trinidad, Brazil and elsewhere. Why not St. Lucia?"
Meanwhile, The Star reports, no public statements have been made by the ministers of Tourism or Agriculture, nor the director of Tourism. According to The Star, nine turtles were captured and killed in the first six days of the month. The department of Fisheries states that its scientific officers have gained "valuable data" from the animals caught so far. A report stating data such as numbers caught, sex, size and catching place is expected to be released in mid-January. The report will also contain "recommendations about the future of turtle fishing in St. Lucia and ways in which the resource can be managed across the region".
In an unrelated article, The Voice this week reports that the minister for the Environment, Cass Elias, on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and Canada for a US$4.5 million project aimed at coastal and marine resource management in the region. Components of the project include technical assistance and training and the development of an environmental information system strategy, The Voice reports. Only last month, members of the OECS's Natural Resources Management Unit visited all member states to discuss priority environmental issues.
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New consulate opened with fierce speech
Caribbean nationals in the Americas must vote against those who are responsible for the "lack of vision" which is currently adversely affecting institutions such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Such was the call of minister of Foreign Affairs, George Odlum, during the opening ceremony of the St. Lucia Consulate in Miami, last Friday. Odlum was explicitly critical of the United States' attitude towards developing countries such as St. Lucia. Earlier this year, St. Lucia along with the other banana-producing Windward islands lost its preferential market access to the European Union after the US made an appeal to the WTO on the basis that preferential market access is contrary to the overall liberalisation of the global marketplace. Odlum, however, argues that small Caribbean islands need more time to phase in free trade systems and engage in economic reconstructions. "We want to trade and if we are going to trade, we must be allowed to trade, (not) if you just block us all around, eroding our preferences everywhere not looking at the disparity in size", he told those gathered for the opening ceremony. This coincided with the 23rd Annual Miami Conference on Trade, Investment and Development. Odlum described as "frightening" statistics which show that in 1900, the USA was nine times richer than the poorest country in the world while, at present, the USA is 63 times richer. "We have to realize that we cannot depend on the developed countries to carry the fight for us all the time. ... We have to sensitize the Caribbean peoples in the Americas to touch the politicians and the decision makers where it hurts - in the ballot box. Our consulates must help to do that, our embassies must help to do that because we must fight with the tools that we have", according to Odlum, and reported in The Star.
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Organisation of carnival under scrutiny
The rules and regulations surrounding St. Lucian Carnival ought to be restructured and clarified. This recommendation comes from the Henry Antoine, president of the International Carnival Association, of which organisation the St. Lucia National Carnival Development Committee (NCDC) has recently become a member. "You need to develop your own rules. Do not copy from Trinidad or any other place, you can get guidance from other places but you have to develop what is best for you", Antoine advised local bandleaders and costume designers, at a meeting last Tuesday. The Star reports on this. Those present at the meeting agreed that St. Lucian carnival struggles with controversies about judging, rules and foreign influence in the festival. It was announced at the meeting that judges in St. Lucia's carnival may soon have to abide by stricter codes of conduct, and may also have to undergo a nine month training programme at the University of the West Indies.
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Anse la Raye and Canaries helped by overseas residents
The west coast communities of Anse la Raye and Canaries are both receiving generous assistance this holiday season from their sisters and brethren overseas. The Voice dedicates ample space to both groups. Over one hundred members of the Anse la Raye (St. Lucia) Association UK have returned home to celebrate Christmas and the new millenium in the village. The 7-year-old organisation has planned a busy schedule of festivities and good deeds whilst on island, the highlight of which will be the presentation of a 14-seater mini bus to the community, to be used to transport Anse la Raye school children to and from Castries. In the past, the Anse la Raye Association has donated computers, printers, a photocopier and a freezer to schools in the village. It has also helped to build a Parish Hall, established yearly sports awards, provided disaster relief support and sponsored the Cecilian Rays in the World Music Championships in the USA, earlier this year. President of the Anse la Raye Association is Ryan Park Marquis (to be reached at tel. 451-4135).
Meanwhile, the Canaries U.K. Association, formed five years ago following the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Debbie, is providing concrete help for Canaries residents this Christmas season. Financial donations will be made to elderly and disabled persons by joint Chair of the Association, Simon Cornibert, following a successful fund-raising dance and campaign held earlier in London. In the past years, the Canaries UK Association has supplied an ambulance, computers, printers, a TV and video, books and other equipment to local schools and the health centre, donated disaster relief money, sponsored the local sports council and assisted local persons who required medical care overseas.
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X-mas bonuses for customs and civil servants
Custom officers and civil servants are set to receive special Christmas bonuses this year, of $1,500 and $800 each respectively. However, teachers, policemen, daily paid workers, firemen and doctors are excluded from the incentive bonus scheme. This is reported in The Voice. In all, the government will spend two million dollars on the scheme. According to the government press secretary, the Christmas bonuses are based on three criteria: the achievement of revenue collection targets, achievement of expenditure control limits, and satisfactory performance of appraisals of the members of staff falling within the respective departments. "The reason custom officers will receive more money is because they have done very well in exceeding the revenue target that was set for them", the press secretary explained. The bonuses are to be received sometime between Christmas and the New Year.
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Regional human rights group settles in St. Lucia
St. Lucia is to house the headquarters of the Organisation of Human Rights Defenders, Auditors and Reporters (OHRDAR) - a new human rights group which was formed in Trinidad last week. Professionals from sixteen member countries will work from St. Lucia to assist regional governments in reporting on human rights issues to the United Nations Human Rights Committee. St. Lucian Albert Deterville has been nominated chairperson of the coordinating committee of OHRDAR. OHRDAR will be setting up human rights training programmes within the Caribbean Community and establishing a regional human rights organisation which will maintain contact with similar organisations worldwide.
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Coconut Growers: new board and new book
Fred Flood will continue to serve on the board of the St. Lucia Coconut Growers Association (SLCGA). Despite a poor turn-out, farmers elected a new board of directors last Saturday. Ezekiel Joseph replaces Patrick Joseph as chairman and Joe Allain remains as managing director. Other board members are: Michael Augustin, Elizabeth Charles, Horace Giraudy, Cletus Hyacinth, Rufus Leandre, Fred Flood, Gilbert Pierre and Henry Alexander. Clivus Hippolyte did not seek re-election, and Haydn Williams lost out.
Meanwhile, a book was launched describing the sixty years of the SLCGA's turbulent history. It was written by Robertson Henry and carries the title '60 Years of Goin' Nuts'. Copies of the book will soon be made available to schools, government agencies and the media. Both The Crusader and The Star report this.
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Austrian scholarships available for St. Lucians
The Austrian government is offering scholarships and grants to St. Lucians to pursue post-graduate studies in Austria as of September 2000. Scholarships are granted for post-graduate studies (Ph.D or research work) after a Master's Degree. All fields of study are supported except Humanities, Theology, Music and Arts. Scholarships are awarded for a period of up to 36 months for Ph.D studies, and between 3 and 12 months for research work. Applicants are required to have a good command of German, although grants may be made available for German language courses. For more info, please contact the Dept. of Human Resource Development, 4th floor, New NIS Building, Waterfront, Castries. Deadline for applications is 31st January 2000. The Thursday Voice carries a notice to this effect.
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